Working Class to World Class
Hello! My name is Lynn Lester and the purpose of my podcast is to celebrate the dreamers, the fighters and the underdogs who despite coming from ordinary backgrounds, went on to achieve extraordinary success. It is my mission to help inspire people, no matter where they stand in society, to keep thinking big and to never give up. As Jim Kerr of Simple Minds told me ”Sometimes your disadvantages are actually forming advantages that you find a way to use later in life”.
Episodes

Friday Apr 07, 2023
From a spiritual upbringing to CEO of Sakara Life, with Whitney Tingle
Friday Apr 07, 2023
Friday Apr 07, 2023
Whitney Tingle, CEO of Sakara Life tells what it’s like growing up in an entrepreneurial household - having everything one minute and nothing the next.

Friday Mar 31, 2023
Friday Mar 31, 2023
In this week's episode I chat with the wonderfully engaging Sarah Drummond on her journey to success as a renowned producer and champion of the film industry.

Thursday Mar 23, 2023
From Camden Market to Macy’s Department Store with Wayne Hemingway
Thursday Mar 23, 2023
Thursday Mar 23, 2023
Wayne Hemingway, one of the most recognisable designers tells his remarkable rags to riches life story.

Tuesday Mar 14, 2023
From the football field to worldwide DJ, with Colin Dale
Tuesday Mar 14, 2023
Tuesday Mar 14, 2023
Colin Dale, ex Kiss FM presenter and DJ talks about his journey from the football field to the world of techno.

Wednesday Mar 08, 2023
From business studies to chief marketing officer, with Emma Springham
Wednesday Mar 08, 2023
Wednesday Mar 08, 2023
Emma Springham shares what can happen when you stumble upon something you’re good at, and how it can transform your career!

Tuesday Feb 28, 2023
From an Arsenal fan to creator of AFTV, with Robbie Lyle
Tuesday Feb 28, 2023
Tuesday Feb 28, 2023
Robbie Lyle, creator of AFTV, tells the story of how he took his football passion and turned it into a career dream

Wednesday Feb 22, 2023
From a bullied child to a Brit Awards judge, with Bee Adamic
Wednesday Feb 22, 2023
Wednesday Feb 22, 2023
This episode delves into the music sector as I chat with Bee Adamic, a Music PR founder, who shares her fascinating story of breaking into the sector through pure hustle and a street wise attitude.

Thursday Feb 16, 2023
From a Derbyshire boy to a leader of a global marketing business, with Ian Millner
Thursday Feb 16, 2023
Thursday Feb 16, 2023
Join me this week as I talk with Ian Millner, Co-Founder of Global Marketing agency iris on how adopting a risk positive attitude, facing problems front on and nurturing the talent around you, can help to achieve global success.

Tuesday Feb 07, 2023
Tuesday Feb 07, 2023
Imagine living a life surrounded by poverty, drugs and crime. Lisa Goodchild, digital expert and charity ambassador, talks candidly about how her upbringing developed the hustle and determination to succeed.

Wednesday Feb 01, 2023
From street smart skater to global advertising supremo, with Yusuf Chuku
Wednesday Feb 01, 2023
Wednesday Feb 01, 2023
Joining me this week is Yusuf Chuku, born and brought up in North London, a son of Nigerian immigrant parents.
Hear how Yusuf went from being a skating obsessed, Dungeons & Dragons kind of kid, to living and working in New York as the EVP of Strategy and Insights at NBCUniversal.

Tuesday Jan 24, 2023
From a humble upbringing to a global creative hero, with Nicky Bullard
Tuesday Jan 24, 2023
Tuesday Jan 24, 2023
This week, I talk with Nicky Bullard, one of the top creative directors and business leaders in the advertising and marketing world. She explains her journey to the top and the prejudices she faced along the way.

Monday Jan 16, 2023
From a factory in Kings Langley to a king of punk rock, with Frank Carter
Monday Jan 16, 2023
Monday Jan 16, 2023
This is the story of Frank Carter, lead singer of The Rattlesnakes, who talks me through growing up as a little boy who knew he was different, happy to stay under the radar at school. Now he is a punk star sensation, who owns that stage as he entertains tens of thousands of ‘his people’.

Tuesday Jan 10, 2023
From the heart of the Amazon to stardom of marketing, with Fernando Machado
Tuesday Jan 10, 2023
Tuesday Jan 10, 2023
It gives me great pleasure to share the inspiring story of one of the most famous chief marketing officers in the world.
Fernando Machado talks candidly of an army family lifestyle and what it was like living in the Amazon.

Tuesday Dec 13, 2022
Tuesday Dec 13, 2022
This week, join me for a truly fascinating episode with Chatri Sityodtong, founder of ONE Championship, Asia's largest global sports media property. Hear from Chatri about his early life and how many of the challenges he faced growing up, have provided the motivation for the huge success he enjoys today.

Monday Dec 05, 2022
From schoolgirl dreamer to global digital leader, with Debbie Ellison
Monday Dec 05, 2022
Monday Dec 05, 2022
For this episode, I had the absolute pleasure of spending time with a lady who is proof that no matter what your background, no matter how much the odds are stacked against you, you can challenge expectations and achieve great things. Hear from Debbie as she talks about her journey to success as Global Chief Digital Officer for one of the world’s largest marketing groups, helping some of the biggest brands and businesses on their digital transformation strategies and advising retailers on the latest innovation and tech.

About me
I'm Lynn Lester and despite being brought up in one of Glasgow's toughest neighbourhoods, orphaned at a young age, and having faced many challenges along the way, I feel utterly grateful every single day.
Through a combination of luck, hard graft and karma, I am fortunate to have been able to achieve success in the media, marketing and technology sectors.
I pinch myself when I travel the world, to host and present awards, TV shows, and events with some of the world's biggest companies. I have benefited from a career that a wee girl from Clydebank could never even have imagined, and this series is my way of helping others in their own journey to success.
But no matter where I go or what I do, I never forget where I came from.

About my guests
This series celebrates people who have come from humble backgrounds, and defied all odds to achieve success in their respective fields. From music to sporting heroes, from high profile business leaders to entrepreneurs, from overnight successes to those who have achieved their ambitions over time. Each episode features an inspirational guest whose insights, learnings and lessons will be invaluable to anyone looking to achieve their own dreams.