Amy kicks things off by acknowledging just how relentless the next six weeks will be for anyone working in food and retail, with tighter deadlines, louder demands, and the expectation to spin a hundred plates without dropping a single mince pie.

Drawing from her own post-Christmas experience with burnout, she emphasises why it’s crucial to protect your energy proactively, and why pushing through at all costs simply isn’t sustainable—or admirable.

She shares four core resilience tools: knowing your non-negotiables, practising constructive capacity language (so you can push back effectively), setting healthy boundaries, and letting go of perfectionism.

She also gives real-life examples and gentle nudges for implementing these, from time-blocking your calendar for actual breaks (even if it’s just to eat lunch device-free), to using simple phrases that help you communicate workload limits without guilt.

The episode also reflects on the season's big themes—especially the importance of questioning "the rules," breaking the cycle of self-blame, and creating safe, supportive environments at work.

Amy calls out that most pressures aren’t in your head, and challenges listeners to reframe rest as a strategic act, not a selfish one.

As the show closes, Amy leaves listeners with heartfelt encouragement, an invitation to connect on LinkedIn, and details about joining Fearless Women Connect—a safe space for women in food and retail.

The overarching message: You’re not the problem; the pressure is real—and you’re doing brilliantly.

Timestamps

00:42 – The “Chaotic” Season Begins

01:31 – Burnout & Personal Lessons

02:22 – Realities of Christmas in Food/Retail

03:17 – Rethinking Resilience

05:04 – Boundaries & Permission

06:55 – Four Practical Tips

09:45 – Capacity Language

10:43 – Setting Boundaries Gently

11:30 – Letting Go of Perfection

12:23 – Recap of The Four Tips

13:34 – Season Reflections & Lessons Learned

15:03 – Asking for Help & Final Pep Talk

16:24 – Series Wrap & Next Steps

17:39 – Festive Wisdom & Farewell

18:37 – Outro

Links and Resources:

Website Link: https://fearlessfoodies.co.uk

FB Link: https://www.facebook.com/thefearlessfoodiepod

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/thefearlessfoodiepod

You can follow us here on Instagram: @thefearlessfoodiepod

Find Amy on Instagram or LinkedIn for further support with industry coaching and facilitation.

Microsearch Laboratories sponsors the Fearless Foodie Podcast https://micro-search.co.uk/

Welcome to Bethan’s Bite-Sized Bulletin - your quick-fire briefing on what’s happening across the food and drink industry. In under five minutes, journalist and Food Manufacture editor Bethan Grylls shares the latest headlines, trends and developments to keep you in the know.

Explore more industry news at foodmanufacture.co.uk

Links and Resources:

Website Link: https://fearlessfoodies.co.uk

FB Link: https://www.facebook.com/thefearlessfoodiepod

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/thefearlessfoodiepod

You can follow us here on Instagram: @thefearlessfoodiepod

Find Amy on Instagram or LinkedIn for further support with industry coaching and facilitation.

Microsearch Laboratories sponsors the Fearless Foodie Podcast https://micro-search.co.uk/

Amy and Bethan get straight to the heart of what it means to be a “Fearless Foodie” in today’s food industry, especially for teams struggling to motivate their people and keep them engaged.

The episode kicks off with Bethan’s insights on leading from a flat structure—where the best ideas can (and should) come from the shop floor, not just the boardroom. We also hear why meaningful work matters for performance, commitment, and staff retention, especially in a sector still facing labour shortages.

Drawing from industry events and her own reporting, Bethan shares examples of how top companies are ditching rigid hierarchies for team empowerment—including the genius move of reframing “red” flags from bad news to action points. Amy dives into the reality of manufacturing environments where jobs are often repetitive and siloed, reflecting on how connecting daily work to a bigger purpose can be a game-changer—especially for Gen Z, who crave connection and rapid progression.

The pair also gets real about embracing mistakes, boosting psychological safety, and why the “lead from the bottom” approach is much more than just servant leadership—it’s about actively listening, enabling action, and letting those closest to the work teach the rest of the business. There’s debate about setting ambitious targets, the pros and cons of letting teams set their own goals, and the need for leadership to balance direction with genuine, bottom-up feedback.

Amy and Bethan wrap up by challenging listeners: Are you empowering your team with honest conversations? Have you walked the factory floor and truly listened? The challenge is to listen more than you talk; you might just stumble on the simplest, most effective fixes your business needs.

Timestamps

00:00:11 Welcome & episode intro with Amy and Bethan

00:01:15 What is “leading from the bottom”? —trends and industry research

00:02:52 Food sector labour shortages and frontline hiring

00:03:39 The link between meaningful work and motivation/performance

00:04:34 How flat hierarchies empower teams and bridge the strategy gap

00:05:39 Gen Z’s emphasis on connection and purpose at work

00:07:03 Conference highlights—leadership lessons from industry voices

00:08:29 “Shop floor is the most important”—humility in leadership

00:10:18 How psychological safety drives health, safety, and improvement

00:13:19 Red flag = action—changing mindsets around mistakes

00:16:07 Setting ambitious targets: pros, cons, and team morale

00:20:12 Should teams set their own targets? The bottom-up vs. top-down debate

00:22:42 Why blending direction with listening drives real results

00:24:53 Empower teams with simple solutions and hands-on leadership

00:26:19 Final takeaways: how to make work meaningful and drive change

00:26:37 Wrap-up, shoutouts, and what’s next for The Fearless Foodie

Links and Resources:

Website Link: https://fearlessfoodies.co.uk

FB Link: https://www.facebook.com/thefearlessfoodiepod

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/thefearlessfoodiepod

You can follow us here on Instagram: @thefearlessfoodiepod

Find Amy on Instagram or LinkedIn for further support with industry coaching and facilitation.

Microsearch Laboratories sponsors the Fearless Foodie Podcast https://micro-search.co.uk/

We kick off this episode with Amy and Nyree’s trip down memory lane, all the way back to hypnobirthing class and WhatsApp business masterminds. That instant “skip the small talk and go straight to heavy breathing” connection is the foundation for a raw, open conversation on why the food industry’s old rules aren’t working — especially for working parents.

Nyree opens up about her slow-burn realisation that work rules—full-time as default, “competitive” salary secrecy, presenteeism—aren’t natural laws. In fact, many were dreamed up by power holders decades ago and still weigh us down like an invisible rucksack. She talks about Jack and Grace’s bold approach: making part-time the standard, pushing radical flexibility, and refusing to pretend everyone fits the mould. But breaking the rules isn’t just about rebellion—it’s about rewriting them for real people, not just the status quo.

The conversation gets honest about why so many of us—especially women and parents—feel like we’re failing when the system is stacked against us. Amy and Nyree discuss how lockdown forced change, and why so many food businesses are sliding right back to the old inflexible ways. They cover the traps of “unlimited holiday” policies and the bittersweet reality that sometimes you have to live (not just write) new rules.

Nyree’s campaign for salary transparency, #SayThePay, gets a spotlight, and listeners are challenged to notice absurd workplace rules, shift what they can, and model bold boundaries for others—because small changes can make a big difference.

Whether you run a team, work on a factory floor, or you’re just exhausted by the pressure to “fit in,” this episode serves up real talk and practical encouragement.

Timestamps

00:00:11 Amy welcomes listeners and introduces Nyree.

00:02:22 Focus on breaking rules at work and Nyree’s passion for rewriting the playbook for working parents.

00:03:27 Discussion on flipping job norms—part-time as default, questioning 37.5-hour rule, and how invisible workplace “microplastics” shape us.

00:06:14 Nyree’s personal shift: realising it wasn’t her failing, but systemic work rules, and discusses the power of talking to others.

00:07:13 Lockdown as a leveller—closing gaps in flexible working and shifting professionalism.

00:08:10 Jack and Grace’s remote-first team, co-working spaces, and individualised flexibility.

00:09:10 When rule-breaking throws people—why some crave rules and how good rules can help, but “old-school” rules need challenging.

00:09:52 Experiments with unlimited holiday—why it didn’t work, and the importance of enforcing breaks.

00:11:18 Cultural challenges of walking the talk—Nyree’s struggle with guilt even in her own rule-breaking business.

00:14:40 Coaching insights: dropping the “baggage rucksack” and letting go of workplace conditioning.

00:16:21 Salary transparency campaign: #SayThePay—why “competitive salary” is bonkers, and how hiding pay increases inequality.

00:19:01 Takeaways for listeners: It’s not you, it’s the system. Small acts can challenge workplace norms; start where you are.

00:21:52 Modelling boundaries at work, being visible about parenting needs, and the radical power of honesty.

00:23:54 Perspective on generational shifts—Gen Z, talent strategy, and why food retail and manufacturing must change to attract the best.

00:24:15 Example from the police—structural change is possible everywhere, if there’s leadership will.

00:25:33 Plug for Jack and Grace—purpose-driven comms for organisations doing good, recent British Tomato Fortnight campaign.

00:26:41 Reflection on walking the talk and the ongoing work of living your company values.

Links and Resources:

Website Link: https://fearlessfoodies.co.uk

FB Link: https://www.facebook.com/thefearlessfoodiepod

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/thefearlessfoodiepod

“Say the pay” video: https://www.jackandgrace.co.uk/saythepay/

You can follow us here on Instagram: @thefearlessfoodiepod

Find Amy on Instagram or LinkedIn for further support with industry coaching and facilitation.

Microsearch Laboratories sponsors the Fearless Foodie Podcast https://micro-search.co.uk/

We kick off with Amy and Danny catching up and quickly getting to the crux: what does it really mean to be authentic at work, and why does the word so often make us cringe? The pair agree there’s a fine line between honesty and TMI, and dives into why being “yourself” never means dropping professionalism or using authenticity as an excuse for poor behaviour.

Danny reveals the internal conflict of trying to fit into extremely corporate cultures and the valuable lesson he learned when he realised some environments just aren’t made for everyone—and that’s okay. Instead, finding (or shaping) spaces where you can genuinely be yourself leads to better leadership, better relationships, and, not surprisingly, better results.

Amy opens up about her own struggles, from the exhaustion of keeping up a façade in high-pressure roles to the pivotal moment she decided to lead with openness about her own mental health challenges. Realness, the hosts agree, is contagious—it empowers teams to show up honestly and builds deep trust that is foundational in the food industry.

The episode is laced with witty banter, memorable one-liners (“If your whole self is a dick, don’t bring it to work”), and actionable takeaways for anyone aspiring to lead with integrity, vulnerability, and impact.

Whether you work on the factory floor, the boardroom, or somewhere in between, expect a refreshing, practical exploration of being true to yourself at work—without losing sight of boundaries and professionalism.

Timestamps

• 00:00:00 — Amy and Danny kick off the episode; quick intros and call-back to their earlier chat.
• 00:02:00 — Why “authenticity” gets a bad rap; setting the real agenda for “being yourself.”
• 00:04:27 — Where the “bring your whole self to work” mantra goes wrong (and how to set healthy boundaries).
• 00:05:13 — Oversharing at work—why it trips people up, especially moving into leadership roles.
• 00:10:02 — The value of being proud of where you’ve come from; how background shapes strong leadership.
• 00:13:32 — Danny’s story: Not fitting into a hyper-corporate culture, and why he decided that’s okay.
• 00:18:15 — Navigating big companies vs. running your own show; honesty about why some workplaces aren’t the right fit.
• 00:20:42 — Amy’s story: Dropping the armour after burnout and how realness built stronger team bonds.
• 00:22:58 — Creating psychological safety: Why vulnerability from leaders matters.
• 00:25:38 — When hiding mistakes (instead of owning them) can create real food safety risks.
• 00:26:01 — Why “being wrong” and giving your team a real voice is the magic sauce of good leadership.
• 00:28:24 — Re-capping the real meaning of authenticity—a blend of values, vulnerability, and professionalism.
• 00:30:10 — Knowing when a place isn’t for you; final takeaways on protecting energy and finding your fit.

Links and Resources:

Website Link: https://fearlessfoodies.co.uk

FB Link: https://www.facebook.com/thefearlessfoodiepod

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/thefearlessfoodiepod

You can follow us here on Instagram: @thefearlessfoodiepod

Find Amy on Instagram or LinkedIn for further support with industry coaching and facilitation.

Microsearch Laboratories sponsor the Fearless Foodie Podcast https://micro-search.co.uk/

This week Amy dives deep with Breige Donaghy, who shares her journey from food science graduate to Tesco’s Director of Product Development & Innovation.

She explains the critical differences in retail philosophy between giants like Tesco and community-focused Co-op, and why that breadth of experience shaped the way she leads teams and builds supplier partnerships today.

Breige and Amy get hands-on discussing the realities of food development, including why product developers deserve more credit than just being “the fluffy ideas people.”

There’s a refreshingly open take on the weight (and the privilege) of driving sustainability, health, and resilient supply chains—plus how industry leaders need to wear many hats and adapt fast.

Straight-talking as ever, Amy teases out how supplier-retailer relationships are (finally) evolving beyond old-school commercial transactionalism. Breige details exactly what she’s looking for from supplier partners: honesty, data-driven thinking, critical friendship, and the guts to challenge the status quo.

For those on the supplier side, there’s invaluable advice on how to present insight, take calculated risks, and move from merely “delivering projects” to co-creating future food trends.

We also peel back the curtain on leadership—Breige shares her people-first approach and why empowering teams (with a signature “20% more” encouragement) is key to success. They conclude with actionable takeaways for anyone seeking to build bolder, braver relationships in the food retail industry.

Timestamps

00:00 "Two Decades in Retail Reflection"

04:25 Career Journey and Growth

09:15 Customer-Centric Approach in Business

10:23 Omnichannel Innovation and Collaboration

13:45 "Building Innovation through Partnership"

19:16 Embracing Failure: Lessons and Growth

22:47 Strategic Planning for Future Innovation

25:26 "People-First Leadership Style"

29:57 Harnessing Data for Retail Evolution

32:41 Omnichannel Retail and Behavioural Shifts

36:23 Balancing Skills for Future Development

40:33 "Be Bold and Customer-Focused"

41:53 "Fearless Foodie Wrap-Up"

Links and Resources:

Website Link: https://fearlessfoodies.co.uk

FB Link: https://www.facebook.com/thefearlessfoodiepod

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/thefearlessfoodiepod

You can follow us here on Instagram: @thefearlessfoodiepod

Find Amy on Instagram or LinkedIn for further support with industry coaching and facilitation.

Microsearch Laboratories sponsor the Fearless Foodie Podcast https://micro-search.co.uk/

Welcome to Bethan’s Bite-Sized Bulletin - your quick-fire briefing on what’s happening across the food and drink industry. In under five minutes, journalist and Food Manufacture editor Bethan Grylls shares the latest headlines, trends and developments to keep you in the know.

Explore more industry news at foodmanufacture.co.uk

Links and Resources:

Website Link: https://fearlessfoodies.co.uk

FB Link: https://www.facebook.com/thefearlessfoodiepod

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/thefearlessfoodiepod

You can follow us here on Instagram: @thefearlessfoodiepod

Find Amy on Instagram or LinkedIn for further support with industry coaching and facilitation.

Microsearch Laboratories sponsors the Fearless Foodie Podcast https://micro-search.co.uk/

Ever felt out of your depth in a big meeting, worried you’ll look silly if you ask a question? You’re definitely not alone. Amy and Bethan kick things off by shining a light on those moments of fear—reminding us that most people in the room are too busy worrying about their own questions to notice yours!

Bethan draws from her journalism career, explaining how curiosity is non-negotiable if you want to really get to the heart of things (and why it’s okay to not know all the food industry acronyms!).

The episode explores why asking questions is so powerful: it supports personal growth, drives business innovation, and builds real connections across departments. Amy unpacks the science behind our deep-seated fear of being “cast out of the pack”—hello, evolutionary fight-or-flight—and how to reframe those nerves so you don’t freeze up.

Additionally, the duo provides practical tips on making it safer for everyone to speak up, from rephrasing how you frame questions (“What questions do you have?” instead of “Does that make sense?”) to normalising not knowing everything as a leader.

Bethan and Amy also touch on our growing reliance on AI for answers—celebrating its usefulness but warning against losing those all-important human skills of communication and genuine curiosity.

And, in classic Fearless Foodie fashion, the episode ends with a challenge: ask one question you’re scared to ask this week because Fearless Foodies don’t let the fear of tigers (or awkward silences) stop real progress.

Timestamps

00:00 Embracing Uncertainty in Leadership

06:06 Encouraging Curiosity for Innovation

09:24 Overcoming Silos Through Collaboration

11:27 Effective Question Framing Techniques

16:34 "Understanding Intent at Work"

20:07 "Coaching Through Questioning"

24:00 "Embrace Curiosity, Ask Questions"

25:07 AI's Impact on Human Skills

27:43 "Seeking Emotion Through AI"

31:13 Unleash Your Fearless Spirit

Links and Resources:

https://fearlessfoodies.co.uk/podcast/overcoming-barriers-in-the-food-industry-with-bethan-grylls/

https://fearlessfoodies.co.uk/podcast/thriving-in-the-food-industry-how-let-them-thinking-elevates-your-career/

Website Link: https://fearlessfoodies.co.uk

FB Link: https://www.facebook.com/thefearlessfoodiepod

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/thefearlessfoodiepod

You can follow us here on Instagram: @thefearlessfoodiepod

Find Amy on Instagram or LinkedIn for further support with industry coaching and facilitation.

Microsearch Laboratories sponsor the Fearless Foodie Podcast https://micro-search.co.uk/