Host: Julie Williams, MSc – Executive Coach and Founder of Lighting Fires

Guests: Joe & Charlie Jones – Co-Founders of Refreshing, a financial recruitment consultancy based in London

In this episode of The Lighting Fires Podcast, Executive Coach Julie Williams speaks with Joe and Charlie Jones, brothers and co-founders of the financial recruitment company Refreshing, about how coaching helped them transform their business, rebuild clarity, and rediscover their purpose.

They share insights about shifting their leadership model, rebranding their business, and massively reducing overheads without losing momentum. With humour, honesty, and real-life examples, they reflect on the power of creating space for strategic thinking and making bold decisions which align with who they really are.

• How coaching helped clarify business identity and direction

• The decision to rebrand as Refreshing and what it represents

• Moving from team management to a leaner, more focused business model

• The impact of reducing overheads and embracing efficiency

• Why being yourself is your best competitive advantage in business

• Creating time for reflection and strategic decision-making

• The value of honest, creative partnerships — especially between siblings
  
  

“Before coaching, we were just doing fine—but it was more confusing. Coaching gave us the clarity and confidence to restructure, rebrand, and move forward with purpose.”

“If it gets quiet, that’s when we go incredibly active. Coaching reminds us to always keep moving.”

• Make space to work on the business, not just in it – Don’t wait for the perfect moment. Book regular time to reflect and plan.

• Rethink growth – Hiring a team isn’t the only way to scale. Reducing overheads and increasing clarity can be even more powerful.

• Use your strengths – Build your business around what energises you and find partners (or systems) for the rest.

• Stay active, even when it’s quiet – Build habits around visibility, networking, and momentum.
  
  

• Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) – Helped Joe and Charlie understand their different leadership strengths

• Visual planning tools (e.g. boards, monitors, lists) to prioritise tasks and increase productivity

• Internal project boards, reflection questions, and space for visualisation
  
  

• Website: www.lightingfires.co.uk

• Email: julie@lightingfires.co.uk

• LinkedIn: Julie Williams MSc
  
  

Enjoyed this episode? Please leave a 5 star rating and review — it helps more people find these real-world leadership stories and coaching insights.

Host: Julie Williams, MSc – Executive Coach and Founder of Lighting Fires
Guest: Annie Willmot – Deputy CEO of Reading Students’ Union

Episode Overview:

In this inspiring episode, Julie Williams speaks with Annie Willmot about her personal and professional journey from conflict-avoidant team member to confident, values-led leader. As Deputy CEO of Reading Students’ Union, Annie opens up about the challenges of people-pleasing, avoiding difficult conversations, and learning to embrace her own leadership style.

Expect a very honest conversation, as honest conversations are very much part of Annie's approach to everything.

Through executive coaching, Annie discovered how to approach conflict with clarity, communicate with confidence, and lead with compassion. She shares how coaching, combined with tools like Myers-Briggs, helped her understand her strengths, navigate uncertainty, and build trust in her voice as a leader.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• How executive coaching can support confident, authentic leadership

• Why conflict can be a catalyst for growth

• The value of personality profiling tools like MBTI

• How self-reflection builds emotional intelligence and leadership confidence

• Why embracing your own style is a strength, not a weakness

Annie’s Personal Reflection Questions:

• What impact am I currently having?

• What’s missing?

• What do the next three months look like?

Annie’s Coaching Metaphor:

“Before coaching, it felt like a grey sky with the sun peeking through. Through coaching, the clouds moved away—revealing the sun that had been there all along.”

Julie’s Top Coaching Tips:

• Use coaching tools beyond the session — they’re designed for long-term growth

• Build time for regular reflection (even if it doesn’t come naturally)

• Embrace your leadership style — it’s okay to lead differently

• Don’t fear conflict — handled well, it can unlock progress
  
  

Resources Mentioned:

• Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) – supports deeper insight into communication and leadership preferences
  
  

Connect with Julie Williams:

• www.lightingfires.co.uk

• julie@lightingfires.co.uk

• Julie Williams MSc on LinkedIn

If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a five star rating and review to help others discover these powerful coaching stories.

Artwork by Ian Guppy
Music by Penguin Music via Pixabay
Produced by Perri Hurley

In this episode of The Lighting Fires Podcast, Executive Coach Julie Williams talks with Lorraine Briffitt, CEO of Connect Reading, about what it really takes to lead with authenticity in today’s world.

Lorraine opens up about her journey through imposter syndrome, burnout, and leading complex organisational change. She shares the emotional toll of a restructure that didn’t go to plan, and how coaching helped her separate her self-worth from her job title, rebuild confidence, and reconnect with her core values.

Together, Lorraine and Julie explore the power of executive coaching in helping leaders navigate self-doubt, manage team dynamics, and make space for more reflective, compassionate leadership.

• How to manage imposter syndrome as a senior leader

• The emotional impact of tying identity to your job role

• Navigating leadership during change, challenge and uncertainty

• Burnout, boundaries, and post-pandemic leadership lessons

• Using coaching to reconnect with purpose, values, and confidence

• Building resilience through reflection and honest conversations

• Notice your thoughts – Write down moments of self-doubt and compare them to real, tangible achievements.

• Talk it out – You're not alone. Trusted conversations can shift your mindset.

• Reconnect with your values – Reflect on what truly matters to you now, not just what used to drive you.

• Use tools for clarity – See Brené Brown’s values exercise below.
  
  

• Dare to Lead by Brené Brown

• Brené Brown’s Values Exercise

• Inspiring quote on imposter syndrome by Maya Angelou
  
  

• Website: www.lightingfires.co.uk

• Email: julie@lightingfires.co.uk

• LinkedIn: Julie Williams MSc
  
  

Enjoyed this episode? Please leave a 5 star rating to help more people find these honest and inspiring leadership conversations.

Artwork by Ian Guppy
Music by Penguin Music via Pixabay
Produced by Perri Hurley

In this episode of The Lighting Fires Podcast, Executive Coach Julie Williams talks with Mark Schmull, Managing Director of Arrow Planning, about his coaching journey through the Ignite Your Business programme and how it transformed his approach to leadership, team-building, and business growth.

Mark shares how executive coaching helped him build greater self-awareness, tackle imposter syndrome, and grow a team culture based on trust, communication, and purpose. He opens up about the realities of running a business, the power of mentorship, and learning to lead with calm, confidence, and intention.

Whether you’re an entrepreneur, team leader, or business owner, this conversation offers honest insight into what it really takes to lead a growing company.

• Developing leadership confidence through executive coaching
• Building a purpose-driven business from the ground up
• How to handle imposter syndrome as a business leader
• Leading with calm and clarity under pressure
• Creating a supportive and adaptive team culture
• The role of mentorship and building a strong support network

• Getting the right mentors – Who challenges and inspires you?
• Map your personal boardroom – Who and what fuels your growth? (People, books, podcasts, routines...)

Who Is in Your Personal Boardroom? by Amanda Scott – A practical tool to help you identify the key people who can support your leadership journey.

• Julie Williams, Executive Coach: www.lightingfires.co.uk
• Mark Schmull & Arrow Planning: https://www.arrowplanning.co.uk
• Connect with Julie on LinkedIn: Julie Williams MSc
• Email Julie: julie@lightingfires.co.uk
• Interested in a free taster 'Ignite your Business' session with Julie? Check out the next available session here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/lighting-fires-julie-williams-14355302598

If this episode resonated with you, please leave a 5* rating or share it with a colleague. Your support helps more leaders discover these inspiring coaching stories.

Artwork by Ian Guppy
Music by Penguin Music via Pixabay
Produced by Perri Hurley

In this episode of The Lighting Fires Podcast, Executive Coach Julie Williams sits down with Pete Wharton, Managing Director of Wharton Natural Infrastructure Consultants, and winner of Professional Forester of the Year. Pete shares his coaching journey and how it helped him rediscover his purpose, lead with clarity, and reconnect with his values as a business leader.

From climbing trees in Ipswich to building one of the UK’s leading environmental consultancies, Pete opens up about navigating leadership challenges, imposter syndrome, and the importance of bringing more of yourself into your work. This episode is a powerful reflection on how executive coaching can unlock personal growth, authentic leadership, and a renewed sense of direction.

• Rediscovering your purpose through executive coaching

• Leading a values-driven business

• Overcoming leadership doubt and imposter syndrome

• Making space for reflection and celebrating success

• Speaking out as a leader: miscarriage awareness and vulnerability

• Building a business that feels meaningful—and fun

• Reconnect with what first inspired your career or business

• Create a “career timeline” to identify moments of meaning and purpose

• Leadership isn’t about suppressing yourself—it’s about showing up fully

• Start with Why by Simon Sinek – a brilliant guide to identifying your purpose

• Julie Williams, Executive Coach: www.lightingfires.co.uk

• Pete Wharton: www.whartons.co.uk

• Email Julie: julie@lightingfires.co.uk

• Connect with Julie on LinkedIn: Julie Williams MSc

• Interested in a free taster 'Ignite your Business' session with Julie? Check out the next available session here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/lighting-fires-julie-williams-14355302598

If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a 5* rating and share it with someone on their own coaching journey. Your support helps others discover these powerful conversations about leadership, purpose, and growth.

Artwork by Ian Guppy
Music by Penguin Music via Pixabay
Produced by Perri Hurley