Episode description:

In this deeply impactful final episode of the Career Unlocked series, Alex sits down with Rose Rowkins, a passionate and experienced Suicide Prevention Trainer. Rose shares her journey from growing up in North West London to becoming a leading advocate for suicide prevention. Throughout the conversation, Rose opens up about her career path, which includes working as a Samaritans volunteer, training prisoners in listening skills, and creating the innovative "Talking about Suicide: 10 Tools" (TAS10) session. Rose also discusses the emotional challenges of her work, the importance of structured training and her commitment to making suicide prevention everyone’s business. Whether you’re interested in mental health, advocacy or simply want to be a better support to those around you, this episode is a must-listen.

Key points discussed:

• Rose’s early life in North West London and how it shaped her love for diverse communities
• Her early career experiences, including volunteering with Samaritans and training in prisons
• The development and impact of the TAS10 session and its importance in suicide prevention
• Insights into the misconceptions and myths around suicide and how to approach sensitive conversations
• Rose’s unique approach to building trust and creating safe spaces in her work
• The challenges and rewards of balancing a demanding career with family life
• The importance of structured training in suicide prevention and Rose’s role in shaping educational programmes
• How personal interests like yoga, singing and travel contribute to Rose’s wellbeing and effectiveness at work
• Practical tools for organisations to integrate wellbeing and suicide prevention into their workplace culture
• Rose’s advice for individuals who are concerned about someone in crisis and how to approach the subject of suicide

Resources and links:

• Connect with Rose: LinkedIn
• Start the Conversation: Website
• Samaritans: Website
• Talking about Suicide: 10 Tools (TAS10): Website

Stay up to date with us on Instagram and LinkedIn:

• Favourite Positions Podcast Instagram
• Alex Young on LinkedIn

As always, please reach out and let us know how you’re finding the series and feel free to send us any suggestions for topics you’d like us to explore in future episodes! Thank you for listening and supporting the platform. We're so grateful that you're here.

Episode description:

In this thought-provoking episode of Career Unlocked, Alex sits down with Dean Connell, a creative director with over two decades of experience in the interior design industry and the founder of the innovative design consultancy, I-AM.D.C. Dean shares his journey from growing up in inner-city London to becoming a leading voice in sustainable and circular design. He discusses the pivotal moments that shaped his career, including his transition from working at Phones4U to studying interior design at Kingston University and eventually launching his own design consultancy. Dean opens up about his unique philosophy that takes cues from nature to transform traditional workspaces and hospitality environments into sustainable, circular spaces. He also shares his passion for moving beyond 'tick box' sustainability and creating lasting, desirable pieces that transcend functionality. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the future of design, sustainability and the evolving nature of work.

Key points discussed:

• Dean’s early life in inner-city London and his transition from working at Phones4U to studying interior design
• The importance of focusing on specific skills and developing discipline in one’s career
• Dean’s experiences working as a junior designer and the evolution of his career in the interior design industry
• Founding I-AM.D.C and the inspiration behind challenging the 'take, make, waste' mentality in design
• The integration of circular principles into his work and the importance of creating lasting, repairable and adaptable furniture
• Dean’s approach to moving beyond 'tick box' sustainability and fostering a community committed to circular design
• The impact of technology and innovation on the future of workspace design and how AI and VR may influence the industry
• Dean’s views on the importance of community and user-centered design in creating sustainable and functional workspaces
• Insights into Dean’s most rewarding career moments, including working in Japan and developing the Sessions project
• Upcoming projects and initiatives at I-AM.D.C, including collaborations with Patch co-working spaces

Resources and links:

• Connect with Dean Connell: LinkedIn
• I-AM.D.C: Website
• Patch Co-Working Spaces: Website
• Living With Buildings: The Sessions House Project: Website

Stay up to date with us on Instagram and LinkedIn:

• Favourite Positions Podcast Instagram
• Alex Young on LinkedIn

As always, please reach out and let us know how you’re finding the series and feel free to send us any suggestions for topics you’d like us to explore in future episodes! Thank you for listening and supporting the platform. We're so grateful that you're here.

Episode description:
In this episode of 'Favourite Positions: Careers Unlocked,' Alex chats with Molly, Co-Founder of Flexa, to explore her journey from working on a farm during her childhood to creating a groundbreaking platform that redefines flexible working. Molly shares her unique experiences, including a rigorous gap year, her university life at Oxford and her career in investment banking, which ultimately led her to identify a significant gap in the market. Discover the motivation behind Flexa, the challenges Molly faced and how Flexa is changing the future of work for millions. Molly also discusses the impact of flexible working on diversity and inclusion, the importance of employee value propositions and her vision for the future of Flexa. Tune in to gain valuable insights on navigating the evolving landscape of work and fostering a more inclusive, flexible work environment.

Key points discussed:

• Molly's early life and upbringing in London and Somerset
• Her transition from university to investment banking and the intense gap year experiences
• The inspiration and motivation behind starting Flexa
• The challenges faced in the early stages of building Flexa, including the impact of the pandemic
• The role of flexible working in enhancing diversity, equity and inclusion
• The concept of employee value proposition and its significance
• Strategies for companies to introduce flexible working arrangements
• How individuals can identify and negotiate flexible working options
• Staying informed about changes in the future of work
• Future goals for Flexa and the broader vision for the future of work

Resources and links:

• Flexa: Website
• Connect with Molly: LinkedIn
• Recommended study: Nick Bloom’s research on remote and hybrid work
• Articles on flexible working: BBC Worklife, Harvard Business Review

Please stay up to date with us on Instagram and LinkedIn:

• Favourite Positions Podcast Instagram: Favourite Positions Instagram
• Alex Young on LinkedIn: Alex Young LinkedIn

As always, please do reach out and let us know how you’re finding the series and feel free to send us any suggestions for topics you’d like us to explore in future episodes! Thank you for listening and supporting the platform, we're so grateful that you're here.