The Bento Club

In this episode, we are joined by Rotimi Merriman-Johnson DipFA, also known as Mr MoneyJar - a financial educator who helps people build better relationships with money.

Rotimi shares how running is both a batchable and stackable habit - something you can pair with podcasts or audiobooks to make the most of your time. He also reflects on how small, consistent efforts - whether in running or finances - add up to meaningful, long-term progress.

In this episode, we are joined by Bryony Hancock, a former product designer turned strategist at London-based consultancy 8TH DAY. We explore how running fits into her triathlon training, and how it’s become a powerful tool for personal growth, clarity, and creative thinking.

From embracing limits to navigating uncertainty, Bryony shares why running is a paradox that both humbles and empowers, and how it helps calibrate your inner compass in sport, strategy, and life.

She also writes beautifully on these themes and more on her Substack, Contrast Therapy: https://bryhancock.substack.com/

In this episode, we are joined by Josh Dickins, Head of Consulting at Modern Citizens and a recently reborn runner. We cover a lot - from football to finding your own rhythm with running. Josh shares why running reminds him of going to the cinema, and how it helps him reconnect with the world around him.

In this episode, I’m joined by Paula Martinez Gutierrez and Stephanie Vincent, two inspiring voices from across the pond.

They’re both involved with the Marketing Research Education Foundation MREF, and this May, the market research industry is once again coming together for the Race Around the World for Education.

This is a global, month-long challenge to log miles and raise funds for education-focused nonprofits, including Hogar Montiel in Costa Rica, one of this year’s grantees.

There's still time to take part - miles can be logged retroactively, so it’s not too late to join! Register here

Join us for a special post-London Marathon debrief where Dave will be chatting with fellow finishers and market research specialists Jemma Ralton, Hollie Jones, Paul Kingsley-Smith and Field Notes' Giulia Romanò.

Together, they share their highs, lows, unexpected moments (emotional and otherwise), and what crossing that iconic finish line meant to them.

They also discuss brand campaigns and activations at the event - what stood out, what worked, and what brands can learn from the marathon crowd experience.

In this episode, we chat with Ray Poynter, industry legend and ultra-runner, who has run every single day for over six years. From mountain ultras to Park Runs, Ray shares how running helps him stay grounded, focused, and disciplined - both in life and in work. We talk about heart rate zones, daily routines, and the power of running “inside yourself.

In this episode, Adam Chmielowski, co-founder of cultural insights agency Starling, shares how he discovered running in his mid-30s - and how it's become a tool for mental clarity, creative thinking, and staying grounded. From early morning runs to surprising links between running and crime fiction, this episode explores the powerful connection between movement and mindset.

In this episode, Lucie Wernicke  - Manager of the ICG, Life Coach, and New York Marathon finisher - joins The Bento Club to talk about running, resilience, and the power of community. From fitting training into a busy schedule to the mental grit needed for long-distance running, Lucie shares insights that apply just as much to life and work as they do to race day.

Hollie Jones, Head of Strategy at Synthesis, joins The Bento Club to talk about running, resilience, and community. From discovering running during the pandemic to training for the London Marathon, Hollie shares what the sport has taught her about culture, brand-building, and personal growth.

Hollie is running the London Marathon for The Royal British Legion and you can support her fundraising efforts at this link.

In this episode, Isabel Parashos, who leads global brand and audience research at Xero, takes us through her journey of unexpected running challenges - from climbing 80+ flights of stairs in the Empire State Run-Up to a 50-mile bike ride around Singapore and now training for her first half marathon.