Seat At My Table Podcast

She built the community every girl needed: The story of the Lonely Girls Club with Holly Cooke

Ever felt lonely and struggled to find your people? Turns out, you are not alone. In fact, you are the majority.
In this episode, I sit down with Holly Cooke, the founder and driving force behind The Lonely Girls Club — one of the UK’s most powerful communities for women seeking connection, friendship, and support. Born from Holly’s own experience of loneliness after moving to London, what began as a small Facebook group has grown into a nationwide organisation with over 150,000 members and seven branches across the UK. 
We dive deep into the mission behind the club, Holly’s personal journey, and how the Lonely Girls Club is changing what it means to find “your people.” Whether you’ve felt disconnected, shy about making new friends, or just want to surround yourself with a fun community of amazing women — this conversation is a reminder that you’re not alone.
In this episode, we talk about:
The courage in admitting loneliness
How LGC started - Five women, pancakes, and a few nerves
The growth story - From a tiny Facebook group in 2018 to a national community
Overcoming the trauma of bullying
How LGC helped Holly heal and realise the power of female friendships
The realities of starting a business - The overwhelm, self-doubt, the “why am I doing this?” moments
Burnout and boundaries
Money, sustainability & paying yourself for the first time
Controversy around being a 'girls only' club
Advice for anyone feeling isolated or starting over in a new city
This chat feels like a warm hug from a big sister. By the end of our chat, I hope you feel less lonely, empowered to reach out, and inspired to create something amazing like The Lonely Girls Club Community.
Find Holly and the Lonely Girls Club at:
https://www.llgc.co.uk/
@lonely_girlsclub
@holljc
 

The power of identity and how to rewrite it to achieve your goals

If you’ve ever felt held back by old patterns or self-doubt, and wondered why your life is not how you imagined, this episode is for you.
In this solo episode, I dive into the incredible power of identity and the stories we tell ourselves. I unpack how subconscious beliefs shape who we become and how the simple yet transformative “I Am” exercise can help you redefine your sense of self.
Through my own personal experiences, psychology, and practical examples, I explored how to rewrite my inner narrative, anchor empowering emotions, and step into the version of myself I wanted to be. So, of course, I had to share the outcome and method with you all.
This is a reminder that your words — and your beliefs — hold the power to change everything.

Start small, think big, act fast: Building a business with purpose with Sharla-Jaye Duncan

What does it mean to be truly mission-driven, and how can changing someone’s environment transform the course of their life?
Today’s guest, Sharla-Jaye Duncan, is a social entrepreneur and fierce advocate for educational and career equity. Growing up in South London surrounded by more people who were going to jail than finishing school, Sharla-Jaye could not see a future for herself — until a pivotal friendship showed her the power of support, perspective, and opportunity. 
That moment set her on a path to founding Team Up, Journi, and Day One — organisations that have helped thousands of young people from underrepresented communities unlock opportunity and redefine what’s possible.
In this episode, Sharla-Jaye shares her story with remarkable honesty and wisdom. From confronting racism and sexism, to navigating cycles of fear and hope in the global economy, to advice on actionable steps when starting a business — she reveals how we can all challenge the odds stacked against us, find the right people to lift us higher, and step into the rooms where change happens.
This conversation is a powerful reminder that we are more powerful than we think we are.
 
In this episode, we discuss:
Growing up without role models and discovering possibility through others
The difference between knowing what’s right and dedicating yourself to it
The impact of changing environments on human potential
Why people from lower socio-economic backgrounds often don’t stay in high-paying jobs
How to change minds by first understanding them
The importance of driven friends who keep you accountable
Anger, power, and choosing hope
What success really means — and how to deal with jealousy
Actionable advice for starting your own business
 
Find Sharla-Jaye Duncan:
Instagram: @sharlajayeduncan
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sharla-jaye-duncan-inclusion-founder/
Journi: https://www.ourjourni.com 
Team Up: https://teamup.org.uk

Rediscovering Joy and Being Kinder to Yourself with Em Stroud

Why, as adults, do we become so serious, stop playing, and forget to make time for joy? Imagine how different the world would look if we spent more time laughing, and less time being so hard on ourselves.
Today’s guest, Em Stroud, is on a mission to bring back joy, laughter and play into adult lives. In this episode Em opens up about the challenging times in her childhood that left little room for joy and forced her to grow up too quickly. Luckily for us, this experience led her on a journey to become the incredible comedian she is today, fighting to bring more happiness into adulthood. 
From comedy shows, podcast, and books, to executive coaching, retreats, and speaking, Em really is one of the most multifaceted people I have ever met, while being driven by her inspiring purpose. This conversation left me inspired, uplifted and reminding myself that this life ‘is not a rehearsal’.
 
In this episode, we discuss:
Embracing your oddness and getting to know your own voice
Reprogramming negative beliefs 
Growing up too quickly and reconnecting with joy
Finding happiness in the little things
Using play and laughter to get through difficult moments
Balancing a multifaceted life with the rainbow diary method
Mastering your craft
Prioritising things that make us feel better
Overcoming failure
 
Get tickets to see Em’s show ‘Tales from a Little Laughing Lesbian’ - https://emstroud.com/tour/
Find out about everything that Em does - https://emstroud.com/
The Comic Coach Podcast - https://open.spotify.com/show/6YalzRBYpB8mZ6M5FAAuTj?si=e31ecb7b7d314500
Instagram - @emrstroud

Wealth, Race, and Wall Street; How to get on the right side of Capitalism with Dr Rachel Laryea

What does building wealth look like when you are on the wrong side of Capitalism? Is there hope to decrease inequality and thrive in the current economic system? 
 
In this conversation, Rachel Laryea shares her journey. From watching her mum work around the clock and instilling the same work ethic into her children, to becoming a successful author and entrepreneur.
 
In this insightful conversation, we discuss the complexities of navigating identity, being surrounded by privilege without the safety net, the reality of being black on Wall Street, and the mission for financial security. Rachel emphasises the dual nature of capitalism, highlighting both its exploitative aspects and the potential for empowerment within it. She advocates for a Black Capitalist framework that prioritises community and purpose in business, while also reflecting on the importance of self-care in her personal and professional life. 
 
Having succeeded in Wall Street, Academia, Entrepreneurship, and now Authorship with her incredible book Black Capitalist, there could not be a better role model to bring to Seat at My Table. 
 
In this conversation we talk about:
Growing up in spaces where you felt different 
Navigating identity
The pressure to achieve academic excellence to survive 
Reality of working on Wall Street
Racism in the workplace and beyond
Facing judgement for pursuing financial security 
Navigating the dilemma of being Black and participating in a system that historically and currently exploits Black people
Hope and belief that you can empower yourself and others within capitalism 
Strategies to create financial freedom
Entrepreneurship and balancing many roles
Voting with your actions and economic decisions
Learning to celebrate yourself and letting go of guilt
Most importantly, please go and read Rachel’s Incredible (!!) book Black Capitalists:
https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/746827/black-capitalists-by-rachel-laryea-phd/
 
Find Rachel here: https://rachellaryea.com
 
Visit Kelewele’s website: https://www.kelewelenyc.com
 
Instagram:
@drlaryea
@kelewelenyc
@black.capitalism

Manifesting your dreams and embracing the unknown with R&B artist Mantha

Working 2 jobs while pursuing her passion as an R&B singer-songwriter, Samantha Toms, a.k.a Mantha, opens up about the reality of working towards her dream.
This episode is an open and honest conversation about Mantha’s journey that brought her to the London R&B scene, the set backs along the way, and exciting unknown yet to come. Lucky enough to say that she is an old friend I have watched grow and shine, I was so to excited to have her on the podcast to share her incredible mindset, manifestation tips, and a peak behind the scenes of the music industry.
In this episode we talk about:
Re-evaluating your goals after setbacks
Learning to love the grind while pursuing your dreams
Being vulnerable and embracing your sexuality as an artist
Manifesting, journaling and mindset
The love hate relationship with social media as a creative
Criticism faced by public figures and female artists in particular
Learning to love yourself
Importance of gratitude
Leaping into the unknown
 
Listen to new song ‘The Man' - https://ditto.fm/the-man-mantha
 
Follow Mantha:
Instagram - https://instagram.com/mantha/
TikTok - https://tiktok.com/@itsmantha 
Youtube - www.youtube.com/@manthasworld

Authentic Leadership: from the yoga mat to the boardroom with Tingting Peng

What if true leadership looked less like boys clubs and bravado — and more like mindfulness, motherhood, and meaningful relationships?
Today’s guest, Tingting Peng, redefines what it means to be in the C-Suite and provides a role model of leadership that we are all seeking but struggle to find. 
Tingting is the Chief Transformation Officer at Moove, a global mobility fintech reimagining access to vehicle ownership that closed a $100 million Series B round in March 2024. She’s also an angel investor, advisor to startups, international yoga teacher, and mother. Recognised as one of the Top 100 Women in Fintech and a Top 25 Women Leader in Financial Technology, Tingting’s journey spans Wall Street boardrooms to yoga studios — and everything in between.
In this conversation, we go deep into the beginning of Tingting’s career, the reality of being an Investment Banking Analyst, and where her determination to prove people wrong began. We delve into how a period of personal crisis became the catalyst to change and a yoga qualification that saved her life and continues to be the key to her corporate success.
We explore the power of curiosity, leadership through authenticity, and why the courage to be a student again might just be the key to your next breakthrough.
 
In this conversation we cover:
The desire to prove people wrong and exceed expectations
Tough reality and expectations as an Investment Banking Analyst
How yoga saved her and continues to unlock success in all aspects of her life
How burnout, a breakup, and forced career break catalysed her career change
Realising everyone is the star of their own movie
Success starts with doing the work
Leading with authenticity
Why having the courage to be a beginner again is so important
The power of bringing motherhood into the boardroom and beyond
Why play, creativity, and communication matter in corporate life
Creating deals where everyone wins
 
Book discussed in this conversation: The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment, By Eckhart Tolle
 
Find Tingting: 
Website: https://www.tingtingpeng.com/about
Instagram: @superfitnessgirl

Momentum Matters: How Everyday Habits Create Extraordinary Results

The Compound Effect, the idea that small, consistent actions over time lead to big results.
It is the difference between the top 1% and everyone else, it is what helps people become stupidly rich, or the reason that the existence of one person can echo throughout history. 
For the 10th episode of the Seat at My Table Podcast, I wanted to do something a bit different, and share my first solo episode. I provide some exciting updates on the podcast and my life, but most importantly, I dive into a concept that I have recently become fascinated by. The Compound Effect. The more I looked into it, the more convinced I became that we could all leverage it to completely up-level our lives. We just need to understand the simply formula: consistency + time = unbelievable results.
So of course, I had to share this with you all, just like I have to share the wisdom from my usual guests. I use a range of examples from the Ice Age and The Magic Penny Scenario, to Greta Thunberg and her Global Movement at the age of 15.
 
Sources and media mentioned in this episode is below:
The Compound Effect by Darren Hardy
The Psychology of Money: Timeless Lessons on Wealth, Greed, and Happiness New Synopsis and Analysis by Morgan Housel
Live to Lead (Netflix Series)
 

Beyond the Herd Mentality with Foundervine Co-Founder Cecil Adjalo

Imagine a world where there are no barriers to innovation, everyone has the ability to bring their ideas to life, and the world in which we live looks completely different as a result. 
Today’s guest, Cecil Adjalo, is working towards this vision as the Co-founder and Chief Operating Officer of Foundervine which was recently recognised as one of Europe’s leading start up hubs. 
Cecil is on a mission. His wisdom as a founder as well as a leader who is shaping the start-up ecosystem is boundless. His passion, determination and discipline, has always inspired me and so I had to bring him on and share it with you. Giving you a peak behind the curtain of what it is like to be the COO of a growing startup from someone who was listed by the Financial Times as one of the top 100 most influential BAME (Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic) Leaders in the UK Tech sector. 
In this conversation we cover:
Work-life integration vs work-life balance
Strict parents instilling discipline and rejecting average
How Cecil founded Foundervine while starting up a tech company
Importance of having thick skin and not being afraid to look stupid
Sky to ground thinking and the role of a COO
Importance of mentorship and advisory
Balancing delusion and humility as a founder
Leadership mentality in the face of challenges
Managing family life as a COO and founder
The DEI landscape
Confronting racism with curiosity
Find Cecil here - linkedin.com/in/adjalo
Learn more about Foundervine - https://www.foundervine.com/#
The book recommendation - Never Split the Difference: Negotiating As If Your Life Depended On It by Chris Voss

How hard can it be? with Dawid Konotey-Ahulu CBE

How hard can it be? 
A question that serial founder, Ex-Investment Banker, and all round superstar, Dawid Konotey-Ahulu, consistently asks himself to push limits and find immense success. 
Dawid Started his career training as a lawyer, followed by working as an investment banking, before becoming a serial entrepreneur. 
He co-founded Redington an award winning independent investment consultantancy on a mission to make 100 million people financially secure. Followed by Mallowstreet, a collaboration platform for the asset management industry. And, as if this wasn’t enough, he co-founded 10,000 interns, a foundation that provides internships across 20 industries for undergraduates of black heritage, or with a disability, that Is changing lives in the process. Now Dawid is on a mission to empower people with the ability to tell their story through his company Spellbound. 
He was named Black British Business Entrepreneur of the Year in 2018, and awarded a CBE in the 2023 New Year Honours List. 
Despite this impressive list of accolades, for me, the most astounding things about are his ability to connect with people and his infinite compassion and will to help others. 
In this conversation, we discuss
How he went from flunking his A levels to being a successful investment banker that founded multiple companies
Feeling like an outsider and learning how to harness these experiences
Facing racism and how 10,000 interns is changing bias from the top
The power of the questions, ‘what if?’, and ‘how hard can it be?’
Challenges from setting up a company and taking on huge competitors
The need for emotional intelligence in good leadership
Lessons from failure
The importance of storytelling and how to tell yours
Changing your narrative and why the stories we tell ourselves are so influential
 
Find out more:
Learn about Spellbound - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=seQNdPMOFAE
Discover 10,000 Interns - https://10000internsfoundation.com/
Dawid's LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/dawid1
 
I hope you enjoy and feel inspired. 
If you do like this episode please don’t forget to follow and rate for more amazing guests.