People of Performance Podcast

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Nov 2026

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About the show

Connecting Technical Expertise with Human Stories! A podcast for business owners. We interview business owners about their business, how they got into it, how they grew their business, the challenges now and in the future. We also here their advice for other business owners, using their experience and everything they have learnt and been through over the years to give the viewers some valuable insights that they may be able to learn from. We've learnt a lot doing and we hope you learn something too.

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November 12, 2026Episode 11757 min

#117 Suzie Hunt: Unlocking Executive Performance and Scaling Revenue

Even at the highest levels of business, imposter syndrome and executive isolation are quietly holding leaders back.In this episode of The People of Performance Podcast, executive coach and British HR Awards Coach of the Year finalist Suzy Hunt breaks down what really holds founders and senior directors back, and why unlocking personal clarity is the fastest way to drive commercial growth. From managing the constant internal and external noise of leadership to building high-converting sales engines, Suzy shares practical frameworks for anyone leading a team or scaling a business.Timestamps:00:00 – "Be where your feet are"00:27 – Welcome Suzy Hunt01:05 – Unlocking the person to unlock the business03:00 – Early commercial career: Peugeot, Lush, and sales lessons04:20 – The boardroom moment that sparked a pivot into coaching06:36 – Lessons from growing up around entrepreneurship08:42 – What separates an average coach from a transformative one11:16 – Traits of high-impact leadership vs. poor leadership12:56 – The 3 biggest struggles senior executives face today13:40 – 1. Managing mental and operational noise15:09 – 2. Why imposter syndrome amplifies at the C-suite level16:04 – 3. Navigating ambiguity and strategic change18:25 – Fixing the commercial engine and lead conversion bottlenecks19:52 – Why every founder needs an independent mentor22:42 – How clarity breeds momentum in decision-making25:20 – Case study: From deep self-doubt to high-stakes keynote29:00 – Balancing high-growth business demands with parenthood31:08 – Moving past "work-life balance" clichés34:10 – Impact-driven coaching vs. industry qualifications37:08 – Transitioning founder-led sales into a scalable system41:48 – Sales team culture: How behaviour breeds behaviour44:15 – Why top leaders must invite constructive feedback45:06 – Human intuition vs. AI in leadership coaching48:05 – Mentoring dynamics and emotional self-awareness49:26 – Being shortlisted for Coach of the Year52:08 – Living with Type 1 diabetes and mastering the mental load56:40 – Where to connect with Suzy HuntConnect with Suzy HuntWebsite: https://www.futureyou-coaching.com/ Socials: Find Suzy Hunt on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/suzyhuntbusinesscoach/ The People of Performance PodcastHosted by James Crisall founder of Manchester SEO Subscribe for in-depth conversations on leadership, mindset, and peak performance.

November 5, 2026Episode 11659 min

#116 Jonathan Schumacher: The AI outreach bubble, cold calling that works, and why comparison is the thief of joy

How do high-performing agencies scale past standard acquisition tactics? In this episode of The People of Performance Podcast, host James sits down with Jonathan Schumacher of Kindling ( https://kindlingleadgen.co.uk/ ) to break down how agencies really scale their sales pipelines, close premium clients, and move beyond outdated playbooks like traditional webinars.If you run an agency or high-ticket service business, you know the frustration of relying on single-channel tactics or broken lead funnels. Jonathan shares practical, battle-tested sales frameworks designed to build predictable deal flow, improve client conversion, and establish sustainable agency growth.What we cover in this episode:The common mistakes agencies make when trying to scale revenueWhy traditional webinar models are losing effectiveness for high-ticket offersMulti-channel sales systems that actually close modern B2B clientsHow to structure offer positioning to stand out in crowded marketsPractical steps for agency founders to build sustainable sales operationsAbout Jonathan Schumacher:Jonathan Schumacher is a growth strategist and sales consultant who helps agency owners and high-ticket service providers scale their revenue through modern acquisition systems and conversion architectures.Timestamps:00:00 - Introduction & welcome to Jonathan Schumacher03:15 - Why conventional agency sales models are breaking down10:45 - The problem with relying purely on webinars18:30 - How high-performing agencies build modern deal flow27:10 - Structuring offers that convert premium clients36:40 - Multi-channel outbound vs. inbound acquisition46:15 - Systems every agency needs to scale sustainably54:30 - Key takeaways & where to find JonathanConnect with The People of Performance:Subscribe for more deep dives into business, high performance, and growthWebsite: https://mcr-seo.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/people-of-performance-podcast/ #AgencyGrowth #SalesStrategy #B2BSales #ThePeopleOfPerformance #Podcast

October 29, 2026Episode 11547 min

How One Conversation Can Change Disability Forever | Alex Winstanley Ep115

In this episode of The People of Performance Podcast, we are joined by author, social entrepreneur, and advocate Alex Winstanley for an open, eye-opening discussion on breaking the hidden stigmas around disability, neurodiversity, and social care.Alex shares his journey from hands-on support worker and educator to founding Happy Smiles Training, empowering disabled people to lead training in schools, communities, and businesses. We explore why awareness alone isn’t enough, the crucial shift toward true inclusion, and how changing our daily conversations can transform perceptions forever.Whether you're looking to build a more inclusive workplace, understand the lived experiences of others, or find inspiration in mission-driven leadership, this conversation is packed with practical wisdom and authentic perspective.⏱️ Timestamps00:00 – Teaser & Welcome Alex Winstanley02:15 – Early Foundations: Getting Started in Social Care & Education07:40 – The Reality of Living with a Disability Nobody Talks About14:20 – The Turning Point: Why Awareness Isn't Enough21:05 – Founding Happy Smiles Training & Empowering Lived Experience28:50 – Breaking Stigmas in Schools, Workplaces, and Communities35:10 – The Real Cost of Advocacy and Sustainable Social Impact41:30 – How One Conversation Can Change Perceptions Forever45:45 – Final Thoughts, Advice & Where to Find Alex🔗 Connect with Alex WinstanleyWebsite / Initiative: https://www.happysmilestraining.co.uk/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexwinstanley/ 🎙️ About The People of Performance PodcastThe People of Performance Podcast unpacks the mindset, resilience, and actionable strategies of leaders, founders, and high performers across business, sports, and social enterprise.🔔 Subscribe for weekly episodes uncovering what truly drives impact and performance: https://www.youtube.com/@PeopleofPerformancePodcast?sub_confirmation=1#DisabilityAwareness #Inclusion #ThePeopleOfPerformance #AlexWinstanley #SocialImpact #Leadership #Podcast Recorded by Recognise Media for MCR SEO Ltd

October 14, 2026Episode 11441 min

Lucy Mulligan - How the Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce Supports Business Growth - Ep114

How the Greater Manchester Chamber Supports Business Growth and What AI Change Really MeansThe speaker explains that the Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce supports businesses to grow, thrive, and sometimes survive amid rising costs, acting as a collective voice to government by celebrating helpful policy impacts and challenging harmful ones. A key differentiator is the Chamber’s quarterly economic survey, which provides no-lag insight into the local economy while allowing benchmarking against data from chambers across the UK. They stress the importance of strong regional visibility online and in person, and describe the Chamber’s networking as a real community where members must participate to see ROI, like a gym membership. The speaker reflects on an organic career journey at the Chamber, long staff tenure, personal traits like impatience and control, and discusses resistance to change, especially around AI, as a tool to improve experience and release capacity, noting non-members can also work with the Chamber.00:00 Chamber Mission00:10 Business Voice00:29 Economic Data Edge01:02 Visibility And Events01:31 Community Networking01:59 Branding Career Path02:12 Organic Growth Culture02:49 Personal Work Style02:59 AI And Change03:52 Support Beyond MembersThanks to ⁠Recognise Media ( https://recognisemedia.com/ )⁠ who produced the podcast for ⁠Manchester SEO (https://mcr-seo.com/ )⁠.Brownies supplied by Bele Brownies

October 7, 2026Episode 11334 min

Darren Knight CEO of George House Trust - HIV Today: Facts, Stigma, and Charity Leadership - Ep113

HIV Today: Facts, Stigma, and Charity Leadership with Darren Knight (George House Trust)James Crisall hosts Darren Knight, CEO of George House Trust ( https://ght.org.uk/ ), a charity supporting people living with and affected by HIV through counselling, housing, debt and benefits advice, social support, and awareness-raising. Darren explains how HIV has changed since the 1980s: it’s preventable, treatable, and manageable, with PrEP available and effective treatment meaning people can’t pass it on, yet stigma and discrimination still affect people at work, in healthcare, and with family and friends. He shares the charity’s origins as Manchester AIDS Line in 1985, its 40th-anniversary Manchester Central Library exhibition, and fundraising challenges. Darren discusses running a lean organisation with 31 staff and 135 volunteers, his career path and lived experience of HIV, workplace inclusion, and upcoming work including Positive Ambition Manchester and stronger links between charities and clinics.00:00 Meet Darren Knight00:37 What George House Trust Does01:20 HIV Then and Now03:03 Prevention and Treatment Facts04:03 Origins and 40 Years05:45 Fundraising and Stigma08:57 Running the Charity Day to Day10:28 Darren’s Career Journey13:00 CEO Reality and Leadership16:00 Volunteers and Getting Involved18:04 Living With HIV Story20:51 Proudest Moments and Media23:31 HIV Facts Not Myths24:55 What’s Next for the Trust27:03 Education and Wider Awareness28:11 Leadership Advice and Partnerships31:54 Workplace Inclusion and U=U33:40 Closing Thanks and LinksThanks to ⁠Cheshire Podcast Studio⁠ for the studio. ( https://cheshirepodcaststudio.com/ )Thanks to ⁠Recognise Media (https://recognisemedia.com/)⁠ who produced the podcast for ⁠ Manchester SEO ⁠.Brownies supplied by Bele Brownies

September 30, 2026Episode 11241 min

Rob Lee - Motorsport Marshaling, A Life In Orange, and the Volunteer Community Behind Racing - Ep112

Beyond the Overalls: Rob Lee on Motorsport Marshaling, A Life In Orange, and the Volunteer Community Behind RacingJames Crisall welcomes Rob Lee to The People of Performance podcast to discuss motorsport marshaling and Rob’s platform A Life In Orange (ALIO), named after the orange overalls worn by marshals. Rob explains how he began marshaling in 2010, shifted from engineering to journalism, and identified a gap in coverage of the marshaling community, leading to writing and later podcasting. He outlines how marshals get involved, the unpaid volunteer nature of the role, required Motorsport UK training, and how safety procedures vary by level and country under FIA guidance. Rob shares standout experiences from Oulton Park, F1, Le Mans, Spa, and Sebring, plus his favourite events including Race of Remembrance. He describes ALIO’s evolution ( https://www.youtube.com/@A_Life_In_Orange ), new podcast format spotlighting individual marshals, ongoing articles with an editor, and future plans for documentaries and live shows.00:00 Welcome and guest intro00:36 What Life In Orange means01:05 How Rob started marshaling03:00 Getting involved and volunteering04:23 Training and safety basics05:40 Learning on the job08:05 Rules and global standards09:50 Race day roles and track limits11:17 Rebooting the podcast concept12:52 Spotlighting marshal stories14:47 Favourite events and highlights17:23 International events and community20:01 Dream Tracks Wishlist21:02 Beyond F1 Motorsport Paths21:51 Podcast Guests And Stories25:15 Marshaling Best Moments28:15 Blogging Team And New Angles29:43 Tech Making Marshaling Easier31:37 Articles That Hit Home35:25 Future Plans And Live Shows39:38 Where To Find Life In Orange40:30 Wrap Up And Race Prep Thanks to Cheshire Podcast Studio for the studio.Thanks to ⁠Recognise Media ( https://recognisemedia.com/ )⁠ who produced the podcast for ⁠Manchester SEO ( https://mcr-seo.com/ )⁠.Brownies supplied by Bele Brownies

September 23, 2026Episode 11156 min

Stefan Hopewell - Manchester Cycling Academy Pathway Building a Purpose-Driven Sports Business Ep111

Manchester Cycling Academy’s DICE Pathway, Coaching Traits & Building a Purpose-Driven Sports Business | Stefan HopewellJames Crisall interviews Stefan Hopewell from Manchester Cycling Academy about launching just before the pandemic, pausing for 18 months, and building key relationships with Sport England, British Cycling, SGS College and Manchester City Council. Stefan explains MCA’s role as the northern provider of British Cycling’s DICE (Diploma in Sporting Excellence) for talented 16–19 athletes, covering modules like nutrition, psychology, physiology and assessed riding competence, and how it supports athletes and their personal coaches. They discuss what makes a good coach (specialist at the top level, “people person” in community settings), widening access beyond cycling’s typical demographics via their CIC social enterprise, and business lessons on trusting the process, hiring good people and having difficult conversations. Stefan also shares his rugby league background, RFL experiences, and a 2023 brain haemorrhage that changed his outlook.00:00 Welcome and Guest Intro00:33 Academy Origins and Pandemic Pause01:48 British Cycling Partnership02:42 DICE Program Explained05:40 Athlete Pathways and Motivation09:12 From Rugby League to Cycling10:02 Trust the Process Culture12:05 Naming and Rebranding Plans16:52 Sport Meets Business Mindset18:49 What Makes a Great Coach24:54 RFL Memories and Challenge Cup27:39 Sport for Community Impact28:58 Talent Pathway Barriers29:58 Manchester Cycling Academy30:23 Cost of Youth Sport32:16 First Year Business Advice32:51 Hiring Nice People34:50 Difficult Conversations37:10 Sport Honesty Lessons40:24 Future Plans and Scaling44:25 E-Bikes and Training46:12 Brain Haemorrhage Story52:57 Life Philosophy and Loyalty55:46 Mobile First Youth Focus56:17 Closing ThanksThanks to ⁠Recognise Media ( https://recognisemedia.com/ )⁠ who produced the podcast for ⁠ Manchester SEO⁠ .Brownies supplied by Bele Brownies

September 3, 202643 min

Carol Clarke - Planning Expert - From Land to Legacy - Navigating the Planning World - Episode 110

Planning Permission Myths, Grey Belt Opportunities & How AI Could Change UK Planning with Carol ClarkeChartered town planner Carol Clarke of Bramhall Town Planning ( https://www.bramhalltownplanning.com/ ) discusses common misconceptions about getting planning permission, including the mistaken belief that a neighbour’s approval guarantees yours and that the housing crisis means any site should be approved. She explains how planning applications are assessed on their own merits, why councils are busy (with officers often handling large caseloads across 350,000 annual applications), and why thorough submissions help avoid technical refusals, while design remains highly subjective. Carol outlines brownfield, greenfield, greenbelt and the newer “grey belt” category as an opportunity, and notes that around 40% of permissions may never be built, affecting housing targets. She describes her varied work from single homes to 106 apartments and NHS projects, advocates early planning strategy before design, supports AI tools to help authorities, and shares how networking, speaking training, and her upcoming book “Planning Permission Unlocked” help educate developers and investors.Timestamps:00:00 Planning Myths Intro00:43 Meet Carol Clark02:32 From Geography to Planning04:18 What Projects She Handles06:40 Stockport Regeneration Boom07:15 Why Planning Feels Hard08:14 AI Tools for Councils09:47 Greenbelt and Graybelt Explained14:12 Common Misconceptions17:14 Why Permissions Go Unbuilt18:47 Why Applications Get Refused20:23 Design Refusal Pitfalls21:49 Planner Mindset And Tenacity23:26 Getting Into Planning Careers24:26 Motherhood And Going Solo26:12 Networking And Stage Speaking27:36 Permitted Development Minefield29:36 Book Planning Permission Unlocked32:18 Public Speaking Training Tips35:29 Future Of Planning And AI37:46 New Towns And Transport Links39:44 When Developers Should Call41:23 Business Advice And Wrap Up Thanks to Recognise Media who produced the podcast for Manchester SEO . Brownies supplied by Bele Brownies

July 1, 2026Episode 1091 hr 20 min

Mike Marshall - PPC Isn’t a Silver Bullet: Winning with Conversion, Tracking - Ep# 109

PPC Isn’t a Silver Bullet: Winning with Conversion, Tracking & Smarter Offers (ft. Mike Marshall, Evolution Digital)In this episode, Mike Marshall from Evolution Digital discusses why PPC can’t “fix” a business and the common misconception that more traffic alone solves growth. He explains how effective Google Ads work now extends beyond the platform into competitor analysis, landing page and conversion rate optimization, and better tracking, especially for long, multi-touch journeys and call-led inquiries. Mike shares his path into PPC from e-commerce, his frustration with bloated agency models, and why businesses should demand ownership of their ad accounts and data. The conversation covers attribution challenges, SERP coverage with SEO and paid working together, Google’s reduced search-term visibility, offer improvements like stronger return policies, and cautious AI use that still requires human validation. Mike also notes emerging channels and shifting platform behaviours while emphasizing fundamentals, budgets, and realistic expectations.00:00 No Silver Bullet00:16 Meet Evolution Digital00:49 Fixing PPC Agency Bloat03:36 PPC Beyond The Platform05:23 Landing Pages And Quality Score06:46 How Mike Got Started10:26 Advice For New Advertisers12:46 Agency Red Flags And Ownership15:05 AI Hype And Validation18:23 Neurodivergence And Learning22:07 Creative Versus Data Brains30:19 Attribution For High Ticket Sales36:28 Call Tracking And Data Quality37:46 SEO And Paid Together39:46 Hidden Search Terms And Winners41:14 Offer Tweaks That Win Auctions42:11 Risk Reversal Policies42:49 Google Crawlers and SEO Signals45:45 AI Overviews and Clickless Search47:44 Beyond Google Ad Channels54:02 Brand Awareness and Halo Effect01:00:50 AI in PPC Workflows01:06:36 Learning Tools and Guardrails01:11:40 Future of PPC and In-Housing01:15:12 Biggest PPC Misconceptions01:17:39 LLM Ads and Wrap Up The Episode was recorded by https://recognisemedia.com/ for ⁠ Manchester SEO ⁠ The episode was sponsored by: Brownies were Supplied by Bele Brownies: https://www.belebrownies.com/ ⁠⁠⁠

June 26, 2026Episode 10839 min

George Morrison on Social Media Marketing, Trends, TikTok Growth & Building a Creative Agency - 108

George Morrison (Recognise Media) on Social Media Marketing, Trends, TikTok Growth & Building a Creative AgencyOn tour at Cheshire Podcast Studio, the host interviews George Morrison of Recognise Media (formerly Flownamix), the long-time behind-the-camera producer of the podcast, about his agency’s work in social media marketing, video, photography, drone, and podcasting. George shares his path from music at university to graphic design, gaming/streaming success during COVID, and building a business from long hours and boredom, including early growth from filming Macclesfield’s Barnaby Festival. He explains why he dislikes chasing trends, arguing success comes from understanding why a format works, especially the first 3–4 seconds, plus pacing and structure. He critiques marketers who focus on self-promotion, emphasizes community interaction and holistic marketing (website, reputation, targeting), discusses followers vs reach and watch time, and outlines Recognise Media’s current retainers, sports event production, and plans to keep growing the team and operations.00:00 Marketers And Trends00:39 Podcast Tour Intro01:28 Recognise Media Explained02:39 From Music To Media03:48 Shower Breakfast Origins05:10 Gaming Clips Going Viral06:00 What Makes Streams Work08:08 Creative Arts Career Gap10:02 Performance And Presence12:27 Starting Flownamix16:10 Why Clients Choose Us19:05 Efficient Content Creation20:01 Followers Misconception21:22 Friends vs Followers22:03 Reach Beats Follower Count23:06 Podcast Idea to Reality23:26 Creative Problem Solving25:26 TikTok Shop Roadblocks27:08 Why Content Fails28:43 Fix The Business First30:44 Trends And The Hook33:17 Phone Versus Pro Camera35:34 Agency Workload Breakdown37:47 Building The Business39:28 Wrap Up And ThanksThe Episode was recorded by Recognise Media: https://recognisemedia.com/ ⁠ for ⁠ Manchester SEO ⁠ The episode was sponsored by: Brownies were Supplied by Bele Brownies: https://www.belebrownies.com/ ⁠⁠⁠