Undercurrent Stories

Gordon Giltrap MBE is a British guitar virtuoso known for his innovative fingerstyle technique and genre-blending compositions. With a career spanning over five decades, he has released numerous acclaimed albums, including the iconic Perilous Journey (1977), featuring the hit instrumental Heartsong. Giltrap's music fuses folk, rock, and classical influences, earning him a dedicated global fol...

Colin Crabbe was the kind of man who could spot a priceless vintage car under a pile of chicken wire in Paraguay — and somehow drive it home. A flamboyant racing driver, Formula One team owner, and classic car hunter with a taste for adventure (and a knack for trouble), Colin lived life in the fast lane — sometimes literally. From smuggling D-type Jaguars out of Cuba to crashing out of races in st...

🎙️ Undercurrent Stories Podcast — Episode:  How to Make Life’s Toughest Decisions with Abby Davisson 📚 Featuring: Abby Davisson, Social Innovation Leader & Co-author of Money and Love: An Intelligent Roadmap for Life’s Biggest Decisions Episode Summary: In this insightful episode, we meet Abby Davisson, social innovation leader and co-author of Money and Love , to discuss how we can improve d...

📅 Episode Summary: This episode features two key figures behind one of English football’s most inspiring turnarounds: Mark Lacrouts and Russell Dodd of Nuneaton Town Football Club. Following the club’s liquidation and collapse in early 2024, a determined group of fans and community leaders rebuilt the club from the ground up—literally. With no players, no ground, and just a vision, the new Nuneat...

What drives a marketing executive to walk 600 miles across England during a pandemic? For David Fenton, it began with gratitude for the hospital care his premature twins received 22 years earlier and transformed into something much bigger. In this episode David recounts his remarkable journey that took him through picturesque landscapes and challenging terrains as he navigated the shifting COVID l...

Episode Summary: In this episode of Undercurrent Stories , host Bob Wells sits  down with Rob Waltham, leader of North Lincolnshire Council and recently selected Conservative candidate for Greater Lincolnshire Mayor. Recorded at the historic George Hotel in Stamford, this insightful conversation delves into Rob’s journey into politics, the upcoming mayoral elections, and his vision for the future...

Episode Summary In this episode of Undercurrent Stories , host Bob Wells welcomes Cole Smead , CEO and portfolio manager of Smead Capital Management and host of A Book with Legs podcast. Cole shares powerful insights on how reading influences investment decisions, the importance of pattern recognition in the stock market, and how history, economics, and psychology shape financial success. Discover...

To celebrate St Patrick's Day here is another chance to hear this interview with legendary guitarist Eric Bell from the equally iconic and legendary Irish hard rock band, Thin Lizzy. This episode was originally released in March 2023. Episode photo attributed with thanks -  By Klaus Hiltscher - https://www.flickr.com/photos/khiltscher/3141138463/in/faves-24788065@N02/, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://c...

Steve Gillson—coach, mentor, educator, and digital marketing expert  shares his incredible journey from a successful corporate boardroom career in sales and marketing to a transformative new path in coaching, mentoring, and digital strategy. We explore Steve’s fascinating life journey, including:  ✅ His transition from the corporate world to a more purpose-driven career  ✅ The challenges of movi...

In today's episode, we’re diving deep into our own brains to discover why we do what we do. I don’t know about you but sometimes I wonder why I did something in a particular way! Joining us is Dr Helena Boschi. Helena is a psychologist specialising in applied neuroscience and a much sought after speaker where she brings the fascinating world of brain science to her audiences in a ways that ar...

How much do we really know about what is happening in Ukraine? What is life like for the Ukrainian people? How do they see peace and what will it look like?  This interview was recorded on 26th February 2025 following a tumultuous 2 weeks of 'hard news' related to the war in Ukraine.   Putin/Trump telephone call on 12th February  President Trump described President Zelensky as a 'di...

In this episode, we’re going back in time back to the end of the 19th century and beginning of the 20th century taking a captivating journey into the grandeur, elegance, and daily realities of life in British country houses. Joining us is Adrian Tinniswood — Adrian is a professorial research fellow in history at the University of Buckingham, adjunct professor of history at Maynooth University, and...

Do you ever have to deliver a presentation at work? Navigate  difficult conversations? Or simply just express yourself with clarity and confidence?  If you would like to improve your  communication skills this episode is just for you. Our guest today is Michael Chad Hoeppner,  a renowned communication coach, speaker, and the founder of GK Training and Communications. Michael has coached prominent...

Public Footpaths, or to use the correct term, 'Public Rights of Way' are a unique national treasure in England and Wales. In fact there are over 149,000 miles of them! Interestingly there are a further estimated 49,000 miles of 'lost' Public Rights of Way which could be lost forever if they have not been recorded. Joining me to discuss footpaths and how you can help get involve...

As the 21st century rolls on with a competitive workplace,  an ever changing working environment and the increasing use of AI you might well be asking how you stand out and how you can make yourself irreplaceable. One man that has been asking these questions over the past 15 years while running one of the world’s top executive search firms is my guest William Vanderbloemen. William is an entrepren...

Today we’re diving into a topic that’s often overlooked but always relevant, etiquette and manners.  Most of us learn these as we grow up but given all the cultural and technological changes that modern society has experienced it’s not always easy to know the best practises to adopt.  Here to help navigate these changes I’m joined by Thomas Farley. Based in New York,  Thomas is known as 'Mr M...

James Cooper, a Christmasologist, (Yes there is such a word!), reveals the history of Christmas traditions in the UK over the last 1500 years. Speaking to Bob in this episode first aired in 2022, James takes us on a journey of discovery as he shares the unexplained stories behind the celebration of Christmas. Find out more on James's website; https://www.whychristmas.com/ Connect with Undercu...

 In this inspiring episode, Bob sits down with Chris Porcas, a timber merchant by day and a poet by night, who shares his fascinating journey into the world of poetry. Chris reveals how a chance encounter at a local poetry club ignited his passion for writing, eventually leading to the publication of his first book, The Road to Poetry . Chris discusses his creative process, how he balances his car...

In this episode we’re travelling millions of years into the past to uncover the secrets of Earth’s ancient history. My guest is Armin Schmitt a renowned palaeontologist based at Cambridge University and  author of the book, ‘The Lost World of the Dinosaurs.’ We discuss the fascinating world of dinosaurs, their evolution, and their lasting impact on our understanding of life on Earth. Armin  explai...

In this episode we meet broadcasting legend Nick Bailey, who shares his remarkable journey from pirate radio with Radio Caroline to becoming the first voice on Classic FM. Nick shares his adventures and travels around the world living and working in countries such as Australia, Germany and Hong Kong and we hear stories  about some amazing characters on his journey. We get an insight into world eve...

If you haven't yet witnessed the incredible spectacle that is the Severn Bore, make a date to do so, it's well worth it. One of Britain's few natural phenomena, the Severn Bore is a large surge wave that can be seen in the estuary of the River Severn, where the tidal range is the 2nd highest in the world, being as much as 50 feet (approx. 15.4m). Graded from 1* to 5* the power of th...

In this episode, we’re joined by Dr. Alison Fragale—behavioural scientist, professor, and author of the groundbreaking book, Likeable Badass . Alison shares her expertise on what it takes to build respect, wield influence, and navigate the challenges of modern workplaces with confidence and authenticity.  We discuss the fascinating psychology behind status, unpack the balance between warmth and co...

 Inside the Exclusive World of Executive Jet Travel: Captain Nick Glover In this episode of Undercurrent Stories , host Bob Wells sits down with Nick Glover, a former executive jet captain with an impressive career in business aviation and instructor at Aerobility, a unique charity offering people with disabilities the opportunity to fly. Together, they explore the fascinating life of an executive...

This week's guest is Lucy Dawson, a writer, autism advocate, and ambassador for Wiltshire Council, who shares her inspiring journey navigating life as an autistic person. Lucy opens up about her experiences growing up, the challenges of self-acceptance, and her path to embracing her neurodiversity. From her unique family dynamics to the solace she found in music, Lucy discusses how her life w...

Episode Summary: In this inspiring episode we hear from Sue Heim, an interpretive volunteer at the San Diego Zoo and dedicated volunteer with the Cheetah Conservation Fund (CCF) . Fresh from a month-long trip in Namibia, Sue shares her firsthand experiences in cheetah conservation, discussing the unique traits, challenges, and conservation strategies for cheetahs. Key Topics Covered: - Sue's...