What happens when the pursuit of success comes at the expense of your wellbeing? And how do you rebuild your life when you realise you've been wearing emotional armour for decades?

In this deeply honest episode of What's Important To You?, James sits down with motivational speaker, author and mental health coach Brian Kennedy to explore a remarkable personal journey through leadership, burnout, resilience and recovery.

Brian reflects on a successful corporate career spanning decades in banking and leadership, while revealing the hidden reality behind the promotions, achievements and outward success.

He shares the impact of childhood experiences, surviving multiple armed robberies, working in toxic corporate environments, and ultimately reaching a point of complete mental exhaustion that forced him to rethink everything he believed about success.

Together, they discuss why so many men struggle to ask for help, the importance of emotional intelligence in leadership, how running became a lifeline during recovery, and why true success is measured by relationships, purpose and authenticity rather than job titles or status.

Whether you're leading a team, navigating workplace stress, supporting someone through burnout, or simply trying to build a more meaningful life, this conversation offers powerful lessons on self-awareness, courage and choosing a healthier path forward.

Brian Kennedy is an international motivational speaker, executive coach, mental health and wellbeing specialist, and author of The Bulletproof Banker.

Following a distinguished corporate career leading global banking operations and customer-focused organisations, Brian now helps executives, managers and professionals recognise, manage and recover from workplace stress before it becomes burnout.

He is also passionate about supporting leaders during the critical first 90 days following promotion and helping organisations develop emotionally intelligent leadership cultures.

As a member of the European Mentoring & Coaching Council (EMCC), Brian combines lived experience with professional coaching to help people build healthier, more authentic and more fulfilling careers.

• Success without wellbeing comes at a significant personal cost.
• Childhood experiences often shape the beliefs we carry into adulthood.
• Self-awareness is the foundation of authentic leadership.
• Men often struggle to ask for help, but vulnerability is a strength, not a weakness.
• Toxic workplace cultures can have a profound impact on mental health.
• Emotional intelligence should be at the heart of every leadership role.
• Physical activity can play a vital role in supporting mental wellbeing.
• Setting boundaries is essential for long-term success.
• Living with purpose creates far greater fulfilment than chasing status.
• Your past may shape you, but it doesn't have to define your future.

"Men find it so hard to ask for help."

"Self-compassion is vital for healing."

"My future needs me, not my past."

"Nobody sees you the way you see yourself."

"It could have been so much easier."

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How do you tell the story of one of life's most painful experiences? And can writing help us make sense of grief, love, and the people who shape us?

In this deeply moving episode of What's Important To You?, James speaks with author Sarah Vosburgh about the personal journey that led her to write her memoir, Who Will Name the Bees?—a heartfelt account of caring for her mother through Alzheimer's disease.

Sarah shares how late-night thoughts written on the glass top of her bedside table eventually became the foundation of a memoir that has resonated with readers around the world.

Together, they explore the emotional realities of caregiving, the isolation many carers experience, and why writing became both a creative outlet and a path to healing.

The conversation also delves into the craft of memoir writing, blending poetry with prose, finding beauty in life's smallest moments, and the importance of forgiveness, compassion, and sharing stories that help others feel less alone.

Whether you've experienced Alzheimer's personally, care for a loved one, or simply believe in the power of storytelling, this episode is a touching reminder that even in life's hardest seasons, connection and hope can still be found.

Sarah Vosburgh is an author, poet and memoirist whose writing explores family, caregiving, grief, resilience and the extraordinary meaning found in ordinary moments.

Her debut memoir, Who Will Name the Bees?, tells the deeply personal story of her mother's journey through Alzheimer's disease while reflecting on love, forgiveness and the emotional complexities of becoming a caregiver.

Through a unique blend of prose and poetry, Sarah creates space for readers to process their own experiences and discover comfort through shared stories.

• Writing can become a powerful tool for processing grief and difficult emotions.
• Caregiving is often an isolating experience, but no one should feel alone.
• Sometimes the smallest moments become the ones we treasure most.
• Memoirs don't have to begin as books, they can start as small stories.
• Poetry can express emotions that prose sometimes cannot.
• There is no perfect way to care for someone you love, only the best you can do at the time.
• Sharing vulnerable stories helps others feel seen and validated.
• Forgiveness is an important part of healing, both for ourselves and for those we love.
• Creativity often grows from life's most challenging experiences.
• It's never too late to discover your voice as a writer.

"Writing on the glass top helped me sleep."

"Who will help me name the bees?"

"True maturity is forgiving your parents."

"Finding the much in the little."

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👉 Who Will Name The Bees?

How does a journalist become captivated by one of history's greatest mysteries? And what can Amelia Earhart still teach us nearly a century after her disappearance?

In this episode of What's Important To You?, James speaks with journalist and author Rachel Hartigan about her fascinating career, her years at National Geographic, and the extraordinary journey that led her to write LOST: Amelia Earhart's Three Mysterious Deaths and One Extraordinary Life.

Rachel shares how an unexpected invitation to join an expedition searching for Amelia Earhart sparked years of research into one of history's most enduring mysteries.

Rather than focusing solely on Earhart's disappearance, Rachel explores the remarkable woman behind the legend, her courage, ambition, resilience, and the carefully crafted public image that made her one of the most recognised women of her time.

The conversation also explores the craft of storytelling, the value of curiosity, the challenges of writing nonfiction, and why understanding the human story behind historical figures often reveals far more than the mystery itself.

Whether you're fascinated by history, journalism, adventure, or the art of writing, this episode is filled with thoughtful insights into curiosity, purpose, and the stories that continue to shape our world.

Rachel Hartigan is an award-winning journalist, editor, and author with more than 30 years of experience covering history, science, culture, education, and society.

Having spent many years writing for National Geographic and other leading publications, Rachel specialises in bringing complex historical subjects to life through compelling storytelling.

Her debut book, LOST: Amelia Earhart's Three Mysterious Deaths and One Extraordinary Life, explores both Amelia Earhart's remarkable life and the enduring mystery surrounding her disappearance, drawing on Rachel's own experiences taking part in two National Geographic-supported expeditions searching for answers.

• Paying attention to how you truly feel leads to greater authenticity.
• Curiosity often opens doors to unexpected opportunities.
• Great storytelling humanises history rather than simply reporting facts.
• Amelia Earhart's legacy extends far beyond her disappearance.
• Success is built through years of learning, persistence and experience.
• Public image and reality are often very different.
• History becomes more meaningful when we understand the people behind it.
• Writing a book requires patience, resilience and trust in the process.
• Not every mystery needs to be solved to be worth exploring.
• It's never too late to pursue a new creative challenge.

"Pay attention to how you actually feel."

"She would have loved this exploration."

"The story behind the mystery matters."

"I'm trying to internalise that spirit."

"I need to start having some more fun."

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