The Talking Tradesman

To kick off a new partnership between The Talking Tradesman and Brewers Decorator Centres, I sat down with Brewers Jo Cotton for a special episode looking at the newly upgraded Albany paint range.Albany has been part of the decorating industry for more than 100 years, but the range has now undergone a major refresh, with new formulations, improved performance and new products designed around the needs of today’s professional decorator.Check out the range at - https://www.brewers.co.ukJo takes us behind the scenes of the development process, from product testing and feedback from decorators through to the improvements in opacity, coverage and overall performance.We also take a closer look at some of the new products, including AF1 ceiling paint, and hear what else Brewers has planned for the Albany range in the future.If you’re a professional decorator, use Albany products already, or simply want to know what’s changed and whether the new range deserves a place in your van, this is a must-watch.This episode marks the beginning of an exciting new partnership between The Talking Tradesman and Brewers Decorator Centres.Chapters00:00 Introduction to the podcast and guest00:41 Partnership between Brewers and Talking Tradesmen01:07 Introduction to Joe Cotton and his role02:03 Background and history of the Albany brand03:01 Albany's market positioning and perception05:21 Reasons for refreshing the Albany range07:14 What has changed in the new range10:36 Product testing and formulation process14:00 Key features of the new products21:46 Details about the AF1 ceiling paint30:03 Upcoming product launches and future plans32:27 Summary and closing remarks

What happens when life forces you to stop, take stock and face something far bigger than work?In this episode of The Talking Tradesman, I sit down with Jamie, a plumbing and heating engineer whose journey has taken him from dreams of becoming a footballer, through more than two decades in the trade, to starting his own business and facing a diagnosis of prostate cancer.Find Jamie here - https://www.instagram.com/rla_heating?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&stkn=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==Jamie never originally planned on becoming a plumber. At 16, football was the direction he thought his life was heading until injury changed everything. With some firm encouragement from his dad, himself an experienced plumbing and heating engineer, Jamie began a five-year apprenticeship.He hated the first couple of years.But he stuck with it.Over time, the job he never wanted became his career, eventually leading Jamie to take another huge step and launch RLA Heating Limited.We talk about the realities of leaving the security of employment, building a business from scratch, dealing directly with customers and why Jamie now wishes he’d made the jump sooner.But this conversation goes far beyond work.Jamie opens up about being diagnosed with prostate cancer, the treatment that followed and the impact the experience has had on his life.We talk openly about prostate cancer awareness, men’s reluctance to discuss their health, the importance of recognising when something isn’t right and why these conversations need to happen more often.We also look to the future of the heating industry, including changing technology, air conditioning in UK homes and where Jamie believes the trade could be heading next.This is a conversation about work, business, family, health and what really matters when life suddenly puts everything else into perspective.Another honest conversation on The Talking Tradesman.

Comedian Russ Lee joins Russell Payne for a raw, funny and deeply personal conversation about the extraordinary life behind the laughs.Russ’s route into comedy was anything but conventional.Find Russ herehttps://www.instagram.com/russleecomedy?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&stkn=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==Growing up in Nottingham , his story takes us through his early years, the choices and experiences that shaped him, brushes with crime, relationships, fatherhood and the twists and turns of a life that eventually led him somewhere he never expected: stand-up comedy.But the defining moment came on Christmas Day, when Russ suffered a devastating brain haemorrhage.Rushed to hospital, his condition was so serious that his wife was told to get the family together because doctors weren’t sure he would survive the night.He did.And coming that close to death forced Russ to look at his life differently.During his recovery, he made a decision that would completely change its direction. He was going to become a stand-up comedian.In this episode, Russ takes us through that journey, from the experiences that shaped the man he became to finding his place on stage and building a career making other people laugh.But, as with so many comedians, there’s much more behind the humour.Russ and Russell talk openly about mental health, resilience, identity, relationships, mistakes, personal growth and what happens when life suddenly reminds you just how fragile it can be. They also explore the changing landscape of comedy, the importance of authenticity and Russ’s passion for supporting mental health charities and using his experiences to help others.There are plenty of laughs, but underneath them is a remarkable story about survival, perspective and second chances.This isn’t simply the story of a comedian.It’s the story of the life that created one.🎙️ The Talking Tradesman Podcast with Russell PayneReal people. Real stories. Honest conversations about life, mental health, adversity and everything that happens behind the public face.

What happens when some of the darkest moments of your life eventually become fuel for making other people laugh?Jimmy O’Neill, better known as The Wigan Joker, joins me for a raw, funny and at times incredibly difficult conversation about the man behind the comedian.Find Jimmy Here - https://www.instagram.com/the_wigan_joker?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsi=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==Growing up in Wigan, Jimmy’s childhood was overshadowed by violence, instability and a complicated relationship with his father. He speaks openly about witnessing domestic violence at home, having his confidence shattered at a young age and the lasting impact those experiences had on the person he became.But this isn’t simply a story about trauma.Jimmy takes us through the unlikely journey from a quiet, damaged kid to standing on stage making rooms full of people laugh. We explore why comedy seems to attract people carrying their own pain, where the Wigan Joker persona ends and Jimmy O’Neill begins, and the period when Jimmy became convinced that being a great comedian meant being a tortured one.We also get into the changing world of comedy.Jimmy shares his thoughts on cancel culture, political correctness, being blacklisted from parts of the comedy circuit and why he believes comedy should remain one of the few places where almost anything can be explored through humour.We talk about the craft of telling a joke, the rise of social media and independent creators, the changing route into entertainment and why comedians no longer need the traditional gatekeepers to build an audience.Underneath all of it is a fascinating conversation about trauma, resilience, identity, forgiveness, self-destruction and the extraordinary ability to turn painful experiences into something that makes other people smile.Jimmy may be known as The Wigan Joker.This episode introduces you to the man behind the laughs.🎙️ The Talking Tradesman Podcast

Simon Ibekwe’s journey to becoming one of Britain’s most exciting heavyweight prospects has been anything but conventional.Just three weeks after getting the call, Simon stepped into the ring in Thailand on the undercard of Tyson Fury’s final fight and produced the biggest moment of his career so far. 28 seconds. One devastating knockout. A moment that went viral and put the heavyweight division on notice.Find Simon Here -https://www.instagram.com/simon_ibekwe?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsi=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==But this episode isn’t just about the knockout.We get to know the man behind the boxer.Simon opens up about growing up in Tottenham, his family and faith, his journey from football into teaching and eventually professional boxing, and the setbacks and cancelled fights that tested his patience long before the world started paying attention.We also break down exactly what happened against Daniel Bear, the game plan going into the fight, the moment Simon knew his opponent was hurt, and how life has changed since that knockout exploded across social media.Now unbeaten and with momentum firmly behind him, Simon talks about the opportunities ahead, why he refuses to get carried away by the hype, and his determination to turn one huge moment into a serious career at the top of the heavyweight division.Is Simon Ibekwe the next genuine threat in British heavyweight boxing?This is the story behind the 28 seconds everyone saw, and the years of work they didn’t.🎙️ The Talking Tradesman Podcast with Simon Ibekwe.Available now on YouTube, and all major podcast platforms.