Claim OwnershipThe Room Where It Happened
Subscribed: 70Played: 1,248
Subscribe
© High Performance
Description
Step inside the moments that shaped the world’s biggest brands in The Room Where It Happened, a brand-new podcast hosted by Jake Humphrey.
Each episode sees the guest take us back inside a room and a moment that changed the course of their careers. With unprecedented insight on the pivotal decisions, unexpected turns, and behind-the-scenes moments that propelled companies to global recognition - and the lessons learned along the way from the people who were right in the middle of it all.
The Room Where It Happened is your front-row seat to the conversations that shaped history, offering a rare glimpse into the defining moments of top entrepreneurs and industry leaders.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
33 Episodes
Reverse
This week I share the lessons that have stayed with me — from Mudita, the joy of celebrating others’ success, to what I learned from Eddie Jordan about being the spark of light in the room. I open up about walking away from BT Sport and the identity shift that came with it, and reflect on Hector Bellerín’s idea of living like a candle — staying steady no matter what’s happening around you. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
As co-founder and former CEO of Deciem, Nicola Kilner helped build one of the most disruptive beauty companies of the last decade, but the journey was far from straightforward.In this episode, Nicola shares the career-defining advice she received from Estée Lauder’s Leonard Lauder, the bold decision to boycott Black Friday in favor of values over sales, and the unexpected rise of The Ordinary, a brand that went from retail rejection to global sensation. She also reflects on navigating the turbulence of co-founder Brandon Truaxe’s mental health crisis, stepping down to focus on family, and the lessons she’s learned about leadership, authenticity, and building brands that truly last.It’s a story of persistence, purpose, and the power of putting people and principles at the center of business.Partners:IFS - award-winning Asset & Service Management software👉 Reimagine your operations at: https://highpfrmc.com/ifs-auHeights 👉 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.
This week Jake explores how failure is an instrument for success, how to reframe those who doubted you as a collaborator and why writing a "To Don't" list is just as important as a "To Do" list. He also answers a question from a listener, struggling with a new promotion at work and offers a candid exploration of times that Jake has struggled to show how they can shift their mindset around imposter syndrome - and how you can to. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
What will the future really look like—and how can we prepare for it? In this episode, Nick Foster, ex-Head of Design at Google X, takes us behind the scenes of moonshot projects and shares how to think rigorously about the future, from everyday life to big industries. He explains why AI is just one piece of the puzzle, and why understanding the trends, behaviors, and possibilities shaping tomorrow is more important than ever.What you’ll learn in this episode:* How to think about the future beyond hype and predictions* Why the “mundane future” matters more than flashy sci-fi ideas* The frameworks that help you make better decisions today for tomorrow* How AI and other technologies will shape industries and daily life* Simple ways to build a culture of forward-thinking in your work or businessWhether you’re a business leader, innovator, or just curious about what’s next, this conversation will help you see the future more clearly—and act on it confidently.IFS - award-winning Asset & Service Management software 👉 Reimagine your operations at: https://highpfrmc.com/ifs-auHeights 👉 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.
This week, Jake opens his notebook to reflect on missed opportunities, ego, and the stories we tell ourselves about "what might have been." From turning down Top Gear to starting Whisper with no plan, he shares raw lessons on regret, success, and why the final 5% matters most. Plus: a powerful tribute during Suicide Awareness Month, and a reminder that life gives more than it takes. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
What does it take to guide companies through billion-dollar transformations, and then walk away in search of something new? Jeff Dodds has done just that.From leading Virgin Media through a $44 billion merger in the middle of lockdown, to stepping into the fast-paced world of motorsport, Jeff’s career is defined by bold pivots, unexpected opportunities, and the courage to admit when it’s time for change.In this episode, he shares the leadership lessons that shaped him, from the power of direct feedback and diverse teams to the art of knowing what really matters, and why the future of business will be built on curiosity, empathy, and shared wins.It’s a conversation about curiosity, courage, and creating cultures where people, and ideas, can thrive.Partners:IFS - award-winning Asset & Service Management software👉 Reimagine your operations at: https://highpfrmc.com/ifs-auHeights 👉 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.
Since he was a teenager, Jake has kept notebooks and diaries, now for the first time he opens them up to discuss his thoughts on business and life in real-time. He reads candid notes he's made from recent interviews, events from his life and interactions with friends, colleagues and business leaders to help unpack the moments of inspiration and thought provoking advice that happen everyday.IFS - award-winning Asset & Service Management software👉 Reimagine your operations at:Youtube link: https://highpfrmc.com/IFS-ytAudio Link: https://highpfrmc.com/ifs-auHeights 👉 Join Jake in maintaining your energy, with Vitals. Get 20% off with code Room20:Youtube Link: https://highpfrmc.com/room-yt-vitalsAudio Link: https://highpfrmc.com/heights-vitals-au Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
What happens when a teenager takes control of her own brand? For JoJo Siwa, it meant signing a deal that wasn’t perfect, betting on herself anyway, and later realizing the power of knowing her worth.In this episode, JoJo shares how a simple bow became a global phenomenon, the challenges of rebranding from child star to seasoned entertainer, and the behind-the-scenes lessons of navigating major partnerships while staying true to herself.It’s a candid look at choices, authenticity, and learning when to take risks, and when to renegotiate the terms of your own success.Partners:IFS - award-winning Asset & Service Management software👉 Reimagine your operations at: https://highpfrmc.com/ifs-auHeights 👉 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.
Journalist Karen Hao has spent years exposing the realities of the world’s most powerful AI labs. Her 2019 embed at OpenAI was a turning point, what she saw behind closed doors didn’t always match the public mission, and the lack of clear answers from leadership sparked a deeper skepticism that would shape her reporting.In this episode, Karen unpacks the unexpected story of how a nonprofit AI lab evolved into a global powerhouse, the behind-the-scenes dynamics of talent, capital, and ideology that fueled its rise, and the risks of allowing unchecked tech empires to dictate the future. She also reveals the unexpected shifts, from Microsoft’s influence to the culture inside OpenAI.It’s a revealing look at power, technology, and the choices we face in building the future.Partners:IFS - award-winning Asset & Service Management software👉 Reimagine your operations at: https://highpfrmc.com/ifs-auHeights 👉 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.
Ben Askins didn’t expect his next big chapter to come from LinkedIn posts, but it did. After selling his first business in 2021 and being locked out of new ventures during his earnout, he turned his focus to storytelling online. One post about a bad recruitment experience went viral, sparking a flood of stories from employees around the world and revealing a universal truth: bad bosses are everywhere.In this episode, Ben shares what he’s learned from more than 200,000 workplace stories, why most managers are “accidental,” and the practical lessons every leader can apply to build stronger, happier, and more productive teams. From early mistakes in leadership to the strategies that really drive culture, his journey shows how honesty, clarity, and self-awareness can transform both businesses and people.It’s a candid conversation about management done right, and the hidden cost when it’s done badly.Partners:IFS - award-winning Asset & Service Management software👉 Reimagine your operations at: https://highpfrmc.com/ifs-auHeights 👉 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.
Alex Packham knows what it’s like to have everything change in a single day, and nothing changes at all. From selling ContentCal to Adobe from his spare bedroom in the middle of lockdown to waking up the next morning wondering who he was without the business, Alex’s journey blends adrenaline highs with the quieter, harder work of rebuilding identity.In this episode, he opens up about the reality of sudden wealth, the role of luck in big wins, and why mental health matters just as much as the deal itself. Alex shares the behind-the-scenes strategies that helped a small team “punch above their weight,” the lessons he’s bringing from Silicon Valley back to the UK, and how letting go of ego has reshaped his approach to life and work.It’s a candid look at ambition, adaptation, and what happens after you’ve reached the milestone you spent years chasing.Partners:IFS - award-winning Asset & Service Management software👉 Reimagine your operations at: https://highpfrmc.com/ifs-auHeights 👉 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.
TS Anil’s journey through the world of banking has been anything but conventional. From boardrooms in Tokyo to the fast-moving culture of Silicon Valley, each step taught him that real change doesn't come from preserving the past, it comes from building something new.In this episode, TS reflects on his decision to leave the safety of big banks, the career-defining leap into tech at Visa, and how those experiences prepared him to lead Monzo through some of its toughest moments, including the height of the pandemic. He shares the story behind Monzo’s most innovative features, the importance of listening closely to customers, and why purpose and adaptability are the real keys to leading in uncertain times.It’s a story of bold decisions, quiet resilience, and building the kind of company you’d want to be a customer of.Partners:IFS - award-winning Asset & Service Management software👉 Reimagine your operations at: https://highpfrmc.com/ifs-auHeights 👉 Join Jake in maintaining your hydration. Get 20% off with code Room20:https://highpfrmc.com/heights-hydrate-auThe Book of Money: How to feel good (or better) about your finances by Monzo publishes 4th September: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Book-Money-better-about-finances/dp/1804948667 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Gary Stevenson didn’t follow a traditional path, he challenged it at every turn. Expelled from school at 16 and later pushed out of Citibank for speaking up, Gary’s journey has been shaped by resilience, rebellion, and a refusal to stay silent.In this episode, Gary opens up about the high-stakes world of trading, the psychological toll of chasing success, and the personal battles that came with confronting corporate power. From unexpected lessons in Tokyo to quiet acts of solidarity in a cutthroat industry, his story is as much about survival as it is about awakening.It’s a powerful look at what happens when you step off the fast track, and choose to fight for something bigger than yourself.Partners:IFS - award-winning Asset & Service Management software👉 Reimagine your operations at: https://highpfrmc.com/ifs-auHeights 👉 Join Jake in maintaining your hydration. Get 20% off with code Room20:https://highpfrmc.com/heights-hydrate-au Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
George Heaton’s journey with Represent wasn’t a straight line, it was a series of hard pivots, gut checks, and quiet rebuilds. What started as a passion project in streetwear hit a breaking point, forcing George to confront what wasn’t working and make the kind of decisions most founders avoid.In this episode, George takes us through the moment everything stalled, the warehouse bathroom where reality hit, and the bold move to rebuild the brand from scratch. He shares how returning to simple product drops reconnected Represent with its roots, and how stepping back from the business side, by bringing in a CEO, unlocked new levels of creative and commercial growth.It’s a story about letting go, doubling down, and the power of starting over, with purpose.IFS - award-winning Asset & Service Management software👉 Reimagine your operations at: https://highpfrmc.com/ifs-auHeights 👉 Join Jake in maintaining your hydration. Get 20% off with code Room20: https://highpfrmc.com/heights-hydrate-au Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Paul Clement never set out to build a flashy startup, he set out to build something that mattered. Born from genuine passion and a deep connection to the community he served, his business grew not by chasing trends, but by staying grounded in purpose.In this episode, Paul talks about the power of building slowly and sustainably, why loving the process matters more than chasing quick wins, and how adapting to change doesn’t mean losing your identity. From bootstrapping with intention to making decisions based on evidence, not ego, his story is a masterclass in thoughtful entrepreneurship.It’s about staying true to your values, trusting your pace, and creating something that lasts.IFS - award-winning Asset & Service Management software👉 Reimagine your operations at https://hppod.co/ifsaiHeights 👉 Join Jake in maintaining your hydration. Get 20% off with code Room20:Audio Link: https://highpfrmc.com/heights-hydrate-au Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jim Chapman was part of a digital wave no one saw coming, and found himself at the center of it. What started as casual videos turned into global influence, brand deals, and a move to London that changed everything almost overnight.In this episode, Jim reflects on the chaos and charm of building a career in the early days of YouTube, the pressure to constantly evolve as the internet shifted beneath his feet, and how fatherhood forced him to rethink everything, from content schedules to what success really means. He shares the highs, the hidden challenges, and the quiet moments that taught him how to keep creating without losing himself.It’s a story about fame, flexibility, and finding clarity when the spotlight dims.IFS - award-winning Asset & Service Management software👉 Reimagine your operations at https://hppod.co/ifsaiHeights 👉 Join Jake in maintaining your hydration. Get 20% off with code Room20:https://highpfrmc.com/heights-hydrate-au Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Aron D’Souza didn’t just question the rules, he set out to rewrite them. Frustrated by the limitations of legacy institutions, he launched the Enhanced Games: a bold, controversial vision aimed at redefining the future of human performance.In this episode, Aron shares the moment he walked away from venture capital to pursue something far riskier, the power of writing down your vision before speaking it aloud, and how viral headlines paired with deep operational strategy created a movement that couldn’t be ignored.From fierce public debates to long nights and personal trade-offs, this episode is a story of conviction, controversy, and building something truly unprecedented.IFS - award-winning Asset & Service Management software👉 Reimagine your operations at https://hppod.co/ifsaiLearn more about Enhanced Games and follow Aron D’Souza for upcoming announcements. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Dan Bosomworth wasn’t chasing fame, he was chasing a feeling. One moment in his garage, fed up with complacency and craving change, sparked the creation of a product that would go on to redefine recovery for athletes, celebrities, and wellness seekers around the world.In this episode, Dan unpacks the early missteps, how challenge creates change, and the tough calls that pushed Brass Monkey toward the luxury space. From building bespoke tech to navigating near collapse, his journey is a raw look at what it takes to back yourself, build from the ground up, and create something truly original.It’s a story about discomfort, discipline, and designing a brand that stands the test of time.IFS - award-winning Asset & Service Management software👉 Reimagine your operations at https://hppod.co/ifsai Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Nick Grey didn’t follow the traditional path, and that’s exactly what made all the difference. Long before GTECH became a household name, Nick was a designer quietly solving problems, battling self-doubt, and planning a bold leap into entrepreneurship on his own terms.In this episode, Nick reflects on the early rejection that shaped his drive, the breakthrough product that caught America’s attention, and the surprising media moment that changed everything. He also shares the lessons in patience, preparation, and trusting your vision, even when no one else sees it yet.It’s a revealing look at how quiet determination and creative courage can power a global brand from the ground up.IFS - award-winning Asset & Service Management software👉 Reimagine your operations at https://hppod.co/ifsai Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
What sparks the leap from corporate boardrooms to building a movement? For Michelle Kennedy, it was a single conversation in a meeting room that changed everything.In this episode, Michelle shares the turning point that sparked her leap from legal counsel to founder, how early work with Bumble ignited a passion for building from scratch, and the behind-the-scenes battles of being a new mom in a male-dominated world. From brewing boardroom tensions to crafting Peanut, a platform that reshaped community for women, Michelle reveals the quiet resilience, bold risks, and everyday lessons that fueled her mission.Michelle’s story is about embracing uncertainty, leading with heart, and knowing when to take the leap, even when the path ahead isn’t clear.IFS - award-winning Asset & Service Management software👉 Reimagine your operations at https://hppod.co/ifsaiMichelle's Book It Takes A Village is Peanut's essential guide to motherhood and will be published in September with pre-orders available now https://www.waterstones.com/book/it-takes-a-village/peanut/9780241709986 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Comments
Download from Google Play
Download from App Store
United States