Shows
The Z-X SpectrumTikTok Boom: The Power of Short VideosIn this Season Finale, Brandon and Lizzie are joined by journalist and writer Chris Stokel-Walker. They discuss his upcoming book TikTok Boom - and reflect on the reach and influence of the platform, the Chinese government, and algorithms.
Learn more about Chris: stokel-walker.co.uk and @stokel
Learn more about Brandon Relph: www.brandonrelph.com
Learn more about Lizzie Hodgson: www.lizziehodgson.com2021-07-0857 minThe Z-X SpectrumHow To Train Your Algorithm: The Future of Broadcast Production and Media.For this fascinating episode, we are joined by Dr Alex Connock. An academic and entrepreneur in digital video, Alex is Associate Fellow at Oxford University’s Said School of Business, entrepreneur in residence at INSEAD, director at UK5G, UNICEF UK, and The Halle Orchestra.
He is also an Academy full member at BAFTA and Senior Tutor at the National Film and Television School. Alex founded Missile Digital Studios in 2018, after running Endemol Shine North and co-founding Ten Alps (now Zinc Media) with Bob Geldof.
Delving into topics including the impact of...2021-07-0145 minThe Z-X SpectrumDressed to thrill: The Power of Ethical FashionKaty Woodrow Hill is currently the Head of Brand at Depop.
Depop is the fashion marketplace app where the next generation come to discover unique items. With a global community buying, selling and connecting to make fashion more inclusive, diverse and less wasteful, Depop is on a mission to transform fashion.
Prior to joining Depop last year she was a partner at creative youth agency Livity where she took the company to new highs. Throughout her career, Katy has always been at the forefront of social media and understanding young audiences, working with...2021-06-2442 minThe Z-X SpectrumFood for thought: The changing face of the hospitality industryFood for thought: The changing face of the hospitality industry
In this episode, we chat with Mark McColloch to explore the impact the pandemic has had on the hospitality industry, whether apps are changing the way we socialise and eat, and the undervalued power of social for marketing.
About Mark: Mark is currently a virtual CMO for the Hospitality and Leisure sector. Prior to this he was the CEO of a Multi-Award winning Food & Drink Creative Agency after a career spanning the likes of Pret A...2021-06-1747 minThe Z-X Spectrum"Down The Rabbit Hole with Conspiracy Theories"In this episode, we are joined by Dr. Jenny Rice (Associate Professor of Writing, Rhetoric, and Digital Studies at the University of Kentucky) to explore what we would call conspiracy theories - so a belief that some covert but influential organization is responsible for an unexplained event. And there are plenty to chose from - Sandy Hook, QAnon, Moon landings, even Covid-19 - to some these are all elaborate hoaxes. Jenny is an expert in ‘conspiracy narratives’ - which we’ll dig into in the podcast.
Her book - Awful Archives: Conspiracy Theory, Rhetoric, and Acts o...2021-06-1052 minThe Z-X SpectrumThe Rise Of The Planet Z: How Young People Are Changing Things ForeverIn this specially recorded podcast of The Z-X Spectrum, Brandon and I took to the main stage at Brighton Summit, a one-day event that brought over 400 delegates from across the region together to explore all things business.
Our guests were Lola Ray from social disruptor Make (Good) Trouble and George Hodgson (no relation) from fashion and mental health brand Maison De Choup, two trailblazers aged under 25. In our panel discussion, we explored how the workplace will change with the emergence of a blended workforce of four generations, all with vastly different experiences and expectations. Lola and...2019-11-0542 minThe Z-X Spectrum"Blue Peter Is A Safe Space And Positivity In The World"In this episode of The Z-X Spectrum, we chat with BBC show Blue Peter presenter, Richie Driss. Having only joined the show this year (2019), we explore how Richie came to have the job of presenting on the world’s longest-running children’s TV show - 60 years and counting - and dive into the role TV has in young people’s lives today.
It’s a challenging media landscape for any broadcaster - both here in UK and globally - so how is Blue Peter engaging young people and why does this flagship show mean so much to gener...2019-10-1531 minThe Z-X Spectrum"Who Wouldn't Apply For A Job Where You Get To Sign The Nation's Banknotes?"In this episode of The Z-X Spectrum, we sit down with Sarah John, Chief cashier of the Bank of England.
Hot off the heels of our interview with Meri Williams, Chief Technology Officer at Monzo, the online bank (you can hear that episode here) Sarah spoke to us about the future of cash - and the important role she believes it has in society, and in central banking.
We explored the impact of going cashless to vulnerable groups - older people and those on low incomes especially - and whether cash will ever become...2019-09-2420 minThe Z-X SpectrumMONZO BANK: "Our Intent Is To Make Money Work For Everyone"In this episode of the Z-X Spectrum podcast, we interview Meri Williams, CTO of Monzo Bank, the digital-only bank that's really shaking up the banking industry.
In our chat, we explore Monzo's tremendous growth: at date of the recording they were at 2.8 million customers. But their growth isn't just in account terms. Their teams of engineers are getting big too. So how do you scale a company so rapidly? How do you onboard effectively? And how do you create a truly transparent, people-first culture?
We also deep dive into diversity and inclusivity - or DandI as Meri refers to it, and...2019-09-1854 minThe Z-X SpectrumKids Taking A Stand: Live Recording at The Children's Media ConferenceIn this episode we took to the stage to record a special edition of The ZX Spectrum at The Children’s Media Conference 2019 in Sheffield. We were joined by four hugely inspirational young people as panelists, each of them an activist in some shape or form.
How are young people and the media responding to a new sense of purpose and action amongst the young? How can media organisations build activism into the content they are creating int his rapidly changing landscape? Should they be responding to the changing landscape?
In the session (edited for th...2019-09-1056 minThe Z-X Spectrum"Maths Has To Be Part Of The Climate Crisis Answer"In this episode we chat to Iggy Bassi, CEO of Cervest - a platform that aims to empower smarter decisions and sustain Earth’s natural capital, while democratising science for a climate-smart future.
Iggy sheds light on his powerful vision to use AI, data and intel in real-time in the race against the accelerating climate crisis by creating a resilient, resource-smart supply ecosystem. We also explore the role governments, companies and people have in putting nature first for the future of all. A hugely complex, but urgent topic.
LISTEN. RATE. SHARE. Thank you!
Cervest
...2019-09-0345 min
The Children‘s Media ConferenceCMC 2019 - Kids Taking a StandAs school strikes spread, environmental, economic and social futures look increasingly bleak, how are kids’ and youth media responding to a new sense of purpose and action amongst the young? In this first for CMC, hosts Lizzie Hodgson and Brandon Relph quiz CMC Changemakers in a session that will change your outlook of young people today. As they spark change in society – how can you build activism into the content you are creating for the rapidly changing media landscape they inhabit? This session is not to be missed.
2019-07-0154 minThe Z-X Spectrum"Machines are going to replace us in increasing numbers of tasks..."In this episode we’re joined by Calum Chace - a columnist, is an author and speaker on artificial intelligence.
His books - ”The Economic Singularity" addresses the coming wave of cognitive automation; ”Surviving AI" looks further ahead to the arrival of strong AI, (aka human-level AI, or artificial general intelligence) which will lead to superintelligence.
Unsurprisingly, we cover some BIG topics: AI, work, capitalism, machines… future of humanity.
Conversations cover:
The Economic Singularity: The moment in the future when we need a different firm of econo...2019-05-2850 minThe Z-X Spectrum"Where Do We See The Connections Between Data And Care In Childhood?"A fascinating chat with Liam Berriman, Lecturer in Childhood and Youth Studies (Social Work and Social Care) at University of Sussex. About Liam: A sociologist by training, Liam completed a BA in History and Sociology and an MA in Social Research, at Goldsmiths, UoL. During his Masters he carried out research on how working class parents negotiate children's internet access. In 2015 he was appointed as a Research Lecturer in Digital Humanities & Social Science in the Sussex Humanities Lab, working on collaborative projects around digital culture, archives, computational ethnography, toys and the history of computing. ...2019-05-171h 02The Z-X SpectrumEU Article 13 & Copyright: A Step Forward Or Step Too Far?We cover some big topics in this episode: EU Article 13 Copyright Directive, Intellectual laws, fair use of content, publishers, Facebook, Google, Instagram, Twitter, ISPs, distribution, personal responsibility and education.
We then move on to Article 11, discussing the role of the traditional press in democracy. How does good investigative journalism thrive in a world where the vast majority of people won’t personally pay for fair and balanced news? It costs money to pay for good journalism, but we need checks and balances on those in power.
And where does Brexit leave us in al...2019-04-1244 minThe Z-X Spectrum"We'll See With Bitcoin The True Validation Of 1-2-1 Communication"In this episode we chat with Mark Ash, the hugely interesting and inspiring CEO of Pure360, an email marketing platform based in Brighton, UK.
About Mark: With 20 years experience in the digital marketing sector, Mark has a rounded understanding of all things digital. He started his career in the hey-day of digital advertising at DoubleClick in 1999, developing his expertise in display advertising, web analytics and email marketing, working with a variety of clients such as P&G, Dell, Nokia and Sainsbury’s amongst many others.
In this episode we ex...2019-03-2841 minThe Z-X SpectrumDeconstructing our TEDx talks In this episode, we delve further into our recent TEDx Brighton talks, unpicking some of the core themes.
We explore:
- The ‘escalator ‘of life: how our blockers can become moments of clarity
- Why we need to stop judging others
- Role of empathy in work... and life
- Why there is no such thing as a self made person
- Understand what it means to be human in an increasingly technological world.
We also segue from Arti...2019-03-2144 minThe Z-X SpectrumIWD 2019: Progress Has Been Made. More Has To Come.It’s our International Women’s Day 2019 episode!
In it we talk with the hugely inspirational Caroline Walmsley, CEO and co-founder of Further My Future.
Caroline, Brandon and Lizzie discuss:
Attitudes towards apprenticeships
Skills and experience
Importance of role models - and modelling behaviours - for young women… and young men
Reflecting on how equality attitudes have changed in the past couple of decades
The damaging narrative of ‘having it all’ for women
Why IWD matters an...2019-03-0844 minThe Z-X SpectrumArtificial Intelligence And The Future Of Work In this episode of The Z-X Spectrum, we consider this BIG question: Do you think 2045 could be one long gap year?
Focus: The podcast covers issues like Universal Basic Income, purpose, education, government and equality.
About: It is a recording of a special ThinkNation and Economic Singularity Club event where we explored Artificial Intelligence and the future of work.
The event was a collaboration between Calum Chace and Ed Charvet from the ESC and supported by ThinkNation. Calum is a columnist, author and speaker on artificial intelligence...2019-03-0655 minThe Z-X SpectrumYou Can’t Be What You Can’t See: Why Young Enterprise Matters.After a bit of a break, The Z-X Spectrum podcast is back where Co-host Brandon Relph and I explore tech, digital and intergenerational perspectives.
In this episode we talk with two hugely inspirational women: Young Enterprise Deputy CEO Sharon Davies, and Tenner and Fiver Challenge Project Manager, Alison Collington.
We discuss enterprise, work, future of education, young people, the intersection of technology and what skills we're going to need to thrive in an uncertain future.
Learn more about Young Enterprise: https://www.young-enterprise.org.uk/
...2019-02-2747 minThe Z-X SpectrumBrighton Pride, Big Companies and Brittany Spears.After returning from Brighton Pride 2018, Brandon and Lizzie discuss the implications of big brands on Pride festivals, how the LGBTQ world has changed and what comes next.
LINKS:
BRANDON RELPH: www.brandonrelph.com
LIZZIE HODGSON: www.lizziehodgson.com2018-08-1735 min
TripleThinkThe Value of Patience, Perspective and PerserveranceWHAT WE'VE LEARNT: COMMUNICATION is key. Obvious. But more to the point, human communication matters - talking, being in the same space. Obviously, this is in ADDITION to the Slack’s and other such tools, but think this human element will play out more and more in coming years (PLUS I didn’t add to the vlog potential positive impact Voice COULD have… if we get it right).
WHAT WE’VE DONE: Cross-pollination of my OTHER podcast with Brandon Relph, called “The Z-X Spectrum”. Last week’s episode (see links below) focused on young people and work - it was an interesting...2018-08-1009 minThe Z-X SpectrumYoung People: Patience, Perspective, Perseverance.Genuinely fascinating conversation with podcast co-host Brandon Relph and recent university graduate, Rebecca Longhurst.
FOCUS: We discuss young people in work/employment, the 'work ethic', impatience, social media, anxiety, commitment, robots and machine learning, social aspect of work, and explore if some young people are missing the value of experience and grafting, but still expect to get the 'promotion' in an instant?
LINKS:
REBECCA LONGHURST: www.twitter.com/becca_longhurst
BRANDON RELPH: www.brandonrelph.com
LIZZIE HODGSON: www.lizziehodgson.com2018-08-0356 min
TripleThinkBe Good To Your WordGoing out on a bit of a limb for this vlog. WEEKS and WEEKS ago I said I would answer a few questions on scaling a creative company/getting investment for filmmaker Ivon Skula. But I didn't. So I'm doing it here. I also explain why I've taken so long, but don't excuse myself.
WHAT WE'VE LEARNED:
Be good to your word (and make amends when you fail). So this vlog is for you Ivon - hope it helps. ALSO be good to get other people's views on her questions - sure they'll differ from mine - so please share...2018-08-0106 minThe Z-X SpectrumYour Consumption Of Content Becomes A Premium.In our first podcast, The Z-X Spectrum, we kick off with Brandon’s choice of subject: The Love Island effect.
Pretty much deconstructing the whole phenomenon, we explore what impact the UK’s ITV2 show has on social media, streaming and traditional media, product placement, consumerism, the podcast - and ethics - asking is the Love Island pure escapism, or a little more complex?
We also touch on Facebook and their Cambridge Analytics fine, advertising in the ‘Hey Alexa’ world, buying yourself out of all advertising and newspapers… even Dr Who gets a mention.
Plus how this year’s other huge TV even...2018-07-1929 min
TripleThinkWorrying About The Future (Too Much) Can Impact Your PresentA short vlog this week (I blame the hot weather!) In the vlog I cover:
1: WHAT WE'VE LEARNT:
We hear from our videographer, Rebecca, who explains that she's trying to learn not to worry too much about the future, because it's stopping her from being in the moment. And we're not talking 5 years ahead, we're talking 8 weeks. (I'm left wondering if many young people feel the same...)
2: WHAT WE'VE DONE:
We've locked down an event for the Brighton Digital Festival in October, working with young people from diverse backgrounds - the communities that don't usually get involved in the tech...2018-07-1205 min