This week I’m joined by Emily Koppit and Jessica Bond, experiential creatives and founders of Nine Productions.

In a world where we digest so much information through our screens, Em and Jess have built a brand committed to amplifying human connection through engaging, immersive, and sensational events. And over the last 10 years, they’ve done it for some of the world’s best-known brands.

We discover how they met, demystify the weird and wonderful world of experiential marketing, find out why they’re on a mission to challenge tradition and break away from industry norms, and learn about their commitment to signposting opportunities for anyone wanting to work in the creative world.

Nine was born following a serendipitous invite to an event where Em and Jess floated the idea of a collaboration and manifested an opportunity to deliver a client pitch that would change their lives forever. Prepare to be inspired — and reminded that sometimes you just need to get out of your own way.

We talk about the freedom to make mistakes, being intentional about the experience you gather throughout your career, and the influence of strong female role models in a male-dominated industry - as well as how Em and Jess feel about stepping into that role themselves.

Please enjoy… Emily and Jess.

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Our first guest of 2026 is naturopath, colon hydrotherapist and business owner, Laura Hart-Raja.

Laura’s episode has been a long time in the making. We first sat down towards the end of 2024 and had an amazing conversation that never saw the light of day (blame the dodgy USB cable and, errr, me).

But she is back, this time at Leigh Marina, with the Thames Estuary as our backdrop and the grey December sky really doing its thing.

We learn about the people who inspired her growing up, her earlier career as a private nanny, and why wellness and nutrition have been a focus of hers from a young age.

We also find out what led her to explore a career as a naturopath, hear about the moment she shed her imposter syndrome to start her own business, and we find some time to bust a few myths surrounding colonics too.

Laura is our first guest to ever get excited (openly, at least) about poo. But despite her specific set of skills, it is her desire to help people that has made her so passionate about what she does for work, and (I can say this, having had first-hand experience) so very bloody good at it.

Please enjoy… Laura Hart-Raja.

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This week on JobsWorth I’m joined by WAHL’s Lead Educator and owner of Dean Gleeson Hair… um… Dean Gleeson.

Dean returns a little over 18 months after his first episode aired, and it’s safe to say that a lot has changed for this Essex-based barber.

He’s parted ways with his friend, co-founder, and business partner of ten years to strike out on his own — and in this week’s conversation, we find out why.

We also hear what it’s been like building a new brand from scratch, how he’s juggling a senior role with global haircare and grooming giant WAHL while launching a new business, and why, despite being established in the industry for almost two decades, he’s still as hungry as ever to prove himself.

Please enjoy… Dean Gleeson… again.

#jobsworth #podcast #career #worklife #storiesthatinspirechange

The JobsWorth website is here www.jobs-worth.com

Watch the show on YouTube; https://www.youtube.com/@jobsworthpodcast

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Contact the show on hello@jobs-worth.com

On JobsWorth this week, I sit down with freelance filmmaker and songwriter, Rob Humm.

Rob is a multi-talented creative with a Swiss-army-knife skill set who has been working behind the scenes on the podcast since we started filming back in April.

This month, we say auf wiedersehen as he sets off to travel around Europe in his converted Transit Custom on the adventure of a lifetime - and what better way to pay homage to his time on the show than by getting him in the hot seat?

We explore his weird and wonderful sources of career inspiration, the valuable lessons you learn from not landing your dream job early on, and the sacrifices you make to live intentionally.

We also discuss how he strikes the right balance between film and music, what the reality of getting your work heard actually looks like, and - because we couldn’t have a musician on without asking them to bring their guitar - a very special live performance.

Rob, thank you for everything, mate. You’re a legend.

Please enjoy… Rob Humm.

The JobsWorth website is here www.jobs-worth.com

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Contact the show on hello@jobs-worth.com

This week on JobsWorth, I’m joined by permaculture designer, founder of Jack’s Patch, and the self-professed Willy Wonka of the plant world, Jack Hodgson.

Jack is one of those rare people you can’t help but be inspired by. He’s on a mission to help people reconnect with nature, to educate us on how to create edible ecosystems in even the most urban environments, and to remind us of the joy that comes from getting our hands dirty.

We talk about the events that led him from a job in construction to transforming an allotment on the edge of London into a micro-farm, what made him jump on a plane to a rainforest straight out of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and why he’s so passionate about encouraging everyone to grow their own fruit and veg.

From managing farming projects overseas, teaching people how to grow mushrooms in storage containers, to converting anything and everything into thriving edible landscapes - and being featured in publications from the RHS to Grand Designs - it’s clear Jack has found his calling.

Get ready - I challenge even the least green-fingered among you to listen to this conversation and not feel inspired to start growing.

Please enjoy… Jack Hodgson.

The JobsWorth website is here www.jobs-worth.com

Watch the show on YouTube; https://www.youtube.com/@jobsworthpodcast

Follow the show on Instagram; https://www.instagram.com/jobsworthpodcast/?hl=en

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Contact the show on hello@jobs-worth.com

This week’s episode of JobsWorth is a special one.

Not only do I get to sit down with a panel of guests I admire, love and respect… this time I did it in front of an actual audience at our very first LIVE event.

Hosted at the beautiful Read on Sea, an independent bookshop in the heart of Leigh, I’m joined by previous guests (and fan favourites) Charlotte Debond Sayer and Luke Adam Hawker, as well as the founder of our venue for the evening, Manuel Scettri.

I ask if they can remember the moment they knew it was time to change their relationship with work, get their thoughts on imposter syndrome and how to overcome it, find out whether they agree with the statement “everyone is winging it”, and learn whether they now know what they want to be when they grow up.

We also explore whether the perfect work–life balance exists, get our panel’s thoughts on whether a permanent job really offers more security than working for yourself, and we even squeeze in a Q&A.

A huge thank you to Read on Sea for hosting us, our incredible panel, and the best audience we could have asked for.

Together we raised £300 for local children’s cancer charity Gold Geese. You can find out more about the incredible work they do via the link below:

https://goldgeese.org/

Please enjoy… JobsWorth LIVE.

The JobsWorth website is here www.jobs-worth.com

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Contact the show on hello@jobs-worth.com

On JobsWorth this week, I sit down with Claire Jeavons – an Essex based business owner who has been running bricks and mortar retail stores in the heart of Leigh on Sea for over 17 years.

Claire had a passion for fashion (sorry) from a young age, yet it was her love of window dressing - and her ability to tell a story through this very specific medium – that kick started her path in retail and ultimately led to a job with a certain Swedish flat pack furniture giant.

We talk about growing up with a business, the importance of the relationships you build at work, and becoming the go-to person because of your experience and ability… and how that can impact your sense of identity when it’s taken away.

Just eight months after being made redundant, Claire was handed the keys to her very own store. In the years that followed, it would become an extension of her, her family, and the community that has grown around it.

Claire, in her own words, loves what she does and doesn’t view it as work - yet her success hasn’t come without sacrifice. We explore what that’s looked like over the years, as well as hearing her views on competition, collaboration, and what makes Leigh on Sea so special.

Please enjoy… Claire Jeavons.

The JobsWorth website is here www.jobs-worth.com

Watch the show on YouTube; https://www.youtube.com/@jobsworthpodcast

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Contact the show on hello@jobs-worth.com

My guest on JobsWorth this week is Leanne Reardon, founder of Flow State Office.

Leanne is on a mission to help business founders find their state of flow - but unlike so many people peddling a similar message, she’s honest about the fact she’s still searching for hers.

Secondary school left her directionless and demotivated (something many of you might relate to), yet a stroke of serendipity during work experience led her to discover a role filled with meaning and purpose. Unfortunately, restructures and redundancy forced her to recalibrate what work would look like going forward. We talk about grief and the trauma that period still carries for her.

Leanne’s second act began after a life-changing retreat that led to her first role outside local authority work - and acted as the catalyst for the path she’s on today. Hers is a story of resilience, having the courage to try something new, and trusting your intuition.

We dig into what Leanne means by seasons in your business, explore the importance of setting boundaries and building self-trust, and consider why - in an age where our brains are constantly bombarded with information - introducing systems in both our work and personal lives is more important than ever.

Please enjoy… Leanne Reardon.

The JobsWorth website is here www.jobs-worth.com

Watch the show on YouTube; https://www.youtube.com/@jobsworthpodcast

Follow the show on Instagram; https://www.instagram.com/jobsworthpodcast/?hl=en

Follow me on LinkedIn; https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnhawker/

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Subscribe to my newsletter 'The Job Journal from GTC'; https://subscribepage.io/TheJobJournal

Learn more about my proper job; https://www.globaltechcollective.com/

Contact the show on hello@jobs-worth.com