Claiming Space
Claiming Space brings together voices from across industries and experiences, championing inclusive leadership and creating space for people at every stage of their leadership journey.
Listen to our first season now centred around Women in Leadership.
S1 Ep.2: When It Matters Most: Allyship, Power & Who Gets Heard with Fatima Rahman & Paul Townsley, CEO, Waythrough
In this episode of Claiming Space, we move beyond allyship as a label to explore what it really looks like in practice. CEO Paul Townsley (Waythrough) shares honest insights on power, bias, and who gets heard, closing the gap between intention and action. Not speaking for women, but challenging behaviors to create truly shared leadership. A must-listen if you want to rethink meaningful allyship at work.
A little bit about Paul: with decades of experience across the health and social care sector, from volunteer and frontline practitioner to CEO of Waythrough, Paul Townsley brings a deep, multi-perspective understanding of what people in services truly need from leadership. Passionate about continuous improvement, he is now leading Waythrough through an ambitious ten-year strategy.
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S1 Ep.3: From Silence to Speaking Up: A Woman of Colour in Consulting With Nithya Isaac
The episode explores Nithya Isaac’s journey navigating consulting across India, the US, and the UK, reflecting on confidence, identity, self-doubt, and learning to speak up in spaces where she often felt unheard, especially as a woman in colour. It’s a really powerful conversation around women in leadership, resilience, and finding your voice.
A little bit about Nithya: Nithya is a leader, mentor, and a firm believer in the power of women supporting women. With nearly 20 years of experience across the UK, US, and India, Nithya has learned that real growth comes from facing challenges head‑on. As a LinkedIn Top Voice in Stakeholder Management and an advocate for women in leadership, her motto is simple: Break the barriers & amplify your wins.
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S1 Ep.4: The Human Edge in an AI World With Brooke Gallagher
Episode 4 of Claiming Space features leadership consultant Brook Gallagher in a wide-ranging conversation about leadership, AI, and the future of work. Brook shares her journey across the cultural and technology sectors, and how this shaped her focus on helping organisations bridge the gap between complex systems and everyday users. The episode also addresses growing concerns around AI and job displacement, particularly in administrative and support roles, and highlights the importance of AI literacy in helping people understand and navigate change with confidence.
At its core, this episode is about reclaiming agency in a shifting world of work—through clarity, capability, and human connection.
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S1 Ep.5: The Confidence Myth: What Women Need to Stop Waiting For With Roxanne Escobales
Episode 5 of Claiming Space features Roxanne Escobales, senior communications and editorial leader, most recently as Head of Communications at Power for Democracies, in a conversation about confidence, leadership and the power of communication. Drawing on a career spanning journalism, international affairs and strategic communications, including roles at the BBC World Service, Oxfam and Chatham House. Roxanne reflects on the experiences that have shaped her approach to leadership and finding her voice.
The episode explores building confidence, overcoming imposter syndrome, trusting your instincts and creating space for others to grow. Roxanne also shares her perspective on storytelling, communication, mentoring and why effective leadership is built on listening, clarity and the courage to make decisions.
At its core, this episode is about leading with purpose, embracing opportunities without waiting for permission, and recognising that confidence often grows through action rather than certainty.
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S1 Ep.6: Two Things I Own With Vic Bryson and Sasha Behar
Episode 6 of Claiming Space features Sasha Behar, Maynard Leigh facilitator, actress and trained counsellor, in a conversation about confidence, visibility and what it means to claim space at work. Drawing on her experiences of facilitating groups and navigating the workplace, Sasha reflects on how we present ourselves, how we are perceived, and the different experiences women can have when stepping forward in a room.
The episode explores visibility, confidence and the realities of an uneven playing field for men and women at work. Sasha considers how women can be judged differently, the pressures around appearance and communication, and why recognising these differences can help us stop blaming ourselves for things that aren’t entirely within our control.
At its core, this episode is about standing a little taller, recognising your own strengths and taking in the good. Sasha shares a simple piece of advice that has stayed with her: “Stop shaking your head when people give you compliments. Take in the good.” A thoughtful conversation about self-belief, being heard and having the confidence to keep claiming your space.