Behind The Title

I waited two years to get Shaun Simons on Behind the Title. Not because he was hard to get hold of, because I knew there was a story behind the LinkedIn posts, the business success and the opinions people see online.What I didn't appreciate was just how much of Shaun's mindset was shaped by what happened away from work.Launching a business during the financial crisis.A son born four months premature.Losing his dad.Starting again in the middle of a pandemic.And somehow coming out the other side believing that adversity isn't something to survive.Most people spend their lives trying to avoid storms. Shaun's built businesses in them.In this episode, we explore resilience, bravery, culture, leadership and why some people are shaped by adversity while others are changed by it.

We're living in a world of cheap dopamine.It's one of the many insights Chris Forester shared during one of the most honest conversations we've had on Behind the Title.After nearly 30 years in senior leadership roles across media, Chris made the decision to leave corporate life behind and dedicate his next chapter to improving men's mental fitness through The Wingman Project.We explored:- Why success doesn't always equal fulfilment- The impact of adoption, grief and Hillsborough- Masculinity in modern society- Why men struggle to ask for help- The difference between mental health and mental fitness- The simple framework Chris believes can help us all live better lives- A conversation full of vulnerability, wisdom and practical takeaways#BehindTheTitle #MentalFitness #Leadership #MensWellbeing

Most people associate dyslexia with challenges in reading, writing or spelling. Paul Wright sees something different.After building a career spanning Sky, Apple, Amazon, Uber and Farfetch, Paul believes the same trait he spent years trying to manage helped shape the way he thinks, leads and builds businesses.In this episode, Paul shares why dyslexic thinking often creates stronger entrepreneurs, how pattern recognition can become a competitive advantage, and why great leaders learn to embrace different ways of thinking rather than forcing people to conform.We also explore the moments behind the CV: losing confidence, experiencing poor leadership, going to therapy, and learning that success isn't measured by job titles but by the impact you have on others.This is a conversation about leadership, neurodiversity, entrepreneurship and discovering that the thing you thought was holding you back may actually be pushing you forward.In this episode:• Building a career across Sky, Apple, Amazon, Uber and Farfetch• The hidden reality of living and working with dyslexia• Losing confidence and finding perspective through therapy• Why great leaders adapt to people, not the other way around• The connection between entrepreneurship and neurodiversity• Learning, growth and the power of mentoring others• Why your network matters more than you realise#BehindTheTitle #Leadership #Dyslexia #Neurodiversity #Podcast #CareerJourney

Lee Bofkin is the co-founder of Global Street Art, Europe's leading hand-painted advertising company. But behind the murals, creativity workshops and infectious optimism lies a fascinating story of neurodiversity, loss, resilience and personal growth.In this episode, Lee opens up about his autism diagnosis in his 40s, the loss of his co-founder and mentor, Conrad, the lessons he learned from a silent retreat, and why he believes creativity is a skill everyone can develop.From building an extraordinary archive of inspiration to rebranding tinnitus as his "life alarm", Lee shares a refreshingly different perspective on leadership, happiness and what it really means to thrive.This conversation is packed with insight, humour, wisdom and more quotable moments than any episode we've recorded.#BehindTheTitle #Leadership #Neurodiversity #Creativity #Autism #MentalHealth

At 30 years old, Neil Tookey thought he was indestructible.His career was thriving, he was building momentum in the media industry, and life felt firmly on track. Then everything changed with a diagnosis he never saw coming: testicular cancer.More than a decade later, after building a successful 20-year career across some of the industry's biggest businesses, another unexpected chapter arrived: redundancy.In this honest and deeply personal conversation, Neil shares the reality of navigating both moments. The uncertainty of a cancer diagnosis. The hidden emotional impact of redundancy. The pressure to keep showing up when life feels anything but stable. And ultimately, how he rebuilt his confidence, identity and purpose through family, fitness, entrepreneurship and community.From agency leader to consultant, gardener and proud dad, Neil's story is a reminder that our biggest setbacks do not have to define us.Most importantly, he shares an incredibly important message for men: Check your balls. Don't ignore the signs.We discuss:• Surviving testicular cancer at 30• The importance of checking yourself and acting early• The unseen emotional impact of serious illness• Why men often struggle to ask for help• Redundancy, identity and career transitions• Building a new chapter after unexpected change• The power of relationships, community and support• What "Forward Always" means when life doesn't go to plan#BehindTheTitle #MensHealth #TesticularCancerAwareness #Leadership #Resilience #CareerDevelopment #Redundancy #MentalHealth #MediaIndustry

John Maloney spent 24 years building a remarkable career in media, rising from a working-class upbringing in Elephant & Castle to some of the industry's most senior leadership roles.But behind the success was a very different story.In this candid conversation, John opens up about the anxiety, imposter syndrome and self-doubt he carried throughout much of his career, despite outward success. He shares the moment he hid in a bathroom at a senior industry event because he felt he didn't belong, the pressure of public speaking, and the lessons he's learned from leading teams, building confidence and staying authentic.We also dive into the incredible story behind Media Fight Night, which has raised more than £2.2 million for grassroots charities, and explore why John made the brave decision to leave a successful 18-year career at WPP to prioritise family, purpose and the next chapter of his life.This is a powerful conversation about belonging, identity, confidence, success and having the courage to redefine what matters most.Topics include:• Growing up in social housing in South London• Anxiety, imposter syndrome and confidence• Working-class backgrounds in corporate environments• Building Media Fight Night• Raising £2.2 million for charity• Leadership and authenticity• Leaving WPP after 18 years• Family, purpose and reinvention#BehindTheTitle #Leadership #MentalHealth #Authenticity #Media #Anxiety #CareerDevelopment #ImposterSyndrome #MediaFightNight