Set sail with us on this unforgettable, seaborne edition of the Business Lifejacket Podcast as host David Germain records from the Bridge of the Borealis, deep in the fjords of Southern Norway, en route to Ålesund – and fresh from witnessing the awe-inspiring Northern Lights!

In this exclusive episode, David is joined by the charismatic and deeply experienced Captain Mikael Degerlund of Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, who shares stories from his remarkable 44-year journey at sea – starting as a teenage deck boy from a small Finnish village to commanding cruise ships across the globe.

This is more than a podcast – it’s a front-row seat to life at the helm and a rare insight into the leadership and legacy of one of cruising’s most respected captains.

So grab your metaphorical lifejacket, steady your compass, and get ready for a deep dive into tales of resilience, responsibility, and the romance of the sea.

If you enjoyed today’s episode, don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with others who might need a little extra support in their business journey.

Until next time, keep learning, laughing, and making waves!

Credits:
Host: David Germain
https://www.linkedin.com/in/dcgermain/
david.germain@andertoncentre.co.uk

Produced by: OneZeroCreative
www.OneZeroCreative.co.uk

Sponsored by The Anderton Centre
www.andertoncentre.co.uk
New Road, Anderton, Chorley, Lancashire, PR6 9HG reception@andertoncentre.co.uk 01257 484220 www.andertoncentre.co.uk

Learn more about the Anderton Centre by visiting the website, or contact David Germain for a personal tour.

Business Lifejacket Podcast - Episode Description

Hello and welcome to the Business Life Jacket Podcast! 🚤 The podcast that doesn’t take itself too seriously and somehow finds a way to shoehorn as many nautical puns into the world of business as possible.

This episode is sponsored by the Anderton Centre, an award-winning education, training, and conference venue located in the Northwest between Bolton and Chorley.

Please note: The views and opinions shared on the Business Lifejacket Podcast are based on the personal experiences of the individuals involved and are not intended to be taken as official business advice. Always seek professional guidance when making decisions for your business.

Now, let’s dive in!

On today's episode, we’re thrilled to welcome Meena McDonald, the dynamic force behind Meena McDonald Marketing. With over two decades of experience in marketing, PR, and branding, Meena specialises in helping businesses of all sizes stand out and succeed in a crowded marketplace. Her personalised approach and passion for creative storytelling have made her the go-to expert for driving growth and building impactful brands.

Tune in to hear about Meena's journey, the flexibility of running her own agency, and how she chooses to work with clients who are the right fit for her business and expertise.

In today’s episode, I’ll reflect on some of my own marketing mishaps in our regular segment, Dave's Story Time. And trust me, today’s story is a doozy—the Paddle Your Way to Paradise campaign disaster. Let me take you back to a cold February morning when we launched a marketing campaign to promote paddleboarding and kayaking. It sounded genius at the time... until the weather (and the locals) had something to say about it.

From gale-force winds to a hula dancer becoming a meme, I’ll share the hilarious lessons I learned about honesty in marketing and knowing your audience. Spoiler: Lancashire’s beauty is a paradise in its own right—and sometimes, you don’t need a flamingo to sell it!

Meena McDonald Marketing

https://www.linkedin.com/in/meenamcdonald/

https://meenamcdonald.com/

Listen now to hear more about the creative world of branding and marketing!

If you enjoyed today’s episode, don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with others who might need a little extra support in their business journey.

Until next time, keep learning, laughing, and making waves!

Credits:
Host: David Germain
https://www.linkedin.com/in/dcgermain/
david.germain@andertoncentre.co.uk

Produced by: OneZeroCreative
www.OneZeroCreative.co.uk

Sponsored by The Anderton Centre
www.andertoncentre.co.uk
New Road, Anderton, Chorley, Lancashire, PR6 9HG reception@andertoncentre.co.uk 01257 484220 www.andertoncentre.co.uk

Learn more about the Anderton Centre by visiting the website, or contact David Germain for a personal tour.

In this episode, Julia Hartley introduces us to Guided Outdoor Adventures, a booking platform that connects guides with clients, making outdoor adventures more accessible and helping people find the right expertise to explore safely and confidently.

Joined by Elyssa Germain, from OneZeroCreative and host of This Place, Our Voices, we discuss the mental health benefits of outdoor experiences to the power of shared adventure and how activities like hiking and wild swimming help people step out of their comfort zones and rediscover their inner strength.

Explore more:

https://guidedoutdooradventures.co.uk/

Join Julia & Guided Outdoor Adventures on Social Media

https://www.facebook.com/guidedoutdooradventures

https://www.instagram.com/guidedoutdooradventures

https://www.tiktok.com/@guided.outdoor.ad

https://www.linkedin.com/company/guided-outdoor-adventures

Listen to This Place, Our Voices

If you enjoyed today’s episode, don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with others who might need a little extra support in their business journey.

Until next time, keep learning, laughing, and making waves!

Credits:
Host: David Germain
https://www.linkedin.com/in/dcgermain/
david.germain@andertoncentre.co.uk

Produced by: OneZeroCreative
www.OneZeroCreative.co.uk

Sponsored by The Anderton Centre
www.andertoncentre.co.uk
New Road, Anderton, Chorley, Lancashire, PR6 9HG reception@andertoncentre.co.uk 01257 484220 www.andertoncentre.co.uk

Learn more about the Anderton Centre by visiting the website, or contact David Germain for a personal tour.