Guest: Mark Heywood – podcaster, writer, former investment banking MD, and co-founder of Don’t Quit

This week on Work Is Weird Now, we speak with Mark Heywood about the realities of leaving corporate life and reinventing your career on your own terms.

From his early days in tech at RBS to a screenwriting course in LA and launching his own business, Mark’s story is anything but linear. In this deeply honest conversation, he shares how he engineered his transition out of banking, the mindset shifts that made it possible, and why failure is a necessary companion in freelance life.

We unpack the emotional and practical prep required to go solo, the myths around quitting, and how Don’t Quit is helping others leave with their eyes wide open.

Key Topics:

• Freelancing is a lifestyle shift, not just a job change
• Job titles don’t define your value — skills do
• Most of us don’t quit too soon — we stay too long
• Failure isn’t fatal. It’s essential
• Why schools aren’t teaching the skills we actually need for the future of work
• You don’t need all the answers before you leave — just the right questions

Connect with Mark Heywood

LinkedIn: Mark Heywood on LinkedIn

Don’t Quit Webinar Info: Find the latest updates on Mark’s LinkedIn posts.

(You can sign up and watch the replay anonymously if you’re not ready to go public about your career pivot.)

What happens when humans are no longer the smartest species in the room?

In this episode, Dan and Alice talk with David Brown — founder of Future Hand Media and producer of With AI FM — about how AI is reshaping (or wrecking?) the future of work.

Key moments:

• Podcasting as the last human medium: Why real, unfiltered conversations still matter.
• AI’s creative fallout: From audio to copywriting, entry-level creative work is disappearing — and fast.
• The vanishing ladder: With junior roles gone, who’s left to train humans?
• The Gen Z reset: Why trades and hands-on work might be the new gold standard.
• Hope vs horror: Could this AI reckoning actually free us to be... more human?

If you're a leader, a creator, a parent — or just wondering what your job will look like in 2030 — this one’s for you.

• LinkedIn: David Brown on LinkedIn
• Future Hand Media: futurehand.co.uk
• With AI FM podcast: withaifm.com
• Personal podcast: My Crazy Uncle Dave’s Podcast
• Studio Launch: Orion Studios in Tunbridge Wells

What happens when workplace research meets urban design? In this episode, Dan Emery and Alice Phillips speak with Kasia Maynard, Head of Research and Editorial at WorkTech Academy, about the shifting dynamics of work, cities, and community in a post-pandemic world.

Kasia unpacks how the pandemic accelerated—but didn’t invent—many of the trends we see today: hybrid work, the rise of in-person collaboration, and a growing need for spaces that foster real human connection. She explores why the future of work is less about choosing between home or office, and more about designing environments—urban, digital, and workplace—that support flexibility, creativity, and well-being.

We dive into:

• Why in-person meetings can reignite engagement
• The evolution of the four-day work week and employee autonomy
• How digital twins and data-driven personas are shaping urban planning
• Why AI could personalize urban experiences—but also challenge creativity
• The need for a common language in urban design and workplace strategy
• Why many wellness initiatives fail—and what to do instead
• The leadership mindset needed for a more human, hybrid future

From the 15-minute city to the blurred lines between digital and physical community spaces, Kasia offers a wide-ranging view of what the next era of work might look like—and what we need to get there.

If work feels weird, urban, and slightly sci-fi right now—this one’s for you.

In this episode of Work’s Weird Now, we sit down with Holly Hobbs, founder and CEO of Apprentivia, who shares her inspiring journey from facing over 30 job rejections to leading a youth employment movement. Holly dismantles the myths around apprenticeships, offers powerful insights into what Gen Z really wants from the workplace, and unpacks how employers can better connect with young talent in a post-AI world.

We dive into mentorship, mindset, self-belief, and the role of TikTok in shaping today’s early career paths. Whether you're an employer, educator, or Gen Z job seeker, this episode offers practical tips and a whole lot of perspective.

Topics covered: Apprenticeships • Gen Z in the workplace • Career mindset • AI & education • Youth employment • Employer branding • Social media strategy • Mental health at work

Gen Z is often misunderstood - branded as lazy or entitled. But the reality is far more complex.

Key learnings:

✅ Gen Z values purpose, balance, and authenticity

✅ Apprenticeships aren’t the “easy route” - they’re misunderstood

✅ Social media isn’t just for fun - it’s a career tool

✅ We need new models of education to meet an AI-driven world

Whether you’re hiring Gen Z, mentoring them, or raising one(!), this episode is packed with truth, actionable insights, and inspiration.

Guest: Slavina Racheva, Managing Consultant & AI Enablement Lead, Credera UK

What does it mean to be human in an AI-powered economy?

In this episode, Slavina Rachava unpacks the complex intersections between artificial intelligence, gender, and the future of work. We explore why women are more vulnerable to automation, how bias is embedded in the design and deployment of AI, and the urgent need for inclusive leadership and ethical education in tech.

From disparities in tool adoption to the question of who AI is really being built for, this is a conversation about power, equity, and reimagining responsibility in the age of algorithms.

Key Topics:

• Why AI adoption rates differ between men and women
• How bias in AI reflects and amplifies societal stereotypes
• What needs to change in education, ethics, and leadership
• The role of diverse voices in shaping the future of AI

Trigger warning, this episode references suicide.

Connect with Slavina here: Slavina Racheva | LinkedIn

In this episode of ⁠Work is Weird Now⁠ hosts ⁠Alice Phillips⁠ and ⁠Dan Emery⁠ engage with ⁠Ellen Donnelly⁠, founder of ⁠The Ask⁠ and creator of ⁠Monday Mornings⁠.

They explore the evolving landscape of work, the rise of mass entrepreneurialism, and the blending of personal and professional lives.

Ellen shares her journey from a conventional career path to embracing flexibility and entrepreneurship, discussing the traits that contribute to successful entrepreneurship and the importance of trust in institutions.

This conversation explores the evolving landscape of work, focusing on the role of coaching in career transitions, the impact of age and experience on entrepreneurship, and the shifting dynamics of gender in the workforce.

The discussion also touches on the effects of political changes on workplace culture, the decline of women in corporate roles, and the implications of the pandemic on work-life balance.

The speakers emphasize the importance of defining success on individual terms and the potential for innovation driven by a more diverse entrepreneurial landscape.

You can find Ellen here: ⁠The Ask | Expert Business Coach for Entrepreneurs⁠⁠www.monday-mornings.beehiiv.com⁠⁠Ellen Donnelly | LinkedIn

Today’s guest is Simon Lamb, founder and CEO of Purposeful Change, a consultancy that supercharges company culture and helps leaders, teams and organisations thrive in times of change.

Simon has worked with some of the world’s most valuable brands – Microsoft, Nike and HSBC to name a few – and through his work, has touched the lives of more than half a million people in more than 50 countries.

Learn more about Simon and his work here: ⁠Purposeful Change Supercharge Your Business Culture

In this episode of Work is Weird Now, business incubator consultant Richard Hubbard shares his career journey, reflecting on his experiences from the non-profit sector to the construction industry. He discusses the challenges of leadership, adaptability in midlife, and the importance of personal growth.

Richard emphasises the role of pride and status in his career, revealing how his early experiences shaped his approach to leadership and change. We reflect on his career journey, discussing the evolution of his aspirations, the challenges faced in C-suite roles, and the importance of organisational culture.

He shares insights on the emotional intelligence required for leadership, the impact of ISG's collapse, and his current endeavours in consultancy and mentorship as he transitions towards retirement.

All of our guests so far on the Work is Weird Now podcast have touched on the physical workplace, so it made sense that we opened up the conversation around the role the office will play in the future of work.

To explore the topic, we invited workplace strategy expert, Leeson Medhurst to explore the evolving dynamics of workplace design and strategy, emphasising the importance of hybrid work policies, employee well-being, and the role of technology in shaping modern office environments.

Connect with Leeson here: ⁠Leeson Medhurst | LinkedIn

This episode takes an unexpected yet fascinating turn as we meet Aimee O’Keefe, founder of Committed Nutrition. Aimee’s impressive career includes roles as:

Performance Nutritionist for England’s Red Roses (women's national rugby team), Williams F1 racing and creator of Manchester United Women's nutrition department, and founder of Female Football Nutrition, dedicated to unlocking nutrition from grassroots sports.

Why is this relevant to Work is Weird Now? Because Aimee’s journey spans multiple worlds — from starting her career in the NHS to building successful businesses.

In this episode, we explore:

✅ The rapid growth of women's sports nutrition

✅ How nutrition drives performance — from athletes to corporate professionals

✅ The importance of empathy in nutritional advice

✅ Why men and women often receive different nutritional guidance — and how this impacts health

✅ Tips for maintaining wellness during the workday through movement and planning

Don’t miss this insightful conversation!

You can find Aimee here:

IG: ⁠Committed Nutrition🧬 (@committednutritionltd) • Instagram photos and videos⁠

LI: ⁠Aimee Ellen O'Keeffe | LinkedIn⁠

Women's Health article: ⁠Manchester United Women’s nutritionist is on mission to normalise carbs