Julie Robinson CEO, Aspire Learning (multi-academy) Trust on the impact of covid on the next generation and why employing apprentices in schools is so important
Release Date: 02/05/2024
Conversation No 5: Tegan - Owning Her Path, One Brow at a Time
Knowing You with Sarah Cripps
In this episode, I sit down with Tegan, the 25-year-old founder of No Filter, a thriving beauty business that now proudly runs with a one-month waiting list. What I loved most about this conversation is how deeply human it is. Tegan shares her journey from feeling embarrassed to say she worked in beauty, to stepping fully into pride as a young business owner with four years of success behind her. What we cover in this episode: ✨ Self-acceptance & identity in your 20s Tegan opens up about finally embracing her role in the beauty industry and letting go of...
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Wisdom at 16 - A Conversation with Grace
Knowing You with Sarah Cripps
This episode was a little experiment in format and what a brilliant one it turned out to be. I sat down with my youngest ever guest, Grace who, at just 16 years old, brings a clarity of purpose, a deep sense of values, and a grounded wisdom far beyond what anyone might expect from her age. Grace joined my day job Salad Skills after completing work experience with us at just 15. From day one, she’s shown all the signs of a future high achiever committed, curious, hardworking. But what truly sets her apart is her moral compass. Slice her in half like a stick of seaside rock and you’ll...
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Conversation No 3 with Claire – “The Fun Without the Wine”
Knowing You with Sarah Cripps
In this deeply personal and refreshingly honest conversation, I sit down with my lifelong friend Claire, a friendship that has spanned almost five decades. For the first time publicly, Claire opens up about her decision to give up alcohol, not because she was an alcoholic, but because she realised she had never met the version of herself that didn’t drink. This episode explores the surprising emotions behind that choice, the identity shifts that come with it, and the discovery that there is a fun, vibrant Clare without the glass in her hand. We dig into the unspoken...
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Lesley Crowther – Taking Risks, Leading with Empathy, and Embracing Life’s Moments
Knowing You with Sarah Cripps
Join me as I sit down with a remarkable guest - the wife of talented photographer Ben, who captured our corporate photos. In this episode, she shares her journey as a senior leader at a global beauty brand, exploring the power of energy, risk-taking, and passion in building a successful business. We dive into her personal values of empathy, kindness, listening, and teamwork, and how aligning people with a shared vision creates true motivation. She explains why understanding her team on a personal level is vital, and how her emotional awareness helps her foster inclusion while sometimes...
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Karen Pirie — The Bench, The Best Advice, and 43 Years of Friendship
Knowing You with Sarah Cripps
In this first episode, I sit down with someone who’s known me longer than almost anyone, our producer and my friend of 43 years, Karen Pirie. Fitting episode to start my 60 at 60 - 60 conversations to mark my 60th birthday next year What starts as a chat between old friends turns into a conversation full of quiet wisdom about the value of slowing down, listening, and the lessons we only learn when we stop rushing. We talk about:🌿 The best pieces of advice given to KP (and why they still hold true).🪑 Why sitting on a bench might be the most valuable time in the world.💭 What you...
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That’s a Wrap — Four Years of The Big Balance Theory
Knowing You with Sarah Cripps
This month marks four incredible years since the launch of The Big Balance Theory! What started as a way to capture the experiences and emotions of the COVID lockdown years through the voices of authentic, inspiring guests has become so much more. Over time, we’ve reflected on every episode — uncovering insights, learnings, and stories that remind us that Big Balance Theory isn’t really a theory… it’s a journey. Lockdown taught us the value of connection and conversation and, as the world shifts again, we find ourselves craving both more than ever. In this episode, I share: · The...
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The importance of strengths, culture and ‘accidental conversations’ with Psychologist, Michele Deeks
Knowing You with Sarah Cripps
As a glass half full person, I’ve always been keen to explore people’s strengths not weaknesses. Within my apprenticeship consultancy and coaching practices I use a range of strength based assessments and recently added the At My Best strength cards to my toolkit. This month’s guest is co-founder of At My Best and Work Positive, an organisation committed to helping organisations like M&S and the NHS to, basically, work positively. As a Chartered Psychologist, Michele is passionate about bringing her 25 years of experience to create simple, effective solutions to creating a positive...
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Are you juggling the right balls? Graham Field
Knowing You with Sarah Cripps
I’m joined by Graham Field, Thinking Focus coach and trainer, where we talk all things priority; the big life choices and day to day habits that can lead us down a rabbit hole of lost time. If you’re anything like me, you set the day or week with best intentions but then life happens and everything goes to pot. I first met Graham by chance at a business exhibition. Fast forward a few years and we worked collaboratively on a project for the residents of the YMCA giving them the tools and belief to build a life and career beyond homelessness and hostel living. We proudly won a National...
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Breaking free from negative body image, destructive dieting and binge eating to give you balance in life and work
Knowing You with Sarah Cripps
This episode is a how-to conversation on ways to improve your body image, break free from binge eating and a diet mindset to one of growth, confidence and better choices in life and business I’m in conversation with Terri Pugh, a transformative life coach who helps women build confidence in how they show up in the world. Through coaching, workshops, speaking events and hosting her own podcast, The Intuitive Eating and Body Positivity Podcast, Terri has helped 1000s of women to feel confident in their bodies, their choices, and their careers. As an intuitive eating and body image certified...
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How to get the best from your teams especially post covid. In conversation with Jo Keeler, MD Belbin
Knowing You with Sarah Cripps
If you’re familiar with the work of world-renowned Belbin Team Roles you’ll be inspired by this conversation. · Why understanding each person’s team role is ever more critical · The original research was carried out by Mrs Belbin who deliberately shone away from the limelight – a timely revelation to mark International Women’s Week · Face to face communication is becoming more prevalent · Why reflecting on what we’ve achieved is...
info_outlineHear Julie’s honest and heart-searching experience of what it was like being a Principal of a secondary school during lockdown and how, post-pandemic, more specialist staff have been appointed to support students’ social and emotional needs. Past guests have shared at least one benefit from lockdown but for Julie it was the worst period of her career in education with no work-life balance. We talk about the impact to the young and why growing the workforce with apprenticeships is key and we learn the support mechanisms in place to make the apprenticeships’ journey and workplace integration successful.
Sarah:
Instagram: cripps.sarah and bigbalancetheory
Twitter: @sarahcripps7 and @theory_balance LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahcrippsand https://www.linkedin.com/company/big-balance-theory/
Linktr.ee/bigbalancetheory bigbalancetheory@gmail.com
Guest: Julie Robinson Linkedin (1) Julie Robinson | LinkedIn
Producer: Karen Pirie
Twitter: @karenepirie