The emPOWER Breakfast
The emPOWER Breakfast
Podcast Description
The emPOWER Breakfast founded by host Athene Parker celebrates leaders in the Media, Advertising and Communication space. The live events and podcast are designed to discover and uncover the personal story behind the job title. A celebration of the incredible achievements of our wonderful speakers, despite the challenges they have overcome on their journey of life. A peek behind the curtain as an opportunity to increase empathy, support and understanding in the workplace, a mirror for subjects less explored in a working environment to create community. Ultimately the emPOWER Breakfast aim is to create a network of support, alongside authentic business connections, that will help our businesses to thrive.While The emPOWER Breakfast live event began as a women’s networking event, designed to emPOWER women in business, an emPOWER Men series launches in 2025. If you would like to attend the events or discuss bringing The emPOWER Breakfast to your industry please contact [email protected] and emPOWER Breakfast founder Athene Parker has worked both in front of and behind the camera, she is a voiceover @Vocalpoint and has worked as a freelance New Business in music and advertising for 25 years. Athene is an Autism advocate, being a parent to a pre-verbal autistic legend, and is founder of theSENmumma a volunteer mentoring network to support Mum’s at the beginning of their families diagnosis pathway.This podcast is sponsored, produced and recorded by sound studio, String and Tins Producer: Esi JonuziEngineer: Livy WicksMD: Rachel HoughBespoke Music Composition - Livy Wicks, String and Tins Track Name - The emPower Breakfast Theme Tune, String and Tins Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Podcast Insights
Content Themes
The podcast focuses on themes such as personal resilience, diversity in the workplace, mental health challenges, and empowerment through networking. Episode highlights include discussions on navigating professional challenges as a single mother with Selma Nicholls, tackling mental health journeys with Jody Allison, and exploring racism and professional pivots with Nishma Patel Robb, enriching the narrative around less-explored workplace topics.
The emPOWER Breakfast founded by host Athene Parker celebrates leaders in the Media, Advertising and Communication space. The live events and podcast are designed to discover and uncover the personal story behind the job title. A celebration of the incredible achievements of our wonderful speakers, despite the challenges they have overcome on their journey of life. A peek behind the curtain as an opportunity to increase empathy, support and understanding in the workplace, a mirror for subjects less explored in a working environment to create community. Ultimately the emPOWER Breakfast aim is to create a network of support, alongside authentic business connections, that will help our businesses to thrive.
While The emPOWER Breakfast live event began as a women’s networking event, designed to emPOWER women in business, an emPOWER Men series launches in 2025. If you would like to attend the events or discuss bringing The emPOWER Breakfast to your industry please contact [email protected].
Host and emPOWER Breakfast founder Athene Parker has worked both in front of and behind the camera, she is a voiceover @Vocalpoint and has worked as a freelance New Business in music and advertising for 25 years. Athene is an Autism advocate, being a parent to a pre-verbal autistic legend, and is founder of theSENmumma a volunteer mentoring network to support Mum’s at the beginning of their families diagnosis pathway.
This podcast is sponsored, produced and recorded by sound studio, String and Tins
Producer: Esi Jonuzi
Engineer: Livy Wicks
MD: Rachel Hough
Bespoke Music Composition – Livy Wicks, String and Tins
Track Name – The emPower Breakfast Theme Tune, String and Tins
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Series 1 Episode 8 Summary:
Athene Parker is in glorious conversation with McCann Birmingham MD Lucy Hudson. Lucy is an all-round, incredibly inspiring woman. Her story is deeply moving and we do have a:
‼️TRIGGER WARNING‼️
In this powerful episode, Lucy shares her journey of leadership through the ultimate test—losing her first child, Poppy, to a brain tumour. Now MD of McCann Birmingham, she speaks openly about navigating grief at work and educating organisations on how to support teams facing profound loss.
Lucy reflects on how tragedy reshaped her leadership style, her career path and her belief that there is life after loss—no matter how unreachable that may feel. This episode explores the intersection of personal grief and professional responsibility, with insights into resilience, vulnerability and community.
Lucy is a proud mother of three and lives with her husband and Poppy’s two sisters.
The conversation flows through a trip down musical memory lane. Sit back, relax and enjoy.
Tracks:
- Thank You For The Music – ABBA
- Working 9-5 – Dolly Parton
- Together in Electric Dreams – Phil Oakey
- Stronger – Kelly Clarkson
- Weightless – Marconi Union
The emPOWER Breakfast – Lucy Hudson – Spotify Playlist
Key Topics:
Leadership Through Crisis – Balancing work with personal grief
Workplace Grief – Creating supportive environments
Team Support – How to show up for grieving colleagues
Authentic Leadership – Why vulnerability is a strength
Supporting Colleagues Through Grief – Tips:
Listen, don’t fix
Follow their lead – Let them share at their pace
Offer specific help – “Can I handle the client call today?”
Respect their process – Grief has no timeline
Ongoing Support:
Check in regularly – Often, support is most needed after the funeral
Remember key dates – Offer flexibility on anniversaries or birthdays
Include them – Don’t assume they want to be alone
Be patient – Grief affects focus and decision-making
What NOT to Say:
“I know how you feel.”
“They’re in a better place.”
“How old? That’s a good innings.”
“Everything happens for a reason.”
“You need to move on.”
Any “At least…” statements
What TO Say:
“I’m thinking of you.”
“I’m here if you need me.”
“Would you like to talk about [their loved one]?”
“There’s no right way to grieve.”
“How are you today/this afternoon?” (Be specific)
If You’re Bereaved: The Five Stages of Grief (Kübler-Ross Model):
- Denial – “This can’t be happening”
- Anger – “Why me? This isn’t fair”
- Bargaining – “If only…”
- Depression – Sadness and withdrawal
- Acceptance – Coming to terms with reality
These stages aren’t linear. You may revisit or skip them. Knowing the model can help make sense of your experience.
Useful Resources:
Cruse Bereavement Care – Free advice/support
The Compassionate Friends – Support for bereaved parents/siblings
Child Bereavement UK – Family support
Winston’s Wish – Support for grieving children/young people
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Disclaimer
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