Do you know your crankshaft from your carburettor or your hillclimb from your drift racing? The Spark Inside is your new favourite podcast for all things automo...
“My maths teacher told me I’d always be ten steps behind. That just pushed me to prove him wrong.”
In this episode of The Spark Inside, hosts Christian Hewgill and Becca Knight talk to Charlie Keable, two-time Niterra Salesperson of the Year, about his journey through the automotive world. Starting with aspirations of becoming a Formula 1 mechanic, Charlie took a different path, working his way up from valeting and warehouse roles to leading sales for one of the UK’s top automotive parts suppliers.
Charlie shares the challenges and strategies of selling in a competitive market, the importance of building relationships, and the lessons he’s learned from his early career setbacks. He also dives into his passion for DIY van projects and classic cars, showing how his personal and professional lives are fuelled by a love for everything automotive.
Whether you’re considering a career in sales, love hearing about unique career paths, or just want advice on persistence, this episode offers plenty of inspiration.
Key Moments:[00:00:00] Introduction: Summer cars and favourite drives
[00:06:29] Guest Intro: Welcoming Charlie Keable
[00:08:01] From Valeting to Sales: A journey through the automotive industry
[00:10:03] Early Aspirations: From bodywork to Formula 1 dreams
[00:13:32] Building Client Relationships: Charlie’s approach to sales success
[00:23:53] Advice for Aspiring Salespeople: Thick skin and long-term planning
[00:27:03] The Spark that Ignited: Turning criticism into motivation
[00:29:13] Passion Projects: DIY van builds and family camping adventures
Featuring: Charlie Keable
Presented by: Becca Knight and Christian Hewgill
Episodes are released weekly and you can follow the Spark Inside on:
Facebook
Instagram
LinkedIn
Podcast Website: www.thesparkinside.co.uk
The Spark Inside is an 18Sixty production brought to you by Niterra UK Ltd.
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34:46
Episode 7 - Phil McGovern
“Get stuck in, because you can’t be part of it if you’re not involved.”
In this episode of The Spark Inside, hosts Christian Hewgill and Becca Knight talk to Phil McGovern, founder of Caffeine & Machine, a thriving hub for automotive enthusiasts. Phil’s automotive journey began in Coventry, the heart of the UK’s motor industry, where a summer internship at Jaguar’s engineering facility ignited his lifelong passion for cars. From there, Phil ventured into the Middle East, soaking up motorsport culture before returning to the UK to create one of the most inclusive spaces for car lovers.
Discover how Caffeine & Machine grew from a single coffee machine to a multi-venue community hub that sees over 35,000 cars each month. Phil shares how he welcomes everyone from Citroën Saxo drivers to Ferrari Testarossa owners and offers advice on finding your place in the automotive world.
Key Moments:[00:00:00] Introduction: What is a car meet?
[00:04:50] Guest Intro: Welcoming Phil McGovern
[00:05:45] Coventry Roots: Phil’s first steps into the automotive industry
[00:09:10] Founding Caffeine & Machine: The vision of inclusivity
[00:13:23] Building Community: Hosting 940 events annually across multiple sites
[00:22:45] Memorable Moments: From legendary cars to unexpected celebrity visitors
[00:28:11] Advice for Aspiring Automotive Professionals: The importance of showing up and getting involved
Featuring: Phil McGovern
Presented by: Becca Knight and Christian Hewgill
Episodes are released weekly and you can follow the Spark Inside on:
Facebook
Instagram
LinkedIn
Podcast Website: www.thesparkinside.co.uk
The Spark Inside is an 18Sixty production brought to you by Niterra UK Ltd.
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32:49
Episode 6 - Chris Neville
“There’s no point in being ultra-fit if your machinery isn’t great.”
In this episode of The Spark Inside, hosts Christian Hewgill and Becca Knight delve into the world of high-speed motorsport with Chris Neville, Performance Specialist for Team GB Speedway. Chris shares his unique journey, starting as a professional footballer, transitioning into a conditioning coach, and eventually moving into the thrilling world of Speedway. He talks about the science behind improving rider performance, from physical conditioning and mental preparation to the crucial interplay of human and machine. Chris also offers insights from his time working with iconic athletes like David Beckham and reflects on how innovation and teamwork have driven success in both motorsport and football.
Whether you’re a sports enthusiast or curious about the intersection of engineering and human performance, this episode offers a fascinating glimpse into what it takes to excel at the highest levels.
Key Moments:[00:00:00] Introduction: Cars, bikes, and all things motorsport
[00:03:14] Guest Intro: Chris Neville’s multifaceted career
[00:06:55] Speedway 101: A beginner’s guide to the sport
[00:14:40] Physical vs. Mental: The balance in rider performance
[00:16:34] Marginal Gains: Borrowing strategies from other sports
[00:23:58] Behind the Scenes: Innovations in Team GB Speedway
[00:24:57] The Future of Motorsport: Training the next generation
[00:28:14] Advice for Aspiring Sports Professionals: Find your niche
Featuring: Chris Neville
Presented by: Becca Knight and Christian Hewgill
Episodes are released weekly and you can follow the Spark Inside on:
Facebook
Instagram
LinkedIn
Podcast Website: www.thesparkinside.co.uk
The Spark Inside is an 18Sixty production brought to you by Niterra UK Ltd.
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34:12
Episode 5 - Louise Baker
"Do whatever makes you happy. The only thing holding you back is you."
In this episode of The Spark Inside, hosts Christian Hewgill and Becca Knight sit down with Louise Baker, founder of Womanic, an all-female garage in Birmingham. Louise shares her story of leaving a retail job to pursue her passion for cars and establish a business designed to break down stereotypes and make auto repairs accessible for everyone. As a single mother, Louise built her garage to be flexible, approachable, and empowering - offering a collection and delivery service tailored to busy schedules. She also shares the motivation behind her “Heels to Wheels” course, teaching essential car maintenance to people of all backgrounds.
This episode is filled with wisdom, resilience, and a genuine love for cars that shines through in every part of Louise's journey.
Key Moments:
[00:00:00] Introduction: Christian’s F1 game show challenge
[00:04:46] Guest Intro: Welcoming Louise Baker
[00:05:21] Starting Womanic: From supermarket shelves to garage tools
[00:08:02] The Flexibility of Womanic: Running a business around family life
[00:11:19] Early Inspirations: Childhood memories with her father and first cars
[00:13:13] Breaking the Mould: Being a female mechanic and supporting women drivers
[00:14:01] Building Customer Trust: Transparent repairs and empowering clients
[00:16:44] Social Media for Inspiration: How TikTok and Instagram help spread the message
[00:25:51] STEM and School Talks: Inspiring the next generation of engineers
Featuring: Louise Baker
Presented by: Becca Knight and Christian Hewgill
Episodes are released weekly and you can follow the Spark Inside on:
Facebook
Instagram
LinkedIn
Podcast Website: www.thesparkinside.co.uk
The Spark Inside is an 18Sixty production brought to you by Niterra UK Ltd.
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31:05
Episode 4 - Jahee Campbell-Brennan
“There was no other option. If I couldn’t do it the traditional way, I’d figure out my way of doing it.”
In this episode of The Spark Inside, hosts Christian Hewgill and Becca Knight sit down with Jahee Campbell-Brennan, an experienced engineer and founder of Wavy Dynamics, as well as the COO of the non-profit organisation Driven By Us. Jahee shares his unique journey from being captivated by monster trucks as a child to founding his own motorsport engineering consultancy. He discusses his passion for vehicle dynamics, his role in making motorsport more inclusive, and how persistence and creating opportunities for himself helped him break into the highly competitive world of motorsport.
Jahee’s story is one of innovation, resilience, and passion for engineering, offering invaluable advice to aspiring engineers and motorsport enthusiasts alike.
Key Moments:
[00:00:00] Introduction: Christian’s dream racing car
[00:07:08] Guest Intro: Welcoming Jahee Campbell-Brennan
[00:07:32] Early Inspirations: From monster trucks to performance cars
[00:12:58] Overcoming Barriers: Creating opportunities in motorsport engineering
[00:14:37] Life at Wavy Dynamics: Jahee’s engineering consultancy & trackside work
[00:17:34] Aerodynamics in Motorsport: How air is used to maximise performance
[00:18:40] Driven By Us: Promoting diversity and inclusivity in motorsport
[00:25:00] Advice for Aspiring Engineers: Persistence, self-belief & creating your own path
Featuring: Jahee Campbell-Brennan
Presented by: Becca Knight and Christian Hewgill
Episodes are released weekly and you can follow the Spark Inside on:
Facebook
Instagram
LinkedIn
Podcast Website: www.thesparkinside.co.uk
The Spark Inside is an 18Sixty production brought to you by Niterra UK Ltd.
Do you know your crankshaft from your carburettor or your hillclimb from your drift racing? The Spark Inside is your new favourite podcast for all things automotive, whether you’re tinkering in the garage, working on your own pride and joy, or making a living in the trade. Hosts Becca Knight and Christian Hewgill chat with guests from every corner of the motoring world - professional drivers, engineers, custom builders, and industry experts to uncover what ignited their passion. Hear their inspiring stories, learn more about their craft and soak up real-world advice. New episodes every week!
UK