Skilfully Speaking

In this special compilation we focus on the importance of education, career choices and technology.  The guests featured are former MP, Robert Halfon, Theatre Royal Plymouth CEO, James Mackenzie-Blackman, TV presenter turned life coach, Anna Williamson, Olympics legend, Dame Kelly Holmes, entrepreneur, Ben Towers and AI educator, Dan Fitzgerald.

Brought to you by City College Plymouth and supported by Babcock. Produced by Fresh Air Studios, Podcast Production Company.

James is the CEO of Theatre Royal Plymouth. He was born in Plymouth and has worked all over the world developing skills, encouraging young people, raising millions of pounds for charity and teaming up with the likes of Sir Matthew Bourne to stage ground-breaking productions that have taught young people new skills that have changed their lives.

Jackie gets some remarkable insights into how James has taken what he’s learnt and is passing it onto the next generation.

Brought to you by City College Plymouth and supported by Babcock.
Produced by Fresh Air Studios, Business Podcasts and Content Production.

Dan is known as “The AI Educator” and has written extensively about AI, as well as having travelled the world educating everyone from students to businesses about AI. 

Jackie asks him all about what AI is and what it can do now, as well as how AI can help us with education in the future and what skills are required to work with it.

Supported by Babcock International

Brought to you by City College Plymouth, and produced by Fresh Air Studios business podcast productions.

Ben’s story is extraordinary and unique.  He started running businesses at the age of 11, is the founder of the employee engagement platform, Happl and has been described by Sir Richard Branson as “one of the UK’s most exciting entrepreneurs” and at the time of recording this episode, Ben is only 25 years old.  
So, how did he develop such impressive skills at such a young age?  What sort of support has he had?  And how do you handle the pressures of success before you’ve even left school?  
Jackie finds out all this and more!

Supported by Babcock.
Brought to you by City College Plymouth.
Produced by Fresh Air Studios, Plymouth: Studio and Event Podcast Services.

As co-founder of the Liz Earle Beauty Company in 1995, Liz knows all about the skills required to succeed.  She’s also been busy as a TV presenter, writer and over the years has even launched a magazine and a range of jewellery.  Liz has all the knowledge and experience to give advice on the skills we all need to learn, to earn and to live a happier, healthier life.

Presented by Jackie Grubb,

From City College Plymouth,

Supported by Babcock International

Produced by Fresh Air Studios, Podcast Production in Plymouth.

Robert Halfon is Minister for Skills, Apprenticeships and Higher Education.  He discusses his important and challenging role in shaping the education and skills landscape in the country – areas he’s been passionate about even before he entered the House of Commons.  He also shares his personal education and skills stories, including his health challenges and his fears around exams as a student.

Presented by Jackie Grubb,

From City College Plymouth,

Supported by Babcock International

Produced by Fresh Air Studios, Podcast Studios in Devon. 

From CITV to This Morning, Anna is not only a familiar face on our TV screens, she’s also a counsellor, mental health campaigner, one half of the LuAnna podcast and the author of the best-selling book, Breaking Mad.

Jackie discovers the connections between developing skills and taking care of mental health, as well as Anna’s work with The Prince’s Trust and the story behind her latest book.

Presented by Jackie Grubb,

From City College Plymouth,

Supported by Babcock International

Produced by Fresh Air Studios, Plymouth Podcast Studios. 

Part 2 of a 2 part launch special with Dame Kelly Holmes.

In this two-part special to kick off the podcast series, Jackie chats to double-Olympic gold medallist Dame Kelly Holmes about her life inside and outside athletics and the skills that took her on this extraordinary journey: from meeting an inspirational PE teacher at school, through joining the armed forces, winning gold medals and setting up her own charity.  Dame Kelly also discusses how the pandemic forced her to write an autobiography and encouraged her to be her true self.

Presented by Jackie Grubb,

From City College Plymouth,

Supported by Babcock International

Produced by Fresh Air Studios, Podcast Studios in the South West.

Part 1 of a 2 part launch special with Dame Kelly Holmes.

In this two-part special to kick off the podcast series, Jackie chats to double-Olympic gold medallist Dame Kelly Holmes about her life inside and outside athletics and the skills that took her on this extraordinary journey: from meeting an inspirational PE teacher at school, through joining the armed forces, winning gold medals and setting up her own charity.  Dame Kelly also discusses how the pandemic forced her to write an autobiography and encouraged her to be her true self.

Presented by Jackie Grubb,

From City College Plymouth,

Supported by Babcock International

Crafted in Plymouth by Fresh Air Studios, the Podcast Production Studios.

Acquiring new skills and seizing opportunities can unlock a whole new world. In Skilfully Speaking, well-known successful people from a wide range of backgrounds pass on the secrets to their success.

Talking to skills expert and leading educationalist Jackie Grubb, they share experiences and advice aimed at inspiring others to embrace new skills and seize the opportunities in front of them. Hear from those who have had the confidence to ‘go for it’ – and take control of your future.

Supported by Babcock International.

Produced by Fresh Air Studios, the Podcast Production Company , Plymouth.  www.freshairstudios.co.uk