What's Your Stori?

In this episode of What’s Your Stori?, host James speaks with Phil Evans, a long-time business owner who works in financial services and describes his week as primarily “problem solving.” Phil shares how he wanted to be a carpenter but entered finance in his early twenties and has spent 41 years learning and helping others. They discuss how business owners often leave employment perks like pension...

Meet Lucy Clark, co-founder of OatSoak, a 100% natural bath additive and skincare brand created for people with eczema, psoriasis, and sensitive skin. Lucy explains how the business began during lockdown after her nephew suffered severe eczema and store-bought products irritated his skin, prompting her and her sister Katie to focus on colloidal oatmeal without added preservatives. Starting with a...

In this episode of What’s Your Stori?, James speaks with Alex Shufflebottom, a long-time owner of the South West Wales steel building firm 'Shufflebottom Ltd'. They talk about growing a family business which started nearly 50 years ago from selling wrought iron gates into a market-leading steel fabrication company. Alex recounts the company’s moves to Cross Hands, her father’s death in 199...

In this episode of What’s Your Stori?, James sits down with actor and musical theatre performer Samuel Wyn Morris, a fellow local from their hometown, Llanelli, where they went to school and played rugby together. Sam shares what life is like working in the West End and on tour, describing the discipline of eight shows a week and treating performance like elite sport. He retraces his late start in...

This week, James interviews John Burns, founder of Burns Pet Nutrition and John Burns Foundation. John shares his background; born in Belfast in 1948, raised in west Scotland, trained as a vet in Glasgow, and moved to Whitland, Wales, where his interest in small-animal chronic illness led him to acupuncture and macrobiotics, shaping his nutrition-first philosophy. He challenges grain-free and raw-...

In this episode of What’s Your Stori, James sits down with Aaron “Shingz” Shingler. A Welsh international and long-time Scarlets player and now owner of property development firm GS6 Developments, founded in 2018 after injury. He describes a typical week balancing site visits, meetings, emails, family life, and intense training for triathlons. Shingler recounts his late rugby rise after focusing o...

In this episode of What’s Your Stori?, Meet Richard Lee, founder of Innovators Uncensored, a startup and self-employment focused media company creating weekly newsletters, events across the UK, and the podcast series “Sharks, Snakes, and Shareholders” about investor horror stories. Richard shares how Innovators Uncensored began after an investment pitch at Google’s London HQ revealed a knowledge g...

In this episode of What’s Your Stori? James speaks with Kay Augustus, a mother, business owner, and Chartered Institute of Payroll Professionals member, about Augustus Payroll and why payroll is more than “pushing a button,” including its role in PAYE and compliance. Kay shares her path from an admin role in a local factory into payroll across industry and practice, and explains how software can c...

In this episode of What’s Your Stori?, James speaks with Lowri and Claire, mothers and co-founders of The Staging House Wales, a home staging business that prepares and presents properties to look their best for sale. Lowri shares how postnatal depression led her to discover the impact of “visual noise” and the psychology of space, first launching a decluttering and lifestyle management service be...

In this episode of What’s Your Stori?, we welcome therapist, author, and copywriter Debra Penrice to explore wellbeing, healing, and the power of listening. Debra shares how her background in marketing and case study copywriting shaped her belief in “inner stories” and led to founding her therapy practice, Story Healing, focused on unpicking repetitive thought patterns. She discusses experiencing...

In this episode of the What’s Your Stori?, James speaks with Jessica, founder of Spuddy Lovely; a Swansea-based jacket potato business run alongside her mother and best friend, Ebony. Jess shares how she worked in childcare and hospitality from age 15, returned to work during maternity, and how her son Oscar’s diagnosis with craniosynostosis and the financial pressures around his major skull opera...

In this episode of What’s Your Stori?, James sits down with Ioan Bowen-Pickett, founder of Cambrensis, a Welsh designer menswear brand based in Cardiff. Ioan explains the meaning behind the name (Latin for “of Wales”), the brand’s Welsh miners’ lamp logo inspired by industrial heritage, and his ambition to build the number one fashion house in Wales - after already hosting Wales’s biggest-ever run...

Welcome to Season 2 of the What's Your Stori? Podcast. It's been a while since we've released an episode, but we're back! In this dynamic episode of What's Your Stori?, James sits down with Dr. Tennessee Randall, a world champion kickboxer and accomplished researcher. Tennessee shares her journey from being bullied as a child to becoming a world champion in kickboxing, all whil...

In this engaging episode of What's Your Stori?, James welcomes Tracy Pike MBE, Chief Executive Officer of CYCA. Tracy delves into her extensive career in youth wellbeing, discussing the wide-ranging services offered by her charity, including mental health support, social prescribing, and family therapy. She highlights the importance of addressing trauma, forming secure attachments, and empower...

In this episode of What's Your Stori?, James sits down with Huw Edwards, the co-founder of Tidy Tea, to explore the journey of creating a sustainable tea brand from West Wales. From farming roots and challenges in the food industry to coming up with the idea during lockdown and navigating the complexities of production, Huw shares the inspiring story behind Tidy Tea. Learn about their unique p...

Meet Alun Jones, a self-professed social media geek and business owner, shares his journey in the world of digital marketing. Alun discusses the inception and growth of his media marketing agency, Libera, founded in 2023, and elaborates on their content creation, paid ads, and strategy services. He also highlights the creation and success of the Social Media Conference Cymru, driven by the need fo...

In this episode of What’s Your Stori?, James chats with Celyn Lazenby, owner of The Strength Hub in Capel Hendre, Wales. Celyn shares her journey from a young athlete dealing with an eating disorder to becoming a successful gym owner and personal trainer. They discuss the challenges and triumphs of opening a community-focused gym, the importance of mental health in fitness, and how her personal ex...

In this episode of the What's Your Stori? James sits down with 16-year-old entrepreneur Lewis, the winner of the Young Entrepreneur of the Year 2025 award in the Carmarthenshire Business Awards, Chickwood Poultry. Lewis shares his inspiring journey of starting his poultry business at the age of 13, discussing the challenges he faced, his triumphs, and the various aspects of running a successfu...

In this riveting episode of the What's Your Stori?, James converses with Dr. Wyn Thomas who is a historian, author, and musician from Wales. They delve deep into the history of Cwm Tryweryn and the tragic flooding that displaced a Welsh community, while exploring its profound impact on Welsh political landscape and cultural identity. Dr. Thomas also shares insights from his personal journey, i...

In this delightful episode of What's Your Stori? podcast, we sat with Lucy Hughes, fourth-generation senior director of Joe’s Ice Cream, a century-old brand based in Swansea, Wales. Lucy shares the inspiring history of Joe's Ice Cream, from its founding by Giuseppe Cascarini in 1922 to becoming a staple in South Wales. They discuss the challenges and successes of maintaining a family busin...

In this episode of What's Your Stori?, James sits down with Kathryn Devonald-Davies, a renowned solicitor and entrepreneur, who shares her inspiring journey of running DPA Law Firm. Kathryn discusses the varied nature of her day-to-day work, the importance of offering world-class legal advice, and how personal experiences have shaped her career. She also delves into lessons learned in leadersh...

In this episode of What’s Your Stori?, James sits down with Lisa Fearn, founder of Y Sied Coffee and the original Pumpkin Patch Cookery School. Lisa shares her inspiring journey from working in financial services, to raising five children, to becoming a food educator, author, TV and radio guest, and coffee shop owner in Carmarthen. We dive into the realities of running a coffee and food business i...

In this episode of What's Your Stori, James sits down with Duke Al Durham, a talented spoken word poet based in South Wales. They discuss the transformative power of poetry, particularly spoken word, and its ability to provide self-therapy and expression. Duke shares his journey with OCD and Type 1 diabetes, explaining how these experiences have shaped his work and life. They also delve into t...

In this compelling episode of What's Your Stori?, James sits down with Mari Arthur, award-winning business owner and sustainability expert. Mari shares her journey of creating Tetrim Tea Company, a Community Interest Company aimed at revitalising her hometown of Trimsaran, Wales. Delving into the development of their unique health teas, including the Rhubarb Root Tea and Lion's Mane Mushro...

In this episode of the What's Your Stori podcast, host James sits down with Cameron, a young serial entrepreneur from Wales who is building a boutique plant business, The Secret Plant House. Cameron shares his journey, starting from his first business at 16, Bug Box, selling insects, to an ambitious plant venture offering rare and exotic houseplants. They discuss the challenges of importing pl...