Consent and the courage to accept and change our own behaviour.

This week saw the return of The Morning Show, Apple TV's candid drama that looks at the both the working environment and personal lives of the many people who help wake America up each morning and the power imbalances, relationship dynamics and unhealthy culture at play.

I didn't do anything wrong

Season one and two followed the story of breakfast TV co-lead anchor and popular "father figure" and family man Mitch Kessler, who is accused of rape and sexual assault which he initially, vehemently denies. But Mitch's journey through instinctive denial and unaccountability to a level of understanding and insight into how damaging, harmful and wrong his behaviour has been - particularly after hearing Hannah's account of how one event felt for her - shows vividly how some men can tell themselves that their sexual relations are consensual, that their subtle control isn't violence and that no-one is getting hurt, when exactly the opposite is happening. It does take time, a major tragedy and much clinging onto the belief that he is innocent before Mitch finally accepts how he abused his power and how frightening and disrespectful he really was to the women in his life.

TMS highlights the culture and mindset of individuals and the collective (including his female co-anchor, production team and senior executives) that allow Mitch's predatory behaviour to remain an "open secret" and go unchallenged for so long. In unpacking the thought processes of colleagues who chose to look the other way we see how misguided and selfish people can be, and the emotional cost that can have on those who have been abused. The huge levels of acceptance and complicity around power over others, consent and sexual assault in corporate America is echoed around the world and this show is definitely art imitating life.

Many scenes are not an easy watch - not because they show things graphically but because they trigger feelings and experiences I can relate to and they also show how complex leaders still find navigating power. Speaking to men I know who have seen the show, it's a good insight into understanding consent and having the courage to have difficult conversations. I'd highly recommend if you haven't seen it yet.

Continuing the theme of consent and it's apparent misunderstanding, a deeply challenging watch was last nights Russel Brand: In Plain Sight: Dispatches on Channel 4.

It has taken four years, a team of journalists contacting hundreds of people including friends and family of alleged victims, fellow comedians (one brave male ally Daniel Sloss who spoke without anonymity), TV executives and people who worked alongside, and for, Brand - and most importantly, four brave and courageous women with the most serious sexual assault allegations, to bring these accounts to light. Three of the alleged victims spent hours being interviewed, both in person and during extensive phone conversations and provided substantial information to corroborate their allegations. None of the women know each other. No one involved was paid to contribute to the reporting which you can read in full here .

Brand, despite his admitted promiscuity and past drug and alcohol addiction is stating that all his sexual encounters have been "absolutely always consensual" - basically sweeping away any abuse that may have taken place as being agreed to and seemingly unwilling to admit he may have ever misjudged his behaviour. For the past year and until yesterday, Brand and his Stay Free Foundation supporting people through recovery from addiction, was associated with the Trevi Women and Children's Charity in the UK to end violence but they have since cut ties with him. A guilty conscience and/or just trying trying to understand rape better or the despicable behaviour of a narcissist, we don't yet know.

Of course legally Brand is currently innocent and these are as yet, just allegations. But like Harvey Weinstein these may just be the tip of the iceberg and with Andrew Tate in his corner.. as Jane Moore on BBC's Laura Kuenssberg said this morning "Will the real Russell Brand please stand up."

Brand's wife Laura since 2017 is expecting the couple's third child, and by his own accounts, he is now a changed man. No longer "London’s most lascivious lothario" or "Shagger of the Year" a disgusting title awarded to him 3 times by The Sun newspaper, the couple jointly host a yearly community festival with a focus on spirituality and wellness, standing for personal awakening and social change. He has six million subscribers on his Rumble video channel and apparently also claims to be the leader of a movement of 25 million people across all his digital channels.

I've listened to and liked some of what he's shared online but however Brand presents now, what he did in the past matters. Discounting the evidence and blaming it all on conspiracy theories and a mainstream media take down, continuing to perform and denying any responsibility is only adding insult to the injury, my gut and those of many other women I know, sense he has caused.

Centring the women he's harmed rather than himself would be recommended because if he has truly changed, surely this is the place to start? And inviting his community to treat him as a fellow human and not some god-like figure who couldn't possibly have done anything wrong?

Like many industries, the entertainment industry also needs to look inward and share some accountability - as does what we all accept as "entertainment" and "entertainers". Times have changed but for many years, Brand was celebrated for describing how he manipulated and treated women. He built his wealth and power as a result which he didn't do alone and appeared on a celebrity edition of Bake Off on Channel 4 as recently as 2019, apparently making a cake inspired by his wife's genitals. Understanding that there is a link between accepting these types of comments or behaviour, indulging "shocking" personalities and the escalating violence against women and girls is something we can, and must, do so we can then respond and act accordingly.

Brand may be in the spotlight now but this is shining a light on the level of misogyny and acceptance of behaviour toward and against women which is deeply embedded in our culture and still upheld by many today - including other women - it's not only men! Having the courage to accept, challenge and change our own behaviour to ensure we are not being complicit in harmful behaviour is something we can all do. As is creating safe spaces so all voices can speak up and be heard.

This is something Brand seems to advocate so I hope instead of playing the victim he shows some genuine growth, compassion and community spirit for all the women involved. And those at the top of the BBC, Channel 4 and the production companies who have said they will complete a thorough investigation also then take action to create the massive culture change that is required.

This would then be Leadership Redesigned.