Different Hats Podcast

In this weeks bonus podcast episode I speak with the inspirational Carole Gilling-Smith, CEO and Founder of the Agora Clinic in Hove, the largest Fertility Clinic in Sussex offering both NHS and privately funded treatment. The Agora has the highest HFEA published Live Birth IVF success rates across both London and the South East and was awarded Best Customer Service at the 2019 Sussex Business Awards.

She founded the Agora in 2007 which is in the heart of Brighton, and she strove to ensure the Agora embraced the diverse needs of the local community and led the way nationally in developing a bespoke programs of care to enable all those in the LGBT+ community achieve their dreams of starting a family.

Carole is passionate about fertility education and believes that all patients should have a clear understanding of their diagnosis and treatment options before they embark on treatment. She also strives to dispel fertility myths and taboos and regularly speaks to adolescents and young adults about the plethora of reproductive possibilities that a young person growing up in the 21st century should be aware of.

We discussed various topics:

💥 How she became an obstetrician and gynaecologist against the odds

💥 How she set up a programme for HIV Positive Men so they could start a family

💥 Tackling the stigma associated with HIV

💥 How 1-6 couples struggle to conceive

This was personally a really emotional and powerful episode for me. Kelly and I conceived the twins through IVF at the Agora clinic, and I can say with first hand experience that they genuinely make miracles happen, and give people hope where there isn't any hope. After a first failed round I still remember them picking us back up and telling us it would be ok. and it was and our dreams come true. We talk about the culture that Carole has created within the clinic, how she handpicks her staff and how at every touch point the level of care and support is truly phenomenal, especially with couples potentially less fortunate than us. We discuss her charity work, along with her support of Rockinghorse, the Agora also support Camerons Orphanage. Carole's knowledge along with her genuine innate empathy and attention to the level of care that is provided by everyone at the Agora is remarkable. She is one of the most wonderful, inspirational women I have had the pleasure of meeting and someone that is making miracles happen and changing peoples lives. This is a truly wonderful, powerful episode and hope you enjoy it.

Everyone has a story to tell... Happy Listening 🎧

💥 Carole's podcast recommendation:

Dare to Lead - Brene Brown

Watch the episode on YouTube ➡️ https://youtu.be/uYvVRKClzBo

Find out more about the Agora Clinic ➡️ https://agoraclinic.co.uk/

OUR SPONSORS

Creative Pod ➡️ https://www.creativepod.uk.com/

EMC Corporate Finance ➡️ https://www.emcltd.co.uk/

Preston Insurance Brokers ➡️ https://prestoninsurancebrokers.co.uk/

Plus X ➡️ https://plusx.space/

Produced by H2 Productions➡️ https://h2productions.co.uk/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this weeks episode I talk to the amazing Marcella Whittingdale. Whether reporting live from Afghanistan or bagging a big name celebrity exclusive, her career is consistently exciting and varied.

As well as working for some of Britain’s biggest broadcasters on TV as a studio presenter (BBC, GMTV, ITV) Marcella is also an experienced radio presenter, with the ability to turn her hand to any story. During her time at GMTV she built up a fantastic catalogue of entertainment reports and features from backstage tantrums courtesy of fashion A-lister Kate Moss to special interviews with the likes of Miley Cyrus, Lilly Allen and Bette Midler.

We discussed various topics:

💥 Her time in Afghanistan

💥 Red carpet interviews

💥 Homeschooling

💥 Why empathy is a key attribute for an interviewer

This was personally a truly amazing episode for me. From someone that truly loves chatting to people, to have a conversation with Marcella about her amazing career and the incredible people she has interviewed was truly fascinating. From the scary moments in Afghanistan to the red carpet and everything in between she has heard some amazing stories from an eclectic array of people. We discussed her passion for Greek and Italian culture, what it was like homeschooling as well as delving into the true art of being a good interviewer, to listen and be empathetic. Marcella also shares my philosophy that, Everyone has a story to tell... this is hers. Happy Listening 🎧

💥 Marcella's rule for living a fulfilled life:

Don't put yourself to the bottom of the list.

Watch the episode on YouTube ➡️ https://youtu.be/QMz5HxBhxz0

Find out more about Marcella Whittingdale ➡️ https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcellawhittingdale/

OUR SPONSORS

Creative Pod ➡️ https://www.creativepod.uk.com/

EMC Corporate Finance ➡️ https://www.emcltd.co.uk/

Preston Insurance Brokers ➡️ https://prestoninsurancebrokers.co.uk/

Plus X ➡️ https://plusx.space/

Produced by H2 Productions➡️ https://h2productions.co.uk/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I am delighted to share a bonus episode this week from one of Sussex's true entrepreneurs, CEO of the Creative Group and Creative Pod, Matt Turner. After starting his first company at just 21, over the past two decades he has grown his business into an award winning, multi million pound agency, he has owned a football club, Crawley Town FC and is also an investor. His brilliant entrepreneurial way thinking has allowed him to continually grow, creating new ideas and spotting opportunities, as he states in his blueprint, 'when others turn left, I turn right'

In this fascinating episode Matt talks about:

💥 The importance of removing toxic people from your life

💥 Creating a winning culture

💥 Never being afraid to fail..

Matt talks about how he lost 80% of his business over night during the economic crisis in 2008 and how his self belief and taking a holiday turned it all around. His openness, honesty and straight talking is so refreshing as well as inspiring. We discuss how his mantra has become 'No Dickheads' and has the sign on the wall in his office, a mantra he lives by in business and in his personal life, as he explains removing toxic people from your life will benefit your mental health, your bank balance and your all round well being. He discusses how doubling down during the pandemic helped him to quadruple his business over the past two years and just one of the reason he has been nominated for Business Person of the Year at the Sussex Business Awards. This is an absolute must listen to episode

Matt's rule for living a fulfilled life:

💥 You've got to laugh more, life is to short.... (I certainly laughed a lot throughout this episode)

Everyone has a story to tell... Happy Listening 🎧

Watch the episode on YouTube ➡️ https://youtu.be/W-yKcuVaWwk

Find out more about Creative Pod ➡️ https://www.creativepod.uk.com/

OUR SPONSORS

Creative Pod ➡️ https://www.creativepod.uk.com/

EMC Corporate Finance ➡️ https://www.emcltd.co.uk/

Preston Insurance Brokers ➡️ https://prestoninsurancebrokers.co.uk/

Plus X ➡️ https://plusx.space/

Produced by H2 Productions➡️ https://h2productions.co.uk/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

My guest on the podcast this week is CEO of Brighton Fringe Julian Caddy.  A creative and entrepreneurial cultural leader, working for 25 years across the UK and worldwide. He is passionate about widening access to the arts for both artists and audiences. He leads the central administration and management of England’s largest annual arts festival (750 events in 130 venues, with 380,000 attendances in 2022).

This is a truly fascinating episode and an insight into the struggles the events industry have faced since the pandemic but especially Brighton Fringe and even more so now. Julian also shares his clear passion and love for the arts and why Fringe as a platform is something that as a society and a community we need in our city.

When listening to this episode, allow yourself to think back to lockdown when there was a time when we wondered if we would ever be at another gig, comedy show, live performance, theatre experience and how much that was missed. As the above quote says nothing can replace that experience and its is so important that we support the arts and events industry as much as possible as we don't always realise what we have got until its gone. This is such a powerful, insightful episode from a truly inspirational CEO.

Everyone has a story to tell... Happy Listening 🎧

Watch the episode on YouTube ➡️ https://youtu.be/D-Aj59wtl9I

Find out more about Brighton Fringe ➡️ https://www.brightonfringe.org/

OUR SPONSORS

Creative Pod ➡️ https://www.creativepod.uk.com/

EMC Corporate Finance ➡️ https://www.emcltd.co.uk/

Preston Insurance Brokers ➡️ https://prestoninsurancebrokers.co.uk/

Plus X ➡️ https://plusx.space/

Powered by Picture Book Films ➡️ https://picturebookfilms.co.uk/

Produced by H2 Productions ➡️ https://h2productions.co.uk/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this weeks podcast for the first time I interview three guests, brothers, Andy, Chris and Steve Tugwell from TSS Facilities. They all joined their family business, started by their dad Denis Tugwell and business partner James Walker in 1971, at different stages over the last 40 years, and have taken a refrigeration company to a full service facilities management company. A business with 51 years of history that has been built on strong family values from the start. 

In this brilliant episode we discuss the company values that has helped to build the foundation of a strong company culture. Some key traits that stood out for me about these three brilliant individuals, aligned with many of my own core values and just one of the reasons I loved recording this episode.

💥 Respect

💥 Accountability 

💥 Trust 

💥 Integrity 

We chat about some of the challenges they faced running a business over so many years, including a tough period in the late 90's when the business lost a large client and were facing CCJ's, bailiffs knocking at the door regularly, robbing Peter to pay Paul to just survive. But as Andy stated this was where the family showed their strength, this is when they were at their best and closing the business wasn't an option, they came together to not only survive but thrive and grow the company to over 50 staff and this year are nominated for the Sussex Business Award, Large Company of the year. This is an episode not to miss.

Andy's rule for living a fulfilled life:

💥 Do the right thing and be able to sleep at night

Everyone has a story to tell... Happy Listening 🎧

Watch the episode on YouTube ➡️ https://youtu.be/2_-SO0VY3sQ

Find out more about TSS Facilities ➡️ https://tssfacilities.co.uk/

OUR SPONSORS

Creative Pod ➡️ https://www.creativepod.uk.com/

EMC Corporate Finance ➡️ https://www.emcltd.co.uk/

Preston Insurance Brokers ➡️ https://prestoninsurancebrokers.co.uk/

Plus X ➡️ https://plusx.space/

Powered by Picture Book Films ➡️ https://picturebookfilms.co.uk/

Produced by H2 Productions ➡️ https://h2productions.co.uk/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this weeks podcast we hear from the amazing Jack 'The Lad' Hayes. Head of programme delivery at The LoveLocalJobs Foundation CIC, an ambassador for Rivervale leasing and a Breakfast show host MORE radio. This was only the second episode of the 24 hour podcast and I could have talked to Jack for 24 hours. He spoke so openly, honestly and with genuine authenticity it was truly inspirational and powerful, this episode blew me away.

In this fascinating episode Jack talks about:

💥 A painful and difficult period in his life

💥 How at a cross roads at 29, he grabbed an opportunity that changed his life

💥 The belief he has that where you have come from has nothing to do with where you can go.

💥 How he is helping to inspire young people through the Dare to Dream Programme

He discusses some of the challenges he has faced in his life from being bullied in school to the period in his life from 2019 to 2020 where he left the Breakfast show after 15 years, lost a dear friend, his beloved mum passed away and had to witness his dad suffer a heart attack just a week after losing his soulmate. His wife had pneumonia and his eldest son collapsed and was rushed to hospital. It was a really powerful conversation and I am so grateful to Jack for sharing this with me. He talks passionately about the importance of surrounding yourself with good people and how being kind, humble and a good person is ultimately our most valuable currency. You can tell how much he loves his role being part of the LLJ Foundation and how they are changing young peoples lives and giving them the belief to Dare to Dream.

Jack's rule for living a fulfilled life:

💥 Choose the people that you let into your life carefully..

Everyone has a story to tell... Happy Listening 🎧

Watch the episode on YouTube ➡️ https://youtu.be/59hk5SC_R9s

Find out more about the Love Local Jobs Foundation ➡️ https://www.lovelocaljobsfoundation.com/

OUR SPONSORS

Creative Pod ➡️ https://www.creativepod.uk.com/

EMC Corporate Finance ➡️ https://www.emcltd.co.uk/

Preston Insurance Brokers ➡️ https://prestoninsurancebrokers.co.uk/

Plus X ➡️ https://plusx.space/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the first of these bonus episode releases from the 24 hour podcast challenge, I speak with Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Plus X, Mat Hunter. Mat aims to build the infrastructure for innovators and entrepreneurs that will help to grow great companies, provide productive and stimulating employment for diversely talented people and drive economic growth across the UK.

Mat has worked for more than 25 years in the world of human centred innovation. Formerly Partner at global design innovation agency IDEO, and Chief Design Officer of the UK Design Council, he brings a wealth of experience in supporting startups, scaleups and corporate innovation teams, dealing with issues of health, the environment, employment and other pressing innovation challenges, as well as engaging with academia and government.

In this fascinating episode Mat talks about:

💥 Building an innovative community

💥 Understanding the problem you are trying to solve

💥 People's attitude towards innovative collaboration

He discusses in depth the nuance behind really solving the pain points of a problem and asking the question, are you making something that is like a vitamin, a nice to have, or a painkiller and really solving a problem that will have a major impact? Mat's clear passion for entrepreneurship and innovation was a genuine joy to talk about and the perfect way to kick off the 24 hour podcast challenge.

Mat's rule for living a fulfilled life:

💥 Get fired up by what fires you up and do what you love...

Everyone has a story to tell... Happy Listening 🎧

Watch the episode on YouTube ➡️ https://youtu.be/6ufK__uLvNI

Connect with Mat Hunter ➡️ https://www.linkedin.com/in/mathunter/

Find out about Plus X ➡️ https://plusx.space/

OUR SPONSORS

Creative Pod ➡️ https://www.creativepod.uk.com/

EMC Corporate Finance ➡️ https://www.emcltd.co.uk/

Preston Insurance Brokers ➡️ https://prestoninsurancebrokers.co.uk/

24 Hour Podcast Series Produced by H2 Productions ➡️ https://h2productions.co.uk/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

My guest on the podcast this week is Ricky Whiting an SEO expert, an author, Studio Director and founder of Itty Bitty.co.uk. He also was in an advert for the flagship Nintendo Mario Bros Game. He was the first person to play the game in the UK and the adverts were used in Europe with over 1.3 million views.

Ricky is one of the most positive, enthusiastic, energetic people I have had on the podcast. He discusses how at a young age he lost his best friend and he made a promise to himself and Russ that he would not take life for granted and have a positive outlook. That mindset helped him to start and build his own businesses. Him and his wife started their company Itty Bitty, an online baby boutique business when he left his previous employment, his wife Kate was made redundant and they had just started a young family. He refers to this period as 'The Wall', as they needed to generate an income to put food on the table and Since opening their doors for business, Itty Bitty has managed to tap into this gap and carve out its own space online with an unrivalled range of styles for babies and kids up to 16 years old.

In this brilliant episode Ricky talks about how they have grown to over 100,000 followers on social media and how he helps other businesses now with their marketing and SEO from the knowledge and expertise they have gained through Itty Bitty. As he says the proof is in the pudding with what we have created from scratch and he shares some great hints and tips with us, the 3 Ps, People - Profit. - Process and how important it is too put people first. He also talks of his desire to stay as far away from 'The Wall' as possible and his vision for future Rick. It is a truly inspiring, uplifting episode packed with energy, enthusiasm and some great takeaways.

Everyone has a story to tell... Happy Listening 🎧

Watch the episode on YouTube ➡️ https://youtu.be/OrhLhVHBYiE

To find out more about Itty Bitty ➡️ https://www.ittybitty.co.uk

To connect with Ricky Whiting ➡️ https://www.linkedin.com/in/ricky-whiting/

OUR SPONSORS

Picture Book Films ➡️ https://picturebookfilms.co.uk

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A year ago I was lucky enough to have the inspirational Jo Myles on the podcast. During the conversation we spoke about her career in the creative industry, with the likes of Alexander McQueen, a buyer for Laura Ashley and Warehouse managing large teams and £40 million pound budgets. Her company 3 Blonde Bears that she founded in 2007 won numerous awards and after Winning the make awards in 2012 and being selected by Lord Young & Sir Terry Healy to be a founding member of Enterprise 250 and in 2013 saw Joanna being recognised as one of the most creative founders in the UK.

Jo talks about her journey through the ups and downs of running 3 Blonde Bears, her battle with Cancer, food markets, Baking, how her passion for Art saved her and led her on a new path. Her amazing can do attitude and Moto JFDI. We also discussed the idea and concept of the Sussex Contemporary art exhibition. Fast forward to this year and her and her partner Jason are in their second week of the amazing Art Exhibition at the i360. The Sussex Contemporary free-to-visit exhibition that specifically showcases the county's creativity. All art is chosen by a selection panel of leading experts. The art is available for sale with a percentage of the proceeds going to Table Talk Foundation. As Jo states in the interview JFDI... Just F*****G Do it... and she has done just that and made this idea become a reality.

This is a truly inspiring episode from one of the most inspirational people I have had the pleasure of meeting.

The episode is also now on YouTube ➡️ https://youtu.be/ELJtsD-pjfU

You can find our more about the Sussex Contemporary Here ➡️ https://www.thesussexcontemporary.co.uk/

Connect with Jo Myles Here ➡️ https://www.linkedin.com/in/joanna-myles-artist/

OUR SPONSORS

Picture Book Films ➡️ https://picturebookfilms.co.uk/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week we have a bonus episode with Rob Duce, CEO at Outside The Box Events LLC & Chief Executive Officer for "Theatre by QE2".

Rob a formally a qualified Chartered Accountant with Touche Ross talks about how is entrepreneurial spirit was ignited at a young age, selling lemonade and other items outside his house. He spoke about the death of his his father in 1985 during his A-Levels and how this shaped his life to try and make the most of every day, an ethos he has lived his life by. He has built up small business from scratch and sold to listed plc and now living in Dubai runs a small but beautifully formed company, specialising in after dinner events and black tie events. His advice and ethos is simple... Carpe Diem, Seize the day,

⭕️ There is a piece of cake for everyone 🧢

🟥 Life is short you should try and make people happy and smile 🧢

🔺 Carpe Diem, Seize the Day 🧢

Everyone has a story to tell...

Watch the episode on YouTube ➡️ https://youtu.be/D8e5YOv9LgA

Find out more about Rob Duce click here ➡️ https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-duce-33a530a/

OUR SPONSORS

Creative Pod ➡️ https://www.creativepod.uk.com/

EMC Corporate Finance ➡️ https://www.emcltd.co.uk/

Preston Insurance Brokers ➡️ https://prestoninsurancebrokers.co.uk/

Plus X ➡️ https://plusx.space/

Produced by H2 Productions ➡️ https://h2productions.co.uk/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.