Where Are We Going, Anyway? Exploring the Freelance Way with Robert Vlach
Freelancers: Next Gen with Matt Dowling
Release Date: 05/14/2024
Dissecting Freelance Behaviour (and other random musings) with Professor Dan Ariely
Freelancers: Next Gen with Matt Dowling
Dan Ariely is a three-time New York Times Bestselling Author and a leading figure in the fields of Psychology and Behavioral Economics. One of his great strengths is how he unravels the complexities of human behaviour, explaining why we make the decisions we do and how we can make better ones. With a rich background that includes collaborations with global giants like Google and Apple, TED and the World Economic Forum, as well as advising governments worldwide, we were keen to get Dan's thoughts on freelancing. We discuss the role of playfulness, the freelance psyche, making time to think,...
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A Rising Tide Lifts All Boats with the Founder of Freelancer Magazine, Sophie Cross
Freelancers: Next Gen with Matt Dowling
I stumbled across the Freelancer Magazine in highly unusual circumstances but when I did, I was absolutely thrilled to see that someone had decided to celebrate the works of solopreneurs and spotlight self-employed stories. Sophie Cross launched Freelancer Magazine three years ago and the publication continues to thrive. They boast growing community of readers, online and offline (yes, there's a print version!) and contribute to the way we all view freelancing. In this episode, we talk about our relationship with the term ‘freelancer’, virtual co-working, how to engage a...
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Mental Health and The Modern Student Experience with Louise Lyons-Appiah
Freelancers: Next Gen with Matt Dowling
I first met Louise when she reached out for a meeting and laid bare her story. At just 20 years old, she co-founded BreatheUni with her brother, an initiative that creates non-judgemental spaces for students looking to learn about mental health, equality, diversity and inclusion. Sessions were held with peers who are Mental Health First Aiders who can signpost relevant information and resources. In this episode, we discuss: Louise's battle with imposter syndrome, racial trauma, and gender inequality The student experience today The importance of language and support systems The power of...
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Do Freelancers In The UK Need More Legal Protections? Talking Legislation With Rafael Espinal Of Freelancers Union
Freelancers: Next Gen with Matt Dowling
Rafael Espinal is the Executive Director of the Freelancers Union, a non-profit organisation serving as a support system for independents, based in New York. Rafael oversees the organisation's umbrella and brings his wealth of experience and dedication to advocacy to support and champion the rights of freelancers and independent workers. Before joining Freelancers Union, Rafael played a pivotal role in actioning the Freelance Isn't Free bill. In this episode of Freelancers: Next Gen, we discuss the blurred lines between post-pandemic working options and the allure of freelancing, how...
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Where Are We Going, Anyway? Exploring the Freelance Way with Robert Vlach
Freelancers: Next Gen with Matt Dowling
It's rare to sit down with a person who is equally as obsessed with freelancing and delve deep into topics that have consumed you for years. This is one of those moments. Our conversation traversed from the teachability of business to the significance of language, the pros and cons of AI, and the future landscape of freelancing. Although we aim to keep each episode consice, there were too many juicy morcels that we had to keep them in and release a longer episode than normal. is a leading expert on freelance entrepreneurship and a senior business consultant specialising in supporting...
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"It's Not One-Size-Fits All". From 9 - 5 To Freelance Extraordinaire with Helen Hill
Freelancers: Next Gen with Matt Dowling
On this episode, I had the opportunity to sit down with Helen Hill, a remarkable individual whose journey is a testament to resilience, resourcefulness, and a touch of unexpected brilliance. Battling two chronic health conditions, anxiety, depression, and panic attacks, my guest’s mornings often started with tears at the foot of her bed and physical and emotional exhaustion so acute that it led to her to fall asleep behind the wheel, more than once. Navigating a landscape where mental health struggles were met with scepticism from her own team, she found herself ensnared in a...
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Students Are Unprepared For Today's World Of Work with Enterprise Manager, Victoria Fabbri of UAL
Freelancers: Next Gen with Matt Dowling
Students Are Unprepared For Today's World Of Work was the provacation we put to Victoria Fabbri, an Enterprise Manager at the University of the Arts London for this episode of Freelancers: Next Gen. UAL is known for its work nurturing freelancers and small businesses in the creative industries and Vicky's 15+ years of experience came to the fore in this fascinating conversation. We explore the current working landscape from the perspective of solopreneurship, the expectations of students, innovative solutions to real-world freelance experience and lots more.
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Meeting the Demands of a Rapidly Changing World of Work - Yasmina Mallam-Hassam
Freelancers: Next Gen with Matt Dowling
As the Associate Director of Careers and Employability at Goldsmiths University in London, my guest is faced with a rapidly changing world of work and adapting to the way students are engaging with their university experience. We discuss the challenges faced by universities when it comes to engagement, whether or not the current system of measuring success is fit for purpose and how Goldsmiths integrate principles of diversity and inclusion into their services. We are delighted to welcome, Yasmina Mallam-Hassam.
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Acting, Academia & How To Revolutionise Entrepreneurialism in HE - Steven Sparling PHD
Freelancers: Next Gen with Matt Dowling
Welcome to Freelancers: Next Gen podcast. In this episoide I had the pleasure of speaking with an actor turned academic who, after many years imparting his entrepreneurial wisdom, is planning a return to the world of freelancing. We delve into the intricacies of teaching entrepreneurship, explore the impact of politics on budding freelancers, and propose innovative ways for universities to align with the evolving demands of the modern work landscape. It's my great pleasure to introduce Steven Sparling.
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The Importance of Role Models to Promote Diversity, Tackling Imposter Syndrome and Walking the Walk - Enterprise Educator, Rifhat Quershi
Freelancers: Next Gen with Matt Dowling
Join me as I host a true trailblazer in the world of freelancing and entrepreneurship. My guest today not only champions diversity and inclusion, she lives and breathes it in every aspect of her remarkable journey. As a business owner, freelancer, consultant, devoted mother, mentor, and presently a lecturer in Enterprise Education at Cardiff Met University, she's exemplified what it means to walk the walk. We discuss the highs and lows of launching a fashion brand tailored to Muslim women, to her unwavering belief in the transformative power of role models. We outline the need to...
info_outlineIt's rare to sit down with a person who is equally as obsessed with freelancing and delve deep into topics that have consumed you for years. This is one of those moments.
Our conversation traversed from the teachability of business to the significance of language, the pros and cons of AI, and the future landscape of freelancing. Although we aim to keep each episode consice, there were too many juicy morcels that we had to keep them in and release a longer episode than normal.
Robert Vlach is a leading expert on freelance entrepreneurship and a senior business consultant specialising in supporting independent professionals and business owners. His book The Freelance Way, has become an international business bestseller translated into five other languages. Robert is the founder of Freelancing.eu and Navolnenoze.cz — two of the largest freelance communities in Europe.