Episode notes
Whether it's feeling sluggish after a heavy meal or dealing with a sudden dip in energy during a busy workday, we all know that food can influence how we feel. But, it turns out that what we eat can have a significant impact on our mental wellbeing, and the latest research shows that our gut has an important role to play. This week, we sit down with nutritionist Dr Emily Prpa to explore the science of the gut-brain axis and the microbiome. We uncover the 5 pillars of gut health, and discuss strategies for adding gut-friendly ingredients to our meals - even during times of stress. This is On…
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On Your Marks
Are you putting off booking your first accountancy exam, or struggling to get back into studying after a failure? Wherever you’re at in your journey to qualification, On Your Marks explores techniques to help you tackle the process head on. In this series from ACCA, we’re sitting down with experts
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S3 · 24 Apr 2026 · 1 min
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We are delighted to announce that On Your Marks is back for Season 3! From tackling tech addiction to promoting productivity, we’re back with more tips and tricks to help us all feel our best while dealing with life's challenges. And to kick us off we’re starting with something a lot of us struggle with: cracking compelling communication. Wherever you’re at in your journey towards qualification, On Your Marks is here to help you tackle the process head on. This is On Your Marks. Because you’ll never know until you try. Hit follow now so you never miss an episode, and…
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S2 · E6 · 26 Nov 2024 · 32 min
Leaning into Leadership
This week, we're looking at leadership. What does it truly mean to be a good leader? Maybe you're actively seeking leadership roles, or perhaps it's something you’ve never considered before. Leadership, after all, isn't just about holding a title—it’s about how we influence and inspire others in our day-to-day actions. So this week, we sit down with ACCA's own Chief Executive Helen Brand. We dig into her career journey, the benefits of finding a good mentor, and how we can all look for opportunities to lead in our working lives. This is On Your Marks. Because you’ll never know until you try.…
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S2 · E5 · 19 Nov 2024 · 32 min
Connecting careers
Choosing your career path can feel like a huge decision and lead to a lot of anxious thoughts. What if you don't enjoy the work as much as you hoped, or you find the culture at your new job doesn't suit you? Is it okay to switch industries, or will that mean you don't progress? There can be so many choices and expectations that it can be easy to feel pressured. This week on On Your Marks, we sit down with career coach Helen Tupper. She's the author of 'Squiggly Careers' and founder and CEO of Amazing If, an organisation that helps everyone feel more satisfied with their working lives. We dig…
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S2 · E4 · 12 Nov 2024 · 21 min
Navigating parenthood
We all know that studying for ACCA exams can be a real challenge, and when you add caregiving responsibilities like parenting into the mix it can feel like a never-ending juggling act. From caring for little ones to managing household responsibilities, it can be a struggle to balance family life with big career goals. So this week on On Your Marks, we sit down with Finance Business Manager Debbie Oluyemi. She has first-hand experience of facing studying for her ACCA qualification and becoming a new parent for the first time. We dig into some of the key challenges she dealt with and what…
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S2 · E3 · 5 Nov 2024 · 32 min
Solving Sleep
Tossing and turning, racing thoughts of revision and exams... most of us know what it feels like to struggle with our sleep when we're preparing for a big challenge. And it can be tempting to sacrifice sleep when we're under time pressure, even though we know it's good for us. It's a real catch 22. This week, we sit down with Professor Russell Foster from the University of Oxford. He's been studying sleep for decades, so together we dig into what's happening in our brains when we sleep, why it's so important for our health and wellbeing, and how we can prioritise our sleep to help us cope…
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S2 · E1 · 22 Oct 2024 · 24 min
Unpacking Anxiety
This week, we’re looking at anxiety. Whether its last-minute jitters before an exam or a sense of panic when thinking about revision, we all know what it's like to feel anxious. But, what actually is anxiety? Is there any purpose to experiencing it, and how can we manage our fears so they don't get in the way of achieving our goals? This week, we sit down with therapist and author Joshua Fletcher, also known online as Anxiety Josh. We dig into what's happening in the brain when we're feeling anxious, and techniques and strategies we can all use to help us feel more grounded when it's all…
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S2 · 15 Oct 2024 · 2 min
On Your Marks: Season 2 is coming...
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S1 · E6 · 9 Apr 2024 · 20 min
Making the most of ACCA resources
This week, we’re all about finding what works for you. We all know that one of the awesome things about the ACCA qualification is its flexibility. From how many exams you sit at a time to whether you do self-study, or learn with a provider, there are so many routes of entry that it’s rare for two people’s journeys to look exactly the same. So this week, we sit down with Paul Kirkwood - ACCA UK’s Regional Head of Education and Learning. He takes us through the wide variety of options available to support you on your journey, as well as give some inside tips on what ACCA’s data shows makes a…
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S1 · E5 · 2 Apr 2024 · 28 min
Beating procrastination
This week, we’re kicking procrastination. We’ve all been there. You’re settled down to do some revision, or write an important email, then the first thought creeps in… “What if I just checked my phone? Or… cleaned the kitchen? Or watched just half an episode of that new show…” And before you know it, 3 hours have gone by, you’re tired, and it’s too late to get started. Procrastinating on tasks, even ones we care about, is a normal, if painful, part of life for most of us. So this week, we sit down with Dr Julia Ravey. She’s a neuroscientist, author, and self-confessed procrastinator. She’s…
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S1 · E4 · 26 Mar 2024 · 25 min
Nourishing relationships
This week, we’re talking relationships. When we’re pushing towards a goal, or just generally having a tough time, many of us will instinctively turn to our friends, family, colleagues, or even pets for support. But… why? What is it about our relationships that can help pick us up when we’re feeling down? And why is nurturing those connections key to both our physical and mental health, and achieving our goals? This week, we sit down with Dr Anna Machin. She’s an evolutionary anthropologist who’s spent her career studying the science of close human relationships. From the neurochemicals…
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