My next guest on Standing Out, Standing Strong is Joyce Chen! Joyce's coaching is a masterful mix of deep empathy and inclusive challenge. She doesn't just shift perspectives, she dismantles outdated patterns, revealing the unconscious stories that hold leaders back. Her work is about more than leadership – it's about self liberation. She helps clients navigate uncertainty, step into their power, and take radical responsibility for their impact. Beyond coaching, Joyce is a storyteller at heart. In 2017, she co-directed Refugee, an award-winning documentary amplifying the journey of a West African refugee. The film won 8 Best Documentary Short awards, became a two time Academy Award qualifier, and premiered on Amazon Prime, proving that stories, when told with precision and heart, can change the world. Prior to becoming Managing Partner for Conscious Leadership Group, Joyce was Global Head of Production at Meta. Joyce is a rare blend of business acumen, creative depth, and mastery in Conscious Leadership.

So join me for a cuppa tea with Joyce Chen!

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My guest today is redefining what a modern production company can be. Ana de Diego is the founder of Spark & Riot, a female-led production company and film & television studio built on the idea that great work happens when talent meets purpose. With a background in socially-driven storytelling and a portfolio that spans global brands and long-form projects, she's built a company that doesn't just produce content, it builds meaningful, culturally relevant stories. From commercials to entertainment, Ana's mission is consistent: create, collaborate, and leave a lasting impression. We talk about scaling a company with intention, bridging branded and narrative storytelling, and why purpose-led creativity isn't a trend – it's the future.

So join me for a cuppa tea with Ana!

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Today I'm joined by Sharlene George, founding partner at The Sweet Shop, which has grown from its roots in New Zealand to a global production company. Sharlene started out as a producer, and has built an incredible career, shaping stories and supporting directors, and more recently moving into longer form work and branded entertainment. What I love about her work is the focus on storytelling and purpose, from indigenous stories to projects that support sustainability and the next generation.

So grab a cuppa tea and join me as I chat with Sharlene George!

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Today's guest is someone I've known for over twenty years, and someone who's always stood out. We first worked together at JWT, and even then Christine Jones had a very clear voice. She knew what she thought, she said it, and she didn't wait for permission. Since then she's built an extraordinary career, from global creative leadership roles at Ogilvy and Ridley Scott Creative Group, to now founding her own company SirenXYZ, a female led creative business focused on telling stories for women, by women. But what's interesting about Christine is that she doesn't follow the expected narrative. She has strong views on where we are as an industry, on confidence, on opportunity, and what it really takes for women to succeed. This is a conversation about leadership, resilience, and perspective, and one that might challenge a few assumptions along the way.

So grab a cuppa tea and join me for a chat with Christine Jones!

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Today I'm joined by Margo Mars, founder of Lief, a London-based studio built around authentic storytelling and championing diverse voices. Margo has a rare mix of creative instinct and real leadership, and recently she's taken that a step further with the launch of Lief Entertainment Company, exploring how brand-backed work can support premium, auteur-led storytelling. What I love about Margo is how grounded she is, in both the creative and the human side of the industry: how stories are made, who gets to make them, and how you protect creative integrity while building something sustainable.

So grab a cuppa tea, and join me as I chat with Margo Mars!

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Today on Standing Out, Standing Strong I'm joined by Kerry Furrh and Olivia Mitchell, the directing duo known as Tusk. They met at USC, call themselves "a two-headed monster," and have built up a bold career across film, commercials and music videos, all with a style that's playful, precise, and unapologetically theirs. Most recently, they returned to Tribeca with their queer love story Ripe, and it's now headed towards becoming a feature. We talk about creative control, visual risk-taking, collaboration, and what it means to fully own your voice.

Join me for a cuppa tea with Tusk!

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Today on Standing Out, Standing Strong, I'm joined by Ali Brown, president and partner at the award winning PRETTYBIRD, and founder of Ventureland. She's helped shape some of the most creative voices in our industry, across both LA and London. Ali is one of the most respected producers in our business, and after this conversation, you'll understand why.

Join me for a cuppa tea with the multi-talented Ali Brown!

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Today's guest on Standing Out, Standing Strong is a director whose work feels honest, grounded, and quietly powerful. Fiona McGee is an Australian filmmaker who's built an impressive career across comedy, drama, and documentary, picking up serious awards along the way. But it's never been about the accolades, it's always been about the work. In this conversation, we talk about authenticity in casting, creating a calm and collaborative set, breaking into the American market, balancing motherhood with directing, and the realities of being a female director in what can still feel like a secret club. We also touch on AI, and why she finds it both fascinating and terrifying.

Join me for a cup of tea with the director Fiona McGee!

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