Why Not? & What If?

Send us Fan MailTis our Christmas Eve special — and we’re diving into the stuff HR teams never forget… even when they try. Siobhán shares anonymised “HR nightmares at Christmas” stories that range from jaw-dropping (a motorboating incident with a very questionable defence) to the painfully familiar (people passed out in toilets, tears in the loo, and the post-party investigations nobody wants). We also get into the messy reality of workplace hookups, the risks around power dynamics and consent, what happens when partners are invited, and why “what happens at the Christmas party” very often doesn’t stay there. Content note: This episode includes discussion of sexual harassment/misconduct scenarios, alcohol, and workplace investigations. Got a story or a view? Email [email protected]— we might do a follow-up episode with your takes.

Send us Fan MailHR gets labelled “the police” at Christmas parties… and somehow also “the fun sponges”. In this episode, Andy and Siobhán talk about the reality of attending work socials when you’re the person everyone assumes will step in, calm things down, and clean up the aftermath — even though HR aren’t there to break up fights, and definitely shouldn’t be expected to put themselves in harm’s way. We get into the awkward moments (“Careful what you say… HR’s here”), the pressure of holding company confidences when everyone’s had a few, and why some HR pros choose to leave early… or skip the whole thing entirely. Plus: the different “tiers” of Christmas dos, why HR often prefer lunches, and a film recommendation that flips the “fun sponge” stereotype on its head.Got a story or a view? Email [email protected]— we might do a follow-up episode with your takes.

Send us Fan MailIt’s the first of our three-part Christmas mini-series — and we’re starting with the one everyone thinks they already knows: how to survive the work Christmas party.Andy and Siobhán share a “top 10 (plus a few)” set of common-sense rules for employees (and partners) that keeps the night fun… without it turning into a disciplinary, a PR disaster, or a proper horror story. We cover why a Christmas party still counts as a work event, the risks that come with booze (including the open bar Olympics), why “dancing on tables” can have real-world consequences, and the modern minefield of phones, photos, and sharing things that should never leave the room.There’s also a brutally practical section on getting home safely (don’t “rely on vibes”), plus a few tales that preview what’s coming in our final Christmas Eve episode: anonymous stories of Christmas parties that went wildly off-piste. Got a story or a view? Email [email protected]— we might do a follow-up episode with your takes.

Send us Fan MailIn Part 2 of our conversation with Channel 4’s Hunted hunter Paul Cashmore, we step away from the TV screens and go deep into the work that really lights him up – mental and physical health, NLP and full-body nervous system reset.If Part 1 was about fame, ego and being “the guy off the telly”, this episode is where it all gets practical. Paul opens up about burnout, chronic stress and the moment his body literally forced him to stop. He shares how meditation, martial arts, Buddhist philosophy and neuroscience collided to shape his approach as a performance coach – and why so many clients now know him as the “NLP Ninja”.We get into:What it actually means to reset your nervous system (and why most of us are stuck in permanent fight-or-flight)The link between stress, gut health, eczema, pain, fatigue and exhaustionWhy your thoughts can create symptoms – and how they can also help release themThe simple Venn diagram Paul uses with clients: past, environment, movement and nutritionHow he blends NLP, coaching, PT and sound frequencies to help people let go of anxiety, trauma and old storiesThe deceptively simple question he always starts with: “What do you want?”Paul also talks about being a “human guinea pig” for everything he teaches, why science-backed “woo” can be life-changing, and how tiny habits and small wins can start to pull you out of overwhelm.👉 New here? This is Part 2 of Paul’s story – so if you haven’t already, go back to Part 1 to hear the journey from police officer to Hunted hunter and the hidden cost of being in the public eye.Connect with Paul:Website: paulcashmore.co.ukEmail: [email protected] you know someone who’s burnt out, wired, stuck in their own head or constantly in “go mode”, share this episode with them – it might be the nudge they need to hit reset.Got a story or a view? Email [email protected] – we might do a follow-up episode with your takes.Got a story or a view? Email [email protected]— we might do a follow-up episode with your takes.

Send us Fan MailWe got caught – properly.In this episode of Why Not? & What If?, Siobhán Godden and Andy Cracknell sit down with someone most of us know as “that bloke off the telly” – Paul Cashmore, one of the original Hunters from Channel 4’s hit series Hunted and Celebrity Hunted.But this isn’t just fan chat. It’s the story of what happens behind the persona – and what being in the public eye really does to how we see ourselves and each other.From a 15-year-old kid who just wanted to be on TV, to a police officer writing scripts in his spare time, to finally landing his dream on Channel 4 at 40, Paul shares the near-misses, rejections and sheer refusal to give up that got him there.Along the way, we dig into:What fame, ego and social media really do to your sense of selfHow the “Hunter” persona was created – and the human being underneath itWhen self-care and fitness tip into obsession and harmWhy teenagers now feel celebrity-level pressure without celebrity-level supportThe power of authenticity – and why it might be the highest “vibration” of allPaul’s simple first step if you’re on the edge of stress or anxiety: reach outWe also meet the calmer side of the man behind the Hunter: the grounded, quietly powerful energy that makes Paul such an effective coach – and, as Andy dubs him, the “NLP Ninja”.👀 This is Part 1 of a two-part conversation with Paul. In Part 2, we go deeper into his work in mental and physical health, NLP and performance coaching – and the tools he uses to help people reset, rebuild and move forward.🔗 Connect with PaulWeb: www.paulcashmore.co.ukEmail: [email protected]💬 Got a story or a view on fame, ego or mental health? Email [email protected] – we might do a follow-up episode with your take.If you’re a Hunted fan, a coach, or someone who’s ever wondered what chasing external validation is doing to your head and heart – this one’s for you.Got a story or a view? Email [email protected]— we might do a follow-up episode with your takes.

Send us Fan MailHR is supposed to care about people.So why does so much of it feel like policy updates, tick-box training and vibes of “please sign to say you’ve read this”?In this episode of Why Not and What If, Siobhán Godden and Andy Cracknell sit down with HR disruptor, stand-up comic and former chef-turned-wrestler Toby Kheng (Founder of Freeformers) to ask a very simple question:If HR vanished tomorrow... would anyone actually notice?Together they dive into a very spicy mix of:Why traditional HR and L&D are obsessed with knowledge retention instead of real behaviour changeThe brutal truth about sexual harassment training, policy updates and why none of it shifts culture on its ownHow behavioural economics and human-centred design can transform employee experience far more than another LMS login What wrestling and stand-up comedy can teach leaders about performance, feedback and genuine stakesWhy so many HR teams are quietly de-skilling themselves by leaning on AI for everythingThe danger of L&D arrogance: “we’ll just build our own presentation skills course”How leaders destroy their own credibility with robotic comms and why humility, self-awareness and a bit of self-deprecation land so much betterToby shares how learning stand-up and stepping into the wrestling ring gave him more powerful lessons than any corporate programme, and why he and his co-founder Emily are rebuilding the employer–employee relationship from the ground up through Freeformers. Siobhán brings the HR realism (and the 2am wake-ups over clients’ people problems), while Andy owns his history of being “told off by HR” and why he still believes tone of voice, values and culture cannot be imposed from the top.If you work in HR, L&D, people, internal comms or leadership and you suspect a lot of what you’re “supposed” to do is nonsense, this one might hit a nerve in the best possible way.Connect with Toby & FreeformersFreeformers website: search “Freeformers employee experience” or visit freeformers.comToby on LinkedIn: search “Toby Kheng Freeformers”Got a topic you want us to dive into?Email us at [email protected] – your ideas genuinely fuel this chaos.If this episode made you think, laugh or rage-text your HR WhatsApp group, hit follow/subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who still thinks “updating the policy” is a culture strategy.Got a story or a view? Email [email protected]— we might do a follow-up episode with your takes.

Send us Fan MailC-suite roles are supposed to be the pinnacle of a career… so why do so many senior leaders feel exhausted, isolated and secretly wondering if they’re “doing leadership wrong”?In this episode of Why Not and What If, Siobhán Godden and Andy Cracknell sit down with change maker consultant Simon Phillips to unpack leadership energy – and why understanding your natural impact style can be the difference between burnout and genuinely loving your work.Together they explore:Why your energy patterns as a leader matter more than your job titleHow tools like The GC Index® and Simon’s Change Leader Code reveal where you really add valueThe hidden loneliness epidemic at C-suite level – and how psychological safety, coaching and honest conversations can change everythingWhy “being nice” isn’t the same as being kind – and how real Playmaker energy often means inviting healthy conflictThe dangers of hiring and promoting on skills alone, without understanding proclivities and energyHow the Young People Index is helping teenagers make better choices about study, careers and self-worthThe link between game changer energy and ADHD, and what that means for how we design work and support peopleAndy also shares how discovering his own GC Index profile literally changed the course of his career (and quite possibly saved his life), and Siobhán lifts the lid on why so many senior HR and people leaders quietly lie awake at 2am worrying about their people.If you’re a leader, HR/People professional, coach or just someone who feels like work is draining more than it gives, this one’s for you.🔗 Connect with SimonExplore the Change Leader Code: changeleadercode.comFind Simon on LinkedIn: search “Simon Phillips Change Leader Code”💌 Got a topic you want us to dive into? Email us at [email protected] and tell us what’s keeping you up at night.If this episode made you think, laugh or rage-text your mates, hit follow/subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who needs to hear they’re not the only “lonely leader” in the room.Got a story or a view? Email [email protected]— we might do a follow-up episode with your takes.

Send us Fan MailIn this episode of Why Not and What If, hosts Siobhan Godden and Andy Cracknell sit down with Chris Hood, Head of Coaching and Community at Neurobridge, for a refreshingly honest conversation about neurodiversity — what it really means, why it matters, and how understanding it can reshape how we see ourselves and others.Chris opens up about his own ADHD diagnosis, sharing how it shaped his mental health, self-esteem, and identity. Together, they explore the misconceptions, microtraumas, and stigma that often accompany neurodivergence, particularly for women, who are frequently underdiagnosed or misunderstood.This episode goes beyond discussing ADHD. It is a call to compassion, curiosity, and kindness. When we understand the different ways people think, we do not just create better workplaces; we create a better world.Key takeaways:ADHD and neurodiversity often intersect with mental health challengesEarly diagnosis and support can change livesSelf-esteem is a silent struggle for many neurodivergent individualsDiversity of thought drives innovation and empathyTune in for a conversation that is both insightful and heartening, reminding us that everyone’s mind works differently, and that is exactly how it should be.Got a story or a view? Email [email protected]— we might do a follow-up episode with your takes.

Send us Fan MailSeason 2 kicks off with a bang. Andy and Siobhán dive headfirst into a conversation that starts with echo chambers on social media and spirals (in true Why Not & What If fashion) into flags, racism, homelessness, ADHD, Covid resets, world peace, and why assumptions make an ass out of you and me.From Andy’s raw story of being homeless in the French Alps to the uncomfortable reality of St George’s flags and what they’ve come to represent, this episode asks: how do we disagree without dehumanising? What’s the intent behind the symbols we see? And are we evolving fast enough for the world we’ve created?It’s messy. It’s challenging. It’s occasionally unhinged. And it’s exactly why you came back for Season 2.💬 Got a view, or a topic you want us to dive into? Email us at [email protected] a story or a view? Email [email protected]— we might do a follow-up episode with your takes.

Send us Fan MailIn this messy-but-necessary conversation, Siobhán and Andy dig into the everyday reality women face from catcalling and “optics” to objectification at work and what men can actually do about it. We talk intent vs impact, how social media blurs the lines between professional and personal, and why “LinkedIn isn’t Tinder.” Plus: the “kilt test,” power dressing as armour, and how to start noticing what you’ve been conditioned to miss.If this episode is your pill from The Matrix, swallow it then share it with a mate.Referenced in the episode:• Charlotte Delsignore — Open letter to men: a raw, unsparing inventory of the everyday safety calculations women make.https://www.linkedin.com/posts/charlotte-delsignore-career-coach_men-you-have-no-idea-what-its-like-to-be-activity-7295752586882666496-OJTQ• Charlotte Delsignore — Follow-up post: deepens the list and doubles down on the ask for men to notice, intervene, and hold each other to account.https://www.linkedin.com/posts/charlotte-delsignore-career-coach_men-you-have-no-idea-what-its-like-to-be-activity-7292090363631063040-5MwC• Bryan Maguire — “LinkedIn isn’t Tinder”: calling out objectifying comments under women’s professional posts and reminding us what the platform is for.https://www.linkedin.com/posts/bryan-maguire_ive-noticed-something-recently-that-doesn-activity-7362448994075041795-5HhN• Caitlin O’Ryan — Spoken-word reel: a visceral piece on being seen, the grey areas around attention and consent, and the “spotlight vs shadow” feeling many women describe.https://www.instagram.com/reel/DA81XIgo0Wn/?igsh=MTh4amMyeWhzbm1ueA==Got a story or a view? Email [email protected]— we might do a follow-up episode with your takes.

Send us Fan MailAndy and Siobhan dive into the noisy debate about neurodiversity, ADHD and mental health labels. Andy shares a very personal story of receiving conflicting opinions about ADHD and how many “ADHD traits” can also look like burnout. Together they explore why one in five children are recorded with special educational needs, what EHCPs are trying to solve, and how rigid systems in schools and workplaces push people out instead of bringing them in.They unpack emotional intelligence, gendered mental load, masking, dyslexia and visual processing quirks like SMIDSY, asking a simple question: are we labelling people, or really understanding them?You will hear:ADHD versus burnout and why the responses can be the sameWhy labels help when used for understanding and harm when used for limitsHow education and workplaces could adapt for different brainsA practical coaching lens for supporting people who process the world differentlyWe also put out a genuine ask. If you are an illustrator or publisher who can help bring “My Awesome Mind” to life, please get in touch.Got thoughts or a story to share? Email us at lets [email protected]: Personal experiences and opinions only. This is not medical advice.Got a story or a view? Email [email protected]— we might do a follow-up episode with your takes.

Send us Fan MailIn this powerful episode, Andy and Siobhán sit down with Yasmin Wells ([email protected] / www.apricity.solutions) to explore the extraordinary story of her nine-year-old son, Alex, who wrote a book called My Awesome Mind.Alex’s unique perspective on autism reframes the conversation from challenges and deficits to creativity, positivity, and possibility. Yasmin shares how his book came to life, what it reveals about the way he experiences the world, and the impact it’s already had on his classmates, teachers, and parents.The discussion broadens into a wider exploration of parenting, neurodiversity in schools, the challenges teachers face, and the vital role of listening, love, and advocacy. Together, they ask the big questions: How do we nurture children’s natural spark? How do we stop outdated systems from shutting them down? And what would change if we all asked each other “How does your mind work?”This is a raw, emotional, and hopeful conversation for parents, educators, leaders and anyone who cares about how we raise the next generation.Got a story or a view? Email [email protected]— we might do a follow-up episode with your takes.

Send us Fan MailWhat happens when everything you’ve built suddenly collapses?In this powerful and deeply personal episode of Why Not? & What If?, Andy and Siobhán welcome their first guest – “Farmer John.”John’s consultancy business was thriving until the 2020 lockdown wiped out every contract overnight. What followed was a spiral into depression, financial uncertainty, and a complete loss of identity. But out of despair came an unexpected lifeline: an alpaca farm visit that sparked a new dream.From boardrooms to barns, John and his wife Natalie reinvented their lives, creating https://www.franklyfarmtours.co.uk/ – a thriving visitor farm in Shropshire that has already welcomed thousands of people seeking joy, connection, and escape.This conversation isn’t just about alpacas. It’s about resilience, friendship, identity, and how crisis can push us to rediscover who we really are. It’s about the permission to change, the signs we ignore, and the courage to take action.If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to walk away from the life you thought you wanted and step into the one you were meant for, this episode is for you.Got a story or a view? Email [email protected]— we might do a follow-up episode with your takes.

Send us Fan MailWhat if the thing that hurt you most is also the thing that pulled you into the work you do now?In this episode of Why Not and What If?, Siobhán and Andy dive into why we choose the careers we do – especially in the helping professions – and what happens when we’re doing that work with our own unhealed wounds in the background.Siobhán shares how she “accidentally-but-not-really” ended up in HR, after being blocked from studying psychology and pushed into politics instead. From airport childhoods, travel bugs and British Airways family stories, to becoming the kind of HR professional who doesn’t police people but helps them feel heard – she unpacks the sliding doors moments that shaped her path.Andy talks about growing up as a middle child, never quite feeling seen, and how that’s threaded all the way through his work in policing, communications and marketing. From victim impact statements in the police to running a consultancy literally called Be Seen Media, he explores the deep need to give other people a voice – and what that costs when you’re already carrying your own stuff.Together they get into:Why some people go into HR, policing or caring roles to serve, and others to controlRules vs guardrails – when “just following policy” actively harms people and outcomesThe emotional toll on HR, nurses, police, porters and counsellors – and who looks after the helpersHow much support organisations should offer vs where personal responsibility kicks inThe role of self-awareness, supervision and good management in staying sane when your work hits your woundsIf you’ve ever wondered “Why do I keep ending up in these roles?” or felt wrung out by work you genuinely care about, this episode is a messy, honest look at motivation, trauma, purpose and boundaries – with plenty of stories, swearing and sideways tangents along the way.Got a story or a view? Email [email protected]— we might do a follow-up episode with your takes.

Send us Fan MailWorking mums shouldn’t have to choose between nappies or networking – but it often feels like they do.In this episode of Why Not and What If?, HR consultant and coach Siobhán Godden and marketing & communications consultant Andy Cracknell dig into what really happens to a woman’s career, confidence and identity after having a baby. Sparked by a listener question from Jasmine in Australia, they unpack the messy reality of going from maternity leave back into meetings, targets and “business as usual” – when absolutely nothing feels usual anymore.They explore the motherhood penalty vs the fatherhood bonus, why mums are drowning in the mental load, and how guilt shows up differently for mothers and fathers. Siobhán shares HR-war-story insight from the workplace and her volunteering with Pregnant Then Screwed, while Andy reflects on paternity leave, being a hands-on dad, and the lingering pressure to be the “proper breadwinner”.You’ll hear about:Motherhood guilt vs fatherhood guilt – and why neither side really winsThe invisible mental load (World Book Day, haircuts, birthday presents… all of it)How maternity leave and childcare impact career progression, promotions and confidenceWhat good employers do: flexible working, output-focused cultures, mentoring and inclusive job adsWhy having a baby can trigger major career pivots and a search for purposeIf you’ve ever tried to answer emails while balancing a baby on your hip, cried in the car park after nursery drop-off, or wondered if your career will ever feel the same again, this one’s for you – and for every leader who wants to genuinely support working parents, not just tick a policy box.Keywords: working mums, working mothers, motherhood and career, returning to work after baby, maternity leave, fatherhood bonus, motherhood penalty, mental load, flexible working, HR, gender equality at work, women in leadership, parental discrimination.Got a story or a view? Email [email protected]— we might do a follow-up episode with your takes.

Send us Fan MailWhat actually happens in a woman’s body when she tries to “step up” and be more assertive at work?In this episode of Why Not and What If, Siobhán and Andy kick off a mini-series inspired by listener Jasmine in Melbourne – a social worker, supervisor and coach to women in the helping professions. They dive into what it reallycosts women to communicate assertively as leaders… and why it’s still so much more complicated than “just be confident.”Siobhán unpacks how women often have to lean on stress hormones like cortisol to create the same impact that testosterone gives men more naturally – and what that means for burnout, health and the constant tightrope between “clear” and “too much”. She shares boardroom stories of being the only woman in the room, negotiating everyone else’s pay with ease but whispering about her own, and the subtle ways women are punished for speaking plainly.Andy brings in lived examples from policing and corporate life:the “diddy” female officer who had to psych herself up to roar down a violent crowd,strategic women ignored on male-dominated boards,and Black women leaders silenced by the “angry Black woman” stereotype.Together they dig into:The science and psychology behind assertive communication for womenWhy confident men are “strong”, but confident women are still called “bossy” or “bitchy”How internalised misogyny shows up in woman-to-woman dynamics at workThe role of soft skills (empathy, listening, emotional intelligence) in an AI-driven worldWhy men must be part of challenging misogyny and changing the cultureThis one is messy, honest and a bit rage-inducing – but also hopeful. If you’ve ever toned yourself down in a meeting, rehearsed an email ten times so you don’t sound “too harsh”, or wondered why asking for fair pay feels like climbing Everest, this conversation is for you.Got a story or a view? Email [email protected]— we might do a follow-up episode with your takes.

Send us Fan MailWhy do we still expect families to share one surname – and why is it usually his?In this episode of Why Not and What If?, HR consultant and coach Siobhán Godden and marketing & communications consultant Andy Cracknell dive into the tangled world of surnames, marriage and identity. From women taking (or not taking) their partner’s name, to double-barrelled surnames, passport checks at borders and awkward moments at the school gate, they explore what our naming traditions say about family, culture and power.Along the way they wander into heritage, patriarchy, Irish and British naming history, families with multiple surnames under one roof, and whether it really matters anymore that everyone shares the same name – especially as marriage rates fall and family structures evolve.You’ll hear:Why some partners keep their original surname for professional or personal identityThe practical headaches of different surnames for parents and children (airports, schools, forms)How names connect to heritage, class, status and “old money”Stories of names changed for safety, social acceptance or political reasonsBig questions about whether the “traditional” family name still makes sense todayIf you’ve ever debated changing your name, double-barrelling, going back to your maiden name, or giving your kids something completely different, this episode is for you.Hit follow/subscribe for more messy, magical and unapologetically honest conversations at the intersection of life, work, leadership and all the bits we’re not supposed to talk about.Got a story or a view? Email [email protected]— we might do a follow-up episode with your takes.

Send us Fan MailFounder-CEOs, SME owners and senior leaders who struggle to let go of the day-to-day, this one’s for you.In this episode of Why Not and What If?, HR consultant and coach Siobhán Godden and marketing & communications consultant Andy Cracknell dive into the moment every founder has to face: when you’re no longer the right person to run the business you built. They explore why some leaders cling on and stall growth, while others have the self-awareness to step aside, stay in their lane and let specialists lead.Drawing on real-life stories from scaling SMEs, profiling organisations and corporate boards, they unpack ego, narcissistic leadership, the loneliness of the top job, and how imposter syndrome shows up even in “godlike” executives. They also bust the myth of imposter syndrome as the modern-day “bicycle face”, and talk about why coaching and “critical friends” are essential if you want a healthy, sustainable business.In this episode, you’ll hear about:When founders and CEOs should get out of the way and stop being the bottleneckWhy self-awareness and emotional intelligence are non-negotiable leadership skillsHow imposter syndrome, ego and culture shape decision-making at the topThe role of coaches and trusted advisors in keeping leaders in their laneIf you’re a founder or senior leader wondering whether you might be holding your organisation back, hit play — then follow the podcast for more unfiltered conversations at the messy, magical intersection of life, work and leadership.Got a story or a view? Email [email protected]— we might do a follow-up episode with your takes.