The Good Listening To Show

What if we could build a world where human connection trumps credentials? Where seeing the gold in others becomes a superpower? In this illuminating conversation, collaboration catalyst Gill Tiney reveals the transformative journey that shaped her mission to connect good people globally. Growing up in the multicultural East End of London in the 1960s gave Gill a unique perspective. As one of only...

In this special Legacy Life Reflections episode, Chris Grimes welcomes John Morrison — with his family gathered in the room to bear witness! From the terrace of Henbury Golf Club, his "clearing" of 38 years, John traces a full and generous life: a strict, loving mother who called her children "the jewels in her crown of life"; a working life that ran from PE teacher to trusted financial adviser ac...

Ever wondered what makes performers tick? Neil Bett – actor, facilitator, coach, and one-sixth of an acapella sextet – takes us on a fascinating journey through the moments that shaped his creative path. Recorded in our brand new Future Leap Studios in Bristol, this conversation between old friends crackles with authenticity. Neil and host Chris Grimes trained together at Bristol Old Vic Theatre S...

A special "Legacy: Life Reflections" Episode with ex-Ad Man/Mad-Man and all round thoroughly decent human being, my very good friend Reg Starkey! A wonderfully rich conversation with reflections a-plenty on a colourful and creative life, both long-lived and wise! Born in Barking during the Blitz, a benign benefactor put him through private schools in Salisbury and Malvern.  Further education invol...

When Andy Gotts was 18, a stranger in Norfolk asked him why he didn't look happy. That single question and the Photography Teacher it quietly led him to, set in motion a 36 year path from a college darkroom in King's Lynn to Hollywood's most idiosyncratic black-and-white portraits. In this Stories of Distinction & Genius episode, Chris Grimes welcomes Andy "One Shot" Gotts into The Clearing to...

Only a tiny proportion of Professional Speakers are able to land the best stages again-and-again-and-again - and it is not always the celebrities. I’m joined by Maria Franzoni, Speakers' Advocate, Speaker Coach and former Speaker Bureau Owner, to dig into what actually drives paid Speaking engagements, repeat bookings, and higher Keynote Speaker fees. If you’ve ever wondered why brilliant talks st...

He helped raise £225 million, worked punishing weeks, and then walked away from it all. Jon Kaye joins me in The Clearing to unpack the moment he stopped chasing the obvious definition of success and started rebuilding a life around creativity, community, and better questions. We talk through Jon’s founder story in private equity: the risk of resigning with a pregnant wife, a new house, and no sal...

You can hear a whole philosophy of change hidden inside one simple move: Put the bike where you can see it. That is the kind of practical, human behavior design we get into with Mike Coulter, a lifelong Creative who’s worked across advertising, helped shape projects at the DO Lectures, and now teaches tools for building 'Tiny Habits' that actually stick. We start with the stories that made Mike: G...

Delighted to welcome Patrick Vasey, Laurel & Hardy life-long Super-Fan & Presenter of The Laurel & Hardy Podcast, for a special 'Legacy: Life Reflections' episode, in which we preserve the legacy & share our mutual love and admiration for all things Stan & Ollie. Stan Laurel is my all time comic hero. I first encountered Stan on a Black & White TV set that hummed into actio...

Your Team can tell when you’re not really there and horses can tell even faster! Leadership Strategist, Speaker, Author & Equine-guided Coach Julia Felton, joins Chris to unpack “Business HorsePower”: The practical Leadership lessons that we can borrow from nature and horse-herd-dynamics to build trust, presence, and stronger Teams in the 21st century.  We talk candidly about Burn-Out that hid...

If you don't yet have a frame of reference for Design Response Queen Lori Haller, then here she comes! "The reason I named my company Designing Response is that's how I show up: I'm not here to just create a beautiful design and jooje the copy. I'm here hardcore to hop-on-top of whatever project it is and make sure I get a RESPONSE: Click a button, say "Yes!" and get out your wallet": BOOM!  Prett...

A host hands over his own mic, steps into the straw-lit ring, and lets his story breathe. Chris Grimes invites us into “The Clearing,” a warm, curated space where presence comes first and stories find their shape. From a Uganda childhood and the hum of a TV showing Laurel & Hardy to the ache of losing a sister and the discipline of actor-teacher training, Chris traces the real forces that shap...

This is a special ‘Legacy Life Reflections’ episode in which Chris offers to record Life Stories for posterity. Either your own Story or the Life Story of someone that you love for posterity.  Against the backdrop of a terminal diagnosis, this is the brave and profound story of Linda Jacomb, which both she and her son asked me help tell. What she shares is so pragmatic, so resilient, so stoic and...

A single choice can shape a lifetime. When Nigel Hughes told a careers panel he’d choose Ballet over the Marines, he set a compass for courage, creativity, and connection that still points true decades later.  We invite you into Nigel’s ‘Clearing’ —a 1642 Suffolk cottage turned open house—where hedges host micro-moths, neighbours drop by for sugar-free Black Forest Gâteaux, and Leadership looks li...

What if the moments that break you could become the blueprint for how you lead? That’s the heartbeat of our conversation with Gina Gardiner—leader, author, broadcaster, and unapologetic catalyst for change—who turned a devastating ski accident and years of chronic pain into a living masterclass on resilient, human leadership. We trace the arc from breaking gender barriers as a young deputy head, t...

What if staying sharp has nothing to do with age and everything to do with curiosity? We sit down with Harry Mount, Editor of The Oldie Magazine, for a brisk, generous tour through a life shaped by language, architecture, bicycles, and the courage to change course. Harry opens with the soul of the magazine—why it prizes wit over celebrity and celebrates people “with snap in their celery”—and takes...

Legacy Life Reflections: The Unstoppable Force of Nature Christine Marsh, trailblazing at 84 as THE Global Influencer on 'Living Life to the Full’, into your 90's and Beyond!                             EPISODE NOTES: Meet Christine Marsh, a force of nature who at 84 became a model and is now trailblazing on a path to becoming THE Global Influencer on "Living Life to the Full" into your 90’s and b...

Story of Distinction: Actor & Atlantic Rowing Super Hero Cal MacAninch, on the profound lessons-learned by rowing 3,000 miles for the Talisker Whisky Challenge                          EPISODE NOTES: Proud and delighted to welcome BACK for a second row past - with the vastness of the Atlantic Ocean for his 'Clearing', Scottish Actor Cal MacAninch , here to describe his Epic Quest and the profo...

Founder Story: Matt Zeigler, the Ultimate Polymath! Super Connector, Producer, Community Builder & Fellow Show Host of "Just Press Record" for perfect Collaboration! EPISODE NOTES:What if the shortest path to better work is learning to be where your feet are? That’s the spark behind our conversation with Matt Zeigler—producer turned financial adviser, community builder, and host of the very ex...

David L. Deutsch  is a world-renowned direct response copywriter, marketing strategist, author, and copywriting coach. In addition to creating winning promotions from scratch, he often works with clients and writers behind the scenes to turn under-performing promotions into winners. David started at Ogilvy & Mather on Madison Avenue, working with clients such as  Merrill Lynch, General Foods, ...

Leadership Reflections: Working for Cause Not Applause with World Renowned Keynote Speaker & 'Chief Zoo Keeper’, Nigel Risner, on ‘Food for Thought’ Leadership  Entertaining and unreservedly direct, Nigel isn’t just a motivational speaker – he is a company turnaround specialist driving everyone from CEOs to school children to ignite excitement and action in their life. For more than 20 years,...