Sofa Stories

Nick Bianchi & Gary Pemberton
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Grab a coffee, it’s time for a debrief. Welcome to The Sofa Stories Podcast with furniture retailer, entrepreneur and Padel lover, Nick Bianchi with Gary Pemberton,  entrepreneur & property specialist.

  1. Sep 17

    Are we being listened to?

    Send us Fan Mail This week, Nick and Gary are back with another 'walk and talk' 5k episode, covering everything from charity padel and cold plunges to economics, politics and the art of negotiation. We kick things off with a look back at our last episode, featuring Paul Porter and Thomas Gibbons at The Farm Club, before turning our attention to Paul's forthcoming charity padel day in support of his Culture Lab, taking place on 24th September at Soul Padel. The Pickmere Piranhas have been out and about again, this time catching up at Kontrast Sauna & Ice Bath in Manchester. After braving the heat and cold, the team head to PKB for a well-earned brunch. Gary then takes us into the world of economics, sharing his experience of being invited to the NatWest Economic Forum and discussing some of the key themes that emerged. From there, the conversation turns to political donations to Reform UK and the wider questions surrounding money and influence in British politics. Is the government really listening to us? And is our country broken? We explore these questions, discussing the challenges facing the UK and what people want to see change. Finally, we are delighted to announce our next leading interview guest, Mark Grice, a global FMCG expert specialising in negotiation.  From the padel court to the boardroom, it's another episode packed with conversation, debate and plenty of food for thought. Follow @the_sofastories_podcast on Instagram. Send us a voice note with any questions and/ or thought provoking and inspiring statements which we can engage with on the show. We encourage our listeners to join the conversation. 🙏🏻

  2. Sep 6

    Sunday Morning with Friends at the Farm Club

    Send us Fan Mail After a fantastic swimming  session at Pickmere lake with Thomas Gibbons and Sofa Stories Royalty Paul Porter, and both great friends and listeners of the show, Nick and Gary settle in for a proper Sunday morning debrief down at the Farm Club. Joined by Thomas and Paul, the four sit down over cortados, cappuccinos and banana bread for an easy-going conversation touching on wellness, lifestyle and everything in between. Good company, great conversation and one of those simple Sunday mornings that sticks with you. A really memorable start to the day and exactly what Sofa Stories is all about. We hope you enjoy  Nick & Gary Follow @the_sofastories_podcast on Instagram. Send us a voice note with any questions and/ or thought provoking and inspiring statements which we can engage with on the show. We encourage our listeners to join the conversation. 🙏🏻

  3. Aug 13

    The Eclipse , Record Heatwaves & The Biggest Private Padel Event EVER..

    Send us Fan Mail Episode 88 In this episode of Sofa Stories, there is plenty to talk about! We kick things off with the incredible eclipse, before getting into yet more record-breaking heatwaves and the crazy weather we have been experiencing. Then it’s all about Padel, as NB discussed what was the biggest private padel event ever,an amazing day packed with great people, huge energy, plenty of laughs and, of course, some seriously competitive padel with the Worlds greatest players. From eclipses and extreme heat to an unforgettable event in Manchester, it’s another action-packed episode of Sofa Stories. 🌒🔥🎾 As always, thanks for watching.. enjoy the episode! Follow @the_sofastories_podcast on Instagram. Send us a voice note with any questions and/ or thought provoking and inspiring statements which we can engage with on the show. We encourage our listeners to join the conversation. 🙏🏻

  4. Aug 5

    Episode 87: Staying Human in the Age of AI

    Send us Fan Mail As AI becomes more capable, does being genuinely human become our greatest advantage? In this episode of Sofa Stories, Gary and  Nick talk about two brilliant customer experiences we’ve had with MyoMaster Ice Baths and Mover X : experiences that stood out not because of clever technology, automation or perfectly engineered processes, but because of the people behind them. That personal connection. Someone caring. Someone listening. Someone making you feel like you matter. AI can make businesses faster, smarter and more efficient, but it can’t replace the feeling of a great human interaction. And perhaps the more AI enters our lives, the more valuable those moments become. We also wander, as Sofa Stories tends to, into the subject of swearing.. and share a line from our very good friend Darryl that has stuck with us: “A conversation never suffers by not swearing.” We hope you enjoy  Follow @the_sofastories_podcast on Instagram. Send us a voice note with any questions and/ or thought provoking and inspiring statements which we can engage with on the show. We encourage our listeners to join the conversation. 🙏🏻

  5. Jul 23

    Prime Minister #7 in 8 Years, Montenegro Travels & Is Tuchel the right Man to Take England Forward?

    Send us Fan Mail Episode Summary In this episode of Sofa Stories, we unpack another extraordinary chapter in British politics as the UK welcomes its seventh Prime Minister in just eight years. What does this constant change at the top say about political stability, public confidence and the country’s direction of travel? We also turn our attention to Gary’s recent family holiday Montenegro, the so called Gem of the Balkans, slightly off piste from the normal Spain and France holiday destinations! Finally, we head to the football pitch to ask one of the biggest questions facing English football: Is Thomas Tuchel the right man to take England forward? We assess his tactical approach, tournament pedigree and whether he’s the coach who can finally help England turn potential into major silverware. Join us for an engaging conversation that blends politics, international affairs and football, with thoughtful discussion, differing opinions and plenty to get you thinking. Follow @the_sofastories_podcast on Instagram. Send us a voice note with any questions and/ or thought provoking and inspiring statements which we can engage with on the show. We encourage our listeners to join the conversation. 🙏🏻

  6. Jul 4

    64 Days. 2 Million Steps. One Epic Walk for Parkinson’s - Huw Davis leading interview

    Send us Fan Mail Huw Davis set himself an extraordinary challenge: to walk from John O’Groats to Land’s End in just 64 days, covering more than 2 million steps, raising over £20,000 for Parkinson’s which his twin brother has. In this episode, Huw shares the highs and lows of an unforgettable journey. From breathtaking landscapes and unexpected acts of kindness to relentless weather and the physical and mental battles along the way, he reflects on what it really takes to keep moving forward. The walk also became something far more personal. After selling his business in 2008, losing his wife, and now preparing for a new chapter in life and new found love, Huw explains how those 64 days gave him the space to reflect, heal, and rediscover what matters most. This is a story about resilience, endurance, grief, hope, and proving that even the biggest challenges can be overcome one step at a time. Follow @the_sofastories_podcast on Instagram. Send us a voice note with any questions and/ or thought provoking and inspiring statements which we can engage with on the show. We encourage our listeners to join the conversation. 🙏🏻

  7. Jun 30

    Peptides: The New Revolution? - Oska Dean Leading Interview

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Nick and Gary are joined by Oska Dean, expert and researcher in peptides and biohacking, for an insightful conversation exploring one of the most talked-about areas in health and performance. Together, they unpack what peptides are, how they work, and why they’re generating so much interest across medicine, fitness, longevity and recovery. Oska explains the difference between approved medical peptides and those that remain experimental, discussing the science, the current evidence, and why regulation varies around the world. We hope you enjoy! 🎙️  Disclaimer: This episode is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Some peptides are approved medicines, while others are experimental or sold for research purposes only and may not be approved for human use in your country. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before considering any treatment Follow @the_sofastories_podcast on Instagram. Send us a voice note with any questions and/ or thought provoking and inspiring statements which we can engage with on the show. We encourage our listeners to join the conversation. 🙏🏻

  8. Jun 24

    Burnham, the Netflix Effect & Room 101

    Send us Fan Mail Politics, technology, family life and a healthy dose of humour: it’s another wide-ranging conversation This week, Nick and Gary get together to discuss Andy Burnham’s convincing by-election victory and why many now see him as having a genuine path to becoming the UK’s next Prime Minister.  The pair also dive into the “Netflix Effect”—how technology and algorithms are increasingly shaping the content we consume. From personalised recommendations to curated news feeds and entertainment, they discuss whether our digital lives are becoming more convenient or simply more predictable. Along the way, there’s a catch-up on Father’s Day, what they’ve both been up to, and plenty of the usual banter before finishing with their Room 101, where Nick and Gary reveal the everyday frustrations they’d happily banish forever. We hope you enjoy listening Follow @the_sofastories_podcast on Instagram. Send us a voice note with any questions and/ or thought provoking and inspiring statements which we can engage with on the show. We encourage our listeners to join the conversation. 🙏🏻

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About

Grab a coffee, it’s time for a debrief. Welcome to The Sofa Stories Podcast with furniture retailer, entrepreneur and Padel lover, Nick Bianchi with Gary Pemberton,  entrepreneur & property specialist.

Information

  • Creator
    Nick Bianchi & Gary Pemberton
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    92
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Sofa Stories
  • Show Website
    Sofa Stories

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