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Different Hats Podcast

Different Hats Podcast

By: Sam Thomas
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About this listen

I believe everyone has a story to tell, through seeking true, authentic insights about the entrepreneurial journey, I provide a platform for our peers to share their stories and inspire those that listen.


Welcome! I’m Sam Thomas, the host of the "Different Hats Podcast." In a world where entrepreneurs often feel pressured to wear countless hats, I believe in the power of authentic storytelling to redefine what success truly means. My mission is to help the 'World to See Success Differently' so you can achieve happiness, purpose, and fulfilment, by sharing real stories from those who’ve navigated the entrepreneurial landscape.


Through engaging conversations with peers and industry leaders like Chris Anderson of TED, I aim to provide you with the insights and inspiration needed to build the business you desire. Unlike other platforms, "Different Hats" focuses on the human side of entrepreneurship, moving beyond the performative aspects to foster genuine connections and meaningful growth.


Happy Listening 🎧

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sam Thomas 2021
Economics Leadership Management Management & Leadership Marketing Marketing & Sales
Episodes
  • Stories That Will Change How You See Success: Series 7 Round-Up
    May 19 2025

    From CEOs and coaches to trauma survivors, storytellers, and change makers, Series 7 of the Different Hats Podcast was a powerful reminder that success isn’t always what it seems.


    Across 15 episodes, our guests didn’t just share their highlights, they shared their hearts.


    Series 7 also included the very special 100th milestone episode.


    Together, we explored themes of:

    • 💬 Emotional honesty & vulnerability
    • 🧠 Mental health, masculinity & identity
    • 👣 Healing from trauma & rewriting your story
    • 🧍‍♂️ Presence, purpose & soulful leadership
    • ❤️ Redefining success beyond money or titles


    What we learned?


    Success isn’t what you have. It’s how you feel. It’s showing up fully, healing out loud, and choosing presence over performance.

    If you missed an episode, or just want to revisit some of the most inspiring voices we’ve hosted, now’s the time.


    👉 Catch up on Series 7 here 👉 https://youtu.be/D83ByTEq8vc


    Thank you to every guest for your courage. And to every listener for helping us shape a better story.


    Together, we’re helping the world see success differently.


    🔔 Subscribe, comment, and join the journey to redefine success through real, human stories.


    SPONSORED BY:


    Search Seven www.searchseven.co.uk

    Nostos Hove www.nostos-hove.co.uk

    Rivervale www.rivervale.co.uk

    Plus X https://www.plusxinnovation.com/


    PRODUCED BY: H2 Productions: https://h2productions.co.uk/

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Show More Show Less
    26 mins
  • #114 “Why Are So Many Men Still Suffering in Silence?” | Andrew Jenkins on Mental Health & Masculinity
    May 12 2025

    What does it truly mean to be a man today? And how do we raise boys to grow into emotionally intelligent, resilient men?


    In this profoundly moving episode of the Different Hats Podcast, I sit down with Andrew Jenkins, mental health advocate, speaker, and breakout voice from BBC’s The Traitors—for a conversation that cuts to the core of masculinity, trauma, and the power of vulnerability.


    Andrew shares his harrowing experience of surviving a car accident that changed his life forever, and how he stayed silent about the emotional aftermath for over two decades. Now, he’s using his voice to help others find theirs.


    Together, we explore:

    💬 The silent crisis facing young men. and why suicide rates are still rising

    🏉 The role of sport and father figures in shaping emotional awareness

    💔 Andrew’s emotional journey from silence to telling his son "I love you" for the first time at age 22

    👂 Why men don’t need fixing, they just need someone to listen

    📣 How schools, sports clubs, and parents can create emotionally safe spaces


    This is more than a conversation. It’s a call to action, to change how we talk to our boys, how we show up for one another, and how we redefine what strength really means.


    If you're a parent, coach, teacher, leader, or someone on your own healing journey, this episode might just change the way you see the world.


    Key Chapters


    00:00 – Introductions

    04:10 – The Crisis in Men’s Mental Health: Where Do We Start?

    08:25 – The Pressure of Modern Life and Climbing the Wrong Ladder

    11:30 – Redefining Positive Masculinity in Schools and Sports

    17:30 – The Power of Vulnerable Role Models

    22:50 – Parental Pressure, Generational Trauma & Starting Conversations at Home

    29:10 – The Moment Andrew Told His Son “I Love You”

    35:20 – Academy Dropouts & Mental Health in Young Athletes

    42:00 – How Parents Can Be Better Equipped Emotionally

    47:15 – Creating a Culture That Celebrates Emotional Intelligence

    55:00 – Breaking the Cycle: Speaking to His Own Parents for the First Time

    1:02:30 – The Fear of Regret and Taking Your Own Advice

    1:07:20 – Men’s Support Networks & Listening Without Judgement

    1:13:50 – The Power of Hope, Safe Spaces & Prevention Over Cure

    1:20:00 – Why Andrew Said Yes to The Traitors

    1:26:30 – Behind the Fame: Finding Purpose Through Platform

    1:38:50 – A Message to Young Andrew: Don’t Be So Hard on Yourself

    1:45:00 – Redefining Success and Happiness: Final Reflection


    🔔 Subscribe, comment, and join the journey to redefine success through real, human stories.


    SPONSORED BY:


    Search Seven www.searchseven.co.uk

    Nostos Hove www.nostos-hove.co.uk

    Rivervale www.rivervale.co.uk

    Plus X https://www.plusxinnovation.com/


    PRODUCED BY: H2 Productions: https://h2productions.co.uk/

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 52 mins
  • #113 Built a Business at 12, Paid Off His Parents’ Mortgage by 27: Tom George’s Story
    May 5 2025
    “Doing everything is hard. Doing nothing is hard. So choose your hard.” – Tom George


    At just 12 years old, Tom George launched his first business with a stack of flyers and a borrowed lawnmower. By 27, he had paid off his parents’ mortgage.


    In this raw, inspiring and deeply honest episode of the Different Hats Podcast, Tom shares his journey from a turbulent childhood, through early entrepreneurship, to becoming the director of multiple businesses, all driven by grit, purpose, and the desire to create a better life for those around him.


    This is not just a story about money, it’s about mindset, resilience, leadership, legacy, and redefining success on your own terms. If you’ve ever felt stuck, doubted your path, or wondered if it’s too late (or too early) to start something, this conversation is for you.


    🧠 You’ll learn:

    • How childhood adversity shaped his mindset
    • Why he values attitude over education when hiring
    • The truth behind hustle culture and burnout
    • The importance of emotional presence in leadership
    • What really drives long-term fulfilment and success


    💥 Hit subscribe for more inspiring conversations that challenge the definition of success. https://www.different-hats.co.uk/podcast


    🔑 EPISODE CHAPTERS:


    00:00 – Introduction

    01:18 – “You can have 1,000 problems… until your health goes”

    04:57 – How Tom defines success (and why it’s not about money)

    07:49 – Self-awareness, presence, and growing into purpose

    13:45 – What Tom looks for when hiring young people

    20:14 – Tom’s childhood, family trauma, and gaining weight as an emotional outlet

    31:27 – Leaving the Jehovah’s Witness faith and its aftermath

    33:19 – How one business card changed Tom’s life

    38:26 – The £6k summer at 12 years old that ignited his entrepreneurial fire

    47:01 – Taking risks, changing lanes, and choosing your hard

    54:53 – From ego-driven choices to purposeful business moves

    59:56 – Hustle culture: mindset, mental health, and balance

    1:08:04 – Why living in the present matters more than chasing the future

    1:10:44 – Money vs Meaning: what truly drives Tom

    1:24:05 – Dealing with business volatility and emotional resilience

    1:31:09 – Relationships, insecurity, and proving you’re enough

    1:41:53 – Tom’s Advice to Young Entrepreneurs

    1:56:05 – Final Reflections: Dream Big, Start Now


    ✨ SPONSORED BY:


    🔎 Search Seven – Search marketing with purpose: www.searchseven.co.uk

    🇬🇷 Nostos Hove – An authentic Greek experience: www.nostos-hove.co.uk

    🚗 Rivervale – Motoring made manageable: www.rivervale.co.uk

    Plus X - Empowering bold thinkers at every stage: https://www.plusxinnovation.com/


    🔔 Subscribe, comment, and join the journey to redefine success through real, human stories.


    ✨ PRODUCED BY: H2 Productions: https://h2productions.co.uk/

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 57 mins

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