Sebastian James has the CV built for success but as he explains in this episode, being smart wasn't enough. He opens up about the early businesses that limped along in "living dead" territory, the toll it took, and how an unlikely first day at Mothercare set him on a path to leading Dixons Carphone and then Boots UK through a major turnaround. As always, the episode closes with his Three Things.

Former start-up founder Liam Byrne’s career is a study in the fusion of public service values and business acumen. In a wide-ranging conversation with Jamie, Byrne reflects on how his upbringing, education, and professional journey - from a tough Essex school to the heart of government - shaped his political philosophy and fuels his urgent call for a more radical approach to Britain’s biggest challenges.

Why should you start a business? While many are driven by profit or purpose, for Cubitts Founder and CEO, Tom Broughton, it was a profound and singular passion for an object that 60% of us wear every day: spectacles.

Join us in a riveting conversation with Tom, filled with laughter and a level of candour that we absolutely adored, as we explore the compelling origin story of what is now an emerging multinational success. Tom's journey, marked by dramatic lows and almost unbelievable highs, offers not just a narrative that every business leader can relate to, but also unique insights into turning a simple passion into a global enterprise.

This podcast is more than just an account of business trials and triumphs; it's an extraordinary tale of fervent ambition and inspiration, bringing to life a business that is as much about vision as it is about spectacles.