The Fearless Foodie Podcast

Welcome to Bethan’s Bite-Sized Bulletin - your quick-fire briefing on what’s happening across the food and drink industry. In under five minutes, journalist and Food Manufacture editor Bethan Grylls shares the latest headlines, trends and developments to keep you in the know.Explore more industry news at foodmanufacture.co.ukLinks and Resources:Website Link: https://fearlessfoodies.co.ukFB Link: https://www.facebook.com/thefearlessfoodiepodLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/thefearlessfoodiepodYou can follow us here on Instagram: @thefearlessfoodiepodFind Amy on Instagram or LinkedIn for further support with industry coaching and facilitation.IFP Labs sponsors the Fearless Foodie Podcast https://www.ifp-labs.com/en/index.php

We kick off with Laura’s backstory - how a proud northerner with zero agri-food experience stumbled into a decades-long love affair with the meat industry.Laura and Amy get real about how people often have no idea about the breadth of careers in food, or the quirks that make this industry so colourful. Laura opens up about launching Meat Business Women as a safe, supportive network for women in meat and food manufacturing.Both dig into the practicalities - why so many women struggle to prioritise networking and personal development, and how the ready-made community of MBW makes it less awkward (and, frankly, a lot more effective).We also explore the bold vision behind the Food Business Charter, pushing for 40% female representation in meat and food manufacturing by 2035, and what it means for businesses of all sizes. Laura shares how collecting and leveraging robust data isn’t just a tick-box exercise but a way to actually move the needle - unlocking challenges faced by both women and men and creating more flexible, inclusive workplaces.Finally, Laura opens up about stepping back operationally to make space for new leadership at MBW, the challenge (and relief) of handing over her “first baby,” and moving forward as an executive coach and consultant - proving that personal growth and change really are a lifelong journey.If you’ve ever felt like an imposter, questioned how to progress in food, or just needed a nudge to prioritise yourself, this episode brings comfort, practical strategies, and permission to hit “pause” and reflect on your own journey.  Timestamps00:16 – Welcome and intro to Laura Ryan: her portfolio career and passion for personal development02:30 – Laura’s accidental entry into the meat industry and why she stayed04:53 – The hidden world of food industry careers and retention challenges05:42 – What is Meat Business Women? From humble beginnings to global influence07:27 – The power (and pain) of networking, and why women often overlook it09:46 – Data, partnerships, and practical tools to drive real change11:40 – MBW’s expansion into the broader food industry12:06 – Tangible member benefits: mentoring, events, community, and a unique industry language13:26 – How MBW focuses on BOTH business skills and personal growth15:16 – The origin and ambition of the Food Business Charter and its practical impact17:57 – Accountability, action, and supporting businesses at every stage of the journey18:48 – Laura’s UN experience and MBW’s global mission21:17 – Why a data-driven approach resonates with senior leaders22:56 – The importance of male allies and MBW’s inclusive model23:47 – Universal workplace challenges: how flexibility helps everyone24:57 – How modelling and normalisation of flexibility unlock culture change25:55 – What’s next: industry-wide surveys and why YOUR data matters29:29 – Laura’s transition, growth mindset, and making space for new leadership33:47 – The superpower of coaching and why it’s not just for executives anymore35:35 – How to connect with Laura and final calls to action Links and Resources:Website Link: https://fearlessfoodies.co.ukFB Link:  https://www.facebook.com/thefearlessfoodiepodLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/thefearlessfoodiepodYou can follow us here on Instagram: @thefearlessfoodiepodFind Amy on Instagram or LinkedIn for further support with industry coaching and facilitation as @amywilkinsoncoach.Link to our sponsors IFP Labs: https://www.ifp-labs.com/Join our next intake of Fearless Women: Empowered to Rise: https://fearlessfoodies.co.uk/fearless-women-rise/And our FREE networking at https://fearlessfoodies.co.uk/fearless-women-connect/Get in touch with Laura here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauravryan/Get involved in the MBW Gender representation report here: https://www.meatbusinesswomen.org/what-we-do/gender-representation-report-2026.html

This episode kicks off with Amy welcoming listeners to a space built for honest conversations about the food and retail world. She immediately calls out the myth of an industry “reset” in January—reminding us that most teams start the year already stretched thin, still reeling from Q4 chaos. Drawing from her personal journey with burnout and her coaching work with food industry teams, she addresses the cultural patterns that reward unhealthy overwork—like being the “fixer” or the one who always picks up the slack. She also identifies three core habits to let go of: taking on responsibilities that aren’t yours, staying silent when honesty is needed, and using overwork as a coping mechanism.Listeners get actionable advice on small pivots—like practising saying no, speaking up even when it’s uncomfortable, and embracing micro-pauses to break the relentless cycle of busyness. Amy gives a nod to Fearless Women Connect for those craving deeper connection, and closes by challenging everyone to choose three things they’ll leave behind this year to embark on a more fearless, fulfilling journey in food.Timestamps00:44 – Amy Wilkinson sets the stage for an honest chat01:39 – Why “New Year reset” is a myth in food02:17 – Amy Wilkinson on post-holiday burnout and the cycle of exhaustion03:08 – The culture of over-functioning and blurred boundaries04:01 – Behaviours that get praise but fast-track burnout04:54 – “Carrying what isn’t yours” and the cost of over-responsibility07:03 – How women in food especially get caught in the mental load08:10 – Sponsor shout-outs and Fearless Women Connect info08:54 – The need to speak up and stop self-silencing09:54 – Why silence drains more than it protects10:33 – Quick challenge: Say one honest thing in your next meeting11:43 – Overwork as a false solution to overwhelm12:52 – Micro-pauses and practical strategies for resetting14:05 – What to let go for a braver, lighter year15:52 – Call to action: What three things will you leave behind?16:46 – Outro and where to find Amy Wilkinson onlineLinks and Resources:Website Link: https://fearlessfoodies.co.ukFB Link:  https://www.facebook.com/thefearlessfoodiepodLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/thefearlessfoodiepodYou can follow us here on Instagram: @thefearlessfoodiepodFind Amy on Instagram or LinkedIn for further support with industry coaching and facilitation as @amwyilkinsoncoach.Link to our sponsors IFP Labs: https://www.ifp-labs.com/Join our next intake of Fearless Women: Empowered to Rise: https://fearlessfoodies.co.uk/fearless-women-rise/And our FREE networking at https://fearlessfoodies.co.uk/fearless-women-connect/

Amy kicks things off by acknowledging just how relentless the next six weeks will be for anyone working in food and retail, with tighter deadlines, louder demands, and the expectation to spin a hundred plates without dropping a single mince pie. Drawing from her own post-Christmas experience with burnout, she emphasises why it’s crucial to protect your energy proactively, and why pushing through at all costs simply isn’t sustainable—or admirable.She shares four core resilience tools: knowing your non-negotiables, practising constructive capacity language (so you can push back effectively), setting healthy boundaries, and letting go of perfectionism. She also gives real-life examples and gentle nudges for implementing these, from time-blocking your calendar for actual breaks (even if it’s just to eat lunch device-free), to using simple phrases that help you communicate workload limits without guilt.The episode also reflects on the season's big themes—especially the importance of questioning "the rules," breaking the cycle of self-blame, and creating safe, supportive environments at work.Amy calls out that most pressures aren’t in your head, and challenges listeners to reframe rest as a strategic act, not a selfish one.As the show closes, Amy leaves listeners with heartfelt encouragement, an invitation to connect on LinkedIn, and details about joining Fearless Women Connect—a safe space for women in food and retail. The overarching message: You’re not the problem; the pressure is real—and you’re doing brilliantly. Timestamps00:42 – The “Chaotic” Season Begins01:31 – Burnout & Personal Lessons02:22 – Realities of Christmas in Food/Retail03:17 – Rethinking Resilience05:04 – Boundaries & Permission06:55 – Four Practical Tips 09:45 – Capacity Language 10:43 – Setting Boundaries Gently11:30 – Letting Go of Perfection12:23 – Recap of The Four Tips13:34 – Season Reflections & Lessons Learned15:03 – Asking for Help & Final Pep Talk16:24 – Series Wrap & Next Steps17:39 – Festive Wisdom & Farewell18:37 – OutroLinks and Resources:Website Link: https://fearlessfoodies.co.ukFB Link: https://www.facebook.com/thefearlessfoodiepodLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/thefearlessfoodiepodYou can follow us here on Instagram: @thefearlessfoodiepodFind Amy on Instagram or LinkedIn for further support with industry coaching and facilitation.Microsearch Laboratories sponsors the Fearless Foodie Podcast https://micro-search.co.uk/

Welcome to Bethan’s Bite-Sized Bulletin - your quick-fire briefing on what’s happening across the food and drink industry. In under five minutes, journalist and Food Manufacture editor Bethan Grylls shares the latest headlines, trends and developments to keep you in the know.Explore more industry news at foodmanufacture.co.ukLinks and Resources:Website Link: https://fearlessfoodies.co.ukFB Link:  https://www.facebook.com/thefearlessfoodiepodLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/thefearlessfoodiepodYou can follow us here on Instagram: @thefearlessfoodiepodFind Amy on Instagram or LinkedIn for further support with industry coaching and facilitation.Microsearch Laboratories sponsors the Fearless Foodie Podcast https://micro-search.co.uk/