Behind The Future

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!

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/