Being a leader can be genuinely lonely. I Shouldn't Say This, But… exists because of that.
Hosted by Katy Leeson, former MD of Social Chain, now founder of Courageous, this is the podcast for leaders and founders who want the conversations they can't seem to have anywhere else. The real ones. About doubt, people, culture, hard decisions, and what building something actually costs you.
No performance. No pretending. Just honest conversations that make you feel less alone, and give you something real to take back into your business.
S6 Ep20: 7 Years Later: Re-Visiting My Miscarriage Story | Baby Loss Awareness Week
This week is Baby Loss Awareness Week, so I'm re-sharing a conversation that means a lot to me.
Seven years ago, shortly after my own miscarriage, I sat down with Ruth Bender Atik. She was National Director of what was then the Miscarriage Association (now Miscarriage UK) and has since retired.
We talk honestly about how common miscarriage really is, why it's still such a taboo, and what nobody tells you about the experience. That includes the guilt, the decisions you're asked to make in hospital while you're in shock, and the fear of trying again.
In this episode:
Why around one in four pregnancies is thought to end in miscarriage
The "12-week rule", and why it isn't a rule at all
Why any sentence starting with "at least" is best left unsaid
Pregnancy after loss, and why the anxiety is completely normal
If you've been through baby loss, or love someone who has, this one's for you.
Please note: this episode was recorded seven years ago, so some of the information, services and guidance discussed may have changed since. For the most up-to-date information, advice and support, please contact Miscarriage UK:
🌐 https://www.miscarriageuk.org/ (https://www.miscarriageuk.org/)
📞 0303 003 6464
💬 Live chat is available through their website
🎙️ Recorded at Mollies, Manchester
🙏 Sponsored by We Are The Allies
8 Oct 2026
S6 Ep19: Inside The TEDx Framework: 8 to 18 Minutes to Change A Life | Martina Witter
A TED talk was on my vision board for this year. So when I was asked to speak at TEDx Trafford this November, I was thrilled, but when I started the process I was surprised by just what it takes to get on that stage.
So for this week's episode, I'm joined by TEDx Trafford Curator Martina Witter to throw back the curtain on what really goes on behind the scenes.
Martina had her first TEDx licence application rejected outright, but rather than treating that as a final no, she used it as information to try again and successfully put on the very first TEDx Trafford last year.
In this episode we discuss:
🎤 The difference between TED and TEDx, and how a curator's values shape the whole event
💡 Why TEDx isn't looking for speakers, it's looking for one idea worth spreading (not ten, as I found out the hard way)
📋 The TEDx framework: 8–18 minutes, grounded in science, no politics, religion or plugging your business, and a powerful hook within the first 60 seconds
🧠 Why coaching starts months in advance, and how Martina builds psychological safety into it
🎭 The art of TEDx curation, and why the running order is planned around the audience's emotions
👀 What the coaching has changed about how I speak on stage, and a little teaser of my own idea worth spreading (watch this space…)
If you've ever thought "I'd love to do a TED talk one day," well this episode is giving you a sneak peak into the process.
TEDx Trafford takes place on 21st November. Grab your tickets at tedxtrafford.com (https://tedxtrafford.com/) or on Eventbrite (https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/tedxtrafford-future-proof-human-by-design-tickets-1990795013476). I'd love to see you there.
🎙️ Recorded at the beautiful Mollies Manchester.
Proudly sponsored by We Are The Allies. Looking for creative firepower, a new skillset or need to get through a backlog of content? The Allies can help! (https://newbusiness.wearetheallies.com/katyleeson/)
1 Oct 2026
S6 Ep18: I Shouldn't Say This, But... The Best Bits
18 episodes into series 6, and I don't know where the time's gone! This week, to celebrate, I've pulled together my favourite moments from my guests this series. If you'd like to watch any of the episodes in full, scroll down for the links.
In this episode:
- Kelly Tucker on why your team are "subscribing" to your workplace
- Sarah Louise Keane on why we keep playing down our own numbers
- Jade Reilly on creatine: what it is and who should take it
- Pav Riyat-Ward on what freelancers need to get booked
- Ash Jones on personal branding when there are no gatekeepers
- Sacha Lord on why he spoke out after a tragedy at Warehouse Project
- Heather Elkington on nice vs kind, and why saying the hard thing matters
- Liberty Mills on the fertility conversation nobody's having with men
Once again, thank you to my sponsor, We Are The Allies 🤝
Launching a new product, working on new creative or tackling a content backlog? We Are The Allies has the biggest and best bank of UK freelancers around. Find out more: https://newbusiness.wearetheallies.com/katyleeson/ (https://newbusiness.wearetheallies.com/katyleeson/)
Catch up on the full episodes 🎧
Kelly Tucker → https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vSXlrwk4H-k (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vSXlrwk4H-k)
Sarah Louise Keane → https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H9exBcd6MZY (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H9exBcd6MZY)
Jade Reilly → https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_9UHWIgRqyk (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_9UHWIgRqyk)
Pav Riyat-Ward → https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EMrs-bFaADk (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EMrs-bFaADk)
Ash Jones → https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZNCzgrs8OEQ (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZNCzgrs8OEQ)
Sacha Lord → https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O-Mh7nSdiig (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O-Mh7nSdiig)
Heather Elkington → https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i1_qmqkZMOA (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i1_qmqkZMOA)
Liberty Mills → https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gvLRLU2KFo4 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gvLRLU2KFo4)
🎙️ Recorded at the beautiful, Mollies Manchester.
Who has been a guest on I Shouldn't Say This, But...
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Natalie Wills
Matt Clements
Giles Harrison
Daisy Morris
James Routledge
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