The Purpose-Led Leadership Podcast

Ep 88: Growing up in a dictatorship with Zsike Peter

Imagine your mother leaves a note to say she is going for jam but doesn’t return for 6 months.
 
This was what happened to my guest Zsike Peter.
 
Zsike had the hardest of childhoods. Born in Transylvania under the Romanian dictator Nicolae Ceaușescu. After the separation of her parents her stepmother performed cruel acts on her and her sisters that led to her birth mother kidnapping them to flee the country and rescue them.
 
Later in life the birth of her daughter awoke memories she had long repressed of the child abuse she suffered from her grandfather.
 
Zsike also gives insights into the world of marketing and how we communicate.
 
This episode is testament to the strength that Zsike has shown throughout her whole life and to also show the doubters what incredible things she can achieve.
 
“My mother put all of us on a train and basically kidnapped us” – Zsike Peter
 
You'll hear about:
 
00:45 - An introduction to Zsike
02:30 - Zsike's journey since school
06:08 - Life under a dictatorship
15:00 - Being saved by her mother kidnapping her
17:42 - Zsike's childhood trauma
28:06 - How her trauma impacted who she is
31:23 - Zsike's advice to children going through abuse
39:17 - Zsike on life in Hungary with her mother
42:34 - Zsike on how we communicate
49:46 - Confidence vs anxiety
53:26 - Zsike's life as an au pair
01:01:06 - Zsike then vs Zsike now
01:06:50 - What would Zsike say to her younger self?         
 
Zsike’s resources:
 
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/zsike-peter/
Vampire Digital - https://www.vampiredigital.biz/  
Zsike’s artwork - https://www.zsikepeter.com/
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/zsikepe/
My resources:LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/itschrisoconnell/
Twitter - https://twitter.com/ChrisOConnell11
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/chrisoconnellcoach/
TikTok - https://www.instagram.com/chrisoconnellcoach/
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_ZWYrxrzzaElmpZMy5S86w
Basemindset website - https://basemindset.com/

Ep 87: Love more and care less with Seth Prezant

Is being vulnerable a strength?
 
For many showing vulnerability is not something they are willing to do. They see it as a form of weakness. It isn’t, it’s what the world needs more of.
 
In this episode I am joined by Seth Prezant, who I first met climbing Kilimanjaro. Seth isn’t afraid of vulnerability and shares in depth about his relationships, including his divorce from his wife, and how this had a huge impact on his mental health.
 
He also talks about how he has shown up as a father, the good and the bad. Seth is all about reflection and honesty, and that’s what you’ll get in this episode.
 
“There’s a point when you feel it’s ok to love more and care less” – Seth Prezant
 
You'll hear about:
 
01:10 - An introduction to Seth         
04:15 - Seth's journey since school
09:01 - Seth on boundaries and kindness
15:14 - Seth's parental relationships
19:14 - How does vulnerability link with strength?
22:45 - Seth on his own mental health
30:16 - Why Seth hates the word judgement
34:09 - Seth's family relationships
44:55 - What makes a strong relationship?
56:13 - How did divorce affect Seth?
01:02:30 - What has scared and scarred Seth the most?                                          
 
Seth’s resources:
 
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/sethprezant/
Hike Your Sales - https://www.hikeyoursales.co/  
 
My resources:LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/itschrisoconnell/
Twitter - https://twitter.com/ChrisOConnell11
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/chrisoconnellcoach/
TikTok - https://www.instagram.com/chrisoconnellcoach/
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_ZWYrxrzzaElmpZMy5S86w
Basemindset website - https://basemindset.com/

Ep 86: I rebuilt my 7-figure life in 2 years after losing everything with Meena Adnani

You have the power to create your own story.
 
No matter what anyone else says or believes, you can achieve the life you want.
 
My guest in this episode, Meena Adnani, grew up in Indonesia and always knew she needed to break from the traditional role women played in her life experience.
 
Little did she know that this journey would take her to professional and financial success only to lose it all. Despite that loss, which she shares all about, she went on to build back to a 7-figure business.
 
Meena talks about how she managed to achieve this and why her resilience and mindset were her greatest assets in being able to do so.
 
“I’ll never allow anyone to tell me what’s not possible” – Meena Adnani
 
You'll hear about:
 
00:43 - An introduction to Meena
02:04 - Meena's journey since school
08:42 - Meena on losing her wealth
12:35 - Being able to prove people wrong
20:27 - How her parental relationships built her resilience
29:31 - You have to believe anything is possible
34:05 - How Meena reached 7-figures
39:29 - People buy from people
45:18 - What Meena is doing for her personal growth
53:49 - Healing is ongoing
 
Meena’s resources:
 
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/meena-kumari-adnani/
The Empowered Woman Academy - https://www.strongandshine.com/empowered-woman-academy-2024
Strong And Shine - https://www.strongandshine.com/
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/STRONGANDSHINE
TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@meena.adnani
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/meenaadnani/
 
My resources:LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/itschrisoconnell/
Twitter - https://twitter.com/ChrisOConnell11
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/chrisoconnellcoach/
TikTok - https://www.instagram.com/chrisoconnellcoach/
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_ZWYrxrzzaElmpZMy5S86w
Basemindset website - https://basemindset.com/

Ep 85: You have to look after number 1 with Nat Berman

Nothing works unless you do.
 
Your family, your relationships, your business.
 
That’s why you need to look after yourself first to be able to best serve those around you.
 
In this episode I am joined by Nat Berman, who has lived by this rule in all areas of his life. He shares his views on the LinkedIn landscape after having built a successful personal brand from the platform.
 
He also discusses why finding the right people is important but not an easy process, and how this can impact your online presence as well as real world connections. Nat also shares how anxiety has affected him throughout his life and what has worked for him to manage it.
 
“Look out for number 1 otherwise you’re way less useful to other people” – Nat Berman
 
You'll hear about:
 
01:03 - An introduction to Nat
02:21 - Nat's view of the LinkedIn landscape
05:51 - The importance of personal in personal brand         
09:57 - Nat's journey since school
14:17 - Nat's version of coaching
18:20 - Nat on family and relationships
20:01 - Nat on enhancing your mental health
22:44 - Where did Nat's anxiety stem from?
24:52 - What is purpose to Nat?
29:04 - Finding the right people
34:43 - Nat on manifestation
39:14 - The misconception of grinding          
42:07 - Nat on the algorithm
45:48 - Nat's advice to build a personal brand          
49:03 - Nat's worst anxiety
 
Nat’s resources:
 
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathanielberman/
Website - https://natberman.com/
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/realnatberman/
X - https://twitter.com/natberman79
Nat’s free brand built guide - https://newsletter.natberman.com/
 
My resources:LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/itschrisoconnell/
Twitter - https://twitter.com/ChrisOConnell11
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/chrisoconnellcoach/
TikTok - https://www.instagram.com/chrisoconnellcoach/
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_ZWYrxrzzaElmpZMy5S86w
Basemindset website - https://basemindset.com/

Ep 84: Paving the way for women in construction with Kelly Cartwright

Construction is a man’s game, right?.....Wrong
 
There are still industries that have preconceptions about whether men or women are best suited to work in them. And construction is one of them.
 
But it doesn’t have to be this way.
 
My guest in this episode is Kelly Cartwright, the company owner of Core Recruiter, showing the world that women can not only work in construction but be award winning leaders.
 
Kelly shares her experiences as a woman in the industry and the challenges she has faced. She talks about what purpose is to her, and the importance of showing vulnerability. She also tells all about the dress the dress that got her so much recognition but also feeling sof overwhelm as a result.
 
“Just because I am female doesn’t mean I’m at a disadvantage” – Kelly Cartwright
 
You'll hear about:
 
01:01 - An introduction to Kelly
01:39 - Kelly on her awards & that dress
04:19 - Why Kelly does what she does
08:39 - Kelly's journey since school
14:34 - Kelly's thoughts on social media
20:44 - Has Kelly changed as her business has grown?
26:42 - Has Kelly had harsh lessons along the way?
31:23 - What does the future hold for Kelly?
35:46 - Is there a place for showing vulnerability?
44:58 - Kelly on purpose
51:37 - Kelly's advice on understanding what's important                           
 
Kelly’s resources:
 
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelly-cartwright-%F0%9F%A6%BA-8542202b/
Core Recruiter - https://www.corerecruiter.co.uk/
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/kellycartwright_/
 
My resources:LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/itschrisoconnell/
Twitter - https://twitter.com/ChrisOConnell11
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/chrisoconnellcoach/
TikTok - https://www.instagram.com/chrisoconnellcoach/
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_ZWYrxrzzaElmpZMy5S86w
Basemindset website - https://basemindset.com/

Ep 83: Sexual assault changed the course of my life with Rob Sharp

One life event can change everything for better or worse.
 
It took my guest, Rob Sharp, 18 years to begin to face being sexually assaulted. In that time he turned to drugs, which took over his life. The relationships with his family broke down and have never recovered.
 
This is a story of pain but also of owning your life choices and facing your past.
 
You’ll hear Rob share the hardest of things from his childhood through to the present day. How climbing Kilimanjaro became more that just getting to the top of a mountain and what positives Rob has taken from everything that has happened to him.
 
This is an incredible episode and as a warning it does contain references to suicide and sexual assault.
 
“The longer, the deeper, the darker it got, it was killing my head” – Rob Sharp
 
You'll hear about:
 
00:00 - Start
01:49 - Rob's journey since school
02:58 - Violence in Rob's childhood
06:59 - How has Rob's childhood affected his life
10:00 - Rob's life changed after being sexually assaulted     
14:16 - What's the point in me being in the world?
21:00 - Why Rob chose to make amends                              
25:56 - How Rob felt when family knew about the assault
29:31 - Rob on using drugs as a coping mechanism
35:49 - What was the turning point for Rob
42:05 - The positives that have come out of the horror
45:20 - What can makes things more difficult for a man?
47:21 - What Kilimanjaro meant to Rob
51:34 - What role has Amy played in Rob's life?
56:53 - How does Rob feel about his family?
03:29 - What makes Rob's business different?
 
Rob’s resources:
 
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/robert-sharp-a9530142/
Orca Pay Group - https://orcapaygroup.co.uk/
 
My resources:LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/itschrisoconnell/
Twitter - https://twitter.com/ChrisOConnell11
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/chrisoconnellcoach/
TikTok - https://www.instagram.com/chrisoconnellcoach/
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_ZWYrxrzzaElmpZMy5S86w
Basemindset website - https://basemindset.com/

Ep 82: Take risks: what’s the worst that could happen? With Dominic Joyce and Harry Portch

3 generations of recruiters come together and delve into what it takes to be successful in the recruitment industry.
 
In this episode I am joined by Harry Portch, one of the UK’s youngest recruitment agency owners and Dominic Joyce with over 10 years experience working in recruitment, talent acquisition across agency, RPO and in-house.
 
We get into the nitty gritty of what recruitment consultants get wrong, right and everything in between. From building the right culture in the modern recruitment industry to our views on LinkedIn and personal branding.
 
This is a must listen for recruiters at any stage of their careers.
 
“What if it’s a lot bigger than you could ever imagine? Go for it” – Harry Portch
 
You'll hear about:
 
00:00 – Start
01:06 - An introduction to Harry's life since school  
06:01 - How Harry secures well known clients
09:34 - What makes a successful recruitment consultant?
16:11 - How Harry will cope with leadership
19:56 - What's annoying about recruitment consultants?
26:17 - What should recruitment consultants be doing?
34:57 - Funny recruitment stories
38:08 - How to create the right culture?
42:27 - Thoughts on the LinkedIn Landscape
50:06 - Using personal branding agencies
56:21 - Men's health and wellbeing
 
Dominic’s resources:
 
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/dominic-joyce/
 
Harry’s resources:
 
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/harryportch/
HM Staffing - https://hmstaffing.co.uk/
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/hmstaffing/
HM Staffing LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/hmstaffing/
Listen to Harry’s Podcast The Spike - https://podcasts.apple.com/bh/podcast/the-spike-podcast/id1555127158
 
My resources:LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/itschrisoconnell/
Twitter - https://twitter.com/ChrisOConnell11
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/chrisoconnellcoach/
TikTok - https://www.instagram.com/chrisoconnellcoach/
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_ZWYrxrzzaElmpZMy5S86w
Basemindset website - https://basemindset.com/

Ep 81: Life with anorexia taught me to be kind to myself with Melissa Matson

Eating disorders take over your whole life.
 
It affects everything from relationships, to who you are and how you show up in the world.
 
This was life as a young adult for my guest, Melissa Matson. She was always counting calories and believed that waking up in pain was a good thing. Now she’s through the other side and in a place where she uses this experience to ensure she lives a life full of self-kindness.
 
In this episode she shares all about life with anorexia, how she lost who she was after having kids and how she has now reclaimed that. She delves into her purpose of working as a brand strategist and why focusing on metrics is never the right approach.
 
“There comes a point that you’ve got to stop pretending to be the thing you think you should be” – Melissa Matson
 
You'll hear about:
 
00:00 – Start
00:46 - An introduction to Melissa
04:12 - Who is the real Melissa?
10:24 - Was Melissa a self-made resilient person?
15:37 - Melissa's life with an eating disorder
20:11 - What therapy taught Melissa
23:52 - Melissa's life outside of social media
27:57 – Melissa’s thoughts on social media metrics
30:30 - Losing who she was after having kids
40:53 - What would Melissa change about her life?
46:35 - What does Melissa want to be remembered for?
51:54 - What does the future look like?
 
Meilssa’s resources:
 
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissamatson-brandstrategist/
Tik Tok - https://www.tiktok.com/@themelissamatson
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/embrbrandagency/
Embr Brand Agency - https://www.embrbrandagency.com/
 
My resources:LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/itschrisoconnell/
Twitter - https://twitter.com/ChrisOConnell11
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/chrisoconnellcoach/
TikTok - https://www.instagram.com/chrisoconnellcoach/
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_ZWYrxrzzaElmpZMy5S86w
Basemindset website - https://basemindset.com/