247: A Day in the Life of Helen O’Grady: Coaching in Health, Social Care and Education
Release Date: 06/16/2025
269: A Day in the Life of Lucy Whitehall: Psychology-Informed Leadership Coach
The AC Podcast
In this episode of ‘A Day in the Life Of’ podcast series, host Maxine Bell speaks with Lucy Whitehall, a psychologically informed leadership coach whose journey from corporate life to self-employment has shaped a deeply reflective and authentic practice. Lucy shares how she’s learned to love working life again by embracing balance, integrity, and compassion—while navigating the grey area between coaching and therapy. Propelled by her fascination in what makes humans tick, she is a coaching psychologist and positive psychologist whose practice focuses on the deep work –...
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268: Why Creating Neurodiverse, Inclusive Workplaces is Good Business with Professor Ludmila Praslova
The AC Podcast
In this episode, Kate Jenkinson talks to Professor Ludmila Praslova, organizational psychologist and author of the acclaimed book The Canary Code. Ludmila shares insights from her research and lived experiences, unpacking the book’s central metaphor of the ‘canary in the coal mine’ — as a powerful lens for understanding workplace dynamics. She explains how neurodivergent individuals, often more attuned to dysfunction, can serve as early warning signals for toxic environments: arguing these sensitivities are not weaknesses but offer organizations a vital opportunity to detect and...
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267: The Business and Human Benefits of Neuroinclusion with Dominique Stern and Nathalie Meunier
The AC Podcast
In this insightful episode, host Kate Jenkinson speaks with neurodiversity lead, Dominique Stern and scientist and coach, Nathalie Meunier about how the global healthcare company, Roche, is embedding neurodiversity inclusion into its culture through coaching, education, community, and courageous leadership. Together, they explore how understanding and embracing neurodivergent experiences can transform the employee experience. Dominique and Nathalie share real examples and practical strategies that highlight how psychological safety, active listening, and curiosity can unlock hidden potential...
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266: Inclusive Leadership: Leading with Care and Purpose with Fiona Plows
The AC Podcast
In this episode, host Kate Jenkinson talks to Fiona Plows, VP of Enterprise Innovation, for a thought-provoking conversation about neurodiversity and inclusive leadership. Fiona reflects on her career journey from a PhD in chemistry to leadership in tech and innovation and how she learned the importance of purpose-driven problem-solving over mere technology expertise. She explains how neurodivergent traits can fuel creativity and innovation, offering both personal reflections and organizational strategies for creating inclusive spaces where diverse minds thrive. With lots of real-life...
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265: The Role of Workplace Needs Assessments for Neurodivergent Employees
The AC Podcast
In this informative episode, host Kate Jenkinson sits down with neurodiversity coach and speaker, Cheryl Winter, to explore how the world of hidden disabilities has evolved since 2010 — and what this means for coaches, leaders, and organizations today. Cheryl reflects on her journey since 2011, sharing inspiring client stories and practical strategies for supporting neurodivergent employees. From dyslexia to ADHD and autism, the conversation dives into workplace needs assessments, early strengths identification, and the differences between neurodivergent coaching and neurotypical coaching...
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264: Coaching Neurodivergent Professionals: Self-Advocacy and Authenticity with Mike Bedford
The AC Podcast
In this warm and insightful episode, host Kate Jenkinson sits down with friend and fellow coach Mike Bedford over a comforting cup of Yorkshire tea to explore coaching neurodivergent professionals. Together, they unpack the importance of unconditional positive regard, and the everyday challenges neurodivergent individuals navigate in the workplace—such as ambiguity, masking, and burnout. Mike encourages neurodivergent individuals to be brave and open from the start about who they are and what they need: sharing the transformative role of self-advocacy, support networks, and clear...
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263: An Intersectional Approach to Creating a Neuro-affirming Workplace with Anita Patel
The AC Podcast
In this episode, host Kate Jenkinson interviews Anita Patel, an inclusion and intersectionality speaker, trainer, and neurodiversity coach. Anita shares her personal journey with late-diagnosed autism and ADHD, discussing the challenges neurodivergent individuals face at work and the evolution of organizational attitudes toward neuro-inclusion. She explains why intersectionality and lived experience are essential for authentic inclusion, and how businesses, leaders, and HR professionals can move beyond tokenistic gestures toward strategic, systemic change. The conversation dives into...
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262: Why Organizational Kindness and Inclusive Leadership is Good for Business
The AC Podcast
In this episode, host Kate Jenkinson talks to Nathan Broad, IT Director at Certas Energy, for an insightful conversation on how leaders can create inclusive workplaces. Nathan shares both personal and professional experiences, highlighting the power of organizational kindness, supportive policies, and community-driven approaches to inclusion. They explore practical initiatives such as quiet spaces, community groups, and tailored IT solutions that help neurodiverse employees thrive. The discussion also unpacks common misconceptions and emphasizes the value of reflective listening and feedback...
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261: Rethinking Recruitment: Embracing Neurodiverse Talent with Marc Crawley
The AC Podcast
Looking for practical ways to make recruitment more inclusive and supportive of neurodivergent talent? In this episode, host Kate Jenkinson sits down with Mark Crawley, founder of Diversita, a consultancy neurodiversity consultancy that help organizations become more neuro inclusive through training, recruitment and awareness. Mark shares his personal motivation for this work, unpacks the barriers many neurodivergent candidates face, and explains why equity—not equality—is key to creating fair opportunities. Together, they explore actionable strategies such as skills-based recruitment,...
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260: Beyond Compliance: Building Truly Inclusive Workplaces
The AC Podcast
In the first episode of a new series – Neurodiversity in the Workplace – host Kate Jenkinson is joined by Ellie Hand, Senior HR Advisor and Training Lead at Bhayani Law, to discuss how organisations can move beyond legal compliance to create truly inclusive workplace cultures that celebrate difference and empower individuals to thrive. Ellie shares practical advice on tackling misconceptions, implementing reasonable adjustments, and the importance of empathy and clear communication in supporting neurodivergent employees. She explains what good feedback looks like and...
info_outlineIn this inspiring episode of our ‘Day in the Life of’ podcast series, host Maxine Bell sits down with Helen O’Grady, an experienced coach and supervisor who brings her background in paediatric nursing into her coaching work within the health, social care, and education sectors. Helen shares her powerful journey from healthcare to coaching, shedding light on the unique challenges and opportunities in supporting professionals working on the front lines. Maxine and Helen explore how coaching can transform leadership and client care in health and social care, the emotional toll of frontline work, and how coaching supports burnout prevention and emotional wellbeing. They also discuss the persistent funding challenges and why coaching should be prioritised in high-impact environments like the NHS, social work and education.
Helen also discusses the importance of supervision for coaches and the evolving conversation around professional regulation in the coaching field. She shares honest reflections on the mindset shifts required in helping professions—from "rescuing" to empowering clients—and why self-trust and community support are vital for sustainable coaching practices.
Full of insights and tips, Helen’s passion and care for coaching and supervision light up the conversation. If you are feeling uncertain about coaching in any way or seeking a new perspective and purpose in your practice, this podcast episode is for you!
· Discover the value and impact of coaching in the health, social care, and education sector
· Learn how to shift from a "rescue" mindset to one that supports agency and empowerment
· Understand the critical role of supervision in sustaining ethical, reflective, and resilient coaching
"From the moment I discovered coaching, I was like, wow, this is fantastic. I still get so much joy from all aspects of it; I feel very blessed to have found it."
Tune in next week as Helen hosts a new 11-part podcast series: Coaching Supervision Uncovered!
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