Seat At My Table Podcast

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.
 

Creating Change by Writing Cheques with Dama Sathianathan

Money, the root of all evil or a powerful force for good? Join me in this insightful conversation with Dama Sathianathan who is setting an incredible example of the positive change that can be achieved by writing cheques in the world of venture capital.
Dama is a Senior Partner at Bethnal Green Ventures, Europe’s leading early-stage tech for good Venture Capital Firm that backs ambitious founders using tech to tackle pressing social and environmental challenges. She is also a committee member for Venture ESG, a community-based non-profit organisation focused on the meaningful integration of ESG and responsible investing in venture capital.
I was extremely excited to introduce you to Dama for several reasons. The first is to spotlight an extremely successful female role model in the male dominated investment landscape. If you are close to me, then you know I am obsessed with getting more women into investing and getting more money invested into women. The other reason is the fact that Dama’s journey is not the usual route we see into venture capital. She started in the not-for-profit industry before going into venture capital and she has continued to commit to high-impact investing, focusing on tackling important issues.
Topics covered include:
What is venture capital 
Differences between the charity sector and ‘for-profit’ sector
Attitudes towards money when you haven’t grown up with an abundance of it
The power of money and why we need diversity amongst the cheque writers
Advice on entering the venture capital industry
What Bethnal Green Ventures look for when scouting for their next startups
The importance of recuperating and enjoying the rewards of your hard work
Having conversations about your career progression
Dama’s book recommendation: Blockchain Chicken Farm by Xiaowei Wang.

Being First and Fearless with Zulum Elumogo

First Black male Student Union President at LSE, the youngest ever board member of the Barbican, Europe’s largest Multi-arts Centre, Managing Director of TC & Friends at the age of 26, AND he made the 2024 Forbes 30 under 30 list. It’s hard to believe that the guest in this episode, Zulum Elumogo, achieved all this by the time he was 28 years old. So, of course, we had to have Zulum on Seat at My Table to wrack his brain and understand the secret to his success.
In this conversation we talk about the importance of visual communication, how we are shaped by the images we are surrounded by and Zulum’s role within TC & Friends, an international design agency helping brands convey their message. We also discuss why he has managed to break the mould and consistently be the first in several positions, where his fearlessness comes from and leading with purpose, how being a second-generation migrant has shaped his journey and what he believes has enabled him to achieve so much so young.
Topics covered include:
The power of images and how they shape who we are
Using storytelling to convey a message
Attention to detail and why it is important
Leading with authenticity to win business and build relationships
Being fearless and leading the way
Changing your perception on aging
Having fun and living without regrets
Forging your own path as a second-generation migrant
Using money as tool to unlock potential and empower others
Zulum’s inspiration recommendation, the Book of Proverbs, https://dailyaudiobible.com/
Find Zulum on Instagram @zulum_elumogo and LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/zulum-elumogo?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app 
 
 

Cutting Through Isolation One Conversation at a Time with Colette Batten-Turner

Imagine going through your emails at work when suddenly you get a call from a distressed mother whose son has been held by Syrian Authorities and likely tortured for receiving money from a foreign bank account. His mum’s bank account. Who is currently a refugee in the UK.
This is what a normal day can look like for Colette, Founder and CEO of Conversation Over Borders. An organisation that works to connect forcibly displaced people with the wider community to cut through isolation and ensure everyone has equal voice, rights and opportunities. Colette started Conversation Over Borders (COB) at the age of 23 in 2020 by helping connect refugees with English teaches.
In this episode, Colette goes back to the beginning, sharing the origin of COB and how it has grown and expanded - having recently reached 20,000 hours of English lessons! We dive into what it was like being a CEO at such a young and how she navigated the space without an existing network. As well as the importance of staying close to the community you are serving so you are always responding to their needs.
Topics covered include:
Founding an organisation at age 23
Learning to accept help from others
Setting boundaries and the emotional impact of working in the charity sector
Fake it till you make it and learning on the job
The power in hearing someone’s story to break down barriers and prejudice
Responding to the needs of those you are serving
The current refugee crisis and danger of the narrative in the media
The film discussed at the end of the episode is ‘The Swimmers’.
Hear members of the COB community share their story and watch ‘Prisoner of Hope’ here - https://www.conversationoverborders.org/our-voices  
Find more information about COB here where there are a number of ways to get involved - https://www.conversationoverborders.org

Confronting Injustice with Criminal Barrister Tana Adkin KC

Freeing a man wrongfully committed of murder after he has already served 5 years in prison, confronted with continuous rape, murder, child abuse cases, navigating the male dominated career of a barrister experiencing sexism and imposter syndrome along the way - these are only a few of the topics covered with this episode’s guest, Tana Adkin KC. A highly respected criminal barrister appointed to the King’s Counsel in 2017, Deputy Head of Chambers at 15NBS Barristers Chambers, and former chair of the Criminal Bar Association.
Tana is an inspiration to all, recognised for her contributions to the legal field and exemplary skills in persuasion, cross-examination, and negotiation. 
So, join Talullah for this insightful conversation with Tana as they discuss the reality of being a criminal barrister, and the challenges faced and skills needed to uphold integrity in the justice system. Having recently attended the Global Women’s Forum and joined the Batonnières du Monde, a group of female international Bar leaders who are working together to address gender inequality, Tana also delves into the current global landscape for women, the need to address gender inequality and importance of women taking up leadership roles.
Topics covered include:
Coping with a role in which you are continuously faced with traumatic and high-pressure cases
Navigating imposter syndrome and sexism throughout your career
The reality of representing someone who is guilty
The power of language and overcoming fear of public speaking
Negotiating with people who don’t want to negotiate
Becoming a feminist after never having previously considered it
The need for quotas when merit alone isn’t enough
Women stepping into leadership and getting a seat at the table
The book discussed at the end of the episode is ‘Women All on Fire’ by Alison Plowden.
You can find out more about Tana here - https://15nbs.com/portfolio/tana-adkin-kc/  

Breaking Barriers and Building Blox with Nazia Anwar

Imagine putting your blood, sweat, and tears into your start-up and then having a contractor try to take ownership of your App, or being taken to a champagne bar to be told someone wants to buy your product and if you say no, they will take the idea anyway and steal your market audience.
This is only a few of the challenges Nazia Anwar has faced,
founder of Social Blox, a platform for small non-profits and community groups to help them connect, grow, and generate revenue.
Join Talullah for this incredible conversation with Nazia as they peak behind the curtain of what it is like to be a female founder, discuss how Social Blox first began, and the highs and lows along the way.
As an absolutely relentless founder, oozing passion, and
pushing down any barrier standing in her way, while juggling being a single mum and experiencing countless experiences of sexism, Talullah wanted to bring you this conversation to share in Nazia's wisdom and courage.
Topics covered include:
Accidentally starting a business to solve a problem
Trusting your gut when something feels wrong
Dealing with investors who don’t align with your
vision
Leadership styles and why we need diversity in
the C-Suite
How to get out of a slump and back to yourself
Managing being a single mum as a founder
Publishing your first book
Find Nazia’s book and more here – https://www.naziaanwar.com/
Learn more about Social Blox here - https://www.socialblox.uk/

Fighting the Sunday Scaries with Eliza Lawrence

Work. We all do it. Most of us will be working for at least 50 years. So why do so many of us stay in a role that gives us the Sunday Scaries, fearing the week ahead? Why are so many of us petrified to stray from the career path we chose at the age of 18, when we have time for 10 or more different careers?
Join Talullah in this open conversation with the amazingly talented and multidimensional Eliza Lawrence. Someone who champions the importance of decreasing the gap between work and life, vowing never to have the Sunday scaries.
In this episode they discuss:
Eliza's array of experiences as an actress, love and coach, writer and publisher, creative director, and now teacher
The importance of using your 20s to experiment
Developing your 'intangible assets' before worrying about the promotions and house buying
The fine line between being a therapist and a friend
How being a coach began to affect Eliza on a personal level
Fearlessness in the face of taboo topics and vulnerability
Re-branding after a breakup
Reclaiming the feminine ego
Press play and enjoy this therapeutic conversation that feels like you are getting advice from your wiser, big sis.
To find out more about Eliza, visit her website - https://elizalawrence.squarespace.com/
The piece of art discussed at the end of the episode is called 'Wanderer above the Sea of Fog' - https://www.artsy.net/article/artsy-editorial-unraveling-mysteries-caspar-david-friedrichs-wanderer

Reframing Rejection with Shona Bland

Rejection. What an ugly word and even more awful feeling. Well, not anymore.
Shona Bland, the founder of Art Friend, is changing this while simultaneously revolutionising the Art industry by making it more fun, accessible, and welcoming.
Join Shona and Talullah as they discuss her journey from drama, to hospitality, to founding a company.
In this episode they talk about
The art of blagging to open new doors
Having friends who believe in your dreams more than you do
Learning to let go and getting out of your comfort zone
Finding beauty in grief
Reframing and celebrating rejection
To learn about the incredible exhibitions Art Friend has, or to find beautiful art work, visit Art Friend's website -https://artfriend.co.uk/
P.S. the film neither of them could remember the name of was Poor Things with Emma Stone.