Episodes

In this episode I chat to former student Sarah, who is a now an Interior Designer! We talk about how it's so important to listen to yourself and what really interests you, how she ended up designing for palaces in Dubai and about the time she knocked over a Tracey Emin painting!

In this episode I chat to former student Ginny, who is a now a Coach and Speaker! We talk about her route into this career, how important communication and authenticity is in today's world, and of course what she wanted to be when she was 5 years old!

In this episode I chat to former student Caroline, who is a Performing Arts Academy and Agency Owner! We talk about her route into this career, how important it is that all young people should have access to the Arts, and of course what she wanted to be when she was 5 years old!

To kickstart Season 3 of Astronaut to Zookeeper podcast, I had the pleasure of chatting with Mae Yip and Samantha Hornsby who are the Co Founders of ERIC - the exciting career & self-discovery platform for young people. ERIC is a hyper curated careers platform, enabling young people to get high quality careers advice on demand. Mae and Sam spend hours crawling the internet for the best career events, articles, podcasts (and yes, we are on it) & videos and showcase companies who are trying to re...

In this episode I catch up with former student Jerome who is now a Teaching Assistant. We chat about the varied responsibilities of a TA , how young people best flourish, and of course the good days and the bad days being a teaching assistant. Remember if you are interested in finding out more about life as a Teaching Assistant then head on over to our Instagram account @astrozookeeper where Jerome has kindly given us his follow up 3 pieces of advice! Support the show (https://www.patreon.co...

In this episode I chat to former student Stephanie, who is now a Gender Balance Coach for the Institute of Physics! We talk about the importance of gender balance in every profession, unconscious bias, role models and of course what she wanted to be when she was 5 years old! Remember, if you are interested in finding out more about what it takes to be a Gender Balance Coach then head on over to our Instagram account @astrozookeeper where Steph has kindly given us her follow up 3 pieces of adv...

Welcome to Astronaut to Zookeeper Podcast where we aim to open up the imagination for young people when it comes to life after school. In this episode I catch up with former student Craig, a man of many talents, he's a graphic designer and brand expert but also an Entrepreneur, Co founder of the hugely successful Original Flava, best selling author with 500K+ Social Media followers and been in GQ magazine sporting a lovely jumper! We chat about how it all started in his Nan's kitchen and of cou...

In this episode I chat to the always smiling Lydia who is now an Accountant and she hasn't got a boring bone in her body! We talk about her love of problem solving, how she went from counting pennies to dealing with millions of pounds, and of course - the best day and worst day being an Accountant! Remember, if you are interested in finding out more about what it takes to be an Accountant then head on over to our Instagram account @astrozookeeper where Lydia has kindly given us her follow up 3 p...

In this episode I catch up with former student Jack who is a Pet Care Company Owner! I chat to Jack about the responsibilities involved in caring for other people's pets , his views on dog breeding, and of course, we discuss Jack's best and worst day being a Pet Care Company Owner! Remember if you are interested in finding out more about life as a Pet Care Company Owner then head on over to our Instagram account @astrozookeeper where Jack has kindly given us his follow up 3 pieces of advice! A...

Known as 'The Cake Lady' by her loyal customers, Heidi Fowkes-Smith chats to me about the business she started from scratch - Heidi's Cakes! We talk about cake decorating as an art form, her strangest cake request and of course the best day and worst day being a Cake maker and decorator! Remember, if you are interested in finding out more about what it takes to be a Cake maker and decorator then head on over to our Instagram account @astrozookeeper where Heidi has kindly given us her follow up 3...

In this episode I catch up with former student Louis who is a Personal Trainer! I chat to Louis about the connection between mental and physical health, how theatre studies helped in his ability to lead a class, and of course, we discuss Louis' best and worst day being a Personal Trainer! Remember if you are interested in finding out more about life as a Personal Trainer then head on over to our Instagram account @astrozookeeper where Louis has kindly given us his follow up 3 pieces of advice! ...

In this episode, I spoke with 'fight for your rights' former student Hannah, who now an HR director and consultant! We talk about what HR actually means, how important it is for her that people feel happy in their jobs, and of course the best day, worst day and average day being an HR Director! Remember, if you are interested in finding out more about what it takes to be a HR Director then head on over to our Instagram account @astrozookeeper where Hannah has kindly given us her follow up 3 piec...

It's not everyday you chat to a world champion! In this episode I catch up with former student Julian who is a world record breaking Powerlifter! I chat to Julian about what it means to compete as a lifetime natural, the perks of working at Red Bull and life as a veggie! And of course, we discuss Julian's best and worst day being a Powerlifter! Remember if you are interested in finding out more about life as a Powerlifter then head on over to our Instagram account @astrozookeeper where Julian h...

In this episode, I spoke with wonderful former student Sarah, who now the Global Design Manager at Wagamama! We talk about the perks of free Wagamamas and of course the best day, worst day and average day being a Graphic Designer! Remember, if you are interested in finding out more about what it takes to be a Graphic Designer then head on over to our Instagram account @astrozookeeper where Sarah has kindly given us her follow up 3 pieces of advice! And of course, thanks to you for listening! ...

Since the start of 2020, I've had the pleasure of catching up with and interviewing my former students about their careers and experiences of life after school. Not only did I learn lots about their fascinating jobs and careers but was also impressed by the nuggets of wisdom and insights they each offered - so I thought I'd create a couple of bonus episodes where I revisit each interview and share what this old teacher learnt from her former students! Part 2 includes: Victoria Jones - The Dri...

Since the start of 2020, I've had the pleasure of catching up with and interviewing my former students about their careers and experiences of life after school. Not only did I learn lots about their fascinating jobs and careers but was also impressed by the nuggets of wisdom and insights they each offered - so I thought I'd create a couple of bonus episodes where I revisit each interview and share what this old teacher learnt from her former students! Part 1 includes: Emma Pooley - The Practi...

We go out with a bang in this last episode of the series, as I chat with former student Tim - who is now a Musician! Tim is one half of the mighty musical duo that is The Escape, and so, I have a go at a bit of mixing myself and weave their music into the interview (you can listen to the track in full at the end). And of course, we chat about Tim's best and worst day being a Musician! Remember if you are interested in finding out more about life as a Musician then head on over to our Instagram ...

In this episode, I had the pleasure of speaking with former student Emma, who is currently in South Korea performing in the World Tour of Phantom of the Opera! We talk about the joys and realities of the business we call show, and of course the best day, worst day and average day being a Stage Actor! Remember, if you are interested in finding out more about what it takes to be a Stage Actor then head on over to our Instagram account @astrozookeeper where Emma has kindly given us her follow up 3 ...

In this episode, it was a treat to catch up with David, a former student who is now a Brand Designer! Now, this one goes quite deep and existential as we explore the possibility that everything has a brand.... but then again we do talk about McDonalds! ;) And of course, we chat about the best and worst day of being an Brand Designer! Remember if you are interested in finding out more about the world of Brand Designer then head on over to our Instagram account @astrozookeeper where David has kin...

In this episode, I met with Adrian - a former student who is now a Camera operator and Grip - as he says, putting the motion in motion pictures! We chat about how he originally wanted to be an astronaut having been inspired by movies, to now being the guy who is on set filming the movies! And of course the best day, worst day and average day being an Camera operator and Grip! Remember, if you are interested in finding out more about life behind the camera of TV and film sets then head on over...

In this episode, I met with former student Victoria at her house where I was greeted by her gorgeous Labrador Maui and inquisitive cat Inca! The perfect audience to talk about life as a Veterinary surgeon! We chat about what it's like to work with all creatures great and small - and often the trickiest of them all - their owners! And of course the best day, worst day and average day being a Vet! Remember, if you are interested in finding out more about what it takes to be a Vet then head on o...

In this episode, I travelled back to the centre of Croydon, to a fancy office where I met with the lovely human being that is Laurence Grant - a former student who is now a Business founder and Director! We chat about how he went from 'Joker of the Year' at school to 'Young Inspiration of the year' for Croydon! And of course the best day, worst day and average day being an Business founder! Remember, if you are interested in finding out more about what it takes to start a Business then head o...

In this episode I had lots of laughs chatting to Gillian, a former student who is now an Illustrator and indeed a Children's book author! We chat about what it feels like to have your creations on the shelves in bookshops and how her career ambitions at the age of 5 were a little different! And of course the best day, worst day and average day being an Illustrator! Remember if you are interested in finding out more about the world of Illustration then head on over to our Instagram account @astr...

In this episode I had such a lovely time chatting to Emma, a former student who is now a City Farmer! I know right - who knew they existed! We chat about all sorts of things including what it's like to look after a newly born lamb and how many hours Emma spends cleaning up poo! And of course the best day, worst day and average day of being an City Farmer! Remember if you are interested in finding out more about the world of City Farming then head on over to our Instagram account @astrozookeeper...