The Mic Drop

Ed and Ben are back, back again, and it's too hot to function. Ben has the weather stats to prove just how unhinged this heatwave actually is, including one number involving Cornwall and Bangkok that will make you feel significantly worse about your commute. There's a deep dive into why you can't cool down, a ranked breakdown of cooling techniques (spluting, death shrouding, and the wa...

They're back. There's been a gap because Ben went to the Pyrenees and came home with a written-off bike and a thumb that doesn't bend like it once did. Ed has Scotland in the sweepstake and is genuinely optimistic about this. We get into: The 2026 World Cup and why forty-eight teams takes all the jeopardy out of it A Cape Verde player who ignored a LinkedIn message for a year and ended...

It's a Birthday Special! Ben took last week off because it was his birthday and he simply wasn't coming in, and Ed's turn was just around the corner. Things get philosophical via shuffleboard, balloon breath, and the maths that will ruin your next house party. Ben kicks things off with a birthday revelation that hits harder than expected: there will be a last time you pick up your kids...

Ed and Ben are back, and this week things get philosophical - via afternoon tea, motorcycle mishaps, and the furthest humanity has ever travelled from Earth. Ben's suspension saga takes an unexpected turn when a moment of impatience leads him to buy a second motorbike he didn't need, which kicks off a brilliant conversation about how our shrinking attention spans are fundamentally changing...

They're back! Three weeks late, zero apologies. The clocks have changed, Ben's been angry about it ever since, and Ed offloaded his kids on the in-laws and had a lovely time. We get into: Ed's webinar on franchise recruitment in the AI era and why brands are losing prospects they don't even know they had Ben's vibe-coded CRM that turned 10 leads into 4 meetings (and what that s...

Two cars in a month… dolphins getting high… and a franchise awards night that went exactly how you’d expect (i.e. sideways). This episode starts with a harmless catch-up and quickly spirals into: The reality of buying “budget” cars (and why every dodgy one “just runs like that”) Dolphins apparently getting high off puffer fish… and what that says about intelligence Behind the scenes of the EF100 A...

For the first time ever… we’re out in the wild. Recording from a swanky London hotel bar (pub rules still apply), this episode is what happens when you mix franchising, filming chaos, questionable teenage stories, and just enough alcohol to make things… unpredictable. We get into: Behind the scenes of “Franchising’s Got Talent” – from “great idea” to full-blown production madness Why filming is ne...

Sun’s out… tempers are not. In this episode, Ed’s on the brink thanks to car chaos, Ben’s fresh from an AI seminar and fully “vibe coding,” and somewhere along the way we discover that orcas might be chatting… or scientists have finally lost the plot. We get into: The real, practical use of AI in business (not just the fluffy “we’re 30% more productive” chat) GEO vs SEO and how people are actually...

Ben and Ed bounce from unpredictable British weather to quiz-night confidence, from YouTube algorithms to fast food ads that may or may not be “authentic.” They unpack how social media really works, why dwell time quietly rules your feed, and whether brands like McDonald’s are selling burgers or selling carefully staged relatability. Along the way there’s talk of rhyming orange, $20 matchboxes, po...

In this episode of Mic Drop , Ed and Ben begin with Britain’s favourite pastime, obsessing over the weather, and end up exploring how grey skies affect mood, why nutrition and vitamin D matter more than we think, and how creativity can be a serious business advantage. Along the way: nostalgic detours, cultural reflections through music, the strange power of music videos, and the unforgettable “Dea...

Ben and Ed start with Valentine’s Day and quickly abandon all structure. What follows is a deep dive into the 10,000-hour rule, why productivity doesn’t always feel productive, and whether true skill can actually be replicated in business or if some things just refuse to be systemised. Along the way: obscure world championships, the strange beauty of niche sports, YouTube rabbit holes, and the joy...

In this episode of Mic Drop , Ed and Ben wander from alcohol-free living and lifestyle resets into culture, branding, and why the things we think we won’t like often teach us the most. They unpack the unexpected grip of Bridgerton , what it reveals about desire, connection, and escapism, and why dismissing popular culture is usually lazy thinking. From there, the conversation pivots into business,...

January feels heavy. Motivation dips, routines wobble, and everything somehow costs more than it should. In this episode of Mic Drop , Ben and Ed talk candidly about the January blues, mental health, and how planning, movement, and community can make the toughest month more manageable. From honest weight-loss struggles to the unseen stress of event planning, this is a real conversation about keepi...

In this episode of Mic Drop , Ben and Ed start with a snack debate and end up talking about the future. Along the way, they cover cultural differences, orchestra trips, the strange magic of music composition, and real-world insights from the franchise space. They dig into what’s changing in marketing, why engagement and trust-building content matter more than ever, and how creativity cuts through...

Ben and Ed kick off the New Year with trademark Mic Drop banter, sharing reflections on Christmas, culture, and the strange language of New Year’s resolutions. They explore why resolutions so often fail, the psychology behind goal-setting, and why discipline, accountability, and systems matter more than motivation. The conversation weaves through health and fitness, business and franchising realit...

LISTEN AFTER EPISODE 20 For episode 20 of The Mic Drop podcast Ben and Ed were due to get each other a gift and open it live in front of each other on the podcast. Ben's gift for Ed didn't arrive on time, probably cause he ordered it from Temu or somewhere like that, so Ed recorded the opening of the gift in this very short clip. Merry Christmas everyone and have a great festive break! See...

Christmas has arrived and so has peak Mic Drop chaos. In this festive special, Ed Purnell and Ben Brookes crack open their Christmas traditions, from gift-exchange anticipation and family rituals to the very serious business of Christmas dinner. Expect strong opinions on roast potato quantities, porchetta devotion, carvery logic, and why Brussels sprouts deserve more respect. There’s talk of festi...

This episode sprints through busted mindsets, franchise recruitment madness, people-pleasing chaos, shopping disasters, and why Christmas music charts make absolutely no sense anymore. There’s a festive music quiz, confessions from Spotify Wrapped, and a detour into how music supervisors secretly control your emotions. Plus: unexpected gratitude, winter delusion, and the occasional useful insight....

Ben and Ed return with a festive, tech-tinged episode that swings from nativity-play chaos to AI confusion, with plenty of music, franchising, and existential pondering along the way. They kick things off with holiday greetings and a rant about battling modern AI tools, before diving into weather woes, school performances, and the universal parenting experience of having no idea what role your chi...

Ben & Ed are back with an episode that blends franchising insight, music nostalgia, and festive chaos in classic Mic Drop style. This week, they break down their experience judging the Elite Franchise 100 , the rise of children’s services in the industry, and why strong branding and real human connection still make all the difference in franchise recruitment. They also touch on cat care franch...

This week on Mic Drop , Ben and Ed swap stories from the battlefield of daily life — from mechanical meltdowns to podcasting mishaps. They open up about the impact of charity initiatives , specifically the shoebox campaign bringing smiles to children who need it most. The conversation drifts through waves of nostalgia , revisiting old nightclub memories and the weird tricks that age plays on the m...

In this episode of Mic Drop , Ed Purnell and Ben Brookes wade into the wild world of ticket reselling , music history , and Trademark Branding — because where else would you get that combo? From the chaos of dynamic pricing to the soulful influence of blues on modern music, the pair explore how culture, business, and creativity constantly collide. They dive into why authentic branding matters , ho...

Ben and Ed are back after Ben's ridiculously long holiday! Good news is they're armed with stories, sarcasm, and a few questionable dance moves from a Tina Turner musical. Cam belt updates and holiday recovery quickly evolves into a deep dive into the British Franchise Association Conference , exploring how networking, supplier relationships, and human connection keep the franchising world...

This week, Ben and Ed zigzag through a wonderfully odd mix of topics from the absurdity of customer service to the mysterious logic of daylight savings time. They chat about conquering public speaking fears, why sleep might just be the ultimate business hack, and how planning beats panic every time. Somewhere between tales of botched heists, a “bag of snakes” incident, and Ben’s 18-year milestone...

From heated debates over waffles vs. pancakes to rants about customer service and reflections on getting older, this episode serves up a mix of humour, heart, and heavy riffs. The pair dive deep into the golden age of pop culture, crispy pancakes, dial tones, and the soundtracks that defined a generation. Expect talk of Limp Bizkit, iconic film tunes, and the surprising link between music, mental...