Half Hour Mentor

Onwards and upwards! This compilation episode features some of the excellent advice and guidance given by the guests in all three series to date. If you are looking for some inspiration and mentorship to help you kick start your New Year, then this episode is just what you need! It features contributions from Andy Burnham, Paul McGee, Greg Patmore, Matthew Smith, Simon McCleave, Malcolm Hollingdra...

This 10-minute compilation episode features some of the funny incidents that happened to some of my Series Three guests in their careers. The stories were in answer to some quick-fire questions I asked at the end of each interview. None of these clips featured in the main interviews. You will hear contributions from Lord Tony Hall, Paul Finch, Bryony Griffith, Alice Jones, Reg Meuross, Sarah McQua...

In this last interview of the series, we are honoured to have great insights into the world of arts and culture from the ex-Director General of the BBC and life peer, Lord Tony Hall. He gives us a wonderful summary of how he developed his broadcasting career, and also how he dealt with a career change in his late 40s. Please follow / subscribe to the podcast series and leave a review where you can...

In this episode, we have our first double-header interview. It features Yorkshire-based folk music duo, Bryony Griffith and Alice Jones. Individually, Bryony and Alice have forged their own successful careers in the UK folk scene but have gained great critical acclaim since starting working together as a duo in 2019. Their live performances are both musically stunning and full of hilarious stage b...

This is the second part of a two-part interview featuring music festival programme director and performing musician, John Watterson (aka Fake Thackray). In this episode, John tells us how he became involved in concert promotion, progressing from putting gigs on in his local area to programming major music festivals in the likes of Ibiza and Portugal. He also shares with us his planning approach to...

This is the first of a two-part interview featuring music festival programme director and performing musician, John Watterson (aka Fake Thackray). In this episode, John shares with his early career in business, how he came to be touring and paying homage to the wonderful work of the late, lamented singer-songwriter and storyteller, Jake Thackray, and how he used his business knowledge to help this...

This is the second of a two part interview featuring actor, audiobook narrator and musician Greg Patmore. Greg is having an amazing career in media: if you haven’t listened to Part 1, go back and have a listen to his backstory. In this second part, Greg provides us with a deep dive into the world of recording audiobooks: the preparation involved, the relationship with authors, and how to deal with...

This is the first of two parts featuring actor, audiobook narrator and musician Greg Patmore. Greg is having an amazing career in media and, in this episode, we explore his back story and how he rose from playing in a brass band through to acting alongside Kevin Costner and Tom Berenger, and becoming a multi-award winning audiobook narrator. Please follow / subscribe to the podcast series and leav...

In this episode, we are delighted to welcome singer-songwriter Sarah McQuaid to the podcast. We managed to catch her between US and UK tours to talk about her career, approach to songwriting, and also her vast experience on dealing with the legalities of touring abroad. It’s a real insight into a musician’s life on the international circuit. Please follow / subscribe to the podcast series and leav...

This episode is the second of the two-part interview with artist, photographer and filmmaker, Megan Powell. Megan is a lecturer at the University of Salford and, as you’ll hear in both this and the previous episode, is not only an inspiration to her students but also has suffered several traumatic experiences in her life that have had a dramatic impact on her approach to the creative arts. As a co...

This episode is the first of another two-part interview, this time featuring artist, photographer and filmmaker, Megan Powell. Megan is a lecturer at the University of Salford and, as you’ll hear in both episodes, is not only an inspiration to her students but also has suffered several traumatic experiences in her life that have had a dramatic impact on her approach to the creative arts. As a cons...

This episode features an interview with critically-acclaimed UK-based singer-songwriter and storyteller, Reg Meuross. Reg’s professional musical career spans over five decades and his songs cover a wide variety of topics, all of which have a story and message to them. In the interview, he shares with us his first steps into the music business, how to make sure that you understand your purpose in l...

This episode features the second half of my interview with best-selling author, Paul Finch. Paul’s writing career started as a scriptwriter for the TV series The Bill , and has written and extensively in the horror and fantasy fiction genres, including for Dr Who . However, he is probably best known for his crime fiction, especially the highly successful Heckenberg and Clayburn series. In this epi...

This is a first for the series, as this episode is the first of a two-part interview! It features best-selling author, Paul Finch. Paul’s writing career started as a scriptwriter for the TV series The Bill , and has written and extensively in the horror and fantasy fiction genres, including for Dr Who . However, he is probably best known for his crime fiction, especially the highly successful Heck...

In this episode, we welcome one of the brightest rising starts in the folk and acoustic music world, Iona Lane. Iona’s music is full of inspiration from the wonderful British countryside. In this interview, she shares with us her early influences and her approach to songwriting and career management. This will be particularly useful for young musicians to learn how to forge a professional career i...

In this first episode of Series 3, we welcome award-winning singer-songwriter and producer, Boo Hewerdine. Boo’s career spans almost 40 years, ranging from his big label signing in the 1980s with his band, The Bible, through to solo work, regular collaboration with Eddi Reader, and songwriting and production duties for many, many more famous artists. He also runs several songwriting workshops arou...

In the lead up to the launch of Series 3 in September 2023, here is a compilation of the invaluable advice provided by my Series 2 guests, triggered by the question I ask every guest at the end of each episode... ' Knowing what you know now, what one piece of advice would you give your younger self ?' This bonus episode focused on the creative arts, and featured contributions from Simon Phillips,...

In the lead up to the launch of Series 3 in September 2023, here is a compilation of the invaluable advice provided by my Series 1 guests, triggered by the question I ask every guest at the end of each episode... ' Knowing what you know now, what one piece of advice would you give your younger self ?' This bonus episode features contributions from Tim Williams, Helen Tonks, Andy Burnham, Prof. Han...

In this short, bonus episode, I fire my quick-fire questions at life peer and ex-leader of Liverpool City Council, Lord Mike Storey. His career journey is inspirational, and he still has a passion for supporting education, young people and the creative arts. This is the last of the bonus episodes for Series Two. Please follow / subscribe to the podcast series and leave a review where you can. You...

In this final episode of Series Two, Lord Mike Storey shares his experiences of developing a career in politics alongside a career in teaching. He spearheaded the team that helped Liverpool gain its title of European Capital of Culture in 2008, and is currently the Liberal Democrat spokesperson for education in the House of Lords. His mentorship is a great way to end a series on personal developme...

In this short, bonus episode, I fire my quick-fire questions at founder of Sounds Just Fine artist management and development business, Neil Pearson. For someone who has worked with some of the biggest names in the international folk and roots world, you will learn here who would be his ideal dinner guests, amongst other things. Please follow / subscribe to the podcast series and leave a review wh...

In this episode, Neil Pearson, founder of artist management and development business Sounds Just Fine , joins us to discuss how he got into the music industry and how he deals with managing the wealth of high-profile music projects and collaborations he is, and has been, responsible for. It’s a perfect listen for those wishing to pursue a management role in any sector, but especially in the music...

In this shorter, bonus episode, I fire my quick-fire questions at Scottish singer-songwriter, Findlay Napier. If you missed the entertaining full episode in which he discusses his career and how he balances songwriting, performing and teaching, go back to the previous episode in this series. Please follow / subscribe to the podcast series and leave a review where you can. You can learn more about...

In this episode, Scottish singer-songwriter Findlay Napier join us to discuss his career journey, how important mentors have been to him, and how he balances songwriting, performing and teaching, all in a delightfully entertaining interview. Please follow / subscribe to the podcast series and leave a review where you can. You can learn more about the series by following @halfhourmentor on Instagra...

In this shorter, bonus episode, I fire five quick-fire questions at million-selling crime novelist, Simon McCleave including what he thinks is the best book ever written. Please follow / subscribe to the podcast series and leave a review where you can. You can learn more about the series by following @halfhourmentor on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook, or by visiting halfhourmentor.com.  Simon...