Who's Your Captain?

SE01E17 How to Build a High Growth Team Culture That Wins I Brian Dyer

Mark Francis — Fri, 22 May 2026 13:00:00 +0100

What does it take to build a company culture where growth, innovation, and accountability happen every day?

In this episode of Who's Your Captain?, Mark Francis speaks with Brian Dyer, President at Sterling ATM, about leadership that works in the real world. From leading in the trenches with employees to building systems that drive momentum, Brian shares the exact mindset and methods that helped transform Sterling ATM into a dynamic, growth focused business.

Brian explains how daily team huddles create ownership, improve communication, and uncover new ideas across the company. He also breaks down his Four Beasts leadership framework - Lion, Owl, Cheetah, and Honey Badger - and how each mindset helps leaders take action, solve problems, and stay resilient under pressure.

The conversation also explores how Sterling ATM successfully expanded into new markets, developed innovative products, and created a workplace culture where every employee contributes to growth.

In this episode:

Brian Dyer leadership philosophy

How Sterling ATM drives growth through culture

The power of daily huddles in business

Building accountability and feedback systems

Innovation and product expansion strategies

Leadership lessons for CEOs and managers

How to create resilient high performing teams

If you are a business owner, CEO, entrepreneur, or team leader looking for practical leadership strategies, this episode delivers real insights you can apply immediately.

Featuring:

Brian Dyer - President at Sterling ATM

Hosted by Mark Francis

Connect with Brian Dyer on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/briandyer/

#BrianDyer #SterlingATM #MarkFrancis #Leadership #BusinessGrowth #TeamCulture #Entrepreneurship #CEO #Management #Innovation

I hope you enjoy this episode! Give it a like, share, and subscribe to not miss the content coming your way weekly.

– Mark and the Who's Your Captain podcast team

Connect with Mark Francis on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-francis-78b3061/

Visit The Uspire Partnership website here: https://theuspirepartnership.com

Preview Mark's book here: https://www.book2look.com/book/5PLGQaM16K

Listen to Who's Your Captain on the following Platforms:

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/097OvlL7btd8f7bplgIfv0

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/whos-your-captain/id1875226706

Amazon: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/c6109160-6448-4d95-9850-07456d5adbca/who's-your-captain

Hosted by Mark Francis, founder of The Uspire Partnership and former senior leader at Burberry and Tesco, this podcast provokes fresh thinking, energises purpose, and transforms how leaders perform. With over 25 years of experience in learning and development, organisational change, and executive coaching, Mark brings deep insight to every conversation. He's worked across retail, FMCG, logistics, and professional services, helping leaders and organisations unlock potential and drive meaningful transformation. Whether you're building a business, leading a team, or navigating your own path, you'll discover practical wisdom and inspiration from those who know what it takes to steer the ship.

If you're a business leader, entrepreneur, or professional looking to elevate your leadership, find inspiration from great mentors, or understand what drives transformational performance, this podcast will give you the insights and energy to chart your own course with confidence.

SE01E16 Lead with belief build winning teams I Simon Hawtrey-Coombs

Mark Francis — Fri, 15 May 2026 13:00:00 +0100

In this episode of Who's Your Captain, Mark Francis is joined by Simon Hawtrey-Coombs, Head of Happiness, Co-Founder @ peer2peer Boards & President of Bournemouth Rugby Football Club, for a powerful conversation on leadership, belief, and building high-performing teams.
Simon shares his journey as an entrepreneurial leader across industries including property, logistics, and sports. From transforming one of the lowest-performing depots into the number one in the UK, to helping shape a winning culture in rugby, this episode is packed with real-world leadership lessons that actually work.
At the heart of this conversation is a simple but powerful idea: great leadership starts with clear expectations, strong belief, and a shared purpose. Simon explains how success leaves clues and how small habits, like showing up early or setting higher standards, can create extraordinary results over time.
You’ll also hear insights on:
• How to lead change and build a culture of ownership
• Why handing over responsibility creates stronger teams
• The role of belief in entrepreneurship and risk-taking
• How to remove negative energy and build winning environments
• Why systems and processes are essential for scaling
• Lessons from elite teams like the All Blacks and top football clubs
• How peer2peer Boards help business leaders grow through shared experience
Simon also shares a powerful perspective on life, success, and slowing down to focus on what truly matters. This episode is not just about business, it’s about leadership in every area of life.

Connect with Simon Hawtrey-Coombs on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonhawtrey-coombs/
If you found value in this episode, like, comment, and subscribe for more conversations with leaders who are shaping the future.
#MarkFrancis #WhosYourCaptain #Leadership #Entrepreneurship #BusinessGrowth #PeerToPeer #RugbyLeadership #TeamBuilding #Mindset #StartupLife

I hope you enjoy this episode! Give it a like, share, and subscribe to not miss the content coming your way weekly.
– Mark and the Who's Your Captain podcast team

Connect with Mark Francis on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-francis-78b3061/
Visit The Uspire Partnership website here: https://theuspirepartnership.com
Preview Mark's book here: https://www.book2look.com/book/5PLGQaM16K

Listen to Who's Your Captain on the following Platforms:
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/097OvlL7btd8f7bplgIfv0
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/whos-your-captain/id1875226706
Amazon: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/c6109160-6448-4d95-9850-07456d5adbca/who's-your-captain

SE01E15 Scaling in a volatile market I Jay Zapata

Mark Francis — Fri, 08 May 2026 13:00:00 +0100

In this episode of Who's Your Captain, Mark Francis sits down with Jay Zapata, CEO & Co-Founder of Satokie, for a deep dive into leadership, scaling a startup, and building in a fast-moving industry.
Jay shares the journey of growing Satokie from a small startup into a rapidly expanding data center and infrastructure company. From Bitcoin mining and colocation services to AI and high-performance computing, this conversation explores how the company is evolving and where the future is headed.
The discussion goes beyond business strategy and gets into what leadership really looks like inside a growing organization. Jay talks openly about learning through failure, building strong teams, and creating a culture where people take ownership and grow into leadership roles themselves.
Mark Francis brings his leadership framework into the conversation, covering vision, mobilization, development, and enablement. Together, they unpack how founders can scale not just their business, but their people and systems.
You’ll also hear insights on:
• How Satokie expanded from Bitcoin infrastructure into broader data center services
• Why powered land and energy access are becoming critical assets
• The importance of systems, processes, and communication in scaling
• Building leaders from within through structured development plans
• Balancing growth, capital, and operational efficiency
• What it takes to lead in a volatile and fast-changing environment
This episode is packed with practical takeaways for founders, operators, and anyone interested in leadership, startups, and the future of data infrastructure.

Connect with Jay Zapata on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jay-zapata-117286b8/
If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more conversations with leaders shaping the future.
#MarkFrancis #WhosYourCaptain #JayZapata #Satokie #Leadership #StartupGrowth #Entrepreneurship #DataCenters #BitcoinMining #AIInfrastructure #BusinessPodcast

I hope you enjoy this episode! Give it a like, share, and subscribe to not miss the content coming your way weekly.
– Mark and the Who's Your Captain podcast team

SE01E14 Floating Wind Energy and the Future of Offshore Power I Dominique Roddier

Mark Francis — Fri, 01 May 2026 13:00:00 +0100

In this episode of Who’s Your Captain, Mark Francis sits down with Dominique Roddier, CEO at Ocergy, to explore the future of offshore and floating wind energy and what it really takes to scale renewable power on a global level.
Dominique shares his journey from engineering and offshore oil and gas roots to leading innovation in floating wind technology. He explains how energy from the ocean works, why floating wind farms are becoming a major breakthrough, and how industrialisation, cost reduction, and long term investment models are shaping the clean energy transition.
The conversation goes deep into how large offshore projects are developed, from securing site control and permits to financing and building multi-gigawatt infrastructure. Dominique also breaks down the realities of capacity factors, grid contracts, and why offshore wind is becoming increasingly competitive with traditional energy sources.
Beyond technology and business, this episode highlights leadership, resilience, and purpose. Dominique speaks openly about teamwork, decision making, and what it really means to lead in a complex and fast moving industry that has a direct impact on the planet’s future.
Mark and Dominique also explore the human side of leadership, passion driven careers, and how innovation in renewable energy is creating long term value not just for companies, but for society as a whole.
If you are interested in renewable energy, offshore wind, engineering, sustainability, or leadership in complex industries, this conversation offers valuable insight into where the future of global energy is heading.
Connect with Dominique Roddier on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/dominique-roddier-691499/

I hope you enjoy this episode! Give it a like, share, and subscribe to not miss the content coming your way weekly.
– Mark and the Who's Your Captain podcast team

SE01E14 Leadership Secrets for 2026 I Neil Mullarkey

Mark Francis — Fri, 24 Apr 2026 13:00:00 +0100

Neil Mullarkey joins Mark Francis for a high energy conversation on leadership, communication, confidence, and the skills needed to succeed in 2026. As Chief of Improvyourbiz Ltd, Neil shares practical lessons from decades of experience in improv, business coaching, and helping professionals become stronger presenters and better leaders.

In this episode, Mark Francis and Neil Mullarkey discuss how great leaders communicate clearly, why storytelling is more powerful than slides, how to overcome fear of public speaking, and why curiosity is one of the most valuable leadership traits today.

You will learn:
• How to become a more confident speaker
• Why improv helps leaders think faster
• The secret to engaging presentations
• How to build stronger workplace relationships
• Why adaptability matters in business
• Leadership lessons for 2026
• How to connect with any audience

This episode is packed with insights for business owners, managers, entrepreneurs, and anyone looking to improve communication and leadership skills.
Guest: Neil Mullarkey
Host: Mark Francis
Company: Improvyourbiz Ltd
Role: Chief

Subscribe for more interviews on leadership, business growth, and success strategies.

Connect with Neil Mullarkey on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/neilmullarkey/

I hope you enjoy this episode! Give it a like, share, and subscribe to not miss the content coming your way weekly.
– Mark and the Who's Your Captain podcast team

SE01E12 Leading Multiple stakeholders | Sonia Dunlop

Mark Francis — Fri, 17 Apr 2026 13:00:00 +0100

What does it take to lead a global movement with a team of just 15 to 20 people? Sonia Dunlop, CEO of the Global Solar Council, joins Mark Francis to unpack the art of influencing without authority across governments, multilateral institutions, industry giants, and philanthropic funders spanning every continent. From her early days as a press officer to five years in the European Parliament and senior roles in solar policy across Europe, Sonia brings rare depth to a conversation about leadership at the highest level of global diplomacy.
The Global Solar Council's mission is to deploy 8 terawatts of solar PV roughly 25 billion solar panels by the end of this decade. Solar is now the fastest and cheapest growing source of electricity in the history of civilization, with 80% of all new electricity generation capacity added to the global grid last year coming from solar. Sonia explains how a small, highly motivated team drives change at that scale: through shuttle diplomacy, radical delegation, strategic task forces in 190 political capitals, and media influence that ensures the solar industry speaks with one voice to the world.

Key takeaways:
Influencing stakeholders who don't have to listen to you requires building long-term relationships grounded in mutual interest, not authority
Delegate everything that doesn't have to be you being a bottleneck kills momentum in a small, high-impact team
Done is better than perfect: trust your people and resist the urge to micromanage
Get media training especially if you're a woman; there is specific, valuable training for how women come across in interviews and public speaking
Three theories of change: industry task forces, building national and regional association capacity, and strategic media presence
Solar's growth is now driven by pure economics, not climate politics — it is simply the cheapest electricity ever produced
A clear 10-year business plan with outcome-based KPIs is non-negotiable, even for not-for-profits
The biggest macro challenge is adapting strategy to a rapidly shifting geopolitical landscape while staying politically neutral across all 190 countries
Inspiring people around a shared mission is the core competency for any trade association leader
Energy security and national security are now part of the solar story a powerful message in an increasingly tense world

Connect with Sonia Dunlop:
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/sonia-dunlop-62868354
Website: globalsolarcouncil.org
To learn more about the Global Solar Council and the solar and battery storage revolution, visit globalsolarcouncil.org.

I hope you enjoy this episode! Give it a like, share, and subscribe to not miss the content coming your way weekly.
– Mark and the Who's Your Captain podcast team

SE01E11 WRITE YOUR BOOK | Brenda Dempsey

Mark Francis — Fri, 10 Apr 2026 13:00:00 +0100

Mark Francis sits down with his own publisher, Brenda Dempsey, founder of Book Brilliance Publishing, for an honest conversation about what it really takes to write a book that lasts. Brenda brings over 25 years in education, a coaching background, and hard-won life experience including raising four children alone while homeless in her final year of university to a publishing approach that is anything but surface level. She talks about the moment she stepped into her businesswoman identity, why owning your numbers matters as much as owning your story, and what separates books that leave a legacy from books that gather dust.
For anyone who has ever thought about writing a book but doesn't know where to start, this episode is the conversation to hear. Brenda breaks down her holistic, values-led process from deep foundation work and purpose-setting before a single word is written, to the role of storytelling, structure, and editorial precision in producing something that genuinely sounds like you. Whether you're an entrepreneur, a leader, or simply someone with a story worth telling, Brenda makes a compelling case for why your voice matters and why the world needs to hear it.
Key takeaways:

Start with your why before you write a single word purpose and values are the foundation of every great book
Know your numbers: passion alone doesn't build a business, financial literacy is non-negotiable
Writing a book builds credibility, authority, and legacy that no LinkedIn profile or CV can replicate
Your values aren't a head exercise they come from the gut, and they run through every page of your book
Show don't tell applies in non-fiction too take your reader on a journey, don't just dump what you know
A book is five or more years of re-purposable content hiding in plain sight
You don't need a degree or perfect credentials to write a book you need lived experience and the lessons from it
It's never too late: Brenda launched Book Brilliance Publishing at 62
The byproduct of writing a book is clarity, confidence, and a deeper connection to your own purpose
"I can" are the two most powerful words on the planet and the best books are built on that belief

Connect with Brenda Dempsey:
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/brendadempsey
Website: bookbrilliancepublishing.com
Ready to write your book? Visit bookbrilliancepublishing.com to find out how Book Brilliance Publishing can take you from idea to published author.

I hope you enjoy this episode! Give it a like, share, and subscribe to not miss the content coming your way weekly.
– Mark and the Who's Your Captain podcast team

SE01E10 MICROHABITS | Small Habits, Massive Results | Professor Damian Hughes

Mark Francis — Fri, 03 Apr 2026 13:00:00 +0100

Over 20 years after founding Liquid Thinker, Professor Damian Hughes sits down with Mark Francis for a wide-ranging conversation about what really drives high performance — in sport, in business, and in life. From growing up in his father's boxing gym in Moston to working alongside elite coaches in rugby league and co-hosting one of the world's most-listened-to podcasts, Damian has spent his career studying the small, often invisible behaviors that separate good teams from great ones. His latest book, Micro Habits, co-authored with Jake Humphrey, distills the most powerful lessons from 500+ interviews with world-class performers into practical tools anyone can use.
Damian shares the story that opens the book — a gut-churning moment on his first day with the England rugby league squad — and uses it to explain why the smallest gestures can either lock someone in or lock them out of a team. He talks about his work with the Warrington Wolves, how four minutes of small talk can spike trust by 60-70%, what FBI hostage negotiator Chris Voss taught him about empathy, and why Kevin Sinfield's approach to encouragement at age 10 became his micro habit for a 20-year career. This is a conversation about people, not programs — and why the stuff that happens in the shadows is where all the real value lives.

Key takeaways:

Micro habits are small, simple behavioral shifts — not seismic leaps — that compound into significant change over time
Clarity of message, consistently applied, is one of the most underrated drivers of team success
Culture is made real when a leader drops someone from the team for a values breach, not just a performance one
Just four minutes of small talk before a conversation can increase trust and reciprocity by 60-70%
Empathy saves time — investing in how someone feels before making demands pays back significantly in negotiation and leadership
High performance is subjective: define it for yourself before you try to build it
Science elevates the message — anecdote plus evidence is far more persuasive than either alone
The best leaders and performers are identical on and off camera — consistency is authenticity
Resilience is built through thunderbolt moments, not despite them
A flower doesn't bloom all year round — rest and reflection are not optional extras, they are part of the performance cycle

Connect with Professor Damian Hughes:
Website: liquidthinker.com
High Performance Podcast: available on all major podcast platforms
Micro Habits by Damian Hughes and Jake Humphrey is available now in print and audio wherever books are sold.

SE01E09 Low Ego, High Want | Lucas Wilson

Mark Francis — Fri, 27 Mar 2026 13:00:00 +0000

Two years into turning around a struggling SaaS business, Signpost CEO Lucas Wilson sits down with Mark Francis to give himself an honest performance review — and sporadically, it's a D. In this episode, Lucas breaks down what it really takes to lead a company through resource constraints, cultural rebuilding, and customer-first reinvention. From his roots in an immigrant entrepreneurial family to an early career at Angie's List and executive roles at Homebase and EZ Texting, Lucas brings hard-won perspective on what separates leaders who deliver from those who stall.
Lucas introduces a leadership philosophy he calls "low ego, high want" — and unpacks why the most damaging ego in any organisation isn't arrogance, it's fear. He shares how Signpost went from a quarterly-initiative-churning business chasing investment to a focused home services communication platform serving roofers, plumbers, HVAC techs, and pest control operators across the US. With a current customer base of over 1,500 and a target of 5,000 by end of 2028, Lucas explains how getting brutally honest with churned customers, narrowing the product focus, and building a culture obsessed with the customer's customer has put Signpost back on a growth curve.
Key takeaways:

Low ego, high want: the best teammates don't care who gets the win — they care that the team wins
There are two types of damaging ego: arrogance and fear — and fear-based ego is harder to fix
The first move after taking over was calling thousands of churned customers to understand why they left
Narrowing focus to a core customer (home service pros) and a core problem (communication) was the turning point
AI should be invisible — embedded in the product, not announced as an initiative
Equitable opportunity matters more than equal treatment — people need different tools, styles, and timing
Patience is a leadership skill: farming teaches you that everything has stages and you can't skip to the end
Top three tips for driving change: be passionate about what you're solving, lose both types of ego, and know your end goal

Connect with Lucas Wilson:
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/lukewilsonsignpostceo
Website: signpost.com
If you're a home service business owner looking to streamline your customer communication, visit signpost.com to get started.

I hope you enjoy this episode! Give it a like, share, and subscribe to not miss the content coming your way weekly.
– Mark and the Who's Your Captain podcast team

SE01E08 The Psychology of Trading: Ego, Risk & Resilience | James Brodie

Mark Francis — Fri, 20 Mar 2026 13:00:00 +0000

In this episode, host Mark Francis sits down with experienced trader and educator James Brodie to explore the often-overlooked psychological side of trading.

While many people focus on charts, numbers, and strategies, successful trading is just as much about mindset, discipline, and emotional control. James shares insights from years of experience working with traders and explains why ego management, resilience, and risk control are critical for long-term success in financial markets.

The discussion dives into how new traders are trained, the importance of psychological resilience during market volatility, and why developing the right mindset can be the difference between success and failure in a trading career.

James also explains how AI is beginning to play a role in trading education, helping traders analyze data, improve strategies, and accelerate learning while still maintaining human judgment and decision-making.

Whether you're an aspiring trader, finance professional, or someone interested in trading psychology, this conversation provides practical insights into what it really takes to succeed in the markets.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

Why psychology plays a major role in trading success

How traders manage ego and emotions under pressure

The importance of resilience during losses and market volatility

How induction training prepares new traders for real markets

Why risk management is essential to avoid major losses

How AI is transforming trading education and strategy development

Tips for building a long-term career in trading

Key Takeaways

Trading is not only about technical skills — mindset, discipline, and emotional control are equally important. Traders who understand their biases, manage risk effectively, and continue learning are far more likely to succeed over the long term.

Timestamps

00:00 Introduction to James Brodie and His Career
02:43 The Role of Psychology in Trading
05:43 Training New Traders: Induction and Development
12:34 The Importance of Resilience in Trading
19:25 Measuring Psychological Growth and Performance
23:30 Creating a Positive Team Environment in Trading
26:30 The Importance of Cohorts in Trading
27:21 Developing Managers in Trading
28:13 Real-World Trading Experience
28:53 Engaging Training Methods
29:39 Continuous Self-Education
31:27 Integrating AI in Trading Education
35:46 The Reality of Trading Careers
39:42 Understanding Psychological Factors in Trading
43:26 Ongoing Learning for Experienced Traders
44:46 The Role of Psychology in Trading
48:04 Top Tips for Aspiring Traders

I hope you enjoy this episode! Give it a like, share, and subscribe to not miss the content coming your way weekly.
– Mark and the Who's Your Captain podcast team

SE01 E07 CLARITY IS KING | Bruce Martin

Mark Francis — Fri, 13 Mar 2026 13:00:00 +0000

Bruce Martin didn't set out to be a CEO. He spent years in finance, from Vodafone to private equity, before taking the top job at Tax Systems — and in three and a half years, he's doubled revenue, completed international acquisitions, and led the business through a full SaaS transformation. In this episode, Bruce shares how a competitive sporting mindset shaped his approach to leadership, why clarity is the foundation of everything, and what it really means to build a high performance culture from the inside out.
We dig into the practical mechanics of running a PE-backed tech business: OKR frameworks, manager development, decision-making at the coalface, and why transparency with your investors is a non-negotiable. Bruce is refreshingly honest about the nerves of stepping into the CEO seat, the value of good scaffolding early on, and how his thinking on vision and mission shifted completely once he was the one responsible for owning it.
Key takeaways:

Leadership starts with clarity — without direction, empowerment just creates noise
High performance is about consistency, speed, quality, and the ability to fail fast and adapt
OKRs only work when they're specific, cross-functional dependencies are visible, and success measures are crystal clear at every level
The best individual contributors don't always make the best people managers — developing your managers is its own discipline
In a PE environment, full transparency with investors is a competitive advantage, not a risk
A strong North Star isn't just corporate language — it's what gets you out of bed and keeps the whole business aligned
High standards attract the right talent; don't treat them as a harsh thing

Subscribe to Who's Your Captain for more conversations on leadership, business growth, and what it takes to build high performance teams.
Connect with Bruce Martin:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/brucemartin6/
taxsystems.com

I hope you enjoy this episode! Give it a like, share, and subscribe to not miss the content coming your way weekly.
– Mark and the Who's Your Captain podcast team

SE01 E04 Building a Learning Culture as a Team of One | Tovah Wilde

Mark Francis — Fri, 06 Mar 2026 13:00:00 +0000

What does it actually take to build a learning and development function from scratch in a fast-growing, multi-country organisation – when you're the only person doing it? Tovah Wilde, Head of Learning & Development at Curaleaf International, joins Mark Francis to answer exactly that. With operations spanning the UK, Spain, Portugal, Germany, Canada and beyond, Curaleaf is the global leader in safe and legal medical cannabis. Tovah's challenge is to create a genuine learning culture across all of it, with no team, limited measuring tools, and a population of busy people who always have something more urgent to do than attend a training session.
This conversation gets into the practical reality of influencing behaviour change without authority or headcount – from finding early adopters in every market to building manager buy-in one conversation at a time. Tovah shares lessons from a standout programme she built at New Balance using a marketing-led approach to manager electives, why measurement is harder than anyone admits, and how she uses Maslow's hierarchy of needs to explain to leadership why you have to lay foundations before launching the exciting stuff. If you work in L&D, lead a team, or are trying to drive culture change in a growing organisation, this one is for you.

Key Takeaways:
You cannot drive a learning culture alone – you need to identify and cultivate ambassadors at every level and in every market who carry the message when you are not in the room.
Managers are the real multiplier in any L&D strategy. Getting them to understand their role in embedding learning – not just signing people up to courses – is what shifts behaviour from event-based to ongoing.
Meeting your organisation where it is, rather than where you want it to be, is the difference between a strategy that lands and one that stalls. Build the foundations before going for the ambitious stuff.
Giving learners choice in what they develop – rather than mandating the same programme for everyone – dramatically increases engagement and buy-in.
Measurement in L&D is genuinely hard, but self-assessment at the start and end of a programme, even with a simple rating scale, gives you something concrete to report back and build on.
Leadership role-modelling is not a nice-to-have. When senior people visibly engage with and reference learning, it changes what the wider organisation thinks is normal.
The biggest barriers to learning are leadership buy-in beyond lip service and the ever-present "I don't have time" – neither has a silver bullet, but both respond to consistent, clear messaging and good data.
Building a learning culture is a marathon, not a sprint. Small, quality interventions that are well-executed beat a flood of initiatives that never fully land.

Connect with Tovah Wilde:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tovah-wilde-1357a357
Learn more about Curaleaf International:
https://www.curaleaf.com

I hope you enjoy this episode! Give it a like, share, and subscribe to not miss the content coming your way weekly.
– Mark and the Who's Your Captain podcast team

SE01 E05 CAPTAIN PIVOT: From Supply Chain Head to Global Educator | Dr. Muddassir Ahmed

Mark Francis — Fri, 27 Feb 2026 13:00:00 +0000

Dr. Muddassir Ahmed spent 17 years working his way up through global supply chain roles – from buyer to divisional supply chain head overseeing a $700M business across Romania, China, Germany and the Middle East. What he kept noticing was the same problem everywhere: most supply chain professionals land in the field by accident, with no real theoretical foundation to draw on when things get complicated. Traditional accreditations existed, but they cost thousands of dollars and hadn't changed in decades. So he built something different. Starting with a $9 blog domain and YouTube videos recorded on a sofa in Karachi, he grew what is now SCMDOJO – one of the world's largest supply chain learning platforms, with 18,000 members, 76 courses across 23 expert contributors, and a community of over 300,000 supply chain professionals.

In this episode, Mark Francis sits down with Dr. Muddassir to trace the full journey – from practitioner to influencer, from blogger to academy founder, and now into his boldest pivot yet: building SCMDOJO Sensei, an AI-powered supply chain consultant trained exclusively on SCMDOJO's proprietary body of knowledge. They get into the realities of building an online education business, why ChatGPT is not the threat most educators think it is, how multi-agent AI is about to change business operations, and what it actually takes to keep pivoting before the market forces your hand.

Key Takeaways:
Most supply chain professionals enter the field by chance rather than design, creating a massive gap between the knowledge they need and what traditional, expensive certifications provide – that gap is exactly what SCMDOJO was built to close.
Building an audience takes consistent value creation over years, not months. Dr. Muddassir shared content for three years before seeing any meaningful traction – and that patience is what made the difference.
Covid was unusual, not a business model – the real proof of concept was that people will pay for digital learning when it solves a real problem. That insight drove the decision to go full-time with SCMDOJO.
Generic AI tools like ChatGPT hallucinate on technical, domain-specific content because they are not trained on deep vertical knowledge. Proprietary AI trained on expert content – like SCMDOJO Sensei – fills that gap in a way public LLMs cannot.
Multi-agent AI is the next major shift: rather than querying AI, businesses will deploy chains of agents that act autonomously to send emails, qualify leads, create documents and run workflows while the operator does something else entirely.
The biggest challenge in change management is not technology adoption – it is changing user behaviour among people who are too busy and too proud to admit they need a better system.

Visit SCMDOJO: https://www.scmdojo.com
Follow SCMDOJO on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/scmdojo

Connect with Dr. Muddassir Ahmed:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/muddassirism
Social media: @muddassirism on Instagram, TikTok, X and Facebook

I hope you enjoy this episode! Give it a like, share, and subscribe to not miss the content coming your way weekly.
– Mark and the Who's Your Captain podcast team

SE01 E04 Solving Supply Chain Chaos with AI and Real-Time Data | with Souroush Honary

Mark Francis — Fri, 20 Feb 2026 13:00:00 +0000

30% of the world's food is wasted – and much of it is down to supply chain failures that technology can prevent. Souroush Honary, CEO and founder of SystemLoco, joins Mark Francis to talk about how near real-time data is transforming the way goods are tracked, monitored, and protected from farm to shelf. With over 3 million devices deployed and 50+ staff across the US, UK, and Taiwan, SystemLoco is making supply chain visibility accessible to businesses of all sizes – not just those at the high end of the market.

Souroush shares what it took to build a purpose-driven tech company over nearly 10 years, why engineers are natural problem solvers and how to lead them without micromanaging, and how thinking like a PhD researcher helps him approach every business challenge differently. He also opens up about the realities of scaling – restructuring teams, managing partners, riding exponential market curves, and staying data-driven in a company that sells data-driven solutions.

If you're a founder, tech CEO, or supply chain professional wondering how to lead with curiosity, scale with purpose, and build a team that stays with you for the long haul, this episode is for you.

Key Takeaways:

Real-time supply chain data can prevent problems before they happen, reducing disruption costs that are often 5-10x the value of the goods themselves.

Embedding tracking technology into reusable packaging is dramatically reducing the cost of shipment monitoring and opening up markets that were previously unaffordable to serve.

Great leadership is about asking the right questions, not having all the answers – a shift in mindset that transformed Souroush's approach to running his team.

Building a strong partner ecosystem lets you scale without losing focus on what your company does best.

Empowering your team means accepting they may do things differently – and backing them anyway.

Incentivising staff with share options and making them part of the mission reduces knowledge loss and drives long-term retention.

Keeping your finger on the pulse of market trends – especially exponential shifts driven by AI and falling hardware costs – is essential to positioning your company for the next growth curve.

The best sales approach in complex B2B markets is to listen more than you pitch and solve the core problem before expanding scope.

Follow SystemLoco: Website: https://www.systemloco.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/systemloco

Connect with Souroush Honary:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/souroush-honary-5925986/

I hope you enjoy this episode! Give it a like, share, and subscribe to not miss the content coming your way weekly.
– Mark and the Who's Your Captain podcast team

SE01 E03 Making fine wine an investible asset | with Callum Woodcock

Mark Francis — Fri, 13 Feb 2026 13:13:53 +0000

In this episode, entrepreneur and WineFi founder Callum Woodcock shares how wine is evolving from a luxury hobby into a powerful alternative investment class. From data-driven wine portfolios to building a fintech startup in a traditional industry, this conversation dives deep into innovation, entrepreneurship, and smart investing.

Callum reveals how WineFi is democratizing wine investment, using machine learning and 39+ data variables to identify investment-grade wines and help investors build long-term portfolios. He also shares honest insights about startup life, mentorship, hiring great teams, and what it really takes to build a sustainable business.

Whether you're an entrepreneur, investor, or wine enthusiast, this episode offers valuable lessons on building a modern business and thinking differently about wealth.

In this episode:
• How wine became a serious alternative investment
• Why revenue models matter more than ideas in startups
• Building a fintech business in an unregulated market
• The role of mentors, advisors, and great hiring
• Using data and AI to transform traditional industries
• Real talk on startup growth, leadership, and resilience

Subscribe for more conversations with visionary founders, investors, and leaders shaping the future of business.

To connect Callum - https://www.linkedin.com/in/callumwoodcock/

I hope you enjoy this episode! Give it a like, share, and subscribe to not miss the content coming your way weekly.
– Mark and the Who's Your Captain podcast team

SE01 E02 Turning EVs into virtual power plants | with Arun Anand

Mark Francis — Thu, 12 Feb 2026 13:00:00 +0000

When Arun Anand bought his first electric vehicle ten years ago, he saw a critical problem nobody was solving: the grid couldn't handle millions of EVs charging simultaneously during peak hours. So he built Electric Miles, a software platform that makes charging more reliable, cheaper, and grid-friendly across five countries.

In this conversation with Mark Francis, Arun reveals how Electric Miles went from consumer frustration to managing 17,000 users globally, why his lean team handles bus depots across India and Ethiopia, and why he prioritizes building perfect products over aggressive marketing spend. From turning Delhi's air quality crisis into a business opportunity to partnering with National Grid, Arun explains why solving climate change requires thinking in decades, not quarters.

Key insights from this episode:

Say yes first, figure out how later—jumping into opportunities without all the answers unlocked expansion across multiple continents

Product quality trumps marketing spend—solving core problems creates organic growth rather than expensive campaigns

The painkiller versus vitamin principle—selling solutions to people with urgent problems converts faster than those without immediate pain

AI plus expert equals trust—large language models need skilled professionals verifying outputs to maintain credibility

Culture reveals itself under pressure—how teams respond when products fail determines customer service ratings

Network equals net worth—building genuine relationships matters more than individual financial metrics

The middle is hardest—the period when nothing works and hope fades separates successful founders from those who quit

The biggest opportunity ahead is battery storage orchestration. Arun envisions homes with solar panels, battery storage, and EVs becoming self-sustaining, earning money by selling excess energy back to the grid during peak times. Electric Miles will orchestrate this ecosystem, optimizing every kilowatt for maximum savings and minimal grid strain.

Connect with Arun Anand:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/arunanandem
Electric Miles: https://electricmiles.com

I hope you enjoy this episode! Give it a like, share, and subscribe to not miss the content coming your way weekly.
– Mark and the Who's Your Captain podcast team

SE01 E01 How One CEO Transformed His Team from Last to First | with Darryl Heffline

Mark Francis — Fri, 06 Feb 2026 10:20:41 +0000

Discover the powerful leadership transformation that took a failing team to top performance. Darryl Heffline, CEO and author of "Shifting Gears at the Crossroads," shares the brutally honest feedback that changed his entire approach to leadership and reveals the four pillars that build trust in any organization.
In this conversation, Darryl breaks down the exact moment a colleague told him his leadership style was destroying his team - and the four specific changes that turned everything around. Learn how vulnerability, approachability, patience, and genuine care transformed a last-place manufacturing team into industry leaders.

Darryl introduces his VAPC framework for trustworthy leadership and explains why most leaders get repositioning wrong when facing business disruptions. He shares practical insights from 40 years leading teams across 30 different projects, including his approach to the critical first 60 days as a new CEO.
Whether you're leading a team of five or five hundred, this episode delivers actionable strategies for building trust, creating vision, and developing the next generation of leaders. Darryl also reveals why only 10-20% of companies actually have effective succession plans and what you can do differently.

Key insights include the five essential steps to build a compelling case for change, the four phases of transformation (reposition, rebuild, re-emerge, realize), and why balancing faith, family, fitness, and finances matters more than just hitting your numbers.

If you've ever felt stuck in your leadership approach or wondered how to mobilize your team toward a bigger vision, this conversation will challenge how you think about influence, legacy, and what it really means to serve as a leader.

Ready to shift gears in your own leadership journey? Start by recognizing when change is needed - because the most dangerous position is realizing 10 or 20 years too late that you've been on the wrong path.

Get Darryl's book "Shifting Gears at the Crossroads" and access free downloadable tools at his website.

Connect with Darryl Heffline on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/darrylheffline/

I hope you enjoy this episode! Give it a like, share, and subscribe to not miss the content coming your way weekly.
– Mark and the Who's Your Captain podcast team

#WhosYourCaptain #MarkFrancis #LeadershipPodcast #ExecutiveCoaching #BusinessLeadership #Mentorship #LeadershipDevelopment #PurposeDrivenLeadership #TransformationalLeadership #BusinessGrowth #ExecutiveThinking #Leadership
Hosted by Mark Francis, founder of The Uspire Partnership and former senior leader at Burberry and Tesco, this podcast provokes fresh thinking, energises purpose, and transforms how leaders perform. With over 25 years of experience in learning and development, organisational change, and executive coaching, Mark brings deep insight to every conversation. He's worked across retail, FMCG, logistics, and professional services, helping leaders and organisations unlock potential and drive meaningful transformation. Whether you're building a business, leading a team, or navigating your own path, you'll discover practical wisdom and inspiration from those who know what it takes to steer the ship.
If you're a business leader, entrepreneur, or professional looking to elevate your leadership, find inspiration from great mentors, or understand what drives transformational performance, this podcast will give you the insights and energy to chart your own course with confidence.