Brenda You’re on Mute - The Podcast

AI is everywhere right now — but how much of the hype is real? In this episode, Rakhee sits down with AI strategist and fractional CTO Katherine Mora to unpack what artificial intelligence actually is, how businesses are using it, whether our jobs are safe, and why human expertise may matter more than ever. They discuss: What AI actually is (in plain English) Why ChatGPT changed everything The opportunities and risks for businesses Whether AI is really replacing jobs Why workflows and processes matter more than shiny tools The future of work, security, regulation and big tech Plus, Katherine shares the AI tools she genuinely recommends experimenting with right now: Gamma – AI-powered presentation creation Stitch – Google’s vibe design tool Nano Banana – Google Gemini image creation NotebookLM – Research partner, explainer videos and infographics ElevenLabs – Realistic AI voice cloning Synthesia – AI avatar video creation Google AI Studio – Build and test AI tools without coding If AI has ever felt confusing, intimidating or vaguely dystopian, this episode is for you.

What does professionalism actually mean in 2026? Is it about doing your job well… or is it still code for “fit in, don’t rock the boat, and definitely don’t say f**k”? In this episode of Brenda, You’re On Mute, we’re joined by Dr Jamie Pei — coach, trainer, and unapologetic challenger of the “shoulds.” Jamie shares the story of being rejected by a potential client for dropping a couple of F-bombs on her website — raising a bigger question: 👉 Who decides what’s “professional”… and who gets excluded? We get into: Why professionalism is vague — and easily weaponised The hidden labour of code-switching When to play the game (and when to walk away) How to start breaking the rules — without blowing up your life Jamie also hosts the podcast 'Notes on Being Unruly', where she dismantles the invisible rules we all live by: notes on being unruly | Jamie Pei If you’ve ever felt like you’re performing a version of yourself at work… this one’s for you. Show Notes / References: Jamie Pei: https://jamiepei.com Aesthetic Labour: Rethinking Beauty Politics in Neoliberalism - Ana Sofia Elias, Rosalind Gill, Christina Scharff Americanah – Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie Want to listen on your preferred podcast app? 🔗 https://lnkd.in/eUH2VmQQ Support the show & help us keep producing episodes ☕: https://lnkd.in/esijwsb6

The Meeting Will Continue Until Morale Improves. We've all been there — the meeting that could have been an email, the 90-minute "alignment call" that aligned precisely nothing, and the induction session that somehow ended in a group sing-along to Lifted by the Lighthouse Family. Yes, really. In this episode, Rakhee and Heather take a long, hard (and deeply cathartic) look at the workplace meeting — why so many of them are pointless, what they're actually costing businesses, and why the people most addicted to them are often the ones least qualified to run them. They dig into the data from a 2024 German four-day week pilot — where meetings dropped by 60% — and ask why it takes losing a fifth of your working week before anyone questions whether a recurring Tuesday stand-up is actually achieving anything. Spoiler: it isn't. Along the way, there's a corporate rebrand song with a key change, a 30-person pitch meeting that devolved into the Eurovision Song Contest, and some genuinely useful research on why large meetings make everyone less accountable and more exhausted. Plus: what Amazon, Shopify, and GitLab are doing differently — and why calendar bankruptcy might be the workplace reset we all deserve. Stats that will make you want to delete your entire diary: Executives spend up to 80% of their time in meetings 72% of meetings are considered ineffective The UK economy loses an estimated £50 billion a year to poorly run meetings If you've ever sat in a meeting wondering why you're there, this one's for you. If you've enjoyed the series so far and would like to support more episodes, please show us some love and support our production costs at BuyMeACoffee: Brenda You're on Mute 

What is this “Davos” they speak of? A town… or a billionaire’s clubhouse? (Spoiler: it’s both.) In this episode of Brenda, You’re on Mute, we lift the lid on the World Economic Forum in Davos — the annual Alpine gathering where CEOs, politicians and the ultra-wealthy meet to “shape the future.” We break down: Who actually gets in (and what it costs) This year’s geopolitical drama and standout speeches The rise of the “Davos Man” and billionaire influence Climate pledges, vaccine alliances, and whether any of it really changes lives The flaming “No Kings” protest on the mountainside 🔥 Is it global cooperation at its best — or elite deal-making dressed up as democracy? We’re sceptical. We’re curious. We’re definitely not on the guest list. Listen now — and tell us: if you've had a Davos lanyard, how did you use it? Reading recommendations: Davos Man: How the Billionaires Devoured the World Solve for Happy: Engineer Your Path to Joy - Mo Gawdat  

Join Rakhee Verma and Heather Deland for a review of 2025 in business, the global economy, and the world of work. From trade wars, tariffs, and Brexit fallout, to the rise of billionaires, AI, and climate challenges. They explore the impact of global volatility on everyday life, consumer power, and political choices, and herald Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum as one of 2025's heroes. Whether reflecting on the UK economy, graduate unemployment, or why Katy Perry is so annoying, Rakhee and Heather give their candid, side‑eyed perspective on a year that was tough but not without laughs. Tune in for sharp observations, occasional exasperation, and moments of hilarity—because 2025 was one for the books. (Rakhee breaks her pledge to not swear on the podcast and can't stop saying the word 'shite'.)

What can political campaigns teach business about communication? In the last episode of Brenda, You’re on Mute for 2025, communications experts Rakhee Verma and Heather Deland break down modern political communications and translate the lessons to be learned by business. From the UK Government’s chaotic and reactive, vision-free messaging to the standout campaign success of Zohran Mamdani, New York's Mayor-elect, they explore what and how to cut through. And the importance of data, data, data. If you want to read more about Rakhee's advice to the Government, click here: Why are the UK Government’s communications so cr*p?  

In this episode of Brenda, You’re on Mute, Rakhee sits down with Lisa Paasche – Norwegian-born founder and former CEO of the award-winning SEO agency Verve Search, now part of Omnicom. Building on the podcast’s recent conversation about immigration and the UK economy, Lisa shares her journey from a “one-year” gap year in London to leading one of the most successful SEO agencies in Europe. They discuss: Why so many tech founders are foreign-born How immigration fuels innovation and grit Lisa’s path from au pair to entrepreneur The challenges of being a female, foreign CEO in a male-dominated industry What happens when a direct Norwegian leadership style meets British corporate subtext Insightful, funny, and refreshingly honest — this is a must-listen for anyone interested in entrepreneurship, culture, and the real stories behind the UK’s tech success. And yes, someone did say to her, "Maybe everyone in here wants to sleep with you, but do you know anything about SEO?" To learn more about Lisa, or to hire her as a coach visit EKTE Vision | Lisa Paasche - Mentor, Business Adviser, Non Executive Director  

Rakhee and Heather talk about immigration and the economy, and how those “good-for-nothing foreigners” are coming over ’ere… taking care of our sick and elderly, starting businesses, and boosting the economy. Next you’ll be telling us curry is the national dish!

Why do some people breeze through their careers with unshakeable confidence, while others — often the most competent — feel like frauds? In part two of Unskilled and Unaware of It, Rakhee Verma digs into why imposter syndrome hits some harder than others. Business psychologist Clare Radford, founder of &Culture, explains what imposter syndrome really is, how it shows up at work, and what individuals and leaders can do to manage it. Then broadcaster and journalist Pip Tomson opens up about living with imposter syndrome under the public spotlight, sharing how she’s learned to quiet her inner critic and own her success. Guest Links: 🔗 Clare Radford – linkedin.com/in/clareradforduk 🔗 Pip Tomson on Instagram – @PipTomson  

Why do the most capable people doubt themselves — while the catastrophically overconfident never do? In Part One of our Imposter Syndrome special, Rakhee and Heather unpack the strange psychology behind self-doubt and the Dunning–Kruger effect — a bias so strong it can convince someone they’re ready to run the country (looking at you, Liz Truss 👀). Imposter syndrome affects around 70% of people at some point in their lives — and yes, it’s a problem for men too. 🎧 Part Two coming next week features Clare Radford, Occupational Psychologist, and Pip Tomson, award-winning radio and TV presenter, sharing their experiences and insights on imposter syndrome. Harvard Business Review source material: https://hbr.org/2021/02/stop-telling-women-they-have-imposter-syndrome  

Rakhee had a knock to the head and decided to read Donald Trump’s The Art of the Deal. Interviewed by Heather, the hosts pull apart the book’s gold-plated bravado, missing negotiation strategy, and questionable legacy. Expect sharp takes, a few laughs, and some actually useful book recommendations along the way.  Recommended Reads Mentioned in This Episode Getting to Yes – Roger Fisher & William Ury Pour Your Heart Into It: How Starbucks Built a Company One Cup at a Time – Howard Schultz Let My People Go Surfing – Yvon Chouinard (Patagonia founder) Nuts! – Kevin & Jackie Freiberg The Tesla Files – Investigative exposé on Tesla Patagonia: Founder’s Story – Shunsuke Chouinard / additional Patagonia insights  

Episode 1: Woke or Joke 🎙️ In our debut episode, Heather and Rakhee tackle the sometimes absurd, often contradictory world of corporate DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) initiatives. Inspired by the wave of corporate pledges following George Floyd’s murder five years ago, we ask the big question: are companies genuinely committed to change, or is it just PR panic? From Microsoft’s multi-million-dollar DEI programs to Walmart’s recent backtracking, and even the surprising business case of Gregg’s vegan sausage roll, we explore the wins, the fails, and the eyebrow-raising “woke or joke” moments along the way. Expect a mix of sharp satire, real-world insights, and playful games, all designed to make you laugh, think, and maybe side-eye your own office. Because in the world of business, sometimes if you don’t laugh, you’ll cry.