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What if we could build a world where human connection trumps credentials? Where seeing the gold in others becomes a superpower? In this illuminating conversation, collaboration catalyst Gill Tiney reveals the transformative journey that shaped her mission to connect good people globally.

Growing up in the multicultural East End of London in the 1960s gave Gill a unique perspective. As one of only two white children in her school, difference became something to celebrate rather than fear. "Different to me meant good. Different to me meant adventure," she shares, describing how this foundation shaped her entire worldview. This early experience crystallized into Collaboration Global's core value: "human beings first" – a refreshingly straightforward approach cutting through labels to focus on authentic connection.

The impact of Gill's work extends far beyond business networking. While members certainly experience economic benefits, she shares profound stories of lives transformed: addiction recovery, family reconciliation, and even suicide prevention. Perhaps most striking is her ability to see "gold threads" between people – recognizing complementary strengths and opportunities individuals themselves often overlook, like the surveyor and office supplies company who sat beside each other for months without realizing their perfect business alignment.

Gill's vision emerges as something extraordinary – an "online country" experimenting with collaborative approaches to global challenges. She draws inspiration from movements like Black Lives Matter and Extinction Rebellion, valuing collective impact over individual recognition. Her guiding philosophy comes from anthropologist Margaret Mead: "Never doubt that a small group of committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has."

For those feeling overwhelmed by global problems, Gill offers simple yet profound wisdom: connect with good people, celebrate small wins, and trust that your authentic self is exactly what the world needs. Experience this collaborative energy yourself by visiting https://www.collaborationglobal.org and discovering how your unique talents might interweave with others to create something truly transformative.

Tune in next week for more stories of 'Distinction & Genius' from The Good Listening To Show 'Clearing'. If you would like to be my Guest too then you can find out HOW via the different 'series strands' at 'The Good Listening To Show' website.

• Show Website: https://www.thegoodlisteningtoshow.com
• You can email me about the Show: chris@secondcurve.uk
• Twitter thatchrisgrimes
• LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-grimes-actor-broadcaster-facilitator-coach/
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Every TV Sitcom yo've ever loved has been touched by this man's genius!

What does it take to shepherding some of the most beloved British comedy shows from idea to cultural phenomenon? Jon Plowman OBE—the executive producer behind The Office, Absolutely Fabulous, Vicar of Dibley, Inside No. 9, and countless other comedy classics—offers a rare glimpse into the creative chaos that birthed these iconic programs.

From surviving a motorcycle accident that landed him in the hospital (with a parade of celebrities visiting his bedside) to the surreal experience of being interviewed for Oxford University by candlelight during a power outage, Plowman's journey through British television is as unexpected as it is enlightening. His revelation about arriving at a meeting with French and Saunders three weeks before filming to find their "script" consisted of merely four Post-it notes on a wall surrounded by celebrity magazines speaks volumes about the creative genius he helped nurture throughout his career.

The most valuable lesson from Plowman's storied career might be his philosophy of "never shouting cut"—allowing the moments between scripted lines and official filming to capture spontaneous comedy gold. This approach led to some of the most memorable moments in shows like Absolutely Fabulous, where improvisation flourished in the spaces between what was written and what naturally emerged on set.

Beyond the humorous anecdotes—including the delightfully absurd story of settling a dispute between David Walliams and Matt Lucas about the appropriate size of a certain stain on a jacket lapel during a Little Britain sketch—lies Plowman's profound insight into recognizing and cultivating comedy genius. Whether championing Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant's revolutionary mockumentary format for The Office or supporting Reece Shearsmith and Steve Pemberton's anthology vision for Inside No. 9 against network pressures, Plowman's instinct for spotting innovation has shaped decades of entertainment.

Ready to discover how the most iconic British comedy shows made it from concept to screen? Listen now and learn from the man Matt Lucas dubbed "The Godfather of Comedy."

Tune in next week for more stories of 'Distinction & Genius' from The Good Listening To Show 'Clearing'. If you would like to be my Guest too then you can find out HOW via the different 'series strands' at 'The Good Listening To Show' website.

• Show Website: https://www.thegoodlisteningtoshow.com
• You can email me about the Show: chris@secondcurve.uk
• Twitter thatchrisgrimes
• LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-grimes-actor-broadcaster-facilitator-coach/
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Mike McCartney opens the door to his extraordinary life with warmth, humor, and profound insight in this captivating conversation. The renowned photographer, musician, and cultural storyteller shares intimate tales of growing up in post-war Liverpool, revealing how losing his mother at age twelve pushed him toward creativity as both salvation and expression.

With classic Liverpudlian wit, Mike recounts discovering photography through a failed attempt to capture "giant seagulls" with the family box camera, leading to a self-taught journey that would eventually see his work acquired by the National Portrait Gallery. Parallel to this, we hear the origin story of The Scaffold and their hit "Thank You Very Much," which became an unexpected royal favorite (though the Queen Mother might have misheard a Liverpool FC reference as a tribute to herself).

Between laughter and occasional moments of raw emotion, Mike illuminates the cultural revolution of the 1960s, describing how art confronted class divisions and opened minds. His stories meander through chance encounters with figures like Marlon Brando, Salvador Dalí's surrealist influence, and pivotal moments that altered his trajectory—including breaking his arm, which led to his brother Paul taking over his drum kit.

The conversation deepens as Mike reflects on legacy, suggesting that bringing joy to others through creative work may be our most meaningful contribution. His philosophy emerges: seek what you love, embrace serendipity, and never underestimate the power of gentle subversion—like hiding anti-war sentiment in a cheerful pop song that reached number four in the charts.

Discover the remarkable story behind the man who documented a generation while helping shape its soundtrack. Mike's upcoming limited edition photography book "Mike McCartney's Early Liverpool" and the Scaffold box set releasing in April promise to further preserve this vital cultural legacy.

Tune in next week for more stories of 'Distinction & Genius' from The Good Listening To Show 'Clearing'. If you would like to be my Guest too then you can find out HOW via the different 'series strands' at 'The Good Listening To Show' website.

• Show Website: https://www.thegoodlisteningtoshow.com
• You can email me about the Show: chris@secondcurve.uk
• Twitter thatchrisgrimes
• LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-grimes-actor-broadcaster-facilitator-coach/
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From boarding school trauma to embodying one of fiction's greatest detectives, Michael Maloney's theatrical journey reveals how life's most difficult experiences often forge our greatest strengths. The acclaimed British Actor joins us from his dressing room in Birmingham—fresh from celebrating his 100th performance as Hercule Poirot in the touring production of Agatha Christie's "Murder on the Orient Express"

With disarming honesty, Michael explores how being sent away from home at age 7 permanently altered his sense of belonging. "You cease to become a member of a family immediately," he reflects, describing how this early separation forced him into premature self-sufficiency while creating emotional wounds he would later need to address. This experience, along with his Roman Catholic upbringing, established complex foundations that would eventually serve his acting career in unexpected ways.

The conversation shifts to his transformative years at the Royal Shakespeare Company, where Michael found himself amidst theatrical royalty—Derek Jacobi, Michael Gambon, Helen Mirren, and a young Mark Rylance. Their anarchic creativity, set against the backdrop of early 80s punk and new wave, shaped his understanding of classical discipline and theatrical expression. "We were all over the shop," he laughs, "and enjoying ourselves."

Michael's reflections on the power of the spoken word reveal his deep appreciation for poetry and heightened language. He shares how sports provides a perfect metaphor for performance: some nights you win, some you lose, some you draw—but you always return to play again. This philosophy has helped him navigate the highs and lows of theatrical reviews throughout his career.

Now at 67, finding himself unexpectedly cast as Poirot, Michael approaches each performance with the discipline earned through decades of classical training. When asked about his legacy, his answer is characteristically straightforward: "A proper actor... of significance and stature." Join us for this intimate conversation with a performer who has continuously found new ways to transform life's challenges into art.

Tune in next week for more stories of 'Distinction & Genius' from The Good Listening To Show 'Clearing'. If you would like to be my Guest too then you can find out HOW via the different 'series strands' at 'The Good Listening To Show' website.

• Show Website: https://www.thegoodlisteningtoshow.com
• You can email me about the Show: chris@secondcurve.uk
• Twitter thatchrisgrimes
• LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-grimes-actor-broadcaster-facilitator-coach/
• FaceBook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/842056403204860

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Charlie Mullins, founder of Pimlico Plumbers and now chairman of We Fix London, shares his extraordinary journey from council estate kid to selling his plumbing empire for £140 million and starting again with a new venture.

What happens when a working-class kid with no qualifications sells a plumbing empire for £140 million, then decides to start all over again? Charlie Mullins, the unmistakable founder of Pimlico Plumbers (often compared to Rod Stewart), takes us on an exhilarating journey through his remarkable life story - from council estate beginnings to entrepreneurial legend.

Charlie's story begins with a chance encounter that changed everything. As a young boy growing up in a rough London neighborhood, he met Bill Ellis - a local plumber with a car, motorbike, nice clothes, and money. That moment planted the seed for what would become a lifelong passion. "Where I am today is due to one guy just explaining to me what he does and how he makes his money," Charlie reflects. This early inspiration shows how powerful visible role models can be for young people seeking a path forward.

Despite leaving school at 15 with no qualifications, Charlie built Pimlico Plumbers into London's most recognized service company before selling it for £140 million. But rather than retiring to Marbella, his entrepreneurial spirit couldn't be contained. After a three-year non-compete clause expired, he launched We Fix London in October 2024, determined to outdo his former company with the personal touch and family feel he believes has been lost under corporate ownership. As Charlie puts it with his characteristic directness: "It's all about the relationship, stupid!" His "bish bash bosh" approach prioritizes transparency, quality, and personal service in a world increasingly dominated by automation and AI.

Charlie's refreshing philosophy challenges conventional wisdom about success. "You don't need brains to be successful," he insists, championing qualities like drive, enthusiasm, and work ethic instead. His passionate advocacy for apprenticeships and trades offers an alternative narrative to university education: "Get an apprenticeship with a trade, you'll never be out of work and you'll earn loads of money." Ready to fix your future? Charlie Mullins shows it's never too late to rise like a phoenix and build something extraordinary.

• How growing up on a council estate motivated Charlie to work hard and create a different life
• Boxing as a formative experience that taught discipline and resilience
• The value of apprenticeships and trades as pathways to success without academic qualifications
• Charlie's philosophy that "a man who never made a mistake never made nothing"

If you'd like advice from Charlie about starting or growing a business, reach out through his website or social

Tune in next week for more stories of 'Distinction & Genius' from The Good Listening To Show 'Clearing'. If you would like to be my Guest too then you can find out HOW via the different 'series strands' at 'The Good Listening To Show' website.

• Show Website: https://www.thegoodlisteningtoshow.com
• You can email me about the Show: chris@secondcurve.uk
• Twitter thatchrisgrimes
• LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-grimes-actor-broadcaster-facilitator-coach/
• FaceBook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/842056403204860

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Welcome to the enchanting world of 'Legacy Life Reflections' a storytelling sanctuary unlike any Podcast you've encountered before! Your Host, Motivational Comedian Chris Grimes has crafted a unique narrative journey—one that begins in your personal "Clearing," that special place where mental clutter falls away and inspiration flows freely.

The magic of this format lies in its thoughtful structure. Picture a tree appearing in your clearing—your tree—which Chris will gently shake to discover which storytelling "apples" naturally fall. Through the "5-4-3-2-1" framework, you'll explore four influences that shaped you, three sources of inspiration, two irresistible distractions (your "squirrels"), and one quirky fact nobody could possibly know until you share it. This structured yet flexible approach creates the perfect balance between guidance and discovery.

As your journey continues, you'll explore moments of personal "alchemy and gold"—times when purpose and flow aligned to create your happiest experiences. You'll receive a celebratory cake (yes, an actual cake gets sent to guests!), and place a metaphorical cherry on top through sharing inspirational quotes and advice you'd offer to your younger self. The experience culminates with reflections on legacy, borrowing from Shakespeare's wisdom that "all the world's a stage," to contemplate how you'd most like to be remembered. Before departing this storytelling landscape, you'll "pass the golden baton" to someone else whose story deserves this same thoughtful exploration.

Whether you're a potential guest or an avid listener, Legacy Life Reflections offers a refreshingly meaningful alternative to standard interview formats. Subscribe now to experience storytelling that transforms personal narratives into lasting legacies and discover what stories might fall when your own tree is shaken.

Tune in next week for more stories of 'Distinction & Genius' from The Good Listening To Show 'Clearing'. If you would like to be my Guest too then you can find out HOW via the different 'series strands' at 'The Good Listening To Show' website.

• Show Website: https://www.thegoodlisteningtoshow.com
• You can email me about the Show: chris@secondcurve.uk
• Twitter thatchrisgrimes
• LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-grimes-actor-broadcaster-facilitator-coach/
• FaceBook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/842056403204860

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What shapes a Global Marketing Leader's perspective? For Antonia Wade, PwC's Global Chief Marketing Officer and Marketing Week's Marketeer of the Year, Leadership Excellence stems from finding balance between professional ambition and personal fulfillment.

Sitting in her study – her physical "Clearing" amid family life with two teenagers, a husband, and a dog named Biscuit – Antonia reflects on the formative experiences that built her leadership philosophy. Her journey from Architecture student to being Global Head of Marketing at PwC wasn't straightforward, but architectural thinking gave her the perfect foundation: balancing creativity with pragmatism while solving complex problems.

The conversation explores how Antonia manages a Worldwide Team across time-zones without sacrificing her own boundaries. "If I'm emailing at the weekend, even if I don't intend for people to respond, they feel like they have to," she explains, highlighting how leadership behaviors unconsciously shape team culture. This awareness permeates her approach – protecting weekends, making time for cooking (her delightful "squirrel" distraction), and prioritizing family.

At the heart of Antonia's Leadership perspective is a powerful guiding principle: "You are where you are today because of the decisions you made 5 years ago." This insight helps her evaluate current choices with future impact in mind while giving her team a framework for intentional career development. She complements this with advice from a former mentor: focus on "the things that only you can do" rather than trying to be everything to everyone.

Beyond her professional insights, we discover Antonia's near-win in the Wildlife Photographer of the Year Award, her love of reading a novel weekly, and how she wrote her book "Transforming the B2B Buyer Journey" during gardening leave and airport layovers. Her parting advice embodies her leadership philosophy: "Be curious but also be bold and ambitious. You might as well push for the things you want – you certainly don't get what you want if you don't ask for it."

Antonia Wade, Global Chief Marketing Officer at PwC and Marketing Week's Marketeer of the Year, shares her leadership journey and personal philosophy for maintaining balance in a demanding global role.

• Finding your "clearing" - both physical and mental spaces for reflection and rejuvenation
• How studying architecture created a foundation for balancing creativity and pragmatism in marketing
• The importance of setting boundaries with work communications to model healthy behavior for your team
• Making decisions today with awareness of their impact on your life five years from now
• Focusing on "what only you can do" rather than trying to be everything to everyone
• Finding inspiration through global travel,

Tune in next week for more stories of 'Distinction & Genius' from The Good Listening To Show 'Clearing'. If you would like to be my Guest too then you can find out HOW via the different 'series strands' at 'The Good Listening To Show' website.

• Show Website: https://www.thegoodlisteningtoshow.com
• You can email me about the Show: chris@secondcurve.uk
• Twitter thatchrisgrimes
• LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-grimes-actor-broadcaster-facilitator-coach/
• FaceBook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/842056403204860

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Ben Akers never expected to become a Mental Health advocate. But when his childhood best friend Steve died by suicide 10 ago, everything changed. Confronted with the staggering reality that suicide is the biggest killer of men, Akers channeled his grief and advertising background into creating 'Talk Club' – a revolutionary approach to men's mental fitness that's now saving lives across the UK and beyond.

At the heart of Talk Club's genius is stunning simplicity: "How are you? Out of 10?" This numerical scale gives men a framework to express their emotional state without struggling with what Akers calls "the foreign language of feelings." Where men typically respond with a reflexive "I'm fine," the number system creates an opening for honesty. "If you're a higher number and regularly a higher number," Akers explains, "you're mentally fit, you're mentally strong, and you're good for everyone around you."

From its first meeting at Bristol Beer Factory in April 2019, Talk Club has expanded to 120+ venues nationwide with over 5,000 members. The organization has formed strategic partnerships, including creating Clearhead non-alcoholic beer, allowing men to gather in comfortable spaces without alcohol's potential mental health impacts. Every aspect of Talk Club reflects Akers' design philosophy: make it accessible, remove barriers, and speak directly to men as they are.

The movement reframes mental health conversations through the lens of fitness rather than illness. Just as we congratulate someone for going to the gym, Akers wants mental health maintenance celebrated rather than questioned. He applies his personal philosophy – "Does it make you better?" – to every decision, encouraging men to evaluate relationships, work, and habits through this simple yet profound lens.

Whether you're struggling personally, concerned about someone in your life, or simply interested in supporting mental fitness, visit talkclub.org today. As Akers proves through his work, sometimes the smallest questions can save the biggest lives.

Find out more at talkclub.org or email hello@talkclub.org to get involved, donate, or start your own Talk Club.

Tune in next week for more stories of 'Distinction & Genius' from The Good Listening To Show 'Clearing'. If you would like to be my Guest too then you can find out HOW via the different 'series strands' at 'The Good Listening To Show' website.

• Show Website: https://www.thegoodlisteningtoshow.com
• You can email me about the Show: chris@secondcurve.uk
• Twitter thatchrisgrimes
• LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-grimes-actor-broadcaster-facilitator-coach/
• FaceBook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/842056403204860

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