How can lived experience and business leadership come together to tackle homelessness?In this episode of Fear Less, Do More, host Gill Hunter sits down with Bianca Robinson, CEO of CEO Sleepout, and Kerri Douglas, their lived experience ambassador, to unpack the realities of homelessness and the powerful role empathy, leadership, and storytelling play in driving change.Whether you’re seeking insights into homelessness, social impact leadership, lived experience advocacy, corporate responsibility, or community-driven change, this episode offers a compelling look at how individual actions and systemic reform can work hand in hand to create a more compassionate future.Key Topics CoveredThe realities and misconceptions of homelessness, especially for womenCEO Sleepout’s mission and experiential approach to raising awareness and fundsWhy lived experience is essential to understanding homelessnessThe role of empathy and personal storytelling in driving changeHow businesses and SMEs can make a tangible social impactIntegrity, transparency, and trust in the charity sectorThe emotional toll of advocacy and the importance of self-careHumanising homelessness through connection and compassionThe need for systemic policy changeHow everyday kindness can make a real differenceChapters00:00 Introduction to CEO Sleep Out and Its Mission01:29 Understanding Homelessness: Myths and Realities04:13 Kerri's Journey: From Homelessness to Advocacy08:50 The Impact of Lived Experience on Perceptions of Homelessness12:23 The CEO Sleepout Experience: A Night Under the Stars15:56 Creating Compassion: The Ripple Effect of Awareness19:50 Advocacy and Policy Change: A Call to Action21:35 Empowering Voices: The Role of Lived Experience in Policy Making22:25 From Marketing to Charity: A Journey of Purpose29:05 Building a Community: The Impact of CEO Sleepout31:41 Creating Change: The Power of SMEs in Society33:51 Kerri's Advice to Rough Sleepers36:34 How Do Kerri & Bianca 'Switch Off'?38:13 A Call to Action: Engaging Business Leaders for Social Good38:27 Every Act Counts: Personal Responsibility in Supporting the HomelessHelpful Links & ResourcesCentrepoint - UK's leading youth homelessness charityhttps://centrepoint.org.uk/node/1Depaul UK - a youth homeless charity providing emergency accommodation and shelter for young people facing homelessness across the UK.https://www.depaul.org.uk/Childline - Childline counsellors are here to take calls 24 hours a day, 7 days a week from children and young people under 19.0800 1111https://www.childline.org.uk/Visit the CEO Sleepout Websitehttps://ceosleepout.co.uk/Read Kerri’s Book - Gutter to Glory: ‘Pavements to Parliament’https://www.amazon.co.uk/Gutter-Glory-Parliament-Kerri-Douglas/dp/B08W3RNXXH?ref_=ast_author_mpbConnect with Kerri Douglas on Linkedinhttps://uk.linkedin.com/in/kerri-douglas-5595b8176Connect with Bianca Robinson on Linkedinhttps://uk.linkedin.com/in/birobinsonFind out more about your host Gill Hunterhttps://squareonelaw.com/people/gill-...Find out more about Square One Lawhttps://squareonelaw.com/Find out more about ‘Fear Less, Do More’https://squareonelaw.com/insights/fear-less-do-more/If you liked this episode, you may also enjoy this onehttps://youtu.be/00ptDAeFsnk?si=6BqQvVT_xSwWdxYIThis podcast was produced and recorded at Flamingo Heights Podcast Studio🦩https://www.flamingoheights.co.uk/For any enquiries or feedback regarding this podcast, email us at ⁠marketing@squareonelaw.com⁠ with the subject 'PODCAST’.

How does a whisky distillery bring 1,400 years of Anglo-Saxon history back to life?In this episode of Fear Less, Do More, host Gill Hunter sits down with Dr. Chris Ferguson, Museum & Experience Director at Ad Gefrin — a groundbreaking cultural destination in Northumberland that blends an Anglo-Saxon museum, world-class whisky distillery, and community-led storytelling hub.Discover how Ad Gefrin is reshaping what we know about Northumbrian history, uncovering the hidden role of women in Anglo-Saxon society, and revitalising a region through architecture inspired by ancient traditions, deep-rooted cultural heritage, and a passionate family business.Whether you’re searching for insights on Anglo-Saxon history, whisky making, Northumberland tourism, heritage storytelling, or community engagement, this episode offers a powerful look at how the past can inspire a bold, creative future.Key Topics CoveredAd Gefrin: the fusion of Anglo-Saxon history and modern whisky distillingThe overlooked stories of women in early medieval historyHow a family brought a cultural landmark to lifeArchitecture inspired by Northumbrian heritageWhy storytelling is essential to uncovering hidden historiesCommunity engagement & seasonal traditionsSustainability and long-term impact in a family-run businessChapters00:00 Introduction to Ad Gefrin and Its Significance 07:09 Uncovering the Role of Women in Anglo-Saxon History 12:00 The Journey of Building Ad Gefrin 18:02 Creating a Community and Cultural Hub 18:31 Proudest Moment So Far 21:44 What Is Whisky? 23:28 About Corenkyn & Corengyst 27:48 The Christmas Goats 30:09 Future Aspirations and Hidden HistoriesVisit the Ad Gefrin Websitehttps://adgefrin.co.uk/Connect with Chris Ferguson on LinkedInhttps://uk.linkedin.com/in/fergusonchristopherFind out more about your host Gill Hunterhttps://squareonelaw.com/people/gill-...Find out more about Square One Lawhttps://squareonelaw.com/Find out more about ‘Fear Less, Do More’https://squareonelaw.com/insights/fear-less-do-more/If you liked this episode, you may also enjoy this onehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fDSPZMM7Ag0&list=PLb5yiYFkUPu1BW7m6iKlz7wbwzvvCYDXz&index=18This podcast was produced and recorded at Flamingo Heights Podcast Studio🦩https://www.flamingoheights.co.uk/For any enquiries or feedback regarding this podcast, email us at ⁠marketing@squareonelaw.com⁠ with the subject 'PODCAST’.