Former OECD Director for Legal Affairs Nicola Bonucci joins Sarah for a timely and deeply insightful conversation about the future of global anti-corruption efforts, ethical leadership, and the growing uncertainty facing international governance.

Having spent 25 years at the OECD, Nicola played a central role in shaping the OECD Anti-Bribery Convention and witnessed first-hand the transformation of global compliance frameworks during the rise of globalisation. In this episode, he reflects on the geopolitical optimism of the 1990s, the evolution of anti-corruption enforcement, and why he believes negotiating landmark international agreements like the OECD Anti-Bribery Convention would be far more difficult in today’s political climate.

Nicola also shares his concerns about the recent pause in FCPA enforcement in the United States, explaining why the implications stretch far beyond one piece of legislation. Together, Sarah and Nicola explore whether global anti-corruption momentum is now at risk, what this means for companies operating internationally, and why businesses may need to anchor themselves more firmly in values-based leadership rather than relying solely on legislation.

The conversation moves beyond policy into leadership itself. Nicola reflects candidly on the realities of implementing anti-corruption programmes inside organisations, the moral grey areas leaders sometimes face, and why humility, flexibility and judgement are essential qualities for anyone navigating complex ethical decisions.

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Tom Fox, widely known as “The Voice of Compliance”, joins Sarah for a fascinating conversation about leadership, resilience, storytelling and the future of ethics and compliance in an AI-driven world.

Founder of the award-winning Compliance Podcast Network, Tom has spent more than a decade helping reshape how organisations think about compliance, business ethics and risk management. Alongside hosting more than 50 podcasts and writing 28 books, he has become one of the most influential voices in the global compliance space.

In this engaging and often very personal conversation, Tom reflects on the unexpected twists that shaped his career. From a life-changing cycling accident that forced him to rethink his future, to becoming an early adopter of blogging, podcasting and social media long before most professionals embraced them, Tom shares how curiosity and adaptability became central to his success.

Together, Sarah and Tom explore:

• Why storytelling is one of the most powerful tools in leadership and compliance

• How podcasting creates deeper emotional connection and engagement

• The future of AI and how it could completely transform compliance education and risk management

• Why compliance professionals must evolve from “the department of no” into strategic business partners

• The importance of resilience, reinvention and earning trust every single day

• How ethics and compliance can become a true business enabler rather than a tick-box exercise

Tom also shares some remarkable stories from his podcasting journey, including how an episode about branding lessons from Count Dracula unexpectedly became his most successful podcast ever, and why a heartfelt story about a local cookie baker resonated with listeners around the world.

This episode is insightful, entertaining and full of practical wisdom for leaders navigating change, innovation and uncertainty. At its heart, it is a conversation about staying curious, embracing new ideas and using communication to genuinely move people.

Explore Tom Fox’s work and podcasts:

Compliance Podcast Network

Read Tom’s daily compliance insights:

FCPA Compliance and Ethics Blog

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Roxanne Petraeus, co-founder and CEO of Ethena, joins Sarah to explore entrepreneurship, leadership and the challenge of building meaningful culture in complex, fast-moving environments.

Drawing on her experience in the military, consulting and early-stage startups, Roxanne shares how a non-linear path led her to build Athena, a company focused on transforming compliance training from a tick-box exercise into something genuinely engaging and impactful.

In this thoughtful and practical conversation, Roxanne reflects on:

* Why most workplace training fails and how to make it truly effective

* The reality of building a business while raising a family and operating in constant uncertainty

* How to find and work with “innovator” customers who share your vision early on

* The balance between creativity and technology in building scalable solutions

* Why culture is not static and must be actively maintained through continuous feedback

* The importance of authenticity in leadership and why trying to fit a mould rarely works

Roxanne also shares candid insights into the challenges of scaling a technology platform, navigating legacy systems, and building a company that reflects the values it teaches. Her perspective on feedback, both giving and receiving it, offers a powerful reminder that strong cultures are built through openness, honesty and daily effort.

Looking ahead, she explores how AI will reshape learning and development, moving from one-size-fits-all training to truly personalised experiences tailored to individual roles, risks and behaviours.

This episode is honest, practical and deeply human. It is essential listening for leaders building teams, shaping culture and navigating the realities of modern work.

Website - https://www.goethena.com

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Multi-time founder and CEO Matt Blumberg joins Sarah for a powerful conversation on leadership, decision-making and what it really takes to scale a business over time.

With more than 30 years of experience building and leading high-growth technology companies, Matt brings a rare level of honesty about the realities of leadership. From early-stage uncertainty to global scale, he shares what happens behind the scenes when the pressure is real and the stakes are high.

In this episode, Matt reflects on his journey from management consulting and venture capital into entrepreneurship, and why he chose to step into the arena rather than stay on the sidelines. He shares lessons from building Return Path over two decades, including the emotional highs and lows that often arrive at the same time, and what it takes to stay grounded through both.

Together, Sarah and Matt explore:

* Why a CEO’s most important job is managing their own psychology

* What it really means when “the camera is always on” as a leader

* How to build trust at the heart of an executive team

* The difference between establishing culture and scaling it

* Why high performers who damage culture can hold a business back

* The role of storytelling in leadership and influencing others

* How to think in frameworks rather than relying on rigid playbooks

* Why innovation should extend far beyond product and into every part of a business

Matt also shares practical tools he uses to reflect and reset, including the four questions he asks himself each year to assess direction, fulfilment and impact, as well as a powerful exercise around writing your own resignation letter to understand what the next phase of leadership really requires.

At a time when AI is transforming how businesses operate, Matt makes a compelling case that leadership and human judgement matter more than ever.

This episode is a masterclass in modern leadership. Honest, practical and full of insight for anyone building, leading or scaling a business.

Links:

• matt@Markup AI.com
• www.linkedin.com/in/blumbergmatt
• www.startupceo.com (blog)
• www.twitter.com/mattblumberg
• www.Markup AI.com
• www.bolster.com

Books:

Startup CEO: A field guide to scaling up your business (based on his popular blog on entrepreneurship, StartupCEO.com),

Startup CXO: A field guide to scaling up your company’s critical functions and teams, and

Startup Boards: A Field Guide to Building and Leading an Effective Board of Directors

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Broadcaster and journalist Sian Lloyd joins Sarah for a thoughtful conversation about storytelling, resilience and the realities of performing under pressure.

Known to audiences through her work on programmes such as BBC Breakfast, Crimewatch Roadshow and Panorama, Sian has spent decades reporting on major stories and presenting live broadcasts where composure, clarity and adaptability are essential.

In this engaging episode, Sian reflects on her unconventional path into journalism. After qualifying as a solicitor, she made the bold decision to step away from law and pursue a career in media, beginning with work experience at a local radio station and gradually building the skills that would take her to national television.

Together, Sarah and Sian explore what leaders can learn from journalism and broadcasting, including:

• Why storytelling is at the heart of powerful communication

• How preparation and curiosity help you stay calm in high pressure situations

• What really happens behind the scenes when live broadcasts go wrong

• How to manage nerves and present with confidence in front of any audience

• Why resilience is built through experience, mistakes and the courage to seize opportunities

Sian also shares insights from her work today helping organisations and leaders develop stronger communication and public speaking skills, explaining how the ability to tell a clear story can transform the way people connect with their teams, their audiences and the wider world.

At its heart, this conversation is about helping others find their voice. Whether through journalism, leadership or public speaking, Sian believes the role of the communicator is to help people tell their stories in a way that informs, inspires and creates change.

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Dina Denham Smith, executive coach, organisational psychologist and author of Emotionally Charged: How to Lead in the New World of Work, joins Sarah to unpack the emotional reality of modern leadership.

Drawing on 25 years of executive experience and behavioural science, Dina explores how the leadership role has fundamentally shifted. Virtual teams, AI integration, rising expectations around mental health and an increasingly complex workforce have all intensified the emotional demands placed on leaders. Yet most leaders have never been taught how to manage those demands effectively.

In this deeply practical and honest conversation, Dina shares:

* Why emotions are not weaknesses but valuable data

* How to move from reactivity to intentional leadership using her BRAVE framework

* The difference between emotional intelligence and emotional skills

* The hidden drivers of burnout and how to intervene before you hit empty

* What ethical fatigue looks like inside high-pressure organisations

* How to rebuild trust by breaking it down into competence, consistency and character

Dina also reflects on a pivotal moment in her own life. Stepping away from a high-powered career following her son’s premature birth reshaped her understanding of identity, ambition and what sustainable success really looks like.

This episode is grounded in science and deeply human. It challenges outdated ideas of tough leadership and replaces them with something more sustainable, strategic and effective.

If you are leading in complexity, feeling the emotional weight of your role, or questioning how to stay effective without burning out, this conversation will leave you better equipped and far less alone.

Dina's Website: https://www.dinadsmith.com/

Dina's LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dina-denham-smith/

Book: Emotionally Charged: How to Lead in the New World of Work (Oxford Press, 2025)

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Martin Wallace, International Marketing Director, joins Sarah to explore leadership in fast-moving, uncertain environments - and why empathy, clarity and boundaries matter more than ever.

In this thoughtful and wide-ranging conversation, Martin reflects on a career built at the intersection of creativity, data and human behaviour. From scaling marketing functions in high-growth tech businesses to navigating uncertainty in ad tech, he shares what it really takes to lead teams, build trust and communicate clearly when everything is changing.

They discuss the balance between creativity and analytics, why marketing must be seen as a strategic function rather than a tactical one, and how leaders can tell their story in a way that actually resonates. Martin unpacks the importance of understanding who you are speaking to, the risks of chasing shiny new ideas without a stable core, and why trust takes years to build but seconds to lose.

The conversation also goes deeper into the human side of leadership - setting boundaries in hybrid working, protecting personal identity outside work, and why empathy is the single most important tool in any leadership toolkit. Martin shares hard-won lessons from running large-scale events with limited resources, collaborating across silos, and leading without certainty or excess budget.

This episode is practical, reflective and deeply relevant - essential listening for leaders navigating complexity, rapid change and the responsibility of bringing people with them.

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Dr. Rob Parsons, OBE - bestselling author, speaker, and founder of Care for the Family - joins me in the studio to explore legacy, leadership, and the moments that matter most.

With warmth, candour and hard-won perspective, Rob shares the lessons he’s learned from decades at the intersection of law, faith, family and business - including what nearly cost him everything, and what saved it.

We reflect on:

• The myth of the “slower day” — and why we can’t wait to live
• What childhood teaches us about time, presence and regret
• The power of small gestures, and why they’re never really small
• Building organisations rooted in kindness, not just competence
• Why the best leaders build trust through empathy, not ego

This episode is quietly radical - a heartfelt invitation to reflect, reframe and reconnect with what matters most. A must-listen for any leader navigating ambition, legacy and love.

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