In this episode of The Secret Resume podcast, join our host Melody Moore as she chats with the incredible Laura Allen, an operations and people partner based in London. Laura opens up about her unique career journey, the pivotal moments that have defined her, and the influential figures along the way.

From wrestling with a rigid corporate narrative to embracing a more flexible and empowering fractional model, Laura's journey is one of resilience and reinvention. She discusses overcoming personal challenges, including navigating a toxic relationship, managing undiagnosed autism, and dealing with profound loss, all while outlining how these experiences have shaped her professional path.

Tune in and get ready to be inspired by Laura's unfiltered and heartfelt stories infused with both vulnerability and strength. This intimate and candid conversation will leave you pondering what true freedom looks like and how you can harness life's challenges to sculpt your own fulfilling journey.

You can connect with Laura here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauraallencoach/

Laura's book recommendations:

1. 1. 52 Weeks of Wellbeing: A No Nonsense Guide by Ryan Hopkins - https://amzn.to/4dRz8N6

   2. The 4-Hour Workweek by Tim Ferriss - https://amzn.to/4kT9Ykd
   3. The Road Less Travelled by M. Scott Peck - https://amzn.to/440seRl
   4. The Untethered Soul: The Journey Beyond Yourself by Michael A. Singer - https://amzn.to/45h7Z4b

   5. Founder vs Investor: The Honest Truth About Venture Capital from Startup to IPO by Elizabeth Zalman and Gerry Neumann - https://amzn.to/3Zre8XI

And if you're on a quest for personal growth or navigating a career transition, check out our Being Free membership. It's all about finding your own path to freedom with a supportive community by your side. Head over to liberareconsulting.co.uk/being-free to join the waitlist.

The transcript that shows on your screen is automatically generated, therefore we cannot guarantee it is 100% accurate. You can access a copy of the full transcript here: https://shorturl.at/VWUAZ

The Secret Resume podcast is a Liberare Consulting production. You can contact us at podcast@liberareconsulting.co.uk and can buy Melody's book 'The Inclusive Team: How to Build and Develop Inclusive High Performing Teams' or a copy of our Inclusive Teams conversation Cards here: https://shorturl.at/XspUX Use the code podcast10 to get a 10% discount on all of the items on our product page.

Or why not join our community to get access to exclusive benefits and be the first to hear updates and news https://liberare-consulting.ck.page/community

If you are interested in becoming a guest on our show, please fill in the form here: https://liberare-consulting.ck.page/podcast_guest

We are an Amazon affiliate and receive a very small commission if you buy books through our Amazon links.

What happens when a French academic-turned-call-centre-agent becomes an expert in startup culture and people operations?

In this episode, Melody Moore sits down with Steph Thommen, Fractional Head of People, culture geek, and accidental entrepreneur, to explore the career pivots, personal influences, and deep values that don’t show up on her LinkedIn profile, but shape everything she does.

From her rebellious, wine-sharing aunt to building high-performing teams in tech startups, Steph shares candid insights into the messy magic of leading with humanity. Whether you’re navigating scale-up chaos, rethinking your relationship with work, or just curious about what “good HR” really looks like, this conversation will challenge, inspire, and stick with you.

Topics include:

• Culture as a strategic tool (not a vibe)

• Startup myths and realities

• Identity, belonging, and being the “outsider within”

• Why being treated like an adult at 13 shaped her leadership lens

You can connect with Steph here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/startupsteph/

Steph's book recommendation:

• Drive by Dan Pink - https://amzn.to/4dNX5Fc

• Find Your Why by Simon Sinek - https://amzn.to/4dJmmQV

• Dare to Lead by Brené Brown - https://amzn.to/4jyuKnD

• The 10 Laws of Trust by Joel Peterson - https://amzn.to/4dJAXMc

• The Five Dysfunctions of a Team by Patrick Lencioni - https://amzn.to/4kOBYoE

And if you're on a quest for personal growth or navigating a career transition, check out our Being Free membership. It's all about finding your own path to freedom with a supportive community by your side. Head over to liberareconsulting.co.uk/being-free to join the waitlist.

The transcript that shows on your screen is automatically generated, therefore we cannot guarantee it is 100% accurate. You can access a copy of the full transcript here: https://shorturl.at/VWUAZ

The Secret Resume podcast is a Liberare Consulting production. You can contact us at podcast@liberareconsulting.co.uk and can buy Melody's book 'The Inclusive Team: How to Build and Develop Inclusive High Performing Teams' or a copy of our Inclusive Teams conversation Cards here: https://shorturl.at/XspUX Use the code podcast10 to get a 10% discount on all of the items on our product page.

Or why not join our community to get access to exclusive benefits and be the first to hear updates and news https://liberare-consulting.ck.page/community

If you are interested in becoming a guest on our show, please fill in the form here: https://liberare-consulting.ck.page/podcast_guest

We are an Amazon affiliate and receive a very small commission if you buy books through our Amazon links.

Welcome to another episode of the Secret Resume podcast, where we’re all about digging into the juicy stories behind the LinkedIn profiles. Today, Melody welcomes Debbie Hayler to share her captivating journey full of unique twists and turns that didn’t quite make it onto her CV but have definitely shaped who she is today.

Debbie shares what it was like growing up as a victim of school bullying, and how those tough experiences played a part in moulding her career perspective. You’ll hear about the ups and downs of her educational path, her decision to pursue performing arts, and eventually her rewarding career in Learning and Development (L&D).

Get inspired as she talks about imposter syndrome, the impact of an empowering TED Talk by Amy Cuddy, and the profound difference a supportive mentor can make. Plus, Debbie spills on her incredible feeling of validation after winning a prestigious L&D award, and how she’s now ready to inspire others by stepping out of her comfort zone.

So, grab your favourite drink, sit back, and enjoy this discussion between two passionate human beings delving into the magic of personal growth and professional journeys.

You can connect with Debbie here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/debbiehayler/

Debbie's book recommendation:

• Presence by Amy Cuddy - https://amzn.to/3SiGhwa

Amy Cuddy's TED Talk that Debbie references: https://youtu.be/Ks-_Mh1QhMc?si=1pMKMLCA5otcmmZp

And if you're on a quest for personal growth or navigating a career transition, check out our Being Free membership. It's all about finding your own path to freedom with a supportive community by your side. Head over to liberareconsulting.co.uk/being-free to join the waitlist.

The transcript that shows on your screen is automatically generated, therefore we cannot guarantee it is 100% accurate. You can access a copy of the full transcript here: https://shorturl.at/VWUAZ

The Secret Resume podcast is a Liberare Consulting production. You can contact us at podcast@liberareconsulting.co.uk and can buy Melody's book 'The Inclusive Team: How to Build and Develop Inclusive High Performing Teams' or a copy of our Inclusive Teams conversation Cards here: https://shorturl.at/XspUX Use the code podcast10 to get a 10% discount on all of the items on our product page.

Or why not join our community to get access to exclusive benefits and be the first to hear updates and news https://liberare-consulting.ck.page/community

If you are interested in becoming a guest on our show, please fill in the form here: https://liberare-consulting.ck.page/podcast_guest

We are an Amazon affiliate and receive a very small commission if you buy books through our Amazon links.