How to build a successful podcast

I had a 14-minute mentorship session with Georgie Holt, the CEO of Europe’s #1 podcast, The Diary of a CEOGeorgie co-founded Flight Story alongside Steven Bartlett.Flight Story is the media and investment company behind The Diary of a CEO, Europe’s #1 podcast, with over 1 billion streams and nearly 10 million YouTube subscribers.In this episode, Georgie mentors me on how to build a successful podcast I figured - if I’ve faced these challenges, others starting out on their podcast journey probably have too. So I recorded the chat in case it could help someone else.Here’s what we covered:✨ How to come up with a good podcast name📈 How to increase your subscriber count💸 How to monetise your podcast🎙️ How to be a better podcast host

Secrets from Flight Story Studio CEO Georgie Holt

In this episode, we talk with Georgie Holt, CEO of Flight Story Studio, about scaling the successful podcast 'Diary of a CEO' hosted by Steven Bartlett.

Georgie shares insights on building a million dollar podcast, the role of data in creative decisions, the importance of ambition, and the power of the right team. She also discusses the methodology behind guest selection, the impact of being consistency-driven, and the balance between urgency and detail in content production.

Additionally, Georgie emphasises the significance of work-life vision alignment and the value of taking big swings in pursuit of success. Tune in for practical advice on entrepreneurship, media strategy, and leveraging data to elevate your brand.

00:00 Go Big: Embrace Ambition

00:27 Introducing Media Royalty: Georgie Holt

00:49 The Journey of 'Diary of a CEO'

03:11 The Power of Data in Media

05:14 Scaling Success: Lessons from Paul Brunson host @ We Need To Talk

25:57 The Importance of Disagreement and Experimentation

36:12 The Role of Happiness in Success

40:13 Childhood Inspirations and Media Obsession

42:27 Falling in Love with Fashion and Storytelling

42:46 Learning About Sex from Magazines

44:35 The Power of Relatable Content for Young Women

45:09 How to Create Repeatable Formats for Podcasts

45:42 Testing and Experimenting with Podcast Segments

50:11 The Importance of Trust in Podcasting

01:01:55 How to Build a Successful Podcast and Media Brand

01:15:05 Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs and Podcast Creators

#GeorgieHolt #FlightStory #StevenBartlett #DiaryOfACEO #NovaAndBoba #YoungEntrepreneurs #GenZFounders #StartupAdvice #FounderWisdom #1PercentMindset #BuildUnicorns #WomenInBusiness #MediaFounders #Podcast #StartupPodcast #BubbleTeaAndBusiness #NoInvestorCanRefuse #WorkFromHomeTruths #UnfilteredAdvice #StartupsUnfiltered #DreamBigBuildBigger #Interview

“The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second-best time is now.” 🌱

Meet Tom Cullen

Founder of Zoplo, the viral, VC-backed Gen Z social polling app.

Zoplo by the numbers:
📱 80,000+ users
👀 40M+ organic views on TikTok
🗳️ 6.5M+ votes cast on the app

As someone who lives for sharing hot takes, Zoplo is addictive (in the best way).
But Tom’s founder story? Even better.

On the pod, he talks about the power of going all in — even when conditions aren’t perfect.

Tom grew up on a council estate in the North of England. The odds of getting into uni, landing a top-tier job, and becoming a founder were stacked against him. But he made it happen — step by step:

– Studied Maths at Newcastle
– Joined Barclays as an Investment Banker
– Left it all behind to pursue his startup dream
– Went 26 months without a salary
– Built a product Gen Z can't stop using

In this episode of Nova & Boba, Tom spills the real startup tea:

1️⃣ How he transitioned from finance to tech
2️⃣ Dating + founder life (the struggle is real) 💔
3️⃣ How to go viral without paid ads
4️⃣ Raising VC as someone who doesn’t “fit the mould”

Tom’s journey is proof: with bold moves, a clear vision, and a lot of grit, you can build something from nothing.

👇 What’s the biggest sacrifice you’ve made for your startup dream?

"I reverse-engineered my way into Goldman Sachs because I knew I wanted to be a startup founder."Meet Elaf, The cofounder behind Caspa AIWhen Elaf was in school, she studied the patterns of successful founders—what they studied, where they worked, and the common paths they took. She noticed many had backgrounds in engineering and worked at top-tier firms like Goldman Sachs.So, she did exactly that.- Studied Engineering at Warwick- Joined Goldman Sachs as an Investment Banker- Then went on to co-found Caspar AI with her brother and AlexCaspa AI is reshaping hyper-personalized e-commerce, making online shopping feel as intuitive as having a personal stylist.In this episode of Nova&Boba, Elaf shares:1️⃣ How to strategically use your career to build a startup2️⃣ Her experience joining accelerator programs like EF3️⃣ The journey of building Caspa AI from the ground up4️⃣ The future of hyper-personalised e-commerceOn Nova&Boba🧋, we dive into the unfiltered realities of founder life - the highs, the lows, and everything in between—offering practical insights for the next generation of entrepreneurs.Elaf’s story is a masterclass in calculated career moves and bold decisions.00:00 Reverse Engineering Success: The Goldman Sachs Journey00:14 Discovering Y Combinator and the Power of Accelerators00:53 The Blueprint for Success: Analyzing YC Founders01:49 The Goldman Sachs Experience: From Internship to Full-Time02:57 Building the First App: Lessons from TBH06:11 The Impact of COVID-19 on Career Plans11:09 Leaving Goldman Sachs: Pursuing the Startup Dream14:16 Challenges of Onboarding New Team Members14:59 Experiences at Entrepreneur First (EF)16:06 Building First Startup and Fundraising Efforts17:29 Co-Founder Challenges and Moving Forward18:16 Meeting New Co-Founders and EF's Role20:41 Resilience and Entrepreneurial Qualities23:16 Opportunities and Ethical Considerations in AI28:02 Advice for Aspiring EntrepreneursElaf LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/elafdeyab/Host Ama LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/amaoa/

The reali-tea of being a female VC backed founder. I spoke to Nicola Gunby - exited founder and co-founder of CLIQ her experiences as a female founder. After dropping out of uni, Nicola took her first startup from idea to acquisition in just three years. Now, she’s building Cliq, an app tackling loneliness by helping people find genuine community through shared interests. They have raised £530K pre-seed and with £0 marketing spend, have already achieved 2.5M+ in-app actions in the last 90 days.We discussed insights from a Grace Beverly interview on navigating investor questions as a female founder.00:24 Welcome to the Nova and Boba Podcast00:32 Introducing Nicola and Cliq00:48 The Struggle of Moving to London01:06 The Problem with Existing Social Apps01:40 From Idea to Launch02:26 Building the First Business03:15 The Journey to Acquisition13:14 The Challenges of Networking14:39 The Birth of Cliq18:31 Ordering a Matcha Latte Bubble Tea19:07 Coping with Stress as a Founder21:00 Building a Community for Female Founders23:59 Running a Business with Your Partner27:41 How to get 1000s of downloads30:46 How to be Productive35:32 Advice for Aspiring FoundersDownload Cliq!!!! https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/cliq/id6451363528Follow Ama Owusu-Afriyie (Host) on LinkedIn📲 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amaoa/Follow Us On..📲 Tiktok @novaandbobapod 📲 YouTube @novandbova📲 Instagram @novaandbobapod#StartupLife#Startups#Entrepreneur#Founder#StartupSuccess#StartupGrowth#TechStartups#LeanStartup

How These Neuroscientists Are Making Brain Scans as Easy as Eye Tests I Lucas Scherdel and Rufus Mitchell-Heggs, PhD

Ever wondered what REALLY happens behind the scenes of Dragon’s Den?At just 25, Emmie Faust made Dragon’s Den HISTORY by securing a £200K investment from Theo Paphitis—the biggest deal at the time! But what they didn’t show on TV is even more jaw-dropping…Since then, Emmie has exited two businesses and is now an angel investor, backing female founders. In just two years, she’s invested over £100K in women-led businesses.💸 THINK DRAGONS HANDED HER THE MONEY & LIFE WAS EASY? THINK AGAIN.Emmie spills the tea on:🚀 3 secrets to winning over angel investors—FAST💡 The harsh reality of turning your business dream into reality in 2025🧠 Why burnout & loneliness haunt founders (and how to survive it)But wait—there’s more! Dragon’s Den isn’t as glamorous as you think…From boardroom secrets to business breakdowns, this episode is packed with raw, unfiltered truths you won’t hear anywhere else.💙 Enjoy!✨ Special thanks to our venue sponsor, Shoreditch Exchange by Oneder! ✨📍 Want a FREE coworking day at their stunning space? Use code NOVAANDBOBA here:👉 https://shoreditchexchange.spaces.nexudus.com/bookings?&v=latest&group=Day+Pass&_gl=1*1g5udl7*_gcl_au*MjAwMjA4Njc3NC4xNzM2MjUxMzYxFollow Emmie Faust📲 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emmiefaust/Join Female Founders Rise: https://femalefoundersrise.com/Follow Ama Owusu-Afriyie (Host)📲 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amaoa//📲 Instagram: @ama_the_entrepreneurListen Now🎧 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1Qrh5Bbs6Ss92Y1ujsS0uH?si=44ccf51fa1af4a9b🍏 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/nova-boba/id1712636419Follow the Podcast to Stay Inspired!📲 TikTok: @novaandbobapod📲 YouTube: @novaandboba📲 Instagram: @novaandbobapod🔥 Did YOU believe everything you saw on Dragon’s Den? Drop your thoughts in the comments! 👀#DragonsDen #FounderLife #Startup #Entrepreneurship #Investment #AngelInvestors #Tech #Business #Secrets #Funding #Scandal #BusinessTruths #BehindTheScenes

Building Community Through Home-Cooked Meals | Sienna's Journey with The Figs Platform

In this episode, join us as we delve into Sienna's inspiring journey of founding The Figs Platform, a unique app that brings strangers together over home-cooked meals.

From humble beginnings with just eight guests, Sienna has grown Figs into a vibrant community with diverse events such as 'Mumbai at Home', BBQs, and chicken nugget gatherings.

Though recently launched, they already have 1,000+ members (with 600 paying members in just six months!) 🦍

Plus, get insights into how figs create a sense of belonging and foster genuine connections.

Don't miss the friendly banter over bubble tea choices, a round of 'Would You Rather?', and tips for aspiring entrepreneurs looking to build their own apps and platforms.

SIENA SPILLS THE TEA ON BUILDING A STARTUP AND COMMUNITY!

ENJOY 💙

KEY MOMENTS 🧋

01:41 The Origin Story of The Figs Platform

03:49 Would You Rather: Entrepreneurial Version

06:32 Building the Figs Platform: From Idea to Reality

11:02 Challenges and Successes of the First Dinner Party

14:22 Expanding the Community and Finding a Co-Founder

16:04 The Reali-TEA of Being a Solo Female Founder

17:38 How to Build a Community

19:18 Safety Concerns!

19:53 Funding and Financial Strategies

22:07 Day-to-Day Operations of Figs

32:33 How to Double Your Social Media Following!

34:08 Key Learnings and Advice for Entrepreneurs

38:09 The Future Vision for Figs

You can book a FREE desk for a day at their stunning co-working space using code NOVAANDBOBA.

Claim your spot

here:https://shoreditchexchange.spaces.nexudus.com/bookings?&v=latest&group=Day+Pass&_gl=1*1hquiio*_gcl_au*MTU2NDkzMjUxNC4xNzM3Mzk1MDEz

Connect with Siena and the Figs Platform

LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/siena-wigley-36a0b9149/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/figscommunity/

Connect with Ama the Host Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ama_the_entrepreneur/

Follow Us On..

📲 Tiktok @novaandbobapod

#Podcast #Startup #Community #Entrepreneurship #Networking #Founder#Tech #Connections #Growth #Innovation #Foodies #Relationships#Leadership #Motivation #App #Success #Inspiration #Creativity #Marketing #Events #SoloFounder #WomenInTech #Authenticity #Storytelling #Mentorship #Vision #Resilience #Hustle #Food

From Football Dreams to Entrepreneurial Reality: The Journey of Building Haz

Business Insider featured Ronan Harvey-Kelly is the co-founder of Haz.

Alongside his cofounder Glenn Keller they are building a London-based AI-powered social commerce app that connects friends through the items they own.

In May 2024, Haz secured $1.4 million in pre-seed funding, led by Speedinvest and supported by the scout programs of A16Z, Atomico, Concept Ventures, and various angel investors.

In this episode, Ronan shares his transformation from an aspiring footballer at the Chelsea Academy to a trailblazing entrepreneur. Despite facing an early setback in his football career, he redirected his competitive spirit toward business, starting with small ventures during his youth.

RONAN SPILLS THE TEA ON FUNDRAISING AND BUILDING A STARTUP!

ENJOY

💙

Annette's Journey: Skincare Entrepreneur with Netty & Nature | Nova and Boba Podcast

In this Nova and Boba Podcast episode, join us as we chat with Annette, a new entrepreneur who shares her inspiring story of resilience and innovation. Annette is on a mission to make skincare clean again using organic and natural ingredients sourced from Ghana and a secret formulation that ensures smooth, non-greasy application—free from the toxic additives commonly found in conventional skincare products.

Annette opens up about the challenges of running a business, navigating funding struggles, and the importance of passion and perseverance. From her early days experimenting with baking to her current venture into eco-friendly skincare, she highlights the lessons she’s learned along the way.

She also shares valuable advice for budding entrepreneurs and discusses her aspirations for the future of her brand. Don’t miss this inspiring conversation about turning dreams into reality.

Follow Netty & Nature on Instagram:   / nettyandnature  00:00 Introduction and Annette's Arrival

Thank you Shoreditch Exchange for sponsoring this episode

A big thank you to the Shoreditch Exchange - Shoreditch's coolest coworking space, for hosting us.

Use the code NOVAANDBOBA for a free co-working day.

The link below to sign up

https://shoreditchexchange.spaces.nexudus.com/bookings?&v=latest&group=Day+Pass

Follow Us On..

📲 Tiktok @novaandbobapod