A Quick Brew

David Bancroft and James Sharples

'A Quick Brew' is your virtual weekly sit-down with two mates, Dave and James. Just 20 minutes. No rambling. No filler. Just real chat that gets you thinking, smiling, and maybe even seeing the world a little differently. Each episode, we'll dive into everyday observations and cover topics relating to business, well-being, careers, and how the world seems to be shifting around us. Thoughtful yet relaxed, it’s the perfect blend of insight and banter to enjoy on your break, commute, or wind-down. Big ideas, small moments, endless conversation...Enjoy!

  1. 5d ago

    Why Rest is Your Competitive Advantage

    Dave and James explore what happens when you stop moving forward: burnout, illness, and stagnation. But more importantly, they explore what happens when you learn to rest. What they discuss: 🪓 The Axeman story 🥋 Dave's karate journey: commitment, discipline, and competing ⏰ Consistency beats intensity every single time 😤 Hustle culture is a lie 🏥 Why David got ill every time he took a holiday 💼 Psychological safety: building teams that admit mistakes and learn from them 🎮 Why hobbies matter 💭 The most important relationship you'll ever have is with yourself As always, enjoy, with your 'Quick Brew' ⏱️☕🎙️ ❤️ Thank you to our sponsors, Loomyna. Your AI conversation coach - helping managers, leaders, and HR professionals rehearse, refine, and communicate with clarity, confidence, and care. 🔗 https://wellityglobal.com/meet-loomyna/ 🤑 Don't forget to use the discount code: BREW10 #aquickbrew #podcast #wellbeing #mentalhealth #leadership #psychology #teamculture #worklifebalance #rest #karate #personalgrowth #learning #businesspodcast #burnout #hustle

  2. Jul 8

    Cyber Hygiene: Your Supply Chain's Weak Link ft. James Pitron

    England just beat Mexico in the World Cup, and James Pitron from Digital Data Governance is here to explain why cybersecurity requires the same tactical flexibility as football! Dave and James 'ICH' Sharples welcome Shiny (our guest James), a cyber essentials assessor just back from expanding operations across Southeast Asia. They dive into Cyber Essentials frameworks, why basic cybersecurity hygiene matters more than fancy solutions, and the uncomfortable truth: small businesses aren't too small to target, they're actually the easiest entry point to bigger brands. What they discuss: 🔒 Cyber Essentials: the NIST framework and why basic hygiene saves businesses ✨ Cyber Essentials rebrand and two-branch approach (Governance + Defence) 🌏 Expanding to Manila and Malaysia (with a detour to the worst beach in the Philippines) ⚽ England's tactical masterclass and why Tuchel proves adaptability wins 😩 Blockbuster rejecting Netflix for £50M: the cost of refusing to innovate 💡 Why everyone you meet knows something you don't (and networking without a list) 🎯 Atomic Habits in cybersecurity: small changes compound into big protection 🤝 The strength of networks and unexpected connections through LinkedIn This is about adaptation, vulnerability, and why the philosophy "if you don't innovate, you'll evaporate" applies to every business, and every person (Dave borrowed this one from James Sinclair) As always, enjoy, with your 'Quick Brew' ⏱️☕🎙️ 🤝 Connect with our guest James Pitron from Digital Data Governance: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-pitron-53353a283/ 📖 Read James' book recommendation: The 12 Week Year by Brian Moran: https://amzn.eu/d/0hH5M6s8 ❤️ Thank you to our sponsors, Loomyna. Your AI conversation coach - helping managers, leaders, and HR professionals rehearse, refine, and communicate with clarity, confidence, and care. 🔗 https://wellityglobal.com/meet-loomyna/ 🤑 Don't forget to use the discount code: BREW10 #aquickbrew #podcast #cybersecurity #smallbusiness #innovation #datagovernance #worldcup #itscominghome #networkingtips #linkedin #businesspodcast 00:00 Euphoria and Football Excitement 02:19 Introducing James Pitron from Cyber Trust 03:23 Global Ventures in Cybersecurity 08:13 England's Football Performance and Tactical Changes 11:50 Analyzing Key Players and Future Challenges 16:56 Referee Decisions and VAR in Football 19:17 The Importance of Adaptability in Cybersecurity 22:09 AI's Impact on Cybersecurity 24:56 Innovation vs. Complacency in Business 29:08 A Note From Our Sponsors: Loomyna 29:32 The Evolution of Cyber Trust 31:56 The Twelve Week Year: James' Book Recommendation 34:47 Cybersecurity Awareness Among Small Businesses 36:09 The Vulnerability of Supply Chains 39:15 Networking and Learning from Others 43:17 Wrapping Up The Episode

  3. Jul 1

    Show Up... When Everyone Else Doesn't

    EP42. The summer holiday season is coming, and your mindset about it will determine your results! This week Dave and James explore the sales fundamental that separates winners from everyone else: showing up when everyone else assumes it's quiet. They discuss why your effort directly equals your opportunities, why quality conversations matter more than call scripts, and why after working hard, you should never feel guilty about taking time off to recharge. What they discuss: 🎯 Why the holiday period is actually an opportunity, not a dead zone 📞 The cold call approach: personality over scripts, questions over pitches 🎣 The fishing analogy (if you don't put a rod in the water, you catch zero fish) ❌ Knowing when to walk away from deals that aren't a fit ⚡ The Yerkes-Dodson curve: why you need positive pressure but also recovery 🏖️ The value of intentional time off and digital detoxing ✉️ A live LinkedIn DM to Jordan Belfort mid-episode This is about mindset in sales, boundaries in work, and why showing up matters more than you think. As always, enjoy, with your 'Quick Brew' ⏱️☕🎙️ ❤️ Thank you to our sponsors, Loomyna. Your AI conversation coach - helping managers, leaders, and HR professionals rehearse, refine, and communicate with clarity, confidence, and care. 🔗 https://wellityglobal.com/meet-loomyna/ 🤑 Don't forget to use the discount code: BREW10 00:00 Introduction and Refreshments 02:14 Mindset During Holiday Seasons 05:21 Do The Holidays Slow Down Recruitment? 09:07 Sales Strategies and Cold Calling 11:55 Consistency and Effort in Sales 14:52 You're Not Trying To Sell To Everyone 15:42 Don't Prejudge In Sales 17:11 Let's Get Jordan Belfort Onto The Pod! 19:41 Balancing Work and Rest 21:36 Reminiscing Over Corfu in James’ Youth 24:13 Look After Yourself And Take Time Off 26:22 Wrapping Up The Episode #aquickbrew #podcast #sales #salesleadership #mindset #summerholidays #holidayseason #coldcalling #worklifebalance #burnout #businesspodcast

  4. Jun 24

    Turning Old Tech into Opportunities ft. Mike Tarbard

    How do you turn broken tech into life-changing opportunities? Mike Tarbard, co-founder and CEO of Every Child Online and Everyone Digital, has spent five years answering that question... and the results are impressive! Dave and James welcome Mike to discuss digital inclusion, online safety, and how refurbished IT equipment is creating pathways for young people who would otherwise have no access. From collecting surplus tech from businesses to wiping data securely, from training centres to creative upcycling, this is a charity that's doing things differently. What they discuss: 💻 How 50,000+ devices have been refurbished and distributed to schools and charities, and they're just getting started 🎓 Digital inclusion isn't just about education, it's about belonging and self-esteem 🔒 The online safety crisis: bullying, sextortion, and predators ♻️ Creating jewellery and gifts from old circuit boards 🤝 How ESG credentials help businesses win tenders whilst supporting their community 🏢 Expanding to new premises and outreach centres across the region 📚 The importance of practical work experience alongside qualifications As always, enjoy, with your 'Quick Brew' ⏱️☕🎙️ 🤝 Connect with Mike on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-tarbard/ 🙏 Learn more about Every Child Online: https://everychildonline.co.uk/ 📖 Read Mike's book recommendation: The Magic Faraway Tree Collection by Enid Blyton: https://amzn.eu/d/0c8y6FXz ❤️ Thank you to our sponsors, Loomyna. Your AI conversation coach - helping managers, leaders, and HR professionals rehearse, refine, and communicate with clarity, confidence, and care. 🔗 https://wellityglobal.com/meet-loomyna/ 🤑 Don't forget to use the discount code: BREW10 #digitalinclusion #everychildonline #onlinesafety #charity #tech #cybersecurity #corporatesocialresponsibility #businesspodcast #aquickbrew #podcast

  5. Jun 17

    Paying It Forward: Why Kindness Still Matters

    Sometimes the best episodes are about the simplest things: paying it forward and remembering that kindness still matters. Dave and James kick off their 40th episode discussing James's decision to refocus on an AI project inspired by recent health scares, and David's work as a charity ambassador for Every Child Online and Everyone Digital. What follows is a celebration of random acts of kindness. What they discuss: 🤝 Why paying it forward matters when the world feels cynical 💻 Refurbishing tech and making cufflinks from circuit boards 👴 The elderly couple and a £3 bottle of water 🤝 InfoSec at the Excel and the Cyber House Party igloo 📱 Why people engage with one-minute shorts instead of full episodes 🎬 Film actors that never have anything in their cups... A genuinely positive episode about community, connection, and the fact that small acts of kindness cost nothing but make everything better. As always, enjoy, with your 'Quick Brew' ⏱️☕🎙️ ❤️ Thank you to our sponsors, Loomyna. Your AI conversation coach - helping managers, leaders, and HR professionals rehearse, refine, and communicate with clarity, confidence, and care. 🔗 https://wellityglobal.com/meet-loomyna/ 🤑 Don't forget to use the discount code: BREW10#podcast #kindness #community #charity #volunteers #everychild #cybersecurity #mentalhealth #payitforward #businesspodcast #aquickbrew 00:00 The Perfect Introduction 01:03 Focus on Personal Projects and Side Hustles 03:02 Charity Initiatives and Community Support 05:33 Acts of Kindness and Paying It Forward 10:21 Challenges of Modern Transactions - Just Take My Money! 12:00 The Importance of Paying It Forward 12:47 Community Engagement in Cybersecurity 14:17 Positive Initiatives and Charitable Causes 17:23 Recognition and AQB Host Identities 19:20 Humor and Family Dynamics 21:20 Come On Guys, Watch The Pod! 22:16 James' Stunt Mug 23:48 Acts of Kindness in Daily Life 25:47 Wrapping Up 26:35 AQB_intro_short.mp4

  6. Jun 10

    Nobody Should Have To Hide To Belong ft. Phil McQuillen

    One conversation that needed to happen during Pride Month: why football remains one of the least inclusive sports, and what genuine change actually looks like. Dave and James welcome Phil McQuillan, Inclusion and Wellbeing Lead at Birmingham City Football Club, for a raw discussion about safety, authenticity, and a statistic that may just stagger you... What they discuss: 🏳️‍🌈 Why Pride Month is about making people feel safe, not just changing your logo ⚽ The segregation of fans in football versus other sports 💪 How keyboard warrior culture has normalised public abuse 🎭 Creating false personas as a survival mechanism 📚 Building inclusive environments where people can be authentic 🌍 The different landscape for women's football versus men's Phil shares a powerful 'golden nugget' and James gets personal about his own journey with identity, childhood trauma, and creating "Stage James" to survive. This is a conversation about the everyday actions that create genuine psychological safety, not performative gestures. As always, enjoy, with your 'Quick Brew' ⏱️☕🎙️ ----- 🤝 Connect with Phil: https://www.linkedin.com/in/phillip-mcquillen/ -----📖 Read Phil's book recommendation(s): 📕 The Velvet Rage by Alan Downs🔗 https://amzn.eu/d/0dIx8e3W 📘 Effortless by Greg McKeown 🔗 https://amzn.eu/d/03YyxrFB-----❤️ Thank you to our sponsors, Loomyna. Your AI conversation coach - helping managers, leaders, and HR professionals rehearse, refine, and communicate with clarity, confidence, and care.🔗 https://wellityglobal.com/meet-loomyna/🤑 Don't forget to use the discount code: BREW10 ----- #pride #inclusion #football #lgbtqia #mentalhealth #safespace #wellbeing #authenticity #diversity #aquickbrew #podcast

    Nobody Should Have To Hide To Belong ft. Phil McQuillen

  7. Jun 3

    Come On England! World Cup 2026

    With the World Cup just weeks away, Dave and James dive deep into England's prospects. What they discuss: ⚽ Arsenal's heartbreak in the Champions League penalty shootout against PSG 💪 Why confidence matters more than trickery when taking penalties 🤞 World Cup favourites and some dark horse predictions 🎯 Squad selection debates 🏆 Premier League Manager of the Year choice... From why stuttering run-ups show a lack of confidence to debating whether Sunderland's Europa League qualification was more impressive than Arsenal's league title. The conversation turns personal when James opens up about caring for his father and the difficulty of watching someone mentally check out. As always, enjoy, with your 'Quick Brew' ⏱️☕🎙️ -----❤️ Thank you to our sponsors, Loomyna. Your AI conversation coach - helping managers, leaders, and HR professionals rehearse, refine, and communicate with clarity, confidence, and care. 🔗 https://wellityglobal.com/meet-loomyna/ 🤑 Don't forget to use the discount code: BREW10 -----#podcast #worldcup #england #football #soccer #penalties #premierleague #sports #mentalhealthmatters

    Come On England! World Cup 2026

  8. May 27

    Why Being Authentic Is Your Superpower ft. Lauren Cross

    What happens when vulnerability becomes your superpower? Dave and James 'Hehe' Sharples welcome Lauren Cross, award-winning "vulnerability warrior" and blogger, for a conversation that spans mental health, authenticity, and why not everyone will like you, even if you're a peach... From her win at the Great British Workplace Wellbeing Awards to sharing her journey through anxiety, solo parenting, and food addiction, Lauren proves that being open about struggles creates the psychological safety others need. What they discuss: 🏆 The best celebration ever witnessed at the awards 💪 Why vulnerability isn't weakness 📝 Blogging through dark times and finding community 🎭 How authenticity beats perfection every time ✨ Lauren's word of the year conceptFrom Michael Jackson appreciation to the Tom List (yes, it's a thing), this episode weaves between deep vulnerability and joyful tangents. As always, enjoy, with your 'Quick Brew' ⏱️☕🎙️ ----- 📖 Read Lauren's book recommendation: Always Winning by Ashley Walters 🔗 https://amzn.eu/d/0439Hzf9 -----❤️ Thank you to our sponsors, Loomyna. Your AI conversation coach - helping managers, leaders, and HR professionals rehearse, refine, and communicate with clarity, confidence, and care. 🔗 https://wellityglobal.com/meet-loomyna/ 🤑 Don't forget to use the discount code: BREW10 ----- #podcast #mentalhealth #vulnerability #authenticity #wellbeing #anxiety #personaldevelopment #blogging #psychologicalsafety #businesspodcast

    Why Being Authentic Is Your Superpower ft. Lauren Cross
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About

'A Quick Brew' is your virtual weekly sit-down with two mates, Dave and James. Just 20 minutes. No rambling. No filler. Just real chat that gets you thinking, smiling, and maybe even seeing the world a little differently. Each episode, we'll dive into everyday observations and cover topics relating to business, well-being, careers, and how the world seems to be shifting around us. Thoughtful yet relaxed, it’s the perfect blend of insight and banter to enjoy on your break, commute, or wind-down. Big ideas, small moments, endless conversation...Enjoy!

Information

  • Creator
    David Bancroft and James Sharples
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    44
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 David Bancroft and James Sharples
  • Show Website
    A Quick Brew