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Witness session: Adapting to change
Annie Francis, founder of Independent Midwives, explains how shifting strategy helped Neighbourhood Midwives prove how their model works.
In this Witness Sessions video, Sebastian Thiel reflects on how stepping outside his comfort zone became a turning point in his personal and professional growth. Invited to give a TEDx talk, he initially felt overwhelmed and even tried to withdraw. With encouragement from mentors and the TEDx team, he committed to preparing properly, worked with a coach, and pushed himself through the fear of public speaking.
Sebastian describes how practising, reviewing early footage, and embracing discomfort helped him deliver a confident, engaging talk. The experience taught him that there are no shortcuts: growth comes from deliberately putting yourself in situations that stretch you. His story offers an honest, relatable reminder that facing fear is often the gateway to new opportunities.
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Witness session: Being an authentic leader
SSE Fellow Darren Brady reflects on what it means to be an authentic leader.
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Witness session: Trusting your gut in business
John Brown on the importance of trusting your instincts in business and why gut decisions can guide entrepreneurs through uncertainty.
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- Start or launch something new
Witness session: Work-life balance
SSE Fellow Max Tobias reflects on the challenge of maintaining work–life balance as a social entrepreneur and stresses the importance of rest, boundaries, and long‑term sustainability.