The Room Where It Happened

With Toy Story 5 & Hoppers releasing this year, The Chief Creative Officer of PIXAR, Pete Docter, joins The Room Where It Happened to break down 40 years of Pixar's history.Pete directed Monsters Inc., Up, Inside Out, & Soul, and has worked with some of animation and technology's biggest icons, including, John Lasseter, Steve Jobs, and Andrew Stanton, just to name a few.In this episode we dive into all of Pixar's behind-the-scenes stories, discuss the incredibly detailed creative process, and break down some of the studio's biggest hits such as Toy Story, Cars, and Monsters Inc.IFS - award-winning Asset & Service Management software 👉 Reimagine your operations at: https://highpfrmc.com/ifs-auNordVPN Deal 👉 https://nordvpn.com/rwih Try it risk-free now with a 30-day money-back guarantee Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What’s stopping Gen Z from becoming millionaires? In this eye-opening conversation, Tim Armoo uncovers the harsh realities young entrepreneurs face, from crushing competition to a rapidly shifting landscape. Have side hustles truly replaced traditional entrepreneurship, or are they just a distraction? Tim reveals why the road to success is harder than ever and how the game is changing for the next generation of business leaders.IFS - award-winning Asset & Service Management software 👉 Reimagine your operations at: https://highpfrmc.com/ifs-auNordVPN Deal 👉 https://nordvpn.com/rwih Try it risk-free now with a 30-day money-back guarantee Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jeff Mostyn didn’t set out to become the savior of a football club, but that’s exactly what he did when a single nod saved Bournemouth from liquidation. In this episode, Jeff takes us back to that moment, when he committed another £100,000 despite promising his wife he wouldn’t, and reflects on how that spontaneous decision set the course for a 17-year journey with the club.From the highs of creating the "greatest winning capsule" with Eddie Howe to the lows of financial crises and personal sacrifice, Jeff opens up about the hard-earned lessons along the way. He talks about the importance of human connection, how his approach to leadership, treating everyone like family, became a key to Bournemouth’s success. Jeff also shares the challenges of keeping a club alive through financial turmoil, including paying £100,000 a month out of his own pocket to keep the team afloat.It’s a conversation about making tough decisions, balancing heart and head, and the power of loyalty and perseverance in the face of overwhelming odds.Jeff Mostyn's book 'The Chairman: The Man who saved AFC Bournemouth' is out now.IFS - award-winning Asset & Service Management software 👉 Reimagine your operations at: https://highpfrmc.com/ifs-au Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Victor Bengtsson’s journey with Sidemen began with a single, unexpected interview, where instead of touting credentials, he cracked a joke that showed he understood their world. In this episode, Victor takes us through how he went from that first conversation to building Side+ in just 75 days, a challenge that became the blueprint for a new approach to content creation and distribution.From the rush of their first subscriber to the groundbreaking decision to recruit a team of young, self-taught editors from Discord and Fortnite communities, Victor discusses the unconventional methods that fuelled their success. He reveals how the Sidemen’s speed and willingness to challenge the norms of traditional TV gave them an edge, creating content faster, cheaper, and with complete creative control.This episode is a deep dive into the mindset, decisions, and strategies that allowed the Sidemen to compete with, and ultimately disrupt, the media giants. It’s a story about seizing control, challenging the status quo, and proving that speed and creativity can change the game.IFS - award-winning Asset & Service Management software 👉 Reimagine your operations at: https://highpfrmc.com/rwih-ifs-yt Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

CEO of Kurt Geiger Neil Clifford reflects on the moments and challenges that shaped his journey from a department store floor to leading a global fashion brand.He shares how early setbacks, including the loss of his father and living with dyslexia, influenced his leadership style, turning perceived limitations into creative strengths. Neil also discusses the lessons learned through private equity and the importance of surrounding himself with people who think differently.Beyond commercial success, Neil explains how Kurt Geiger’s Business by Design Academy became a way to create wider impact, opening doors for young creatives who might otherwise be overlooked.This episode explores creativity, leadership, and why human skills, not just technical ones, will matter most in the future.Launched by the Kurt Geiger Kindness Foundation in 2024, Business by Design is an award-winning, fully funded, career incubator programme designed to open doors into the creative industry for young people. For the first time, and beginning in Spring 2026, Business by Design will become available to young people across the UK, through a newly digitalised programme. The Business by Design Academy page: https://www.kurtgeiger.com/business-by-designIFS - award-winning Asset & Service Management software 👉 Reimagine your operations at: https://highpfrmc.com/ifs-au Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How does a personal space flight spark a mission to reshape humanity’s future? For Dylan Taylor, it started with a transcendent experience in orbit, which led him to found Space for Humanity, a non-profit dedicated to expanding access to space travel. His vision grew from a desire to unlock space’s transformative potential for solving Earth’s most pressing issues, and today, he’s helping to shape a future where space is accessible to all.In this episode, Dylan Taylor takes us through his unexpected journey, from his life-changing space flight to the creation of Voyager Technologies (NYSE: VOYG), a global leader in national security and space solutions. As founder, Chairman, and CEO, Dylan is also leading a joint venture to develop Starlab, a next-generation commercial space station with partners like Airbus, Mitsubishi, MDA Space, and Palantir. He shares how his work in space technology is already impacting Earth, from breakthroughs in cancer treatment to innovations in microgravity. Dylan also discusses the high-stakes decisions, partnerships, and bold moves that are accelerating humanity’s progress through space. This conversation is about vision, purpose, and the power of expanding human potential through exploration. Dylan's story reveals how space isn’t just about discovery, it’s about solving real-world problems and creating a future where anyone can reach for the stars.IFS - award-winning Asset & Service Management software 👉 Reimagine your operations at: https://highpfrmc.com/rwih-ifs-yt Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From washing dishes in a chaotic hotel kitchen at 13 to leading a global software company, Mark Moffat traces a leadership journey shaped by humility, curiosity, and learning from the ground up..Mark opens up about his evolving relationship with AI, from early scepticism to using it practically in everyday life and high-stakes business decisions, and why industrial AI represents one of the biggest untapped opportunities of the next decade. From robots inspecting underground tunnels to helping frontline workers do safer, better work, he outlines a future where curiosity beats fear and people who learn to use AI outperform those who don’t.This is a conversation about first-principles leadership, staying close to customers as you scale, and why the mindset that took someone from kitchen porter to CEO might be the same one needed to build the next $100bn business.IFS - award-winning Asset & Service Management software 👉 Reimagine your operations at: https://highpfrmc.com/ifs-au  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Long before cybersecurity became a daily concern for businesses, Danny Jenkins encountered a moment that changed his entire trajectory. A ransomware attack on a small company didn’t just expose a technical failure, it revealed how easily a lifetime of work could vanish overnight.In this episode, Danny unpacks the unlikely experiences that shaped his worldview, from a childhood where learning to code became a way to regain control, to a formative business fallout that taught him why founders must guard their vision fiercely. He takes us behind the curtain of modern cybercrime, an industry run with structure, scale, and now AI, and explains why old security models are no longer enough.This is a conversation about seeing the problem before everyone else does, questioning accepted norms, and building a company designed not to react to threats, but to stop them before they ever begin.IFS - award-winning Asset & Service Management software 👉 Reimagine your operations at: https://highpfrmc.com/ifs-au  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From a childhood helicopter dream to building and selling a £4.1bn company, Richard Harpin shares the moments that nearly ended, and ultimately defined,his journey as a founder.In this episode, Richard takes us inside the make-or-break decisions behind HomeServe, including the last-ditch mail shot that saved the business when they had just £10,000 left in the bank, and the devastating moment a partner told him it was over and to return to corporate life. He reveals how copying what already worked, then pivoting fast, became a survival strategy, and why hiring people to cover your weaknesses is one of the most underestimated leadership skills.Richard also reflects on the bold moves that unlocked global growth, from trusting local leaders to scale internationally, to the bittersweet decision to sell the company after decades of building. This is a candid conversation about staying grounded, enduring setbacks, and the long journey from near-failure to lasting success, and why childhood dreams still matter at the finish line.IFS - award-winning Asset & Service Management software 👉 Reimagine your operations at: https://highpfrmc.com/ifs-au  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What begins as a personal crisis quickly turns into a leap of faith. For Olivia Ferdi, everything changed seven weeks before her wedding, when a serious ACL injury forced her to confront her health, and her future, head on.In this episode, Olivia shares how that moment sparked an immediate decision to walk away from a career in law and commit fully to building something of her own. She takes us behind the scenes of the early days of TRIP, from a chance meeting with a Selfridges PA at a vegan market to stacking cans floor-to-ceiling in her living room, and even launching the first-ever Deliveroo store from home during COVID.Olivia also reflects on the realities of starting with no safety net, why having “skin in the game” matters, and the importance of not letting so-called best practice talk you out of your own instincts. It’s a story about trust, navigating uncertainty, and what can happen when you back yourself fully and unapologetically, even when the path ahead isn’t clear.IFS - award-winning Asset & Service Management software 👉 Reimagine your operations at: https://highpfrmc.com/ifs-au  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When Heights hit a wall after rapid early growth, founder Dan Murray faced a brutal truth: the product wasn’t the problem, the story was. In this episode, Dan takes us inside the moment everything changed, explaining how a simple rebrand unlocked a new phase of growth, and why founders often look for answers in the wrong places when momentum stalls.Dan is candid about the decisions that nearly broke him, including letting go of over half the team in a single day to keep the company alive, and walking away from high-profile influencer partnerships just before controversy hit. He opens up about the tension between ego and data, how his own love of science blinded him to what customers actually wanted, and why every brand needs an “edit button” when growth tactics start to carry reputational risk.This is a clear-eyed look at the real cost of entrepreneurship: years of low pay, emotional strain, and hard calls made without certainty.IFS - award-winning Asset & Service Management software 👉 Reimagine your operations at: https://highpfrmc.com/ifs-au Heights 👉 Join Jake in maintaining your energy, with Vitals. Get 20% off with code Room20:Youtube Link: https://highpfrmc.com/room-yt-vitals Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What starts as a side idea quickly becomes a full-scale obsession. For Will Shu, that obsession turned into Deliveroo, and it began with him delivering meals himself, learning the business from the pavement up.In this episode, Will takes us inside the early days of building a food delivery company from scratch, including the mistakes no one sees, the moments that tested his resolve, and the realities of scaling at speed under intense scrutiny. He also reflects on everything from riding orders across London to navigating a major antitrust investigation, and the pressure that comes with building a category-defining business in public.This is a story about founder grit, learning by doing, and why staying relentlessly focused on the customer, even when the stakes are highest, can be the difference between building a product people use and a brand people trust.IFS - award-winning Asset & Service Management software 👉 Reimagine your operations at: https://highpfrmc.com/ifs-au  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What happens when a career built on spreadsheets collides with a gut-level belief in great food? John Eckbert’s path to becoming CEO of Five Guys is anything but conventional, and it nearly didn’t happen at all.In this conversation, John unpacks the improbable steps that took him from banking into the heart of one of the world’s most recognisable fast-casual brands. He shares how a single moment of curiosity turned into a bold move, the early discussions that defined Five Guys’ future, and the leadership calls made long before success was obvious. John also reveals the behind-the-scenes thinking that shaped the company’s culture, expansion strategy, and refusal to compromise on what matters most.This episode explores what it really takes to switch lanes at the highest level, why patience can be a competitive advantage, and how building something people genuinely care about often means saying no far more than yes.IFS - award-winning Asset & Service Management software 👉 Reimagine your operations at: https://highpfrmc.com/ifs-au  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Before it became a worldwide holiday staple, The Elf on the Shelf was simply a Pitts family tradition, one that Christa Pitts helped turn into a cultural phenomenon through grit, creativity, and unshakeable belief.In this episode, Christa looks back on the early days of being rejected by every publisher, the decision to self-publish with her family’s savings on the line, and the scrappy marketing tactics that brought their little elf to life in homes across America.She reveals the unexpected celebrity moment that sent the brand soaring, the battles to protect their idea from copycats, and the hard lessons learned while scaling a fast-growing company. Christa also opens up about leading through personal loss, staying true to the brand’s values, and building a culture that embraces experimentation, heart, and the occasional failure.It’s a conversation about family, courage, and the magic that happens when you bet on your own story, no matter how many times you hear “no.”---JOIN OUR COMMUNITY👔 LinkedIn 👉 https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/the-room-where-it-happened/?viewAsMember=true📸 Instagram 👉 https://www.instagram.com/room.where.it.happened/🗞️ Newsletter 👉 https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/the-room-where-it-happened-7315326937923485696/PARTNERSIFS - award-winning Asset & Service Management software 👉 Reimagine your operations at: https://highpfrmc.com/ifs-au #JakeHumphrey #business #highperformance Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From Top Gear to The Grand Tour and Clarkson’s Farm, Andy Wilman has spent decades redefining what car television can be, and learning a few hard lessons along the way.In this episode, Andy opens up about the high-stakes Amazon deal that launched The Grand Tour, the legal and creative gymnastics of building something “like Top Gear, but not Top Gear,” and the spontaneous tent idea that became the show’s trademark. He reflects on the behind-the-scenes chaos, the unexpected magic of Clarkson’s Farm, and the times they got it wrong, and what those moments taught him about humility, persistence, and trusting your instincts.It’s a candid look at creativity under pressure, the fine line between chaos and genius, and how taking risks (and a few punches) can lead to something unforgettable.IFS - award-winning Asset & Service Management software 👉 Reimagine your operations at: https://highpfrmc.com/ifs-au Andy’s book ‘Mr Wilman’s Motoring Adventure’ is out now and available to purchase - https://hppod.co/mr-wilmans-motoring-adventure-clarkson  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From delivering coffees at 14 to becoming CEO of Matchroom Boxing, Frank Smith has lived every side of the fight game.In this episode, Frank reflects on the defining moments that shaped his career, from his first “final warning” as a teenager to leading global events watched by millions. He shares the unexpected twists behind major fights like Anthony Joshua vs. Jake Paul, the lessons learned from high-stakes negotiations, and why ego is the enemy of progress. Frank also offers an inside look at the business risks behind boxing’s biggest nights and how staying grounded, adaptable, and relentlessly positive helped him rise through the ranks.It’s a story about graft, growth, and learning to fight smart, both in and outside the ring.IFS - award-winning Asset & Service Management software 👉 Reimagine your operations at: https://highpfrmc.com/ifs-au  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this week's notebook I discuss the importance of not just finding your why, but acting on it.I share the unexpected panic I felt travelling back from my interview with Robert Lewandowski because of the thought I might miss my flight home. That rising fear revealed something important: when your purpose shifts, your reactions shift too. For me, family has become my why, and anything that pulls me away from it hits hard.If you’ve been feeling stretched, overwhelmed, or out of alignment, this episode is a reminder that purpose isn’t a luxury — it’s your anchor. When you know your why, the world settles. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou joins us from Monaco to revisit the moment easyJet was created, beginning with the 1994 launch, where he persuaded his father to back his idea for a new kind of airline. He reflects on the early years of bold marketing stunts, legal battles with British Airways, and a fierce rivalry with Ryanair that pushed him to keep costs low, move fast and build a brand the public instantly recognised.Stelios speaks openly about the pressure of running a young airline, the mistakes that almost derailed it, and the key decisions that shaped its future, including adopting the internet early and expanding the "easy" name into hundreds of businesses. He also shares how this success now fuels his philanthropic mission.IFS - award-winning Asset & Service Management software 👉 Reimagine your operations at: https://highpfrmc.com/ifs-au Heights 👉 Join Jake in maintaining your energy, with Vitals. Get 20% off with code Room20: https://highpfrmc.com/heights-vitals-au Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this week's notebook, I talk about the fear I felt going into an interview with footballing superstar Robert Lewandowski, why we should enjoy our struggles, celebrate ourselves, and actively seek fear, not run from it. If you're currently feeling paralysed by fear or dissatisfied with everyday life, this episode's here to remind you that life's not meant to be perfect.Be proud of yourself and celebrate your successes, no matter how small, because everything above zero compounds. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How does someone go from tinkering with computers in a small Manchester bedroom to leading Microsoft UK’s AI revolution? For Darren Hardman, it began with curiosity, hard work, and a lesson that changed his outlook forever: success isn’t about working more hours, it’s about working with purpose.In this episode, Darren shares the defining moments that shaped his leadership journey, from early sacrifices and personal turning points to the bold initiatives driving Microsoft’s role in making the UK an AI superpower. He offers a candid look behind the scenes at what it takes to lead through rapid technological change, empower teams, and build a culture of learning and innovation.It’s a story about balance, belief, and how embracing change can transform both a career and an entire industry.---PARTNERSIFS - award-winning Asset & Service Management software 👉 Reimagine your operations at: https://highpfrmc.com/ifs-au  Heights 👉 Join Jake in maintaining your energy, with Vitals. Get 20% off with code Room20: https://highpfrmc.com/room-yt-vitals---JOIN OUR COMMUNITY👔 LinkedIn 👉 https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/the-room-where-it-happened/?viewAsMember=true📸 Instagram 👉 https://www.instagram.com/room.where.it.happened/🗞️ Newsletter 👉 https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/the-room-where-it-happened-7315326937923485696 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.