We Are PoWEr Podcast

Turning Pain Into Purpose: Figen Murray OBE on Creating Martyn’s Law

In this episode, we speak with Figen Murray OBE, psychotherapist, campaigner, and the driving force behind Martyn’s Law — about transforming unimaginable tragedy into national change. Figen shares how her son Martyn’s death in the Manchester Arena attack reshaped her life’s purpose and how determination, kindness, and what she calls her “mosquito mindset” helped move entirely new security legislation through Parliament.Figen’s story, from studying counter-terrorism to spending weeks in the House of Commons and Lords as her work was scrutinised, reveals the reality of building a law from the ground up, the emotional toll of campaigning, and the power of human connection in driving forward change. We explore how she works with politicians, venue operators, security specialists, and schools to help make public spaces safer, and why she believes terrorism awareness is everyone’s responsibility.You’ll hear: ➡️ How Figen initiated and led the campaign that created Martyn’s Law ➡️ Why venue security was previously optional — and how that is changing ➡️ How forgiveness, resilience, and kindness helped her continue the work ➡️ What she’s learned from speaking thousands of times across the UK and internationally ➡️ The tactics online radicalisers use to target young people ➡️ Why simple, everyday awareness and acts of kindness can strengthen communitiesFind out more about We Are PoWEr here. 💫

What Is the Second Brain?

In this episode, we speak with Reshma Mahapacha, IBM strategist and author of The Second Brain, about the real skills that drive complex transformations: emotional intelligence, quiet leadership, and the ability to read a room. She shares how timing, perception, and cultural fluency shape multi-million-pound programmes and why letting results speak often creates the strongest influence.Reshma’s global career brings a fresh and experienced perspective to consulting, communication, and leadership. We talk about the power of a well-timed pause, how to turn misinterpretation into clarity, and why success has seasons: of intensity, stillness, and deliberate pace.You’ll hear:➡️ Why The Second Brain centres on timing, precision, and perception➡️ The shift from artificial intelligence to authentic intelligence ➡️ The impact of quiet leadership and letting results do the talking ➡️ Why success moves in seasons ➡️ How empathy strengthens AI policy, design, and outcomes ➡️ Ways AI can create jobs and support long-term skills growthFind out more about We Are PoWEr here. 💫

Ethical AI, Burnout, and the Resilience Every Entrepreneur Needs

In this episode, we speak with our Northern PoWEr Women Awards 2025 Outstanding Entrepreneur winner, a self-taught coder who built her first products from a bedroom, grew a software platform during COVID, and later made a bold pivot into robotics when the market shifted. She shares what values-led growth looks like in real life, from backing small businesses to building an 80% women team, and why staying power matters more than hype.We also talk honestly about the climate impact of AI, the realities of burnout, and how resilience and purpose guide the next stage of her leadership.You’ll hear: ➡️ How a self-taught coder built, scaled, and pivoted with purpose ➡️ Why small businesses shaped her growth strategy during COVID ➡️ Her story to becoming an 'Outstanding Entrepreneur' ➡️ The hidden climate costs of AI and the need for practical guardrails ➡️ What burnout taught her about resilience, clarity, and staying in the gameFind out more about We Are PoWEr here. 💫

End of Year Special with Dr Penny Trayner (aka DJ Penny PoWEr)

This end-of-year special looks at what 2025 has really taught us across business, health, public services, and our wider Northern PoWEr Women community. We reflect on a full year of Northern PoWEr Women activity, from the Awards Roadshow , where Dr Penny stepped confidently into her new alter-ego, DJ Penny PoWEr, to reading 1,800 nominations that showed the scale of impact being created in every sector.And as we close out the year, we’re already preparing for a major milestone: the 10th anniversary of the Northern PoWEr Women Awards on 12th March 2026!This episode leaves you with one clear, practical takeaway: implementation intentions, a simple tool to help you follow through when motivation dips... plus a final send-off with Penny and Simone on the DJ decks.In this episode:What this year’s 1,800 Award nominations revealedBehind the judging, the roadshow, and why celebration still mattersConfidence from trying something new (including DJing!)A simple networking approach that saves time and energyThe 10th anniversary Awards coming in MarchImplementation intentions and how to put them into practiceHow to take 2025’s lessons into 2026 with focus and momentumFind out more about We Are PoWEr here. 💫

Career Lessons from Travelling the World

In this episode, we speak with Lauren Rosegreen, Senior Project Manager for Inclusion and Climate Justice at SOS UK and National President at JCI UK, who shows how kindness, courage, and curiosity can shape leadership and personal growth. She shares how six months traveling across twelve countries in Central and South America became a masterclass in resilience, perspective, and staying calm under pressure, while also shaping her approach to supporting others.Lauren discusses how she mentors and empowers young leaders across sectors, why networking needs a rebrand, and how genuine curiosity and human connection create relationships that endure and make a real difference. She also explores how small daily practices, advocacy, and intentional visibility can amplify impact and drive systemic change.You’ll hear:➡️ How travel and adventure build perspective, resilience, and leadership ➡️ Ways to support young leaders and foster growth across sectors ➡️ Why networking works better when curiosity and human connection come first ➡️ How small daily actions, visibility, and advocacy create meaningful impact ➡️ Lessons in empathy, courage, and leading with kindness in professional lifeFind out more about We Are PoWEr here. 💫