Little did Sam Stafford know when recording Episode 14 in Manchester at the end of February 2020 that every episode for the rest of the year, and who knows how far beyond, would need to be recorded remotely.

This is the first of two episodes that feature reflections on 2020 from past contributors to the 50 Shades of Planning Podcast. It is hoped that it serves two purposes. More immediately, it is hoped that in taking the time to listen you get chance to reflect on what you might have been through this year. It might help you realise what you have actually achieved and, on the other side of the coin, that you might not have been the only one to have struggled at times. Looking ahead, it is hoped that these episodes serve as a kind of time capsule. Something to listen back on in the future, however it pans out, and remember just what an extraordinary year it has been.

Sam's only editorial stipulation was that recordings were about five minutes in length. Whatever people wanted to talk about was completely up to them, but as you will here, the themes that emerge are quite similar.

So in this episode you will hear erudite and insightful observations from…

• Sue Manley;
• Alistair Lomax;
• Vicky Payne;
• Hannah Hickman;
• Catriona Riddell;
• Mike Best; and
• Katie Wray.

Sue is a Director at Placemarque (@placemarque) and featured on Episode 28.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/sue-manley-72542627

Alistair (@alistair_lomax) is a Director at the Arc Universities Group and featured on Episode 18.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/alistair-lomax-13b00413

Vicky (@Victoria_Payne) is a planner and urbanist at URBED and is a regularly contributor to the podcast.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-payne-6b05b939

Hannah is a Director at Hannah Hickman Consulting and a Senior Research Fellow at the University of the West of England. She featured on Episode 24.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/hannahhickman1

Catriona (@CatrionaRiddel1) is a Director at Catriona Riddell Associate and featured on Episode 21.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/catriona-riddell-b418a322

Mike (@bestlaidplan) is a Senior Director at Turley and featured on Episode 9.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-best-083306b

Katie (@kluw) is an Assistant Director at Deloitte and featured on Episode 28.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/katie-wray-mrtpi-a91a5827

Some accompanying reading.

A blog Sam wrote whilst on furlough leave in April.

https://samuelstafford.blogspot.com/2020/04/memories-of-200809-career-advice-for-my.html

A plug for Sam's brother-in-law's audio visual business (in lieu of having to pay for some kit).

https://www.sight-n-sound.co.uk/index.html