In this episode, I’m joined by burnout specialist, coach and author Kelly Swingler to talk about what burnout really looks like and why it goes far beyond feeling tired or needing a holiday.

Kelly shares her own experience of repeated burnout and the physical consequences of continuing to push through. We explore why high achievers often miss the warning signs, how workplace culture contributes, and what you can do if you recognise burnout in yourself or someone around you.

This is an honest conversation about pressure, recovery and remembering that while a business can replace us, the people who love us can’t.

The post Beyond Busy: What Burnout Really Looks Like first appeared on Fearless Foodies.

In this episode, I'm joined by Karen Green, former retail buyer, sales leader and author of Buyerology, to explore why self-promotion feels so uncomfortable and why it's becoming an increasingly important skill.

Together, we discuss how understanding people, preparing well and communicating your value can help you influence projects, build stronger relationships and progress your career, without pretending to be someone you're not.

Whether you're pitching a new idea, preparing for an interview or trying to get your voice heard, this episode offers practical advice for building confidence and influencing with authenticity.

The post Why Self-Promotion Doesn’t Have to Feel Awkward first appeared on Fearless Foodies.

In this episode, I introduce the Accountability Ladder, a simple tool that helps you recognise when you or your team are stuck in blame, excuses or avoidance, and what it sounds like when people start taking ownership and moving things forward.

I also share practical examples from my own career, including a product recall that forced me to work my way up the ladder, and explore how small changes in language can reveal a lot about where accountability sits.

If you’re tired of hearing “it’s not my fault” or watching the same actions roll from one meeting to the next, this episode will help you shift the conversation towards what can actually be done.

The post Why “It’s Not My Fault” Stops Progress first appeared on Fearless Foodies.

In this episode, I am joined by Sue Tiller, Co-Founder of The Growth Factors, to explore how category management has evolved and why the human side of the discipline matters more than ever.

We talk about the skills that set great category teams apart, from storytelling and influencing to championing the shopper inside the business. We also explore where AI can help, where it can fall short, and why critical thinking remains essential.

Whether you work directly in category or alongside a category team, this episode is about turning insight into better decisions for shoppers, retailers and the wider business.

The post Beyond the Data: What Great Category Teams Really Do first appeared on Fearless Foodies.

In this episode, I explore why this happens and what you can do when you find yourself dealing with someone whose behaviour repeatedly crosses the line.

I share practical ways to prepare for difficult conversations, stay grounded in the facts and decide your boundaries before you walk into the room. I also look at the important difference between a challenging personality and behaviour that becomes a genuine workplace conduct issue.

If you've ever walked away from an interaction wondering whether you're the problem or you're simply being too sensitive, this episode will help you think more clearly about what's happening, what you can control and where you need to draw the line.

The post When Does Difficult Behaviour Cross the Line? first appeared on Fearless Foodies.

In this episode, I'm joined by Dahlia Stroud, commercial consultant and host of the Stressed But Well Dressed podcast. Together, we explore confidence, identity, and what happens when redundancy or career change leaves you questioning who you are without your job.

We discuss why something as simple as getting dressed can become an anchor during difficult times, the reality of rebuilding confidence after redundancy, and how small, practical actions can help you regain a sense of purpose when life feels uncertain.

Whether you're navigating change yourself or supporting someone through it, this conversation is a reminder that confidence isn't built through grand gestures. It often starts with the small things you can control today.

The post Redundancy, Confidence and Taking Back Control first appeared on Fearless Foodies.

Being told to "be more strategic" sounds simple, but what does it actually mean in practice?

In this episode, I break down the four pillars of Fearless Strategic Leadership, a practical framework I've developed alongside Donna Ward-Higgs to help leaders step back from constant firefighting, think more clearly, and lead with greater confidence.

Whether you work in Technical, NPD, Commercial, Operations or Supply Chain, you'll come away with practical ways to move beyond simply getting things done and start making decisions that create long-term impact.

The post What “Be More Strategic” Actually Means first appeared on Fearless Foodies.

The post Bethan’s Bite-Sized Bulletin June 2026 first appeared on Fearless Foodies.

In this season finale of The Fearless Foodie, I take an honest look at what is happening across food manufacturing and retail right now, and the impact it is having on the people behind the businesses.

This episode is not about quick fixes or leadership buzzwords. It is about recognising the reality many teams are facing and understanding why burnout, disengagement, and talent loss are becoming genuine commercial risks.

If you are leading people through uncertainty, trying to keep teams motivated, or simply feeling the strain yourself, this episode offers practical reflections and a reminder that people are not machines.

The post Your People Are Not Machines: A Leadership Reality Check first appeared on Fearless Foodies.

In this episode of The Fearless Foodie, I’m joined by Rich Howell, founder of Marvel FMCG, for a straight-talking conversation about recruitment, career paths, and the assumptions that are holding both candidates and businesses back.

We explore why great people are often overlooked because of age, career breaks, industry background, or CVs that do not follow a traditional path. We also discuss why businesses that focus too heavily on finding the "perfect" candidate may be missing some of the strongest talent available.

If you hire people, lead teams, or are navigating your own career journey, this episode is a reminder that talent comes in many forms and that the best careers rarely follow a straight line.

The post Food Manufacturing’s Talent Problem Isn’t What You Think first appeared on Fearless Foodies.