I believe everyone has a story to tell, through seeking true, authentic insights about the entrepreneurial journey, I provide a platform for our peers to share their stories and inspire those that listen.
Welcome! I’m Sam Thomas, the host of the "Different Hats Podcast." In a world where entrepreneurs often feel pressured to wear countless hats, I believe in the power of authentic storytelling to redefine what success truly means. My mission is to help the 'World to See Success Differently' so you can achieve happiness, purpose, and fulfilment, by sharing real stories from those who’ve navigated the entrepreneurial landscape.
Through engaging conversations with peers and industry leaders like Chris Anderson of TED, I aim to provide you with the insights and inspiration needed to build the business you desire. Unlike other platforms, "Different Hats" focuses on the human side of entrepreneurship, moving beyond the performative aspects to foster genuine connections and meaningful growth.
Happy Listening 🎧
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
I believe everyone has a story to tell, through seeking true, authentic insights about the entrepreneurial journey, I provide a platform for our peers to share their stories and inspire those that listen.
Welcome! I’m Sam Thomas, the host of the "Different Hats Podcast." In a world where entrepreneurs often feel pressured to wear countless hats, I believe in the power of authentic storytelling to redefine what success truly means. My mission is to help the 'World to See Success Differently' so you can achieve happiness, purpose, and fulfilment, by sharing real stories from those who’ve navigated the entrepreneurial landscape.
Through engaging conversations with peers and industry leaders like Chris Anderson of TED, I aim to provide you with the insights and inspiration needed to build the business you desire. Unlike other platforms, "Different Hats" focuses on the human side of entrepreneurship, moving beyond the performative aspects to foster genuine connections and meaningful growth.
Happy Listening 🎧
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Series 8 has been one of the most powerful yet, a season of raw honesty, deep reflection, and inspiring resilience. Across sixteen extraordinary conversations, we’ve explored what it truly means to live, love, and lead with authenticity.
From suicidal ideation to self-acceptance, childhood loss to creative rebirth, OCD to bipolar, miscarriage to motherhood, each story redefined success not as wealth or status, but as presence, purpose, and the courage to ask for help.
This finale brings together the highlights and trailers from Series 8 (Episodes 115–130).
00:00 — Daniel Wilsher (E115)
01:24 — Joel Lawton (E116)
02:43 — Simon Chuter (E117)
04:27 — Sam Adams (E118)
05:55 — Asis Patel (E119)
07:13 — Howie McConnell (E120)
09:04 — Ashley Usiskin (E121)
11:14 — Abi Mellor (E122)
12:36 — David Eakins (E123)
14:25 — Oly Newton (E124)
15:07 — Jon Kennett (E125)
16:53 — Max Marshall (E126)
19:17 — Dr Carlos Saba (E127)
21:59 — Sarah Willingham (E128)
23:21 — Jonathan Lea (E129)
25:03 — Matthew White (E130)
From the depths of despair to the light of discovery, Series 8 reminded us that success isn’t measured by wealth or fame, but by how deeply we live and love. Every story, every voice, every moment shared helps shift the narrative, one honest conversation at a time.
If this series moved you, share this episode with someone who needs it.
And if you’re struggling, remember: asking for help is strength, not weakness.
🎧 LISTEN TO MORE DIFFERENT HATS EPISODES:
👉 www.different-hats.co.uk/podcast
🔗 SPONSORED BY:
Search Seven — www.searchseven.co.uk
Nostos Hove — www.nostos-hove.co.uk
Rivervale — www.rivervale.co.uk
Plus X — https://www.plusxinnovation.com/
🎬 PRODUCED BY: H2 Productions
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
At 39, Matthew White’s world changed overnight. A seizure on the football pitch led to a devastating diagnosis, an extensive, incurable brain tumour. In this deeply emotional Different Hats Series 8 finale, Matthew shares his journey of survival, hope, and redefining success in the face of uncertainty.
He opens up about the physical and emotional battles of brain surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy, and the profound lessons he’s learned along the way, about time, presence, gratitude, love, vulnerability, and what it really means to live.
Through his writing and advocacy, Matthew has become a voice for resilience and change, challenging stereotypes about masculinity, illness, and success. His words are raw, real, and profoundly moving.
“I’ve learned to disregard time. It doesn’t matter how long or short it is, it’s what you do with it that matters.” — Matthew White
Join Matthew and I was we explore themes of identity, perspective, vulnerability, fatherhood, curiosity, emotional literacy, and the courage to keep learning, no matter what life brings.
00:00 – Introduction
05:30 – Redefining success and identity after illness
10:00 – Living authentically vs. living society’s narrative
15:00 – The importance of curiosity, learning, and participation
20:00 – Finding joy in the small things
25:30 – The seizure, the scan, and hearing the words “It’s cancer”
33:00 – Family resilience and being home for Christmas
39:00 – Controlling the controllables
42:30 – Balancing hope and realism
45:00 – Documenting his journey to help others
49:00 – Processing trauma and finding control through learning
56:00 – “Don’t give up — it will get better”
1:03:00 – Building emotional intelligence through psychotherapy
1:10:00 – Finding his voice again
1:17:00 – The power of asking for help
1:23:00 – Creating a cocoon of support and redefining vulnerability
1:30:00 – Lessons from his children
1:38:00 – Rethinking time and what really matters
1:45:00 – The evolved version of Matthew White
1:48:00 – Perspective: what really matters each day
1:50:00 – The biggest lesson of all: never stop learning
1:52:00 – Messages for his wife and children
1:55:00 – Living in hope and staying one step ahead
👉 https://www.different-hats.co.uk/podcast
🔗 Connect with Matthew White
Instagram: @livingwithabraintumour
💡 If this episode resonated with you, please like, share, and comment below.
Your support helps us spread this important message and change the narrative around success and mental health.
Search Seven – www.searchseven.co.uk
Nostos Hove – www.nostos-hove.co.uk
Rivervale – www.rivervale.co.uk
Plus X – https://www.plusxinnovation.com/
🎥 PRODUCED BY: H2 Productions – https://h2productions.co.uk/
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
What does it really mean to speak your truth in a divided world?
In this powerful episode, I sit down with Jonathan Lea solicitor, entrepreneur, and founder of The Jonathan Lea Network, for an honest conversation about courage, conviction, and authenticity.
Jonathan opens up about growing his law firm, navigating controversy, and standing firm on his beliefs during one of the most polarising times in modern history. We talk about free speech, the fear of speaking out, and why honest debate, even when uncomfortable, is essential for personal and societal growth.
From lessons in leadership and fatherhood to the rise of AI in law, this episode is a masterclass in integrity, presence, and redefining success.
00:00 Introduction
03:21 “How do you define success?” – career, family, campaigning
10:16 Success as a feeling vs. milestones; surviving a tough market
25:50 Should debate be taught in schools?
27:00 Pandemic years: campaigning, reputation, and staying civil online
33:48 Values vs. opinions: can relationships survive big differences?
38:13 “Freedom movement,” Tommy Robinson, and division
41:38 Immigration, patriotism, compassion & policy
50:41 Who benefits? Foreign policy, media narratives, and nuance
1:07:31 Why Jonathan spoke out during COVID
1:10:05 Censorship, protests, platform bans & media framing
1:20:36 Did speaking out hurt business? (what actually happened)
1:26:38 Leadership vs. being anodyne; standing for something
1:28:35 Lockdowns, collateral harms & vaccine passports
1:31:41 Can opposing truths coexist?
1:36:02 How to speak up safely (regulators, sources, IHRA, AI checks)
1:43:35 How his firm uses AI (ChatGPT & Gemini) across legal work
1:55:23 Will AI replace lawyers? Where humans still add value
1:59:48 The next 5 years: tech, team, and growth mindset
2:06:02 New fatherhood, balance & presence
“If you truly believe in what you’re saying, you have to be willing to stand by it — even when it’s uncomfortable. Authenticity isn’t about being loud, it’s about being honest.”
🎧 LISTEN TO MORE DIFFERENT HATS EPISODES:
👉 https://www.different-hats.co.uk/podcast
🔗 CONNECT WITH JONATHAN LEA:
Website: https://www.jonathanlea.net
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathanlea/
Search Seven – www.searchseven.co.uk
Nostos Hove – www.nostos-hove.co.uk
Rivervale – www.rivervale.co.uk
Plus X – https://www.plusxinnovation.com
🎥 PRODUCED BY: H2 Productions
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
What does true success really mean? In this inspiring conversation, I sit down with Sarah Willingham, entrepreneur, investor, former Dragon on BBC’s Dragons’ Den, and co-owner of the Brighton i360.
Sarah opens up about:
✨ Why she believes success is freedom, the ability to meander through life on your own terms.
✨ The heartbreaking loss of her soulmate during Covid and what he taught her about presence, happiness, and living fully.
✨ Her bold decision to take her four children out of school for three years to travel the world and why she calls it the best decision of her life.
✨ The challenges of entrepreneurship in hospitality, surviving Covid, and leading through tough times.
✨ Why she doesn’t believe in a career path but instead a life path building businesses and choices around lifestyle, values, and family.
✨ The lessons she’d tell her 20-year-old self (and why polishing basil leaves became her metaphor for life).
This raw and honest conversation shines a light on redefining success away from money, fame, or status, and instead towards balance, freedom, and presence.
If you’ve ever felt trapped by society’s blueprint for life, Sarah’s story will inspire you to carve your own path and embrace the beauty of just being.
⏱️ Chapters:
00:00 Defining success: freedom & presence
06:00 Curiosity, chaos & why Sarah loves variety
13:30 The flawed dictionary definition of success
17:00 Walking, nature & recalibrating from adrenaline
26:00 Diarising “nothing” & finding presence
28:30 Taking kids out of school to travel the world
39:00 Challenging the education system
53:00 Finding her “thing” in business
1:01:00 Entrepreneurship, resilience & the WHY
1:07:30 Surviving hospitality during Covid
1:10:30 Balance, chaos & polishing basil leaves
1:14:20 Advice to her 20-year-old self
1:17:00 What does a life well lived look like?
🎧 LISTEN TO MORE DIFFERENT HATS EPISODES:
👉 https://www.different-hats.co.uk/podcast
🔗 Connect with Sarah Willingham
Website: https://sarahwilligham.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahwillingham/
💡 If this episode resonated with you, please like, share, and comment below. Your support helps us spread this important message and change the narrative around success and mental health.
SPONSORED BY:
Preston Insurance: https://prestoninsurancebrokers.co.uk/ - Episode Sponsor
Search Seven www.searchseven.co.uk
Nostos Hove www.nostos-hove.co.uk
Rivervale www.rivervale.co.uk
Plus X https://www.plusxinnovation.com/
PRODUCED BY: H2 Productions: https://h2productions.co.uk/
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
What does it really mean to live a successful life? Is success about achievements, wealth, or status or is it something much deeper?
In this powerful episode of the Different Hats Podcast, I sit down with my good friend Dr. Carlos Saba, co-founder of The Happy Startup School. Carlos shares his journey from chasing external markers of success to redefining it as a feeling of alignment, acceptance, and agency.
We dive into:
This conversation is packed with wisdom on presence, purpose, and emotional awareness, reminding us all that success is not about having more, but about being more.
00:00 – Intro What is Happy Money?
06:02 – Redefining success as a feeling of alignment
07:31 – From black belts to diaries: chasing early success goals
12:45 – Why being still is so hard in today’s society
17:56 – Childhood, conditioning & the stories we inherit
21:27 – Is the school system broken? Emotional literacy & curiosity
26:27 – Parents, teachers & environments shaping emotional awareness
29:08 – Rage, shame & teaching children emotional intelligence
32:43 – Can we measure emotional intelligence like grades?
37:48 – The “Second Mountain” of purpose & contribution
42:45 – Finding your values and purpose vs. chasing titles
48:21 – Questioning the life blueprint: marriage, career & curiosity
53:14 – Compassion, forgiveness & letting go of “the one way”
55:41 – Feeling stuck? Where to start with transition
59:10 – The First Mountain vs. the Second Mountain
1:01:43 – Redefining money: Happy Money & financial stories
1:09:51 – Scarcity, shame & abundance
1:13:29 – What is happiness? Acceptance & agency
1:15:35 – Responsibility, awareness & self-compassion
1:18:31 – Life as an adventure, not a scoreboard
1:20:29 – Chaos, stories & infinite games
1:25:24 – Death, joy & making the game better
1:29:13 – Agency, acceptance & connection
1:30:13 – Summer camp, friendship & fulfillment
1:33:30 – The key midlife question: Who am I becoming?
1:36:02 – Closing tradition: Storytelling card reflection
🎧 LISTEN TO MORE DIFFERENT HATS EPISODES:
👉 https://www.different-hats.co.uk/podcast
🔗 Connect with Dr. Carlos Saba
Website: https://www.happystartupschool.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carlossaba
💡 If this episode resonated with you, please like, share, and comment below. Your support helps us spread this important message and change the narrative around success and mental health.
SPONSORED BY:
Search Seven – www.searchseven.co.uk
Nostos Hove – www.nostos-hove.co.uk
Rivervale – www.rivervale.co.uk
Plus X – https://www.plusxinnovation.com/
PRODUCED BY: H2 Productions – https://h2productions.co.uk/
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
What if schools prepared young people not just to pass exams, but to live fulfilled, resilient, and happy lives?
In this inspiring conversation, I sit down with Max Marshall, a former teacher who left the classroom after 10 years to disrupt an outdated education system. Max now champions a vision for schools that prioritise emotional intelligence, resilience, and self-confidence over rote learning.
Together, we explore how redefining success for children could transform not just education, but the future mental health of our society. From Habits for Happiness to emotional tolerance, Max shares practical ideas for parents, teachers, and leaders and why teaching children to manage their emotions could ultimately save lives.
This is one of the most important and game-changing conversations I’ve had on the podcast to date.
00:00 Introduction – Fixing what schools miss
02:30 Max defines success: from popularity to fulfilment
07:00 The danger of external validation & social media
10:20 Teaching intrinsic success to children
15:00 Rethinking competition, failure & resilience
23:00 Why schools must change: outdated curriculum
27:30 The problem with SATs and measuring success
32:40 Emotional intelligence vs academic intelligence
40:00 What children really need to thrive in life
47:30 Pushback from schools & systemic barriers
55:00 Habits for Happiness – practical daily routines
1:05:00 Preparing children for secondary school & life
1:20:00 Choosing who you want to become
1:40:00 What success looks like for the next generation
1:52:00 Closing reflections & the Different Hats card
🎧 LISTEN TO MORE DIFFERENT HATS EPISODES:
👉 https://www.different-hats.co.uk/podcast
🔗 Connect with Max Marshall
Website: https://lifeeducationcoaching.co.uk/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lifeeducationwithmax/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/max-marshall-life-education/
Follow Max here 👉 https://linktr.ee/maxmarshall.life.education
💡 If this episode resonated with you, please like, share, and comment below. Your support helps us spread this important message and change the narrative around success and mental health.
SPONSORED BY:
Search Seven: www.searchseven.co.uk
Nostos Hove: www.nostos-hove.co.uk
Rivervale: www.rivervale.co.uk
Plus X https://www.plusxinnovation.com/
PRODUCED BY: H2 Productions: https://h2productions.co.uk/
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
⚠️ Warning ⚠️ This episode contains content that may be alarming to some listeners. We do talk about suicide which we know can be distressing.
In this powerful episode, I sit down with Jon Kennett, agency director, family man, and someone who’s lived through the highs of ambition and the lows of loss.
Jon opens up about how his definition of success has shifted over the years from chasing houses, cars, and financial milestones, to focusing on happiness, health, and the relationships that matter most.
We dive deep into themes of presence, fulfilment, balance, and relationships from practical business lessons around leadership and networking, to raw, emotional conversations about mental health and suicide. Jon shares the heartbreaking stories of close friends he’s lost, the ripple effects on everyone left behind, and why breaking the stigma around these conversations is so important.
This episode is both deeply human and practical with lessons on leadership, resilience, and the everyday sparks of meaning that keep us going.
00:00 – Opening & introductions
03:20 – Redefining success: from cars and houses to health, happiness, and family
12:15 – The pursuit vs. the destination: presence and fulfilment
20:40 – Networking done right: building relationships, not selling
31:00 – Growing up in music, confidence through performance, and lessons from his father
42:30 – Validation, highs & lows of the music industry
54:10 – Mental health, suicide, and losing a close friend
1:06:00 – The ripple effect: multiple friends lost to suicide and how it changed Jon’s outlook
1:24:00 – What needs to change: stigma, emotional education, and starting young
1:38:00 – Leadership lessons: building trust and putting the right people in the right seats
1:46:00 – Advice to a younger self
1:47:00 – Staying present as a father and leader
1:55:00 – Closing reflections: what sparks meaning in everyday life
🎧 LISTEN TO MORE DIFFERENT HATS EPISODES:
👉 https://www.different-hats.co.uk/podcast
🔗 Connect with Jon Kennett
LinkedIn: Jon Kennett
💡 If this episode resonated with you, please like, share, and comment below. Your support helps us spread this important message and change the narrative around success and mental health.
SPONSORED BY:
Search Seven – www.searchseven.co.uk
Nostos Hove – www.nostos-hove.co.uk
Rivervale – www.rivervale.co.uk
Plus X – https://www.plusxinnovation.com/
PRODUCED BY:
H2 Productions – https://h2productions.co.uk/
*If you’ve been affected by any of the topics in today’s episode, please reach out to local support services or find resources via Samaritans (UK) or equivalent helplines in your country.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
At just 21, Oly Newton’s world was turned upside down. After surviving a severe mental health crisis and living for years with the daily challenges of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), he channelled his pain into purpose, becoming a speaker, advocate, and founder of LightsOnXP, a human-centred workplace wellbeing platform shaped by lived experience.
In this powerful conversation, Oly opens up about how OCD has shaped his life, how he learned to manage it, and why it doesn’t define him. We dive into his journey from rock bottom to leading meaningful change, the importance of being truly present, and why human connection remains the most powerful tool for wellbeing in the workplace.
This is an open, honest, and deeply human exploration of recovery, hope, resilience, and the courage to keep showing up, even when the lights feel off.
00:00 — Introduction
04:12 — Oly’s early years and the experiences that shaped him
10:05 — Hitting rock bottom: a turning point in his mental health journey
17:46 — The power of speaking out and breaking stigma
23:30 — Founding LightsOnXP: building a wellbeing platform shaped by lived experience
31:18 — Redefining success: from surviving to thriving
37:54 — Why human connection is the cornerstone of mental health in the workplace
45:22 — Navigating balance and avoiding burnout
52:16 — Authenticity and showing up as your whole self
58:04 — The role of presence in recovery and leadership
1:05:48 — Finding fulfilment in purpose-led work
1:12:09 — Relationships, trust, and creating a support network
1:19:33 — Practical steps for organisations to support mental health
1:27:15 — Living with OCD: challenges and coping strategies
1:35:42 — Lessons learned from lived experience
1:43:58 — Advice for anyone struggling with mental health right now
1:51:25 — Future plans for LightsOnXP and personal growth
1:59:50 — Closing reflections & Oly’s definition of success today
🎧 LISTEN TO MORE DIFFERENT HATS EPISODES:
👉 https://www.different-hats.co.uk/podcast
🔗 Connect with Oly Newton
Website: https://www.lightsonxp.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/olynewton/
💡 If this episode resonated with you, please like, share, and comment below. Your support helps us spread this important message and change the narrative around success and mental health.
SPONSORED BY:
Search Seven — www.searchseven.co.uk
Nostos Hove — www.nostos-hove.co.uk
Rivervale — www.rivervale.co.uk
Plus X — https://www.plusxinnovation.com/
PRODUCED BY: H2 Productions — https://h2productions.co.uk/
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
⚠️ Warning ⚠️ This episode contains content that may be alarming to some listeners. We do talk about suicide which we know can be distressing.
At 38, David Eakins was moments away from ending his life on a railway bridge. On the outside, everything looked perfect, a great career, loving family, and strong friendships. But inside, David was silently drowning.
In this deeply moving and honest conversation, David opens up about suicidal ideation, masculinity, shame, and his journey to healing. He reveals how a single question, “How are you, out of 10?” became the turning point that led him to therapy, vulnerability, and a new life of presence and purpose.
Now leading Talk Club Brighton & Hove, David is helping other men open up and find hope through connection and conversation.
This episode is a must-listen for anyone struggling with trauma, grief or depression, or anyone supporting someone who is, or anyone ready to redefine what strength really means.
⏱️ CHAPTERS
00:00 – “I climbed the railings of a bridge…” – David’s darkest moment
03:05 – The weight of suicidal ideation: “I didn’t want to end my life… I wanted to end the pain”
07:42 – The silent battle at work and feeling lost in plain sight
13:18 – Early life, childhood masking, and belief systems about manhood
19:50 – Marriage, family dynamics, and fear of being ‘found out’
27:05 – The life-changing impact of being asked: “How are you out of 10?”
34:40 – First steps into therapy and confronting buried trauma
41:12 – Creating safe spaces: the birth of Talk Club Brighton & Hove
48:30 – The power of community and emotional accountability
56:50 – Shame, masks, and the myth of the 'strong man'
1:05:15 – Male friendship, trust, and the art of showing up
1:13:42 – Parenting, presence, and breaking generational cycles
1:22:18 – When laughter is medicine: humour, humanity and healing
1:31:40 – Business, burnout and redefining leadership through empathy
1:40:55 – Mental health at work: what employers get wrong
1:49:30 – Living with intention and building a new definition of success
1:56:50 – David answers the 5 Pillars: Balance, Authenticity, Presence, Fulfilment, Relationships
2:04:00 – Final reflections: “Be brave enough to speak before it's too late”
🔗 Connect with David Eakins
Instagram: @davideakins
LinkedIn: David Eakins
Website: https://happysapien.co.uk/
🎧 LISTEN TO MORE DIFFERENT HATS EPISODES:
👉 https://www.different-hats.co.uk/podcast
💬 If this episode resonated, please like, share, and leave a comment. Your support helps spread this vital message and change the narrative around success and mental health.
SPONSORED BY:
Search Seven – www.searchseven.co.uk
Nostos Hove – www.nostos-hove.co.uk
Rivervale – www.rivervale.co.uk
Plus X – https://www.plusxinnovation.com
🎥 PRODUCED BY:
H2 Productions – https://h2productions.co.uk
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In this heartfelt episode, I sit down with Abi Mellor, co-founder of award-winning creative agency MOREVER, for a raw and powerful conversation about success, leadership, loss, and living a values-led life.
Abi opens up about her journey through motherhood, miscarriage, burnout, and business, sharing how she navigates these deeply personal experiences while leading impactful storytelling campaigns for global changemakers. We explore how her childhood shaped her, what she believes is broken in our education system, and how success for her is measured by love, presence, and purpose, not just performance.
We also talk about creating emotionally literate families, leadership with vulnerability, the importance of slowing down, and why honest storytelling matters more than ever in a distracted, digital world.
If you’ve ever felt like you’re failing at the impossible juggle, or wondered how to hold purpose and pressure at the same time, this one’s for you.
⏱️ CHAPTERS & TIME STAMPS
00:00 – Intro
02:48 – What does success mean to Abi today?
05:51 – Childhood, co-parenting & shaping values
11:30 – Creating MOREVER & purpose-led storytelling
18:44 – Miscarriage, motherhood & the emotional cost of ambition
26:20 – Vulnerability in leadership & business burnout
35:10 – Reframing failure & making space for slowness
40:22 – Phone addiction, presence & parenting in a digital world
47:38 – Changing the education system & raising emotionally intelligent kids
53:52 – Honest storytelling, holding space & creative leadership
58:46 – Being a working mum: guilt, balance & emotional weight
1:05:18 – Abi’s partner dynamic & redistributing roles at home
1:09:14 – The cost of burnout: body signals & seeking help
1:16:10 – Finding strength in slowing down & saying no
1:19:42 – Letting go of perfection & embracing emotional truth
1:24:00 – Navigating phone addiction and presence in parenting
1:29:32 – On grief, miscarriage and language that heals
1:35:20 – Changing the story: why emotional literacy matters
1:40:48 – Final thoughts on success, love, and the legacy we leave
🎧 LISTEN TO MORE DIFFERENT HATS EPISODES:
👉 https://www.different-hats.co.uk/podcast
🔗 Connect with Abi Mellor
Website: https://www.morever.co.uk/
Instagram: @moreverfilms
LinkedIn: Abi Mellor
💡 If this episode resonated with you, please like, share, and comment below. Your support helps us spread this important message and change the narrative around success and mental health.
SPONSORED BY:
Search Seven – www.searchseven.co.uk
Nostos Hove – www.nostos-hove.co.uk
Rivervale – www.rivervale.co.uk
Plus X – https://www.plusxinnovation.com/
🎬 PRODUCED BY: H2 Productions – https://h2productions.co.uk/
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In this powerful and deeply human conversation, Sam sits down with Ashley Usiskin, coach, speaker, and founder of The Gift of Help, to explore what true strength looks like in a world that often rewards silence and independence.
Ashley opens up about losing his mum at age five and how that loss hardwired him to become emotionally self-sufficient. But when a life-threatening cancer diagnosis forced him to accept support, he had to completely reframe what it meant to ask for help, and more importantly, receive it.
This episode is an invitation to rewrite outdated scripts around masculinity, vulnerability, and success. Ashley speaks openly about childhood grief, emotional suppression, the school system, and the profound impact of mentorship. Together, he and Sam reflect on the resilience of children, the need for emotional intelligence in education, and why helping others starts with giving them the chance to help you.
This isn’t just about healing. It’s about legacy. It’s about rewriting the rules so that future generations don’t have to unlearn them.
🎧 CHAPTERS & TIMESTAMPS:
00:00 | What Is Success?
00:39 | Childhood Trauma & Early Loss
01:16 | Cancer Diagnosis & The Gift of Help
04:33 | Redefining Success Through Connection
10:29 | Challenging Cultural Narratives
17:12 | Emotional Intelligence in Education
33:22 | Vulnerability and Masculinity
47:42 | Learning to Ask for Help
54:03 | Receiving Support with Gratitude
58:17 | Brotherhood and Shared Grief
1:05:03 | Facing Mortality: What Truly Matters
1:15:03 | Final Reflection: What Would You Tell Little You?
🎧 LISTEN TO MORE DIFFERENT HATS EPISODES:
👉 https://www.different-hats.co.uk/podcast
🔗 Connect with Ashley Usiskin
Website: https://thegiftofhelp.org/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gift_of_accepting_help_podcast
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashleyusiskin/
💡 If this episode resonated with you, please like, share, and comment below. Your support helps us spread this important message and change the narrative around success and mental health.
SPONSORED BY:
Search Seven www.searchseven.co.uk
Nostos Hove www.nostos-hove.co.uk
Rivervale www.rivervale.co.uk
Plus X https://www.plusxinnovation.com/
PRODUCED BY:
H2 Productions: https://h2productions.co.uk/
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Howie McConnell has lived many lives: club promoter, DJ, designer, car salesman, creative founder, and a man who faced the darkest moment of his life and found the courage to rebuild.
⚠️ Warning ⚠️ This episode contains content that may be alarming to some listeners. We do talk about suicide which we know can be distressing.
In this deeply honest and inspiring conversation, Howie opens up about his late ADHD diagnosis, his journey through a divorce, redundancy during COVID, and the moment he nearly took his life. But it's also a story of resilience, reinvention, and creativity. From running iconic Brighton clubs to founding 28th Street Media, Howie shares how creativity saved his life, how fatherhood fuels his purpose, and what it means to live authentically, with “peace in the chaos.”
Together we explore themes of masculinity, neurodiversity, emotional intelligence, and the power of being seen. This one’s not just for creatives or entrepreneurs, it’s for anyone navigating change, looking to heal, or wondering how to turn pain into purpose.
00:00 – From Darkness to Light: Howie’s rock bottom moment
03:04 – Defining Success: A triple-header view on peace, presence & parenthood
06:34 – Early Hustles, Millionaire Dreams & Fur-Covered Lighters
07:31 – School, Dyslexia & Creativity Suppressed
10:00 – What’s Broken in the Education System?
14:18 – Work Ethic, Essex Roots & Family Influence
16:20 – DJing, Honey Club & The Creative Scene
24:12 – The Origin of 28th Street Media
25:34 – Juggling Jobs, Redundancy & Survival
27:39 – COVID: The Worst and Best Time
31:24 – Health Wake-Up Call: From 20 Stone to Ultra-Marathons
33:05 – Midlife Awakening or ADHD Clarity?
39:46 – The Gift of Listening (Not Fixing)
43:52 – Late ADHD Diagnosis at 45
50:00 – Advice for Newly Diagnosed Adults
56:43 – Mental Health, Food Banks & The Knife Moment
58:48 – The Camera That Saved My Life
1:10:21 – Goal-Setting, Self-Motivation & Creative Grit
1:17:17 – Launching a Neurodivergent Clothing Line
1:21:15 – Being at Peace: Redefining Success through Contentment
Website: https://www.28thstreetmedia.co.uk
Instagram: @28thstreetmedia
LinkedIn: Howie McConnell
👉 https://www.different-hats.co.uk/podcast
Your support helps us spread this important message and change the narrative around success and mental health.
Search Seven – www.searchseven.co.uk
Nostos Hove – www.nostos-hove.co.uk
Rivervale – www.rivervale.co.uk
Plus X – https://www.plusxinnovation.com
H2 Productions – https://h2productions.co.uk
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
“Success is when you can take the mask off… and be Spider-Man and Peter Parker at the same time.”
In one of the most vulnerable, profound, and creatively powerful episodes of Different Hats to date, Sam sits down with illustrator, storyteller, and creative genius Asis Patel.
Asis opens up about his journey growing up without a father, the bold decision his mother made to leave an arranged marriage, and how that shaped his identity, masculinity, and artistic expression.
In a raw and heartfelt conversation, Asis shares the first time publicly about standing on the edge, literally and emotionally, contemplating suicide, and how that moment became a portal to transformation. We dive into themes of presence, purpose, emotional honesty, creativity, and how self-awareness, community, and storytelling saved his life.
This episode is a reminder that creativity isn’t just about art, it’s about survival, identity, and expression. Asis is living proof that our stories can be our salvation.
00:00 – The Spider-Man Within: A powerful definition of success
03:06 – Introducing Asis: Creative genius and storyteller
05:29 – Taking the Mask Off: Living in alignment with your truth
10:04 – Fulfilment through curiosity, creativity, and sensory living
13:28 – Childhood, creativity & searching for alternatives
17:36 – Asis opens up: Growing up without a father
25:17 – Shame, identity & the language we lack as children
28:46 – What Does It Mean to Be a Man?
30:04 – Dancing with the Feminine: Redefining masculinity
34:06 – The power of men’s circles & being witnessed
41:34 – The masculine and feminine in harmony
45:49 – Asis' stammer, bullying, and finding his voice
53:47 – From Stammering to Stand-up Comedy
1:03:40 – Finding peace with his father’s absence
1:17:34 – Creating a life beyond pain: Turning adversity into purpose
1:24:44 – Asis’ Mental Health Struggles: The moment everything changed
1:37:55 – Suicide did happen that day… but so did rebirth
1:47:32 – The Inner Child & Walt Disney dreams
1:48:52 – Final reflections & the gift of storytelling
🎧 LISTEN TO MORE DIFFERENT HATS EPISODES:
👉 https://www.different-hats.co.uk/podcast
🔗 Connect with Asis Patel
Website: https://www.asispatel.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/asispatel
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/asispatel
💡 If this episode resonated with you, please like, share, and comment below. Your support helps us spread this important message and change the narrative around success and mental health.
SPONSORED BY:
Search Seven www.searchseven.co.uk
Nostos Hove www.nostos-hove.co.uk
Rivervale www.rivervale.co.uk
Plus X https://www.plusxinnovation.com/
PRODUCED BY: H2 Productions: https://h2productions.co.uk/
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
“You can’t breathe through what you’re not willing to feel.”
⚠️ Warning ⚠️ This episode contains content that may be alarming to some listeners. We do talk about suicide which we know can be distressing.
In this powerful episode, I sit down with transformational life coach and breathwork practitioner Sam Adams, whose remarkable journey from trauma to truth will leave you deeply moved and inspired.
Sam shares her raw, unfiltered story, growing up in a white, working-class area where being Black, gay, and female meant hiding her truth. From surviving childhood abuse, to the heartbreak of family rejection, a brain tumour diagnosis, and mental health struggles. Sam hit rock bottom and had planned to take her own life.
From a place of darkness, Sam turned to breathwork, discovering not just a tool for healing, but a lifeline. She now helps others shift from performance to presence, guiding them through deep emotional work that reconnects them with their truth.
This episode dives into the heart of what it means to redefine success, beyond status, wealth, or validation, and instead measure it through authenticity, emotional intelligence, and connection.
Whether you’ve felt lost, out of place, or like you’ve had to wear a mask just to survive, this conversation is for you.
👉 https://www.different-hats.co.uk/podcast
Website: https://sam-adams.com
Instagram: @sam_adams_coach
LinkedIn: Sam Adams
💡 If this episode resonated with you, please like, share, and comment below. Your support helps us spread this important message and change the narrative around success and mental health.
Search Seven – www.searchseven.co.uk
Nostos Hove – www.nostos-hove.co.uk
Rivervale – www.rivervale.co.uk
Plus X – https://www.plusxinnovation.com
🎧 H2 Productions – https://h2productions.co.uk
*If you have been affected by any of the content during this interview you can reach out to any of the below:
Samaritans - https://www.samaritans.org
My Black Dog - https://www.myblackdog.co/mental-health-charity
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
⚠️ Warning ⚠️ This episode contains content that may be alarming to some listeners. We do talk about suicide which we know can be distressing.
In this deeply moving episode of the Different Hats Podcast, I sit down with purpose-led mentor and scale-up strategist Simon Chuter for an unfiltered conversation about mental health, masculinity, and meaning.
Simon shares his journey through the extremes, what he describes as his personal Mariana Trench and Everest moments. From being diagnosed with bipolar disorder and surviving a suicide attempt, to mentoring startups and parenting with emotional presence, this is a conversation that doesn’t just inspire, it transforms.
This episode is a masterclass in emotional intelligence, the power of giving, and why redefining success is vital for our personal and collective wellbeing. Whether you're a founder, parent, educator, or simply a human navigating life's highs and lows, this one will stay with you.
🎧 Listen in for insights on:
🎧 LISTEN TO MORE DIFFERENT HATS EPISODES:
👉 https://www.different-hats.co.uk/podcast
🔗 Connect with Simon Chuter
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonchuter/
💡 If this episode resonated with you, please like, share, and comment below. Your support helps us spread this important message and change the narrative around success and mental health.
SPONSORED BY:
Search Seven www.searchseven.co.uk
Nostos Hove www.nostos-hove.co.uk
Rivervale www.rivervale.co.uk
Plus X https://www.plusxinnovation.com/
PRODUCED BY: H2 Productions: https://h2productions.co.uk/
*If you have been affected by any of the content during this interview you can reach out to any of the below:
Samaritans - https://www.samaritans.org
My Black Dog - https://www.myblackdog.co/mental-health-charity
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In this special Unplugged edition of the Different Hats Podcast, I dive into one of the most urgent questions facing UK business owners in 2025:
How do you retain great people without breaking the bank?
Amid soaring employment costs and rising redundancies, smart business leaders are exploring creative solutions. One powerful tool? Salary sacrifice car schemes. But what are they really, and how can they help both your people and your bottom line?
Joined by three expert guests, Sarah May (HR strategist), Chris Barnard (finance guru), and Warren Keech (salary sacrifice specialist at RiverVale), this episode breaks down how salary sacrifice works, who it benefits, and how it can help build a purpose-driven culture that attracts and keeps top talent.
Packed with practical insights, real-world examples, and financial clarity, this conversation is a must-listen for business owners, HR leaders, and anyone navigating recruitment and retention in today’s challenging climate.
✅ Reduce payroll costs
✅ Support employee wellbeing
✅ Retain talent
✅ Promote sustainability
✅ Save money for your business
📌 KEY CHAPTERS
00:00 - Introduction
02:20 - Why Employees Feel Undervalued Today
04:00 - Wellbeing Beyond Wages: Gen Z Expectations
06:45 - Creating a Competitive Benefits Package
09:30 - The Hidden Cost of Losing a Team Member
11:00 - Culture, Trust & Retention
15:35 - What is Salary Sacrifice?
17:00 - Employer & Employee Tax Savings Explained
21:10 - Who Can Benefit from Salary Exchange?
23:00 - Pitfalls & Credit Considerations for Employers
25:20 - Electric vs Hybrid Cars: Tax & Sustainability
29:40 - Why Offering an EV Scheme Increases Retention
32:45 - The ESG & CSR Advantage
36:00 - Hire Purchase vs Business Lease Explained
41:00 - How to Introduce a Salary Exchange Scheme
44:20 - Answering Employee Concerns with Clarity
48:15 - Benefits Beyond Cars: Pensions, Health, and More
51:30 - Solo Directors & Tax-Efficient EV Strategies
53:05 - Final Takeaways: Pick n’ Mix Benefits That Work
🎧 LISTEN IF YOU WANT TO LEARN:
🔗 Brought to you in partnership with RiverVale
Find out more: https://www.rivervale.co.uk/
Connect with out experts:
Sarah May - https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-maydayhr/
Chris Barnard - https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-barnard-b4642968/
https://www.collectiveconceptsaccounting.com/
🎬 Produced by H2 Productions
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In this deeply honest and vulnerable conversation, I sit down with Joel Lawton, entrepreneur, coach, and founder of In Your Corner, to explore what it really means to redefine success and live in full alignment with your true self.
Joel shares his powerful personal journey: building a multi-million-pound business, navigating burnout, and ultimately making the courageous decision to walk away and rebuild life and work on his own terms. Together, we dive into the emotional narratives men carry, the importance of self-worth beyond doing and providing, and how true presence can be one of the most underrated measures of success.
This conversation also touches on fatherhood, mental health, the challenges of hustle culture, emotional intelligence, men's groups, workplace culture, the education system, and how we can better equip younger generations to process emotions.
Expect raw honesty, actionable insights, and an inspiring message for anyone questioning their own version of success.
KEY CHAPTERS
00:00 — The Illusion of Success
03:00 — Joel’s Definition of Success
06:30 — Presence & Busyness
11:50 — Hustle Culture Pressure
17:40 — What Is Enough?
21:20 — Joel’s Early Life & Upbringing
25:00 — Self-Worth & Identity
32:00 — Emotional Intelligence & Holding Space
39:00 — Safe Spaces for Men
43:40 — Supporting the Next Generation
53:40 — Rethinking Education & Life Skills
58:30 — The Power of Human Connection
1:10:00 — Business Burnout & Transition
1:25:00 — Full-Body Yes Decisions
1:30:00 — Taking Responsibility for Change
1:33:00 — Living in Alignment
1:46:30 — Final Invitation: You Can Change It
🎧 LISTEN TO MORE DIFFERENT HATS EPISODES:
👉 https://www.different-hats.co.uk/podcast
🔗 Connect with Joel Lawton
Website: https://www.inyourcorner.co/
Instagram: @_in_your_corner
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joel-lawton-3194aa9/
💡 If this episode resonated with you, please like, share, and comment below. Your support helps us spread this important message and change the narrative around success and mental health.
SPONSORED BY:
Search Seven www.searchseven.co.uk
Nostos Hove www.nostos-hove.co.uk
Rivervale www.rivervale.co.uk
Plus X https://www.plusxinnovation.com/
PRODUCED BY: H2 Productions: https://h2productions.co.uk/
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
⚠️ Warning ⚠️ This episode contains content that may be alarming to some listeners. We do talk about suicide which we know can be distressing.
🎙️ Welcome to Series 8 of the Different Hats Podcast!
In this deeply powerful and emotional conversation, Daniel Wilsher shares his mission to change the narrative around young men, masculinity, mental health, and the broken education system. Daniel opens up about his personal journey of childhood trauma after losing his father to suicide, his own mental health struggles, and the path that led him to dedicate his life to helping young people unlock their true potential.
From vulnerability, role models, emotional intelligence, to redefining success for young men, this episode is packed with raw honesty, profound insights, and real solutions that can change lives.
Whether you're a parent, teacher, leader, or someone struggling with your own mental health, this conversation is for you. It's about hope, healing, human connection, and taking action.
🌍 About This Episode:
In a world that’s telling young men to be stronger, richer, more dominant, Daniel offers a different path. His work through LivedX is equipping schools, parents, and communities to have brave conversations that empower boys to define their own version of success, rooted in emotional intelligence, connection, service, and self-awareness.
This is a masterclass in empathy, leadership, and the simple yet powerful truth: *sometimes all a young person needs is one adult to believe in them.
🎧 LISTEN TO MORE DIFFERENT HATS EPISODES:
👉 https://www.different-hats.co.uk/podcast
🔗 Connect with Daniel Wilsher & LivedX
Website: https://livedxlearning.com
Instagram: @danieljameswilsher
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-wilsher-448996168/
💡 If this episode resonated with you, please like, share, and comment below. Your support helps us spread this important message and change the narrative around success and mental health.
SPONSORED BY:
Search Seven www.searchseven.co.uk
Nostos Hove www.nostos-hove.co.uk
Rivervale www.rivervale.co.uk
Plus X https://www.plusxinnovation.com/
PRODUCED BY: H2 Productions: https://h2productions.co.uk/
*If you have been affected by any of the content during this interview you can reach out to any of the below:
Samaritans - https://www.samaritans.org
My Black Dog - https://www.myblackdog.co/mental-health-charity
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
From CEOs and coaches to trauma survivors, storytellers, and change makers, Series 7 of the Different Hats Podcast was a powerful reminder that success isn’t always what it seems.
Across 15 episodes, our guests didn’t just share their highlights, they shared their hearts.
Series 7 also included the very special 100th milestone episode.
Together, we explored themes of:
What we learned?
Success isn’t what you have. It’s how you feel. It’s showing up fully, healing out loud, and choosing presence over performance.
If you missed an episode, or just want to revisit some of the most inspiring voices we’ve hosted, now’s the time.
👉 Catch up on Series 7 here 👉 https://youtu.be/D83ByTEq8vc
Thank you to every guest for your courage. And to every listener for helping us shape a better story.
Together, we’re helping the world see success differently.
🔔 Subscribe, comment, and join the journey to redefine success through real, human stories.
SPONSORED BY:
Search Seven www.searchseven.co.uk
Nostos Hove www.nostos-hove.co.uk
Rivervale www.rivervale.co.uk
Plus X https://www.plusxinnovation.com/
PRODUCED BY: H2 Productions: https://h2productions.co.uk/
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
What does it truly mean to be a man today? And how do we raise boys to grow into emotionally intelligent, resilient men?
In this profoundly moving episode of the Different Hats Podcast, I sit down with Andrew Jenkins, mental health advocate, speaker, and breakout voice from BBC’s The Traitors—for a conversation that cuts to the core of masculinity, trauma, and the power of vulnerability.
Andrew shares his harrowing experience of surviving a car accident that changed his life forever, and how he stayed silent about the emotional aftermath for over two decades. Now, he’s using his voice to help others find theirs.
Together, we explore:
💬 The silent crisis facing young men. and why suicide rates are still rising
🏉 The role of sport and father figures in shaping emotional awareness
💔 Andrew’s emotional journey from silence to telling his son "I love you" for the first time at age 22
👂 Why men don’t need fixing, they just need someone to listen
📣 How schools, sports clubs, and parents can create emotionally safe spaces
This is more than a conversation. It’s a call to action, to change how we talk to our boys, how we show up for one another, and how we redefine what strength really means.
If you're a parent, coach, teacher, leader, or someone on your own healing journey, this episode might just change the way you see the world.
00:00 – Introductions
04:10 – The Crisis in Men’s Mental Health: Where Do We Start?
08:25 – The Pressure of Modern Life and Climbing the Wrong Ladder
11:30 – Redefining Positive Masculinity in Schools and Sports
17:30 – The Power of Vulnerable Role Models
22:50 – Parental Pressure, Generational Trauma & Starting Conversations at Home
29:10 – The Moment Andrew Told His Son “I Love You”
35:20 – Academy Dropouts & Mental Health in Young Athletes
42:00 – How Parents Can Be Better Equipped Emotionally
47:15 – Creating a Culture That Celebrates Emotional Intelligence
55:00 – Breaking the Cycle: Speaking to His Own Parents for the First Time
1:02:30 – The Fear of Regret and Taking Your Own Advice
1:07:20 – Men’s Support Networks & Listening Without Judgement
1:13:50 – The Power of Hope, Safe Spaces & Prevention Over Cure
1:20:00 – Why Andrew Said Yes to The Traitors
1:26:30 – Behind the Fame: Finding Purpose Through Platform
1:38:50 – A Message to Young Andrew: Don’t Be So Hard on Yourself
1:45:00 – Redefining Success and Happiness: Final Reflection
🔔 Subscribe, comment, and join the journey to redefine success through real, human stories.
SPONSORED BY:
Search Seven www.searchseven.co.uk
Nostos Hove www.nostos-hove.co.uk
Rivervale www.rivervale.co.uk
Plus X https://www.plusxinnovation.com/
PRODUCED BY: H2 Productions: https://h2productions.co.uk/
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.