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Different Hats Podcast

Different Hats Podcast

By: Sam Thomas
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Summary

I believe everyone has a story to tell, through seeking true, authentic insights about the entrepreneurial journey, I provide a platform for our peers to share their stories and inspire those that listen.


Welcome! I’m Sam Thomas, the host of the "Different Hats Podcast." In a world where entrepreneurs often feel pressured to wear countless hats, I believe in the power of authentic storytelling to redefine what success truly means. My mission is to help the 'World to See Success Differently' so you can achieve happiness, purpose, and fulfilment, by sharing real stories from those who’ve navigated the entrepreneurial landscape.


Through engaging conversations with peers and industry leaders like Chris Anderson of TED, I aim to provide you with the insights and inspiration needed to build the business you desire. Unlike other platforms, "Different Hats" focuses on the human side of entrepreneurship, moving beyond the performative aspects to foster genuine connections and meaningful growth.


Happy Listening 🎧

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sam Thomas 2021 Economics Hygiene & Healthy Living Leadership Management & Leadership Philosophy Psychology Psychology & Mental Health Social Sciences
Episodes
  • #147 The Conversation That Could Save A Life | Suicide Prevention Special

    #147 The Conversation That Could Save A Life | Suicide Prevention Special
    May 12 2026
    This week’s conversation honestly feels like one of the most important episodes I’ve ever recorded.Being released during Mental Health Awareness Week, I recently sat down with the incredible Rose Rowkins for a raw, honest and deeply powerful conversation about suicide prevention, emotional literacy, masculinity, parenting, modern pressure, hope, and the importance of human connection.Statistics still show that around 6,000–7,000 people die by suicide every year in the UK. Around 75% are men. Many never speak to a mental health professional before they die.That has to change.One of the biggest things I took away from the ASIST training Rose delivers is this:👉 Suicide prevention does not belong solely to professionals.It belongs to all of us.This conversation explores how we’ve created a world where people often feel safer hiding their pain than speaking about it… and how we can all learn to better show up for each other when it matters most.Rose shares her own lived experience with suicidal thoughts, the devastating loss that shaped her mission, and the life-changing lessons she’s learned through over a decade of suicide prevention work.We talk about:Why people don’t want to die, they want the pain to endThe power of simply listening without trying to fixWhy emotional literacy needs to start in schoolsModern masculinity and the pressure men carry silentlyParenting, kindness and raising emotionally aware childrenThe role community and belonging play in keeping people aliveRedefining success beyond money, status and achievementWhy awkward conversations can genuinely save livesAnd honestly… this episode reminded me again that hope often begins with one conversation.If this episode helps even one person feel less alone, it’s worth it.⏱️ CHAPTERS00:00 – Introduction: Why This Conversation Matters02:13 – “You Alright Mate?” | Rose’s Honest Check-In06:56 – Why Work Shouldn’t Become Your Identity09:35 – Parenting, Kindness & Emotional Literacy14:18 – How Rose Defines Success16:30 – Leaving Corporate Life & Following Your Heart25:59 – The Suicide That Changed Rose’s Life Forever32:40 – What Samaritans Taught Rose About Suicide Prevention35:45 – “People Don’t Want To Die — They Want The Pain To End”41:02 – Rose Opens Up About Her Own Suicidal Thoughts46:57 – Why We Must Stop Waiting For People To Reach Out50:57 – Why Emotional Literacy Must Start In Schools57:01 – Why Asking About Suicide Saves Lives01:03:45 – Community, Belonging & Human Connection01:11:27 – Are We Teaching Children How To Live?01:20:01 – The Language That Can Save A Life01:30:59 – Financial Pressure, Success & Suicide01:40:48 – Why Talking About Death Helps Us Live01:50:06 – What Gives Rose Hope01:53:00 – A Message For Anyone Struggling Right Now01:54:26 – Closing Reflections & Final Thoughts⸻🎧 LISTEN TO MORE DIFFERENT HATS EPISODES:👉 https://www.different-hats.co.uk/podcast🔗 Connect with Rose Rowkins: https://www.linkedin.com/in/roserowkins/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/start_the_conv/Website: https://www.starttheconversation.uk/💡 If this episode resonated with you, please like, share, and comment below. Your support helps us spread this important message and change the narrative around success, mental health and suicide prevention.🚨 If you are struggling right now, please speak to someone.UK Samaritans: Call 116 123 (24/7)👉 Samaritans UKSPONSORED BY:Rivervale – https://www.rivervale.co.ukBrown Bear Studios – https://www.brownbearstudio.co.ukCarpenter Box – https://www.carpenterbox.com🎬 PRODUCED BY:H2 Productions – https://h2productions.co.uk/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
    Show More Show Less
    2 hrs and 2 mins
  • #146 How Much of Your Life Is a Performance?

    #146 How Much of Your Life Is a Performance?
    May 5 2026

    👉 How much of life is actually a performance… and what does it really mean to be yourself?


    In this episode, I sit down with my good friend Craig Whiteley, West End performer, drama teacher, and someone who has experienced both the highs of standing ovations and the deeper lessons that come after.


    We explore the masks we wear, the roles we play, and the question so many of us avoid…


    👉 Who am I… really?


    From performing on the West End to teaching the next generation, Craig shares powerful insights on authenticity, resilience, self-belief, and why success isn’t what we’ve been taught.


    This is an honest, emotional, and deeply human conversation about identity, kindness, and finding balance in a world full of noise.


    ⏱️ CHAPTERS


    00:00 – Introduction & the BIG question: Is life a performance?

    02:30 – “You Alright Mate?” – navigating life, noise & pressure

    05:00 – Family, cancer, and finding purpose through challenge

    09:30 – Childhood, kindness & where mindset begins

    12:30 – Who am I? Identity beyond roles & achievements

    18:30 – Teaching kids confidence, play & self-belief

    23:00 – What success really means (then vs now)

    30:00 – Regret, perspective & redefining priorities

    40:00 – Why we struggle with self-worth & accepting compliments

    50:00 – The highs of performing vs real life fulfilment

    01:00:00 – Ego, validation & being enough

    01:10:00 – Social media, performance & authenticity

    01:20:00 – Resilience, rejection & staying grounded

    01:30:00 – Final reflections: kindness, play & legacy


    💭 KEY THEMES


    • Authenticity vs performance
    • Redefining success beyond status and achievement
    • Confidence, self-worth & validation
    • The importance of play and joy
    • Resilience, rejection & growth
    • Teaching the next generation emotional literacy
    • Kindness as a core value


    🎧 LISTEN TO MORE DIFFERENT HATS EPISODES:


    👉 https://www.different-hats.co.uk/podcast


    🔗 Connect with Craig Whiteley

    https://thetheatreworkshop.com/person/craig-whiteley/


    💡 If this episode resonated with you, please like, share, and comment below. Your support helps us spread this important message and change the narrative around success and mental health.


    SPONSORED BY:


    Rivervale – https://www.rivervale.co.uk

    Brown Bear Studios – https://www.brownbearstudio.co.uk

    Carpenter Box – https://www.carpenterbox.com


    🎬 PRODUCED BY:


    H2 Productions – https://h2productions.co.uk/

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    1 hr and 58 mins
  • #145 Why So Many Successful Men Feel Empty

    #145 Why So Many Successful Men Feel Empty
    Apr 28 2026
    What if success isn’t something you achieve… but something you become?In this powerful episode of the Different Hats Podcast, I sit down with Volker Ballueder, coach, therapist, author, and host of Stories of Success, for a deep conversation about what success really means in today’s world.After interviewing high performers and building a successful corporate career, Volker realised that money, status, and external validation were never the full answer. Like many people, he discovered that reaching society’s version of success can still leave you feeling empty.Together, we explore the difference between success and fulfilment, why so many men silently struggle under pressure, and how emotional intelligence may be one of the most important skills we never get taught.We also discuss comparison culture, social media, midlife reflection, mindfulness, education, parenting, and the importance of helping young people define success for themselves, not through grades, job titles, or wealth, but through values, purpose, connection, and inner peace.This episode is for anyone questioning the path they’re on… feeling the pressure to keep achieving… or searching for a more meaningful definition of success.Volker shares honest reflections on chasing money earlier in life, how redundancy pushed him toward coaching and therapy, and why helping others now feels more rewarding than any corporate milestone ever did.We also talk openly about men’s mental health, suicide prevention, vulnerability, and why asking one simple question, You Alright Mate?, can change lives.A thoughtful, honest, and timely conversation about identity, fulfilment, masculinity, and what it means to live a life true to yourself.⏱️ CHAPTERS00:00 Introduction 02:10 You Alright Mate?03:10 How Volker Defines Success04:45 Chasing Money vs Finding Fulfilment07:45 Lifelong Learning & Education10:40 School Systems & Different Types of Intelligence15:30 Emotional Intelligence in Schools24:00 Creativity, Curiosity & Child-Led Learning28:40 Comparison Culture & Social Media31:55 Living True to Yourself38:50 What High Achievers Taught Volker About Success45:10 Why Purpose Matters More Than Money55:30 Being Enough As You Are59:55 Midlife Crisis or Midlife Awakening?1:03:10 Why Men Don’t Talk1:08:20 Vulnerability Is Strength1:17:40 Preventing Crisis Before It Happens1:22:40 Mindfulness & Self-Awareness1:31:15 Habits of Successful People1:45:15 What To Do If You’re Struggling1:54:55 Advice to Younger Volker1:55:34 What Does A Life Well Lived Look Like?🎧 LISTEN TO MORE DIFFERENT HATS EPISODES:👉 https://www.different-hats.co.uk/podcast🔗 Connect with Volker BalluederLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ballueder/Website: https://obnat.us/https://volkerballueder.com/💡 If this episode resonated with you, please like, share, and comment below. Your support helps us spread this important message and change the narrative around success and mental health.SPONSORED BY:Rivervale – https://www.rivervale.co.ukBrown Bear Studios – https://www.brownbearstudio.co.ukCarpenter Box – https://www.carpenterbox.com🎬 PRODUCED BY:H2 Productions – https://h2productions.co.uk/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
    Show More Show Less
    2 hrs and 2 mins
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