Podcasts about Telford

Pepper plays Peacock, that's Alan in Hastings and Amii in Telford.

Phil and Nick return with reflections on the Players Championship and another success for world champion Zhao Xintong. There's a look back at Zhao's win in the final against John Higgins and all the results from the tournament. There's also talk about Channel 5 coverage - with Phil reflecting on his own role on their team - and what Telford is like as a venue. Plus early news from the Welsh Open, our thoughts on Ronnie O'Sullivan being entered for the World Seniors and a round-up of everything else happening in snooker. We'll return with your correspondence next week, including your John Virgo tributes. If you'd like to send in your tribute or memories of the wonderful JV, please try and get them over to us by Sunday - tweet @TalkingSnooker or email talkingsnooker@yahoo.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode, Neil explores the psychological trap of treating a business plan as a finished work of art. Using the classic imagery of Wile E. Coyote running off a cliff, Neil reflects on his own experience of ‘running out of plan' after successfully completing a 10-year business roadmap. He discusses the danger of the ‘inner moron' taking over when we lack forward momentum and emphasises that a plan should never be a static relic. KEY TAKEAWAYS Reaching the end of a long-term plan can lead to accidental stagnation if a successor plan isn't already in place. Without a clear, written direction, our less-productive impulses tend to take over, leading to business stalls. A business plan is not a ‘holy relic' or a final work of art; it must evolve as the business and the owner evolve. Set a recurring schedule (at least every six months) to revisit, tweak, and refine your master plan. Always maintain a forecast that extends at least five years past your current milestones to maintain momentum. BEST MOMENTS "He was absolutely fine until he realised he'd run out of road." "The framed plan was my point of reference, but it only went as far as the frame would permit." "Even on a good day, without a plan, I'm a total cabbage. Most of us are." "The plan will never be done. It'll never be finished. It'll live and it'll evolve as I live and evolve." "I hope we continue to dream, to chase those dreams down, endlessly pushing out the limits of what we think is possible for ourselves." VALUABLE RESOURCES www.Neilcowmeadow.com info@neilcowmeadow.com HOST BIO Neil Cowmeadow is a maverick peripatetic guitar teacher from Telford with over 19 years' experience in the business of helping people. Learn how to start, grow and love your business with Neil's invaluable advice and tips without the buzzwords and BS! This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/

Starcast presented in association with Thor's Ice Cream Three points from two games for your Stars last weekend. The podcast trio reflect on frustrating loss at home to Telford and a gritty road win in Nottingham on Sunday. Free week for Stars as it's Cup Final weekend, we look at Moralee and Laidler Cups with Buccaneers playing for the pride of Teesside against Sutton. There's the usual rink round up and some Olympic AOB! Please like, subscribe, share, comment and review wherever you're getting your fix of Starcast - interaction helps the podcast grow.  Also let us know where you're listening and which team you support. Thanks for supporting the podcast wherever you watch or listen, please give a subscribe, share, like, review, comment on whatever platform you use. Follow @billinghamstars on all social media channels for the very latest from the club. Starcast is produced by @march74sports for Billingham Stars.

As world champion Zhao Xintong cements his dominance with a World Grand Prix victory in Hong Kong, season three episode sixteen of Snooker Club sees Stephen Hendry, Mark Watson, and Steven Hallworth debate whether the era of British dominance is officially reaching a tipping point. The team is joined by world number eight Chris Wakelin to dissect an all-Chinese semi-final line-up at the Kai Tak Arena and analyse Zhao's relentless scoring. While the "Chinese wave" looks unstoppable, Chris makes the case for the home talent as the tour moves to Telford. Plus, the panel looks ahead to the Players Championship, making their picks for the top 16 showdown and discussing why the balance of power in the sport is shifting faster than ever before. Expect unrivalled snooker insight and laugh-out-loud moments! Email: snookerclub@wst.tv

In this episode, Neil explores the profound psychological impact of two ‘magic words': I Am. He delves into how these words act as identity statements that shape our subconscious beliefs, behaviors, and ultimately, our reality. Through a physical experiment involving posture and vocal tone, Neil demonstrates how the way we speak to ourselves can instantly alter our mood and energy levels.  KEY TAKEAWAYS The words ‘I Am' are not just descriptors; they are declarations of identity that your subconscious mind works to fulfill. Following ‘I Am' with an adjective (e.g., ‘I am rubbish') creates a static, immovable state, whereas following it with a verb (e.g., ‘I am learning') creates a dynamic, growth-oriented mindset. Our physical posture and the vibration of our voice (heard through bone conduction) significantly influence our emotional state and confidence. Your subconscious mind does not understand irony or jokes at your own expense; it takes self-deprecating remarks as literal truths. You can ‘rewrite your script' by identifying negative identity statements and deliberately replacing them with empowering, process-oriented language. BEST MOMENTS "Magic words that are so powerful they can be the hinges upon which your entire life swings." "We tend to live up to, or down to, the things we say about ourselves." "Never, ever, ever denigrate yourself, not even as a joke, because your unconscious mind doesn't have a sense of humor." "I create as I speak... change the script, change your life. Words create worlds." "'I am' followed by an adjective is a static statement, but ‘I am' followed by a verb is a different kettle of fish." VALUABLE RESOURCES www.Neilcowmeadow.com info@neilcowmeadow.com HOST BIO Neil Cowmeadow is a maverick peripatetic guitar teacher from Telford with over 19 years' experience in the business of helping people. Learn how to start, grow and love your business with Neil's invaluable advice and tips without the buzzwords and BS! This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/

In this episode of The Winston Marshall Show, I sit down with investigative journalist and feminist campaigner Julie Bindel for a forensic and deeply disturbing conversation on Britain's grooming gang scandal, institutional failure, and the ongoing cover-up.Julie traces the origins of the r*pe gang crisis back to the 1990s, long before it became national news, and explains how police, social services, and local authorities repeatedly ignored warnings from families. We discuss cases from Leeds, Blackpool, Rotherham, Telford, and London, and examine why organised child sexual exploitation by predominantly Pakistani Muslim gangs was treated as politically untouchable.The conversation explores the role of multiculturalism, fear of being labelled racist, and the systematic refusal to prosecute perpetrators or protect victims. Julie outlines how many abused girls were instead criminalised, dismissed as troublesome, or left trapped in prostitution, while those responsible faced little accountability.We also examine Sadiq Khan's denial of grooming gangs in London, the contrast between county lines drug crime and organised r*pe networks, and Rupert Lowe's independent inquiry into the scandal. Julie argues that without a full statutory inquiry, with real legal consequences, justice will remain out of reach for thousands of victims.A harrowing and unflinching discussion about child sexual exploitation, state failure, political cowardice, and whether Britain is finally prepared to confront one of the darkest chapters in its modern history.-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------To see more exclusive content and interviews consider subscribing to my substack here: https://www.winstonmarshall.co.uk/-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------FOLLOW ME ON SOCIAL MEDIA:Substack: https://www.winstonmarshall.co.uk/X: https://twitter.com/mrwinmarshallInsta: https://www.instagram.com/winstonmarshallLinktree: https://linktr.ee/winstonmarshall----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Chapters00:00 Introduction02:41 The Origins of Grooming Gangs07:13 Police & Social Services Failures09:41 Why the Media Refused to Report It14:28 The Charlene Downes Case Explained18:55 The Guardian Rejection22:23 Politics & Institutional Fear26:37 The London Grooming Gangs Reality31:53 Sadiq Khan, County Lines & Race Baiting35:48 Why the Victims Were Blamed47:16 The National Inquiry & What It Must Expose53:22 Trafficking Girls to Pakistan59:58 “Hundreds of Thousands” of Victims1:02:25 Quashing Victim Convictions & Amnesty1:05:09 Starmer, Political Will & What Happens Next Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the Planet MicroCap Podcast, I spoke with Ryan Telford, Head of Evidence-Based Research at MicroCapClub, where he breaks down why headline profitability and earnings beats can be misleading, and how investors should instead focus on quality of earnings—cash flow support, reinvestment discipline, and earnings stability—along with dilution risk as the true predictors of performance. We discuss the data showing how high-quality earners significantly outperform low-quality peers globally, why many profitable microcaps still underperform after strong quarters, and how looming equity raises can act as a hidden “tax” on shareholder returns. We mention a number of companies and sectors during this conversation, and I'm not a shareholder in any of them. Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Microcap Investing and Research 03:46 Understanding Quality of Earnings in Microcaps 08:49 The Quality of Earnings Scorecard Explained 13:43 Analyzing Low vs. High Quality Earnings 18:34 Modernizing the Quality of Earnings Framework 23:38 Transitioning to Dilution Risk in Microcaps 27:39 Market Reactions and Equity-Debt Ratios 31:02 Dilution Trends in Micro Caps 32:14 Understanding Dilution Risk Scorecard 38:09 Correlation Between Earnings Quality and Dilution Risk 46:40 Returns Based on Dilution Risk 50:23 Indicators of Potential Dilution Risk For more information about MicroCapClub, please visit: https://microcapclub.com/ Planet Microcap hosts the highest quality in-person microcap events in North America. The mission is to bring the best microcap investors, companies, and allocators together to gather, connect, and grow.; visit https://planetmicrocap.com/ to learn more about our Las Vegas and Toronto events. The purpose of this conversation is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be construed as a recommendation to purchase or sell any security. Planet MicroCap Holdings LLC and MicroCapClub LLC are not registered investment advisors. Planet MicroCap Holdings LLC, MicroCapClub LLC, its partners, contractors, members, subscribers, guests, and affiliates may or may not hold positions in one or more of the securities mentioned on this program and may trade in such securities at any time. Do your own due diligence and seek counsel from a registered investment advisor before trading in any security.

A sad episode of the podcast at a sad time for the sport, as Nick and Phil pay tribute to the unforgettable and irreplaceable John Virgo, who has died at the age of 79. We talk about Virgo the player, the commentator and the entertainer. From winning the UK Championship to doing impressions of his fellow stars, being a mainstay of Saturday night television and his four decades behind the microphone on the BBC. Thank you John for being such a wonderful part of our snooker lives for ever and a day. Rest in peace. On the table, we reflect on World Grand Prix success in Hong Kong for world champion Zhao Xintong, and look ahead to the Players Championship in Telford, including some personal Channel 5 news from Phil. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode, Neil dives into the essential topic of advanced time management for beginners, emphasizing the importance of treating time as a strategic asset. Drawing from his 27 years of experience, Neil shares practical strategies to help tutors, teachers, and coaches enhance their productivity and achieve their goals.  KEY TAKEAWAYS  Focus on identifying the top three priorities that will significantly impact your day or week. Utilize time blocking to create a structured schedule with fixed commitments and flexible tasks. This helps visualize available capacity and prevents overcommitment. Work in concentrated blocks of time followed by short breaks, and eliminate distractions to maximize productivity. Conduct weekly reviews to assess what worked and what didn't. This practice allows for continuous improvement and helps in adjusting strategies for better performance. Set boundaries for communication and create a distraction-free environment to enhance productivity. BEST MOMENTS "Treating time as a strategic resource and asset... will guarantee higher performance from you." "Every yes is a time loan with interest. If you default to answering no to every low-value request, you have time to do those most important top three things." "Multitasking is a myth. In reality, you're just flip-flopping from one thing to the next." "Distractions are costly. Every single interruption steals minutes from your life and drains your cognitive energy." "If everything's a priority, then nothing is." VALUABLE RESOURCES www.Neilcowmeadow.com info@neilcowmeadow.com HOST BIO Neil Cowmeadow is a maverick peripatetic guitar teacher from Telford with over 19 years' experience in the business of helping people. Learn how to start, grow and love your business with Neil's invaluable advice and tips without the buzzwords and BS! This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/

Assistant Director of Communications, Katie Dale, is joined by MPFT's Chief Executive Neil Carr and Chief People Officer Alex Brett to talk about the impact of the High Potential Scheme (HPS). They discuss Katie's own HPS experience, and the value the HPS brings to systems, organisations and participants, and showcase the incredible success of the High Potential Scheme to date.A transcript of this episode is available to download: https://www.mpft.nhs.uk/download_file/3b1c3652-13ed-4250-84df-36ca31b7ca52/9HPS is a unique and inclusive talent acceleration programme which recruits diverse cohorts from across all health and care sectors. Using a potential model, the programme develops compassionate and inclusive senior leaders who have the ambition to reach executive roles within 5-8 years of starting the scheme. For more information on the High Potential Scheme, visit https://www.mpft.nhs.uk/High-Potential-Scheme-Careers-HubApplying to the HPS scheme:The HPS is now open to applications from people with more than 5 years' experience at band 7, or currently working at bands 8a to 8c and equivalent across health and care in the following pilot spokes:Birmingham & SolihullBlack CountryCornwall & Isles of ScillyShropshire, Telford and WrekinStaffordshire & Stoke-on-Trent

Send a textWe visit the UK's only public rack and pinion line, Snowdon Mountain Railway which is also the highest railway route, going to the Summit station from the foot of Snowdon – or Y Wyddfa its official name in the Welsh language.Sharon heads to England on her Harley on a 'Railway Rideout' to explore a tranquil corner of the birthplace of the industrial revolution, IronBridge Gorge Museum in Telford.Paddy Range goes to Kent, for a ride on the Spa Valley railway behind a Class 33 from Tonbridge Wells….Alasdair catches one of the new Chiltern Railways Explorer trains, offering greener services every 30 minutes between the West Midlands and London on weekdays.And we catch up with a friend of the podcast Bluebell Railways' Permanent Way volunteer John Deane, now in his eighties, who for the second year running will be walking the ballast for the full length of the line raising money for a charity close to his heart.We also meet heritage volunteer and fomer mainline staff, Clive Wallace with some turntable advice!Links below to stories and Railways in this episode:Snowdon Mountain RailwayChiltern ExplorersIronbridge Gorge Museum under ownership of National TrustSpa Valley RailwayIronbridge Kinlet EngineJohn Deane's fundraiser for Heart  Valve Voice UKBluebell RailwayRother Valley Railway - blog - turntable#SnowdonMountainRailway #Spavalley #IronbridgeGorgemuseum #ChilternRailways #paddyrange #Sharongregory #alasdairstewart #railwaypodcast #railways #railenthusiast #diesels #DMUs #volunteering #BluebellrailwayThis podcast is produced by Laura Raymond and presented by Alasdair Stewart and Sharon Gregory. Our 'Making Tracks' music is with kind permission of composer and musician Richard Durrant. It is a unique piece inspired by the rhythm of the historic rolling stock on the Ffestiniog Railway on the scenic journey from Harbour Station to Tan y Blwch. You can listen and download the full 'Tan y Bwlch' Ukulele Quartet here: Thank you to voice artist David King - for the Railway Ride outs voice over. Ukulele Quartet No. 1 "Tan y Bwlch" Ukulele Quartet No. 1 "Tan y Bwlch" Richard Durrant · Single · 2019 · 3 songs.

It's the end of January, and for many, the ‘New Year, New You' momentum has already hit a wall. In this episode, Neil explores the sobering reality behind New Year's resolutions, citing research that suggests up to 80% of these promises fail by the second week of February. But instead of waiting another eleven months to start over, Neil challenges you to treat today as your brand-new New Year's Day. He dives into the concept of ‘failing better', explaining how success is a muscle built through consistent, progressive overload and the willingness to pick the ball back up every time it's dropped.  KEY TAKEAWAYS Statistically, 80% of resolutions fail by mid-February, and only 8% remain intact by the end of the year. You don't need to wait until December 31st to reset; every day offers a new version of yourself and a fresh opportunity to begin again.  Like physical training, achieving your goals requires ‘consistent progressive overload', repeatedly pushing through failures to build strength and habit. Success isn't about never dropping the ball; it's about shortening the time between dropping it and picking it back up. Focus on the process of becoming the ‘sort of person you'd most like to meet' rather than just checking off a list of resolutions. BEST MOMENTS "Your job is to nip back, pick the ball up, and run like Billy-o with it." "Change always begins today." "You can never step into the same river twice, because you're different today than you were yesterday." "Success is just like a muscle. We grow it with consistent, progressive overload." "Why would anyone, but a stone-cold fool, delay remaking the pledge to their better self until December 31st comes and goes again?" VALUABLE RESOURCES www.Neilcowmeadow.com info@neilcowmeadow.com HOST BIO Neil Cowmeadow is a maverick peripatetic guitar teacher from Telford with over 19 years' experience in the business of helping people. Learn how to start, grow and love your business with Neil's invaluable advice and tips without the buzzwords and BS! This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/

Are the Glovers on their way to Wembley? Another round of the FA Trophy complete with a 2-0 win at Telford, Dave shares his thoughts on the afternoon with Ian and Ben and we take your GCQs.Thanks to Ed, Ryan, Cleavo and Abby for the voice notes! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Are humans really fish? Why are we the only animals with chins? How much of our DNA do we share with the trillions of bacteria in our bodies? For centuries, scientists have chased the secrets of how life on our planet arose, how it assumed its dazzling diversity of forms, and how we humans are related to everything else on earth. With increasingly sophisticated genetic methods now bringing us ever closer to answers, leading evolutionary biologist Max Telford takes us inside one of science's greatest quests. In the intellectually thrilling The Tree of Life: Solving Science's Greatest Puzzle (W. W. Norton, 2025), Telford shows how reconstructing the web of relationships between all our planet's species, from birds and butterflies to mushrooms and moose, allows us to unravel the epic history of life on our planet. In Telford's hands, the many-branched evolutionary trees that biologists assemble--from Charles Darwin's first sketches to the vast computer-generated diagrams scientists are building today--become time machines that take us on a vivid journey through four billion years of life's history. We meet long-lost ancestors, picturing them in the environment of a much younger earth, and discover where we first acquired our backbones and nipples and, conversely, where we lost our tails. We learn how insects are "actually" crustaceans, and how dogs and wolves are more closely related to whales than to the recently extinct Tasmanian wolves they so resemble. Far from a dry representation of the dead, the tree of life is a living, shifting thing that constantly alters our perspective on the past, present, and future of life on earth. For any reader fascinated by evolution and natural history, The Tree of Life is an essential portal to the distant past and a window onto our collective origins. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network

Are humans really fish? Why are we the only animals with chins? How much of our DNA do we share with the trillions of bacteria in our bodies? For centuries, scientists have chased the secrets of how life on our planet arose, how it assumed its dazzling diversity of forms, and how we humans are related to everything else on earth. With increasingly sophisticated genetic methods now bringing us ever closer to answers, leading evolutionary biologist Max Telford takes us inside one of science's greatest quests. In the intellectually thrilling The Tree of Life: Solving Science's Greatest Puzzle (W. W. Norton, 2025), Telford shows how reconstructing the web of relationships between all our planet's species, from birds and butterflies to mushrooms and moose, allows us to unravel the epic history of life on our planet. In Telford's hands, the many-branched evolutionary trees that biologists assemble--from Charles Darwin's first sketches to the vast computer-generated diagrams scientists are building today--become time machines that take us on a vivid journey through four billion years of life's history. We meet long-lost ancestors, picturing them in the environment of a much younger earth, and discover where we first acquired our backbones and nipples and, conversely, where we lost our tails. We learn how insects are "actually" crustaceans, and how dogs and wolves are more closely related to whales than to the recently extinct Tasmanian wolves they so resemble. Far from a dry representation of the dead, the tree of life is a living, shifting thing that constantly alters our perspective on the past, present, and future of life on earth. For any reader fascinated by evolution and natural history, The Tree of Life is an essential portal to the distant past and a window onto our collective origins. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/science

Are humans really fish? Why are we the only animals with chins? How much of our DNA do we share with the trillions of bacteria in our bodies? For centuries, scientists have chased the secrets of how life on our planet arose, how it assumed its dazzling diversity of forms, and how we humans are related to everything else on earth. With increasingly sophisticated genetic methods now bringing us ever closer to answers, leading evolutionary biologist Max Telford takes us inside one of science's greatest quests. In the intellectually thrilling The Tree of Life: Solving Science's Greatest Puzzle (W. W. Norton, 2025), Telford shows how reconstructing the web of relationships between all our planet's species, from birds and butterflies to mushrooms and moose, allows us to unravel the epic history of life on our planet. In Telford's hands, the many-branched evolutionary trees that biologists assemble--from Charles Darwin's first sketches to the vast computer-generated diagrams scientists are building today--become time machines that take us on a vivid journey through four billion years of life's history. We meet long-lost ancestors, picturing them in the environment of a much younger earth, and discover where we first acquired our backbones and nipples and, conversely, where we lost our tails. We learn how insects are "actually" crustaceans, and how dogs and wolves are more closely related to whales than to the recently extinct Tasmanian wolves they so resemble. Far from a dry representation of the dead, the tree of life is a living, shifting thing that constantly alters our perspective on the past, present, and future of life on earth. For any reader fascinated by evolution and natural history, The Tree of Life is an essential portal to the distant past and a window onto our collective origins. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Floodlights, the weather and the FA Trophy visit to Telford are on the agenda today. Happy Birthday to our Chief Scout, Luca Manley. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Following up on last week's episode, Neil shifts the focus from the inevitability of death to the importance of what we leave behind. Inspired by Marcus Aurelius and Steve Jobs, Neil explores the concept of "putting a dent in the universe" by creating a lasting legacy through teaching, writing, and art. Neil argues that if your expertise is valuable enough to be paid for in the present, it is valuable enough to be preserved for future generations.  KEY TAKEAWAYS Perfection of character involves spending each day without frenzy or laziness, as if it were your final one. Following Steve Jobs' philosophy, our goal should be to leave a meaningful mark or "dent" on the universe through our work. If people pay for your knowledge today, you have a responsibility to document it so it doesn't die with you. Books are described as the legacies that genius leaves to mankind, reaching even those who are not yet born. Rather than waiting for a "someday" that may never come, start documenting, publishing, and sharing your message while you are still here to see it grow. BEST MOMENTS "This is the mark of perfection of character: to spend each day as if it were your last, without frenzy, laziness, or any pretending." "We're here to put a dent in the universe. Otherwise, why else even be here?"  "I want to stay useful until the end and change the world a little bit, perhaps even after I'm gone." "Books are the legacies that genius leaves to mankind, to be delivered down to the posterity of those that are yet unborn."  "If what you teach dies in your head... that would be so sad." VALUABLE RESOURCES www.Neilcowmeadow.com info@neilcowmeadow.com HOST BIO Neil Cowmeadow is a maverick peripatetic guitar teacher from Telford with over 19 years' experience in the business of helping people. Learn how to start, grow and love your business with Neil's invaluable advice and tips without the buzzwords and BS! This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/

In today's episode, Neil delves into the profound and often overlooked topic of mortality. Drawing heavily from Stoic philosophy and Marcus Aurelius's Meditations, Neil argues that acknowledging our "finish line" is not morbid, but rather a powerful tool for clarity and motivation in both life and business.  KEY TAKEAWAYS Death is the only true inevitability; acknowledging this prevents us from letting ourselves "off the hook" by pretending we have unlimited time. Neil highlights three core tenets for a wiser life: control your perception, direct your actions properly, and willingly accept what you cannot change. Realizing the universe is "too busy" to intervene in your life can be incredibly liberating for those dealing with anxiety or fear of failure. Neil challenges the traditional idea of retirement, questioning whether activities like golf could ever be as satisfying as the moment a student finally "gets it." Treat every morning you wake up as a "bonus" and a reason for gratitude, rather than an entitlement. BEST MOMENTS "Think of the life you've lived until now as over, and as a dead man, see what's left as a bonus and live it according to nature."  "The universe doesn't give a flying f*** about us. Get over it." "I'm all in favor of arriving at my own graveside on a big motorcycle, sliding sideways and wheel-spinning over the edge with a maniac grin on my face." "Is there anything more satisfying to you than helping your tribe? Anything at all?" "Do not, as Dylan Thomas put it, go gentle into that good night." VALUABLE RESOURCES www.Neilcowmeadow.com info@neilcowmeadow.com HOST BIO Neil Cowmeadow is a maverick peripatetic guitar teacher from Telford with over 19 years' experience in the business of helping people. Learn how to start, grow and love your business with Neil's invaluable advice and tips without the buzzwords and BS! This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/

Today, Neil dives into the topic of New Year's resolutions and the common pitfalls that accompany them. He notes that while many people set ambitious goals at the start of the year, the majority will abandon them by February. Neil encourages listeners to embrace failure as a natural part of the journey toward self-improvement, advocating for a mindset that views setbacks as opportunities to learn and grow. He introduces the concept of 'new day ones', highlighting that every day presents a fresh opportunity to start anew, rather than waiting for the next January 1st. KEY TAKEAWAYS It's normal to fail when trying to achieve significant changes in life. Instead of viewing failure as an endpoint, see it as a learning opportunity and a chance to try again. Unlike New Year's resolutions, which are limited to once a year, every day can be a new "day one." If you stumble, you can start fresh the next day without waiting for a specific date. Using a habit tracker can help identify patterns of success and failure. Recording daily activities with checkboxes allows for reflection on what went wrong and encourages accountability. A "zero day" (a day when you don't meet your goals) serves as a reminder of unmet standards, while a successful day (marked with an "X") reinforces positive behaviour and achievement. Regardless of how many days you've been working on your goals, it's important to keep pushing forward. Celebrate your progress and maintain momentum, whether you're on day one or day 157. BEST MOMENTS "The problem, of course, is that New Year's resolutions only come around once a year. And those resolutions are often trying to fix long-term problems with a moment's decision." "If you, like me, track your habits, you can spot the patterns which lead to failure and to success." "Zero days suck. The good news is that the day after a zero day is a new day one." "New Year's Day is a completely made-up thing, based on the assumptions of someone else, long ago in history." "If today is your new day one, I salute you too. Get going, keep going. Kick ass and keep score!" VALUABLE RESOURCES www.Neilcowmeadow.com info@neilcowmeadow.com HOST BIO Neil Cowmeadow is a maverick peripatetic guitar teacher from Telford with over 19 years' experience in the business of helping people. Learn how to start, grow and love your business with Neil's invaluable advice and tips without the buzzwords and BS! This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/

Starcast presented in association with Thor's Ice Cream A double home weekend for your Stars yielded four points and a whole heap of rules controversy. Great win over Hull, frustrating shootout loss to Leeds - but who was really to blame? After the break we look ahead to a road and home weekend against the division's two top sides - at Telford on Saturday and home to Blackburn on Sunday. Finally a spot of AOB with genuine Winter Classic, GB teams in action and supporters club ready for you on Sunday! (GB U18 women won 1-0 vs Spain with Evelyn Brown posting a 41-save shutout!) Please like, subscribe, share, comment and review wherever you're getting your fix of Starcast - interaction helps the podcast grow.  Also let us know where you're listening and which team you support. Thanks for supporting the podcast wherever you watch or listen, please give a subscribe, share, like, review, comment on whatever platform you use. Follow @billinghamstars on all social media channels for the very latest from the club. Starcast is produced by @march74sports for Billingham Stars.

Reflecting on his own journey over the last 27 years, Neil explores why many hard-working, intelligent people remain just ‘one paycheck away from financial trouble'. He breaks down the eight specific reasons why individuals struggle to accumulate wealth - ranging from capped income and risk aversion to the often-overlooked power of compounding and the impact of one's environment. KEY TAKEAWAYS Most people trade time for money, which inherently limits earnings. Wealth is built through assets that pay you while you sleep, such as intellectual property, investments, or rental income. Building wealth requires a rare mix of risk tolerance and timing. Neil suggests mitigating the downside while working tirelessly to maximise the upside of any venture. Wealth growth is a slow, steady process that accelerates over time. Many people quit before the "miracle" of compounding has a chance to take effect. You are the product of the people you spend time with. If your inner circle doesn't understand or respect money, it is significantly harder to break out of poor financial habits. As income rises, spending often follows. To build wealth, one must avoid "keeping up with the Joneses" and instead live within one's means to invest the surplus. BEST MOMENTS "Money is the silent applause for a job well done, and it's the store of the value I've provided." "Figure out a way you can get paid while you sleep." "Get comfortable being disliked by people. The people who will call you obsessive will fade into the rear view mirror of your life." "Don't spend money you don't have to buy things you don't need to impress people who don't matter." "The regrets of the dying tend to be the things they didn't do, not the things they did." VALUABLE RESOURCES www.Neilcowmeadow.com info@neilcowmeadow.com HOST BIO Neil Cowmeadow is a maverick peripatetic guitar teacher from Telford with over 19 years' experience in the business of helping people. Learn how to start, grow and love your business with Neil's invaluable advice and tips without the buzzwords and BS! This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/

Neil steps away from traditional business tactics to focus on the essential foundation of any successful venture: the health and well-being of the entrepreneur. He explores the concept of ‘The Fasting Miracle', specifically focusing on water fasting and its transformative effects on the body and mind. He breaks down the biological processes that occur during various stages of fasting, from the initial fed state to deep cellular repair and regeneration. By sharing his personal 21-day fasting experience and detailing the scientifically supported benefits, such as increased mental clarity, fat loss, and immune system rebooting, Neil provides a compelling case for fasting as a no-cost tool for tutors and coaches to optimise their performance and longevity. KEY TAKEAWAYS Maintaining good health is a critical business issue because it forms the foundation for everything a business owner does. Fasting triggers natural mechanisms like lipolysis (fat burning) and ketosis, where the body switches from burning glucose to burning stored fat and ketones for cleaner, steadier energy. Between 20 to 24 hours of fasting, the body initiates autophagy - a "self-eating" process where damaged cells and proteins are recycled into useful materials, reducing inflammation and the risk of degenerative diseases. Extended fasting (72+ hours) can eliminate old white blood cells and stimulate stem cell production to create a new, more efficient immune system. BEST MOMENTS "Health is the foundation on which everything we do is built. So staying healthy is a business issue." "Fasting isn't some brand new trendy fufu-dufu woo-woo fad. People have been doing it for centuries." "Autophagy is cellular cleanup and repair. The damaged proteins and organelles that are flapping around your body are broken down and recycled into useful stuff." "BDNF supports brain health and cognitive function. I've heard BDNF often called miracle grow for the brain, and that's what it does." "The longer I fasted, the better I felt. My mental sharpness increased like it's hard to explain. I just got sharper, faster." VALUABLE RESOURCES www.Neilcowmeadow.com info@neilcowmeadow.com HOST BIO Neil Cowmeadow is a maverick peripatetic guitar teacher from Telford with over 19 years' experience in the business of helping people. Learn how to start, grow and love your business with Neil's invaluable advice and tips without the buzzwords and BS! This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/

Rob is joined by Christian James, Dickie Worton and Tom Jolley They look back at the Boxing Day fixtures with Solihull Moors in Seventh Heaven, Telford slap the seals and Hornchurch blunt the Daggers. Plus the guys pick their moments of the year Produced by Leo Audio Productions Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

While the world winds down for the Christmas and New Year break, Neil cautions against letting your professional flywheel come to a complete stop. He explains the physics of momentum - mass times velocity - and warns that it is far harder to build momentum from scratch than it is to maintain it. Rather than advocating for a holiday without rest, Neil suggests a balanced approach: performing at least one small, meaningful task every day to keep your velocity steady so that you can hit the ground running in the new year. KEY TAKEAWAYS It takes significant energy to get a "flywheel" up to speed, but even a slight easing of effort can cause it to slow down noticeably. Neil defines momentum as mass X velocity; to increase your business's impact, you must increase your speed, your output, or both. While many businesses shut down for weeks in December, losing that internal drive can make restarting in January feel much more difficult. To preserve your progress, aim to do something every single day - even during the holidays - that maintains your direction of travel. Use the downtime when others are ‘flopped out on the sofa, to read a recommended book or brainstorm your goals for the upcoming year. BEST MOMENTS "The more momentum a thing has, the harder it will be to stop." "It's much harder to build up than to maintain. It's much harder to spin a flywheel up to speed than it is to just slow it down very, very slightly." "When we're on our A-game, on our mission, when everything's flowing, we feel different. Our momentum carries us along." "Do something every day that keeps your momentum ticking along. Not growing, just maintaining your velocity and your direction of travel." "Your momentum was built up over weeks and months, and it's lost more quickly than it was built." VALUABLE RESOURCES www.Neilcowmeadow.com info@neilcowmeadow.com HOST BIO Neil Cowmeadow is a maverick peripatetic guitar teacher from Telford with over 19 years' experience in the business of helping people. Learn how to start, grow and love your business with Neil's invaluable advice and tips without the buzzwords and BS! This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/

Learn more at TheCityLife.org

Fresh from the madness of Telford's Scale Model World, Malcolm and James sit down to debrief, decompress, and maybe deny a few purchases. There were sprues, there were snacks, and yes… an Airfix 1/24 Bf 109 may or may not have been licked.Join the lads as they chat about the kits they couldn't resist, the people they met, and the moments that made Telford 2025 unforgettable. From hobby highs to wallet woes, it's all in this post-show therapy session for modellers.

In today's episode, Neil takes a look at the concept of self-directed learning and the importance of creating a structured plan for personal education. Drawing from his 27 years of experience in the tutoring and coaching business, Neil emphasises that while many of us consume educational content, few take the time to design a comprehensive learning strategy for ourselves. He challenges listeners to envision their future selves, identify the skills needed to achieve their goals, and develop a written plan to guide their self-education journey. KEY TAKEAWAYS Emphasise the importance of creating a structured plan for self-education, rather than relying solely on informal learning through books, podcasts, and videos. This involves setting clear goals and outlining steps to achieve them. Acknowledge the essential role of teachers and mentors in the learning process. Investing in quality instruction can save time and enhance the learning experience, making it more efficient. Focus on the significance of taking small, consistent actions every day towards your learning goals. Over time, these incremental efforts can lead to substantial progress and mastery of a subject. Create a personalised learning environment by surrounding yourself with inspiring materials and individuals. This can include listening to thought leaders and experts in various fields to broaden your knowledge and insights. Adopt a mindset of lifelong learning and continuous improvement. Regularly assess your progress, adjust your learning plan as needed, and remain open to new ideas and experiences that can contribute to your growth. BEST MOMENTS "But let me ask you one question. Who's the person most likely to skip on education? Well, chances are it's you and me." "The idea of self-directed learning is what interests me. Learning about what interests me." "If you're perfect, you're finished. You're at the end of the line. And the only thing that can happen next is decay." "Your schedule will be horrible. It'll be full of errors and flaws because it's just your best guess based on what you know now." "Think about what you want to become excellent at. What do you want to be better at? What do you want to become?" VALUABLE RESOURCES www.Neilcowmeadow.com info@neilcowmeadow.com HOST BIO Neil Cowmeadow is a maverick peripatetic guitar teacher from Telford with over 19 years' experience in the business of helping people. Learn how to start, grow and love your business with Neil's invaluable advice and tips without the buzzwords and BS! This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/

Katie Telford, former Chief of Staff to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, reflects on her extensive political career, the evolution of Canadian politics, and the challenges faced during her time as Chief of Staff to the Prime Minister. The conversation includes the rise of Trudeau, the impact of the pandemic, and the political tensions surrounding the convoy protests. Telford shares insights on leadership, the importance of diversity in politics, and her personal reflections on navigating a demanding career in public service.Chapters00:00Reflections on a Year of Change02:45The Early Political Journey05:28Defining Values and Political Alignment08:00The Rise of Justin Trudeau10:59Navigating the 2015 Election13:36The Significance of Gender Parity in Cabinet16:20Cannabis Policy and Its Implications19:20Challenges and Controversies21:51Leading Through a Global Pandemic37:29Navigating Communication During the Pandemic40:21The Pressure of Vaccine Distribution42:31Addressing Vaccine Mandate Opposition45:09The Invocation of the Emergencies Act48:12Toxicity in Politics and Its Impact55:37Leadership Challenges and Political Dynamics01:01:31Advice for Aspiring Women Leaders01:08:31Reflections on Achievements and Future DirectionsSupport the showFollow us on Instagram! https://www.instagram.com/beyondaballot/ Thank you to our Title Sponsor, DoorDash!

Today, Neil takes a look at the transformative impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on the tutoring, teaching, and coaching industries. Drawing from his 26 years of experience, Neil shares personal anecdotes and practical examples of how AI tools can streamline mundane tasks, enhance productivity, and support creative processes. He notes that while AI can be a valuable addition to our toolkit, it cannot replace the human elements of empathy, creativity, and connection that educators bring to their work. KEY TAKEAWAYS AI should be viewed as an addition to our toolkit rather than a substitute for human creativity and connection. It can handle mundane tasks, allowing educators to focus on more meaningful interactions with students. AI can assist in various tasks such as note-taking during meetings, generating graphics, conducting research, and even website design. These applications can save time and improve efficiency in both teaching and business operations. While AI can automate certain processes, it cannot replicate the human elements of teaching, such as empathy, humour, and the ability to connect with students on a personal level. The unique qualities of educators remain irreplaceable. Embracing AI involves strategically integrating it into work and life without fully depending on it. This approach allows individuals to leverage AI's capabilities while maintaining their own critical thinking and creativity. As AI technology evolves, so should our understanding and use of it. Staying informed about new AI tools and improving our ability to prompt these tools will enhance their effectiveness in supporting our goals. BEST MOMENTS "AI is here and it's not going away. What will happen is it will continue to expand the impact on what you and I do day by day." "As good as it is, AI systems can't yet do the more creative stuff that we do in our work." "You and I are the soul of our business. We are the vital creative spark that ignites the work." "AI can be useful to us in the elimination of grunt work, the mundane, repetitive tasks." "What I'm suggesting really is strategic integration of artificial intelligence into your work, into your life." VALUABLE RESOURCES www.Neilcowmeadow.com info@neilcowmeadow.com HOST BIO Neil Cowmeadow is a maverick peripatetic guitar teacher from Telford with over 19 years' experience in the business of helping people. Learn how to start, grow and love your business with Neil's invaluable advice and tips without the buzzwords and BS! This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/

422: Cam Myers | World XC Trials | Mizuno HyperWarp Pure Review This episode is powered by Shokz, the world leading open ear headphones pioneer. Big news——Shokz Christmas Sale is here, with up to 32% off sitewide! Visit: https://shokz.cc/irp15xmas  and use code IRP15 for your exclusive listener discount!   Cam Myers joins the show to recap his race at the World XC Trials, how the race fits into his short term plans and talks about the direction of his upcoming season. Brad's back doing sessions and roams around Stromlo for the people. Brady sees a familiar face on his Sunday morning. Brad and Brady review the soon to be released Mizuno Hyperwarp Pure, a super-lightweight racing shoe that showcases the new direction Mizuno will be heading in. This week's running news is presented by Axil Coffee. Cam Myers held off Seth O'Donnell to take out the 10k Open Race at the World Cross Country Championship Trials held at Stromlo, Canberra with Morgan McDonald in third. Leanne Pompeani comfortably won the women's race ahead of Holly Campbell and Bronte Oates. Official Results   World Athletics announce Australian high jumper Nicola Olysalgers and Swedish pole vaulter Mondo Duplantis as the 2025 Athletes of the Year, with famed commentator Bruce McAvaney receiving the President's Award. World Athletics Release   Brigid Kosgei won the Shanghai Marathon in an all-comers record time of 2:16:36 as the race makes its case for World Major candidacy. World Athletics Report Olympic silver medallist and American Record holder in the 3000m steeplechase Evan Jager announced his retirement. https://www.instagram.com/p/DRcf3WeiQzh/?hl=en  Enjoy 20% off your first Axil Coffee order! Use code IRP20 at checkout. Shop now at axilcoffee.com.au Whispers about Telford recruitment drive, speculating on the whereabouts of Jimmy Whelan, then Brady on the Loose bemoans the lack of coverage and exposure around the cross country trials.   This episode's Listener Q's/Training Talk segment is proudly brought to you by Precision Fuel & Hydration. Where would Cam have finished at NCAA XC Championships? Visit precisionhydration.com for more info on hydration and fuelling products and research, and use the discount code given in the episode.  Patreon Link: https://www.patreon.com/insiderunningpodcast Opening and Closing Music is Undercover of my Skin by Benny Walker. www.bennywalkermusic.com Join the conversation at: https://www.facebook.com/insiderunningpodcast/

In this episode, Neil delves into the concept of Kaizen, a Japanese philosophy centered on continuous improvement. Neil emphasizes the importance of making small, consistent changes rather than relying on dramatic transformations, highlighting how this mindset can be applied to tutoring, teaching, and personal development. Neil shares insights from his 26 years of experience, illustrating how daily routines and micro habits can lead to significant progress over time. KEY TAKEAWAYS Kaizen Philosophy: Kaizen, meaning "continuous improvement," emphasizes making small, steady improvements daily rather than relying on dramatic changes. 1% Improvement Principle: Focusing on just a 1% improvement each day can lead to significant long-term results. Over a year, this compounding effect can result in a 37.78x improvement, or even 1788x with a 1.5% daily improvement. Importance of Daily Routines: Establishing daily routines supports the Kaizen philosophy by reducing willpower and decision fatigue. Consistent routines make improvement predictable and create a structured environment for growth. Micro Habits: Implementing micro habits—small, actionable steps—lowers the barrier to entry for starting new practices. These habits can be easily integrated into daily routines, making it easier to maintain progress. Self-Reflection and Adjustment: Incorporating daily self-reflection, such as journaling, allows for continuous assessment and adjustment of practices.  BEST MOMENTS "Kaizen is a commitment to constant steady improvement. One small step at a time in work, training, in life." "The key ideas are that the small steps are preferable to giant leaps. Consistency beats intensity." "Daily routines are the structure that you need to make those daily 1% improvements." "You could be one and a half percent better every day for a year... that compounds up to you being 1788 times better after just one year." "Kaizen shows up naturally in the way you tidy up a little bit every day, refining your cooking skills, improving your relationships with small gestures." VALUABLE RESOURCES www.Neilcowmeadow.com info@neilcowmeadow.com HOST BIO Neil Cowmeadow is a maverick peripatetic guitar teacher from Telford with over 19 years' experience in the business of helping people. Learn how to start, grow and love your business with Neil's invaluable advice and tips without the buzzwords and BS! This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/

We are privileged to welcome actor and author Lou Diamond Phillips LIVE to Dial the Gate to explore his experience aboard Destiny (and its seed ship) as "Colonel Telford" and to dig into the sequel to his TINDERBOX book series, "Underground Movement."

In today's episode, Neil delves into the Japanese 5S system, a methodology for organizing workspaces to enhance efficiency, safety, and productivity. Drawing from his 26 years of experience in tutoring, teaching, and coaching, Neil explains the five key components of the 5S system: Sort, Set in Order, Shine, Standardize, and Sustain. Neil illustrates how these principles can be applied not only in professional settings but also in personal life, encouraging listeners to declutter, organize, and maintain their environments for improved performance and well-being. KEY TAKEAWAYS Understanding the 5S System: The 5S system is a methodology for organizing a workspace to enhance efficiency, safety, and productivity. It consists of five steps: Sort, Set in Order, Shine, Standardize, and Sustain, which aim to reduce waste and improve quality. Application of 5S in Personal and Professional Life: The principles of the 5S system can be applied not only in workspaces but also in personal life. By decluttering, organizing, and maintaining cleanliness. Importance of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs): Establishing clear procedures and standards is crucial for maintaining organization and cleanliness. Continuous Improvement (Kaizen): The concept of Kaizen, or continuous improvement, is integral to the 5S philosophy. By making small, incremental changes over time. Personal Reflection and Adaptation: The speaker encourages listeners to reflect on their own practices and consider how implementing the 5S system could lead to improvements in their lives.  BEST MOMENTS "The 5S system is a methodology, a systematic approach to organizing a workspace for efficiency, safety, and productivity." "The goal behind this one is to declutter and eliminate waste by keeping just the essential tools and materials." "If you do the same thing the same way every single time, making it streamlined and efficient, then the chance of things going wrong is massively reduced." "Just imagine the 5S system to your life, not just your workspace. What would that do for you?" "Maybe this is it for you. What would applying 5S do for your messy life?" VALUABLE RESOURCES www.Neilcowmeadow.com info@neilcowmeadow.com HOST BIO Neil Cowmeadow is a maverick peripatetic guitar teacher from Telford with over 19 years' experience in the business of helping people. Learn how to start, grow and love your business with Neil's invaluable advice and tips without the buzzwords and BS! This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/

Hear the thoughts of Wolves Women head coach Dan McNamara and forward Beth Merrick ahead of the Old Gold's Adobe Women's FA Cup 2nd Round tie with Stoke City in Telford. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Rob Edwards switched Teesside for Molineux during the international break. Can the Telford-born former player work the ultimate miracle at Wolves? Probably not, but stranger things have happened... Palace at home is next. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We have so much to get through this edition, including answering your questions about the forthcoming Thunderbirds BluRay box set! What's in it? What's not in it? And WHERE IS IT?? We'll be showing some clips to illustrate the restoration work that's been going on, PLUS a sneak peek at a very special feature, Fabblebox!All this, plus a report from the International Plastic Modeller's Show in Telford, some more from our lovely Podsterons, a special Fab or Fib and Virgil Tracy's bum presses the big red button on the Randomiser! No, really...00:22 Welcome to the Gerry Anderson Podcast!05:13 Jamie's report from the International Plastic Modeller's Show in Telford08:20 Thunderbirds Goes Wrong!11:55 Relevant/Irrelevant Podsterons questions16:02 Thunderbirds BluRay questions and answers!19:38 Fabblebox!29:16 Thunderbirds Restoration fixes36:24 Fab Or Fib!41:30 More Relevant/Irrelevant questions!43:34 The Randomiser. Virgil Tracy presses the big red buton!46:56 Fab Facts50:34: Wrapping things up!Never Miss An EpisodeJoin the Podsterons Facebook groupSubscribe wherever you get your podcastsThe Randomiser with Chris DaleHelp The ShowLeave us a review on Apple PodcastsTweet about it! Use the hashtag #GerryAndersonPodcast@ImJamieAnderson / @RichardNJames / @ChrisDalekStay In TouchEmail Podcast AT GerryAnderson.comJoin the Email Newsletter

In this special milestone episode, The Tutor Podcast celebrates hitting 400 episodes! Neil takes a light-hearted look back at his eight-year adventure, sharing the surprising lessons, quirky insights, and hard-won wisdom he's picked up in the tutoring, teaching, and coaching world. He opens up about his early dreams of becoming a mega-famous podcaster, and how he eventually learned to love the real Neil: endlessly curious, a bit awkward, and totally genuine. KEY TAKEAWAYS The journey of the podcast shifted from a desire for fame and celebrity interviews to focusing on genuine content that reflects Neil's true self and interests. Listener feedback and support have been crucial in motivating the host to continue producing content, highlighting the importance of community in personal and professional growth. Reaching episode 400 serves as a milestone for reflection on the evolution of the podcast and the lessons learned over the years, emphasising the significance of perseverance and adaptation. Engaging with the podcast has positively impacted the host's mental health, suggesting that creative outlets can provide structure and purpose in challenging times. The podcast has instilled a sense of discipline, requiring regular research, writing, and recording, which has contributed to both personal development and the quality of the content shared with listeners. BEST MOMENTS "I wanted to be a big podcaster, you know, maybe like Joe Rogan sort of thing, all that money, all that influence." "People will not consistently do who they're not, and I'm no exception." "I decided to zoom in on who I am, by my nature. A geek with a restless mind, enormous curiosity, and the annoying habit of asking why." "Whenever I hear from someone telling me that the show helped them or made them laugh, it makes it worthwhile." "You've compelled me to do the writing and to record the podcast for you." VALUABLE RESOURCES www.Neilcowmeadow.com info@neilcowmeadow.com HOST BIO Neil Cowmeadow is a maverick peripatetic guitar teacher from Telford with over 19 years' experience in the business of helping people. Learn how to start, grow and love your business with Neil's invaluable advice and tips without the buzzwords and BS! This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/

Today, Neil digs into the tricky world of staying organised - especially for people with ADHD or brains that work a bit differently. With 26 years of tutoring and coaching under his belt, Neil shares what he's learned about turning the ADHD brain's quirks into strengths for better focus, creativity, and productivity. Instead of preaching discipline, he talks about building systems that actually fit you. KEY TAKEAWAYS Effective organisation is less about discipline and more about having systems in place that support executive function, which is responsible for planning, time management, and impulse control. For individuals with ADHD or similar wiring, motivation is often linked to dopamine. Finding ways to make tasks enjoyable or stimulating can enhance focus and productivity. There is no one-size-fits-all approach to organization. It's essential to create systems that align with how your brain works, which may involve using visual cues, reminders, and gamification techniques. Rather than trying to eliminate chaos, it's more effective to curate and manage it. This involves building structures around your natural tendencies to harness creativity and innovation. When facing challenges with organization, it's important to practice self-compassion. Learning from mistakes and adjusting your systems can lead to better outcomes, allowing for continuous improvement and creativity. BEST MOMENTS "Discipline isn't the secret. Systems are. They told me that systems are basically outsourced executive function." "It's not that we can't focus, it's that we can't regulate what we focus on. We can hyper focus on something fascinating for hours and completely blank out boring stuff." "When you mess up, don't beat yourself up. I really try not to do this. I don't beat myself up very much anymore, but I do laugh." "The goal isn't to cure the chaos. It's to curate it and nurture it, to build scaffolds around it and let it creatively drive the system." "You don't need to get organised like everyone else, but you do need to get organised like you." VALUABLE RESOURCES www.Neilcowmeadow.com info@neilcowmeadow.com HOST BIO Neil Cowmeadow is a maverick peripatetic guitar teacher from Telford with over 19 years' experience in the business of helping people. Learn how to start, grow and love your business with Neil's invaluable advice and tips without the buzzwords and BS! This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/

Life can throw surprises our way, from illness to burnout, and Neil shares why it's so important to be ready with a solid Plan B. In this episode, you'll hear how to choose someone you trust to step in if needed, build a financial cushion, and create passive income streams. Neil also talks about the value of having a recovery plan to help you get back on your feet smoothly after a setback. It's a practical, encouraging episode full of ideas to help solopreneurs stay resilient and keep their businesses strong - no matter what life brings. KEY TAKEAWAYS Every solopreneur should have a practical emergency protocol in place for when they can't work due to illness, injury, or burnout. This plan should outline who will manage the business in their absence and how to maintain income. It's crucial to establish a financial safety net, such as an emergency fund or reserve account, to cover expenses during downtime. This buffer can alleviate stress and provide security when unexpected situations arise. When returning to work after a setback, it's important to ease back in with a manageable workload. Setting up a lightweight version of services and incorporating rest periods into the schedule can help facilitate a smoother transition. Keeping clients informed about any time off for recovery is vital. A simple message about the absence and expected return date can help maintain trust and clarity without over-explaining. Solopreneurs should proactively create systems and procedures that allow the business to continue operating even when they are unavailable. This includes documenting processes and automating tasks to ensure business continuity. BEST MOMENTS "When you're the business, your health, your time and your energy are the product. And if you can't deliver, the business has got no product to sell." "Having a plan B doesn't mean you're pessimistic, it means you're a realist, means you're a professional." "If you ain't working, you ain't earning. So you're going to need a financial buffer." "Don't build a business that collapses the second you need to step back because that's not a business. It's a hamster wheel." "Start building your resilience now while things are going OK. It's a smart move." VALUABLE RESOURCES www.Neilcowmeadow.com info@neilcowmeadow.com HOST BIO Neil Cowmeadow is a maverick peripatetic guitar teacher from Telford with over 19 years' experience in the business of helping people. Learn how to start, grow and love your business with Neil's invaluable advice and tips without the buzzwords and BS! This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/

Neil takes a look at the concept of ‘enclothed cognition', exploring how the clothes we wear can significantly influence our psychological processes, confidence, and performance. Drawing on a 2012 study by psychologists Adam Galinsky and Hajo Adam, Neil discusses how different perceptions of clothing - like a lab coat perceived as a doctor's coat versus a painter's smock - can lead to varying cognitive outcomes. KEY TAKEAWAYS The concept of enclosed cognition suggests that the clothes we wear can significantly influence our psychological processes, such as attention, confidence, and performance. This means that our self-perception can be altered by our clothing choices. Wearing specific types of clothing, like a blazer or dress shoes, during study or work sessions can help shift mindsets from casual to focused, potentially enhancing performance in tasks such as test preparation or professional work. Clothing can serve as part of daily rituals that signal to our brains the roles we are stepping into. This can help reinforce our identity and align it with our goals, leading to improved focus and productivity. While comfort is often prioritised in work-from-home environments, there is a suggestion that dressing more professionally can enhance cognitive performance and overall effectiveness in work tasks. Individuals are encouraged to experiment with their clothing choices to find what works best for them. This includes keeping specific outfits for deep work or important tasks, thereby creating personal signals that promote a productive mindset. BEST MOMENTS "Enclosed cognition refers to the way the clothes we wear influence our psychological processes, our attention, confidence, our performance, even our decision making." "What if the act of simply wearing a blazer or dress shoes during practice sessions subtly shifts their mindset?" "Is this obsession with comfort costing us cognitive performance? Is it taking the edge off us?" "The clothes we wear can signal to our own brain. This is who we are right now." "If you can, just give me a bell. I'd love to find out what that's all about." VALUABLE RESOURCES www.Neilcowmeadow.com info@neilcowmeadow.com HOST BIO Neil Cowmeadow is a maverick peripatetic guitar teacher from Telford with over 19 years' experience in the business of helping people. Learn how to start, grow and love your business with Neil's invaluable advice and tips without the buzzwords and BS! This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/

Today, Neil takes a look at the intriguing concept of money, asserting that it is fundamentally a myth and an illusion. He explores the nature of fiat currency, emphasising that its value is derived from collective agreement rather than intrinsic worth. Throughout the episode, Neil challenges common misconceptions about money, such as the belief that it is inherently bad or hard to obtain. He shares practical advice on managing finances, the importance of understanding assets versus liabilities, and the power of compounding interest. KEY TAKEAWAYS Money is described as an illusion and a fiat currency, meaning it has no intrinsic value and only holds worth because society agrees on its value. Money is neutral and amplifies a person's character. If someone is good or bad, having more money will simply enhance those traits, not change them. Key rules for managing wealth include being aware of your financial situation, spending less than you earn, paying yourself first, and understanding the difference between assets and liabilities. Both interest and debt compound over time. Understanding how compounding works can help in making informed financial decisions, whether saving or borrowing. Continuous learning about money and seeking advice from true experts (not just conventional financial planners) is crucial for developing a positive money mindset and making sound financial decisions. BEST MOMENTS "Money is just an illusion. It's a myth. It's numbers on the screen. It doesn't really exist." "People who tell you they don't talk about money, don't have any." "Money is a resource for good or for bad. In itself, it's neutral." "If you can't manage a few hundred pounds, how on earth are you going to manage millions?" "Money is the silent applause for a job well done." VALUABLE RESOURCES www.Neilcowmeadow.com info@neilcowmeadow.com HOST BIO Neil Cowmeadow is a maverick peripatetic guitar teacher from Telford with over 19 years' experience in the business of helping people. Learn how to start, grow and love your business with Neil's invaluable advice and tips without the buzzwords and BS! This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/

In this episode, Neil delves into the challenges of perfectionism, particularly in the context of improvisation. Drawing from his extensive experience in tutoring and coaching, Neil discusses how perfectionism can paralyse students, especially when they are faced with the unknown in improvisational settings. He introduces the concept of starting with a single note to ease students into the process, emphasising the importance of accepting that first step and asking, "What happens next?" Neil also shares the powerful phrase "yes, and..." from improvisational theatre, illustrating how it can transform challenges into opportunities for growth and creativity. KEY TAKEAWAYS Many students, especially adults, struggle with perfectionism, which can hinder their ability to learn new skills. It's important to create a safe environment where they can make mistakes and learn from them. When working on improvisation, perfectionism can become even more pronounced, leading to paralysis. Students may feel overwhelmed by the lack of a clear endpoint or standard to measure against. To combat perfectionism in improvisation, encouraging students to play a specific note can help. This approach shifts the focus from fear of failure to exploration and curiosity about what comes next. In improvisational theatre, the phrase "yes, and..." is used to accept and build upon ideas. This technique can be applied in various situations, helping to transform challenges into opportunities for growth and collaboration. Accepting that there will always be unknowns and uncertainties in life and learning can help individuals move forward. The use of ellipses in communication signifies anticipation and encourages openness to new possibilities. BEST MOMENTS "Perfectionism strikes to achieve a known finite endpoint without flaw. But this is the unknown. This is the as-yet-uncreated." "The first note carries with it a question. And the first note is rarely an answer in itself." "It's a simple, gorgeous form of words that is so powerful. Yeah, and..." "When a student needs help or is stuck, I say to myself, yeah, and? It feels like those two words take the sting out of it." "Go and say yes and when a problem comes your way. When someone's stuck and ranting at you. Yes and..." VALUABLE RESOURCES www.Neilcowmeadow.com info@neilcowmeadow.com HOST BIO Neil Cowmeadow is a maverick peripatetic guitar teacher from Telford with over 19 years' experience in the business of helping people. Learn how to start, grow and love your business with Neil's invaluable advice and tips without the buzzwords and BS! This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/

Today, Neil delves into the challenges faced by adult guitar students who are revisiting their musical dreams after years of self-doubt and poor instruction. He discusses the pervasive issues of self-belief, perfectionism, and the failure to teach fundamental techniques that can set students up for success. Neil emphasises the importance of addressing these foundational skills to prevent frustration and failure in learning the guitar. KEY TAKEAWAYS Many adult students returning to music often struggle with self-belief and perfectionism, which can hinder their progress. It's important to create an environment that encourages them to pursue their dreams without fear of failure. A significant issue in music education is the failure to teach fundamental techniques. Proper positioning and technique are crucial for long-term success, and neglecting these basics can lead to frustration and eventual dropout. Many students come with a history of inadequate instruction, often from multiple teachers or online sources. It's essential to recognise and address the gaps in their learning rather than criticise their previous teachers. Maintaining a positive relationship with students means refraining from speaking negatively about their former teachers. Instead, focus on providing better guidance and support to help them improve. As educators, there is a responsibility to help students overcome the challenges posed by previous learning experiences. This involves guiding them towards effective techniques that will enhance their skills and enjoyment of music. BEST MOMENTS "It's so sad that a lot of grown-ups are revisiting the dreams of their youth that either they were not able to succeed at or were unable to pursue." "The complete failure to teach the basics is what sets students up to fail right from the get-go." "Good technique isn't glamorous. It's not aspirational. But what it does do is make everything else easier, better and forever." "The very best you and I can hope for as teachers is to surpass what the other guy did and to be better than them for the student." "If you teach a high school activity like guitar, it's on you to fix other people's messes." VALUABLE RESOURCES www.Neilcowmeadow.com info@neilcowmeadow.com HOST BIO Neil Cowmeadow is a maverick peripatetic guitar teacher from Telford with over 19 years' experience in the business of helping people. Learn how to start, grow and love your business with Neil's invaluable advice and tips without the buzzwords and BS! This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/

Neil discusses the damaging myth of perfectionism and how it prevents people from taking action. He shares lessons from his 26 years in business, including experiences as a tutor, coach, and consultant for a major UK property investment company. He emphasises that success is a process of "sequential failure and constant improvement," not a perfect outcome from day one. KEY TAKEAWAYS Perfectionism causes inaction. The desire to be "100% solid gold" and "absolutely optimal" from the start often prevents people from even beginning. Success is a process, not an endpoint. Life and growth are a series of failures, missteps, adjustments, and refinements. Carefully curated success stories and highlight reels on social media and in celebrity culture hide the process of failure and growth that led to that success. Embrace being awful. The first time you do something is likely to be the worst, but it's part of the process of getting better. BEST MOMENTS "So they faff around, divert themselves, and do more research that really only serves to shore up the illusion that they're actually taking action." "You will fail. You will suck. You will be utterly, flap-wagglingly awful at first." "All the evidence and all of my experience tells me that life is a sequence of failures, of missteps, adjustments, and refinements." "Life is an endless and always imperfect game. Get over it." VALUABLE RESOURCES www.Neilcowmeadow.com info@neilcowmeadow.com HOST BIO Neil Cowmeadow is a maverick peripatetic guitar teacher from Telford with over 19 years' experience in the business of helping people. Learn how to start, grow and love your business with Neil's invaluable advice and tips without the buzzwords and BS! This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/

This week on the Better With Running podcast, hosts Chris Armstrong and Zac Newman are joined by returning guest and Run2PB coach, physiotherapist James Telford, for a deep dive into the most challenging part of an athlete's journey: injury. Chris shares his personal update, having a solid 73km week which included a key workout and a 90-minute long run on his new favorite race shoe, the Asics Megablast. He talks about the satisfaction of putting four weeks of consistent training The conversation with James Telford starts with the relatable dilemma every runner faces—a slight niggle that can escalate into a full-blown injury. They explore the psychological factors that make runners hide pain. James and the hosts discuss the critical importance of a coach's role in creating a safe, non-judgmental space for communication.The discussion provides practical advice for both athletes and coaches. He emphasizes the coach's role as a "hub," connecting the athlete to the right professionals—not playing doctor, but facilitating a collaborative process of rehabilitation. This includes setting new, short-term goals, like milestones in physical therapy, to provide a positive psychological focus during the recovery processThis show is in partnership with ⁠Oat Running Socks.⁠Listeners of the show can get a a 15% discount using "run2pb15" at the check out. Visit www⁠.oatrunning.com.au

Today, Neil delves into the often unavoidable experience of rejection in the tutoring business. Neil discusses various scenarios where tutors may face disappointment, such as no-shows, students quitting, or not being hired by prospective clients. Neil encourages listeners to reframe their responses to rejection, viewing it as an opportunity for growth and learning rather than a setback. KEY TAKEAWAYS Experiencing rejection is a common aspect of running a tutoring or coaching business. It's important to recognise that rejection is rarely personal and often reflects a mismatch rather than a failure on your part. How you respond to rejection is within your control. You can either take it personally and feel discouraged or reframe the situation as an opportunity to learn and grow. If you encounter frequent rejections, analyse the reasons behind them. Understanding the context and feedback can help you identify areas for improvement and adapt your approach. When students or clients decide to leave, it's essential to handle the situation with empathy. Acknowledge their reasons and keep the door open for future opportunities, as circumstances may change. Implement the "Don't Deal With Tossers" (DDWT) rule by filtering out clients who are not a good fit for your services. This includes those who are primarily price-driven or who do not engage meaningfully with your offerings. BEST MOMENTS "Part of being in business is the disappointment that comes from feeling rejected. It's rarely personal in my experience." "If they're eliminating themselves from the game, then they're probably not a good fit for you." "Any rejection, any fall down is a valuable chance to learn, adapt and do better." "If it's a no, it's a not yet really, isn't it?" "At the end of the day, rejection is just one of those things. What we choose to think and feel about it is just up to us." VALUABLE RESOURCES www.Neilcowmeadow.com info@neilcowmeadow.com HOST BIO Neil Cowmeadow is a maverick peripatetic guitar teacher from Telford with over 19 years' experience in the business of helping people. Learn how to start, grow and love your business with Neil's invaluable advice and tips without the buzzwords and BS! This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/