What does it really take to grow a business — or prepare to exit one?
In this episode, we sit down with consultant Maddie Walker, who helps business owners scale sustainably without burning out. From mindset blindspots to strategic misfires, Maddie shares hard-earned insights and analogies (so many good ones!) that will shift how you think about building your business. If you’re growing, struggling, or somewhere in-between — this one’s for you.
👇 TIMESTAMPS:
00:00 – The problem with how most businesses start
01:26 – What does scaling really look like?
03:22 – The danger of passion without a plan
05:44 – When you should bring someone in to help
08:08 – Clarity: your biggest business asset
11:02 – Why Maddie becomes “the business’s advocate”
13:08 – What mindset assessments reveal in teams
16:08 – Shareholder agreements and co-founder friction
19:11 – Why DIYing everything can stall your growth
22:05 – Maddie’s son wants to start a business (but doesn’t)
24:53 – Passion vs profit: the truth about motivation
27:02 – Is hustle culture dead? The new wave of realism
29:25 – Maddie’s burnout and leap into self-employment
32:37 – Being vulnerable before you’ve “made it”
35:53 – The Ferrari analogy: building the right business
38:24 – The ONE thing every business owner needs to ask
40:09 – Final thoughts + where to get help
Travis joins us to share his raw and powerful journey — from nearly losing everything to alcohol, to becoming a voice for men’s mental health in Hastings with The Men’s Room.
We get into why men struggle to talk openly, how sobriety reshaped his life, the importance of community, and why gratitude might just be free therapy.
If you’ve ever felt like you’re carrying it all alone, this conversation is for you.
00:00 – Why The Men’s Room exists: reducing male suicide
02:00 – Travis’s story of sobriety and the turning point
05:00 – Breaking the cycle for his kids
10:00 – Being honest about struggles while helping others
13:45 – Why men talk differently (and why it matters)
16:25 – The surprising power of gratitude
20:00 – Why men avoid sitting with their own thoughts
22:40 – Facing mortality and choosing health
25:00 – The baton of hope & national suicide awareness
27:20 – “I didn’t want to die, I just wanted the pain to stop”
29:15 – Teaching the next generation of men to talk
35:00 – Finding common ground beyond ego
38:20 – Social media, echo chambers & mental health
40:00 – Addiction, gratitude and balance in life
41:00 – Dancing through the high street: finding joy again
42:00 – Managing highs, lows and emotional pendulums
43:30 – Limiting happiness and self-preservation
45:00 – The Monday crash: coping after big highs
46:30 – Learning to love the boring bits of life
48:00 – Redefining what it means to live well
50:00 – The Men’s Room message: open the door, inspire change, build bridges
53:00 – Closing reflections: talking saves lives
In this episode, ADHD coach and hypnotherapist Italia Moro shares the real story behind ADHD – and why calling it a “superpower” might be doing more harm than good.
We unpack emotional dysregulation, time blindness, the myth of laziness, and how you can actually rewire your brain with tools like journaling, mindfulness and self-talk.
Whether you're late-diagnosed, feeling overwhelmed or just trying to make sense of your mind – this one’s full of relatable truth bombs and practical hope.
⏱️ Timestamps:
00:00 – What ADHD really is
01:34 – The emotional side most people miss
03:09 – Why adult ADHD often goes unnoticed
05:08 – How Italia realised she had ADHD
10:19 – “We all do that” – but do we really?
12:58 – Masking, self-protection & shame
15:50 – ADHD brains love business… until burnout hits
19:23 – Rejection sensitivity & imposter syndrome
22:49 – Why planners and systems don’t work (yet)
27:16 – Rewiring your brain with neuroplasticity
32:10 – Maturing the ADHD brain
34:18 – Self-talk: the most underrated ADHD tool
35:00 – Journaling, meditation & healthy dopamine hits
42:26 – Coffee, cortisol & ADHD
45:36 – Impulse spending & time blindness
47:12 – It’s not about managing symptoms – it’s about managing you
👉 Let us know your biggest takeaway in the comments, and hit subscribe for more real conversations.
Is your personal brand holding you back without you even realising?
In this episode, personal branding coach Ben Stickland explains why trying to please everyone is one of the biggest mistakes you can make — and how being more you is the ultimate growth strategy.
We unpack his “Be More YOU” framework, how to attract the right clients without the sales calls, and why your quirks might just be your biggest superpower.
📲 Connect with Ben:
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/thepersonalbrandingguy/
LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/thepersonalbrandingguy/
🕒 Timestamps:
00:00 - What a personal brand actually is
01:23 - Why Ben left employment to build his own thing
02:12 - Why pleasing everyone is bad for business
05:00 - “You’re not an office kettle” explained
06:30 - Avoiding nightmare clients
08:30 - Corporate hangovers & being ‘palatable’ online
11:00 - People-pleasing and holding back opinions
13:45 - Branding and… how you eat your KitKat?
17:35 - Using AI to be more human, not less
20:00 - Visual cues that make you unforgettable
22:00 - Moustaches, mullets, and making a statement
23:30 - The dating analogy that says it all
27:00 - Authenticity as a sales filter
32:00 - “Be More YOU” framework explained
34:00 - Redefining success on your terms
36:00 - Stop bragging about being busy
40:00 - Boundaries, payment terms, and knowing your worth
42:00 - The power of collaborations
43:15 - Final thoughts on being unfiltered
In this deeply honest and powerful episode, Tash shares her journey from addiction to sobriety. From hiding bottles around the house to smuggling drugs in clubs, and believing she was a “good mum” while passed out drunk — she holds nothing back. Now 7.5 years sober, Tash opens up about what helped her turn her life around, the stigma around addiction, and how she uses her story to help others do the same.
If you’ve ever struggled with your relationship to alcohol, or love someone who has — this one’s for you.
Timestamps:
00:00 – “I thought I was a good mum… but I was passed out every night”
01:50 – Meet Tash: rock bottom at 30, and 7.5 years sober
04:08 – What addiction looked like: wine, cocaine, and passing out daily
08:30 – Drinking from age 13: “I thought everyone drank every day”
14:02 – The moment she knew: “I think I’ve got a problem”
21:18 – Conversations with her kids now — and then
25:27 – What she really thinks about ‘just one drink’
30:08 – Sobriety wins: from the worst place to building a business
33:05 – Two trips to Ibiza: one drunk, one sober
38:27 – What needs to change in how we educate about alcohol
46:49 – What’s next: helping others change their story
🔗 Follow Tash: https://www.instagram.com/soberhappytash/
🎙 Subscribe for more real, honest conversations.
Liam Anderson | Operations Consultant | Balanced Ambition Podcast
In this episode, we dive into the real reason so many business owners feel overwhelmed, stuck, or just plain burnt out. And no — it's not about working harder.
Liam Anderson has seen inside dozens of businesses, and the pattern is clear: the ones that scale all have something in common — solid, boring, reliable operations.
We talk:
Why documenting anything is better than nothing
How to stop everything living in your head
The surprising connection between operations and client retention
Why your team onboarding process might be costing you thousands
And how to finally build a business that doesn't rely on you being in every meeting
Whether you're looking to grow, take a break, or one day sell your business, this is the episode for you.
👇 TIMESTAMPS BELOW 👇
00:00 – “You’re not playing running a business…”
01:05 – Liam’s journey from agency to founder
03:00 – Why small businesses need operational support
05:02 – Why ops isn’t sexy (but it is essential)
07:06 – The danger of founder bottlenecks
11:30 – Real examples: onboarding gone wrong
14:25 – What makes a business truly scalable?
17:45 – Managing client relationships long-term
21:40 – Why your business can’t live in your head
26:45 – The trust problem: letting go as a founder
29:56 – Building your own business (as an ops guy)
32:20 – The rise of fractional ops (and why it matters)
36:36 – Tools and first steps to start documenting
38:48 – SOPs explained simply
42:24 – Why processes fail if they don’t make life easier
44:22 – Final thoughts + wrap-up
🕒 TIMESTAMPS
This one’s a special episode. I sat down with my daughter Serena, just before she started secondary school, to chat through how she’s feeling about the big change — from nerves and new uniforms to favourite teachers and Tiny Tim the turtle. A real coming-of-age moment.
👀 If you're a parent, a teacher, or just someone who remembers that moment of growing up... this one will hit home.
Let us know in the comments what your first day of secondary school was like!
Timestamps:
00:00 – Starting secondary school soon
01:20 – Reflecting on primary school memories
02:50 – SATs pressure and support from teachers
04:50 – Fun stories from year 5 and 6
06:00 – The nerves around “big school”
07:15 – Summer school and navigating a bigger building
08:40 – Making new friends and first impressions
10:00 – New uniform, expensive blazers & growing up
12:00 – Sports, Hyrox and dodgeball dreams
15:30 – What Serena will never forget from primary
17:45 – Shoutout to her teachers and first podcast wrap-up!
In this episode I speak with Glynis Sheppard, founder of Swim with Style, who has spent nearly three decades teaching children and adults not just how to swim — but how to stay safe in water.
We talk about her journey from teaching her first five-metre swimmers to building a nationwide franchise, why water safety matters more than ever, and the surprising lessons she’s learned along the way (including fainting lifeguards and the “loveliest accident” of franchising).
If you’ve ever thought about starting a business, or simply believe swimming is one of the most important life skills we can give our kids, this is one for you.
Timestamps:
00:00 – Why water safety matters from day one
01:30 – Meet Glynis and the story of Swim with Style
03:00 – Falling in love with swimming and teaching
04:30 – Why swimming should be encouraged for every child
06:00 – A real-life story of safety skills saving a child
09:30 – Health benefits of swimming for all ages
11:15 – Why swimming is a true “switch-off” sport
13:00 – The importance of climbing out without steps
15:15 – Building a swimming business and franchise
19:30 – The challenges and support of growing a franchise
21:30 – Who saves the lifeguard? An unexpected story
23:30 – Expansion, new venues and future growth
26:30 – Advice for anyone starting a business
28:20 – Final reflections and inspiration
Would you risk your career, your child’s schooling, and your stability to go live the life you really want?
Oli Luck-Baker is doing exactly that. In this episode, he shares how he and his wife made the decision to leave their careers, rent out their home, and take their son on a two-year global adventure.
They don’t have a perfectly polished plan. But what they do have is a clear reason for doing it. From rethinking education and social media pressure to managing finances and shaking off the rush-rush Western mindset, this conversation is full of honest reflections and surprising insights.
🎧 Whether you’re a dreamer, a parent, a planner or just curious, this one's a must-listen.
✈️ Follow Oli and his family’s travels:🌍 Website: jaxfamilytravels.co.uk📸 Instagram: @jax.familytravels
00:00 Intro & trailer
01:45 Why Oli and his family are travelling for two years
03:20 How past travels shaped their decision
05:45 The school system push that changed everything
08:10 DBS risks and why they had to act
10:00 Planning the sabbatical and letting go of ‘normal’
12:35 Selling the van, renting the house, sorting logistics
14:30 How they budget for full-time travel
17:10 Content creation, UGC and new income models
20:05 Deregistering their child from school (and how it worked)
23:00 Education on the road: apps, journaling, real-world learning
26:20 Rethinking what school should teach
28:40 Why problem-solving is the new must-have skill
30:50 What no one tells you about social media growth
33:10 The pressure to become “influencers”
35:00 The anger problem in the UK
37:20 Leaving to find a better pace of life
39:15 Cultural contrasts: how Thailand shifted their mindset
42:10 What Western society can learn from Southeast Asia
45:00 The true cost of convenience and speed
47:15 Why this journey is about more than just travel
50:00 Facing uncertainty and building something new
52:30 What they hope their son will learn
55:10 Resilience, community, and what really matters
58:00 Do we actually need everything we have?
01:00:45 Final reflections and what’s next
Small business owners get real about money in this episode. We break down profit margins, the true cost to deliver, cash flow forecasting and late-paying clients, plus simple steps to protect your cash.
We also cover HMRC basics like “duality of purpose” and the claims that trip people up, in plain English.
Ellis shares his journey from almost getting sacked to building a 380–400 client firm, the flexible culture he runs, and the habits that keep him sane.
Plus why “keeping up with the Joneses” can quietly drain your bank balance.
00:00 Trailer and intro
01:36 The biggest money mistake: misunderstanding margins
03:29 The shock of break-even and take-home reality
06:20 Cash is king and why profit ≠ cash
07:39 Late invoices, contracts and chasing to protect cash flow
10:22 The bad cycle of quick-cash clients
11:27 Getting pricing right as a new business
12:35 Intro offers, then raising rates with proof
13:23 Firing clients and dealing with non-payers
15:38 HMRC basics and “duality of purpose” explained
17:31 Travel, masterminds and what’s actually allowable
19:13 Why an accountant reduces stress and risk
20:04 Ellis’s journey and the early grind
21:51 Young manager, pushback and proving it at 23
26:52 Building a flexible, remote-friendly culture
29:34 Work-life balance as a founder
31:22 The glamorised entrepreneur myth
32:12 Fitness as a pressure release
33:05 What’s next: splitting services and outsourced CFO
35:24 Why most businesses fail: skill, cash flow, lifestyle creep
36:54 Keeping up with the Joneses hurts your bank balance
38:27 Startup advice that actually works
40:33 Ask for feedback, not flattery
41:08 Take criticism to level up delivery
42:38 Wrap-up and thanks
What if confidence wasn’t about faking it until you make it – but building genuine self-belief that keeps you going when life falls apart?
In this deeply personal conversation, Charlotte Fowles shares the tools, mindset shifts, and daily choices that have literally kept her alive through depression, cancer, and life’s toughest moments.
We talk about breaking the myths around confidence, creating the conditions for growth, and learning to be content with “enough” – without giving up ambition. If you’ve ever struggled with your inner critic or wondered how to rebuild after setbacks, this is the episode you need to hear.
Timestamps:
00:00 – Why this work has kept Charlotte alive
01:44 – The truth about confidence vs self-belief
03:39 – How the subconscious drives 90% of your actions
05:13 – The “power of the pause” and reprogramming your reactions
09:19 – Who’s really driving the bus?
12:05 – Why faking it isn’t the answer
17:13 – The danger of confidence without integrity
20:55 – Using communication skills for good (not manipulation)
23:33 – The ABC of unapologetic confidence
27:03 – Creating the conditions to thrive
31:58 – How your brain’s RAS shapes your reality
34:43 – Choosing how you start your day
39:38 – Why we don’t need the “top 1%” life to be happy
43:38 – Charlotte’s personal journey through depression & cancer
Most people avoid talking about death — until it's too late. Greg Barnsdale has seen the emotional and financial chaos that comes from not being prepared. After a long career in both funeral services and financial planning, Greg published a book to help people take control of end-of-life planning… only to be diagnosed with a brain tumour two months later.
In this episode, we explore:
Why talking about death isn't morbid — it's responsible
How families suffer when no plan is in place
What Greg wishes more people understood about wills, insurance and legacy
His personal story of facing mortality head-on
Why your legacy isn’t just what you leave behind financially
👉 Greg’s book: Do Not Ignore Your Mortality
🔗 Resources and free guides: donotignoreyourmortality.com
00:00 – Why we need to talk about death
01:22 – Who is Greg Barnsdale?
02:48 – The painful impact of poor planning
04:52 – Why younger people must start the conversation
06:54 – End-of-life planning = less stress, more legacy
12:36 – Greg’s brain tumour diagnosis two months after publishing
15:41 – The power of having things in order
17:54 – What insurance most people miss
19:54 – Where to find Greg’s book and free tools
25:15 – The real legacy: peace of mind for your loved ones
26:36 – Final message: Don’t put it off
Ed Lofts is a 7x World Kickboxing Champion, Team GB coach, and tournament organiser, but his mission today goes beyond the ring. In this episode, Ed breaks down what trauma really is, why so many of us misunderstand it, and how it's often hiding in plain sight.
We explore the difference between “Big T” and “Small T” trauma, how our childhood conditioning shapes adult behaviour, and why resilience starts with slowing down. He also shares insights from his upcoming book and how martial arts continues to be a tool for healing, not just physically, but emotionally too.
Timestamps:
00:00 – Intro: Ed Lofts’ journey from fighter to trauma educator
01:30 – What trauma really is (and why most people miss it)
06:45 – The damage of subtle neglect and manipulation
10:10 – How your “family map” shapes your adult choices
15:00 – Why we deal with pain in all the wrong ways
21:40 – Ed’s own story and the power of self-awareness
26:00 – Can martial arts help emotional healing?
30:00 – The framework: attention, focus, discipline & awareness
35:00 – What’s next: Ed’s book, new app, and tournament platform
Diagnosed with a rare and severe form of leukaemia at age 11, Ed Jones was told he might not survive. In this powerful episode, he shares how that moment shaped his faith, life purpose, and the work he does today as a Baptist minister. From spiritual wrestling to running marathons and supporting mental health in his community — this is a story of resilience, reflection, and redemption.
Timestamps
00:00 - Diagnosed with leukaemia at 11
04:45 - Coping with a life-threatening illness
08:20 - The impact on his family
11:00 - Wrestling with faith and asking “Why me?”
15:00 - Reframing the experience: Why not me?
17:30 - Finding purpose and becoming a minister
22:00 - The modern role of the church
27:00 - Supporting mental health in the community
30:00 - Running the London Marathon 25 years later
34:30 - How trauma shaped his life and leadership
Could living neurons make our AI smarter, faster and a million times more energy efficient? In this episode, I sit down with Dr Ewelina Kurtys to explore how biocomputing is about to transform the future of technology—and potentially change everything we know about intelligence.
We dive into the science behind biological neural networks, the ethical questions no one has answered yet, and why our brains might be the ultimate model for AI.
Timestamps:
00:00 – Intro & What is Biocomputing?
02:08 – Evelina’s Journey from Neuroscience to AI
03:11 – Why AI Consumes So Much Energy
05:11 – How Living Neurons Process Information
08:36 – The Benefits and Controversies of Biocomputing
13:04 – Can AI Learn Empathy?
16:31 – Predictions for the Future of Computing
19:14 – Will Humans Stay the Most Intelligent Species?
21:57 – Medical Possibilities of Brain Augmentation
26:43 – Advice for the Next Generation of Innovators
30:54 – Why We Must Keep Training Our Brains
35:23 – Are Our Brains Ready for Modern Life?
38:20 – Building Better Habits in a World of Distraction
40:56 – Final Thoughts
Join us for an honest and profound conversation with James Gibson, a therapeutic coach, on what it truly means to be human in modern times. We explore how the midlife ‘crisis’ is often a rite of passage, why many men feel lost, and how embracing our hidden selves is the path to real wholeness.
If you’ve ever wondered whether there’s more to life than chasing goals, this episode is for you.
0:00 – Introduction & James’s Story
2:47 – What is a therapeutic coach?
4:00 – The Genius Myth & Finding Your Unique Gift
7:00 – Feeling like an outsider and the quest for meaning
11:00 – Acceptance in traditional cultures
14:00 – The burden of always being ‘good’
19:30 – Midlife transitions and why they matter
23:00 – Why many men don’t fully grow up
27:30 – Heartbrokenness as a doorway to deeper life
31:00 – How hardship awakens purpose
36:00 – Death, endings, and really living
39:00 – Masculinity, aggression, and modern challenges
46:00 – Shifting from physical to spiritual potency
49:00 – Recommended books and next steps
Steve Pickering is the CEO of Sussex Beds — a family business with 14 stores across Sussex, Kent and Surrey. But he doesn’t run it like most CEOs.
In this episode, Steve opens up about the messy, rewarding reality of running a growing family business. From navigating financial turmoil and coaching challenges to installing company-wide KPIs and learning how not to micromanage — Steve shares what makes him truly unorthodox in leadership. If you're building a business and feel like you’re making it up as you go, this one’s for you.
00:00 Clip: “Far more knocks than wins”
00:13 Intro – Why Steve is an unorthodox CEO
02:00 Growing up above the furniture shop
04:30 Joining the family business full-time
06:00 Restructuring after a rocky period
07:40 How working with a business coach changed everything
09:10 What makes Steve’s leadership style so different
11:25 Performance reviews with his wife
12:55 Allowing people to fail (and why that matters)
14:40 Hiring people better than you
16:15 Building a culture that outlives the founder
18:30 Why Sussex Beds turns away low-quality sales
22:00 The power of real-time data and KPIs
27:00 Becoming visible as a CEO on LinkedIn
29:30 Resilience: “Knock, knock, knock… win”
33:30 Performance reviews around the dinner table
36:00 The struggle to switch off (even on holiday)
39:00 Why amateur theatre helps Steve decompress
41:30 Final advice for new business owners
How do you build a fitness routine that actually sticks? Glenn Turner has the answer. In this episode, we explore what it really takes to stay healthy while juggling work, stress and real life. From bodyweight workouts in hotel rooms to mastering nutrition without guilt, Glenn’s practical advice is a lifeline for anyone who’s tired of starting over.
Whether you’re just getting started or trying again (for the 10th time), this one’s packed with no-BS tips and genuine insight.
Timestamps
00:00 – Why structure matters more than motivation
01:30 – Glenn’s story: from hospitality to fitness coaching
07:45 – Losing a job, gaining perspective
09:40 – Are you climbing the wrong ladder?
12:10 – Chasing success vs. finding purpose
18:00 – Creating healthy habits when you’re always travelling
21:30 – The calorie “bank account” concept
24:20 – Why crash diets always backfire
28:50 – High-protein foods to grab on the go
33:30 – What to avoid: food marketing myths
39:00 – A simple, full-body workout you can do anywhere
41:30 – Mobility: your most underrated superpower
44:59 – Strength, structure, and staying out of the care home
Episode 100! To mark the occasion, we recorded this one in person — and it’s a big one.
Are we trading real relationships for something that just feels easier? In this milestone episode, human behaviour expert Anita Tomecki shares how AI is already reshaping our social lives... and why we might not even realise it's happening.
We talk about robot boyfriends, AI coaches, and the uncomfortable truth that being "nice" isn't the answer to your problems.
This isn’t about tech vs. humans — it’s about the inner work most of us avoid.
00:00 – Episode 100! Filming in person
01:36 – Is human connection already being replaced?
03:50 – AI as a distraction… or a mirror?
05:30 – The dangers of always feeling “safe” with AI
07:52 – The illusion of perfection and why it’s so addictive
10:30 – Are robot relationships inevitable?
14:10 – The real reason we scroll (and what we’re avoiding)
17:20 – Social media, AI, and the comparison trap
20:05 – Childhood wounds and AI coaching
24:45 – The lie we tell ourselves about “shoulds”
28:15 – What lockdown taught us about distraction
30:30 – Self-responsibility and how AI tests it
34:05 – Why some people still haven’t even heard of ChatGPT
36:00 – Where AI is still lagging behind (for now)
38:00 – The curse of knowledge and how fast AI is evolving
40:10 – When AI starts to really know you
42:00 – We’re still feeding it — and it’s learning from us
43:25 – Can AI really teach emotional growth?
45:00 – Will AI ever be able to help us with consciousness?
47:00 – The one thing AI can't replicate: deep inner work
48:30 – Final thoughts and reflections on what comes next
https://youtu.be/97iEG_BRz6g
Self-doubt, imposter syndrome, burnout, and the pressure to have it all together.
In this deeply honest conversation, transformative coach Katherine Ashmore shares why so many high-achievers still feel like they’re not good enough, even when the evidence says otherwise.
From battling perfectionism and decision fatigue to escaping people-pleasing and learning how to set boundaries, Katherine brings clarity and science-backed mindset shifts to help you step out of your own way.
🔑 Topics we dive into:
– Why your inner critic won’t shut up
– How imposter thoughts sabotage success
– Building resilience in uncertain times
– Reclaiming energy through mindset and action
– The power of reframing, reward systems, and self-talk
– Why your purpose is bigger than your fear
🎧 For anyone who’s ever felt overwhelmed, stuck or silently struggling — this one’s for you.
https://youtu.be/qDdoCXf1rCU