EP 409 - What happens when you strip away phones, comfort and pretence?

Therapist Jerry Hyde - often called “the most dangerous therapist in the world” - and filmmaker Mai Hua explore the raw truths of mental health, vulnerability and masculinity.

Released for World Mental Health Day, the conversation dives into why modern life keeps us disconnected, how radical retreats (no phones, no showers, no distractions) transform people, and why real healing means breaking the rules.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

Why Jerry Hyde is called “the most dangerous therapist”

How radical retreats challenge comfort, technology and ego

The link between phones, distraction and mental health decline

Why vulnerability is strength in therapy and relationships

How group therapy transforms masculinity and human connection

If you’re interested in mental health awareness, therapy, and breaking free from modern distractions, this episode offers unfiltered insights and challenges conventional thinking.

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

Spotify Video Chapters:

00:00 BWB with Jerry Hyde and Mai Hua

00:40 Introducing Jerry and Mai

01:52 Exploring Masculinity and Vulnerability

04:03 The Power of Retreats

05:44 The Impact of Technology on Mental Health

06:27 The Importance of Human Connection

08:50 Challenges of Modern Parenting

18:53 Understanding ADHD and Trauma

32:24 Gender Dynamics and Therapy

45:25 Therapy as a Lifestyle Choice

45:52 Challenges of Couples Therapy

47:02 The Art of Self-Inquiry

47:41 Collaborative Conflicts

48:09 Gender Differences in Therapy

57:44 Cultural Perspectives on Therapy

01:03:02 Making a Man: The Documentary

01:05:42 The Importance of Vulnerability

01:23:12 Therapy and Group Dynamics

01:25:17 Wrap Up

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EP 408 - What happens when British charm collides with German order in the workplace?

In part 3 of our Business Without Baggage series, we speak to professor and senior partner at GTK Germany - Manfred Klein - who breaks down the surprising differences - and hidden similarities - between the UK and Germany’s business cultures.

From awkward handshakes and endless small talk to rigid agendas and direct feedback, discover why British and German colleagues often clash in meetings, negotiations and everyday work.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

Why German efficiency and precision frustrates British colleagues

How British politeness and vagueness confuses German teams

The truth about work - life boundaries in Germany vs the UK

Why Germans trust process while Brits trust personality

How cultural differences can make or break international business deals

If you’re doing business with Germany, managing international teams, or just curious about cross-cultural communication, this conversation is packed with real-world insights and a few laughs.

*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 part 3 - Germany

00:43 Meet Manfred - A Legal Heavyweight

01:16 The Importance of Formality and Punctuality

02:20 Setting and Following an Agenda

04:53 Work-Life Boundaries in Germany

17:05 Direct Communication and Feedback

29:14 The Role of Hierarchy and Family Businesses

39:25 Social Security and Employee Expectations

40:54 Understanding German Employee Benefits

41:25 Work-Life Balance in Germany

42:05 Challenges in the German Health and Pension Systems

42:54 Maternity and Parental Leave Policies

44:01 Declining Birth Rates and Social Security

46:26 Immigration and Cultural Integration

48:05 German Cultural Traits and Business Etiquette

49:15 Economic Challenges and Quantitative Easing

50:25 Direct Communication and Efficiency in Germany

57:00 Business Collaboration Between Germany and UK

59:16 Ease of Doing Business in Germany

01:09:00 Common Mistakes When Doing Business in Germany

01:11:03 Visa and Property Ownership in Germany

01:13:50 Andy Wears German Carnival Outfit

01:15:19 Business or Bullshit quiz!

01:18:04 Wrap Up

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EP 407 - What does it really take to build a food empire from scratch?

We're giving our chat with John B Stapleton - serial entrepreneur, investor, and co-founder of the New Covent Garden Soup Company and Little Dish a re-run to remind us about the hard-won lessons behind his multi-million-pound successes.

From inventing the UK’s fresh soup category to mentoring today’s challenger brands, John shares his insights on:

• Why resilience beats a “genius idea” every time
• How to raise investment when the market is stacked against you
• The truth about failure - and why it’s the best teacher for entrepreneurs
• Bootstrapping until you “know what you’re doing”
• The entrepreneurial ego: small “e” vs big “E”

Whether you’re launching your first startup or scaling towards exit, this episode is packed with real-world advice on how entrepreneurs really win - and why sometimes failure is the very thing that sets you up for millions.

Perfect for founders, investors, and anyone navigating today’s uncertain business landscape.

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

Spotify Video Chapters:

00:00 BWB with John Stapleton

00:40 John's Background and Achievements

01:19 Current Business Climate and Challenges

04:22 Investment Strategies and Advice

12:45 Mentoring and Advising Startups

14:25 Mission Ventures and Investment Platforms

18:17 Entrepreneurial Traits and Success

24:43 The Birth of Lamborghini

25:22 The Cult of Entrepreneurial Personality

26:29 The Value of Failure

28:51 Consumer Insight and Resilience

30:05 The Fresh Soup Revolution

34:21 Quickfire - Get To Know John

41:26 Wrap Up

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

EP 406 - Economist and tax strategist Oriana Morrison pulls doesn't hold back in our chat about the UK economy, HMRC, tax avoidance, and inequality.

Founder and CEO of ECNMX and trusted advisor to world champion athletes and entertainers, Oriana Morrison explains why HMRC is “shameful,” how tax is used as social engineering, and why Britain risks losing its top talent to fairer systems abroad.

From the realities of sportswashing in Saudi boxing to the politics of envy driving the UK’s broken tax system, Oriana shares blunt insights you won’t hear from politicians, even or accountants.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

Why Oriana Morrison calls HMRC “shameful”

The hidden truth about tax, fairness and inequality

How sportswashing in Saudi boxing really works

Why Britain risks a Latin American-style economic collapse

How tax myths are driving talent and wealth out of the UK

If you want to hear about the future of Britain’s economy, the truth about tax and HMRC, and what it really means for athletes, creatives, and entrepreneurs, pull up a chair and press play.

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

Spotify Video Chapters:

00:00 BWB with Oriana Morrison

01:30 Sportswashing in Saudi?

04:09 Economic Realities of Sports Consumption

09:33 Oriana's Role and Expertise

14:01 Tax and Economic Policies

16:57 HMRC: Challenges and Criticisms

26:50 Global Economic Perspectives

42:28 Insider Trading and Ethical Dilemmas

42:54 Navigating Client Relationships and Global Networks

43:37 Oriana's Story: The Band Fallout

46:32 Legal Battles and Partnership Laws

53:11 Lessons Learned and Client Challenges

59:42 Social Media vs. Tax Advice

01:04:48 Quickfire - Get To Know Oriana

01:08:49 !Business or Bullshit Quiz!

01:17:10 Wrap Up

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

EP 405 - Is Italy an entrepreneur’s dream or a business nightmare compared to the UK?

In part 3 of our Business Without Baggage series, Andy speaks with corporate lawyer Marco Pistis about the cultural and legal contrasts between doing business in Italy and the UK.

From relationship-driven deals to bureaucracy that stifles scale, Marco explains why British companies often struggle in Italy - and what they can learn from its unique, trust-first culture.

What you’ll learn:

Why relationships and trust matter more than rules in Italy

The North-South divide: how culture, punctuality, and payments differ

How family-run businesses dominate the market - and what that means for outsiders

Why bureaucracy and employee protection laws slow scaling

How UK businesses can avoid costly mistakes when entering Italy

Where the real opportunities lie: Milan, the mid-market, and creative industries

Perfect for entrepreneurs, investors, and advisors looking to navigate UK - Italy business differences.

*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 #3 Italy

00:41 Meet Marco Pistis: The Insider's Perspective

01:38 The Emotional Approach to Business

03:50 Friendship and Business in Italy

10:25 The Importance of Punctuality and Flexibility

16:10 Hierarchy and Family Businesses

23:20 Employee Expectations and Labour Laws

26:07 Cultural Cues and Misunderstandings

29:15 Cultural Taboos: Money and Religion

29:54 Negotiating Business Deals in Italy

31:56 The Importance of Food in Italian Business

33:34 Challenges and Stereotypes in Italian Business

34:34 Setting Up Business in Italy: Banking and Bureaucracy

37:50 Tax Benefits and Wealthy Expats in Italy

48:36 AI and Cultural Communication

49:58 !Business or Bullshit Quiz!

50:22 Wrap Up

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

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

BWB is powered by Oury Clark