Real leadership doesn't come with a manual. It comes from bold decisions, uncomfortable truths, and the courage to lead when the path ahead isn't clear.
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The Brave Next Step; leadership podcast

Your free leadership development podcast for real insight and honest conversations

Are you looking for leadership podcasts that go beyond the surface?

The Brave Next Step is your free leadership podcast, offering honest conversations and practical insights to help you grow personally and professionally.

Hosted by Emma Canter, leadership development expert and curious human, this podcast on leadership development brings you stories, tools, and real-world examples from leaders, innovators, and experts navigating ambiguity and creating meaningful change.

If you’re ready to stretch, grow, and take your brave next step, this leadership podcast is for you.

Latest Podcast Episodes

Episode

28

Who Are You When You Lead?

3 November 2025
I’m talking about what it really means to lead from within - starting with who you are, what you stand for, and the values that shape your decisions. I share the story of how a misalignment between my personal values and my corporate role pushed me to make one of the biggest pivots of my life, and how clarity on my values became the foundation of my leadership.

Episode

27

Leadership lessons from India: Legacy, adaptation, and impact

27 October 2025
In this episode, I share a few powerful leadership lessons inspired by my recent trip to India. What began as a family adventure turned into an unexpected reflection on culture, adaptation, and legacy. From the overwhelming chaos of the streets to the quiet brilliance of the Taj Mahal, I found myself thinking deeply about what it means to lead, to adapt, and to leave something meaningful behind.

Episode

26

Why great leaders ask, not tell

20 October 2025
I’m talking about one of the trickiest balances in leadership - knowing when to step in and when to step back. Inspired by a moment with my son’s sports coach, I reflect on how leaders can help others learn to make decisions without taking over. We explore how coaching through questions, rather than instructions, can create real ownership, accountability, and growth within a team.
The Brave Next Step has become a podcast I'm holding up as aspirational. Emma Canter's ability to ask great questions, succinctly and then holding space for the guest to talk creates so many moments for self reflection and learning!   I feel instantly at ease, which allows me to connect with the content or guest and what is being said. Emma's natural style of conversation keeps my attention so I can be thoughtful about the topic - which is how I'm inspired to think, feel or do something as a result of the podcast.
Sarah Dena Founder of Culturevators and MD of New Wave Learning

All Episodes

Episode
28

Who Are You When You Lead?
Episode
27

Leadership lessons from India: Legacy, adaptation, and impact
Episode
26

Why great leaders ask, not tell
Episode
25

Why rest isn’t always the answer to burnout
Episode
24

You’re never too old to learn new tricks
Episode
23

Resilience, recovery, and the realities of entrepreneurship with Peter Mols
Episode
22

Feelings as data: What leaders need to notice
Episode
21

How to give feedback that actually lands
Episode
20

Why great leaders model feedback first
Episode
19

The truth about trauma and leadership with Dr. Erica Bowen
Episode
18

Owning your power without overusing it
Episode
17

The THINK Method for Overthinking
Episode
16

Breaking free from thinking traps: How overthinking hinders leadership
Episode
15

The art of listening: Three ways to truly hear others
Episode
14

Three’s not a crowd: The power of triadic relationships in leadership
Episode
13

Breaking barriers: Lisa Ventura’s courageous journey in Cybersecurity and Neurodiversity
Episode
12

Why you’re carrying emotions that aren’t yours
Episode
11

Understanding projection in leadership
Episode
10

Jennie Godfrey’s journey from HR to bestselling author
Episode
9

Navigating stress and burnout
Episode
8

“What if” planning
Episode
7

Navigating leadership, identity, and organisational dynamics
Episode
6

Quality thinking: creating space for leadership success
Episode
5

What’s getting in the way of you taking action?
Episode
4

How to get people to do what I want them to do!
Episode
3

How to have an effective conversation
Episode
2

What I’ve learned about asking effective questions
Episode
1

Holding your nerve when it feels deeply uncomfortable

A leadership podcast without the fluff

At Mind Values Leadership, we believe leadership development requires courage, reflection, and action. This podcast isn’t about quick fixes or generic answers. It’s about exploring the real, messy, human side of leading well, even when the path ahead isn’t clear.

Through the Brave Next Step podcast, we share conversations that challenge your thinking and inspire your growth, so you can lead with intention and confidence.

You can find the podcast on Apple and Spotify.

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What you’ll learn on this leadership development podcast

New episodes drop every Monday, bringing you practical insights on:

  • Navigating leadership stress and burnout
  • Holding your nerve when it feels deeply uncomfortable
  • Developing your leadership identity and managing organisational dynamics
  • Creating space for quality thinking and leadership success
  • Planning for the “what ifs” and taking action
  • Having effective conversations and asking better questions
  • Encouraging people to take action without force
  • Stories from leaders who have stepped into the unknown, including Jennie Godfrey on her journey from corporate HR to best-selling author

If you’re looking for leadership podcasts free of jargon and full of honest, expert conversation, you’ll find it here.

Listen wherever you get your podcasts

The Brave Next Step is available on Apple and Spotify, and your favourite platforms. You can also listen directly on our website.

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Explore your brave next step further

If something you hear on this leadership podcast sparks a new idea or challenge, we’d love to continue the conversation.

Contact us to explore how Mind Values Leadership can support your growth and leadership development journey.

Contact us

Podcast FAQs

What makes the brave next step different from other leadership podcasts?

Unlike many leadership podcasts, we go beyond the surface and focus on real conversations about leadership challenges, personal growth, and organisational dynamics to help leaders take meaningful action.

Is the brave next step podcast free?

Yes, this is a leadership podcast free to access, available on all major podcast platforms and on our website.

Who should listen to this podcast on leadership development?

This podcast is designed for senior leaders, HR professionals, and anyone committed to growing as a leader and creating meaningful change in their organisation.

How often are new episodes released?

New episodes are released weekly, every Monday.

Can I suggest a guest or topic for the podcast?

Yes, we welcome suggestions from our listeners. Please get in touch if you have an idea for a topic or guest who would add to the conversation.

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Are you ready to take the brave next step?

Subscribe to The Brave Next Step today and join us in building a new conversation about what real leadership requires.

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