In this special episode called, Never Lose Hope, Gary Cox and David Johnson are joined by Kateryna Valian for a deeply human conversation about resilience, displacement and the courage it takes to rebuild a life more than once.

Kateryna’s story begins in Donetsk in 2014, when armed occupation changed daily life overnight and she made the difficult decision to leave her home for Kyiv. What she thought might be a temporary move became the start of a much longer journey, as she adapted to a new city, new work, and the painful reality that going home was no longer simple.

Kateryna then shares how life changed again in February 2022, when she recognised the sound of bombing in Kyiv and the full-scale invasion forced her to face displacement for a second time.

This episode also explores the practical and emotional realities of starting again: learning a new job market, rebuilding confidence, being separated from her husband in Kyiv and living with grief.

Throughout the conversation, Kateryna speaks with remarkable honesty and positivity, describing how support from ordinary people, including her UK host Jane, helped her take the next steps towards independence and work.

Never Lose Hope with Kateryna Valian is a moving reminder that behind every headline are individual people making impossible choices, finding unexpected kindness and trying to build a future one day at a time.

To support Kateryna, you can contact her on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kateryna-missiga-valian.

📩 Got a funny work‑related story? Send it to ⁠dogatestrategy@gmail.com⁠

🎞️ Created and Produced by YRAG Productions

In this episode of The Dog Ate My Strategy Show, Gary Cox is joined by a very entertaining guest, Graham Dewhirst, for an insightful conversation about the not-for-profit sector, trustee roles, and what it really means to make a meaningful contribution beyond your day job.

Graham shares lessons from his career in private equity and board leadership. Expect to hear some crazy stories about investments that were rejected board meetings.

Graham reflects on his work with charities, including the creation of Let June, https://letjune.org , which supports young people in North Kirklees at moments when small practical help can make a life-changing difference.

If you have ever wondered how to become a trustee, what non-executive directors actually do, or how volunteering your skills can help both an organisation and your own development, this episode offers practical guidance, honest reflections, and plenty of the show’s usual humour.

Hear what are the team doing over the Summer Holidays?

40 Minutes designed to help you switch off, be entertained and hear stories that might just change your day.

Feel free to email the show at ⁠dogatestrategy@gmail.com⁠ and join in the conversation.

🎞️Created and Produced by YRAG productions.

Is the grass greener on the other side?

What does it take to walk away from a successful corporate career and build something with real purpose?

In this special episode, Ashleigh Wells and Mark Goddard share their journey from senior roles at US Fortune 500 Company, to launching WG Healthcare, a business built on trust, expertise and a commitment to doing things differently.

They talk openly about the risks, the pressure, the partnership that made it work, and the focus that helped them become leaders in a highly specialised field.

The conversation is a bit of a rollercoaster with a lot of unexpected turns.

It’s an honest and inspiring conversation for anyone thinking about leadership, entrepreneurship or making a bold career move.

We also hear about Emma B and her trip to Scotland, David’s latest project employing, Bob ‘the actual Builder, and an unfortunate accident with an exploding kettle.

If you want to ensure you don’t miss future episodes, subscribe or follow, The Dog Ate My Strategy Show.

40+ Minutes designed to help you switch off, be entertained and hear stories that might just change your day.

Feel free to email the show at dogatestrategy@gmail.com and join in the conversation.

Your CAREER is climbing wall; it’s never a ladder with one climb only. You decide at any given time what direction to go in.

🎞️Created and Produced by YRAG productions.