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

Dave and Alicia Store, co-founders of DSNM, join the Evolve to Succeed podcast to trace their 25-year journey from a one-man, paper-based chart-correction service to an award-winning super-yacht-navigation technology company with 27 employees and 620 vessels under subscription. Dave candidly recounts the scrappy early years - dot-matrix printers, Pritt Stick, and fax machines - while Alicia explains how joining the firm (initially to cover maternity leave) professionalised its finances, people processes and long-term vision.

The couple unpack the pivotal moments that reshaped the business: realising captains would pay for a fully managed service; raising prices to signal quality; surviving the 2008 crash, COVID-19 and the Russia-Ukraine shock; and, most dramatically, self-funding and launching their proprietary software, Compass. Their complementary personalities - Dave the risk-taking visionary, Alicia the detail-driven operator - emerge as the engine behind DSNM’s culture of obsessive customer service and constant product iteration.

They also share the realities of running a high-pressure, family-run company in a glamorous, yet unforgiving industry. Topics range from work-life integration with their young son Louis, to tight recruitment standards, to the pride (and responsibility) of winning two Queen’s Awards and employing a close-knit team.

This episode of the Evolve to Succeed Podcast covers…

• Find a pain-killer, not a vitamin. Early success came from doing the tedious chart-correction work crews hated.

• Price can signal value. Raising rates—rather than undercutting incumbents—attracted more super-yacht clients.

• Service DNA first, tech layer next. DSNM’s core white-glove support never changed; software (Compass) scaled it.

• Complementary co-founders matter. Visionary risk (Dave) + operational diligence (Alicia) created balanced growth.

• Crisis = clarity. COVID and the Ukraine conflict forced the team to reassess purpose, costs and future bets.

• Culture of “no passengers.” Every hire must be a self-starting problem-solver; weak links show instantly in a small team.

• Bootstrapping builds resilience. Funding software internally preserved speed and ownership—crucial in a niche market.

• Work-life “blend” beats balance. Shared purpose, clear role boundaries, and intentional family time keep burnout at bay.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to DSNM and Its Founders

06:50 The Evolution of Services and Software Development

12:04 Navigating Business Challenges and Financial Lessons

20:39 Balancing Growth with Company Culture

30:04 The Impact of COVID-19 on Business Strategy

38:18 Reflections on Success and Personal Growth

42:50 Family Dynamics and Work-Life Balance

48:53 Quickfire Questions and Final Thoughts

In this captivating episode of the Evolve to Succeed Podcast, host Warren Munson reconnects with returning guests Julie and Sally, fresh from their epic adventure of rowing 3,000 miles across the Atlantic Ocean.

After 59 grueling days at sea, the team successfully completed their journey from La Gomera to Antigua aboard the Ebb & Flow. Julie and Sally share vivid tales of their extreme challenge, from breathtaking wildlife encounters to the relentless mental and physical tests they faced.

This episode is a moving testament to courage, camaraderie, and the power of human determination. Tune in and be inspired!

This episode of the Evolve to Succeed Podcast covers…

Triumphant Arrival: The powerful emotions of crossing the finish line to a cheering crowd and reuniting with loved ones.

Surprises & Challenges: Navigating unexpected battery issues, hand steering for hours, and battling huge storms.

Life at Sea: Their daily routines, sleep deprivation, hallucinations, and how they coped with the isolation and vastness of the ocean.

Wildlife Wonders: Magical moments with whales, playful dolphins, and even a curious marlin!

Team Dynamics: Insights into working as a team of three, including how they supported one another during tough times.

Mind Over Matter: The mental strength and resilience it took to row day after day, and how they now see challenges in everyday life differently.

Personal Growth: Reflections on how this experience changed their perspectives and their lives.

Chapters

00:00 - The Journey Begins: Crossing the Atlantic

06:02 - Surprises and Challenges at Sea

10:13 - Daily Life on the Ocean

14:39 - Overcoming Fears and Isolation

20:02 - Mental Resilience and Personal Growth

28:31 - Highlights and Pinnacle Moments

29:07 - Surfing the Waves of Adventure

30:08 - Wild Encounters: Whales and Wildlife

31:13 - The Thrill of the Ocean: Sounds and Sights

32:10 - Team Dynamics: Bonding Through Challenges

33:42 - Resilience and Problem Solving at Sea

39:00 - Physical Challenges and Recovery

43:14 - Adjusting to Life After the Ocean

46:35 - Future Adventures: What's Next?

On this episode of the Evolve to Succeed Podcast, Emma Burke, co-founder of Laceeze, shares her entrepreneurial journey from the inception of her innovative shoelace solution, to her recent experience on Dragon's Den.

Emma discusses the challenges and successes of developing her product, transitioning to a full-time commitment, and the importance of marketing strategies and brand ambassadors in driving growth.

Emma shares her journey on Dragon's Den, the challenges and opportunities that arose from her appearance, and how it impacted her brand. She discusses the intense experience of pitching, the immediate spike in brand awareness following the show, and the subsequent growth and challenges in her business.

This episode of the Evolve to Succeed Podcast covers…

Transitioning from a side project to a full-time business.

Product development.

Brand ambassador programs.

Utilising platforms like Amazon.

Emma’s Dragon's Den experience.

Understanding your audience.

Building a brand community.

Utilising freelancers.

New marketing platforms like TikTok.

Balancing personal life with business.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Laceeze

03:13 From Concept to Product

05:46 Transitioning to Full-Time

08:48 Product Development and Expansion

12:05 Marketing Strategies and Brand Growth

15:10 Funding and Financial Growth

17:47 The Dragon's Den Experience

21:07 Preparing for the Pitch

27:56 The Intensity of Pitching on Dragon's Den

30:58 The Impact of Dragon's Den on Brand Awareness

34:45 Post-Show Opportunities and Challenges

39:34 Embracing New Marketing Trends

41:02 Personal Reflections

46:28 Balancing Business with Personal Life

48:27 Defining Personal Success

On the 250th episode of the Evolve to Succeed Podcast, Anthony Woodhouse, Chairman of Hall & Woodhouse, shares insights into the legacy of the family-owned brewery and pub company, which has been in operation since 1777.

He discusses the challenges and triumphs of maintaining a family business over generations, the importance of reinvestment in the company and community, and the balance between tradition and innovation in the hospitality sector.

Anthony emphasises the need for educating future generations about the business's values and the impact of structural changes in the industry.

Anthony discusses the evolution of pub culture, emphasising the changing demographics of pub-goers. He also addresses the significance of succession planning in family businesses, sharing insights on legacy and the need for a forward-looking mindset.

This episode of the Evolve to Succeed Podcast covers…

The importance of being a custodian of the family business.

How reinvestment leads to longevity.

Community impact over shareholder profits.

Educating the next generation.

Balancing tradition with innovation.

Headwinds in the hospitality sector.

Changes in pub culture and demographics.

Moral decisions leading to better commercial outcomes.

Trusting the next generation.

Engagement with the community.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Hall & Woodhouse

02:56 Custodians of a Legacy

05:58 Longevity in Family Businesses

09:04 Reinvestment and Community Impact

11:56 Educating Future Generations

15:13 Balancing Tradition with Innovation

18:13 Headwinds in the Hospitality Sector

26:10 Pub Culture and Gender Dynamics

31:27 The Brewing Legacy

36:15 Succession Planning

39:18 Mindset Shift

46:08 Personal Definition of Success

On this episode of the Evolve to Succeed Podcast, Jo and Oscar Hjälmås discuss their journey as co-owners of Baggette + Co., a financial services firm.

They share insights on their management buyout experience, the importance of maintaining company culture during rapid growth, and the strategies they implemented to ensure effective communication and team engagement.

In this engaging conversation, Jo and Oscar discuss the delicate balance between delivering exceptional customer service and ensuring financial viability in their business. They share insights on navigating personal and professional boundaries while working together as a couple, the impact of family dynamics on their business, and their definitions of success both personally and professionally.

This episode of the Evolve to Succeed Podcast covers…

• The importance of defining roles and responsibilities in a partnership.
• Effective communication.
• Celebrating team successes.
• Customer satisfaction.
• Organisational structure.
• Working as a married couple in a business setting.
• Employee well-being.
• Delivering service with no sales targets.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Baggette + Co.

03:10 The Journey to Business Ownership

05:53 Navigating Roles and Responsibilities

09:03 Management Buyout

11:58 Growth and Expansion

14:54 Maintaining Company Culture During Growth

17:49 Communication and Team Engagement

20:56 Client-Centric Business Approach

31:35 Balancing Customer Delight and Financial Responsibility

36:30 Navigating Personal and Professional Boundaries

42:31 Family Dynamics on Business

46:10 Defining Success: Business and Personal Aspirations