Natasha Kelbas and I chat about veganism, local government, and the Russian invasion of Ukraine. This conversation was recorded on Sunday, April 2nd, 2023. Timestamps 0:30 - Why has it been on your bucket list to be on a podcast? 2:02 - Start of veganism discussion 4:45 - Doubts about veganism 8:15 - Would you eat lab-grown meat? 14:30 - What are y…

Our latest interviewee is Guy Hands, one of Britain's best-known private equity tycoons. As the founder, chairman and chief investment officer of Terra Firma, Guy has managed some of the biggest businesses in the UK and beyond. In this episode, Guy speaks to Will about his career, including the highs of his philanthropic work, and the lows of busin…

In this episode, Will speaks to Pat Nevin, a former professional footballer who played for Chelsea and Scotland. After retiring from the game, Pat moved to the boardroom as he became chief executive of Motherwell Football Club. Today, he primarily works as a football writer and broadcaster. He recently published a memoir called 'The Accidental Foot…

In this episode, we speak to Anthony Matchett, the chief executive of Napster Group. Anthony is the co-founder of MelodyVR, a business that allows customers to virtually attend musical events. MelodyVR last year bought streaming service Napster and renamed itself Napster Group. As ever, if you enjoy this episode, please consider leaving us a review…

Sherman Tylawsky and I chat about whether we should be concerned about the security of our data when using Chinese tech products like TikTok. Sherman is an aspiring statesman and George Washington enthusiast. He has received a master’s degree in international affairs from Texas A&M University and graduated from King’s College London with a bachelor…

This week, we take a step out of our comfort zone and bring you an interview with Dunstan Bruce. If you haven't heard of Dunstan, you will have heard his voice. He was the lead singer of 1990s pop sensation Chumbawamba, famous for its hit song Tubthumping (I Get Knocked Down). Our thesis going into this episode was: building up a band must be simil…

In this episode, we bring you the unedited interview Will and Dan did with retail entrepreneur Theo Paphitis. Because it’s uncut, raw footage, you might be subject to a few ’effs and ’jeffs, so it’s one for the late-night audience. The original (edited down) episode can be found HERE. If you’re enjoying our podcast, please leave a review and a rati…

Theo Paphitis is a retail entrepreneur and a star of TV's Dragons' Den. In this interview, Theo talks us through his career and his rise to the top of the UK retail sector (he today runs an empire that includes Ryman and Robert Dyas). Theo also speaks to us about the challenges of dyslexia, his love of technology and the future of the high street a…

Merck Mercuriadis is a music industry veteran and the founder of Hipgnosis, a FTSE 250-listed company that invests in song rights. In this interview, Merck – who has worked closely with stars including Elton John, Beyoncé and Iron Maiden – talks about his rise to the top of the music industry. If you enjoy this episode, please consider leaving us a…

In this episode, we bring you the unedited interview Will and Dan did with billionaire investor Jim Mellon. Because it’s uncut, raw footage, you might be subject to a few ’effs and ’jeffs, so it’s one for the late-night audience. The original (edited down) episode can be found HERE. If you’re enjoying our podcast, please leave a review and a rating…

Jim Mellon is a billionaire investor who became a prominent Brexiteer around the 2016 EU referendum. Today, Jim – who built his fortune in fund management – is very much focused on business. Jim speaks to hosts Will and Dan about his interests in anti-ageing company Juvenescence and lab-grown meat investor Agronomics (he recently wrote a book calle…

Ted Zhao and I chat about what it takes to have productive coffee chats and networking conversations. Ted is a friend and colleague of mine at TELUS, and it was a pleasure to chat with him about this topic. Some of the other questions we discussed included: Am I putting a friend in an awkward position if I ask them to connect me with someone they k…

In this episode, we bring you the unedited interview Will and Dan did with former business secretary and Lib Dem leader Sir Vince Cable. Because it’s uncut, raw footage, you might be subject to a few ’effs and ’jeffs, so it’s one for the late-night audience. The original (edited down) episode can be found HERE. If you’re enjoying our podcast, pleas…

Sir Vince Cable is the former business secretary and Liberal Democrat party leader. In this episode, Will and Dan talk to Vince about leadership and his rise to the top of UK politics. In 2010, he moved from leading an office of six to heading up an entire government department. We speak to him about the challenges he faced, and also get some gossi…

In this episode, we bring you the unedited interview Will and Dan did with AJ Bell boss Andy Bell. Because it’s uncut, raw footage, you might be subject to a few ’effs and ’jeffs, so it’s one for the late-night audience. The original (edited down) episode can be found HERE. If you’re enjoying our podcast, please leave a review and a rating wherever…

Andy Bell is the co-founder and long-standing chief executive of DIY investment platform AJ Bell. A self-made multi-millionaire, Andy and his friend, Nicholas Littlefair, founded their company in a "broom cupboard" of an office in Manchester in 1995. Today, FTSE 250-listed AJ Bell has more than 300,000 customers and is valued at nearly £2bn. Andy –…

Jeff Shin and I chat about Give (https://withgive.com/) and the future of philanthropy. Jeff is the Co-founder and CEO of Give, a new kind of charitable giving platform. He previously designed at companies like Wealthsimple, Free, and 500px. This conversation was recorded on Thursday, February 4th, 2021. Video version of the podcast available on Yo…

Doug Sands and I chat about whether hypnosis can be used as a form of mental health therapy, and how it differs from guided meditation. Doug is a hypnotist, adventurer, and mental health advocate. He runs the Making Meaning podcast, a show about how adventurous people have overcome struggles to reach their dreams. This conversation was recorded on …

Ollie Ollerton is not your typical entrepreneur. A former UK Special Forces soldier, he is best known for his starring role on Channel 4's SAS: Who Dares Wins. Ollie has led an incredible life, and fellow entrepreneurs can learn a lot from his drive and determination. In this episode, he talks us through being attacked by a chimpanzee as a child, h…

In this episode, we bring you the unedited interview Will and Dan did with PR guru Andrew Bloch. Because it’s uncut, raw footage, you might be subject to a few ’effs and ’jeffs, so it’s one for the late-night audience. The original (edited down) episode can be found HERE. If you’re enjoying our podcast, please leave a review and a rating wherever y…

Andrew Bloch is the co-founder of PR firm Frank, which he led as managing partner until last year. Andrew's clients include billionaire entrepreneur Lord Sugar, and Frank has represented Weetabix, Compare The Market, Deliveroo, and several other well-known brands. In this interview, Andrew gives Will and Dan some top PR tips (including why you shou…

Martha Lane Fox, or Baroness Lane-Fox of Soho to give her proper title, is renowned as one of Britain's biggest early internet entrepreneurs, having co-founded Lastminute.com at the age of 25. In 2004, when she was about to start a new role as the boss of Selfridges after having left her business, Martha was involved in a devastating car crash whil…

Ryan McDonald and I chat about whether we think it was right for social media platforms to ban Trump following the storming of the U.S. Capitol. This conversation was recorded on January 10th, 2021. Video version of the podcast available on YouTube here. Episode sponsor: Get help building habits with the everyday app. I use the app myself and love …

Kaytie and I chat about the concept of 'happiness = reality - expectations,' and whether it's easier for us to change our reality or expectations (for example, if you're unhappy at work, is it better for you to get a new job or to try to find more appreciation for your current job). Kaytie is a college academic adviser who created a professional de…

In this episode we bring you the unedited interview Will and Dan did with Martin Gilbert, the co-founder and former long-serving CEO of Aberdeen Asset Management. Because it’s uncut, raw footage, you might be subject to a few ’effs and ’jeffs, so it’s one for the late night audience. The original podcast can be found HERE. If you’re enjoying our po…

Martin Gilbert is one of the City of London's best known and connected businessman. The co-founder and former long-serving CEO of Aberdeen Asset Management, Martin currently sits on the boards of mining giant Glencore, fintech startup Revolut and PGA European Tour. As in previous episodes of 'Can I ask you a personal question?', Will and Dan ask Ma…

In this episode we bring you the unedited interview Will and Dan did with Sir Lloyd Dorfman, the prolific investor and philanthropist who made his millions by founding foreign exchange retail giant Travelex. Because it’s uncut, raw footage, you might be subject to a few ’effs and ’jeffs, so it’s one for the late night audience. The original podcast…

Sir Lloyd Dorfman made his name by founding foreign exchange retail giant Travelex, which he set up as a single shop in London in his early 20s. In this week's episode, Sir Lloyd tells Will and Dan about how he built Travelex up from a one-man operation into a company with 1,000 stores across the world. Sir Lloyd is no longer involved in the runnin…

In this episode we bring you the unedited interview Will and Dan did with Mark Dixon, the multimillionaire founder and chief executive of shared office giant IWG. He also owns a very large vineyard in Provence, France, near his home in Monaco. Because it’s uncut, raw footage, you might be subject to a few ’effs and ’jeffs, so it’s one for the late …

This week, Will and Dan interview Mark Dixon, the founder and chief executive of FTSE 250 shared office business IWG. A natural businessman, Mark became an entrepreneur in his teens when he started collecting and selling cardboard. He soon moved on to sandwiches. And then burgers. And then encyclopedias. Today, Mark is a self-made multimillionaire …

In this episode we bring you the unedited interview Will and Dan did with Jimmy Mulville, TV writer and Producer, and co-founder of Hat Trick productions – the company behind dozens of the UK’s best-loved programmes including the flagship show “Have I Got News For You”. Because it’s uncut, raw footage, there may be the odd swear word in there, so p…

In the first episode of series two, Will and Dan interview Jimmy Mulville, the co-founder and managing director of Hat Trick, the production company behind Have I Got News For You, Derry Girls, Mastermind and Outnumbered. In this episode, Jimmy talks us through his fascinating life story. Having started life in a working-class Liverpool family, Jim…

Jesse, Matt, and I chat about the intersection of sports and technology. You can tune into Matt & Jesse's podcast, HAYN, here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hayn/id1503177137. Video version of the podcast available on YouTube here. Episode sponsor: Get help building habits with the everyday app. I use the app myself and love it. Sign-up her…

Sam and I chat about the pros & cons of podcasts vs. audiobooks. Sam hosts two podcasts and is a podcast expert for the marketing department of Publicize, a digital communication company. He hosts of Brains Byte Back, a weekly podcast looking at how our brains, psychology, and society are impacted by the ever-evolving technology that surrounds us, …

In the tenth and final episode of series one of 'Can I ask you a personal question?' we turn the tables on co-host Dan Hully. As well as being a top-notch podcast interviewer, Dan is the co-founder and chief executive of finance startup Quantico. In this week's interview, Dan talks Will and our producer Luke through his entrepreneurial journey. Dan…

Abdullah Iqbal and I discuss how we can ensure CRISPR and gene editing technologies produce good outcomes for society. Abdullah is a recent graduate from Biomedical Sciences at the University of Sheffield. He has a deep understanding of biomedical fields including neuroscience, stem cell biology and molecular biology. Video version of the podcast a…

Abhishek Lahoti and I discuss how getting something for free can affect how we use it. Abhishek works as a podcast host in his spare time alongside a full-time job in the tech world. Visit his Linkedin page (https://www.linkedin.com/in/alahoti/) to learn more about him. Video version of the podcast available on YouTube here. Episode sponsor: Get he…

Scarlett Allen-Horton is the founder of recruitment business Harper Fox. She last year progressed all the way to the final of the BBC's Apprentice TV series only to lose out in the final round. Despite missing out on winning the top prize, she convinced Lord Sugar to back her business anyway. In this episode, Scarlett explains why she decided to go…

Santiago Ramones and I discuss a wide range of topics, from our shared interest in podcasts to the future of technology & society. This was my first time meeting Santiago and it was a pleasure. He is a music producer and podcaster - you can learn more about his debut album 'Bloom' and his podcast 'Bit Depth' at santiagoramones.com. Video version of…

In this episode, Jesse Uretsky and I discuss how I should decide when to move on from my podcast. Jesse also hosts his own podcast called HAYN. Video version of the podcast available on YouTube here. Episode sponsor: Get help building habits with the everyday app. I use the app myself and love it. Sign-up here to join me for an episode! I'd also lo…

David Richards has lived the tech entrepreneur dream. Born into a steel family in Sheffield, the University of Huddersfield computing graduate enjoyed some early career success in the UK and then moved with his girlfriend (now wife) to San Francisco in the 1990s. Despite moving to the US with no job or concrete plan, David enjoyed more startup succ…

If you enjoy this podcast, please have a listen to our previous episodes, and also give us a review or rating – every little helps. You can also follow us on Twitter (https://twitter.com/CIAYAPQ) and LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/can-i-ask-you-a-personal-question/). Dame Jayne-Anne Gadhia is the former chief executive of Virgin Money b…

In this episode, George Vogman and I discuss the TV show Upload; our thoughts on the show (spoilers), and whether the concept of a virtual afterlife could/should eventually exist in the real world. Video version of podcast available on YouTube here. Episode sponsor: Get help building habits with the everyday app. I use the app myself and love it. S…

In this episode, Jesse Uretsky and I discuss whether Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram should have a dislike button similar to YouTube. Video version of podcast available on YouTube here. Episode sponsor: Get help building habits with the everyday app. I use the app myself and love it. Sign-up here to join me for an episode! I'd also love feedback f…

In the sixth episode of 'Can I ask you a personal question?', Dan and Will speak to Simon Woodroffe, the entrepreneur best known as the founder of restaurant chain Yo! Sushi and hotel business Yotel. Simon left his public school aged 16, and went on to work with some of the biggest names in rock 'n' roll as a stage designer. He launched Yo! Sushi i…

In this episode, Aidan Little and I discuss how easy it should be for someone to buy a gun. Video version of podcast available on YouTube here. Episode sponsor: Get help building habits with the everyday app. I use the app myself and love it. Sign-up here to join me for an episode! I'd also love feedback for improving future episodes, and promise n…

In the fifth episode of ‘Can I ask you a personal question?', Will and Dan speak to Jon Moulton, the private equity entrepreneur behind Better Capital. In this interview, Jon dishes out some marriage advice to Will and Dan, and also explains how he deals with the stresses of business. Back in 2014, one of Jon’s companies, City Link, collapsed short…

In this episode, Yuli Jadov and I discuss whether we should welcome brain-machine interface technologies like Neuralink. Video version of podcast available on YouTube here. Episode sponsor: Get help building habits with the everyday app. I use the app myself and love it. Sign-up here to join me for an episode! I'd also love feedback for improving f…

In this episode, Neil Thakore and I discuss whether we'd be likely to lose our sense of purpose in a future without the need for work. Video version of podcast available on YouTube here. Episode sponsor: Get help building habits with the everyday app. I use the app myself and love it. Sign-up here to join me for an episode! I'd also love feedback f…

In the fourth episode of ‘Can I ask you a personal question?', Will and Dan speak to Spencer Matthews. He may be best known for his starring role in TV's Made In Chelsea (and his royal family connections), but Spencer's attention appears to be very much focused on building his low-alcohol spirits business, The Clean Liquor Co. In this candid interv…