And What Do You Do?

I spoke with Antonio, an architect originally from Italy but living and working in London. We chatted about dream projects, difficulties with large projects, and even some of the moral and ethical issues surround developments. Amongst other things of course! Check out what he had to say.

This epsiode features a chat with Amy who has set up an instagram blog about bars in Glasgow (check it out here!). We're talking about some specific things, but it's more about the idea of setting up something new, and in interesting diversion into a project that isn't the normal sort of ‘job' you might be thinking of. You don't need to live in Glasgow to enjoy the episode, but the blog will encourage you to visit, that's for sure!

I was speaking with Stephen, who works in AV. Isn't that the same as IT? No! Also, is there a secret to keeping your cool when tech stops working and there is a room full of people looking at you to fix things? And how, in the time of Covid, do you teach everyone to start using Teams without going mad? All/some of these secrets will be revealed. Maybe.

Say hello to Shauna, an Events Manager and new guest on “And What Do You Do?”. This time around there's something for everyone; getting nervous before important events, how to hold your own with academics, creating art… there is even time for some specifics about the job itself. Have a listen!

I spoke with Matt, an estimator for an engineering firm. Something I know nothing about, so it was time to dive in (before wandering off into other discussions, of course). This episode is pretty straightforward, but it gave me a real insight into some really particular stuff, and the rambling touched on lots of other things that will be familiar in a great many jobs. No spoilers, just jump into it and see what you think!

Hello again everyone, time for season 6. Up first, we have Anna, a curator at the clockmaker's museum housed in the Science Museum in London. We chat about the livery company, trying to be proactive at work, and keeping one eye on the history and heritage of such an important collection. It's quite niche stuff, even for this podcast, but it's great to hear from someone doing something super-specific!

Yes, yes, another placeholder ahead of the new season. It's coming as soon as possible! A special plea to get in touch at andwhatdoyoudopodcast@gmail.com -I want to hear from you, and I want to interview you. Yes you! Or possibly a friend if you're shy. Drop me a message, let's have a chat.

Something a little different this time; a reflection on a past career. Namely, one in the military police! Lots of things we didn't talk about (couldn't, I'm sure you'll understand), so it turned out to have a slightly different style. Really interesting though, I'm very excited for you to listen, so get to it!

Pippa is running an art gallery of her own creation! We talk about the business side of art, but also art in general and a whole host of other things besides. A straightforward-enough episode, but in a field I'm almost completely unfamiliar with. Come join us!

Hello everyone! I chatted with Sean, a director of his own company. Broadly speaking, he works in development and developing people (and companies, and… well, you'll have to listen to unpick more…), and has a lot of experience in many different fields. So we have a good discussion about work practices, how institutions change, how to provide meaningful training, and a whole lot more. It's a really interesting perspective on how we're working rather than just individual pieces of work.I'm not explaining it very well. You'll need to listen!

Hi everyone. This episode I spoke with Shenda, a Stott Pilates instructor and personal trainer. We talked about training (and re-training), delved into some nutrition stuff and things of that nature, but it was mainly about the job itself; what it is like to work with clients, how to juggle the demands of the job, and ways to keep the job evolving as time goes on. I really enjoyed this one, it gave me loads to think about. Have a listen!

This episode, I spoke with Jay, an implementation specialist working in finance (though we discuss general things rather than anything specific to that industry). Lots of little insights into a world I'm completely unfamiliar with, and eventually even Brexit rears its head - I know we're all sick of hearing about it, but it crops up in an unusual way. Have a listen!

Hello everyone, sorry the update is a little late. Here's Tracey, who runs a sewing studio! We talk about some of the ins and outs of running community projects, drift into fashion (I fail to pronounce ‘fast fashion' properly and can't even disguise it in the edit…), and even touch on environmentalism and consumerism. Which sounds a bit heavy when I write it out, but it's interesting stuff!

Hi everyone, another little break before we're back with a new set of episodes. Not much to say other than to request some more interviewees! Get in touch at andwhatdoyoudopodcast@gmail.com

This episode, I chat with Sarah, about 'fixing' ships all over the world. Nope, I didn't know what it meant either! As well as an explanation of what that actually is, we cover why it is hard to arrange to 'accidentally' arrange holidays in Fiji (it makes sense in context, honestly) and lots more besides.As always, get in touch at andwhatdoyoudopodcast@gmail.com

Another new episode for 2021 (the excitement will wear off soon, I'm sure)! This time, I spoke to Harry. He's a designer, mainly based in Sweden at the moment, and we talk about the specifics of his work, then lots more…

Sophie is an optometrist - it might not actually mean what you think it does, so give this episode a listen!We talk about various things, including seeing with your brain and not your eyes, why putting glasses on a squid probably isn't in Sophie's future (this… sort of makes sense once you listen). Also why, professionally speaking, it's not always a case of “an eye is an eye” everywhere in the world.Again, this makes sense during the episode.

I spoke to Gav about the realities of working as an independent musician, various aspects of the music industry itself (and speculated about possible futures). All good stuff, please have a listen.Also, and it is my fault for not mentioning it recently, Gav actually created the music for the podcast. Check out more of his stuff at gavprentice.co.uk

I spoke to Devia, working in construction as a Resident Liason Officer. We talk about various aspects of working in public engagement, trying to get people to be nice (!), common aspects of working in construction even when the projects are very different… all sorts of things really. Have a listen!

Hi everyone, welcome to the first episode of season 4 of And What Do You Do? I'm talking to John at Fuse Events. This time, although we do talk quite a bit about John's specific role, I would say we spend more time talking about the company itself, particularly its structure and activities (and perhaps just as importantly its ethos) as a social enterprise.What's a social enterprise? How does that relate to running events? Aha, well, that's the heart of it, so you're going to have to listen and find out...

Yes, it is another tedious placeholder non-episode! The usual requests to get in touch, and set up an interview if you're interested, but otherwise a bit of a waste of time. Sorry… Back soon with new episodes. andwhatdoyoudopodcast@gmail.com

This time, not a job (well, not a salaried position, is what I mean to say); I spoke with Nickie a mother of four (all under four years old)! We discuss… well, mainly what it takes to do that, logistically. We touch on attempts to project-manage babies, and a few things like UK-US cultural difference about having children (actually, we get more specific than that). I found this one really fun, and it broadened what the podcast has covered. Remember, if you're interested in taking part, it's super simple. Get in touch at andwhatdoyoudopodcast@gmail.com and we'll get the ball rolling!

Something a little different this episode - a conversation with Richard, who has recently completed training to become a life coach. We talk about the coaching itself (and how it differs from something like mentoring, for example), what it is like to make a change in your career, and finding new passions for different ways of working. Have a listen!

Time for another episode! This time, Emmanuelle talks to me about her role as a metadata operations specialist, which you have to admit is a pretty cool job title. Listen to find out what it actually involves, why we still need human input, the pain of launching an ultimately unsuccessful project. Also, a small change to the typical ‘would you rather' gets an enthusiastic response…

A slightly more abstract episode, in that my guest Matthew has multiple jobs with a common thread / theme / purpose. Not quite sure how to describe it best, other than to say it involves connecting people at work, so you'll have to listen to get the full story! Regardless, a fun ramble through topics like creativity and how to foster it, motivations and the future of work, and… well, I'm sure I'm forgetting something. Check it out, let me know what you think.

I was joined by Elisabeth, a collections care manager. We spoke about what that entails, which is quite hard to describe; we have to delve into what you actually mean when you think of ‘an object'. We also touch on some ethical issues that arise when caring for a research collection, who is doing this sort of thing really well, and the ever-popular (?) question of what other jobs people might be willing to swap their existing job for…

I spoke to Toby, a project support officer working at the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs national park in Scotland. As well as being envious of where he gets to work, we talked about what makes his job unusual compared to my -possibly completely wrong- notion of project management, and what led him to that work. We also touch on retraining and changing the course of your career.

Hi everyone, Ed here again, with another little placeholder episode. Apologies to anyone who has subscribed and is automatically updated with what might an unwelcome not-really-an-episode episode (I think that's how I described the last one, and I think it fits). I don't particularly enjoy doing them, but realistically, the short proper seasons are necessary for me to keep up with even the altered schedule. Anyway, this isn't supposed to be a moan. In fact, I've had some very kind comments about some of the episodes, so its actually an excuse to thank everyone who has listened. It means a lot. In the meantime, please get in touch. Most of the episodes so far have been either people I know personally, or perhaps only one or two steps removed from that. I'd love to talk to complete strangers, if you're willing. I want to know what you do! As always, it's andwhatdoyoudopodcast@gmail.com to say hello. Comments and criticisms welcome, as always. I'm working on new episodes for you and they'll be up as soon as I can get them sorted. Speak soon.

I spoke to Michaela, an artist (and Doctor of Art, no less!). We talked about specific works (check out a light-study in the post thumbnail), creative approaches, caring/not caring about what an audience thinks, and lots of other stuff. I really enjoyed it. Some very different approaches from my own, so there was some really thought-provoking ideas for me personally, and I hope you'll like it too! As always, get in touch at andwhatdoyoudopodcast@gmail.com

Sorry for the late episode everyone! I won't bother making excuses; let's get on with things instead. This time around, I'm talking to Brendan, at the Science Gallery Dublin: https://dublin.sciencegallery.com/ We talk about the ethos of the institution, its place in the local community, and take a look at science/art collaborations.

This time, I'm talking to Cherry, a publisher! We talk about what it takes to start a business like that, finding partners to help you, and quite a few other bits and pieces (audiobooks, making clothing during lockdown, you name it…).Remember to get in touch at andwhatdoyoudopodcast@gmail.com or visitandwhatdoyoudo.co.uk

This episode I talk to Ben, who works at an energy utilities company; almost completely invisible while things are going well, but you definitely notice if something goes wrong. Also featuring more beekeeping chat than expected... Get in touch at andwhatdoyoudopodcast@gmail.com

I was joined for a fun chat with Violet Berlin who explained her job as a storyteller. We had a chat about what that actually involves, as well as delving a little into Violet's background as a TV presenter and producer (amongst other things). This episode also contains birdsong, and possibly the secret to not being hurt by criticism. It'll make sense when you listen.

Another Adam! Well yes, but this one is a maths teacher in London. We talk about the perception of maths (and mathematicians), as well as more general discussion about the school system and being a teacher. As always get in touch at andwhatdoyoudo@gmail.com

So the world has slightly fallen apart, and although I'm sure no one is worried about the podcast as such, it will be distrupted for a bit. This 'episode' explains what I'm going to try and do. As always, please get in touch at andwhatdoyoudopodcast@gmail.com

Adam, working in finance in New York

Hi everyone! In this episode, I interview Rhianon, who works in comms. It's the usual mixture of talking about the work, and going off on little tangents. Enjoy! As always, I'd like to hear from you, get in touch by writing to andwhatdoyoudopodcast@gmail.com

This episode I interview David, a composer! We talk a little bit about the realities of being a working composer, inspirations, and things like that.David is also the first guest I've had with a online presence I'd like to draw your attention to - check out his stuff at https://www.davidjohnroche.com/And as always a little plea to get in touch. Do you want to be interviewed, or know someone who would be an interesting guest? Let me know at andwhatdoyoudopodcast@gmail.com

I speak to Giulia, a pianist in Denmark.

I spoke to Jeremy, a podcaster with more experience than me (so yes, it is a bit cirular, but it was a good chance for me to learn a few things)! Like and subscribe and all that sort of thing, but more importantly get in touch at andwhatdoyoudopodcast@gmail.com

I interview Indra, a Dance Therapist from Germany. We talk about lots of different things in a field I know nothing about. Have a listen, and get in touch at andwhatdoyoudopodcast@gmail.com

The first episode… except not really. Just a very brief introduction to explain a little bit about what the podcast is / might be. One for completists only, I think. Jump into the first full-length episode to get on with the good stuff.