Beyond the Fail

About Beyond the Fail

Beyond the Fail, hosted by Jez Wood, aims to challenge the beliefs of entrepreneurs, business owners, and leaders who think that setbacks are anything but okay. We share stories of successful leaders and entrepreneurs who have overcome failure and offer practical tips and advice on how to bounce back from challenges. Because failure is not only acceptable, it's also an integral part of the journey to success.

Publisher

Jez Wood

Category

business · education

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

17 Oct 2023

Latest episode

26 Feb 2025

Latest episodes

48 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   26 Feb 2025

   BANKRUPT and Nearly HOMELESS in China: Howard Whiteson's Unbelievable Entrepreneurial Journey

   What happens when an entrepreneur, magician, and wealth manager risks it all—twice—and faces financial collapse so severe that he nearly ends up homeless? Howard Whiteson’s story is one of bold decisions, unexpected failures, and a relentless pursuit of success. From performing magic tricks as a child to selling hot tubs, mastering sales training, and making a fortune in wealth management, his journey is filled with lessons for anyone navigating the unpredictable world of business. Howard shares his extraordinary entrepreneurial path, starting as a young magician and candle seller before evolving into a top sales trainer and eventually moving to China to build a wealth management business from scratch. He credits his parents—both entrepreneurs—for shaping his risk-taking mindset: his father’s courage and resilience inspired him to embrace challenges, while his mother’s spendthrift nature made him unafraid to throw money at business ventures. His story is one of dramatic highs and painful lows, including: ✅ The brutal reality of losing financial stability—twice ✅ The dangerous allure of chasing shiny business opportunities ✅ The challenge of scaling a business and the struggle to replicate early success ✅ The irony of being a wealth manager facing personal financial crisis ✅ How a chance networking encounter with an Apple executive saved his career ✅ How he once did a magic trick to Micahel Jackson Throughout his journey, Howard realized that true success comes from adaptability, strategic thinking, and doing what you truly love. He reflects on the lessons he learned from failing to diversify, ineffective marketing strategies, and the need to build sustainable business models. Ultimately, he found more joy and fulfillment in sales training, helping others master communication and charisma. This episode is packed with real talk about failure, resilience, and the messy reality of entrepreneurship. Whether you're an aspiring business owner, a seasoned entrepreneur, or someone navigating career pivots, Howard’s journey will inspire and enlighten you. Takeaways Taking risks and having a positive mindset are important qualities for entrepreneurs. Financial setbacks and challenges are part of the entrepreneurial journey, but determination and resilience can lead to new opportunities. Being unafraid to invest in your business and take bold actions can lead to success. Transitioning to a new career or starting a business requires careful planning and strategy. Financial difficulties and the need to network extensively are common challenges in entrepreneurship. Effective communication is crucial in building relationships and growing a business. Scaling a business can be difficult, especially when it relies heavily on the skills and expertise of the founder. Finding joy and passion in your work is essential for long-term success and fulfillment. Failure can be a valuable learning experience and an opportunity for growth. Adaptability and diversification are key to success in business. Segmenting your audience and providing value are crucial in marketing. Networking and joint ventures can help expand your reach and build partnerships. Combining different passions can lead to a unique and fulfilling career. Embrace failure and take risks to bring your gifts and passions into the world. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Background 06:32 Early Entrepreneurial Ventures: Magic Tricks and Candles 14:52 Influence of Parents: Courage and Resilience 20:59 Financial Setbacks and Determination 27:19 Unafraid to Invest: Taking Bold Actions 31:16 Transitioning to Wealth Management 35:40 The Importance of Networking 41:34 Building a Successful Wealth Management Business 46:04 The Challenges of Starting an Online Business 56:00 The Struggle to Scale and the Rediscovery of Passion 01:05:30 Lessons Learned from Failure 01:09:09 Marketing Strategies and Value 01:12:57 Networking and Joint Ventures 01:16:40 Perseverance and Taking Action 01:19:17 Making Your Own Luck 01:24:44 Embracing Failure and Taking Risks 01:28:44 Magical Moments with Michael Jackson 01:33:14 The Link Between Suffering and Success 01:35:38 Embracing Failure and Finding Wisdom About Howard Whiteson Howard Whiteson is a sales and charisma coach, entrepreneur, and author with a career that spans public speaking, sales training, wealth management, and even professional acting. His diverse journey has taken him from performing magic tricks as a child to training Fortune 500 executives, launching businesses, and nearly losing everything—twice—only to reinvent himself again. As the Founder of Charisma Coach, Howard specializes in helping professionals own the room—both on stage and on camera. His expertise in communication, combined with decades of global experience, makes him a sought-after coach for executives, entrepreneurs, and sales leaders looking to master their presence and persuasion. 🔹 Author of Own The Room: Advice from the World’s Leading Experts in Public Speaking 🔹 20+ years training professionals across 5 continents 🔹 Coached Fortune 500 companies, including Apple China and The Masco Corporation 🔹 Worked with hundreds of Sales Managers, Entrepreneurs, and Coaches globally 🔹 Professional actor, appearing in TV, film, and theatre—including a Bond movie and fooling Michael Jackson with a magic trick! 🔹 Former wealth manager in China, navigating the highs and lows of financial success and failure Howard’s own business failures and reinventions have given him a unique perspective on resilience, adaptability, and what it really takes to succeed. His personal story—from nearly going broke in China to landing a high-profile corporate coaching career—proves that communication and confidence can be the ultimate game-changers in business and life. Whether he's coaching Fortune 500 executives, training entrepreneurs, or captivating an audience, Howard helps people step into their most charismatic and confident selves—because in business, how you show up matters just as much as what you know. Connect with Howard Whiteson Website (https://howardwhiteson.com/) Free Book - Passion to Profit (http://howardsfreegift.com) Stay connected with Beyond the Fail: Join our mailing list here (http://eepurl.com/iAZesE) Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/jezwood/)Tik-tok (http://www.tiktok.com/@beyond.the.fail.podcast) Linktree (https://linktr.ee/beyondthefail) See omnystudio.com/listener (https://omnystudio.com/listener) for privacy information.

2. 

   19 Feb 2025

   From Fully booked to ZERO clients with Andrew Wood

   In this candid and insightful episode, Andrew Wood pulls back the curtain on his entrepreneurial journey, sharing the highs, the lows, and the pivotal lessons learned along the way. From his early days in corporate consulting—where he helped global tech giants predict the future—to co-founding a design agency, Andrew’s path has been anything but linear. He takes us behind the scenes of Zombie Labs, the startup-focused agency he launched with a friend, and the unexpected turn of events that led to its dissolution. When his co-founder was lured away by a high-growth fintech startup, Andrew was left at a crossroads, forced to rethink his role, value, and next steps. What followed was an eye-opening realization: research itself was a viable business—not just a piece of a larger strategy. This discovery led him to build Muir Wood & Co., a consultancy that helps organizations uncover customer needs and product opportunities. But the path to success was far from smooth. Andrew reflects on the hidden dangers of relying solely on referrals—a strategy that worked until it didn’t. When the 2022 economic downturn hit and research budgets evaporated overnight, he suddenly found himself with zero clients and no pipeline. Instead of panicking, he treated the crisis like an experiment, pivoting his strategy to focus on new lead-generation tactics, thought leadership, and diversifying his client base. Beyond his consultancy, Andrew also shares the incredible story behind Meals for the NHS, a grassroots initiative he co-founded that raised £1.8 million and delivered hundreds of thousands of meals to healthcare workers during the pandemic. It was a crash course in logistics, scale, and rapid execution, proving that with the right mindset, even the most ambitious ideas can become reality. Through these stories, Andrew challenges the notion of business failure, reframing it as a series of experiments that provide critical learning moments. His advice? Take action, stay adaptable, and never stop evolving. Whether you're an entrepreneur, consultant, or researcher looking to build a resilient career, this episode is packed with practical insights and hard-won wisdom on navigating uncertainty and staying ahead in an ever-changing business landscape. Takeaways Closing down a business can be a difficult decision, but sometimes it's necessary to explore new opportunities. Establish principles and boundaries when starting a business partnership with a friend to avoid potential conflicts. Diversify lead generation strategies instead of relying solely on referrals to ensure a steady flow of clients. Treat everything as an experiment and learn from failures to refine your approach and make informed decisions. Take action and focus on completing projects to gain valuable experience and insights. Reflect on the positives and maintain resilience in the face of setbacks. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Background 02:11 Predicting the Future and Influencing the Direction 05:09 The Impact of Removing the SIM Card in Mobile Phones 25:29 Transitioning from a Business Partnership 32:55 Closing Down the Business and Exploring New Opportunities 36:39 Navigating Business Partnerships and Boundaries 48:03 Diversifying Lead Generation Strategies for Sustainable Growth 53:07 Embracing Failure as an Opportunity to Learn 59:06 Taking Action and Completing Projects to Gain Experience 01:04:28 Reflecting on the Positives and Maintaining Resilience About Andrew Wood Andrew Wood is the founder of Muir Wood & Co., a London-based consultancy specializing in uncovering unmet customer needs and generating innovative product ideas. With over a decade of experience in mixed methods research, Andrew has collaborated with top companies like Condé Nast, Mozilla, Tesco, and Deliveroo to guide research-driven product development. He also leads the research advocacy team at Yleos, ensuring research processes are both efficient and secure. A dedicated mentor, Andrew supports designers and researchers in honing their skills, drawing from his extensive background across agencies (ustwo, Code & Theory), startups (iwoca, Deliveroo), and corporates (Mozilla, Ford). Beyond consultancy, Andrew co-founded Meals for the NHS, a charitable initiative that raised over £1 million to provide essential meals for frontline healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. His passion for human-centered research, startups, and strategic innovation fuels his mission to help organizations turn insights into impactful solutions. Connect with Andrew Wood Website (https://www.andrewmuirwood.co.uk/) Stay connected with Beyond the Fail: Join our mailing list here (http://eepurl.com/iAZesE) Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/jezwood/)Tik-tok (http://www.tiktok.com/@beyond.the.fail.podcast) Linktree (https://linktr.ee/beyondthefail) See omnystudio.com/listener (https://omnystudio.com/listener) for privacy information.

3. 

   12 Feb 2025

   When FRAUD sinks the ship: losing an impact project & investor funds w/ Bessi Graham

   In this illuminating episode, Jez sits down with Bessi Graham, a dynamic entrepreneur, impact investor, and advocate for balancing purpose with profit. Together, they delve into the messy, rewarding world of business — discussing not just the triumphs, but the inevitable setbacks that shape successful ventures. Bessi shares her unconventional journey from hesitating to call herself an entrepreneur to becoming a leader in the impact-investment space through ventures like The Difference Incubator and Benefit Capital. Throughout the conversation, they explore the complexities of navigating business failures, from missed warning signs to the emotional toll of shutting down promising ventures. Bessi reflects on a deeply challenging investment involving a social enterprise in Australia, detailing the lessons learned after financial losses, reputational hits, and the dismantling of a program designed to help young people. She doesn’t hold back, sharing insights on due diligence, the dangers of “feral founders,” and the emotional resilience required to handle failures that could derail others. Jez and Bessi also dive into the importance of creating sustainable business models using tools like the Business Model Canvas and building strong relationships with investors through transparent communication. Listeners will walk away inspired by Bessi’s advice on avoiding common mistakes, apprenticing with the problem, and finding grace in failure — an inevitable but essential part of the entrepreneurial journey. Takeaways The Business Model Canvas helps assess business viability. Investors seek measurable impact, not just good intentions. Curiosity and humility are key traits in successful founders. Bessi's family has a history of entrepreneurship. The importance of understanding the purpose of business. Talent and team dynamics are critical for business success. Talent alone is not enough; resilience is crucial. Understanding your audience is key to effective communication. Many entrepreneurs struggle to convey the importance of their work. Failures often stem from mismanagement and lack of oversight. Building trust is vital, but so is due diligence. Emotional responses to failure can be complex and layered. Transparency with investors can foster long-term relationships. Mistakes are part of the journey, but learning from them is essential. Creating a sustainable business model is challenging but necessary. Investing in complex challenges can be exhausting and risky. Honest conversations with investors are crucial for maintaining trust. Avoidance of difficult conversations can escalate problems. Conducting post-mortems helps identify missed signals and improve future decisions. Staying connected to the problem is essential for effective business leadership. Operational changes post-failure can enhance governance and accountability. Understanding the unique challenges of impact investing is vital for success. Every business has an impact, and awareness of this is crucial. Learning from failures is a continuous process that shapes future decisions. Embracing both accountability and grace is key to moving forward after setbacks. Chapters 02:56 Bessi Graham's Entrepreneurial Journey 06:01 The Intersection of Business and Social Justice 09:08 Building the Difference Incubator 11:46 Finding and Supporting Entrepreneurs 15:00 The Importance of Relationships in Business 17:47 The Business Model Canvas Explained 20:55 Key Questions for Assessing Potential Investments 29:01 The Balance of Talent and Resilience 31:55 Understanding Audience Needs 37:35 Lessons from Business Failures 44:32 The Importance of Due Diligence 51:46 Navigating Emotional Responses to Failure 01:06:19 Navigating Complex Challenges in Business 01:09:35 The Importance of Honest Conversations with Investors 01:13:14 Conducting Effective Post-Mortems on Failures 01:18:21 Learning from Failures to Enhance Future Success 01:20:30 Operational Changes Post-Failure 01:22:34 Understanding Failure Rates in Impact Investing 01:27:51 Redefining Success in Social Enterprises 01:34:24 Embracing Failure as a Learning Opportunity About Bessi Graham Bessi Graham is a TEDx speaker, CEO, and Co-Founder of Benefit Capital, with over 20 years of experience transforming businesses from the grassroots to global institutions. Whether sitting in the dirt with business owners in the Pacific Islands or advising the United Nations in Geneva, Bessi’s superpower is bridging systemic thinking with practical action. A Harvard graduate and advisor to governments and organizations—including a Ministerial appointment with the Australian Federal Government and the Obama Foundation’s Emerging Leaders Program—Bessi has driven over a billion dollars in investments into small and medium-sized businesses. Her work demonstrates that leaders don’t have to choose between doing good and making money; instead, she shows them how to merge purpose and profit through sustainable, scalable models. As a coach, investor, and designer of international capacity-building funds, Bessi brings a pragmatic approach to building businesses that last. From founding the first impact investment fund for the Pacific to personally investing in over 40 businesses, Bessi’s mission is clear: helping leaders navigate change, innovation, and impact without sacrificing financial success. When she’s not advising or investing, Bessi is sharing her hard-earned lessons on podcasts, demystifying the complexities of failure, governance, and resilience in today’s rapidly evolving world. Connect with Bessi Graham Website (https://bessigraham.com/) Stay connected with Beyond the Fail: Join our mailing list here (http://eepurl.com/iAZesE) Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/jezwood/)Tik-tok (http://www.tiktok.com/@beyond.the.fail.podcast) Linktree (https://linktr.ee/beyondthefail) See omnystudio.com/listener (https://omnystudio.com/listener) for privacy information.

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

YouTube views

3,641

Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

1 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

3 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 79 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

88

Social presence

94

YouTube

68

Engagement

60

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Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.