The Company You Keep with Jack Aspden

From admin roles to authority in digital workplace strategy - Sharon O'Dea's career journey is anything but linear.In this episode, Sharon takes us through her rise from a working-class background in West London to co-founding a consultancy specialising in digital workplace and internal communications. Along the way: pivotal moments in journalism, navigating the Houses of Parliament, building networks that matter, and the brutal reality of burnout in high-pressure environments.Sharon gets refreshingly honest about:How mentors shaped her trajectory when she didn't have a roadmapThe evolution of digital communications and social media's impact on internal commsNavigating social class and culture in corporate environmentsThe moment she realised she had to walk away from a toxic workplaceTransitioning to freelancing and intentionally building a sustainable practiceWhat's next: writing a book and a residency in Japan exploring the future of workKey takeaway? Confidence isn't innate - it's built through experience, knowledge, and the courage to keep moving forward even when the path isn't clear.If you're navigating career transitions, burnout, or wondering how to build relationships that actually move your career forward - this conversation will resonate.

In this conversation, Sharon O'Dea shares her journey from a working-class background in West London to becoming a co-founder of a consultancy specializing in digital workplace and internal communications. She discusses her early career challenges, the importance of networking, and the impact of mentors. Sharon reflects on her experiences in both the public and private sectors, including her time at the Houses of Parliament and a major bank. She candidly addresses issues of burnout and the importance of mental health in the workplace. Looking ahead, Sharon is excited about her upcoming book on digital communications and a residency in Japan focused on the future of work.

In this episode of The Company You Keep, Jack sits down with Alex Comyn, Brand Experience Principal at AND Digital, to trace a career that has spanned music, media, and digital transformation.Alex grew up in London’s cultural melting pot, started his working life on Fleet Street, and found himself holding the Stone Roses long-awaited second album before anyone else. From there, his journey moved into the first wave of digital agencies, where he helped brands like Barclays, Toyota, and Audi reinvent how they connect with customers.This is a conversation about risk, resilience, and relationships - from learning to say no at the right time, to betting on the internet when others thought it was a fad, to building the kinds of teams that can pitch (and win) some of the biggest accounts in the world.Above all, Alex’s story is proof of the power of the company you keep: the colleagues, clients, and friends who shape your trajectory.In this episode, you’ll hear about:Alex’s unconventional start in music and media – and how it shaped his view of trust and creativityWhy growing up in a diverse community was the foundation for his career in strategyHis leap from the music industry into digital, and the conviction that “this internet thing” would change the worldThe pivotal role mentors and colleagues played in his developmentReinventing brands like Toyota and Barclays in the digital ageHard lessons from leadership, redundancy, and resilienceWhy culture and people always outweigh process and techLinks & Mentions:The Company You Keep podcast: Follow on SpotifyAND Digital: https://and.digitalAlex Comyn on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-comyn-369999/

Alex Comyn on career pivots, digital transformation, strategy, leadership, music industry stories, big brand reinvention, and why your inner circle defines your success.Full episode drops Friday!

From Symantec's rocket-ship years to the dot-com boom, global consulting, and now advising corporates and startups worldwide - Mark Zawacki has lived through the major shifts in tech and strategy over the last 30 years.In this conversation, Mark shares the mentors who shaped him, the lessons he picked up building Symantec's European operations, and what he learned riding the wave of business re-engineering at Index Consulting. We also dive into:Why he believes relationships are the real currency of getting things doneThe rules of consulting he still applies todayThe highs and lows of moving into venture investing during the dot-com bubbleHow reverse mentoring keeps him sharpAnd his personal framework for Total Wellbeing - nine pillars that make career success sustainableIt's a wide-ranging and energising conversation about careers, strategy, mentorship, and how to keep reinventing yourself across decades and continents.ChaptersMark Zawacki's Background and Career JourneyEducation and Early Career InsightsFirst Job at Symantec and Early MentorshipFoundational Skills and Growth at SymantecTransition to Consultancy and Further Career DevelopmentNavigating a Changing Career LandscapeThe Power of Mentorship in ConsultingLearning from Experience: Rankin's Rules of ConsultingTransitioning to Australia: A New ChapterThe Internet Boom and Venture CapitalConsulting in a Post-Bubble WorldBuilding a Diverse and Effective TeamThe Importance of Networking and RelationshipsThe Essence of NetworkingReverse Mentoring DynamicsTotal Wellbeing FrameworkThe Interconnectedness of WellbeingBuilding Meaningful RelationshipsCreating Community through FitnessExploring New Business Ventures

From Symantec’s rocket-ship years to global consulting and venture investing, Mark Zawacki shares the mentors, lessons, and frameworks that shaped his career. We talk about relationships as the real currency of business, the power of reverse mentoring, and his 9-pillar model for Total Wellbeing.COMING FRIDAY!

From growing up in a working-class family to building businesses in coaching and wellness, Toni Phoenix-Coles has walked a career path shaped by resilience, friendships, and a relentless search for fulfilment.In this episode, Toni shares:How financial struggles at university built her resilienceThe friendships that became anchors throughout her journeyLessons from her early career in recruitment and HRWhy personal development changed the way she defines successHow she’s building a business around coaching and wellness retreatsToni’s story is a reminder that success isn’t just about the numbers — it’s about alignment, fulfilment, and the people who lift us up along the way.🎧 Tune in to hear Toni’s lessons on resilience, relationships, and redefining what a successful career really looks like.

From growing up in Ellesmere Port to senior leadership at Amazon and Deliveroo, Phil Green has built a career on spotting patterns, saying yes to the right risks, and building relationships that change everything.In this episode, we cover:Early career lessons – and what happens when you coast instead of pushing yourselfUnlocking $100m in cash at Amazon and the process that made it possibleLeading category growth that topped the company globally for five straight quartersThe leaders who catch you when you fall and celebrate when you flyHow life changes when you step out from behind the “corporate shield”Why he’s giving back to the University of Salford – the same place he once admits he let down as a studentPhil’s story is a mix of honesty, humour, and hard-won lessons about leadership, career growth, and the people who make all the difference.

From Ellesmere Port to senior leadership at Amazon and Deliveroo, Phil Green has built a career by spotting patterns, saying yes to the right risks, and building relationships that change everything.In this episode, we talk about:Early career lessons (and failures)Unlocking $100m in cash at AmazonLeading category growth that topped the company globally for five quartersWhat makes a leader worth followingWhy success without effort can be a cursePhil also shares how life after big corporate roles has shifted his perspective - from investing and board work to giving back at the University of Salford.It’s an honest, insightful conversation about leadership, career growth, and the people who make all the difference.

🔗 Learn more: https://thecompanyyoukeep.co.uk🎧 Subscribe and turn on notifications so you never miss an episodeWhat separates a good career from a remarkable one? For Neville Roberts, CEO of fintech firm Planixs, the answer is simple: people.In this powerful and personal conversation, Neville shares the pivotal relationships that shaped his 35+ year career - from analyst at Accenture to global CIO to founder and CEO. You’ll hear how mentors, peers and one loyal co-founder helped him navigate the highs, lows, and defining moments.We cover:The mentor who told him he led like Attila the Hun - and why it matteredWhy choosing the right relationships is more important than chasing skillsThe early sports lessons that built his drive and resilienceStarting a business from scratch (with a whiteboard and a toolbelt)Why trust and integrity are the real cornerstones of successWhether you're just starting out or deep into your leadership journey, this is a masterclass in how relationships shape your trajectory - and how to choose them on purpose.

Here’s a sneak peek of my conversation with Neville Roberts, CEO of Planixs, whose journey has taken him from Cambridge graduate to leading one of the UK’s fastest-growing fintech companies.In the full episode, we dive into:The meeting that changed everything for his careerLessons from building and scaling a high-growth businessThe relationships that shaped his leadershipWhy curiosity and challenge are vital at every stage🎧 Full conversation available now on The Company You Keep.