Speech Bubbles with Charlotte Otter

Making the case for leadership as a practice, not a performance.

In this episode, Charlotte Otter talks to Tanmay Vora about leadership, visual storytelling, non-linear careers, and what it really takes to build a meaningful reputation. Tanmay is a founder, visual leadership facilitator, TEDx speaker, author, blogger, and former software executive who has spent more than 25 years helping people and organisations make sense of complexity.

Tanmay’s believes that brevity is a gift. He shares how blogging and Twitter’s old 140-character limit taught him to sharpen his thinking, communicate…

Building leadership across borders, systems, and cultures.

In this episode, Charlotte Otter speaks with Kave Bulambo: founder, TEDx speaker, talent expert, and cultural transformation advocate. Kave is the force behind BlackInTech Berlin, the first community of people of African descent in tech in Germany, and the founder of Talent Diverse, which connects diverse talent with inclusive organisations.

Born in Congo, raised in Durban, South Africa, and now based in Berlin, Kave brings a rich and deeply human perspective to leadership, diversity, and work. She shares how crossing borders…

(And using AI to write your book won't help)

In this episode of Speech Bubbles, host Charlotte Otter is joined by Debbie Jenkins - founder, publisher, author, marketing strategist, Stevie Award winner, and self-described horse tickler and wine enthusiast. Jenkins has written 18 books under her own name (plus ghostwritten others) and has been mentoring authors since 2004. Her company Intellectual Perspective Press is one of many businesses she runs.

Debbie's central message around AI and publishing is clear: Faster isn’t better, it’s just faster.

Charlotte and Debbie explore what AI is…

From computer scientist to communications advisor.

In this episode of Speech Bubbles, Charlotte Otter talks with Dr. Michael Gerharz — author, speaker, podcaster, and former computer scientist — about why brilliant ideas so often fail for one painfully simple reason: people don’t find the right words.

Michael shares his journey from the world of code (during the mobile phone revolution) into the world of communication, after watching smart teams get stuck, not because the problems were too complex, but because the language was. He explains why simplicity isn’t the enemy of complexity —…

Diversity delivers value.

In this episode of Speech Bubbles, Charlotte Otter talks to Barbara Salopek - Founder & CEO of Vinco Innovation, TEDx speaker, lecturer at BI Norwegian Business School, board member, and author of Future Fit Innovation - to unpack a powerful leadership truth: the very things that make you different can become your biggest advantage.

Barbara, Croatian-born and Norway-based, challenges the modern obsession with innovation shortcuts. She argues that real, sustainable innovation isn’t delivered by a single workshop or the latest fashionable framework. It’s built by…

Just because I feel it, doesn't make it true.

In this episode of Speech Bubbles, host Charlotte Otter talks to Susan Ní Chríodáin - facilitator, leadership coach, podcaster, and award-winning author of Leading Beyond the Numbers: How Accounting for Emotions Tips the Balance at Work - to unpack what happens when we stop pretending work is purely rational.

Susan shares a deceptively simple idea with massive consequences: our brains predict what’s about to happen next, and we often treat those predictions (and the emotions that follow) as facts. But just because my brain thinks it, it doesn’t…

What happens when a company becomes employee-owned?

In this episode of Speech Bubbles, Charlotte Otter sits down with Eithne Devine-Hynes, CEO of DeltaXignia, to unpack the leadership and cultural shift that comes with becoming an Employee Ownership Trust (EOT).

Eithne explains why becoming an EOT is not a switch you flip, but a story you have to bring to life through governance, education, transparency, and culture. She explains the practical structure behind EOTs, including trustees and quarterly governance rhythms.

On leadership: Eithne’s most formative training came from leading large…

How a defence analyst became a reinvention coach.

In this episode of Speech Bubbles, Charlotte talks with coach, speaker, and author Katia Vlachos about what it really means to become uncaged as a leader and as a human.

Katia shares her journey from high-flying defence analyst to reinvention coach and author of A Great Move and Uncaged: A Good Girl’s Journey to Reinvention. She explains how invisible cages like perfectionism, people-pleasing, and self-sacrifice quietly shape our careers and relationships – and how learning to self-validate, rather than chasing external approval, changes…

Building the future of social impact.

In this episode, host Charlotte Otter talks with Zoë Colosimo, a founding member and Chief Operating Officer at Neighbourly, the UK platform connecting big brands with local communities. Neighbourly helps companies turn brand purpose into real-world impact through volunteering, grants, and redistribution of surplus food and products – delivering more than £1.7 billion in social value and over 270 million meals across the UK and Ireland.

Zoë shares how corporate social responsibility has moved from the edge of business to its heart, driven by ESG,…

Exploring the art, craft, and science of story with two experts.

In this episode of Speech Bubbles, Charlotte welcomes David Pullan and SarahJane McKechnie, who are actors turned coaches, authors, and co-founders of The Story Spotters. Their journey began in a rehearsal room, grew into a love story, and eventually evolved into a business where they now help leaders communicate with clarity, confidence, and connection.

With clients across industries, David and Sarah-Jane teach leaders how to use storytelling to cut through noise, win attention, and bring ideas to life. Together they’ve…

How your digital reputation opens possibilities.

In this episode of Speech Bubbles, host Charlotte Otter talks with Australian reputation strategist Roger Christie; founder of Propel and host of Your Digital Reputation. Together they explore how leaders can use platforms like LinkedIn to earn trust, amplify impact, and change outdated archetypes of leadership – especially for women and under-represented leaders.

Roger argues that your digital reputation is no longer a nice to have – it’s the gateway to opportunities, stakeholder trust, and commercial success. He explains why LinkedIn isn’t…

PE teachers could run the world.

In this episode of Speech Bubbles, host Charlotte Otter talks to award-winning entrepreneur and campaigner Antoinette Daniel — founder of Just Helpers, an ethical London cleaning agency on a mission to transform the cleaning industry.

Antoinette runs three businesses, has campaigned against modern slavery, and is a TEDx speaker. She believes business should create win–win–win situations for workers, clients, and the company. She shares how Just Helpers pays fairly, fights for better working conditions for cleaning staff, and challenges purpose-washing by…

How former MD Liz Bradford found purpose, resilience, and visibility.

In this powerful first episode of Season 2 of Speech Bubbles, host Charlotte Otter talks to Liz Bradford, former MD and banking leader with an impressive career at HSBC, Merrill Lynch America, and SWIFT.

After hitting burnout, Liz rebuilt her life and leadership from the inside out — discovering how physical resilience and a renewed sense of purpose helped her not only recover, but thrive.

A self-confessed hardcore introvert, Liz shares how she rose to senior leadership by leaning into strategic visibility — becoming…

Inclusion isn't optional.

'It is extremely vulnerable to show up to work as your whole self.'

Laurence Paquette is the head of marketing at Vestas in Denmark, a neurodivergent executive, queer mum, leadership coach, podcaster, and brand strategist.

She also produces short, no fluff videos on leadership, burnout, imposter syndrome, and navigating work as your full self.

These have earned her an audience of over 70,000 followers on TikTok and her thought leadership on LinkedIn has gained a following of 14,000 people. Her podcast, Original Minds, is about leadership for introverts, people…

Why leadership in purpose-driven organisations is so complex.

"Changes usually happen not at the centre of an organisation, but at the periphery and at the edges."

Daniel Atlin is a coach, communicator, strategist, fundraiser, adjunct professor, and connector with over 30 years experience in senior roles in Canada's post-secondary, cooperative, and government sectors.

In this episode, he talks to host Charlotte Otter about his leadership journey from the music industry ('we got Napsterized') into the public sector, culminating in a role at Guelph University as Vice President External…

A former Amazon exec talks vulnerability, learning, and risk-taking.

"We are all icebergs and only 10% of what makes us diverse as individuals is visible above the surface."

Liz Gebhard has led multi-billion, multifunction businesses in the US, EU, and worldwide. In her last role, she was head of global strategy and operations for inclusive experiences and technology at Amazon.

In this conversation with host Charlotte Otter, Liz talks about her passion for creating inclusive cultures, advancing diversity, equity and inclusion at all levels, and empowering organisations to achieve…

Building a great work partnership can be life-changing.

'Very few people would be willing to step down and reverse roles with their boss.'

Tech executive, board member, investor, CEO advisor, mentor, and podcaster Amy Wilson describes how as an executive she hired her best friend Meg Bear and then swopped roles with her - and how this would be unlikely to happen in an alpha male driven set-up.

They now run the very popular podcast The Meg and Amy Show, where they dive deep into HR tech and AI.

In this episode, Amy reflects on her leadership journey, the dearth of female role models early…

The best emcee in the business shares leadership and speaking tips.

'It's time. I need to stand up and help, and represent, and lead.'

Reputation and thought leadership expert (and wickedly brilliant emcee) Kerrie Finch describes to host Charlotte Otter how she realised it was time to come out of the wings and lead SheSays Amsterdam, a women's empowerment forum that welcomes men to its ranks but not its stage.

In this episode, Kerrie gives excellent advice to those who have ambitions to stand on the keynote stage and shows how emceeing is a form of leadership.

We also talk about the…

Reflecting on the book launch and a new career as a podcaster.

Reinventing yourself as a podcaster while launching a book.

In this episode, Charlotte answers listener questions on how the launch of We Need New Leaders has gone - including an event at the IABC World conference in Vancouver and a book party in London - as well as her thoughts about starting a podcast.

She says Speech Bubbles is the podcast that gives you hope about leadership in the world, and talks about some of the things that surprised her during the book launch (spoiler: the reputation of teams, who knew?).

This podcast…

A leader finds new ways of working and being.

In this episode, Emily Monsell-Holden (marketing and branding expert and now co-founder of The Impact Apothecary) talks to host Charlotte Otter about redefining women's success beyond motherhood, the importance of diverse narratives, and the healing power of sharing personal stories.

Emily is a founder, TEDX speaker, mentor, podcast host, and regenerative business advocate. She is also an actor, wild swimmer, forager, gardener, fermenter, traveller, and storyteller.

After 20 years of leading marketing and communications, Emily co-founded The…

How immersing herself in community helps this leader create lasting impact.

In this episode, leader and founder Aparna Bhasin talks to host Charlotte Otter about how she's shifting her consulting work towards participatory research that embeds itself in community.

Aparna Bhasin is a founder, facilitator, and coach. Her business, Aparna Bhasin Consulting, recently hit its ten-year milestone and gave her the opportunity to rethink.

Having been thrust into leadership early in her career, leading a team of over 120 in multiple states in India, Aparna compares leading large teams to leading as…

A CEO founds and codes a startup to help execs get comfortable with AI.

In this episode, Allegra Patrizi (former CEO of Aegon Netherlands, former MD Virgin Money, and now founder of Claridora AI) talks to host Charlotte Otter about helping executives get over their fear of AI, teaching herself to code, and making a difference in other people's lives.

In her long career, Allegra has held a wide variety of senior positions, including group risk director, chief solutions officer, chief technology officer, as well as several non-executive board roles.

She was the youngest person ever to make…

Fix the system, and not the women.

In this episode, Sabine Rath (change manager, Agile leadership coach, keynote speaker, lecturer, and thought leader) talks to host Charlotte Otter about how Germany's maternity leave system creates the lifetime earning gap, how men taking paternity leave needs to become the norm (even CEOs, imagine!), and how we need to de-gender care.

Sabine brings a specific lens on the German political and structural systems, but the topics are relevant for working women and men everywhere.

Charlotte and Sabine are former neighbours in Heidelberg, Germany, and also…

Empathy and collaboration are the tools for our future.

In this episode, Dr Ernesto Marinelli (Chief People Officer at Aareon Group, LGBTQ+ ally, and leadership expert) talks to host Charlotte Otter about the power of empathy, inclusivity, and collaboration in the age of AI.

Ernesto's lens on how to lead means he focuses on employee success (not engagement - hooray!), outcomes not processes, and flexible working in order for companies and humanity to progress and prosper. Leadership for him is values and purpose driven.

He talks about a shift of leadership from command and control (power)…

Building inclusion through listening and learning.

In this episode, Joanne Lockwood (founder and CEO of SEE Change Happen, a DEI practice with a specialism in transgender awareness) talks to host Charlotte Otter about living and working as a trans woman.

Trans rights shifted in the UK with the Supreme Court ruling on 16 April 2025 that the legal definition of a woman was based on biological sex. Joanne, who holds a gender recognition certificate, describes her deep sense of disenfranchisement and loss of agency as a result of the ruling.

Joanne is a leader and spokesperson, CEO and…

A non-binary leader shares their experience of living diversity out loud.

In this episode, chartered accountant and model David Nath talks to host Charlotte Otter about walking into a new job presenting as non-binary without first asking what the HR policy was. They talk about choosing themself, how their values form a key part of their reputation, and how collaboration fosters growth and performance at work.

David is a chartered accountant, statistician, analytics lead, board member, a part-time model, and identifies as a first-generation immigrant as someone who is queer, non-binary and…

Talking pay equity and transparency, AI in HR, and negotiating your salary.

In this episode, Anita Lettink talks to Charlotte Otter about the EU Pay Transparency Directive and how its going to affect pay equity in the EU.

Anita busts some myths about the pay gap, especially the pervasive notion that women aren't as good at pay negotiation as men are.

She talks about what HR leaders need to know about AI (spoiler: it's the same for heads of communication) - and she advises job applicants on how to negotiate their next salary. Anita has some piquant opinions on the lack of real training for…

Getting real about reputation, leadership, and the writing process.

In this episode, Charlotte answers listener questions - ranging from who's your podcast inspiration, to what's your pet peeve in corporate communications.

Charlotte also talks about reputation, leadership (good and bad), and gives some insights into her book-writing process.

She also gives listeners some ideas on how and where they can buy We Need New Leaders and how they can take part in some of the book launch events.

This podcast is a companion piece to Charlotte Otter's book We Need New Leaders, published on 3 June by…

Your reputation enters the room before you do, so act with integrity.

In this episode, Vuyiswa M'Cwabeni describes how real personal growth and transformation happens outside the comfort zone. Having had to reassess her career completely after a shocking experience (which she describes), she ensures that she lives and works according to her deeply held values.

Vuyiswa describes her life as the CEO of software company Bloon, keynote speaker, immigrant in Germany, and mother of two teenagers. She is also poised to launch her own skincare brand.

She talks about how she has learned to love…

Diversity and Inclusion in the PR Industry.

In this episode, PR agency leader Paul Nolan describes his ADHD diagnosis at the age of 42 - along with his whole family - and how that gave him insight into himself, how he manages his energy, responds to triggers, and his leadership style.

Paul champions his agency's blueprint diversity mark process from the BME PR Pros - something he says has been deeply transformative for the organisation.

In this episode, he talks about the challenges for organisations to create real change, how he leads, and how he thinks about his own reputation (spoiler…

The brilliance you can achieve when you throw off limiting beliefs.

Gillian Jones-Williams is a dynamic and inspirational business leader, author, and motivational speaker who exemplifies how neurodiversity can be a driver of innovation, resilience, and success.

As the founder of Emerge Development Consultancy, a thriving learning and development firm established nearly 30 years ago, Gillian’s extraordinary career is a testament to determination and adaptability.

Gillian was forced to leave home at age 17 without completing further education and, despite living with Bipolar Disorder and…

Shining a light on taboo workplace topics to create compassion.

In this episode, award-winning speaker and entrepreneur Jess Rad gets real about premature menopause, late-identified neurodiversity, being a parent carer, and helping others break the stigma of their own taboos.

Jess is on a mission to shine a light on the real challenges impacting the women in the workplace - because even if they aren't being spoken about, it doesn't mean they aren't real or common - all in the name of building compassion.

She talks about how her own diagnosis of premature menopause catapulted her into…

How a communications executive gave herself power to lead.

In this episode, Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) President 2025, Advita Patel, charts her journey from quitting the restraints of corporate to building a purposeful working life by stopping looking to others for validation.

Advita is an award-winning founder, communications expert, international speaker, podcaster, author, and confidence coach.

This podcast is a companion piece to Charlotte Otter's book We Need New Leaders, published on 3 June by Practical Inspiration Publishing. Find it online or in all good…

Rewriting the rulebook on leadership, communication, and success.

In this episode, leader and reputation coach Charlotte Otter reflects on the first three episodes of her podcast Speech Bubbles.

She looks at how her first three interviewees are rewriting the rulebook on leadership, communication, and success.

Charlotte engages with insights from Meg Bear, Sarah Goodall, and Sara Daw - three very different leaders who share one thing: deep intentionality about how they lead and how they show up.

This is a short, snappy episode - enjoy!

This podcast is a companion piece to Charlotte…

Finding freedom in the workplace.

In this episode, Sara Daw (group CEO of the CFO Center and the Liberti Group and author of the business books Strategy and Leadership as a Service: How the Access Economy meets the C-Suite and Executive Freedom: How to Escape the C-Suite, Create Income Security, and Take Back Control by Building a Part-Time Portfolio Career) talks to host Charlotte Otter about building a global business that helps individuals build portfolio careers.

Sara wanted to have a fulfilling career and also have some time at home during the week to raise her children, and started…

Learning her team's lived experience changed how Sarah leads.

Sarah Goodall is an entrepreneur who turned her love of social media into an award-winning business - Tribal Impact - which has grown to 25 employees over nearly 10 years.

In this open and sometimes vulnerable conversation, Sarah shows how opening about their lived experience of different kinds of diversity helped her team build psychological safety and helped her understand neurodiversity and health issues in her own family better. She believes she's more empathetic as a result.

Sarah is a collaborative and trusting leader, who…

From outsider and the only woman in the room to tech exec.

In this episode, Meg Bear (former president of SAP SuccessFactors, and formerly also a senior executive at Oracle and PeopleSoft) talks to host Charlotte Otter about overcoming obstacles in her leadership journey. Meg describes how she broke through as an executive despite not fitting in to leadership archetypes, how she galvanized her network to strengthen her position, and how she leads now.

Meg shares ideas for leaders from diverse backgrounds and of diverse identities on how they can build or create their own dream leadership…

I'm a writer, communicator and former journalist. I'm also a former executive and leader of a large global team in a software company. This experience gave me a ringside seat around boardroom tables where I saw men of a certain background being shuffled to the top roles, other men failing upwards to take and retain their places at those tables, while women and others from diverse backgrounds or with diverse identities start well in their leadership careers and then fall right off the glass cliff once they reach the highest level.

I'm seeing the same in politics where competence is overruled…