The Merri-Cast

Hosted by Trevor Merriden

Business Entrepreneurship

Website RSS feed

Episodes

Latest episode

Jun 2026

Language

EN-GB

About the show

The Merri-Cast is for emerging leaders navigating the journey from self-doubt to self-belief. Host Trevor Merriden - executive coach and author of The Confidence Shift - talks to leaders and entrepreneurs about the moments that tested their confidence and how they came through them. Honest, practical and deeply human conversations about what leadership really feels like. Every episode explores one or more of the five themes at the heart of The Confidence Shift: curiosity, creativity, clarity, commitment and confidence. Whether you’re leading for the first time, struggling to believe in your own ability, or building something from scratch and wondering if you’re really ready - this podcast is for you.

Listen to episodes

60 recent

June 4, 2026Episode 8147 min

Steve Dineen: ON Thinking and Acting at Speed

Some entrepreneurs build businesses around products. Others build them around problems they can’t stop thinking about. This week on The Merri-Cast podcast, I’m joined by Steve Dineen – Founder and Chief Storyteller at Fuse Universal, and a pioneer of digital learning. From the early days of e-learning to launching fuseschool and Fuse Universal, Steve has spent decades exploring one central question: how do people learn better?What stood out to me most in this conversation is the way that Steve thinks. Fast, curious and constantly making connections, he talks about the difference between improving what already exists and solving problems people don’t yet realise they have. In this episode, Steve shares: • Why every business needs to start with a problem worth solving• How he makes decisions quickly without being reckless• What it really takes to scale knowledge, learning and expertise• How a charitable education project became part of a much bigger mission• Why storytelling sits at the heart of better learningIf you're building, leading or growing a business, there's plenty of insight here on entrepreneurship, learning and thinking differently.Steve Dineen: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevedineen/ Fuse Universal: https://www.fuseuniversal.com/demo Trevor:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trevormerriden/ Merriborn: https://merriborn.co.uk/ Email: trevor.merriden@merribornmedia.co.uk

May 20, 2026Episode 8042 min

Kate Davis: ON Escaping The Trap of Doing Everything Yourself

A common challenge founders face isn’t strategy, sales or even growth. It’s learning how to stop doing everything themselves. On this week’s episode, I’m joined by the brilliant Kate Davis – founder of Meraki People, leadership advisor and champion of building businesses where people genuinely thrive. Kate’s journey into entrepreneurship was anything but straightforward. From starting her career in law, to live events and then corporate change management, she eventually built a business helping founders scale without losing themselves or their culture along the way. What really stood out to me in this conversation was Kate’s honesty about leadership, confidence and the realities of growth. In this episode, Kate shares:• Why so many founders get trapped “doing all their own stunts• The hidden people and culture issues behind scaling problems• Why curiosity and self-awareness matter more than most leaders realise• The role mentors have played in helping her build confidence as an entrepreneur• Why businesses grow faster when leaders focus on people, not just processesOne thing that really stayed with me was Kate’s point that most “people problems” in business aren’t actually people problems at all. Underneath the surface, they’re usually structure, communication or leadership issues. If you’re building, leading or scaling a business, this episode is packed with practical insight and honest reflections.Kate Davis: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katedavisleadership/ Meraki People: https://www.merakipeople.co.uk/ Trevor:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trevormerriden/ Merriborn: https://merriborn.co.uk/ Email: trevor.merriden@merribornmedia.co.uk

April 8, 2026Episode 7943 min

Robert Edmonds: ON Getting the right balance between Clients and Creativity

Most businesses talk about creativity. But the real question is – who is creativity actually for? On this week’s episode of The Merri-Cast, I’m joined by Robert Edmonds - founder of NRG Studios, a creative agency helping organisations bring their stories to life through content, events and campaigns.Robert’s career began in broadcast television, working on major productions and building his craft in an environment where storytelling really matters. That experience has clearly shaped how he approaches business today. What really comes through with Robert in this conversation is the clarity of his thinking, particularly when it comes to clients, creativity and building a business that actually works. In this episode, Robert shares: • Why building a business around clients, not only creativity, changes everything• The reality of starting from nothing and reinvesting everything back into the business• Why building a pipeline should be every founder’s first priority• The difference between telling a story and actually creating impact What stayed with me was his constant focus on the client – not as a buzzword, but as something practical. If you’re building or growing a business, there’s a lot in this episode that will resonate.Robert Edmonds: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robert-edmonds-nrg-digital/NRG Studios: https://nrg-digital.co.uk/ Trevor:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trevormerriden/Merriborn: https://merriborn.co.uk/Email: trevor.merriden@merribornmedia.co.uk

March 25, 2026Episode 7857 min

David Liddle: ON Self-Belief and Protecting Your Culture

Most businesses don’t lose their culture overnight… they lose it as they grow. On this week’s episode of The Merri-Cast, I’m joined by David Liddle – Founder and CEO of The TCM Group and the People & Culture Institute. He’s a leading UK voice on people, culture and leadership. His latest book, “People and Culture” explores many of the ideas we discuss in this episode - you can find it here. I’ve known David on and off for around 20 years, and it’s been fascinating to watch his journey – from community mediation to becoming one of the most influential thinkers in his field. What struck me most in this conversation is how honest he is about his entrepreneurial journey. It’s had its bumpy moments, but he’s come through them with resilience and continued to move onwards and upwards. We talk about what really happens as businesses grow – and why the systems you introduce to support that growth can quietly start working against you. In this episode, David shares:• Why “growth can eat culture” if you’re not careful• The mistakes that founders make as they scale• Why most organisations handle conflict too late - and miss the opportunities it creates• How better conversations unlock insight, learning and performanceAs you’ll hear, David said so much that resonated with me, but most importantly…Believe in yourself. It sounds simple, but after listening to this conversation, I hope you will. David Liddle:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/liddledavid/The TCM Group: https://thetcmgroup.com/PCA: https://www.peopleprofessionals.org/Book: People and Culture - A Practical Guide for HR Professionals & LeadersTrevor:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trevormerriden/Merriborn: https://merriborn.co.uk/Email: trevor.merriden@merribornmedia.co.uk

February 25, 2026Episode 7748 min

Chris Mole: ON Scaling Fast, Selling Smart and Starting Again

This week on The Merri-Cast, I’m joined by Chris Mole - founder of FounderON and former Founder & CEO of Molzi by Brainlabs. Chris started his first business days after finishing his A-levels. What followed was a journey fuelled by curiosity, commercial instinct and what he calls the superpower of naivety. After building and selling his Amazon agency Molzi, Chris found himself facing a challenge many entrepreneurs never talk about: what happens after the exit? In this candid and honest conversation, we explore the highs, the pivots and the unexpected emotional shifts that come with building and selling a business. In this episode, Chris shares: •Why overthinking kills more businesses than bad ideas•The bold decision to cut half his revenue to chase a bigger opportunity•Why every founder should know their “exit number” before they build•How naivety helped him scale fast •The strange psychology of selling your business and suddenly having “nothing to do”We also discuss redefining success, resisting the pressure to build a unicorn and why a “quite successful” business that gives you freedom may be smarter than chasing a large valuation. 🎧 If you’re launching your first business, scaling your second, or wondering what success actually looks like for you - this one will resonate.Chris Mole:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrismole/FounderON: https://www.founderon.com/Trevor:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trevormerriden/Merriborn: https://merriborn.co.uk/Email: trevor.merriden@merribornmedia.co.uk

February 11, 2026Episode 7641 min

Alison Jones: ON The Power of Writing and Surviving the 3am Doubts

This week on The Merri-Cast, I’m joined by the fantastic Alison Jones — entrepreneur, publisher, author and coach. Alison built her career in senior roles at Oxford University Press and Palgrave Macmillan before stepping away from corporate life to create Practical Inspiration Publishing – a business that deliberately broke the traditional publishing rulebook. In this honest and wide-ranging conversation, we explore what it really means to go it alone – from those 3am doubts and cash-flow fears to building a sustainable, values-led and genuinely impactful business. In this episode, Alison shares:• Why writing is one of the most powerful thinking tools entrepreneurs can use• How her definition of success has changed - and why clarity matters more than ambition• Why most entrepreneurs underestimate the emotional side of starting a business• How to turn expertise into a feasible and scalable enterprise• The realities of cash flow and taking risksWe also discuss entrepreneurship in a world of AI disruption, why books and deep thinking still matter, and how resourcefulness is what really carries founders through. If you’re thinking about starting a business, already in the thick of it, or questioning what success looks like for you, this episode is well worth a listen.Alison Jones:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/the-alison-jones/Practical Inspiration Publishing: https://practicalinspiration.com/Podcast: https://extraordinarybusinessbooks.com/podcast-episodes/Trevor:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trevormerriden/Merriborn: https://merriborn.co.uk/Email: trevor.merriden@merribornmedia.co.uk

January 7, 2026Episode 7553 min

Jonathan Bowman-Perks: ON Leading Calmly Through Chaos

This week on The Merri-Cast, I’m kicking off 2026 with an inspiring and forward-looking conversation with Jonathan Bowman-Perks MBE – leadership coach, former British Army Officer, author and host of the Inspiring Leadership podcast. Jonathan’s career spans 20 years in the British Army, senior roles at PwC, IBM and Penna, and decades working with CEOs and leadership teams at the very top of global organisations. In this episode, we explore Jonathan’s journey – from early lessons in humility and resilience to commanding under pressure, navigating major career transitions and ultimately finding his purpose as a coach, author and podcaster. In this thought-provoking episode, Jonathan shares: ⚡ Why leadership in 2026 will demand adaptability, emotional intelligence and the ability to let go.🎖️ How his time in the British Army shaped his leadership philosophy🧭 Why great leaders don’t pretend to have all the answers🚪 How career setbacks, restructures and closed doors pushed him towards entrepreneurship📚 The story behind “The CEO’s Compass” and how leaders can navigate teams through turbulent timesJonathan also reflects on his MBE, the mentors who shaped him and why inspiring leadership has never been more important in an age of uncertainty, AI disruption and global change. Jonathan Bowman-Perks MBE:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathanperks/Website: https://jonathanperks.com/Inspiring Leadership podcast: https://jonathanperks.com/podcasts/Trevor:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trevormerriden/Merriborn: https://merriborn.co.uk/Email: trevor.merriden@merribornmedia.co.uk

December 16, 2025Episode 7416 min

A Year of Great Conversations: Our 2025 Highlights

This end-of-year episode is a moment to pause and reflect on some of our brilliant guest insights from the past 12 months – completely honest conversations about the entrepreneurial and leadership journey.So many great insights – and we wish we had the room to include everyone. For this round-up episode, thank you to Bobby Dutton, Assim Ishaque, Zareen Roohi Ahmed, Emily Gill, Richard Barkey, Mindy Gibbins-Klein and Jenny Garrett for your gems and for making this episode a joy to put together. From embracing imperfection and learning from mistakes, to knowing when to step back as a leader, their insights are a powerful reminder that business confidence is built over time, not overnight.🙏 A huge thank you to ALL our guests this year for your brilliant contributions and insights including: Sandra Healy, Katharine Plunkett, Liz Sebag-Montefiore, Karl Pontau, Melitta Campbell, Dani Dufresne, Mark Goyder, Andrew Hill, Kate Handy, , Charles Skinner, Steve Ramona, Suvianna Grecu and David B Horne. And thank you to everyone who’s listened and supported the podcast and also, to Charlotte Walter for her brilliant editing – and patience. We’ll be back in 2026 with new guests sharing their stories and experiences ✨Until then, you can catch up on all our 2025 episodes, including this highlights episode via Spotify, Apple or wherever you get your podcasts!Trevor:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trevormerriden/Merriborn: https://merriborn.co.uk/Email: trevor.merriden@merribornmedia.co.uk

November 25, 2025Episode 7344 min

David Horne: ON Tackling Funding Inequality

This week on The Merri-Cast, I’m joined by the inspiring David B. Horne – founder of Add Then Multiply and Funding Focus. In this episode, we explore his career, one that spans global finance, corporate leadership, and a mission to level the playing field for underrepresented founders. From collecting newspaper payments as a boy in Canada to raising £60 million in funding for AIM-listed companies, David’s journey is full lessons and reflections for anyone starting and growing their business. In this inspiring episode, David shares:• How a paper round sparked his lifelong interest in business and finance.• The story behind Add Then Multiply and his formula for helping entrepreneur’s scale. • The shocking truth about funding inequality and what David is doing about it. • The lessons he learned, both from successful exist – and ventures that didn’t go to plan. David also talks about his two books, Add Then Multiply and Funded Female Founders, and how writing them gave him clarity, credibility, and a platform to advocate for fairer access to funding.Tune in to hear David’s perspective on what it really takes to grow, scale, and sustain a business — and why the key to success is knowing when to let go.David Horne:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-b-horne/Add Then Multiply (Company): https://addthenmultiply.com/Add Then Multiply (Book): Add Then Multiply: How small businesses can think like big businesses and achieve exponential growthFunding Focus (Company): https://funding-focus.com/Funded Female Founders (Book): Funded Female Founders: How to traverse the uneven playing field and secure funding to grow your businessTrevor:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trevormerriden/Merriborn: https://merriborn.co.uk/Email: trevor.merriden@merribornmedia.co.uk

November 11, 2025Episode 7229 min

Suvianna Grecu: ON Leading a Human-Centred Future for AI

This week on The Merri-Cast, I’m delighted to be joined by Suvianna Grecu – Founder of AI for Change Foundation and DevCraft Agency, and a passionate advocate for ethical, inclusive and human-centred AI. Suvianna’s career story is an interesting one. A law graduate turned serial entrepreneur, she first built DevCraft, creating custom AI chatbots, before realising that the conversation around AI needed to change. Out of this realisation came AI for Change, a non-profit organisation dedicated to helping individuals and organisations use AI responsibly and build trust through transparency and accountability. In this episode, Suvianna shares her journey from law and logic to leadership and learning, the founding of a volunteer-led movement that’s now partnering with IBM and the European Commission and her mission to make AI a force for good and growth. Key takeaways from the episode include: • Trust is the ultimate currency in AI.• Why ethics must sit at the centre of innovation.• The challenges and rewards of building a global volunteer community.• How to balance entrepreneurial energy with self-care and boundaries.• The importance of pausing to reflect on what you’re trying to achieve. • Balancing optimism with realism – “We overestimate what we can achieve in one year but underestimate what’s possible in five” This is a refreshingly human conversation about purpose, passion and practical ethics in the age of AI. Suvianna Grecu: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/suvianna-grecuAI for Change Foundation: aifcf.orgDevCraft Agency: devcraftagency.com Trevor:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trevormerriden/Merriborn: https://merriborn.co.uk/Email: trevor.merriden@merribornmedia.co.uk