Working Class to World Class

Season 3, Episode 5: From Grassroots Scotland To Global Sensation, With Jenny Colgan

Mon, 09 Mar 2026 13:43:32 +0100

From growing up in Scotland to becoming a bestselling author read around the world, Jenny Colgan has built a global career through creativity and grit. In this episode, she reflects on her early life, finding her voice, and what it really takes to turn writing into lasting success.

Season 3, Episode 4: From Kansas City to Creative Leadership, with Jon Cook

Tue, 10 Feb 2026 18:02:05 +0100

From growing up in a humble household in Kansas City, raised by a nurse and a minister, to leading one of the world’s biggest creative networks as Global CEO of VML, Jon Cook reflects on where he came from, the values that shaped him, and what it takes to lead at the highest level.

Season 3, Episode 3: From Council Estate To Creative Heights, With Simon Hatter

Wed, 21 Jan 2026 12:10:33 +0100

Simon Hatter is a creative and entrepreneur who rose from a council estate after losing his father at a young age, surviving an abusive stepfather, and growing up in a world hostile to being gay. It’s a powerful story of resilience, courage, and success.

Season 3, Episode 2: From Portobello, Scotland to proud Samaritan, with Gail Porter

Tue, 16 Dec 2025 00:38:18 +0100

Gail Porter - the presenter and campaigner known to millions - shares her honest story, from the highs of fame to the toughest moments, and why she now speaks so openly about mental health. A big supporter of the Samaritans, this episode shines a spotlight on their work.

Season 3, Episode 1: From the hut to the mansion, with Wyclef Jean

Wed, 10 Dec 2025 23:11:37 +0100

Wyclef Jean, the superstar who’s collaborated with Shakira, Beyoncé, Whitney Houston and co-founded the Fugees, opens up with a deep and personal story that starts in Haiti, moves through real hardship and eventually lands at the mansion. It’s a must listen for anyone, music fan or not.

Season 2, Episode 20: From Amsterdam to Global Media Mogul, with Wesley ter Haar

Wed, 28 Aug 2024 02:24:58 +0200

Wesley ter Haar, the visionary founder behind a global media powerhouse, shares his inspiring journey from growing up in Amsterdam as a working-class kid to becoming a young entrepreneur. Discover how he transformed his passion and creativity into a business that has become the envy of the media world.

Season 2, Episode 19: From Gender Bias to Global Boardrooms with Anamika Gupta

Wed, 14 Aug 2024 15:30:38 +0200

Anamika Gupta shares her deeply personal journey of overcoming cultural stereotypes in India to becoming one of the most respected b2b marketers in the world.

Season 2, Episode 18: From Bus Trips and Campsites to Brand Building Creative, with John Cherry

Mon, 29 Jul 2024 18:42:36 +0200

John Cherry is an Executive Creative Director working for some of the biggest advertising agencies in the world. He reminisces about family holidays by bus, living with dyslexia, and his rise to success.

Season 2, Episode 17: From unstable upbringing to business founder, with Jodene Van Lienden

Mon, 15 Jul 2024 12:43:58 +0200

Jodene Van Lienden re-lives her turbulent upbringing, a breakdown in relationships, and bullying at school, all of which has fuelled her need and want to help others become their best selves today.

Season 2, Episode 16: From Waco, Texas to the Glitz of Hollywood, with Scott Velasquez

Tue, 11 Jun 2024 14:06:08 +0200

Music supervisor, Scott Velasquez, was brought up in a religious household where being gay was taboo. He candidly discusses his rise to success, working with global superstars like Lil Wayne, Chamillionaire, and Pitbull.

Season 2, Episode 15: From Vietnam to an advertising veteran, with Joe Nguyen

Mon, 20 May 2024 07:34:43 +0200

Joe Ngyuen shares his deeply personal story of life as a refugee, overcoming challenges that gave him the positive mindset to build a successful career.

Season 2, Episode 14: From Macquarie Fields to Ultra Marathon Runner, with Jeff Tan

Wed, 01 May 2024 08:00:00 +0200

Jeff Tan talks about bullying, religion, and not fitting in, and how this adversity focused him on becoming the success he is today.

Season 2, Episode 13: From Ayrshire to an A-Class Football Legend, with Gordon Smith.

Wed, 17 Apr 2024 01:40:27 +0200

Gordon Smith, well known for his performances at Kilmarnock, Rangers, and Manchester City, tells his story of living the dream as a football professional.

Season 2, Episode 12: From high rise flats to broadcast journalist, with Bernard Ponsonby

Wed, 03 Apr 2024 08:00:00 +0200

Bernard Ponsonby, a high profile broadcaster, tells how he could never have dreamt as a child that one day he’d be interviewing countless Prime Ministers and every single First Minister of Scotland.

Season 2, Episode 11: From a Golfing Caddy to a Global Creative King, with Sir John Hegarty

Mon, 18 Mar 2024 12:52:18 +0100

Sir John Hegarty, one of the most prolific and respected figures in advertising takes a trip back down memory lane, reminiscing about the good old days.

Season 2, Episode 10: From Car Boot Sales to a Creative Award Winner, with James Cross

Wed, 13 Mar 2024 08:00:00 +0100

Sometimes life is about being in the right place at the right time, and James Cross, Founder of Meanwhile, tells me about his serendipity past which led him to become an award-winning creative.

Season 2, Episode 9: From cleaner to TV creator and producer, with Rosemary Reed

Wed, 06 Mar 2024 02:24:09 +0100

Rosemary Reed tells her fascinating story that changed her world from a proud cleaner to a TV Producer, mingling with the stars.

Season 2, Episode 8: From Working Class Glasgow to London Strategist, with Allan Blair

Thu, 29 Feb 2024 08:39:51 +0100

Working class, Allan Blair talks about his rising career, which now sees him as strategist for one of the biggest influencers in marketing, Gary Vaynerchuk of Vayner Media.

Season 2, Episode 7: From Baltimore to Global CEO boss, with Beth Ann Kaminkow

Thu, 22 Feb 2024 14:10:12 +0100

Beth Ann Kaminkow tells her emotional story of growing up in a single parent family and how many lessons in life set her up to become one of the most successful CEOs in advertising.

* This recording was made prior to the launch of VML, through a merger of VMLY&R Commerce & Wunderman Thompson

Season 2, Episode 6: From Knightswood to Hollywood, with Ross King

Wed, 14 Feb 2024 15:49:58 +0100

Ross King, who has embraced our TV screens for over 3 decades tells his humble story, which eventually led him to Hollywood.

Season 2, Episode 5: From a kid in Kinross to the Olympic Games, with Eilidh Doyle

Wed, 07 Feb 2024 08:42:40 +0100

Eilidh Doyle, the most medalled Olympian in Scotland, for track and field, talks about her rise to the top with the support of her family.

Season 2, Episode 4: From a fish town to Forbes, with Russ Lidstone

Wed, 31 Jan 2024 00:14:03 +0100

Russ Lidstone shares his journey coming from a fishing town to working for and advising some of the biggest businesses in the world.

Season 2, Episode 2: From a council house in Bradford to a billion dollar business, with Lee Puri

Tue, 16 Jan 2024 00:18:41 +0100

Business entrepreneur, Lee Puri, shares his working class journey that drove him to create a billion dollar business.

Season 2, Episode 1: From the local park to Twickenham Stadium, with Meg Jones

Mon, 08 Jan 2024 21:48:10 +0100

Meg Jones, Rugby Union legend shares her very candid story of how she became elite in her sport, whilst overcoming challenges along the way.

From a spiritual upbringing to CEO of Sakara Life, with Whitney Tingle

Fri, 07 Apr 2023 13:21:17 +0200

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.

From struggling school kid to Executive Producer and Managing Director, with Sarah Drummond

Fri, 31 Mar 2023 11:29:17 +0200

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.

From Camden Market to Macy’s Department Store with Wayne Hemingway

Thu, 23 Mar 2023 08:20:01 +0100

Wayne Hemingway, one of the most recognisable designers tells his remarkable rags to riches life story.

From the football field to worldwide DJ, with Colin Dale

Tue, 14 Mar 2023 12:21:23 +0100

Colin Dale, ex Kiss FM presenter and DJ talks about his journey from the football field to the world of techno.

From business studies to chief marketing officer, with Emma Springham

Wed, 08 Mar 2023 11:00:00 +0100

Emma Springham shares what can happen when you stumble upon something you’re good at, and how it can transform your career!

From an Arsenal fan to creator of AFTV, with Robbie Lyle

Tue, 28 Feb 2023 08:00:00 +0100

Robbie Lyle, creator of AFTV, tells the story of how he took his football passion and turned it into a career dream

From a bullied child to a Brit Awards judge, with Bee Adamic

Wed, 22 Feb 2023 08:00:00 +0100

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.

From a Derbyshire boy to a leader of a global marketing business, with Ian Millner

Thu, 16 Feb 2023 15:20:24 +0100

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.

From a childhood of crime and neglect to a charity founder and digital expert, with Lisa Goodchild

Tue, 07 Feb 2023 07:00:00 +0100

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.

From street smart skater to global advertising supremo, with Yusuf Chuku

Wed, 01 Feb 2023 18:33:34 +0100

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.

From a humble upbringing to a global creative hero, with Nicky Bullard

Tue, 24 Jan 2023 12:24:54 +0100

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.

From a factory in Kings Langley to a king of punk rock, with Frank Carter

Mon, 16 Jan 2023 11:22:53 +0100

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’.

From the heart of the Amazon to stardom of marketing, with Fernando Machado

Tue, 10 Jan 2023 10:17:35 +0100

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.

From $4 dollars per day to a billion dollar success story, with Chatri Sityodtong

Tue, 13 Dec 2022 17:55:14 +0100

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.

From schoolgirl dreamer to global digital leader, with Debbie Ellison

Mon, 05 Dec 2022 14:52:05 +0100

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.

From a North Manchester lad to a digital master and mentor, with Phil Jones

Mon, 28 Nov 2022 07:00:00 +0100

In this episode, I had the pleasure of chatting with the ever inspiring Phil Jones, someone who I not only admire but have known for many years. From hearing about life growing up in Manchester to how the working class values that were instilled in him, have informed and shaped a highly successful career at the forefront of digital marketing. Phil is also founder of the industry leading Podge events.

From a council estate to a creative legend, with Dave Trott

Tue, 22 Nov 2022 01:12:02 +0100

Who knew that the young boy from the rough streets of East End London, would go on to be one of the most celebrated creatives in the world? A truly inspiring chat with Dave Trott, the brilliant mind behind many of the worlds most legendary, iconic advertising campaigns.

From a bedsit in Bristol to a billion dollar business, with Dame Mary Perkins

Mon, 14 Nov 2022 00:00:00 +0100

Join me as I talk with the inspiring and charming Dame Mary Perkins, Co-Founder of Specsavers. Hear how her working class roots helped her to challenge convention to build one of the biggest and respected businesses across the world!

From the streets of Glasgow to global stardom with Jim Kerr

Sun, 06 Nov 2022 01:35:28 +0100

In this episode, I was privileged to talk with Jim Kerr about his childhood growing up in the gritty suburbs of Glasgow. He shares not only some of the challenges he faced in his journey to success but also how he used them to his advantage.

From the banks of River Clyde to a super yacht in Cannes with Rankin

Sat, 29 Oct 2022 19:05:39 +0200

In this first episode I was lucky and privileged to meet Rankin, one of the world’s most renowned photographers and cultural icons. He opens up about the working class values his parents instilled in him as a child, and how it has helped drive his life and career. A big thank you goes to Calvin and The Drum for filming the first ever episode.