JobsWorth

Hosted by John Hawker

Business Careers EducationInterviews guests

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Episodes

101

Latest episode

Jun 2026

Language

EN-GB

About the show

Welcome to JobsWorth, a podcast filled with stories from people changing their relationship with work, inspiring others to do the same Visit the JobsWorth website; https://www.jobs-worth.com/ Watch JobsWorth on YouTube; www.youtube.com/@jobsworthpodcast Follow JobsWorth on Instagram; https://www.instagram.com/jobsworthpodcast/?hl=en Follow me on LinkedIn; https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnhawker/ Follow me on TikTok; https://www.tiktok.com/@globaltechcollective Subscribe to my newsletter 'The Job Journal from GTC'; https://tinyurl.com/TheJobJournalFromGTC Learn more about my proper job; https://www.globaltechcollective.com/

Listen to episodes

60 recent

June 17, 20261 hr 41 min

JobsWorth - Joseph Fordham - Building a Place to Belong

This week on JobsWorth, I'm joined by writer, photographer, podcaster and founder of No Place Like Home, Joe Fordham. Joe's career has taken him through publishing, photography, startups and freelance work, but beneath all those different chapters sits a common theme: a search for creativity, connection and belonging. We talk about growing up in Dagenham, questioning authority from an early age, leaving education behind and navigating a series of jobs that never quite felt like the right fit. Joe shares how a photography project documenting West Ham supporters during the club's final season at Upton Park unexpectedly changed the course of his life and became the foundation for No Place Like Home. We also discuss creativity, validation, self-belief, community and the importance of building spaces where people feel they belong. This is a conversation about finding your place in the world and what happens when you decide to build it yourself. Please enjoy... Joe Fordham. The JobsWorth website is here www.jobs-worth.com Watch the show on YouTube; https://www.youtube.com/@jobsworthpodcast Follow the show on Instagram; https://www.instagram.com/jobsworthpodcast/?hl=en Follow me on LinkedIn; https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnhawker/ Follow me on TikTok; https://www.tiktok.com/@globaltechcollective Subscribe to my newsletter 'The Job Journal from GTC'; https://subscribepage.io/TheJobJournal Learn more about my proper job; https://www.globaltechcollective.com/ Contact the show on hello@jobs-worth.com

May 27, 20261 hr 14 min

JobsWorth - We Made It To 100

This week on JobsWorth, things are a little different. To celebrate the 100th episode of the podcast, I sit down with Tom... the person who’s been filming, editing and helping shape JobsWorth behind the scenes since the very beginning. We talk honestly about the reality of building a creative project alongside everyday life, the pressure (and privilege) of consistency, and what we’ve learned after sitting down with 100 different people to talk about their relationship with work. We also share some big news about what comes next for JobsWorth, including the launch of our own podcast and content studio, Jabber. Along the way we get into: · Why neither of us expected to make it to 100 episodes · The guests and moments that stayed with us · Creativity, work-life balance and building something from scratch · Why “talent” might just be obsession and hard work · And what happens when a side project slowly becomes something bigger Please enjoy… The 100th Episode. #JobsWorth #PodcastJourney #CreativeBusiness #WorkLife #PodcastStudio The JobsWorth website is here www.jobs-worth.com Watch the show on YouTube; https://www.youtube.com/@jobsworthpodcast Follow the show on Instagram; https://www.instagram.com/jobsworthpodcast/?hl=en Follow me on LinkedIn; https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnhawker/ Follow me on TikTok; https://www.tiktok.com/@globaltechcollective Subscribe to my newsletter 'The Job Journal from GTC'; https://subscribepage.io/TheJobJournal Learn more about my proper job; https://www.globaltechcollective.com/ Contact the show on hello@jobs-worth.com

May 20, 20261 hr 27 min

JobsWorth - Gabrielle Burt - Why She Refused to Stay in Jobs She Hated

This week on JobsWorth, I’m joined by Gabrielle Burt, founder of Gabs… the Leigh-on-Sea grazing bar that’s quickly become one of the area’s most talked about independent food spots. But this conversation isn’t really about grazing boards or pastries. It’s about someone who realised very early on that she couldn’t spend her life doing work that made her unhappy. Gabbie talks openly about struggling at school, bouncing between jobs throughout her teens and early twenties, and the feeling that she was never really built for environments where she felt trapped. From selling seashell art outside her house as a kid, to flying to Australia alone at 15 for work experience at a zoo, there’s always been this instinct in her to just… go for it. Before opening Gabs, she worked in care supporting adults with additional needs…work that gave her a huge sense of purpose, but also took a heavy emotional toll. What followed was £300 left from her wages, a homemade logo, a mobile grazing business she somehow ran despite not being able to drive… and eventually, a permanent home in Leigh that now has people queuing for tables most weekends. This is a conversation about instinct, resilience, self-belief, and refusing to settle for a life that feels miserable. Please enjoy… Gabrielle Burt. The JobsWorth website is here www.jobs-worth.com Watch the show on YouTube; https://www.youtube.com/@jobsworthpodcast Follow the show on Instagram; https://www.instagram.com/jobsworthpodcast/?hl=en Follow me on LinkedIn; https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnhawker/ Follow me on TikTok; https://www.tiktok.com/@globaltechcollective Subscribe to my newsletter 'The Job Journal from GTC'; https://subscribepage.io/TheJobJournal Learn more about my proper job; https://www.globaltechcollective.com/ Contact the show on hello@jobs-worth.com

May 13, 20261 hr 19 min

JobsWorth - Cassie Strickland and Dominic Foster- They Built the Kind of Gym They Couldn’t Find

This week on JobsWorth, I’m joined by Cassie Strickland and Dominic Foster, personal trainers and co-owners of Studio Athletica. What makes this conversation interesting is that neither of them fit the stereotype people often associate with the fitness industry. Cassie admits she actively avoided PE at school, while Dominic describes himself as “bang average” at sport before stumbling into fitness after nearly being kicked out of school. Together, they’ve gone on to build Studio Athletica… a training space designed for people who don’t feel comfortable in traditional gyms. We talk about the reality of working in the fitness industry, the surprisingly low barrier to entry, and why most people only survive in it long term if they genuinely care about helping others. We also get into gym-timidation (yep, you read that right), the pressure PTs feel to “look the part,” and the lessons they learned from working in some very questionable gyms along the way. Cassie also shares the story of opening her first dream studio… and losing it almost immediately because of a hidden basement beneath the floor. Please enjoy… Cassie and Dom. The JobsWorth website is here www.jobs-worth.com Watch the show on YouTube; https://www.youtube.com/@jobsworthpodcast Follow the show on Instagram; https://www.instagram.com/jobsworthpodcast/?hl=en Follow me on LinkedIn; https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnhawker/ Follow me on TikTok; https://www.tiktok.com/@globaltechcollective Subscribe to my newsletter 'The Job Journal from GTC'; https://subscribepage.io/TheJobJournal Learn more about my proper job; https://www.globaltechcollective.com/ Contact the show on hello@jobs-worth.com

May 6, 20261 hr 30 min

JobsWorth - Dan Nunn & Kane Read - When It’s Not the Job… It’s the Environment

This week on JobsWorth, I’m joined by Dan Nunn and Kane Reed, founders of 5 Physio. Both Dan and Kane knew from a young age that physiotherapy was the path they wanted to follow. What’s interesting is how that shared direction played out… through different environments, frustrations within the profession, and eventually coming back together to build something of their own. We talk about the realities of working in physio, from early experiences in the NHS to recognising the limitations within the industry and deciding to take a different route. We also get into what it’s like building a business with a friend, how they found their roles, navigated early friction, and built a partnership based on trust and clear “lanes”. Along the way, we touch on mistakes, growth, and why sometimes it’s not the job you fall out of love with… it’s where you’re doing it. Please enjoy… Dan and Kane. The JobsWorth website is here www.jobs-worth.com Watch the show on YouTube; https://www.youtube.com/@jobsworthpodcast Follow the show on Instagram; https://www.instagram.com/jobsworthpodcast/?hl=en Follow me on LinkedIn; https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnhawker/ Follow me on TikTok; https://www.tiktok.com/@globaltechcollective Subscribe to my newsletter 'The Job Journal from GTC'; https://subscribepage.io/TheJobJournal Learn more about my proper job; https://www.globaltechcollective.com/ Contact the show on hello@jobs-worth.com

April 29, 20261 hr 17 min

JobsWorth - Kelcie John-Lewis - From Job to Job to Finding What Fits

This week on JobsWorth, I’m joined by Kelcie John-Lewis. Kelcie is a portrait photographer, mum of two and founder of The Luna Edit, a vintage jewellery brand built around antique and second-hand lockets. In this episode, we talk about Kelcie’s colourful career journey, from office jobs and car dealerships to swimming teaching, photography and eventually building a brand that brings together her love of portraits, storytelling and vintage jewellery. We discuss the feeling of dreading work, the pressure to accept that unhappiness is just part of adult life, and why knowing what you don’t want can be just as important as knowing what you do. Kelcie also shares how The Luna Edit came to life, why lockets became her thing, and what it feels like to finally find work that makes sense. We also get into: ● Changing direction more than once ● Finding purpose through work ● Starting something while raising children ● Building a brand through Instagram ● The magic of old jewellery, photographs and memory Please enjoy… Kelcie John-Lewis. Find out more about this week’s guest here https://www.thelunaedit.com/ https://www.instagram.com/the.lunaedit/ The JobsWorth website is here www.jobs-worth.com Watch the show on YouTube; https://www.youtube.com/@jobsworthpodcast Follow the show on Instagram; https://www.instagram.com/jobsworthpodcast/?hl=en Follow me on LinkedIn; https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnhawker/ Follow me on TikTok; https://www.tiktok.com/@globaltechcollective Subscribe to my newsletter 'The Job Journal from GTC'; https://subscribepage.io/TheJobJournal Learn more about my proper job; https://www.globaltechcollective.com/ Contact the show on hello@jobs-worth.com

April 22, 20261 hr 31 min

JobsWorth - Jordan Gray - A Career in Music, Comedy and Beyond

This week on JobsWorth, I’m joined by Jordan Gray. Jordan is a musical comedian, writer and performer whose career has taken her from fronting a death metal band as a teenager, to releasing multiple albums, reaching the semi-finals of The Voice, and going on to create her Edinburgh Comedy Award-nominated show Is It A Bird? In this episode, we explore what that journey has really looked like. From finding early validation through music, to building a career in the industry, experiencing the reality of success and how that can feel very different behind the scenes. We also talk about the moment things started to feel a bit flat, despite everything appearing to go in the right direction, and what led her to step away from music and move into comedy. Along the way, we get into identity, performance, the pressure that comes with being seen, and how her relationship with work has evolved over time. There are also some brilliant moments throughout from school death metal bands to live performance stories and everything in between. Please enjoy… Jordan Gray. The JobsWorth website is here www.jobs-worth.com Watch the show on YouTube; https://www.youtube.com/@jobsworthpodcast Follow the show on Instagram; https://www.instagram.com/jobsworthpodcast/?hl=en Follow me on LinkedIn; https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnhawker/ Follow me on TikTok; https://www.tiktok.com/@globaltechcollective Subscribe to my newsletter 'The Job Journal from GTC'; https://subscribepage.io/TheJobJournal Learn more about my proper job; https://www.globaltechcollective.com/ Contact the show on hello@jobs-worth.com

April 15, 20261 hr 27 min

JobsWorth - Carol Smillie - On Work, Family and Finding What Comes Next

This week on JobsWorth, I’m joined by Carol Smillie. Best known for presenting Changing Rooms at its peak, Carol’s career has taken her from modelling to television, into business, and now into a completely different chapter as a humanist celebrant. In this episode, we talk about how those transitions actually happened… not as part of a grand plan, but by taking opportunities, backing herself, and figuring things out along the way. We get into the reality behind some of her biggest career moments, including landing her early TV roles, the success of Changing Rooms, and what it was like working in television at that time. But we also explore what came next. Carol shares her experience of starting and growing a business from scratch, the role naivety can play when trying something new, and why having control over your time and work has become more important as her career has evolved. We also talk about: ● The importance of confidence and people skills early on ● Learning on the job and adapting as you go ● The value of being easy to work with ● Why not every opportunity needs to be taken ● Finding work that fits around life, not the other way round There are also some brilliant stories along the way… including the audition that nearly went wrong, and what actually got her the job. This is a conversation about longevity, perspective, and building a working life that changes as you do. Please enjoy…Carol Smillie The JobsWorth website is here www.jobs-worth.com Watch the show on YouTube; https://www.youtube.com/@jobsworthpodcast Follow the show on Instagram; https://www.instagram.com/jobsworthpodcast/?hl=en Follow me on LinkedIn; https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnhawker/ Follow me on TikTok; https://www.tiktok.com/@globaltechcollective Subscribe to my newsletter 'The Job Journal from GTC'; https://subscribepage.io/TheJobJournal Learn more about my proper job; https://www.globaltechcollective.com/ Contact the show on hello@jobs-worth.com

April 8, 20261 hr 15 min

JobsWorth - Damien Stone - Why Careers Don’t Have to Follow a Straight Line

This week on JobsWorth, I sit down with Damien Stone, founder of Braestone. Damien’s career hasn’t followed a straight line. From starting out on construction sites to building a career in the fitness industry, travelling the world, and eventually returning to construction to build his own business… his journey is a great example of what work can really look like over time. Along the way, he’s experienced success, failure, and some tough lessons that shaped the way he now runs his business. In this episode, we talk about what it means to carve your own path, the importance of hard work and discipline, and why not having a perfectly mapped-out plan isn’t necessarily a bad thing Damien shares how he built Braestone into a team of 30+ people, the realities of running a construction business, and the lessons he’s taken from both success and failure. We also get into: ● Starting out in construction and finding his own path ● Building a career in the fitness industry and moving into management ● Why sales skills are transferable across any industry ● The lessons learned from business failure ● Growing and scaling a construction business ● Leadership, managing teams, and challenging industry stereotypes ● Balancing work, family life, and being present If you’ve ever felt like your career hasn’t followed a “normal” path (or you’re still figuring things out) this one’s for you. Please enjoy…Damien Stone. The JobsWorth website is here www.jobs-worth.com Watch the show on YouTube; https://www.youtube.com/@jobsworthpodcast Follow the show on Instagram; https://www.instagram.com/jobsworthpodcast/?hl=en Follow me on LinkedIn; https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnhawker/ Follow me on TikTok; https://www.tiktok.com/@globaltechcollective Subscribe to my newsletter 'The Job Journal from GTC'; https://subscribepage.io/TheJobJournal Learn more about my proper job; https://www.globaltechcollective.com/ Contact the show on hello@jobs-worth.com

April 1, 20261 hr 16 min

JobsWorth - Melissa Stone - Why She Left the NHS to Start an Aesthetics Business

This week on JobsWorth, I’m joined by Melissa Stone, founder of the Melrose Clinic. After a decade working as an NHS midwife, Mel reached a point many people will recognise...dreading work, feeling stuck, and questioning whether this was really it. During a 3am night shift, she made a decision that completely changed her life. In this episode, we talk about what it’s really like working in the NHS, the pressure and burnout that comes with it, and what happens when you realise the job you once chose no longer feels right. Mel shares her journey from midwifery into medical aesthetics, building her own clinic from scratch, and learning how to run a business without any prior experience. We also get into: Leaving a “safe” career to start something new The reality of self-employment and running a business Balancing work, motherhood and freedom Why success looks very different to her now The importance of backing yourself... even when you don’t have a plan If you’ve ever felt stuck in a job that looks good on paper but doesn’t feel right, this episode will resonate. Please enjoy...Melissa Stone. The JobsWorth website is here www.jobs-worth.com Watch the show on YouTube; https://www.youtube.com/@jobsworthpodcast Follow the show on Instagram; https://www.instagram.com/jobsworthpodcast/?hl=en Follow me on LinkedIn; https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnhawker/ Follow me on TikTok; https://www.tiktok.com/@globaltechcollective Subscribe to my newsletter 'The Job Journal from GTC'; https://subscribepage.io/TheJobJournal Learn more about my proper job; https://www.globaltechcollective.com/ Contact the show on hello@jobs-worth.com