Performing In Life - The Trafalgar Education Podcast

From Yearbook Dreams to Bubble Tea Empire: Suneet Sachdeva on Passion, Resilience and Purpose.From being voted “Most Likely to Win Big Brother” in his school yearbook to founding the UK’s largest bubble tea brand, Suneet Sachdeva has built an empire one cup and one challenge at a time.In this episode of Performing in Life, Suneet shares the story behind Bubble CiTea, the company he launched in 2013 that now spans over 55 stores and employs more than 600 people, with plans to reach 300 through franchising. But behind the bright colours and tapioca pearls lies a story of persistence, purpose, and pure self-belief.We talk about:Turning a teenage dream into a nationwide businessThe tough early years: from skipping meals to sampling bubble tea every dayLearning Mandarin in China to transform his supply chain and mindsetScaling sustainably while learning to let go of perfectionismBeing a proud voice for the LGBTQ+ community and the importance of representationLeading a diverse team of 48 nationalities and breaking down communication barriersThe lessons of entrepreneurship – grit, gratitude, and never letting others define your limitsWith honesty, humility, and a yearbook full of ambition, Suneet shows that success isn’t about luck - it’s about loving what you do, holding your vision, and turning every setback into fuel for what comes next.

In this episode, we dive behind the curtain with Bethany Weaver in her first ever interview as she shares her incredible journey from teaching at Stagecoach to stepping onto one of the most iconic movie sets of all time - Wicked: For Good.We talk about everything from her early performance instincts to surreal moments like meeting Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo, the quirks of filming with a dog on set, and what it felt like to put on THE blue and white gingham dress.She opens up about the audition process, working with director Jon M. Chu, and why those famous slippers aren’t actually red.Beyond the glitz, she reflects on: The power of theatre and creativity to give kids options Her favourite Wicked song (and the moment that made her cry) How performance builds confidence, resilience, and spontaneity The importance of being yourself — because that’s the best versionWith honesty, humour, and a touch of sparkle (literally - those crystal slippers!), this is a conversation about dreams, self-belief, and why this is just the beginning.

Turning Rejection into Stardom: Hayley Palmer on Confidence, Grit & Glitter TV Presenter, Producer, and all-round powerhouse Hayley Palmer joins us to talk about her journey from Stagecoach dance teacher to Sky TV prime-time presenter - and the sparkle (and setbacks) along the way.Armed with her trusty prop - a tiara - Hayley opens up about learning to wear her crown with confidence, building resilience in an unpredictable industry, and celebrating every small win (even if it’s just a post-it note reminder!).We talk about:Her early days teaching at Stagecoach and how it built her confidenceCreating At Home with Hayley from her dining room during lockdown and convincing big names to come on the showWhy self-belief, gratitude, and “good old-fashioned grit” matter more than luckThe art of inner work including mindset, EFT tapping, and staying grounded amid the chaosWhy rejection is part of show business and how to turn every “no” into a “not yet”Handling live TV slip-ups like a pro (and what to do when things go wrong on air!)Full of infectious positivity, humour, and practical advice, this episode shines a light on what it really takes to Perform in Life - tiara slightly tilted, but never falling.

This episodes Performing in Life guests are true icons of British music and television - David & Carrie Grant, BAFTA award-winning broadcasters, vocal coaches, authors, and campaigners whose work has inspired generations of performers.From the early days of Pop Idol and Fame Academy to BBC Radio London’s Saturday Breakfast Show, their story is one of creativity, conviction, and compassion. Together, they’ve coached global stars, raised a proudly neurodiverse family, and shown how love, art, and kindness can change the world one song, one student, one open conversation at a time.We talk about:The reality of fame, artistry, and learning to “live the moment”How they met (on a train!) and built a lifelong partnership in music and lifeVocal coaching with Gwyneth Paltrow, Robbie Williams & Take ThatWhy Stagecoach and performing arts education matter more than everParenting a neurodiverse family - building community, empathy, and bigger tables, not higher wallsBreaking boxes and labels by staying curious, kind, and open-mindedTheir book A Very Modern Family and what it really means to create safe harbours for othersThe songs that move them most and the joy that still drives their workWith humour, heart, and a lot of harmony, David and Carrie remind us that performance is about so much more than applause. It’s about courage, authenticity, and showing up as your true self.

From co-founding the world’s largest live theatre company to launching Trafalgar Entertainment, Dame Rosemary Squire has spent her career shaping the stages we know and love. In this episode of Performing in Life, she shares the extraordinary journey behind the curtain from her early days in Nottingham to producing Broadway shows, live-streaming global events, and winning Entrepreneur of the Year.We talk about:The birth of Trafalgar Entertainment and its global productions (including a Broadway-bound Rocky Horror Show exclusive)Growing up dyslexic and learning creativity through finger puppets, music, and performanceWhy opportunities like Stagecoach matter more than ever in today’s worldFrom ATG to Trafalgar: the joy of getting closer to the work againLessons in leadership - conviction, resilience, and the power of kindness in businessHer ultimate live gig: dancing backstage with Bruce SpringsteenBalancing motherhood, late nights, and running global theatre empiresWhat we can all learn from pioneers like Stella Rimington and Indhu RubasinghamWith warmth and candour, Rosemary reflects on resilience, risk-taking, and why kindness is the leadership quality she’s most proud to champion.

From dazzling gala press nights to juggling life as a mum, Stagecoach principal, performer, and personal trainer, Sophie Isaacs has lived a life full of curtain calls - both on and off the stage.In this episode of Performing in Life, Sophie shares her full-circle journey: from singing in a Stagecoach Joseph choir to starring in Six, Heathers, Rocky Horror, and beyond - all while carrying her family’s Stagecoach legacy with pride. She opens up about discipline, resilience, and why performing has more in common with being an athlete than you might think.We talk about:The thrill of gala performances and Sophie’s biggest onstage costume malfunctionsCarrying on her mum’s legacy and running Stagecoach alongside her sister GemmaWhy fitness, running, and personal training became a vital outlet for herLanding her dream roles, from Goldilocks to SixThe leap from stage to screen on Hollyoaks and what she learned about TV vs theatreHonest advice for young performers (and their parents!) about resilience, self-esteem, and pursuing a career in the artsWith warmth, humour, and unshakable honesty, Sophie reflects on her proudest moments, toughest lessons, and why she’s passionate about helping the next generation of young people believe in their own capability.

Performing in Life is the new podcast from Trafalgar Education, home to Stagecoach Performing Arts and Drama Kids. With over 80 years’ combined experience helping young people build confidence through the arts, we’ve seen first-hand how performance skills translate into life skills. But we know there’s always more to learn.In this series, we’ll be talking to a wide range of guests: from those who found their own confidence to perform in life, to the people who dedicate themselves to helping others do the same and everything in between.