In every industry, job titles seem to count for everything. But behind them, people are often facing struggles we don’t see from personal battles to mental health challenges.

This podcast lifts the lid and pulls back the curtain. It’s a space to share the stories that rarely get told, to shine a light on taboos in the workplace, and to empower others to speak up, connect, and feel less alone. Because if we don’t normalise these conversations, who will?

Join me as I sit down with leaders from across industries for raw, honest conversations about what it really takes to live, to work, and to lead.

Welcome to Behind the Title.

In any industry, job titles carry power, perception, and pressure. But behind every title—CEO, CMO, CFO —is a person navigating private challenges, mental health struggles, and silent turning points that shape who they are and how they lead.

Behind the Title is a candid podcast that pulls back the curtain on these personal stories.

Through honest, structured conversations with leaders at all levels, we explore the inner lives that fuel (and sometimes unravel) outer success.

Think of it as Alcoholics Anonymous for the media industry, but instead of substance, we talk about silence, stress, self-worth, and the systems that shape us.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Behind the Title welcomes Pippa van Prague, VP of Operations at Perkbox to share her journey through communications, tech, and leadership and the challenges of being a working parent in fast-paced industries. Pippa opens up about career regrets, burnout, and finding balance, as well as the responsibility she feels to lead with humanity and sponsor others, particularly women, along the way. A candid conversation about resilience, values, and creating the culture you want to work in.

In any industry, job titles carry power, perception, and pressure. But behind every title CEO, CMO, CFO is a person navigating private challenges, mental health struggles, and silent turning points that shape who they are and how they lead.

Behind the Title is a candid podcast that pulls back the curtain on these personal stories.

Through honest, structured conversations with leaders at all levels, we explore the inner lives that fuel (and sometimes unravel) outer success.

Think of it as Alcoholics Anonymous for the media industry, but instead of substance, we talk about silence, stress, self-worth, and the systems that shape us.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Behind the Title welcomes Phil Sumner, a research leader with over 25 years in media and insight, who opens up about his journey with ADHD and the impact it’s had on his career and wellbeing. Phil talks candidly about masking, burnout, and the toll of staying silent, as well as the tools and strategies that now help him thrive. He reflects on therapy, leadership, and the importance of giving yourself permission to step back, be kind to yourself, and create conditions where difference is embraced. A powerful reminder that vulnerability is strength.

In any industry, job titles carry power, perception, and pressure. But behind every title CEO, CMO, CFO is a person navigating private challenges, mental health struggles, and silent turning points that shape who they are and how they lead.

Behind the Title is a candid podcast that pulls back the curtain on these personal stories.

Through honest, structured conversations with leaders at all levels, we explore the inner lives that fuel (and sometimes unravel) outer success.

Think of it as Alcoholics Anonymous for the media industry, but instead of substance, we talk about silence, stress, self-worth, and the systems that shape us.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this raw and powerful episode of Behind the Title, Michael Smith opens up about his struggles with alcohol and drug addiction and the moment he finally broke. Michael shares what it was like to live a double life as a ‘functioning alcoholic’, the mirror moment that forced him to face reality, and the tools that keep him in recovery nearly eight years later. From gratitude practices to founding SPILL (Sober People in Industry, Lads & Ladies), Michael talks about honesty, support, and why nobody should suffer in silence. A candid conversation about addiction, resilience, and hope.

In any industry, job titles carry power, perception, and pressure. But behind every title CEO, CMO, CFO is a person navigating private challenges, mental health struggles, and silent turning points that shape who they are and how they lead.

Behind the Title is a candid podcast that pulls back the curtain on these personal stories.

Through honest, structured conversations with leaders at all levels, we explore the inner lives that fuel (and sometimes unravel) outer success.

Think of it as Alcoholics Anonymous for the media industry, but instead of substance, we talk about silence, stress, self-worth, and the systems that shape us.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this powerful episode of Behind the Title, Melissa Cafferkey, Out of Home Agency Partner at Bauer Media Outdoor, opens up about her experience with breast cancer from diagnosis to remission and why she believes it’s vital to normalise conversations about cancer in the workplace. With honesty and warmth, Mel shares what it’s really like to return to work after treatment, the support she’s received (and wished for), and why saying the word ‘cancer’ out loud is the first step to breaking stigma. A moving, hopeful conversation about resilience, openness, and ringing the bell in her own way.

In any industry, job titles carry power, perception, and pressure. But behind every title CEO, CMO, CFO is a person navigating private challenges, mental health struggles, and silent turning points that shape who they are and how they lead.

Behind the Title is a candid podcast that pulls back the curtain on these personal stories.

Through honest, structured conversations with leaders at all levels, we explore the inner lives that fuel (and sometimes unravel) outer success.

Think of it as Alcoholics Anonymous for the media industry, but instead of substance, we talk about silence, stress, self-worth, and the systems that shape us.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Behind the Title welcomes Bianca Best, entrepreneur, therapist, former global exec and author to share her powerful story as a burnout survivor turned burnout campaigner. Bianca opens up about the cost of wearing the ‘performative mask’ in corporate life, the moment she hit rock bottom, and how she rebuilt herself with purpose. She talks about her mission to end the global burnout epidemic, the strategies in her new book, and why following your bliss is the key to thriving at work and in life.

In any industry, job titles carry power, perception, and pressure. But behind every title CEO, CMO, CFO is a person navigating private challenges, mental health struggles, and silent turning points that shape who they are and how they lead.

Behind the Title is a candid podcast that pulls back the curtain on these personal stories.

Through honest, structured conversations with leaders at all levels, we explore the inner lives that fuel (and sometimes unravel) outer success.

Think of it as Alcoholics Anonymous for the media industry, but instead of substance, we talk about silence, stress, self-worth, and the systems that shape us.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Behind the Title welcomes Will Lavin, Operations Lead on the PG One account at Publicis. Will opens up about life with a stammer and the wider challenges of being neurodiverse, from masking in the workplace to sensory overloads and missed opportunities. With honesty and humour, he shares how he’s turned what he once saw as a weakness into a superpower and why normalising neurodiversity matters for everyone.

In any industry, job titles carry power, perception, and pressure. But behind every title CEO, CMO, CFO is a person navigating private challenges, mental health struggles, and silent turning points that shape who they are and how they lead.

Behind the Title is a candid podcast that pulls back the curtain on these personal stories.

Through honest, structured conversations with leaders at all levels, we explore the inner lives that fuel (and sometimes unravel) outer success.

Think of it as Alcoholics Anonymous for the media industry, but instead of substance, we talk about silence, stress, self-worth, and the systems that shape us.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Behind the Title welcomes Hamish Nicklin former Google, AOL, Guardian and Dentsu executive to share his journey to the top of the media industry, and the personal cost it carried. With honesty and courage, Hamish opens up about seven years of panic attacks, burnout, and the moment his wife intervened. He reflects on why leaders must redefine strength, the power of saying ‘enough’, and how talking openly about mental health can change and even save lives.

In any industry, job titles carry power, perception, and pressure. But behind every title CEO, CMO, CFO is a person navigating private challenges, mental health struggles, and silent turning points that shape who they are and how they lead.

Behind the Title is a candid podcast that pulls back the curtain on these personal stories.

Through honest, structured conversations with leaders at all levels, we explore the inner lives that fuel (and sometimes unravel) outer success.

Think of it as Alcoholics Anonymous for the media industry, but instead of substance, we talk about silence, stress, self-worth, and the systems that shape us.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.