What Nobody Tells You About Creating Change | Laura Coryton & Rachael Crook

Why do some people spend years fighting for change — long before anyone notices the result?And what does it actually take to keep going when people dismiss your ideas, systems resist change, and success feels impossibly far away?In this episode of Catch The Upswing, Jessica Espinoza speaks with Laura Coryton and Rachael Crook — two women who turned frustration, setbacks, and difficult personal experiences into movements and businesses that created real-world impact.Laura Coryton led the campaign to end tampon tax in the UK and helped change legislation across Europe. Rachael Crook built a technology platform helping solve critical shortages in the care sector after witnessing firsthand how difficult it can befor families to navigate care systems.Together, they explore resilience, campaigning, entrepreneurship, empathy, criticism, leadership, and the “hard years” nobody sees behind meaningful change. This is aconversation about staying in the arena, building through uncertainty, and continuing even when progress feels invisible.🎙️ In this episode, we explore:The absurd policies that exposed sexism in the tax systemHow Laura Coryton helped end tampon tax in the UKWhy meaningful change almost never happens quicklyThe emotional reality of entrepreneurship and leadershipWhat caregiving taught Rachael Crook about resilience and empathyWhy criticism from the sidelines matters less than staying “in the arena”The hidden emotional cost of trying to create changeWhy empathy is one of the most underrated leadership skillsHow to keep going when your first ideas failThe mindset shifts that help people persist through difficult years🔗 Check out Laura Coryton’s work:Website: https://lauracoryton.com/ Sex Ed Matters: https://sexedmatters.co.uk/🔗 Check out Rachael Crook’s work:Lifted: https://www.lifted-talent.com/🔗 Additional resources:Obama Foundation Leaders Program: https://www.obama.org/programs/leaders/Care Economy Knowledge Hub (Kore Global): https://www.the-care-economy-knowledge-hub.org/⏱️ Chapters:00:00 Trailer04:19 Episode Starts: Meet Laura Coryton & Rachael Crook06:54 “Who Is Making These Decisions?”11:41 Watching Someone You Love Disappear15:03 “There Was Nothing To Help Us”20:05 The People Holding Society Together22:01 How Laura Changed UK & European Law27:36 “Nobody Sees The Hard Years”31:18 The Moment Rachael Nearly Quit35:09 Why Most People Never Start40:45 The Leadership Skill Nobody Talks About46:05 The Exercise That Changed How She Lives50:12 “We Are Making Money And Changing Lives”56:34 “Be More Ambitious”01:01:05 Life Belongs To People In The Arena01:08:42 Rapid Fire Round01:13:26 “Getting Punched Is Part Of It” 📺 Watch more episodes:Catch The Upswing is a business podcast exploring howpeople build, lead, and navigate complexity in a rapidly changing world.Subscribe for conversations with global leaders, entrepreneurs, and emerging voices shaping today’s economy.🔗 Follow & connect:YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CatchTheUpswingInstagram: https://instagram.com/CatchTheUpswingTikTok: https://tiktok.com/@catchtheupswing#Leadership #Entrepreneurship #WomenInBusiness #CareEconomy #Activism #Resilience #SystemsChange #CareerGrowth #CatchTheUpswing