The States of Matter Podcast

Plant a litte seed

Hear from two award-winning engineers who have taken very different routes into the RACHP industry but both share a passion for encouraging the next generation of engineers. Laura Bishop and Jacinta Caden share their experiences of working in some unusual surroundings, the importance of mentoring and how being involved in professional bodies can enhance and develop careers. They also discuss topless calendars and how flipping the script can change a company policy in less than 24 hours. 
 
Additional information 
More information about the  Institute of Refrigeration and the Women in RACHP Network visit https://ior.org.uk/women-in-rachp
Looking for advice on careers or becoming a STEM Ambassador RACHP visit https://ior.org.uk/careers
 
 

Everyone hates that feeling of being excluded

Hear how tampons and toolbox talks are being used to create a more inclusive and diverse workforce. Our guest, Kat Parsons, is a passionate advocate for a more inclusive culture. In this episode, she shares some of her experiences of being an engineer working on-site and how an interest in health and well-being led to her becoming the Head of Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging at ISS. She discusses the initiatives and changes implemented at ISS that acknowledge that not everyone is the same and how, with a little consideration, everyone can be supported and allowed to thrive.
Additional information 
More information about the  Institute of Refrigeration and the Women in RACHP Network visit https://ior.org.uk/women-in-rachp
For more information on the Female Design and Build Project visit the LinkedIn Page https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/female-design-build-project-kat-parsons

Too young and too female

If you suffer from imposter feelings you are not alone. Although all genders experience these nagging doubts, research has shown that women experience them more often than their male colleagues. Hear from Carla Miller, a leadership and lifestyle coach about how social expectations and self-doubt can negatively impact women in the workplace. She shares hints and tips on managing those inner voices and changing behaviours that may hold you back.
This month's guest 
Carla Miller is a leadership coach who works with women to develop their careers and confidence. Hundreds of women have taken part in her Influence & Impact programme from companies including GSK, BT, Channel 4, Muller and Deloitte, as well as national charities, the NHS and the Civil Service.
Her work is inspired by the challenges she had to overcome to succeed and she is on a mission to empower 10,000 women in their careers. She has been featured in national media such as The Guardian and Psychologies magazine and regularly chairs conference panels on leadership. She hosts a chart-topping podcast - Influence & Impact for female leaders - and is the author of Closing the Influence Gap: A practical guide for women leaders who want to be heard, which is an Amazon best seller.  Closing the Influence Gap was named one of the books all leaders should read in 2022 by Management Today. 
Additional resources
More information about the  Institute of Refrigeration, Women in RACHP
Carla's Book Closing the Influence Gap: A practical guide for women leaders who want to be heard
bookshop.org - https://uk.bookshop.org/books/closing-the-influence-gap-a-practical-guide-for-women-leaders-who-want-to-be-heard/9781788603614
Carla's Podcast:  Influence and impact for female leaders https://pod.link/1435136477
Carla's coaching and training  - https://www.carlamillertraining.com/individuals

It’s ok to talk about this

Menopause is still something of a taboo subject but in this episode, we have a frank discussion about how to help yourself, colleagues and staff who are dealing with it. Bev Thorogood, a trainer specialising in menopause awareness, shares hints and tips on how companies can support staff dealing with the large and diverse range of symptoms, employment rights and how to ask for help at work if you are struggling. We also discuss what menopause is, treatment options and how menopause can impact working women because it’s good to talk and as Bev says "the struggle is real, ladies"
Menopause advice and help 
Your best Midlife Facebook group for online support
Menopause awareness training from Floresco training 
The book Business Menopause Guide for Working Women
More information about the  Institute of Refrigeration, Women in RACHP

Progress is better than perfection

Career paths to culture change: how one person really can make a difference.
Alex Knight talks about how, despite thinking she was poor at maths and science, she has achieved a successful career in STEM and how pushing outside your comfort zone can lead to amazing things, even if it means giving up Netflix.
From leaving a successful career in engineering to founding Stemazing, Alex shares her career highs and lows and the joy of mentoring. 
Stemazing is an organisation with a mission to empower women in STEM to shine and inspire young people to become the next generation of innovators and problem-solvers. 
More information:  Institute of Refrigeration, Women in RACHP Network, Stemazing

100 Years of Rebel Women

Bringing together a panel who between them have over 100 years of experience working in the Refrigeration, Air Conditioning and Heat Pump sector. They share what the network means to them, explore how the expectation and attitudes toward women in engineering have changed and revisit some career highs, lows and everything in between.