The Heart-led Leader
The Heart-Led Leader is a podcast for courageous souls who are ready to live and lead with authenticity, purpose, and joy.
Hosted by Melissa Thomson - Leadership & Transformation Coach, Speaker, and School Founder - this show shares powerful insights, inspiring guest conversations, and practical tools to help you
✨ignite your Inner Rebel - breaking free from outdated systems and structures,
✨cultivate courage for authentic expression,
✨lead a life aligned with your unique soul.
As the world rapidly changes, you’ll be inspired, uplifted and supported to embrace the most aligned version of you, for the greatest impact within your family, community and the world.
The Heart-led Leader
Tom Rawlins - Courage, Creativity, and Connection: Lessons from a Heart-Led Media Entrepreneur
In this episode, Melissa sits down with Tom from Raw Lens, a human-centered video production agency, to explore what it really takes to thrive in business and in life. Tom shares how he’s maintained creativity, courage, and connection throughout his journey - from opportunities with Hollywood megastars to building a business that reflects his heart-led values.
They talk candidly about the power of self-care, joy, humour, curiosity, and inquiry, the importance of supporting friends and building authentic connections, and navigating challenges like imposter syndrome while staying true to personal and professional purpose.
Key Takeaways:
- Creativity & Courage: How to maintain your creative spark and take bold steps in business and life.
- Connection & Support: The power of meaningful interactions - whether walking, surfing, sharing a beer, or just being present with friends and colleagues.
- Self-Care & Grounding: Journaling, reflection, and connecting with nature to sustain energy and clarity.
- Purpose-Driven Leadership: Staying aligned with what matters most - family, personal values, and meaningful work.
- Joy, Humour & Curiosity: How embracing curiosity and lightness fuels resilience and growth.
Reflection Questions:
- How are you creating space for creativity, joy, and inquiry in your life and work?
- Who in your network supports you in meaningful, grounding ways, and how could you nurture those connections?
- How do you maintain self-care and grounding practices that keep you resilient and clear?
- In what ways are you living in alignment with your personal and professional purpose?
- How could humour, curiosity, or playfulness enhance your leadership or daily life?
Topics Covered:
- Human-centered business and leadership
- Creativity, courage, and personal growth
- Self-care, grounding, and reflection practices
- Joy, humour, and curiosity as tools for resilience
- Purpose, family, and meaningful work
- Friendship, mentorship, and authentic connection
Connect with Tom at: https://www.rawlensmedia.com/
Connect with Melissa
Ready up-level-up your leadership and lead with more presence, clarity and courage? I've packaged my key insights on the foundations of leading with heart, and created this course for you: Heart-led Leadership Essentials is a self-paced, online short course for busy leaders. Access at melissat.live
I'd love to hear from you, so please feel welcome to reach out via Instagram, Facebook or contact me via my website