AI is no longer a distant concept. It’s here. But what does it mean for business, creativity and society as a whole?

In this thought-provoking episode of The Evolve to Succeed Podcast, host Warren Munson is joined by two experts at the forefront of the AI revolution. Nick Carlile, founder of Olivia AI, and Dan Smith, CEO of Fireworx. Together, they explore the opportunities and challenges posed by artificial intelligence. From democratising knowledge and levelling the playing field for small businesses, to the existential risks around ethics, regulation and human identity.

Expect candid insights on how AI is transforming work, displacing jobs while creating new ones and forcing business leaders to rethink strategies. The conversation also tackles creativity. Can AI truly innovate, or is it simply remixing human ideas?

Whether you’re excited about AI or concerned about its implications, this episode offers valuable perspectives on where we are now and where we might be heading.

If you enjoy the show, don’t forget to subscribe, share, and leave us a review to help more listeners discover these conversations.

This episode of the Evolve to Succeed Podcast covers…

+ Why AI represents one of the biggest opportunities in business history.
+ The impact of AI on jobs, skills and human identity.
+ How AI is reshaping creativity, branding and marketing.
+ The challenges of bias, ethics and regulation in AI.
+ Dystopian vs. utopian futures. Where might AI take us?
+ Practical advice for business leaders on adopting AI strategically.

00:00 - Introduction
01:14 - Excitement Around AI
04:46 - Impact on Jobs & Skill
10:19 - Human Connection vs. Automation
18:58 - Ethics, Trust & Regulation
28:02 - Bias in AI
32:53 - AI and Creativity
42:27 - Practical Uses & Business Strategy
53:01 - Entrepreneurship, Risk & Business Models
56:46 - Utopia or Dystopia?

Are you a business owner or leader looking to navigate change with confidence?
At Evolve, we help ambitious businesses like yours unlock growth, embrace innovation, and build strategies fit for the future.

👉 Get in touch with our team today to explore how we can support you and your business journey: www.evolveadvisory.co.uk

What happens when the life you dreamed of doesn’t bring you happiness?

This week on the Evolve to Succeed Podcast, we’re joined by Katherine Baldwin. Former Reuters political and foreign correspondent who once travelled the world alongside Tony Blair, Gordon Brown, and David Cameron. From covering wars, natural disasters, and global crises, Katherine lived a life of adrenaline, success, and status. Yet behind the scenes, she was battling burnout, binge eating, alcohol dependence, and an overwhelming sense of emptiness.

In this deeply honest and inspiring conversation, Katherine shares how she transitioned from chasing external validation to finding inner peace and purpose. We discuss the dangers of overachievement, the role of addiction and denial in high-pressure careers, and the courage it takes to step away from an identity built on success. Katherine also reveals the practices and mindset shifts that helped her recover, embrace self-love, and build meaningful relationships.

Whether you’re an entrepreneur, business leader, or professional striving for balance, this episode will give you tools to pause, reflect, and realign with what truly matters.

👉 If you find value in this episode, please subscribe, share it with others, and leave us a review. It really helps the podcast grow.

This episode of the Evolve to Succeed Podcast covers…

Success Doesn’t Guarantee Fulfilment: Katherine shares how her dream career reporting from Downing Street and the White House left her feeling empty and unfulfilled despite the outward success.

Adrenaline Can Be an Addiction: Katherine describes how her life was fuelled by adrenaline, excessive work, binge eating and drinking, unaware she was using these to avoid unresolved pain.

Numbing Isn’t Coping: She explains how we often use work, alcohol, exercise or even relationships to numb discomfort, but the feelings always catch up with us.

Burnout Is a Wake-Up Call: A personal crisis and grief forced Katherine to face years of denial, leading her to finally seek help and reassess her life’s direction.

Tell Yourself the Truth First: Recovery starts with self-honesty. Katherine encourages listeners to ask hard questions: What am I avoiding? What’s this behaviour really about?

Healthy Relationships Start With Self-Love: Katherine talks about how early trauma creates patterns in love, and how self-worth and boundaries are the foundation for meaningful connection.

Presence Over Productivity: From sea swims to journaling, Katherine shares the small daily rituals that keep her grounded and help her avoid falling back into old habits.

Redefine Success as Inner Peace: Her definition of success has shifted from status and prestige to something simpler and more profound: peace, fulfilment, and joy.

“I was in Downing Street, the White House, rubbing shoulders with world leaders—and I still felt dead inside.”

“Externally, it looked like I had it all. Internally, I was crumbling.”

“I was using food, alcohol, adrenaline, and achievement to numb the pain inside me.”

“Tell the truth. Start by telling yourself the truth.”

“If you’re numbing out—through alcohol, overwork, relationships, social media—what are you trying to escape?”

“Our bodies will keep the score. Burnout, illness, even disease—these are the costs we pay when we don't pause.”

“We think hustling is the answer. But at what cost? To our peace, our health, our families?”

“We care for ourselves not just for us—but so we can care for the business, the team, the people we love.”

“Presence is a superpower. It’s not weakness. It’s everything.”

• 00:00 – Intro & Katherine’s Background
  
  

• 04:30 – Success on the Outside, Struggles Within
  
  

• 10:15 – Burnout, Breakdown & Denial
  
  

• 17:00 – Leaving Reuters & Facing Identity Loss
  
  

• 23:30 – First Steps Toward Healing
  
  

• 30:00 – Daily Practices for Self-Care & Presence
  
  

• 41:00 – Boundaries, Balance & Saying “Enough”
  
  

• 47:00 – Building Healthy Relationships & Her Book
  
  

• 55:00 – Quickfire Round & Defining Success
  
  

• 56:30 – Closing Reflections & Where to Find Katherine

Summary

On this episode of the Evolve to Succeed Podcast, Declan O'Toole shares his remarkable journey from marine biology to building a successful catering business, Forerunner Catering.

He discusses the challenges of transitioning from Meals on Wheels to providing school meals, the importance of cash flow management, and the lessons learned from navigating public sector contracts.

Declan reflects on the decision to exit the business, the sale process, and life after exit, emphasising the need for resilience and the fulfillment found in the entrepreneurial journey.

This episode of the Evolve to Succeed Podcast covers…

Define "Enough" Early: Declan covers what “enough” was in his life. He applied the 4% rule to plan his exit and financial future.

Public Sector Contracts Can Be Goldmines: Declan talks about public sector contracts and how they can be stable and profitable when executed well.

Systems and Process Create True Business Ownership: A business that can run without the owner is a real business. Declan emphasises how important it was for his catering company to be people-independent and systems-led.

Cashflow is Everything: Declan emphasises that cashflow forecasting is a non-negotiable practice.

Exit Requires Strategy, Not Spontaneity: Declan discusses his exit from the business by tightening operations, ensuring clean books, and building scalability before stepping away.

Legacy Over Maximum Payout: Declan talks about choosing the right buyer, by assessing their values and ability to take care of his team and legacy.

Soundbites

“The bit that’s really good about generating wealth is not having the wealth. It’s the journey from not having it to getting there.”

“You only own a business if it can run without you for three to six months.”

“Cashflow, cashflow, cashflow. There’s nothing else. That’s priority one.”

“Once you get public sector contracts, just don’t f* up.”

“You’ve got to have grit. Everyone I know who’s made it has been through some deep, deep s*.”

“I’m great at building systems. I’m absolutely crap at doing them.”

“Success is waking up looking forward to the day and being happy with what you’ve achieved so far.”

“I’d be a corporate muppet if I hadn’t read Rich Dad Poor Dad.”

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Declan O'Toole

01:20 From Marine Biology to Catering Business

05:00 Transitioning from Meals on Wheels to School Meals

10:00 Challenges of Rapid Growth and Cash Flow Management

15:00 Navigating Public Sector Contracts

20:48 The Importance of Relationships in Business

27:47 Lessons Learned from the Public Sector

32:54 Deciding to Exit the Business

38:28 The Sale Process and Finding the Right Buyer

47:38 Life After Exit