Working Hours

Western Studios, Leeds Ltd
  • 5.0 (6)
  • CAREERS
  • EVERY TWO MONTHS

What do you do? Western Studios, Leeds presents Working Hours: a podcast series surveying the people of Leeds on their thoughts and feelings on the topic of work. I want to talk to my city about work. Why do we do it? Do we like it? What could we do differently? What will we? How does work change and how does it change us? Leeds, the largest city in the largest county on the UK mainland, is a former imperial textile centre and is now a major UK financial centre. This series will document the city’s experiences through Lockdown, Brexit, creeping technological unemployment, new and continuing resource wars, the ongoing dismantling of the welfare state and our accelerating ecological emergency. If you are in Leeds or from Leeds then help me to reach my target of interviewing 1000 Loiners over the 2020s. Let me ask you, what do you do?

  1. To Work Is To Live

    26 JAN

    To Work Is To Live

    Recorded on 19/09/2025 Helen Underwood is a Former NHS Physio, First Aid Expert, and entrepreneurial-mum on a mission! With over 20 years in healthcare, including time in Children’s ICU and other NHS departments, I’ve devoted my career to helping people. Now, as founder of Underwood Training, Helen is creating a ripple effect of empowerment by making First Aid knowledge more accessible in businesses, schools, and communities. Helen believes First Aid should be general knowledge. She delivers simple, practical, context specific First Aid Training and First Aid for Mental Health Training for individuals, groups and teams. Underwood Training sessions are engaging and designed to build confidence, not just compliance. Helen believes that anyone, regardless of background or profession can learn life-saving skills and that they should have the opportunity to do so, such that I’ve created a virtual first aid course for parents and carers. Her aim is to break down barriers and myths around first aid to help more people in our communities feel ready to act in an emergency. To get in touch with Helen check out: Linktree: https://linktr.ee/underwoodtraining LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/helenunderwood Instagram: www.instagram.com/underwoodtraining1staid Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Underwood.Training1stAid YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@underwoodtraining5923

    1h 46m
  2. Work Changes Things

    24 JAN

    Work Changes Things

    Recorded on 06/08/2025 Sam Perry is Project Lead for Warm Homes at the Trades Union Congress, where he works to improve job quality in the clean heat and home retrofit sector, promote just and inclusive net zero transitions, and enhance the voices of working people in national and regional decision-making. He established the North East, Yorkshire, and Humber Just Transition Network; leads on the Climate Action Pledge at Yorkshire and Humber Climate Commission; is a national champion and enabler of trade union climate action (especially through green reps); and works closely with DESNZ on workforce planning in the retrofit sector. Sam's background is in union organising and local authority social housing delivery, and his special interest is the climate, social justice, and economic opportunities of large-scale, publicly delivered home energy upgrades. https://www.linkedin.com/in/sam-perry-york/ https://www.facebook.com/SamPerryYork https://bsky.app/profile/samofyork.bsky.social And check out https://www.tuc.org.uk/about-tuc/our-history Union Links: Centenary of General Strike. https://actionnetwork.org/fundraising/support-the-celebration-of-the100th-anniversary-of-the-general-strike-1926 Join a UK TUC Affiliated Union https://www.tuc.org.uk/join-a-union TU news and campaigns https://www.labourstart.org/welcome/ Labour Start podcast https://open.spotify.com/show/1TOPX2A9YGDZnQSLz8oBZE?si=7ac312d15f7042b4 Simon Sapper and Martin Smith’s Organising for Change – the podcast for union builders https://open.spotify.com/show/09KsNslXwvHPuO8Dgt2AVC?si=3e904e09bdaf4125 Working Class History Podcast https://open.spotify.com/show/3dqQUrBAmXgoU1Q6hcUnBX?si=1d84a837e0064177 Analysis News Playlist with Jane McAlevey interviews https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL5wue8oAUyGr5RZszwAWS4sEpqAUNQ4qJ

    2h 14m
  3. Work Is A Treasure Hunt

    01/12/2025

    Work Is A Treasure Hunt

    Recorded on 11/09/2025 Jessica Spencer runs Aladdin’s Cave Jewellery, a third-generation family run business in Queens Arcade Leeds, alongside her mum, Roberta. The shop has been in the same location for over 45 years. From being a little girl, Jessica always loved 'treasure hunting'. She’s always loved the stories that antique and vintage Jewellery pieces carry, the idea that someone wore and cherished each piece long before it reached their shop. That’s why Aladdin’s Cave focus on sourcing unusual, one-of-a-kind treasures for people who want something with meaning, not just another mass-produced trinket. The shop itself is crammed full, every corner bursting with curiosities and a window display packed to the brim! it really does feel like stepping into a treasure trove. From Art Deco engagement rings to Victorian mourning jewellery, and even quirky little finds like silver napkin rings, their collection is a celebration of history, beauty, and craftsmanship. Run in the early days by Jessica’s grandpa and auntie, before her parents took it over in the late 90s. Sadly, though, Jessica’s Father died in 2003, which is when Jess stepped in and started her antique jewellery journey proper. She had just finished a Broadcast Journalism degree at Leeds Uni and was still trying to make it in the highly competitive TV industry. Jessica says, “I always thought I would go back to it, but over 20 years later I'm still here, and love my job now, way more than I did in my 20s and 30s”. For a long time, Jessica worked in the shop itself, but after maternity leave and having two kids it made more much more sense for her to work from home and concentrate on the website, marketing and everything needed behind the scenes. Her favourite part of the job though, is still sourcing beautiful antique jewellery at auctions and fairs. From everyday jumble sales and car boots up to the more prestigious end of art and jewellery fairs. Jewellery really is in Jessica’s blood. You can find Aladdin's Cave online at: https://www.instagram.com/aladdinscaveleeds/ https://www.facebook.com/aladdinscaveleeds/ https://www.aladdinscavejewellery.co.uk/

    1h 50m
  4. Work Builds Castles Out of Sand

    27/11/2025

    Work Builds Castles Out of Sand

    Recorded on 31/10/2025 J Warren Jones was born in Leeds in the early 70s and lived in Wakefield for most of his life. Travelling extensively in his late teens and early twenties and working in the gambling trade for 20 years before starting Mrs Atha’s café in Leeds in 2012. A fresh start doing something to make people happy rather than the morally corrupt world of gambling. He ran the popular café for 12 years, serving the city centre and surviving a global pandemic, before finally closing it's doors earlier this year. Warren in his own words is, "now attempting to be a professional musician" and by the sounds of his single debut solo single Daylight Robbery he's certainly got the chops! It's worth listening to the episode just to hear it. You can find J Warren Jones at: https://www.instagram.com/jwarrenjones/ https://www.facebook.com/warrenjonesmusic/ YEP article about the story of the single: https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/news/people/leeds-mrs-atha-new-song-5369235 And you can buy the singe at https://open.spotify.com/track/7iGpkmpot30QHyYxBTcqaS?si=7fe159720c6943e2 https://music.apple.com/gb/album/daylight-robbery/1843158215?i=1843158217 The Lianne mentioned in the episode was Lianne Marie Mease from Butterflumped you can check out her WHP interview here: https://the-working-hours-podca.captivate.fm/episode/lianne-marie-mease

    2h 9m
  5. Work Doesn't Have To Hurt

    17/11/2025

    Work Doesn't Have To Hurt

    Recorded on 16/09/2025 As a Health and Lifestyle Coach with over 20 years' experience in medical research, including a BSc in Biomedical Science and a PhD in Drug Metabolism, Louise Guilfoyle is passionate about using science to empower people to take control of their health. Through personalised, evidence-based coaching, Louise helps her clients cut through the confusion of conflicting health advice and make sustainable changes that boost energy, reduce stress, and support long-term wellbeing. As a working mum Louise understands how hard it can be to prioritise your own health amidst the demands of work, family and life. That’s why her approach is practical, compassionate, and rooted in real life; no fads, no gimmicks, just small, consistent changes that lead to lasting results. Most chronic illness is preventable, Louise’s mission is to help educate and empower people to prevent it and feel better, stronger, and more in control of their own health every day. Prior to setting up on her own, Louise worked in medical research for nearly 20 years at The University of Leeds, Yorkshire Cancer Research and most recently was the Head of Research at The Stroke Association. Through this work, it became clear to her that, whilst we know that 80-90% of heart disease, 90% of strokes, around 40% of cancers and nearly all type 2 diabetes are preventable through lifestyle changes, all the money and resources are channelled into the treatment of chronic diseases rather than preventing them in the first place. Louise wants to be able to educate and empower people to take control of their own health and make lifestyle changes that are achievable and sustainable so they can ultimately live longer healthier lives. https://www.instagram.com/thebalance.healthcoach/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/louise-guilfoyle-phd-358251b6/ If you're interested - UK life expectancy since 1765 https://www.statista.com/statistics/1040159/life-expectancy-united-kingdom-all-time/

    1h 41m
  6. Work Keeps You Running Man

    13/11/2025

    Work Keeps You Running Man

    Recorded on 04/08/25 Derek Miller is native of Chicago where he got his background in acting and improv at Improv Olympic, Second City and Piven Arts. Derek spent 20 years in Hollywood, teaching and performing at The Second City, iO West, and UCB. His improv show Opening Night! ran for 20 years with over 1,000 (mostly) sold-out performances. He used his improv chops on shows like Scrubs, The Goldbergs, Wedding Band, and Drunk History; in movies like Transformers 3; and in over 100 commercials. He’s also written on three TV series, a sketch show, and a feature film released on Amazon last year. Since moving to the UK, Derek has taught improv all over Europe, been on the BAFTA nominated Packed Lunch - which shot here in Leeds, and has written for Nickelodeon in London. You can catch him this summer in Wednesday on Netflix (directed by Tim Burton), and this autumn in The Running Man—where he got to work with another bucket-list director, Edgar Wright! He currently is a gigging actor and writer based in Leeds and teaches screen acting and screen skills at Leeds Beckett University and Met Film Leeds. https://www.firsttakeworkshops.co.uk/derekmiller https://www.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/ https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2479885/ And if you're going to Amsterdam, make sure you check out Boom Chicago: https://boomchicago.nl/

    1h 41m
  7. The Best Work Needs The Best Communication

    10/11/2025

    The Best Work Needs The Best Communication

    Recorded on 22/05/2025 Asma Khanum is a pioneering Speech and Language Therapist of Bangladeshi heritage and the CEO of Chatterbug Speech and Language Therapy Service. With a wealth of experience, Asma is deeply committed to supporting children with SLCN, drawing from her unique perspective as a neurodivergent individual and a mother of neurodivergent children. Her work has earned her the ASLTIP Leadership Award, recognising her dedication to high quality, tailored support for every child with SLCN. Join Asma in this talk to explore our innovative solutions and learn how you can make a profound impact on children’s lives across the UK. Discover how, together, we can provide the support that ensures every child has the opportunity for a bright and successful future. https://www.linkedin.com/in/asmaceo/ https://www.instagram.com/asma.ceo/ https://www.instagram.com/chatterbug_slt/

    1h 25m
  8. Work Must Be Organised

    06/11/2025

    Work Must Be Organised

    Recorded on 03/09/2025 Dave Pike joined the Trades Union Conference (TUC) from the NEU (National Education Union) where he was leading on activist development and mobilisation. Dave has worked on several high-profile campaigns, including leading the NEU's response to Covid in the East Midlands and mobilising around pay campaigns, as well as a number of local disputes - including with a large education service seeking to restrict the voice of LGBT+ educators. Further, Dave has a wealth of experience in organising with care workers and delivery drivers. He also brings to the TUC valuable experience in building resistance against the far right, and supporting the LGBT+ community. https://www.tuc.org.uk/neyh https://www.instagram.com/tucneyh/ https://bsky.app/profile/davepikesheff.bsky.social https://x.com/TUC_NEYH

    1h 44m
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Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
6 Ratings

About

What do you do? Western Studios, Leeds presents Working Hours: a podcast series surveying the people of Leeds on their thoughts and feelings on the topic of work. I want to talk to my city about work. Why do we do it? Do we like it? What could we do differently? What will we? How does work change and how does it change us? Leeds, the largest city in the largest county on the UK mainland, is a former imperial textile centre and is now a major UK financial centre. This series will document the city’s experiences through Lockdown, Brexit, creeping technological unemployment, new and continuing resource wars, the ongoing dismantling of the welfare state and our accelerating ecological emergency. If you are in Leeds or from Leeds then help me to reach my target of interviewing 1000 Loiners over the 2020s. Let me ask you, what do you do?

Information

  • Creator
    Western Studios, Leeds Ltd
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    192
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 Western Studios, Leeds Ltd
  • Show Website
    Working Hours