#107 Tracy Garrad - "Can Nice Girls Get The Corner Office?" - Aviva CEO on Gender and Socioeconomic Background

Krish Ramineni is the co-founder and CEO of Fireflies.ai, an AI-powered meeting assistant used by over 200,000 organizations. A University of Pennsylvania alumnus, he previously served as one of Microsoft's youngest product managers. Krish has been recognized on Forbes' 30 Under 30 list. In this conversation, I wanted to explore more than just how Fireflies became one of the most powerful AI tools. I wanted to understand what it means when machines start writing our stories, mimicking our voices, and sitting in on our most human conversations. Can AI ever truly capture the grit, chaos, and beauty of lived experience—or are we on the verge of losing something essential? We talk about the tension between progress and preservation, and whether the future of storytelling is human, machine—or something in between.Krish and I also dive into the emotional and societal weight of this moment: AI companionship, job displacement, and the possibility of a world where our most personal connections and creative output are filtered through algorithms. If AI can do everything—write, talk, create, even empathise—what’s left for us? This isn’t just a tech story; it’s a human story. And as we stand at the edge of a new era, the real question is: will we still recognise ourselves in the future we’re building... and will we want to?Get in touch:Instagram - Instagram.com/davidmcintosh.jrShop Origin Story - www.originstoryclub.com

Graeme Carling is an Entrepreneur and Scotland's largest private landlord. He is the Chairman of The Carling Group.Graeme shares his humble beginnings as a joiner in Dundee and the transformation of mind and knowledge he has been on. He dispels the need for financial literacy, breaks down investing in the property market in plain english and his opinion on developing side-hustles.He also shares his learning from his time befriending billionaire and millionaires Dan Pena, John Cauldwell and Duncan Bannatyne.Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/davidmcintoshjr/Write to me - [email protected]

This week my guest is Michael Smoak. He is a Coach and Content Creator. He shares practical fitness, habit and mindset advice to his 1 million+ following. In this episode, we're diving into actionable steps to help you stick to your New Year's resolutions and improve your mind and body in 2025.We discuss the powerful connection between physical health and professional performance, sharing actionable insights and habits for busy lives. Michael shares the achievable small, consistent changes that lead to significant results, as well as the critical role of identity, mindset and accountability in achieving lasting wellness. We talk about how to conquer challenging times, how to improve your relationship with yourself, how to stack self-confidence and how to learn from your inner-child.This episode was one of my favourites this year. It was a raw, no-BS and actionable approach to self improvement.Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/davidmcintoshjr/?hl=en-gbE-mail: https://developmentbydavid.co.uk/contact/

In this week's upload, I am taking you behind-the-scenes of a Day in the Life of a podcaster. I work full time at a multi-billion pound consultancy firm and I spend weekends trying to make this podcast happen at the biggest and best level I can. There are many moving parts - routines, workouts, setup - and many people that make it happen including Andres the Videographer who joins me to discuss some of our favourite moments working on the pod. I wanted to share this encourage you all to start the side hustle by giving you an insight into mine. With love David Jr. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/davidmcintoshjr/?hl=en-gb

Tracy Garrad is CEO of Aviva Canada and has held CEO positions at HSBC, First Direct and AXA Health. She is a board member of Progress Together. Tracy Garrad joins us to share her remarkable journey from a working-class upbringing in Blackpool to becoming a successful leader in the financial services industry. Tracy reflects on the lessons learned from caring for her siblings, the challenges she faced as a female leader, and the importance of diversity and inclusion in leadership. She discusses the difference between leadership and management, her experiences with education, and the evolving landscape of the C-suite. Tracy also delves into the role of transparent storytelling in leadership, the importance of mentorship, and the ongoing quest for work-life balance.

Rob Henderson is an Author, Cambridge PhD recipient, Yale Graduate, a US Air Force Veteran and a popular writer on Substack. Going to school is far less important than having a parent who cares enough to make sure you get to class every day. 60% of boys in foster care are later incarcerated, while only 3 percent graduate from college. Children raised in a wealthy but unstable home are more likely to engage in harmful adult behaviors than a child raised in a low-income home yet stable home. How a child raised in a wealthy but unstable home is more likely to engage in harmful adult behaviors than a child raised in a low-income home yet stable home These are harrowing facts that Rob has devoted his lift to researching. In this emotive episode, Rob unveils the stark realities of growing up in a system that often fails its most vulnerable members - the care system. Rob Henderson's remarkable journey from foster care to elite academia is a testament to his resilience and determination. From his turbulent childhood in foster homes to his academic achievements at elite universities, Henderson sheds light on the challenges faced by foster children, highlighting the staggering statistics that reveal the harsh realities of their outcomes. Through personal anecdotes and insightful analysis, he delves into the concept of "luxury beliefs" embraced by the upper class, exploring how these ideologies can perpetuate inequality and harm the very individuals they aim to uplift. As Rob reflects on his own experiences and those of his peers who fell victim to the cycle of incarceration and despair, he challenges societal norms and redefines the meaning of success. With raw honesty and unwavering determination, he underscores the importance of stability and parental support in shaping one's future, emphasizing that true prosperity goes beyond external accolades. This is a podcast episode close to my heart and I am so proud to be part of a choir of voices bringing this to light. Order Rob’s Book “Troubled: A Memoir of Foster Care, Family and Social Class” here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Troubled-Memoir-Foster-Family-Social-ebook/dp/B0C6CFDNGH Follow Rob on X: https://twitter.com/robkhenderson?ref_src=twsrc^google|twcamp^serp|twgr^author Extra Stuff: Follow me on Instagram: www.instagram.com/developmentbydavid

Prepare for an eye-opening episode with the legendary Sinitta! Sinitta, the chart-topping pop singer, celebrity, and mother, takes us on a journey through her incredible life: She was a true 1980s sensation, sharing the UK charts with Michael Jackson, Rick Astley, Pet Shop Boys, and Def Leppard, hitting #2 with her unforgettable singles "So Macho" and "Toy Boy." Sinitta toured the world, rubbing shoulders with music icons like Michael Jackson, Prince, and Elton John. Recognized as one of the most beautiful and iconic figures of her time, Sinitta's star power continues to shine. Her 30-year on/off relationship with X Factor and record label mogul Simon Cowell is legendary, but her dating history also includes Brad Pitt and David Essex. In this episode, Sinitta reveals for the FIRST TIME George Michael's astonishing request for her to be his "pretend" girlfriend while concealing his sexuality – and why she declined. She shares her exciting plans for her 60s, which include dating, creating new music, embracing passion, and spreading the empowering message that older women are vibrant and full of life. Sinitta also opens up about her challenges with pregnancy, IVF, and surrogacy, sharing her intimate experiences of adopting her beautiful children, Magdalena and Zach. Get ready for an unfiltered, surprising, and deeply personal interview with Sinitta – this episode is a must-listen!

This week I interview a high school shooter, Jon Romano. Usually, my podcast is all about inspiration and motivation, but this episode takes a different turn. Jon Romano, sentenced to 17 years in prison at the age of 16 for attempted murder and reckless endangerment, shares his story. In 2004, he took a gun into Columbia High School in New York, a decision that would change his life forever. Today, Jon collaborates with authorities and uses social media to prevent history from repeating itself. In a shocking turn of events, he became a victim, attacked while working at a homeless shelter, enduring sword wounds and a brush with amputation. This episode goes deep into the psychological scars left on Jon's classmates at Columbia High School. We explore childhood trauma, depression, and the dark path that led to a heinous crime. Our conversation is not about promoting violence but about learning, growing, and raising awareness. Join us on Monday for a unique and powerful episode where Jon's journey from being a problem to part of the solution unfolds. Discover the transformational power of redemption and gain insights into the darkest corners of the human psyche in this eye-opening podcast episode. Disclaimer: there are scenes of violence that listeners might find distressing. ME:Reach out to me on: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/development... https://www.instagram.com/development... The Development by David Podcast on: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6DV9tUf... Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast...

This week’s guest is David Galbraith, pro-MMA fighter, artist, child development officer, gym owner, mental performance coach, and devoted father. He owns New Life MMA Gym that sponsor the show. His life journey is a rollercoaster through addiction, extreme violence, gang culture, and danger in Glasgow's toughest areas. Survival meant embracing "violence as currency," leading David down a treacherous path of knife attacks, police chases, and near-death encounters. But when faced with a firearms charge and a stab attack by his best friend, David had three choices: death, jail, or redemption. Guess which one he chose? Get ready to witness how David turned his life around through MMA and became a force to be reckoned with! His explosive career as the #1 ranked lightweight in the country will leave you in awe. But that's not all, he's now a real-life superhero to Glasgow's community and a mentor to many. This podcast is not just a story, it's a life-changing documentation of one man's incredible transformation! Don't miss out on this powerful episode that proves origin stories can be the ultimate self-development tools. Tune in now for David Galbraith's inspirational journey. Sponsors: New Life MMA If you're in Glasgow and have always been too scared to try a combat sport, New Life MMA can help. They offer Boxing, Muay Thai, Wrestling, and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu for beginners and pros. The team, led by ex-Pro MMA Fighter David Galbraith, will take care of you. Just mention my name when you go! https://www.newlifeglasgow.com/ Follow David & New Life MMA: https://www.instagram.com/newlifegym/?hl=en

-- Sponsor: This episode sponsored by Vybey. If you love this podcast - check out Vybey’s Website! From £1.50p a meal you can buy their delicious products. Use “DMAC” for 15% off site wide! - www.vybey.co.uk ---- Scott Britton is the founder of Battle Cancer, a Nike sponsored trainer and Crossfit athlete. Scott has raised over $4m for Cancer with his international Crossfit events and has partnered with Nike, Whoop, Nocco and more. He’s even featured on the cover of Men’s Health. But, this is not where it started. Born and raised in an abusive poverty ridden household, Scott began his life between Glasgow and Salford. He recognised that he needed to improve his chances of a better quality life so joined the police force after studying. He worked his way to senior detective roles often working covert and anonymously on some of the UK’s most heinous crimes including child sexual offences. In 2017, in a pursuit to appease his itch for fitness, common good and entrepreneurialism he founded Battle Cancer with the goal of creating a community that uses fitness to support cancer survivors, patients, and their families. Battle Cancer is an organization that harnesses the power of fitness to support those affected by cancer. The organization has since grown into a global movement that hosts events and fundraisers across the world, all with the aim of raising awareness and funds for cancer research and support. Battle Cancer now partners with NIKE, Whoop and Nocco all because of Scott’s tenacity. Scott is now a sought-after speaker and educator, known for his infectious enthusiasm and unwavering commitment to his cause. He has been featured in numerous publications and media outlets, including Men's Health, Women's Health, and the BBC. Whether he's coaching clients one-on-one, organizing a Battle Cancer event, or speaking to a packed audience, Scott's mission remains the same: to inspire and empower individuals to take control of their health and their lives, and to show that with the right mindset, anything is possible. Extra Stuff: Follow vybey on Instagram Instagram - [https://www.instagram.com/vybey.uk/](https://www.youtube.com/redirect?even...) - Get in touch Get in touch in the comments below or head to... Instagram: [https://www.instagram.com/](https://www.youtube.com/redirect?even... Twitter: [https://www.twitter.com/](https://www.youtube.com/redirect?even... Email: [email protected]