EP 404 - Can improv and humour make you a better leader - and even grow your bottom line?

Neil Mullarkey (Comedy Store Players co-founder with Mike Myers, seen on Whose Line Is It Anyway and Austin Powers) shows how improv’s “Yes, And” mindset, listening with intent, and affiliative humour boost leadership, sales, creativity, and team culture.

We unpack practical tools Neil teaches at London Business School and in boardrooms across 25+ countries: running better meetings and Zooms, building psychological safety, using Pixar-style “plussing,” navigating change, and why funny people make better leaders.

What you’ll learn:

How improv drives creativity, collaboration, and faster decisions

The difference between affiliative vs. dis-affiliative humour (and why banter can backfire)

Listening with intent: the leadership meta-skill that wins deals and trust

Running high-energy meetings (in-person & remote): chat prompts, quick polls, and participation hacks

Why “Yes, And” beats rigid scripts for sales, client work, and stakeholder buy-in

*For Apple Podcast chapters, access them from the menu in the bottom right corner of your player*

Spotify Video Chapters:

00:00 BWB with Neil Mullarkey

01:20 Neil's Journey in Comedy and Improv

05:42 The Birth of Comedy Store Players

08:12 Improv Techniques and Their Applications

19:13 Improv in Business and Leadership

24:05 Effective Meeting Strategies

32:31 Innovative Meeting Strategies

33:35 The Role of Improv in Leadership

36:07 Handling Resistance and Transformation

41:45 Humour in the Workplace

47:32 Improv Skills for Personal Growth

56:27 Quickfire - Get To Know Neil

57:54 !Business or Bullshit Quiz!

businesswithoutbullshit.me

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EP 403 - AI is being sold as a miracle productivity tool​, but is it actually killing our ability to think?

We revisit our conversation with AI expert, author​ and speaker​ David Birss who explores the hidden dangers of generative AI - from outsourcing imagination to the slow erosion of human originality.

We explore the myth of AI productivity​, unpacking why most companies are implementing AI the wrong way, why “adequacy” is replacing excellence, and how the obsession with productivity is leading to burnout rather than breakthroughs.

David explains his Sensible AI Manifesto, showing why businesses must use AI to augment skills, not automate talent.

From ChatGPT in the workplace to the risk of Gen Z losing brain power, this episode covers the biggest questions around AI:

• Is generative AI replacing excellence with adequacy?
• How can AI increase output without destroying originality?
• What are the real risks of AI for business, education, and society?
• Could AI be weaponised - and are governments already falling behind?

Essential listening​ if you’re searching for the truth about AI in business, creativity, and the future of work.

*For Apple Podcast chapters, access them from the menu in the bottom right corner of your player*

Spotify Video Chapters:

00:00 BWB with David Birss

00:43 Meet David - AI Expert and Innovator

01:41 The Sensible AI Manifesto: Origins and Purpose

03:24 AI in Business: Misconceptions and Realities

04:16 The Impact of AI on Productivity and Workload

10:17 The Future of AI: Risks and Ethical Considerations

17:29 AI in Warfare and Global Security

25:41 Training and Education: The UK vs. The US

34:10 The Importance of Effective AI Prompting

37:30 David's Multifaceted Career: Music, Comedy, and AI

43:11 Spotting Opportunities in Technology

44:03 Embracing AI and Art

44:47 Developing Effective AI Prompts

46:59 Challenges and Misconceptions in AI

49:05 Dealing with Change and Innovation

50:55 The Importance of Human Potential

59:04 Quickfire - Get To Know David

01:07:12 !Business or Bullshit Quiz!

businesswithoutbullshit.me

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BWB is powered by Oury Clark

EP 402 - Is the UK stock market dying or is it the biggest bargain in global investing?

This week we welcome back investor and author Andrew Craig who argues that British equities are deeply undervalued and overlooked by international investors. From political uncertainty to structural challenges, Craig explains why the UK is seen as “on sale” - and why that could be a once-in-a-generation opportunity.

We pack market misperceptions, long-term risks, and where savvy investors should be looking now. Essential listening for entrepreneurs, business leaders, and anyone questioning the future of the UK economy.

*For Apple Podcast chapters, access them from the menu in the bottom right corner of your player*

Spotify Video Chapters:

00:00 BWB with Andrew Craig

01:29 The Decline of the UK Stock Market

06:08 Impact of Passive Investing on the Economy

11:07 IPO Market Challenges

13:01 The Role of Equity Markets in Innovation and Growth

17:31 The Vicious Cycle of Economic Policies

22:38 Global Comparisons and UK Economy Future

34:45 The Importance of Entrepreneurial Wealth Creation

38:03 The Impact of Amazon on Society

39:30 The Role of Wealthy Individuals in Society

41:33 Government vs. Private Sector Efficiency

44:39 The Future of Technology and Innovation

50:00 Challenges in the UK Infrastructure and Economy

58:54 QUICKFIRE - Get To Know Andrew

01:02:22 !BUSINESS or BULLSHIT QUIZ!

01:11:16 Wrap Up

businesswithoutbullshit.me

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EP 401 - Recent UK government changes to trust law could have major implications for wealth protection, estate planning, and business ownership.

In Tax Without Bullshit pt. 2, Andy sits down with Oury Clark tax experts Jeremy Coker and Emma FlorentinLee to break down what the new rules mean, who they affect, and how to decide if a trust is still worth it.

From common myths to practical strategies, this episode explains how trusts work in the UK, why they’re not just for billionaires, and how changing legislation could reshape their future.

Essential listening for business owners, financial advisors, and families looking to safeguard assets.

*For Apple Podcast chapters, access them from the menu in the bottom right corner of your player*

00:00 Tax Without Bullshit pt.2 - UK Trusts

02:49 History of Trusts

03:41 Structure of Trusts

04:14 Types of Trusts and Their Uses

09:03 Tax Implications and Misconceptions

21:34 Global Perspectives on Trusts

24:51 Trustees and Beneficiaries

25:13 The Role of Trusts in UK Tax Residency

26:36 Offshore Trusts: Myths and Realities

28:53 Excluded Property Trusts Explained

31:09 Complexities of Foreign Trusts

41:58 Living Trusts and Their Implications

45:57 Trusts in Business and Family Planning

51:15 Wrap Up

businesswithoutbullshit.me

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If you'd like to be on the show, get in contact - mail@businesswithoutbullshit.me

BWB is powered by Oury Clark

EP 400 - Is confidence the real reason men succeed more in business - or are women holding themselves back?

Entrepreneur and Dragons’ Den success story Rachel Watkyn OBE joins us to share her unfiltered take on gender, ego, and the hidden dynamics behind success.

From male “peacocking” and the confidence gap to the barriers facing female founders, she challenges what we think we know about business, identity, and leadership.

Rachel opens up about her personal journey through childhood trauma, serious illness, and tackles big cultural questions - from the rise of modern gender ideology to the impact of dating apps, hookup culture, and why loneliness is becoming a silent epidemic among Gen Z.

*For Apple Podcast chapters, access them from the menu in the bottom right corner of your player*

Spotify Video Chapters:

00:00 BWB with Rachel Watkyn OBE

01:34 Meet Rachel: A Journey of Resilience

02:43 Quickfire - Get to Know Rachel

05:16 Rachel's New Venture: Tackling Loneliness

00:00 The Reality of Loneliness in Modern Society

12:44 Personal Stories and Overcoming Adversity

17:06 Gender Bias in Venture Capital Funding

29:18 Changing Gender Roles and Societal Norms

31:42 A Family's Complex History

32:16 Unraveling Relationships and Secrets

33:33 Impact of Social Shame

34:37 Cultural Differences in Expression

35:29 A Troubling Incident

36:29 Childhood Challenges and Resilience

37:03 Managing Stress and Wellbeing

39:18 The Importance of Conversations

43:18 Navigating Modern Challenges

46:36 Business Insights and Advice

49:40 Business OR Bullshit Quiz!

58:49 Wrap Up

businesswithoutbullshit.me

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EP 399 - July's guests - Lucy Parker, Mark Field, Victoria Dunford, and Luis Gosalbez - discuss and debate the legitimacy our BOB quiz cards - drinking at lunch, corporate away days, in-office fitness classes, and universal basic income to equal paternity leave and corporate gifting all make the shortlist!

Chapters:

00:00 Business or Bullshit QUIZ

00:55 Debate: Drinking at Lunch

04:49 Corporate Away Days: Business or BB?

06:38 In-Office Fitness Classes

08:54 Universal Basic Income Discussion

12:16 Equal Paternity Leave

14:01 Corporate Gifting: Business or BS?

businesswithoutbullshit.me

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BWB is powered by Oury Clark

EP 398 - Spain looks like a dream for startups: sunny, affordable, and full of talent.

But beneath the surface, founders face a slow, fragmented system that often blocks growth instead of enabling it.

In this episode, lawyer, founder and managing partner of Metricson Luis Gosálbez explains why Spain’s business environment frustrates entrepreneurs, from endless bureaucracy to region-by-region politics and a risk-averse culture that kills momentum.

Whether you're launching in Spain or expanding into Europe, this is what they don’t teach you in school - but should.

*For Apple Podcast chapters, access them from the menu in the bottom right corner of your player*

Spotify Video Chapters:

00:00 Business Without Baggage #2 - Spain's Hidden Business Rules

00:19 Meet Luis Gosalbez

01:36 Regional Differences in Spanish Business Culture

08:15 Business Etiquette and Payment Practices

09:25 Family-Owned Businesses and Hierarchies

11:15 Impact of Historical and Political Context

13:48 Collaborative vs. Individualistic Business Approaches

16:35 Challenges of Employment Laws

20:51 The Importance of Personal Connections

29:21 Cultural Taboos: Money and Religion

30:00 The British Perspective on Money

32:51 Building Spanish Business Relationships

34:21 Navigating Bureaucracy in Spain

37:20 Banking and Financial Regulations

43:45 Living and Working in Spain

44:54 Special Tax Laws and Incentives

47:27 Buying Property in Spain

49:41 Show and Tell: A Taste of Spain

51:43 Wrap Up

businesswithoutbullshit.me

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BWB is powered by Oury Clark

EP 397 - In Moldova, thousands of disabled children and adults remain unseen - hidden away by a system that offers them little support. In this episode, Andy speaks to humanitarian and social entrepreneur Victoria Dunford, founder of MAD-Aid, who is fighting to bring dignity, inclusion, and opportunity to those left behind.

From transforming hospitals to changing laws, discover how one woman is challenging stigma and building a future where no one is invisible

*For Apple Podcast chapters, access them from the menu in the bottom right corner of your player*

Spotify Video Chapters:

00:00 BWB with Victoria Dunford

01:24 Quickfire - Get to Know Victoria

01:36 Victoria's Early Career and Challenges

05:10 The State of Healthcare in Moldova

08:00 Founding MAD-Aid and Early Efforts

14:12 Changing Legislation and Social Impact

17:49 Fundraising and Building Trust

20:15 The Ukraine Conflict and Moldova's Future

21:45 Business and Charity Partnerships

22:52 Building Connections

23:17 The Benefits of Donating to Charity

23:29 Challenges and Changes in Charity Regulations

24:41 Transparency and Trust in Charitable Donations

26:28 The Importance of Grassroots and Big Charities

26:43 Encouraging Heartfelt Donations

27:33 The Role of Charity Commissions

29:11 Fundraising and Donor Engagement

33:08 Healthcare Systems in Moldova and the UK

37:44 MAD-Aid's Goals and Ambitions

40:27 Advice for Entrepreneurs and Founders

43:56 Challenges and Misconceptions in Charity Work

44:47 Wrap Up

businesswithoutbullshit.me

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If you'd like to be on the show, get in contact - mail@businesswithoutbullshit.me

BWB is powered by Oury Clark