Meta Manchester

In this episode, my guest is Matt Barraclough. He's an old friend who runs a TV and video production agency in Manchester. Here, he shares entertaining stories about: - the differences between Manchester and Leeds - climbing the ladder to success - working in Advertising vs Drama - bullying in the industry - the business of problem solving - and Manchester as a creative hub to rival London. Matt is one my favourite storytellers and you'll see why!  --     --     -- -LISTEN TO THE FULL CONVERSATION HERE-

In this episode, Lee McKenzie tells the story of - leaving Manchester - traveling the world - figuring out life hacks - building his passion project of designing 'Kings and Crooks' - bespoke playing cards for magicians and card connoisseurs - and returning to Manchester. --      --      -- -LISTEN TO THE FULL CONVERSATION HERE-

In this episode, Aniff Akinola talks about his 30-plus-year music production career that got started from 'sweating like mad' on the dancefloors of various Manchester nightclubs in 1979. He shares stories about: - growing up chopping firewood in the backyard - getting into the music industry through connections he made on the club scene - his work on one of the most iconic acid house anthems of all time - as well as performing on Top of The Pops - twice! Aniff has been there and done that so there are a few A-list names being dropped in this episode. I certainly enjoyed this conversation. I hope you do too. --      --      -- -LISTEN TO THE FULL CONVERSATION HERE- Aniff: When's the last time you've been here?  Tan: Last time I was in Manchester was at least five years ago.  Aniff: Yeah well the changes are ridiculous honestly, you won't believe. It's just a metropolis honestly. It's ridiculous you know, I live in Old Trafford. Come out of Old T...

In this double-episode, Debbie Steer, supervising producer at Flying Bark Productions based in Sydney, Australia, she shares her entertaining story of getting a foot into the film industry door, working her way up the ladder to reach the top, her mindset towards decision making, and why she doesn't miss Manchester too much. Ok, she's in Sydney so for anybody who appreciates sunshine, the last one is not difficult to guess but I promise it's an entertaining episode! --      --      -- -LISTEN TO THE FULL CONVERSATION HERE-

  In this episode, Liam Croker, lead singer of WINACHI, talks about: - when he thinks new artists can call themselves professional musicians - the current indie music scene in Manchester - playing live and touring - visiting Los Angeles for the first time - and how he has sustained a career in music for over a decade --      --      -- -LISTEN TO THE FULL CONVERSATION HERE- Or read a selected excerpt below. --     --     -- ➤ When you meet someone new and they ask what do you do how do you respond?  I tell them I'm a musician. Yeah I'm a working musician, a professional musician. That's what I'll say. That's been quite tricky over the last 18 months. I've almost felt like I'm lying a little bit at times but yeah I've stuck to my guns and if people ask me what I do - I'm a musician. Yeah that's what I do. ➤ I understand exactly what you mean. When you feel like, ‘Am I qualified to say it now?’ like, when do you fe...

In this episode, language consultant and film festival co-founder Paul Fletcher speaks to me from his home in (what some might describe as) the hippest part of East London! I have such a strong interest in both of those topics - language and film festivals - I decided that I needed two separate episodes to hear Paul's stories. So here in this first episode, we talk about how Paul co-founded (together with wife Liza) the Walthamstow International Film Festival 11 years ago. -LISTEN TO THE FULL CONVERSATION HERE- Or read a selected excerpt below. --      ▇▇▇      -- ➤ When was the last time you lived in Manchester? Well the last time I lived in Manchester was ‘89. Wow! 32 years ago. I've lived in the south longer than I lived in the north. ➤ Do you still consider yourself a northerner? It's a bit complicated because I think in my heart it's the north but I can't see myself living there again. I like to visit, you know what I mean? I think in my DNA it's...

In this episode my guest is an old friend, Georja Calvin Smith who is a TV journalist and producer currently based in Paris, France. Here she talks about: - her relationship with and favourite memories of Manchester - her first experiences on the bus - her thoughts on chips & curry - how she bla... I mean navigated work situations that required French language skills before she had French language skills - and how she communicates her story of being from Manchester and more broadly coming from the UK when in international situations. -LISTEN TO THE FULL CONVERSATION HERE- Or read a selected excerpt below. --      ▇▇▇      -- ➤  This is exciting because I'm speaking to somebody who does this for a living. So now I'm a little bit, you know, I feel inferior. No you don't! [laughs] ➤ I do, because this is what you do. This is your thing! I do nothing like this whatsoever. I sit down, I prepare my scripts, I spend a long time working out [how] to all...