About MRA’s Courageously Candid Coaching Podcast with Matthew Radley
MRA’s Courageously Candid Coaching Podcast takes listeners beyond the polished corporate profiles that exist in organisations globally, and instead explores the pivotal moments that shape extraordinary leaders and professional coaches. Hosted by Matthew Radley, CEO of MRA Executive Coaching, each episode uncovers moments of shift, stretch, or stillness that reveal the turning points defining their journeys.
This show is designed for professionals seeking authentic insights into leadership, personal growth, and the human side of success. Through candid conversations, it delivers lessons that inspire, challenge, and empower listeners to lead with clarity and courage. Because leadership isn’t just about position or profile, it’s about the courage to embrace the moments that change everything.
New episodes are released bi-weekly.
Why Team Coaching Is a Completely Different Discipline | MRA Executive Coaching Team | S02 E08
In this episode, Matthew Radley is joined by Sophie Taylor and Lorna Miles from MRA to explore the shift from individual coaching into the very different discipline of team coaching.
Together, the team challenge the assumption that a qualified individual coach can simply apply the same skills to a team. They explore why team coaching requires a fundamental shift in mindset: moving away from coaching several individuals and instead working with the team as a single entity.
The conversation examines the importance of understanding the wider organisational system, contracting more deeply at the start of the work and being clear about what the team, the leader and the organisation actually expect from the process.
The team also discusses the risks of confusing team coaching with facilitation, team building or development. They reflect on the role of the team leader, the ethics of coaching both a leader and their team, and why specialist training and practice are essential if team coaching is going to create meaningful and systemic change.
Explore MRA’s coaching and leadership development programmes: https://mraexecutivecoaching.com/programmes/
17 Aug 2026
If You Don’t Challenge, You’re Not Coaching | MRA Executive Coaching Team | S02 E07
In this episode, Matthew Radley is joined by Hilary Farrington and Sophie Taylor from MRA to explore one of the most important - and often underdeveloped - competencies in professional coaching: the ability to challenge.
Together, they examine why challenge can feel uncomfortable for both coaches and clients, and why that discomfort can cause coaches to lean too heavily into support. They discuss challenge as an act of care rather than confrontation, the importance of curiosity and positive intent, and the risk of allowing a coach’s own identity, ego or fear to shape the conversation.
The team also explores how challenge is developed through practice, supervision and continued professional development. They reflect on the “no-go zones” every coach may carry, the commercial risks of challenging clients and the difference between serving the client and simply proving that you are a challenging coach.
This episode is a candid discussion for qualified coaches and coaching leaders who want to move beyond comfortable conversations and create the conditions for meaningful growth.
Explore MRA’s coaching and leadership development programmes: https://mraexecutivecoaching.com/programmes/
17 Aug 2026
Gut Health Really Does Shape Leadership Performance | Gut Health Dietitian Orla Stone | S02 E06
In this episode, host Matthew Radley is joined by Orla Stone, gut health dietitian and science lead at Deeply Foods, to explore the powerful connection between the gut, the brain and our ability to perform well at work.
Orla explains how the gut microbiome influences stress, anxiety, emotional regulation, memory and decision-making through the gut–brain axis. She shares why physical health is not simply about how the body looks on the outside, but about what is happening internally, and how poor nutrition, disrupted sleep and chronic stress can quietly undermine resilience and leadership performance.
The conversation challenges organisations to move beyond one-off wellbeing initiatives and take a more proactive approach to physical and mental health. Orla and Matthew explore why nutrition, sleep and movement should form part of leadership development, and why coaches need a stronger understanding of physical health when supporting people experiencing stress, anxiety or reduced performance.
This episode offers a scientific but practical look at what healthy leadership really means, and why better performance may begin with looking after the gut microbiome.
Explore MRA’s coaching and leadership development programmes: https://mraexecutivecoaching.com/programmes/
17 Aug 2026
Why the Coaching Profession Must Become More Diverse | Director & Leadership Coach Shan Saba | S02 E05
In this episode, host Matthew Radley is joined by Shan Saba, Director at Brightwork, board member, founder, trustee and leadership coach, to explore the lack of diversity within the professional coaching industry and what needs to change.
Shan reflects on his own route into coaching through MRA’s first diversity and inclusion cohort. What began as an unfamiliar development opportunity became a life-changing experience that gave him greater confidence, purpose and a new way of supporting others.
The conversation challenges coaching organisations, professional bodies and business leaders to consider who currently has access to high-quality coaching and who is still being excluded. Shan argues that the profession does not adequately reflect the people who could benefit from it most - limiting its credibility, relevance and wider impact.
Shan also shares how he has used his coaching skills to support survivors of human trafficking, people seeking asylum and individuals rebuilding their confidence after exploitation. His experiences demonstrate how creating access to professional coaching can generate ripples far beyond the original qualification, reaching workplaces, charities and communities that may otherwise remain underserved.
This episode is a candid call for the coaching profession to move beyond policies and good intentions, open the door to a broader range of lived experiences and make inclusion part of its long-term identity.
Explore MRA’s coaching and leadership development programmes: https://mraexecutivecoaching.com/programmes/
17 Aug 2026
Mental Health Awareness Is a Leadership Essential | Mattel EMEA General Manager Joel Sidney | S02 E04
In this episode, host Matthew Radley is joined by Joel Sidney, General Manager for Benelux and the Nordics at Mattel EMEA, for an honest conversation about mental health, vulnerability and the responsibility leaders have to recognise when someone may be struggling.
Joel reflects on his own experiences of grief, mental health and leadership, including the fear he felt before sharing his personal story with his organisation. What friends and family warned could be “career suicide” instead became one of the most meaningful and rewarding decisions of his career.
The conversation explores why leaders need to understand their own mental health before they can effectively support others, how vulnerability can create psychological safety and why workplace support must begin before someone reaches crisis point.
Joel also shares how mental health awareness gave him the confidence and skills to intervene when someone he knew was considering taking their own life. His story is a powerful reminder that the right knowledge, a willingness to ask and the courage to get involved can have a life-changing impact.
This episode includes discussion of suicide, bereavement and mental ill health. Please listen with care.
Explore MRA’s coaching and leadership development programmes: https://mraexecutivecoaching.com/programmes/
17 Aug 2026
Why Coaching Qualifications Are Only the Beginning | Specsavers' Partner Engagement Manager | S02 E03
In this episode, host Matthew Radley is joined by Paula Adamson, Partner Engagement Manager at Specsavers, to explore why gaining a professional coaching qualification should be viewed as the beginning of a coach’s development - not the end.
Paula reflects on the growth of Specsavers’ coaching programme, which has supported more than 100 leaders through professional coaching qualifications. She shares why the programme gained momentum through personal choice, recommendation and a genuine desire among leaders to develop their coaching practice.
The conversation focuses on the role of supervision and continued professional development in maintaining standards after qualification. Paula discusses the value of having a trusted community of coaches, creating time for reflection and learning from people with different levels and types of experience.
This episode also examines the risks of allowing coaching practice to drift: coaches losing momentum, falling into bad habits or stepping away from coaching altogether. Paula explains why organisations have both a professional and commercial reason to keep investing in the coaches they have already trained.
Explore MRA’s coaching and leadership development programmes: https://mraexecutivecoaching.com/programmes/
17 Aug 2026
How Reverse Mentoring Builds Inclusive Leaders | With Louise McLean, Global HR Director | S02 E02
In this episode, host Matthew Radley is joined by Louise McLean, Global HR Director at Subsea7, to explore what it really takes to make reverse mentoring meaningful, safe and effective.
Louise shares how Subsea7 developed a global reverse mentoring programme designed to help senior leaders better understand the lived experiences of colleagues across different generations, cultures and underrepresented groups.
The conversation explores the power dynamics at the heart of reverse mentoring, the importance of psychological safety and why both mentors and mentees need support before the relationship begins. Louise also reflects on the vulnerability required from senior leaders, the value of bringing very different people together as equals, and the risks of introducing reverse mentoring without genuine openness and commitment.
This episode offers practical insight for organisations looking to move beyond surface-level inclusion and create conversations that genuinely challenge assumptions, expose bias and change how leaders think.
Explore MRA’s coaching and leadership development programmes: https://mraexecutivecoaching.com/programmes/
17 Aug 2026
Building an Internal Coaching Culture That Lasts | Interview with Vanessa, HR Leader | S02 E01
In this episode, MRA's Matthew Radley is joined by Vanessa to explore what it really takes to build and sustain a credible internal coaching culture.
Drawing on her experience of introducing coaching across three organisations, Vanessa shares the lessons learned from four cohorts and almost 30 accredited internal coaches. She explains why qualifications alone are not enough, and why senior leadership buy-in, protected time, ongoing supervision and clear professional standards are essential if coaching is going to become embedded rather than gradually disappear.
This conversation explores the difficult realities behind creating an internal coaching pool: securing commitment from busy leaders, maintaining ethical boundaries, supporting coaches across different countries and cultures, and knowing when someone needs to step away from active coaching.
Vanessa also reflects on how internal coaching can create wider organisational value by building empathy, connecting people across teams and providing leaders with a clearer view of what is really happening throughout the system.
Explore all MRA’s coaching and leadership development programmes: https://mraexecutivecoaching.com/programmes/
4 Feb 2026
Executive Transitions Coaching: A Fundamental ‘Must Have’ for Senior Leaders on The Move | Interview with Carolyn Youdell, Marketing Director | S01 E08
In this episode, host Matthew Radley is joined by Carolyn Youdell, Group Marketing Director, to explore what executive transition coaching really looks like across a 15-year career. From early leadership roles to senior board positions, Carolyn shares the moments that shaped her confidence, clarified her purpose, and helped her move on without losing herself.
This conversation goes deep into the emotional and psychological work behind a career change. Carolyn reflects on the power of coaching to build self-awareness, manage triggers, and lead with compassion. It’s a candid look at what it takes to let go, step forward, and stay grounded through every move.
27 Jan 2026
Why Coaching Needs a Consulting Mindset | Interview with Andrew Watson, Growth Advisor | S01 E07
In this episode, host Matthew Radley is joined by Andrew Watson, Growth Advisor and former CMO, to explore what happens when coaching and consulting meet. Drawing on years of board-level experience and a long-standing coaching relationship, Andrew shares the moments that challenged his thinking - and changed how he leads.
This conversation unpacks the tension between insight and implementation, between human capital and commercial outcomes. Andrew invites us to think differently about what coaches and consultants can learn from each other, and why behaviour change sits at the heart of both. It’s a candid look at the power of long-term partnership, radical feedback, and the courage to be coached.
13 Jan 2026
Coaching for Courage Not Just Capability | Interview with James Brewer, Transformation Coach | S01 E06
In this episode, host Matthew Radley is joined by James Brewer, Marketing Director, to explore what personal growth really looks like inside leadership. From identity shifts to emotional courage, James shares the moments that moved his coaching practice beyond performance and into transformation.
This conversation goes beneath the surface of leadership. James invites us to let go of the mask, reconnect with purpose, and lead with more truth. It’s a powerful reflection on what happens when leaders stop chasing capability and start becoming who they really are.
2 Dec 2025
The Candid Truth About ADHD in Leadership Coaching | Interview with Sarah Bailey, Executive Coach | S01 E05
In this episode, host Matthew Radley is joined by Sarah Bailey, a leader in Talent & Development and a qualified coach, to explore how ADHD shows up in the working world, and what it means to truly support neurodiverse clients. Drawing on her lived experience and coaching practice, Sarah shares the moments that reshaped her understanding of attention, focus, and what it really takes to feel seen.
This conversation challenges the idea that ADHD is something to work around. Instead, Sarah invites us to coach and lead with curiosity, not correction, helping clients build confidence, find their rhythm, and lead in ways that work for them. It’s a powerful look at how coaching can empower ADHD minds to stop masking and start owning their strengths.
18 Nov 2025
Why Cultural Integration Fails and What Leaders Must Do Differently | Interview with Lisa Wheatcroft, Chief People Officer | S01 E04
In this episode, Matthew Radley and Sophie Taylor are joined by Lisa Wheatcroft, Chief People Officer, to explore the hard truths behind cultural integration and why it so often fails. Drawing on her experience leading executive teams through mergers, acquisitions, and organisational change, Lisa shares the defining moments that revealed just how much leaders underestimate the people impact.From the misplaced belief that Day One is the finish line, to the absence of shared goals and people strategy, Lisa unpacks the leadership blind spots that derail integration. She speaks candidly about the emotional toll on early-career talent, the disconnect that grinds performance to a halt, and the courage it takes to lead culture with clarity and intent. It’s a powerful reflection on what happens when leaders stop delegating culture and start owning it.
4 Nov 2025
Turning Mentoring into a Strategic Advantage for Leaders and Organisations | Interview with Gemma Board, Head of Talent | S01 E03
In this episode, hosts Matthew Radley and Hilary Farrington are joined by Gemma Board, Head of Talent, to explore the defining moments that transformed their mentoring from an unplanned, informal practice into a strategic capability with structure, confidence, and credibility. What began with a simple question - “How many people are mentoring here?” - evolved into a movement that reshaped their leadership development, inclusion, and succession planning.
This conversation offers rare insight into the human side of mentoring. From mentor self-belief to the complexity of doing it well, Gemma reveals the stretch, stillness, and courage it takes to raise the bar. It’s a candid look at what happens when leaders stop assuming and start investing in what good really looks like.
20 Oct 2025
Why Do You Really Want to Be a NED? | Interview with Linda Sleath, NED | S01 E02
In this episode, Matthew Radley and Sophie Taylor sit down with Linda Sleath, experienced Chair and Non-Executive Director, for a frank conversation about what really drives people to join the boardroom. Together, they unpack the question every aspiring NED should face: Why do you really want the role? Is it about status - or a genuine desire to add value?
Linda and Matthew explore the realities behind the prestige: the accountability, the pressure, and the purpose that define effective leadership at the top. Through moments of stretch, courage, and reflection, they reveal the human side of board-level influence. The truths that never make it into the governance papers.
This episode is a must-listen for current and aspiring board members ready to challenge their own motivations and redefine what impact really means.
6 Oct 2025
Inside the Boardroom with a Systemic Approach to Board and Executive Coaching | Interview with Alison Hands, CEO of Lincolnshire Co-Op | S01 E01
In this episode, Alison Hands, CEO of Lincolnshire Co-Op, takes us behind the boardroom doors to reveal the defining moments that shaped their approach to leadership at the highest level. From critical strategic decisions to navigating complex stakeholder dynamics, they share the moments of stretch, stillness, and courage that tested and transformed their leadership.
This conversation offers rare insights for board members, executives, and aspiring leaders into the human side of board-level decision-making. The dilemmas, lessons, and turning points that don’t make it into the annual report. It’s an unfiltered look at what it really takes to lead at the top.
1 Oct 2025
Trailer
MRA’s Courageously Candid Coaching Podcast takes listeners beyond the polished corporate profiles that exist in organisations globally, and instead explores the pivotal moments that shape extraordinary leaders and professional coaches.
Hosted by Matthew Radley, CEO of MRA Executive Coaching, each episode uncovers moments of shift, stretch, or stillness that reveal the turning points defining their journeys.
Let's get candid.
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Spotify
5.0 / 5
4 ratings
Contact MRA’s Courageously Candid Coaching Podcast with Matthew Radley
Guest appearances
Books guests
Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.
Host of MRA’s Courageously Candid Coaching Podcast with Matthew Radley?
Claim your podcast to manage its listing and keep your show details accurate.
Pod Engine is an independent podcast discovery and analytics service and is not affiliated with or endorsed by this podcast. Artwork and show content belong to their owners. Full legal notice.
Explore this show Podcast research with Pod Engine
