In this episode, MRA's Matthew Radley is joined by Vanessa to explore what it really takes to build and sustain a credible internal coaching culture.
Drawing on her experience of introducing coaching across three organisations, Vanessa shares the lessons learned from four cohorts and almost 30 accredited internal coaches. She explains why qualifications alone are not enough, and why senior leadership buy-in, protected time, ongoing supervision and clear professional standards are essential if coaching is going to become embedded rather than gradually disappear.
This conversation explores the difficult realities behind creating an internal coaching pool: securing commitment from busy leaders, maintaining ethical boundaries, supporting coaches across different countries and cultures, and knowing when someone needs to step away from active coaching.
Vanessa also reflects on how internal coaching can create wider organisational value by building empathy, connecting people across teams and providing leaders with a clearer view of what is really happening throughout the system.
Explore all MRA’s coaching and leadership development programmes: https://mraexecutivecoaching.com/programmes/

In this episode, host Matthew Radley is joined by Carolyn Youdell, Group Marketing Director, to explore what executive transition coaching really looks like across a 15-year career. From early leadership roles to senior board positions, Carolyn shares the moments that shaped her confidence, clarified her purpose, and helped her move on without losing herself.
This conversation goes deep into the emotional and psychological work behind a career change. Carolyn reflects on the power of coaching to build self-awareness, manage triggers, and lead with compassion. It’s a candid look at what it takes to let go, step forward, and stay grounded through every move.

In this episode, host Matthew Radley is joined by Andrew Watson, Growth Advisor and former CMO, to explore what happens when coaching and consulting meet. Drawing on years of board-level experience and a long-standing coaching relationship, Andrew shares the moments that challenged his thinking - and changed how he leads.
This conversation unpacks the tension between insight and implementation, between human capital and commercial outcomes. Andrew invites us to think differently about what coaches and consultants can learn from each other, and why behaviour change sits at the heart of both. It’s a candid look at the power of long-term partnership, radical feedback, and the courage to be coached.

In this episode, host Matthew Radley is joined by James Brewer, Marketing Director, to explore what personal growth really looks like inside leadership. From identity shifts to emotional courage, James shares the moments that moved his coaching practice beyond performance and into transformation.
This conversation goes beneath the surface of leadership. James invites us to let go of the mask, reconnect with purpose, and lead with more truth. It’s a powerful reflection on what happens when leaders stop chasing capability and start becoming who they really are.

In this episode, host Matthew Radley is joined by Sarah Bailey, a leader in Talent & Development and a qualified coach, to explore how ADHD shows up in the working world, and what it means to truly support neurodiverse clients. Drawing on her lived experience and coaching practice, Sarah shares the moments that reshaped her understanding of attention, focus, and what it really takes to feel seen.
This conversation challenges the idea that ADHD is something to work around. Instead, Sarah invites us to coach and lead with curiosity, not correction, helping clients build confidence, find their rhythm, and lead in ways that work for them. It’s a powerful look at how coaching can empower ADHD minds to stop masking and start owning their strengths.

In this episode, Matthew Radley and Sophie Taylor are joined by Lisa Wheatcroft, Chief People Officer, to explore the hard truths behind cultural integration and why it so often fails. Drawing on her experience leading executive teams through mergers, acquisitions, and organisational change, Lisa shares the defining moments that revealed just how much leaders underestimate the people impact.From the misplaced belief that Day One is the finish line, to the absence of shared goals and people strategy, Lisa unpacks the leadership blind spots that derail integration. She speaks candidly about the emotional toll on early-career talent, the disconnect that grinds performance to a halt, and the courage it takes to lead culture with clarity and intent. It’s a powerful reflection on what happens when leaders stop delegating culture and start owning it.

In this episode, hosts Matthew Radley and Hilary Farrington are joined by Gemma Board, Head of Talent, to explore the defining moments that transformed their mentoring from an unplanned, informal practice into a strategic capability with structure, confidence, and credibility. What began with a simple question - “How many people are mentoring here?” - evolved into a movement that reshaped their leadership development, inclusion, and succession planning.
This conversation offers rare insight into the human side of mentoring. From mentor self-belief to the complexity of doing it well, Gemma reveals the stretch, stillness, and courage it takes to raise the bar. It’s a candid look at what happens when leaders stop assuming and start investing in what good really looks like.

In this episode, Matthew Radley and Sophie Taylor sit down with Linda Sleath, experienced Chair and Non-Executive Director, for a frank conversation about what really drives people to join the boardroom. Together, they unpack the question every aspiring NED should face: Why do you really want the role? Is it about status - or a genuine desire to add value?
Linda and Matthew explore the realities behind the prestige: the accountability, the pressure, and the purpose that define effective leadership at the top. Through moments of stretch, courage, and reflection, they reveal the human side of board-level influence. The truths that never make it into the governance papers.
This episode is a must-listen for current and aspiring board members ready to challenge their own motivations and redefine what impact really means.

In this episode, Alison Hands, CEO of Lincolnshire Co-Op, takes us behind the boardroom doors to reveal the defining moments that shaped their approach to leadership at the highest level. From critical strategic decisions to navigating complex stakeholder dynamics, they share the moments of stretch, stillness, and courage that tested and transformed their leadership.
This conversation offers rare insights for board members, executives, and aspiring leaders into the human side of board-level decision-making. The dilemmas, lessons, and turning points that don’t make it into the annual report. It’s an unfiltered look at what it really takes to lead at the top.

MRA’s Courageously Candid Coaching Podcast takes listeners beyond the polished corporate profiles that exist in organisations globally, and instead explores the pivotal moments that shape extraordinary leaders and professional coaches.
Hosted by Matthew Radley, CEO of MRA Executive Coaching, each episode uncovers moments of shift, stretch, or stillness that reveal the turning points defining their journeys.
Let's get candid.