From DJ dreams to launching a national startup festival, Paul Lancaster’s story is full of unexpected turns, bold moves, and pure northern charm. In this episode of B. with Anna Brand, Paul opens up about the journey behind UK Startup Week, what drives him to keep showing up, and the power of building communities, not just businesses.

We ditch the scripts, lose the questions, and follow the conversation where it wants to go. From imposter syndrome to reinvention and the real reasons behind “Lord Lancaster,” this is one of those chats that reminds you how much power there is in simply being yourself.

No fluff. No ego. Just real talk about what it takes to do the thing.

What happens when someone who doesn’t even like having their photo taken agrees to sit down and have a completely open, honest conversation? Magic.

In this episode, Lucy Batley joins me to talk about the realities of business, the myths we tell ourselves, and the unexpected turns that shape who we are. From AI to personal growth, from laughter to the moments that leave us speechless, this conversation is all about dropping the mask and seeing what happens.

Because when you create a space where people can truly be themselves, you get the kind of conversation that stays with you.

You don’t need to be ready, you just need to start.

In this episode, I’m sharing 11 surprising things I’ve learned from doing the thing that scared me: launching this podcast.

Only 5 episodes in, and it’s already changed everything.

This isn’t a highlight reel, it’s real momentum, raw lessons, and proof that showing up before you feel “ready” is where the magic happens.