Shows
Book Friends ForeverThe Encore by Juliet Izon Read by Mia Hutchinson-Shaw and Carly LarsonA captivating journey of love, sacrifice, and destiny playing out in the world of music.
In 2003, at the prestigious Brookfield Conservatory in Boston, a chance encounter sparks an inimitable friendship between driven pianist and singer Anna Buckley and composer wunderkind Will Pendleton. As they strive toward careers as professional musicians, their bond deepens both from shared skill and the inexplicable sense that they’re kindred souls. But soon after graduation, one night forever alters the trajectory of their lives, destroying their relationship in the process.
Twenty years later in New York, sixteen-year-old piano virtuoso Lottie Thomas is grappling with the ri...
2026-03-0304 min
DIA MotormouthPDIs: Will You Thrive, Just Survive, or Dive?Will PDIs thrive, just survive, or ultimately leave the industry?In this recorded Motormouth webinar, we examine the surge in trainee licence applications and what it means for the profession in 2026. With more PDIs entering the market, is there enough pupil demand to sustain them? Is mentoring keeping pace? And are trainees being equipped to build resilient, professional businesses, or simply trained to pass Part 3?Our panel, Ian Lavell, Fiona Taylor, Lee Jowett and Nicky Harris, share honest insights from mentoring, behavioural science, coaching and driving school management. Hosted by Graham Hooper of the DIA...
2026-02-271h 11DIA MotormouthLet’s Get Back to BusinessIt’s a new year and we took a SWOT at training school businesses!A new year is a good time to take a hard, constructive look at your business. In the first Motormouth of 2026, we used a SWOT analysis to explore the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats facing driver and rider training schools.Crucially, the discussion came as the Government launched its new Road Safety Strategy, with proposals that could fundamentally change how people learn to drive and ride in the UK. We looked at what these plans could mean for training pr...
2026-01-161h 21DIA MotormouthNew Years RevolutionsThis end-of-year session looks back at everything 2025 threw our way and takes a light-hearted look at what might be coming in 2026. We reflect on the moments that stood out, the changes that challenged us, and the trends that shaped the driver and rider training world over the past twelve months.The session also explores a few hopes and predictions for the year ahead, ranging from the sensible to the slightly wild, as we reset and prepare for what 2026 may bring.To finish, we round things off with The Big Fat Driver & Rider Training Quiz — a fe...
2025-12-111h 14DIA MotormouthThe Truth About PDI and ADI Training: What They Don’t Tell YouThinking about becoming a driving instructor – or already supporting PDIs through their training? Then this episode is essential listening.In this eye-opening edition of Motormouth, we go beyond the sales pitch to uncover the reality of PDI and ADI training in the UK. Because not all training is created equal – some is outstanding, some is poor, and far too much is simply average.Hosted by Graham Hooper, Head of Driver Training Development at the DIA, this panel discussion brings together some of the most experienced and respected voices in the industry:Kath...
2025-08-011h 05DIA MotormouthDriving Up Diversity and Inclusion in Driver TrainingDiversity and inclusion shouldn’t be a “special topic” in our profession – it should be embedded in the very fabric of driver and rider training.Yet many voices remain underrepresented, and barriers still exist for both trainers and pupils from marginalised groups. In this powerful and honest discussion, our panel explores the realities of working in an industry that hasn’t always reflected the diverse communities it serves. From challenges with representation and recruitment to bias in training and career progression, this episode lifts the lid on issues that have long been overlooked.Fea...
2025-06-201h 19DIA MotormouthTest waiting times and the booking system under reviewLegendarily loquacious DIA CEO Carly, and our new Head of Driver Training Development, Graham Hooper (known equally for his frank and forthright views), will be your hosts.This month they’ll be joined by Former DVSA Assistant chief Driving Examiner for ADI Policy Chris Howes, who’ll share his insights from his time inside the agency—being no stranger to the challenges and issues it faces in delivering testing!----Chris Howes - Former DVSA Assistant chief Driving Examiner for ADI PolicyChris is a form...
2025-06-131h 28
The Cider Shed - Ploughing through BBC's 'The Archers'ScambridgeIf there's another Archers' podcast out there covering Napalm Death, Carly Simon and Iron Maiden this weekend, we'd like to see them in The Bull car park. Preferably NOT next to Mick's van.Huge love to new patrons Amanda and Louise, thanks so much!As always, massive respect to all in The Cider Shed Patreon Gang, link to join below.Now, if you don't mind, we booked the following:Camp David : The Brookfield Saint saves the hay.Cottage Industry : Borsertshire Fakes dot comLeap...
2024-12-0150 minDIA MotormouthElection Special - The Motormouth ManifestoIn this Election Special episode, DIA CEO Carly, regular panellist and ADI Chris Bensted and special guests (including an ADI running as a candidate himself!) will be discussing what should be in any political party’s manifesto when it comes to developing driver and rider training and testing in the UK.In the DIA Manifesto Survey we’ve been running over the last few weeks, we’ve been asking members for their insights on what any new government should consider in terms of developing policy, strategy, and legislation in respect of driver and rider training, testin...
2024-07-051h 20DIA MotormouthFrom PDI to ADI, developing the next generation of driver trainersMotormouth is back and we're kicking off with a suitably big topic, exploring how we train and develop PDIs. DVSA reported recently that there had been a 100% increase in new licence applications, and that over 4,000 new trainees had started their journey to becoming an ADI. With such an influx of new entrants, it’s more important than ever that we develop potential new instructors in the right way. . Join CEO Carly Brookfield and experienced ADI trainers Chris Bensted (Better ADIs) and Laura Harris (Go Green) as they discuss the following key questions and challenges in developing the nex...
2024-06-051h 18DIA MotormouthGraduated Licensing - is restricting new drivers the right road to take?Join DIA CEO Carly Brookfield, respected Transport Psychologist Dr Shaun Helman and regular panellist Chris Bensted to debate whether restricting new driver licences is the right road to take.Amendments being considered to the Road Traffic (New Drivers) Act could open the door to new drivers having their licenses restricted, including being banned from carrying passengers in the first 6 months of driving independently.And although Government says it has no immediate plans to introduce such restrictions, a debate was held in the House of Commons just a few weeks ago on the subject, led by...
2023-06-0558 minDIA MotormouthIs DVSA making it even more difficult to get a driving test? Plus grading out 'failing' trainersRev your engines for an action-packed podcast! We discussed recent changes to driving test notice periods, the booking process, and Standards Check grading with our panelists and audience.In Part One - the DVSA's plan to extend the waiting period for those who failed their car test has caused quite a stir amongst pupils and trainers. The media was buzzing about it, and our panel and audience had some fiery takes to share.Part Two - the DVSA wants to raise the bar on Standards Check pass rates, causing concern amongst t...
2023-04-041h 29DIA MotormouthTraining ADIs: why and how it needs to changeIn this session we'll be looking at the training of ADIs, why and how it needs to change.Topics we'll cover:is the current training route for instructors fit for purpose?is ORDIT a worthwhile way of encouraging and highlighting best practice in trainer training or should we overhaul how we evaluate and recognise what makes a good Train the Trainer?what are the gaps in ADI knowledge when they qualify and how do we plug them?how should trainer performance be monitored, managed and developed?Please join Carly Brookfield, DIA Chief Executive, special guest...
2023-03-201h 07DIA MotormouthNew Year's resolutionsThis month we'll be asking what New Year's resolutions should the DVSA, the industry and individual trainers, be making to make sure 2023 really is a year of recovery and renewal - and not just a repeat of the previous year in terms of mistakes made or opportunities missed. We'll also look at the fixes our government regulator, the profession as a whole, and individual businesses need to consider making to move driver and rider training forward. Guest panellists:Chris Bensted Co-founder of The Driving Instructor and Trainers Collective and Better Driver Training
2023-02-011h 07
The InstructorNASP and the three associations that make itIt's not often you get the three chair people of NASP in the same place for a public conversation, but today I'm lucky to be joined by Carly Brookfield of The Driving Instructors Association (DIA), Lynne Barrie of the Approved Driving Instructors National Joint Council (ADINJC) and Peter Harvey or The Motor Schools Association of Great Britain (MSAGB). We cover a variety of topics, including:The relationship NASP has with the DVSAHow the 3 associations work together and resolve differencesFexpertsIs NASP importantAre associations important?The new initiatives being worked onWhat changes each would like to see to...
2022-03-271h 01