Stopgap Talks

What does it really take to build a successful business when there's no safety net? For leaders of small businesses and independent agencies, every decision carries weight. Every hire matters. Every client relationship counts. And the culture you create isn't something delegated to HR - it's something you live every day. In this episode of Stopgap Talks , Amanda sits down with Richard Morris , Fou...

What does a high-performing team actually look like, and how do you build one in a way that feels human, not forced? In this episode of Stopgap Talks , Sarah Windsor is joined by Matt Turner - founder, speaker and coach - to explore the reality behind building teams that deliver both performance and meaning. Drawing on his experience scaling Clownfish Events into an award-winning business known fo...

Customer experience is one of the most talked-about areas in modern business, but despite the buzz, many organisations still struggle to translate it into meaningful, measurable impact. In this episode of Stopgap Talks , host John Hunt is joined by Charlie Sim, Partner at The Foundation , for a practical and thought-provoking conversation on what good customer experience actually looks like - and...

In a world where AI is reshaping the recruitment landscape, one question keeps coming up: what happens to the human touch? In this first roundtable episode of Stopgap Talks , our Leadership Team explore why human connection is still the most powerful part of the recruitment process; for candidates, for clients, and for the long-term health of employer brands. Together, they dig into: Why they chos...

Stepping away from your career to have children can be one of the most meaningful and life-changing experiences — but returning to work afterwards often brings a mix of emotions: excitement, uncertainty, and sometimes, self-doubt. In this Stopgap Talks episode, hosts Sarah Windsor and Zoe Vannozzi open up an honest and compassionate conversation about what it really feels like to return to work af...

Hiring your first Product Marketing Manager (PMM) can feel like a leap into the unknown. What skills matter most? How do you avoid chasing unicorns? And why does capability matter more than job titles when scaling niche roles? In this episode of Stopgap Talks , Sarah Windsor , Principle Consultant at Stopgap, is joined by Hattie The PMM , founder of productmarketers.com and a leading voice in the...

In this episode of Stopgap Talks , host Amanda McCarthy sits down with Grace French , Director and Head of Culture at Stand, to explore what it really takes to build an employer reputation that goes beyond the surface. Employer brand isn’t just a marketing exercise—it’s lived and experienced every day by the people inside your organisation. Grace shares her perspective on - What a “good” culture l...

In this episode of Stopgap Talks, host Amanda McCarthy is joined by Sara Tidy , a confidence and career reinvention coach who helps people rebuild after redundancy and other major career setbacks. Redundancy can shake more than just your job title—it can challenge your identity, self-worth, and confidence. In this honest and uplifting conversation, Amanda and Sara explore how to navigate the emoti...

For too long, menopause has been treated as a taboo subject—whispered about, misunderstood, or completely ignored in the workplace. But what if we saw it differently? What if menopause wasn’t the end of something, but the beginning of a new phase of empowerment, clarity and strength? In this episode of Stopgap Talks , our Lead Consultant Kate Boston speaks with Michelle Vaughton —Founder of VOLT C...

In this powerful and thought-provoking episode, Stopgap’s Lead Consultant Kate Boston sits down with transformative life coach Katherine Ashmore —creator of The Mindset Exchange —to tackle one of the most common but rarely discussed challenges in career transitions: the inner critic . Whether you're eyeing your next big role or supporting others through the hiring process, this episode is packed w...

In this episode of Stopgap Talks , host Amanda McCarthy sits down with performance and wellbeing coach James Pickles to explore the emotional reality behind job searching, recruitment, and leadership. Drawing from James’ own experience of burnout and recovery, they dive into how community—and genuine human connection—can be the key to protecting mental health in a fast-moving world of work. Togeth...

Ever feel intimidated or overwhelmed by the idea of networking? Wondering if networking really matters post-pandemic? In today's episode, Claudine Farrell sits down with networking expert Benjamin Chilcott to unravel the art—and magic—of building powerful connections that genuinely help your career, business, and personal growth. Benjamin shares insights from his extensive career, personal experie...

The marketing recruitment landscape is evolving faster than ever, and as we settle into 2025, it’s the perfect time to reflect on the lessons learned and look ahead to what’s next. In this special episode of Stopgap Talks , Claire Owen (Owner & Founder of Stopgap) and Rowan Lawrence (Director of People & Values) share their insights on the biggest challenges and opportunities in marketing...

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) are more than just buzzwords—they are essential for building stronger, more innovative, and more successful workplaces. But how can businesses truly integrate DEI into their hiring processes? In this episode of Stopgap Talks , Rowan Lawrence and Amanda McCarthy explore why DEI should be a priority in recruitment and how companies can take practical steps to e...

The world of work has transformed dramatically in recent years, and few industries have felt this shift more acutely than marketing, digital, and creative sectors. Remote work is no longer a temporary solution—it’s a permanent fixture reshaping how professionals collaborate, innovate, and thrive. To explore how remote work is evolving, Stopgap Talks brings you an insightful conversation featuring...

In today’s competitive job market, a positive candidate experience can make all the difference. From the job description to the onboarding process, each step of the hiring journey shapes how candidates perceive your brand. But what does it take to truly engage and impress candidates throughout the recruitment process? To answer that question, our latest Stopgap Talks episode brings together Kate B...

In this insightful episode of Stopgap Talks , Zoe Amar , a leading digital consultant, joins Sibylle Harrison to explore the key strategies for building effective digital teams within the charity sector. Together, they dive into the unique challenges charities face, including digital transformation, recruitment struggles, and the all-important decision between upskilling staff or hiring new talent...

In this episode, Claudine Farrell (Lead Consultant) and Tess Leigh (Senior Consultant) pull back the curtain on a topic that frustrates many job seekers—recruiter ghosting. They explain the reasons behind it, what happens behind the scenes in recruitment, and offer actionable advice on how candidates, hiring managers and recruiters can improve communication. Tune in for a candid conversation that...