After Aston I...

Series 3 of the After Aston I… podcast kicks off with co-hosts Aimee Postle and Geoff Savage interviewing Aston University alumna Maïté Bikenge (MA International Relations and Global Governance, 2019), Senior Privacy Analyst at Warner Bros. Discovery and creator of Loba Lingala, an innovative language-learning app helping the Congolese diaspora reconnect with their linguistic and cultural roots.

Growing up hearing Lingala without learning to speak it fluently, Maïté turned a personal experience into a mission to preserve her heritage and help others feel connected to their identity. With no software development background, she combined AI tools, regional language models and feedback from native speakers to build a free, gamified platform now reaching thousands of users across more than 30 countries. This episode explores the power of diaspora connection, overcoming non-technical barriers, and embracing the Lingala philosophy of malembe, mbeleme- taking life and learning slowly, step by step.

Season 3 of After Aston I… is officially on the way! Join co-hosts Geoff Savage and Aimee Postle as they jump back behind the mics to catch up with more of Aston’s brilliant graduates. This series, we’re diving into the genuine stories behind the careers—the bold choices, the challenges, the big ideas, and the unexpected turns that happened after leaving university. 

If you haven’t subscribed yet, hit that little notification bell now so you’re the first to know when the new season lands. 

We'll see you there!

It’s the final episode of series 2 of the podcast! Geoff and Aimee are joined by Aston alumnus and global marketing leader, Kevin Alderson. We delve into the essence of performance marketing, explore the balance between data and intuition, and discuss the shift from corporate roles to running a consultancy. Kevin also shares valuable insights on building high-performing teams, the importance of commercial and data literacy, and the continuous learning necessary in the ever-evolving field of marketing. Don't miss this engaging and insightful conversation as we wrap up season two with a bang!

Interested in saving 20% on postgraduate study? Find out more here: https://www.aston.ac.uk/postgraduate/progressing-postgraduate-study

Honeybee Group: https://thehoneybeegroup.co.uk/

Aimee and Geoff kick off the New Year on the After Aston I… podcast with Dylan Carroll, Aston alumnus and Head of Partnerships at the Outward Bound Trust. Dylan reflects on his journey from Aston graduate to charity leader, and shares how the Outward Bound Trust helps young people build confidence, resilience and self-belief through life-changing outdoor adventures. The episode explores the power of fundraising, the long-term impact of these experiences, and the personal stories that drive Dylan’s passion for making a real difference.

For more information about the work of the Outward Bound Trust, please visit: https://www.outwardbound.org.uk/

Geoff and Aimee are joined by alumnus Stephen Billingham, who discusses his journey through various leadership roles, including being an executive at multiple high-profile organizations and a chair in both corporate and charitable boards. He talks candidly about the good and the bad of corporate boards, including what makes a good one, and why sometimes personality clashes are inevitable. Stephen also reflects on the crucial role of the chair, and the evolving responsibilities of boards, especially in terms of sustainability and social responsibility. 

View the digital Aston for Life magazine: https://aflmagazine.aston.ac.uk/

In this episode of 'After Aston I...' hosts Aimee Postle and Geoff Savage sit down with Dr. Krystle Burnett-Dunkley, a triple alumna who has carved an impressive path in the tech industry. Krystle discusses her journey from Birmingham to New York, her work at Hewlett Packard in leading strategic marketing campaigns, and her PhD research on sustainable leadership in the US tech industry. She delves into the fast-paced nature of the New York tech scene, the importance of staying informed in an ever-evolving field, and the potential of AI in marketing. Krystle also shares insights on her role as a mentor, the importance of balancing professional ambitions with personal joy, and the rich crossover between industry and academia. 

In this episode of the After Aston I... podcast, hosted by Aimee and Geoff, the spotlight is on Arese Ugwu, an Aston University alumna and renowned financial educator, author, and filmmaker. Arese shares her journey from studying Business Management at Aston to becoming a key figure empowering African millennial women with smart financial decisions. She talks about her struggles with personal finances and how they inspired her to create educational content, including articles, the bestselling book 'The Smart Money Woman,' and a hit Netflix series of the same name.

Arese also discusses the entrepreneurial challenges of funding creative projects and her approach to merging business acumen with creative visions. Tune in for an inspiring discussion about financial empowerment, storytelling, and navigating the film industry. Don't forget to check out the links for where to watch 'The Smart Money Woman' series on YouTube, and for more information on Aston's 20% loyalty scholarship for postgraduate studies.

• https://www.youtube.com/@AzuwaStudios
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/arese-ugwu-272710a7/?originalSubdomain=ng
• https://www.aston.ac.uk/postgraduate/progressing-postgraduate-study

In this episode of After Aston I…, co-hosts Aimee and Geoff are joined by Rupinder Kaur, founder of Asian Women Mean Business. Rupinder shares her inspiring journey from navigating the corporate world as a South Asian woman to leading a platform that empowers South Asian women to overcome self-doubt and step into leadership roles. She discusses the cultural challenges faced by South Asian women in the corporate world and the importance of community support, culturally relevant mentorship, and confidence-building. Rupinder also talks about her inspiring climb up Mount Kilimanjaro with the first all South Asian female group and the impact of her upcoming learning and development app aimed at supporting South Asian women globally. Listen in to hear how Rupinder is reshaping the leadership landscape for South Asian women and fostering confidence, ambition, and success.

To learn more about Asian Women MEAN Business at https://www.asianwomenmeanbusiness.com/

In this episode of After Aston I…, co-hosts Aimee and Geoff sit down with Daniel Franklin, an Aston alumnus and the executive editor of The Economist. The conversation spans Daniel's illustrious 41-year career, during which he covered significant global events such as the collapse of communism, the global economic crisis, and recent US elections. Daniel discusses the evolution of The Economist into a global media brand and shares his experiences editing 'The World In' annual edition. 

The discussion also touches on the impact of AI on journalism, the importance of news literacy, and major global trends in technology, demographics, and politics. Whether you're interested in journalism, global politics, or future trends, this episode offers a wealth of insights and thought-provoking discussion.

Study online postgraduate degrees with Aston University, from the comfort of your own home: https://online.aston.ac.uk/

In this episode of After Aston I…, Aimee and guest co-host Abby welcome Harley Cunningham, Senior Strategy and Performance Manager at Virgin Media O2. The episode delves into Harley’s personal journey of transforming workplace bereavement support following the heartbreaking loss of her son, James. Harley shares the development and implementation of an innovative bereavement strategy, including 'Hug in a Box,' and offers valuable insights on how companies can better support grieving employees. The conversation highlights the importance of open communication, proactive support measures, and creating a compassionate workplace culture.

Follow Harley on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/harleycunningham/

Harley's content on the Aston for Life platform

How to implement a best practice bereavement policy (video) 

• 6 steps to becoming a compassionate leader (video) 
• The Managers' Toolkit for supporting your employee through a bereavement (article)