In this episode, I’m talking to Paul Dykes, a man who has reinvented himself so many times he has turned it into a way of life.

From employed school-leaver to IT engineer, live music entrepreneur, corporate leader, business founder, coach, trustee, app creator and drummer, Paul’s story is not a neat career plan. It is a gradual unfolding of curiosity, courage and asking, “who am I now?” when life changes shape.

Paul has built a business to just under £1m, closed it, started again, and kept phoenixing.

Today, he helps founders and executives lead from the inside out through Curious Minds Coaching, while building a live music tech platform, supporting an empowerment programme in West Kenya, playing drums in a function band and, quite literally, feeding people. Recent BBQ for 22 included.

Highlights:

(02:30) - A curious child, a village fair, and the tiny traction engine moment

(08:46) - When IT became less about tech and more about asking better questions

(13:40) - Building a business from a hunch that potential was being left on the table

(22:33) - The Covid curveball that forced a sharp turn and a fresh start

(27:12) - Self-leadership, or how to stop leading your business from the outside in

(32:35) - The parts of you that feel scared are not the whole of you

Connect with Paul:

Curious Minds Coaching, bringing Self Leadership to founders, executives and businesses - www.curiousmindscoaching.co.uk

Gigbrite, making live music performances shine- www.gigbrite.app

Urenga Empowerment Programme, transforming young lives - https://invest.urenga.org

Not Quite Saints, event band for corporate & private functions - https://www.instagram.com/notquitesaintsmusic

ConnectHOW, leadership development & coaching - www.connecthow.com

Curious Brainfarts - https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/curiousbrainfarts/

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-dykes/

Connect with Lucy:

Website - https://bookmagic.ai

TikTok - @lucymccarra

Instagram/Threads - @lucymccarraher

LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucymccarraher/

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@lucymccarraherauthor

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/LucyMcCarraher/

In this episode, I’m joined by Dani Wallace, founder of IATQB Ltd and fearless leader of the I Am The Queen Bee movement.

Dani’s story moves from growing up on the council estates of Preston, through domestic violence, homelessness and single parenthood, to becoming one of the UK’s most powerful voices in empowerment, speaking and visibility.

We talk about reinvention, survival patterns, self-sabotage, entrepreneurship, asking for help, and what it really means to build a life that feels rooted rather than frantic.

Dani brings honesty, humour and a seriously practical dose of wisdom, reminding us that no matter what we’ve lived through, we can still choose to fly anyway.

Highlights:

(03:08) - Dani looks back at growing up in Preston and the coping mechanisms that shaped her voice

(07:52) - Leaving home at 16, chasing singing work and quietly choosing a different life

(17:17) - The crash point: toxic relationships, single parenthood and becoming homeless

(20:12) - The car park moment where Dani realised she could stop letting life happen to her

(30:09) - The quote that sparked the Queen Bee movement: fly anyway

(42:53) - Dani’s advice for anyone facing change: stop running, make space and listen

Connect with Dani:

www.iatqb.com

www.instagram.com/thequeenbeedani

www.facebook.com/thequeenbeedani

www.facebook.com/groups/386708721935406

www.linkedin.com/in/iamthequeenbee

Connect with Lucy:

Website - https://bookmagic.ai

TikTok - @lucymccarra

Instagram/Threads - @lucymccarraher

LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucymccarraher/

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@lucymccarraherauthor

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/LucyMcCarraher/

In this episode of The Phoenix Conversations, I’m talking to Kevin Mark-Watts, a business coach and author of The 10-Minute Rules. Kevin’s story begins with a childhood love of football, a knock to his confidence at school, and an unexpected discovery that he was very good with people, sales and human connection.

We talk about retail, redundancy, Crystal Palace Football Club, community sports education, imposter syndrome, mindset, and how all those different chapters eventually fed into the work Kevin does now.

His story is a brilliant reminder that the detours are not always mistakes. Sometimes they are quietly collecting the skills, perspective and resilience we need for the next version of our lives.

Highlights:

(02:38) - Kevin shares how football shaped his childhood and confidence

(05:42) - The early retail job that helped him discover his people skills

(09:04) - How imposter syndrome showed up when leadership moved beyond arm’s reach

(14:00) - The unexpected interview that led Kevin into Crystal Palace Football Club

(18:06) - Building a community sports business that supported children’s wellbeing

(25:03) - How setbacks, psychology and lived experience became The 10-Minute Rules

Kevin’s links:

Website: https://book.the10-10minuterules.com/home

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-mark-watts-13123822/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kevin.markwatts

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kevin.markwatts1010minuterules/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@the10-10minuterules

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kevinthe1010minut?_r=1&_t=ZN-96BPXYutOxa

Connect with Lucy:

Website - https://bookmagic.ai

TikTok - @lucymccarra

Instagram/Threads - @lucymccarraher

LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucymccarraher/

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@lucymccarraherauthor

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/LucyMcCarraher/

In this episode of The Phoenix Conversations, I’m talking to Patty Azzarello, author, speaker and business advisor, whose latest book Why is SHE Still Here? My Ungraceful Journey from the Playground to the Boardroom is out now.

Patty’s story is sharp, funny and incredibly honest, from childhood bullying and fear to becoming the youngest general manager at Hewlett-Packard at thirty-three.

We talk about reinvention, courage, mentors, awkward rooms full of men, and the quiet panic that can sit behind even the most impressive career.

Patty shares how she learned to get into the conversation, ask for help, trust her strengths and stop ruling herself out before anyone else had the chance. It’s funny, practical and a very welcome reminder that being scared does not mean you are not qualified.

Highlights:

(02:58) - Growing up safe at home, but scared of the world outside

(08:15) - The picnic moment that changed how Patty saw her future

(17:10) - Forcing her way into the conversations where careers are made

(20:06) - The painful lesson that great work alone is not always enough

(25:06) - Why scared does not mean disqualified

(37:32) - Patty’s powerful advice: never take yourself out of the game

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pattyazzarello

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pazzarello777/

Website: https://pattyazzarello.com/

Connect with Lucy:

Website - https://bookmagic.ai

TikTok - @lucymccarra

Instagram/Threads - @lucymccarraher

LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucymccarraher/

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@lucymccarraherauthor

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/LucyMcCarraher/

In this episode of The Phoenix Conversations, I’m joined by Chris Ducker, keynote speaker, bestselling author and leadership advisor.

For more than 15 years, Chris has worked with leaders and organisations navigating pressure, complexity and constant change, helping them sustain performance, make better decisions under pressure and lead with clarity over the long term.

We talk about Chris’s entrepreneurial journey, his own experience of burnout, and the strategies behind his third book, The Long-Haul Leader. His message is clear: success that is not sustainable eventually becomes failure.

This conversation is for anyone who looks successful on paper but feels depleted in reality, and knows it is time to rethink performance, leadership and life for the long haul.

Highlights:

(08:15) - How Chris’s move into entrepreneurship became his first real reinvention

(12:56) - Why building a management team changed everything

(16:46) - The driving lesson that became a business philosophy

(22:16) - The four pillars of becoming a long-haul leader

(26:32) - Chris opens up about burnout, depression and anxiety

(34:17) - Why burnout recovery needs to include the body, not just the mind

Websites:

https://chrisducker.com

https://longhaulleader.com

https://youpreneur.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisducker/

Connect with Lucy:

Website - https://bookmagic.ai

TikTok - @lucymccarra

Instagram/Threads - @lucymccarraher

LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucymccarraher/

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@lucymccarraherauthor

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/LucyMcCarraher/

In this episode, I’m talking to Susan Quilliam about a life shaped by courage, curiosity and a deep interest in people. We explore the threads that have run through her journey from childhood, writing, psychology and teaching, through to publishing, coaching and relationship work.

What I love about this conversation is how thoughtful and wide-ranging it is. Susan shares the reinventions that took her from educational publishing into self-development and relationship coaching, the unexpected path that led to rewriting The Joy of Sex, and why her work now is centred on helping us better understand inner conflict and what it means to be human.

Highlights:

(02:53) - Susan reflects on the childhood beginnings of writing and curiosity

(07:25) - Losing her parents and stepping into a completely new life in London

(12:12) - Why starting her own publishing company changed everything

(17:56) - How relationship writing and coaching became her true calling

(22:27) - The surprising path that led her to rewrite The Joy of Sex

(26:48) - How the pandemic sparked the idea behind The Torn Project

TORN PROJECT LINKS

Website: thetornproject.com

The Torn Podcast: available on https://thetornproject.com/resources/podcast/ or wherever you get your podcasts

Instagram: @thetornproject

Linked In: The Torn Project

Connect with Lucy:

Website - https://bookmagic.ai

TikTok - @lucymccarra

Instagram/Threads - @lucymccarraher

LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucymccarraher/

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@lucymccarraherauthor

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/LucyMcCarraher/

In this episode, I’m talking to Elliot Kay about what it means to keep rebuilding yourself when life never seems to hand you the neat, obvious path. We talk about feeling different as a child, wanting to belong, and the moments that pushed him to change direction and back himself properly.

What I love about this conversation is how honest and human it is. Elliot shares the reinventions that took him from outsider to dancer, trainer, speaker, author and CEO, and why the messy middle is not a sign to quit, but a sign to keep going.

Highlights:

(03:14) - Elliot opens up about growing up feeling different and out of place

(05:00) - The blunt conversation with a friend that changed everything

(07:25) - Why he chose to rebuild his relationship with his father

(09:43) - How Rudolf Nureyev inspired him to go all in on dance

(15:25) - The moment speaking clicked and everything started to come together

(32:59) - Elliot’s advice for surviving the messy middle and keeping going

Connect with Elliott:

https://thespeakersawards.com/

https://thespeakersummit.co

https://www.linkedin.com/in/elliot-kay/

Connect with Lucy:

Website - https://bookmagic.ai

TikTok - @lucymccarra

Instagram/Threads - @lucymccarraher

LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucymccarraher/

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@lucymccarraherauthor

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/LucyMcCarraher/

In this episode, I’m talking to Margaret Brown about what it really takes to rebuild your life when it feels like everything has been stacked against you.

We talk about childhood wounds, self-worth, difficult relationships, and the moments that force you to decide who you want to become next. Margaret shares her journey with real honesty, and it is both moving and deeply inspiring.

We also talk about the work she does today as an award-winning executive leadership coach, organisational development specialist, and bestselling author of Culture Pays.

With more than 35 years of experience, Margaret now helps leaders build values-led cultures where people stay, thrive, and give their best. She also shares how her LeaderShift© model grew from everything she has lived through and learned along the way.

Highlights:

(02:30) - Margaret opens up about the childhood that shaped her confidence

(06:54) - How marrying the wrong person became a major turning point

(08:48) - The bold pitch that changed everything and started her business

(12:45) - The moment her father finally gave her the words she needed to hear

(18:17) - Losing security, finding new direction and writing Culture Pays

(27:23) - Margaret’s advice for anyone standing on the edge of change

Connect with Lucy:

Website - https://bookmagic.ai

TikTok - @lucymccarra

Instagram/Threads - @lucymccarraher

LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucymccarraher/

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@lucymccarraherauthor

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/LucyMcCarraher/