Behind The Future

On today’s episode of Behind the Future, we chat with Tom Shaw, a Software Developer and Content Creator, who turned his love for gaming into coding, freelancing, and building real skills that can shape your future. If you’ve ever wondered how to take your gaming hobby and turn it into something more, this episode is packed with tips, inspiration, and practical advice for teens who want to level up in life.Tom shares his journey from spending hours on YouTube gaming videos to learning how to code, taking on freelance projects, and discovering ways to make money online while following his passions. Along the way, he talks about the challenges he faced, the mistakes he learned from, and how posting on YouTube actually helped him develop skills that matter in the real world.Whether you’re interested in coding, gaming, or just figuring out what you want to do next, this episode will give you ideas and motivation to start exploring. You’ll hear how starting as a YouTube gamer taught Tom creativity, problem-solving, and persistence, skills that helped him open doors to new opportunities.Behind the Future is a podcast for the next generation of digital talent, offering weekly interviews, real-world insights and career advice. Subscribe for more conversations like this, and follow us on TikTok and Instagram @aspirationdigital.Hosts: Becky Simms & Daisy AllingstoneGuest: Tom Shawhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/imtomshaw/Would you like to see an Aspiration Digital event near you? Let us know by registering your interest here! https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScV9Rg8QzZdtsauF5B7YURVFpK48wWrKZCIE6uCaeiEBFUZEA/viewform

In this episode, Ellen Bundy shares her journey from studying Geography to finding her passion in marketing, building communities, and just going for it. 💡 She talks about how starting small side projects, hosting meetups, and saying “yes” to opportunities helped her gain confidence, learn new skills, and grow her career. Ellen also shares her top networking tips, how to overcome imposter syndrome, and why building your online presence early can open doors you never expected. Whether you’re figuring out your next step after uni or just want practical advice on taking action, this episode is full of inspiration and real-life lessons. Behind the Future is a podcast for the next generation of digital talent, offering weekly interviews, real-world insights and career advice. Subscribe for more conversations like this, and follow us on TikTok and Instagram @aspirationdigital. Hosts: Becky Simms & Alice Pennington Guest: Ellen Bundey https://www.linkedin.com/in/ellen-bundey-981338160/ YES Meet Up: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-yes-meet-up/posts/?feedView=all Would you like to see an Aspiration Digital event near you? Let us know by registering your interest here! https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScV9Rg8QzZdtsauF5B7YURVFpK48wWrKZCIE6uCaeiEBFUZEA/viewform

In this inspiring episode, we sit down with Carlo Weaver, who shares his incredible journey from being homeless as a teenager to managing an £83 million portfolio. Carlo’s story is about resilience, determination, and never letting life’s challenges define you. He opens up about leaving school without his GCSEs, being diagnosed with autism, and facing extreme hardships.Carlo Weaver shows that even in the toughest situations, it’s possible to turn your life around. From working multiple jobs and caring for family members to discovering a degree apprenticeship with NatWest, Carlo proves that opportunities can appear when you least expect them. He also talks about how autism has been both a challenge and a strength, helping him think differently and overcome barriers that many thought were impossible.Join us to hear Carlo Weaver talk about resilience, ambition, and turning obstacles into opportunities. This episode is packed with motivation, real-life lessons, and advice for teens who want to break the cycle, explore new paths, and achieve big things.Behind the Future is a podcast for the next generation of digital talent, offering weekly interviews, real-world insights and career advice. Subscribe for more conversations like this, and follow us on TikTok and Instagram @aspirationdigital.Hosts: Becky Simms & Oben GoodierGuest: Carlo Weaverhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/carlo-alexander-roy-weaver/

In this episode, Sophie Miller shares her journey from being a student with an idea to becoming the founder of Pretty Little Marketers, a marketing community with an audience of over 600,000 people. Sophie talks about what inspired her to start, how she grew such a huge platform, and the lessons she’s learned along the way. Whether you’re curious about marketing, dream of starting your own business, or just want to hear from someone who turned a passion into a career, Sophie’s story will leave you feeling motivated and ready to take your next step.Behind the Future is a podcast for the next generation of digital talent, offering weekly interviews, real-world insights and career advice. Subscribe for more conversations like this, and follow us on TikTok and Instagram @aspirationdigital.Hosts: Becky Simms & Daisy AllingstoneGuest: Sophie Miller https://www.linkedin.com/in/sophiealicemiller/https://www.linkedin.com/company/prettylittlemarketer/posts/?feedView=all

In this bonus episode, student co-host Ruhaan takes us through the emotions and expectations of GCSE results day, from the build-up to the big moment. He opens up about how it felt, what he learned from the experience, and shares his thoughts on what’s next as he looks ahead to the future. Whether you’re hoping, stressing or somewhere in between, Ruhaan’s real talk is here to help.Behind the Future is a podcast for the next generation of digital talent, offering weekly interviews, real-world insights, and career advice. Subscribe for more conversations like this, and follow us on TikTok and Instagram @aspirationdigital.Hosts: Becky SimmsGuests: Ruhaan Qudratiyaar

This week on Behind the Future, we're joined by Holly Hobbs, Co-Founder and Chief Growth Officer at Your Future, to share her incredible journey into the digital world.From making viral TikToks about cookies while working at Tesco's, to landing a degree apprenticeship at Microsoft and then fearlessly launching her own business at just 18, Holly's story is a masterclass in modern entrepreneurship.Ever wondered how to turn a hobby into a thriving career? Or how a 'side hustle' can lead to merging with a major company by age 22? Holly breaks it all down, revealing how she navigated challenges, learned essential business skills on the fly, and why trusting your gut (even against your parents' advice!) is crucial for success.Behind the Future is a podcast for the next generation of digital talent, offering weekly interviews, real-world insights and career advice. Subscribe for more conversations like this, and follow us on TikTok and Instagram @aspirationdigital.Hosts: Becky Simms & Oben GoodierGuest: Holly Hobbshttps://www.linkedin.com/in/hollyhobbss/https://www.tiktok.com/@howtogetanapprenticeshipWould you like to see an Aspiration Digital event near you? Let us know by registering your interest here!

In this bonus episode, student co-host Alice shares her honest reflections on A-Level results day, the nerves, the surprises, and what she wishes she’d known. She also talks through her journey to university, including navigating Clearing, adapting to uni life, and the lessons she’s picked up along the way. If you’re feeling uncertain about your next steps, Alice’s advice and experience might be just what you need.Behind the Future is a podcast for the next generation of digital talent, offering weekly interviews, real-world insights, and career advice. Subscribe for more conversations like this, and follow us on TikTok and Instagram @aspirationdigital.Hosts: Becky SimmsGuests: Alice Pennington

This week on Behind the Future, Ashia, a Solutions Architect at Amazon Web Services, joins us to share her incredible journey into the tech world; from studying A-level Computer Science to interning in Luxembourg and landing a dream role at one of the biggest companies on the planet.Ever wondered what it’s really like to work at Amazon? Or how to go from student to tech pro without knowing exactly where you’re headed? Ashia breaks it all down. She shares how rejection shaped her path, how LinkedIn and personal projects opened doors, and why owning your journey, even when it feels uncertain, is the key to unlocking opportunity.Behind the Future is a podcast for the next generation of digital talent, offering weekly interviews, real-world insights and career advice. Subscribe for more conversations like this, and follow us on TikTok and Instagram @aspirationdigital.Hosts: Becky Simms & Ashley DuffyGuest: Ashia Ogunladehttps://www.linkedin.com/in/ashia-ogunlade/Would you like to see an Aspiration Digital event near you? Let us know by registering your interest here!

In this special episode, Future Unplugged, Lucy, Ellen and Indy reflect on their own results day experiences, from nerves and surprises to what they’ve learned since. Whether you’re waiting on GCSEs, A-Levels or something else, they share honest advice, relatable stories, and a reminder that your results don’t define your future.Behind the Future is a podcast for the next generation of digital talent, offering weekly interviews, real-world insights and career advice. Subscribe for more conversations like this, and follow us on TikTok and Instagram @aspirationdigital.Hosts: Becky SimmsGuests: Lucy Hall, Ellen Bundey and Indy Bhogal

Are you curious about what it takes to build a successful SEO career? In this episode, Itamar, an experienced SEO director, shares his journey from speaking at Brighton SEO for the first time to leading a team and working directly with clients. If you want practical SEO career advice, this is the perfect guide for you.Itamar talks about why starting with the basics like keyword research and understanding search engines is key. He explains how SEO isn’t just about technical skills, it’s about connecting with people and learning how to adapt strategies based on different businesses and cultures. Whether you’re just starting out or thinking about a future in digital marketing, Itamar’s insights on SEO career advice will help you understand what to expect and how to grow.You’ll learn why speaking at events can push you to level up your skills, how to balance leadership and client work, and why building good relationships is as important as the technical side of SEO. This video is packed with useful tips for anyone interested in a career in SEO and digital marketing.Behind the Future is a podcast for the next generation of digital talent, offering weekly interviews, real-world insights and career advice. Subscribe for more conversations like this, and follow us on TikTok and Instagram @aspirationdigital.Hosts: Becky Simms & Nathan OgunrombiGuest: Itamar Blauerhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/itamarblauer/Would you like to see an Aspiration Digital event near you? Let us know by registering your interest here!