From DJ dreams to launching a national startup festival, Paul Lancaster’s story is full of unexpected turns, bold moves, and pure northern charm. In this episode of B. with Anna Brand, Paul opens up about the journey behind UK Startup Week, what drives him to keep showing up, and the power of building communities, not just businesses.

We ditch the scripts, lose the questions, and follow the conversation where it wants to go. From imposter syndrome to reinvention and the real reasons behind “Lord Lancaster,” this is one of those chats that reminds you how much power there is in simply being yourself.

No fluff. No ego. Just real talk about what it takes to do the thing.

What happens when someone who doesn’t even like having their photo taken agrees to sit down and have a completely open, honest conversation? Magic.

In this episode, Lucy Batley joins me to talk about the realities of business, the myths we tell ourselves, and the unexpected turns that shape who we are. From AI to personal growth, from laughter to the moments that leave us speechless, this conversation is all about dropping the mask and seeing what happens.

Because when you create a space where people can truly be themselves, you get the kind of conversation that stays with you.

You don’t need to be ready, you just need to start.

In this episode, I’m sharing 11 surprising things I’ve learned from doing the thing that scared me: launching this podcast.

Only 5 episodes in, and it’s already changed everything.

This isn’t a highlight reel, it’s real momentum, raw lessons, and proof that showing up before you feel “ready” is where the magic happens.

n this episode, I sit down with Charlotte to talk all things networking, and not the cringey, salesy kind. We talk about how to get out there confidently, build real connections, and why showing up in the room (even when it’s terrifying) is everything.

Charlotte also opens up honestly about what it’s really been like building her business, the highs, the lows, and the stuff most people gloss over.

This one’s for you if you’ve been hiding behind your laptop, waiting for the right time. It’s already here.

This episode is a masterclass in unapologetically showing up as yourself, from someone who’s been doing it before “personal branding” even became a buzzword. Alan Robson brings stories, truth, humour and serious wisdom.

We talk about:

•⁠ ⁠How to stop being scared of showing up

•⁠ ⁠What to do about trolls and online critics

•⁠ ⁠Why knowing your audience is everything

•⁠ ⁠The power of listening and giving people what they actually want

•⁠ ⁠And the quote that floored me: “If you’re going to go on the journey… go all the way.” (Honestly, I want it printed on a mug.)

This is one for the wall. And one for anyone who’s ready to stop holding back.

You can find Alan's website at www.robsonsworld.com

In this episode, I turn the tables on Neil, normally behind the camera, to help him fix the real reason his messaging isn’t landing. It’s not about being louder or more polished. It’s about saying what matters in a way that actually connects.We work through this live(ish) on air: stripping back the waffle, finding what makes his message resonate, and showing how to say what you do so people actually give a shit and want to buy from you.Neil's website is at www.media-arts.co.uk

What if the thing holding you back is just the fact you’re not willing to be shit at something first?

In this episode, I chat with Alfie Joey, presenter, comedian, artist, actor, impressionist, singer and all-round communication pro, about why being good starts with being bad, and how confidence and skill grows when you actually do the thing.

We talk about how to sound less boring, how to inject fun into how you talk about what you do, and Alfie shares one of the best tips I've ever heard (it involves The Gruffalo and it’s genius).

There’s laughter, lessons, and a lot of truth bombs about what it really takes to show up and communicate like you mean it, even if you feel like a total mess at first.

This one’s a little rough around the edges… and that’s exactly why I’m putting it out.

Episode 2 is me, slightly stiffer, definitely less flowy, and absolutely overthinking it—but showing up anyway. Because that’s what this whole thing is about: doing the scary, awkward, uncomfortable stuff even when you feel like it’s not “your best.”

There’s still plenty of value here—especially if you’re someone who struggles to talk confidently about your business or second-guesses every sentence before you hit “post.”

So here it is: a slightly clunky but still useful episode that I refused to scrap. Because done is better than perfect, and brave always beats polished.

The app Anna mentions is:

https://www.sesame.com/research/crossing_the_uncanny_valley_of_voice#demo

Anna chats about why (after 15 years!) she's finally decided to set up a podcast and what she hopes it will become!

This one’s got it all: flaming toilet rolls, driving to work starkers, a house with ears, and a beautifully honest chat about life, IVF, and starting kickboxing at 54. Mychael Owen joins Anna for a rollercoaster of a conversation that bounces from absurd to emotional and back again.

We talk about what happens when you stop waiting, the business of being human, and how a potato (yes, really) can sometimes do a better job than your glossy marketing brochure. There’s wisdom, wit, and the kind of heart that makes you laugh out loud and then quietly tear up.

You’ll come for the laughs (yes, there’s talk of G-strings and filthy phones), but you’ll stay for the insights.

In this episode, I sit down with Alexander Bell, speaker, strategist, and all-round mind-expander when it comes to how we relate to tech, time, and attention. We talk about why putting your phone in another room makes you 26% more productive, how digital distraction is costing us real human connection, and whether we treat tech better than we treat people (ouch).

But this isn’t just a conversation about business or devices, it’s about life, honesty, and why we’re all secretly addicted to scrolling.

If you're tired of polished and scripted, this one’s for you.

It’s the chaos, the cockups, the conversations that veer massively off track, and honestly, this is where the magic happens. Think barking dogs, fake tattoos, falling off chairs (nearly), and all the bits that never meant to be part of the show… but absolutely are.

This isn’t a glossy podcast. It’s real people, real stories, and me, swearing, laughing, tripping over my words, and generally winging it.

If you like honesty, humour, and watching someone try to podcast while her dog eats the set... you’ll love this.

This (and all episodes) is also available on Youtube.

In this episode, I sit down with Jeni Smith, and while she is a networking strategist, don’t expect a masterclass on elevator pitches. What we talk about is way more human.

We get into the messy, awkward reality of trying to build real connections, in business and beyond. From feeling like we have to “perform” professionalism, to learning how to just show up and be ourselves, this conversation is honest, funny, and totally unfiltered.

There’s chat about introvert energy, group dynamics, visibility fear, the weird way we view LinkedIn… with the kind of unfiltered back-and-forth that makes you forget we were ever recording.

If you’ve ever cringed at the word “networking,” this one’s for you.