Shifting Views with Willis

Wayne Willis talks to Dan Fryer and Chris Zanetti, the two people leading Jubilee Central, a Hull city centre building bringing together a 600-seat auditorium, a food bank, a homeless drop-in, a training college and a cafe, funded through a mix of donations and a genuinely commercial offering. The conversation covers how Jubilee Life College is helping people move from long-term unemployment into...

Shazia Ali has practised criminal law since 2001 and built Scarsdale Solicitors from a business plan written at her daughter’s hospital bedside. In this episode, she and Wayne explore what it really means to have a fair justice system, from the principle of innocent until proven guilty and the difference between defending rights versus behaviour, to the misunderstood world of motoring offences, th...

You probably know someone who's dismissed live streaming as a hobby. A bedroom project. Something kids do. George Pavlovs, known online simply as Pavlovs would strongly disagree. At 23, this Hull-based TikTok live streamer has built a genuine community, secured brand deals, and hit his first £10,000 income month. But what makes his story fascinating isn't just the milestone; it's that when he hit...

You've heard businesses say they can't find the right people. But what if that's not the real problem? What if the system itself is broken, filtering out exceptional talent before a human ever sees it? In this episode, Wayne Willis sits down with David Obi, founder of RosyLinks, the company behind RosyJobs and Scholars Citadel, AI-powered platforms built to connect skilled, underrepresented talent...

Most people still see gaming as entertainment. Something separate from business. A distraction rather than an opportunity. In this episode of Shifting Views with Willis, I sit down with Tom Bunten, CEO of Grid Finder and now leading within Traxion, to explore why that view is outdated and what business leaders can learn from the world of sim racing, gaming communities and digital platforms. Tom sh...

Most businesses know they could be operating better. Fewer actually know how. In this episode of Shifting Views with Willis, Juan Horta, founder of Business Consultancy, Erox, joins the pod to explore what’s really holding businesses back from growth. This isn’t about chasing trends or jumping on AI hype. It’s about systems, structure and mindset. Juan represents a new generation of entrepreneurs...

Most businesses think they’re telling a strong story. In reality, they’re talking about themselves, and their customers have already switched off. In this episode of Shifting Views with Willis, Wayne Willis sits down with John Elbing, founder of Standpoint and author of the number one international best-selling book Storybuilding. The conversation explores a simple but often overlooked truth. Cust...

Most agency owners don’t have a motivation problem. They have a systems problem. In this episode of Shifting Views with Willis, Wayne Willis is joined by Jesse P Gilmore, founder of Niche in Control, to unpack why so many agencies hit a ceiling despite working harder than ever. Jesse works with agency owners, typically earning $20,000+ per month, who feel busy, stretched and successful on paper, b...

The HR department is often seen as the team you only hear from when something has gone wrong. But is that perception fair, and what does HR actually deal with day to day inside a business? In this episode of  Shifting Views with Willis , Wayne is joined by Ali Lambert, founder of HR Guru. With over 20 years’ experience in HR, Ali offers a candid look at the realities of working in a...

Everyone is told they need a personal brand. Post more. Go viral. Build influence. Hustle harder. But what if that advice is wrong? In this episode of Shifting Views with Willis, I’m joined by Chelsea Spencer, founder of brand agency, Big Reputation, to challenge the modern obsession with personal branding, influencer culture and vanity metrics. Chelsea argues that real success is built through re...

Chris Murphy has risen through the echelons of the advertising industry. From his beginnings in Hull, UK, to working at global agencies such as Grey London and Saatchi & Saatchi, Chris now lives in Sydney, Australia. He has served as General Manager at The Hallway and is currently Head of Creative and Design at G Squared, working on campaigns for some of the world’s most recognisable brands. N...

Wayne is joined by Kimberly Haley-Coleman, the founder and CEO of Globe Aware, to explore how immersive, community-led volunteering can transform the way we see the world. Kimberly explains why Globe Aware rejects the old charity model and instead builds programmes where volunteers work directly alongside local people on projects chosen and led by the community. This conversation highlights how sh...

AI is reshaping the legal world, but what does that really mean for law firms, lawyers, and clients? In this episode of Shifting Views with Willis, I'm joined by Sam Thompson, a Lawyer and Partner at Gosschalks Solicitors in Hull, East Yorkshire, to explore how artificial intelligence is transforming the legal profession. From automating everyday legal processes to changing how lawyers train, thin...

Chef-turned-entrepreneur Oscar Sowden went from unhappiness, burnout and 22 stone to building a thriving fitness and wellbeing business that helps others do the same. In this powerful episode, Oscar shares how small steps, honest self-reflection and relentless consistency helped him transform his body, mind and career. From that moment, he decided, “I’ve had enough of this.” Oscar has built a life...

What does sustainability really look like inside an industry that keeps the world moving? In this episode of Shifting Views with Willis , Wayne is joined by Tony Prescott , Managing Director of GTS Logistics UK , to explore how collaboration, culture and innovation are transforming logistics — one of the most vital and complex sectors in the global economy. Tony talks about: Why logistics can be a...

Business development is tough. Cold calls go unanswered, emails are ignored, and introductions rarely stick. But what if there was a better way to build influence, win opportunities, and create growth? In this episode of Shifting Views with Willis , I speak with Bob Spence, a former executive at Coutts Bank and now a consultant and trainer who helps leaders and professionals build valuable network...

I’m joined by Jonathan Leafe, former owner of the marketing agency Strawberry and coach to over 40 agency owners. We discuss the challenges faced by agency owners and service-based businesses more broadly in today’s fast-paced and competitive landscape. Jonathan shares his insights on: 🎯 The key challenges and changes facing the marketing and advertising industry. 🎯 How agency owners can adapt t...

What is solarpunk and why is it gaining momentum? Can storytelling and citizen science shape a more hopeful, sustainable future? In this episode of  Shifting Views with Willis , I’m joined by Alan Raw — former BBC journalist, creative practitioner, eco-activist, and author of the solarpunk novel  Salt & Seeds . We explore how creative thinking, community action, and alternative knowl...

Listeners' questions answered by Councillor Mike Ross, Leader of Hull City Council, during the recording of our recent 'Shifting Views with Willis' podcast. Thank you for all of your submissions. #HullPolitics #EastYorkshire #LocalGovernment #MikeRoss #HullAndEastYorkshire #Devolution #Populism #LiberalDemocrats #VoterEngagement #ShiftingViewsWithWillis #PoliticalLeadership #HumberRegion #Politica...

In this episode of Shifting Views with Willis, I sat down with Councillor Mike Ross, Leader of Hull City Council and former candidate for Hull and East Yorkshire's first elected mayor. Mike discusses the implications of devolution and the newly introduced mayoral system, offering insights into the opportunities and challenges ahead for the region. We discuss the outcome of the recent mayoral elect...

Sarah Agar-Brennan is the Head of Commercialisation at the University of Hull. Drawing from her experience as a successful (and sometimes failed) entrepreneur and her appearance on Dragons' Den, Sarah shares invaluable insights on university commercialisation, startup development, and becoming an entrepreneur. Discussion Points: - Why are university students best placed to create startup businesse...

Why do business leaders get marketing wrong? In this episode of Shifting Views with Willis, marketing strategist Tom Wardman reveals why treating marketing as an expense rather than a revenue driver is killing your business growth. If you're a CEO, founder, or business leader struggling to see ROI from your marketing efforts, this episode is your wake-up call. Discover: • Why traditional sales-foc...

In this episode of Shifting Views with Willis, Professor Carl Grombrich challenges traditional perspectives on higher education. As Dean of London Interdisciplinary School and creator of UCL's groundbreaking Arts and Sciences degree, Carl shares how interdisciplinary learning better prepares graduates for our complex world. Is the traditional university offer still valuable for students? Does it p...

The AI revolution isn't coming - it's already here. In this episode of Shifting Views with Willis, tech innovator Darren Crombie cuts through the noise to show how we can harness AI's potential today. From transforming social care to revolutionising education, discover how Britain's organisations already use AI to solve real problems. Key insights: Why resistance to AI is futile - and why that's g...

Join us on Shifting Views as we explore the inspiring mission of Kari Warberg Block - CEO of multi-million dollar US environmentally friendly pest control company EarthKind, and a passionate environmental advocate transforming how we think about sustainability, one pest control solution at a time. This episode delves into the heart of true environmental stewardship, where innovation meets purpose....