The Courageous Leaders Podcast cover art
Podcast · 56 episodes

The Courageous Leaders Podcast

by Joanna Howes · English

The Courageous Leaders Podcast aims to inspire leaders to step into their courageous zone, be the leader they know they can be and discover the mindset skills and behaviours to take their leadership to the next level. So listen in, get inspired on how you can grow your leadership impact. Leave a legacy you can be proud of, and build an environment for future leaders to thrive. Who is Joanna Howes? Joanna Howes is an award-winning international coach, behavioural expert, specialising in leadership and performance coaching and No 1 best selling international co-author. Her focus is to help individuals and teams activate their full potential, so they can step into their courageous zone to maximise their influence, build their resilience and take the action needed to become high performers and future-ready leaders. Joanna is a unique phenomenon within her industry, with over 20 years’ experience working internationally with some of the world's most awarded advertising agencies and leading them to operational and leadership success. Her blend of both innovative operational and transformative change solutions empowers organisations to create environments that are supportive and fearless for their employees. Website: https://thechangecreators.com/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@courageousleaderspodcast IG: https://www.instagram.com/the.changecreators/ Podcast IG: https://www.instagram.com/courageous_leaders/ Newsletter: https://the-change-creators.kit.com/1a5f3c9e54

Latest episodes

All episodes

Formula E CMO: How Do You Drive Change Without Causing Chaos?Ellie Norman, CMO of Formula E, explains how to drive change without chaos using her “safe rebel” framework: challenge assumptions while protecting “load-bearing beams,” and keep momentum through…17 Sep 2026 · 48 min · 19 chapters
How To Be Successful At Work & Be A Great DadFathers’ transition to parenthood and returning to work; how workplaces can support identity change so dads can be successful at work and present at home.3 Sep 2026 · 50 min · 16 chapters
Ogilvy CEO: Why Creative Leaders Need A Culture Of Disrespect | James MurphyJames Murphy (Ogilvy CEO, New Commercial Arts co-founder) argues that creative leadership requires a “culture of disrespect” toward hierarchy, so teams keep momentum, make decisions with imperfect…20 Aug 2026 · 1 h 6 min · 29 chapters
How to build one culture across 100 companies and 40 countriesBuilding a unified company culture during rapid, large-scale transformations across 100+ entities and 30–40 countries, amid AI-driven disruption in advertising/marketing.6 Aug 2026 · 1 h · 23 chapters
5 Bad Leadership Behaviours Every Leader Should AvoidFive leadership behaviors to avoid: (1) no self-management (reacting when stressed, offloading stress, careless language like “client is a nightmare”); (2) avoiding difficult conversations; (3) not…23 Jul 2026 · 5 min · 2 chapters
Is Ruthlessness the Price of Reaching the Top? | A Leaders' Panel DiscussionLeaders’ Panel “Leadership Room 101” debates what to banish from leadership and industry culture: “busyness” as a badge (packed calendars, midnight emails, meetings-for-meetings), “pay-to-play”…9 Jul 2026 · 51 min · 25 chapters
Why It's Okay to Upset People When You Lead | Joanna HowesLeadership feedback and performance suffer when leaders avoid upsetting people; it’s normal to get emotional, and leaders should allow space for people to process and learn.25 Jun 2026 · 5 min · 2 chapters
Esther Marshall on Grief, High Achievement, Emotional Resilience & Holding It All TogetherHow high achievement becomes overachievement, and how grief and trauma reshaped Esther Marshall’s definition of courage, achievement, and “being enough.” She describes turning personal loss into…11 Jun 2026 · 57 min · 20 chapters
Why a ‘C’ in your Title Doesn’t Automatically Make You an Executive Leader | Leadership Coach Joanna HowesJoanna Howes argues that executive teams must stay accountable and act collectively; a “C” title (chief) doesn’t automatically mean someone is an executive leader, and CEOs should be willing to…4 Jun 2026 · 4 min · 5 chapters
Rory Sutherland on Leadership, Courage & Unconventional ThinkingRory Sutherland (behavioral science/advertising) argues leadership is about “telling people where to look,” not commanding; success often comes from trivial psychological effects, reframing…21 May 2026 · 57 min · 25 chapters
The Challenge & Care Framework for Better Leadership & Culture | Leadership Coach Joanna HowesJoanna Howes explains the “Care & Challenge” leadership culture framework, arguing that overly “nice” cultures fail because they lack challenge and clarity.14 May 2026 · 5 min · 3 chapters
Why We Need to Talk About Death, Sex & Money More Than Ever | Charlotte PearceCharlotte Pearce argues that people avoid talking about death, sex, and money, and that leaders must bring their whole selves (including sexuality, desire, and money conversations) into work.7 May 2026 · 55 min · 25 chapters
How to Know If You Are Emotionally Fit as a Leader | Leadership Coach Joanna HowesEmotional fitness for leaders—how to manage emotions so you respond with logic and values instead of reacting from fear, reducing burnout and improving performance under uncertainty.30 Apr 2026 · 7 min · 5 chapters
How Narcissistic Traits Show Up in Leaders (And Why It Matters) - Kathleen SaxtonHow narcissistic traits and the “dark triad” (narcissism, psychopathy traits, Machiavellianism) show up in leaders, why it matters for workplaces and families, and what governance/HR should do…23 Apr 2026 · 1 h 8 min · 37 chapters
Power Moves You Must Know As a Leader | Leadership Coach Joanna HowesHow “power” shows up in executive team meetings and shapes company culture; avoiding or misunderstanding it is the real problem. Guest: Joanna Howes, leadership coach (no other guests mentioned).16 Apr 2026 · 9 min · 4 chapters
Elite Leadership Lessons from Former Military Leaders | Military Leaders Panel EditionElite leadership under extreme pressure, focusing on courage, psychological safety, accountability, training-based confidence, and developing “B teams” rather than relying on an “A team.”9 Apr 2026 · 52 min · 27 chapters
Are You a Toxic Leader Without Realising? | Leadership Coach Joanna HowesJoanna Howes explains “toxic leadership” and introduces a “pyramid of impact,” arguing many leaders display toxic behaviors daily without realizing it.2 Apr 2026 · 6 min · 5 chapters
Change Doesn't Happen When You Play It Safe | A Leaders' Panel DiscussionThe Courageous Leaders Podcast19 Mar 2026 · 1 h 5 min · 20 chapters
The Experimental Mindset Every Leader Needs - Anne-Laure Le CunffThe Experimental Mindset Every Leader Needs5 Mar 2026 · 50 min · 23 chapters
Breaking the UK’s ‘That’ll Never Work’ Mindset with Cano Water's Josh WhiteThe Courageous Leaders Podcast19 Feb 2026 · 49 min · 20 chapters
The Three Intelligence Centres EVERY Leader Needs - with Leadership Coach, Joanna HowesIn this solo episode, Joanna Howes explores why many successful leaders feel stuck or disconnected despite external achievements.5 Feb 2026 · 8 min · 4 chapters
What Change Really Demands From a CEO with Simon CookThe Courageous Leaders Podcast aims to inspire leaders to elevate their leadership styles by developing the necessary mindset, skills, and behaviors.22 Jan 2026 · 40 min · 17 chapters
When Your Company No Longer Fits You - Sedge Beswick on Identity, Fear and Hard DecisionsIn this episode, Sedge Beswick, a consultant, advisor, speaker, and founder, discusses the tough decisions that come with career transitions, especially when a company no longer aligns with personal…8 Jan 2026 · 51 min · 22 chapters
How to FIND THE COURAGE TO CHANGE in 2026 with Joanna HowesIn this episode, Joanna Howes reflects on the importance of courage in leadership amidst rapid change.18 Dec 2025 · 16 min