This week's NABS Podcast guest is Julian Douglas, global CEO at VCCP and a vocal advocate for mental wellness in the advertising industry.

The instigator of the Pitch Positive Pledge during his tenure as IPA president, Julian is a changemaker with a down-to-earth approach to mental wellness, as well as a huge enthusiasm for the ad industry. Julian also loves to learn and might inspire you to enrol on a free NABS course.

Julian talks to host Louise Scodie frankly about his experience of redundancy and how that's informed his mindset.

Julian is also co-founder of Lucky Voice, the karaoke bar, and reveals his current favourite song to sing in this episode.

Key takeaways:

• Policies need to be activated to drive forward change - something NABS highlighted in our All Ears community consultation
• Boundaries and self-care are your essential foundation to maintain mental wellness in our fast-paced world
• How to check if your company is signed up to the Pitch Positive Pledge and what to do if it's not being put into practice
  
  

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Pitch Positive Pledge pitchpositivepledge.co.uk

NABS courses Calendar - NABS

All Ears Community Consultation NABS All Ears Community Consultation Report

Got a question for The NABS Podcast?

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If you work in advertising, marketing or media, NABS is here for you. Through good times and bad, we’re here to get you through all of life’s issues, in and out of work.

Want to build a network? We’ll connect you to the industry.

Aiming to be your best work self? We’ll develop your skills.

Need a listening ear, a friendly face, a confidential chat, some money advice or some help with your mental health? We’re here for that too.

NABS is your charity, generously funded by the industry. Thanks for having our back; we’ve definitely got yours.

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Ally Owen is the rapid-fire and inspirational founder of Brixton Finishing School, the free course that develops underrepresented talent for adland. Ally shares her experiences of being an ADHD, working-class, single mum in adland to help elevate others and create a more inclusive industry, with our host Louise Scodie.

Ally is fun, intuitive and self-aware, describing her optimum schedule as 'that of a three-year-old toddler'. And with a host of industry accolades to her name, and hundreds of Brixton Finishing School graduates now building careers in the industry, it's clearly working well.

Key takeaways:

• Accountability partners can be helpful for ADHD'ers - you can even enlist a trusted friend to be this person for you.
• It's not enough to get underrepresented groups into the industry, we need to nurture them and get them into top positions.
• Knowing how to top yourself up is intrinsic to mental wellness.

NABS Inclusive Leader training: The Inclusive Leader - NABS

NABS Explore: Working with ADHD: Explore: Working with ADHD - Strengths, Strategies & Support - NABS

NABS Everyday Inclusion: understanding and building a neurodiverse workplace Everyday Inclusion: understanding and building a neurodiverse workplace with Iain Preston - NABS

Ally Owen: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ally-owen-2920871b?originalSubdomain=uk

Brixton Finishing School: Free Online and In-person Courses | Brixton Finishing School

MEFA: Ethnic Minority Representation in the Media Industry | Media For All

ADHD UK: ADHD UK - Homepage - ADHD UK

Got a question for The NABS Podcast?

Support the Show.

If you work in advertising, marketing or media, NABS is here for you. Through good times and bad, we’re here to get you through all of life’s issues, in and out of work.

Want to build a network? We’ll connect you to the industry.

Aiming to be your best work self? We’ll develop your skills.

Need a listening ear, a friendly face, a confidential chat, some money advice or some help with your mental health? We’re here for that too.

NABS is your charity, generously funded by the industry. Thanks for having our back; we’ve definitely got yours.

Need A Bit of Support? Speak to NABS.

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Iain Preston is a neurodiverse creative industry leader and DEI advocate. Full of energy and wisdom, Ian shares his lived experience of ADHD with our host Louise Scodie, openly discussing the challenges as well as the benefits it brings to his brain. He also shares his thoughts on how ADHDers benefit adland and how team members and leaders can best support those who live with ADHD.

Iain also loves his dog Rocky, who helpfully stayed quiet for us during this record.

Key takeaways:

• Seeking professional help is crucial for managing ADHD and maintaining mental wellness.
• Neurodiversity brings benefits to the advertising and marketing industry, such as expansive thinking and the ability to connect unrelated ideas.
• Leaders can support individuals with ADHD by asking them how they like to work
• Creating inclusive cultures where everyone feels supported is essential
  
  

Resources:
Free NABS Talk with Iain: https://nabs.org.uk/event/everyday-inclusion-understanding-and-building-a-neurodiverse-workplace-with-iain-preston

Free NABS ADHD workshop: https://nabs.org.uk/event/explore-working-with-adhd-strengths-strategies-support

NABS Advice Line: https://nabs.org.uk/how-we-can-help/advice-line

ADHD UK: https://adhduk.co.uk

Got a question for The NABS Podcast?

Support the Show.

If you work in advertising, marketing or media, NABS is here for you. Through good times and bad, we’re here to get you through all of life’s issues, in and out of work.

Want to build a network? We’ll connect you to the industry.

Aiming to be your best work self? We’ll develop your skills.

Need a listening ear, a friendly face, a confidential chat, some money advice or some help with your mental health? We’re here for that too.

NABS is your charity, generously funded by the industry. Thanks for having our back; we’ve definitely got yours.

Need A Bit of Support? Speak to NABS.

Sign up to the NABS newsletter

Follow NABS on LinkedIn

Follow NABS on Twitter

Follow NABS on Instagram

Watch NABS Talks on YouTube

Find out how you can support NABS...