Behind The Future

Are you feeling pressured to fill out your UCAS application and follow the traditional university route to start a successful marketing career? If sitting in a lecture theatre for another three years sounds like your absolute worst nightmare, this episode is exactly what you need to hear. In this episode of Behind the Future, we sit down with Helen Banyard, one half of The Good Stuff group, to tal...

Want to launch an epic digital career but feel like you need to have your entire life figured out first? If you have always been the unofficial tech support person for your parents, you are absolutely in the right place. In this episode of Behind the Future, we sit down with Mike, the Search Strategist and founder of Tangible Digital, to talk about his incredibly relatable journey from school side...

Are you dreaming of building an epic digital career but have no idea where to start? Whether you want to work in video games, marketing, or tech, stepping into the professional world can feel incredibly daunting. In this episode of Behind the Future, we sit down with Rob Murray, the Head of Talent Acquisition at Push Gaming (and formerly PlayStation!), to get the ultimate insider secrets on how to...

Are you dreading the constant pressure from teachers and parents to figure out your entire future? Building a successful digital career doesn't mean you need to have a perfect ten-year plan mapped out right now. In this episode of Behind the Future, we sit down with Terry May, the founder of Marqeting, a specialist PPC and performance marketing agency, to talk about his incredibly unpredictable jo...

Are you stressed about university and wondering how to build amazing digital careers? Take a deep breath, because this episode proves that you don't need to have your entire life figured out at 16, and sometimes the untraditional path is actually the most fun! Host Becky Simms and Year 12 student co-host Daisy chat with Beth Puxley, Affiliate Development Manager at Holiday Extras. Beth shares her...

Wondering if you need a university degree to launch successful digital careers? This Behind the Future episode shows you exactly how to do it. Host Becky Simms and Year 11 student co-host Max sit down with James Smith, Principal Software Engineer at Red Ant. James shares his inspiring journey to prove that traditional university isn't the only way into tech. Instead, he built his skills through a...

In this episode of Behind the Future, we dive into the fast-paced world of global social media and content creation with our guest, Hannah. If you are a student currently in sixth form or university and wondering how to turn your passion for media into a full-time career, this video is for you. Hannah shares her journey from studying multimedia journalism at university to managing international co...

Welcome to another episode of Behind the Future, the podcast created to help you navigate the wild world of digital careers before you even leave school. In this episode, our host Becky and co-host Dylan, an A-level student currently smashing Politics, Computer Science, and Business, sit down with John Harvey, the Head of AI Operations at Capita. If you are sitting in class wondering if you actual...

In this episode of Behind the Future, we sit down with Holly, the Head of Growth at a global agency, to discuss how she built a successful marketing career after originally feeling like school didn't suit her. If you are a student in Year 12 or 13 and aren't sure if university is the right path, or if you feel pressured by parents to choose a specific degree, Holly’s journey offers the perfect per...

In this episode of Behind the Future, we’re hanging out with Thomas Redgrove, the founder of Thomas Cookie Co, to find out how he turned a massive sweet tooth into a legendary business. If you’re a student thinking about digital careers, Thomas’s story is the ultimate proof that you don’t need a boring office job to be successful. He shares how he went from the Navy to working "lost" in sales role...

In this episode of Behind the Future, we explore how students can build real skills while studying with Gori Yahaya, founder of Upskill and an expert in practical learning and career development. Gori shares his journey from starting small local projects to working with global organisations like Google, offering students a practical guide to developing the skills that matter in the real world. Lis...

Start the new year inspired with this special Behind the Future episode, featuring the very best moments from 2025. From students shaping the future of tech to entrepreneurs, creators, and innovators making an impact, this episode brings together stories, insights, and advice to help you start 2026 ahead. We’ve pulled together the most inspiring conversations from the past year—covering creativity...

In this inspiring episode of Behind the Future, host Becky Sims is joined by co-host Daisy, a third-year Digital Marketing student, and special guest James, a seasoned marketing professional. Together, they explore what it takes for students to break into the world of marketing and start building a successful career. James shares his journey from early curiosity in creative and digital projects to...

In this inspiring episode of Behind the Future, host Becky Sims is joined once again by co-host Daisy, a third-year Digital Marketing student based in Leeds. Together, they welcome their youngest guest to date: Toby, a junior software developer whose journey into tech began at Aspiration Digital. Toby shares how attending the London Aspiration Digital event at just 17 became the catalyst for his e...

In this episode of Behind the Future, recorded at Newcastle University during one of our Aspiration Digital events, host Becky Sims is joined by special co-host Lucia, a computer science student and Newcastle University intern, as they dive into the inspiring journey of Andrew and Pete, the founders of Atomic. From starting their first small ventures at university to creating one of the most succe...

In the “Future Unplugged: Come Behind the Scenes” bonus episode of Behind the Future, listeners get an insider look at what goes on behind the camera. With roles swapped, the hosts step back while Chris, Erin, and Lulu reveal the work that makes the podcast happen - covering camera setup, lighting, audio, editing, and scheduling. They explain how tools like Otter AI for live transcripts and AutoPo...

In this episode, we explore how students are already shaping the future of tech, with insights from Lella, Head of IBM’s Global Student Strategy. From coding at just eight years old to leading global projects that connect students with industry leaders, Lella’s journey proves that you don’t need decades of experience to make a real difference in technology. She shares how her early curiosity for c...

In this episode of Behind the Future, Amber, founder of She Bytes Back, shares her journey as a woman in tech. From studying economics and working in finance to discovering coding during the pandemic, Amber reveals how she navigated a male-dominated industry and built a supportive community for ambitious women in tech. Amber talks about the challenges of breaking into tech without a traditional ba...

In this episode, we chat with Bram, Head of Brand and Digital for a major law firm, to explore the dynamic world of digital marketing and how students can navigate their path into this exciting field. Bram shares his unique journey, from studying communications and launching his own small business, to specializing in digital communications during the early days of social media for law firms. Throu...

In this episode, we sit down with Lorna Blaydon, the Chief Marketing Officer at Enterprise Nation, to explore how young people can access incredible opportunities and grow their own businesses. Lorna shares her unique journey—from university days discovering her passion for people and business psychology, to navigating internships, early career challenges, and eventually becoming CMO of a dynamic,...

In this special bonus episode of Behind the Future Podcast, meet Becky, the founder of Aspiration Digital, as she shares her journey from discovering digital marketing to creating a platform that inspires thousands of students. Aspiration Digital hosts events and workshops to give young people real insight into careers in marketing, tech, AI, creative industries, and entrepreneurship. Becky discus...

Ever felt like school just isn’t your thing? You’re not alone. In this episode of Behind the Future, Steve Price shares his story of how he went from being an average student to becoming a Creative Director, all thanks to curiosity, hustle, and a love for drawing. As he says, “I wasn’t exceptional at school, but I could draw,” and that small talent changed everything. Steve walks us through his jo...

In this episode, Lisa Goodchild shares her insights on empowering students through real-world industry experience and hands-on learning. Lisa dives into how exposing young people to workplaces like TikTok, Google, and Spotify gives them practical skills, leadership opportunities, and a glimpse into potential career paths. She explains why traditional education can sometimes feel like a “tick-box”...

In this episode, Joe Seddon reveals how he gets students into Oxford and Cambridge, helping talented young people overcome the barriers that often hold them back. Growing up in a small town in Yorkshire, Joe didn’t have access to the networks, guidance, or resources that many students take for granted. Despite this, he secured a place at Oxford University and immediately knew he wanted to create o...

This week on Behind the Future, we sat down with Indy Bhogal, Associate Director of Digital at Coca-Cola Europacific Partners, to hear how a university student placement turned into an 18-year career at one of the world's biggest brands. Indy didn’t get where he is today by following a rigid plan. In fact, he admits he never set out to work in digital communications at all. Starting out as a multi...