So, What Do You Do?

Episode 8 is the final episode of our first season of 'So, What Do You Do?'

We hope you enjoy listening and we'll be back in 2023 with another season for you. Don't forget to subscribe and rate the episodes - it's how others find us!

In episode 7, we go behind the scenes of what life is like as an Olympic athlete; Team GB's Graeme Thomas.

Growing up in Preston, rugby union was initially Graeme's passion before switching to rowing at 20, flying up the ranks through the GB Rowing Team Start selection process and on to the Olympics. Training and competing at the top level of professional sport can be very intense and all-consuming, and over the course of our chat we discuss the highs and lows of Olympic life, how he unwinds and what some of the best advice he can give to those wanting to get into the Olympics would be.

So, What Do You Do? is an Ampersand Speech production. To listen to more episodes from this series, search for 'Ampersand Speech' wherever you get your podcasts.

Don't forget to subscribe and rate us - it's how others find us!

This time, we're joined by none other than London's Royal Ballet's newest Principal Dancer, Mayara Magri.

Growing up to non-theatrical parents in Brazil's Rio Di Janeiro, Mayara has worked at her craft since she was 8 years old and now stands as one of the greats in ballet - as well as being a permanent member of the Company, until the moment she decides to retire. We hear about her life in ballet, the real pinch-me moments she's had so far - wearing the original tutu worn by the great Darcey Bussell, to stepping out on the Main Stage as Juliet, are some - as well as the curse that finds her sewing pointe shoes most nights at home.

Special thanks must go to the Royal Opera House's Head of Press, Ashley Woodfield, for being instrumental in making this interview happen.

So, What Do You Do? is an Ampersand Speech production. To listen to more episodes from this series, search for us on Apple, Spotify and Google Podcasts.

This week, we're talking to renowned wildlife cinematographer Olly Jelley. With his work taking him across the world, Olly has filmed in some of the remotest places you can think of on the planet; the poles, tropical rainforests, far flung island chains and remote mountain ranges.

We hear about what life is like out in the wild, the dynamics of a remote wildlife shoot, difficulties of making it in the industry and how he tries to live in the moment (especially so when he's not working).

'So, What Do You Do?' is an Ampersand Speech production. To listen to more episodes from this series, search for us on Apple, Spotify and Google Podcasts.

This time, we'll be talking to one of The Guardian's top political journalists, Aubrey Allegretti.

There doesn't seem to be a front page story he hasn't written, but it's not always been plain sailing. We hear about the highs and lows of being in The Thick of It, what tips and advice he has for those looking to break into the industry and what really could do with changing in Westminster.

From reporting from Washington DC over the 2020 US Election, to breaking exclusive after exclusive, Aubrey also finds the time to be a Trustee for the SPA (Student Publication Association) and is unfailingly kind and generous with his time for those starting out in the industry.

So, What Do You Do? is an Ampersand Speech production, hosted by journalist and producer, Ben Hansen-Hicks.

For more episodes of this series, search for us wherever you get your podcasts. Don't forget to subscribe and rate - it's helps others find us!

This week, we’ll be talking to the all-round ray of sunshine that is TV and radio's Charlotte Smith.

From a childhood spent in the quiet Leicestershire countryside, to going on to work on flagship BBC programmes like Countryfile and The World Tonight, as well as being one of the founding producers of Radio5 Live, Charlotte’s career has taken may twists and turns over the years!

We’ll find out what life is like under the pressure of working in news, the qualities you need to have in order to do well in TV - and also - a hilarious story about a voicemail left by her mum after an episode of Countryfile that left us both in stitches.

So, What Do You Do? is an Ampersand Speech production, hosted by journalist and producer, Ben Hansen-Hicks.

For more episodes, search for us wherever you get your podcasts.

Don't forget to rate and subscribe; it really helps others find us!

In our second episode, we'll be talking to Criminal Barrister, Mohsin Zaidi.

From being the first from his school in East London's Walthamstow to get a place to study Law at Oxford, to being part of the team that brought about a fine of several billion pounds against aerospace company, Airbus, and now to become a critically-acclaimed author, there doesn't seem to be anything Mohsin can't do!

This week, we learn about what life is like at the sharp end of law, the qualities you need to be a good barrister and also how to avoid burnout.

So, What Do You Do? is an Ampersand Speech production, hosted by journalist and producer, Ben Hansen-Hicks.

For more episodes, search for us wherever you get your podcasts.

Don't forget to subscribe and rate; it helps others find us!

On our first episode of the podcast, we'll be talking to ABC News' Foreign Correspondent, James Longman. From the Arab Spring to Royal Family, a climate change piece to camera from the top of a glacier in Antarctica to terrorist attacks in Europe, there isn't a story that James isn't reporting on. We hear about what life is like as a network news Foreign Correspondent, and what tips and advice James has to share for those thinking a career in TV news is for them.

So, What Do You Do? is an Ampersand Speech production, hosted by journalist and producer, Ben Hansen-Hicks.

For more episodes, search for us wherever you get your podcasts. Don't forget to rate and subscribe - it helps others find us!