Working With and Supporting Employees with Addiction

In this thought‑provoking episode of The Independent Minds, host Michael Millward speaks with Jeff Jones of thefamilyrecoverysolution.com to explore one of the workplace’s most uncomfortable realities: addiction.

Drawing on his personal history and professional experience as a therapist, Jeff explains why addiction is rarely a simple, individual problem. As he puts it, “families are on the front lines… they see this first,” and employers often become the next crucial part of the support system.

Together, Michael and Jeff examine how addiction develops, why behavioural changes at work matter, and how workplace culture can either reduce risks or unintentionally amplify them.

The conversation challenges black‑and‑white thinking and instead encourages employers to recognise the “shades of grey” that define each person’s relationship with addiction. Jeff outlines what a truly supportive employer looks like—one who focuses on whole‑person wellbeing, builds trust, avoids harmful cultural norms, and creates systems that help employees recover rather than fall further.

Whether you’re an HR professional, a leader, or simply someone interested in healthier workplaces, this episode will make you think differently about addiction, support, and the role work plays in recovery.

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Why Your Marketing Data Is Letting You Down

Dive into one of the most persistent, and costly, marketing challenges: businesses are making decisions with data that is incomplete, misunderstood, or simply wrong.

Michael Millward speaks with TJ Kelly, a digital sales and marketing practitioner who was with Tier Eleven at the time of recording, but now works with Wicked.

TJ explains, the explosion of devices, platforms, privacy rules, and competing tech ecosystems has fragmented the data marketers rely on. The result? Organisations confidently make decisions based on numbers that only tell half the story.

Michael and TJ explore:

• Why intuition-led marketing still dominates—and why it’s dangerous
• How big tech platforms limit what businesses can see
• The difference between new visitors and truly new customers
• Why attribution is outdated, and contribution is the future
• How anonymised tracking protects users while empowering businesses
• The critical importance of knowing your true cost of customer acquisition

This episode is a must‑listen for anyone involved in marketing, sales, digital strategy, or business growth. It won’t tell you what to think—but it will make you rethink what you think you know about your data.

Audience Offers – listings include links that may create a small commission for The Independent Minds

The Independent Minds is made on Zencastr, the all-in-one podcasting platform, that really does make creating content so easy.

Travel – With discounted membership of the Ultimate Travel Club, you can travel anywhere at trade prices.

Visit Threefor information about business and personal telecom solutions from Three, and the special offers available when you quote my referral code WPFNUQHU.

Fit For Work – The Annual Health Test from York Test; assesses 39-health markers.

Use discount code MIND25.

Being a Guest

We recommend the podcasting guest training available from WPLC.

We appreciate every like, download, and subscriber.

Thank you for listening.

Inner Conflict, Ambition, and the Psychology of Work

In this thought‑provoking episode of The Independent Minds, host Michael Millward sits down with author, hypnotist, veteran, and former intelligence officer Ryan Christensen, the Belief Engineer to explore why so many people struggle internally even while striving externally — and how understanding the mind can transform the way we work.

Drawing on insights from his book Winner Peace: How to End Inner Conflict and Make Success Inevitable, Ryan explains how subconscious patterns, insecure attachment styles, and early life experiences shape our adult behaviour; especially in the workplace.

Ryan introduces two powerful concepts: the Cage, where self‑doubt keeps people from reaching their potential, and the Treadmill, where high performers run endlessly in pursuit of validation.

Together, Michael and Ryan:

• how managers can distinguish genuine ambition from performance driven by insecurity,
• why some employees thrive while others burn out, and
• how leaders can better understand the motivations, strengths, and vulnerabilities of their teams.

They discuss the difference between working to build a life and working to prove a self, the role of ego in workplace politics, and the subtle signs that reveal whether someone is driven by inspiration or fear.

This conversation blends psychology, leadership, personal development, and lived experience, offering managers, HR professionals, and curious employees a fresh lens on human behaviour at work.

As always, The Independent Minds doesn’t tell you what to think, but it certainly gives you plenty to think about.

Audience Offers – listings include links that may create a small commission for The Independent Minds

The Independent Minds is made on Zencastr, the all-in-one podcasting platform, that really does make creating content so easy.

Travel – With discounted membership of the Ultimate Travel Club, you can travel anywhere at trade prices.

Visit Threefor information about business and personal telecom solutions from Three, and the special offers available when you quote my referral code WPFNUQHU.

Fit For Work – The Annual Health Test from York Test; assesses 39-health markers.

Use discount code MIND25.

Being a Guest

We recommend the podcasting guest training available from WPLC.

We appreciate every like, download, and subscriber.

Thank you for listening.