How To Become A...

What does it actually take to build a successful podcast and what happens when your first media business burns through millions?
In this episode of How To Become A…, Grace speaks to Jack, founder and host of The Upshot, the sports podcast and newsletter dedicated to the funniest, wildest and most ridiculous stories from the world of sport.
Jack’s journey started long before podcasting. After being rejected from the role he wanted on his university newspaper, he decided to launch his own publication, The Tab, which quickly grew beyond one university and eventually attracted millions in investment.
But rapid growth came with some expensive lessons. Jack talks candidly about raising millions, expanding to America, building a 50-person team and ultimately spending around $10 million before selling the business for far less than he once imagined.
We get into:
Going from aspiring sports journalist to media founder
Building The Tab from a university side project
Raising millions without really knowing how to run a business
Why relying on Facebook traffic nearly destroyed the company
The painful 18-month process of trying to sell it
Starting again with a completely different approach
Growing The Upshot newsletter from 10,000 to 100,000 subscribers in six months
Turning a newsletter into a successful podcast
Why consistency matters more than instant growth
How to grow on YouTube, social media and other platforms without spreading yourself too thin
Why imperfect, personality-led media might be exactly what audiences want

It’s a refreshingly candid conversation about success, failure, algorithms, entrepreneurship and why sometimes the biggest mistakes give you the blueprint for what to do next.
If you want to start a podcast, build an audience, work in media or turn an idea into a business, this episode is packed with lessons from someone who has done it twice—with very different results.
👇 Would you rather raise millions to grow quickly, or build slowly and keep control?
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What if you don't want to choose just one career?
In this episode of How To Become A..., Grace speaks to Lize about building a career as a multi-hyphenate creative, working across photography, writing, creative direction and more.
Growing up in Lagos, Lize originally thought she'd become a doctor, scientist or psychologist. Creativity was always part of her life, but for years she saw it as a hobby rather than a realistic career.
That changed when she took a chance on a writing job at university and realised people were willing to pay her for something she genuinely loved doing.
She shares:
How she discovered her creative career almost by accident
Why you should follow your curiosities
Becoming a self-taught professional photographer
Finding her niche in boudoir photography
Using photography to help women build confidence and self-worth
The realities of marketing an intimate photography business
Building workshops and mentoring other photographers

We also get into Liz's journey as an author, including how the idea for her novel The Returnees came to her and how she navigated the publishing world without an established writing career.
Plus, Liz shares her advice for anyone with multiple passions: you don't have to put yourself in one box—but you do have to learn how you work best.
If you're interested in:
Creative careers
Photography
Becoming an author
Boudoir photography
Creative entrepreneurship
Finding your purpose
Turning hobbies into a career
Building multiple income streams

This episode is a brilliant reminder that your career doesn't have to follow one straight line—and sometimes the things you've treated as hobbies are exactly where your future is hiding.
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How do you actually get people to care about the world's biggest problems?
In this episode of How To Become A..., Grace speaks to Paul about his unconventional journey into impact campaigning and how creativity, entertainment and storytelling can be used to create real-world change.
From starting his own company at just 16 to working across marketing, comedy, comics, TV and film, Paul eventually found a way to combine his creative skills with his passion for helping animals.
He explains:
What an impact campaigner actually does
Why great campaigning is about making things simpler, not more complicated
How marketing, comedy and storytelling can create social change
Why listening to your audience matters more than shouting at them

He also shares the incredible story behind The Most Important Comic Book on Earth, which brought together names including Leonardo DiCaprio, Ricky Gervais, Jane Goodall and Ian McKellen and helped raise millions for conservation.
Plus, we get into:
Sending thousands of emails to make a huge idea happen
Using social media to reach audiences traditional campaigning couldn't
Helping campaigns that contributed to environmental change
Combining entertainment and charity through film
Why curiosity and understanding people are essential skills
His advice for anyone who wants to make a difference#

At the heart of the episode is one brilliantly simple lesson: make it easy for people to help.
If you're interested in:
Charity and nonprofit careers
Environmental campaigning
Animal conservation
Marketing and advertising
Creative careers
Social impact
Storytelling and filmmaking

This is a fascinating look at how the skills you already have could be used to make a much bigger difference than you think.
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What does it really take to become a dentist and what happens after you qualify?
In this episode of How To Become A..., Grace speaks to cosmetic dentist, clinic owner and entrepreneur Dr Rhona, who shares her journey from dreaming of dentistry at just 12 years old to building her own award-winning clinic, launching a successful oral care brand and becoming one of the UK's leading voices in cosmetic dentistry.
She explains:
What it's really like to become a dentist
The university and training pathway into dentistry
The difference between NHS and private dentistry
Why cosmetic dentistry completely changed her career

She also shares:
Growing up inspired by healthcare professionals
Why she chose dentistry over medicine
Buying her own dental practice just before the Covid lockdown
Using social media and influencer marketing to grow her clinic
Appearing on Dragon's Den with her oral care brand

Plus, we discuss:
The reality of running a dental business
Financial independence and entrepreneurship
Why prevention is the future of dentistry
Mental health within the profession
Building a personal brand as a healthcare professional

If you're interested in:
Dentistry
Cosmetic dentistry
Healthcare careers
Entrepreneurship
Building a personal brand
Women in business
Private practice

This episode is an inspiring look at how clinical expertise, creativity and business can come together to build a truly fulfilling career.
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What does a defence lawyer actually do and what’s it really like defending people in court?
In this episode of How To Become A..., Grace speaks to criminal defence solicitor and law firm founder Shazia, who shares the realities of working in criminal law, building her own legal practice, and dedicating her career to helping people through some of the hardest moments of their lives.
From police stations and courtrooms to running a successful law firm, Shazia explains what it really takes to succeed in one of the most demanding professions.
She explains:
What a defence lawyer actually does
The difference between defence and prosecution
How criminal cases are prepared and argued
What really happens inside a courtroom
The ethics of representing clients
She also shares:
Starting work at just 14 years old
Funding her own education and law degree
Applying for over 140 legal jobs before landing her first role
Building her own law firm around family life
Plus, we discuss:
Why resilience is one of the most important skills in law
Helping vulnerable clients beyond the courtroom
Running a business while raising children
Why success isn't about money—it's about making a difference
If you're interested in:
Criminal law
Becoming a solicitor or barrister
Defence lawyer careers
Starting a law firm
Careers in justice and public service

This episode offers an honest, inspiring look at a career built on determination, ethics and helping others.
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