Shows
The Graft Podcast"If your life story was just ‘everything was fine’, nobody would read it" - Ben Glimmerveen Takes the Hot SeatWhat happens when the host becomes the guest?In this season wrap-up episode of GRAFT, producer Rebekah flips the script and interviews Ben.They reflect on the journey of launching GRAFT, the emotional and professional lessons learned, and what it really means to “graft” in today’s world. If you’ve been with us from the beginning - or are just jumping in - this is the perfect episode to hear what GRAFT is all about.🎧 Listen As We Discuss...(00:01:25) – Why Ben started GRAFT: a conversation with his son...2025-07-1648 minThe Graft Podcast"Women Over 40 Need To Know This!" - Jill Carsberg on Facing Triple Negative Breast CancerWhen Jill Carsberg walked into a routine mammogram, she never imagined it would change her life. Diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer - an aggressive form of the disease- Jill faced down a year of surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy while holding her family, career, and sanity together.This episode of GRAFT is a departure from business as usual. It’s a raw, emotional, and deeply human conversation about vulnerability, strength, and what it means to survive something life-altering while staying rooted in purpose.🎧 Listen as we discuss...(00:00) – Jill’s early diagnosis and the hidden ri...2025-07-0956 minThe Graft Podcast"Just Don’t Take No for an Answer" - Andy Pear on the Power of Persistence, Starting Messy and Scaling BigWhat does it really take to build a business empire - while surviving recessions, dodgy manufacturers, and your kids joining the company?This week, we sit down with Andy Pear: entrepreneur, founder of First Aid UK, and the man behind some of Congleton’s most iconic businesses. From remortgaging his home to buy a failing medical supply company, to opening a 300,000 sq ft manufacturing site in China - and later sinking millions into a heritage hospitality venue - Andy’s journey is a masterclass in what it means to graft.🎧...2025-07-0255 minThe Graft Podcast“People Were Throwing Money at Us… And We Couldn't Say No” - Chris Carsons on Success, Burnout, and Starting Again🔔❗️Want to win a £50 Sienna's voucher? Comment "SIENNA" below to be entered into the draw. The winner will be announced on The Graft Podcast's Instagram on Tuesday 1st July at 7pm! 🔔❗️What does it really take to survive the chaos of the hospitality industry, bounce back from burnout, and build a café that becomes the heart of a community?In this episode, we sit down with Chris Carson, long-time bar and restaurant owner turned café operator at Sienna’s. He's a man whose life has been shaped by hard graft, big ris...2025-06-251h 08The Graft Podcast"From Sweeping Hair in West London to Styling the Queen at Windsor” – Lino Carbosiero MBE on Graft, Glamour, and Getting the Call to Buckingham PalaceWhat does it take to go from sweeping floors to styling The Queen, presidents, and pop icons?In this episode, we sit down with Lino Carbosiero MBE, a globally renowned hairstylist whose clients have included The Queen, the Clintons, Kylie Minogue, and members of the British royal family.But behind the glitz is a story of serious graft. From humble beginnings as a carwash kid in Hounslow to running his own London salon at 21, Lino’s journey is packed with hard-won lessons on humility, hustle, and holding the door open for the next generation.2025-06-1845 minThe Graft Podcast“I Had £3.50 in My Account… Then I Sold to AutoTrader” - Rob Smethurst on Rock Bottom, Self Belief, and Never Giving UpWant to win a Macclesfield FC season ticket?! Forward this episode onto a friend and comment "SEASON" below to be entered into the draw. First place: 1 x season ticket for the 25/26 seasonSecond place: 1 x signed ball Winners will be revealed on The Graft Podcast Instagram at 7pm on Tuesday 17th June. What does it really take to go from school struggles and having £3.50 in your bank account… to selling your company to AutoTrader and saving a football club from extinction?2025-06-1143 minThe Graft Podcast“You’re the Videographer, the Strategist, and the Marketer (All at Once!)” - Emma Campbell on Building a Meaningful Social Media PresenceWhat does it really take to grow a 66K+ following on Instagram, run community events, and stay grounded as a busy mum of two?In this episode, we sit down with Emma Campbell, content creator, community builder, and founder of The Mum Club in Cheshire East. Emma’s story is a refreshing reminder that graft isn’t always loud or glamorous it’s often found in the quiet commitment to show up, share honestly, and build something meaningful.From early days of beauty blogging to creating a safe and inclusive space for mums naviga...2025-06-0450 minThe Graft Podcast“No One Should Die Waiting for Therapy” - Vicky Willis on Building a Charity That Saves Lives Through Counselling, Movement, and CommunityWhat if the hardest thing you ever went through became the catalyst for saving over 500 lives?In this episode we’re joined by Vicky Willis, founder of Bridging the Gap (BTG) a mental health charity changing lives through movement and therapy. Vicky shares the raw, honest story behind how a personal crisis, a gym membership, and one powerful moment on a motorway bridge led to a national movement helping hundreds of people find light through darkness.This isn’t just a story of hard work, it’s about resilience, purpose, and the kind of gra...2025-05-2854 minThe Graft Podcast"Rejection Doesn’t Mean Stop" – Max McCarthy on Setbacks, Self-Belief, and Fighting for FootballHave you ever been knocked so far off course that you had to rebuild not just your goals, but your entire mindset? In this episode of The Graft Podcast, we sit down with footballer Max McCarthy for an honest, vulnerable, and inspiring conversation about resilience, rejection, and the long road back from injury. From being released by two clubs to enduring a devastating dislocation in a playoff final, Max shares how he stayed grounded, kept believing, and discovered a deeper purpose in the game he loves.This isn’t just about football. It’s abo...2025-05-2147 minThe Graft Podcast"Rejection Doesn’t Mean Stop" – Max McCarthy on Setbacks, Self-Belief, and Fighting for FootballWhat do you do when the thing you’ve worked for your whole life slips through your fingers?In this episode of The Graft Podcast, we sit down with footballer Max McCarthy for an honest, vulnerable, and inspiring conversation about resilience, rejection, and the long road back from injury. From being released by two clubs to enduring a devastating dislocation in a playoff final, Max shares how he stayed grounded, kept believing, and discovered a deeper purpose in the game he loves.This isn’t just about football. It’s about identity, mental strengt...2025-05-2148 minThe Graft Podcast“Once an Olympian, always an Olympian” - Ann Packer & Ian Brightwell on Legacy, Resilience and Breaking RecordsEver wondered what fuels Olympic champions and professional footballers to go the distance? This episode of The Graft Podcast is a masterclass in perseverance, resilience, and raw sporting grit.We sit down with Olympic gold medalist Ann Packer and her son Ian Brightwell, ex-Man City defender and Premier League manager. From Ann’s unexpected triumph in the 800m at the 1964 Olympics to Ian’s decades-long career at Manchester City, their stories are both deeply personal and universally inspiring.Listen as we discuss:(00:00) Welcome and overview of Ann’s Olympi...2025-05-1455 minThe Graft Podcast"I wasn’t born to be good at this…” - Matt Field on Marketing a £1.8B Insurance Group With No PlaybookEver wondered how to chase big career goals and keep your family life thriving…without losing your mind?In this episode, we’re hanging out with Matt Field, CMO of the Aventum Group - this is a guy who knows a thing or two about juggling business, family, and staying true to your values (with a side of good humour). Whether it’s building something meaningful at work or tag-teaming life with his partner, Matt shows us what real graft looks like when purpose and partnership collide.2025-05-0752 minThe Graft Podcast“I did 250 shows in 365 days” - Justin Moorhouse on Starting a Comedy Career from the Ground UpHow do you transition from a 9-to-5 job to a thriving comedic career? It’s not just about skill or strategy it's about something completely different. In this episode, we’re sitting down with Justin Moorhouse, a seasoned comedian who shares how he feels grateful for his career at every moment - even when that includes eating a cold pakora on the last bus home. He talks about the importance of graft, creativity, and the behind-the-scenes effort required in any creative profession. From navigating the early days of freelancing to cre...2025-04-3050 minThe Graft Podcast"I Was Living in a Hotel at 18" - Richard Duffy Reveals the Harsh Reality of Professional FootballWhat does it take to build a successful football career from the ground up? It's not just about talent or luck—it's about pure graft.In this episode, we’re catching up with Richard Duffy, footballer turned manager, and all-around embodiment of resilience and grit. From playing for some of the UK’s biggest clubs to leading Congleton Town with vision and heart, Richard’s story isn’t your typical sports tale. It’s about reinvention, staying grounded, and showing up fully even when the game changes.Listen as we...2025-04-3056 minThe Graft Podcast"Purpose Isn't Found, It's Created" - April Wild on Finding and Carving Out Your PathHave you ever wondered what it takes to balance ambition, family, and personal growth while carving a unique path? It’s not just about following the traditional route, it’s about living life on your own terms with purpose.In this episode of The Graft Podcast, we’re joined by April Wild, a powerhouse entrepreneur who has transformed her life by embracing a relentless "can-do" attitude. From overcoming childhood anxiety to becoming a successful business owner and community leader, April’s story is a testament to resilience, self-discovery, and finding strength through life’s toughest challenges...2025-04-3053 min