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. 1D AGO

    Hunting For Treasure

    Neil explores the transformative power of ‘peripheral learning’. Drawing from his diverse background as a guitar teacher, property investor, and author, Neil challenges the traditional expert path of knowing ‘more and more about less and less’. Instead, he advocates for a scenic route to mastery, sharing how insights from gym training and anatomy revolutionised his guitar technique after two decades of struggle.  KEY TAKEAWAYS Focusing solely on your immediate field can lead to stagnation; true progress often comes from outside your ‘expert’ bubble. Pay attention to moments of curiosity (the "Ooh, that's funny" moments), as your intuition often recognises valuable connections before your conscious mind does. Techniques from unrelated fields, like using weightlifting anatomy to improve music pedagogy, can solve long-standing professional plateaus. Skills like NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Programming) have applications across teaching, sales, parenting, and even overcoming phobias. There is almost always a valuable insight to be found in any new subject if you are willing to look for it with an open mind. BEST MOMENTS "Know more and more about less and less. I advocate taking a more scenic and wide-ranging route to life." "That intuition is your gut brain waving its little gut brain arms at you because it's made a connection somewhere it just can't express it in full yet." "None of my mainstream guitar tutorial books mentioned anything about physiology and mechanics. Nothing. Nada. Zilch. Zero." "Ask yourself this: What is it in this that I can steal, borrow, adopt or adapt that'll make me a better teacher, investor, businessman, mentor, or parent?" "See yourself as Indiana Jones, Lara Croft, or Allan Quatermain hacking through vines and undergrowth in search of treasure to bring back to your tribe." 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

  2. MAR 23

    Haters and Crabs

    In this episode, Neil dives into the universal challenge of dealing with ‘haters and crabs’, those who criticise, doubt, or try to pull you down as you strive for growth and self-improvement. Neil explores the psychological reasons behind this behaviour, explaining that critics are often reflecting their own insecurities and fears rather than providing objective feedback. He offers practical strategies for navigating these social pressures, including working in ‘stealth mode’, reframing negative comments as a sign of success, and prioritising self-satisfaction over external approval. KEY TAKEAWAYS When you improve yourself, you effectively ‘murder’ your former self, which can unsettle those who liked you exactly as you were. People who tell you that you have ‘ideas above your station’ are often expressing their own regret for not taking similar risks. Just like crabs in a bucket, some people will instinctively try to pull back those who are climbing toward a better life to maintain their own comfort. If you are sensitive to criticism, consider working in ‘stealth mode’, not telling others about your projects until they are already successful. In the world of social media, receiving negative comments or trolls is simply evidence that your message is being seen by enough people to provoke a reaction. BEST MOMENTS "You have to murder your former self as a necessary measure to make space for the new self to occupy." "The person who says you have ideas above your station is really saying, 'I wish I had the nuts to break out of the status quo of my life.'" "No matter how fabulous your latest enterprise is, someone will criticise or comment negatively. Get over it and understand that it's not about you." "Nobody ever erected a statue of a critic." "Never retreat, never explain, get it done and let them howl." 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/

    12 min

  3. MAR 16

    Dump, Divide, Diarise

    Today, Neil shares his personal ‘Dump, Divide, Diarise’ system - a synthesis of methods he’s refined over 27 years in business to help tutors, coaches, and mentors eliminate mental overload. Neil breaks down how to transition from a state of ‘chaotic evil genius’ to streamlined productivity by externalising every thought onto paper and categorising it into actionable buckets. Whether you are struggling with a ‘ragbag’ of a mind or just looking for a no-BS way to manage your weekly goals, this episode provides a tactile, simple, and effective roadmap to reclaiming your time and focus. KEY TAKEAWAYS Start by ‘vomiting’ every single thought, business, personal, financial, or health-related, onto a large piece of paper without editing to move ideas from a slippery, elusive state into a concrete form. Organise your brain dump into four specific lists: Outgoing Contacts, Actions, Rubbish, and Stuff to Worry About Later. When dividing actions, separate ‘your stuff’ (high-value, fun, high-income potential) from ‘other people's stuff’ (low-skill, technical, or low-income tasks) that can be delegated to a PA or automated system. Use a weekly organiser to assign specific sequences to your days, ensuring that outgoing contacts and personal actions are scheduled and completed before the week ends. Actively discard ‘rubbish’ thoughts through a physical ritual (shredding or burning) and store long-term worries in a separate notebook or ‘worry doll’ to keep your mind free for more interesting tasks. BEST MOMENTS "Your job here is just to get the stuff out of your head, where it is formless, elusive and slippery, and get it out into the real world into some kind of concrete form." "I'm currently working on formatting my organizer system as a planner for 'chaotic evil geniuses.'" "If it's low skill and we can give it to just about anybody to do, then we can focus on better uses of our time." "Transfer each piece of mental junk onto the dustbin page, to expunge the garbage from my mind completely." "The 'worry about it later' page can keep the worry warm for you whilst you or I get on doing more interesting things." 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/

    14 min

  4. MAR 9

    Brutal Self-Honesty

    Today, Neil challenges listeners to confront the lies they tell themselves. He argues that self-deception is a universal human trait that often keeps people stuck in unproductive patterns, whether in business or personal life. Neil introduces a set of five ‘brutal’ coaching questions designed to strip away these illusions and reach the ‘bedrock of reality’. By practicing this intense self-accountability, tutors and coaches can finally make the difficult decisions, like ending stagnant partnerships or launching long-delayed projects, necessary to truly thrive. KEY TAKEAWAYS Everyone lies to themselves to confirm their own biases and stay ‘right’, even when they are demonstrably wrong. Staying in failing relationships or unproductive business projects for years is often a direct result of avoiding the truth. A good mentor or coach accelerates progress by refusing to ‘pussyfoot around’ your justifications and bringing ugly truths to the surface. Once you reach the reality of a situation, you gain the clarity needed to take decisive action, such as publishing a book or ending a stagnant partnership. BEST MOMENTS "I just want to tell you that you’re lying. That you always lie." "We are the easiest person in the world to lie to. We can’t really help ourselves; it’s part of the human condition." "This takes real courage. This kind of self-accountability and self-exposure leaves us raw and vulnerable." "The mentee always, always already knew the answers. They just didn't want to think about them very much." "Peeling away one layer of your inner nonsense at every step until you hit the bedrock of reality." 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/

    10 min

  5. MAR 2

    Into The Silence

    In today’s episode, Neil steps away from the usual business strategies to discuss a fundamental mental tool: silence. He describes the modern world as a constant ‘cacophony’ of digital pings, traffic, and background hums that mask our internal insights. Neil shares his personal process for ‘going into the silence’, which involves removing all electronic distractions and even using ear defenders, to allow the ‘still small voice’ of the deep mind to emerge. Drawing inspiration from prolific inventor Elmer Gates, Neil explains how scheduling intentional quiet time can lead to professional breakthroughs and provides practical tips on how to capture those fleeting moments of inspiration before they vanish. KEY TAKEAWAYS Modern life is filled with subliminal background noises (like fridge compressors or standby hums) that prevent us from hearing our own deeper thoughts. Silence creates the necessary space for your deep mind to enter and communicate solutions to complex problems. One of history’s most prolific inventors used sitting for ideas in a soundproofed, dark room to generate over 200 patents. True silence requires more than just turning off the TV; it means silencing phones (preferably in another room), turning off computer fans, and disabling noisy doorbells. Because insights found in silence can be fleeting, it is essential to have a pen and paper, an audio recorder, or an AI note-taker ready to document ideas immediately. BEST MOMENTS "Silence is like the beauty of a blank page before you put your pen upon it and begin to write or draw." “Silence is where the answers hide." "Whenever I'm stuck, that's where I'll go - into the silence. And I'll listen for what the silence has to tell me." "In the silence, you make a space for your deep mind to enter." "I'm often surprised by my own notes, some of which I'd already forgotten by the end of a short session." 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/

    10 min

  6. FEB 23

    Planning Beyond the Plan: Avoiding the ‘Wile E. Coyote’ Trap

    In this episode, Neil explores the psychological trap of treating a business plan as a finished work of art. Using the classic imagery of Wile E. Coyote running off a cliff, Neil reflects on his own experience of ‘running out of plan’ after successfully completing a 10-year business roadmap. He discusses the danger of the ‘inner moron’ taking over when we lack forward momentum and emphasises that a plan should never be a static relic. KEY TAKEAWAYS Reaching the end of a long-term plan can lead to accidental stagnation if a successor plan isn't already in place. Without a clear, written direction, our less-productive impulses tend to take over, leading to business stalls. A business plan is not a ‘holy relic’ or a final work of art; it must evolve as the business and the owner evolve. Set a recurring schedule (at least every six months) to revisit, tweak, and refine your master plan. Always maintain a forecast that extends at least five years past your current milestones to maintain momentum. BEST MOMENTS "He was absolutely fine until he realised he’d run out of road." "The framed plan was my point of reference, but it only went as far as the frame would permit." "Even on a good day, without a plan, I’m a total cabbage. Most of us are." "The plan will never be done. It’ll never be finished. It’ll live and it’ll evolve as I live and evolve." "I hope we continue to dream, to chase those dreams down, endlessly pushing out the limits of what we think is possible for ourselves." 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/

    8 min

  7. FEB 16

    Two Magic Words

    In this episode, Neil explores the profound psychological impact of two ‘magic words’: I Am. He delves into how these words act as identity statements that shape our subconscious beliefs, behaviors, and ultimately, our reality. Through a physical experiment involving posture and vocal tone, Neil demonstrates how the way we speak to ourselves can instantly alter our mood and energy levels.  KEY TAKEAWAYS The words ‘I Am’ are not just descriptors; they are declarations of identity that your subconscious mind works to fulfill. Following ‘I Am’ with an adjective (e.g., ‘I am rubbish’) creates a static, immovable state, whereas following it with a verb (e.g., ‘I am learning’) creates a dynamic, growth-oriented mindset. Our physical posture and the vibration of our voice (heard through bone conduction) significantly influence our emotional state and confidence. Your subconscious mind does not understand irony or jokes at your own expense; it takes self-deprecating remarks as literal truths. You can ‘rewrite your script’ by identifying negative identity statements and deliberately replacing them with empowering, process-oriented language. BEST MOMENTS "Magic words that are so powerful they can be the hinges upon which your entire life swings." "We tend to live up to, or down to, the things we say about ourselves." "Never, ever, ever denigrate yourself, not even as a joke, because your unconscious mind doesn't have a sense of humor." "I create as I speak... change the script, change your life. Words create worlds." "’I am’ followed by an adjective is a static statement, but ‘I am’ followed by a verb is a different kettle of fish." 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

  8. FEB 9

    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
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4.5
out of 5
10 Ratings

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
    416
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Neil Cowmeadow
  • Show Website
    The Tutor Podcast

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