In this episode of We.Are.Powerful, we’re joined by Louise Birritteri, founder and CEO of Pikl, for an open and deeply grounded conversation about what it really takes to build and scale a business.

Louise shares her journey from a career in large insurance organisations to founding an Insurtech from a dining‑room table and growing it into a company of more than 60 people across Norwich, London and New York. Along the way, Louise speaks candidly about fear, uncertainty, resilience and the often‑unspoken loneliness of leadership.

We explore the emotional reality of being a founder, learning to live with ambiguity and why resilience becomes something you build through experience rather than something you’re born with. Louise also reflects on the importance of understanding what you can and can’t control, and how letting anxiety drive decisions can be paralysing.

This conversation goes beyond growth stories and success narratives. It’s about vulnerability, relationships, culture, and knowing when to persist and when to pivot as your organisation evolves.

Key themes include:

• The transition from corporate life to founding a business
• Building resilience through uncertainty and repeated challenge
• Separating fear from decision‑making
• The changing role of leadership as organisations scale
• Culture, trust and vulnerability at executive level
• Why “dream big” still matters, especially when things feel hard

Whether you’re a founder, a leader, or navigating change in your own work or life, this episode offers reassurance, perspective and practical wisdom from someone who has lived it.

www.pikl.com

www.wearepowerful.org

What happens when the environment around you makes you shrink — and how do you find the courage to thrive again?

In this deeply honest and uplifting episode of We.Are.Powerful, James Russell is joined by Neelu Agarwal, Executive Director for EMEA Inclusion at the global investment bank, Wells Fargo; happiness coach, and speaker on belonging and psychological safety.

Neelu shares her personal journey from arriving in the UK feeling apologetic, uncertain, and unseen, to becoming a senior leader shaping inclusive cultures. She reflects on how subtle behaviours at work can erode confidence, why rejection can feel so personal, and how small, consistent steps can radically change the trajectory of your career and life.

Together, James and Neelu explore why rejection is not failure, but redirection, how confidence is built through action rather than perfection, and why leaders have a profound responsibility for how people feel when they leave work each day.

This episode is a powerful reminder that everyone we work with is someone’s precious child — carrying dreams, doubts, and dignity into every room.

In this episode, you’ll hear about:

• 1'46"📍 What it feels like to “shrink” in professional environments — and how to reverse it
• 5’27”📍 Practicing inclusion by acknowledging that we are all someone’s precious child
• 9’32”📍 Not letting some of the put downs and negative words define you
• 19’22”📍 Dealing with rejection
• 24’13”📍 The perils of comparing ourselves to others
• 28’16”📍 How to approach situations where you feel underestimated
•  32’55”📍 What we can do to support others and creating a safe environment for others
• 38’57” 📍 Advice Neelu would give to her younger self!

About the guest

Neelu Agarwal is an Executive Director for EMEA Inclusion at the global investment bank, Wells Fargo and a certified happiness coach and a speaker on belonging, psychological safety, career development, and leadership. Her work focuses on creating environments where people feel safe, valued, and able to bring their full potential to work.

You can find Neelu on LinkedIn at Neelu Agarwal.

If this episode resonated with you:

• Share it with someone who might need encouragement right now
• Reflect on one small step you can take this week to move from shrinking to thriving
• Visit wearepowerful.org for more episodes and resources

In this uplifting episode of We Are Powerful, hosts James Russell and Alex Sellers sit down with Tyler Lowe, Ambassador for The King’s Trust and founder of Loving Life — a wellbeing company dedicated to creating happier, healthier, more connected workplaces.

Tyler shares his personal journey, from growing up in West London to a life‑changing year in Australia where he discovered what it meant to truly love life. These experiences sparked his mission to help others build confidence, overcome fear, and thrive at work and in life.

Together, the trio dive deep into the science and practice of gratitude, exploring how appreciation, giving, and reframing challenges can transform individuals, teams, and organisational culture. Tyler reveals moving stories from his workshops — including one emotional moment that brought an entire team to tears, showing the true human impact of feeling seen, supported and valued.

What We Cover in This Episode

• Tyler’s inspiring journey from sports science student to wellbeing entrepreneur
• How living abroad helped him build confidence and overcome fear
• Why taking small risks prepares us for bigger leaps
• The link between gratitude, resilience, and high‑performing teams
• How reframing negative situations can change our mindset instantly
• Authentic appreciation vs. empty praise — what really lands
• Why giving (without expectation) makes us happier and healthier
• Practical ways leaders can show gratitude and create more connected workplaces
• Real stories from Tyler’s workshops that demonstrate the power of human connection
• Daily practices for building gratitude as a healthy habit
• The overlooked role of recognition in building trust and belonging

Memorable Moments

• 🧡 “When we give, we receive — not always from the person we gave to, but from somewhere else.”
• 📝 The team workshop moment that revealed deep compassion and created a shared emotional breakthrough
• 🚗 Tyler’s example of reframing a dreaded two‑hour drive into a moment of learning and gratitude
• 🔥 Alex’s insight that “everyone is looking for a place to fit — a sense of importance in the world”
• 🎁 The trio’s playful debate about Christmas gifts and what it really means to feel “seen”

Practical Takeaways You Can Use Today

• Start a daily gratitude journal (even 1–2 lines)
• Reframe daily frustrations by asking: “What’s the positive in this?”
• Give two selfless acts a day — and don’t get caught!
• Show appreciation in ways that match individual preferences
• As a leader, give your time, attention, and honest feedback (they’re powerful gifts)

Where to Find Tyler

• Website: lovinglifeco.com
• Search: “Loving Life Wellbeing” or “Tyler Lowe Loving Life”
• LinkedIn: Tyler Lowe — message before connecting!

Useful Links

• Gratitude Journal Prompts (Free Tool) - Loving Life
• Empowering Teams and Cultures Together | We.Are.Powerful