The Tutor Podcast

Neil Cowmeadow
  • 4.5 (10)
  • BUSINESS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

The Tutor Podcast the weekly show that’s all about the business of helping people. If you’re a tutor, a teacher or a coach, join your host Neil Cowmeadow for news, tips and insights to help you Start, Grow and Love your tutoring business. Plain English, no buzzwords and no BS. So, if you want to make more money - and make more of a difference - The Tutor Podcast will be with you, every step of the way.

  1. 6H AGO

    Advanced Time Management for Beginners

    In this episode, Neil dives into the essential topic of advanced time management for beginners, emphasizing the importance of treating time as a strategic asset. Drawing from his 27 years of experience, Neil shares practical strategies to help tutors, teachers, and coaches enhance their productivity and achieve their goals.  KEY TAKEAWAYS  Focus on identifying the top three priorities that will significantly impact your day or week. Utilize time blocking to create a structured schedule with fixed commitments and flexible tasks. This helps visualize available capacity and prevents overcommitment. Work in concentrated blocks of time followed by short breaks, and eliminate distractions to maximize productivity. Conduct weekly reviews to assess what worked and what didn’t. This practice allows for continuous improvement and helps in adjusting strategies for better performance. Set boundaries for communication and create a distraction-free environment to enhance productivity. BEST MOMENTS "Treating time as a strategic resource and asset... will guarantee higher performance from you." "Every yes is a time loan with interest. If you default to answering no to every low-value request, you have time to do those most important top three things." "Multitasking is a myth. In reality, you're just flip-flopping from one thing to the next." "Distractions are costly. Every single interruption steals minutes from your life and drains your cognitive energy." "If everything's a priority, then nothing is." VALUABLE RESOURCES www.Neilcowmeadow.com info@neilcowmeadow.com HOST BIO Neil Cowmeadow is a maverick peripatetic guitar teacher from Telford with over 19 years’ experience in the business of helping people. Learn how to start, grow and love your business with Neil’s invaluable advice and tips without the buzzwords and BS! This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/

    46 min

  2. FEB 2

    Get Back on the Horse

    It’s the end of January, and for many, the ‘New Year, New You’ momentum has already hit a wall. In this episode, Neil explores the sobering reality behind New Year’s resolutions, citing research that suggests up to 80% of these promises fail by the second week of February. But instead of waiting another eleven months to start over, Neil challenges you to treat today as your brand-new New Year's Day. He dives into the concept of ‘failing better’, explaining how success is a muscle built through consistent, progressive overload and the willingness to pick the ball back up every time it’s dropped.  KEY TAKEAWAYS Statistically, 80% of resolutions fail by mid-February, and only 8% remain intact by the end of the year. You don’t need to wait until December 31st to reset; every day offers a new version of yourself and a fresh opportunity to begin again.  Like physical training, achieving your goals requires ‘consistent progressive overload’, repeatedly pushing through failures to build strength and habit. Success isn't about never dropping the ball; it’s about shortening the time between dropping it and picking it back up. Focus on the process of becoming the ‘sort of person you’d most like to meet’ rather than just checking off a list of resolutions. BEST MOMENTS "Your job is to nip back, pick the ball up, and run like Billy-o with it." "Change always begins today." "You can never step into the same river twice, because you’re different today than you were yesterday." "Success is just like a muscle. We grow it with consistent, progressive overload." "Why would anyone, but a stone-cold fool, delay remaking the pledge to their better self until December 31st comes and goes again?" VALUABLE RESOURCES www.Neilcowmeadow.com info@neilcowmeadow.com HOST BIO Neil Cowmeadow is a maverick peripatetic guitar teacher from Telford with over 19 years’ experience in the business of helping people. Learn how to start, grow and love your business with Neil’s invaluable advice and tips without the buzzwords and BS! This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/

    11 min

  3. JAN 26

    On Mortality 2 - Leave Something Behind

    Following up on last week's episode, Neil shifts the focus from the inevitability of death to the importance of what we leave behind. Inspired by Marcus Aurelius and Steve Jobs, Neil explores the concept of "putting a dent in the universe" by creating a lasting legacy through teaching, writing, and art. Neil argues that if your expertise is valuable enough to be paid for in the present, it is valuable enough to be preserved for future generations.  KEY TAKEAWAYS Perfection of character involves spending each day without frenzy or laziness, as if it were your final one. Following Steve Jobs’ philosophy, our goal should be to leave a meaningful mark or "dent" on the universe through our work. If people pay for your knowledge today, you have a responsibility to document it so it doesn't die with you. Books are described as the legacies that genius leaves to mankind, reaching even those who are not yet born. Rather than waiting for a "someday" that may never come, start documenting, publishing, and sharing your message while you are still here to see it grow. BEST MOMENTS "This is the mark of perfection of character: to spend each day as if it were your last, without frenzy, laziness, or any pretending." "We're here to put a dent in the universe. Otherwise, why else even be here?"  "I want to stay useful until the end and change the world a little bit, perhaps even after I'm gone." "Books are the legacies that genius leaves to mankind, to be delivered down to the posterity of those that are yet unborn."  "If what you teach dies in your head... that would be so sad." VALUABLE RESOURCES www.Neilcowmeadow.com info@neilcowmeadow.com HOST BIO Neil Cowmeadow is a maverick peripatetic guitar teacher from Telford with over 19 years’ experience in the business of helping people. Learn how to start, grow and love your business with Neil’s invaluable advice and tips without the buzzwords and BS! This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/

    9 min

  4. JAN 19

    On Mortality 1 - You're Gonna Die, Deal With It

    In today’s episode, Neil delves into the profound and often overlooked topic of mortality. Drawing heavily from Stoic philosophy and Marcus Aurelius’s Meditations, Neil argues that acknowledging our "finish line" is not morbid, but rather a powerful tool for clarity and motivation in both life and business.  KEY TAKEAWAYS Death is the only true inevitability; acknowledging this prevents us from letting ourselves "off the hook" by pretending we have unlimited time. Neil highlights three core tenets for a wiser life: control your perception, direct your actions properly, and willingly accept what you cannot change. Realizing the universe is "too busy" to intervene in your life can be incredibly liberating for those dealing with anxiety or fear of failure. Neil challenges the traditional idea of retirement, questioning whether activities like golf could ever be as satisfying as the moment a student finally "gets it." Treat every morning you wake up as a "bonus" and a reason for gratitude, rather than an entitlement. BEST MOMENTS "Think of the life you've lived until now as over, and as a dead man, see what's left as a bonus and live it according to nature."  "The universe doesn't give a flying f*** about us. Get over it." "I'm all in favor of arriving at my own graveside on a big motorcycle, sliding sideways and wheel-spinning over the edge with a maniac grin on my face." "Is there anything more satisfying to you than helping your tribe? Anything at all?" "Do not, as Dylan Thomas put it, go gentle into that good night." VALUABLE RESOURCES www.Neilcowmeadow.com info@neilcowmeadow.com HOST BIO Neil Cowmeadow is a maverick peripatetic guitar teacher from Telford with over 19 years’ experience in the business of helping people. Learn how to start, grow and love your business with Neil’s invaluable advice and tips without the buzzwords and BS! This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/

    13 min

  5. JAN 12

    Zero Days

    Today, Neil dives into the topic of New Year's resolutions and the common pitfalls that accompany them. He notes that while many people set ambitious goals at the start of the year, the majority will abandon them by February. Neil encourages listeners to embrace failure as a natural part of the journey toward self-improvement, advocating for a mindset that views setbacks as opportunities to learn and grow. He introduces the concept of 'new day ones', highlighting that every day presents a fresh opportunity to start anew, rather than waiting for the next January 1st. KEY TAKEAWAYS It's normal to fail when trying to achieve significant changes in life. Instead of viewing failure as an endpoint, see it as a learning opportunity and a chance to try again. Unlike New Year's resolutions, which are limited to once a year, every day can be a new "day one." If you stumble, you can start fresh the next day without waiting for a specific date. Using a habit tracker can help identify patterns of success and failure. Recording daily activities with checkboxes allows for reflection on what went wrong and encourages accountability. A "zero day" (a day when you don't meet your goals) serves as a reminder of unmet standards, while a successful day (marked with an "X") reinforces positive behaviour and achievement. Regardless of how many days you've been working on your goals, it's important to keep pushing forward. Celebrate your progress and maintain momentum, whether you're on day one or day 157. BEST MOMENTS "The problem, of course, is that New Year's resolutions only come around once a year. And those resolutions are often trying to fix long-term problems with a moment's decision." "If you, like me, track your habits, you can spot the patterns which lead to failure and to success." "Zero days suck. The good news is that the day after a zero day is a new day one." "New Year's Day is a completely made-up thing, based on the assumptions of someone else, long ago in history." "If today is your new day one, I salute you too. Get going, keep going. Kick ass and keep score!" VALUABLE RESOURCES www.Neilcowmeadow.com info@neilcowmeadow.com HOST BIO Neil Cowmeadow is a maverick peripatetic guitar teacher from Telford with over 19 years’ experience in the business of helping people. Learn how to start, grow and love your business with Neil’s invaluable advice and tips without the buzzwords and BS! This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/

    9 min

  6. JAN 5

    Why You’re Not Rich Yet

    Reflecting on his own journey over the last 27 years, Neil explores why many hard-working, intelligent people remain just ‘one paycheck away from financial trouble’. He breaks down the eight specific reasons why individuals struggle to accumulate wealth - ranging from capped income and risk aversion to the often-overlooked power of compounding and the impact of one's environment. KEY TAKEAWAYS Most people trade time for money, which inherently limits earnings. Wealth is built through assets that pay you while you sleep, such as intellectual property, investments, or rental income. Building wealth requires a rare mix of risk tolerance and timing. Neil suggests mitigating the downside while working tirelessly to maximise the upside of any venture. Wealth growth is a slow, steady process that accelerates over time. Many people quit before the "miracle" of compounding has a chance to take effect. You are the product of the people you spend time with. If your inner circle doesn't understand or respect money, it is significantly harder to break out of poor financial habits. As income rises, spending often follows. To build wealth, one must avoid "keeping up with the Joneses" and instead live within one's means to invest the surplus. BEST MOMENTS "Money is the silent applause for a job well done, and it's the store of the value I've provided." "Figure out a way you can get paid while you sleep." "Get comfortable being disliked by people. The people who will call you obsessive will fade into the rear view mirror of your life." "Don't spend money you don't have to buy things you don't need to impress people who don't matter." "The regrets of the dying tend to be the things they didn't do, not the things they did." VALUABLE RESOURCES www.Neilcowmeadow.com info@neilcowmeadow.com HOST BIO Neil Cowmeadow is a maverick peripatetic guitar teacher from Telford with over 19 years’ experience in the business of helping people. Learn how to start, grow and love your business with Neil’s invaluable advice and tips without the buzzwords and BS! This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/

    21 min

  7. 12/29/2025

    The Fasting Miracle

    Neil steps away from traditional business tactics to focus on the essential foundation of any successful venture: the health and well-being of the entrepreneur. He explores the concept of ‘The Fasting Miracle’, specifically focusing on water fasting and its transformative effects on the body and mind. He breaks down the biological processes that occur during various stages of fasting, from the initial fed state to deep cellular repair and regeneration. By sharing his personal 21-day fasting experience and detailing the scientifically supported benefits, such as increased mental clarity, fat loss, and immune system rebooting, Neil provides a compelling case for fasting as a no-cost tool for tutors and coaches to optimise their performance and longevity. KEY TAKEAWAYS Maintaining good health is a critical business issue because it forms the foundation for everything a business owner does. Fasting triggers natural mechanisms like lipolysis (fat burning) and ketosis, where the body switches from burning glucose to burning stored fat and ketones for cleaner, steadier energy. Between 20 to 24 hours of fasting, the body initiates autophagy - a "self-eating" process where damaged cells and proteins are recycled into useful materials, reducing inflammation and the risk of degenerative diseases. Extended fasting (72+ hours) can eliminate old white blood cells and stimulate stem cell production to create a new, more efficient immune system. BEST MOMENTS "Health is the foundation on which everything we do is built. So staying healthy is a business issue." "Fasting isn't some brand new trendy fufu-dufu woo-woo fad. People have been doing it for centuries." "Autophagy is cellular cleanup and repair. The damaged proteins and organelles that are flapping around your body are broken down and recycled into useful stuff." "BDNF supports brain health and cognitive function. I've heard BDNF often called miracle grow for the brain, and that's what it does." "The longer I fasted, the better I felt. My mental sharpness increased like it's hard to explain. I just got sharper, faster." VALUABLE RESOURCES www.Neilcowmeadow.com info@neilcowmeadow.com HOST BIO Neil Cowmeadow is a maverick peripatetic guitar teacher from Telford with over 19 years’ experience in the business of helping people. Learn how to start, grow and love your business with Neil’s invaluable advice and tips without the buzzwords and BS! This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/

    26 min

  8. 12/22/2025

    Momentum

    While the world winds down for the Christmas and New Year break, Neil cautions against letting your professional flywheel come to a complete stop. He explains the physics of momentum - mass times velocity - and warns that it is far harder to build momentum from scratch than it is to maintain it. Rather than advocating for a holiday without rest, Neil suggests a balanced approach: performing at least one small, meaningful task every day to keep your velocity steady so that you can hit the ground running in the new year. KEY TAKEAWAYS It takes significant energy to get a "flywheel" up to speed, but even a slight easing of effort can cause it to slow down noticeably. Neil defines momentum as mass X velocity; to increase your business's impact, you must increase your speed, your output, or both. While many businesses shut down for weeks in December, losing that internal drive can make restarting in January feel much more difficult. To preserve your progress, aim to do something every single day - even during the holidays - that maintains your direction of travel. Use the downtime when others are ‘flopped out on the sofa, to read a recommended book or brainstorm your goals for the upcoming year. BEST MOMENTS "The more momentum a thing has, the harder it will be to stop." "It’s much harder to build up than to maintain. It’s much harder to spin a flywheel up to speed than it is to just slow it down very, very slightly." "When we're on our A-game, on our mission, when everything's flowing, we feel different. Our momentum carries us along." "Do something every day that keeps your momentum ticking along. Not growing, just maintaining your velocity and your direction of travel." "Your momentum was built up over weeks and months, and it's lost more quickly than it was built." VALUABLE RESOURCES www.Neilcowmeadow.com info@neilcowmeadow.com HOST BIO Neil Cowmeadow is a maverick peripatetic guitar teacher from Telford with over 19 years’ experience in the business of helping people. Learn how to start, grow and love your business with Neil’s invaluable advice and tips without the buzzwords and BS! This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/

    7 min
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4.5
out of 5
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About

The Tutor Podcast the weekly show that’s all about the business of helping people. If you’re a tutor, a teacher or a coach, join your host Neil Cowmeadow for news, tips and insights to help you Start, Grow and Love your tutoring business. Plain English, no buzzwords and no BS. So, if you want to make more money - and make more of a difference - The Tutor Podcast will be with you, every step of the way.

Information

  • Creator
    Neil Cowmeadow
  • Years Active
    2018 - 2026
  • Episodes
    409
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Neil Cowmeadow
  • Show Website
    The Tutor Podcast

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