Kevin Crawford grew up inside his dad’s architecture practice in Montrose, starting on the photocopier at 14 and eventually leading the firm through a major transition to 100% employee ownership. Today he runs Designing Success, helping architecture practice owners reclaim time, build stronger teams and design businesses that support their lives, not the other way round.

Episode Summary

What happens when your family name is above the door, the business runs on your shoulders, and your body finally says “enough”? In this conversation, Kevin Crawford shares the inside story of growing up in a family architecture firm, feeling trapped by legacy and responsibility, and the back injury that forced him to stop working 24/7 and redesign everything.

Kevin unpacks how Crawford Architecture went from a traditional family-owned practice to a 100% employee-owned firm, why that decision protected both his dad’s legacy and his team’s future, and what it really takes to let go of control without walking away. He talks candidly about resentment, cashflow panic, missed family moments and the loneliness of being “the one” holding it all together – and the systems, mentors and mindset shifts that finally gave him freedom.

If you’re a founder, family business owner or practice leader who’s ever wondered how to share ownership, protect your health and still move forward boldly, this episode is for you.

What You’ll Learn

• How starting in a business at 14 shaped Kevin’s approach to leadership and legacy.
• Why “just work harder” stopped working – and the back injury that changed everything.
• The real emotional pressure of having your family name above the door.
• How to think about succession planning years before retirement, not at the last minute.
• What an Employee Ownership Trust actually is – and why Crawford chose 100% employee ownership.
• The shift from reactive firefighting to data-driven resourcing, revenue targets and one- and three-year plans.
• How founders can move from “doing everything” to building a team around their unique strengths.
• The role of mentors, retreats and communities in breaking the isolation of practice leadership.
• Why investing in your own health, wealth and self-development is a commercial decision, not a luxury.
• How AI, systems and the Pilotes app are helping practices win back 7–10 hours a week.

Memorable Lines

• “I thought the answer was to go in at 4am and leave at midnight. My back proved me wrong.”
• “For years I woke up thinking, ‘I don’t have time.’ Now my job is to design time.”
• “Succession isn’t ‘one day when I retire’ – it’s a strategy for everybody’s future, including your family’s.”
• “Owning 100% of the shares but 0% of your time is not freedom.”
• “You can’t market well if you don’t even know which projects are actually good for you.”

Guest Picks

• Books
• Traction – Gino Wickman
• Always Free: How to become financially free to live an inspired life – Jason Graystone
• Music
• “Caledonia” – the lyric “my way is clear and I know what I’ll do tomorrow” as a reminder to keep going with conviction.
• Tool / Framework
• Tiers of Freedom programme – Jason Graystone’s framework for financial, time and mental...

Most of us were taught more about test tubes than intimacy. In this conversation, Tatiana Ashborn shares how growing up scared of sex – and deeply under-served by traditional sex education – led her to start a sex and relationships podcast at just 17. What began as a lockdown project in her bedroom has grown into Dirty Talk, a show and social movement that now reaches millions, tackling everything from first-time stories and porn to shame, consent and long-term love.

Tatiana talks candidly about failing at school until she found the BRIT School, the power of creative education, and how her family backed her when she chose the most taboo topic of all. She lifts the lid on building a podcast as a business; sponsorships, algorithms, burnout and why she became a certified sex educator to deepen her impact. At its heart, this is an episode about leadership: doing the work before you feel like an expert, sharing the messy middle in public, and turning curiosity into a bold, culture-shifting career.

What You’ll Learn

• Why so many people leave school scared of sex, not prepared for it – and what’s missing from traditional sex education.
• How Tatiana went from struggling in an academic school to thriving at the BRIT School by learning in a way that suited her creatively.
• The real story behind starting Dirty Talk at 17 – including imposter syndrome, “learning in public” and being the opposite of an expert at first.
• Tactics she used to launch: pilot episodes with family, low-budget setups, and using lockdown as a creative sandbox.
• How Dirty Talk grew into a TikTok and podcast phenomenon, and what actually makes content shareable in a crowded space.
• The emotional weight of being “the sex person” publicly – and how she navigates boundaries, judgement and staying grounded.
• Why she chose to become a certified sex educator and how that changed the way she shows up for her audience.
• What younger audiences are actually asking about sex, relationships, porn and identity – beyond the headlines.
• How to turn a taboo topic into a platform for leadership, advocacy and real-world change.

Guest Picks

• Book: How to Win Friends and Influence People – Dale Carnegie
• Music: “Someone Like You” – Adele
• Quote:
• “Screw it, let’s do it.” – Richard Branson
• “You’re only given one little spark of madness and you mustn’t lose it.” – Robin Williams
• Tool / Framework:
• A ruthlessly used calendar and handwritten lists – planning everything out on paper so the creative chaos has structure.

Connect with Tatiana & Dirty Talk

• Tatiana’s site: https://www.tatianaashborn.co.uk/
• Dirty Talk website & episodes: https://dirtytalkofficial.com/
• Dirty Talk Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tatianaashborn_/
• Dirty Talk TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tatianaashborn_?_r=1&_t=ZN-91hPemnRNSw
• Under The Sheets with Tatiana Ashborn and Friends (podcast): Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and major platforms.

About Leading BOLDLY

The Leading BOLDLY Podcast is where SME leaders, founders, and entrepreneurs

sharpen their edge—and tell the

What if your phone served your life — not the other way around? Techless founder Chris Kaspar joins Matt and Jenny to unpack the thinking behind WisePhone 2 (a healthy, tool-only smartphone OS) and Sage, a UK kids’ iPhone with deep, multi-layered protections “safe out of the box”. We trace Chris’s journey from brand and filmmaking into mission-driven hardware/software, why he believes phones are “broken at the philosophy level”, and how dignity (not “kiddie” design) is the secret to teen adoption. We also get candid on fundraising, pricing pivots, and launching Sage in London — including an intimate, press-packed event at the Tate Modern. Expect practical strategies for parents, principles for leaders building humane tech, and a refreshingly honest look at the grind behind a purpose-led scale-up.

What You’ll Learn

· Why the philosophy behind mainstream smartphones (not the chips) drives unhealthy behaviour — and how to counter it.

· The shift from minimal (8 built-in apps) to healthy (approved third-party tools, no social/games/explicit).

· How Sage keeps teens’ dignity (iPhone UX, rebellious brand) so they’ll actually use it.

· Why parental controls alone fail — and what “final-layer” protection looks like.

· How to handle FOMO: creating small “opt-out” friend circles to tip culture.

· Inside a lean, relationship-first UK launch at Tate Modern (and why the UK is ready).

· Building with brand and ethos over patents — and why that’s the real moat.

Practical Plays You Can Use Tomorrow

· Audit the defaults: Turn off non-essential notifications; delete one addictive app; set greyscale at night. (Defaults aren’t designed for you.)

· Create a family phone plan: Choose tool-only apps (maps, banking, transport), no social/games; trial it for 30 days.

· Beat FOMO in a group: Agree a four-friend no-socials pact for a month; meet IRL weekly.

· If you’re shipping product: Launch humbly; optimise pricing with real-market feedback; iterate in public.

Memorable Lines

· “The defaults aren’t for you — they’re for advertisers and investors.” 【

· “Phones aren’t broken at the hardware level — they’re broken at the philosophy level.”

· “Kids don’t want kids’ phones. Dignity is the secret.”

· “Take initiative. Do ten things, fix the three that miss.”

Guest Picks

· Book: Positioning by Al Ries & Jack Trout and Warfighting by A.M. Gray

· Music/App: Suno (prompt-based music creation)

· Tool/Framework: EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating System) for lightweight, company-wide...

From Tech CEO to Stay-at-Home Dad: Powering Practical Allyship

Guest: Lee Chambers — award-winning business psychologist, author of Momentum, and founder of Male Allies UK. He’s worked with brands like UBS, IKEA and Oracle, and is recognised for making allyship practical, well-being strategic and inclusion something people feel, not just hear.

Episode Summary

Lee Chambers’ story bends every stereotype. He grew up in Bolton, the first in his extended family to attend university, dropped out during a mental health wobble, returned to graduate, and saw his graduate banking role collapse in the 2008 crisis — prompting him to build a fast-growing e-commerce company from a spare room. He later lost the ability to walk and learned to walk again, which reset his valuaes and ultimately led him to step away from the CEO seat to become a stay-at-home dad — a leadership masterclass in disguise. Listening to women at a local toddler group opened his eyes to everyday inequities at work and sparked his mission: help men build the skills of allyship and redesign systems so everyone belongs and performs. He now equips leaders and teams to move beyond slogans to evidence-based, everyday behaviours that compound into culture change.

What You’ll Learn

• What “allyship” really means: working effectively across difference, not grand gestures.
• Why inclusion fails without foundations — and how to build them.
• Tactics any leader can use to make meetings fairer (and more productive).
• How resilience, neurodiversity and identity can shape courageous leadership.
• The surprising leadership lessons of being a stay-at-home parent.
• Why men often hesitate to engage — and what helps them step in.
• How allyship improves retention, applications and survey scores.
• A first step any SME owner can take this week.

Practical Plays You Can Use Tomorrow

• Add a no-interruptions rule in meetings and nominate a rotating chair to enforce it.
• Ask three colleagues: “What’s it really like working here?” Listen, capture themes, act on one item.
• Audit one process (promotions, project allocation, networking invites) for hidden barriers; change one rule.
• Bring frontline voices (depots, logistics, ops) into inclusion design — not just head office.

Memorable Lines

• “Discomfort is where the growth is.”
• “Inclusion isn’t a plug-in; it’s foundations tied to real outcomes.”
• “Allyship isn’t a stunt; it’s micro-moments that add up.”
• “Your comfort zone is a padded jail cell.”

Guest Picks

• Book: Invisible Women — Caroline Criado Perez.
• Music: “Harvest for the World” — The Isley Brothers.
• Tool/Framework: The Boston Matrix (applied with modern nuance).

Connect with Lee Chambers

• LinkedIn: Lee Chambers
• Website: Lee Chambers
• Book: Momentum — leadership and change lessons for uncertain times....

In 2020, Audrey was falsely accused after a catastrophic motorway incident that led to her mother’s death. Eighteen months later, the case was dropped. She rebuilt—leaving a senior banking role, launching Smart Perspective, and shaping a practical, human approach to leading through crisis. This episode is about returning to work, redefining value, and starting again with intention.

Key Takeaways

• Returning after crisis: choose confidants intentionally; accept support without letting it define you.
• Redefine value: today’s recognition is about adaptability, communication and collaboration—not just deliverables.
• Lead in public: own mistakes, apologise if needed, don’t hide; save your energy for the people who matter.
• Boundaries: every “no” protects a better “yes”.
• Reinvention: it’s not all-or-nothing—blend what you keep with what you change.

Tool / Book / Music

• Framework (Tool): 3i Framework — Intention · Influence · Impact (clarify purpose, understand others’ context, land 1–3 key messages and one action).
• Book: The Answer Is a Question — on using inquiry to think and lead better.
• Music: “Panama” — The Avener (Audrey’s pre-session energy lift).

Memorable Quotes

• “Success is a team sport.”
• “People are immune to pain—be thoughtful about where you share yours.”
• “Every time you say no, you say yes to something else.”
• “Make values a destination, not a cage.”
• “You’re okay. Be you—for you.”

Connect with Audrey

LinkedIN

Website

Official Bio:

Audrey Daumain is an internationally recognised Executive Performance Coach and Corporate

Communication Strategist with over 20 years of leadership experience across finance, energy, and

luxury sectors. French-born and globally minded, she began her career in London’s financial district in

1998 before holding senior leadership roles at Barclays Private Bank, the National Bank of Abu Dhabi,

and Edmond de Rothschild.

In 2010, she founded Smart Perspective, a consultancy trusted by global leaders to navigate strategic

transformations with clarity, confidence, and candour. Audrey combines expertise in organisational

design, NLP, and Non-Violent Communication to create environments where leadership is human,

impactful, and sustainable.

Her personal journey—marked by resilience, trauma recovery, and thriving in male-dominated

industries—fuels her mission: to bring authenticity and humanity back to leadership

conversations. In April 2025, Audrey was recognised by Sarah, Duchess of York at the Women

Changing the World Awards for her work in transforming leadership cultures on a global scale.

Audrey is also a key contributor to the CLAFG Women Leadership Academy, a new program under

CLAFG (Centre de Liaison des Associations Féminines Genevoises)—Geneva’s umbrella network of

women’s associations. The Academy is piloting a leadership certification endorsed by FEDE (European

Federation of Schools), an international NGO with participatory status at the Council of Europe that

accredits educational programs...

In this episode of the Leading Boldly Podcast, Matt and Jenny sit down with Ryan Hudson — a true human (and humour) maverick. From being diagnosed with dyslexia at 16, to stumbling into sales and discovering it as his lifeline, Ryan went on to build and lead multiple multi-million-pound businesses. His story is one of resilience, bold decisions, and the power of enthusiasm.

Ryan shares openly about burnout, overcoming self-doubt, and how he learned to act boldly rather than overthink. He reveals the lessons from turning around teams, the importance of mentorship for young people, and his transformative experience at Warrior Camp.

Packed with energy, humour, and practical wisdom, this conversation will inspire anyone looking to lead with courage, connect authentically, and keep climbing — even with a “rucksack full of bricks.”

What you’ll learn in this episode:

· How Ryan went from dyslexia and broken football dreams to top sales success

· Why “sales is a transfer of enthusiasm” and how it shaped his leadership style

· Lessons from building teams in Cyprus and beyond

· Advice for young people on mentorship, mindset, and creativity

· Breakthrough moments from Warrior Camp: fear, vulnerability, and growth

· Why time and love are the most important currencies in leadership

· Ryan’s favourite books, music, and frameworks that shaped his journey

Song - James – Sit down. “If I hadn’t seen such riches I could live with being poor”

Book - Magic of thinking big - David Schwartz

Quote – “To conduct an orchestra you have to turn your back on the crowd”

Tool/Framework - Plan Do Check Review

Restaurant – Simon Rogan https://www.lenclume.co.uk/

Socials:

Ryan Hudson LI https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-hudson-4a328861/

RGH LI https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-rgh-group/

RGH IG https://www.instagram.com/thergh_group/

RGH YT https://www.youtube.com/@TheRGHGroup

RGH FB https://www.facebook.com/TheRGHGroup

RGH X https://x.com/TheRGHGroup

Ryan RGH TT https://www.tiktok.com/@therghgroup

Rybeda LI https://www.linkedin.com/company/rybeda-group/

Rybeda IG https://www.instagram.com/rybedagroup/

Rybeda TT https://www.tiktok.com/@rybeda

Rybeda FB https://www.facebook.com/RYBEDAGroup/

Rybeda...

In this episode of Leading Boldly, Matt and Jenny sit down with Mark Saxby, a multi-award-winning entrepreneur, speaker, and social media consultant. Mark shares his journey from journalism to becoming a leader in the social media space. He discusses the evolution of his businesses, including Status Social, Positive Social, and Be More Colin, and dives deep into the impact of social media on business, mental health, and productivity.

Key Takeaways:

• Mark’s Early Career & Life Lessons – From his childhood as an army brat, moving between countries, to his early career in journalism, Mark reflects on the lessons learned through constant reinvention.
• The Power of Digital Storytelling – Mark shares how social media has transformed the way businesses communicate and connect, emphasizing the need for authenticity and engagement in digital storytelling.
• Mental Health & Social Media – As the founder of Positive Social, Mark talks about the emotional toll social media can have, especially on young people, and how his charity is helping students reclaim their well-being by making smarter choices online.
• Be More Colin: Improving Work-Life Balance – Mark discusses his initiative, Be More Colin, aimed at helping businesses and individuals be more productive and focused by reducing phone distractions and fostering better relationships within teams.
• The Future of Social Media & AI – Mark weighs in on the role of AI in social media marketing, highlighting its potential but stressing the importance of human touch in building relationships.
• Leadership & Business Philosophy – Mark believes that business should be about more than profits. He discusses his core mission to positively impact the lives of everyone he comes in contact with, whether through social media consultancy or community initiatives.

Mentioned in this Episode:

• Status Social – A social media consultancy that has helped businesses thrive online.
• Positive Social – A charity that helps young people and families understand the emotional impact of social media.
• Be More Colin – A movement encouraging teams and individuals to be less distracted by phones and more focused on building meaningful relationships.

Books, Music, and Tools/Frameworks:

• Book: The Bible
• Music: Pink Floyd
• Tool/Framework: Mark’s favourite tool is his bike.

Connect with Mark:

LinkedIn

Positive Social Website

Status Social Website

Be More Colin

_____________________________________________

ABOUT

LEADING BOLDLY PODCAST:

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to take your business to the next level? Dive deep into the minds of successful

SME

leaders, founders, and entrepreneurs who have blazed trails and built thriving

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hosts...

In today’s episode, we’re joined by Gary Parsons, an entrepreneur, mental health advocate, and founder of the “Selfish Leadership” framework.

Gary shares his inspiring journey of overcoming personal and professional struggles, from his childhood entrepreneurial spirit to facing the challenges of Bell’s palsy, and ultimately building a successful business before experiencing a mental health breakdown. He now dedicates his life to helping leaders prioritise their mental health while still achieving professional success.

In this episode, Gary discusses:

· The impact of Bell’s palsy on his life, self-image, and social interactions, and how he navigated these challenges for over 20 years.

· Building and scaling a multi-award-winning business, how he became consumed by the pursuit of success, and the toll it took on his mental health.

· The importance of vulnerability in leadership and the moment that led him to create the “Selfish Leadership” framework to help leaders maintain balance and well-being.

· Sharing his personal story on the TV show "Love My Face" and how opening up about his visible difference connected him with others facing mental health struggles.

Key Takeaways:

· Selfish Leadership is about prioritising your own well-being to be a more effective and authentic leader.

· Being vulnerable as a leader can break down barriers and create deeper connections with your team and community.

· Mental health is critical to leadership success. Leaders who focus on their well-being lead with greater intention and impact.

Books & Resources Mentioned:

Burnout Survival Kit by Imogen Dall

Music:

Savage Garden - Animal Song

Tool/Framework Mentioned:

· Selfish Leadership – Gary’s unique framework for leaders to set boundaries, elevate their well-being, and lead with intention. The four pillars of this framework focus on self-care, balance, resilience, and authenticity.

Research Report:

The untold Toll of stress on Founders and Leaders

Follow Gary Parsons:

Gary Parsons – Selfish Leadership: Website

LinkedIn: Gary Parsons

Stay tuned for more insights on leadership, mental health, and personal development in future episodes of Leading Boldly.

_____________________________________________

ABOUT LEADING BOLDLY PODCAST:

Ready to take your business to the next level? Dive deep into the minds of successful

SME leaders, founders, and entrepreneurs who have blazed trails and built thriving brands.

Join hosts Jenny Jarvis, a seasoned NLP practitioner and Certified Personal

Performance and Relationship coach, and Matt Clutterham, a brand and transformation

strategist with a knack for elevating businesses of all sizes.

Join Jenny on Linkedin Here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenny-jarvis/

Join Matt on Linkedin Here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattclutterham/

In this dynamic podcast, we unpack the stories, strategies, and mindset hacks that

fuel success in today's competitive landscape....