good journeys with second mountain
READY FOR PURPOSE-POWERED CONVERSATIONS?
The inspiring show with purpose at heart.
The 'Good Journeys with Second Mountain' podcast and YouTube show will raise you up, push you forward and challenge you. Hosted by Ben Veal, founder of Second Mountain Comms, each episode features very special guests from across the globe, all sharing their personal, moving and honest life journeys and lessons learnt along the way.
THE LATEST EPISODE:
ALEX WITTY
Alex is a creative entrepreneur, University of Brighton graduate and the founder of Compound Footwear, a purpose-driven business that is looking to tackle two big issues: waste in the motorsport industry and fast fashion. In this great conversation, Alex shares his journey to founding Compound, what led to the idea, the challenges that come with launching a sustainably-driven startup and his hopes for the future of this exciting new venture.
trailS TRAVELLED. LESSONS LEARNED.
SEASON TWO | eps 013 - 024
SEASON ONE | eps 001 - 012
#GOODJOURNEYSPOD | ALL EPISODES
EP 01: JOSH WINNING
What does it take to write a critically-acclaimed novel? What are the steps to navigate to immerse yourself in an imaginary landscape? What was the journey like of creating a fantasy world during a global lockdown that saw our real lives temporarily placed on hold?
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#GoodJourneysPod episode one features special guest Josh Winning, author of The Shadow Glass and senior film writer for The Radio Times.
EP 02: DEBI JOHN
Have we lost touch with the incredible power that play can afford our lives? In our oh-so-hectic-and-distracted modern world, have we become too busy to play like the generations that came before us? What positive changes could take place if we became more present?
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#GoodJourneysPod episode two features special guest Debi John, founder of Play Healing.
EP 03: NICK ALDIS
What does it feel like to climb to the very pinnacle of your profession? What lies behind the timeless appeal of wrestling? What obstacles must be overcome on the journey to becoming a world champion?
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#GoodJourneysPod episode three features special guest Nick Aldis - professional wrestler, broadcaster, author and owner of Legacy Sports Nutrition.
EP 04: GEORGE RYON
What does it feel like to become a parent through surrogacy? What motivates someone to serve as a surrogate parent? How can this highly-emotional journey be best navigated?
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#GoodJourneysPod episode four features special guest George Ryon, the founder of Rainbow Life, a surrogacy agency based in New York State.
EP 05: LYANNA TSAKIRIS
What does it mean to be a B Corp certified business? Why do today's leaders need to build the skills to become emotionally intelligent? How can life's darkest moments help to define a brighter future?
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Lyanna Tsakiris, CEO of Station Rd. Marketing, joins the #GoodJourneysPod as our very special guest for episode five - and opens up honestly and passionately about her life's story so far.
EP 06: KATY COWAN
What does it take to turn a passion project into a full time job that you adore? How does it feel when your magazine catches fire and reaches millions of readers? Is it possible to "fall in love" with yourself?
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#GoodJourneysPod episode six features our special guest Katy Cowan, the founding editor of Creative Boom and host of the Creative Boom Podcast.
EP 07: SARAH WADDINGTON CBE
Why is creative industry growth disproportionately benefitting the privileged? Are working class people behind held back from progressing within the PR industry? What barriers are preventing the comms industry from becoming more diverse and inclusive?
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Sarah Waddington CBE, co-founder of Socially Mobile CIC, is the latest special guest to join Ben Veal on the #GoodJourneysPod.
EP 08: STEVEN BELL
Who were The British Bulldogs? What was the magic ingredient that transformed this pair of working-class young lads from a small Northern mining community into globally-recognised sporting superstars? How should they be remembered?
Steven Bell, author of Dynamite & Davey, talks about his path to writing his latest book on the #GoodJourneysPod.
EP 09: SARAH TOWNSEND
Is freelance life all that it's cracked up to be? What are the essential skills needed to survive and thrive as a freelancer? What does it mean to be "successful" as a solo operator?
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Sarah Townsend, author of Survival Skills For Freelancers, joins the #GoodJourneysPod to share her experiences of self-employment and the pitfalls to avoid on the road to self-fulfilment.
What makes Ghostbusters such a special movie? Why does it continue to inspire audiences almost 40 years after its release? What is its wider cultural impact? Why was it so difficult to get a third movie made?
The author of A Convenient Parallel Dimension: How Ghostbusters Slimed Us Forever James Greene Jr. joins the #GoodJourneysPod to talk about the rich history of the movie franchise that continues to surprise and delight fans worldwide.
EP 10: JAMES GREENE JR.
EP 11: SARAH PERRETT
How do we define happiness? What does it mean to be happy in the modern world? What can our emotions tell us about ourselves?
Intuitive happiness coach, Certified Emotion Code practitioner and founder of The Happiness Gap, Sarah Perrett, shares her personal journey and tips for a happy life on the #GoodJourneysPod.
EP 12: JOEL NELSON
Joel Nelson is an award-winning arthritis and psoriasis patient leader, content creator and lived experience consultant. He’s also the founder of The Pain Company, a purpose-driven ethical clothing brand that exists to raise awareness of chronic pain and illness, and give a voice to the millions of people around the world that live with daily pain.
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Joel joins the #GoodJourneysPod to share his powerful, personal story of life with chronic pain.
EP 13: PETE WHARMBY
What does it mean to be autistic in today's world? How can the neurodivergent community be better supported? Is our society not currently geared to meet the needs of people with autism?
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Actually autistic writer, speaker and autism advocate Pete Wharmby joins the #GoodJourneysPod with Second Mountain's Ben Veal to share his inspiring story and hopes for a more inclusive future.
EP 14: KRIS HALL
Why is the hospitality industry such a breeding ground for mental health struggles? What is being done to safeguard the mental wellbeing of individuals working in restaurants, cafes, hotels and coffee shops worldwide?
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Kris Hall, founder and CEO of global movement The Burnt Chef Project, joins Ben Veal on the #GoodJourneysPod with Second Mountain to share his journey to support hospitality professionals.
What's the secret to writing a best-selling children's story? Can you choose to always look on the bright side of life? Why do illustrated children's books occupy such a special place in our hearts?
Best-selling children's author, illustrator and creative entrepreneur Rachel Bright joins the #GoodJourneysPod her incredible writing journey and optimistic outlook on life!
EP 15: RACHEL BRIGHT
EP 17: MATT CARDONA
What does it mean to be a heart-centred leader? Is it possible to always strive to be better today than we were yesterday? What does it look like to lead with love in today's self-focused world?
Purpose-driven community builder Ryan Hartley from Always Better Than Yesterday joins the #GoodJourneysPod to talk leadership, faith, self-improvement and the power of connection.
EP 16: RYAN HARTLEY
How does it feel to lose your job at the start of a pandemic? What role does self-belief play in building back up? What does it mean to be 'successful' in today's world?
Independent professional wrestler Matt Cardona joins the #GoodJourneysPod to share his inspiring journey of life after World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE).
EP 18: STEVIE RICHARDS
Ready to be inspired? Michael 'Stevie Richards' Manna has a remarkable story to share; his personal road to recovery from a life-threatening infection has been nothing short of miraculous.
This special episode of the podcast is dedicated in loving memory of Andrew Veal, father of Ben Veal, who sadly passed away aged 72, a few days after this conversation with Stevie was recorded.
EP 19: HELENA HILLS
Hooked on coffee? You're not alone. Yet you may be shocked by just how much caffeine can be found in your cuppa.
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Helena Hills, CEO and co-founder of ethically-focused TrueStart Coffee, is on a mission to re-define caffeine in coffee with tasty brews that are better for people and the planet - and shares this purpose on the #GoodJourneysPod.
EP 20: DEREK A. BARDOWELL
Philanthropy advisor and author of Giving Back: How To Do Good, Better, Derek A. Bardowell explores the need to reimagine philanthropy. In this candid and honest episode, Derek shares his personal experiences of racism in Britain, why the 'Black Lives Matter' movement resonated so strongly globally in 2020, and what the Government got oh-so-very wrong during the COVID-19 pandemic.
EP 21: BRONWYNE BILLINGTON
Trailblazing athlete 'The Dynamite Kid' Tom Billington was one of the greatest professional wrestlers to ever come out of the UK. Five years after his sudden death at the young age of 60, the grappling star's daughter Bronwyne Billington shares memories of her father, the influence that he had on a generation of performers, and talks openly about rekindling her relationship with her dad during his final years.
EP 22: LILIAN GARCIA
Lilian Garcia is a multi-talented recording artist, broadcaster and globally-recognised television personality as part of the World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) family. Lilian was the first female and Latina to ever announce WrestleMania and also the first female in-cage announcer for the Professional Fighters League. Lilian joins the #GoodJourneysPod to share her inspiring personal journey of dealing with loss, rediscovering her faith and finding joy in life.
EP 23: SIR TERRY WAITE
For 1,763 days, Sir Terry Waite KCMG CBE was held in captivity in Beirut, the first four years of which were spent in solitary confinement.
EP 24: ALEX WITTY
Alex Witty is a creative entrepreneur, University of Brighton graduate and the founder of Compound Footwear, a purpose-driven business that is looking to tackle two big issues: waste in the motorsport industry and fast fashion.
In this great conversation, Alex shares what led to the idea, the challenges that come with launching a sustainably-driven startup and his hopes for the future of this venture.