Undercurrent Stories

In this episode I'm delighted to welcome musician, producer and sound pioneer Martyn Ware to the show. Martyn takes us back to his Sheffield roots and shares how the experimental beginnings of The Human League led to the formation of Heaven 17 . He opens up about the split with Phil Oakey, the creation of groundbreaking tracks like Being Boiled , and how Heaven 17 carved out their place in 80...

Today we have a really special guest with us. An international athlete, he competed in the 1968 and 1972 Summer Olympics in the discus and won bronze and silver  medals in successive Commonwealth games from 1970 to 1974. He was the British National discus champion on 7 occasions and held the British record for 25 years. Since then he has been a leading sports administrator, academic and author and...

In this enlightening episode, we delve into the profound impact of music on the human brain. Join us as we explore how melodies and rhythms can evoke emotions, enhance mental health, and serve as a powerful therapeutic tool.  With insights from leading neuroscientist Stefan Kölsch, discover the science behind music's ability to heal and transform our minds. Whether you're a music enthusi...

Today I’m joined by returning guest Steve Carroll — artist, lecturer, and author of the Diaspora science fiction series. In this episode, Steve opens up about the creative process behind his writing, and we dive deep into the role of characters in storytelling — how they evolve, why they matter, and what they can teach us about resilience, belonging, and transformation. It’s an inspiring discussio...

 Acclaimed historical fiction author Tony Riches returns to Undercurrent Stories to discuss his latest Tudor novels, Bess: Tudor Gentlewoman and Frances: Tudor Countess . We explore the hidden influence of Elizabeth I’s ladies-in-waiting, the challenges of bringing real historical figures to life, and why these women’s stories still resonate today. Perfect for fans of Tudor history, historical fic...

In today’s episode, I sit down with Dr. Colin Fisher , author of the book The Collective Edge: Unlocking the Secret Power of Groups .   Colin’s journey is a fascinating one—starting out as a professional jazz trumpet player before becoming a leading scholar in organisational behaviour. His research digs into the dynamics of how groups and teams really work, why they so often succeed—or fail—and wh...

Singer-songwriter, guitarist and producer  Quint Starkie joins us from his UK  tour to talk about music, meaning, and finding his true voice. From growing up in Lancashire to playing Hollywood clubs, and from house concerts in Sweden to emotional returns to the UK, Quint shares his journey with warmth, humour, and honesty. 🎶 Hear about: His early days learning classical guitar A life-changing off...

Have you ever wondered what it really takes to produce a classic hit? Or what goes through a producer’s mind when they're building a song from the ground up—or tearing it down to start again?  Here to help us understand that process is Stephen Lipson . Stephen is the legendary producer and creative mastermind behind iconic tracks from Frankie Goes to Hollywood , Grace Jones , Annie Lennox , S...

In this episode of Undercurrent Stories , we sit down with Pulitzer prize winning journalist and bestselling author Gary Rivlin to explore the trillion-dollar race to dominate artificial intelligence. Gary, a former New York Times correspondent and veteran Silicon Valley reporter, shares insights from his latest book, AI Valley , which tells the behind-the-scenes story of tech giants, ambitious fo...

In this episode, I’m delighted to speak with Rachel Barker, a leading expert in art conservation and the founder of Rachel Barker Associates. With a career spanning decades — including over 20 years at the Tate Gallery — Rachel has restored some of the most iconic works of modern art, from Lichtenstein’s Whaam! to the vandalised Rothko Seagram mural. Rachel shares her personal journey from growing...

Today, I’m joined by Neil Lawrence —someone who’s been at the heart of the UK’s builders merchant scene for decades. From starting out in South London with £20 a week to becoming Chief Operating Officer of Jewson and running some of the country’s biggest brands, Neil’s journey is full of lessons, laughs, and a few hard truths. If you’re building a career, leading a team, or just want some no-nonse...

In this live episode of Undercurrent Stories , host Bob Wells sits down with John Coghlan , the legendary original drummer of Status Quo . From "Caroline" to "Rockin’ All Over the World," John recounts the highs, lows, and beat-driven tales of a life lived on stage, on the road, and in rhythm. Recorded in a cosy Cotswolds pub, this intimate conversation dives deep into: How a s...

In this episode we dive into the fascinating world of British artist George Underwood — a name that resonates not only in the world of fine art but also in rock history. From designing iconic album covers to painting otherworldly portraits, George's work blends the mythical with the emotional in ways few can match. But George’s story is more than just brushes and canvas — it's also deepl...

This episode features music pioneer Bruce Woolley , best known for co-writing the groundbreaking hit Video Killed the Radio Star . But as this conversation reveals, that’s just one highlight in a storied and continually evolving career. From his roots in Leicestershire and his early inspiration from Led Zeppelin to forming The Camera Club with a young Thomas Dolby , Bruce shares his journey throug...

In a world where so much is driven by profit, Stuart Wills reminds us of the quiet, powerful difference one person can make — without asking for a penny in return. In this heartwarming episode, I visit Stuart at his home to hear how a few unused bikes in a garage became a grassroots movement to support families, children, refugees, and low-income workers. Since founding Bourne Bike Donation and Re...

Gordon Giltrap MBE is a British guitar virtuoso known for his innovative fingerstyle technique and genre-blending compositions. With a career spanning over five decades, he has released numerous acclaimed albums, including the iconic Perilous Journey (1977), featuring the hit instrumental Heartsong. Giltrap's music fuses folk, rock, and classical influences, earning him a dedicated global fol...

Colin Crabbe was the kind of man who could spot a priceless vintage car under a pile of chicken wire in Paraguay — and somehow drive it home. A flamboyant racing driver, Formula One team owner, and classic car hunter with a taste for adventure (and a knack for trouble), Colin lived life in the fast lane — sometimes literally. From smuggling D-type Jaguars out of Cuba to crashing out of races in st...

🎙️ Undercurrent Stories Podcast — Episode:  How to Make Life’s Toughest Decisions with Abby Davisson 📚 Featuring: Abby Davisson, Social Innovation Leader & Co-author of Money and Love: An Intelligent Roadmap for Life’s Biggest Decisions Episode Summary: In this insightful episode, we meet Abby Davisson, social innovation leader and co-author of Money and Love , to discuss how we can improve d...

📅 Episode Summary: This episode features two key figures behind one of English football’s most inspiring turnarounds: Mark Lacrouts and Russell Dodd of Nuneaton Town Football Club. Following the club’s liquidation and collapse in early 2024, a determined group of fans and community leaders rebuilt the club from the ground up—literally. With no players, no ground, and just a vision, the new Nuneat...

What drives a marketing executive to walk 600 miles across England during a pandemic? For David Fenton, it began with gratitude for the hospital care his premature twins received 22 years earlier and transformed into something much bigger. In this episode David recounts his remarkable journey that took him through picturesque landscapes and challenging terrains as he navigated the shifting COVID l...

Episode Summary: In this episode of Undercurrent Stories , host Bob Wells sits  down with Rob Waltham, leader of North Lincolnshire Council and recently selected Conservative candidate for Greater Lincolnshire Mayor. Recorded at the historic George Hotel in Stamford, this insightful conversation delves into Rob’s journey into politics, the upcoming mayoral elections, and his vision for the future...

Episode Summary In this episode of Undercurrent Stories , host Bob Wells welcomes Cole Smead , CEO and portfolio manager of Smead Capital Management and host of A Book with Legs podcast. Cole shares powerful insights on how reading influences investment decisions, the importance of pattern recognition in the stock market, and how history, economics, and psychology shape financial success. Discover...

To celebrate St Patrick's Day here is another chance to hear this interview with legendary guitarist Eric Bell from the equally iconic and legendary Irish hard rock band, Thin Lizzy. This episode was originally released in March 2023. Episode photo attributed with thanks -  By Klaus Hiltscher - https://www.flickr.com/photos/khiltscher/3141138463/in/faves-24788065@N02/, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://c...

Steve Gillson—coach, mentor, educator, and digital marketing expert  shares his incredible journey from a successful corporate boardroom career in sales and marketing to a transformative new path in coaching, mentoring, and digital strategy. We explore Steve’s fascinating life journey, including:  ✅ His transition from the corporate world to a more purpose-driven career  ✅ The challenges of movi...

In today's episode, we’re diving deep into our own brains to discover why we do what we do. I don’t know about you but sometimes I wonder why I did something in a particular way! Joining us is Dr Helena Boschi. Helena is a psychologist specialising in applied neuroscience and a much sought after speaker where she brings the fascinating world of brain science to her audiences in a ways that ar...