People Are Everything

New People Are Everything special: High Five: The People We Never Saw Coming
The people who influence us are not always the obvious ones.
They are not always parents, partners, close friends or bosses. Sometimes they are people we meet by chance. Sometimes they are people we barely know. Sometimes they are people we have never met at all, but something about them stays with us.
In this 30-minute High Five special, Julia Duthie revisits five moments from the People Are Everything archive, each exploring an unexpected person who left a lasting impression.
Featuring:
1. Jess Gregson — Toby HatJess remembers a nightclub regular whose presence came to represent youth, friendship, belonging and the joy of finding your tribe.
2. Jindy Mann — The Woman on KilimanjaroJindy reflects on a chance encounter during a mountain climb that opened him up to a more spiritual way of seeing the world.
3. Lucy H Pearce — The Woman She Never MetLucy shares how an online creator she had never met gave her permission to be a writer, mother and businesswoman in her own way.
4. Chris Grimes — Stan Laurel Made Me HappyChris talks about how Stan Laurel shaped his humour, kindness and love of performance, despite never knowing him personally.
5. Matthew Stafford — The Apps That Changed EverythingMatthew recalls early encounters with the people behind Citymapper and Uber, and how they changed the way he thought about ideas, ambition and usefulness.
Five guests. Five unexpected influences. One reminder that the people who shape us can appear from almost anywhere.
Hosted by Julia Duthie.
Learn more about your host, get Julia's book here: https://loom.ly/DxZH3GU
Full episode available now on YouTube and all major podcast platforms.
Watch or listen on your favourite podcast platform:
Youtube: https://loom.ly/nb-WD3Q
Apple: https://loom.ly/EgwKsWk
Spotify: https://loom.ly/GHo0lEo
📲 Follow us on socials: https://loom.ly/gJuJlLQ
 
Thank you, People Are Everything :-)
 

New People Are Everything special: High Five: The Mothers Who Made Us
Our High Five specials are 30-minute curated episodes designed to introduce new listeners to People Are Everything — and to help long-time listeners rediscover some of the incredible stories from the back catalogue.
Each special brings together five short excerpts from five different guests, centred around one shared theme.
In The Mothers Who Made Us, Julia Duthie revisits five moving conversations about mothers, family, resilience, ambition, kindness and the people who often shape us first.
 
Featuring:
1. Helen Normoyle — A Shroud Has No PocketHelen reflects on her mother’s warmth, values and belief that people matter more than possessions.
2. Carrie Osman — Have You Done Enough?Carrie remembers “Mommy O”, a powerful force of love, standards and encouragement.
3. Penny de Valk — Quiet ResiliencePenny shares the story of her mother Barbara Mary Foy, whose strength, optimism and resourcefulness shaped her deeply.
4. Lori Powell — Knowing What Is EnoughLori talks about her mum Beverly, who showed her that ambition can also mean knowing what truly matters.
5. Suzy Burke — Hope at the Kitchen TableSuzy remembers her mother Hope, a warm and honest woman whose home became a place of welcome, truth and love.
Five guests. Five stories. One beautiful reminder of the mothers who made us.
Hosted by Julia Duthie.
Learn more about your host, get Julia's book here: https://loom.ly/DxZH3GU
Full episode available now on YouTube and all major podcast platforms.
Watch or Listen on your favourite podcast platform:
 
Youtube: https://loom.ly/nb-WD3Q
Apple: https://loom.ly/EgwKsWk
Spotify: https://loom.ly/GHo0lEo
📲 Follow us on socials: https://loom.ly/gJuJlLQ
 
Thank you, People Are Everything :-)

High Five: The People Who Saw Us
While we get ready for the next season of People Are Everything, we’re revisiting five powerful moments from across the back catalogue.
In this special episode, Julia Duthie shares five clips from five different guests, each exploring a person who saw something in them, reflected something back, or helped them understand themselves in a new way.
 
This is High Five: The People Who Saw Us — five stories about recognition, friendship, encouragement, self-discovery and the people who arrive in our lives at exactly the right time.
 
You will hear:-
1. Sophie Bryan — The Softer SelfSophie reflects on the people who helped her reconnect with tenderness, openness and the parts of herself that had been hidden away.
2. Yasmin Ibrahim — The Fierce MirrorYasmin talks about a relationship that challenged her, reflected her back to herself, and helped her understand the difference between love, control and self-awareness.
3. Chukwudi Iwuji — A Moment With Paul NewmanChukwudi shares the extraordinary story of meeting Paul Newman, and how a brief encounter with someone he admired became a lesson in humility, generosity and presence.
4. Felicity Reed — Walking Into FireFelicity remembers Len Charles, an early manager who believed in her, gave her responsibility, and taught her how to walk towards difficult human situations with courage and care.
5. Laura Garcia — Chosen FamilyLaura celebrates the friendships that become family, especially the people who know us deeply and choose to stay with us through every stage of life.
Five guests. Five stories. Five reminders that sometimes the right person seeing us clearly can change everything.
 
Sit back and enjoy. Each section is approimatley 6 minutes long and divided by a 10s interlude of music between each guest.
You can watch or listen to the full podcasts. Follow the links below.
 
Hosted by Julia Duthie.
Learn more about your host, get Julia's book here: https://loom.ly/DxZH3GU
Full episode available now on YouTube and all major podcast platforms.
Watch or Listen on your favourite podcast platform:
Youtube: S05 Playlist
Apple: https://loom.ly/EgwKsWk
Spotify: https://loom.ly/GHo0lEo
📲 Follow us on socials: https://loom.ly/gJuJlLQ
 
Thank you, People Are Everything :-)
 

S05 - Extra - Take 5 - People Are Everything: The People Who Shape Us
While we get ready for Season 6 of People Are Everything, we’re revisiting five standout moments from the back catalogue.
Across five seasons, Julia Duthie has spoken to extraordinary guests about the five people who helped shape who they are today. This special extra episode brings together a hand-picked selection of moments that still feel just as relevant, thoughtful and human today.
In this 30-minute back catalogue special, you’ll hear:
1. Chukwudi Iwuji — Supported DreamsChukwudi talks about the parents who gave him the confidence, values and permission to follow his path into acting.
2. Nancy Burger — Saying GoodbyeNancy reflects on being with her father at the end of his life, in a moving story about love, presence and letting go.
3. Mark Massett — Classroom ConfidenceMark remembers Mrs Delphino, the teacher who earned respect, set boundaries and helped him believe in learning.
4. Penny de Valk — Quiet ResiliencePenny shares the story of her mother, Barbara Mary Foy, whose strength, optimism and resourcefulness shaped her deeply.
5. JB Adams — Building TrustJB explores why trust, small moments of connection and feeling genuinely known can change the way we relate to others.
Whether you’re new to People Are Everything or returning to the archive, this is a perfect place to begin.
Sit back and enjoy. Each section is divided by a 10s interlude of music between each guest.
You can watch or listen to the full podcasts. Follow the links below.
 
Hosted by Julia Duthie.
Learn more about your host, get Julia's book here: https://loom.ly/DxZH3GU
Full episode available now on YouTube and all major podcast platforms.
Watch or Listen on your favourite podcast platform:
Youtube: S05 Playlist
Apple: https://loom.ly/EgwKsWk
Spotify: https://loom.ly/GHo0lEo
📲 Follow us on socials: https://loom.ly/gJuJlLQ
 
Thank you, People Are Everything :-)

S05 - Extra - Father's Day
At People Are Everything, our guests are invited to share the five people who have most shaped their lives — and time and again, parents appear in those stories.
For Father’s Day, we celebratd the fathers and father figures who show up in our conversations: the steady ones, the brave ones, the quiet mentors, the protectors, the role models, and the people whose love was felt through action as much as words.
Because fatherhood can take many forms. It can be confidence, guidance, safety, sacrifice, humour, courage, or simply the knowledge that someone is there — right to the end of the world.
Father’s Day may fall once a year, but at People Are Everything, we believe the people who shape us are worth celebrating every day.
Watch and listen to the full conversations on YouTube or your favourite podcast platform.
 
Today's excerpts from Series 05 are :-
 
Dan Sitner
Dan’s father represented steadiness, responsibility and quiet love; a man who showed devotion through work, family duty and small but unforgettable moments of emotion.
Dror Allouche
Dror’s father gave him the gift of confidence: the belief that life can always improve, even in the next 30 minutes.
Jathan Janove
Jathan’s father helped shape his life’s work by introducing him to trust, organisational development and the idea that workplaces can be made more human.
Laura Garcia
Laura’s father was her first love and safe place; a devoted presence who made her feel protected, supported and capable of anything.
Martin Morales
Martin’s father taught him courage, calmness and responsibility, showing him how to stay steady when life becomes unstable.
Tim Hughes
Tim’s father quietly modelled integrity, purpose and allyship, standing up for others long before it was easy or expected.
 
Sit back and enjoy. Each section is divided by a 10s interlude of music between each guest.
You can watch or listen to the full podcasts. Follow the links below.
 
Hosted by Julia Duthie.
Learn more about your host, get Julia's book here: https://loom.ly/DxZH3GU
Full episode available now on YouTube and all major podcast platforms.
Watch or Listen on your favourite podcast platform:
Youtube: S05 Playlist
Apple: https://loom.ly/EgwKsWk
Spotify: https://loom.ly/GHo0lEo
📲 Follow us on socials: https://loom.ly/gJuJlLQ
 
Thank you, People Are Everything :-)
 
 
 
 

S05 EP10 J.B. Adams
In this warm, thoughtful and deeply human episode of People Are Everything, Julia Duthie speaks with J.B. Adams, an executive development strategist and coach whose work is rooted in trust, listening, leadership and genuine human connection. From the very beginning, Julia and JB discover a shared language around depth, curiosity and the kind of conversations that move far beyond small talk. Julia reflects openly on her own need for realness in relationships and workplaces, while JB explains how trust is built through simple, repeated acts of care: saying hello, asking questions, listening properly, and making people feel seen.
JB’s chosen five take the conversation across literature, Disney leadership, listening, family history and generational trauma. He reflects on Victor Hugo, whose Les Misérables became a year-long daily discipline that changed how he saw humanity; Valerie Oberle, the first female executive at Disney Corporate and a model of high-trust leadership; Dr. Rick Bommelje, who taught him the power of listening and the “golden pause”; Roy Disney, the quieter brother whose strategic leadership helped build the Disney empire; and William David Jr., a troubled ancestor whose story opened up questions about identity, shame, family history and the choices passed down through generations. Julia’s responses are especially powerful in this episode, often gently challenging JB’s interpretations and adding emotional insight, particularly around trauma, belonging, and the different ways people survive difficult histories.
Highlights
Why trust is the foundation of meaningful relationships and strong leadership
JB’s work as an executive development strategist and coach
Julia and JB’s shared dislike of shallow small talk and love of deeper conversation
Growing up on a family farm in rural Illinois
The stability, affection and safety JB experienced through his parents
The importance of siblings and “belonging” as life moves into later chapters
JB’s identity as a “sensitive introvert”
Reading all 365 chapters of Les Misérables across one year
How literature helped JB understand humanity, suffering and history
Working at Disney University and learning from Disney culture
Valerie Oberle’s example of trust-led, people-centred leadership
Why laughter at work can indicate a high-trust environment
The power of listening, reflection and the “golden pause”
Roy Disney as the unsung strategic force behind Walt Disney’s creative vision
The relationship between Walt and Roy Disney, including Walt’s final vision for Disney World
JB’s genealogy research and the dramatic story of William David Jr.
Generational trauma, shame, silence, anger and forgiveness
Julia’s reflection on why the podcast matters: the joy of uninterrupted, meaningful conversation
J.B.’s 5 Most Influential People
1. Victor Hugo
Victor Hugo influenced JB through Les Misérables, which JB read one chapter at a time over an entire year. The experience helped him see humanity as a vast, interconnected story and deepened his understanding of suffering, history, justice and the human condition.
2. Valerie Oberle
Valerie Oberle was the first female executive at Disney Corporate and a major influence on JB’s understanding of leadership. Her ability to make people feel seen, valued and trusted left a lasting impression on him and shaped his views on high-trust work environments.
3. Dr. Rick Bommelje
Dr. Rick Bommelje, author and listening expert, taught JB that listening is not passive. Through years of mastermind sessions, JB learned the importance of making others feel heard, acknowledged and validated, as well as the value of the “golden pause.”
4. Roy Disney
JB chose Roy Disney as the quieter, often overlooked force behind the Disney empire. While Walt was the creative visionary, Roy managed the money, strategy and business decisions that allowed the dream to survive and grow. For JB, Roy represents introverted leadership and the power of influence without needing the spotlight.
5. William David Jr.
William David Jr., a troubled ancestor from JB’s family tree, influenced him through genealogy and identity work. His life story opened up questions about family shame, generational trauma, forgiveness, and how people choose what to carry forward or leave behind.
 
Hosted by Julia Duthie.
Learn more about your host, get Julia's book here: https://loom.ly/DxZH3GU
 
Full episode available now on YouTube and all major podcast platforms.
 
Watch or Listen on your favourite podcast platform:
Youtube: https://loom.ly/nb-WD3Q
Apple: https://loom.ly/EgwKsWk
Spotify: https://loom.ly/GHo0lEo
📲 Follow us on socials: https://loom.ly/gJuJlLQ
 
To find out more or contact J.B. use the links below:-
https://adamslearning.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/j-b-adams/
 
Thank you, People Are Everything :-)
 

S05 EP09 Bill Sommers
In this thoughtful and energising episode of People Are Everything, Julia Duthie speaks with Dr William “Bill” Sommers, an educator, author, leadership coach and lifelong learner whose work has taken him from inner-city classrooms to school turnarounds, national staff development leadership, coaching principals and superintendents, and writing extensively about learning, culture and human potential. Bill arrives in the conversation just one week after a knee replacement, joking that if they offered “a brain replacement” he might be better off,  a moment that immediately sets the tone: humble, funny, sharp and full of life. Julia is clearly fascinated by Bill’s depth of experience, especially his belief that schools should be more human, less bureaucratic, and built around real relationships.
At the heart of the interview are the five people who shaped Bill’s thinking: Art Costa, who taught him to focus on what people do when they don’t know the answer; Marshall Goldsmith, whose coaching philosophy helped Bill understand leadership as service; Rich Sheridan, who inspired him to think about joy, collaboration and ending human suffering through better systems; John Saphier, a trusted educational thinker grounded in practical, research-led teaching; and Amy Edmondson, whose work on psychological safety connects deeply with Bill’s belief that children and staff can only flourish when they feel safe enough to try, fail and grow. Julia repeatedly connects Bill’s stories to her own experience in education and her own unconventional learning journey, creating a warm, reflective exchange about curiosity, courage, young people, legacy and why people matter more than systems.
Highlights
Bill’s journey from college athlete to inner-city teacher, principal, superintendent, author and leadership coach
Why he has come out of retirement five times to help turn around struggling schools
The importance of courage, humility and discipline in leadership
Why schools need to focus on what students do when they don’t know the answer
Julia and Bill’s shared belief in lifelong learning and curiosity
The role of teachers and school leaders in noticing children who are struggling
Why Bill believes “knowledge is important and insufficient”
How improv helped Bill understand conflict, creativity and communication
The influence of Marshall Goldsmith’s coaching philosophy: “It’s not about you, it’s about them”
Rich Sheridan’s idea of bringing joy back into workplaces and learning environments
Why psychological safety is essential for students, staff and innovation
A powerful discussion about AI, critical thinking and the future of education
Bill’s moving story of London, the student he promised to support through graduation
The importance of mattering, belonging and relationship before academic achievement
Julia’s reflections on her own educational path and the people who helped her when she was young
The question of legacy: who carries forward the work of educational giants like Sir Ken Robinson?
Bill’s 5 Most Influential People
1. Art Costa
Bill describes Art Costa as his number one influence and a mentor of around 40 years. Art’s work on thinking skills, reflective practice and the “habits of mind” helped Bill stay in education when he was ready to leave. The idea that shaped Bill most was Art’s question: what do people do when they don’t know what to do?
2. Marshall Goldsmith
Marshall Goldsmith influenced Bill’s approach to coaching leaders, especially through the idea that leadership is not about ego, status or personal success — it is about helping the people around you get better. Bill connects Marshall’s work with humility, courage, discipline and measurable personal growth.
3. Rich Sheridan
Rich Sheridan, CEO of Menlo Innovations and author of Joy, Inc., helped Bill think differently about joy, collaboration and workplace culture. Rich’s mission to “end human suffering due to technology” inspired Bill to ask whether education should aim to end human suffering for students and staff.
4. John Saphier
John Saphier is Bill’s go-to educational thinker when he wants to know whether an idea is truly solid. Bill praises his practical, research-based work, especially around skillful teaching and high expectations, and describes him as a lighthouse in education.
5. Amy Edmondson
Bill chooses Amy Edmondson for her work on psychological safety. Her ideas connect strongly with Bill’s belief that schools and organisations need environments where people feel safe enough to ask questions, try things, make mistakes and learn.
Hosted by Julia Duthie.
Learn more about your host, get Julia's book here: https://loom.ly/DxZH3GU
 
Full episode available now on YouTube and all major podcast platforms.
 
Watch or Listen on your favourite podcast platform:
Youtube: https://loom.ly/nb-WD3Q
Apple: https://loom.ly/EgwKsWk
Spotify: https://loom.ly/GHo0lEo
📲 Follow us on socials: https://loom.ly/gJuJlLQ
 
To find out more or contact Bill use the links below:-
https://learningomnivores.com/about-us/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/william-sommers-a971b3169/
 
Thank you, People Are Everything :-)
 

S05 EP08 Jathan Janove
In this fascinating episode of People Are Everything, host Julia Duthie speaks with employment law expert, author, executive coach and leadership thinker Jathan Janove. From Portland, Oregon, Jathan shares how a career that began in law evolved into a mission to help organisations become more human, more open and less fear-driven. Julia is clearly energised by the conversation from the start, especially as it brings together two things she loves: people and courtroom drama. Their discussion moves from employment law and HR culture to the power of a proper apology, including Jathan’s memorable “MIDAS Touch” approach, and why the wrong kind of apology can make things far worse.
At the heart of the interview are the people who shaped Jathan’s life and work. He speaks warmly about his father Ethan Janove, an early influence in organisation development; law professor Gary Palm, who helped ignite his interest in employment law; and mentor Steve Beely, a crusty but hugely influential figure who helped Jathan build his career. He also shares the funny and touching story of meeting his wife Marjorie, a concert pianist, at a university Hillel dinner, and reflects on two lifelong friends, Michael Patrick O’Brien and Robbie White, whose humility, success and extraordinary work ethic continue to inspire him. Throughout, Julia responds with curiosity, humour and her own reflections from leadership, music and corporate life, creating a rich conversation about law, culture, love, friendship and what it really means to put people first.
 
Highlights
Why Jathan moved from employment law into coaching and organisation development
How HR can unintentionally make workplace conflict worse
Why people do not just sue companies — they often sue because of how managers made them feel
The emotional and legal power of a sincere apology
Jathan’s MIDAS Touch method for saying sorry properly
Why “I’m sorry if…” and “I’m sorry, but…” can inflame conflict
The difference between labour law and employment law in the United States
The influence of Jathan’s father, Ethan, on his thinking about trust and organisations
How Gary Palm and Steve Beely helped shape Jathan’s legal career
Why CEOs should see themselves as chief culture officers
Julia’s reflections on leadership, HR and the CEO–people relationship
Jathan’s marriage to Marjorie, a concert pianist
A funny story about how Jathan met his wife while volunteering to wash dishes
Julia and Jathan’s shared reflections on orchestras, music and leadership
Lifelong friendship, humility and work ethic through Michael Patrick O’Brien and Robbie White
Jathan’s next chapter as Chief Learning Officer with Marshall Goldsmith Stakeholder Centered Coaching
Why leadership development should focus less on the self and more on the people being led
 
Jathan’s 5 Most Influential People
 
1. Ethan Janove — His Father
Jathan’s father was a professor of education and an early practitioner in organisation development. He introduced Jathan to ideas around trust, culture and how organisations function, long before Jathan would connect these concepts to employment law and leadership coaching.
2. Gary Palm — Law Professor and Mentor
Gary Palm helped Jathan discover employment law while he was studying at the University of Chicago. Jathan describes him as opinionated and difficult at times, but also absolutely pivotal. Without Gary, Jathan says, there would likely have been no Steve Beely connection and no later career path in employment law.
3. Steve Beely — Career Mentor and Influential Guide
Steve Beely was a seasoned labour consultant who took Jathan under his wing, despite regularly teasing him for choosing law. He referred clients to Jathan and helped him build the foundations for his own boutique employment law practice. Jathan dedicated his book to Steve, who died suddenly in a car accident.
4. Marjorie — His Wife
Marjorie is a highly accomplished concert pianist and one of the great personal influences in Jathan’s life. Their story begins at Indiana University, where Jathan first noticed her at a Hillel gathering. Through marriage, music and very different worlds coming together, she opened him up to classical music and has clearly been a central presence in his life.
5. Michael Patrick O’Brien and Robbie White — Lifelong Friends
Jathan names Michael and Robbie as two close lifelong friends who have deeply influenced him. Both are highly successful, humble, hardworking people. Michael is a prominent employment law attorney and author, while Robbie is a brilliant engineer with a passion for photography. Jathan says their work ethic continues to push him to do more and coast less.
 
Hosted by Julia Duthie.
Learn more about your host, get Julia's book here: https://loom.ly/DxZH3GU
 
Full episode available now on YouTube and all major podcast platforms.
 
Watch or Listen on your favourite podcast platform:
Youtube: https://loom.ly/nb-WD3Q
Apple: https://loom.ly/EgwKsWk
Spotify: https://loom.ly/GHo0lEo
📲 Follow us on socials: https://loom.ly/gJuJlLQ
 
To find out more or contact Jathan use the links below:-
https://jathanjanove.com/home/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jathanjanove/
https://mgscc.net/
Thank you, People Are Everything :-)
 
 
 
 

S05 EP07 Laura Garcia
In this warm, soulful and beautifully human episode of People Are Everything, host Julia Duthie speaks with Laura Garcia, joining from Bogotá, Colombia, for a conversation rich with culture, family, faith, friendship and leadership. Julia is instantly fascinated by Laura’s Colombian background, joking that Laura will become her “Google” for Colombia, and the episode opens with a joyful exploration of Colombian life — food, music, family gatherings, street parties, coffee, weather, Bad Bunny, and the deep sense of community that Laura says defines her country.
At the heart of the interview are the five people and groups who have most shaped Laura’s life: her family, her husband José, her lifelong friends, the people who first introduced her to leadership through Scouts and Jesuit experiences, and the colleagues and communities who helped her “marry” leadership as a life’s work. Julia responds throughout with curiosity, humour and emotional insight, especially as Laura reflects on unconditional love, being truly seen, faith, service, friendship, and the idea that leadership is not just a professional skill, but a way of living more humanely with others.
 
Highlights
Laura’s life in Bogotá and what Colombia is really like beyond stereotypes
Colombian food, music, coffee, family gatherings and street parties
The influence of family and the meaning of unconditional love
How Laura’s mother, father and brother shaped her confidence, care and courage
Meeting her husband José as a teenager and growing through life together
Marriage as a safe place to be “fully Laura”
Why friendship is a powerful, chosen relationship
Laura’s lifelong friendship with Silvia
Scouts, Jesuit workshops and the beginning of Laura’s leadership journey
Faith, gratitude, spirituality and noticing the presence of something bigger
The idea of “I see you” as a way of recognising another person fully
Leadership as service, not status
Why sales, coaching and leadership can all be rooted in humanity
Stakeholder-centred coaching and asking: “How can I be better for you?”
Julia and Laura’s shared belief that people should bring their full humanity into work
Laura’s 5 Most Influential People
1. Her Family — mother, father, brother and wider Colombian family
Laura describes her family as the source of unconditional love, warmth and belonging. Her mother gave her creativity and momentum, her father gave her devotion and safety, and her brother brings playfulness, challenge and unexpected wisdom.
2. Her Husband, José
José has been Laura’s partner since they were teenagers. She describes him as calm, structured, pragmatic and deeply present — her “knight without armour” and the person with whom she has grown through every stage of life.
3. Her Friends, especially Silvia
Laura’s friends are her chosen family. Silvia, her best friend since childhood, represents depth, complexity, play and the freedom to explore every part of herself without judgment.
4. The People Who Helped Her Fall in Love with Leadership
Through Scouts and Jesuit leadership experiences, Laura discovered ideas that would shape her whole life: leaving the world better, serving others, reflecting deeply, and becoming more in order to serve better.
5. Her Leadership Colleagues and Communities
Laura’s final choice is the people she works alongside in leadership, coaching and personal development — including those connected to stakeholder-centred coaching and the “Power Rangers” team mentioned through Brandon. These are the people who helped her turn leadership from an idea into a daily practice of service.
 
Hosted by Julia Duthie.
Learn more about your host, get Julia's book here: https://loom.ly/DxZH3GU
 
Full episode available now on YouTube and all major podcast platforms.
 
Watch or Listen on your favourite podcast platform:
Youtube: https://loom.ly/nb-WD3Q
Apple: https://loom.ly/EgwKsWk
Spotify: https://loom.ly/GHo0lEo
📲 Follow us on socials: https://loom.ly/gJuJlLQ
To find out more or contact Laura use the links below:-
https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauramariagarciagomez/?locale=es
https://mgscc.net/
 
Thank you, People Are Everything :-)
 
 

S05 EP06 Tim Hughes
In this thoughtful and wide-ranging episode of People Are Everything, Julia Duthie is joined by Tim Hughes, social selling pioneer, author, speaker and co-founder of DLA Ignite. Tim shares the five people who have most influenced his life, but the conversation begins with a beautiful symbol of family history: his great-grandfather’s working gramophone, still housed alongside generations of 78 records. From there, Julia and Tim explore why modern selling is no longer about pushing products, but about building trust, showing your humanity and understanding that, even in business, people buy people.
Tim’s five choices reveal the many layers behind his work and worldview. John Lennon represents his lifelong love of music, rebellion and the arts; his partner Julie Harris embodies kindness, support and steadiness; his father David Hughes offers one of the most moving parts of the interview, with stories of BBC sound engineering, quiet mentorship, dementia and standing up for others decades ahead of his time. Tim also reflects on Roger Turner, a leader at Oracle who modelled empowerment over command and control, and Brian Solis, whose work in social media became a North Star for Tim’s own thinking. Julia responds with warmth, curiosity and deep personal connection throughout, especially around kindness, dementia, music and the importance of sharing real human stories.
Highlights
Tim’s great-grandfather’s gramophone and the family history behind it
Why modern selling must be built on trust, not spam or product pushing
The difference between corporate language and real human connection
John Lennon, The Beatles, punk, synth music, vinyl and the arts
How music shaped Tim’s sense of rebellion and creativity
Julie Harris and the importance of kindness, steadiness and support
Writing books, running a business and having a trusted partner beside you
Tim’s father David Hughes and his career as a BBC sound engineer
Working on programmes such as Doctor Who, Blue Peter and All Creatures Great and Small
David’s quiet mentorship and his courageous support of trans colleagues 50 years ago
The impact of Lewy body dementia on Tim’s father and family
Why music and technical knowledge can remain when other memories disappear
Roger Turner’s empowering leadership style at Oracle
The damage caused by command-and-control leadership
Brian Solis as a North Star in social media thinking
Why helpful, educational content beats salesy content
AI teammates, content creation and the future of social selling
Julia and Tim’s shared belief that human stories matter more than ever
Tim Hughes’s 5 Most Influential People
1. John Lennon
For Tim, John Lennon represents far more than one musician. He stands for music, the arts, rebellion, creativity and the gateway into a lifelong love of records, theatre, punk, indie and cultural change. The Beatles opened up a whole world for Tim as a child.
2. Julie Harris
Tim’s partner Julie has supported him through writing books, building a business and navigating the ups and downs of entrepreneurial life. He describes her as someone who understands kindness not as weakness, but as kindness itself.
3. David Hughes
Tim’s father David was a BBC sound engineer, mentor and quietly principled man. His influence comes through in Tim’s love of music, technical craft, decency and standing up for others. His long experience with dementia also shaped Tim’s reflections on memory, family and legacy.
4. Roger Turner
Roger was Tim’s VP during his time at Oracle and modelled a leadership style based on trust, delegation and empowerment. He showed Tim that great leaders help people think, grow and take ownership, rather than simply telling them what to do.
5. Brian Solis
Brian Solis became a guiding figure for Tim in the world of social media, content and digital thinking. At a time when many people dismissed social media as a fad, Brian’s insight and writing helped Tim see what was possible and gave him confidence in his own direction.
 
Hosted by Julia Duthie.
Learn more about your host, get Julia's book here: https://loom.ly/DxZH3GU
 
Full episode available now on YouTube and all major podcast platforms.
 
Watch or Listen on your favourite podcast platform:
Youtube: https://loom.ly/nb-WD3Q
Apple: https://loom.ly/EgwKsWk
Spotify: https://loom.ly/GHo0lEo
📲 Follow us on socials: https://loom.ly/gJuJlLQ
To find out more or contact Tim use the links below:-
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