Trigger Warning: sexual assault, sexual abuse, domestic violence, rape, alcoholism, cyberbullying

Matt Foster, director of DE&I at Ogilvy UK, has an outstanding track record of campaigning and changemaking, particularly in the LGBTQ+ space. We invited Matt to be our guest to discuss this work, as well as our NABS/Ogilvy Health collaboration around microaggressions. We have a fascinating discussion about all of this.

As well as the above, Matt recently shared his experience of sexual assault on his LinkedIn, and wanted to continue this brave conversation on the NABS Podcast. We discuss Matt's experience as a survivor of sexual violence and how he's sharing this trauma in order to help others. We explore how being a survivor affects your work self, and how to start the journey towards healing.

Matt is articulate, inspiring and an essential voice in the conversation around trauma survival and support at work. Huge thanks to Matt for his vulnerability & courage.

For help with any of the issues raised in this episode, please see the links below.

Key takeaways:

• There is hope after trauma, and you need professional help & patience to help you process your experience;
• To make change in the world around you, you need to transform anger into empathy
• Self-care is essential when holding space for others or yourself

SurvivorsUK

Rape Crisis England & Wales

NABS Advice Line - 0800 707 6607

Al-Anon UK

Alcoholics Anonymous Great Britain

All In 2023 Census

Ogilvy Health UK and Nabs Call Out Throwaway Comments That Can’t Be Thrown Away

Tara Brach - Meditation, Psychologist, Author, Teacher

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If you work in advertising, marketing or media, NABS is here for you. Through good times and bad, we’re here to get you through all of life’s issues, in and out of work.

Want to build a network? We’ll connect you to the industry.

Aiming to be your best work self? We’ll develop your skills.

Need a listening ear, a friendly face, a confidential chat, some money advice or some help with your mental health? We’re here for that too.

NABS is your charity, generously funded by the industry. Thanks for having our back; we’ve definitely got yours.

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This week's NABS Podcast guest is Julian Douglas, global CEO at VCCP and a vocal advocate for mental wellness in the advertising industry.

The instigator of the Pitch Positive Pledge during his tenure as IPA president, Julian is a changemaker with a down-to-earth approach to mental wellness, as well as a huge enthusiasm for the ad industry. Julian also loves to learn and might inspire you to enrol on a free NABS course.

Julian talks to host Louise Scodie frankly about his experience of redundancy and how that's informed his mindset.

Julian is also co-founder of Lucky Voice, the karaoke bar, and reveals his current favourite song to sing in this episode.

Key takeaways:

• Policies need to be activated to drive forward change - something NABS highlighted in our All Ears community consultation
• Boundaries and self-care are your essential foundation to maintain mental wellness in our fast-paced world
• How to check if your company is signed up to the Pitch Positive Pledge and what to do if it's not being put into practice
  
  

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Pitch Positive Pledge pitchpositivepledge.co.uk

NABS courses Calendar - NABS

All Ears Community Consultation NABS All Ears Community Consultation Report

Got a question for The NABS Podcast?

Support the Show.

If you work in advertising, marketing or media, NABS is here for you. Through good times and bad, we’re here to get you through all of life’s issues, in and out of work.

Want to build a network? We’ll connect you to the industry.

Aiming to be your best work self? We’ll develop your skills.

Need a listening ear, a friendly face, a confidential chat, some money advice or some help with your mental health? We’re here for that too.

NABS is your charity, generously funded by the industry. Thanks for having our back; we’ve definitely got yours.

Need A Bit of Support? Speak to NABS.

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Ally Owen is the rapid-fire and inspirational founder of Brixton Finishing School, the free course that develops underrepresented talent for adland. Ally shares her experiences of being an ADHD, working-class, single mum in adland to help elevate others and create a more inclusive industry, with our host Louise Scodie.

Ally is fun, intuitive and self-aware, describing her optimum schedule as 'that of a three-year-old toddler'. And with a host of industry accolades to her name, and hundreds of Brixton Finishing School graduates now building careers in the industry, it's clearly working well.

Key takeaways:

• Accountability partners can be helpful for ADHD'ers - you can even enlist a trusted friend to be this person for you.
• It's not enough to get underrepresented groups into the industry, we need to nurture them and get them into top positions.
• Knowing how to top yourself up is intrinsic to mental wellness.

NABS Inclusive Leader training: The Inclusive Leader - NABS

NABS Explore: Working with ADHD: Explore: Working with ADHD - Strengths, Strategies & Support - NABS

NABS Everyday Inclusion: understanding and building a neurodiverse workplace Everyday Inclusion: understanding and building a neurodiverse workplace with Iain Preston - NABS

Ally Owen: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ally-owen-2920871b?originalSubdomain=uk

Brixton Finishing School: Free Online and In-person Courses | Brixton Finishing School

MEFA: Ethnic Minority Representation in the Media Industry | Media For All

ADHD UK: ADHD UK - Homepage - ADHD UK

Got a question for The NABS Podcast?

Support the Show.

If you work in advertising, marketing or media, NABS is here for you. Through good times and bad, we’re here to get you through all of life’s issues, in and out of work.

Want to build a network? We’ll connect you to the industry.

Aiming to be your best work self? We’ll develop your skills.

Need a listening ear, a friendly face, a confidential chat, some money advice or some help with your mental health? We’re here for that too.

NABS is your charity, generously funded by the industry. Thanks for having our back; we’ve definitely got yours.

Need A Bit of Support? Speak to NABS.

Sign up to the NABS newsletter

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