- 18
- Episodes
- Bi-weekly
- Cadence
- 2026
- First episode
About Empower Podcast
It’s time to re-write the myth that kindness is a weakness. It’s a strategy. Because empathy, equity and inclusive leadership aren’t just nice-to-haves – they're what the future is built on. That's why we’re sitting down with leaders, makers, disruptors, doers and grass roots decision makers across the media and advertising industry, to understand what good business really looks like. It’s not enough to just talk about it – change needs action. This is the Empower Podcast, co-hosted by Louise Watson (Co-Founder of Empower), and Kate Chaundy (Associate Director at Propellor). Join us every month for fresh perspectives, tough truths, and inspiring stories. Everyone’s welcome.
- Publisher
- Fresh Air
- Category
- business · education · society & culture
- Language
- en
- Explicit
- Yes
- First episode
- 21 Jan 2026
- Latest episode
- 18 Sept 2026
Latest episodes
18 episodes in the feed.
18 Sept 2026
T&Cs of Being a Girl: Closing the Power Gap with MarySue Masson and Helen James
What if the terms and conditions of being a girl were written before you had the chance to choose them? In this third and final of our special live episodes recorded in the Empower Café at Cannes Lions, stage host and Propeller Global VP Ben Titchmarsh is joined by Helen James CEO of The Gate, and acclaimed director MarySue Masson to explore gender equality, creativity and the barriers still shaping women's lives and careers. The conversation centres on Plan International UK's powerful Terms and Conditions of Being a Girl campaign, a film that exposes the discrimination, inequality and limitations girls can face simply because they are born female. The panel explores the insight behind the film, its innovative use of AI, and how creativity can drive meaningful change. The panel also examines purpose washing, representation and the gap between women being invited to pitch and then actually being given the job. What would it take to create a more equal future for women and girls? This is a candid and thought-provoking conversation about creativity, opportunity and the unwritten rules that still need to change. See omnystudio.com/listener (https://omnystudio.com/listener) for privacy information.
21 Aug 2026
Uncovering the voices behind real change with Stephanie Dittmer Rogers, Kate Chaundy and Ollie Ellis.
What happens when one of the world's biggest sports becomes more accessible, more inclusive and more creator-driven? In this special live episode of the Empower Podcast, recorded at Empower Café at Cannes Lions 2026, host Kate Chaundy is joined by Stephanie Dittmer Rogers, CMO San Francisco 49ers and Ollie Ellis, Senior Content Manager at Propeller Group, to explore the remarkable rise of flag football and what it could mean for the future of the game. Once viewed as a grassroots alternative to traditional American football, flag football is rapidly becoming a global phenomenon, opening up American football to a new generation of players and fans. The conversation explores the growing participation of women and girls, the sport’s appeal across generations, and how its accessibility is helping break down some of the traditional barriers to taking part. The panel also explores the powerful role of creators, social media and modern fandom in accelerating the sport’s growth. How are digital communities changing the way fans engage with football? What opportunities does this present for brands, athletes and media companies? And what can established sports learn from a movement that's being shaped as much by culture as competition? As flag football heads towards its Olympic debut, this episode explores why its impact extends beyond the game itself, offering a powerful platform for community, connection, youth engagement and a more inclusive future for sport. See omnystudio.com/listener (https://omnystudio.com/listener) for privacy information.
24 Jul 2026
MakeLoveNotPorn: reframing intimacy and identity with Cindy Gallop and Katie Street
What if advertising, porn and social media have taught us almost everything wrong about sex, identity and relationships? In this special live episode of the Empower Podcast, recorded at Cannes Lions, host Kate Chaundy is joined by MakeLoveNotPorn founder and entrepreneur Cindy Gallop and Street Agency founder Katie Street for a conversation that challenges some of society's biggest taboos. After leading some of the world's largest advertising agencies, Cindy Gallop has become one of the industry's most fearless voices, taking a sledgehammer to sexism, ageism and the harmful narratives that shape how we see ourselves and each other. Together, the panel explores the uncomfortable truth about the stories we're sold every day—and how advertising, entertainment, social media and pornography have influenced our ideas of beauty, confidence, intimacy and success. Who should be held accountable for these narratives? Can - and should - brands help rewrite the script? And what happens when we start telling more honest stories about sex, relationships and identity? From dismantling outdated stereotypes to exposing the hidden influence of culture on our everyday lives, this is a provocative, eye-opening conversation that might just change the way you see the world. See omnystudio.com/listener (https://omnystudio.com/listener) for privacy information.
10 Jul 2026
Mad//Fest London Special: Day 3 Drop
Empower is proud to be a partner of Mad//Fest London — and every day we’re here talking to inspiring speakers and curious attendees about what they’re seeing, learning, and loving. In today’s daily drop we’ll hear from host Kate Chaundy and guests Claire McHardy, Mike Pearson, Eva Cremers and Tom Johnson to find out their highlights of the day and their insights on this year’s theme; The Human Touch. See omnystudio.com/listener (http://omnystudio.com/listener) for privacy information. See omnystudio.com/listener (https://omnystudio.com/listener) for privacy information.
9 Jul 2026
Mad//Fest London Special: Day 2 Drop
Empower is proud to be a partner of Mad//Fest London — and every day we’re here talking to inspiring speakers and curious attendees about what they’re seeing, learning, and loving. In today’s daily drop we’ll hear from host Louise Watson and guests Tony Cortizas, Gareth Maritz, Sally Henderson and Chris Delahunty to find out their highlights of the day and their insights on this year’s theme; The Human Touch. See omnystudio.com/listener (http://omnystudio.com/listener) for privacy information. See omnystudio.com/listener (https://omnystudio.com/listener) for privacy information.
8 Jul 2026
Mad//Fest London Special: Day 1 Drop
Empower is proud to be a partner of Mad//Fest London — and every day we’re here talking to inspiring speakers and curious attendees about what they’re seeing, learning, and loving. In today’s daily drop we’ll hear from host Louise Watson and guests Kate Dale, Ben Bradley and Danielle Lee to find out their highlights of the day and their insights on this year’s theme; The Human Touch. See omnystudio.com/listener (http://omnystudio.com/listener) for privacy information. See omnystudio.com/listener (https://omnystudio.com/listener) for privacy information.
25 Jun 2026
Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity Special: Day 3 Drop
Empower is proud to be a partner of Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity — and every day we’re here talking to inspiring speakers and curious attendees about what they’re seeing, learning, and loving. In today’s daily drop we’ll hear from host Kate Chaundy and guests Katie Mitchell, Tom Evans, Ben Cleaver, Jimmy McGloughlan and Lisa Goodchild to find out their highlights of the day and their insights on how creativity drives progress. See omnystudio.com/listener (http://omnystudio.com/listener) for privacy information. See omnystudio.com/listener (https://omnystudio.com/listener) for privacy information.
24 Jun 2026
Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity Special: Day 2 Drop
Empower is proud to be a partner of Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity — and every day we’re here talking to inspiring speakers and curious attendees about what they’re seeing, learning, and loving. In today’s daily drop we’ll hear from host Kate Chaundy and guests Rich Miles, Sara Holt and Stephanie Dittmer Rogers to find out their highlights of the day and their insights on how creativity drives progress. See omnystudio.com/listener (http://omnystudio.com/listener) for privacy information. See omnystudio.com/listener (https://omnystudio.com/listener) for privacy information.
23 Jun 2026
Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity Special: Day 1 Drop
Empower is proud to be a partner of Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity — and every day we’re here talking to inspiring speakers and curious attendees about what they’re seeing, learning, and loving. In today’s daily drop we’ll hear from host Kate Chaundy and guests Lucy Verby, Jenifer Carey, and Sophie Devonshire to find out their highlights of the day and their insights on how creativity drives progress. See omnystudio.com/listener (http://omnystudio.com/listener) for privacy information. See omnystudio.com/listener (https://omnystudio.com/listener) for privacy information.
15 May 2026
The power of kindness with Bronac McNeill
In this episode, Kate and Louise sit down with Bronac McNeill, photographer, filmmaker and Chair of Bloom, to explore a career shaped by creativity, resilience and a deep commitment to lifting others up. From growing up in West Belfast during the Troubles to carving out a non-linear career across photography, production and advertising, Bronac shares how she found her path, and the moments that pushed her to step outside of convention and into creativity. At the heart of the conversation is Bronac’s belief in the power of kindness. Whether behind the camera or leading a community, she reflects on how empathy, trust and human connection can transform not only the way we work, but how people see themselves. Kate and Louise also explore Bronac’s role as a founding member and Chair of Bloom, and how the organisation has created a supportive, empowering network for women across advertising and communications- from mentorship and community to driving real industry change. From award-winning work that uses storytelling to change behaviour, to the small moments that shape confidence and identity, this episode is a powerful reminder that success isn’t always linear... and that even the smallest acts of kindness can have a lasting impact. See omnystudio.com/listener (https://omnystudio.com/listener) for privacy information.
10 Apr 2026
No More Menemies and Modern Masculinity with Lori Meakin
How do we reframe the gender divide without it becoming a gender battle? In this episode, Kate and Louise sit down with Lori Meakin, Planning Partner at adam&eveDDB, author of No More Menemies, and a leading voice in the conversation around gender equality and modern masculinity. Lori shares her deeply personal story of surviving sexual assault, and how that experience, alongside wider societal events, became a catalyst for her work challenging the systems and narratives that shape gender today. With honesty and clarity, she explores why progress on gender equality can feel like it’s moving backwards, and why understanding the full picture is more urgent than ever. Together, we unpack the growing gender divide, the rise of harmful narratives around masculinity, and the critical need to reframe the conversation-not as a battle between men and women, but as an opportunity to create a better, more equal world for everyone. Drawing on research, lived experience and her work with businesses and leaders, Lori introduces the concept of positive masculinity and redefines what effective leadership can look like - one rooted in empathy, collaboration and emotional intelligence. This episode is a powerful reminder that change doesn’t require doing everything, but starts with each of us choosing where we can make a difference. Content note: This episode includes discussion of rape and sexual assault which some listeners may find distressing. Please take care while listening. Support resources are listed below: Rape Crisis England & Wales (https://rapecrisis.org.uk/) A 24/7 support line, online chat, local centres, counselling, and advocacy. Particularly strong for trauma-informed emotional support and referrals. The Survivors Trust (https://thesurvivorstrust.org/) Umbrella organisation connecting survivors to specialist local rape/sexual abuse services across the UK. Good for finding support in your area, including ISVA advocates. Victim Support (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/support-for-victims-of-sexual-violence-and-abuse) Broader victim-support that can help with emotional support, practical guidance, safety planning, and navigating reporting/criminal justice options. See omnystudio.com/listener (https://omnystudio.com/listener) for privacy information.
27 Mar 2026
Advertising Week Europe Special: Day 3 Drop
Empower is proud to be a partner of Advertising Week — and every day of the Europe event we’re here talking to inspiring speakers and curious attendees about what they’re seeing, learning, and loving. Today’s daily drop we’ll hear from host Kate Chaundy, Rose Bentley, Emma Shuldham, Cat Botibol and Nadine Leighton to find out how they interpret great minds think Un-Alike. See omnystudio.com/listener (https://omnystudio.com/listener) for privacy information.
26 Mar 2026
Advertising Week Europe Special: Day 2 Drop
Empower is proud to be a partner of Advertising Week — and every day of the Europe event we’re here talking to inspiring speakers and curious attendees about what they’re seeing, learning, and loving. In today’s daily drop we’ll hear from host Kate Chaundy, Chloe Davies, Niki Chana, Elizabeth Anyaegbuna and Ruth Mortimer to find out how they interpret great minds think Un-Alike. See omnystudio.com/listener (https://omnystudio.com/listener) for privacy information.
25 Mar 2026
Advertising Week Europe Special: Day 1 Drop
Empower is proud to be a partner of Advertising Week—and every day of the Europe event, we’re here talking to inspiring speakers and curious attendees about what they’re seeing, learning, and loving. In today’s Daily Drop, we’ll hear from host Kate Chaundy, Acast’s Lizzy Pollott, and Equativ’s Marisa Nelson to find out how they interpret “Great Minds Think Un-Alike.” See omnystudio.com/listener (https://omnystudio.com/listener) for privacy information.
13 Mar 2026
Empowering Young Black Girls Through Creativity with Ebinehita Iyere
What can you learn from a 5 year old CCO? Ebinehita Iyere is a deeply impactful leader, practitioner and changemaker - and champion of the idea that we can all learn from everyone. As the founder of Milk Honey Bees, Ebinehita has created a powerful, healing space dedicated to centring the voices, wellbeing and brilliance of young Black girls. Grounded in creativity, care and community, her work champions healing, empowerment and resilience in the face of systemic inequality. Drawing on her lived experience and professional background as a therapeutic youth practitioner, Ebinehita works at the intersection of equity, empathy and inclusion, challenging institutions to truly listen, re-imagine support systems, and honour the full humanity of those who are too often unheard. Through storytelling, research and creative expression, she is reshaping what leadership, care and empowerment can look like when they are rooted in love and justice. In this episode Kate and Louise explore how Ebi's own childhood experience led to her passion in creating a space of safety and one that could champion creativity in all forms... and how she's learning as much from the 5 year-olds attending as the 25-year-olds. See omnystudio.com/listener (https://omnystudio.com/listener) for privacy information.
13 Feb 2026
Safety and Inclusion at Cannes Lions with CEO Simon Cook
Cannes Lions isn’t just about awards. It’s also about influence. Simon Cook leads one of the most powerful platforms in global creativity. As CEO of Cannes Lions, he sits at the intersection of brands, culture and commercial impact, shaping how the industry celebrates its best work and confronts its biggest challenges. In this episode of the Empower Podcast, Simon joins Louise and Kate for a candid conversation about leadership, responsibility and the role of the festival in driving meaningful change. From Empower Café to building safer, more inclusive festival spaces, Simon shares how Cannes Lions is evolving.Not through side events or symbolic gestures, but as environments where honest dialogue can happen, perspectives and behaviours challenged, and new standards set. This episode goes beyond the awards and the headlines. It’s about the culture behind the curtain, and the leadership required to make creativity not just celebrated, but responsible and accountable. See omnystudio.com/listener (https://omnystudio.com/listener) for privacy information.
30 Jan 2026
Empower Origin Story with Karen Stacey
Karen Stacey is a visionary leader in media and a powerful advocate for equity and inclusion. As CEO at Digital Cinema Media, she has spent more than a decade transforming cinema’s role in the modern media mix, driving innovation, inclusive culture and record growth while championing diverse voices and purpose-driven storytelling. Karen is also co-founder of Empower, bringing her passion for equitable leadership, empathy and systemic change to the heart of a movement that seeks to celebrate, amplify and connect leaders who are reshaping how inclusion works in practice. Her work bridges business, advocacy and community, proving that true empowerment starts with making space for every voice to be heard. In this very first episode of the Empower Podcast, Kate turns the tables on co-host Louise to delve into her and Karen's early ambitions for Empower, why they chose to set it up and how it's already enabling change. See omnystudio.com/listener (https://omnystudio.com/listener) for privacy information.
21 Jan 2026
Coming Soon.. the Empower Podcast
It’s time to re-write the myth that kindness is a weakness. It’s a strategy. Because empathy, equity and inclusive leadership aren’t just nice-to-haves – they're what the future is built on. That's why we’re sitting down with leaders, makers, disruptors, doers and grass roots decision makers across the media and advertising industry, to understand what good business really looks like. It’s not enough to just talk about it – change needs action. This is the Empower Podcast, co-hosted by Louise Watson (Co-Founder of Empower), and Kate Chaundy (Associate Director at Propeller). Join us every month for fresh perspectives, tough truths, and inspiring stories. Everyone’s welcome. See omnystudio.com/listener (https://omnystudio.com/listener) for privacy information.
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