Working Hours Western Studios, Leeds Ltd

Laurra Davis recorded on 07/05/2024
Laurra Davis is the founder and creative director of Leeds-based social media agency, Brilliant. They manage social media accounts for some of the UK’s best food and drink brands and celebrate their 13th year in business this month. At Brilliant Laurra oversees the creative output of the agency, and has a strong focus on tone of voice for brands and delivering that through social media content and advertising.
Laurra has lived in Leeds from age of 2 and studied theatre and creative writing, going on to form her first business called One Life Ceremonies with her mum when she was 23, bringing her writing skills to life through personally written and conducted ceremonies including funerals, baby namings and weddings.
Through running One Life she found a talent for social media marketing and became well known as someone who ‘knew what they were doing’ with Twitter and LinkedIn, so back in 2011, she started a side business of social media training which went on to become Brilliant.
Laurra is also a co-founder of B-corp certified sustainable product design agency, FIVE Create. They are the team behind the multi award winning air purification unit called Briiv (pronounced Breathe) which is the world’s most sustainable air purifier.
Alongside looking after her two children she’s also a Trustee for The Leeds Library which is the oldest surviving subscription library of its type in the UK. Socials are:
https://www.instagram.com/brilliantsocial/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/2726304
https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurradavis/

Jamie Taylor recorded on 05/02/2024
Jamie Taylor is a distinguished technologist and visionary leader, boasting over a decade of software development expertise. As the Managing Director at RJJ Software in Leeds, Jamie clinched the 'Most Visionary Software Development Managing Director' award in 2023.
Recognized as a Microsoft MVP, Jamie, among a select group of tech community leaders, seamlessly blends technical mastery in multiple programming languages and paradigms with a strategic partnership approach.
Jamie’s award-winning Leeds podcast, The Modern .NET Show, exemplifies his ability to bridge technical intricacies and real-world impact.
Beyond code, Jamie envisions a future where technology propels sustained business growth, positioning him as a transformative force in software development. His relentless pursuit of innovation, commitment to knowledge sharing, and strategic vision make him a sought-after partner for businesses aiming to elevate their tech game.
Links from Jamie:
Here's a short list of links for things I brought up during the recording:
https://mrbthegentlemanrhymer.bandcamp.com/track/frolicholic
Frolicholic, I quoted this when I said "generation X got this covered y'all"
Solo by Rebecca Seal
I mentioned this book when talking about working remotely
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=snAhsXyO3Ck
Spaceship You by CGP Grey
https://rjj-software.co.uk/our-green-computing-objectives/
The green computing initiatives at my company
https://se-radio.net/2024/01/se-radio-597-coral-calero-munoz-and-felix-garcia-on-green-software/
I mentioned this episode (erroneously called the show "Software Engineering Daily") when talking about green computing. This is a discussion on the academic research into what green computing could be
https://rjj-software.co.uk/case-studies/dreamcast-years-finale-physical-release/
I mentioned a client who engaged us to produce a podcast episode on a MiniDisc; this is a case study on how we did that. Sharing this link because there are images of the MiniDisc
TAXTOPIA: How I Discovered the Injustices, Scams and Guilty Secrets of the Tax Evasion Game by The Rebel Accountant
I mentioned this when we were talking about Brexit
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kaizen/
https://andysmanclub.co.uk/
The group that I volunteer with
https://www.npr.org/2024/01/24/1197956583/baby-bonds-proportional-representation-no-left-turns/
The episode of Planet Money which talks about an experiment for giving people social security from the moment they're born
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maslow's_hierarchy_of_needs/
I mentioned this during the discussion on UBI
And here are some self promo links:
a href="https://linkedin.com/in/jamie-taylor-rjj-software/" rel="noopener noreferrer"...

Luke Pierce recorded on 08/01/2024
Luke Pierce has been running his family business Abi Doors for the last 10 or so years. Leaving a life of sound engineering on television and shows ‘down south’ behind him to do so.
Abi Doors is the North’s leading supplier of garage doors, doors and awnings
With over 40 years of experience, Abi Doors has established itself as a trusted leader in the supply and installation of high-quality garage doors, doors, and awnings. Taking pride in offering exceptional products and services to homeowners, ensuring satisfaction and peace of mind.
Abi Doors understands that your home is your sanctuary, and believe that every detail matters. That’s why they specialise in providing top-notch solutions for all your door and awning needs. Whether you’re looking to enhance the functionality, security, or aesthetic appeal of your property, Abi Doors team of experts is there to guide you through the entire process.
https://abigaragedoors.co.uk/about/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/abi-garage-doors/about/
https://twitter.com/abigaragedoors

Rachel Surtees recorded on 15/01/2024
Rachel Surtees originally trained as a holistic therapist, growing and evolving her practice from there, she has worked with people therapeutically for over eighteen years now, including for the last six years working psychotherapeutically as a Relational Integrative Therapist.
Through her work and experiences in her personal life Rachel has become fascinated by people and the different ways we find of relating to each other. Rachel recognises the power of having good, supportive relationships as being one of the central keys to us feeling success and happiness as individuals.
Rachel has developed a deep interest in stories and the power they have to influence how we live our lives. She enjoys exploring with people the stories we create to help us make sense and meaning of our interactions with others and the world, and the things we experience in our lives that lead us to live out certain life narratives. Rachel finds deep joy in helping people transform their lives by supporting them to re-imagine the stories they hold which may be limiting them.
You keep up with Rachel and find out more at:
https://www.facebook.com/therapyinleeds
https://www.instagram.com/the_rambling_psychotherapist/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-surtees/

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Charlotte Raffo recorded on 23/01/2024
Charlotte Raffo has lived in Leeds since 1997. Her award winning business The Monkey Puzzle Tree collaborates with Yorkshire artists to create locally made fabrics and wallpapers with a twist and a conscience.
Charlotte plays Indian harmonium and suitcase percussion in jazz band The Devil’s Jukebox, which has been delighting and terrifying audiences since the early noughties.
Charlotte’s other Leeds experiences include working at the Pittard’s tannery in Cross Green until 2006 when it sadly closed, and spending her formative years visiting The Phono alternative nightclub - where she met her husband.
This is the first video episode of Working Hours, so if you’d like to see Charlotte and myself as we chat then hop on over to the YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/@workinghourspodcast4618
If you’re brave enough and if you’re interested in being on YouTube, then let me know you’d like to be on the show and you’d like to use the video from your online recording. I’ll clean my teeth, brush my hair and sort my background out for you.
Check out Charlotte Raffo and her amazing work at:
www.themonkeypuzzletree.com
https://www.linkedin.com/in/charlotte-raffo-05360465/
https://www.instagram.com/the_monkeypuzzletree/
https://www.facebook.com/themonkeypuzzletree
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4RWjJkA6LAsqY3YTc3OjBQ
https://www.devilsjukebox.co.uk/

SUBSCRIBE TO THE WORKING HOURS PODCAST YOUTUBE CHANNEL HERE: https://www.youtube.com/@workinghourspodcast4618
Recorded on 17/01/2024
Bryan Walters works in an office in Leeds 4 days a week doing admin. On Wednesdays he works on Geography Juice, his YouTube channel about Leeds History and Geography.
Bryan went to Christ Church Upper Armley Primary, Armley Middle School and City of Leeds High School. He left school at 16 to be an apprentice at Systime Computers (The "Glass Palace" next to the White Rose, now Capita). Agreeing with his parents that he could stay on at school if he got 5 A to C's. In the meantime, Bryan went for many interviews. This was 1982. He really wanted the Systime job and was pleased when he got it, in spite of big competition. (He got his 5 A to C's.)
Having finished the apprenticeship in 1985 Bryan was employed by Systime as a systems engineer. In 1987 he became a field engineer and had a company car with fuel card, aged 21.
In 1993 Bryan started studying a degree course in Geography (his favourite subject) with the Open University in his spare time, whilst continuing on as a field engineer. In 1998 he graduated with a 2:1. At the same time his career in IT was developing fast. By 2001 he was General Manager of Services at SphinxCST (An offshoot of Systime which by then was defunct). Unfortunately, in 2003, the division was moved to another business in the south.
Bryan could have moved with it, but decided to take the plunge and do a PGCE at University of Leeds to become a Geography teacher. Bryan joined Kettlethorpe High School in 2004 (one of his training placement schools). In 2006 Bryan became Head of Geography. In 2021, suffering a period of ill health Bryan took the decision to leave teaching.
However, he still loves the subject and continues to make videos and engage with it. He also loves his home city and loves exploring it and sharing his discoveries. Bryan says, “I guess my 4 day a week job funds my 1 day a week job, although, TBH, I spend much of my spare time on Geography Juice.”
All Bryan’s social media channels are all @geogjuice
If you’re interested in Leeds then check out his YouTube work, it’s really well made, informative and entertaining.
And if you fancy spending some time on YouTube then check out Working Hours channel at https://www.youtube.com/@workinghourspodcast4618 were you can find audiogram versions of all the podcasts, and in the next episode, you’ll be able to see me and my guest so hit subscribe and ring the notification bell.
If you’re someone in Leeds or from Leeds, if you are Leeds, then please be the guest on Working Hours. Yes, I do mean you.
If you’re a Loiner who is interested in where you live, where you work or where you’re from then obviously listen to and support Working Hours but, also check out and support Bryan’s excellent Leeds content.
You can find Bryan's work for Geog Juice at:
https://www.facebook.com/geogjuice
https://youtube.com/@geogjuice
https://instagram.com/geogjuice
https://twitter.com/geogjuice