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Light Bulb Thinking

Urban Podcasts

Leadership can be an isolating experience. Behind the closed doors of every successful business, leaders and owners are navigating sleepless nights, high-stakes decisions, and the heavy burden of responsibility.

Hosted by James, Lightbulb Thinking pulls back the curtain on the psychological reality of running a business. This isn't about management theory; it's about the real, often messy, human side of leadership. James explores the hidden struggles, the moments of doubt, and the mental resilience required to lead when everyone is looking to you for answers.
If you are a business owner, CEO, or leader who has ever felt the weight of the role, this is the show for you.

New episodes drop monthly.

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  • 3 episodes
  • Avg 46 min
  • English

Episodes 3

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  • S1 · E3
    October 24 · 54 min

    Katie Knowles: Invisible Illness and the Cost of Success

    Behind every successful business leader are hidden struggles, sleepless nights, and the immense weight of decisions that most people never see. In this episode of Light Bulb Thinking, I sit down with entrepreneur and mother Katie Knowles to discuss the often-hidden psychological and physical toll of leading a business while navigating a debilitating health journey. Katie opens up about her decades-long battle with endometriosis and adenomyosis, the life-changing decision to undergo a hysterectomy at just 35, and how she built a successful business amidst chronic pain and emergency surgeries. What You’ll Discover - Navigating Chronic Illness and Identity: How living with invisible pain impacts your sense of self, the realities of medical gaslighting, and the grief that can accompany necessary, life-altering surgeries. - The Isolation of Entrepreneurship: Why running a business can feel incredibly lonely, the myth of "having it all," and how building a company can sometimes serve as a coping mechanism for control. - Learning to Ask for Help: The importance of a strong support system, overcoming the urge to people-please, and why true resilience sometimes means simply letting others step in. Building a meaningful life and business requires more than just hard work; it requires the courage to be vulnerable and the wisdom to know when your body needs rest. Katie’s journey is a powerful reminder that success isn't about pushing through the pain at all costs, but about redefining what a flourishing life actually looks like. If you are struggling with your own health, feeling isolated in your leadership journey, or just need a reminder that you are not alone in your struggles, this conversation is for you. Lightbulb Thinking supports schools, educational organisations and professionals with coaching, therapy, mental health first aid training and consultancy. You can learn more at lightbulbthinking.com. Lightbulb Thinking is produced by Urban Podcasts.

  • S1 · E2
    September 24 · 40 min

    Freddie Hunt: Overcoming the Pressure of a Famous Name to Build Your Own Success

    What happens when you grow up in the shadow of a legendary Formula One world champion, only to carve out a completely different path for yourself? In this episode of Light Bulb Thinking, I sit down with Freddie Hunt, son of the iconic James Hunt. Freddie shares his unique journey from the high-stakes world of polo to transitioning into motorsport, and eventually launching his own high-end, sustainable fashion brand. We dive deep into the immense pressure of carrying a famous surname, the mental battles of professional sports, and how he found his true identity through faith and nature. What You’ll Discover: - The Weight of a Famous Name: How the pressure to succeed in motorsport almost derailed his career, and why learning to "care less" and drive on instinct finally unlocked his potential. - The Power of the Monkey Mind: Why mental discipline is just as important as raw talent, and how adopting a daily meditation practice transformed his approach to anxiety and overthinking. - Building with Purpose: The inspiration behind his hand-embroidered fashion brand, his deep passion for environmental conservation, and why he believes true success lies in restoring the natural world. Freddie’s story is a powerful reminder that success isn't just about living up to a legacy—it's about having the courage to take risks, change direction, and define what truly matters to you. Whether you are navigating a career pivot, struggling with self-doubt, or simply trying to quiet your own mind, this conversation offers a refreshing perspective on what it means to build a life on your own terms. Lightbulb Thinking supports schools, educational organisations and professionals with coaching, therapy, mental health first aid training and consultancy. You can learn more at lightbulbthinking.com. Lightbulb Thinking is produced by Urban Podcasts.

  • S1 · E1
    August 13 · 43 min

    Paul Young: The Hidden Cost of Success

    Behind every successful business is a human being navigating the quiet, often hidden, psychological toll of leadership. In this debut episode of Light Bulb Thinking, I sit down with Paul Young, one of the UK's leading chocolatiers, to discuss the real and often hidden psychological struggles of running a business. Paul shares his journey from an accidental chocolatier to building a renowned brand, opening up about the severe burnout, isolation, and mental health challenges he faced along the way. What You’ll Discover - The Reality of Burnout: Why the relentless pursuit of perfection and long hours can lead to physical and mental collapse, and why we need to talk more openly about it. - Redefining Leadership: How true leadership requires vulnerability, the courage to admit when you are wrong, and the ability to nurture a team rather than ruling through fear. - A New Definition of Success: Why true success is no longer about accolades or expansion, but about peace, creative freedom, and knowing when to say no. Paul’s story is a powerful reminder that our mental and physical health must always come first, and that true strength lies in our ability to be vulnerable. If you are feeling the weight of leadership or struggling to keep up with the demands of your own success, this conversation is for you. Lightbulb Thinking supports schools, educational organisations and professionals with coaching, therapy, mental health first aid training and consultancy. You can learn more at lightbulbthinking.com. Lightbulb Thinking is produced by Urban Podcasts.

Showing 1–3 of 3 episodes