Micah McLean Talks

Micah McLean
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Micah McLean Talks is a podcast and media platform exploring business, leadership, faith, sport, society and culture through honest conversations with influential voices. Hosted by Micah McLean, the platform features entrepreneurs, investors, politicians, athletes, creatives and public figures, sharing their stories, insights and experiences. With over 3 million views across YouTube and social media, Micah McLean Talks aims to inspire, educate and influence through engaging conversations that challenge perspectives and spotlight remarkable people.

Episodes

  1. Oct 13

    Mike Soutar: Lord Sugar, The Apprentice And What It Takes To Be A Next Gen CEO

    In this powerful and deeply honest conversation, Micah McLean sits down with Mike Soutar—entrepreneur, media pioneer, and one of the key interviewers on The Apprentice—to unpack the realities of leadership, failure, resilience, and success in a world that no longer plays by old rules.From building iconic media brands like Smash Hits and KISS FM to launching ShortList during a recession, Mike shares the unfiltered truth behind high-stakes decisions, public failure, and the moments that nearly broke him. He opens up about the warehouse crisis that almost ended his business on day one, the brutal lessons of early career setbacks, and the unexpected power of having someone believe in you when everything looks like it’s falling apart.This interview goes far beyond business success.Mike reveals what most people misunderstand about leadership—why optimism is a survival tool, why fear can become fuel, and why the most dangerous mistake leaders make is pretending they have all the answers. He breaks down what he’s learned from interviewing thousands of candidates on The Apprentice, including why confidence can mask weakness, why bluffing is fatal in business, and why the best leaders are often the calmest voices in the room.00:00 - 01:00 - Introduction to The Next Gen CEO01:01- 02:00 - Why Leadership Needs a New Playbook02:01- 03:00 - Leading in an Age of AI and Change03:01 - 04:00 - Practical Lessons for Modern Leaders04:01 - 05:00 - Leadership Lessons from Smash Hits05:01 - 06:00 - Learning Through Industry Disruption06:01 - 07:00 - Why Adaptability Beats Certainty07:01- 08:00 - Turning Around Struggling Businesses08:01 - 09:00 - Launching ShortList Against the Odds09:01- 10:00 - Dealing with Industry Skepticism10:01 - 11:00 - Conviction When Nobody Believes11:01- 12:00 - The Reality of Building Something New12:01- 13:00 - When Most of the Magazines Came Back13:01 - 14:00 - Facing a Potential Business Disaster14:01- 15:00 - The Phone Call That Changed Everything15:01 - 16:00 - Leading Through Uncertainty16:01 - 17:00 - Why Optimism Matters in Leadership17:01- 18:00 - Lessons for Generation Z18:01 - 19:00 - Does Hard Work Still Pay Off?19:01 - 20:00 - Building Proof of Your Value20:01 - 21:00 - Taking Control of Your Career21:01 - 22:00 - Why Ambition Must Be Purpose Driven22:01 - 23:00 - Leadership Lessons from David Dein23:01 - 24:00 - Building Winning Teams24:01 - 25:00 - Supporting Leaders During Tough Times25:01- 26:00 - Faith, Stability and Long-Term Thinking26:01 - 27:00 - Strategy vs Tactics27:01- 28:00 - What Football Teaches About Leadership28:01 - 29:00 - Getting Fired at 1929:01 - 30:00 - The Leadership Lessons of Failure30:01 - 31:00 - Why Difficult Conversations Matter31:01- 32:00 - Treating People with Dignity32:01 - 33:00 - Managing Large-Scale Redundancies33:01- 34:00 - Leadership During Organizational Change34:01- 35:00 - What Lord Sugar Is Really Like35:01- 36:00 - Behind the Scenes of The Apprentice36:01 - 37:00 - 14 Seasons of Apprentice Interviews37:01 - 38:00 - What Makes a Winning Candidate38:01 - 39:00 - The Biggest Interview Mistakes39:01 - 40:00 - Confidence vs Aggression40:01- 41:00 - Why Calm Candidates Stand Out41:01 - 42:00 - The Importance of Knowing Your Numbers42:01- 43:00 - The Laurence Rosenberg Discussion43:01- 44:00 - AI, Business Plans and Authenticity44:01 - 45:00 - Why I Left the Evening Standard45:01 - 46:00 - Knowing When to Walk Away46:01- 47:00 - Ben Francis and Gymshark's Growth Story47:01- 48:00 - Radical Self-Awareness in Leadership48:01- a href="https://www.youtube.com

  2. Oct 4

    Dragons Den Entrepreneur Murad Huseynov 'Peter Jones Offerred Me A Job'

    🔥 FROM SOLO FOUNDER TO 7-FIGURE BUSINESS… THEN DRAGONS’ DEN! 🔥Murad Huseynov built Mosaic Journal into a multimillion-pound company — while remaining its ONLY employee until the business reached 7 figures in revenue.Then came Dragons’ Den.Murad walked into the Den and walked out with TWO offers — from Deborah Meaden and Steven Bartlett.So why did he choose Steven?And what REALLY happened when Murad’s exchange with Touker Suleyman became one of the viral moments from his Dragons’ Den appearance?In this explosive episode of Micah McLean Talks, Murad opens up about building Mosaic Journal from scratch, facing the Dragons, dealing with pressure and rejection, choosing between two investors and learning how to create content that can reach millions.We also get into the reality of being a solo founder, why Murad believes entrepreneurs can overcomplicate things, how he prepared for Dragons’ Den, what it feels like when millions of people watch you on television — and his fascinating theory behind why certain content goes viral.🔥 IN THIS EPISODE:• How Murad built Mosaic Journal from scratch• How he remained the ONLY employee until 7 figures in revenue• The reality of building a multimillion-pound company• Why he taught himself how to build an app• What REALLY happened behind the scenes of Dragons’ Den• Receiving offers from Deborah Meaden AND Steven Bartlett• Why Murad ultimately chose Steven Bartlett• The Touker Suleyman moment that went viral• How Murad prepared for Dragons’ Den• The pressure of pitching your business to the Dragons• Why confidence can make or break your pitch• Murad's approach to creating viral content• His “campfire” theory for understanding social media• What entrepreneurs can learn from his journey• And much more…💬 THE BIG QUESTION:If YOU were in Murad’s position, would you have chosen Steven Bartlett or Deborah Meaden?👇 Tell me in the comments!👍 LIKE this video if you enjoyed the conversation💬 COMMENT your biggest takeaway📲 SHARE this episode with an entrepreneur🔔 SUBSCRIBE to Micah McLean Talks for more conversations with entrepreneurs, investors, creatives, leaders and fascinating people from across business and public life.⏱️ CHAPTERS00:00 — Introduction02:14 — From Corporate Life to Entrepreneurship05:37 — The Birth of Mosaic Journal09:42 — Building the Business From Scratch13:18 — The ONLY Employee Until 7 Figures17:06 — The Reality of Entrepreneurship20:41 — Entering Dragons’ Den24:03 — The Touker Suleyman Viral Moment26:17 — Why Murad Chose Steven Bartlett29:12 — How to Create Viral Content33:14 — Advice for Entrepreneurs35:42 — Final Thoughts🔥 WATCH. LIKE. COMMENT. SHARE. SUBSCRIBE.#DragonsDen #MuradHuseynov #MosaicJournal #StevenBartlett #DeborahMeaden #Entrepreneurship #Business #Startup #Founder #Investing #MicahMcLeanTalk

  3. Sep 26

    So Solid Crew Member And Desi Trill Co-Founder Mr Shabz 'I was there when Ty Ty Smith Signed Ne-Yo'

    FROM SO SOLID CREW TO ROC NATION, K KOKE, DESI TRILL & DJ KHALED — THE STORY OF SHABZWhat does it really take to build a career in music, spot talent before the rest of the industry, survive fame and media scrutiny, and keep reinventing yourself?In this episode of Micah McLean Talks, I sit down with Shabz for a fascinating conversation spanning So Solid Crew, Roc Nation, K Koke, Desi Trill, DJ Khaled, Cardi B, film, television, South Asian hip-hop, entrepreneurship and the next generation of talent.Shabz takes us behind the scenes of his journey — from growing up in Battersea and discovering music, to becoming part of the So Solid Crew story and making the now-famous Yellow Pages cold calls that helped open doors in the music industry.We discuss the incredible rise of So Solid Crew, the pressures that came with fame, why members eventually pursued different paths, and how the spirit of the group continues to influence British music.Shabz also reveals the story of how he spotted K Koke, what actually goes into being a music manager, and how his career eventually led him to work alongside major names in the American music industry.We then get into Desi Trill, the story behind “Higher Love” featuring DJ Khaled and Cardi B, and Shabz's expansion beyond music into film and television.Later in the conversation, we explore Rap KER, South Asian hip-hop, Brown Is Everywhere, the Brown Power List, spotting emerging talent, B Young, the importance of timing and why building leverage is essential for the next generation.This is ultimately a conversation about identity, resilience, creativity, opportunity and refusing to put limits on what you can achieve.⏱️ CHAPTERS00:00 – Intro01:19 – Growing Up in Battersea & Discovering Music10:10 – Joining So Solid Crew & The Yellow Pages Cold Calls14:49 – So Solid at Its Peak: Fame, Success & Media Scrutiny19:34 – Why Members Evolved & Keeping the So Solid Spirit Alive23:23 – How Shabz Spotted K Koke25:26 – What Does a Music Manager Actually Do?27:36 – Meeting Ty Ty Smith & The Beginnings of Desi Trill34:38 – “Higher Love” with DJ Khaled & Cardi B36:28 – From Music Production to Film & TV39:55 – Passion vs Money, Self-Development & Reinventing Yourself47:07 – Rap KER & The Future of South Asian Hip-Hop50:06 – Brown Is Everywhere & The Brown Power List54:26 – What Keeps Shabz Motivated?57:25 – B Young, Spotting Talent & Understanding Timing58:50 – The Message to the Next Generation: “Build Your Leverage”01:00:41 – How to Follow Shabz & Final Thoughts

  4. Sep 25

    Dragons Den Legend Richard Farleigh!

    Join us for an exclusive 48-minute deep dive into the mind of Richard Fraleigh, the innovative thinker, influential leader, and one of the fierce investors on 'Dragons' Den.' In this candid conversation, we explore his unique insights, experiences, and vision for the future. Whether you're a fan, a professional, or just curious about what drives success, this interview is a must-watchContents 0:00 - 0:51 - Podcast Trailer0:52- 8:00 - Early Growing, Growing Up In Care, Transition Into Banking, Career As An Investor8:01 - 18:00 - Love Of Chess, Chess and Life, Dragons Den, How Richard Joined The Hit Show, What Richard Farleigh Enjoyed Being In Show, Friendship With Levi Roots18:01 - 25:00 - Why Richard Sold Reggae Reggae Sauce, Why Dragons Den Is One Of The Best Show's On TV, Why Richard Left Dragons DenTV Fame25:00-32:00 - Embracing Your Identity, Richard's Ideal Project, The Highs and Lows of Business, Private Members Club Home House, Meeting With Madonna and Bill Clinton, Unpredictable Nature of Business32:01 - 42:00 - Humble Stumble's and Ricky Means Business, What It Takes To Be A Successful Entrepreneur, Coming From A Working Class Background, The Three D'S, Resources Richard Would Utilise In Business Today42:01 - 48:00 - Advice Richard Would Give To His Younger Self, Closing Comments and End Of Interview

  5. Sep 25

    Oritsé Williams: The Pioneer Behind JLS, Afro- Island! Craig David, Leigh - Ann Pinnock and More

    This time, we’re sitting down with Orisé Williams — founder of JLS and one of the most iconic voices in UK pop music and the Afro-Island scene !From chart-topping success with JLS to carving out his own path in a dynamic solo career, this is a powerful conversation you don’t want to miss.Tap in now and get inspired. Contents 0:00 - 0:25 - Podcast Trailer0:26 - 5:00 - Mother's Battle With MS and Founding JLS5:01 - 11:00 - Recruiting The JLS Members, Proving Doubters Wrong, Making History As JLS11:01 - 20:00 - Why Doesn't Oritsé Get The Recognition He Deserves, Love For Music, The Representation Of UK Black Singers Within The Music Industry, Appreciating The Love From JLS Fans, Drivers For Music Career20:01 - 25:00 - The Moment Kanye Almost Signed Oritsé, Signing With Island Records, Collaboration With Pusha T25:01 - 35:01 - Perception Of Success In Music, Independent V Record Label Opportunities, Authenticity In Music, Creating The Afro-Island Sound, Friendship With Leigh - Ann Pinnock, Independent Journey35:02 - 50:00 - Craig David, Lemar and Donaeo, Nights Like This Record, Impact On The Community, Reflection On Music Journey, JLS Joining The 02 21 Club, Griminal, Boy Better Know, Solo Solid Crew 50:00 - 58:00- Upcoming Project, Collaboration with Ivorian Doll, The Hardest Part Of Being A Music Industry, Importance Of Iconic Entrepreneurs With The Black Community Being Showcased59:00 - 1:00:08 - Limitations Placed On Talented Black Artists, Closing Comments#jls #xfactor #pop #afroisland #music #podcast #business

  6. Sep 25

    Sahar Hashemi: The Entrepreneur That Revolutionized The British Coffee Industry Forever

    Sahar Hashemi built Coffee Republic from an idea inspired by a trip to New York into a nationwide coffee chain — but the journey was anything but easy.In this powerful and wide-ranging conversation, Sahar Hashemi opens up about entrepreneurship, resilience, failure, ambition, AI, relationships and the lessons she has learned throughout her remarkable career.Sahar reveals how discovering skinny lattes in New York inspired her to leave law and launch Coffee Republic with her brother Bobby — despite having little traditional entrepreneurial experience. She shares how they faced 49 bank rejections, why every “no” brought them closer to a “yes”, and how they ultimately grew Coffee Republic to 110 stores and £30 million in annual sales.She also reflects honestly on leaving Coffee Republic, the rise of Starbucks, what happened when the company became more corporate, and why she still regrets walking away from the business she helped build.Sahar explains why she believes the fundamental qualities of a successful entrepreneur haven't changed in the age of AI — and why understanding your customer is still more important than technology. She shares why entrepreneurs need to remain scrappy, bootstrap, test ideas and take action rather than simply creating perfect business plans with AI.We also discuss By Women Built, her mission to champion women-founded consumer brands, the importance of representation, her work with Manchester City, and why she believes women entrepreneurs and women's footballers share many of the same qualities.Sahar gets personal too, discussing finding love later in life, why she believes the right relationship can come when you're genuinely ready, and the pressure society can place on people to feel they have “missed the boat.”And finally, Sahar shares some of her biggest lessons for anyone who wants to build something of their own — including her powerful philosophy:“Leap, then the net will appear.”Youtube Timestamps 00:00 Podcast Trailer00:31 Introduction: Sahar Hashemi’s Entrepreneurial Journey01:30 From Solicitor to Coffee Republic Founder04:00 How a Trip to New York Inspired Coffee Republic06:30 49 Bank Loans, 39 Rejections & Refusing to Give Up09:00 How Coffee Republic Grew to 110 Stores11:00 What AI Means for the Future of Entrepreneurship13:30 “I Regret Leaving Coffee Republic”16:00 When Businesses Lose Their Soul18:00 Coffee Republic Goes Into Administration19:30 Supporting the Next Generation of Entrepreneurs21:00 Why Sahar Created Buy Women Built23:01 The Future of Female Entrepreneurship25:02 Manchester City, Women’s Football & Entrepreneurship27:03 Getting Married in Her 40s & Finding the Right Time29:04 “Leap, Then the Net Will Appear”31:05 Why You Should Stop Waiting for Perfection33:06 The Pip & Nut Story: Just Start34:30 Confidence, Overthinking & the Inner Voice36:00 Faith, Purpose & Finding Where You Shine37:15 Sahar’s Final Message: Buy Women Built37:16 Closing Comments / End Credits

  7. Sep 25

    So Solid Crew Founder Mac On The Music Industry, The Ends, Entrepreneurship, D-Block Europe And More

    🔥 Mac (So Solid Crew) EXPOSES The Untold Truth | Fame, 21 Seconds, Media Lies & Building a LegacyThe REAL story behind one of the most influential groups in UK music.Mac, the founding member of So Solid Crew, sits down for one of his most honest interviews ever. From creating 21 Seconds, surviving media attacks, losing millions from cancelled tours, dealing with fame that rivalled Premier League footballers, and explaining how So Solid changed British culture forever...This isn't just a music interview.It's a masterclass in resilience, entrepreneurship, leadership and never giving up.If you grew up listening to So Solid Crew, or you're interested in success, business, UK culture or the music industry, this conversation is one you don't want to miss.👇 What was your biggest takeaway from Mac's story?Leave a comment below — I read every single one.If this interview inspired you, please LIKE, SUBSCRIBE and SHARE it with someone who needs to hear this story.Every like, comment and share helps independent interviews like this reach more people.Subscribe for more exclusive conversations with the world's most inspiring people.#SoSolidCrew #Mac #21Seconds #UKRap #Garage #Podcast #MusicInterview #Success #Entrepreneurship #UKMusic #Inspiration #Legacy #Grime #HipHop #Motivation00:00 Introduction01:05 How Mac became the FIRST member of So Solid Crew05:50 Why everyone thought music was the wrong move09:15 Building So Solid Crew from nothing15:00 Leaving the streets behind18:00 Inspiring Daniel Kaluuya, Kano & a generation21:00 The TRUE story behind 21 Seconds25:30 Why So Solid Crew changed UK culture forever28:20 The media campaign against So Solid30:45 Cancelled tours & losing huge amounts of money33:30 Fame at Michael Jackson levels39:00 Mental health, pressure & handling success41:45 Why So Solid became smaller over time44:00 The Dizzee Rascal feud explained47:45 Mac's advice for young artists49:30 Lessons on longevity, business & leadership50:50 Final message#sosolidcrew #grime #garage

  • 7 Episodes

About

Micah McLean Talks is a podcast and media platform exploring business, leadership, faith, sport, society and culture through honest conversations with influential voices. Hosted by Micah McLean, the platform features entrepreneurs, investors, politicians, athletes, creatives and public figures, sharing their stories, insights and experiences. With over 3 million views across YouTube and social media, Micah McLean Talks aims to inspire, educate and influence through engaging conversations that challenge perspectives and spotlight remarkable people.

Information

  • Creator
    Micah McLean
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    7
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Micah McLean
  • Show Website
    Micah McLean Talks