Mentor

Viral Tribe Entertainment

MENTOR is a podcast that shares the lived experiences of senior leaders across industries. In each episode, guests open up to founders Rachel Forde and Marco Bertozzi of TheZoo.London about their careers, mistakes, lessons, and the people who inspired them along the way. It’s smart, relaxed, and packed with real-world insight. Whether you’re a future leader or simply curious about how others have navigated the world of work, MENTOR delivers valuable takeaways and thoughtful conversation. Brought to you by TheZoo.London and Viral Tribe.

Episodes

  1. 22H AGO

    What Happens When You Bet on Culture Before Revenue? With Dom Williams

    What happens when a seasoned media exec switches lanes after 20 years, and nearly walks out after just one week? Rachel and Marco sit down with Dom Williams, Chief Revenue Officer at Mail Metro Media, to unpack the highs, lows, and truths of making bold career moves. From battling self-doubt to rebuilding confidence, transforming culture, and mentoring high-performance teams, Dom shares the lessons behind his rise and reinvention. Follow us:  https://www.tiktok.com/@thezoo.london https://www.instagram.com/thezoo.london/ https://thezoo.london Chapters: 00:00 Welcome & Intro to Dom Williams 02:18 Expanding Mail Metro Media in the US 05:06 20 Years at Dentsu – Why He Stayed So Long 08:24 The Leap from Agency to Sales – And Why He Almost Quit 10:57 Mentorship, Confidence & Rebuilding After a Tough Start 13:31 How Dom Leads High-Performing Teams Through Pressure 17:38 Culture First, Cash Second – Transforming Mail Metro 23:55 Learning from Mistakes: The Booking That Nearly Got Him Fired 32:13 Magpie Moments – Lessons Stolen From the Best 39:38 Best Advice Dom’s Ever Received & Reverse Mentoring Wins Produced by Viral Tribe Entertainment: https://viraltribe.co.uk/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    44 min

  2. 22H AGO

    “I Regret the Decisions I Didn’t Make” – Jon O'Donnell on Building a Podcast Empire

    This week on Mentor, Rachel and Marco sit down with Jon O’Donnell, former MD of ESI Media, and founder of Viral Tribe Entertainment. From rave MC to running major newspapers to building a creative powerhouse in podcasting, Jon shares what he's learned about reinvention, decision-making, and rediscovering creative purpose later in life. Follow us:  https://www.tiktok.com/@thezoo.london https://www.instagram.com/thezoo.london/ https://thezoo.london Chapters: 02:00 – Jon’s 60-second life story 04:30 – Why starting Viral Tribe wasn’t the brave move 08:00 – Coming full circle back to creativity 13:30 – Big decisions at the Evening Standard & The Independent 17:45 – The biggest career mistake he ever made 22:00 – The importance of mentors (and surprising sources of inspiration) 38:00 – Athletic mindset meets business: hacks, habits & high performance Produced by Viral Tribe Entertainment: https://viraltribe.co.uk/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    48 min

  3. 22H AGO

    Why Belonging Matters More Than Fitting In with Kathryn Jacob OBE

    Rachel and Marco sit down with Kathryn Jacob OBE – CEO of Pearl & Dean, co-author of three best-selling books, and one of the most thoughtful voices in British media. From her early career chaos with Chris Evans to her OBE-worthy work on inclusion, Kathryn shares honest, funny and insightful lessons on leadership, resilience, and knowing when to change your shoes (yes, literally and metaphorically). Follow us:  https://www.tiktok.com/@thezoo.london https://www.instagram.com/thezoo.london/ https://thezoo.london Chapters:05:30 – Kathryn'ss Career in 60 seconds: Virgin Media, cinema, and more08:00 – Getting an OBE (and nearly mistaking it for a tax demand)10:00 – Creating cultures of inclusion and true belonging12:00 – The power of mentorship and finding your “hand at your back”18:00 – Biggest career f**k-up: wearing the wrong ‘shoes’22:30 – Why “fitting in” isn’t the same as “belonging”24:00 – Behind the books: The Glass Wall, Belonging, and Creativity28:00 – Creativity, elitism, and letting go of the gatekeepers31:00 – What real leadership looks like (hint: it’s not ego)34:30 – Magpie moments: learning from others36:50 – Final advice: if it doesn’t feel right, it might not be you Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    43 min

  4. 22H AGO

    How to Take the Leap – And Land It: Lessons from Colin Gottlieb

    Colin Gottlieb has shaped the media world for decades – but he’s not done yet. From building agencies to transforming LADbible, to collaborating with the Muhammad Ali Center and exploring AI’s future, Colin shares stories and career-defining advice with Marco and Rachel. Follow us:  https://www.tiktok.com/@thezoo.london https://www.instagram.com/thezoo.london/ https://thezoo.london Chapters: 02:20 – Meet Colin Gottlieb: Media icon and restless innovator 03:30 – Career in 60 Seconds (ish): From TBS to the top 09:00 – The origin story of Manning Gottlieb Media 13:00 – Taking the leap: Conviction, courage, and starting an agency 17:00 – The Omnicom acquisition & the power of staying focused 21:00 – Why change is opportunity (and how to spot it) 23:30 – The Muhammad Ali Center & Colin’s spiritual side 25:30 – Transforming LADbible & embracing the future 30:00 – Collaboration, creativity, and client-first thinking 33:20 – AI agents, future tools, and creating efficiency 36:30 – What to do when you get ghosted (and how to stay relevant) 39:30 – Colin’s advice to those considering the leap 42:30 – Colin’s biggest f***-up (and what he learned) Produced by Viral Tribe Entertainment: https://viraltribe.co.uk/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    50 min

  5. 22H AGO

    “Always Ask If the Contract’s Signed” – Karen Stacey on Tough Lessons in Leadership

    What makes a great leader, and how do you recover from a truly career-defining mistake? In this episode, Marco and Rachel sit down with Karen Stacey, CEO of Digital Cinema Media and President of WACL, for a conversation on leadership, learning the hard way, and the surprising power of optimism. Karen shares her journey from skipping university to landing one of the most coveted roles in media, what she learned when a crucial contract went unsigned, and why leaders should be “the sunshine” in the room. Follow us:  https://www.tiktok.com/@thezoo.london https://www.instagram.com/thezoo.london/ https://thezoo.london Chapters 0:00 – Intro: Meet Karen Stacey 1:30 – How Do You Fit It All In? 4:00 – Leadership as the Weather 5:25 – What Makes a Great Leader? 10:00 – No Degree? No Problem  17:00 – The Channel 4 Breakthrough  20:00 – Holding Your Nerve  25:15 – The Power of Positivity in Teams  27:00 – CEO 101: Leading Without Burning Out  30:00 – Get to Know Your P&L - Why financial fluency is essential 32:00 – Karen’s Biggest F*Up - The unsigned contract that taught her a lifelong lesson about detail and delegation. 36:00 – Magpie Moments: Karen’s philosophy of listening more than speaking 38:00 – Imposter Syndrome  Produced by Viral Tribe Entertainment: https://viraltribe.co.uk/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    53 min

  6. 22H AGO

    Why You MUST Run Towards Adversity with Simon Daglish

    In this episode of Mentor, Rachel and Marco sit down with media legend and ITV exec Simon Daglish – or Dags, as he’s known across the industry. From raising £1 million for charity, to going bankrupt, Dags shares the raw truth about resilience, leadership, failure, and finding purpose in adversity. Chapters 00:00 – Meet Dags: Media Legend, Charity Founder, Polar Explorer 05:36 – From Millionaire to Bankrupt: The Hardest Lesson 12:00 – Leading with Trust: Why You Shouldn't Do It All 17:30 – Run Towards Adversity: The Story Behind Walking With the Wounded 20:40 – Yes, That’s Prince Harry… and a Muff 23:15 – Degrees Don’t Matter: What Really Makes You Employable 30:00 – Project 84: Turning a Statistic Into a Movement 33:55 – The Power of Real Conversations and TV Storytelling 38:30 – Listen to the Little Guy: Staying Connected as a Leader 42:15 – Feed Them, Entertain Them: The Morrisons Moment 48:00 – Regrets, Resilience, and Radiators vs. Drains 50:00 – Final Advice from Richard Curtis (and Dags) Follow The Zoo on TikTok and Instagram Produced by Viral Tribe Entertainment Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    53 min

  7. 22H AGO

    Why You’re Probably Undervaluing Yourself – Lessons from Top CEO Lindsay Pattison

    Lindsay Pattison, former Chief People Officer at WPP and past President of WACL, joins Rachel and Marco to reflect on a career defined by bold leadership, relentless energy, and championing inclusion. From pitches gone wrong to the power of sponsorship, Lindsay shares unfiltered wisdom on mentorship, confidence, taking leaps—and why she’s choosing to pause now. Plus, we go behind the scenes of her work with the Women’s Rugby World Cup. Chapters: 02:33 – Lindsay’s Career in 60 Seconds (Sort of!) 06:45 – From CEO to Chief People Officer: Career Milestones 08:36 – The Power of the Pause: Why Lindsay Stepped Down 11:08 – Behind the Scenes of the Women’s Rugby World Cup 13:36 – Mentorship vs Sponsorship: What's the Difference? 21:02 – Biggest Career Mistakes and What They Taught Her 29:11 – Return to Office & Bridging the Generational Gap 33:00 – Advice for Team Leaders: Building Culture & Connection 40:14 – Women, Confidence & Championing DEI 44:55 – Public Speaking Tips & Pitching Advice 46:15 – The Best Life Advice Lindsay Ever Received 47:47 – Building Your Ally Network & Taking the Leap Follow The Zoo on TikTok and Instagram Produced by Viral Tribe Entertainment Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    55 min

  8. 22H AGO

    Delegate, Hydrate, Pause: Life Lessons from Microsoft VP Andy Hart

    What happens when a top media executive walks away from it all at 50 and heads for the jungle? In this episode of Mentor, Marco Bertozzi and Rachel Ford sit down with the one and only Andy Hart, former Global CRO at Hearst, Microsoft VP, and now... Shamanic. Andy takes us on a journey from running national newspapers to exploring shamanic rituals, Burning Man revelations, and redefining leadership. He shares raw reflections on burnout, ego, learning to let go, and the power of living with intention. https://www.tiktok.com/@thezoo.london https://www.instagram.com/thezoo.london/ https://thezoo.london Produced by Viral Tribe Entertainment: https://viraltribe.co.uk/ Chapters 02:14 Career in 60 Seconds – From VNU to Microsoft 04:46 Digital Transformation & Burnout at the Mail 06:22 Climbing at Microsoft and the Power of Leadership Training 07:35 Quitting at 50 – The Groucho Club Revelation 08:56 Is He Brilliant or Bonkers? Breaking Free from the Corporate Matrix 10:21 Spiritual Awakening, Burning Man & Saying Yes 12:47 Shamandi Is Born – Tribes, Ayahuasca & the Matrix Unplugged 14:11 Helping vs. Fixing – A New Definition of Leadership 15:00 Parenting, Mentorship & Giving Space 17:30 Get Out of Your Own Way – Lessons from INSEAD & Coaching 18:57 Drive-by Shootings & Leadership Blind Spots 21:17 The What, How, When & Where of Maturing as a Leader 22:39 What Would You Tell a 25-Year-Old Today? 27:44 Biggest F*-Up: The Simply Switch Acquisition 31:03 Mentors Who Shaped Andy’s Life – From Shamans to Steve Myron 33:23 Finding Mentors Today – Just Ask 34:17 Spiritual Timing & Clearing Space 35:35 Are You a Whippy? (Well-Off Hippy) 36:14 Marco’s Story – When Shamandi’s Advice Sparked a Business 37:48 Words Are Spells: Mitzvahs, Karma & Bitcoin 39:23 Andy’s Final Advice: The Four Agreements + Trust the Process 43:34 Hydration, Delegation & the Power of a Pause Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    49 min

  9. 22H AGO

    From Spotify to Channel 4: How Rak Patel Redefined Leadership

    Mentor is the podcast where industry heavyweights share the lessons they’ve learned on the road to leadership. Hosted by Marco Buzzozi and Rachel Forde, this week’s episode features Rak Patel — Chief Commercial Officer at Channel 4. From his early days cold-calling at Drapers to leading sales teams at Spotify, Rak opens up about authenticity, diversity, and the power of just doing the thing in front of you. https://www.tiktok.com/@thezoo.london https://www.instagram.com/thezoo.london/ https://thezoo.london Produced by Viral Tribe Entertainment: https://viraltribe.co.uk/ Chapters: 00:00 – Channel 4, Gen Z & The Lost Boys Report 04:18 – Rak Patel’s Career in 60 Seconds 11:41 – Diversity, Representation & Why It Can’t Be a Tick Box 18:24 – Leading Through Uncertainty 22:04 – Biggest Career Mess-Up (And What It Taught Him) 26:53 – Role Models & Masculinity 31:06 – What Real Sales Leadership Looks Like 37:30 – Best Advice He Ever Got (From His Wife) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    46 min

  10. 22H AGO

    How to Build Unbeatable Client Relationships – with Claudine Collins

    Claudine Collins – Chief Client Officer at EssenceMediacom UK and the no-nonsense interviewer from BBC’s The Apprentice – joins Rachel and Marco to talk about what 30 years in advertising have taught her. From building bulletproof client relationships to hiring on instinct, Claudine shares the career lessons that shaped her, the value of mentorship, and the one big thing she wishes she’d done differently. https://www.tiktok.com/@thezoo.london https://www.instagram.com/thezoo.london/ https://thezoo.london Produced by Viral Tribe Entertainment: https://viraltribe.co.uk/ Chapters 1:18 — Meet Claudine Collins - From EssenceMediacom to The Apprentice 2:57 — 12 Years Interviewing for The Apprentice: What It’s Really Like 4:34 — 30 Years in Media: How Claudine Stayed and Thrived 7:30 — The Secret to Great Client Relationships 9:42 — Little Gestures, Big Impact: Donuts, Birthdays, and Loyalty 11:06 — Why Claudine Never Switched to Sales or Client Side 13:16 — Mentorship, Cheerleaders, and Supporting Young Talent 17:04 — The Advice Claudine Wishes She’d Heard Earlier 20:37 — Work-Life Culture Then vs. Now: What’s Missing? 24:44 — Why Being in the Office Still Matters 26:38 — Spotting Leadership in Seconds 28:14 — Real-World Hiring: Gut Instinct vs. Resume 32:39 — Claudine’s Biggest Career Mistake (and the Trolls Who Came for Her) 39:38 — Steel with Pride: The Story That Changed Her Leadership Style 44:31 — The Power of Playing to Your Strengths Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    52 min

  11. 22H AGO

    Why Steve King Thinks You Should Quit Your Job After 4 Years

    Steve King’s career reads like a playbook for leadership, longevity and bold decision-making. Marco and Rachel chat to the former Publicis COO, to learn about the pivotal moments, mistakes and mentors that shaped his four-decade journey through media and advertising. From selling earrings in Italy to managing 90,000 staff globally, Steve reflects on imposter syndrome, protecting time for family, and what it's really like working under Maurice Lévy. Plus, the one afternoon in his diary he never gave up — no matter what! https://www.tiktok.com/@thezoo.london https://www.instagram.com/thezoo.london/ https://thezoo.london Episode Chapters 01:24 Journalism vs AI: Make It Fair Campaign Explained 05:53 Introducing Steve King – A Masterclass in Leadership 08:48 From Donuts to Media – The Start of Steve’s Journey 13:29 Moving to America: Career Defining Moment 14:51 Dealing with Imposter Syndrome at the Top 20:44 Creating Zenith’s Global Identity – The ROI Agency 24:49 US vs UK vs French Leadership Styles 30:10 Building Publicis Media: Trust, Talent, Transformation 34:08 The Pandemic Years: Shingles, Solitude, and Publicis Survival 41:23 Why US Experience is Crucial for Future Leaders 43:19 What Steve Learned from Maurice Lévy and Arthur Sadoun 46:30 Balancing Work, Life and Rugby – Steve’s True Priorities 49:27 Magpie Advice: Simplify, Listen, Hire Smart Produced by Viral Tribe Entertainment: https://viraltribe.co.uk/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    1h 1m

  12. MAY 13

    Trailer - Launches 21st May

    MENTOR is a podcast that gives a platform to successful senior executives to share their lived experiences, career lessons, and personal stories. Hosted by founders Rachel Forde and Marco Bertozzi of TheZoo.London and produced by leading podcast network Viral Tribe, each episode offers relaxed yet insightful conversations with top industry leaders. Launches on 28th May 2025. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    2 min

Trailer

About

MENTOR is a podcast that shares the lived experiences of senior leaders across industries. In each episode, guests open up to founders Rachel Forde and Marco Bertozzi of TheZoo.London about their careers, mistakes, lessons, and the people who inspired them along the way. It’s smart, relaxed, and packed with real-world insight. Whether you’re a future leader or simply curious about how others have navigated the world of work, MENTOR delivers valuable takeaways and thoughtful conversation. Brought to you by TheZoo.London and Viral Tribe.

Information

  • Creator
    Viral Tribe Entertainment
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    12
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Show Website
    Mentor

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