What's Your Stori?

In this captivating episode of What's Your Stori?, host James sits down with Osian, the founder of Copa Cymru. Osian shares his remarkable journey from studying media at Bangor University to establishing a successful video production company and expanding into the gaming industry. Discover how his early struggles with breaking into the industry led to the creation of Skint Student Productions, which later evolved into Copa Cymru. Osian discusses the importance of building genuine client relationships, embracing challenges, and continuously learning. He also delves into the exciting expansion into video games, detailing how Copa Gaming came to life and the recent achievements that have set them apart in Wales and beyond. This episode is filled with invaluable insights for entrepreneurs and creatives, emphasising the significance of resilience, diversification, and surrounding yourself with smarter individuals.Timestamps:00:00 Introduction and Guest Background01:05 Founding Copa Cymru03:38 Early Career Challenges05:04 Building Experience and Opportunities09:52 Transition to SSP Media and Copper12:42 Client Relationships and Business Philosophy16:53 Adapting to Social Media Trends20:35 Challenges of Retainers in Business21:22 Diversification Strategies22:13 Venturing into Video Games23:12 The Journey of Copa Gaming25:20 Building a Successful Team30:11 Inspiration and Influences35:20 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

In this episode of What's Your Stori?, host James sits down with Scott from  @coaltown-coffee , a speciality coffee brand deeply rooted in the heritage of Ammanford, Wales. Scott shares the inspiring journey of how he transformed his passion for coffee into a thriving business, starting from his parents' garage to establishing multiple cafes and an online community. They delve into the challenges of branding, the impact of the local mining history, and the unique stories behind their products. A must-watch for coffee enthusiasts and aspiring entrepreneurs alike, this episode highlights the power of combining community spirit with innovative business strategies.Timestamps: 00:00 Welcome00:33 Introducing Scott from Coaltown01:27 The Birth of Coaltown Coffee03:59 Scott's Early Life and Struggles06:27 From National Trust to Coffee Entrepreneur13:18 The First Coffee Venture: Roasted Joe's15:17 Lessons Learned and the Rise of Coaltown19:05 The Birth of Cool Time19:26 Honouring Family Legacy20:16 Building a Community Brand20:48 Starting from Scratch23:34 Innovative Coffee Roasting26:26 Expanding the Coffee Line29:27 The Unearthed Series33:11 Transforming the Business36:45 The Power of Coffee Stories

In this compelling episode of What's Your Story?, host James Owen sits down with Mark Burch, a financial planner and mindset coach from West Wales.

Mark shares his journey of building a financial planning business, Sleek Stone Private Clients, while emphasising the crucial role of mindset in achieving personal and financial goals. Despite overcoming significant health challenges, including a brain injury and prostate cancer, Mark's resilience shines through. He discusses the psychological aspects of financial planning, the importance of understanding one's true objectives with money, and how these lessons have shaped his new venture in mindset coaching.

Tune in for an insightful conversation filled with real-life experiences and valuable advice on achieving a balanced and fulfilling life.

00:00 Welcome to What's Your Story

00:49 Introducing Mark Birch: Financial Planner and Mindset Coach

01:24 A Day in the Life of a Financial Planner

02:28 The Deeper Meaning of Money

03:34 Mindset and Money: A Personal Journey

10:45 The Path to Financial Planning

13:38 Entrepreneurial Spirit and Resilience

27:36 Resilience in Entrepreneurship

28:29 Overcoming Personal Challenges

29:40 Life as a Coast Guard Volunteer

30:09 The Impact of PTSD

31:46 Family and Personal Growth

32:52 The Power of Visualisation

36:32 Entrepreneurial Mindset

41:24 Helping Others Through Coaching

49:56 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

In episode 40 of What's Your Stori?, James sits down with professional rugby referee Craig Evans. Craig shares his journey from playing grassroots rugby to becoming a top referee, officiating games at the international level and even at the Olympics. He discusses the challenges and highlights of his career, the pivotal moments that shaped his path, and the personal loss that deeply affected him. Craig also touches on the mental and physical toll of refereeing, coping mechanisms, and the importance of mental health. Whether you're a rugby fan, aspiring referee, or someone interested in personal stories of perseverance, this episode has something for everyone.Timestamps00:00 Introduction to the Podcast00:33 Welcoming Today's Guest: Craig Evans01:08 Craig Evans' Rugby Journey02:08 Refereeing at Different Levels04:53 Challenges and Experiences as a Referee07:47 The Importance of Consistency in Refereeing11:59 Handling Pressure and Criticism18:29 The Role of Referees in Modern Rugby26:43 Diverse Opinions in Rugby Refereeing27:25 The Importance of Performance in Refereeing28:40 Respect for Referees in Different Sports33:00 Challenges and Highlights of a Referee's Career35:48 Coping with Personal Loss and Mental Health40:33 Finding Support and Coping Mechanisms46:33 The Importance of Self-Care48:59 Reflections and Future Aspirations

Join host James Owen on this episode of the What's Your Stori? as he sits down with Tom White, a professional film and television composer from Wales.

Tom shares his journey into the world of cinematic film music, discussing his process of composing for TV and film, his own musical projects, and the balance between creative expression and commercial work.

Learn about the intricacies of composing, the use of real versus sampled instruments, and the challenges of earning a living in the creative industry.

If you're passionate about music and storytelling, this episode offers valuable insights from a seasoned composer in the field.

Timestamps

00:00 Welcome to What's Your Stori? Podcast

00:52 Introducing Tom White: Film and TV Composer

03:48 The Creative Process and Weekly Routine

06:05 Challenges and Rewards in the Creative Industry

10:40 Balancing Passion and Business

14:16 Career Aspirations and Inspirations

17:25 The Reality of Working in the Creative Field

25:32 Exploring Different Music Genres

27:33 Defining Neoclassical Music

28:53 Personal Musical Journey

29:54 Collaborative Creative Process

33:06 Programming vs. Real Instruments

40:20 The Value of Authentic Instruments

43:43 Investment in Music Production

47:07 Inspirations and Influences

51:17 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

In this episode of the What's Your Stori?, James talks with Gareth Harris from E-Development, a specialist in online training.

Gareth shares his fascinating journey from growing up in Wales, serving in the Royal Navy, facing multiple redundancies, to eventually starting his own successful business in online training.

The conversation delves into the importance of networking, the challenges of moving and starting a business in a new community, and the critical role of context in e-learning.

Gareth also shares insights on cybersecurity, AI in training, and the significance of personalised coaching and training programs.

Timestamps00:00 Welcome to What's Your Story Podcast00:33 Introducing Gareth from Come Silicon03:37 Gareth's Journey: From Navy to Business12:28 Building a Business in a New Community16:46 The Importance of Networking23:57 Business Challenges and Online Training24:35 Importance of Context in Training27:45 Cybersecurity and Data Protection30:57 Collaborations and Partnerships33:13 The Role of Audio and Video in Training35:42 AI in Video Production39:00 Personal Stories and Inspirations43:04 Lockdown Reflections and Networking46:44 Conclusion and Contact Information

In this episode, we meet Lloyd Henry, secondary school teacher and founder of Cegin Mr Henry, a bilingual cookery brand for children. Inspired by his mother and grandmother, Lloyd shares how his love of food led him from hospitality roles around the world to launching cooking content during lockdown, which evolved into a published Welsh-language cookbook and a growing business.

He talks about teaching life skills through food, the realities of juggling work and entrepreneurship, and his vision for the future — including branded equipment, birthday parties, and possibly a TV show.

👉 Tune in for a warm, insightful conversation about creativity, education, and turning passion into purpose.

Timestamps00:00 – Intro: Welcome & Guest Reveal01:05 – Balancing Teaching and Building a Business02:30 – Why Lloyd Loves Teaching Kids to Cook05:00 – Lloyd’s Journey: From Hospitality to Education07:15 – Global Culinary Experience (New York, Australia, etc.)10:00 – Cooking Roots: Inspired by Mum and Grandmother13:00 – Learning to Cook Young: Independence Through Food16:00 – Breaking Barriers: Small Kitchens, Big Impact18:10 – How Cegin Mr Henry Was Born During COVID20:30 – From Instagram Videos to a Published Cookbook22:00 – What’s in the Cookbook + QR Code Features24:00 – Welsh Language, Audience, and Accessibility27:00 – Future Plans: Workshops, Parties, Equipment Kits30:00 – The Challenges of Scaling While Teaching Full-Time32:00 – Making Cooking Fun & Accessible for All34:10 – Importance of Teaching Cooking in Schools37:00 – Healthy Eating vs. Quick Fixes: Finding a Balance39:00 – Quickfire: Lloyd’s Signature Dish 🍝40:00 – Who Inspires Lloyd? (Tony Adams & Jamie Oliver)42:00 – Where to Find Lloyd & Cegin Mr Henry44:00 – Final Thoughts: Just Give Cooking a Go!

In this episode, host James chats with Lloyd Evans, Founder and Director of Spark Structures, about the art and responsibility of structural engineering. From homes and bridges to climate-conscious design, Lloyd explains how sustainability can be built into every structure—without compromising safety or practicality.

Learn how thoughtful design choices can dramatically reduce carbon impact, why open-plan living might not be as eco-friendly as you think, and what it means to work on purpose-driven projects that last.

Curious about how buildings shape our world? Listen now!

This is the 35th installment of What's Your Stori? A podcast all about hearing stories from entrepreneurs, business owners and just all round good people!

Max opens up about his journey from selling computers at Dell to creating a purpose-driven business that now supports hundreds of local brands. We explore his DIY beginnings, the evolution of his creative process, and his commitment to low-waste, water-based screen printing. He also shares how community events and storytelling helped grow both of his brands.

What you'll hear in this episode:

• Why screen printing is a better choice for ethical fashion

• How small, local ideas can grow into big business

• Max’s vision for a print studio & shop in Mumbles

• Balancing business growth with sustainability and family

🎧 Tune in and be inspired by one man’s journey to build something truly meaningful from the ground up.

Like and subscribe to not miss a thing!

In this episode of What’s Your Stori?, we’re joined by Chelsea Free, founder of Unlimited School of Arts, a performing arts academy for children aged 3–18 in Cross Hands, Carmarthenshire.👉 Chelsea’s journey is a powerful story of perseverance: from a failed childhood audition that shook her, to launching a growing business during a global pandemic, with just £13 in the bank 😧Today, her academy teaches acrobatics, singing, dance, and musical theatre—helping young people find confidence and creativity through the arts 🎭 🎧 In this episode:00:00 Intro to Chelsea Free01:00 What is the Unlimited School of Arts?05:00 Childhood rejection and lost confidence08:00 The comeback: scholarships and second chances13:00 Starting a business from scratch during COVID17:00 First open day.. 45 kids show up!20:00 Plans for the future and business lessons learned30:00 Chelsea’s message for entrepreneurs and dreamers❤️ If you're passionate about the arts, education, or small business stories, don’t forget to LIKE, COMMENT, and SUBSCRIBE to hear more real conversations like this.🔗 Follow Chelsea:Instagram/Facebook: @unlimited_school_of_artsWebsite: www.unlimited-school-of-arts.co.uk