PJ Ellis: On Grieving In Public

I'm so excited to be sharing this conversation with Hannah, who's built her work around helping people spot what they're good at and do more of it. Hannah shares how her career (from charity marketing and teaching to running her own business) evolved into purpose work after the pandemic dried up her in-person workshops and triggered her own "what am I here for?" moment. A friend encouraged her to practise what she preached, which led to strengths-based videos, an appearance on the Gallup podcast, and coaching requests from leaders and business owners navigating transition.  That momentum became her course and she now works with cohorts (often women, including those exploring neurodivergence) asking what's next. We talk about why "purpose" can feel weaponised, why Hannah believes it must be for everybody, and how purpose and values can improve wellbeing, protect against burnout, and act as a decision-making framework. We also explore identity after late diagnosis, the importance of community and reflection, and simple ways to find your thread through strengths, values and small brave steps. If you want to dive into any of these topics deeper, Hannah's first book, The Purpose Pursuit, is available now via the link below. Find Hannah On Instagram - @hellohannahmiller Find The Purpose Pursuit Here - The Purpose Pursuit And Follow Us - @brainfirst.co

This week I'm thrilled to be speaking with Sophie, a certified hormone health practitioner with over a decade of experience in PR, including working with FTSE 100 companies, and running her own business. After having a baby, Sophie realised how little we're taught about our hormones and how much that affects the way we function, work, and live. That experience set her on a mission to help women understand their bodies, cycles, and how hormone health intersects with neurodivergence. In today's episode, we talk about everything from how workplaces are still built around outdated male-centered structures to why ADHD and hormones are so intrinsically linked & why flexibility and self-awareness are essential for thriving at work and in life. Sophie also shares her vision for a future where people are placed in teams because of their neurodivergent strengths, not in spite of them, and how caring enough to understand how you work can change everything. I loved this chat - Sophie brings so much insight and clarity to topics that are rarely discussed openly. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. Find Sophie on Instagram - @sophstx Follow Sophie on TikTok - @hellosophiest Follow Brain First On Instagram - @brainfirst.co

This week I'm joined by Ellen Scott, Digital Editor at Stylist magazine and author of the brilliant new book Working On Purpose. Ellen has spent years reporting on careers, wellbeing, and the shifting world of work, and her latest work is a deep dive into what's really going on in the workforce right now. In this episode, we chat about how the pandemic changed not just where we work, but why we work, and how that's totally reshaped the power dynamics between employees and employers. We also get into brain types, workplace design, and some of the surprising common denominators Ellen found in her research that show what people are truly craving from their jobs today. I loved this conversation, Ellen brings such clarity and curiosity to a topic that impacts all of us. I came away with a lot to think about, and I hope you do too. Let's get into it! Follow Ellen on IG here - @ellencscott Find Working on Purpose News here - @workingonpurposenews Follow Brain First On Instagram - @brainfirst.co

This week I am so thrilled to be speaking with Ali Kriegsman. Ali made her mark early, launching her first company, the retail tech startup Bulletin, at just 24. The platform pioneered a new way for premium brands and retail buyers to meet and transact, and sold for $10 million to Emerald, the largest B2B events company in the U.S. In the years since, Ali has been the strategic force behind dozens of startups. However, more recently, Ali has turned her creative energy toward fiction. Her latest project, The Raise, reimagines what a book launch can be - blending cinema and consumer social to create a fully immersive storytelling experience. Ali also suspects she may be somewhat neurodivergent - a realisation that came into focus after meeting her partner and beginning to explore the ways her brain works a little differently, too. In today's episode, we talk about creative pivots, resilience, and what it really takes to believe in yourself. I loved this conversation with Ali and hope you enjoy it too... let's get into it. Find Ali On Instagram - @alikriegsOrder The Raise Here - The Raise Follow Brain First On Instagram - @brainfirst.co

This week I am so thrilled to be speaking with Ben Branson. Ben wears many hats, and might be best known to you as the brains behind the world's first distilled non-alcoholic spirit, that he sold to Diageo in 2019, just 5 years after starting. 3 years ago, Ben was diagnosed with ADHD + Autism and everything made sense - his wildchild youth, his battle with addiction, and his ability to maintain patience and stillness whilst everyone else is rushing around him. This understanding of his brain set him off on a purpose led mission to help the world understand more about neurodiovergence, and he set up the hidden 20% charity. If you haven't listened to the podcast, you will have seen the clips on social media. Ben is an excellent interviewer and gets genuinely fascinating people on the show to discuss their expertise or lived experience of areas of neurodivergence. In todays show we discuss everything from growing his businesses to addiction, to his mission to close his charity down, and exactly how he plans to do that. I loved this chat, Ben has a fascinating brain with a really unique lens on the world, and I really enjoyed getting to experience that for an hour. I hope you enjoy the show too - let's get into it! Find Ben On Instagram - @seedlip_ben Follow Sylva On Instagram - @sylva.labs Follow The Hidden 20% On Instagram - @hidden20charity Follow Brain First On Instagram - @brainfirst.co

This week on the Brain First Conversations podcast I am joined by Lucy Hitchcock, founder of Partner in Wine. Lucy joined me to discuss her journey from having an idea in lockdown, to not only making it happen, but taking it viral and getting stocked in Selfridges, Liberty and Oliver Bonas. Lucy's no nonsense attitude has helped her work with her brain to make running mutilple businesses work for her - and she doesn't have plans to change that any time soon. I loved this chat with Lucy, and I hope you enjoy it too… let's get into it. Find Lucy on Instagram - @lucyhitchcock_ Follow Partner in Wine on Instagram - @partnerinwineuk Follow Brain First on Instagram - @brainfirst.co

Trigger warning: Grief. In this week's show we speak to the incredible PJ Ellis. PJ is a wonderful man with an energy that you just cannot ignore. Listen into this conversation where we discuss work, life and loss - and the impact that suddenly losing a parent can have. I hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I did. Find PJ on Instagram - @pje122  Follow Brain First on Instagram - @brainfirst.co

In this week's show we speak to the wonderful Laura Jackson. As a creative superpower, industry taste maker and professional life juggler - Laura knows how to keep her glass at least half full, and in this episode she shares with us her philosophy on life and how to have it all... by deciding your own version of 'all'. I loved chatting to Laura and hope you love listening too! Find Laura on Instagram - @iamlaurajackson Follow Glassette on Instagram - @glassette Follow Brain First on Instagram - @brainfirst.co

In this week's show we speak to the wonderful Lucy Menghini from Bridal fashion brand Six Stories. Lucy has ADHD and has found the perfect partnership in working with her neurotypical husband, Ross. They are the yin to each other's yang, balancing each other out to grow the business, from Lucy making tutus on the floor of her Manchester apartment, to hitting £10m in revenue in just 6 years. But it hasn't come without it's challenges, as Lucy discusses in the show. Find Lucy on Instagram - @lucymenghini Follow Six Stories on Instagram - @sixstories Follow Brain First on Instagram - @brainfirst.co