episodic The Good Listening To Show: Stories of Distinction & Genius

Presenter: Chris Grimes

Welcome to ‘The Clearing’, where you can hear remarkable and valuable life & business stories to inform, inspire and entertain.

It’s like having a ‘Day Spa’ for your Brain in an Oasis of Kindness!

Welcome to the UK’s hottest Storytelling Show, presented by Motivational Comedian Chris Grimes!

It’s the Show in which he invites movers & makers, shakers & mavericks, influencers - and also personal heroes - into a ‘Clearing’ (or ‘serious happy place’) of his Guest’s choosing, as they all share with us their stories of ‘Distinction & Genius’.

With a unique and thoroughly enjoyable storytelling structure, involving a Clearing, a Tree, a lovely juicy storytelling exercise called ‘5-4-3-2-1’, some Alchemy, some Gold, a couple of random Squirrels, a cheeky bit of Shakespeare, a Golden Baton and a Cake! So it’s all to play for!

If you have a story of Distinction or Genius and fancy being given a ‘Good Listening To’ too, then get in touch with Chris Grimes today!

Visit www.thegoodlisteningtoshow.com to find out about the many different series strands to help you to tell your Story, promote your Business and amplify your brand, including:

Founder Stories - Legacy Life Reflections - Good Books - Leadership Reflections

See also www.legacylifereflections.com to record your Life Story - or the Story of someone that you Love - for posterity, “Lest we forget…Before it’s too late”, with Chris Grimes as your Host.

Contact Chris Grimes:

E: chris@secondcurve.uk

M: +44 7711 644 094

X: @thatchrisgrimes

Instagram: @thatchrisgrimes

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-grimes-actor-broadcaster-facilitator-coach/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thegoodlisteningtoshowpodcast

Calendar Link - For a conversation about Guesting:

https://api.leadconnectorhq.com/widget/bookings/the-good-listening-to-show

Show Websites: 

https://www.thegoodlisteningtoshow.com

https://www.legacylifereflections.com

]]> The Good Listening To Show 2026 Brushwood Media Network Chris Grimes false Chris Grimes info@brushwoodmediagroup.com en https://pod.co/the-good-listening-to-show Only a tiny proportion of Professional Speakers are able to land the best stages again-and-again-and-again - and it is not always the celebrities. I’m joined by Maria Franzoni, Speakers' Advocate, Speaker Coach and former Speaker Bureau Owner, to dig into what actually drives paid Speaking engagements, repeat bookings, and higher Keynote Speaker fees. If you’ve ever wondered why brilliant talks still struggle to sell, Maria brings the Agent’s-eye view that cuts through noise and gives you practical clarity. 

We start with the story behind the strategist: growing up British Italian, learning to navigate culture and language, and inheriting a serious work ethic from parents who built stability through sheer persistence. That personal foundation matters, because the stage is never only about slides and scripts. We also talk openly about gender assumptions, what it means to choose a childfree life, and how those experiences shape confidence, boundaries, and message. 

Then we get into the heart of it: Maria’s "Bookability Formula" and what the top 1% of bookable Speakers do. We break down the four pillars the market rewards most: being relevant to a paying market, being known for one clear thing, being memorable to audiences and bookers, and being easy to find and easy to work with. We also explore the multiplier of value (ROI, outcomes, change) and the role of ego, which can help you step on stage but can also undermine trust if it grows too big. 

If you want a sharper speaker positioning, a more commercial topic, and a clearer route to getting booked more often, this conversation gives you a grounded framework to act on. Subscribe, share this with a speaker friend, and leave us a review wherever you get your podcasts.

CONTACT MARIA FANZONI:

WEBSITE:

https://www.mariafranzoni.me

X:

https://x.com/MariaFranzoni

FACEBOOK:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/SpeakingBusiness

LINKEDIN:

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

YOUTUBE:

https://www.youtube.com/c/MariaFranzoni

Tune in next week for more stories of 'Distinction & Genius' from The Good Listening To Show 'Clearing'. If you would like to be my Guest too then you can find out HOW via the different 'series strands' at 'The Good Listening To Show' website.

To record your Life Story or GIFT an episode to someone that you love, with Chris as your host, then do get in touch about how ‘Legacy Life Reflections’ can help:

LEGACY LIFE REFLECTIONS WEBSITE:

https://www.legacylifereflections.com

E MAIL: chris@legacylifereflections.com

WHATS APP: +44 7711 644 094

LINKEDIN:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-grimes-actor-broadcaster-facilitator-coach/

FACEBOOK:

https://www.facebook.com/chris.grimes.167

]]> Good Books: Maria Franzoni, Speakers' Advocate & Coach and Author of 'The Bookability Formula', on How The Top 1% of Speakers Get Booked Good Books: Maria Franzoni, Speakers' Advocate & Coach and Author of 'The Bookability Formula', on How The Top 1% of Speakers Get Booked 00:51:14 ab8fb405-8402-4204-ad7a-0bed18cc2306 Chris Grimes 16 1 full false https://www.brushwoodmedianetwork.com Wed, 27 May 2026 02:49:20 +0000 He helped raise £225 million, worked punishing weeks, and then walked away from it all. Jon Kaye joins me in The Clearing to unpack the moment he stopped chasing the obvious definition of success and started rebuilding a life around creativity, community, and better questions.

We talk through Jon’s founder story in private equity: the risk of resigning with a pregnant wife, a new house, and no salary, and the life-changing power of one credible person saying “yes”. From there, the conversation turns to burnout, the decision not to launch “fund two”, and the radical reset of taking three young children out of school to travel the world for a year. If you’re thinking about career change, work life balance, or designing a second act, John’s honesty lands hard.

From his basement music studio packed with modular synthesizers and miles of cables, Jon explains why friction matters and why making things harder can lead to more original work, especially in a world flooded with AI content. We dig into his Unmastered newsletter ethos of thinking clearly, living deliberately, and creating without chasing, plus the community-first mission behind DO Radio, a live station you can’t pause or download by design.

If this conversation sparks something in you, subscribe, share it with a friend who needs a reset, and leave a review. What would you stop chasing first if you could redesign your life this week?

CONTACT JON KAYE:

NEWSLETTER WEBSITE:

https://unmastered.life

LINKEDIN:

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

Tune in next week for more stories of 'Distinction & Genius' from The Good Listening To Show 'Clearing'. If you would like to be my Guest too then you can find out HOW via the different 'series strands' at 'The Good Listening To Show' website.

To record your Life Story or GIFT an episode to someone that you love, with Chris as your host, then do get in touch about how ‘Legacy Life Reflections’ can help:

LEGACY LIFE REFLECTIONS WEBSITE:

https://www.legacylifereflections.com

E MAIL: chris@legacylifereflections.com

WHATS APP: +44 7711 644 094

LINKEDIN:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-grimes-actor-broadcaster-facilitator-coach/

FACEBOOK:

https://www.facebook.com/chris.grimes.167

]]> Founder Story: Think Clearly, Live More Deliberately & Create Without Chasing Applause with Jon Kaye, Author of ‘Unmastered’ & DO Radio Presenter. How years of Chasing Money and a 'Burn Out Reset' led to a more Creative & Fulfilling Life Founder Story: Think Clearly, Live More Deliberately & Create Without Chasing Applause with Jon Kaye, Author of ‘Unmastered’ & DO Radio Presenter. How years of Chasing Money and a 'Burn Out Reset' led to a more Creative & Fulfilling Life 01:00:26 60e24a95-a59e-493b-893b-45f14453cf14 Chris Grimes 15 1 full false https://www.brushwoodmedianetwork.com Wed, 20 May 2026 01:59:11 +0000 You can hear a whole philosophy of change hidden inside one simple move: Put the bike where you can see it. That is the kind of practical, human behavior design we get into with Mike Coulter, a lifelong Creative who’s worked across advertising, helped shape projects at the DO Lectures, and now teaches tools for building 'Tiny Habits' that actually stick.

We start with the stories that made Mike: Growing up in Yorkshire, learning his dad’s rule for a good job, cutting his teeth at a local newspaper, then spotting the world of advertising and chasing it hard. Along the way we talk about the craft behind great creative work, why the best ideas often arrive away from the desk, and how places like Cornwall’s Camel Trail and the Atlantic can become thinking environments that support focus, calm, and better decisions.

Then we go deep on BJ Fogg, Stanford, the Tiny Habits Method, and what changed for Mike when he stopped trying to “motivate himself” and started making behaviors easier to do. We explore behavior matching, prompts, ability, and the ethics of influence, plus why so many products win by serving people who already want the outcome. If you care about habit formation, productivity, mental health, marketing psychology, or simply building a healthier routine without burnout, you’ll leave with clear takeaways you can test immediately.

Find more of Mike’s work at https://www.habitualise.com, and if you enjoy the conversation, subscribe, share it with a friend, and leave a review so more people can find the show. What’s the tiniest habit you’re willing to start today?

Tune in next week for more stories of 'Distinction & Genius' from The Good Listening To Show 'Clearing'. If you would like to be my Guest too then you can find out HOW via the different 'series strands' at 'The Good Listening To Show' website.

CONTACT MIKE COULTER:

WEBSITE:

https://www.habitualise.com

LINKEDIN:

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

Tune in next week for more stories of 'Distinction & Genius' from The Good Listening To Show 'Clearing'. If you would like to be my Guest too then you can find out HOW via the different 'series strands' at 'The Good Listening To Show' website.

CONTACT CHRIS ABOUT THE SHOW:

Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW wherever you get your Podcasts :)

To record your Life Story or GIFT an episode to someone that you love, with Chris as your host, then do get in touch about how ‘Legacy Life Reflections’ can help:

LEGACY LIFE REFLECTIONS WEBSITE:

https://www.legacylifereflections.com

E MAIL: chris@legacylifereflections.com

WHATS APP: +44 7711 644 094

LINKEDIN:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-grimes-actor-broadcaster-facilitator-coach/

FACEBOOK:

https://www.facebook.com/chris.grimes.167

]]> Leadership Reflections: Tiny Habits, Bold Leadership. Inside the DO Lectures with Mike Coulter, on how a Copywriter learned to Design Better Behavior and help Others to a Happier Life with 'Tiny Habits' Leadership Reflections: Tiny Habits, Bold Leadership. Inside the DO Lectures with Mike Coulter, on how a Copywriter learned to Design Better Behavior and help Others to a Happier Life with 'Tiny Habits' 01:14:09 0d0208a0-0da4-44da-a037-9d5127ffcebf Chris Grimes 14 1 full false https://www.brushwoodmedianetwork.com Wed, 13 May 2026 03:03:10 +0000 Delighted to welcome Patrick Vasey, Laurel & Hardy life-long Super-Fan & Presenter of The Laurel & Hardy Podcast, for a special 'Legacy: Life Reflections' episode, in which we preserve the legacy & share our mutual love and admiration for all things Stan & Ollie.

Stan Laurel is my all time comic hero. I first encountered Stan on a Black & White TV set that hummed into action in Uganda at the age of 7. And to this day he still inspires me in all the work that I do through his innocence, kindness, warmth & humanity.

Growing up, the antics of Laurel and Hardy were a comforting family presence, sparking laughter that echoed throughout my childhood.

Patrick Vasey is a remarkable, passionate & dedicated aficionado of this legendary duo, here to share his insights into their Silent Film era and with news of his forthcoming book that collates their early masterpieces.

Our heartfelt conversation traverses the duo's magnetic charisma and Patrick's unwavering mission to enshrine their legacy for future admirers, underscoring the challenge of keeping their century-old wit relevant today.

The humor of Laurel and Hardy transcends time, connecting not only to chuckles but to life's deeper rhythms. Patrick recounts his personal parallels of sibling jests and workplace woes as seen through the lens of their comedy, showing how laughter can be a guiding light through life's maze. His own journey, entwined with the duo's hijinks, from childhood memories to adult connections, paints a picture of how shared joy can lead to unexpected friendships and personal evolution, even without the formality of fan clubs or conventions.

This episode is a tapestry woven with threads of inspiration from the world of arts to the calm of nature, and the peculiar pastime of archery. Our conversation delves into the potent mix of nostalgia and innovation that influences a passion for storytelling. From the iconic flair of Hollywood's yesteryears to the soothing escapism of birdwatching and the unique bond with a beloved pet, the episode reveals the diverse breadth of experiences that shape our lives. And as a bow on this diverse package, we touch upon the sheer delight of podcasting about Laurel and Hardy, highlighting the vital role of preserving the voices of the past to enlighten and entertain generations to come.

You can also Watch/Listen to Patrick's wonderful episode here:

https://vimeo.com/manage/videos/924964455

Tune in next week for more stories of 'Distinction & Genius' from The Good Listening To Show 'Clearing'. If you would like to be my Guest too then you can find out HOW via the different 'series strands' at 'The Good Listening To Show' website.

CONTACT PATRICK VASEY:

WEBSITE:

https://www.laurelandhardyfilms.com

X:

https://x.com/HardyBlog

INSTAGRAM:

https://www.instagram.com/thelaurelandhardypodcast/

FACEBOOK:

https://www.facebook.com/LaurelandHardyBlog/

YOUTUBE:

https://www.youtube.com/@laurelandhardypodcast

CONTACT CHRIS ABOUT THE SHOW:

Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW wherever you get your Podcasts :)

To record your Life Story or GIFT an episode to someone that you love, with Chris as your host, then do get in touch about how ‘Legacy Life Reflections’ can help:

LEGACY LIFE REFLECTIONS WEBSITE:

https://www.legacylifereflections.com

E MAIL: chris@legacylifereflections.com

WHATS APP: +44 7711 644 094

]]> Legacy: Life Reflections: A Tribute to Laurel and Hardy's Enduring Comedy Legacy. Laughing Through the Ages with Life-Long Super-Fan & Presenter of The Laurel & Hardy Podcast, Patrick Vasey Legacy: Life Reflections: A Tribute to Laurel and Hardy's Enduring Comedy Legacy. Laughing Through the Ages with Life-Long Super-Fan & Presenter of The Laurel & Hardy Podcast, Patrick Vasey 00:47:48 00915e8a-f558-4219-8b6a-23c238ee96cd Chris Grimes 13 1 full false https://www.brushwoodmedianetwork.com Wed, 06 May 2026 03:33:49 +0000 Your Team can tell when you’re not really there and horses can tell even faster! Leadership Strategist, Speaker, Author & Equine-guided Coach Julia Felton, joins Chris to unpack “Business HorsePower”: The practical Leadership lessons that we can borrow from nature and horse-herd-dynamics to build trust, presence, and stronger Teams in the 21st century. 

We talk candidly about Burn-Out that hides behind adrenaline, the identity wobble that shows up when the job title disappears, and why reinvention is no longer a one-off event but a constant Leadership capability.

Julia shares how time in the African bush sharpened her ability to be present and how that same discipline translates into Psychological Safety at work. When leaders are distracted, inconsistent, or living in the future, teams feel unsafe and performance suffers. We explore the ripple effect leaders leave behind them, the difference between doing and being, and why sustainable pace matters more than perpetual drive.

We also dig into technology and AI: The gift of Lifelong Learning, the curse of FOMO, and the growing trust problem when it’s hard to know what’s real. Julia introduces her diamond model of leadership for navigating uncertainty, built around attention, direction, energy, and congruence with belonging at the centre, and explains why equine-guided experiences create embodied learning that sticks long after the workshop ends.

If you enjoy Leadership Development, Team Performance, reinvention, and human-centred Communication, you’ll take away clear ideas you can apply immediately. 

CONTACT JULIA:

WEBSITE:

https://www.juliafelton.com

X:

https://x.com/julia_felton

LINKEDIN:

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

FACEBOOK:

https://www.facebook.com/BusinessHorsepower/

Subscribe for more stories from The Clearing, share this with a leader who needs a reset, and leave a review telling us what builds trust fastest in your workplace.

Tune in next week for more stories of 'Distinction & Genius' from The Good Listening To Show 'Clearing'. If you would like to be my Guest too then you can find out HOW via the different 'series strands' at 'The Good Listening To Show' website.

CONTACT CHRIS ABOUT THE SHOW:

Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW wherever you get your Podcasts :)

To record your Life Story or GIFT an episode to someone that you love, with Chris as your host, then do get in touch about how ‘Legacy Life Reflections’ can help:

LEGACY LIFE REFLECTIONS WEBSITE:

https://www.legacylifereflections.com

E MAIL: chris@legacylifereflections.com

WHATS APP: +44 7711 644 094

LINKEDIN:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-grimes-actor-broadcaster-facilitator-coach/

FACEBOOK:

https://www.facebook.com/chris.grimes.167

]]> Leadership Reflections: Business HorsePower & Learning through Nature with Julia Felton, on Leadership-Lessons-Learned from a Horse Herd! A Toast: "To Your Unbridled Success!" in the Year of the Fire Horse! Leadership Reflections: Business HorsePower & Learning through Nature with Julia Felton, on Leadership-Lessons-Learned from a Horse Herd! A Toast: "To Your Unbridled Success!" in the Year of the Fire Horse! 01:04:13 e1d251b2-188f-49e3-bc7f-3d93e61791d0 Chris Grimes 12 1 full false https://www.brushwoodmedianetwork.com Wed, 29 Apr 2026 01:50:10 +0000 If you don't yet have a frame of reference for Design Response Queen Lori Haller, then here she comes! "The reason I named my company Designing Response is that's how I show up: I'm not here to just create a beautiful design and jooje the copy. I'm here hardcore to hop-on-top of whatever project it is and make sure I get a RESPONSE: Click a button, say "Yes!" and get out your wallet": BOOM! 

Pretty design is easy. Design that makes someone stop, FEEL something, and take ACTION is a different craft entirely and that’s where Lori Haller lives. From just outside Washington, DC, Lori joins me in The Clearing to unpack what she calls “designing response”: showing up with copy, visuals and strategy that align so tightly the next step becomes obvious. We get into what congruence really looks like in direct mail, sales pages and campaigns, and why being the brave voice in the room can be the difference between a nice-looking piece and a profitable one.

Lori also opens up about how she finds creative flow and why nature is not a luxury but part of the job when you are paid to think. We talk about her serious happy place at the ocean, using music to match the heartbeat of a project, and the joy she gets from coaching writers and designers into stronger collaboration. If you have ever watched a team argue in circles, you will love her practical take on how to work together, speak up, and still keep it human.

We also go head-on into AI in marketing and design. Lori sees AI as a force multiplier when it frees talented people from endless “doing” and gives them back the time to dig deeper and find the explosive ideas. You’ll hear how she helps companies improve systems, adopt new tools and drive real profitability, plus the personal values underneath it all: making ripples that help someone else live better.

If you enjoy the conversation, subscribe, share the show with a friend who cares about direct response marketing and creative leadership, and leave a review so more listeners can find us. What part of Lori’s approach are you going to try first?

If you’re building a career in the arts, leading teams, or simply trying to honor the voices you love, there’s gold here: practical storytelling tools, resilience reframes, and a reminder to laugh when you can. 

Subscribe, share with a friend who needs the nudge, and leave a review to help more people find the clearing. Then tell us—what’s your story?

Tune in next week for more stories of 'Distinction & Genius' from The Good Listening To Show 'Clearing'. 

If you would like to be my Guest too then you can find out HOW via the different 'series strands' at 'The Good Listening To Show' website.

CONTACT CHRIS ABOUT THE SHOW:

To record your Life Story or GIFT an episode to someone that you love, with Chris as your host, then do get in touch.

WEBSITE:

https://www.thegoodlisteningtoshow.com

E MAIL: chris@legacylifereflections.com

WHATS APP: +44 7711 644 094

LINKEDIN:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-grimes-actor-broadcaster-facilitator-coach/

FACEBOOK:

https://www.facebook.com/chris.grimes.167

]]> 'Founder Story' Design Strategist & Marketing Queen Lori Haller of Designing Response LLC: "I'm Not Here To Make It Look Pretty. I'm Here To Grab Attention & Compel Action" 'Founder Story' Design Strategist & Marketing Queen Lori Haller of Designing Response LLC: "I'm Not Here To Make It Look Pretty. I'm Here To Grab Attention & Compel Action" 00:44:07 a0b5ecfa-f3ed-40de-beeb-42403bd4ab51 Chris Grimes 11 1 full false https://www.brushwoodmedianetwork.com Tue, 21 Apr 2026 23:58:09 +0000 A host hands over his own mic, steps into the straw-lit ring, and lets his story breathe. Chris Grimes invites us into “The Clearing,” a warm, curated space where presence comes first and stories find their shape. From a Uganda childhood and the hum of a TV showing Laurel & Hardy to the ache of losing a sister and the discipline of actor-teacher training, Chris traces the real forces that shaped his craft, his humor, and his ethos of yes-and.

We dig into the 5-4-3-2-1 framework he uses to spark honest conversation, and why comedy can be the first evidence of freedom. Expect Stan Laurel’s kindness, Michael Palin’s curiosity, and a dash of John Cleese; a tender nod to Federer’s focus on the next point; and a confession about a £2,000 wheelie bin in the name of creative risk. Chris shares the quotes he keeps in his pocket—be where your feet are; nothing is either good or bad, but thinking makes it so—and the one story he returns to when doubt creeps in: the Helsinki Bus Garage. Translation for creatives and leaders alike—stay on the bus long enough to reach the route only you can travel.

The heart of the conversation is Legacy Life Reflections, a human-led way to record personal histories before voices fade. Chris talks about capturing his father’s story in the halcyon years and why every family has a documentary inside it, not a footnote. It’s story craft with care: listening deeply, framing gently, and creating a keepsake that outlives the moment. Along the way, we talk tennis, ping-pong, presence, and the north star of a dream guest—Sir Michael Palin.

If you’re building a career in the arts, leading teams, or simply trying to honor the voices you love, there’s gold here: practical storytelling tools, resilience reframes, and a reminder to laugh when you can. Subscribe, share with a friend who needs the nudge, and leave a review to help more people find the clearing. Then tell us—what’s your story?

Tune in next week for more stories of 'Distinction & Genius' from The Good Listening To Show 'Clearing'. 

If you would like to be my Guest too then you can find out HOW via the different 'series strands' at 'The Good Listening To Show' website.


CONTACT CHRIS ABOUT THE SHOW:

To record either your own Life Story or you can GIFT an episode to someone that you love, with Chris as your host.

WEBSITE:

https://www.legacylifereflections.com

E MAIL: chris@legacylifereflections.com

WHATS APP: +44 7711 644 094

LINKEDIN:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-grimes-actor-broadcaster-facilitator-coach/

FACEBOOK:

https://www.facebook.com/chris.grimes.167

]]> Inside The Clearing: Chris Grimes on Story, Loss & Laughter and a reminder (inspired by the Helsinki Bus Garage allegory) to "Stay on the F***ing Bus!" Inside The Clearing: Chris Grimes on Story, Loss & Laughter and a reminder (inspired by the Helsinki Bus Garage allegory) to "Stay on the F***ing Bus!" 01:09:40 8831019d-06e9-4048-9099-6ac9a34bcc27 Chris Grimes 10 1 full false https://www.brushwoodmedianetwork.com Wed, 15 Apr 2026 02:01:44 +0000 This is a special ‘Legacy Life Reflections’ episode in which Chris offers to record Life Stories for posterity. Either your own Story or the Life Story of someone that you love for posterity. 

Against the backdrop of a terminal diagnosis, this is the brave and profound story of Linda Jacomb, which both she and her son asked me help tell. What she shares is so pragmatic, so resilient, so stoic and so wise that I invited her to ‘go public’ and share her Story with the world. Linda agreed and this is her story.

A Dorset walk to a walled garden. Light dancing on water. A motto whispered at crossroads: onwards and upwards. Linda Jacob invites us into a life built on fairness, quiet courage, and the everyday craft of choosing our response when events feel out of hand. We talk about here roots in Buckinghamshire, a grandmother named Florence who taught kindness without gossip, and the determined climb from leaving school early to earning skills through night classes and long bus rides. One formative moment—watching a senior leader belittle a colleague—sparked a promise to lead with dignity, a pledge she kept across decades in social work, supported housing, pubs, and company directorships.

The centre of gravity is service. Linda shares intimate, hard-won stories from homelessness support, including a young father who, after months of learning and resolve, won custody and a new home for his child. These are victories measured in confidence regained, routines restored, and doors opened. Her inspiration comes from ordinary people facing extraordinary pressure and from the disciplined habit of finding a usable positive in the negative. We explore how she practices emotional agency—separating content from reaction—and why “Just for today” remains a practical anchor for focus and wellbeing.

There’s tenderness, too: Halcyon days in the long spring of 1975 when her first child Brennan was born; music that holds memory—Simon and Garfunkel’s Bookends, the ache of Going Home; and a signature coffee cake taught by Nanny Taylor that became a small community legend. We linger at twilight, that moment when day blends into night, and consider legacy without fanfare: protect dignity, pass on what works, laugh when you can, make one good thing well and share it. Linda also speaks candidly about facing serious illness and her plan to turn hardship into guidance for fellow social workers, transforming pain into a map others can use.

Come for the stories; stay for the tools. If you value humane leadership, homelessness advocacy, emotional resilience, and the restorative pull of nature, you’ll find a generous guide here. Subscribe, share with a friend who needs steadiness today, and leave a review with your own motto for moving forwards—what keeps you going onwards and upwards?

CONTACT CHRIS ABOUT THE SHOW:

To record either your own Life Story or you can GIFT an episode to someone that you love, with Chris as your host.

WEBSITE:

https://www.legacylifereflections.com

E MAIL: chris@legacylifereflections.com

WHATS APP: +44 7711 644 094

LINKEDIN:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-grimes-actor-broadcaster-facilitator-coach/

FACEBOOK:

https://www.facebook.com/chris.grimes.167

]]> Legacy Life Reflections: 'Onwards and Upwards' with Linda Jacomb despite a Terminal Diagnosis. Light Dancing on the Water and a Life Proudly Lived with Resilience, Pragmatism, Optimism & Courage Legacy Life Reflections: 'Onwards and Upwards' with Linda Jacomb despite a Terminal Diagnosis. Light Dancing on the Water and a Life Proudly Lived with Resilience, Pragmatism, Optimism & Courage 00:47:02 bb575523-a171-4c06-950e-16c420249a6d Chris Grimes 9 1 full false https://www.brushwoodmedianetwork.com Wed, 08 Apr 2026 02:35:51 +0000 A single choice can shape a lifetime. When Nigel Hughes told a careers panel he’d choose Ballet over the Marines, he set a compass for courage, creativity, and connection that still points true decades later. 

We invite you into Nigel’s ‘Clearing’ —a 1642 Suffolk cottage turned open house—where hedges host micro-moths, neighbours drop by for sugar-free Black Forest Gâteaux, and Leadership looks like tending land until it teaches you how to lead.

The story travels far beyond the garden gate. In Papua New Guinea, Nigel and his partner used theatre—songs, stories, and dugout canoes—to help local communities see what was at stake as industrial logging closed in. Their work helped protect 2,000 square miles of primary rainforest and seeded a long-term push toward World Heritage status. He calls it global kinship, a respectful exchange that begins with listening rather than lecturing. Along the way, we meet mentors who challenged him to be “dangerous or dead,” and we hear how personal rituals—like watching evening primrose bloom at dusk—guided him through cancer and back into purpose.

Closer to home, Nigel’s philosophy shows in the details: a biodiverse, organic landscape that encouraged neighbouring farms to go chemical-free; a practice of meditation and deep listening; a belief that internal diversity—ballet in the morning, county rugby in the afternoon—creates stronger, more human leaders. He worries about phone addiction and the loss of face-to-face connection, yet remains relentlessly optimistic that attention, courage, and care can leave places and people better than we found them. If you’re ready to rethink leadership as leaving more life behind than you took, this conversation will meet you where your feet are and invite you to stand for something that lasts.

CONTACT NIGEL:

WEBSITE:

https://www.outstanding.global

INSTAGRAM:

https://www.instagram.com/outstanding.global/

LINKEDIN:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/nigel-hughes-outstanding-global/

FACEBOOK:

https://www.facebook.com/outstandingglobal/

]]> Leadership & Legacy Life Reflections: Marines or Ballet? With Nigel Hughes from Outstanding Global, a Life of Courage, Creativity, Conservation & Leadership Leadership & Legacy Life Reflections: Marines or Ballet? With Nigel Hughes from Outstanding Global, a Life of Courage, Creativity, Conservation & Leadership 00:50:24 fc1afc1a-0e59-477e-9ef1-e5d93ba59b84 Chris Grimes 8 1 full false https://www.brushwoodmedianetwork.com Tue, 31 Mar 2026 22:32:50 +0000 What if the moments that break you could become the blueprint for how you lead? That’s the heartbeat of our conversation with Gina Gardiner—leader, author, broadcaster, and unapologetic catalyst for change—who turned a devastating ski accident and years of chronic pain into a living masterclass on resilient, human leadership.

We trace the arc from breaking gender barriers as a young deputy head, to running a high-performing school largely from a wheelchair, to building a global platform that champions empowerment and psychological safety. Gina shares the operating system she designed under pressure: define excellence together, make praise habitual, and treat people as the treasure of your organisation. The approach is crisp, compassionate, and deeply practical—built from assembly halls and classrooms, refined in boardrooms, and now delivered across airwaves and social channels via Genuinely You.

This conversation goes beyond tactics. We dig into the cost of over-responsibility, the discipline of protecting health, and the courage to confront injustice—whether that’s unfair systems at work or the quiet disregard for the “little people” who keep everything moving. Gina also opens up about her partnership with Olympian Fatima Whitbread, working to improve outcomes for young people in and leaving care, proving that leadership at its best builds communities, not just KPIs.

If you’re hungry for a people-first, performance-strong model that you can use tomorrow—clear standards, kinder feedback, braver conversations—this one will land. Leadership is how you show up, moment by moment. Subscribe, share with a leader who matters to you, and leave a review to tell us the one habit you’ll change after listening.

Tune in next week for more stories of 'Distinction & Genius' from The Good Listening To Show 'Clearing'. If you would like to be my Guest too then you can find out HOW via the different 'series strands' at 'The Good Listening To Show' website.

CONTACT GINA GARDINER:

https://genuinely-you.co/index

X: https://x.com/Genuinely_You

INSTAGRAM:

https://www.instagram.com/georgina.gardiner/

LINKEDIN:

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

PODCAST:

https://genuinely-you.co/podcast/show

FACEBOOK:

https://www.facebook.com/genuinelyyouprograms/

]]> Leadership Reflections: Leading With Radical Responsibility as a Catalyst for Change. Fellow Brushwood Presenter Gina Gardiner turning years of Chronic Pain into a Leadership Masterclass Leadership Reflections: Leading With Radical Responsibility as a Catalyst for Change. Fellow Brushwood Presenter Gina Gardiner turning years of Chronic Pain into a Leadership Masterclass 00:56:13 c1048f77-ada6-4893-866a-c4a86790927d Chris Grimes 7 1 full false https://www.brushwoodmedianetwork.com Wed, 25 Mar 2026 03:22:20 +0000 What if staying sharp has nothing to do with age and everything to do with curiosity? We sit down with Harry Mount, Editor of The Oldie Magazine, for a brisk, generous tour through a life shaped by language, architecture, bicycles, and the courage to change course. Harry opens with the soul of the magazine—why it prizes wit over celebrity and celebrates people “with snap in their celery”—and takes us inside Oldie Of The Year, where legends and unsung heroes share a stage and a laugh.

From there, we travel to his “clearing” on the Pembrokeshire cliffs and the four moments that defined his path: the quiet impact of a brother he never met, a childhood powered by worry and exams, a sharp pivot from barrister-in-waiting to gossip columnist, and finally the long, lively challenge of editing a 100-page print institution. Along the way, Barry Humphries’ razor wit, Giles Brandreth’s encomiums, and the thrill of clean copy land with warmth and precision.

Harry’s passions animate every page: the “R factor” of great buildings, from Vanbrugh to Hawksmoor; the classics as living tools woven through two-thirds of English; and the deceptive ease of comic prose from Wodehouse, Waugh, Mitford, and Amis. He shares honest distractions—the tug of the internet, the tonic of Hampstead ponds—and a love of press trips where purpose beats the pressure to have fun. There’s a personal twist too: his distant cousin Tony Adams, whose openness about addiction helped shift the culture around recovery.

Two lines frame the wisdom here. From Virgil: “One day it will help to remember even these things,” a balm for hard seasons and a nudge toward meaning. From Arthur Balfour via Bill Deedes: “Nothing matters very much, and very few things matter at all,” a reminder to edit life with a lighter touch. The dream? To be remembered for a great comic novel—and, failing that, for meeting interesting people, doing interesting things, and writing them up right.

If you love good stories, beautiful buildings, late‑period Elvis, and the feeling of wind-in-your-face clarity on a bike, you’ll feel at home. Listen, share with a friend who needs a purposeful nudge, and leave a review so more curious minds can find us.

WEBSITE:

https://www.theoldie.co.uk

INSTAGRAM:

https://www.instagram.com/theoldiemagazine/

X:

https://x.com/oldiemagazine

FACEBOOK:

https://www.facebook.com/OldieMagazine/

]]> Legacy Life Reflections: Still a Snap in the Old Celery! Wit, Legacy and a Happy Life in Words with Harry Mount, Editor of 'The Oldie' Magazine Legacy Life Reflections: Still a Snap in the Old Celery! Wit, Legacy and a Happy Life in Words with Harry Mount, Editor of 'The Oldie' Magazine 00:50:34 1a0c8def-4116-4261-9c3d-a550c670d746 Chris Grimes 6 1 full false https://www.brushwoodmedianetwork.com Wed, 11 Mar 2026 03:04:28 +0000 Legacy Life Reflections: The Unstoppable Force of Nature Christine Marsh, trailblazing at 84 as THE Global Influencer on 'Living Life to the Full’, into your 90's and Beyond!                           

EPISODE NOTES:

Meet Christine Marsh, a force of nature who at 84 became a model and is now trailblazing on a path to becoming THE Global Influencer on "Living Life to the Full" into your 90’s and beyond! Wrapped in sunflower yellow and radiating unstoppable energy, Christine shares her extraordinary journey from being born in India during wartime, to International Business Change Facilitator, Speaker, and Author.

Christine's story is one of perpetual reinvention and refusal to accept limitations. Born to a military father who had "ordered a son," she grew up being called "Bill"—yet rather than breaking her spirit, this fueled her determination. Unable to read conventionally until a teacher recognized she saw patterns rather than letters, Christine developed unique problem-solving abilities that would later define her career. At 50, when corporate life deemed her past her "sell-by date," she pivoted. At 81, following her husband's death, she faced a blank canvas and chose to "mature disgracefully" rather than retire quietly.

Throughout our conversation, Christine shares wisdom that feels both timeless and urgently relevant: "Change is inevitable. Stress is manageable. Misery is optional." She illuminates her approach to facilitation with the metaphor of an orange negotiation exercise, showing how collaboration trumps competition. With the eye of a detective, she spots patterns others miss, embodying Leonardo da Vinci's principle that "simplicity is the ultimate sophistication."

What emerges is a masterclass in resilience and reinvention. Christine's philosophy—"Nobody can make you feel inferior without your consent"—has carried her through decades of breaking barriers. Her book "Flashpoint Transformation: Life's Choices" poses a question we all face: "Are you ready to jump or waiting to be pushed?" As she puts it with characteristic directness: "You only have the moment. You can't change the past, you can't determine the future. Please savour every single moment."

Ready to rethink what's possible at any age? Christine's story might just be the spark that ignites your own transformation. Visit www.thechristinemarsh.com to connect with this remarkable woman who doesn't know the meaning of "can't."

WEBSITE: https://thechristinemarsh.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thechristinemarsh/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheChristineMarsh

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thechristinemarsh/

]]> The Good Listening To Show with Christine Marsh The Good Listening To Show with Christine Marsh 01:08:04 17c365b6-39d9-4530-9bd1-f6d3d45193d3 Chris Grimes 5 1 full false https://www.brushwoodmedianetwork.com Wed, 04 Mar 2026 02:45:30 +0000 Story of Distinction: Actor & Atlantic Rowing Super Hero Cal MacAninch, on the profound lessons-learned by rowing 3,000 miles for the Talisker Whisky Challenge 

                        EPISODE NOTES:

Proud and delighted to welcome BACK for a second row past - with the vastness of the Atlantic Ocean for his 'Clearing', Scottish Actor Cal MacAninch, here to describe his Epic Quest and the profound lessons-learned from having just rowed 3,000 miles across the Atlantic Ocean in a Crew of 5, as part of "Atlantic Body & Soul" for the Talisker Whisker Atlantic Challenge.

A story of Distinction & Genius indeed: Massive waves, sleep deprivation, pain, flying fish and hallucinations akimbo to name but some of what was experienced during an epic quest of 39 days and gargantuan proportions.

Cal MacAninch is a wonderful & versatile Scottish Actor and now an Atlantic Rowing Superhero & Legend to boot (or to boat - see what I'm doing there?!)

More about Cal: 

Whatever Cal MacAninch has achieved as an actor - and the body of his work is impressive - he now has a rare achievement indeed to add, as a rower. Cal has just rowed the Atlantic! And this is no mean achievement - for almost 40 days, Cal and the other 4 crew members set about this extraordinary journey in consecutive 2 hour shifts, 24/7. The effects of daily sleep deprivation and almost endless, constantly painful physical exercise are virtually unimaginable.

Fortunately for us, Cal MacAninch has an actor’s memory and a wonderful way with with words. This podcast focuses relentlessly on his one truly epic and almost certainly life-changing experience. 

Cal tells us about the constant need for calories and hydration, up to 6000 every day and endless refreshment. Yet the impact still left everyone in a state that Cal describes as ‘breakdown’ and in his case, the witness of numerous totally lifelike hallucinations. 

The whole journey was undertaken to raise money for two chosen charities whose primary purpose is to improve mental health care for young people - but the crew’s own mental health was severely tested in the process! Cal is now debriefing his personal experience to a leading neurological scientist in Scotland. 

He acknowledges that it was was an ordeal but one that changed him - for the better! It left him he believes, with a better perspective: a more tolerant attitude, a kinder man, a better listener. 

Hear it all here for yourself. It is a truly extraordinary story - and it’s all true! Harrowing though it is at times, Cal MacAninch tells it calmly and quietly but with a refreshing brand of candour and his own uniquely authentic Scottish sincerity.

IMDB:

https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0531229/

WEBSITE:

https://www.curtisbrown.co.uk/client/cal-macaninch/cv

INSTAGRAM:

https://www.instagram.com/calmacaninch/

]]> The Good Listening To Show with Cal MacAninch The Good Listening To Show with Cal MacAninch 00:48:54 334decbf-3084-47a4-8f49-84386775141d Chris Grimes 4 1 full false https://www.brushwoodmedianetwork.com Wed, 25 Feb 2026 02:45:31 +0000 Founder Story:

Matt Zeigler, the Ultimate Polymath! Super Connector, Producer, Community Builder & Fellow Show Host of "Just Press Record" for perfect Collaboration!EPISODE NOTES:What if the shortest path to better work is learning to be where your feet are? That’s the spark behind our conversation with Matt Zeigler—producer turned financial adviser, community builder, and host of the very excellent "Just Press Record" Podcast —who showshow presence, listening, and thoughtful connections can turn chance into momentum.We trace Matt’s arc from teenage gigs and studio life to a mid-career pivot into finance, where he discovered the same skill set applies: translate feelings into form, complexity into clarity, and fear into decisions. When a singer once asked for “more yellow,” he knew what to do. Years later, executives arrive with different words for the same fog—and Matt helps them find the signal by naming the gap between story and reality.That gap is the heart of Epsilon Theory and Panoptica, where Matt collaborates to decode how narratives shape markets, media, and culture. Think of epsilon as the error term between the map and the terrain—the place where headlines distort, incentives mislead, and human judgment goes sideways. Matt shares how better questions, cleaner language, and subtraction over addition can align plans with reality. It’s strategy as craft: roll off the noise, let the truth breathe.We also dive into the “three-body problem” of networks: you, one other person, and both of your audiences. The math stops behaving, and that’s the point. Serendipity compounds when you curate introductions and record the moment, which is exactly what Just Press Record does so well. Along the way we meet his “squirrels” (Premier League football and new music), hear why introverts make strong hosts, and unpack a line that 

Matt ZeiglerMatt Zeigler is currently a Managing Director and Private Wealth Advisor with Sunpointe Investments, and the author of the ‘Cultish Creative’ Blog and Newsletter.Blog/Newsletter:

https://cultishcreative.com/X: @cultishcreativeLinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-zeigler-a58a0a60/Professional:https://sunpointeinvestments.com/


]]> The Good Listening To Show with Matt Ziegler The Good Listening To Show with Matt Ziegler 00:58:39 f4e7cfdd-1a2e-468b-a59d-76b7c7c82daf Chris Grimes 3 1 full false https://www.brushwoodmedianetwork.com Fri, 13 Feb 2026 07:54:52 +0000 David L. Deutsch is a world-renowned direct response copywriter, marketing strategist, author, and copywriting coach. In addition to creating winning promotions from scratch, he often works with clients and writers behind the scenes to turn under-performing promotions into winners.

David started at Ogilvy & Mather on Madison Avenue, working with clients such as Merrill Lynch, General Foods, and American Express.

He then switched to direct response, where he has generated a billion dollars in sales for leading direct response marketers, entrepreneurs and publishers, including Agora, and Boardroom Inc. (now Bottom Line Publications), for whom he has had as many as six winning “controls” at once.

David supervises, coaches, and trains writers and copy teams both in the U.S. and around the world (including Germany, China, Singapore, England, Columbia, and Romania).

He is the creator of the A-List Copywriting Secrets course, in which he reveals the secrets that have enabled him to sell over a billion dollars of his clients’ products, author of Million Dollar Marketing Secrets as well as Think Inside the Box!, an acclaimed book on generating ideas. He has also written a memory course and co-authored a guidebook to Bermuda.

Website: https://davidldeutsch.com

]]> The Good Listening To Show with David L. Deutsch The Good Listening To Show with David L. Deutsch 00:54:07 781ffdfc-3f20-4a2b-ad98-7ba5936ce4db Chris Grimes 2 1 full false https://www.brushwoodmedianetwork.com Wed, 11 Feb 2026 03:12:57 +0000 Leadership Reflections: Working for Cause Not Applause with World Renowned Keynote Speaker & 'Chief Zoo Keeper’, Nigel Risner, on ‘Food for Thought’ Leadership 

Entertaining and unreservedly direct, Nigel isn’t just a motivational speaker – he is a company turnaround specialist driving everyone from CEOs to school children to ignite excitement and action in their life.

For more than 20 years, Nigel has been on his quest to make you the best by sharing his techniques and tools to break through the boundaries we put up around us. His always animated and interactive presentations have inspired thousands of FTSE 100 and Fortune 500 delegates, school children, charities, and prison inmates, in groups of five to 5000 and all over the world, into taking positive strides in their work and personal life.

No longer living the dress rehearsal of their life, Nigel’s words whip up listeners into action; energized and passionate.

WEBSITE:

https://www.nigelrisner.com

X:

https://x.com/Nigelrisne

LINKEDIN:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/nigel-risner-chief-zoo-keeper-09632/

YOUTUBE:

https://www.youtube.com/user/NSR0207

FACEBOOK:

https://www.facebook.com/nigel.risner

]]> The Good Listening To Show with Nigel Risner The Good Listening To Show with Nigel Risner 00:52:53 c1a3cb3d-4d61-4ea2-a444-38df959b1081 Chris Grimes 1 1 full false https://www.brushwoodmedianetwork.com Wed, 04 Feb 2026 05:33:01 +0000