Behind The Future

In this episode of Behind the Future, we explore how students can build real skills while studying with Gori Yahaya, founder of Upskill and an expert in practical learning and career development. Gori shares his journey from starting small local projects to working with global organisations like Google, offering students a practical guide to developing the skills that matter in the real world.
Listeners will discover how to move from being a generalist in your first role to developing specialist skills that set you apart in the job market. Gori explains the importance of curiosity, creativity, and hands-on experience, including how to take initiative, experiment with projects, and create real work examples to showcase in applications and interviews. He also shares actionable tips on using platforms like LinkedIn to build a professional network, connect with mentors, and gain visibility, even as a student.
Gori highlights the value of practical experience outside the classroom, from small personal projects to international opportunities, and explains how these experiences help students stand out in competitive fields like tech, digital marketing, and AI. He discusses challenges such as balancing study with real-world projects, adapting to different environments, and building confidence in your abilities, showing how these early experiences shape long-term career success.
Whether you’re a student looking to develop employable skills, a parent supporting career exploration, or simply curious about how to make the most of your studies, this episode is packed with advice and insights to help you understand how to build real skills while studying.
Behind the Future is a podcast for the next generation of digital talent, offering weekly interviews, real-world insights and career advice. Subscribe for more conversations like this, and follow us on TikTok and Instagram @aspirationdigital.
Hosts: Becky Simms & Jessica Day
Guest: Gori Yahaya
Would you like to see an Aspiration Digital event near you? Let us know by registering your interest here! https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScV9Rg8QzZdtsauF5B7YURVFpK48wWrKZCIE6uCaeiEBFUZEA/viewform

In this episode of Behind the Future, we explore the world of apprenticeships with Naomi Ogundiran, a degree apprentice and ambassador at the London Apprenticeship Ambassador Network. Naomi shares her personal journey, offering an authentic and inspiring guide for teens considering an apprenticeship as a pathway into their chosen industry. From her early experiences at school—when a simple email mistake revealed the stigma some students feel around apprenticeships—to her determination to pursue competitive roles, Naomi provides a candid look at the challenges and rewards of this career path.
Listeners will learn practical tips for finding the right apprenticeship, navigating applications, and preparing for assessment centres, including group interviews and written tasks. Naomi explains how she managed multiple applications while balancing A-levels and highlights the importance of tailoring your application to a company’s values and culture. She also shares insights into the unique experiences of relocating for work, adjusting to shift patterns, and developing leadership skills from day one.
Naomi’s journey at Amazon demonstrates how apprenticeships provide hands-on experience across departments, from delivery stations to marketing operations, all while learning management and leadership skills. She reflects on the role of mentorship, teamwork, and resilience in personal and professional growth, offering inspiration for anyone navigating the early stages of their career.
Whether you’re a student considering alternatives to a traditional degree, a parent exploring options for your teen, or simply curious about the apprenticeship experience, this episode is packed with advice, stories, and insights to help you understand why apprenticeships are a powerful route into industry.
Behind the Future is a podcast for the next generation of digital talent, offering weekly interviews, real-world insights and career advice. Subscribe for more conversations like this, and follow us on TikTok and Instagram @aspirationdigital.
Hosts: Becky Simms & Ray Hayne
Guest: Naomi Ogundiran
Would you like to see an Aspiration Digital event near you? Let us know by registering your interest here! https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScV9Rg8QzZdtsauF5B7YURVFpK48wWrKZCIE6uCaeiEBFUZEA/viewform

Start the new year inspired with this special Behind the Future episode, featuring the very best moments from 2025. From students shaping the future of tech to entrepreneurs, creators, and innovators making an impact, this episode brings together stories, insights, and advice to help you start 2026 ahead.
We’ve pulled together the most inspiring conversations from the past year—covering creativity, entrepreneurship, digital innovation, and personal growth. Whether you’re curious about tech, marketing, or making your mark in the world, this episode is packed with motivation, practical tips, and fresh perspectives to guide your journey.
Tune in and discover how determination, curiosity, and creativity can open doors, spark ideas, and help you take bold steps into the year ahead.
Behind the Future is a podcast for the next generation of digital talent, offering weekly interviews, real-world insights and career advice. Subscribe for more conversations like this, and follow us on TikTok and Instagram @aspirationdigital.
Would you like to see an Aspiration Digital event near you? Let us know by registering your interest here! https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScV9Rg8QzZdtsauF5B7YURVFpK48wWrKZCIE6uCaeiEBFUZEA/viewform

In this inspiring episode of Behind the Future, host Becky Sims is joined by co-host Daisy, a third-year Digital Marketing student, and special guest James, a seasoned marketing professional. Together, they explore what it takes for students to break into the world of marketing and start building a successful career.
James shares his journey from early curiosity in creative and digital projects to navigating the evolving marketing landscape. He talks about the importance of taking initiative, experimenting with skills like photography, graphic design, and using AI tools, and how self-driven projects can make a student stand out. Becky and Daisy dig into James’ advice on networking, spotting opportunities, and staying aware of industry trends, practical tips that students can start applying today.
From understanding how brands communicate, to experimenting with campaigns, to reflecting on what resonates personally, James’ story is packed with actionable insights. He also explains how showing curiosity, embracing small challenges, and building experience early can shape the path to a rewarding career in marketing.
This episode is a must-listen for students exploring their first steps in marketing, educators supporting early talent, and anyone looking for inspiration on how to turn ambition into opportunity. James’ insights are a powerful reminder that learning by doing, being curious, and showing up can truly change the trajectory of a career.
Behind the Future is a podcast for the next generation of digital talent, offering weekly interviews, real-world insights and career advice. Subscribe for more conversations like this, and follow us on TikTok and Instagram @aspirationdigital.
Hosts: Becky Simms & Zachary Theobald
Guest: James Bavington
Would you like to see an Aspiration Digital event near you? Let us know by registering your interest here! https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScV9Rg8QzZdtsauF5B7YURVFpK48wWrKZCIE6uCaeiEBFUZEA/viewform

In this inspiring episode of Behind the Future, host Becky Sims is joined once again by co-host Daisy, a third-year Digital Marketing student based in Leeds. Together, they welcome their youngest guest to date: Toby, a junior software developer whose journey into tech began at Aspiration Digital.
Toby shares how attending the London Aspiration Digital event at just 17 became the catalyst for his entire career, from discovering where his skills fit, to learning the power of networking, to eventually meeting the person who would become his boss. Becky and Daisy dig into Toby’s story, exploring how he prepared for the event, how he built confidence as an introverted young person, and the small decisions that helped him stand out in the room.
From early coding adventures to entering competitions, following his curiosity, and stepping bravely into networking events filled with experienced professionals, Toby’s story is a brilliant example of what happens when ambition meets opportunity.
A must-listen for young people exploring their path, educators supporting early talent, and anyone who needs a reminder of why showing up, with a smile, really does change everything.
Behind the Future is a podcast for the next generation of digital talent, offering weekly interviews, real-world insights and career advice. Subscribe for more conversations like this, and follow us on TikTok and Instagram @aspirationdigital.
Hosts: Becky Simms & Daisy Allingstone
Guest: Toby Brown
Would you like to see an Aspiration Digital event near you? Let us know by registering your interest here! https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScV9Rg8QzZdtsauF5B7YURVFpK48wWrKZCIE6uCaeiEBFUZEA/viewform