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. 1d ago

    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

    22 min

  2. 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

    50 min

  3. May 20

    Control the Controllables: Lessons in Resilience

    What do you do when your car literally catches fire on the motorway? Dave and James 'Resilience' Sharples explore the power of perspective and resilience after James experiences every driver's nightmare - a head gasket blowout that turned his car into a bonfire on the A1! This episode is a masterclass in choosing your response when life throws curveballs. What they discuss: 🔥 How to stay positive when your car catches fire 🎯 The 10/90 rule: What happens vs how you respond ⚽ Playoff heartbreak and sporting disappointments 🧠 Why 80% of our thoughts are automatically negative ✅ The two-circle exercise for controlling the controllables From Bob Marley to the difference between ANTs and PETs, this conversation tackles stress, resilience, and why our response ability is the only thing we truly control. 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 #resilience #mindset #stressmanagement #mentalhealth #positivity #wellbeing #personaldevelopment #responseability #businesspodcast

    20 min

  4. May 13

    Building Genuine Business Connections ft. Lesley Mcdowell

    Are you collecting business cards or building genuine relationships? Dave and James welcome Lesley McDowell from Baumann Partners to explore the art of networking done right. From the pitfalls of "panic networking" to the power of meaningful follow-ups, Lesley shares why quality always beats quantity when it comes to building your professional network. What they discuss: 🎯 Why three quality connections beat 50 business cards 🧠 The two brain systems that drive snap judgments 🍩 Creative follow-up tactics that actually work 💡 The Gymshark focus: knowing your audience and sticking to it 🤝 Why female-led businesses are changing the landscape From the rise of crypto in FX brokerage to Lily Allen's billion-dollar Bitcoin mistake, this conversation proves that preparation, focus, and genuine human connection still trump everything in business. 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 #networking #businessdevelopment #sales #relationships #womeninbusiness #FX #bitcoin #personalbrand #businesspodcast

    39 min

  5. May 6

    Why Authenticity Beats Automation In Sales

    Do you use voice notes on LinkedIn, or do they make you cringe? Dave and James 'DM' Sharples dive into the world of LinkedIn DMs, exploring why voice messages add authenticity and personality to cold outreach, and why some communication methods fall flat (we're looking at you, unsolicited GIFs). What they discuss: 🎤 Why voice notes beat text for building trust 🤖 The AI tool that failed at personalisation (badly) 🥊 Jake Paul, AJ, and why boxing needs to stay in its lane 🍔 The art of hosting a proper barbecue (leather apron essential) 👎 When automation ruins the personal touch Sometimes it's the little things that matter most in business communication. 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 #LinkedIn #sales #communication #voicenotes #authenticity #networking #personalbrand #digitalmarketing #businesspodcast

    26 min

  6. Apr 29

    Celebrating Our Guests: A Quick Brew Rewind

    Dave and James 'Gasket' Sharples take a moment to re-rewind and reflect on the journey of A Quick Brew, celebrating the guests who've made the podcast what it is today. From Craig Kelly's milestone first appearance to Joe Emery's record-breaking appearance, they revisit the episodes that resonated most. What they discuss: 🎙️ Why guest episodes get the highest viewership 📚 The power of varied perspectives over vertical content 🎬 Our favourite films and their castings of all time 💡 Golden nuggets that keep surprising them 👏 A heartfelt thank you to every guest who's shared their expertise, experience, and time with the pod. 🚨Plus: A call to action for YOU to suggest the next guest. Who do you want us to speak to next?... you can nominate yourself too! 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 #podcastguest #reflection #business #leadership #AI #wellbeing #networking #gratitude #businesspodcast

    17 min

  7. Apr 22

    When Did DE&I Become "Nonsense"?

    What happens when progress feels like it's moving backwards?Dave and James 'Fresh Wheels' Sharples tackle some frustrations in this raw conversation. From the backlash against DEI initiatives to the troubling rise of the manosphere, they explore why anger and division seem to be bubbling to the surface.What they discuss:🌍 Why DEI isn't "nonsense"📺 Louis Theroux's Manosphere documentary and toxic masculinity⚠️ Why impressionable minds are being shaped by dangerous content🚗 The car finance upsell that went too far💼 When pushy sales tactics lose you the warWe also learn James' guilty pleasure is Married at First Sight Australia!Sometimes you just need to vent. This is 'that' episode for James.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 #DEI #diversity #inclusion #toxicmasculinity #sales #manosphere #workplaceculture #businesspodcast

    23 min

  8. Apr 15

    Building A Business: Done Is Better Than Perfect ft. Kat Edwards

    When was the last time you waited six months to get paid for work you'd already delivered?Dave and James 'Finance' Sharples welcome Kat Edwards from 1Finance to discuss the cash flow crisis facing small and medium businesses, the reality of payment terms that can cripple growth, and why personal branding matters more than ever.What they explore:💰 Why cash is still king⏰ The shocking truth about payment terms🤝 How human connection beats AI in financial services📱 Why LinkedIn credibility drives business decisions👶 Building a business during a pandemic with three kids under four!From invoice factoring to the power of positive thinking, this conversation reveals why the human element in finance should never be replaced by algorithms. Kat also shares how "done is better than perfect" became her business mantra.As always, enjoy, with your 'Quick Brew' ⏱️☕🎙️------🤝 Connect with Kat on LinkedIn🏢 Learn more about 1Finance📖 Read Kat's book recommendation | Change Your Paradigm, Change Your Life by Bob Proctor-----❤️ 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.🔗 Learn more about Loomyna🤑 Don't forget to use the discount code: BREW10-----

    31 min
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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
    38
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © David Bancroft and James Sharples
  • Show Website
    A Quick Brew