Just Curious...

• IVF, Broadcasting and Being Real with Hannah Vaughan Jones

  In this episode of Just Curious…, hosts Nicky Regazzoni and George Blizzard are joined by Hannah Vaughan Jones, former Sky News and CNN anchor and now a media consultant and moderator working with global leaders and organisations. Hannah shares her journey from political studies at Nottingham to a high-profile career in journalism, covering landmark events such as royal weddings, general elections and the Manchester Arena bombing. She opens up about the emotional toll of broadcasting during national tragedies while undergoing her own personal challenge - 15 rounds of IVF over six years.Hannah discusses the power of authenticity, both in the media and in leadership. Drawing on her journalistic experience, she explains how preparation and human connection are key to impactful communication, whether you're being interviewed or leading an organisation. She also explores the importance of owning vulnerability and the shift towards more human, relatable leadership, especially in a post-COVID world.From hosting global events alongside figures like Bill Gates, Dr Tedros, and King Charles III, to navigating drone malfunctions on stage with grace and humour, Hannah reflects on the moments that shaped her confidence and career. She speaks candidly about personal branding, the need for clear and honest crisis communication, and why being “truthful, not neutral” is more relevant than ever. Hannah’s story is a powerful reminder that behind every headline is a human being.Find The PR Network online at www.thepr.networkLinkedIn: @theprnetworkInstagram: @prnetworkConnect with Nicky Regazzoni on LinkedInConnect with George Blizzard on LinkedIn

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• Inside Bloodgate, Rugby’s Most Notorious Scandal with Tom Williams

  In 2009, Harlequins rugby player Tom Williams was banned from the sport for his role in the infamous "Bloodgate" scandal, one of the most shocking incidents in professional rugby history. In this episode of Just Curious…, Tom opens up about his involvement to hosts Nicky Regazzoni and George Blizzard, recounting the win-at-all-costs culture that led to his participation in faking a blood injury to manipulate a substitution. He reflects candidly on the long-lasting personal, emotional, and professional impact of that decision, including the shame, anxiety, and identity crisis that followed.Tom reveals how a lack of crisis planning and strong leadership at the club left him exposed and unsupported in the aftermath. He discusses the parallels between sport and other high-pressure environments, like financial services, where success can be dangerously conflated with rule-bending and manipulation. Now working in business, Tom shares how he's applied hard-won lessons from his experience to leadership, ethics, and decision-making in his career.The conversation also explores deeper issues of whistleblowing, institutional culture, and the need for moral frameworks in elite sport. As Tom reflects on the importance of integrity and how he now teaches his children to stand up for what’s right, his story becomes more than just a tale about sport - it becomes about accountability, resilience, and redemption.Find The PR Network online at www.thepr.networkLinkedIn: @theprnetworkInstagram: @prnetworkConnect with Nicky Regazzoni on LinkedInConnect with George Blizzard on LinkedIn

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• Bonus Episode: The Future of British Business with Rain Newton-Smith

  In this episode of Just Curious…, Nicky Regazzoni and George Blizzard talk to Rain Newton-Smith, Chief Executive of the Confederation of British Industry (CBI). Rain shares her remarkable journey from economist to one of the UK’s most influential business leaders, and reflects on the CBI’s role in supporting British business through the pandemic, driving the net zero agenda, and shaping the UK’s economic future.The show explores the power of collective action, the importance of international trade, and the vital role of the UK’s universities and innovation ecosystem. Rain offers an optimistic yet realistic take on sustainability, discussing how to balance growth with environmental responsibility and why better storytelling around climate and net zero is urgently needed. She also highlights the promise and complexity of AI, from revolutionising diagnostics in healthcare to transforming citizen access to services.As a mother of four, Rain speaks candidly about the challenges of balancing leadership with family life and the importance of visible role models in reshaping perceptions of working women. The conversation spans everything from critical minerals and car clubs to age verification tech and the future of work. With warmth, insight and a clear-eyed view of both policy and people, Rain demonstrates why she is such a powerful advocate for business in the UK.Find The PR Network online at www.thepr.networkLinkedIn: @theprnetworkInstagram: @prnetworkConnect with Nicky Regazzoni on LinkedInConnect with George Blizzard on LinkedIn

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• PR - An Industry in Flux. Reimagining our Future with David Gallagher

  In this insightful episode of Just Curious…, Nicky Regazzoni and George Blizzard are joined by communications industry veteran David Gallagher for a wide-ranging and thought-provoking conversation. With over 30 years of global agency experience, including senior leadership roles at Ketchum and Omnicom, David brings a wealth of perspective on the evolution of PR, the challenges facing the industry today, and the opportunities ahead.David discusses his shift from large agency life to co-founding Folgate Advisors, a flexible, independent consultancy model built to meet the changing needs of clients and the communications landscape. He also introduces The Advisory Club, a global WhatsApp community of over 1,000 senior comms professionals, which serves as a living forum for collective intelligence, shared learning, and candid discussion.Together, we explore the tensions between centralised and decentralised models, the impact of geopolitical instability, the rise of AI, and the shifting expectations of clients. David reflects on the need for PR to define its higher purpose, address its confidence crisis, and improve its own reputation.A highlight of the conversation is David’s optimism about the next generation of practitioners - those entering the field with fresh ideas, ethical instincts, and a digital-first mindset. The episode closes with a reaffirmation of the power of community, flexibility, and relevance in building future-ready agency models.Whether you’re an agency founder, in-house comms leader, or curious about the future of PR, this episode offers thoughtful commentary, practical insight, and a healthy dose of realism from one of the industry's most respected voices.Find The PR Network online at www.thepr.networkLinkedIn: @theprnetworkInstagram: @prnetworkConnect with Nicky Regazzoni on LinkedInConnect with George Blizzard on LinkedIn

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• From Meal Kits to Matcha: Building Brands with Purpose with Patrick Drake

  In this inspiring episode of Just Curious…, Nicky Regazzoni and George Blizzard are joined by TV chef, author and co-founder of HelloFresh, Patrick Drake.Patrick’s entrepreneurial journey has taken him from scrubbing cars on a council estate to revolutionising global food and wellness habits, and he shares how his early drive for independence shaped his approach to business.From launching HelloFresh in a London living room to building his latest venture, Autonomy, a disruptive wellness brand born out of his passion for morning rituals and functional food, Patrick reflects on his personal approach to brand building. He talks about creating a brand-new category with HelloFresh, from carrot-costume street marketing to scaling a billion-meal-a-year global business. And he opens up about how he leveraged his personal brand and media presence to drive awareness, and why founder-led storytelling remains a crucial differentiator.We also explore the motivation behind Autonomy – a health-forward coffee and matcha creamer line powered by adaptogenic mushrooms – and how a homemade “Patrick coffee” evolved into a product now stocked in Goop HQ and endorsed by Gwyneth Paltrow herself. Patrick talks candidly about his use of vision boards, the power of manifestation combined with action, and the importance of building trust through integrity.From juggling breathwork and fatherhood to sharing values of authenticity, resilience, and human connection, this episode is full of energy, insights, and optimism.Find The PR Network online at www.thepr.networkLinkedIn: @theprnetworkInstagram: @prnetworkConnect with Nicky Regazzoni on LinkedInConnect with George Blizzard on LinkedIn

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