Working Class to World Class: Recent Episodes
Lynn Lester
Breaking through the barriers of adversity, this series celebrates the dreamers, the fighters and the underdogs who despite coming from ordinary backgrounds and facing numerous challenges along the way, have managed to achieve extraordinary success. Each week I find out what drives my remarkable guests, the invaluable lessons they have gained and their advice in helping you, in your own journey to being world class!
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Music supervisor, Scott Velasquez, was brought up in a religious household where being gay was taboo. He candidly discusses his rise to success, working with global superstars like Lil Wayne, Chamillionaire, and Pitbull.
Joe Ngyuen shares his deeply personal story of life as a refugee, overcoming challenges that gave him the positive mindset to build a successful career.
Jeff Tan talks about bullying, religion, and not fitting in, and how this adversity focused him on becoming the success he is today.
Gordon Smith, well known for his performances at Kilmarnock, Rangers, and Manchester City, tells his story of living the dream as a football professional.
Bernard Ponsonby, a high profile broadcaster, tells how he could never have dreamt as a child that one day he’d be interviewing countless Prime Ministers and every single First Minister of Scotland.
Sir John Hegarty, one of the most prolific and respected figures in advertising takes a trip back down memory lane, reminiscing about the good old days.
Sometimes life is about being in the right place at the right time, and James Cross, Founder of Meanwhile, tells me about his serendipity past which led him to become an award-winning creative.
Rosemary Reed tells her fascinating story that changed her world from a proud cleaner to a TV Producer, mingling with the stars.
Working class, Allan Blair talks about his rising career, which now sees him as strategist for one of the biggest influencers in marketing, Gary Vaynerchuk of Vayner Media.
Beth Ann Kaminkow tells her emotional story of growing up in a single parent family and how many lessons in life set her up to become one of the most successful CEOs in advertising.* This recording was made prior to the launch of VML, through a merger of VMLY&R Commerce & Wunderman Thompson
Ross King, who has embraced our TV screens for over 3 decades tells his humble story, which eventually led him to Hollywood.
Eilidh Doyle, the most medalled Olympian in Scotland, for track and field, talks about her rise to the top with the support of her family.
Russ Lidstone shares his journey coming from a fishing town to working for and advising some of the biggest businesses in the world.
This is a brave story of Lurata Lyon, who lived through war, captivity and torture. She is now an author and motivational speaker.
Business entrepreneur, Lee Puri, shares his working class journey that drove him to create a billion dollar business.
Meg Jones, Rugby Union legend shares her very candid story of how she became elite in her sport, whilst overcoming challenges along the way.
Whitney Tingle, CEO of Sakara Life tells what it’s like growing up in an entrepreneurial household - having everything one minute and nothing the next.
In this week's episode I chat with the wonderfully engaging Sarah Drummond on her journey to success as a renowned producer and champion of the film industry.
Wayne Hemingway, one of the most recognisable designers tells his remarkable rags to riches life story.
Colin Dale, ex Kiss FM presenter and DJ talks about his journey from the football field to the world of techno.
Emma Springham shares what can happen when you stumble upon something you’re good at, and how it can transform your career!
Robbie Lyle, creator of AFTV, tells the story of how he took his football passion and turned it into a career dream
This episode delves into the music sector as I chat with Bee Adamic, a Music PR founder, who shares her fascinating story of breaking into the sector through pure hustle and a street wise attitude.
Join me this week as I talk with Ian Millner, Co-Founder of Global Marketing agency iris on how adopting a risk positive attitude, facing problems front on and nurturing the talent around you, can help to achieve global success.
Imagine living a life surrounded by poverty, drugs and crime. Lisa Goodchild, digital expert and charity ambassador, talks candidly about how her upbringing developed the hustle and determination to succeed.
Joining me this week is Yusuf Chuku, born and brought up in North London, a son of Nigerian immigrant parents.
Hear how Yusuf went from being a skating obsessed, Dungeons & Dragons kind of kid, to living and working in New York as the EVP of Strategy and Insights at NBCUniversal.
This week, I talk with Nicky Bullard, one of the top creative directors and business leaders in the advertising and marketing world. She explains her journey to the top and the prejudices she faced along the way.
This is the story of Frank Carter, lead singer of The Rattlesnakes, who talks me through growing up as a little boy who knew he was different, happy to stay under the radar at school. Now he is a punk star sensation, who owns that stage as he entertains tens of thousands of ‘his people’.
It gives me great pleasure to share the inspiring story of one of the most famous chief marketing officers in the world.
Fernando Machado talks candidly of an army family lifestyle and what it was like living in the Amazon.
This week, join me for a truly fascinating episode with Chatri Sityodtong, founder of the ONE Championship, Asia's largest global sports media property. Hear from Chatri about his early life and how many of the challenges he faced growing up, have provided the motivation for the huge success he enjoys today.
For this episode, I had the absolute pleasure of spending time with a lady who is proof that no matter what your background, no matter how much the odds are stacked against you, you can challenge expectations and achieve great things. Hear from Debbie Ellison, as she talks about her journey to success as Global Chief Digital Officer for one of the world’s largest marketing groups, helping some of the biggest brands and businesses with their digital transformation strategies and advising retailers on the latest innovation and tech.
In this episode, I had the pleasure of chatting with the ever inspiring Phil Jones, someone who I not only admire but have known for many years. From hearing about life growing up in Manchester to how the working class values that were instilled in him, have informed and shaped a highly successful career at the forefront of digital marketing. Phil is also founder of the industry leading Podge events.
Who knew that the young boy from the rough streets of the East End of London, would go on to be one of the most celebrated creatives in the world? A truly inspiring chat with Dave Trott, the brilliant mind behind many of the world's most legendary, iconic advertising campaigns.
Join me as I talk with the inspiring and charming Dame Mary Perkins, Co-Founder of Specsavers. Hear how her working class roots helped her to challenge convention to build one of the biggest and respected businesses across the world!
In this episode, I was privileged to talk with Jim Kerr @simpleminds about his childhood growing up in the gritty suburbs of Glasgow. He shares not only some of the challenges he faced in his journey to success but also how he used them to his advantage.
In this first episode I was lucky and privileged to meet Rankin, one of the world’s most renowned photographers and cultural icons. He opens up about the working class values his parents instilled in him as a child, and how it has helped drive his life and career. A big thank you goes to Calvin and The Drum for filming the first ever episode.