Working Hours

Western Studios, Leeds Ltd
  • 0.0 (0)
  • Careers
  • Updated Biweekly

What do you do? Western Studios, Leeds presents Working Hours: a podcast series surveying the people of Leeds on their thoughts and feelings on the topic of work. I want to talk to my city about work. Why do we do it? Do we like it? What could we do differently? What will we? How does work change and how does it change us? Leeds, the largest city in the largest county on the UK mainland, is a former imperial textile centre and is now a major UK financial centre. This series will document the city’s experiences through Lockdown, Brexit, creeping technological unemployment, new and continuing resource wars, the ongoing dismantling of the welfare state and our accelerating ecological emergency. If you are in Leeds or from Leeds then help me to reach my target of interviewing 1000 Loiners over the 2020s. Let me ask you, what do you do?

  1. Work Can Pay Dividends

    6d ago

    Work Can Pay Dividends

    Recorded on 23/04/2026 By day, Emma Harper is a Senior Analyst at a stockbrokers’ firm, with 26 years in finance. It's a career she truly loves! Outside of work, Emma is married with two children. She runs two charity groups - a local community fund, now in its 10th year, and a volunteer team supporting the hospice that cared for her mum. She also hosts a monthly bereavement support group in her mum’s honour, because no one navigating loss should ever feel alone. Emma is a lifelong autoimmune and allergy warrior who is passionate about raising awareness and supporting others on that journey. She’s a “life’s too short” kind of girl. Travelling with her family is her therapy, exploring new cultures, learning, laughing, and making memories. In 2025, she stepped into a powerful new chapter, joining a community of like-minded travel lovers on an epic journey of self-discovery, fresh travel opportunities, and serious confidence building! Since then, she’s built an incredible team of passionate, travel-driven people. Emma's is also organising a local business networking event called Support Local on Sunday 14th June 2026 at 7 Steps Bar in Pudsey 1pm to 5pm. It's free to attend so there's nothing to stop you popping along. Follow Emma at: https://www.instagram.com/theharpercrew/ Links for this episode: https://www.facebook.com/Farsleydefib/ https://www.facebook.com/people/Friends-of-Wheatfields-LS28/61579621647248/ If you want to make a podcast in West Yorkshire don't forget you can contact Western Studios Leeds Ltd at: https://western-studios.com/ Or if you just need a bit of info about starting your own podcast there's still tickets left for my Introduction to Podcasting Workshop on July 11th at Swarthmore Education Centre. Tickets are 25GBP. Reserve you spot now to avoid disappointment: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/introduction-to-podcasting-with-simon-treen-tickets-1990632856460 Listen to the Leeds Business Podcast episode (made by Western Studios Leeds) about the Climb business event from last year at: https://player.captivate.fm/episode/5b1a586c-e66d-4e75-b702-02fa315f8367/ Or go to: https://www.climb-uk.com/ to find out more about their events.

    1h 41m
  2. Money Makes the Work Go Around

    Jun 4

    Money Makes the Work Go Around

    Recorded on 07/04/2026 Saleem Shafi is a Financial Wellbeing & Workplace Performance Advisor and the Founder of Money Beam. He is enthusiastic about improving people’s lives so they can live in dignity, feel valued and contribute to society. Saleem holds a master's in psychology and has over 20 years’ experience in financial services, including as a financial adviser, bank manager and head of business unit for a legal services provider. Financial wellbeing is an essential part of people’s lives, yet the data points to a nation which has low levels of financial wellbeing, literacy and capability resulting in high levels of personal distress and by extension a negative impact on their employer’s operational and business outcomes. Having developed quite possibly the UK’s largest face-to face financial wellbeing and capability service as Deputy CEO of Money Buddies, a service which received acclaim from Martin Lewis and received national awards, including from the Centre for Social Justice and Institute of Money Advisers, Saleem would receive requests from employers seeking advice and guidance on how best to support the financial wellbeing of their people. To this end Saleem now works closely with employers and their teams to improve their peoples’ financial wellbeing contributing to beneficial outcomes for both employee and the employer. Saleem’s specialist services include: • Research and data on the financial wellbeing of employees • Consultation, for example; developing an organisational financial wellbeing strategy and programme • Training – Certified Financial Wellbeing First Aider, which means key staff are upskilled to support their people at the point of need Saleem Shafi has made numerous appearances as a financial specialist on national media, including all mainstream channels. And now on this decidedly non-mainstream media too. For more information or to work with Saleem go to: https://www.moneybeam.uk/ Or connect with him on: https://www.instagram.com/moneybeam.financialfirstaider/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/saleemshafi/ Follow this show on Blue Sky https://bsky.app/profile/workinghourspod.bsky.social For details about Paid Episodes of Working Hours go to: https://western-studios.com/be-on-a-podcast/working-hours-podcast-the-paid-plan/ Sign up to the Working Hours Newsletter via my website: www.western-studios.com You can also find out about Western Studios Leeds' podcast production services, products and prices - and about the other shows we've made over the last six years. To support Working Hours financially and help more episodes of the show to be made, go to: https://patreon.com/WorkingHoursPod To throw in a tip, buy me a coffee or give a small one off donation of 3GBP or more go to: https://ko-fi.com/workinghours If you want to contact this show DM us on our social channels or email the show at: workinghourspod@western-studios.com Let's have the most links ever in the show notes... If you're having your own issues with debt DO TALK TO SOMEONE you can contact: https://nationaldebtline.org/ Or get in touch with the excellent Leeds' charity Step Change: https://www.stepchange.org/ You have options but you need to act. Asking for help is acting. Book for my Introduction to Podcasting Workshop on July 11th at Swarthmore Education Centre: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/introduction-to-podcasting-with-simon-treen-tickets-1990632856460

    2h 5m
  3. Work Needs Trust

    May 12

    Work Needs Trust

    Recorded on 08/04/2026 Liza Kellett is the founding Chief Executive of social enterprise Trust Leeds and was awarded the Yorkshire & Humberside ‘Social Entrepreneur of the Year’ in 2025. Liza has set up, led, managed, funded, and advised charities and social enterprises in the capacities of: Chief Executive of social enterprise Emmaus Leeds for which she raised over £3 million in investment to enable it to sustainably generate half of its incomeChief Executive of the Community Foundation Wales (where she created Wales’ first micro-venture philanthropy Fund, the world’s first national community endowment fund, and an annual philanthropy week);panellist on multiple grant funds and social enterprise loan fundstrustee of several trading charities In addition to strategic, governance, leadership and business management, Liza has lived experience of walking alongside people facing poverty, isolation and financial exclusion. She nurtures energy, ambition, and a sense of purpose and belonging by bringing a unique combination of global models of Self-Reliant Groups and micro-finance to Leeds. Liza cheers when she sees that a potential borrower has a poor credit record. Having listened to their business ideas, successes & failures, their lack of a formal business plan (when they absolutely know their market, competitors, USP, risks, SWOT and finances), their experience of being turned down for funding by banks & credit unions, and their mental and physical health issues, Liza knows that Trust Leeds can trust them with a small loan to get their business going or growing. Liza Kellett has guest lectured on social enterprise leadership at Leeds University Business School, where she regularly gives talks and presentations as a ‘Leader in Residence’. She also sits on the Leeds City Council Financial Inclusion Steering Group. Her ambition is to exponentially increase the impact of Trust Leeds’ micro-finance enterprise through a social franchising/free-share model. www.trustleeds.org.uk https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/peace/2006/yunus/biographical/ https://www.wevolution.org.uk/ https://purpleshoots.org/ For information about paid Working Hours episodes click here: https://western-studios.com/be-on-a-podcast/working-hours-podcast-the-paid-plan/

    2 hr
  4. How to Change the Size of Raindrops

    Mar 30

    How to Change the Size of Raindrops

    Recorded on 28/01/2026 Tony Crooks started LeedsNet.com, the first public information service for Leeds, thirty years ago in 1996, before the internet got to the UK. He had 54 telephone lines, with a modem for each line, in the back to back house in Harehills he lived in at the time. Originally starting his working life in horticulture, Tony became an award‑winning cabinet maker, and he has carried that mind-set of having the right tools for the job into his role as Group Head of Research and Development at Aotea Global, where he now applies the right mix of knowledge, methods, and on‑the‑ground practices to solve real problems for communities and governments across Africa. Welcome to How to Change the Size of Raindrops. Tony is leading a massive $3 billion program to restore water cycles across East and Southern Africa. By re-greening huge areas of barren land with simple, natural methods the program will end floods and droughts, deliver full food-security to the nations involved, and enable them to export food in future years—just what Europe and the UK will need as climate change cuts their crop yields. All the tools needed to fix these problems already exist; some are modern innovations and some have been used successfully for thousands of years. These tools are all tested, proven to work, and designed to work together as a whole, rather than in isolation. Most people assume that helping to save the planet cannot make money and is basically charity work but the projections Tony has seen from financial experts show that these programmes can stand on their own feet and generate strong returns. Making them an ideal investment for anyone who wants to make the world better and, at the same time, earn a decent profit. The Zimbabwian water delivery project he discusses in this episode is in the very final stages of negotiation now, and Tony has been told there will be orders for enough pumps to provide clean water at the point of need to between 2.5 to 5 million people in remote villages, meaning that those people's lives will be transformed. They will be able to grow all the food they need, water their animals, have much improved health outcomes and girls can go to school and get an education. This is a brilliant episode about a Loiner who’s doing truly amazing things and it’s another one where we go off-piste from my standard questions. Aotea Global will expand its presence from eight to twelve East & Southern African nations this year. Aotea Global are building a new website to replace the temporary one at www.aotea.global and the email for investors is investors@aotea.global - though they don’t have facilities yet for small investors, but you can still register interest. NB This is not financial advice You can find out more about Tony’s work at: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tony-crooks-aotea/ Or email him at: tony.crooks@aotea.global Terrance McKenna clip from https://youtu.be/jDTWocis0YQ?si=Q3AsrJ3mK1H4Ic-A

    1h 35m
  5. Bring Back Better Work

    Mar 20

    Bring Back Better Work

    Recorded on 30/01/2026 Leigh Staunton is the Project Lead for the Leeds Mindful Employer Network — a one-of-a-kind, city-wide network bringing employers together across sectors to make work better for mental health. Unique to Leeds, the Network connects organisations of all sizes to share ideas, learn from one another, and take practical action to create positive, psychologically safe workplaces. It offers free events, resources and regular communications to employers across the city who have signed up. Commissioned by Leeds City Council, the Network is led by Leigh and guided by a Steering Group of local employers, ensuring its work is grounded in real-world challenges and solutions. An English language teacher in a past life, Leigh has also worked in employability, in training and development and has supported people with mental ill health to find and stay in work. A mum of three, she is deeply passionate about helping local employers build inclusive cultures where people feel supported, valued, and able to thrive. Leeds Mind Find out more about our vision for mental health for all. Join the Leeds Mindful Employer Network Nominate a Mindful Employer of the Quarter Find out more about the Mindful Employer Charter Follow Mindful Employer Leeds on LinkedIn Come to Conference Conference details: https://www.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/events/conferences/leeds-mindful-employer-network/ Book your free conference tickets: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/leeds-mindful-employer-network-free-conference-2026-tickets-1982897655265 Mindful Employer Event post on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/mindful-employer-leeds_exciting-news-our-first-in-person-event-activity-7424813808591745025-ajf0/ Get tickets for Neuro Inclusion at Work here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/neuro-inclusion-at-work-moving-beyond-awareness-to-what-actually-works-tickets-1982296873310

    1h 27m
  6. Work is Taking Stock

    Feb 26

    Work is Taking Stock

    Recorded on 08/11/2025 Erene Hadjiioannou is a psychotherapist, supervisor, author, trainer, and (occasional) activist. Erene has worked with adult clients since 2010 and is currently based in her private practice Therapy Leeds. She has specialist skills in supporting survivors of sexual and domestic abuse, including clients navigating the criminal justice process (known as ‘pre-trial therapy’). Erene is an Advanced Accredited gender, sexuality, and relationship diversities therapist - awarded via Pink Therapy. Between 2019 and 2022 Erene was part of an independent steering group that successfully lobbied to change the Crown Prosecution Service guidelines on ‘pre-trial therapy’ increasing access to therapeutic support for survivors of abuse. Therapy Leeds is a LGBT+ friendly service. You can find Erene at: www.therapy-leeds.co.uk www.pretrialtherapy.co.uk @TherapyLeeds https://www.waterstones.com/book/psychotherapy-with-survivors-of-sexual-violence/erene-hadjiioannou/9780367429515

    1h 51m
  7. Work is Doing It Again

    Feb 13

    Work is Doing It Again

    Recorded on 31/10/2025 Gill Beadle is an ILM7 certified Executive and leadership Coach with two decades’ experience in Technology and change Leadership roles within Health-Tech and Financial services. She decided to become a Coach after seeing first-hand the impact Coaching had when working with her teams, as well as on her own confidence as a leader. Gill specialises in working with teams and individuals going through periods of change, whether that is stepping into a new role, coming back from parental leave or navigating the uncertainty of organisational change. As well as being a Coach, Gill volunteers as a Mentor for the GoodWork charity. Providing Mentoring for young people from lower socioeconomic backgrounds to support them getting corporate employment. You can find Gill at: LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/gillian-beadle-nee-maidens-64400ba3 Her website is www.Maidle.co.uk And to find out more about Good Work go to https://www.goodwork.org.uk/ And if you'd like to buy The Chimp Paradox you can find it here: https://www.waterstones.com/book/the-chimp-paradox/steve-peters/9780091935580

    1h 30m
  8. Work is Meant To End

    Feb 5

    Work is Meant To End

    Recorded on 05/11/2025 Dominic Charkin was the CEO of a charity that was established in 2002 to work with local people to identify and overcome issues that affect their health and wellbeing at a community level. In the past few months the Trustees have decided that now was the time to close its doors and Dominic was in the middle of working through that decision. While there is sadness in the decision he says, he’s learned so much about endings and how to make them positive, as well as having a new found voice, that being at the behest of commissioners and funders does not always allow. The Old Red Fire Station https://theoldfirestationgipton.org.uk/ Sir Wilfred Thesiger's Last Interview https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=swjcpS6EpV4

    1h 52m
See All (200)

Trailer

About

What do you do? Western Studios, Leeds presents Working Hours: a podcast series surveying the people of Leeds on their thoughts and feelings on the topic of work. I want to talk to my city about work. Why do we do it? Do we like it? What could we do differently? What will we? How does work change and how does it change us? Leeds, the largest city in the largest county on the UK mainland, is a former imperial textile centre and is now a major UK financial centre. This series will document the city’s experiences through Lockdown, Brexit, creeping technological unemployment, new and continuing resource wars, the ongoing dismantling of the welfare state and our accelerating ecological emergency. If you are in Leeds or from Leeds then help me to reach my target of interviewing 1000 Loiners over the 2020s. Let me ask you, what do you do?

Information

  • Creator
    Western Studios, Leeds Ltd
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    200
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 Western Studios, Leeds Ltd
  • Show Website
    Working Hours