North Star Conversations | Unlock Your Potential, Performance & Purpose

Will Polston | Business Strategist & Performance Coach
  • 5.0 (2)
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Updated Semiweekly

Join Will Polston, Business Strategist & Performance Coach, on North Star Conversations the go-to podcast for ambitious entrepreneurs looking to unlock their potential, elevate their performance, and align their business and life with true purpose. Hosted by Will Polston bestselling author, entrepreneur, award winning business strategist and performance coach this weekly show blends solo episodes and in-depth conversations with world-class thinkers, founders, and change-makers from around the globe. Whether you're scaling a business, shifting your mindset, or seeking more clarity and fulfilment, each episode delivers actionable insights. Rooted in Will's North Star mission to help you move from excuses to results and live a life you love, this podcast is designed to help you create lasting impact not just for yourself, but for your family, your team, your community, and the world. Tune in and discover what's possible when you align with your North Star.

  1. 2d ago

    Pension Expert & Entrepreneur: Use Your Pension to Fund Your Business, Protect Your Wealth & Build Financial Freedom - James Hadley | EP 272

    Episode Notes In this episode, I sit down with James Hadley, a pensions and property investment expert who has completed over 4,000 property transactions using pension funds. We talk about his journey from accountancy to pensions to property, the nine-year ordeal of being investigated by the HMRC, FCA, and SFO after a business deal went wrong, and the life-altering discovery in his 40s that he's autistic and bipolar. James shares the mindset shifts, daily habits, and hard-won lessons that got him through the darkest period of his life, plus practical advice on how business owners can use pensions to build wealth and protect themselves from risk. Don't miss the opportunity to take the first step towards a more fulfilling life. Book your complimentary clarity call today and discover how Will Polston can help you achieve the success you deserve. 💡 https://willpolston.com/book-a-call/ \ / / / \ \ \ / / / \ \ \ / / / \ \ \ / / / \ \ \ / / / \ \ \ / Video Chapters 00:00 - Introduction and how James and Will first connected 00:53 - Where James's determination comes from 02:57 - Grit and lessons learned from playing rugby 03:27 - School life and almost becoming an Army officer 04:59 - Why he ultimately didn't join the Army 05:37 - Training as an accountant 06:51 - Early business exposure: washing cars and his dad's business 07:59 - Moving into pensions at a global life assurance company 09:39 - Combining property investing with pension tax advantages 10:56 - Why property appeals to entrepreneurs as an asset class 13:15 - Business owners' preference for hands-on investing 14:00 - Pension tax advantages for business owners, part one 15:17 - Reducing corporation tax and protection from creditors 16:45 - Personal guarantees vs. pension protection 17:14 - Carry-forward contributions and director pension schemes explained 19:15 - Into the property investment rollercoaster 20:19 - The Richard Branson advice that backfired 21:09 - The pension scheme product that went wrong 22:07 - Investigated by HMRC, FCA, SFO and more 23:09 - "Guilty until proven innocent" - the early morning raid 23:58 - Nine years under investigation, then the case dropped 24:37 - Getting out of bed each day amid the pressure 25:27 - The life audit: family, sleep, and alcohol 27:38 - Cutting out alcohol and fixing sleep hygiene 28:44 - Discovering he's autistic and bipolar 29:49 - Developing empathy for others through adversity 31:06 - The moment the case was finally dropped 32:34 - How James and Will first connected, through Emma Mills 34:41 - The impact of coaching and accountability 35:33 - Quantum leaps vs. marginal gains 36:52 - The power of environment and peer groups 38:55 - Managing reputation through the ordeal 40:04 - "What other people think of me is none of my business" 41:09 - Choosing radical candor over hiding the story 42:39 - Why business owners are more understanding of failure 43:39 - Getting the ADHD and autism diagnosis 45:24 - Understanding pathological demand avoidance 45:59 - The bipolar diagnosis 49:32 - Nature vs. pressure: is neurodivergence innate or triggered? 50:29 - Masking and "special interests" in autism 51:17 - Giving up alcohol and realizing the mask 52:08 - Neurodivergence as a gift or a curse 53:14 - His North Star now: pension-led business funding 55:17 - Why pension-led funding beats expensive business loans 56:33 - How to connect with James 56:52 - Final reflection: "Can you help?" \ / / / \ \ \ / / / \ \ \ / / / \ \ \ / / / \ \ \ / / / \ \ \ / Relevant Links For the Viewer and Citations Website - https://www.willpolston.com Instagram - https://instagram.com/willpolston Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/willpolstonmih LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/willpolston/ Twitter / X - https://x.com/willpolston TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@willpolston Connect with James here: https://www.jameshadleypensions.com/ About Me: I am dedicated to helping individuals and businesses unlock their true potential through expert coaching and training programs. I'm passionate about empowering others to achieve their dreams and live a life they love. Subscribe for more insights and tips on personal development, productivity, and achieving your goals. Let's embark on this journey together!

    Pension Expert & Entrepreneur: Use Your Pension to Fund Your Business, Protect Your Wealth & Build Financial Freedom - James Hadley | EP 272

  2. 4d ago ·  Bonus

    Episode Highlight: Why Success Comes from Staying Dynamic - Dawn McGruer

    Originally aired: November 2024 Episode Number: 184 Building a successful business isn't about holding onto what's worked in the past. It's about staying adaptable, understanding what truly drives you, and creating a business that supports the life you want to live. In this episode highlight of North Star Conversations with Will Polston, accomplished entrepreneur and digital marketing expert Dawn McGruer explores why the most sustainable success comes from designing your business around your values rather than society's definition of achievement. Discover how embracing change, trusting your instincts, and focusing on work that energises you can lead to greater fulfillment, stronger business growth, and a life built on freedom, flexibility, and purpose. Listen to the full episode here:  https://kite.link/dawnmcgruer

    Episode Highlight: Why Success Comes from Staying Dynamic - Dawn McGruer

  3. 6d ago ·  Bonus

    Episode Highlight: Why Most People Don't Truly Want to Heal - Steven Ray Ozanich

    Originally aired: November 2024 Episode Number: 183 Many of us spend our lives trying to silence physical or emotional symptoms without ever addressing the deeper issues that may be causing them. But true healing often begins when we're willing to confront the emotions we've spent years avoiding. In this episode highlight of North Star Conversations with Will Polston, mindbody health consultant and author Steven Ray Ozanich explores why unresolved emotions can manifest as physical symptoms and how the body often reflects what the mind struggles to process. Discover how facing difficult emotions, rather than simply managing symptoms, can open the door to lasting healing, greater self-awareness, and a more authentic way of living. Listen to the full episode here: https://kite.link/stevenrayozanich

    Episode Highlight: Why Most People Don't Truly Want to Heal - Steven Ray Ozanich

  4. Jul 27 ·  Bonus

    Episode Highlight: Why Execution Matters More Than Strategy - Deri Llewellyn-Davies

    Originally aired: November 2024 Episode Number: 182 The most effective business strategies aren't the most complicated—they're the clearest. When leaders simplify their focus and execute consistently, sustainable growth becomes far more achievable. In this episode highlight of North Star Conversations with Will Polston, Precision Strategist and International Speaker Deri Llewellyn-Davies explores the thinking behind his Strategy on a Page framework. Learn why purpose-driven strategy, clear priorities, and disciplined execution are the keys to sustainable business growth, and how simplifying your approach can help leaders eliminate distractions, close performance gaps, and scale with greater confidence. Listen to the full episode here:  https://kite.link/derillewelyndavies

    Episode Highlight: Why Execution Matters More Than Strategy - Deri Llewellyn-Davies

  5. Jul 25 ·  Bonus

    Episode Highlight: Why Financial Freedom Starts With Better Organization - Marcus de Maria

    Originally aired: October 2024 Episode Number: 181 Financial freedom isn't just about earning more money—it's about learning how to manage what you already have. Small changes in the way you organise your finances can create opportunities that compound over time and lay the foundation for lasting wealth. In this episode highlight of North Star Conversations with Will Polston, founder of Investment Mastery Marcus de Maria shares the simple money management principles that many people are never taught. Learn why separating your finances with purpose, building intentional spending habits, and adopting a long-term approach to money can help you take control of your finances and begin creating wealth that benefits both you and future generations. Listen to the full episode here:  https://kite.link/marcusdemaria

    Episode Highlight: Why Financial Freedom Starts With Better Organization - Marcus de Maria

  6. Jul 23

    Lord Sugar's Advisor: Master the Art of PR, Storytelling & Business Growth - Andrew Bloch | EP 271

    Episode Notes In this episode, I sit down with Andrew Bloch, one of the UK's most respected PR and marketing services advisors, whose career spans launching Frank PR, advising Lord Sugar and The Apprentice for over two decades, and working with names like Stephen Bartlett, Peter Jones, and Anthony Joshua. We talk about his accidental start in PR, the infamous story of the Buckingham Palace complaint that nearly got his first agency fired, and how one idea from a work experience placement shaped his entire career. Andrew shares his philosophy on reputation, integrity, chasing "the deal" over the money, and why knowing what success looks like is the most important question in any business relationship. Don't miss the opportunity to take the first step towards a more fulfilling life. Book your complimentary clarity call today and discover how Will Polston can help you achieve the success you deserve. 💡 https://willpolston.com/book-a-call/ \ / / / \ \ \ / / / \ \ \ / / / \ \ \ / / / \ \ \ / / / \ \ \ / Video Chapters 00:00 - Introduction 00:02 - Guest welcome: Andrew Bloch 00:46 - Not knowing what PR was and the art teacher who sparked his path 03:00 - Landing at Lynne Franks and falling in love with the industry 04:16 - Parties, glamour, and enjoying the work then vs. now 06:42 - Direct vs indirect mentors and early career parallels 08:17 - The culture of Lynne Franks and the BT pager campaign begins 10:34 - The Prince Charles pager story and the front-page splash 12:23 - The Buckingham Palace complaint: "fire this agency" 14:43 - Why PR's speed and thrill beat advertising's slow burn 15:10 - Meritocracy, Absolutely Fabulous, and agency culture 17:27 - Giving young people opportunity and ownership 19:03 - The King's Trust, King Charles, and coming full circle 19:34 - Books, information consumption, and where inspiration comes from 21:49 - Will's uncle, The Art of the Deal, and the ripple effect of ideas 22:40 - How the relationship with Lord Sugar began 25:01 - The origins of The Apprentice UK and its educational value 27:25 - The show's cultural impact, longevity, and life without Lord Sugar 28:41 - Managing the highs and lows of viral PR wins 30:47 - Cutting through noise in the age of AI and content overload 33:28 - High-profile clients and the reality of working with them 34:41 - Reputation, integrity, and turning down work 36:29 - The problem with PR agencies that can't prove results 37:08 - Why PR needs a clear ROI - and isn't always the answer 39:37 - Founding Frank PR: honesty as a brand value 40:09 - The law of reciprocity in business relationships 40:54 - Why he stepped back from agency life 43:19 - Building multiple pillars: advisory, M&A, Exited Founders 45:43 - Giving back: The King's Trust, charities, and helping young people 46:16 - Will's concept of a "North Star" 46:46 - Andrew's reflections on pride, legacy, and not having one defined North Star 49:10 - The "fun, fame, fortune" philosophy 49:31 - The golden thread: loving the deal, big or small 51:43 - One piece of PR advice every entrepreneur needs to hear 53:15 - How to connect with Andrew Bloch 54:26 - Final reflection: what does success really look like? 58:09 - Closing remarks \ / / / \ \ \ / / / \ \ \ / / / \ \ \ / / / \ \ \ / / / \ \ \ / Relevant Links For the Viewer and Citations Website - https://www.willpolston.com Instagram - https://instagram.com/willpolston Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/willpolstonmih LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/willpolston/ Twitter / X - https://x.com/willpolston TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@willpolston Check out Andrew's website here: https://www.andrewbloch.co.uk/ Connect with Andrew on Instagram: @blochstagram About Me: I am dedicated to helping individuals and businesses unlock their true potential through expert coaching and training programs. I'm passionate about empowering others to achieve their dreams and live a life they love. Subscribe for more insights and tips on personal development, productivity, and achieving your goals. Let's embark on this journey together!

    Lord Sugar's Advisor: Master the Art of PR, Storytelling & Business Growth - Andrew Bloch | EP 271

  7. Jul 20 ·  Bonus

    Episode Highlight: How to Master the Mindset Behind Lasting Success - Davinia Meades

    Originally aired: October 2024 Episode Number: 177 Lasting health and personal transformation aren't built on quick fixes or perfect routines. They come from developing the right mindset, creating consistent habits, and reinforcing the beliefs that shape your daily actions. In this episode highlight of North Star Conversations with Will Polston, coach and personal trainer Davinia Meades shares the timeless principles that have guided her work for over 25 years. Find out why self-belief, positive daily rituals, movement, balanced nutrition, and powerful affirmations remain the foundation for creating lasting change, regardless of where you are on your personal journey. Listen to the full episode here: https://kite.link/daviniameades

    Episode Highlight: How to Master the Mindset Behind Lasting Success - Davinia Meades

  8. Jul 18 ·  Bonus

    Episode Highlight: How to Reinvent Yourself at Any Stage of Life - Anthony Ogogo

    Originally aired: September 2024 Episode Number: 176 When a lifelong dream comes to an unexpected end, it's easy to believe that the story is over. But sometimes the greatest opportunities for growth, purpose, and fulfillment emerge only after we've been forced to let go of the identity we've held onto for years. In this episode highlight of North Star Conversations with Will Polston, former Olympian boxer and professional wrestler Anthony Ogogo shares his journey of rebuilding his life after seeing one dream come to an end and discovering a deeper sense of purpose through serving others. Learn how resilience, reinvention, and shifting the focus from personal achievement to helping others can unlock a level of happiness and fulfillment that success alone cannot provide. Listen to the full episode here: https://kite.link/anthonyogogo

    Episode Highlight: How to Reinvent Yourself at Any Stage of Life - Anthony Ogogo
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About

Join Will Polston, Business Strategist & Performance Coach, on North Star Conversations the go-to podcast for ambitious entrepreneurs looking to unlock their potential, elevate their performance, and align their business and life with true purpose. Hosted by Will Polston bestselling author, entrepreneur, award winning business strategist and performance coach this weekly show blends solo episodes and in-depth conversations with world-class thinkers, founders, and change-makers from around the globe. Whether you're scaling a business, shifting your mindset, or seeking more clarity and fulfilment, each episode delivers actionable insights. Rooted in Will's North Star mission to help you move from excuses to results and live a life you love, this podcast is designed to help you create lasting impact not just for yourself, but for your family, your team, your community, and the world. Tune in and discover what's possible when you align with your North Star.

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