In this episode of the WeArePoWEr Podcast, we’re joined by Asia Sharif, a Software Engineer, public speaker, mentor and all-round force of nature.

Asia shares the story behind the origin of her name, how identity has shaped her confidence and her honest experiences with imposter syndrome in tech. She reflects on building self-belief, navigating underrepresentation in engineering and the importance of mentorship in STEM, while also breaking down her path into coding and software engineering and how public speaking became a tool for impact and advocacy.

She also opens up about her battle with cancer, the challenges she faced and the mindset that helped her keep moving forward.

What to expect in this episode:

• The story and meaning behind Asia’s name
• Imposter syndrome & building self-belief
• Mentorship in STEM and engineering
• Coding, software engineering & tech careers
• Public speaking and confidence
• Asia’s cancer journey, resilience & recovery
• Awards, achievements & success

Find out more about We Are PoWEr here. 💫

In this episode, we speak with Peter Jackson, Partner & Non-Executive Director at Hill Dickinson LLP, strategist, and proud Scouser, about a career shaped by graft, humour, resilience, and deep connection to the city of Liverpool.

Peter shares how imposter syndrome, preparation, and the ability to communicate clearly became defining traits of his leadership, and why “doing the homework” still sits at the heart of how he approaches everything.

Peter talks candidly about decision-making, managing risk, influencing a partnership, and leading with values. He also reflects on reading at the Hillsborough memorial, the importance of humour even in tragedy, and the moment a routine medical check revealed he needed a quadruple bypass.

Peter’s story offers an honest, grounded look into leadership: the wins, the wobbles, and the non-negotiables that protect your wellbeing when the world gets loud.

You’ll hear:
➡️ Why preparation and curiosity formed the backbone of Peter’s leadership
➡️ How imposter syndrome motivated — rather than limited — his career
➡️ The inside story of Hill Dickinson’s naming rights at Everton’s new stadium
➡️ What reading at the Hillsborough memorial taught him about community and humanity
➡️ Why humour can carry you through crisis
➡️ How establishing “non-negotiables” protects leaders from burnout
➡️ The warning signs he missed before needing a quadruple bypass — and what he learned next

Find out more about We Are PoWEr here. 💫

In this episode, we speak with Figen Murray OBE, psychotherapist, campaigner, and the driving force behind Martyn’s Law — about transforming unimaginable tragedy into national change. Figen shares how her son Martyn’s death in the Manchester Arena attack reshaped her life’s purpose and how determination, kindness, and what she calls her “mosquito mindset” helped move entirely new security legislation through Parliament.

Figen’s story, from studying counter-terrorism to spending weeks in the House of Commons and Lords as her work was scrutinised, reveals the reality of building a law from the ground up, the emotional toll of campaigning, and the power of human connection in driving forward change.

We explore how she works with politicians, venue operators, security specialists, and schools to help make public spaces safer, and why she believes terrorism awareness is everyone’s responsibility.

You’ll hear:
➡️ How Figen initiated and led the campaign that created Martyn’s Law
➡️ Why venue security was previously optional — and how that is changing
➡️ How forgiveness, resilience, and kindness helped her continue the work
➡️ What she’s learned from speaking thousands of times across the UK and internationally
➡️ The tactics online radicalisers use to target young people
➡️ Why simple, everyday awareness and acts of kindness can strengthen communities

Find out more about We Are PoWEr here. 💫

In this episode, we speak with Reshma Mahapacha, IBM strategist and author of The Second Brain, about the real skills that drive complex transformations: emotional intelligence, quiet leadership, and the ability to read a room. She shares how timing, perception, and cultural fluency shape multi-million-pound programmes and why letting results speak often creates the strongest influence.

Reshma’s global career brings a fresh and experienced perspective to consulting, communication, and leadership. We talk about the power of a well-timed pause, how to turn misinterpretation into clarity, and why success has seasons: of intensity, stillness, and deliberate pace.

You’ll hear:
➡️ Why The Second Brain centres on timing, precision, and perception
➡️ The shift from artificial intelligence to authentic intelligence
➡️ The impact of quiet leadership and letting results do the talking
➡️ Why success moves in seasons
➡️ How empathy strengthens AI policy, design, and outcomes
➡️ Ways AI can create jobs and support long-term skills growth

Find out more about We Are PoWEr here. 💫

In this episode, we speak with our Northern PoWEr Women Awards 2025 Outstanding Entrepreneur winner, a self-taught coder who built her first products from a bedroom, grew a software platform during COVID, and later made a bold pivot into robotics when the market shifted.

She shares what values-led growth looks like in real life, from backing small businesses to building an 80% women team, and why staying power matters more than hype.

We also talk honestly about the climate impact of AI, the realities of burnout, and how resilience and purpose guide the next stage of her leadership.

You’ll hear:
➡️ How a self-taught coder built, scaled, and pivoted with purpose
➡️ Why small businesses shaped her growth strategy during COVID
➡️ Her story to becoming an 'Outstanding Entrepreneur'
➡️ The hidden climate costs of AI and the need for practical guardrails
➡️ What burnout taught her about resilience, clarity, and staying in the game

Find out more about We Are PoWEr here. 💫

This end-of-year special looks at what 2025 has really taught us across business, health, public services, and our wider Northern PoWEr Women community.

We reflect on a full year of Northern PoWEr Women activity, from the Awards Roadshow , where Dr Penny stepped confidently into her new alter-ego, DJ Penny PoWEr, to reading 1,800 nominations that showed the scale of impact being created in every sector.

And as we close out the year, we’re already preparing for a major milestone: the 10th anniversary of the Northern PoWEr Women Awards on 12th March 2026!

This episode leaves you with one clear, practical takeaway: implementation intentions, a simple tool to help you follow through when motivation dips... plus a final send-off with Penny and Simone on the DJ decks.

In this episode:

• What this year’s 1,800 Award nominations revealed
• Behind the judging, the roadshow, and why celebration still matters
• Confidence from trying something new (including DJing!)
• A simple networking approach that saves time and energy
• The 10th anniversary Awards coming in March
• Implementation intentions and how to put them into practice
• How to take 2025’s lessons into 2026 with focus and momentum

Find out more about We Are PoWEr here. 💫

In this episode, we speak with Lauren Rosegreen, Senior Project Manager for Inclusion and Climate Justice at SOS UK and National President at JCI UK, who shows how kindness, courage, and curiosity can shape leadership and personal growth.

She shares how six months traveling across twelve countries in Central and South America became a masterclass in resilience, perspective, and staying calm under pressure, while also shaping her approach to supporting others.

Lauren discusses how she mentors and empowers young leaders across sectors, why networking needs a rebrand, and how genuine curiosity and human connection create relationships that endure and make a real difference. She also explores how small daily practices, advocacy, and intentional visibility can amplify impact and drive systemic change.

You’ll hear:

➡️ How travel and adventure build perspective, resilience, and leadership
➡️ Ways to support young leaders and foster growth across sectors
➡️ Why networking works better when curiosity and human connection come first
➡️ How small daily actions, visibility, and advocacy create meaningful impact
➡️ Lessons in empathy, courage, and leading with kindness in professional life

Find out more about We Are PoWEr here. 💫

In this episode, we speak with Aimee MacFadyen, a nuclear project manager showing that one of the most misunderstood sectors can also be one of the most exciting places to build a bold, meaningful career.

She demystifies what nuclear work really looks like, why safety standards are among the highest in any industry, and why the future of clean energy relies on trust, transparency, and diverse skills, not just engineers.

Aimee explains how she carved her own path into nuclear, through specialist education, an apprenticeship, and a move into project management while self-funding her degree.

We also dive into confidence, visibility, and the importance of speaking up early in your career, practical lessons for anyone looking to make an impact in competitive, high-stakes industries.

You’ll hear:
➡️ What nuclear work really looks like day to day
➡️ How apprenticeships create early credibility and real-world skills
➡️ Why nuclear’s safety culture is stronger than people assume
➡️ The sector’s skills gap and why new voices matter
➡️ How self-advocacy, preparation, and visibility accelerate your career
➡️ The power of role models, outreach, and saying “yes” before you feel ready

Find out more about We Are PoWEr here. 💫