Six Degrees of Innovation

How many crisps constitute a problem? For Del Currie, a self-confessed "three-bags-a-day" enthusiast, it just made sense to start his own sustainable crisp company. In this episode, Del shares how he went from running a successful digital agency to founding Spudos — a business born out of boredom, a pint of Guinness, and a desire to tackle the plastic waste crisis in the snack industry.We explore the genius behind separating the seasoning from the crisp (hello, Spud Dust!), the chaotic reality of fulfilling 15,000 orders in two weeks after appearing on Dragons' Den, and the complexity of creating truly home-compostable packaging. Del also shares his philosophy on "rolling the dice," the lessons learned from building his own manufacturing tech on a budget, and why he believes innovation often starts with getting out there and learning what you need to know.Organisations Mentioned in this EpisodeSpudos (Try them all!)The Old Ivy House (Del’s pub)Kilo (Del's daughter's zero-waste shop in North London)DKMS (Learn more and sign up to be a stem cell donor here)Contact:rachel@sixdegreesstrategy.coCredits: Podcast recording & editing by Rachel SosinCover art by Danielle Brooks, https://www.daniellebrooksillustration.co.uk/Music via #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):https://uppbeat.io/t/vocalista/strangers-in-the-night-acapellaLicense code: IP17ENDYVQGNUH6E

How do you turn a spark into a movement? Donna Otchere talks about being an early-career engineer and wondering where the other Black STEM women were to becoming a PhD researcher exploring gender equity in STEM—with a focus on the power of role models to shape girls’ desire to pursue engineering. We explore the rapid rise of SiSTEM UK (founded with her sister), from a lockdown Instagram page to thousands-strong community, schools outreach across London, and internship pathways that build real experience. Donna breaks down her research, lessons in leadership, discovering dyslexia mid-thesis, and what’s next—from teaching to taking SiSTEM global and.The person innovating who has caught Donna's attention is Abi Fafolu, Founder of The Lit Lab - bringing science and cocktails together for some STEM fun for grown-ups.You can follow SiSTEM UK on Instagram and LinkedIn. If you know someone who would be a great guest, please email me at ⁠rachel@sixdegreesstrategy.co⁠ or send me a message on LinkedIn. Podcast recording and editing by me, Rachel Sosin.Cover art by Danielle Brooks: ⁠https://www.daniellebrooksillustration.co.uk/⁠Technical support from Abhinav Wadhwa: ⁠https://www.abhinavwadhwa.in/⁠ Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):https://uppbeat.io/t/vocalista/strangers-in-the-night-acapellaLicense code: IP17ENDYVQGNUH6E

Founder Lauren Fleming shares how a postpartum diagnosis of pelvic organ prolapse led her to launch Hem Supportwear, a modern external support garment designed with pelvic floor PT input. We talk about pairing product with education and advocacy, navigating manufacturing and marketing in femtech, and why patient-centered care matters. Lauren also spotlights Reia Health for its self-managed pessary innovation, and references Laura Vanderkam’s I Know How She Does It as a framework for time design. If you’ve felt dismissed, confused, or alone in the prolapse journey—or you support patients who are—this conversation offers practical tools and hope.If you know someone who would be a great guest, please email me at rachel@sixdegreesstrategy.co or send me a message on LinkedIn. Podcast recording and editing by me, Rachel Sosin.Cover art by Danielle Brooks: https://www.daniellebrooksillustration.co.uk/Technical support from Abhinav Wadhwa: https://www.abhinavwadhwa.in/

How do you build social impact that isn’t at the mercy of grants? In this episode, we meet Sam Ross, business development manager of The Melting Pot, Scotland’s Center for Social Innovation. Sam shares how the organisation evolved from a pioneering co-working space to a three-part engine—Collaborative Hub, Good Ideas incubator, and sector-agnostic Consultancy—creating a self-sustaining model and avoiding over-reliance on grants. We dig into “places with purpose,” taking innovation beyond big cities, and the art of saying no so you can say yes to bigger impact.Innovators Who Have Her Attention:Zakia Moulaoui Guery, founder and CEO of Invisible CitiesEdinburgh Tool LibraryThe RemakeryWelcome BrainIf you know someone who would be a great guest, please email me at rachel@sixdegreesstrategy.co or send me a message on LinkedIn. Podcast recording and editing by me, Rachel Sosin.Cover art by Danielle Brooks: https://www.daniellebrooksillustration.co.uk/Technical support from Abhinav Wadhwa: https://www.abhinavwadhwa.in/ Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):https://uppbeat.io/t/vocalista/strangers-in-the-night-acapellaLicense code: IP17ENDYVQGNUH6E

What happens when you combine a love of music, a PhD in psychology, and a desire to help people feel better? For Dr. Michelle Ulor, it became Kinos Studio—a research-led consultancy using music to improve wellbeing, foster connection, and inspire change.In this episode, Michelle shares her journey from DJ and music blogger to academic researcher to entrepreneur, and why she believes ambition, resilience, and a “healthy dose of delusion” are key entrepreneurial traits. We explore how she treats her business like a research project, the impact of her music-and-wellbeing workshops, and why entrepreneurship comes in many forms.Whether you’re a music lover, a founder, or someone seeking inspiration for your own career pivot, Michelle’s story offers a fresh take on blending creativity, science, and purpose.Innovators Who Have Her Attention:Dr Efosa Uwubamwen, founder of WellvrseIf you know someone who would be a great guest, please email me at rachel@sixdegreesstrategy.co or send me a message on LinkedIn. Cover art by Danielle Brooks: https://www.daniellebrooksillustration.co.uk/Technical support from Abhinav Wadhwa: https://www.abhinavwadhwa.in/Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):https://uppbeat.io/t/vocalista/strangers-in-the-night-acapellaLicense code: IP17ENDYVQGNUH6E

This week, I chat with Tim Curtis—consultant, academic, and all-around sharp thinker on how change really happens in complex systems. We talk about what it takes to go beyond ticking boxes when it comes to listening, engaging, and actually designing with people in mind.Whether you're trying to scale a social innovation, avoid polished flops, or just want to hear someone explain why "best practice" might be a myth, Tim brings a mix of deep insight and good humour to this one. Whether you geek out on stakeholder theory or just want to stop designing things no one asked for, there’s something here for you.What We Dug Into:--What German petrol buyers, Greenpeace, and Shell teach us about real stakeholder power.--Why traditional stakeholder maps fall short—and how to think more dynamically about influence and relationships.--How real engagement requires real listening: yes, that might mean paying people or working in multiple languages.--The danger of designing “for” instead of “with”—and how to use empathy maps and personas without faking it.--The value of sharing your messy middle—especially for founders and innovators.--Why “best practice” doesn’t always scale, and how to focus on what actually works in context.--The difference between managing a project and creating innovation.--The potential (and pitfalls) of AI as a tool for human-centered design and rapid prototyping.Innovators Who Have His Attention:Andrej Karpathy – for his framing of LLMs as a new “operating system” for human creativity.If you know someone who would be a great guest, please email me at rachel@sixdegreesstrategy.co or send me a message on LinkedIn. Podcast recording and editing by me, Rachel Sosin.Cover art by Danielle Brooks: https://www.daniellebrooksillustration.co.uk/Technical support from Abhinav Wadhwa: https://www.abhinavwadhwa.in/ Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):https://uppbeat.io/t/vocalista/strangers-in-the-night-acapellaLicense code: IP17ENDYVQGNUH6E

This week, I chat with Debbie Judd, the inspiring founder of Wool on the Exe, a truly special yarn shop and community interest company in Exeter, UK. From a quiet life in New England to Exeter, where Debbie has created a thriving fiber arts space that goes far beyond just selling yarn, we will dive into her journey from AmeriCorps to building a sustainable social enterprise that fosters connection, reduces isolation, and even gets kids knitting! Whether you are as passionate about knitting and wool as I am or just here for the community building, I hope you enjoy the episode!What We Dug Into:Her transformative experience with AmeriCorps and asset-based community development.The evolution from the Blanket Box Scheme and NeighborWorks to the Knit Stop. The birth of Wool on the Exe and the Community Interest Company (CIC) model that funds social impact through business, easing reliance on grants and donations.The power of knitting and crochet to fight loneliness and build community across demographics.How Wool on the Exe fostered community connection during the pandemic, including the heartwarming "Christmas tree" project. The historical significance of fiber arts communities as spaces for activism and idea sharing.Exciting future plans to expand into a community "pocket park" for plant dyeing and workshops. Innovators who Have Her Attention:FLOW Orchard: a communal orchard along 5km of the River Exe, running through Exeter.Links:Wool on the Exe: Check out their shop in Exeter for beautiful yarn and a vibrant community!The Knit Stop: The impact arm alongside Wool on the Exe, planting knitting groups in underserved areas.Knit for Peace: An organisation that uses knitting for charitable purposes.Devon School for Social Entrepreneurs: Where Debbie developed the NeighborWorks business plan. Camfed: An NGO founded in 1993 whose mission is to eradicate poverty in Africa through the education of girls and the empowerment of young women.Stitchlinks (Betsan Corkhill): Pioneering an exciting approach to improving health and wellbeing through the use of therapeutic creative activities, particularly knitting.If you know someone who would be a great guest, please email me at rachel@sixdegreesstrategy.co or send me a message on LinkedIn. Podcast recording and editing by me, Rachel Sosin.Cover art by Danielle Brooks: https://www.daniellebrooksillustration.co.uk/Technical support from Abhinav Wadhwa: https://www.abhinavwadhwa.in/ Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):https://uppbeat.io/t/vocalista/strangers-in-the-night-acapellaLicense code: IP17ENDYVQGNUH6E

This week, I had an awesome chat with Dr Milette Gillow and Sedinam Simpson, the brilliant minds behind The Tech Bros. These ladies are shaking up the male-dominated world of tech by increasing the number of all-female, all-technical startups with hackathons, panels, and workshops…AND a newly launched accelerator programme!If you're a woman in STEM with a startup itch, or just curious about how we can level the playing field in tech, you definitely want to listen to this one.What We Dug Into:Milette and Sedi's stories and why they said "enough!" to the status quo.The sneaky ways bias shows up for women founders.How The Tech Bros are creating a supportive community and giving women the tools to build amazing tech companies.Their upcoming accelerator – seriously exciting stuff if you're looking to launch!Cool tech areas they're hyped about (robotics, anyone?).Why building a strong network is EVERYTHING.Their big dreams for a more diverse tech future.Plus, a quick chat about the different hurdles for women coming from academia vs. industry.Innovators who Have Their Attention:Polari Labs: Making preparation for anal sex effortless, quick, and totally spontaneous.Level Zero Health: Leveraging continuous monitoring for reproductive healthYAMLRG (Yet Another Machine Learning Group): - An awesome community for machine learning researchers, engineers, and hobbyists.Applications now open!If you have a brilliant tech idea, applications are now open for The Tech Bros accelerator! Deadline to apply is May 31st! If you know someone who would be a great guest, please email me at rachel@sixdegreesstrategy.co or send me a message on LinkedIn. Podcast recording and editing by me, Rachel Sosin.Cover art by Danielle Brooks: https://www.daniellebrooksillustration.co.uk/Technical support from Abhinav Wadhwa: https://www.abhinavwadhwa.in/ Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):https://uppbeat.io/t/vocalista/strangers-in-the-night-acapellaLicense code: IP17ENDYVQGNUH6E

Welcome back!

As part of my planning for season 2, I invited the brilliant Nick Drage to interview me and help me figure out what I'm doing with this project. Of course, with the tables turned, and me as the interviewee, I have to give this episode an E for language. While I'm sure Nick is quite expert in the types of cyber security things he's built a career on, I want to emphasise what a fantastic thought partner he is. He creates the space for you to examine your own thoughts and asks questions that help you dig deeper. If you are looking for someone to help you extract your own thoughts, or if you are curious about the intersection of gaming and business strategy, check out his website at https://www.pathdependence.co.uk/ or drop him a line at nick@pathdependence.co.uk.

This week, I’m talking with Dan Phan, founder of Workbreaker, providing unique business experiences that blend Dan’s leadership and training expertise with time to focus on your work and curated exploration of Lisbon, Portugal, where he lives. This Study Abroad for Grownups was what drew me to interview Dan, but the conversation turned into a great brain wander through how we engage with learning, new ways to frame our time, and lots more.  Find out more about Workbreaker here: https://www.workbreaker.com/  The Zeus Jones report: https://zeusjones.com/athena/articles/rethinking-resilience-at-work-a-qualitative-research-study Vox article on semester planning: https://www.vox.com/even-better/23835758/divide-life-semesters-not-in-school-motivation-goals#:~:text=Semesters%20can%20help%20you%20maintain%20motivation&text=Having%20a%20distinct%20cutoff%20to,more%20realistic%20goals%2C%20Woolley%20says.  Dan’s Six Degrees of Innovation recommendations are: pot-sized spaghetti (why has this taken so long?!), https://mysimplepetlab.com/, and the broader re-imagining of Uber as a transporter of people, food, and even packages with Uber Connect. If you know someone who would be a great guest, please email me at rachel@sixdegreesstrategy.co or send me a message on LinkedIn.  Podcast recording and editing by me, Rachel Sosin. Cover art by Danielle Brooks: https://www.daniellebrooksillustration.co.uk/ Technical support from Abhinav Wadhwa: https://www.abhinavwadhwa.in/  Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/vocalista/strangers-in-the-night-acapella License code: IP17ENDYVQGNUH6E

Today’s guest is Tim Ward, co-founder and CEO of Think Cyber, a company taking an innovative approach to cyber security awareness. We’ve all made it through those periodic cyber security training quizzes that are a regular part of work these days. But do we actually feel any more prepared about what to do when faced with a risky situation?  Think Cyber is the only company utilising behavioural change theory in the moment to teach employees how to make better decisions! Real time nudges to broaden awareness and encourage you to pause and assess if you are making the right choice. Behaviour change is hard but with the help of Think Cyber’s RedFlags, companies are seeing real, substantive improvements. Listen in as we discuss the psychology of cyber safety! Find out more about Redflags at https://thinkcyber.co.uk/  Tim’s Six Degrees of Innovation recommendation is Phil Guest, the CEO of Revcelerate. Tim references BJ Fogg throughout the episode - you can find out more about his research and buy his book at https://www.bjfogg.com/ or check out his TED Talks online. If you know someone who would be a great guest, please email me at rachel@sixdegreesstrategy.co or send me a message on LinkedIn.  Podcast recording and editing by me, Rachel Sosin. Cover art by Danielle Brooks: https://www.daniellebrooksillustration.co.uk/ Technical support from Abhinav Wadhwa: https://www.abhinavwadhwa.in/  Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/vocalista/strangers-in-the-night-acapella License code: IP17ENDYVQGNUH6E

Today’s guest is Adina Rose Levin, a fellow American living abroad, who is based in Barcelona, where she has recently completed a master’s degree in territorial studies and urban planning at the Autonomous University. Perhaps thanks to her undergraduate studies that spanned economics to the arts, or as she likes to call it, a degree in “cocktail conversation” Adina is a really talented storyteller and has put that skill to good use as a freelance copywriter. Now that she’s completed her master’s degree, I think you can find her doing a lot more writing in her own voice as a thought leader on urban studies and community. Or at least I hope so! Join me for a fascinating discussion and a bit of a wild romp through urban studies, history, politics, and the need to listen to your neighbours.  You can find Adina’s Six Degrees recommendations here: Lior Steinberg, Hayden Clark aka @the_transit_guy and Feargus O'Sullivan  With a bonus recommendation: female-led group Col·lectiu Punt 6, urban planners who shine a light on making cities accessible and more liveable for marginalized communities, like women and elderly people who (newsflash) tend to use public spaces and public transportation (at least in Europe and LATAM) way more than one might think. Adina also mentions more writers, academics, and Barcelona mayors than I could capture here, so if you want to know more about any of them, contact her on LinkedIn here.  If you know someone who would be a great guest, please email me at rachel@sixdegreesstrategy.co or send me a message on LinkedIn.  Photo credit: Michelle Rose Podcast recording and editing by me, Rachel Sosin. Cover art by Danielle Brooks: https://www.daniellebrooksillustration.co.uk/ Technical support from Abhinav Wadhwa: https://www.abhinavwadhwa.in/  Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/vocalista/strangers-in-the-night-acapella License code: IP17ENDYVQGNUH6E

Today’s guest is Lucy Jeffrey, the founder of Bare Kind. Lucy took her love of animals and launched a business that contributes directly to saving endangered species. But what really struck me, is her commitment to transparency - not just her business strategy, but sharing her learnings with other small business owners as well.  Buy Bare Kind socks at https://barekind.co.uk/. Find transparent and valuable content on building a business on YouTube at @candidfounders. Follow Bare Kind on various social media platforms at @BareKind.  You can find Lucy’s Six Degrees recommendation, Emmie Faust and Female Founders Rise here: https://www.femalefoundersrise.com/  If you know someone who would be a great guest, please email me at rachel@sixdegreesstrategy.co or send me a message on LinkedIn.  Cover art by Danielle Brooks: https://www.daniellebrooksillustration.co.uk/ Technical support from Abhinav Wadhwa: https://www.abhinavwadhwa.in/  Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/vocalista/strangers-in-the-night-acapella License code: IP17ENDYVQGNUH6E

Today’s guest is Jemma Davis, a security behaviour and culture change expert and the founder of Culture Gem. To find out how you can hire Jemma as a consultant or to receive a demo of the inclusive (and fun!) eLearning platform, visit culturegem.co.uk. Find Jemma’s soggy blogging by searching @infosecjem on Twitter and Medium or adding her on LinkedIn.  You can find Jemma’s Six Degrees recommendation, Red Flags from Think Cyber here: https://thinkcyber.co.uk/product/  If you know someone who would be a great guest, please email me at rachel@sixdegreesstrategy.co or send me a message on LinkedIn.  Cover art by Danielle Brooks: https://www.daniellebrooksillustration.co.uk/ Technical support from Abhinav Wadhwa: https://www.abhinavwadhwa.in/  Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/vocalista/strangers-in-the-night-acapella License code: IP17ENDYVQGNUH6E

Today’s guest is Denise McQuaid, a leader in building and growing businesses with a focus on strategy, aligning culture with business models, especially in complex and challenging environments. She has a successful track record with both start-ups and established organisations. At your local bookstore: How to Have a Happy Hustle, by Bec Evans Dr Dana Kanze on gender bias in investor questions: https://www.ted.com/talks/dana_kanze_the_real_reason_female_entrepreneurs_get_less_funding?utm_campaign=tedspread&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=tedcomshare Learn more about Awaken Angels and the Awaken Hub here: https://www.awakenhub.com/awakenangels I'm taking a break for the month of June, but more episodes will drop in July! If you have suggestions for a guest, email me at rachel@sixdegreesstrategy.co or send me a message on LinkedIn. Cover art by Danielle Brooks: https://www.daniellebrooksillustration.co.uk/ Technical support from Abhinav Wadhwa: https://www.abhinavwadhwa.in/  Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/vocalista/strangers-in-the-night-acapella License code: IP17ENDYVQGNUH6E

Today’s guest is James Scroggs, a rock and roll entrepreneur for social impact, whose latest project, New Working Class College will reimagine the college experience blending Learning and Earning, giving students, businesses, and the community the chance to build an experience together.  While we didn’t discuss it at length on this episode, James is also the Chair of Campaign Against Living Miserably, a suicide awareness and prevention charity. Learn about their award-winning 2022 campaign The Last Photo here: https://www.thecalmzone.net/thelastphoto  Cover art by Danielle Brooks: https://www.daniellebrooksillustration.co.uk/ Technical support from Abhinav Wadhwa: https://www.abhinavwadhwa.in/  Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/vocalista/strangers-in-the-night-acapella License code: IP17ENDYVQGNUH6E

Today’s guest is Alyson Stemas, a community-builder focused on creating a people-first leadership revolution. Alyson volunteered to be a practice podcast guest for me and the conversation we had about people-led leadership was so great, that I wanted to share it. Book suggestion: Hacking Communities by Laís de Oliveira  Cover art by Danielle Brooks: https://www.daniellebrooksillustration.co.uk/ Technical support from Abhinav Wadhwa: https://www.abhinavwadhwa.in/  Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/vocalista/strangers-in-the-night-acapella License code: IP17ENDYVQGNUH6E

Today’s guest is Simon Gough, a service designer and big thinker. Today's conversation we talk about a variety of things, exploring the tension between small scale and large scale or people and institutions. Alan Watts video: https://youtu.be/ERbvKrH-GC4 Books: How to Thrive in the Next Economy, by John Thackara Deschooling Society, by Ivan Illich   Cover art by Danielle Brooks: https://www.daniellebrooksillustration.co.uk/ Technical support from Abhinav Wadhwa: https://www.abhinavwadhwa.in/  Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/vocalista/strangers-in-the-night-acapella License code: IP17ENDYVQGNUH6E

Today’s guest is Roland Harwood: innovator and entrepreneur who is making connections to tackle the climate crisis. Today's conversation is focused on a new ownership structure that Roland's latest venture, Liminal is testing as a path to a more collaborative and active ownership model. Learn more about Liminal, a collective intelligence network, here: https://www.weareliminal.co/ Find out more about Roland's book and podcast, both entitled On The Edge here: https://www.weareliminal.co/ontheedge Cover art by Danielle Brooks: https://www.daniellebrooksillustration.co.uk/ Technical advice from Abhinav Wadhwa: https://www.abhinavwadhwa.in/  Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/vocalista/strangers-in-the-night-acapella License code: IP17ENDYVQGNUH6E