Behind The Future

This week on Behind the Future, we’re joined by Petra Abbam, Principal Responsible AI Manager at the BBC, a role she carved out through curiosity, reinvention, and a willingness to take risks.From dreaming of being a pilot to studying physics, dropping out, and eventually landing in computer science and French, Petra’s story isn’t linear, and that’s exactly what makes it powerful. After starting in publishing, she joined the BBC, working on orchestras and choirs, before progressing through six completely different roles, each time driven by a desire to learn and grow.Today, she leads the BBC’s responsible AI efforts, helping the organisation navigate deepfakes, misinformation, and biased datasets. Petra shares why a third of the world being offline matters, what it means to make responsible AI inclusive, and why critical thinking is your best asset in a world where it's getting harder to tell what’s real.She also opens up about career crossroads, imposter syndrome, and leaping into new roles that stretched her skills - plus advice for young people worried about job security in the age of AI.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 & Ruhaan QudratiyaarGuest: Petra Abbamhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/pabbam/Would you like to see an Aspiration Digital event near you? Let us know by registering your interest here!

In this episode of Behind the Future, Darren Martin from The Evergreen Agency shares his journey from aspiring musician and YouTuber to creative lead. He talks openly about overcoming imposter syndrome, learning from mistakes, and building a creative team from scratch. Darren also explains why cultural fit is key in any career and how AI tools are transforming video production and marketing.Whether you’re starting a YouTube channel, navigating career changes, or interested in creative leadership, this episode offers valuable advice and inspiration for anyone feeling uncertain about their path.Behind the Future is a podcast dedicated to inspiring the next generation of digital professionals.Aimed at students, Behind the Future offers an inside look into the digital world through expert interviews, career advice, and real-world insights. We’re here to help you understand the endless opportunities available in the digital industry and to show you what it takes to succeed.Each week, we feature an industry professional who shares their journey, challenges, and tips for those looking to pursue a career in the digital space. Whether you’re exploring your future career path or just curious about the world around you, Behind the Future is your go-to resource for knowledge and inspiration.Be sure to subscribe for weekly episodes, and don't forget to check out Aspiration Digital, our annual conference where you can gain even more insight and networking opportunities.Make sure you connect with our guests on LinkedIn, to continue unlocking your digital career.You can also follow us on Instagram and TikTok @aspirationdigitalHosts: Becky Simms & Ashley DuffyGuest: Darren Martinhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/darrenmartinvideo/

This week on Behind the Future, we’re chatting with Claire, founder of Chime Agency, who proves you don’t need a degree (or a perfect plan) to build a brilliant career.Claire shares how dropping out of uni, getting made redundant twice, and trusting her gut led her to create her own successful business. We talk about career curveballs, why soft skills like creativity and empathy are more powerful than ever, and how AI is changing the working world — but not replacing humans anytime soon.If you’re feeling unsure about what’s next or want to know how to turn chaos into opportunity, this one’s for you.Behind the Future is a podcast dedicated to inspiring the next generation of digital professionals.Aimed at students, Behind the Future offers an inside look into the digital world through expert interviews, career advice, and real-world insights. We’re here to help you understand the endless opportunities available in the digital industry and to show you what it takes to succeed.Each week, we feature an industry professional who shares their journey, challenges, and tips for those looking to pursue a career in the digital space. Whether you’re exploring your future career path or just curious about the world around you, Behind the Future is your go-to resource for knowledge and inspiration.Be sure to subscribe for weekly episodes, and don't forget to check out Aspiration Digital, our annual conference where you can gain even more insight and networking opportunities.Make sure you connect with our guests on LinkedIn, to continue unlocking your digital career.You can also follow us on Instagram and TikTok @aspirationdigitalHosts: Becky Simms & Jessica DayGuest: Claire Hutchingshttps://www.linkedin.com/in/claire-hutchings/Would you like to see an Aspiration Digital event near you? Let us know by registering your interest here!

This week on Behind the Future, Dan, a Product Designer at LAB, joins us to share how he navigated uncertainty in his early career, from studying engineering to landing in consultancy, before discovering a passion for design.Dan talks about falling into roles by accident, learning the power of design thinking, and how his consulting background helped him build people-first digital experiences.An honest, insightful chat for anyone figuring things out, especially if you don’t know what’s next yet.Behind the Future is a podcast dedicated to inspiring the next generation of digital professionals.Aimed at students, Behind the Future offers an inside look into the digital world through expert interviews, career advice, and real-world insights. We’re here to help you understand the endless opportunities available in the digital industry and to show you what it takes to succeed.Each week, we feature an industry professional who shares their journey, challenges, and tips for those looking to pursue a career in the digital space. Whether you’re exploring your future career path or just curious about the world around you, Behind the Future is your go-to resource for knowledge and inspiration.Be sure to subscribe for weekly episodes, and don't forget to check out Aspiration Digital, our annual conference where you can gain even more insight and networking opportunities.Make sure you connect with our guests on LinkedIn, to continue unlocking your digital career.You can also follow us on Instagram and TikTok @aspirationdigitalHosts: Becky Simms & Ruhaan QudratiyaarGuests: Dan Sullivanhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/dan-sullivan-28859a109/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

This week on Behind the Future, Milly & Jodie from Climbing Trees join us to share how their apprenticeships helped launch their careers in media.They dive into the realities of starting in the industry, the challenges they overcame, and the confidence hacks that helped them succeed.Tune in for invaluable advice on breaking into media without a degree and why apprenticeships are the secret to their success!Behind the Future is a podcast dedicated to inspiring the next generation of digital professionals.Aimed at students, Behind the Future offers an inside look into the digital world through expert interviews, career advice, and real-world insights. We’re here to help you understand the endless opportunities available in the digital industry and to show you what it takes to succeed.Each week, we feature an industry professional who shares their journey, challenges, and tips for those looking to pursue a career in the digital space. Whether you’re exploring your future career path or just curious about the world around you, Behind the Future is your go-to resource for knowledge and inspiration.Be sure to subscribe for weekly episodes, and don't forget to check out Aspiration Digital, our annual conference where you can gain even more insight and networking opportunities.Make sure you connect with our guests on LinkedIn, to continue unlocking your digital career.You can also follow us on Instagram and TikTok @aspirationdigitalHosts: Becky Simms & Jessica DayGuests: Milly Brown and Jodie Brooktonhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/milly-brown-9b1742153/https://www.linkedin.com/in/jodie-brookton/

In this episode of Behind the Future, Claudia a Strategy Director for a personal branding agency discusses her journey from studying international relations to her current career; sharing insights on navigating career changes, the importance of building a network, and using social media effectively for personal branding and career growth.She also delves into the complexities of strategy in personal branding, so whether you're already diving into networking or just starting out your LinkedIn journey, Claudia's tips will be sure to point you in the right direction.Behind the Future is a podcast dedicated to inspiring the next generation of digital professionals.Aimed at students, Behind the Future offers an inside look into the digital world through expert interviews, career advice, and real-world insights. We’re here to help you understand the endless opportunities available in the digital industry and to show you what it takes to succeed.Each week, we feature an industry professional who shares their journey, challenges, and tips for those looking to pursue a career in the digital space. Whether you’re exploring your future career path or just curious about the world around you, Behind the Future is your go-to resource for knowledge and inspiration.Be sure to subscribe for weekly episodes, and don't forget to check out Aspiration Digital, our annual conference where you can gain even more insight and networking opportunities.Make sure you connect with our guests on LinkedIn, to continue unlocking your digital career.You can also follow us on Instagram and TikTok @aspirationdigitalHosts: Becky Simms & Ashley DuffyGuest: Claudia Cardinali

Daniel Priestley, an author and entrepreneur, shares his incredible journey of dropping out of university to building seven businesses, three turning over £10m+. He discusses the flaws in the traditional education system and the importance of adaptability in today's job market. Listeners learn about the significance of personal branding over business branding and the role of mentorship and collaboration in entrepreneurship. Daniel emphasizes how environment affects creativity and encourages embracing opportunities to step outside comfort zones.

This week on Behind the Future, we chat with Coral, a Marketing Director who went from planning weddings to leading campaigns.She didn’t even know what marketing was at first – but one rewrite of a murder mystery invite changed everything. Now, with over 10 years’ experience, Coral shares how she found her path, why soft skills matter, and how failures can fuel success.If you're curious about creative careers (with a bit of chaos), this one’s for you!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/viewformBehind the Future is a podcast dedicated to inspiring the next generation of digital professionals.Aimed at students, Behind the Future offers an inside look into the digital world through expert interviews, career advice, and real-world insights. We’re here to help you understand the endless opportunities available in the digital industry and to show you what it takes to succeed.Each week, we feature an industry professional who shares their journey, challenges, and tips for those looking to pursue a career in the digital space. Whether you’re exploring your future career path or just curious about the world around you, Behind the Future is your go-to resource for knowledge and inspiration.Be sure to subscribe for weekly episodes, and don't forget to check out Aspiration Digital, our annual conference where you can gain even more insight and networking opportunities.Make sure you connect with our guests on LinkedIn, to continue unlocking your digital career.You can also follow us on Instagram and TikTok @aspirationdigitalHosts: Becky Simms & Elliott WilliamsGuest: Coral Wood

Lucy shares her journey from working in-house to embracing the fast-paced, reactive world of agency marketing.She talks about the excitement of agency life, the challenges, and the rewards, as well as the importance of having a mentor and a supportive team around you.Lucy’s passion for her role shines through as she reflects on how collaboration and guidance have shaped her career.Behind the Future is a podcast dedicated to inspiring the next generation of digital professionals.Aimed at students, Behind the Future offers an inside look into the digital world through expert interviews, career advice, and real-world insights. We’re here to help you understand the endless opportunities available in the digital industry and to show you what it takes to succeed.Each week, we feature an industry professional who shares their journey, challenges, and tips for those looking to pursue a career in the digital space. Whether you’re exploring your future career path or just curious about the world around you, Behind the Future is your go-to resource for knowledge and inspiration.Be sure to subscribe for weekly episodes, and don't forget to check out Aspiration Digital, our annual conference where you can gain even more insight and networking opportunities.Make sure you connect with our guests on LinkedIn, to continue unlocking your digital career.You can also follow us on Instagram and TikTok @aspirationdigitalHosts: Becky Simms & Ruhaan QudratiyaarGuest: Lucy Todd

This week on Behind the Future, we chat with Tom Wilson, a media marketing pro with over 20 years of experience. He started out in the post room and worked his way up to agency director before going solo to help other agencies grow.Tom talks about how his career took different turns, learning loads of skills along the way. He also shares why networking is super important, how to handle change, and how agencies today are way more open and team-focused than before.Behind the Future is a podcast dedicated to inspiring the next generation of digital professionals.Aimed at students, Behind the Future offers an inside look into the digital world through expert interviews, career advice, and real-world insights. We’re here to help you understand the endless opportunities available in the digital industry and to show you what it takes to succeed.Each week, we feature an industry professional who shares their journey, challenges, and tips for those looking to pursue a career in the digital space. Whether you’re exploring your future career path or just curious about the world around you, Behind the Future is your go-to resource for knowledge and inspiration.Be sure to subscribe for weekly episodes, and don't forget to check out Aspiration Digital, our annual conference where you can gain even more insight and networking opportunities.Make sure you connect with our guests on LinkedIn, to continue unlocking your digital career.You can also follow us on Instagram and TikTok @aspirationdigitalHosts: Becky Simms & Ruhaan QudratiyaarGuest: Tom Wilson