Shows
Inclusive Growth ShowConnecting Frontline Employees: Turning Communication Gaps into Competitive AdvantageWhat if your biggest workforce segment is the least connected? In this episode, Toby Mildon speaks with Peter Durkin, CMO at Blink, about the hidden risks of overlooking frontline employees—and how organisations can turn connection into a strategic advantage.They explore why traditional communication tools fail deskless workers and why solving this challenge requires more than just new technology. Peter introduces the concept of a “frontline connection methodology” and explains how organisations can move beyond surface-level fixes to drive meaningful engagement, productivity, and inclusion.Key takeaways: Why 80% of the workfor...
2026-03-3132 min
Inclusive Growth ShowHow Leaders Can Avoid Burnout and Model WellbeingAre you always putting others first at work? You might be heading for burnout — and not even realise it.In this powerful episode, Toby Mildon speaks with Pam Burrows, known as The People Booster, about her unique CARE model for wellbeing. Pam shares her own burnout experience and how leaders who constantly serve others without taking care of themselves can harm not only their health, but their teams too.We explore practical ways for HR and ED&I professionals to avoid burnout, manage energy, and shift mindset — starting with ditching guilt and...
2026-03-0336 min
Inclusive Growth ShowHow Listening Drives Inclusive Leadership at BupaWhat does it take to lead with inclusion in a complex, global organisation? In this episode of the Inclusive Growth Podcast, Toby Mildon speaks with Rebecca Pearson, Chief Sustainability and People Officer at Bupa, about her incredible 31-year journey from frontline employee to executive leader. Rebecca shares how active listening, employee-led initiatives, and a values-driven culture underpin Bupa’s inclusive approach to leadership.You’ll hear practical insights into how inclusion is embedded into the DNA of the organisation—not as a “nice to have” but as a core business priority. From frontline feedback l...
2026-02-1732 min
Inclusive Growth ShowWhy Disabled Leaders Are Still Misunderstood – And How HR Can Change ThatWhy are disabled individuals still excluded from leadership?In this episode of The Inclusive Growth Show, Toby Mildon speaks with Pravjoth Gill, a disability advocate and recent HR graduate, whose dissertation explores the misrepresentation of disabled people in leadership roles – and what inclusive HR practices can do to change this.Pravjoth shares how her lived experience and intersectional identity shaped her research, what the biggest blockers to disabled leadership are, and how internalised ableism and outdated workplace systems continue to hold talent back.Key takeaways:Why disabled leaders ar...
2026-02-0326 min
Inclusive Growth ShowCreating Sustainable EDI Change: From Theory to Organisational PracticeWhy short-term diversity efforts fail - and how to fix themIn this episode of The Inclusive Growth Show, Toby Mildon is joined by Juliane Schlüsener, a systemic organisational developer, researcher and coach. Together, they explore how organisations can drive sustainable equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) by going beyond surface-level initiatives and embedding change across systems, structures and people.Juliane shares insights from her research into women working in male-dominated industries, revealing how stereotype threat undermines performance. She also explains why organisations must align their structures and processes with people-focused training to a...
2026-01-2018 min
Inclusive Growth ShowWhy Employee Ownership Drives Inclusive, High-Performing CulturesAre employee-owned organisations the key to inclusive, high-performing teams?In this episode of the Inclusive Growth Show, Toby Mildon is joined by Jeremy Gadd, Partner at Telos Partners and former senior leader at the John Lewis Partnership. Together, they explore what it really means to be an employee-owned organisation and why this model is gaining traction across the UK.Jeremy draws on over a decade of experience helping businesses transition to employee ownership, offering insights into the practical, cultural, and performance-based benefits this structure can bring.Key takeaways:...
2026-01-0629 min
Inclusive Growth ShowCould you spot the signs of radicalisation in an employee’s home life?Could you spot the signs of radicalisation in an employee’s home life? In this moving and eye-opening episode, Toby Mildon talks to Sarah Hardy from Exit Hate, a charity helping individuals disengage from extremism and supporting affected families. Sarah shares her personal journey after her teenage son was radicalised by a far-right group and how that experience impacted her work, wellbeing, and relationships.They explore the vital role of HR professionals and line managers in recognising signs of distress, showing empathy, and supporting employees dealing with radicalisation at home. Sarah provides practical adv...
2025-12-0926 min
Inclusive Growth ShowInclusive Leadership in Polarised TimesYou deal with conflict at work every day, and rising polarisation makes this harder. This episode gives you a straightforward way to strengthen your inclusive leadership and keep your team steady when views clash.You’ll hear:How political, economic and tech pressures shape your people’s behaviour.Why psychological safety and brave spaces matter.A clear four-step method to manage difficult conversations.How to calm the room, set simple rules, model curiosity and close well.The six inclusive leadership behaviours that build trust: empathy, relationship building, learning orientation, open-mindedness, composure and flexibility.How to move from...
2025-11-2728 min
Inclusive Growth ShowFrom Lived Experience to Inclusive Strategy: Fiona Daniel’s EDI JourneyHow do we move from performative diversity to real inclusion?In this episode of The Inclusive Growth Show, host Toby Mildon welcomes inclusion enabler and new associate Fiona Daniel. Drawing on her extensive career and deeply personal experiences, Fiona shares why real inclusion begins with asking, “Do I see myself here?”This conversation goes beyond the surface, challenging exclusionary myths and exploring the emotional impact of systemic bias. Fiona also shares practical tips and outlines the strategic workshops she delivers to help organisations embed inclusion into their business goals—not just HR pol...
2025-11-2542 min
The Change Show with Simon PhillipsThe Change Man Interviews - with Toby MildonIn this conversation, Simon Phillips hears from Toby Mildon and his personal experiences with workplace discrimination related to his disability. Toby recounts a specific incident where a health and safety manager deemed him a fire hazard due to his wheelchair, leading to his isolation from his team. The emotional impact of this experience is profound, highlighting the challenges faced by individuals with disabilities in professional environments.TakeawaysThe health and safety assessment led to unexpected discrimination.Isolation from the team can have severe emotional effects.Returning to the old office was a brave but difficult...
2025-11-1227 min
Inclusive Growth ShowUnlocking the Power of Your Voice at WorkAre you using your voice to its fullest potential in the workplace?In this episode of the Inclusive Growth Show, Toby Mildon sits down with Clinton Jordan, a vocal coach and performer who has sung with the likes of Mariah Carey and Tina Turner, and even performed at a royal wedding. Clinton now dedicates his work to helping professionals find their true voice and use it to lead with confidence and impact.Together, they explore how the voice shapes our workplace presence, the concept of sonic impact trauma, and...
2025-11-1143 min
Inclusive Growth ShowWhy Inclusion Means More Than Compliance with Ruben CarolBreaking down barriers to real disability inclusion. In this episode of the Inclusive Growth Show, host Toby Mildon speaks with Ruben Carol—Mildon’s newest associate consultant—about his powerful journey from stroke survivor to actor and disability inclusion expert. Ruben brings a wealth of experience working with major organisations such as Transport for London and C2C Rail to remove barriers and create inclusive environments.Together, they explore how the social model of disability transforms organisational thinking, why “treating everyone the same” is a dangerous myth, and how a culture of equity—rather than complia...
2025-10-2819 min
Inclusive Growth ShowHow to Build Neuro-Affirming and Inclusive WorkplacesNeuro-inclusion isn’t just good practice - it’s smart business.In this episode of The Inclusive Growth Show, host Toby Mildon chats with Andy Ryan, neurodiversity specialist and a new associate at Mildon. With a background in social care and a passion for reshaping how organisations view neurodivergence, Andy shares his journey into inclusion and offers practical ways to build neuro-affirming workplaces.You will learn:Why inclusive workplace adjustments are often simple and low-costThe myths that hinder neurodivergent inclusionHow communication shifts can improve workplace culture for allWhy designing flexible systems supports indi...
2025-09-3021 min
Inclusive Growth ShowWhat Does True Inclusion Really Look Like in Practice?Is your organisation truly inclusive, or just ticking boxes? In this episode of the Inclusive Growth Podcast, Toby Mildon introduces new associate Dr. Christopher Owen - an expert in intersectional systemic oppression and founder of the consultancy Coliberate. Together, they explore what it really means to drive equity, diversity, and inclusion from the inside out.Christopher shares insights drawn from his lived experience and academic background, challenging traditional approaches to inclusion that stop at internal metrics. Instead, he advocates for a shift towards co-liberation - building workplaces that support both internal culture and external c...
2025-09-1635 min
Inclusive Growth ShowHow Leadership and Inclusion Intertwine: Cynthia Fortladge's JourneyDiscover how inclusive leadership unlocks hidden potential in the workplace.In this episode of the Inclusive Growth Podcast, Toby Mildon sits down with Cynthia Fortladge, global award-winning consultant and new associate at Mildon. Cynthia shares her deeply personal journey from the C-suite to becoming a prominent voice in gender diversity and inclusive leadership.Through candid conversation, Cynthia and Toby explore:The distinction between management and true leadershipThe impact of unlocking discretionary effort in employeesCynthia’s philosophy of “acceptance without understanding”The emotional journey of redefining success and identityPractical advice on challenging bias and fo...
2025-09-0233 min
Inclusive Growth ShowChallenging Accessibility Myths and Creating Inclusive WorkplacesIs your organisation truly accessible – or just meeting the bare minimum?In this episode of the Inclusive Growth Podcast, Toby Mildon has a compelling conversation featuring Luis Canto E Castro, a disability inclusion and accessibility consultant and new Associate at Mildon. Luis shares his journey from South Africa to the UK, the personal and professional experiences that shaped his advocacy, and the non-traditional recruitment story that brought him into Toby’s network.Key takeaways:Why accessibility must go beyond complianceDigital exclusion in recruitment – and how to fix itThe difference between the medical and so...
2025-08-1925 min
Inclusive Growth ShowHow Love-Based Cultures Boost Organisational PerformanceWhat if love, not fear, was the foundation of your workplace culture?In this enlightening episode, Toby Mildon is joined by Simon Phillips - founder of The Change Maker Group and co-host of the Love Lead Change Podcast - to explore the transformative concept of a love-based organisation. They unpack the difference between love- and fear-based cultures and why empathy, psychological safety, and human-centred leadership are vital for inclusive growth.Simon introduces the LACE Framework - Listening, Accountability, Collaboration and Empathy - and how it’s helping organisations shift from compliance-driven environments to hi...
2025-08-0519 min
Inclusive Growth ShowHow EDI Can Move Beyond Optics to Deliver Real ImpactWhat happens when inclusion efforts stall at awareness?In this compelling episode, Toby Mildon sits down with experienced EDI practitioner Emma Underwood to explore why equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) is facing what Emma calls a “global earthquake.” Together, they unpack the current challenges in the sector, the ethical tensions at play, and the need for a more skilled, credible EDI profession.Emma draws from her varied background in public policy, students’ unions, and consultancy to outline the critical difference between performative allyship and meaningful change. She also tackles the need for professional standa...
2025-07-2227 min
Inclusive Growth ShowWhy Hiring Older Workers Could Rescue the Hospitality SectorIs your organisation missing out on a powerful and overlooked talent pool? In this episode of the Inclusive Growth Show, Toby Mildon speaks with Dr Andrew Jenkins, an expert in employment and age discrimination, to explore why older workers could be the key to solving the UK’s persistent hospitality staffing crisis.With insights from Andrew's extensive research and real-world examples - including B&Q’s game-changing recruitment strategy the episode dismantles common myths about older employees and reveals the untapped potential of a multi-generational workforce.Key takeaways include:The...
2025-07-0815 min
Inclusive Growth ShowSupporting Menopause and Mental Health for Inclusive WorkplacesMenopause and mental health: why silence in the workplace is no longer an option.In this compelling episode of the Inclusive Growth Show, Toby Mildon is joined by Haley from Menospace and Victoria from Minds That Work to explore the powerful intersection of menopause and mental health in the workplace.Haley shares her personal and professional journey into menopause advocacy, while Victoria reflects on her mental health work and how their collaboration emerged from a shared passion. Together, they highlight the often-overlooked impacts of perimenopause on psychological wellbeing and the urgent need for...
2025-06-2425 min
Inclusive Growth ShowWhy Flexible Working Is the Future of Inclusive Business GrowthWhat if flexible working wasn’t just a perk, but a pathway to inclusive growth and business success?Toby Mildon is joined by Molly Johnson-Jones, co-founder and CEO of Flexa, to unpack the real story—and real research—behind flexible careers. From being unfairly dismissed due to a disability to launching a platform that empowers over 3 million professionals, Molly shares her inspiring journey and vision for the future of work.We dive into the benefits of flexible working for individuals and businesses alike, including improved productivity, better hiring outcomes, and economic gains beyond major...
2025-06-1026 min
Inclusive Growth ShowWhy EDI Feels Risky – And How to Lead Through It AuthenticallyAre we doing EDI right – or just going through the motions?In this powerful follow-up episode, Toby Mildon is joined by Poornima Luthra, Associate Professor at Copenhagen Business School and thought leader on inclusive leadership. They explore the growing backlash against Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI), especially in light of shifting US policies, and what it means for leaders navigating this complex terrain.Poornima shares insights from her upcoming book “Can I Say That?”, outlining the five key fears that stall EDI progress: fear of change, fear of saying the wrong thing...
2025-05-2734 min
Inclusive Growth ShowWhy Inclusion Needs a ‘Why’: Grounding DEI in Organisational ValuesAre your inclusion efforts grounded in a meaningful 'why'?In this engaging episode, Toby Mildon speaks with Sarah Bettman—an executive coach and DEI strategist—about the importance of aligning equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) with organisational values, leadership integrity, and cultural dynamics.Sarah’s journey from paramedic to DEI expert brings a unique lens to privilege, systemic bias, and leadership responsibility. She shares stories and insights about how leaders can build inclusion into the DNA of their organisation by slowing down, listening deeply, and understanding power dynamics within systems.🎯 Key Takea...
2025-05-1333 min
Inclusive Growth ShowDriving Gender Diversity Through Inclusive Leadership at Parcelforce“You can’t transform without diversity.”In this episode of the Inclusive Growth Show, Toby Mildon speaks with Aaron Barnes, former Managing Director of Parcelforce and now a consultant in operational excellence and leadership development.Aaron shares his powerful journey of confronting and transforming a lack of gender diversity at senior levels in Parcelforce. When faced with the challenge of doubling business revenue, he realised that a homogeneous leadership team posed a significant risk to change. His data-driven and deeply personal approach led to the creation of employee resource groups, allyship campai...
2025-04-2944 min
Inclusive Growth ShowHow Active Bystander Training Helps Tackle Workplace DiscriminationHow can we empower employees to address discrimination in the workplace?In this episode of The Inclusive Growth Show, Toby Mildon sits down with Catherine Millan, founder of Be What You See Consultancy, to explore how active bystander training is helping organisations create inclusive and psychologically safe workplaces.Catherine shares her personal experiences with ADHD, dyslexia, and workplace discrimination, which fuelled her passion for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). She explains how her training programs equip employees with practical strategies to challenge microaggressions...
2025-04-1526 min
Inclusive Growth ShowHow to Support Neurodivergent Employees and Foster InclusionIs your workplace truly inclusive for neurodivergent employees?In this episode of The Inclusive Growth Podcast, Toby Mildon sits down with Lekshmi Baburajan, a learning and development consultant and neurodiversity coach. Lekshmi shares her personal journey of being diagnosed as neurodivergent later in life and how that experience has shaped her professional path.Together, Toby and Lekshmi explore the challenges neurodivergent employees face in the workplace, the role of HR in fostering inclusion, and the impact of strengths-based coaching.Key takeaways:The importance of
2025-04-0129 min
Good Vibes Leadership with Bernadette SmithLead with Humanity with Toby MildonToby Mildon (he/him), Workplace Inclusion Architect and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week, we talked about a history-making MSNBC lineup, a Sri Lankan resort run entirely by women, a Muslim athlete changing the game, and more!Here are this week's good vibes:Hijab, Hoops, and HustleMSNBC’s Weekend Gets a Historic MakeoverSri Lanka’s All-Women Resort Redefines HospitalityChina Cracks Down on Hiring DiscriminationPittsburgh Airport’s On-Site Child Care Takes OffGood Vibes to Go: Bernadette’s GVTG: In the spirit of intersectionality, learn about LGBTQ+ w...
2025-03-1821 min
Inclusive Growth ShowBravery in the Boardroom: Building Inclusive Leadership with Monique CarayolAre organisations truly moving the needle on boardroom diversity, or are they just ticking boxes?In this episode of The Inclusive Growth Podcast, host Toby Mildon sits down with leadership coach and consultant Monique Carayol, founder of Bravery in the Boardroom. With over 20 years of experience in the NHS and a proven track record in diverse leadership development, Monique shares practical strategies for creating more inclusive, representative senior leadership teams.Tune in to discover:Why diversity at board level
2025-03-1830 min
Inclusive Growth ShowThe Power of Inclusive Leadership: Courage, Communication & ChangeWhy do so many leaders struggle with inclusive leadership?In this episode of The Inclusive Growth Show, Toby Mildon speaks with Sharon Amesu, a former barrister turned leadership consultant and founder of She Leads for Legacy. Sharon shares her journey from the legal profession into the world of leadership development and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI).Together, they discuss the key traits of modern leaders, why courageous conversations matter, and how organisations can foster psychological safety.Key takeaways from this episode:
2025-03-0432 min
Inclusive Growth ShowHow to Create Lasting Change in Workplace Culture and Inclusive LeadershipHow can organisations create meaningful change that lasts?In this episode of The Inclusive Growth Show, host Toby Mildon is joined by Pritesh Patel, a Learning and Development professional at Colt Technologies. Together, they explore the challenges of workplace culture, inclusive leadership, and how to embed sustainable change in organisations.Pritesh shares his personal and professional experiences, highlighting the importance of community, active listening, and psychological safety. He also delves into the resistance to change and how leaders can foster...
2025-02-1832 min
Relationships at Work - a trust-driven leadership podcastBreaking the Fear of DEI: Why Inclusion is a Business Imperative w/ Toby MildonFear, hesitation, and resistance—why do so many leaders struggle with DEI? In this episode of Relationships at Work, host Russel Lolacher sits down with Toby Mildon, diversity and inclusion architect and author of Inclusive Growth, to break down the misconceptions, challenges, and real business benefits of embedding DEI into workplace culture.Toby shares insights on:✔️ The biggest fears leaders have around DEI—and how to overcome them✔️ Why diversity isn’t just good ethics, but a competitive advantage✔️ The importance of embedding DEI into the DNA of an organization, no...
2025-02-1153 min
Brilliantly ResilientEpisode 213: How to Expand Diversity and Inclusion to Include Everyone, with Toby Mildon"There is diversity within diversity itself. Even people with shared disabilities have different experiences. We are all diverse. Diversity includes everyone." ~ Toby Mildon, Author of Inclusive Growth: Future-proof Your Business by Creating a Diverse Workspace, and Building Inclusivity: Making Your Workplace Equitable, Diverse and Inclusive
How many people in the world are exactly like you? EXACTLY like you, no differences.
The answer is no one. Every single person, because of countless factors including genetics, personal experiences, education, inherent skills--the list is endless--is unique.
Toby Mildon, author and DEI expert, notes that whe...
2025-02-1142 min
Inclusive Growth ShowHow Accessible E-learning Drives Inclusion and Organisational SuccessWhy is accessible E-learning crucial for inclusive organisations?In this episode of the Inclusive Growth Show, Toby Mildon is joined by Susi Miller, E-learning accessibility expert and author of Designing Accessible Learning Content. Together, they dive into the essential steps for creating accessible E-learning materials and the transformational impact it has on individuals and organisations alike.Key takeaways include:Why accessible E-learning improves learning outcomes for everyone.The most common accessibility issues in digital learning content.How to align accessible E-learning with your diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI...
2025-02-0431 min
Inclusive Growth ShowCreating Safer Workplaces: Insights from Dr. Enya DoyleWhat does it take to build a harassment-free workplace?In this episode of The Inclusive Growth Show, Toby Mildon is joined by Dr. Enya Doyle, also known as The Harassment Doctor. With her expertise in harassment prevention, Dr. Doyle shares actionable strategies to address workplace harassment and cultivate accountability.Discover key insights, including:How the new Worker Protection Act impacts workplace harassment policies.Why increased harassment reports might signify a positive cultural shift.The role of intersectionality in creating inclusive policies.Practical steps to foster accountability and safety...
2025-01-2113 min
The Real Life BuyerRevolutionising Workplace Culture: Toby Mildon’s Guide to Diversity & InclusionWelcome to today's episode of the podcast, where we delve into the transformative power of Diversity and Inclusion with Toby Mildon, a leading D&I Architect based in Manchester. Toby, the author of "Inclusive Growth," combines his expertise in technology and HR to help organisations build truly inclusive workplaces. In this episode, we'll explore compelling data and case studies, practical steps for SMEs to implement D&I, innovative approaches for resource-constrained environments, and strategies to overcome cultural resistance. Get ready for an enlightening conversation that will provide you with actionable insights to drive inclusive growth in your business.
2025-01-2136 min
Inclusive Growth ShowFrom Values to Action: Inclusive Leadership Lessons with Kate Waterfall HillAre you leading intentionally or just managing?In this engaging episode of The Inclusive Growth Show, host Toby Mildon welcomes leadership expert Kate Waterfall Hill. Kate, known for her humorous TikTok alter ego Linda, shares her insights on how leaders can move beyond superficial values to truly embody inclusivity in their organisations.Key takeaways from this episode include:The power of coaching as a leadership tool to enable inclusive growth.Why leaders must align their actions with their values to foster trust and engagement.A practical framework for blending leadership...
2025-01-0726 min
Inclusive Growth ShowBridging the Inclusion Gap: Insights from Suzy LevyAre you ready to challenge the status quo in workplace inclusion?In this episode of The Inclusive Growth Show, host Toby Mildon welcomes Suzy Levy, author of Mind the Inclusion Gap and a leading voice in DEI. Suzy shares her journey from a global consulting career to championing human-centric leadership and tackling systemic inclusion challenges.Together, Toby and Suzy dive into essential topics like:The hidden costs of masking and code-switching.Why "being nice" is not enough for authentic inclusion.The interplay between privilege and workplace equity.Practical steps to create brave...
2024-12-1737 min