Life Beyond The Numbers
What really makes work-life fulfilling?
Through stories, reflections and insights from leaders, thinkers and creatives, we shine a light on the invisible forces that shape our work lives — what it means to be human. This isn’t just something to tune into — it’s something to attune to.
Hosted by award-winning author Susan Ní Chríodáin, Life Beyond the Numbers is for people who care about people. Because while numbers matter — people matter more.
What really makes work-life fulfilling?
Through stories, reflections and insights from leaders, thinkers and creatives, we shine a light on the invisible forces that shape our work lives — what it means to be human. This isn’t just something to tune into — it’s something to attune to.
Hosted by award-winning author Susan Ní Chríodáin, Life Beyond the Numbers is for people who care about people. Because while numbers matter — people matter more.
Episodes

Saturday Mar 23, 2024
#168 Leading. Beyond. The Numbers. - Solo Episode
Saturday Mar 23, 2024
Saturday Mar 23, 2024
"This book is about telling a different version of a story. That might begin to rebalance and imbalance. It is about leading beyond the numbers and still knowing our worth contribution and value. It is about recognising people as people and not as numbers on a payroll or statistics in a report." Susan Ni Chriodain
In this solo episode I talk more about my upcoming book, Leading Beyond the Numbers: How Accounting for Emotions Tips the Balance at Work. The focus today is on the title. I talk about leading - leaders and leadership. I talk about 'beyond' and what that means. And I talk about 'the numbers' and leading beyond them.
I am the host of Life Beyond the Numbers Podcast. I've recently written my first book which will be out in May '24. I believe that the future of work relies on us harnessing the power of conversation so we interact with one another with intention and integrity. I help people have more fulfilling work-lives by guiding them to see their uniqueness to let it shine through.
Connect with me:
On LinkedIn
Through my website: Beyond the Numbers
Resources Mentioned:
Leading Beyond the Numbers: How accounting for emotions tips the balance at work will be published on May 14th 2024. It is available for pre-order online at major booksellers and on Amazon.
Episode 145 Facilitate People with John Fairhurst

Saturday Mar 16, 2024
#167 A Future Possibility - Nathan Simmonds
Saturday Mar 16, 2024
Saturday Mar 16, 2024
"What we need to then do, though, is, rather than trying to create tomorrow based on all the clutter and the stuff that has and hasn't worked, we need to rewire to a future possibility." Nathan Simmonds
Nathan Simmonds and I discuss the importance of facing life challenges, overcoming personal struggles, and finding the strength to embrace a new path. Nathan shares his compelling life story, detailing how he navigated through personal challenges, including overcoming Crohn's disease, teenage bullying and a battle with drug addiction. Utilising his experiences and learnings, Nathan highlights the importance of understanding human dynamics, psychology, and adopting a reflective approach to address and overcome life's obstacles. Furthermore, he delves into the realms of leadership, hypnotherapy, and the effectiveness of future progressions in realising one's potential.
Nathan Simmonds specialises in delivering training experiences that go beyond the ordinary to ignite self-motivated, deeply aware, and conscious leaders. His training programs are designed to cultivate stronger relationships, enhance communications, and instil deep empathy while nurturing the talent of the future. He does this by combining practical tools, leadership psychology, and neuroscience, as a catalyst for innovation and creative problem-solving that propels leaders and businesses forward.
Connect with Nathan
Through his website
Through LinkedIn
If you have a more spiritual slant check out
https://www.spiritmedicine.world/
Yet to launch eutopianpeople.com
Resources Mentioned
Hurt people, hurt people by Dr. Sandra Wilson
The Great Work of Your Life by Stephen Cope
Dr. Joe Dispenza
Tony Robbins
Karina Rook episode #159 Freedom to be Human

Saturday Mar 09, 2024
#166 Emotional Overdraft with Andy Brown
Saturday Mar 09, 2024
Saturday Mar 09, 2024
"An Emotional Overdraft is the way that founders and entrepreneurs and leaders subsidise a business at the cost of their own mental or physical reserves and that can be very unhealthy and very damaging." Andy Brown
Andy Brown and I discuss how acknowledging and understanding our emotions is crucial, not just for business owners, but for anyone in a workplace. Although emotions and feelings might not be mainstream thinking for all business leaders yet Andy assures us it is coming. We delve into his book 'Emotional Overdraft', and Andy explains that an emotional overdraft leads to burnout, overwhelm and is causing “invisible damage” with hidden costs. We might think it is inevitable, it isn't. Andy takes us through some of the ten drivers of an emotional overdraft. He also tells us that if he had a tattoo it would say: Your feelings are a measure of your thinking.
Andy Brown is a Non-Executive Director, leadership coach, speaker and author. He provides coaching to leaders in people-based businesses, enabling them to make better decisions and to build more valuable businesses. Over the years, Andy has recognised that most leaders subsidize their companies at the expense of their own wellbeing, which he refers to as the ‘emotional overdraft’. This insight has enabled him to save numerous clients from burnout and stress and, at the same time, made their businesses more resilient. Andy was voted ‘Outstanding Non-Executive Director 2021’. Andy produces a twice-monthly newsletter for entrepreneurs, founders and leaders, called “Rambling On About Emotional Overdraft”. He has written hundreds of articles on leadership and business growth and has lectured at the University of Brighton.
Connect with Andy:
Through his websites https://emotionaloverdraft.com/ and https://etc.co.uk/about/
On LinkedIn
Resources Mentioned:
Emotional Overdraft by Andy Brown
Atlas of the Heart by Brené Brown
Carole Robbin Interpersonal Dynamics "Touchy Feely Course"
Three Principles
Permission to Feel by Marc Brackett
Episode #162 Never Think You Are Reaching Too High with Mags de Valois

Saturday Mar 02, 2024
#165 Work Joy Formula - Beth Stallwood
Saturday Mar 02, 2024
Saturday Mar 02, 2024
"I always think about the work joy formula as how do you actually go from where you are to getting more joy in your life?" Beth Stallwood
Beth Stallwood highlights the importance of personal responsibility for one's joy in a work environment. She talks us through her journey of discovering joy in her work. She cleverly contrasts work joy from work gloom. We cover the three key components of work joy: Engagement, Energy, and Experimentation. Beth also highlights the importance of self-awareness and responsibility in creating happiness at work. She proposes the concept of 'squads' that you build from your network, and discusses six roles they can play in your career. She further suggests tracking joyful moments at work to build a more joyful experience.
Beth Stallwood is a consultant, facilitator, podcast host, author and qualified executive coach with over 15 years’ experience. Her mission is to help people create and cultivate more WORKJoy. Beth’s coaching style balances support and challenge in equal measure, enabling people to empower themselves to achieve their goals. With experience across commercial, public sector and not-for-profit environments, Beth’s diverse background has allowed her to be highly agile in her approach, adapting to fit the context, culture and needs of each person on the WORKJoy Way programme. With a focus on the UK market, she has honed her skills in developing future leaders who can adapt, contribute and lead in an ever-changing world.
Connect with Beth:
Through her websites: Beth Stallwood and Create WorkJoy
On LinkedIn
Resources Mentioned:
WORKJoy: A toolkit for a better working life by Beth Stallwood
Resources to download from Beth's website
WORKJoy Jam Podcast
Episode 128, Alignment, Ana Bernardes

Saturday Feb 24, 2024
#164 A Look Inside My Upcoming Book
Saturday Feb 24, 2024
Saturday Feb 24, 2024
"I delve into that in the book - the fact that none of us ever really know what's going on for someone else." Susan
In this solo episode I talk about my upcoming book, Leading Beyond the Numbers: How Accounting for Emotions Tips the Balance at Work. I talk about the inspiration behind the book. I read out some of the endorsements I have received to date. And I read some extracts from two separate chapters that include personal anecdotes and reflections on the importance of emotions and the integration of mind and body in the workplace.
I am the host of Life Beyond the Numbers Podcast. I've recently written my first book which will be out in May. I believe that the future of work relies on us harnessing the power of conversation so we interact with one another with intention and integrity. I help people have more fulfilling work-lives by guiding them to see their uniqueness to let it shine through.
Connect with me:
On LinkedIn
Through my website: Beyond the Numbers
Resources Mentioned:
Leading Beyond the Numbers: How accounting for emotions tips the balance at work will be published on May 14th 2024. It is available for pre-order online at major booksellers and on Amazon.
How Emotions Are Made by Lisa Feldman Barrett
Emotional Agility by Susan David
Permission to Feel by Marc Brackett
Cassandra Speaks by Elizabeth Lesser
Episode 28, Breakthrough with Gib Bulloch
Episode 80, Why Do I Have to Fake it? with Greta Solomon
Episode 107, Be In the Room with Ellen Leith

Saturday Feb 17, 2024
#163 Pick Your Lane - Sally Oddy
Saturday Feb 17, 2024
Saturday Feb 17, 2024
"If there's one huge piece of advice I can give, it's pick your lane and stay in it .... Don't worry about what anyone else is doing, just decide what you want, decide how you're going to get that and focus." Sally Oddy
Sally Oddy, an established entrepreneur, shares insights about her journey from being an employee to become a successful business owner. We delve into the details about her experience with burnout in a corporate environment which led her to change her career path and start a marketing consultancy. She shares how she transitioned from this to teaching others to do their own marketing. Sally outlines detailed advice for anyone planning to start a business, highlighting the importance of thorough planning, getting the basics right, and making strategic decisions based on long-term rather than short-term goals. Sally also shares her views on the challenges faced in the online business world and the misconceptions around 'quick success' in this field. The concept of 'membership' and 'mastermind' programs are explained with their respective benefits. If you are thinking about starting your own business or in a start-up phase this episode is one you won't want to miss.
Sally Oddy is a Strategic Powerhouse who shares no-nonsense systems, tactics and strategies that will completely transform how you operate your business! Working with Self-Led Soulpreneurs, she pours over 20 years experience into their hearts, minds and businesses and turned running an online business into a simple and clearly defined system enabling you to make a consistent income online and have the confidence, tools and skills to make it happen! She is on a mission to inspire you to fulfil your potential, live life to the full, and impact thousands of lives along the way!
Connect with Sally:
Through her website
On LinkedIn and Instagram
Resources Mentioned
Episode 76 Limitless with Emma O'Brien

Saturday Feb 10, 2024
#162 Never Think You Are Reaching Too High - Margaret de Valois (From the Archives)
Saturday Feb 10, 2024
Saturday Feb 10, 2024
"Never think you reaching too high. If you want to do something, go for it, go for what you actually want." Mags de Valois
Note: This episode from the archives was originally episode #13 on Oct 20th, 2020. For this episode I have recorded a brief introduction and a summary at the end with my key takeaways.
Margaret de Valois shares her journey of embracing her individuality while navigating the corporate city world and breaking the mould. We talk about how much more rewarding it is to make active choices and really consider what it is that you want to do in life. We talk about stereotypes, how she felt as if she was in "a controlling relationship with the City" and her relocation to Cornwall. We also delve into her love of people, communication and pensions as well as her experience with the London Philharmonic Choir.
Margaret de Valois is an award-winning seasoned City professional now living in Cornwall. She qualified as an actuary and works as a Business Coach who helps businesses generate great ideas and plan practical strategies to guarantee business growth. And she is a co-host of the TV show Thinking Women.
Connect with Mags
Through her website
Thinking Women TV
Resources Mentioned
State Pension - UK Gov website

Saturday Feb 03, 2024
#161 All Roads Lead to Centre - Claudia Anghel
Saturday Feb 03, 2024
Saturday Feb 03, 2024
"I'm consistently, continuously discovering this... I discovered that the key is the centre. Not losing your centre. This message constantly comes to me, all roads lead to centre. Because of course it's normal, human, to go into extremes." Claudia Anghel
Claudia Angel talks about her transition from a traditional career in human resources to working with the resources of humans and guiding them in life. Claudia reflects on a pivotal moment that reshaped her career path. It happened after the end of a 13-year-long career with a multinational organisation that she loved. The end was abrupt but it lead to a significant life transition for Claudia. Claudia talks about the power of pausing and then pivoting and finally merging. During this time Claudia discover the Gene Keys — a system derived from ancient wisdom dating back 5,000 years ago. She talks about how Gene Keys provide insights into different aspects of your life, including work-life and various existential topics.
Claudia Anghel founded the holistic HarRa Center for Gene Keys students as a space to creatively express their gifts and grow together. Following a traditional career in human resources including working as an international HR professional Claudia made a shift from human resources to working with people's inner resources and guiding them in life. Claudia loves to bring people together in an energy of trust, familiarity, and collaboration.
Connect with Claudia
Through her website
Through the Gene Keys website
On LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram
Resources Mentioned
The Answer to How Is Yes by Peter Block
PWN Global: Professional Women’s Network
Gene Keys
The Art of Contemplation by Richard Rudd

Saturday Jan 27, 2024
#160 Create!
Saturday Jan 27, 2024
Saturday Jan 27, 2024
"Every conversation we have is co-created with other people."
In this solo episode I reflect on the influence of creative thinking in daily life. The World Economic Forum's top 10 skills of 2023 highlights creative thinking as the second top skill. Although creativity is often linked to monumental achievements or works of art, creativity emanates from all humans in our everyday activities. It is the ability to bring something into existence that didn't exist before. Acknowledge the creativity you exhibit in your daily lives, from creating meals to creating conversations.
Resources Mentioned:
The World Economic Forum Top 10 Skills
Michael Neil
Aengus Fletcher on ChangeStories

Saturday Jan 20, 2024
#159 Freedom to be Human - Karina Rook
Saturday Jan 20, 2024
Saturday Jan 20, 2024
"We are always at our best when we have freedom to be human. And what I mean by that is when we remember, or lean into, what makes us human, oh my gosh, that's octane for our performance and it's so much easier." Karina Rook
Karina Rook is an advocate for the virtue of 'freedom to be human' in our work-lives. In our conversation we cover the importance of genuine connection, overcoming stress and burnout, the role of rest and recovery and the concept of authentic self-leadership. We discuss the art of listening to our intuition, and nurturing attributes that light us up. Karina underscores her belief that humans are wired for success, and that compassion, understanding, and freedom to be human, dissolve barriers to optimal performance. And we discuss intriguing research that demonstrates, surprisingly, that performance only accounts for 10% of career success. Image or perception by others is 30% and networking or visibility contributes a whopping 60%.
Karina Rook is the founder of Ventures Green Ltd. and has embarked on a mission to empower women in their pursuit of holistic well-being. Her qualifications span biology, business, nutrition, mindfulness, and coaching, woven with 24+ years of empowering individuals, teams, and businesses in the corporate world. She stands against workplace inequality and believes every woman deserves to shine. Ventures Green is built upon values of freedom, interconnectedness, stardust, and adventure. She is the host of the Freedom to be Human podcast.
Connect with Karina
Through her website Ventures Green
On LinkedIn
Celestial Coach on Instagram
Freedom to be Human podcast
Resources Mentioned
Harvey Coleman career success research
Dr. Dorian Dugmore
Good to Great by Jim Collins

Life Beyond the Numbers
What really makes work-life fulfilling?
If you believe in putting people first — and in purpose, not just profit — this podcast is for you.
Life Beyond the Numbers explores the human side of work-life through honest conversations with leaders, thinkers and creatives. We speak about the things that matter but often go unsaid — stories, reflections and experiences that remind us: that even at work we are human beings, being human. And while numbers matter, people matter more.
Hosted by Susan Ní Chríodáin, award-winning author of Leading Beyond the Numbers and founder of Beyond the Numbers, the podcast invites listeners into a space where uniqueness is valued, voice is honoured and choice is always possible.
80% of people report feeling disengaged at work. Whether you’re part of that 80% — or part of the 20% who’s found meaning — you’re welcome here.
With over 25 years of experience leading multicultural, cross-sector teams across Europe, Africa, and Asia, Susan brings real-world depth, business acumen and emotional fluency to every conversation. Her work — as a coach, facilitator, speaker, and writer — is rooted in helping people reconnect with what truly matters.
This isn’t just something to tune into.
It’s something to attune to.









