Working Hours

Hosted by Western Studios, Leeds Ltd

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200

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Jul 2026

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About the show

What do you do? Western Studios, Leeds presents Working Hours: a podcast series surveying the people of Leeds on their thoughts and feelings on the topic of work. I want to talk to my city about work. Why do we do it? Do we like it? What could we do differently? What will we? How does work change and how does it change us? Leeds, the largest city in the largest county on the UK mainland, is a former imperial textile centre and is now a major UK financial centre. This series will document the city’s experiences through Lockdown, Brexit, creeping technological unemployment, new and continuing resource wars, the ongoing dismantling of the welfare state and our accelerating ecological emergency. If you are in Leeds or from Leeds then help me to reach my target of interviewing 1000 Loiners over the 2020s. Let me ask you, what do you do?

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July 31, 20262 hr 33 min

Work is What We All Do

Recorded on 11/06/2026Katie Hall is a Senior Lecturer in Journalism at Leeds Beckett University, a freelance broadcast journalist at the BBC, and a freelance Content Designer and website builder. Katie moved from London to Leeds in 2006 to do a postgrad in journalism, and - apart from moving to Bradford - has stuck around ever since. Working at most of the two cities' radio stations and universities over the last two decades as well as many further afield, Katie is also a qualified paddle sport instructor and a volunteer bike ride leader.Katie has worked at Real Radio, Radio Aire (and Hallam FM and Viking FM), BBC Online, BBC Radio Leeds (and York, Derby and Sheffield), BBC 5 Live, Leeds Trinity University, York St John and Bradford University since moving to West Yorkshire.Before that she worked at BBC London, and had a bunch of jobs ranging from car park attendant to receptionist to stock room. In her current job, Katie teaches undergraduate journalism students, and the occasional post grad student, and she also sometimes get to teach digital marketing at a partner university in Vietnam.Katie works part time which means she gets to keep freelancing which is perfect for her. Katie’s main teaching focus is radio journalism, but she also teaches online journalism and manages the student website leedsnow.co.uk. Katie was also recently diagnosed with ADHD, which she now realises has quite a lot of relevance to how her career has panned out.You can find out more about Katie’s work at:http://kljhall.co.uk/Or follow or connect with Katie onhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/kljhall/Simon Young Interview https://the-working-hours-podca.captivate.fm/episode/episode-16-simon-youngDeby Jackson That Leeds Mag interview https://the-working-hours-podca.captivate.fm/episode/deby-jacksonOther linkshttps://www.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/https://www.leedstrinity.ac.uk/https://www.whiterosecc.org.uk/https://www.nuj.org.uk/https://my.ucu.org.uk/https://leedsnow.co.uk/https://www.rajar.co.uk/https://www.audacityteam.org/We don't mention this article in the episode but this a great LRB piece about UK universities: https://www.lrb.co.uk/the-paper/v48/n10/stefan-collini/squadrons-of-pigsMy linkshttps://you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/prevent-construction-of-microsoft-hyperscale-datacentres-in-leedshttps://western-studios.com/be-on-a-podcast/working-hours-podcast-the-paid-plan/https://ko-fi.com/workinghourshttps://www.patreon.com/cw/WorkingHoursPodhttps://www.facebook.com/WesternStudiosLeedshttps://www.linkedin.com/in/simon-treen/www.linkedin.com/company/western-studioshttps://bsky.app/profile/workinghourspod.bsky.socialhttps://www.instagram.com/workinghourspodleeds/https://www.instagram.com/western_studios_leedshttps://www.youtube.com/@workinghourspodcast4618

July 20, 20261 hr 51 min

Work Builds Society

Recorded on 22/06/2026Lynette Willoughby’s first degree was in Electrical and Electronic Engineering after which she moved to Leeds to teach at Foxwood school for 2 years. After then trekking round the Pyrenees and the Alps for 3 months with a friend Lynette taught at East Leeds Women's Workshops. She then did an MSc in Microprocessor Engineering followed by over 20 years working at Leeds Poly/Leeds Metropolitan University.Lynette was very active in the Women's Engineering Society and was President from 1993-1995. At 49 she started a part-time Fine Art degree at Leeds College of Art - Lynette had always been an artist alongside being an engineer – her mother was an artist even though as a single parent with 4 children her mother never had much time to practice her art, but Lynette grew up around all her work.Since retiring in 2005 Lynette has concentrated more on her art, doing site-responsive installations with a friend and also making artists books, which she shows at Artists Book Fairs.We also discuss the brilliant alternative economy idea of Time Banking in this episode.Get in to time banking people.https://timebanking.org/https://lynettewilloughby.com/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lynette_Willoughbyhttps://www.roundhayartists.com/https://mrbragshaws.co.uk/https://www.gutenberg.org/https://www.ukbiobank.ac.uk/https://www.deliziosa.co.uk/https://www.jupiterartland.org/https://www.alanpergusey.com/

July 17, 20261 hr 32 min

The Whole World is a Workplace, and All the People Merely Staff

Recorded on 11/06/2026Maria Forryan is Subject Lead of Drama at Elliott Hudson College. She has also taught A Level Music, BTEC music, GCSE English, EPQ and been a mentor for Trainee teachers whilst working there. Maria has been there for 10 years now, since moving back from Shanghai, and she also works for AQA as an A Level Drama examiner too.Starting her teaching career as Head of Music at a comprehensive school in Oldham, although she also taught Drama - which she definitely preferred. Maria then moved to a very posh private boarding school in Suffolk, which she says, ‘looked like Hogwarts’, there she held the position of director of Drama for 4 years.Fancying somewhere a bit louder and brighter she then took a job as Director of Performing Arts at the British International School in Shanghai before she moved back to the UK with her husband to start a family. They didn't know Leeds well but Maria’s sister lived in Morley and they liked the city from the couple of times they had visited. So, from the other side of the world they decided to move to the best city there is - Leeds. And she’s been here ever since.Additionally, Maria: volunteers as a theatre critic and interviewer for Leeds Living magazine, which promotes living in Leeds. Usually covering professional productions, mainly at Leeds Grand and Leeds Playhouse, she also enjoys reviewing local amateur theatre too. Maria particularly like to review children's theatre as she can take her two children with her too - and they by all accounts love it. Maria also does upon request interviews with cast members or directors in the lead up to particular shows. In the last year she set up her own instagram page maria_Reviews_leeds_theatre where she shares all the links for the shows she reviews, and anything else that she sees, such as music concerts or shows outside Leeds.Maria also plays for Leeds Wheelchair Basketball team where her husband is a coach. She is a qualified scaffolder and brick layer! A qualified minibus driver and, like me (Thanks to Underwood training – check out series 5 episode 33 for more on them) a first aider (which she uses at work). Maria is also a trustee on her kids’ PTA as well being as a parent governor.This one goes hard on theatre and I hope it’s as fun for you to listen to this recording as it was to listen to Maria talking.You can find Maria’s reviews on her Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/maria_reviews_leeds_theatre/Or at Leeds Livinghttps://leedsliving.co.uk/Mentioned in the interview:https://www.facebook.com/oscars.morley/https://www.thewardrobe.co.ukhttps://whiteswanleeds.co.uk/https://www.nicholsonspubs.co.uk/restaurants/yorkshireandthehumber/thescarbroughhotelbishopsgatestreetleeds#/https://leedsheritagetheatres.comhttps://www.leedsplayhouse.org.ukhttps://www.facebook.com/people/Morley-March-Hymn-Tune-Contest/61553483114559/#https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLua32GVbRI_FcUnKVCCH8JcfEK2hgeHkhLet me know if I've missed any links you might want.Check out Underwood Training's episode: https://the-working-hours-podca.captivate.fm/episode/helen-underwood

June 8, 20261 hr 41 min

Work Can Pay Dividends

Recorded on 23/04/2026By day, Emma Harper is a Senior Analyst at a stockbrokers’ firm, with 26 years in finance. It's a career she truly loves! Outside of work, Emma is married with two children. She runs two charity groups - a local community fund, now in its 10th year, and a volunteer team supporting the hospice that cared for her mum. She also hosts a monthly bereavement support group in her mum’s honour, because no one navigating loss should ever feel alone.Emma is a lifelong autoimmune and allergy warrior who is passionate about raising awareness and supporting others on that journey. She’s a “life’s too short” kind of girl. Travelling with her family is her therapy, exploring new cultures, learning, laughing, and making memories.In 2025, she stepped into a powerful new chapter, joining a community of like-minded travel lovers on an epic journey of self-discovery, fresh travel opportunities, and serious confidence building!Since then, she’s built an incredible team of passionate, travel-driven people.Emma's is also organising a local business networking event called Support Local on Sunday 14th June 2026 at 7 Steps Bar in Pudsey 1pm to 5pm. It's free to attend so there's nothing to stop you popping along.Follow Emma at: https://www.instagram.com/theharpercrew/Links for this episode:https://www.facebook.com/Farsleydefib/https://www.facebook.com/people/Friends-of-Wheatfields-LS28/61579621647248/If you want to make a podcast in West Yorkshire don't forget you can contact Western Studios Leeds Ltd at: https://western-studios.com/Or if you just need a bit of info about starting your own podcast there's still tickets left for my Introduction to Podcasting Workshop on July 11th at Swarthmore Education Centre. Tickets are 25GBP. Reserve you spot now to avoid disappointment: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/introduction-to-podcasting-with-simon-treen-tickets-1990632856460Listen to the Leeds Business Podcast episode (made by Western Studios Leeds) about the Climb business event from last year at: https://player.captivate.fm/episode/5b1a586c-e66d-4e75-b702-02fa315f8367/Or go to:https://www.climb-uk.com/ to find out more about their events.

June 4, 20262 hr 5 min

Money Makes the Work Go Around

Recorded on 07/04/2026Saleem Shafi is a Financial Wellbeing & Workplace Performance Advisor and the Founder of Money Beam. He is enthusiastic about improving people’s lives so they can live in dignity, feel valued and contribute to society. Saleem holds a master's in psychology and has over 20 years’ experience in financial services, including as a financial adviser, bank manager and head of business unit for a legal services provider.Financial wellbeing is an essential part of people’s lives, yet the data points to a nation which has low levels of financial wellbeing, literacy and capability resulting in high levels of personal distress and by extension a negative impact on their employer’s operational and business outcomes.Having developed quite possibly the UK’s largest face-to face financial wellbeing and capability service as Deputy CEO of Money Buddies, a service which received acclaim from Martin Lewis and received national awards, including from the Centre for Social Justice and Institute of Money Advisers, Saleem would receive requests from employers seeking advice and guidance on how best to support the financial wellbeing of their people.To this end Saleem now works closely with employers and their teams to improve their peoples’ financial wellbeing contributing to beneficial outcomes for both employee and the employer.Saleem’s specialist services include:• Research and data on the financial wellbeing of employees• Consultation, for example; developing an organisational financial wellbeing strategy and programme• Training – Certified Financial Wellbeing First Aider, which means key staff are upskilled to support their people at the point of needSaleem Shafi has made numerous appearances as a financial specialist on national media, including all mainstream channels. And now on this decidedly non-mainstream media too.For more information or to work with Saleem go to:https://www.moneybeam.uk/Or connect with him on:https://www.instagram.com/moneybeam.financialfirstaider/https://www.linkedin.com/in/saleemshafi/Follow this show on Blue Sky https://bsky.app/profile/workinghourspod.bsky.socialFor details about Paid Episodes of Working Hours go to:https://western-studios.com/be-on-a-podcast/working-hours-podcast-the-paid-plan/Sign up to the Working Hours Newsletter via my website: www.western-studios.comYou can also find out about Western Studios Leeds' podcast production services, products and prices - and about the other shows we've made over the last six years.To support Working Hours financially and help more episodes of the show to be made, go to: https://patreon.com/WorkingHoursPodTo throw in a tip, buy me a coffee or give a small one off donation of 3GBP or more go to: https://ko-fi.com/workinghoursIf you want to contact this show DM us on our social channels or email the show at: workinghourspod@western-studios.comLet's have the most links ever in the show notes...If you're having your own issues with debt DO TALK TO SOMEONE you can contact:https://nationaldebtline.org/Or get in touch with the excellent Leeds' charity Step Change:https://www.stepchange.org/You have options but you need to act. Asking for help is acting.Book for my Introduction to Podcasting Workshop on July 11th at Swarthmore Education Centre: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/introduction-to-podcasting-with-simon-treen-tickets-1990632856460

May 12, 20262 hr 0 min

Work Needs Trust

Recorded on 08/04/2026Liza Kellett is the founding Chief Executive of social enterprise Trust Leeds and was awarded the Yorkshire & Humberside ‘Social Entrepreneur of the Year’ in 2025.Liza has set up, led, managed, funded, and advised charities and social enterprises in the capacities of:Chief Executive of social enterprise Emmaus Leeds for which she raised over £3 million in investment to enable it to sustainably generate half of its incomeChief Executive of the Community Foundation Wales (where she created Wales’ first micro-venture philanthropy Fund, the world’s first national community endowment fund, and an annual philanthropy week);panellist on multiple grant funds and social enterprise loan fundstrustee of several trading charitiesIn addition to strategic, governance, leadership and business management, Liza has lived experience of walking alongside people facing poverty, isolation and financial exclusion. She nurtures energy, ambition, and a sense of purpose and belonging by bringing a unique combination of global models of Self-Reliant Groups and micro-finance to Leeds.Liza cheers when she sees that a potential borrower has a poor credit record. Having listened to their business ideas, successes & failures, their lack of a formal business plan (when they absolutely know their market, competitors, USP, risks, SWOT and finances), their experience of being turned down for funding by banks & credit unions, and their mental and physical health issues, Liza knows that Trust Leeds can trust them with a small loan to get their business going or growing.Liza Kellett has guest lectured on social enterprise leadership at Leeds University Business School, where she regularly gives talks and presentations as a ‘Leader in Residence’. She also sits on the Leeds City Council Financial Inclusion Steering Group. Her ambition is to exponentially increase the impact of Trust Leeds’ micro-finance enterprise through a social franchising/free-share model.www.trustleeds.org.ukhttps://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/peace/2006/yunus/biographical/https://www.wevolution.org.uk/https://purpleshoots.org/For information about paid Working Hours episodes click here: https://western-studios.com/be-on-a-podcast/working-hours-podcast-the-paid-plan/

March 30, 20261 hr 35 min

How to Change the Size of Raindrops

Recorded on 28/01/2026Tony Crooks started LeedsNet.com, the first public information service for Leeds, thirty years ago in 1996, before the internet got to the UK. He had 54 telephone lines, with a modem for each line, in the back to back house in Harehills he lived in at the time.Originally starting his working life in horticulture, Tony became an award‑winning cabinet maker, and he has carried that mind-set of having the right tools for the job into his role as Group Head of Research and Development at Aotea Global, where he now applies the right mix of knowledge, methods, and on‑the‑ground practices to solve real problems for communities and governments across Africa.Welcome to How to Change the Size of Raindrops.Tony is leading a massive $3 billion program to restore water cycles across East and Southern Africa. By re-greening huge areas of barren land with simple, natural methods the program will end floods and droughts, deliver full food-security to the nations involved, and enable them to export food in future years—just what Europe and the UK will need as climate change cuts their crop yields.All the tools needed to fix these problems already exist; some are modern innovations and some have been used successfully for thousands of years. These tools are all tested, proven to work, and designed to work together as a whole, rather than in isolation.Most people assume that helping to save the planet cannot make money and is basically charity work but the projections Tony has seen from financial experts show that these programmes can stand on their own feet and generate strong returns. Making them an ideal investment for anyone who wants to make the world better and, at the same time, earn a decent profit.The Zimbabwian water delivery project he discusses in this episode is in the very final stages of negotiation now, and Tony has been told there will be orders for enough pumps to provide clean water at the point of need to between 2.5 to 5 million people in remote villages, meaning that those people's lives will be transformed. They will be able to grow all the food they need, water their animals, have much improved health outcomes and girls can go to school and get an education.This is a brilliant episode about a Loiner who’s doing truly amazing things and it’s another one where we go off-piste from my standard questions.Aotea Global will expand its presence from eight to twelve East & Southern African nations this year. Aotea Global are building a new website to replace the temporary one at www.aotea.global and the email for investors is investors@aotea.global - though they don’t have facilities yet for small investors, but you can still register interest.NB This is not financial adviceYou can find out more about Tony’s work at:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tony-crooks-aotea/Or email him at: tony.crooks@aotea.globalTerrance McKenna clip from https://youtu.be/jDTWocis0YQ?si=Q3AsrJ3mK1H4Ic-A

March 20, 20261 hr 26 min

Bring Back Better Work

Recorded on 30/01/2026Leigh Staunton is the Project Lead for the Leeds Mindful Employer Network — a one-of-a-kind, city-wide network bringing employers together across sectors to make work better for mental health.Unique to Leeds, the Network connects organisations of all sizes to share ideas, learn from one another, and take practical action to create positive, psychologically safe workplaces. It offers free events, resources and regular communications to employers across the city who have signed up.Commissioned by Leeds City Council, the Network is led by Leigh and guided by a Steering Group of local employers, ensuring its work is grounded in real-world challenges and solutions.An English language teacher in a past life, Leigh has also worked in employability, in training and development and has supported people with mental ill health to find and stay in work. A mum of three, she is deeply passionate about helping local employers build inclusive cultures where people feel supported, valued, and able to thrive.Leeds Mind Find out more about our vision for mental health for all.Join the Leeds Mindful Employer NetworkNominate a Mindful Employer of the QuarterFind out more about the Mindful Employer CharterFollow Mindful Employer Leeds on LinkedInCome to ConferenceConference details: https://www.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/events/conferences/leeds-mindful-employer-network/Book your free conference tickets: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/leeds-mindful-employer-network-free-conference-2026-tickets-1982897655265Mindful Employer Event post on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/mindful-employer-leeds_exciting-news-our-first-in-person-event-activity-7424813808591745025-ajf0/Get tickets for Neuro Inclusion at Work here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/neuro-inclusion-at-work-moving-beyond-awareness-to-what-actually-works-tickets-1982296873310

February 26, 20261 hr 51 min

Work is Taking Stock

Recorded on 08/11/2025Erene Hadjiioannou is a psychotherapist, supervisor, author, trainer, and (occasional) activist.Erene has worked with adult clients since 2010 and is currently based in her private practice Therapy Leeds. She has specialist skills in supporting survivors of sexual and domestic abuse, including clients navigating the criminal justice process (known as ‘pre-trial therapy’).Erene is an Advanced Accredited gender, sexuality, and relationship diversities therapist - awarded via Pink Therapy.Between 2019 and 2022 Erene was part of an independent steering group that successfully lobbied to change the Crown Prosecution Service guidelines on ‘pre-trial therapy’ increasing access to therapeutic support for survivors of abuse.Therapy Leeds is a LGBT+ friendly service.You can find Erene at:www.therapy-leeds.co.ukwww.pretrialtherapy.co.uk@TherapyLeedshttps://www.waterstones.com/book/psychotherapy-with-survivors-of-sexual-violence/erene-hadjiioannou/9780367429515

February 13, 20261 hr 29 min

Work is Doing It Again

Recorded on 31/10/2025Gill Beadle is an ILM7 certified Executive and leadership Coach with two decades’ experience in Technology and change Leadership roles within Health-Tech and Financial services.She decided to become a Coach after seeing first-hand the impact Coaching had when working with her teams, as well as on her own confidence as a leader.Gill specialises in working with teams and individuals going through periods of change, whether that is stepping into a new role, coming back from parental leave or navigating the uncertainty of organisational change.As well as being a Coach, Gill volunteers as a Mentor for the GoodWork charity. Providing Mentoring for young people from lower socioeconomic backgrounds to support them getting corporate employment.You can find Gill at:LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/gillian-beadle-nee-maidens-64400ba3Her website is www.Maidle.co.ukAnd to find out more about Good Work go to https://www.goodwork.org.uk/And if you'd like to buy The Chimp Paradox you can find it here: https://www.waterstones.com/book/the-chimp-paradox/steve-peters/9780091935580

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About the show

Listen to episodes

Work is What We All Do

Work Builds Society

The Whole World is a Workplace, and All the People Merely Staff

Work Can Pay Dividends

Money Makes the Work Go Around

Work Needs Trust

How to Change the Size of Raindrops

Bring Back Better Work

Work is Taking Stock

Work is Doing It Again

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