Best Simone Janssen Podcasts (2025)

1
The truth about P.G. Wodehouse: Robert Daws on playing England's greatest comic writer 36:20

12h ago36:20

36:20

Anyone who loves P.G. Wodehouse knows Jeeves and Wooster, Blandings Castle and the Oldest Member golf stories. But what of the man himself? His early life as a sensation on Broadway? His extraordinary seven-days-a-week work ethic? The truth about his attempts to flee the Nazis, scuppered by an unreliable car, before he was interned and pressured in…

1
E127 - Why Your Team Is Pretending to Work (And What to Do About It) 21:33

1d ago21:33

21:33

If nearly half your team is pretending to work, the real problem isn’t laziness—it’s leadership. When your mission is fuzzy, KPIs are unclear, and communication is inconsistent, your team isn’t engaged—they’re surviving. And most leaders make it worse by tightening control instead of building culture. In this episode, we break down how to fix the d…

1
What it's like to come face-to-face with a great white shark, by Dan Abbott of Netflix's All The Sharks 32:27

8d ago32:27

32:27

How do you come to a point in your life when you find yourself swimming with great white sharks? And how can it be that when you do, you find that moment 'completely normal'? Dan Abbott — aka Shark Man Dan — answered these and many more questions when he joined us on the Country Life Podcast at the beginning of 2025. In the six months or so since t…

1
E126 - Confident But Clueless: Leading The Un-Coachable Employee 21:10

9d ago21:10

21:10

In this episode, we tackle one of the most frustrating (and costly) leadership challenges: working with a team member who’s sure they’re performing… but everyone else sees the truth. This isn’t just about ego—it’s about the collision between inflated self-worth and a lack of self-awareness. And if you don’t know how to handle it? It can quietly dra…

1
Marcus Janssen: Chelsea Lifejackets, bagging a 'MacNab' and recognising the best of the British countryside 33:13

15d ago33:13

33:13

'We still see people out wearing colours which we know for a fact we haven't produced in 15 or 20 years,' chuckles Marcus Janssen, head of Schöffel, as he speaks about the company's gilets — the 'Chelsea Lifejackets' — to James Fisher on this week's edition of the Country Life Podcast. Marcus took over at Schöffel after a career as a countryside jo…

1
E125 - The AI Takeover — Tool Or Trap? 19:47

16d ago19:47

19:47

Hey, here is the next one—wherever it fits in the lineup. Show Notes: The AI Takeover — Tool or Trap? In this episode, we pull back the curtain on the AI revolution—what it really means for small business owners, and why using it wrong could cost you far more than ignoring it altogether. AI isn’t just a tech trend. It’s a leadership shift. When use…

1
Corinne Fowler: Exploring the hidden history of the British countryside, one walk at a time 30:04

22d ago30:04

30:04

Corinne Fowler has never been one to shy away from straight talking. The Professor of Colonialism and Heritage at the University of Leicester made headlines for weeks back in 2020 after co-authoring a report for the National Trust on how the history and creation of many of our great houses are bound up with the history of slavery, conquest and colo…

1
E124 - Broken Promises, Boiling Points, And Burnout: What Your Team’s Silence Is Really Telling You 23:08

23d ago23:08

23:08

In this episode, we pull back the curtain on why so many small business teams are disengaged—and what your leadership habits may have to do with it. Disengagement isn’t about lazy employees. It’s usually about broken systems, unclear expectations, and leaders who are running on fumes. We explore the real reasons teams stop trying, why yelling is a …

1
Steve Backshall on sharks, idyllic childhoods and getting his fingertips eaten by piranhas 24:40

29d ago24:40

24:40

The adventurer, broadcaster, scientist and writer Steve Backshall has been a fixture on TV screens in Britain for nearly three decades — and we're absolutely thrilled that he joined James Fisher on the Country Life Podcast. • Listen to Country Life podcast on Apple Podcasts • Listen to Country Life podcast on Spotify • Listen to Country Life podcas…

1
E123 - Why HR Is A Must Have And Why Waiting On It Could Cost You Your Business 38:25

30d ago38:25

38:25

In this episode, Simone and HR expert Katherine Hartvickson dive deep into one of the most misunderstood — and often avoided — parts of running a business: Human Resources. HR has a reputation problem. It’s often associated with getting written up, let go, or stuck in bureaucratic red tape. But the truth? Skipping HR is one of the most expensive mi…

1
Hannah Bourne-Taylor: Saving swifts, naked protests and the bird that nested in my hair 26:04

1M ago26:04

26:04

‘I thought, okay, well it worked for Lady Godiva, didn’t it? This whole naked stuff? So let me give that a try. I felt like it was the only option.’ Just as it worked for Lady Godiva, so it has for Hannah Bourne-Taylor, the campaigner, naturalist and writer who has spent years fighting for change to help Britain’s bird population — and particularly…

1
E122 - The 80% Shift: Why Doing Less Is The Key To Scaling More 11:27

1M ago11:27

11:27

You don’t need another time management hack. You need margin. Breathing room. Strategic space. That’s what today’s podcast episode is all about: the 80% Rule — and how it could save your sanity, scale your business, and finally get you out of firefighting mode. Here’s the hard truth I unpack: Most SBOs don’t have a time problem. They have a team pr…

1
Simon Armitage: "I've tried getting AI to write poems — and they've all been reassuringly awful" 30:01

1M ago30:01

30:01

Poet, author, musician and Yorkshireman, Simon Armitage has been Britain's Poet Laureate since 2019 — so we're thrilled that he joined James Fisher on the latest edition of the Country Life Podcast. From the surprising details of what he does — or, more accurately, doesn't — have to do as part of his role, to the primary school teacher who didn't e…

1
E121 - Leadership Beyond Fear: Inspiring The Next Generation Of Teams 33:30

1M ago33:30

33:30

This episode is all about leadership - the stark contrast between fear-based approaches and the type of inspirational leadership that truly drives results. As Simone shares, the old-school leadership styles that may have worked in the past are now falling flat, especially with the influx of younger Gen Z employees entering the workforce. The realit…

1
Poppy Okotcha: The model-turned-gardener who swapped the catwalk for the vegetable patch 25:11

2M ago25:11

25:11

Amid the birdsong, the snores of a dog, and the purrs of a cat, sits Poppy Okotcha. The horticulturist and author joined the Country Life Podcast this week to discuss all things gardening and, specifically, its restorative effects on not only nature but people. • Listen to Country Life podcast on Apple Podcasts • Listen to Country Life podcast on S…

1
E120 - Unlocking The Mindset Of Freedom And Wealth: From Operators To Entrepreneurs 28:11

2M ago28:11

28:11

Simone and Nicky explore the journey from being business operators to becoming true entrepreneurs. The conversation underscores how authenticity in business creates both fulfillment and market success. By introducing Jung's archetypes, they offer a framework for entrepreneurs to connect with their true selves and communicate more effectively. Nicky…

1
What you absolutely must see at the Chelsea Flower Show 2025, from the King's new rose to the 'perfect' garden 34:11

2M ago34:11

34:11

The Chelsea Flower Show is one of the high points of the summer: a celebration of plants, gardens and creativity, as well as an unbeatable opportunity to rub shoulders with those who share the passion for making the most of this gorgeous time of year in England. This year, Country Life has its own presence at the show, at stand PW210, and we're thr…

1
E119 - AI Isn't Optional Anymore: Why Small Business Owners Must Adapt or Fall Behind 17:19

2M ago17:19

17:19

AI is revolutionizing small businesses across all industries - from contractors to medical clinics to restaurants. What previously took weeks or months (accountability frameworks, hiring systems, org charts) can now be done in minutes with tools like the AI Business Scaling Blueprint, which combines AI efficiency with my 20+ years of leadership exp…

1
Tony Juniper: Saving the world, breeding budgies and why the King is 'the most influential environmentalist of all time' 31:28

2M ago31:28

31:28

When it comes to England’s environment and our landscape, few people in the country are as important as Tony Juniper. Since 2019, he has been the chairman of Natural England, the public body for ensuring that the country’s natural environment is protected and enhanced. Not a small job, as we are sure you’ll agree. He is also a recognised authority …

1
E118 - Vision-Aligned Hiring: Beyond Skills to Find True Alignment 16:42

2M ago16:42

16:42

Looking for the right employees in today's market is challenging, especially for small business owners seeking qualified, accountable, and strategic talent. This episode explores why successful hiring goes beyond skills to find true motivational alignment. The most revealing interview question is simple: "Why do you want to work here?" The answer r…

1
Louis D. Hall: Crossing the Alps, sailing the Atlantic in a glorified bathtub and bringing sanity to how we live with horses 32:00

2M ago32:00

32:00

Most people have friends who text them about going to the pub. If you're Louis D. Hall, you've got friends who'll text you about crossing a mountain range, sailing the Atlantic or coming face to face with remote tribes. All in a normal day (or week's) work for Louis. Most recently, he's trekked on horseback from Italy to Cape Finisterre in Spain, i…

1
E117 - Hiring Right: Navigating Growth Challenges 30:37

2M ago30:37

30:37

In this eye-opening conversation with hiring expert Corey Harlock from Key Hire, we dive into why so many small businesses struggle with talent acquisition and what you can actually do about it. The brutal truth? Most business owners make three critical hiring mistakes: Unclear role definition (what does success actually look like?) No defined hiri…

1
George Monbiot: 'Farmers need stability and security... Instead, they're contending with chaos' 41:05

3M ago41:05

41:05

For four four decades, George Monbiot has been one of Britain's strongest voices speaking out on the environment. After starting his career with the BBC, Monbiot is now best known for his books and his weekly column in The Guardian, winning a reputation as a tireless and passionate advocate for the natural world, as well as making plenty of enemies…

1
E116 - Asking For The Sale: Marketing And Copywriting For Scalability 29:32

3M ago29:32

29:32

Samantha and Simone discussed the critical role of copywriting and marketing in driving business growth and scalability: Salespeople need to be confident in asking for the sale, as effective copywriting can streamline the process. Audience education through low-ticket courses, etc. improves lead quality by helping customers understand value. Unders…

1
Vintage tractors and memories of summers past, with Oliver Godfrey 27:00

3M ago27:00

27:00

Everyone has their passions. I, for example, enjoy collecting football shirts. Other people like stamps. Some people like vintage tractors. Oliver Godfrey, from Cheffins, is very good at auctioning them. It is important to understand people and their passions. So we asked Oliver to join the Country Life Podcast, to talk us through the slightly nich…

1
E115 - The Hiring Paradox: Why Your Dream Team Keeps Ghosting You 18:21

3M ago18:21

18:21

The brutal truth? Most small businesses aren't "hiring ready." When 87% of owners can't find qualified candidates, it's time to look in the mirror. This podcast unpacks the Small Business Death Spiral: can't hire quality people → work yourself to exhaustion → no time to train mediocre hires → poor performance → lost customers → reduced profits → ca…

1
Melissa Harrison: The accidental nature writer who became an accidental nature app developer 31:12

3M ago31:12

31:12

The nature writer, children's author and journalist Melissa Harrison joins James Fisher on the Country Life Podcast to talk about her life, her career, and how she found herself creating a smartphone app to help people connect with nature. • Listen to Country Life podcast on Apple Podcasts • Listen to Country Life podcast on Spotify • Listen to Cou…

1
E114 - The Manager Effect On Employee Performance 21:13

3M ago21:13

21:13

In today's episode, we tackle the critical influence managers have on employee performance and business growth. While 70% of employees would quit over a bad manager, research shows managers can be the second most influential people in employees' lives—creating enormous potential for positive impact. Many small business owners fall into the "just hi…

1
E113 - Hacking The Watercooler: High Performance By Community 17:17

3M ago17:17

17:17

The modern office is a living social system, yet most fail to cultivate real connections. Over a third of employees would rather clean a toilet than ask a coworker for help - "social muscle atrophy" from remote work and impersonal tools. The result? Quiet quitting, disengagement, and a sense that work is just individual tasks, not shared endeavors.…

1
The remarkable history of Britain and its animals, with Karen Jones 28:00

3M ago28:00

28:00

The animals we share Britain with mean far more to us than we realise. Beyond the obvious companionship, food and farming, they are a part of our folklore, our language and intertwined with our lives. Karen Jones, professor of environmental and cultural history at the University of Kent, has long been fascinated by the creatures that populate our i…

1
Chloe Dalton: The woman who swapped top-level geopolitics to rescue a baby hare, and had her life changed forever 36:05

4M ago36:05

36:05

Before lockdown changed life in Britain in early 2020, Chloe Dalton led an almost overwhelmingly metropolitan existence. A foreign policy expert, her comfort zone was in the corridors of power, around Whitehall and Westminster, a person who — in her own words — was ‘addicted to the adrenaline’ of flying around the world playing a key role in the de…

1
E112 - When Passion And Purpose Drive Smart Growth 35:04

4M ago35:04

35:04

In this Episode, special guests Vicky and Jo from Canine Business Academy from the UK share how they help their typically operator focused clients become the leaders of successful dog training businesses. Listen to this fun, colored by British-isms episode as we discuss the importance of being the brand of your business and it reflecting who you ar…

1
The photographer on a 15-year quest to find the most incredible doors in London, with Cath Harries 30:31

4M ago30:31

30:31

It's almost two decades since photographer Cath Harries set out to work on a book documenting London's finest pubs. As she walked the streets of the capital, however, she found herself wondering about a new project: London's most extraordinary doors. The idea took hold, and she found herself embarking upon a project which would take a decade and a …

1
E111 - Building a Profit-Focused Culture 17:38

4M ago17:38

17:38

In this episode, host Simone tackles a critical issue for small business owners - establishing a profit-centric mindset throughout your entire organization. We'll discuss why every role in your company needs to be directly or indirectly driving profitability, and provide a strategic framework for instilling this profit-focused culture in your team.…

1
Britain's whale boom and and the predator that's far scarier than a great white shark with Dan Abbott, aka Shark Man Dan 32:15

4M ago32:15

32:15

Wildlife cinematographer Dan Abbott has travelled the world documenting marine life from the peaceful turtles of the Mediterranean to the iconic great white sharks off the coast of South Africa. More recently, though, Dan has hit the headlines for the videos he has shared of the colonies of whales who have made the British coast a regular stop in r…

1
E110 - Coming Out On Top: Thriving In Change Fostering Resilience And Adaptability 18:41

4M ago18:41

18:41

In today’s fast-changing world, great leaders don’t resist change—they embrace it, pivot quickly, and lead with trust and empathy. In this episode we’ll explore: How to pivot quickly as a leader How to maintain trust in times of crisis How to lead with empathy during uncertainty By the end, you’ll have actionable strategies to become a more adaptab…

1
The timeless elegance of English country house style, with Guy Goodfellow and Steven Rodel 34:33

4M ago34:33

34:33

Guy Goodfellow and his Creative Director Steven Rodel have carved out a reputation as two of the finest interior designers working in Britain today. We're thrilled, then, that they were able to join us for the Country Life Podcast, to discuss the unique qualities of British design, the country house look, and what it feels like to see your cushions…

1
E109 - Launch And Scale Without Wasting Your Money And Resources 25:35

4M ago25:35

25:35

In this episode we are excited to talk with David Hirschfeld, owner of https://launch1st.tekyz.com/ about the right way to start and scale without making the biggest mistake that costs founders precious time, money and momentum. Simone and David discuss the 4 main areas of focus: 1—How starting with the vision is only the beginning but may have to …

1
Eleanor Doughty: The secret lives of the aristocracy in Britain 34:41

4M ago34:41

34:41

After starting her career writing about student life, Eleanor began to write about Britain's great country houses, and — more importantly — the people who live in them. Over a decade later she has travelled to over 150 of the finest country piles in Britain, interviewing their owners to discover the ups and downs of their lives. Listen to the Count…

1
E108 - Where Elon Musk Is Right And Wrong And How You Can Do Better 13:36

4M ago13:36

13:36

In this episode, we explores the CEO updates or the 5-15 concept. The podcast delves into the benefits of this approach for business owners, how to effectively implement it, and the importance of distinguishing its use in a business context versus a governmental one. Key Takeaways: Understanding the 5-15 Concept Helps business owners stay informed …

1
E107-Unsticking Your Leadership 17:23

5M ago17:23

17:23

As business leaders, we often know the changes we need to make to drive our organizations forward—delegate more, have difficult conversations, embrace innovation. Yet we find ourselves stuck in our "uncomfortably comfortable" routines, unable to take the necessary steps outside our familiar (but limiting) comfort zones. In this episode, we unpack t…

1
Patrick Galbraith: Dukes, drug dealers, nudists, and the truth about access to Britain's countryside 27:42

5M ago27:42

27:42

Should we have a right to roam? It's something that we've talked about a fair bit at Country Life in recent times — not least with our articles from opposing sides of the argument from Alexander Darwall and Lewis Winks. Rather than just listen and read, Patrick the author and journalist Patrick Galbraith decided to travel the length and breadth of …

1
Gareth Dennis: The truth about HS2 that you never knew until it was too late 37:29

5M ago37:29

37:29

HS2: blot on the landscape? Or the greatest missed opportunity in a generation? What if the future of transport in Britain wasn't about electric cars and extra runways at Heathrow, but a 200-year-old technology of the past? That's the argument made by Gareth Dennis, the engineer, writer, policy adviser and podcaster who has made a name for himself …

1
E106 - Leading through uncertain times 16:19

5M ago16:19

16:19

In this eye-opening episode, we dive deep into the real-world challenges facing minority/immigrant employees - and uncover concrete strategies small business leaders can use to guide their teams through turbulent times with empathy, trust, and a relentless focus on shared purpose. Key Topics Covered: Understanding the Struggles Your employees are d…

1
E105 - The crisis of employee (dis)engagement 21:12

5M ago21:12

21:12

Employee engagement has hit a decade-low, with less than a third of employees feeling truly engaged at work. This crisis is driven by factors like rapid organizational changes, remote/hybrid work challenges, and a lack of clear priorities, consistent feedback, and accountability from leadership. In this episode, we'll cover 5 essential practices yo…

1
The best places to visit in 2025 and hunting for the Ark of the Covenant, with Lonely Planet's Tom Hall 39:06

5M ago39:06

39:06

It’s an annoying thing to have to write down, because in my head it felt like it was only yesterday, but it’s been 10 years since I finished university, packed a big rucksack, and went to go and see the world. Lots of people had gap years. We all knew that there were only two essential items that you needed. Some rehydration tablets and a Lonely Pl…

1
E104 - The Highest Cost In Business… Why Do Employees Really Quit Their Jobs? 23:01

5M ago23:01

23:01

Are you tired of feeling trapped in the endless cycle of firefighting and micromanagement in your business? In this episode, we dive deep into the single biggest factor holding your company back from explosive, sustainable growth - and it all comes down to empowering your team to think and act like entrepreneurs. We explore the proven strategies fo…

1
Marina Gibson: The angler extraordinaire on salmon fishing, conservation and bagpipes on the Tay 40:17

6M ago40:17

40:17

We are back. Thank you all for bearing with us while we get our ducks in a row for another year of the Country Life Podcast. If it’s even possible, it’s going to be better than last year, that we can guarantee. Our first guest for 2025 is the legendary Marina Gibson, angler extraordinaire, who was more than happy to indulge me in lots of fishing re…

1
E103 - Unleashing The Superpowers Of Gen Z: A Small Business Owner's Guide 19:35

6M ago19:35

19:35

As a small business owner, you're probably all too familiar with the dreaded "Gen Z" workforce. The entitled, distracted, always-online youngsters who seem to have a completely different set of priorities and expectations than the generations that came before them. It's enough to make even the most seasoned entrepreneur want to pull their hair out …

1
E102 - Building the Right Team for Business Growth and Exit with Pete Mohr 30:04

6M ago30:04

30:04

Guest: Pete Mohr, certified exit planner and Kolbe coach Key Topics Covered: The importance of having a clear external-facing "promise" for your business Using the Kolbe assessment to understand how your team naturally makes decisions and takes action Leveraging Kolbe insights to improve communication, alignment, and role fit within your team The v…

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Simone Janssen Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen

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