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THE THING ABOUT LUXURY

THE THING ABOUT LUXURY

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We welcome leading voices in luxury to join the conversation — contact our expert media team to get involved.

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THE THING ABOUT LUXURY PODCAST

LISTEN TO THE THING ABOUT LUXURY PODCAST HERE

SEASON 2: LUXURY WELLBEING, ESCAPE & PERFORMANCE

In this episode of The Thing About Luxury, Dr Debbie Coney is joined by ultramarathon runner, entrepreneur and MSc psychology student Rebecca Brennan for an inspiring conversation about endurance, mindset and modern leadership. Together they explore how the discipline and resilience required to run ultramarathons mirrors the mindset needed to build a business, lead with confidence and sustain long-term ambition without burnout. From the psychology of endurance to the role of wellbeing in high performance, Rebecca shares how running has shaped her leadership style, her approach to motivation and her definition of success. The episode also reframes luxury as something deeper than material excess — a mindset built on clarity, strength, and the ability to run the long game.

In this personal episode of The Thing About Luxury, Dr Debbie Coney reflects on her journey into ultrarunning and how endurance sport has transformed the way she understands luxury. After returning to running following motherhood, Debbie moved from road marathons to her first ultramarathon in the Surrey Hills, discovering a powerful connection between endurance, nature, and perspective. From remote mountain trails to moments of quiet reflection, she explores how running strips life back to its essentials and reframes luxury not as excess, but as clarity, presence, and the freedom to experience the world in its rawest form.

SEASON 1: THE WOMEN REDEFINING LUXURY LEADERSHIP

Luxury is entering a new phase. After years of rapid expansion, the sector is now

recalibrating in response to geopolitical tension, shifting trade dynamics, and a profound

generational change in what luxury means.

In this episode of The Thing About Luxury, Dr Debbie Coney offers a 2025–26 update on the

global luxury landscape — examining how US tariffs and global trade fragmentation are

reshaping supply chains and pricing, why resilience rather than rapid growth now defines

success, and how leading houses from Hermès and Cartier to Ferrari and Dior are adapting

without losing their identity.

In this episode, Debbie speaks with Rhian Billington, Global Brand Director at Silent Pool Gin. From growing up on a farm to studying at Cambridge, launching a career in banking, and finally finding her place in luxury spirits, Rhian’s journey is anything but ordinary. Listen as she shares her bold career pivots, her passion for storytelling, and how nature, sustainability, and a sense of place inspire her work at Silent Pool.

In this episode: Debbie dives into the rising power of experience in the luxury world — why owning is no longer enough, and how feelings, memory, and meaning are becoming the new markers of luxury. From immersive flagships in Bangkok and Florence to carbon-heavy wellness retreats, she explores the paradox at the heart of it all: can luxury experiences truly be sustainable? With insights from the latest data, standout store designs, and consumer behaviour trends, this solo episode unpacks how

Recorded at Elvis & Kresse headquarters, this episode of Luxury Moment explores the evolving relationship between luxury and sustainability. From regenerative agriculture and circular design to the moral dilemmas behind excess, destruction, and desire, Dr Debbie Coney asks whether an industry built on exclusivity can ever truly become sustainable — or whether luxury must redefine itself to survive.

In this Luxury Moment, Dr Debbie Coney explores how technology is reshaping the world of luxury — from AI and blockchain to virtual fashion and digital storytelling. It’s a reflection on how heritage, craft, and innovation can coexist, and why the true future of luxury lies in blending the human and the high-tech.

An honest and inspiring conversation with Emma, tracing her luxury journey from the corporate world to launching her own brand, West Collaboration.
With charm and insight, Emma shares the highs, the hurdles, and the moments that shaped her path — offering wisdom for female entrepreneurs and anyone navigating the balance between ambition and everyday life.

As luxury shifts from visibility to meaning, this episode asks a central question: in an era shaped by uncertainty, what does enduring luxury really look like?

Luxury is entering a new phase. After years of rapid expansion, the sector is now recalibrating in response to geopolitical tension, shifting trade dynamics, and a profound generational change in what luxury means.

The episode also explores the growing influence of Millennials and Gen Z, the rise of experiential and wellness-led luxury, and why sustainability, ethics, and transparency are no longer optional. From the rapid expansion of the luxury resale market to a renewed focus on craftsmanship, heritage, and creative leadership, this is a clear-eyed look at an industry redefining value beyond logos and ownership.

In this episode, Debbie sits down with Kresse Wesling CBE, co-founder of the pioneering sustainable luxury brand Elvis & Kresse. From transforming decommissioned fire hoses into coveted accessories to leading groundbreaking regenerative agriculture projects, Kresse shares the remarkable story behind a brand redefining what modern luxury can—and should—be. This intimate conversation explores purpose, innovation, craftsmanship, and the power of business to create meaningful change. A must-listen for anyone interested in the future of ethical luxury.

In this episode:
Debbie speaks with Katharine Newby Grant, Vice President of Enterprise Marketing, Online & ELC Creative Studios at The Estée Lauder Companies. A former senior leader at Procter & Gamble and a Cambridge graduate, Katharine shares key insights from her impressive global career, including her passion for inclusive leadership and how she stays grounded while leading at the top.

We talk about what drives her, how she balances high-performance with purpose, and how she finds joy in sport, family, and everyday moments of calm amidst the pace. Katharine’s story is a powerful reminder that behind every career move lies courage, clarity — and sometimes, a cold water dip!

A short introduction and welcome to the podcast, where Debbie discusses all things luxury: ideas, icons, business and stories of luxury.

Debbie talks to entrepreneurs, specialists and anyone passionate about the world of luxury.

In this first series, Debbie focusses on women in luxury leadership.

Ultrarunning, Escape and the True Meaning of Luxury with Rebecca Brennan

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EPISODES

Luxury is entering a new phase. After years of rapid expansion, the sector is now

recalibrating in response to geopolitical tension, shifting trade dynamics, and a profound

generational change in what luxury means.

In this episode of The Thing About Luxury, Dr Debbie Coney offers a 2025–26 update on the

global luxury landscape — examining how US tariffs and global trade fragmentation are

reshaping supply chains and pricing, why resilience rather than rapid growth now defines

success, and how leading houses from Hermès and Cartier to Ferrari and Dior are adapting

without losing their identity.

In this episode, Debbie speaks with Rhian Billington, Global Brand Director at Silent Pool Gin. From growing up on a farm to studying at Cambridge, launching a career in banking, and finally finding her place in luxury spirits, Rhian’s journey is anything but ordinary. Listen as she shares her bold career pivots, her passion for storytelling, and how nature, sustainability, and a sense of place inspire her work at Silent Pool.

In this episode: Debbie dives into the rising power of experience in the luxury world — why owning is no longer enough, and how feelings, memory, and meaning are becoming the new markers of luxury. From immersive flagships in Bangkok and Florence to carbon-heavy wellness retreats, she explores the paradox at the heart of it all: can luxury experiences truly be sustainable? With insights from the latest data, standout store designs, and consumer behaviour trends, this solo episode unpacks how

In this personal episode of The Thing About Luxury, Dr Debbie Coney reflects on her journey into ultrarunning and how endurance sport has transformed the way she understands luxury. After returning to running following motherhood, Debbie moved from road marathons to her first ultramarathon in the Surrey Hills, discovering a powerful connection between endurance, nature, and perspective. From remote mountain trails to moments of quiet reflection, she explores how running strips life back to its essentials and reframes luxury not as excess, but as clarity, presence, and the freedom to experience the world in its rawest form.

Recorded at Elvis & Kresse headquarters, this episode of Luxury Moment explores the evolving relationship between luxury and sustainability. From regenerative agriculture and circular design to the moral dilemmas behind excess, destruction, and desire, Dr Debbie Coney asks whether an industry built on exclusivity can ever truly become sustainable — or whether luxury must redefine itself to survive.

In this Luxury Moment, Dr Debbie Coney explores how technology is reshaping the world of luxury — from AI and blockchain to virtual fashion and digital storytelling. It’s a reflection on how heritage, craft, and innovation can coexist, and why the true future of luxury lies in blending the human and the high-tech.

An honest and inspiring conversation with Emma, tracing her luxury journey from the corporate world to launching her own brand, West Collaboration.
With charm and insight, Emma shares the highs, the hurdles, and the moments that shaped her path — offering wisdom for female entrepreneurs and anyone navigating the balance between ambition and everyday life.

As luxury shifts from visibility to meaning, this episode asks a central question: in an era shaped by uncertainty, what does enduring luxury really look like?

Luxury is entering a new phase. After years of rapid expansion, the sector is now recalibrating in response to geopolitical tension, shifting trade dynamics, and a profound generational change in what luxury means.

The episode also explores the growing influence of Millennials and Gen Z, the rise of experiential and wellness-led luxury, and why sustainability, ethics, and transparency are no longer optional. From the rapid expansion of the luxury resale market to a renewed focus on craftsmanship, heritage, and creative leadership, this is a clear-eyed look at an industry redefining value beyond logos and ownership.

In this episode, Debbie sits down with Kresse Wesling CBE, co-founder of the pioneering sustainable luxury brand Elvis & Kresse. From transforming decommissioned fire hoses into coveted accessories to leading groundbreaking regenerative agriculture projects, Kresse shares the remarkable story behind a brand redefining what modern luxury can—and should—be. This intimate conversation explores purpose, innovation, craftsmanship, and the power of business to create meaningful change. A must-listen for anyone interested in the future of ethical luxury.

In this episode:
Debbie speaks with Katharine Newby Grant, Vice President of Enterprise Marketing, Online & ELC Creative Studios at The Estée Lauder Companies. A former senior leader at Procter & Gamble and a Cambridge graduate, Katharine shares key insights from her impressive global career, including her passion for inclusive leadership and how she stays grounded while leading at the top.

We talk about what drives her, how she balances high-performance with purpose, and how she finds joy in sport, family, and everyday moments of calm amidst the pace. Katharine’s story is a powerful reminder that behind every career move lies courage, clarity — and sometimes, a cold water dip!

A short introduction and welcome to the podcast, where Debbie discusses all things luxury: ideas, icons, business and stories of luxury.

Debbie talks to entrepreneurs, specialists and anyone passionate about the world of luxury.

In this first series, Debbie focusses on women in luxury leadership.

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