The Fearless Foodie Podcast

• Episode 2 Why You Don’t Need to Be the Smartest Person in the Room to Lead

  This episode is as down-to-earth as it gets. Amy kicks off with a reminder that fearlessness isn’t about having zero doubts—it’s about doing the scary stuff anyway. Enter Danny, who admits to feeling like an imposter when first asked to co-host, setting the honest and relatable tone of the chat. Danny’s story is a powerful testament to grit, curiosity, and learning on the job. He talks through climbing the career ladder without formal qualifications, managing teams of scientists, and the lessons he’s learned about leading people who might technically have “more” experience.Amy and Danny break down the myth that great managers must be the most intelligent people in the room. Instead, they champion soft skills: self-awareness, emotional intelligence, the ability to listen, and helping everyone on the team recognise their own strengths. There’s plenty of humour as they jokingly dismantle the idea that “soft” skills are easy or unimportant—if anything, they’re the hardest (and most valuable) skills to master.The conversation becomes practical, offering advice for new managers, individuals navigating “peer to boss” transitions, and anyone thrust into leadership before they felt ready. Amy shares actionable tips, such as writing down your wins and strengths, to combat imposter syndrome. At the same time, Danny describes his “jigsaw puzzle” approach to team leadership—delegating by strengths and always keeping the big picture in sight.This one’s a must-listen for anyone feeling a bit out of their depth (hint: that’s most of us) and wanting fundamental, no-fluff strategies for thriving in food and retail.Timestamps00:00:12 Introduction & setting the tone 00:00:36 Meet Danny Franklin and episode topic: managing those more “qualified” than you 00:02:58 Danny’s backstory—climbing the ladder without academic qualifications 00:05:05 The transition from peer to manager, and learning to lead experienced teams 00:06:00 Age, qualifications, and why both matter less than you think 00:08:29 The real importance (and misnomer) of “soft skills” in leadership 00:09:28 Spotting and leveraging people’s strengths as a manager 00:11:06 Managing highly technical teams when you’re not the expert 00:14:38 The power and pitfalls of promoting top performers to managers 00:15:38 How to lead when you don’t know all the details 00:17:27 Danny’s “jigsaw puzzle” analogy for leadership 00:19:51 The value of team wins (not just individual glory) 00:22:31 Addressing ego and imposter syndrome in leadership 00:23:06 Strategies for building confidence as a manager 00:24:36 Real takeaways for leaders managing teams with more experience or knowledge 00:25:54 Why developing your team is a strength, not a threat 00:26:59 The bigger picture: leadership as assembling the jigsaw, not just being a piece 00:28:31 Closing thoughts & next episode teaser Links and Resources: https://fearlessfoodies.co.uk/podcast/from-music-to-microbiology-exploring-food-safety-with-danny-franklin/https://fearlessfoodies.co.uk/podcast/thriving-in-the-food-industry-how-let-them-thinking-elevates-your-career/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/KEYWORDS:Foodconsultant, foodindustrycoach, foodindustry

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• Bethan’s Bite-Sized Bulletin September 2025

  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/

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• Episode 1 The Fearless Foodie: Building a Bolder, Braver Food Industry

  It’s a new beginning for the podcast. Amy jumps right in by addressing the elephant in the room: going solo after 208 episodes with Lucy. She reassures listeners that The Fearless Foodie Podcast is an evolution, not a departure—still focused on real experiences, honest answers, and practical help for everyone trying to thrive in the relentless (but brilliant) world of food and retail.Amy gets real about the tough parts of food industry life: the toxic patches, the wobbly moments, the burnout she once suffered, and the loneliness that can creep in. But she doesn’t stop at sharing her story—she’s here to use her hindsight for your benefit, so you don’t have to make all the same mistakes. Amy’s fearless approach isn’t about being shouty or never feeling scared; it’s about finding your own quiet confidence, putting up boundaries, and daring to say the hard truths kindly.Looking ahead, Amy highlights what’s coming: wider topics beyond just product development, with leadership tools, cross-functional advice, and guest experts including Bethan Grylls (with her Bite Sized Bulletin on industry news) and Danny Franklin (offering wisdom from a straight-talking commercial director). Expect candid chats on what “being authentic” really means (spoiler: it’s not about oversharing), the permission to ask for help, and balancing big careers with being human.Amy leaves you the listeners with three practical, feel-braver challenges to try in the week ahead. She encourages everyone to connect, speak up (even if your voice is shaking), and be part of a Fearless Foodies movement for change—one honest conversation at a time.Timestamps00:00 – Amy introduces the new solo direction, her mission for the podcast, and the values driving Fearless Foodie.03:05 – Reflections on burnout, vulnerability, and why she’s passionate about changing the industry culture.04:48 – Behind-the-scenes: guest announcement, fresh episode formats, and broadening the conversation beyond product development.07:36 – Debunking “fearlessness”—it’s not about being loud or perfect, but about resilience and doing it your way.10:06 – Amy’s personal experience with severe burnout, what it taught her, and how it motivates her coaching and podcasting.13:10 – Setting out the podcast’s goals: real talk, practical takeaways, and a safe community for food professionals.15:19 – Wrapping up with three bold challenges for listeners to try this week, and a call for feedback on what you want from coming episodes.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.Microsearch Laboratories sponsor the Fearless Foodie Podcast https://micro-search.co.uk/KEYWORDS:Foodconsultant, foodindustrycoach, foodindustry

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• The Fearless Foodie Podcast - Season 1 Trailer

  In this trailer for the Fearless Foodie podcast, Amy Wilkinson introduces listeners to the purpose and heart of the show. Designed for professionals in the fast-paced and sometimes chaotic world of food and retail, the podcast aims to help listeners thrive at work by developing real influence, building trust, and navigating tricky workplace dynamics. Amy shares a glimpse of upcoming topics—including managing up, leading without a title, and strengthening relationships with teams, suppliers, and customers. Expect honest conversations, relatable stories, and practical advice free of corporate jargon, all grounded in real-life experiences. Whether you're a leader or just starting out, Amy invites you to join the Fearless Foodie community, promising support, inspiration, and a bit of fun along the way.

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• The Final Episode: Why Ending Oh For Food’s Sake Has Lessons for All of Us

  On the last ever "Oh For Food’s Sake" episode, we open up about the process (and sometimes pain) of letting go—whether it’s stepping down from your own business, leaving a beloved job, or, in this case, moving on from a podcast that’s meant so much. We discuss how the show itself began out of Lucy’s journey with letting go of "Pudology," and how leaving isn’t as sudden as it looks from the outside. Both share the behind-the-scenes doubt, fear, and tough conversations that come before big leaps.Amy explains how leaving her corporate career was terrifying, but ultimately created space for greater creativity and meaning and Lucy gets honest about how hard it is to say goodbye to something that’s become part of her identity but knows it’s time to allow new projects (hello, YouTube!) to take root. We break down the stigma around the word "quitting," reframing it as evolving or moving forward—and offer straight-talking advice for anyone feeling stuck or afraid to step into the unknown.There’s practical wisdom here too: from reevaluating your routines and systems, to recognizing whether your fear is rational, to getting honest about what you’d do if you weren’t afraid of failure. Lucy and Amy are as supportive as ever, reminding all listeners that it’s okay to change, growth is messy, and sometimes the bravest thing you can do is create the space for something new. While "Oh For Food’s Sake" is ending, the journey isn’t: Amy will be back with a rebranded podcast, and Lucy is jumping into new content, so make sure you keep following their adventures!Timestamps 00:00:00 – Lucy and Amy welcome listeners and reflect on four years of podcasting together and the decision to end the podcast.00:02:14 – Discussing the challenge of letting go—why we stay stuck, fear of the unknown, and personal examples.00:03:30 – Behind-the-scenes of previous big life changes: stepping away from Pudology, corporate careers, and relationships.00:05:03 – Examining the negative connotations of "quitting" and why failure isn’t fatal.00:06:21 – The emotional experience of change—grieving, fear, and reframing for growth.00:07:44 – Celebrating continued friendship, personal growth, and being honest in pivoting.00:09:48 – Letting go of limiting thoughts and internal narratives, not just jobs and external situations.00:11:09 – Creating space—how making small changes enables bigger pivots.00:12:29 – Using self-awareness tools (like human design) to recognize if something is no longer serving you.00:14:33 – Looking back on tough decisions and only remembering the good, after growth.00:17:29 – Lucy and Amy reflect on what they gained by letting go, and the different types of change in life and business.00:19:37 – Identifying when you’re operating out of fear vs. intention. Practical ways to check in with yourself.00:20:52 – The regrets we don’t want to have and how to make bold decisions intentionally.00:22:21 – What’s next? Updates on Lucy’s YouTube channel and Amy’s rebranded podcast.00:24:51 – Thanking listeners, sharing the journey and what’s coming in their next chapters and an invitation to join the mailing list and connect for future news and resources.00:26:19 – Final sign-off.Links and Resources:Website Link: https://ohforfoodssake.co.uk/FB Link: https://www.facebook.com/ohforfoodsakeLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/oh-for-food-s-sake/You can follow us here on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oh_forfoodssake/For industry consulting from Lucy, connect with her on Instagram or LinkedIn.Find her on Instagram or LinkedIn for further support with industry coaching and facilitation from Amy.Oh For Food's Sake is sponsored by Microsearch Laboratories https://micro-search.co.uk/ and Point 74 https://www.point74.co.uk/

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