THE SLOW DOWN

THE SLOW DOWN

By Tijana Tamburić

Your time to define success for yourself in our 'growth at all costs' capitalist culture - with a little inspiration from others.

Episodes

#15 Author and Coach Tamu Thomas on toxic productivity, anxiety and redefining success

Tamu Thomas  is the author of Why Women Work So Much and a passionate advocate for joyful living, boundaries, and sustainable success. She challenges the burnout culture and toxic productivity that so many women find themselves trapped in and explores how we can redefine ambition, rest, and self-worth beyond productivity. As a qualified social worker, somatic coach and public speaker, Tamu challenges the pervasive culture of burnout and advocates for a more balanced approach to ambition and self-care.In this episode we cover: The immigrant experience Anxiety attacks & how we get there How to approach your relationship with work differently Effort precipitates ease - create systems for success How to Slow Down but also pay the bills Why productivity hacks for men don’t work for women The myth of the martyr mother How to self-regulate How to part with compassion Mentions:Why Women Work So Much - Tamu Thomas The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. LewisLife is What you make it  -  Frighty & Colonel Mite Links: https://www.instagram.com/tamu.thomashttps://www.linkedin.com/in/tamuthomas/ Cover photo image credit: Vicki Knights photography
19/07/251h 6m

#14 Douglas McMaster: ‘Bullying, Violence, Food waste – I saw it all in Michelin Star kitchens’

​Douglas McMaster is a pioneering British chef renowned for championing sustainable dining. His culinary journey includes tenures at esteemed establishments such as St. John, The Fat Duck, and Noma. In 2014 he opened the world's first zero-waste restaurant, Silo, initially established in Brighton and later relocated to London's Hackney Wick. Silo operates on a pre-industrial food system, utilizing techniques like fermentation, pickling, and preserving to ensure every ingredient is fully utilized. Beyond the kitchen, he shares his philosophy through public speaking engagements, including a TED Talk titled 'Waste Is a Failure of the Imagination,' and contributes as a faculty member at the MAD Academy, inspiring future culinary leaders to rethink food systems and sustainability.In this episode we cover: A digression on our TEDx talks Being raised in a house without electricity What it means to feel psychologically ‘full’How not feeling good enough can fuel you From pot-washer to chef at St John, The Fat Duck and Noma Why neurodivergence is so common in kitchens The risks that come with diverging from the norm World tour of restaurants that think differently What happens when someone sees potential in you and stokes it Why does waste exist and how to get rid of it? The best shortbread of his life What Douglas has been building with Silo Leading with creativity and innovation  Why there is no such thing as cheap food The power of storytelling for business Building a new system within a broken system Mentions:Restaurants: St John’s, The Fat Duck, NomaJoost Bakker - Australian zero-waste activist, artist and designer The One Straw Revolution - Masanobu FukuokaLinks: https://www.instagram.com/mcmasterchef/https://www.silolondon.com/
06/07/251h 2m

#13 Molly Johnson-Jones: Fired for Asking to WFH — What She Did Next Redefined Job Searching

Molly Johnson-Jones is the co-founder and CEO of Flexa, a platform that showcases companies offering flexible working environments. Her personal experience of being dismissed from a finance role after requesting flexible work (working from home one day a week) accommodations for her autoimmune condition led her to establish Flexa in 2019. The platform now serves millions of users globally and collaborates with major corporations like Mars UK and Microsoft UK to promote transparency in workplace flexibility.In this episode we cover: Graduating from Oxford - but at what cost? How her autoimmune condition got her fired How overachieving can internalize sexism Being in a relationship and running a business together Work-life blend Having a non-visible disability Making FLEXA the first port of call for job searching Why freedom is success Taking life in phases & normalising career breaks Links: https://www.linkedin.com/in/molly-johnson-jones/ https://flexa.careers/
22/06/2548m 49s

#12 Hector Hughes: 'Have you ever spent a weekend without your phone?’

Hector Hughes is the co-founder of Unplugged, a company offering off-grid cabin retreats designed to help people disconnect from digital life and reconnect with nature.After experiencing burnout in the tech industry, Hector went on a silent repreat in the Himalayas and recognised the need for digital detox solutions. Since its inception in 2020, Unplugged has grown rapidly whilst promoting intentional rest in a hyper-connected world.In this episode we cover: Being the dyslexic twinThe part alcohol plays in our culture Learnings from a silent retreat in the HimalayasThe reality of building a business What locking your phone in a box for 3 days can do for you Practicing what you preach Approaching problems with compassion Mentions:Stop Drinking Now - Allen Carr The Myth of Normal - Gabor Maté Awareness - Anthony De Mello Links: https://www.instagram.com/unplugged.rest/?hl=en https://www.linkedin.com/in/hector-hughes-10082195/
08/06/251h 1m

#11 Chrissy Rutherford: ‘I was told: you should feel lucky to be here’

Chrissy Rutherford is a writer, consultant and mental wellness advocate. She was a digital editor at Harper’s Bazaar.com for 9 years, from 2011-2020, in New York City- spearheading the magazine’s instagram account - which got over 4 million followers under her influence- along with writing fashion and celebrity articles, styling, producing and hosting their Youtube series Heel Hunters. Since departing Harpers, Chrissy is now a writer and digital content creator working with brands like J Crew, Caudalie, JW Marriott Hotels, DeBeers and American Express . She has a newsletter called FWD JOY  which is dedicated to the journey of self-discovery, self-care, and self-investment. In this episode we cover: What it took to get an Editor’s job at Harper’s And what it took to leave Living with your parents as an adult Pulled back from digital activism after going 5.4m+ viral on a post  The joys of being 39 and single Why you should move around in your career Mentions:A New Earth - Eckhart Tolle Notes from the Universe (app) Clueless (1995) directed by Amy Heckerling The Places That Scare You - ​​Pema ChodronLinks: https://chrissyrutherford.comhttps://www.instagram.com/chrissyford
25/05/2551m 53s

#10 Dan Murray-Serter: 'I met the Queen the same week I had to fire half of my team'

Dan Murray-Serter is a  serial entrepreneur, angel investor (85 startups), and advocate for mental health. He co-founded Heights, a brain care supplements company, following personal struggles with insomnia and anxiety. Dan also co-hosts the acclaimed Secret Leaders podcast, where he has interviewed over 500 prominent figures, amassing more than 50 million downloads. He shares insights on success and well-being through his newsletter, "The Science of Success." In this episode we cover: - When ADHD meets creative entrepreneurship - Do hard things, build up dopamine- The successes and failures of start ups - Curing insomnia - Building Heights in a few way - Getting investment for a 'slow down' company - Annual life audits Mentions:The Dose Effect - TJ Power  The Molecule of More - Daniel Z. Lieberman and Mike LongBuilding A Story Brand - Donald MillerAwareness - Anthony De Mello Joy (2015) directed by David O Russell The Defiant Ones (2017) Documentary by Allen HughesLinks: www.linkedin.com/in/danmurrayserterwww.yourheights.com
11/05/2559m 19s

#9 Marine Tanguy: ‘We consume 10,000 images per day’

Marine Tanguy was the youngest gallery manager in Europe before founding MTArt Agency, the first talent agency dedicated to visual artists. They represent top visual artists and integrates their art into various contexts, from digital platforms to public art projects. She is also the author of her new book The Visual Detox - challenging the dominance of commercial imagery in public spaces.In this episode we cover: - What visual literacy means - What you can do to become a more conscious visual consumer - How an image of her used in a slander campaign became on of the most viewed images on Le Monde - Raising boys - How visuals can catalyse important conversations - Taking a “30 minute holiday” every day Mentions:At 21 Marine was the manager of Steve Lazarides Gallery (Banksy and other street art)Marine’ gallery she opened at 23 was called De Re Gallery (named after the island she came from in France) on Melrose Avenue in Los AngelesMarine was mentored by Michael Ovitz , co-founder of CAATineye.com - reverse image search BBC VerifyPina (2012) documentary by Wim Wenders on choreographer Pina BauschLinks: https://www.instagram.com/marinetanguyart/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/marine-tanguy-303b4a103/  https://www.instagram.com/mtartagency/ 
27/04/251h 2m

#8 Sharmadean Reid MBE: Do you need a Hot Girl Sabbatical?

Sharmadean Reid MBE, is a British entrepreneur, author, and cultural innovator best known for founding WAH Nails, a nail salon that redefined beauty culture in London, and The Stack World, a platform empowering women through networking and business tools. Sharmadean's new book, New Methods for Women: A Manifesto for Independence, features 49 essays that provide actionable advice and personal insights on navigating life, work, relationships, and personal growth. Drawing from her own experiences as an entrepreneur, leader, and co-parent, Sharmadean offers readers practical tools to thrive while advocating for systemic change to better support women's empowerment​. In this episode we cover: How to be a contributor to your city The difference between founding and entrepreneurship How praise can reinforce negative behaviours Finding a career that gives you pleasure Why two baths a day is true luxury Equity: the next wave of feminism How to centre yourself every day Bringing the healing home Mentions:Street Haunting: A London Adventure (1927) by Virginia Woolf New Methods for Women (2024) by Sharmadean Reid Boomerang (1992) Film by Reginald Hudlin Links: https://www.instagram.com/sharmadeanreidhttps://www.newmethodsforwomen.com/
06/04/251h 1m

#7 Sarah Ann Macklin: ‘I had a full body crash at 23’

Sarah Ann Macklin is a British nutritionist, model, and mental health advocate, known for blending science and compassion in her work. After a successful modeling career, she transitioned into the field of nutrition, earning a first-class degree in Human Nutrition. Her personal experiences, including being diagnosed with dyslexia during her studies, inspired her to explore how nutrition supports mental health and conditions like ADHD and autism. She also hosts the popular podcast Live Well, Be Well, which focuses on evidence-based nutrition and mental health strategies. Sarah has spoken internationally, including at the European Parliament, and contributes to publications such as Women’s Health and Harper’s Bazaar.In this episode we cover: What happens when we are told we are successful at a very young age What being hospitalized by burnout means Relearning self-compassion True success is when you overcome something huge in yourself Discipline and the myth of work-life balance Wellness culture’s latest trends and traps Why wellbeing starts with the mind Links: https://sarahannmacklin.com/ https://www.instagram.com/sarahannmacklin
21/03/251h 2m

#6 Olivia Rubin: ‘The fashion industry asks for more and more’

Olivia Rubin is a celebrated British fashion designer known for her vibrant, feminine and joyful designs. Reviving her eponymous brand as a mum of two in 2018, Olivia rocketed to success. Within a year, the brand was stocked in Selfridges and Saks New York. Within three she had a store on Marylebone High Street and was presenting at London Fashion. Then there was a kids collection and collaborations with Elemis, sofa.com, Liberty and more. Her signature rainbow patterns and commitment to creating inclusive, size-diverse collections made her a favourite among celebrities and fashion enthusiasts alike. But in the last year, Olivia has decided to slow down - on the unsustainable pace of seasonal collections, on scaling so big she loses control and in her busy personal life too. In this episode we cover: How regaining control increases your enjoyment Celebrating the small winsAllowing space for yourself postpartum Finding the joy in dressing Mentions:Miuccia Prada’s 90s shows One of Olivia’s many posts that I reference on slowing down:  ⁠https://www.instagram.com/p/DCHkY6iMEGH/?img_index=1⁠Links: https://oliviarubinlondon.com https://www.instagram.com/oliviarubin/
09/03/2541m 4s

#5 Solomon Oyemade: ‘Do You Mind If I Sit Here?’

Solomon Oyemade was a Location Manager and connector in East London whose curiosity and intuition took him to Sweden where he ran the kitchen in an African Drum School for 9 months and started to find his place at the intersection of creativity and social impact. After house-sitting in Costa Rica, California, Mexico, Portugal and Spain he nomadically built Curated Funding, an online library that gives creatives and social entrepreneurs access to an archive of active awards, grants, and funding initiatives. Solomon is currently the Special Projects Manager at Shoreditch Arts Club - programming events that celebrate diversity and grassroots creativity. Solomon’s journey is not the typical one which is why his perspectives and stories are so refreshing. In this episode we cover:  Using your phone as a mailbox  Anchors rather than titles  Monastic experiences and being alone  Being an experimenter  Grief as a great equalizer  What pervasive belief are you railing against today? The lens of gratitude is not about perfection  Who are you when social expectation is removed? Mentions: Newham Youth Parliament WorkAwayFela KutiFresh, (1994) film by Boaz YakinLinks: https://www.instagram.com/solomonthefounder/ https://shoreditchartsclub.com/
23/02/251h 4m

#4 Alexia de Broglie: ‘We got caught up in the glamour of being exited founders’

Alexia de Broglie is the co-founder of Your Juno, a financial education platform that helps women reach their financial goals. She started Your Juno with her sister at the age of 24 and raised over $2.5m in investment. In the last three years, Juno has supported 150,000 women in increasing their personal combined wealth by an estimated £600 million. Alexia has also been a guest editor at the Financial Times, named Forbes 30 under 30, ex-McKinsey & PwC, and featured for her work in Vogue, BBC, Glamour, and Cosmopolitan, amongst others. Re-imagining her life now after a failed sale of her business, Alexia is exploring different ways of living, community-building and slowing down. In this episode we cover: Seeking your father’s admiration Study drugs and doing it allHow that first big setback feels ISTA, love and travel on a journey of change  Re-building the mind-body connection What you do with your privilege is what mattersThe role money plays in the loss of community Mentions:Charles EisensteinThe Art of Gathering by Priya ParkerInternational School of Temple Arts (ISTA) Links: https://www.yourjuno.co/
09/02/251h 2m

#3 Matt Klein: “We are negotiating our time back from work”

Matt Klein is an award-winning cultural theorist, strategist, and writer renowned for his insights into societal trends and digital culture. His present role is Head of Foresight at Reddit and running his award-winning publication ZINE (which you should subscribe to!). As a sought-after speaker and consultant, Matt collaborates with brands, the UN, investors, philanthropists and press to navigate the complexities of the modern world. I speak to him on if slowing down, and re-defining our careers for ourselves is a macro-movement in the zeitgeist.  In this episode we cover:  Lazy Girl Jobs and the Great Resignation Our mass desire to renegotiate our time back at work How social media makes our public image always-on   How to fend off the hungry content monster  How capitalism sells you wellness  How spending a day with a child can help you slow down  Mentions: The Century of the Self (2002) Documentary by Adam Curtis Future Shock, Alvin Toffler  Theory of Self-Preservation, Irving Goffman  Big Brothers, Big Sisters: https://www.bbbs.org/ Team Human, Douglas Rushkoff  Links:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/kleinkleinklein/ KleinKleinKlein.com
26/01/2555m 15s

#2 Ellie Dixon: 'I needed rest, in an industry that valued constant output'

Ellie Dixon is an indie-pop musician and songwriter from Cambridge known for her witty, self-aware lyrics and creative production techniques. Starting her career by crafting music from her bedroom studio, merging pop, jazz, rap, and R&B, she amassed over a million followers on Tiktok through duets, remixes, covers and now her own body of work. Her most recent work includes the EP In Case of Emergency (2023) and singles "Big Lizard Energy" and "Renaissance" (2024). In addition to her musical talent, Ellie is known for her hands-on approach to all aspects of her craft, including directing and producing her music videos.  In this episode we cover:  Piano lessons to music-making Playing at Glastonbury on your own terms  When the label drops you - build your own label  What to do after burnout  In defence of rest  Mentions: Music Youtubers: Walk of the Earth, Pentatonix, Dodie Musical influences: Katie Tunstall, Adele, Bill Bailey, Tim Minchin, Fight of the Concords, My Chemical Romance, Easy Life, Remi Wolf, Hippocampus, Anderson .Paak, Doja Cat The Bird Cage (1996) film by Mike Nichols Links:  https://www.elliedixonmusic.com https://www.instagram.com/elliedixonmusic https://www.tiktok.com/@elliedixonmusic?lang=en
19/01/251h 1m

#1 Abadesi Osunsade: ‘Being busy made me feel worthy’

Abadesi Osunsade is an entrepreneur, author, and advocate for diversity and inclusion in the tech industry. She is founder and CEO of Hustle Crew, a career advancement community, and the co-host of popular tech podcast Techish. Previously, Abadesi held roles at Amazon, Google, and Product Hunt as well as being Brandwatch's first ever Global Vice President of Community & Belonging. A child of immigrants, like me, we talk about where our definitions of success start and how they manifest in us as adults. After years feeling cycles of burnout in tech, Abadesi is now learning to listen to her body, how to say no and that the only opinion that matters is her own. In this episode we cover:  The immigrant child’s experience  Why “Startups are fueled by the energy of youth” How we internalise capitalism  The added labour of being the only black woman in the room Does being busy make you feel worthy?  What does it mean to have enough?  How to practice slowing down  Mentions:  The Artist’s Way, Julia Cameron  The Social Network (2010) film by David Fincher  Guardian Article featuring Abadesi:  https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2024/apr/02/soft-life-why-millennials-are-quitting-the-rat-race Cory Muscara https://www.instagram.com/corymuscara/ Tricia Hersey and The Nap Ministry  https://www.instagram.com/thenapministry/?hl=en Dr Nedra Glover Tawwab - How to Set Boundaries, Find Peace https://www.instagram.com/nedratawwab/?hl=en Hidden Figures (2017) film by Theodore Melfi The Woman King (2022) film by Gina Prince-Bythewood Abadesi’s Links: www.linkedin.com/in/abadesi/ https://www.instagram.com/abadesi/?hl=enwww.hustlecrew.co 
12/01/251h

TRAILER

Welcome to The Slow Down. A new podcast helping you re-define success and growth for yourself, with a little help from others. Here is a taste of what's to come in Season 1 featuring Sharmadean Reid MBE, Olivia Rubin, Abadesi Osunsade, Sarah Ann Macklin, Solomon Oyemade, Ellie Dixon, Alexia de Broglie and Matt Klein.
21/12/241m 40s
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