PeopleFirst: The Young Careers Podcast

PeopleFirst is back in your ears this Summer.  Join Jordan Spry as he speaks to exceptional guests about the hottest topics from the modern workplace.  We’re covering it all this season; from graduate jobs and apprenticeships, to thriving in corporate settings, and looking at what skills you’ll need for the jobs of the future.  Make sure you’re subscribed to PeopleFirst: The Young Careers Podcast,...

Is the internet’s obsession with productivity about to burst? Whilst hustle culture content continues to motivate some, many of us are ready to swap the romanticised morning routines for realistic chats about work-life balance. To unpack changing attitudes to productivity and work, Jordan is joined by Jillian Reilly, speaker, consultant and author of The Ten Permissions, and Jessica Tagg, Client R...

Do you want to get in control of your finances but struggle with where to start? In this episode, we break down common areas of money management, from the best savings accounts, to investing for beginners, the pros and cons of renting and buying, and how to get honest about your money habits. Jordan is joined once again by Kia Commodore, founder of financial literacy platform Pennies to Pounds and...

Sometimes staying within our comfort zone can be the thing holding us back. So how can we get clear about what we truly want out of our careers and take that next step? In this episode, Jordan discusses practical steps to accelerate your career with Oliver Haddock, founder of the Careers Edit, and Chloe Davidson, Branch Manager at Brook Street. They discuss: Setting short- and long-term goals Lear...

There’s been much progress made in how we talk about mental health as a society. And yet, there’s still a stigma surrounding the ‘unsexy’ side of mental illness. When it comes to the workplace, how can we open up about our mental health in a way that makes us feel protected, authentic and empowered? To unpack this topic, Jordan is joined by Happiness Consultant, Zoe Mallett, and Zack Tucker, conte...

What does it mean to have a personal brand? Why should we have one, and how can we cultivate it?  A personal brand is being known for something you're good at. It can mean standing out in crowded online spaces, but it’s also how people remember their interactions with you.  To discuss meaningful personal brands in person and online, Jordan is joined by Hannah Power, a Personal Brand Coach and foun...

What’s the truth behind back-to-office mandates? And what do you need to consider if you’re starting a career in today’s hybrid working world? To tackle this heated topic, Jordan is joined by Shiyu Yuan, Research Assistant at King's Global Institute for Women's Leadership, and Clair Dartnell, Head of People & Culture at Brook Street. They discuss: The current landscape of office mandates and w...

Using AI at work shouldn’t be a secret. As the world adapts to AI, what does ethical use of AI at work look like? And is it going to replace our jobs? In this episode, we take a realistic look at how workers can use AI at work to improve efficiency, whilst highlighting the importance of maintaining our human edge. To shed light on the topic, Jordan is joined by AI and automation specialist Martyn...

Is the concept of a ‘dream job’ a motivation, or can it sometimes be a hindrance to success and happiness? What does it mean to have an impact-driven career, and more importantly, how can we find one? In this episode, we’re exploring impact-driven careers and how to find your ‘why’ in your work. Host Jordan is joined by Career Coach Caroline Hickey, and Mike Bernhardt, Business Centre Manager at B...

In today’s episode, we dive into imposter syndrome - what is it, how it holds people back and practical ways to overcome it. Host Jordan is joined by career change and growth coach Sarah Burrows, and Megan Corless, Head of People and Culture at Manpower, to explore how labelling yourself with imposter syndrome might be limiting your potential. You’ll learn: How to reframe your mindset and build co...

Our relationship to the workplace is evolving - fast. From post-pandemic burnout, to seeing the possibilities of flexible or hybrid working on social media, we’re reshaping how we think about careers and are expecting more from the employee-employer relationship than ever before. In this episode, Jordan is joined by HR Consultant Kelly Smallcombe to unpack the reality of the modern workplace - fro...

Season 2 of PeopleFirst kicks off with a deep dive into navigating non-linear career paths. A CV with gaps and radical changes may have been off-putting to employers in the past, but more and more those with a squiggly career are often the most coveted by businesses. To discuss all, host Jordan Spry is joined by Janine Esbrand, a Leadership Development Coach and host of The Career Change Maker Pod...

PeopleFirst is back with a brand new season and brand new conversations. Join Jordan Spry as he speaks to incredible guests about the ever-evolving world of work. From personal branding and imposter syndrome, to the future of AI and work, we cover it all. Make sure you’re subscribed to PeopleFirst: the young careers podcast, wherever you get yours. Dropping fortnightly from 30th June.

What’s really going on when we experience conflict at work? Can we ever get over a personality clash? Are there unavoidable tensions between different generations? And how can we navigate these tricky situations professionally without letting them derail our careers or impact our wellbeing? In this episode, Jordan speaks with Vince Sanderson, a management consultant and workplace mediation expert,...

Nothing is dreaded quite like the job interview. But do they need to be so anxiety-inducing? Can we get better at interviews with time? And what exactly are employers looking for? Join Jordan in today’s episode as he dives into the art of the job interview with Sinead Randall, Operations Lead at Brook Street, who has interviewed thousands of people across her career. From underselling vs. oversell...

Do you ever worry that starting a family will make you lose your edge? Do you wonder how you can balance raising a family with achieving your professional goals? In this episode we dive deep into what it’s like returning to work after parental leave. Jordan is joined by Clara Wilcox, Career Coach for parents and owner of The Balance Collective, and Claire Morgan, Head of Business Performance at Ma...

Do you want to progress at work, but unsure of how to broach the subject with your manager? Are you getting paid what you’re worth in today’s market? In this episode, we’ll guide you through how to ask for a pay rise: when to bring it up and how to approach the conversation effectively. It can often seem daunting and impossible to move up a pay grade, and talking about money is still seen as taboo...

In this episode, Jordan sits down with Chance and James from Bridge of Hope to explore practical strategies for addressing gaps in your CV. Whether you’ve been a caregiver, navigated life after the prison system or have taken time off for mental health reasons, this conversation offers valuable guidance. Wondering how to frame a career break without it feeling like a disadvantage? Or how to highli...

In this episode, Jordan and finance expert Kia Commodore guide you through the essential steps you should be taking in your 20s and 30s to get on top of your finances. Do you ever wonder if all those Klarna payments affect your credit score? Is there such a thing as good debt? And just what is a Lifetime ISA? It can feel daunting to assess your finances, but knowledge really is power. This episode...

What exactly is work-life balance? How can we measure it? And is it possible to have a good work-life balance and still thrive in our career? These are the questions explored by Jordan and guest Freeha Ahmad, Life Coach, Clinical Hypnotherapist and Owner of the Freeha Coaching Academy. They discuss the importance of establishing boundaries within work and in our personal lives, the power in saying...

Is neurodivergence really a superpower? Will I ever feel safe to ‘unmask’ at work? And how can I learn to thrive in the workplace? These are the questions Jordan and our guests tackle in this lovely conversation in honour of National Inclusion Week. Jordan is joined by Amie Barlow, ADHD wellness coach and owner of AMIEBFIT Coaching, and Molly Reid, Advisory Consultant at ManpowerGroup Talent Solut...

In today’s episode, we’re exploring how you can build a flourishing career in social care that makes a real difference to people’s lives. Everybody’s life will be touched by social care at some point, and the sector is only going to become more important in the future. It deserves to have ambitious, caring individuals leading the way in its transformation, and maybe you’re one of them. Jordan is j...

Recruitment is a dynamic and rewarding career path, but it’s an often misunderstood industry. In this episode, Jordan and guest Darren Lynch dispel common myths about recruitment, share their motivations for working in the industry and explore the benefits and growth opportunities available through working in this sector. Recruitment is inherently people-focused and at the end of the day, you coul...

With A Level results out this week and GCSEs just around the corner, we hope you get the results you’re looking for. But we also know this is a time where you can feel overwhelmed, disappointed, and not sure what to do next. Maybe you’re at a crossroads and want to hear more about the options open to you when you leave school. In this episode, Jordan talks with Conor Cotton from Not Going To Uni a...

What do you think of when you hear the word ‘mindfulness’? Hippy-dippy woo-woo stuff, or an exclusive club you’re not a part of? Mindfulness doesn’t have to be a complicated thing, and in our busy modern lives it’s more important than ever to prioritise your wellbeing. Join host Jordan Spry as he talks with happiness expert, psychologist and presenter Zoe Mallett, and Megan Corless, Head of Collea...