What happens when you bring together charity, people and community? In this episode, Jane sits down with Jo Reeder — experienced communicator, fundraiser and senior leader — for a conversation about belonging, confidence, career twists, and the power of connections that count.

Jo shares what school felt like in the 80s, how being boxed into “teacher, nurse or office job” didn’t reflect her gifts, and how she built a meaningful career by leaning into what she was good at: people, communication and community.

This episode is packed with honest reflections on navigating the working world, finding the confidence to walk away from unhealthy environments, and why network and relationships are everything — especially in the charity and not-for-profit space.

In this episode, we cover

• ​ Why belonging has shaped Jo’s whole life and career
• ​ School in the 80s: when grades were everything and options felt limited
• ​ “I didn’t feel as good as my friends” — and what that can do to confidence
• ​ The moment Jo decided: “I’m never being treated like that again.”
• ​ What confidence looks like now: building a toolkit over time
• ​ How theatre and performance develop transferable skills for work
• ​ Jo’s journey through BT, local press, fundraising, senior leadership and CEO roles
• ​ What a CEO/Chief Exec in the charity/not-for-profit sector actually does
• ​ Where charity funding comes from — and why collaboration matters now more than ever
• ​ What Jo would tell her younger self: be curious, listen, build relationships
• ​ A fun School Run memory: the pyjama school run (and the sweet shop stops!)

About Jo Reeder

Jo Reeder is an experienced communicator, fundraiser and senior manager with a love for all things charity, people and community. She has worked across fundraising, marketing and leadership, and is passionate about collaboration and strengthening communities through meaningful partnerships.

Connect with Jo

• ​ Find Jo on LinkedIn: Jo Reeder

Connect with Jane / Little Voices

• ​ Instagram: @theschoolrun_official / @mrsjanejames
• ​ Little Voices: @littlevoiceslimited + www.littlevoices.org.uk

Subscribe / Follow

If this episode resonates, please follow, share, and leave a review — it helps more people find the show ❤️

Podcasts for us are all about learning and sharing, of course free to listen to.

We have some small costs to cover so if you would like to buy us a virtual cup of tea /coffee when we are planning them out please click here https://www.buymeacoffee.com/theschoolrun

\

Get In Touch: Of course, you can always get in touch with us (publicly or privately) on our socials \@‌theschoolrun_official / \@‌mrsjanejames on Instagram, or search and follow Jane James on Facebook. We'd love to hear your story - please get in touch with us directly at jane@littlevoices.org.uk

Links: For information on Jane’s company Little Voices head to http://www.littlevoices.org.uk⁠⁠

@littlevoiceslimited

You will often hear references to The Olive Jar to find out more follow @theolivejarcourse

www.theolivejar.online

‌

Disclaimer: All views expressed in this podcast are of the participants themselves. The information, opinions, and recommendations presented in this podcast are for general information only and any reliance on the information provided in this podcast is done at your own risk. We are just a mum and daughter, sharing their thoughts and chatting with guests that we really respect and sharing our personal stories and insights. Please seek professional advice if you need it.

This episode is edited by Mike Roberts of Making Digital Real

What if confidence isn’t something you’re born with… but something you build?

In this episode of The School Run with Jane: Little Voices, Big Stories, Jane is joined by Sally Walker; career and executive coach, cultural intelligence & intercultural trainer, guest lecturer and author.

Sally shares the “lightbulb moment” that changed everything: being tasked with running a redundancy programme early in her HR career and witnessing how the right support can turn a devastating moment into a powerful reinvention.

Together, Jane and Sally explore confidence as a skill, the importance of values, why we don’t need a “perfect” career plan, and how to do a simple annual Career MOT to check in with what matters most.

In this episode, we talk about:

• ​Sally’s journey from HR to career coaching and the moment she knew she’d found her purpose
• ​Why coaching is about questions, not advice (and why “we often already know the answer”)
• ​Confidence as a skill you can build and Sally’s favourite reminder: “You are good enough.”
• ​The difference between career values and bedrock values (and how they can shift through life)
• ​How to spot your “threads”: childhood interests, flow moments, curiosity and natural strengths
• ​Teachers’ transferable skills and why so many don’t realise how valuable they are
• ​The myth of a “job for life” and the freedom of pivoting without “getting it perfect”
• ​What a first coaching session actually looks like (and why chemistry matters)
• ​The power of slowing down and creating space for reflection
• ​Sally’s school run memory: laughter, connection, and those back-seat conversations you don’t realise you’ll miss

Guest: Sally Walker

Career & Executive Coach | Cultural Intelligence & Intercultural Trainer | Guest Lecturer | Author

➡️ Find Sally on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sallyannwalker

➡️ Website www.swcareercoaching.com

About Little Voices:

Little Voices is the UK-wide award-winning performing arts organisation helping children aged 4–18 build confidence for life through small group drama and singing lessons, plus accredited LAMDA qualifications.

Stay connected:

• ​Podcast Instagram: @theschoolrun_official
• ​Little Voices: @littlevoiceslimited
• ​Support the podcast (Buy Me a Coffee): buymeacoffee.com/theschoolrun
• ​Edited by: Mike, Making Digital Real (details in show notes)

Podcasts for us are all about learning and sharing, of course free to listen to.

We have some small costs to cover so if you would like to buy us a virtual cup of tea /coffee when we are planning them out please click here https://www.buymeacoffee.com/theschoolrun

\

Get In Touch: Of course, you can always get in touch with us (publicly or privately) on our socials \@‌theschoolrun_official / \@‌mrsjanejames on Instagram, or search and follow Jane James on Facebook. We'd love to hear your story - please get in touch with us directly at jane@littlevoices.org.uk

Links: For information on Jane’s company Little Voices head to http://www.littlevoices.org.uk⁠⁠

@littlevoiceslimited

You will often hear references to The Olive Jar to find out more follow @theolivejarcourse

www.theolivejar.online

‌

Disclaimer: All views expressed in this podcast are of the participants themselves. The information, opinions, and recommendations presented in this podcast are for general information only and any reliance on the information provided in this podcast is done at your own risk. We are just a mum and daughter, sharing their thoughts and chatting with guests that we really respect and sharing our personal stories and insights. Please seek professional advice if you need it.

This episode is edited by Mike Roberts of Making Digital Real

In this episode Jane speaks with Julie Armstrong about all things confidence.

Julie is the Principal of Little Voices Peterborough .

@littlevoicespeterborough

Podcasts for us are all about learning and sharing, of course free to listen to.

We have some small costs to cover so if you would like to buy us a virtual cup of tea /coffee when we are planning them out please click here https://www.buymeacoffee.com/theschoolrun

\

Get In Touch: Of course, you can always get in touch with us (publicly or privately) on our socials \@‌theschoolrun_official / \@‌mrsjanejames on Instagram, or search and follow Jane James on Facebook. We'd love to hear your story - please get in touch with us directly at jane@littlevoices.org.uk

Links: For information on Jane’s company Little Voices head to http://www.littlevoices.org.uk⁠⁠

@littlevoiceslimited

You will often hear references to The Olive Jar to find out more follow @theolivejarcourse

www.theolivejar.online

‌

Disclaimer: All views expressed in this podcast are of the participants themselves. The information, opinions, and recommendations presented in this podcast are for general information only and any reliance on the information provided in this podcast is done at your own risk. We are just a mum and daughter, sharing their thoughts and chatting with guests that we really respect and sharing our personal stories and insights. Please seek professional advice if you need it.

This episode is edited by Mike Roberts of Making Digital Real