Sofa Stories

Send us Fan Mail In our first bonus episode, NB has a quick impromptu chat with XMP Richard Graham about politics, padel and podcasts. It is all going down at The Padel Club Gloucester Quays. Since 2012 Richard has served Prime Ministers David Cameron, Theresa May, Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak since November 2012 as their Trade Envoy: first to Indonesia, then also to ASEAN, Malaysia and the Phili...

Send us Fan Mail As we (NB and Choc) build towards our interview with The Padel Club CEO Kris Ball, we pour out our excitement by way of a 5K Debrief. We just can’t help it.  We cover a lot here so it’s not available for synopsis, you just have to listen to find out what’s inside (unapologetic plea) we hope your curiosity gets the better of you and we promise it will be worth it, so… let’s get int...

Send us Fan Mail THE RIPPLE EFFECT… No this isn’t Oli talking chocolate bars (this time), we are referring to the knock on effect of The Sofa Stories Podcast. Amongst other hot topics in this weeks 5K NB and Choc fantasise what the ripple effect could look like in the future, for us and for our awesome listeners (you) too. There are bound to be some ripples, some small but some tidal waves too no...

Send us Fan Mail We kick 2025 off with not only the best intentions but with knowledge and biology hacks from medical expert Dr Sam, we talk about the reality that exists in alcohol free and unlocking the best version of YOU. Along with longevity and how Oxford Natural Clinic are using cutting edge A technology, tests and treatments for their clients so they can not only live longer, but happier a...

Send us Fan Mail Let’s take a moment to pause and reflect. 2024, what a year it has been. Thank YOU for being here and for listening to The Sofa Stories Podcast , it truly means the world. Let us know your highlights and takeaways so far via Instagram @the._sofastories_podcast  Follow @the_sofastories_podcast on Instagram. Send us a voice note with any questions and/ or thought provoking and inspi...

Send us Fan Mail We love a 5K debrief, (albeit this is more like an 8k or a 5K walk ;).  Lapland advertures for NB and a British Airways Corporate event for Choc. Romy’s first nativity for Daddy Choc, NB’s visit from 40 Beijing business students at Arighi Bianchi. We love a good tangent on this show and in this episode we made the ultimate pivot/ segue from discussing the BBC visiting Arighi Bianc...

Send us Fan Mail It's a pleasure to welcome on to the sofa a great friend of NB and OD - Charlie Womersley aka; Charlie The Wine. 🍷  Charlie specialises in wine tastings and consultancy, with 45 years in his field, his passion is infectious as is his charisma. What makes a good wine? What should we look for? What should we avoid? What is best with Italian, Indian, Christmas dinner? Charlie b...

Send us Fan Mail Stop what you’re doing and listen, it’s a wholesome 5K episode not to be missed. We’ve covered some tracks here from the Cheshire Business Awards to the Manchester Art Fair and everything inbetween, including notes to one’s future self and boozing clever?! Stay Classy.  Ps as mentioned in the Pod. Good Luck to Wilmslow Youth and Becki Petrondas. Thanks to everyone for your support...

Send us Fan Mail The 90’s was a turbulent time and in 1992 our late Queen was remembered for using the famous Latin phrase - Annus Horriblis. For a year involving.    A serious fire at Windsor Castle   The divorce of the Princess Royal   The separation of the Duke of York from his wife   Marriage problems for the Prince of Wales Former butler to the late Queen, Duke of Edinburgh and the Royal Fami...

Send us Fan Mail NB and Choc with a cheeky 5K debrief. Let us know your thoughts and takeaways on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/the_sofastories_podcast?igsh=MTQ3cGJxNXJlaTJ2Zw== or text us via Spotify.  Don’t think, DO! think, do!  As promised here’s the newsroom clip 🇺🇸 as mentioned by NB/ from Ed Rowlinson in the last part of this episode. https://youtu.be/wTjMqda19wk?si=TllytCSfmbWd21QE...

Send us Fan Mail It’s episode 26 of SS and we are delighted to welcome our friend George Blackshaw onto the Ruxley Sofa at Arighi Bianchi. George is a real life example of how to “flip it”, we can’t always control what happens to us in life but we can control how we react to it. George had an accident at 2 years old which led to him being “disabled” (right leg and right arm amputee) this doesn’t d...

Send us Fan Mail Such a privilege to have, legend, comedian, actor, singer, padel tennis ambassador, all round Entertainer, man of wisdom and a true gentleman - Jason Manford on the sofa with us. Give this episode a listen, you won’t regret it. Let’s get into it.  Follow @the_sofastories_podcast on Instagram. Send us a voice note with any questions and/ or thought provoking and inspiring statement...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we  delved into some uncharted Territories thanks for some fantastic questions from our listeners. we were equally surprised by our answers as we were by the questions and some cases. We had a fun time. I hope you will join us. If anyone has any other questions, we will do part two. Happy Halloween! 👻  Follow @the_sofastories_podcast on Instagram. Send us a voice...

Send us Fan Mail This episode of The Sofa Stories Podcast is nicknamed “The Michael Jordan”,  not because we speak about the Chicago Bulls or the NBA, but because of its number. We’re not talking about Oli’s only fans account as the the title may suggest. This week’s topic is “Negativity on social media”.. Along with much more lyrical waxing, including NB’s Padel business trip to Milan with John B...

Send us Fan Mail The University Academy founded by The Class Of 92 under world class football manager Sir Alex Ferguson. UA92 is an absolute credit to its founders - Gary Neville, Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, Phil Neville and Nicky Butt. It was a total privilege to host a live Podcast at University Academy 92 (UA92) as part of their wellbeing festival this week. Incredible energy from the start, we e...

Send us Fan Mail A fantastic privilege for us to sit down with Andy Reid MBE for Episode 21 of our Sofa Stories Podcast.🎙️ Army veteran, survivor, fundraiser, author and celebrity motivational speaker. Andy’s story is so inspiring and moving.   While serving in Helmand Province, Afghanistan with The Royal Yorkshire Regiment  Andy’s life changed forever on Tuesday 13 October 2009, when he was blown...

Send us Fan Mail A cheeky 5K debrief with NB and CHOC. 🎙️  Follow @the_sofastories_podcast on Instagram. Send us a voice note with any questions and/ or thought provoking and inspiring statements which we can engage with on the show. We encourage our listeners to join the conversation. 🙏🏻

Send us Fan Mail An absolute privilege to sit down with Derek Lilley for this weeks Sofa Stories episode.  Derek and Edwina Lilley were regarded as visionaries in the hospitality industry after founding, operating and selling Est Est Est, Piccolino and the Bar & Grill’s. Prior to the serious world of hospitality,  Derek has enjoyed one the most colourful of careers you can imagine, spanning ma...

Send us Fan Mail A very cheeky debrief, slow 5K run or a 10k if you’re fast! 💨  In this episode NB and Oli catch up and share some stories inspired by Nicks latest TV appearances 😜, a Padel trip to Portugal for Vaughany’s 50th, Oli’s take aways from El Burrito Monster in the last episode and a nice precursor to the next episode featuring Derek Lilley. So without further chit chat, let’s get into...

Send us Fan Mail If this episode was a burrito 🌯 it would be delicious, juicy, and cram packed with tasty bites. Oli aka “El Burrito Monster” entered unknown waters during lockdown and almost by accident stumbled upon something which would change the director of his life forever. Oli shares his story of how content creation and his world of social media has not only provided him with a career in...

Send us Fan Mail An absolute privilege to interview Sandy Lindsay MBE in our forthcoming episode on Sofa Stories Podcast 🎙️🛋️ . Sandy has had a remarkable journey from growing up in one of the toughest council estates in the UK to becoming one of the most successful businesswomen in the communications and digital marketing arena. Hear how she started Award winnning Social Media and creative agency...

Send us Fan Mail Episode 15. A cheeky 5K debrief. What have you been up to? People may ask. Where do you begin? “Not much” , “everything” “Do you really want to know?”… Well in case you did ask, wonder, or were slightly curious, in this episode you’ll get the full “download” of what NB and Choc have been upto, from Padel (obvs) , ice baths and a trip to Marbs, to speaking engagements, business awa...

Send us Fan Mail Episode 14 of Sofa Stories Podcast. Oli and I were privileged to be joined on this episode by Clearwater Corporate Finance Head of Impact, Jo Daley , who shines a light on the importance of creating a ESG (Economic, Social and Governance) policy within businesses. As the CEO Mark Taylor says, it is much more than planting trees!! Clearwater are the only company in the mid market C...

Send us Fan Mail OD and NB, LIVE from Choc Towers… a cheeky 5K debrief with a few surprises.. Including a mini interview with a special guest linked to Cricket and Dancing On Ice, any guesses? A wiki leak of an upcoming guest whose creativity with food grabs the attention of the likes of Gordon Ramsay and Jamie Oliver. Nicks story of a Mallorca reunion after 35 years!! Oli’s still vibing from bein...

Send us Fan Mail The radio used to play in the background, while the TV was the main focus of attention. Now, whether we like to admit it or not, the TV plays in the background and the phone/ mini computer we have glued to our hand is where the attention is, in my opinion anyway. (Oli). We are privileged to be joined by Social Media Stars Alannah and Victor, who share their stories of how they bec...