Seat At My Table Podcast

What if the qualities you've spent your life trying to change are actually some of your greatest strengths?
My twin, Betsy Lake, and I grew up in the same family, at exactly the same time — but experienced the world very differently.
I became highly attuned to what other people thought of me. Betsy was direct, fiercely principled and far less willing to mould herself to make other people comfortable. For years, those differences shaped how other people saw us — and how we saw ourselves.
Then, at 26, Betsy was diagnosed with autism.
In this episode, we unpack what growing up as very different twins taught us about people-pleasing, confidence, self-advocacy and success — and why we've both had to learn from the qualities we once saw as strengths in the other.
We also explore the barriers women are still expected to overcome to thrive. Betsy shares her experience fighting for an autism diagnosis, living and working with debilitating chronic pain, and spending years trying to get answers about what has since been diagnosed as endometriosis.
In this episode:
• Why fitting in and succeeding aren't the same thing• What growing up as twins taught us about comparison and identity• Being diagnosed with autism as a woman at 26• The power, and difficulty, of advocating for yourself• Endometriosis, chronic pain and the systems still failing women• People-pleasing, perfectionism, ambition and money• Why success doesn't require one personality, path or type of woman
This conversation is a reminder that there isn't one way to be ambitious, powerful or successful.
Sometimes the thing that changes everything isn't becoming someone new.
It's learning to lean into who you already are.
RESOURCES
Betsy extensively researched how to pursue an autism diagnosis as an adult woman. If you're considering seeking a diagnosis and would find her research and resources helpful, please reach out to Seat at My Table via Instagram (@seatatmy.table) - we're very happy to share them.
We also discuss Sanju Pal's legal case against Accenture and her advocacy around endometriosis and disability discrimination in the workplace.
 
Where to find Seat at My Table:
Subscribe on YouTube @SeatAtMyTable
Follow on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen
Join the conversation on Instagram @seatatmy.table

What does it really take to become a CEO?
Most people would tell you it's about working harder, gaining more experience or climbing the ladder faster.
Sacha Romanovitch's story suggests something very different.
Before becoming one of the first female CEOs of a major UK accounting firm, Sacha made an unexpected decision. She stepped away from her career, travelled for a year, spent 10 days in silent meditation and asked herself the questions so many of us never make time to ask:
Who am I? What do I care about? What impact do I actually want to have?
That decision shaped everything that came afterwards.
In this episode, we explore how understanding yourself became the foundation of Sacha's leadership, why she believes leadership starts long before you're given the title, and how she went on to challenge traditional ideas of business by leading with the intention of creating meaningful change - not simply increasing profit.
If you're ambitious but questioning your path, dreaming about a bigger career, or wondering whether leadership is really for someone like you, I hope this conversation gives you permission to think bigger.
Because the women who change companies, industries and systems don't start by having all the answers.
They start by getting clear on who they are and what they care about.
If this episode resonates with you, share it with another woman who's ready to think bigger, and come and join our community at Seat at My Table. We're building a space for women who want a bigger life.
 
Find Sacha on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/sacharomanovitch/
 
References from this episode:
Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl
Creating Shared Value: Redefining Capitalism and the Role of the Corporation in Society by Michael E. Porter and Mark R. Kramer
Three Guineas by Virginia Wolf
 
Find Seat at My Table:
Subscribe on YouTube @SeatAtMyTable
Follow on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen
Join the conversation on Instagram @seatatmy.table
 

What if the biggest thing holding you back isn't your experience—but the story you've been telling yourself about whether you're qualified enough?
Rosie Skuse never studied business. She didn't have a traditional path into entrepreneurship. As a young woman in the room, she was often mistaken for the PA rather than the person leading the business.
Today, she's the Founder and CEO of Molto Music Group—an international music company creating unforgettable live music experiences for some of the world's most prestigious hotels and luxury brands.
But this isn't a conversation about music.
It's a conversation about breaking stereotypes, backing yourself before anyone else does, and proving that you don't need to fit the mould of a CEO to build something extraordinary.
Rosie shares the honest reality of leaving university to forge her own path, starting a business just months before COVID brought the hospitality industry to a standstill, rebuilding from scratch when opportunities disappeared overnight, and learning every lesson the hard way.
We also talk about imposter syndrome, resilience, self-belief, and why confidence isn't something you have before you begin—it's something you build by continuing to show up.
If you've ever thought:
"I'm too young."
"I'm not qualified enough."
"I don't have the right experience."
"Someone else could do this better."
This conversation is for you.
 
In this episode, we discuss:
Being underestimated as a young female founder
The reality of building a business without a business background
Why confidence comes from action—not certainty
Starting a company just before COVID and surviving the uncertainty
Landing The Dorchester as Molto Music Group's first client
Navigating imposter syndrome as your business grows
Building resilience when everything feels like it's working against you
The mindset shifts that helped Rosie create opportunities instead of waiting for them
At Seat at My Table, every conversation is designed to help ambitious women build the lives they want and show that extraordinary lives are built by ordinary people who choose to keep showing up.
Find Rosie and Molto Music Group:
@rosieskuse
@moltomusicgroup
https://www.moltomusicgroup.com/
Follow Seat at My Table:
YouTube: @seatatmytable
Instagram: @seatatmy.table
TikTok: @talullahlake
If this episode resonated with you, follow the podcast, leave a rating, and share it with another woman who needs this reminder today.

There is nothing more inspirational to me than someone who decides to take on the impossible, acts when others only talk, and create change when others feel helpless.
Katie White is the co-founder of Enough, an organisation working to end rape and create real change through action, prevention and survivor-led solutions.
In this conversation, Katie shares what it means to take on an issue many people feel powerless against—and why she refused to accept that it had to stay that way.
We talk about building Enough from the ground up, listening to survivors first, the difference between awareness and prevention, navigating criticism, and the resilience it takes to keep going when you’re trying to change something bigger than yourself.
This episode is about courage, action, opposition, and what happens when someone decides not just to care—but to act.
One of the most powerful conversations I’ve had on the podcast.
In this episode we talk about
Calling out injustice
The scale of rape and how Enough it trying to end it
Reclaiming control and creating survivor-led solutions
The difference between awareness and prevention 
Reactions from the male sports teams
How not to respond when someone opens up about their experience
The criticism received and how to pick yourself up when facing pushback 
The step-by-step process of founding Enough
 
Get involved and find out more: 
Instagram: @enoughtoendrape
Website: https://myenough.com/about
 
Follow the podcast:
Instagram: @seatatmy.table
TikTok: @talullahlake

If you’ve ever felt like you need more experience before starting—this episode is for you.
Because the truth is, most people who build something meaningful don’t start “ready.” They start because they care enough to try and are obsessed with their mission.
In this episode, I’m joined by Jem Stein, founder of Daring Capital— a syndicate of impact investors providing capital to extraordinary under-represented founders creating profitable businesses which make the world a better place.
But before that, Jem started The Bike Project—a charity supporting refugees across England—which he scaled to over £2.5M in revenue and grew into an award-winning organisation — not your typical route into investing.
This is a conversation about what it *really* takes to build something from nothing—and why obsession, not experience, is often the defining factor. We also talk about challenging the status quo, backing overlooked founders, and how you can start pursuing your own version of a “big life.”
 
In this episode, we cover:
* Building a charity that supports refugees across the UK
* Resilience against challenges, including opposition from the far right
* When to quick your day job
* What “impact investing” really means
* Why so many purpose-driven businesses struggle to get funding
* What investors actually look for in founders
* Why honesty helps you find the *right* opportunities and investors
* The role of obsession in success
* Staying focused when things get hard
 
If this resonates, subscribe for more conversations designed to help you take the leap and build your version of a big life.
 
Daring Capital - https://www.daringcapital.co.uk/
The Bike Project - https://thebikeproject.co.uk/mission/
Find Jem Stein on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jem-stein-8751959a/
 
Follow me:
Instagram - @seatatmy.table
TikTok - @talullahlake

This episode feels like a conversation you didn’t know you needed.
I’m joined by the incredible confidence mentor Megan Nicola, and we dive into what confidence actually means—and why so many of us struggle with it.
We talk about the idea that confidence isn’t about discipline, motivation, or “fixing” yourself… but about feeling safe enough to be seen as you are.
This conversation covers everything from procrastination and fear to rejection, self-doubt, and the pressure to have your life figured out in your twenties. It’s honest, emotional, and at times feels like a therapy session between friends.
If you’ve ever felt stuck, overwhelmed, or like you’re “not doing enough,” this episode will change how you see yourself.
Topics discussed in this episode:
Grief and the fear that comes with losing a parent
Navigating shame and the shitty twenties
Why procrastination is a safety issue, not a discipline problem
The fear of being seen and how it holds us back
The “dark side” of self-help and toxic positivity
Starting something new and dealing with failure
How to sit with uncomfortable emotions instead of avoiding them
Reframing rejection and building resilience
Where to find Meg:
Instagram & TikTok: @megannicola_
https://stan.store/Megannicola
Where to find Seat at My Table:
Instagram: @seatatmy.table
TikTok: @talullahlake
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SeatAtMyTablePodcast

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
 

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.

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

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