Empower is proud to be a partner of Mad//Fest London — and every day we’re here talking to inspiring speakers and curious attendees about what they’re seeing, learning, and loving.  In today’s daily drop we’ll hear from host Louise Watson and guests Tony Cortizas, Gareth Maritz, Sally Henderson and Chris Delahunty to find out their highlights of the day and their insights on this year’s theme; The Human Touch. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. 

Empower is proud to be a partner of Mad//Fest London &mdash; and every day we&rsquo;re here talking to inspiring speakers and curious attendees about what they&rsquo;re seeing, learning, and loving.  In today&rsquo;s daily drop we&rsquo;ll hear from host Louise Watson and guests Tony Cortizas, Gareth Maritz, Sally Henderson and Chris Delahunty to find out their highlights of the day and their insights on this year&rsquo;s theme; The Human Touch. 
See&nbsp;<a href="http://omnystudio.com/listener">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.&nbsp;

It’s time to re-write the myth that kindness is a weakness. It’s a strategy.

Because empathy, equity and inclusive leadership aren’t just nice-to-haves – they're what the future is built on.

That's why we’re sitting down with leaders, makers, disruptors, doers and grass roots decision makers across the media and advertising industry, to understand what good business really looks like.

It’s not enough to just talk about it – change needs action.

This is the Empower Podcast, co-hosted by Louise Watson (Co-Founder of Empower), and Kate Chaundy (Associate Director at Propellor). Join us every month for fresh perspectives, tough truths, and inspiring stories. 

Everyone’s welcome.

It&rsquo;s time to re-write the myth that kindness is a weakness. It&rsquo;s a strategy.
Because empathy, equity and inclusive leadership aren&rsquo;t just nice-to-haves &ndash; they're what the future is built on.
That's why we&rsquo;re sitting down with leaders, makers, disruptors, doers and grass roots decision makers across the media and advertising industry, to understand what good business really looks like.
It&rsquo;s not enough to just talk about it &ndash; change needs action.
This is the Empower Podcast, co-hosted by Louise Watson (Co-Founder of Empower), and Kate Chaundy (Associate Director at Propellor). Join us every month for fresh perspectives, tough truths, and inspiring stories.&nbsp;
Everyone&rsquo;s welcome.

Uncovering the voices driving real change 

Empower Podcast

It’s time to re-write the myth that kindness is a weakness. It’s a strategy.

Because empathy, equity and inclusive leadership aren’t just nice-to-haves – they're what the future is built on.

That's why we’re sitting down with leaders, makers, disruptors, doers and grass roots decision makers across the media and advertising industry, to understand what good business really looks like.

It’s not enough to just talk about it – change needs action.

This is the Empower Podcast, co-hosted by Louise Watson (Co-Founder of Empower), and Kate Chaundy (Associate Director at Propellor). Join us every month for fresh perspectives, tough truths, and inspiring stories. Everyone’s welcome.

It&rsquo;s time to re-write the myth that kindness is a weakness. It&rsquo;s a strategy.
Because empathy, equity and inclusive leadership aren&rsquo;t just nice-to-haves &ndash; they're what the future is built on.
That's why we&rsquo;re sitting down with leaders, makers, disruptors, doers and grass roots decision makers across the media and advertising industry, to understand what good business really looks like.
It&rsquo;s not enough to just talk about it &ndash; change needs action.
This is the Empower Podcast, co-hosted by Louise Watson (Co-Founder of Empower), and Kate Chaundy (Associate Director at Propellor). Join us every month for fresh perspectives, tough truths, and inspiring stories. Everyone&rsquo;s welcome.

Mad//Fest London Special: Day 2 Drop

What if the terms and conditions of being a girl were written before you had the chance to choose them?

In this third and final of our special live episodes recorded in the Empower Café at Cannes Lions, stage host and Propeller Global VP Ben Titchmarsh is joined by Helen James CEO of The Gate, and acclaimed director MarySue Masson to explore gender equality, creativity and the barriers still shaping women's lives and careers.

The conversation centres on Plan International UK's powerful Terms and Conditions of Being a Girl campaign, a film that exposes the discrimination, inequality and limitations girls can face simply because they are born female. The panel explores the insight behind the film, its innovative use of AI, and how creativity can drive meaningful change.

The panel also examines purpose washing, representation and the gap between women being invited to pitch and then actually being given the job. What would it take to create a more equal future for women and girls?

This is a candid and thought-provoking conversation about creativity, opportunity and the unwritten rules that still need to change.

What if the terms and conditions of being a girl were written before you had the chance to choose them? In this third and final of our special live episodes recorded in the Empower Caf&eacute; at Cannes Lions, stage host and Propeller Global VP Ben Titchmarsh is joined by Helen James CEO of The Gate, and acclaimed director MarySue Masson to explore gender equality, creativity and the barriers still shaping women's lives and careers. The conversation centres on Plan International UK's powerful Terms and Conditions of Being a Girl campaign, a film that exposes the discrimination, inequality and limitations girls can face simply because they are born female. The panel explores the insight behind the film, its innovative use of AI, and how creativity can drive meaningful change. The panel also examines purpose washing, representation and the gap between women being invited to pitch and then actually being given the job. What would it take to create a more equal future for women and girls? This is a candid and thought-provoking conversation about creativity, opportunity and the unwritten rules that still need to change.

T&Cs of Being a Girl: Closing the Power Gap with MarySue Masson and Helen James

What happens when one of the world's biggest sports becomes more accessible, more inclusive and more creator-driven?
In this special live episode of the Empower Podcast, recorded at Empower Café at Cannes Lions 2026, host Kate Chaundy is joined by Stephanie Dittmer Rogers, CMO San Francisco 49ers and Ollie Ellis, Senior Content Manager at Propeller Group, to explore the remarkable rise of flag football and what it could mean for the future of the game.

Once viewed as a grassroots alternative to traditional American football, flag football is rapidly becoming a global phenomenon, opening up American football to a new generation of players and fans. The conversation explores the growing participation of women and girls, the sport’s appeal across generations, and how its accessibility is helping break down some of the traditional barriers to taking part.

The panel also explores the powerful role of creators, social media and modern fandom in accelerating the sport’s growth. How are digital communities changing the way fans engage with football? What opportunities does this present for brands, athletes and media companies? And what can established sports learn from a movement that's being shaped as much by culture as competition?

As flag football heads towards its Olympic debut, this episode explores why its impact extends beyond the game itself, offering a powerful platform for community, connection, youth engagement and a more inclusive future for sport.

What happens when one of the world's biggest sports becomes more accessible, more inclusive and more creator-driven? In this special live episode of the Empower Podcast, recorded at Empower Caf&eacute; at Cannes Lions 2026, host Kate Chaundy is joined by Stephanie Dittmer Rogers, CMO San Francisco 49ers and Ollie Ellis, Senior Content Manager at Propeller Group, to explore the remarkable rise of flag football and what it could mean for the future of the game. Once viewed as a grassroots alternative to traditional American football, flag football is rapidly becoming a global phenomenon, opening up American football to a new generation of players and fans. The conversation explores the growing participation of women and girls, the sport&rsquo;s appeal across generations, and how its accessibility is helping break down some of the traditional barriers to taking part. The panel also explores the powerful role of creators, social media and modern fandom in accelerating the sport&rsquo;s growth. How are digital communities changing the way fans engage with football? What opportunities does this present for brands, athletes and media companies? And what can established sports learn from a movement that's being shaped as much by culture as competition? As flag football heads towards its Olympic debut, this episode explores why its impact extends beyond the game itself, offering a powerful platform for community, connection, youth engagement and a more inclusive future for sport.

Uncovering the voices behind real change with Stephanie Dittmer Rogers, Kate Chaundy and Ollie Ellis.

What if advertising, porn and social media have taught us almost everything wrong about sex, identity and relationships?

In this special live episode of the Empower Podcast, recorded at Cannes Lions, host Kate Chaundy is joined by MakeLoveNotPorn founder and entrepreneur Cindy Gallop and Street Agency founder Katie Street for a conversation that challenges some of society's biggest taboos.

After leading some of the world's largest advertising agencies, Cindy Gallop has become one of the industry's most fearless voices, taking a sledgehammer to sexism, ageism and the harmful narratives that shape how we see ourselves and each other.

Together, the panel explores the uncomfortable truth about the stories we're sold every day—and how advertising, entertainment, social media and pornography have influenced our ideas of beauty, confidence, intimacy and success.

Who should be held accountable for these narratives? Can - and should - brands help rewrite the script? And what happens when we start telling more honest stories about sex, relationships and identity?

From dismantling outdated stereotypes to exposing the hidden influence of culture on our everyday lives, this is a provocative, eye-opening conversation that might just change the way you see the world.

What if advertising, porn and social media have taught us almost everything wrong about sex, identity and relationships? In this special live episode of the Empower Podcast, recorded at Cannes Lions, host Kate Chaundy is joined by MakeLoveNotPorn founder and entrepreneur Cindy Gallop and Street Agency founder Katie Street for a conversation that challenges some of society's biggest taboos. After leading some of the world's largest advertising agencies, Cindy Gallop has become one of the industry's most fearless voices, taking a sledgehammer to sexism, ageism and the harmful narratives that shape how we see ourselves and each other. Together, the panel explores the uncomfortable truth about the stories we're sold every day&mdash;and how advertising, entertainment, social media and pornography have influenced our ideas of beauty, confidence, intimacy and success. Who should be held accountable for these narratives? Can - and should - brands help rewrite the script? And what happens when we start telling more honest stories about sex, relationships and identity? From dismantling outdated stereotypes to exposing the hidden influence of culture on our everyday lives, this is a provocative, eye-opening conversation that might just change the way you see the world.

Mad//Fest London Special: Day 2 Drop

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