Dear 26 Year Old Me

The Dear 26 Year Old Me team are back! You are going to love these stories of perseverance, personal growth, risk taking and how some incredible individuals have developed as leaders. Expect laughter, tears, and a whole lot of inspiration with Ben, Tom, Gareth and this season’s new team member….Olivia!

Keep Fun Alive 3 05/14/2020

Keep Fun Alive 3 This week we encourage you to think about your leadership style – touching on the topics of authenticity, core values and self-improvement. We hope you enjoy! /episode/index/show/dear26yearoldme/id/14423330

S3 E3 Chris Morris Interview 05/13/2020

S3 E3 Chris Morris Interview The next episode of Dear 26 Year Old Me is out now! In this episode we speak with business mentor and leader Chris Morris about culture, growth, leadership and believing in people. /episode/index/show/dear26yearoldme/id/14403683

Keep Fun Alive 2 05/07/2020

Keep Fun Alive 2 In this episode we discuss the power of community during COVID-19 - how to build a strong support network during lockdown. /episode/index/show/dear26yearoldme/id/14324318

S3 E2 Dr Robi Interview 05/05/2020

S3 E2 Dr Robi Interview In the most recent episode of Dear 26 Year Old Me, I sat down with celebrity snowboard instructor turned world-renowned clinical psychologist Dr Robi Sonderegger. /episode/index/show/dear26yearoldme/id/14294534

Keep Fun Alive 1 04/30/2020

Keep Fun Alive 1 In this podcast, we discuss what life will look like when the lockdown is FINALLY lifted. /episode/index/show/dear26yearoldme/id/14221775

S3 E1 Steve McClaren Interview 04/28/2020

S3 E1 Steve McClaren Interview Listen to Steve McClaren, former England football manager, talk about how he took his team from losing 7-0, to creating a UEFA Cup final team in just 2 months, through putting his own universal management and leadership principles in place. /episode/index/show/dear26yearoldme/id/14187398

Covid-19 Special 04/22/2020

Covid-19 Special In this Covid19 Special, I sat down for a chat with Matt Friedman who shared some incredible insights about our current situation, as well what we can expect to see in future, as a result of this pandemic. Matt Friedman is an award-winning speaker, offering technical advice to governments, banks and corporations on fighting modern slavery, and is the author of nine books. He has a wealth of international human trafficking knowledge, with more than 30 years’ experience with USAID and the United Nations. /episode/index/show/dear26yearoldme/id/14096561

S2 E8 Lulu Interview 07/23/2018

S2 E8 Lulu Interview Well, friends….I promised we would be introducing you to some INCREDIBLE people…. for our last episode in season 2, we introduce you to Marie McDonald McLaughlin Lawrie…or as you may know her…LULU!!! Hear how this Glasgow girl found fame at 14, sold thousands of records around the world, was awarded an OBE and was asked on a date by Eric Clapton! Sit back, relax, and enjoy Lulu’s story (including possibly the best ending we’ve ever had to an episode) and her advice to her 26 year old self. SOOO /episode/index/show/dear26yearoldme/id/6843559

S2 E7 Sir Peter Fahy Interview 07/16/2018

S2 E7 Sir Peter Fahy Interview What an utter privilege to welcome the former Chief Constable of Greater Manchester Police and CEO of Retrak, Sir Peter Fahy who shares what it is like to manage one of the country’s largest police forces, how to maintain personal integrity and what it was like to experience two of his officers being executed. A powerful and challenging interview, this is one you will not want to miss. /episode/index/show/dear26yearoldme/id/6815447

S2 E6 Yardena Grifhorst Interview 07/09/2018

S2 E6 Yardena Grifhorst Interview When you think of the Netherlands, you might think of bicycles, clogs and tulips…but in this week’s episode we introduce you to one of the country’s most exciting exports, founder of Onshus, Yardena Grifhorst! Onshus now supply INCREDIBLE home furnishing all over the world and Yardena talks about starting the business, balancing being a mother and an entrepreneur, and learning to let go of control on the business she founded. You'll LOVE the incredible business, leadership and life lessons in this epi /episode/index/show/dear26yearoldme/id/6791448

S2 E5 Simon Ward Interview 07/02/2018

S2 E5 Simon Ward Interview Simon Ward was formerly the Chief Operating Officer for the British Fashion Council and was responsible for London Fashion Week, the highlight of the British fashion industry calendar. He talks openly about the challenges of working in the fashion industry, the ethics of working practice, and how he developed a career after training as an opera singer. Join Ben, Tom, Ellie, and Gareth as they explore the inspirational journey of one of British fashion’s great influencers! /episode/index/show/dear26yearoldme/id/6767917

S2 E4 Rachel Ray Interview 06/25/2018

S2 E4 Rachel Ray Interview Rachel Ray founded “Bright and Beautiful" after she decided she wanted to change the balance of her life. She identified a need among many working families to provide support, and make family life better. That business has since gone national and is now generating millions of pounds of turnover across hundreds of franchises. Hear Rachel’s incredible story of how she built a culture, recruited the right people and eventually sold the business to the right buyer. /episode/index/show/dear26yearoldme/id/6741314

S2 E3 Ram Gidoomal Interview 06/19/2018

S2 E3 Ram Gidoomal Interview Ram Gidoomal CBE arrived in the UK as a refugee. Since then he has gone on to build a huge business, retire at 37 years old, be awarded a CBE by Her Majesty The Queen, and run for London Mayor. He has quite simply one of THE most extraordinary stories and we CANNOT WAIT for you to hear it. /episode/index/show/dear26yearoldme/id/6715742

S2 E2 Donalda MacKinnon Interview 06/12/2018

S2 E2 Donalda MacKinnon Interview From her roots on the remote Scottish island of Harris to becoming Director of BBC Scotland, Donalda MacKinnon has experienced an incredible career in media. In this wide-ranging interview, Donalda shares how she rose through the ranks, what she sees are the priorities for the BBC and how she is attempting to tackle issues of gender imbalance, pay inequality and corporate culture as part of her role. Join Ben, Gareth, Tom and Ellie as they explore what Donalda MacKinnon would say to her Dear 26 Year Old Me /episode/index/show/dear26yearoldme/id/6694900

S2 E1 Kriss Akabusi Interview 06/05/2018

S2 E1 Kriss Akabusi Interview Season two starts with a BOOM as we welcome former Olympian, TV personality, and all round legend Kriss Akabusi. Kriss joins the D26YOM team as he shares his incredible story from struggling with identity following a childhood in care homes, finding value in discipline through his time in the army, and how THAT ’91 World Championships relay gold shaped his thinking on strategy, taking risks and recognising what it takes to be a champion at whatever you do. /episode/index/show/dear26yearoldme/id/6663604

S1 E8 Vincent Vieugue Interview 03/27/2018

S1 E8 Vincent Vieugue Interview Vincent Vieugue is a geophysicist who has worked for 25 years in the oil and gas industry. Despite being French, he has never worked in France but instead everywhere from Norway to Africa to New York and London. In this fascinating episode, Vincent shares how to maintain integrity in an industry that pushes the boundaries, how to start a new business and how to get the most out of the people around you. Also, Gareth talks about Vanessa Feltz. You won’t want to miss this one! /episode/index/show/dear26yearoldme/id/6412926

S1 E7 Andrew Burton Interview 03/20/2018

S1 E7 Andrew Burton Interview Andrew Burton started the Thrifty Car Hire franchise in the UK, growing it to multiple locations across the country. Andrew has since bought and and sold the company TWICE before moving into a new industry. Find out about Andrew’s journey and the one piece of advice he gave Ben that transformed his thinking on leadership. /episode/index/show/dear26yearoldme/id/6381485

S1 E6 Gary Grant Interview 03/12/2018

S1 E6 Gary Grant Interview Gary Grant founded his first toy store with his wife Catherine in 1981. Little did they know, in the space of just over 30 years The Entertainer would grow to over 140 UK stores and 13 international locations. Gary’s life has been marked by risk, opportunity and learning what it means to lead in business. Join Ben and the team as they explore the fascinating journey of one the country's most talked about businessmen. /episode/index/show/dear26yearoldme/id/6358187

S1 E5 David Kinnaman Interview 03/06/2018

S1 E5 David Kinnaman Interview David Kinnaman is the author of the bestselling books Good Faith, You Lost Me and unChristian. He is president of Barna Group, a leading research and communications company that works with churches, nonprofits, and businesses ranging from film studios to financial services. Since 1995, David has directed interviews with nearly one million individuals and overseen hundreds of global research studies. Join Ben and the team as they hear more of David’s story and the lessons he has learned about leadership. /episode/index/show/dear26yearoldme/id/6324134

S1 E4 Allan Gibson Interview 02/26/2018

S1 E4 Allan Gibson Interview Having progressed through the ranks to become Commander and Assistant Commissioner at the Metropolitan Police (the UK’s largest police force), Allan Gibson holds a unique perspective on leadership and career development. Join Ben Cooley, Tom Lister and Gareth Russell as they explore Allan’s story and discuss trends from the world of business. /episode/index/show/dear26yearoldme/id/6304137

S1 E3 William Adoasi Interview 02/19/2018

S1 E3 William Adoasi Interview William Adoasi started his first business at the age of 19. The 27 year old Londoner has had four businesses to his name and has now built Vitae London, winning admirers from Richard Branson to Emeli Sandé. Vitae London now sells luxury watches worldwide, with every sale helping orphans in South Africa receive an education. Hear his incredible story and join Ben and the team in this unmissable episode of ‘Dear 26 Year Old Me.’ /episode/index/show/dear26yearoldme/id/6278325

S1 E2 Peter Elson Interview 02/13/2018

S1 E2 Peter Elson Interview Peter Elson started his career overseeing bouncy castles and is now Chief Operating Officer for a FTSE 250 company. It’s been an incredible career trajectory but throughout his life he has learned a great deal about how to maintain integrity in the corporate environment, how to manage teams effectively and how to prioritise what really matters most in life. Join Ben, Tom, Gareth and Rose as they discover the inspiring story of Peter’s career, and discuss some of their own experiences of work and life. /episode/index/show/dear26yearoldme/id/6252817

S1 E1 Tom Lister Interview 02/01/2018

S1 E1 Tom Lister Interview Tom Lister is currently playing the male lead, Julian Marsh, in the musical 42nd Street on London’s West End. Tom previously starred as Carl King on ITV’s Emmerdale for over ten years. During his career he has experienced the highs and lows of acting and has used his platform to raise awareness of issues of injustice around the world. /episode/index/show/dear26yearoldme/id/6214342

Dear 26 Year Old Me

TOPICS