The Lighting Fires Podcast
The Lighting Fires Podcast
Podcast Description
Hosted by Executive Coach Julie Williams MSc, The Lighting Fires Podcast is a space for real conversations about change, growth, and the spark that starts it all. Julie has a Master's in Coaching and Behavioural change, over 10 years experience of running her own coaching practice, and 15 years experience in marketing leadership roles.
In each episode, Julie sits down with one of her coaching clients to reflect on pivotal moments in their personal and professional journeys — from navigating imposter syndrome to finding confidence in leadership, from starting a business to rediscovering purpose.
Expect honest reflections, practical insights, and inspiring stories from people who’ve dared to light a fire under their own ambitions. Whether you’re leading a team, building a business, or simply wondering what’s next, these conversations will help you tune in to your own spark — and fuel your next step.
If you’re interested in finding out more about how Julie could work with you or your team, go to www.lightingfires.co.uk
You can also contact Julie by emailing [email protected] or connect at linkedin.com/in/juliewilliamsexeccoach
Podcast Insights
Content Themes
The podcast focuses on personal development, leadership, and rediscovering purpose with episodes like navigating imposter syndrome, building successful businesses, and the importance of celebrating personal milestones within professional journeys.
The Lighting Fires Podcast, supported by Henley Business School and hosted by Executive Coach, Julie Williams MSc. The Lighting Fires Podcast is a space for real conversations about change, growth, and the spark that starts it all.
Julie has a Master’s in Coaching and Behavioural change, over 10 years experience of running her own coaching practice, and 15 years experience in marketing leadership roles.
In each episode, Julie sits down with one of her coaching clients to reflect on pivotal moments in their personal and professional journeys — from navigating imposter syndrome to finding confidence in leadership, from starting a business to rediscovering purpose.
Expect honest reflections, practical insights, and inspiring stories from people who’ve dared to light a fire under their own ambitions. Whether you’re leading a team, building a business, or simply wondering what’s next, these conversations will help you tune in to your own spark — and fuel your next step.
If you’re interested in finding out more about how Julie could work with you or your team, go to www.lightingfires.co.uk
You can also contact Julie by emailing [email protected] or connect at linkedin.com/in/juliewilliamsexeccoach
Interested in becoming a coach? Find out more about Henley Business School here: https://www.henley.ac.uk/corporate-development/coaching
Host: Julie Williams MSc- Executive Coach & Founder of Lighting Fires Guest: Alex Weller- Founder of Above Digital
In this episode of The Lighting Fires Podcast, supported by Henley Business School, Julie sits down with Alex Weller, founder of Above Digital, whose career spans more than 30 years of evolving brands and building digital experiences, from early work with Universal Music and PepsiCo to today’s bespoke websites and branding projects.
Alex describes himself as someone who never liked planning, and for a long time avoided it. Yet through coaching, reflection, and a shift in mindset, he discovered how simple planning, can be transformative. Their conversation explores the tension between wanting freedom and needing structure, why business owners often resist planning, and how Alex found a way of doing it that finally worked for him.
Julie and Alex talk about:
- The pressure of running a business when you’re the person responsible for everything
- How creating small pockets of time and space is essential for new ideas and long-term thinking
- Why planning doesn’t have to be complicated, and can actually feel grounding
- The unexpected ways coaching continues to shape decisions years after the sessions finish
- How to identify the clients you’re best placed to serve
- Why keeping simple notes about your business journey becomes a powerful tool for future planning
- The importance of understanding your own preferences when shaping how you lead
Alex reflects on the pivotal realisation that even when plans feel “pie in the sky,” writing things down gives you something valuable to look back on, a narrative of your business that helps you make sense of where you’ve been and where you want to go next.
Julie also shares coaching insights on finding focus, noticing what’s working, creating space to think, and building a plan that feels motivating rather than overwhelming.
Whether you love planning, avoid it, or feel stuck somewhere in between, this conversation offers fresh perspective on how to steer your business with more clarity, confidence, and ease.
Interested in a career in coaching? Find out about the Professional Certificate in Executive Coaching at Henley Business School here.
Be sure to mention the Lighting Fires Podcast if you do contact Henley Business School.
Connect with Julie
Website: lightingfires.co.uk Email: [email protected] LinkedIn: Julie Williams MSc
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