{"type":"rich","version":"1.0","provider_name":"Transistor","provider_url":"https://transistor.fm","author_name":"Fearless Forward","title":"How to bridge the gap between challenge and opportunity","html":"","width":"100%","height":180,"duration":2266,"description":"For this week’s Fearless Forward podcast guest, an early career setback became a gift. Having convinced herself she wasn’t good enough to teach, she lost faith in her own worth. It took the right conversations with the right people for her to see this wasn’t true.\nToday, Esther Taylor is the CEO of the Lady Macadam Breast Cancer Trust. Historically, Lady Macadam was a pioneer in providing mammograms. But as the NHS improved its services and the charity’s equipment aged, Esther noticed a critical gap in the NHS’ capacity for ongoing emotional and practical support.\nBy listening to her nurses and the community, Esther identified where they could make the most difference.“If I see a gap I try to fill it.” She says.\nInspired by a visit to a London charity, Esther and her team have transformed Lady Macadam’s headquarters into a welcoming sanctuary for breast cancer patients. The charity offers holistic services — Pilates, reflexology, nutritional advice, immediate counselling — and advocacy for patients struggling to access timely care.\nIt has become a lifeline for hundreds of families.\nIn our conversation we explore Esther’s experience of self-doubt, leadership, and impact. She also talks candidly about the challenges of balancing her CEO role with “mum guilt”, and the effects of menopause on her energy levels — just as her career ambitions are soaring.\nEsther champions a culture of flexibility and understanding that recognises the real-life needs of her staff. Her perspective on leading with empathy and vulnerability speaks to the power of creating a supportive work environment where people can thrive both personally and professionally.\nListen to this episode for inspiration and actionable advice from a genuine leader who walks her talk.\nThis episode will help you:Reframe the concept of fear and the unknown from a threat into an exciting opportunity for personal growth and development.Understand how practicing vulnerability and flexibility can foster a supportive,...","thumbnail_url":"https://img.transistorcdn.com/KXeykdw67ChhrMvRbmzhifjKdFt2otpwBKrCrYLXJ-U/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:400/h:400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS81NTI0/NjM4MDJlN2NhYmQw/ZjhiZDIyNjBiOTA4/MDU3My5qcGc.webp","thumbnail_width":300,"thumbnail_height":300}