The Room Where It Happened
Step inside the moments that shaped the world’s biggest brands in The Room Where It Happened, a brand-new podcast hosted by Jake Humphrey. Each episode sees the guest take us back inside a room and a moment that changed the course of their careers. With unprecedented insight on the pivotal decisions, unexpected turns, and behind-the-scenes moments that propelled companies to global recognition - and the lessons learned along the way from the people who were right in the middle of it all. The Room Where It Happened is your front-row seat to the conversations that shaped history, offering a rare glimpse into the defining moments of top entrepreneurs and industry leaders.
Episodes
How to Win & Host a World Cup Bid | Ex-Fifa Executive
CEO of CSME James Johnson takes us behind the scenes of hosting the most successful Women's World Cup in history, revealing why major events need strategic purpose, not just political visibility. He shows how real legacy isn't a buzzword, it's a measurable strategy that must begin years before the first whistle.From the Matildas' historic run becoming the most-watched television event in Australia
The F1 Champion Who Conquered Silicon Valley | Nico Rosberg
Former F1 driver Nico Rosberg traded the adrenaline of the racetrack for the high-stakes world of venture capital, leveraging his unique F1 access to build a powerhouse fund managing over €200M. In this episode, Nico breaks down the brutal reality of reinventing his identity after reaching the absolute peak of elite sport, and how a lifetime of racing failures completely inoculated him agains
How Private Equity Bankrupts Your Favourite Companies | Eric Ries
Why do good companies go bad? Eric Ries reveals forces corrupting companies right as they are at their most successful - fromBlockbusters activist shareholders inadvertently setting the company on a path to bankruptcy, to the British health company forced to sell to a cigarette giant.Incorruptible: Why Good Companies Go Bad and How Great Companies Stay Great by Eric Ries is publishing on 28th
The £50,000 Lawyer Problem AI Solved In Half A Day | Daniel Priestley
Award winning author and entrepreneur Daniel Priestley joins us to reveal how AI has become the ultimate power shift, turning global knowledge into a universal commodity. He introduces the "AI Cake", a strategic internal nervous system every business must build, to explain why traditional information gatekeepers are becoming obsolete.We go behind the scenes of a £170k legal dispute where Daniel by
Why Robert De Niro, Sly Stallone & The Muppets Sell Bread for Warburtons
The ambition of a family business meets the influence of the A-list in a story that redefined British advertising. In this episode, Warburtons chairman Jonathan Warburton reveals how a bakery from Bolton bypassed the traditional corporate playbook to land global icons like Sylvester Stallone, Robert De Niro, and Samuel L. Jackson.Jonathan breaks down the high-stakes world of celebrity negotia
Silicon Valley to China | Bill Gurley's 2026 Investment Playbook
Venture capital legend Bill Gurley joins Jake to challenge the "AI doomerism" narrative and expose the high-stakes power play defining our future. He argues that AI anxiety is a low-agency response to an unstoppable shift, warning that the real risk isn’t the technology itself, it’s the choice to ignore it.Bill pulls back the curtain on the "safety" movement, questioning why the leading AI giants
How Much Money is Professional Darts Worth? | PDC CEO
PDC Chief Executive Matt Porter has spent over a decade transforming Darts from a smoke-filled niche into a global entertainment powerhouse. He did it by flipping the traditional sports model on its head: instead of telling fans what to want, he listened to them, removing the stress of the result to create the most authentic atmosphere in live events.In this episode, Matt explains why the "Luke Li
Joe Wicks: Social Media In 2026, Dealing With Criticism & Sticking To The Mission
Joe Wicks built a multi-million-pound empire on a £147 workout plan, creating a cash-rich, self-funded business with no investors. In this episode, Joe shares the journey that led to his success, from launching his first PDF to building a brand rooted in purpose over profit. He also reveals the brutal truth about today’s market, admitting that starting his career now would be “impossible” due
AI, Private Equity, & Predicting The Next Financial Crisis | Ex-Goldman Sachs CEO
Is the next global financial crisis not just possible, but overdue?Former Goldman Sachs Chairman and CEO Lloyd Blankfein didn’t just survive the 2008 financial crash; he steered the firm through it by trading the ego of a "warrior" for the "professional paranoia" of a worrier.In this episode, Lloyd explains why the "kindling" for the next global crisis is already building on the forest floor and w
Football Finance Expert Explains Man City's 115 Charges | Stefan Borson
When football meets finance, the real story often sits behind the headlines. In this episode, Stefan Borson takes us inside the financial reality of the Premier League, from Everton's point deduction to the ongoing Manchester City case and what a “win” actually means for the league.Drawing on his background advising clubs and now analysing them from the outside, Stefan breaks down the decisions, l
How David Beckham Became Football’s First $500M Brand | Simon Bayliff
Before athletes became global brands, there were a handful of people shaping the strategy behind the scenes. In this episode, founder and CEO of ARETÉ Simon Bayliff takes us inside the decisions that built “Brand Beckham,” and the close working relationship that underpinned it; built on trust, alignment, and a shared focus on performance first.He breaks down how Beckham’s brand was carefully const
How an Unknown Sportswear Brand Landed Red Bull & McLaren | Castore
How does a £20,000 family loan turn into a £300 million global brand? For Tom Beahon, it all began with his parents remortgaging their home to support him and his brother’s dream of creating Castore. That early sacrifice sparked a relentless drive to succeed and made failure not an option.Tom Beahon takes us through the early hustle, from hiding in train toilets to avoid paying fares, to camping i
How I Raised £28.5M In Startup Capital | Spencer Matthews
Spencer Matthews’ journey from reality TV star to the founder of a £100M business is a story of transformation, grit, and resilience. In this episode, Spencer talks about his personal evolution from battling alcohol to building Clean Co, a brand that’s revolutionizing the alcohol-free space. He takes us through the defining moments that changed everything, including the £1M investment offer f
BONUS: Pixar’s Secret Story Formula Behind Toy Story, Cars, & Monsters Inc. | Pete Docter
With Toy Story 5 & Hoppers releasing this year, The Chief Creative Officer of PIXAR, Pete Docter, joins The Room Where It Happened to break down 40 years of Pixar's history.Pete directed Monsters Inc., Up, Inside Out, & Soul, and has worked with some of animation and technology's biggest icons, including, John Lasseter, Steve Jobs, and Andrew Stanton, just to name a few.In this episode we
Why Gen-Z Will NEVER Be Wealthy | Tim Armoo
What’s stopping Gen Z from becoming millionaires? In this eye-opening conversation, Tim Armoo uncovers the harsh realities young entrepreneurs face, from crushing competition to a rapidly shifting landscape. Have side hustles truly replaced traditional entrepreneurship, or are they just a distraction? Tim reveals why the road to success is harder than ever and how the game is changing for the next
The Brutal Reality of Running a Premier League Football Club | Ex-Bournemouth Chairman
Jeff Mostyn didn’t set out to become the savior of a football club, but that’s exactly what he did when a single nod saved Bournemouth from liquidation. In this episode, Jeff takes us back to that moment, when he committed another £100,000 despite promising his wife he wouldn’t, and reflects on how that spontaneous decision set the course for a 17-year journey with the club.From the highs of creat
Are YouTube & Netflix Joining Forces? | Sidemen CEO
Victor Bengtsson’s journey with Sidemen began with a single, unexpected interview, where instead of touting credentials, he cracked a joke that showed he understood their world. In this episode, Victor takes us through how he went from that first conversation to building Side+ in just 75 days, a challenge that became the blueprint for a new approach to content creation and distribution.From the ru
Struggling Student to Kurt Geiger CEO: How I Did It
CEO of Kurt Geiger Neil Clifford reflects on the moments and challenges that shaped his journey from a department store floor to leading a global fashion brand.He shares how early setbacks, including the loss of his father and living with dyslexia, influenced his leadership style, turning perceived limitations into creative strengths. Neil also discusses the lessons learned through private equity
Why Are Billionaires Rushing to Own Space?
How does a personal space flight spark a mission to reshape humanity’s future? For Dylan Taylor, it started with a transcendent experience in orbit, which led him to found Space for Humanity, a non-profit dedicated to expanding access to space travel. His vision grew from a desire to unlock space’s transformative potential for solving Earth’s most pressing issues, and today, he’s helping to shape
What AI Will Look Like in 2030 | IFS CEO
From washing dishes in a chaotic hotel kitchen at 13 to leading a global software company, Mark Moffat traces a leadership journey shaped by humility, curiosity, and learning from the ground up..Mark opens up about his evolving relationship with AI, from early scepticism to using it practically in everyday life and high-stakes business decisions, and why industrial AI represents one of the biggest
Inside the $10 Billion Cybercrime Industry: Are We Safe?
Long before cybersecurity became a daily concern for businesses, Danny Jenkins encountered a moment that changed his entire trajectory. A ransomware attack on a small company didn’t just expose a technical failure, it revealed how easily a lifetime of work could vanish overnight.In this episode, Danny unpacks the unlikely experiences that shaped his worldview, from a childhood where learning to co
How To Become a Billionaire | From Zero to £4.1B Sale
From a childhood helicopter dream to building and selling a £4.1bn company, Richard Harpin shares the moments that nearly ended, and ultimately defined,his journey as a founder.In this episode, Richard takes us inside the make-or-break decisions behind HomeServe, including the last-ditch mail shot that saved the business when they had just £10,000 left in the bank, and the devastating moment a par
The Drink Startup Taking On Coca-Cola & Red Bull
What begins as a personal crisis quickly turns into a leap of faith. For Olivia Ferdi, everything changed seven weeks before her wedding, when a serious ACL injury forced her to confront her health, and her future, head on.In this episode, Olivia shares how that moment sparked an immediate decision to walk away from a career in law and commit fully to building something of her own. She takes us be
From Flatlining to £25M: Layoffs, Marketing Genius & Product Messaging
When Heights hit a wall after rapid early growth, founder Dan Murray faced a brutal truth: the product wasn’t the problem, the story was. In this episode, Dan takes us inside the moment everything changed, explaining how a simple rebrand unlocked a new phase of growth, and why founders often look for answers in the wrong places when momentum stalls.Dan is candid about the decisions that nearl
How Did Deliveroo Become Worth £2.9Bn?
What starts as a side idea quickly becomes a full-scale obsession. For Will Shu, that obsession turned into Deliveroo, and it began with him delivering meals himself, learning the business from the pavement up.In this episode, Will takes us inside the early days of building a food delivery company from scratch, including the mistakes no one sees, the moments that tested his resolve, and the realit
How Five Guys Franchised The UK & Europe
What happens when a career built on spreadsheets collides with a gut-level belief in great food? John Eckbert’s path to becoming CEO of Five Guys is anything but conventional, and it nearly didn’t happen at all.In this conversation, John unpacks the improbable steps that took him from banking into the heart of one of the world’s most recognisable fast-casual brands. He shares how a single moment o
The Family Elf That Became a $100M Christmas Empire
Before it became a worldwide holiday staple, The Elf on the Shelf was simply a Pitts family tradition, one that Christa Pitts helped turn into a cultural phenomenon through grit, creativity, and unshakeable belief.In this episode, Christa looks back on the early days of being rejected by every publisher, the decision to self-publish with her family’s savings on the line, and the scrappy marketing
How The Grand Tour & Clarkson's Farm Were Born | Andy Wilman
From Top Gear to The Grand Tour and Clarkson’s Farm, Andy Wilman has spent decades redefining what car television can be, and learning a few hard lessons along the way.In this episode, Andy opens up about the high-stakes Amazon deal that launched The Grand Tour, the legal and creative gymnastics of building something “like Top Gear, but not Top Gear,” and the spontaneous tent idea that became the
How The AJ Vs. Jake Paul Fight Was Made | Frank Smith
From delivering coffees at 14 to becoming CEO of Matchroom Boxing, Frank Smith has lived every side of the fight game.In this episode, Frank reflects on the defining moments that shaped his career, from his first “final warning” as a teenager to leading global events watched by millions. He shares the unexpected twists behind major fights like Anthony Joshua vs. Jake Paul, the lessons learned from
The Importance of Purpose & Finding Your Why
In this week's notebook I discuss the importance of not just finding your why, but acting on it.I share the unexpected panic I felt travelling back from my interview with Robert Lewandowski because of the thought I might miss my flight home. That rising fear revealed something important: when your purpose shifts, your reactions shift too. For me, family has become my why, and anything that pulls m
The Inside Story of Europe's First Budget Airline | easyJet Founder
Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou joins us from Monaco to revisit the moment easyJet was created, beginning with the 1994 launch, where he persuaded his father to back his idea for a new kind of airline. He reflects on the early years of bold marketing stunts, legal battles with British Airways, and a fierce rivalry with Ryanair that pushed him to keep costs low, move fast and build a brand the public inst
Anything Above Zero Compounds
In this week's notebook, I talk about the fear I felt going into an interview with footballing superstar Robert Lewandowski, why we should enjoy our struggles, celebrate ourselves, and actively seek fear, not run from it. If you're currently feeling paralysed by fear or dissatisfied with everyday life, this episode's here to remind you that life's not meant to be perfect.Be proud of yourself and c
Which Country Will Win The AI race? | Microsoft UK CEO
How does someone go from tinkering with computers in a small Manchester bedroom to leading Microsoft UK’s AI revolution? For Darren Hardman, it began with curiosity, hard work, and a lesson that changed his outlook forever: success isn’t about working more hours, it’s about working with purpose.In this episode, Darren shares the defining moments that shaped his leadership journey, from early sacri
Jake's Notebook | Are You Wasting Time? The Hidden Forces Shaping Your Discipline and Relationships
In this week's notebook, I talk about the invisible force that quietly decides the quality of every relationship, the surprising link between doing the hard things you’d rather avoid and living a longer, calmer life, and the truth about time — how we use it, and how it completely changed my view on discipline and what’s truly important.If any part of you feels stuck, stretched, or short on motivat
How Entrepreneurs Win in the Age of TikTok | Thea Green
As founder of Nails Inc., Thea Green built one of the UK’s most successful beauty brands by combining creativity with integrity, and knowing when to pivot.In this episode, Thea shares the defining moment she decided to close the last nail bar and shift fully to retail, the lessons learned from turning down early acquisition offers, and the challenge of letting go after selling the business to find
Jake’s Notebook | How High Performance Began & Why Depth Is the New Currency
This week, I open my notebook to share how walking away from TV changed my life — and why ego nearly cost me purpose. I break down what’s really driving the future of podcasting, and the one thing that matters more than audience size: trust. Plus, a reminder that who you choose to walk with will define how far you go. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
How WHOOP’s 22 Year Old Founder Outsmarted Nike | Will Ahmed
As founder and CEO of WHOOP, Will Ahmed turned a college dorm room idea into one of the most influential performance technology companies in the world.In this episode, Will shares the leap of faith that started it all, the early rejections that tested his resolve, and the pivotal decision to pivot WHOOP from a hardware company to a subscription model, transforming its future. He also reveals
Jake’s Notebook | Remember When You Used to Be Good at Waiting?
This week in my notebook, I’ve been thinking about time — how quickly it moves, and how much of life we spend rushing to catch up with it.In this episode, I talk about rediscovering patience, the difference between recreation and re-creation, and the reminder that anything above zero compounds.If you’ve ever felt like life is moving too fast, like you’re running out of time, or like chaos has beco
The Man Behind McDonald’s $1B Tech Gamble | Atif Rafiq
As a digital pioneer across companies like Amazon, McDonald’s, and Volvo, Atif Raffiq has built a career turning legacy brands into innovation powerhouses.In this episode, Atif shares how his first month at McDonald’s led to a billion-dollar digital transformation, the culture shock of bringing a Silicon Valley mindset into a 60-year-old global icon, and the behind-the-scenes moments that reshaped
Jake's Notebook | Learning to Live Well, Not Just Do Well
This week in my notebook, I’ve been thinking about what it really means to live well — not just to achieve, but to feel okay while doing it. Somewhere along the way, it’s easy to confuse progress with pressure, and ambition with never feeling enough.In this episode, I unpack a few lessons that stopped me in my tracks this week — about how we measure success, what we give up in the chase for it, an
The Rapper Who Turned Down Millions to Build A Baby Skincare Brand | Krept
Rapper, entrepreneur, and co-founder of Nala’s Baby, Krept has built his success on more than music, it’s been about discipline, ownership, and learning from failure.In this episode, Krept opens up about the make-or-break decision to turn down a major private equity deal and focus on building his brand at home before going global, the setbacks that nearly derailed product launches, and the lessons
Jake's Notebook | Everything You’re Good At, You Were Once Bad At & Meeting Stelios In Monaco
This week I open my notebook on three lessons that hit hard;Why the people you surround yourself with are the invisible architects of your lifeHow every success story begins with being bad at somethingWhy holding steady in the messy middle is where most people give up but the real growth begins. I share what I learned from sitting down with the founders of Whoop and EasyJet (episodes coming soon),
The Woman Behind Matchroom's Empire - The Business of Boxing, Darts & Pool | Emily Frazer
Emily Frazer’s path to becoming a leading force in live sports events was anything but traditional. Without a university degree and after jobs ranging from gymnastics coach to estate agent, she found herself at Matchroom, where a sudden promotion into event direction pushed her to grow fast and take on big responsibilities.In this episode, Emily shares candid reflections on battling imposter syndr
Jake's Notebook | Héctor Bellerín's Life Advice, Leaving BT Sport and Reframing Envy
This week I share the lessons that have stayed with me — from Mudita, the joy of celebrating others’ success, to what I learned from Eddie Jordan about being the spark of light in the room. I open up about walking away from BT Sport and the identity shift that came with it, and reflect on Hector Bellerín’s idea of living like a candle — staying steady no matter what’s happening around you. Hosted
Branding Secrets That Took 'The Ordinary' to #1 & Tragic Loss of Their Co-Founder | Nicola Kilner
As co-founder and former CEO of Deciem, Nicola Kilner helped build one of the most disruptive beauty companies of the last decade, but the journey was far from straightforward.In this episode, Nicola shares the career-defining advice she received from Estée Lauder’s Leonard Lauder, the bold decision to boycott Black Friday in favor of values over sales, and the unexpected rise of The Ordinary, a b
Jake's Notebook | Write A To DON'T List, Being Willing To Fail & A Listener Question
This week Jake explores how failure is an instrument for success, how to reframe those who doubted you as a collaborator and why writing a "To Don't" list is just as important as a "To Do" list. He also answers a question from a listener, struggling with a new promotion at work and offers a candid exploration of times that Jake has struggled to show how they can shift their mindset around imposter
Why The Future of AI ISN'T As Scary As We Think & How To Prep for What's To Come
What will the future really look like—and how can we prepare for it? In this episode, Nick Foster, ex-Head of Design at Google X, takes us behind the scenes of moonshot projects and shares how to think rigorously about the future, from everyday life to big industries. He explains why AI is just one piece of the puzzle, and why understanding the trends, behaviors, and possibilities shaping tomorrow
Jake's Notebook | Why I Turned Down Top Gear & How the Final 5% Sets You Apart
This week, Jake opens his notebook to reflect on missed opportunities, ego, and the stories we tell ourselves about "what might have been." From turning down Top Gear to starting Whisper with no plan, he shares raw lessons on regret, success, and why the final 5% matters most. Plus: a powerful tribute during Suicide Awareness Month, and a reminder that life gives more than it takes. Hosted on Acas
The Outsider CEO Disrupting F1's Dominance: Why Fast Feedback Wins
What does it take to guide companies through billion-dollar transformations, and then walk away in search of something new? Jeff Dodds has done just that.From leading Virgin Media through a $44 billion merger in the middle of lockdown, to stepping into the fast-paced world of motorsport, Jeff’s career is defined by bold pivots, unexpected opportunities, and the courage to admit when it’s time for
Jake's Notebook | Steven Bartlett & A Letter From Deciem's Co-Founder
Since he was a teenager, Jake has kept notebooks and diaries, now for the first time he opens them up to discuss his thoughts on business and life in real-time. He reads candid notes he's made from recent interviews, events from his life and interactions with friends, colleagues and business leaders to help unpack the moments of inspiration and thought provoking advice that happen everyday.IFS - a
Brutal Business Lessons From Child Star JoJo Siwa | Celebrity Endorsements & Creating a Personal Brand
What happens when a teenager takes control of her own brand? For JoJo Siwa, it meant signing a deal that wasn’t perfect, betting on herself anyway, and later realizing the power of knowing her worth.In this episode, JoJo shares how a simple bow became a global phenomenon, the challenges of rebranding from child star to seasoned entertainer, and the behind-the-scenes lessons of navigating major par
OpenAI Insider’s Dark Warning on AI & The Hypocrisy of CEO Sam Altman
Journalist Karen Hao has spent years exposing the realities of the world’s most powerful AI labs. Her 2019 embed at OpenAI was a turning point, what she saw behind closed doors didn’t always match the public mission, and the lack of clear answers from leadership sparked a deeper skepticism that would shape her reporting.In this episode, Karen unpacks the unexpected story of how a nonprofit AI lab
How To Spot If Your Boss Is Toxic & Surviving The Modern Workplace | Ben Askins
Ben Askins didn’t expect his next big chapter to come from LinkedIn posts, but it did. After selling his first business in 2021 and being locked out of new ventures during his earnout, he turned his focus to storytelling online. One post about a bad recruitment experience went viral, sparking a flood of stories from employees around the world and revealing a universal truth: bad bosses are everywh
How I Sold My Startup To Adobe For $110M | Alex Packham
Alex Packham knows what it’s like to have everything change in a single day, and nothing changes at all. From selling ContentCal to Adobe from his spare bedroom in the middle of lockdown to waking up the next morning wondering who he was without the business, Alex’s journey blends adrenaline highs with the quieter, harder work of rebuilding identity.In this episode, he opens up about the reality o
Monzo CEO: The Major Problem With Traditional Banking & How To Fix Financial Anxiety
TS Anil’s journey through the world of banking has been anything but conventional. From boardrooms in Tokyo to the fast-moving culture of Silicon Valley, each step taught him that real change doesn't come from preserving the past, it comes from building something new.In this episode, TS reflects on his decision to leave the safety of big banks, the career-defining leap into tech at Visa, and how t
Gary Stevenson | The Structural Flaw In Society Billionaires Don’t Want You To Know
Gary Stevenson didn’t follow a traditional path, he challenged it at every turn. Expelled from school at 16 and later pushed out of Citibank for speaking up, Gary’s journey has been shaped by resilience, rebellion, and a refusal to stay silent.In this episode, Gary opens up about the high-stakes world of trading, the psychological toll of chasing success, and the personal battles that came with co
From DIY T-Shirts To £100m Global Label: Represent’s Branding Blue Print
George Heaton’s journey with Represent wasn’t a straight line, it was a series of hard pivots, gut checks, and quiet rebuilds. What started as a passion project in streetwear hit a breaking point, forcing George to confront what wasn’t working and make the kind of decisions most founders avoid.In this episode, George takes us through the moment everything stalled, the warehouse bathroom where real
Will Music Survive AI & Turning $400 Into A Global Music Platform: Resident Advisor Founder Paul Clement
Paul Clement never set out to build a flashy startup, he set out to build something that mattered. Born from genuine passion and a deep connection to the community he served, his business grew not by chasing trends, but by staying grounded in purpose.In this episode, Paul talks about the power of building slowly and sustainably, why loving the process matters more than chasing quick wins, and how
"You Can’t Monetize Burnout": The Rise, Fall & Rise Again Of Britain's Biggest YouTuber
Jim Chapman was part of a digital wave no one saw coming, and found himself at the center of it. What started as casual videos turned into global influence, brand deals, and a move to London that changed everything almost overnight.In this episode, Jim reflects on the chaos and charm of building a career in the early days of YouTube, the pressure to constantly evolve as the internet shifted beneat
Inside the Enhanced Games - The Controversial Startup Redefining Sport | Aron D'Souza
Aron D’Souza didn’t just question the rules, he set out to rewrite them. Frustrated by the limitations of legacy institutions, he launched the Enhanced Games: a bold, controversial vision aimed at redefining the future of human performance.In this episode, Aron shares the moment he walked away from venture capital to pursue something far riskier, the power of writing down your vision before speaki
I Built an Ice Bath In My Garage, Now Ronaldo Uses it
Dan Bosomworth wasn’t chasing fame, he was chasing a feeling. One moment in his garage, fed up with complacency and craving change, sparked the creation of a product that would go on to redefine recovery for athletes, celebrities, and wellness seekers around the world.In this episode, Dan unpacks the early missteps, how challenge creates change, and the tough calls that pushed Brass Monkey toward
He Risked His Life Savings to Build a $87 Million Business
Nick Grey didn’t follow the traditional path, and that’s exactly what made all the difference. Long before GTECH became a household name, Nick was a designer quietly solving problems, battling self-doubt, and planning a bold leap into entrepreneurship on his own terms.In this episode, Nick reflects on the early rejection that shaped his drive, the breakthrough product that caught America’s attenti
I Left an $800M+ Dating App to Build Tinder for Mums
What sparks the leap from corporate boardrooms to building a movement? For Michelle Kennedy, it was a single conversation in a meeting room that changed everything.In this episode, Michelle shares the turning point that sparked her leap from legal counsel to founder, how early work with Bumble ignited a passion for building from scratch, and the behind-the-scenes battles of being a new mom in a ma
The Bold Strategy That Saved GQ & Made It Matter Again
How do you take a brand from dated to defining? For Dylan Jones, it started with a clear vision, a few audacious hires, and the nerve to challenge tradition from the inside out.In this episode, Dylan reveals the calculated risks behind GQ’s reinvention, the behind-the-scenes battles that shaped its new voice, and how one outrageous idea proved he was the right person for the job.From navigating co
How IKEA's CEO Transformed an 82-Year-Old Company in 5 Years
What happens when a supply chain expert is handed the keys to one of the world’s most iconic brands? For Jesper Brodin, it meant hitting the road, literally, to understand the heartbeat of IKEA from the ground up.In this episode, Jesper shares the behind-the-scenes decisions that helped steer IKEA through a digital revolution, a global pandemic, and a bold sustainability mission. From the lessons
Richard Branson on Selling Virgin Records for $1B, Donald Trump & Going to Space
Before Virgin became a name known around the world, one bold decision set Richard Branson on a path that defied every expectation. In this episode, he recounts the pivotal moments, from turning a missed flight into the birth of an airline, to risking it all on artists no one else would sign.Branson shares the battles behind boardroom doors, the doubts he faced from his own team, and the personal s
I Quit My Job At 51... Now I Own A Global Beauty Brand
What happens when a beauty industry powerhouse walks away from the boardroom to build something entirely her own? For Michelle Feeney, it meant defying expectations, embracing uncertainty, and launching a purpose-led brand grounded in decades of experience.In this episode, Michelle shares the pivotal moment that sparked her leap into entrepreneurship, the challenges of starting over in her fifties
The Day Rory Sutherland Became a Marketing Genius
What if the biggest breakthroughs in business don’t come from logic, but from noticing what others overlook?In this episode, Rory Sutherland unpacks the moment a late-night scroll through economics blogs led him to Nudge, sparking a fascination with behavioral science that would quietly transform global brands. From saving a snack brand with a single word to helping an airline generate millions th
The Genius Who Saved Nike - and Made Michael Jordan Iconic
Before Michael Jordan became a global icon, one unlikely figure made the call that changed everything. In this episode, Sonny Vaccaro shares how a gut instinct, a relentless belief in potential, and a risky pitch inside a boardroom at Nike rewrote the rules of sports marketing.From nearly walking away after Jordan leaned toward Adidas, to the quiet resolve that kept him in the game, Sonny reveals
They Only Had $36 Left… Now This Protein Bar is a $1B+ Brand
What does it take to turn a niche idea into a global phenomenon? For Alan Barratt, it meant trusting his instincts, betting on a product his own board doubted, and risking it all on a pivot that made no logical sense, until it did.In this episode, Alan reveals the behind-the-scenes battles that shaped Grenade’s bold transition from sports supplements to protein bars, the critical moment one unexpe
The Risky $5M Gamble That Made Five Guys Global
How does a former banker end up leading one of the fastest-growing food brands in Europe? For John Eckbert, it started with a magazine cover, a cold email, and a vision that would eventually reshape the fast-casual dining landscape in the UK and beyond.In this episode, John takes us through the unexpected journey that led him to Five Guys, from a bold proposal sent through a website form to a
How Liberty Media Took Over Formula 1: Inside the Deal With the Man Who Bought F1
What does it take to steer one of the world’s most iconic sports properties through a high-stakes transformation? For Greg Maffei, it meant navigating tense negotiations, decoding power dynamics, and learning to read the room, sometimes quite literally.In this episode, Greg unpacks the behind-the-scenes moments that almost derailed the Formula One deal, the trust-building that kept it alive, and w
He Used To Deliver Pizza. Now He Runs a $2B+ Company.
What happens when a hungry banker decides to transform food delivery? For Will Shu, it meant hitting the streets as Deliveroo’s first rider, facing unexpected challenges, including getting a scooter helmet stuck on his head and navigating a high-stakes antitrust investigation.In this episode, Will shares the key moments that shaped Deliveroo’s journey, from its humble beginnings with just three re
How do you make a deal with Gordon Ramsay? HexClad CEO explains
What does it take to disrupt an entire industry? For Danny Winer, it meant ignoring conventional wisdom, challenging the biggest names in retail, and taking a multimillion-dollar gamble on a single Super Bowl ad. In this episode, Danny shares the unexpected turns that led him from entertainment to entrepreneurship, the moment Gordon Ramsay’s team came calling, and how he built a brand by goin
Introducing: The Room Where It Happened, with Jake Humphrey
Step inside the moments that shaped the world’s biggest brands in The Room Where It Happened, a brand-new podcast hosted by Jake Humphrey.Each episode sees the guest take us back inside a room and a moment that changed the course of their careers. With unprecedented insight on the pivotal decisions, unexpected turns, and behind-the-scenes moments that propelled companies to global recognition - an
