No Pain No Business

By Chris Lubas

The podcast that shares the struggles, turning points & hard fought lessons behind building something that truly matters. Hosted by Chris Lubas

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FAQs about No Pain No Business:

How many episodes does No Pain No Business have?

The podcast currently has 13 episodes available.

No Pain No Business episodes:

September 11, 2026Episode 12: Going solo doesn't mean going it alone | with Sarah Townsend | Founder of Sarah Townsend Editorial
How can you maintain the energy to run your business for nearly 30 years?

In our final episode of the series, freelance & copywriting expert and award-winning author, Sarah Townsend, tells us exactly how.
Sarah has been freelance since 1999 and quite literally wrote the book on surviving the ups and downs that come with working for yourself.
In this episode we talk about:
How Sarah accidentally found her way into marketing and copywriting.
Why going solo doesn't mean you have to go it alone.
The importance of finding your people and building a support network around you.
Why trying to do everything yourself is the fast train to burnout.
How Sarah learned to stop trying to be somebody she wasn't in business.
Why being yourself can actually become one of your biggest business advantages.
How to deal with the inevitable peaks, troughs, feast and famine of freelance life.
Why chasing rare birds could make you a better business owner.
The importance of boundaries, balance and designing your working life around what works for you.
How talking to someone on a bus stop could lead to big business opportunities.
More about Sarah
Sarah Townsend is an award-winning copywriter, editor and author with almost 30 years' experience in marketing and more than 25 years running her own freelance business.
She's the author of Survival Skills for Freelancers, a practical and honest guide to navigating self-employment without burning yourself out, as well as the brilliant Confusables books for anyone who loves language.
Her books have picked up a host of awards, including Gold at the 2023 E-Lit Book Awards, Distinguished Favorite at the 2023 NYC Big Book Awards and runner-up in the 2025 Selfies Book Awards.
She's also shared her experience on more than 100 podcasts, spoken at events and conferences across the UK and written for publications including Forbes.
She's experienced the quiet spells, self-doubt, burnout risks and uncertainty that come with working for yourself — but she's also learned how to build a business and a life that work for her.
Sarah is incredibly generous with what she's learned along the way, and there's loads in this episode for anyone who's freelancing, running a small business or simply wondering whether they should keep going when things get tough.
I've had the pleasure of seeing Sarah talk and have met her at a few events recently. Her endearing ability to openly talk about the realities of running a business and open, fun personality made this an excellent episode to end the series on.
Here's how you can find out more and connect with Sarah:
Website: https://www.sarahtownsendeditorial.co.uk/
Links: https://www.sarahtownsendeditorial.co.uk/links/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahtownsendeditorial/
Sarah's excellent books: https://buy-my-bestselling-books.sumupstore.com/
Connect with Chris!
Website: www.chrisjameswriting.com
Learn more about the episodes: https://chrisjameswriting.substack.com/
Youtube: @nopainpod
Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/chrislubas/
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51min
September 10, 2026Episode 11: I'm the biggest problem in my business | with Lisa Catto | Founder of the Business Catalyst
What happens if the biggest blockade in your business...is you?

In this episode, queen of automation and serial business owner, Lisa Catto explains what happens when you get out of the way of your business.
Lisa is a hugely experienced marketer with unbelievable levels of experience building and running businesses. She's the owner of the brilliant Business Catalyst where she designs and optimises automated customer journeys.
In this episode we talk about:
How Lisa went from running a rave at 19 to building her business today.
Why failing fast is essential to building a successful business.
The importance of surrounding yourself with other business owners.
How Lisa learned to get out of her own way.
Why you're only as good as your team.
How successful businesses & owners constantly reinvent themselves.
Why you need to really love what you do to be successful.
The importance of having a plan.
Why you need to keep testing different ways of running your business.
More about Lisa
Having worked with Adidas, Kellogg's, McVitie's, Quaker and Sony, Lisa has marketing experience at the highest level. She runs workshops, appears on leading marketing tech and business podcasts and is an award winning certified Keap partner and 2023 winner of the Dan Bradbury Ultimate Entrepreneur Award.
She's a regular speaker at multiple live events, most recently including Level Up, where she shares her expertise on automation, business growth and the ideal customer journey.
Having worked with Lisa for a number of years, I can categorically say she's one of the best in the business when it comes to automation and designing customer journeys.
She's someone I have huge respect for and her energy and love for what she does was abundant in our chat. Lisa shared so much in this episode - you're in for a treat!
Here's how you can find out more and connect with Lisa:

Website: https://www.thebusinesscatalyst.co.uk/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lcatto/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheBusinessCatalystUK/
Connect with Chris!
Website: www.chrisjameswriting.com
Learn more about the episodes: https://chrisjameswriting.substack.com/
Youtube: @nopainpod
Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/chrislubas/
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43min
July 30, 2026Episode 10: If Marketing isn't hard work, what's the point? | with Phil Agnew | Host of Nudge podcast
Do customers actually value inefficiency over quick service & products?
In this episode, host of the UK's number 1 marketing podcast Nudge and behavioural science expert, Phill Agnew talks about how detrimental our obsession with efficiency can be.
Phill is a walking encyclopedia of marketing & behavioural psychology and draws on some of the most mind blowing research to make his points. He does it his own expertly engaging way that's impossible not to get engrossed in.
In this episode we talk about:
Why Starbucks customers complained about efficient service.
How telling customers what to do might push them the opposite way.
Why Phill walked 60k to speak at an event.
Why it's so hard to be yourself online.
How you can blackout social media and still flourish.
Why a small audience is more valuable than a huge following.
How things that are difficult usually give the best rewards.
Why you think you like "Hey Ya" even though it *might* be rubbish!
Why perceived value sinks when an audience thinks a product is AI generated.
More about Phill
Phill's podcast, Nudge, has amassed over £350k listeners and features some of the biggest names in marketing and psychology including Rory Sutherland, Chris Voss, Robert Cialdini, Katie Milkman, Nir Eyal and Professor Richard Wiseman.
As he shows in this episode, Phill is a master of turning behavioural science techniques and studies into actionable advice you can implement in your business immediately.
His newsletter also gives you access to a literal vault of information that every business owner should be accessing and implementing.
Phill speaks at multiple events and conferences throughout the year and if you get a chance to jump on one, I highly recommend it.
He was an incredibly interesting guest that gave mountains of information and insights for you to take away (hence the long episode!).
Here's how you can find out more and connect with Phill:
- Nudge podcast - https://www.nudgepodcast.com/
- Nudge newsletter - https://www.nudgepodcast.com/mailing-list
- Courses - https://maven.com/nudge-unit/course-cohort
- Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/phill-agnew/

Connect with Chris!
Website: www.chrisjameswriting.com
Learn more about the episodes: https://chrisjameswriting.substack.com/
Youtube: @nopainpod
Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/chrislubas/
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59min
July 16, 2026Episode 9: Being kinder to myself isn't a luxury anymore | with Katie Moss | CEO of Otium Concierge
What's it like being a mum and a successful business owner?
In this week's episode, CEO of Otium Concierge, Katie Moss, opens up about some the shocking crap women have to go through to get to the top in business.
This is a frank and honest discussion that really highlights how far we've still got to go for equality in the workplace and is an incredibly important episode in the series.
In this episode we talk about:
The toxicity that still exists in some workplaces
How Katie managed shocking harassment at work
How men and women can be more aware of each other's differences
The importance of your own health & well-being as a business owner
How to be consistent over 90 days
What you can learn from the world of banking
Why you need a strong team around you
How to balance running a business with being a parent
More about Katie
Katie is hugely experienced in providing incredible service. Having started her career in private banking, she has spent the last decade building the truly brilliant business & lifestyle concierge service, Otium Concierge.
Otium offer concierge services to individuals, families, and business professionals across the UK and beyond who want to simplify their lives and elevate their lifestyle.
She is a networking queen and has colleagues and connections in every corner of the business world you can imagine.
Having known Katie for almost the entirety of Otium's existence, I can categorically say she is one of the most highly experienced people I know in the world of service, customer care & organisation.
Katie opens up about some very personal and very important subjects in this episode that cover hot topics of conversation that very much need talking about.
Here's how you can find out more about Otium and connect with Katie:
Website: https://www.otium-concierge.com/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katie-moss-11ba8b69/
Instagram: @your_otium
Connect with Chris!
Website: www.chrisjameswriting.com
Learn more about the episodes: https://chrisjameswriting.substack.com/
Youtube: @nopainpod
Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/chrislubas/
...more
48min
July 02, 2026Episode 8: Nothing Happens Outside of a Conversation | with Zara-Dee Hannay | Visibility Coach
How do you go about making yourself and your business more visible?
In this episode, I speak to freelance visibility coach, the "lovely" Zara-Dee Hannay.
Zara helps freelancers get paid to do what they love. She's an expert in getting you seen and giving you the confidence to get the work you can truly be proud of. She also happens to be a trained actor!
In this episode we talk about:
How to utilise your network (even if you're just starting out)
Making sure you tell everyone what you do
How to pull previous experience into your business
Why you shouldn't be shy about telling people you're just starting
The difficulties of balancing your personal and business life
How confidence grows from just doing
The importance of always being open to conversations
More about Zara-Dee
Zara is an excellent coach who has carved out a freelance career in the areas she loves most - which is what it's all about!
She's put her own spin on being a visibility coach by pulling across all her experience as a trained actor to give freelancers the confidence to achieve what she has too.
Zara is also a host at Co-Work Crew Leeds where freelancers come together to work with like-minded people (definitely check it out if you're in the area!).
Her excellent podcast, 'Success Behind the Scenes' is in it's 3rd season and is a must listen to fans of this show - I highly recommend it.
It was a real pleasure to catch up with Zara and I'm sure you'll all love this episode.
And here's how you can find out more and connect with Zara:
Website: https://www.zaradeecoach.com/
Podcast: Success Behind the Scenes
Instagram: Zaradeecoach
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zaradeecoach/
Co-work Crew Leeds: https://coworkcrew.com/locations/leeds/
Connect with Chris!
Website: www.chrisjameswriting.com
Learn more about the episodes: https://chrisjameswriting.substack.com/
Youtube: @nopainpod
Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/chrislubas/
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48min
June 18, 2026Episode 7: It got attention, it started conversations & it raised £10k | with Terry Rosoman | Founder of Rokman
How far would you go to get people to pay attention to your business?
In this week's episode, podcaster, marketer & founder of Rokman, Terry Rosoman talks about the incredible challenge he completed that not only raised £10k for Movember, but gave him one of the most insane world records around (*spoiler alert* it's a touch cheeky!).
A combination of mental and physical strength and an eye for capturing attention helped him raise awareness of his brand (helping men's mental health) while raising a huge individual amount for 'Movember'.
In this episode we talk about:
How to get the attention of your target audience
How he came up with the idea that got him his world record
The parallels between running a business & physical challenges
The importance of proving a concept before throwing money at it
The daily grind of running a business
How to manage being judged
How to accept not being great at the start of your journey
Endurance being the ultimate goal
More about Terry
Terry is a marketer by day who's grown Rokman into a leading platform for thousands of running & health enthusiasts. His platform, community & podcast provide members with challenges that give your training purpose.
During the episode, Terry explains how his own journey through mental & physical health inspired his business and how he's worked through the setbacks of trying to build something that truly matters.
His ability to grab attention got him recognised in nation newspapers, the New York Post and even 'Have I Got News For You' for his incredible world record.
When you listen you'll understand why...
I've known Terry for probably 20 years & the journey he's been on both in his physical & mental health and the company he has built is fascinating.
Parental advisory - he's got a mouth like a sewer!
Here's how you can find out more about Rokman & connect with Terry:
Podcast: Rokman Podcast
Website: https://rokman.co.uk/
Instagram: @teamrokman
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@terryrosoman
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/terryrosoman/
Connect with Chris!
Website: www.chrisjameswriting.com
Learn more about the episodes: https://chrisjameswriting.substack.com/
Youtube: @nopainpod
Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/chrislubas/
...more
45min
June 04, 2026Episode 6: The Hardest Bit is Getting Known | with Mel Barfield | Copywriter & founder of Indie Business Club
How do you build your (*buzzword alert*) personal brand?
In this episode I speak to the person I've titled "Queen of popupability", the brilliant Mel Barfield.
Mel is an award-winning copywriter, speaker & facilitator, Linkedin aficionado & founder of the excellent Indie Business Club podcast. She also recently became a managing partner in the copywriting agency 'Copy or Die'.
But her #1 superpower is knowing how to be seen in all the right places.
In this episode we talk about:
What it's like to be freelance
The importance of building your personal brand
How to be more visible to your audience
Why you need to be your own best cheerleader
Why you need to stop telling people you're "new"
The importance of being yourself
The joy of meeting like-minded people in the freelance community
Mel's favourite cheese
More about Mel
Mel is a highly respected copywriter who has proved you don't need decades of experience to be skilled at what you do. Her recent move to Managing Partner at Copy or Die is testament to that.
Mel has made a freelance career by "simply" being herself. She's a regular speaker and facilitator at multiple events and regular columnist for Freelancer Magazine. She also won the 2024 Women in Marketing award for Brand Copywriting and if you're not following her on Linkedin...are you truly on Linkedin?

Mel often talks and writes about themes such as finding your own luck, being yourself online and standing out. She shares so many insights around these areas that it's like attending one of her talks.

This episode is packed with hints, tips and advice that you can act on right now.
She also recommends a decent cheese!
If you love the episode and want to find more out about Mel, here's how:
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melaniebarfield/
Podcast: Indie Business Club
Website: https://allcopymel.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/allcopymel/
Connect with Chris!
Website: www.chrisjameswriting.com
Learn more about the episodes: https://chrisjameswriting.substack.com/
Youtube: @nopainpod
Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/chrislubas/
...more
56min
May 21, 2026Episode 5: There Is No Amount Of Money Worth That Suffering | with Jimmi Nicholls | MD of CADE Media
Sometimes the best thing you can learn in business is knowing when to stop.

In this episode, I speak to my good friend of a couple of decades - Jimmi Nicholls. Jimmi is now MD of media production company CADE Media but before that, he sold his company Attacus Cycling which nearly pushed him to the edge.

His company's podcast, 'The Wild Ones', has almost 400k subscribers & featured on the Netflix series 'Tour de France: Unchained'. He's run 2 successful companies & spent his formative years tearing up the Cardiff rock scene with yours truly!
In this episode we talk about:
How to chip away at building a business
Understanding it's ok to change your path
The parallels between running a business & physical health
What it's like to sell your company
How to prevent your business trapping you
How to stop before your business burns you out
What being in a band can teach you
More about Jimmi
Jimmi is a highly experienced business owner who has been through pretty much all the highs & lows of building, running & selling a business.

During this episode, Jimmi shares his personal struggles, his history of career hopping before finding his place & what it's like to sell your business.

Aside from the fun of catching up with a mate, it was a real pleasure talking to him. He doesn't hold back & was kind enough to give real perspective on the gritty realities of building a business.
If you love cycling (or very well-produced podcasts) you can find more about Jimmi & CADE media here:

Podcast: The Wild Ones
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Cade_Media
Website: https://www.cademedia.co.uk/
Instagram: @cademediaofficial
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimmi-d-nicholls-06b43631/

Connect with Chris!
Website: www.chrisjameswriting.com
Learn more about the episodes: https://chrisjameswriting.substack.com/
Youtube: @nopainpod
Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/chrislubas/
...more
57min
May 07, 2026Episode 4: Running A Business Is Like Acceptable Gambling | with Sophie Cross | Founder of Freelancer Magazine
You've got to be comfortable with taking risks to run a successful business.
In this episode, I speak with the founder of my favourite magazine (Freelancer Magazine) Sophie Cross about all the fun and games of creating a magazine.
Sophie is a marketer, event organiser, course creator and speaker as well as creating and running the magazine. She's built an awesome freelance community and even finds time to DJ on the side...sort of!
In this episode we talk about:

Spinning the plates of business & personal life
Why you need to give yourself a break
How hard times often force the clearest decisions
Why you should regularly ask yourself, "Is this what I want?".
Why you shouldn't be scared to change your mind in business
How to stop your hobbies becoming work
More about Sophie
Sophie is Freelancer Magazine's founder and Chief Connector. With a background in marketing, her real passion is helping freelancers build their business with support from the network she's built.

She's also a speaker & network event facilitator & this year ran the first Freelancer Masterclass Live (FML) online conference (which you can now book onto for 2027!)
Sophie gave tonnes of insight on all aspects of being freelance and running a business.
If you like what you hear, this is where you can find out more & connect with Sophie:

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sophcross/
Instagram: @freelancermag
Freelancer Magazine: https://freelancermagazine.co.uk/
Freelancer Masterclass Live 2027: https://freelancermagazine.co.uk/freelancer-masterclass-waitlist/

Connect with Chris!
Website: www.chrisjameswriting.com
Learn more about the episodes: https://chrisjameswriting.substack.com/
Youtube: @nopainpod
Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/chrislubas/
...more
51min
April 23, 2026Episode 3: Why Am I Doing This? | with Gus Bhandal | Founder of M-Guru
Why on earth are you running a business...?
With all the stress & pain it can bring, we've all asked ourselves exactly that question.
In this episode, I speak to Linkedin expert & marketing guru, Gus Bhandal about how you make sure you know your why to get the best out of your business.
Gus is a very witty speaker who oozes experience & chocolate orange in equal measure!
In this episode we talk about:
Gus's journey from Marketer to Pub landlord to Linkedin Guru.
Why it's so important to celebrate small milestones.
How to run your business your way.
How to keep focusing on your "why".
The importance of your personal brand.
How many social media platforms you should be posting on.
Why music is the great leveller.
Multiple references to all things orange!
More about Gus
Gus Bhandal is a LinkedIn trainer, speaker, social media strategist, and founder of M-Guru Marketing Agency. He also runs the Squeeze LinkedIn membership community, hosts LinkedIn Local in Birmingham, and is one of the creators of Uplift Live.
Known for his bold orange branding & practical marketing advice, Gus helps business owners use LinkedIn more effectively to grow their profile, build relationships, & win work.
He's a regular columnist (and former pin-up, sorry, cover star) for Freelancer Magazine & loves chocolate oranges.
If that wasn't enough Gus for you, you can connect with him & find out more here:
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mguruuk/
Website: https://www.themguru.co.uk
Instagram: mguruuk
Connect with Chris!
Website: www.chrisjameswriting.com
Learn more about the episodes: https://chrisjameswriting.substack.com/
Youtube: @nopainpod
Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/chrislubas/
...more
50min

FAQs about No Pain No Business:

How many episodes does No Pain No Business have?

The podcast currently has 13 episodes available.