Your Permission to Pause

About Your Permission to Pause

Your Permission to Pause podcast brings inspiration, wisdom and candid conversations loaded with humour and advice that will support female leaders to rethink how they approach leadership and life. In this podcast you will hear real stories that have fuelled Jo’s growth as well as themes that have emerged from her work in the leadership field. As a self-confessed ‘work in progress’ Jo keeps her content real and accessible by bringing you up front conversations where she and her guests share frankly and transparently their trials, tribulations and lessons along the leadership path. The episodes will leave you with powerful insights and practical ways that will help you grow and navigate your way through leadership and life. Whether you are experienced, new or an aspiring female leader, these conversations will put the spring back in your step. Meet your host Jo Cowlin Jo Cowlin keeps it real. Some people might like to call her ‘a motivational people development expert’ but Jo would rather you didn’t. Jo is a no-nonsense, straight-talking northerner She is also a transformational coach, facilitator and game changer. She has a passion for results and is dedicated to helping leaders realise their aspirations without compromising their wellbeing. She dares individuals to be different by eliminating corporate BS, life coaching, and hand-holding, and instead encourages breaking through barriers to gain clarity and step into personal power for a life without limits. She specialises in taking individuals out of their comfort zones, uncovering obstacles, and reigniting their zest for life, bringing back excitement, purpose, and magic in all areas. Passionate about learning and growth, she is dedicated to delivering results, drawing from her own experiences of overcoming corporate burnout, overwhelm, and a lack of direction. She turned this all around, and created a way forward that brought the balance that she needed to thrive no matter what life threw at her. She is acutely aware of how stress without strategies that help you thrive, not just survive can chip away at your self-esteem and self-worth. Resilience and a proactive approach to mental wellbeing is at the core of all of her work which is predominantly aimed at helping leaders and their teams refocus, regroup and rapidly adjust to change. With a background in pharmaceutical leadership and expertise across various sectors, she offers coaching and leadership programs tailored to individual and organisational needs. When Jo isn’t transforming company cultures, you’ll find her managing her 3 teenage girls’ busy social calendars. She’s a dab hand in the kitchen and true to form, loves to keep her food real. And if she isn’t doing either of those you will find her out in nature walking her dog or lifting a barbell in the gym. Find out more about Jo Cowlin here: https://jocowlin.com/ Connect with Jo: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jocowlin/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jo-cowlin/

Publisher

Jo Cowlin

Category

business · education · education

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

14 May 2024

Latest episode

12 Feb 2026

Latest episodes

39 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   12 Feb 2026

   S3 Ep 12: What Your Clothes Say in the Boardroom: Clare Chambers on Visual Presence & Leadership

   What role does your wardrobe really play in your leadership journey? In this eye-opening episode of Your Permission to Pause, host Jo Cowlin sits down with Clare Chambers, The Personal Brand Stylist, for an honest, insightful conversation about how female leaders can harness image and style as powerful tools without abandoning sustainability, authenticity, or themselves. Drawing from Clare’s fascinating career from celebrity stylist for red-carpet icons to empowering high-profile women in business they unpack why visual congruence matters more than ever, how fashion differs from image, and why what you wear silently sets the tone before you even speak. You'll hear practical ways to align your wardrobe with your evolving professional identity, create a “five-word style manifesto,” and sidestep common mistakes even the most seasoned leaders make. Here are the Highlights: 00:00 What are your clothes communicating now? 03:00 Clare’s journey from celebrity makeovers to empowering real women in business 06:20 Visual brand: More than “looking nice”using style as a strategic tool 09:45 Outgrowing your wardrobe, but not your image 13:00 How to define how you want to show up 18:30 Capsule wardrobes, uniforms, and the myth of decision fatigue 22:30 Why staying “current” gives you business currency 27:00 One-dimensional dressing vs. showing your multifaceted personality 32:00 How image unlocked new doors for a tech CEO 39:12 A three-step starter plan for leaders stepping into new roles 43:23 Clare’s Number one piece of advice about style & success. Meet your host Jo Cowlin Jo Cowlin keeps it real. Some people might like to call her ‘a motivational people development expert’ but Jo would rather you didn’t. Jo is a no-nonsense, straight-talking northerner She is also a transformational coach, facilitator and game changer. She has a passion for results and is dedicated to helping leaders realise their aspirations without compromising their wellbeing. She dares individuals to be different by eliminating corporate BS, life coaching, and hand-holding, and instead encourages breaking through barriers to gain clarity and step into personal power for a life without limits. Resilience and a proactive approach to mental wellbeing is at the core of all of her work which is predominantly aimed at helping leaders and their teams refocus, regroup and rapidly adjust to change. With a background in pharmaceutical leadership and expertise across various sectors, she offers coaching and leadership programs tailored to individual and organisational needs. Find out more about Jo here: (https://jocowlin.com/)https://jocowlin.com/ (https://jocowlin.com/) Connect with Jo: Instagram: (https://www.instagram.com/jocowlin/)https://www.instagram.com/jocowlin/ (https://www.instagram.com/jocowlin/) LinkedIn: (https://www.linkedin.com/in/jo-cowlin/)https://www.linkedin.com/in/jo-cowlin/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/jo-cowlin/) About Clare Chambers: Clare Chambers, known as The Personal Brand Stylist, has over 18 years of experience helping women and celebrities alike develop their unique signature style. Clare has worked with high-profile clients like Sienna Miller, Naomi Campbell, and Mariah Carey, bringing her unique expertise to help them create authentic, powerful wardrobes that align with their personal brands. With a career that spans Glamour...

2. 

   29 Jan 2026

   S3 Ep 11: Permission to Lead Authentically: Kinnari Ladha’s Lessons in Data and Leadership

   How do you lead authentically and succeed in a rapidly changing, male-dominated sector without losing sight of your wellbeing or identity? Host Jo Cowlin is joined by Chief Data Officer Kinnari Ladha for a refreshingly honest, encouraging conversation about leadership, diversity, and the evolving world of data. They discuss the value of curiosity, letting go of perfectionism, how to navigate setbacks as fuel for growth, and the importance of making yourself visible as a female leader in tech. You’ll also hear practical advice for ambitious women and insights into how AI is reshaping the future of work. Here are the Highlights: 00:00 Intro: Kinnari’s journey to Chief Data Officer 04:23 Career paths are often unstructured 06:53 Transitioning to senior leadership is challenging 11:13 Leadership and parenting requires reflection, and avoiding comparison 17:51 Building confidence in public speaking 21:34 Life can't always be planned; sometimes you have to take risks 25:32 Take action now; don't overthink or wait for confidence. 28:15 Overcoming "good girl" conditioning and making bold decisions 32:28 Getting a leadership coach helped Kinnari address feedback 36:08 Effective feedback requires receiving and responding well 41:08 AI is reshaping roles, leadership is evolving, and data work is crucial. Meet your host Jo Cowlin Jo Cowlin keeps it real. Some people might like to call her ‘a motivational people development expert’ but Jo would rather you didn’t. Jo is a no-nonsense, straight-talking northerner She is also a transformational coach, facilitator and game changer. She has a passion for results and is dedicated to helping leaders realise their aspirations without compromising their wellbeing. She dares individuals to be different by eliminating corporate BS, life coaching, and hand-holding, and instead encourages breaking through barriers to gain clarity and step into personal power for a life without limits. Resilience and a proactive approach to mental wellbeing is at the core of all of her work which is predominantly aimed at helping leaders and their teams refocus, regroup and rapidly adjust to change. With a background in pharmaceutical leadership and expertise across various sectors, she offers coaching and leadership programs tailored to individual and organisational needs. Find out more about Jo here: (https://jocowlin.com/)https://jocowlin.com/ (https://jocowlin.com/) Find out more about Jo here: (https://jocowlin.com/)https://jocowlin.com/ (https://jocowlin.com/) Connect with Jo: Instagram: (https://www.instagram.com/jocowlin/)https://www.instagram.com/jocowlin/ (https://www.instagram.com/jocowlin/) LinkedIn: (https://www.linkedin.com/in/jo-cowlin/)https://www.linkedin.com/in/jo-cowlin/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/jo-cowlin/) About Kinnari Ladhi: Kinnari Ladhi has spent over 20 years building a career in data and analytics and is currently Chief Data Officer at Travelodge. She is a senior executive leader who operates at board level, but her journey hasn’t been linear or without self-doubt - something she speaks openly about. Kinnari has been recognised with multiple industry awards, including being named one of the most influential leaders in the...

3. 

   15 Jan 2026

   S3 Ep 10: Why Financial Success Is 80% Mindset and 20% Strategy with Warren Shute

   Why does money cause so much tension with others and within ourselves? Host Jo Cowlin is joined by highly experienced financial planner and NLP coach Warren Shute for an honest, relatable conversation about the emotional side of money. Forget strict budgets and financial guilt. This episode is full of laughter, real-life stories, and practical insights to help you get financially organised in a way that truly works for you. You’ll explore how money is less about numbers and more about beliefs, values, and behaviour and learn simple strategies you can actually stick to. Here are the Highlights: 00:00 Warren Shute, a financial planner with 31 years of experience 03:15 Belief over strategy is key 10:05 Save 15%, automate finances, and simplify money management 14:50 Clarify personal definitions of financial security 21:02 Teaching kids life lessons about money 24:33 Finding financial balance and freedom 31:53 Consider financial decisions carefully 37:20 Women often claim they're not good with money, but they may be better investors and more process-focused than men 41:32 Seek reliable sources, avoid sensational media, and take action 43:09 Regular communication with clients and financial clarity 49:21 Organising financials, reviewing investments, and planning. Meet your host Jo Cowlin Jo Cowlin keeps it real. Some people might like to call her ‘a motivational people development expert’ but Jo would rather you didn’t. Jo is a no-nonsense, straight-talking northerner She is also a transformational coach, facilitator and game changer. She has a passion for results and is dedicated to helping leaders realise their aspirations without compromising their wellbeing. She dares individuals to be different by eliminating corporate BS, life coaching, and hand-holding, and instead encourages breaking through barriers to gain clarity and step into personal power for a life without limits. Resilience and a proactive approach to mental wellbeing is at the core of all of her work which is predominantly aimed at helping leaders and their teams refocus, regroup and rapidly adjust to change. With a background in pharmaceutical leadership and expertise across various sectors, she offers coaching and leadership programs tailored to individual and organisational needs. Find out more about Jo here: (https://jocowlin.com/)https://jocowlin.com/ (https://jocowlin.com/) Connect with Jo: Instagram: (https://www.instagram.com/jocowlin/)https://www.instagram.com/jocowlin/ (https://www.instagram.com/jocowlin/) LinkedIn: (https://www.linkedin.com/in/jo-cowlin/)https://www.linkedin.com/in/jo-cowlin/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/jo-cowlin/) About Warren Shute MSc., CFP™ FPFS, Chartered FCSI: Warren Shute began his career in financial services in 1995 at just 21 years old. At the same time, he trained in Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) and coaching - combining technical expertise with a deep understanding of human behaviour. This unique blend has fuelled his passion for both his profession and helping people ever since. Today, Warren is a Certified and Chartered Financial Planner, a Master Practitioner and trainer of NLP, and a Certified Coach. He is also the Managing Director of Lexington Wealth Management, widely recognised as one of the UK’s leading financial planning firms. He is also a passionate advocate...

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Spotify

4.8 / 5

16 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 45 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

51

Social presence

91

YouTube

0

Engagement

51

Contact Your Permission to Pause

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.