Career Shape Shifters & Reinvention Rebels
Guests who’ve changed lanes, rewritten their story, or walked away from the "dream job" to do something braver and truer.
Kate Ashmore embodies the spirit of brave reinvention. Once navigating the traditional HR world, she stepped out on her own to launch Rebel HR - a bold move rooted in purpose, autonomy, and people-first values. In our very first podcast episode, Kate shared candid insights on going self-employed, building a client base, and creating workplaces that truly work for humans. Her career shift isn't just a pivot, it's a rebellion against outdated norms in favour of something braver, better, and more human.
After 15 years in a senior role at a major brewery, Louisa Fitzpatrick took the leap into independent business and reshaped what a wine merchant could be. Now co-owner of Old Chapel Cellars in Truro, the UK’s first B Corp-certified wine merchant, Louisa brings heart, purpose, and deep expertise to an industry not always known for its conscience. In our conversation, she opens up about imposter syndrome, blocking out the noise, and how she’s teaching her daughters what bold, values-led business really looks like.
After two decades leading customer training for some of the UK’s biggest hospitality names, Lou Jones made a bold and heartfelt pivot, swapping the corporate ladder for a café of her own. Now co-owner of Oliver’s Pantry in Ripon, Lou brings warmth, consistency, and soul to every corner of the business she runs with her husband. Her story is a masterclass in how years of experience, when combined with personal vision, can create something truly special and more human.
From managing the demands of billionaires on board luxury superyachts to helping female founders run their businesses with elegance and efficiency Lottie Brawn’s journey is a lesson in radical reinvention. Swapping the high seas for a laptop and a mission, she launched Lottie Brawn Studio to bring world-class organisation, strategy, and support to those who don’t have a superyacht. With clarity, resilience, and a black-and-white approach that cuts through the noise, Lottie proves you can build a business with boundaries and brilliance.
From burning down a successful business (metaphorically…we think) to building something bolder and more true, Crystal Ruth Thompson is the definition of a Reinvention Rebel. Crystal brings deep wisdom, creative strategy, and a generous dose of Canadian charm to everything she does. Her journey is a masterclass in what it means to walk away from what no longer fits, even when it looks good on paper, and go all in on something that lights you up. Her work is rooted in the belief that your next chapter doesn’t have to wait for "someday."
From squiggly starts to shining success, Amanda Henderson’s path is a reminder that your "true calling" doesn’t always show up on the first try. Her move from a safe employed role into the uncertainty of entrepreneurship didn’t come without fear. As someone naturally risk-averse, Amanda’s story is a powerful reminder that you can be cautious and courageous. That stepping out doesn’t always mean leaping,sometimes it’s a thoughtful, deliberate pivot.
From hospitality ops to HR tech entrepreneur, Jo Harley has carved a career rooted in purpose, people, and creating meaningful change from the inside out. Her journey is one of constant reinvention, proof that you can lead with kindness, show up fully as yourself, and still be a powerhouse in your field. In this conversation, we explore the reality of being an accidental entrepreneur, why she believes kindness is not a weakness, and what it really takes to lead by example.
In these two solo episodes of Pivots & Plot Twists, I invite you into some of my own story,and guide you through some gentle but powerful reflection of your own.
In Ep 33, I walk you through a mini coaching session to help you create your own luck, get unstuck, and start moving forward again, even when you don’t feel ready. In Ep 57 I talk about embracing change, the messy kind, the non-linear kind, the kind that starts with changing your mind.