About Deadlines and Detours — The Human Stories Behind Digital Business.
No fluff. No filter. Just real conversations with the
people behind digital business.
Host Matthew Barrington-Packer talks to marketers,
recruiters, mindset coaches, tech leaders and
entrepreneurs about what actually happens when you're
trying to build, grow and transform in a world that
won't slow down.
From burnout to breakthroughs. From CVs to AI.
From flow states to fuel bills.
Real stories. Real people. Real talk.
“Is This It?” Mid-Life, Burnout & the Truth About How Your Mind Really Works
When Matt launched Deadlines & Detours, he thought it was a podcast about digital transformation and tech. It turns out, it’s about people – especially the ones who quietly rewrite how you see the world.In this episode, Matt sits down with Piers Thurston, founder of Quality of Mind, who’s spent 25 years in personal and professional development – from big enterprise to scrappy startups.What makes Piers’ work different? He’s moved past mindset hacks, productivity tricks and “high performance routines” and gone upstream to something much more fundamental: how the mind actually works.They get into:
Why life can feel like a constant grind – even when, on paper, you’ve “made it”
What flow state really is (and why you don’t need rituals to get there)
Aperture – how your state of mind colours reality in real time
Why trying to constantly manage your mind is like trying to get dry while standing under a shower
How your default setting is already ease, and what changes when you stop trying to “fix” yourself
Why this matters for leaders in fast-changing, ambiguous worlds (tech, digital, transformation, etc.)
If you’re in your mid-forties, successful on the outside but quietly asking “is this it?”, this one’s for you.This isn’t about becoming a Zen robot who never feels anything. It’s about seeing that there’s something deeper than your thoughts, feelings and stories – and how life, work and relationships shift when you start operating from there.
Real conversations with the people who’ve shaped how Matt thinks, works and lives – from digital transformation and leadership to the inner game that sits underneath all of it.
🔗 Resources & links– Piers’ Quality of Mind resources: https://qualityofmind.biz/podcast-resources/– Deadlines & Detours podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/deadlines-and-detours-the-human-stories-behind/id1829937272– Connect with Matt on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewbp/
5 Nov 2025
Why Storytelling Beats Jargon in Digital Transformation – Will Edge
This week on Deadlines & Detours, Matthew sits down with Will Edge, Head of Product and Venture Building at E.ON, whose work spans decarbonisation, digital twins, and the future of urban energy.
Will’s career runs from Capgemini and Fujitsu to leading E.ON’s innovation venture team, tackling three missions: decarbonise cities, add social value, and reduce fuel bills.
He shares how storytelling, empathy, and creative problem-solving drive real transformation—from tracking hospital equipment with RFID tags to modelling entire cities for carbon reduction.
In this episode:
How Digital Twins help cities like Coventry plan net-zero strategies
Why storytelling and design thinking are vital in consultancy
The power of authenticity and feedback in leadership
The role of AI in the workplace (and why students should be using it)
The future of EV charging, induction roadways, and energy innovation
23 Oct 2025
CV Secrets, Contractor Truths & AI in Recruitment with Daniel Atkins (DATTalent)
Most people think a CV gets them a job — it doesn’t. It gets you 10 seconds of attention.
In this episode of Deadlines & Detours, Matthew sits down with Daniel Atkins, founder of DATTalent, to talk about what recruiters really look for, how IR35 changed the game for contractors, and why relationships will always beat AI algorithms.
Dan’s journey from car salesman to founder is full of honesty, practical advice, and a few truths every job seeker needs to hear. Whether you’re job hunting, hiring, or just curious about the world of recruitment, this one’s gold.
We cover:
– What recruiters actually look for in a CV (and what makes them bin it instantly)
– How IR35 affects contractors and clients
– Why relationships still beat algorithms
– AI in recruitment and how to use it without losing the human touch
– How to get noticed (and actually get called back)
🎙️ Hosted by Matthew Barrington-Packer
💼 Guest: Daniel Atkins, Founder of DATTalent
🔗 Connect with Dan: linkedin.com/in/daniel-atkins (https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-atkins/)
🌐 Visit DATTalent: https://www.dattalent.co.uk (https://www.dattalent.co.uk)
#DeadlinesAndDetours #Recruitment #CVTips #Contracting #DigitalCareers #AIinRecruitment #DATTalent
16 Oct 2025
From Commodore to Cloud: AI, PIMs & the Future of Digital Products | Morten Næss (Bluestone PIM)
Welcome back to Deadlines & Detours — the podcast where we explore the real, human stories behind digital transformation.
This week, Matt sits down with Morten Næss, Chief Product & Innovation Officer at Bluestone PIM and Admissions Lead at the MACH Alliance — to talk about nerdy beginnings, smart tech, and the next evolution of AI and product information management.
Together they dive into:
The wild journey from Commodore 64s to cloud-native architecture
How Bluestone PIM grew from Norway to powering global giants like H&M and Sainsbury’s
What “PIM” really means (and why it matters)
Why AI is more than hype — and how it’s reshaping everything from eCommerce to how we work
The difference between Machine Learning, LLMs, and Agents
How to actually prompt for prompting (yes, that’s a thing — and it’s genius)
What the future of work, code, and creativity looks like when we can just talk to our software
Morten also shares his personal side — from music gear and photography to the advice he ignored that could’ve made him a Bitcoin millionaire.
🌐 Learn more:
🔗 Morten Næss on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/morten-naess)
🔗 Bluestone PIM (https://www.bluestonepim.com/)
🔗 MACH Alliance (https://machalliance.org/)
9 Oct 2025
Apps, AI & Apple Obsessions | Andy Farmer (MyOxygen) on Building Beautiful Tech & Staying Curious | Deadlines & Detours
Welcome back to Deadlines & Detours, the podcast where we talk to the humans behind digital transformation — the thinkers, tinkerers, and tech obsessives shaping the products we all use.
In this episode, Matt Barrington-Packer sits down with Andy Farmer, Co-Founder of MyOxygen — a Bristol-based digital product studio that’s been building apps since the dawn of the iPhone. Andy’s team has created mobile solutions for the NHS, Ministry of Defence, and the energy sector, helping organisations design, build, and scale products that genuinely make a difference.
Together they dive into:
🧩 The evolution of mobile apps — from PalmPilots to iPhones
⚙️ Why “beautiful code” matters as much as beautiful design
💡 How AI is the ultimate “yes person”… and why that’s risky
🧘♂️ The spirituality of motorbikes and why detours matter
🔐 How to innovate inside regulated industries (NHS, MOD, Energy)
☕️ Why every project still needs people, process, and a good cup of coffee
Andy shares the story behind MyOxygen’s early NHS projects, the SAM App that supported student mental health, and the hard-won lessons from decades of building software the right way — focusing on purpose, process, and human connection.
This is one for designers, developers, founders, and digital leaders who believe tech should have heart.
🎧 Listen. Think. Detour.
2 Oct 2025
Digital Change, Property Pain & AI in Action with Joe Goss
In this episode of Deadlines & Detours, I sit down with Joe Goss, Head of Sales for Fixflo Block & BTR, to unpack three decades of experience across housing, property services, and PropTech innovation.
We get into the realities of digital change — including the golden rule of AI: garbage in = garbage out — and how property managers can use tech without losing the human touch. Joe shares how AI is already transforming compliance, customer service, and internal sales operations without stripping away personal brand or relationships.
You’ll also hear about:
Fixflo’s new Aidenn Compliance feature that automates Fire Risk Assessment tasks
The myths of digital adoption (and why people always come first)
Funny stories from the front lines — yes, including KFC in a swimming pool
The challenges of scaling post-acquisition and keeping your culture intact
Why Leonardo DiCaprio would make a great block manager
This episode is packed with practical insight, industry pain points, and plenty of laughs — ideal for anyone navigating digital change in property, tech, or SaaS.
Joe Goss on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/joe-goss-mtpi-10583331 (https://www.linkedin.com/in/joe-goss-mtpi-10583331/)
Fixflo platform: fixflo.com (https://www.fixflo.com)
Aidenn AI – Repairs & Compliance: fixflo.com/solutions/aidenn-ai-repairs-maintenance (https://www.fixflo.com/solutions/aidenn-ai-repairs-maintenance)
Book a guest slot: calendly.com/ddpod/30min (https://www.calendly.com/ddpod/30min)
🔗 Links Mentioned
25 Sept 2025
The Magnet Caper, AI & Marketing: Lessons from Events with Chelsea Austin
In this episode of Deadlines & Detours, Matthew Barrington-Packer sits down with Chelsea Austin, Marketing & Events Coordinator at Earl Kendrick and co-founder of Chelsea in Devon.
Chelsea shares her unexpected career journey — from nursing and hairdressing to marketing and events — and how she’s built a reputation for being reliable, creative, and authentic. We dive into the now-legendary Magnet Caper (a 9pm panic that turned into an award moment), what it takes to run successful events, and how personal branding on LinkedIn fuels professional growth.
The conversation also explores:
The excitement of hitting 500 subscribers 🎉
Why event planning is more about people than logistics
The difference between webinars and in-person events
Recognition, awards, and badges as milestones
Inspiring the next generation at school career fairs
How AI is changing marketing and events (and where it’s overhyped)
This episode blends humour, lessons, and insights for anyone working in marketing, events, or simply trying to balance consistency with creativity.
Key Quotes
“Yes, I won an award.”
“Surveying is really cool.”
“We should get badges.”
“Sometimes the universe balances it out.”
18 Sept 2025
Dot-Com to Dust: SEO, Design & Digital Hustle with John Jary
In this episode of Deadlines & Detours, Matthew is joined by long-time friend and seasoned SEO strategist John Jary, whose career has spanned two decades of digital evolution — from the early days of Dreamweaver and Flash websites to the rise of e-commerce, influencer marketing, and now Generative Engine Optimisation (GEO).
They dive deep into:
The truth behind SEO in 2025
Why content is still king
The rise (and risk) of generative AI in search
Why stock photography isn’t the move
How branding and imagery really impact user experience
What makes backlinks valuable (and what to avoid)
Building a business on microgreens and turning it into a global seasoning brand
From Cara Delevingne’s Vogue video to dusty servers in New York basements, this episode blends hard-earned digital knowledge with heartfelt stories and practical insights for anyone building a digital business in 2025.
John also shares a candid story about a photography gig gone sideways — and what it taught him about expectations, ego, and lighting.
11 Sept 2025
Sarah Chilcott on Digital Planning, Leadership and the Most Overused Word “AI” | Deadlines & Detours
In this episode of Deadlines & Detours, I sit down with Sarah Chilcott, former Managing Director of the UK’s national Planning Portal — the service that helped standardise applications across England and Wales and scaled to around 50,000 submissions a month.
Sarah talks candidly about the multi-year transition from a government unit to a commercial joint venture, moving from central funding to commercial revenue, and why pace, people and values mattered more than any single piece of technology. We also cover housing and sustainability work, biodiversity net gain, and practical ways leaders can drive change without excluding users.
What we discuss:
The inside story of the Planning Portal and the shift to a JV
What worked (and didn’t) in digital planning
Pace in government vs. private sector and how to manage it
Data, payments and service design lessons
Housing, sustainability and biodiversity net gain in practice
Change management (Kotter), culture and leadership habits
Why “AI” is often the most overused word in tech
The “five frogs on a log” test for moving from intent to action
Links:
hgkc — Sarah’s leadership and growth advisory work: https://hgkc.co.uk
UK Business Council for Sustainable Development: https://ukbcsd.co.uk
Bristol Housing Festival: https://bristolhousingfestival.org.uk
Follow Deadlines & Detours:
Spotify: [add link]
Apple Podcasts: [add link]
LinkedIn (host): https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewbp/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DeadlinesandDetours
If you found this useful, please like, comment and subscribe. It helps the show reach more people working on real transformation.
3 Sept 2025
Navigating Digital Transformation, LinkedIn & Cringe Mountain — with Jamie Hughes
In this episode of Deadlines & Detours, Matthew sits down with Jamie Hughes, founder of Inncreate, to explore the realities of digital transformation, the power of personal branding, and the evolving role of social media — particularly LinkedIn.
They discuss:
Why personal branding outperforms company pages
How AI can spark creativity but also flatten originality
Why do you have to climb the Cringe Mountain to grow online
Lessons from Blockbuster and BlackBerry on ignoring digital change
Why people and communication matter more than technology in innovation
How to keep momentum alive when projects hit a slump
It’s a lively conversation that mixes practical marketing tips with bigger lessons about authenticity, creativity, and what it really takes to innovate.
Links & Resources
Courtney Johnson (Cringe Mountain originator)
TikTok: @courtney..johnson (https://www.tiktok.com/@courtney..johnson)
Jamie Hughes
LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamiehughes-inncreate)
Inncreate Website (https://inncreate.co.uk/)
📧 jamiehughes@inncreate.co.uk
30 Jul 2025
Deadlines & Detours — No Fluff. No Filter. Just Real Digital Transformation
Welcome to the intro episode of Deadlines & Detours — the podcast that pulls back the curtain on what really goes down in digital transformation.I’m Matthew Barrington-Packer, and after years of being dropped into messy projects, impossible deadlines, and chaotic delivery rooms — I’m done with polished nonsense. This show is for anyone who’s been on the frontlines of change and thought: “Surely it’s not just me?”No buzzwords.Just real stories.From the wins to the wipeouts.In this kickoff episode, I’m sharing: • Why this podcast exists • What to expect each week • Who it’s for (Spoiler: If you’ve ever had to Google ‘what is a composable stack?’ mid-meeting — it’s for you) • And a few confessions from my own journey through the madness of modern transformation🎧 New episodes weekly — featuring tech leaders, rebels, builders, fixers, and the occasional rant about slide decks and stakeholder politics.🔔 Subscribe for weekly episodes with industry insiders, rebels, and real humans who’ve been through the fire and made it out smarter.
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