Low to Grow

In this episode of Low to Grow, Karina Robinson, CEO of Redcliffe Advisory Ltd. and Non-Executive Director on the Board of Atlanti an Anglo-Swiss Fund Management firm amongst other roles, takes us through her extraordinary career pivot at midlife, from high-finance journalism to global security, and the cutting-edge world of Quantum and AI. She shares how curiosity, resilience, and compassion have shaped her working style and driven her to tackle some of the most complex challenges at the intersection of technology and international collaboration.Karina also opens up about the personal lessons behind her professional journey, including navigating career setbacks, extending compassion to herself, and maintaining mental well-being while building influence in high-stakes environments. This conversation is both practical and inspiring, offering insights for anyone considering a bold career change or striving to lead with empathy in an evolving world.What you’ll walk away with:A reference map for navigating a major career transition while staying true to your passionsPractical lessons on building resilience through personal and professional challengesStrategies for integrating compassion and mental health into leadership practicesInsights on the transformative potential of quantum computing in security and financeGuidance for cultivating curiosity and lifelong learning to sustain growth and influenceFollow Low to GrowInstagram: @lowtogrowpodcastYouTube: @lowtogrowSubstack NewsletterConnect with Karina Robinson via LinkedIn: Karina RobinsonPlease Note: Low to Grow is for educational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for professional advice. For free mental health resources, visit https://www.mind.org.uk.Chapters:00:00 IntroducingKarina Robinson!01:56 Liking this? 02:49 Introductionto Personal and Professional Challenges03:10 Karina'sJourney from Journalism to Headhunting04:01 NavigatingPersonal Tragedy and Professional Change15:29 Karina'sreflections on personal change17:50 TheCompassionate Core20:28 Karina'sexperience extending compassion to herself21:32 How Karinanavigate getting fired Five times25:38 What keepsKarina going and learning throughout life29:18 Reflectionsfor young journalists in the age of AI30:45 Establishingan India UK Business Corridor33:30 KarinaRobinson's one thing for better mental health34:58 Follow@lowtogrowpodcast

In this episode of Low to Grow, designer and CEO Destiny Pinto opens up about the deeply personal journey behind By Destiny Pinto—the accessories brand turning medical devices into bold, stylish expressions of identity. Living with rheumatoid arthritis, Destiny found herself searching for products that honored both her health needs and her sense of self. When they didn’t exist, she created them.She shares the realities of navigating university life with chronic illness, the emotional rollercoaster of being a solopreneur, and the power of community in the disability and chronic illness space. Destiny also breaks down her process in designing the Addison bag—built with accessibility at its core—and talks about what it meant for her work to be recognized by Vogue and BMW.This conversation is a heartfelt reminder that creativity can grow out of challenge, visibility matters, and slowing down doesn’t mean falling behind.What you’ll walk away with:A new perspective on how fashion design can empower people with chronic illnesses and hidden disabilitiesPractical insight into building a brand rooted in empathy, accessibility, and lived experienceAn honest look at balancing ambition with health—and how to listen to your body when it asks for restEncouragement to embrace your identity and turn personal obstacles into creative breakthroughsA framework for starting something meaningful as a solopreneur when resources are limitedLessons on cultivating community and trust in spaces shaped by vulnerabilityA reminder that visibility in fashion and media can change how people feel about themselves and their place in the worldFollow Low to Grow⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠@lowtogrowpodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube: @lowtogrow⁠⁠⁠Substack Newsletter⁠Connect with Destiny on her profile page on ⁠our website⁠! Please Note: Low to Grow is for educational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for professional advice. For free mental health resources, visit ⁠⁠https://www.mind.org.uk⁠⁠.

In this episode of Low to Grow, advertising industry veteran and long time sex-tech entrepreneur Cindy Gallop takes us inside the bold vision behind MakeLoveNotPorn and the uphill battle of building a sex-positive platform in a world that still treats open conversation about intimacy as taboo. She talks through the leap from her high-powered advertising career into social-impact entrepreneurship, the systemic obstacles she continues to face as a female founder around funding and algorithmic suppression, and why redefining sexual education matters for every generation.Cindy also opens up about the deeper mission behind her worl: creating a safer, more honest ecosystem for intimacy, consent, and human connection. She shares how community feedback fuels her resilience, why she’s developing new EdTech and FinTech solutions to push the industry forward, and how better sexual health can meaningfully support our mental well-being. This conversation is candid, refreshingly defiant, and packed with insights for socially conscious go-getters who care about change that actually moves culture.What you’ll walk away with:A firsthand look at how community-driven feedback can guide mission-centered entrepreneurshipA reimagined framework for sexual education grounded in real-world experiencesA clear understanding of the structural and funding challenges Sextech founders face, and how to navigate themWhy there needs to be more tech products that uplift marginalized communities rather than algorithmically suppress themA reminder that cultivating meaningful, real-life connections supports both emotional and mental well-beingFollow Low to Grow⁠Instagram: ⁠@lowtogrowpodcast⁠⁠⁠YouTube: @lowtogrow⁠Substack NewsletterConnect with Cindy Gallop through her profile page on our website!Please Note: Low to Grow is for educational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for professional advice. For free mental health resources, visit ⁠https://www.mind.org.uk⁠.

In this episode of Low to Grow, climate advocate and social entrepreneur Natalie Chung traces the path from an 11-year-old school project to becoming one of the region’s leading voices in sustainable tourism and climate education. As the co-founder of V’air, Natalie breaks down how the platform grew from a student-led digital initiative into a hands-on eco-tourism movement creating real impact on the ground.She dives into the complexities of modern climate policy, the rise of philanthropy in funding climate solutions, and the hidden challenges social entrepreneurs face behind the scenes—from team dynamics to financial sustainability. Natalie also speaks openly about the emotional side of purpose-driven work: navigating personal relationships, coping with burnout, and learning to care for your mental health while caring for the planet.If you’re passionate about environmental impact or building a purpose-led career, this conversation offers a grounded and refreshing take on what sustainable leadership actually looks like.What you’ll walk away with:A behind-the-scenes look at building a climate-focused social enterprise as a young founder A clearer understanding of the gaps and opportunities in today’s climate policy landscapeInsight into how sustainable tourism can drive meaningful climate educationA realistic picture of team dynamics, and why interpersonal trust is a make-or-break factorTools for staying adaptable when a mission-driven project evolves with V'airA fresh perspective on environmentalism that makes space for nuance, diversity, and real-world constraintsStrategies for protecting your mental health while working in high-pressure, purpose-led fieldsA reminder of how meaningful relationships fuel long-term resilience and creativityFollow Low to Grow⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠@lowtogrowpodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube: @lowtogrow⁠⁠⁠Substack Newsletter⁠Connect with Natalie on her profile page on ⁠our website⁠!  Please Note: Low to Grow is for educational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for professional advice. For free mental health resources, visit ⁠⁠https://www.mind.org.uk⁠⁠.

In this episode of Low to Grow, future physician and community leader of over 400,000, Aghogho Okpara shares what it really takes to keep going when life keeps saying no. After six attempts to get into medical school, Aghogho opens up about the emotional weight of rejection, the quiet strength she drew from her faith, and the unwavering support from her father that helped her stay the course. Her story is a powerful reminder that resilience isn’t loud, it’s the decision to try again, and again.Aghogho Okpara opens up to Annie about how loss reshaped her purpose, why asking for help became her greatest growth edge, and how building her nonprofit, Achieve with Aghogho, and an online community of over 400,000 people taught her that success is never a solo journey. The conversation explores leadership, education as a path to equity, and the vital connection between physical movement and mental health.What you’ll walk away with:A resilience framework for moving forward after rejection instead of shrinking backA healthier way to process failure without tying it to your self-worthPractical insight on leaning into faith, support systems, and community during hard seasonsA blueprint for building meaningful, mission-driven communities that actually show up for each otherA leadership mindset rooted in teamwork rather than hyper-independenceA fresh perspective on education as a tool for empowerment and social equityFollow Low to Grow⁠Instagram: ⁠@lowtogrowpodcast⁠⁠⁠YouTube: @lowtogrow⁠Substack NewsletterConnect with Aghogho on his profile page on our website!Please Note: Low to Grow is for educational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for professional advice. For free mental health resources, visit ⁠https://www.mind.org.uk⁠.