THE SLOW DOWN

Justine Palefsky grew up in San Francisco, raised by open-minded, community-oriented parents who treated their home as a shared asset and took her to Burning Man. That ethos of hospitality, gifting and non-transactional exchange became the foundation for everything that followed. After studying cognitive neuroscience at Brown, she moved into customer experience roles at OpenDoor and Homebound. When she decided to take the leap into building her own company, she made a deliberate and unusual choice: she wanted a co-founder first. Matchmade by OpenDoor's CEO Eric Wu, Justine and Tasneem Amina spent four days locked in a cabin in Calistoga doing what Justine calls "co-founder dating". What emerged was Kindred: a members-only home-swapping platform now with over 350,000 members across 150+ cities, 450,000 nights booked and $150 million raised. The radical bet at its core? Remove money from the guest-host relationship entirely. No buying credits. Every home is equal. A give-to-get economy where the most generous members hold the most power (not the wealthiest). It's a small pocket of the world built the way Justine wishes the rest of it worked. In this episode we cover: Growing up with community values in San Francisco Studying cognitive neuroscience at Brown Why she chose her co-founder before her product idea The "co-founder dating" cabin retreat - questions to ask before you commit The history of home swapping, from Intervac in the 1950s to today Why Kindred removes payment between guests and hosts — and why Silicon Valley thought she was crazy Building a platform based on Radical Generosity How handwritten thank-you notes became a cultural pillar of the platform Raising $150 million while refusing to grow at all costs — the "no assholes rule" for investors What it means to lead as a woman who is "not Zuck" — and dropping the CEO mask Burnout, the cost of giving a damn, and how to pull yourself back Defining the meaning of life for yourself and sticking to it Mentions: The Partnership Charter by David Gage The New York Times 36 Questions to Fall in Love Intervac: https://www.intervac-homeexchange.com Links: Kindred: https://www.instagram.com/livekindred/ Justine: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justinepalefsky/ This season of The Slow Down is sponsored by female-founded, Greek swim and resortwear brand Kiohne. The Slow Down listeners can use code theslowdown for 20% off their first shop on kiohne.com. Enter their world, explore their collection and buy beautiful pieces designed to be enjoyed while slowing down this summer.

After being fostered, Andrew Missingham became a drummer and musical director on gold-certified UK records, then spent three years running British Council music programmes across 43 countries in Africa, the Middle East and South Asia, then lead arts programming at the ICA. He later moved into data and strategy, becoming a Chief Data & Insights Officer and AI adoption pioneer for clients including Nike, Google, Unilever, Discord and the Southbank Centre, and a serial entrepreneur who founded 8 businesses and built and exited a 30-person consultancy. In 2020, the pace caught up with him. A nervous collapse forced Andrew to rebuild his life from the ground up, and 1,300 consecutive days of vipassana meditation later, he's become one of the most thoughtful voices on what it looks like for a man to lead by listening instead of force. Andrew now lives by a mantra tattooed on his arm: Live to Listen. Listen to Learn. Learn to Share. Andrew is one of the most genuinely curious people I've met, and someone who has spent decades doing the connective, uncredited work of bringing people, culture and data together without ever chasing recognition for it. In this episode we cover: Choosing to be fostered How drumming led to managing and producing Blacktronica Club nights at the ICA and other memorable events What is an ‘insight’? His 2020 nervous collapse and what it forced him to rebuild The 4 key steps of his recovery: his new tools A 10-day Vipassana that led him back to his foster parents What gentle masculinity looks like in practice, and leading by listening His fears of being a good father & his relationship with his daughter Mentions: Emergency on Planet Earth by Jamiroquai (1993 album) The Messengers (1995) by Barungwa Blacktronika https://www.blacktronika.com/ The ICA (Institute of Contemporary Arts) Dhamma Sukhakāri https://www.dhamma.org/en/schedules/schsukhakari The Eye's Mind by Bridget RileyAbout a Boy (film)Shakara by Fela Kuti, ft. Tony Allen on drums Links: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewmissingham/ This season of The Slow Down is sponsored by female-founded, greek swim and resortwear brand Kiohne. The Slow Down listeners can use code theslowdown for 20% off their first shop on kiohne.com Enter their world, explore their collection and buy beautiful pieces designed to be enjoyed while slowing down this summer.

June Angelides MBE believes that what is meant for you will find you — but only if you make the space to let it. Growing up in Lagos, she arrived in the UK and built a career in finance that, on paper, made sense. It wasn't until her second maternity leave — when she found herself the first woman at Silicon Valley Bank's UK office to take mat leave, confronting a company with no infrastructure for mothers — that she understood what she was actually meant to build. Mums in Tech , the community she created to teach mothers to code, earned her an MBE. What followed was a portfolio that was always, deliberately, many things at once: venture and angel investing, advisory work, a column in the Financial Times, board seats, and now a debut book — a biography-come-love-letter to the grandmother who shaped her. She is interested in not just how we build successful careers but how we build ones we can actually sustain. June is an extraordinary friend, mother of 3 and one of very few senior black women in venture capital. She juggle A LOT with so much grace and intention - I wanted to know how she finds the balance and how she sees her journey so far. In this episode we cover: Growing up in Lagos Being the first woman at Silicon Valley Bank UK to take maternity leave The motherhood penalty Building Mums in Tech & getting an MBE for it Starting The Portfolio Method to support people with portfolio careers Leaving full-time corporate life and sitting with the uncomfortable silence Her grandmother's legacy and the book written in her honour Mentions: Ejeka Jo by Ecstasy (her aunt and uncle's band) Mindset by Carol Dweck Links: https://www.instagram.com/juneangelides/ This season of The Slow Down is sponsored by female-founded, greek swim and resortwear brand Kiohne. The Slow Down listeners can use code theslowdown for 20% off their first shop on www.kiohne.com Enter their world, explore their collection and buy beautiful pieces designed to be enjoyed while slowing down this summer.

Rollo Skinner is a British artist, author and botanical set designer (clients include: Gucci, Barbour, Mulberry, and renowned fashion photographer Tim Walker) whose work is rooted in a deep love of the natural world. Based between Dorset and London, Rollo feels most at home amongst the trees in the woods by his family farmhouse, dreaming up stories and new creations with Ben (the family sheepdog who’s terrified of sheep). Having taken a series of self-described wrong-turns throughout his twenties, reconnecting with the natural world of his childhood has become both his inspiration and his anchor. Rollo has grown a practice that spans illustration, storytelling, painting, botanical installations and set design. He realised that by creating things, he was recreating the self that he had lost along the way, and is now committed to following his curiosity, repeatedly, over and over again – his mission is to inspire others to do the same. In this episode we cover: Growing up queer in the countryside His acting career & saying no to a Netflix TV deal Why the advertising years broke him How lockdown led him to flowers Reframing Return: Why going home isn't going backwards Working with Tim Walker & other dream jobs Building a practice where you can explore our multitudes Mentions: Lifeboat (Lovers Rock) by The Penguin Cafe Orchestra ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QIgrtSkUOEc ) Links: https://www.instagram.com/rolloskinner/ rolloskinner.com This season of The Slow Down is sponsored by female-founded, greek swim and resortwear brand Kiohne. The Slow Down listeners can use code theslowdown for 20% off their first shop on kiohne.com Enter their world, explore their collection and buy beautiful pieces designed to be enjoyed while slowing down this summer.

Award-winning psychologist Dr. Lalitaa Suglani unpacks why the most capable people in the room are often the most anxious — and how to stop performing wellness and start feeling it. A conversation about burnout, workaholism, inner child work, and what real success actually looks like. Dr. Lalitaa is a renowned speaker, somatic practitioner, and the author of High Functioning Anxiety — a book that has helped thousands of high achievers move from survival mode to intentional living. Her holistic approach combines science-backed strategies with practical tools for personal growth to help people rebuild self-trust from the inside out. In this episode we cover: Her own childhood as 1 of 5 kids and examples of success Following her intuition to psychology The Swan Analogy to help explain High Functioning Anxiety Shifting from anxiety-driven doing to grounded, intentional being. Her step-by-step clinic exercise: The Trigger Worksheet Every yes is a no to you - A reframe on people-pleasing. Why highly sensitive individuals unconsciously absorb other people's emotional states Why real-world interactions are the antidote to the highlight reel The connection between menstrual cycles, mood, and anxiety Mentions: Kirtan - singing Omnom restaurant Links: https://www.instagram.com/dr.lalitaa/

Sex, Death, Comedy: Enter the nuanced world of Shannon Murphy Shannon Murphy is the director of 2019 debut hit Babyteeth (94% on rotten tomatoes at last check). I was moved to tears many times by the film and have since gone on to watch other things she has directed including Killing Eve, her episode of which was nominated for 3 EMMYs, Dave which is literally one of my favourite TV series and Dying for Sex, for which she won the Outstanding Directorial Achievement at the 2026 Director’s Guild of America (DGA) Awards. I know being a female director of the highest calibre is not easy - add onto that being a single mother, continents away from your family. I wanted to know how she finds her voice and stands her ground in her industry, how she practices patience between projects and creates such emotionally sensitive and nuanced work. In this episode we cover: From Nairobi to Hong Kong: how a globally nomadic childhood shaped her creative voice The reality of being a female director: bias, breakthroughs, and finding your own path in film & TV Why the “female gaze” isn’t just important—it’s where the most exciting stories are right now What it really feels like to premiere at Venice—and survive an 8-minute standing ovation Why comedy is so hard: what works, what bombs, and how great directors fix it in real time Inside high-pressure film sets: chaos, creativity, and leading hundreds of people Creative intensity & recovery: the ebbs and flows of a creative life and how to balance it Mentons: Bertolt Brecht Jim Henson’s Storyteller series by Anthony Mingela Winnie (documentary film) by Pascal Lampshe Santiana - old fishing folk song Links: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2221724/ https://www.instagram.com/shannnnnny/

I’ve been obsessed with Eugene’s insightful and razor sharp cultural analysis reels on Instagram and Tiktok - along with literally millions of others who watch them. Eugene Healey is a strategist whose insights help brands, individuals and organisations make sense of the soup that is culture, consumerism, taste, aesthetics and social media. He is also a gifted keynote speaker and original thinker - sharing ideas in his substack Considered Chaos. He was a lecturer at the Melbourne Business School and continues to use his content as a way to educate. He asks questions like: How can you have authenticity in environments that are about performance? Something I think about A LOT in terms of how I can show up in spaces driven by algorithms. What is status anxiety? Are we living to be perceived? Are we on social media to consume fiction or reality? What is Netflexification? We explore all of this and more in this episode. In this episode we cover: Growing up an Asian immigrant in New Zealand Is ‘hard work’ a virtue? Selling ideas: discovering brand strategy as a career Learning how to perform intelligence Putting ‘authenticity’ as a concept in the bin ‘Don’t lose yourself in self-analysis’ How to make your career EXACTLY what you want it to be Mentions: Filterworld: How Algorithms Make Everything the Same by Kyle Chayka The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde Eugene Healey on vulnerability for The Guardian Tony Wang Matt Klein on The Slow Down Links: https://www.instagram.com/eugbrandstrat/ https://www.eugenehealey.com/

Only having big goals can set us up to fail. In her new book, neuroscientist and ex- Google executive Anne-Laure Le Cunff explores the transformative nature of living a more experimental life; turning uncertainty into curiosity, and carving a path of self-discovery. The book is a current best-seller and her work has been featured in Rolling Stone, Forbes, Financial Times, WIRED, and more. She is also the founder of Ness Labs, where her weekly newsletter is read by more than 100,000 curious minds. Her research at King’s College London focuses on the psychology and neuroscience of lifelong learning, curiosity, and adaptability. In this episode we cover: Learning to be curious in a French-Algerian household The desire to work and succeed in Big California Tech Putting work above health, and the consequences Going back to school to study neuroscience Growing her newsletter from a Tiny Experiment to 100,000 subscribers The process of writing a best-selling book Knowing when to stop with followers, fame and recognition Mentons: Michael Pollen - How to change your mind James Clear - Atomic Habits Links: https://nesslabs.com/ https://tinyexperiments.org/ https://instagram.com/neuranne

Arizona Muse has graced more than 40 international Vogue covers and starred in campaigns for some of the world’s most iconic houses: Prada, Chanel, Estée Lauder, Louis Vuitton, Saint Laurent, Miu Miu, Chopard, Chloé… . She is one of the most recognisable faces in modern fashion. But the part of Arizona’s story that moves me most is her becoming a climate activist, educator and founder of DIRT — a charity dedicated to regenerating soil and restoring ecosystems. Arizona now works as an impact consultant for brands trying to meaningfully reduce their environmental footprint and serves as an advisor and ambassador to the John Innes Centre for soil and crop research. She also co-founded Soilonic and co-curates Landed, a nature-based solutions investment conference in partnership with Founders Forum. Arizona is working on what I think is the most important resource we have: soil, and has beautiful routines and practices that help her and her family feel grounded. In this episode we cover: Growing up in Arizona and becoming a model Juggling motherhood with global fame and chronic insecurity The power of learning new things for your mental health The dark side of the fashion industry Discovering regenerative farming Lessons learnt from her partner Re-defining her relationship with time Mentions: DIRT - www.dirt.charity Soilonic - soilonic.com Demeter - demeter.net Founders Forum Group - ff.co Links: www.instagram.com/arizona_muse

Ben Branson is the founder of Seedlip, the world’s first distilled non-alcoholic spirit that pioneered a movement of non-alcoholic drinks. In under 4 years Seedlip shot to success - being stocked in over 8000 bars and in homes across 35 countries before being sold in a multi-million pound deal. But what did this rapid success mean for Ben? Ben who is open about his autism and adhd diagnosis. Ben who is launching his new venture - Sylva, spirits that explore the untapped flavour potential of trees. I had so much I wanted to unpack with Ben - from going to rehab many times, to coming up against the entire alcohol industry, to his love of ‘lifestyle businesses’ and creating a product that is designed to be sipped slowly. In this episode we cover: Boarding school, autism and routine Pushing the limits to a near-death experience in India Starting a new, sober, life at 25 Following your hobbies and curiosities Seedlip’s astronomical rise & acquisition by Diageo Why businesses need to slow down Mentions: The Art of Distillation by John French, 1651 Brutal Simplicity of Thought, M&C Saatchi, 2013 A Life on Our Planet, David Attenborough, 2020 Podcast episode with Ben’s wife: https://www.hidden20.org/podcast/episode-17-sam-branson Links: https://www.instagram.com/seedlip_ben/?hl=en

Katri Josling doesn’t have a job title, awards, or even an active social media account - she’s a housewife. But she’s also a constant learner - whether it’s completing a new boating license, a culinary chemistry course to create the most amazing meals, learning her fourth language, going skitouring in Svalbad or training her two giant Rhodesian Ridgebacks. She was a consultant with a UCL degree in Political Science and an MA in European Politics. She was working and traveling the hours you can imagine - so when her husband’s career took off - she had to make a choice between her own career and spending what time was possible, together. I want to know about her decision to leave work, how she found purpose, what architecting a world for a partnership looks like and her view on it all now. One of the things I’ve always held judgement around is the idea of being a “housewife.” But after years of chasing goals, building things, and burning out, I’ve started to see that choice differently — with empathy, understanding, and even admiration. I’ve started to ask myself: if I could build enough of a passive income, would I stop working? In a culture where you are pushed to overachieve, where the only goal touted by the media seems to be to have a multi-billion dollar business - I want to share a story that makes those who have chosen NOT to do that also feel worthy, valuable and acknowledged. In this episode we cover: Growing up in the USSR and moving between Estonia, Russia and Sweden The freedom of going to UCL for university Meeting her partner and how getting married was the most rebellious thing they could do Living in London, Nigeria, Geneva and (almost) Johannesburg The dinner party moment when they ask: what do you do? The battle with self and ego that she has overcome

Chloë is best known for her leadership in the creator economy as the founder and CEO of SHFT, a talent agency she grew into a multi-award-winning, 6-figure business while advocating for fairness, inclusivity, and integrity across the industry. In 2024 she was recognised on the Forbes 30 Under 30 list for her impact in influencer marketing and entrepreneurship. Last year, Chloë chose to exit her company, take a break and channel her expertise into coaching. She now works as a Mindset and Business Coach, supporting entrepreneurs, leaders, and creatives to build clarity, confidence, and sustainable success. I don’t think we hear enough empowering stories of successful founders stepping away from their businesses. The narrative seems to simply be that we should build and gain recognition and money - but what happens next? What happens when you outgrow that idea you had in your early 20s, or when you don’t feel challenged or fulfilled anymore? Leaving a successful business means going against the grain of our culture in so many ways - and then what do you do with that newfound space? In this episode we cover: Growing up in Peckham & young entrepreneurship Dance & the creative importance of hobbies Carving a path in influencer agencies Black Lives Matter: her turning point Creating SHIFT , success stories & Forbes 30u30 Waking up unhappy at 30 Autism & ADHD diagnosis Why and how she left her business What she did while off social media Why coaching is her next move Mentions: Laban Dance School - https://www.trinitylaban.ac.uk/ Spirited Away, Studio Ghibli (2001) Links: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chloedownes/

Stefanie Sword-Williams is an award-winning founder, speaker and author of the book F*ck Being Humble : Why self-promotion isn’t a dirty word . A global mission, movement and training consultancy inspiring individuals to be unapologetically proud of their achievements and overcome the fear of self-promotion. She has spoken at the offices of Apple, Netflix, Unilever, Nike, Google, L’oreal and Microsoft, at Universities for the Wharton Business School in New York to London College of Fashion, trained over 700 people in her Side Hustle School programme, has been Forbes 30 under 30, recently won the ‘Future is Female’ LinkedIn award for her positive contributions and impact on the industry and did a TEDx on why the world needs to be less humble. Stef’s support towards those who were unemployed during the pandemic led to her being invited to become a Fellow at the Royal Society of Arts and she continues to reinvest profits and time into community projects to help improve the lives of many. Her new book is called The Career Comedown. In this episode we cover: Switching from agency work to self-employed The reality behind the ‘big’ moments Managing your own expectations on growth Why someone needs to pay for your recovery time The career comedown - are you feeling it? Finding Ease in a world that values “Hard” work The power of having a business coach Mentions: Surreal - cereal brand Tiny Experiences by Anne-Laure Le Cunff Links: Linkedin Instagram (Personal) Instagram (F*ck Being Humble)

Karimah Hassan is a British-Yemeni artist, writer and performer whose practice spans large- scale painting, spoken word, and socially-driven storytelling. Trained as an architect but called to storytelling, she paints large-scale portraits that vibrate with colour, emotion, and spirit. Her work has been exhibited across London, New York, Toronto, and the Middle East, with collectors ranging from Vogue editors to global institutions. Karimah’s art is an invitation: to belong, to feel, to show up. Through her spoken word performances, poetic newsletters like The Gremlins , and weekly 'poem casts', she explores the complexities of identity, visibility, and healing. Her practice is communal and grounded, often unfolding in public spaces with people watching, contributing, or simply witnessing. Karimah’s redefinition of success isn’t measured in accolades — but in connection, in creativity without compromise, and in returning again and again to the joy of making. On The Slow Down , she speaks on finding rhythm in chaos, why beauty is an act of resistance, and how to stay soft in a world that demands you harden. In this episode we cover: Growing up mixed race in Wales Architecture to Art Portraits of hundreds of strangers during COVID Art as Therapy Reclaiming our cycles Meeting Vera Wang on the Eurostar Mentions: The Artist’s way, Julia Cameron Letters to a Young Poet - Rilke Inception (2010) City of God (2002) Rothko room at the Tate Links: https://www.instagram.com/karimah.hassan/?hl=en https://www.karimahhassan.com/ Season 3 of The Slow Down is created in partnership with period and cycle tracking app Clue. Especially for The Slow Down listeners, CLUE is offering a 75% discount on the annual Clue Plus subscription via their website. To redeem, go to helloclue.com and enter the code SLOWDOWN at checkout). So, download Clue today in the App Store or Google Play, and start making space for the signals your body’s been sending all along. Link to sign up with discount already included: https://helloclue.com/login?discount_code=SLOWDOWN

New member of the prestigious NatGeo Explorers: listen to Alice Aedy share her journey and mission on climate and social justice storytelling. Saving the planet is now, in part, a communications challenge and Alice Aedy has risen to the occasion. Alice Aedy is a documentary filmmaker, photographer, and co-founder of Earthrise Studio — a creative agency focused on climate and social justice storytelling. With a camera as her entry point into activism, Alice has travelled from refugee camps in Europe to the frontlines of climate change around the world, capturing stories that cut through apathy and ignite action. Her work has been featured in Vogue , The Guardian , and The New York Times , and she’s collaborated with organisations like the UN Refugee Agency and Extinction Rebellion. But beyond powerful visuals, Alice is also deeply reflective — asking not only what kind of world we’re building, but how we live and work as changemakers within it. In a world addicted to speed and profitability, Alice represents a new kind of leadership: intentional, collaborative, and rooted in purpose. On The Slow Down , she opens up about the personal cost of urgency, her creative process, and how redefining success means honouring your values as much as your voice. In this episode we cover: Becoming a photojournalist in a male-dominated space Learning to protect your emotional space at work Building Earth Rise Studio Becoming at NATGEO Explorer Meeting Jane Goodall & Sir David Attenborough Why long-term activism means pacing yourself Mentions: Photograph of Alan Kurdi Photo journalist Anastasia Taylor- Lind Museum of the UN Earth Percent Seat at the Table - Earthrise Studio The Salt Of The Earth - documentary on Sebastião Salgado Links: https://www.instagram.com/aliceaedy/?hl=en https://www.instagram.com/earthrise.studio/?hl=en Season 3 of The Slow Down is created in partnership with period and cycle tracking app Clue. Especially for The Slow Down listeners, CLUE is offering a 75% discount on the annual Clue Plus subscription via their website. To redeem, go to helloclue.com and enter the code SLOWDOWN at checkout). So, download Clue today in the App Store or Google Play, and start making space for the signals your body’s been sending all along. Link to sign up with discount already included: https://helloclue.com/login?discount_code=SLOWDOWN

Sarah Langford is a former criminal barrister turned regenerative farming advocate, writer, and mother of two. After years in the courtroom, she traded legal briefs for muddy boots, returning to her family’s land to learn how to heal both soil and society. Her acclaimed book Rooted weaves personal experience with the future of sustainable farming in Britain and has become a rallying cry for a more conscious relationship with land. Sarah now bridges two worlds—justice and agriculture—bringing insight, clarity, and urgency to conversations around food, climate, and rural resilience. Her legal career is coming full circle as she works and advocates for agricultural justice in Britain. In this episode we cover: The desire to be a ‘high flyer’ Turning to writing as a mother of 2 What organic farming taught her about patience How tech and nature can work together Why urban people that care about wellness should sit with farmers Our in-built reaction to soil that we are losing Why success is reaching outwards to others Mentions: In Your Defence - Sarah Langford Sarah’s piece in the FT on wellness culture and farming: https://www.ft.com/content/ba2c3d35-7428-4e3b-9630-468498cdbbca Links: https://www.instagram.com/sarahlangfordwrites/?hl=en Season 3 of The Slow Down is created in partnership with period and cycle tracking app Clue. Especially for The Slow Down listeners, CLUE is offering a 75% discount on the annual Clue Plus subscription via their website. To redeem, go to helloclue.com and enter the code SLOWDOWN at checkout). So, download Clue today in the App Store or Google Play, and start making space for the signals your body’s been sending all along. Link to sign up with discount already included: https://helloclue.com/login?discount_code=SLOWDOWN

‘In my mind, people didn’t change the world by becoming a parent at 22’ - but that’s exactly where Catherine found herself while at drama school and working for the UN. Catherine Joy White is an award-winning actor, author, filmmaker, gender advisor and Honorary Fellow of St Edmund Hall, University of Oxford. Her debut 2023 book This Thread of Gold reclaims the narratives of extraordinary Black women throughout history and is currently being adapted into a feature film. She published her second book, Rebel Takes: On the Future of Food in October 2024. Her debut screenplay, the multi-award winning Fifty-Four Days , which she also directed and starred in was selected for over 50 film festivals worldwide, won the 2024 Cannes Film Festival Diversity in Cannes showcase and is now available to watch on all American Airlines flights. As an actor she is in the upcoming Season 4 of a HUGE Netflix show (to be announced very soon!) and is currently filming Black Samphire - a film raising awareness around water pollution, starring Cathy Tyson and Stephen Fry, with several other projects on the go. Catherine regularly gives talks on gender and race equality ranging from UK media appearances to international organisations such as the African Union and the UN Human Rights Council. Her work has been featured in Refinery 29 , Metro, BBC , Rolling Stone, Variety and the World Humanitarian Forum. She is a proud ambassador for PAPYRUS, the UK's national charity for the prevention of young suicide. Through film, literature, and activism, Catherine is reshaping the cultural landscape with grace and grit, inspiring a new generation to tell their stories unapologetically. In this episode we cover: Becoming a mum at 22 Writing her book Making a film to process her grief When something just has to give Mentions: Audrey Lorde Michaela Cole Emmy Speech - Don’t be afraid to see what comes in the silence This Thread of Gold, Catherine Joy White Fifty-Four Days, Catherine Joy White Parent Trap Links : https://www.instagram.com/catherinejoywhite/ Season 3 of The Slow Down is created in partnership with period and cycle tracking app Clue. Especially for The Slow Down listeners, CLUE is offering a 75% discount on the annual Clue Plus subscription via their website. To redeem, go to helloclue.com and enter the code SLOWDOWN at checkout). So, download Clue today in the App Store or Google Play, and start making space for the signals your body’s been sending all along. Link to sign up with discount already included: https://helloclue.com/login?discount_code=SLOWDOWN

‘I want my GP to be happy. I don’t want them overworked and unhealthy - but that seems like a weird notion in our society.' This was the thought that sent Dr Monika Sharma down a road of discovery, backlash and ultimately personal fulfilment. Dr. Monika Sharma is a London-based NHS General Practitioner (GP) and certified Level 3 Personal Trainer with a passion for holistic health and well-being. She shares the highs and lows of life in medicine with over 140,000 followers on Instagram. As a health advocate, Dr. Monika bridges the gap between medical advice and real-world application, making healthcare accessible, relatable, and actionable for her community. Known for her honest takes on burnout, boundaries, anxiety and beauty standards, she’s redefining what it means to be a modern doctor. In this episode we cover: Expectation vs reality of being a doctor Being on call during COVID What being a ‘good doctor’ means Stigma, shame and periods Building relationships with our mothers Tips for slowing down in your day to day Why success means feeling content Mentions: Severance (TV series, 2022) Links: https://www.instagram.com/lifewithdoctormon/ Season 3 of The Slow Down is created in partnership with period and cycle tracking app Clue. Especially for The Slow Down listeners, CLUE is offering a 75% discount on the annual Clue Plus subscription via their website. To redeem, go to helloclue.com and enter the code SLOWDOWN at checkout). So, download Clue today in the App Store or Google Play, and start making space for the signals your body’s been sending all along. Link to sign up with discount already included: https://helloclue.com/login?discount_code=SLOWDOWN

From Freuds, to Bumble to Headspace to CLUE: Louise Troen’s non-linear career journey from PR to mission-driven tech, equity and body autonomy is one you have to hear. Louise Troen is the CMO of Clue - the female-founded cycle and fertility tracker, with over 100 million downloads to date. Previously, Louise was VP of Marketing at Bumble and Headspace where she led international growth, Global brand marketing and strategic communications. She is passionate about women’s rights to health equity and body autonomy, and has been vocal throughout her career on the role brand and marketing play in creating a more equitable world for all. In this episode we cover: Moving to LA to do PR for Paris Hilton, Afrojack and Gene Simmons (KISS). The ‘just start’ mentality The power of naivety The tendency to overwork when you love the work Detoxing between work sprints The practicality of work-life balance What if women worked with their period cycles? Mentions: Make the Ordinary Come Alive - William Harris Links: https://www.instagram.com/clueapp/?hl=en https://www.linkedin.com/in/louise-troen-1895a235/ Season 3 of The Slow Down is created in partnership with period and cycle tracking app Clue. Especially for The Slow Down listeners, CLUE is offering a 75% discount on the annual Clue Plus subscription via their website. To redeem, go to helloclue.com and enter the code SLOWDOWN at checkout). So, download Clue today in the App Store or Google Play, and start making space for the signals your body’s been sending all along. Link to sign up with discount already included: https://helloclue.com/login?discount_code=SLOWDOWN

Meet solo female founder Valentina Milanova. Creator of the Diagnostic Tampon and the CBD Tampon. After years of hard work in an underfunded industry - Valentina shares her experience and desire to 'de-glamorize' the founder experience. She is the founder and CEO of Daye, a gynae health, research and development company seeking to close the gender health gap with proprietary medical and diagnostic devices aimed at common, yet under-served gynae health conditions, ranging from period and pelvic pain to cervical cancer prevention. Valentina's research has been published in The Journal of Endometriosis and Uterine Disorders as well as The Journal of Human Reproduction. Valentina was featured on Forbes 30 Under 30 two years running (!), and The Daye Diagnostic Tampon was named as Invention of the Year by TIME Magazine in their 2024 list. In this episode we cover: Being brought up to be the ‘perfect little immigrant’ Starting a business using credit card debt The harrowing experience of launching during COVID Healing trauma as a company Ending Cervical Cancer by 2040 Seed Syncing for your cycle Being a recovering workaholic Mentions: East of the West - Miroslav Penkov Anastasia - Disney Film Ophelia - painting by Sir John Everett Millais Links: https://www.yourdaye.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/valentina-milanova-🇺🇦-13899564/ https://time.com/7094682/daye-diagnostic-tampon/ Season 3 of The Slow Down is created in partnership with period and cycle tracking app Clue. Especially for The Slow Down listeners, CLUE is offering a 75% discount on the annual Clue Plus subscription via their website. To redeem, go to helloclue.com and enter the code SLOWDOWN at checkout). So, download Clue today in the App Store or Google Play, and start making space for the signals your body’s been sending all along. Link to sign up with discount already included: https://helloclue.com/login?discount_code=SLOWDOWN