Different Hats Podcast

About Different Hats Podcast

I believe everyone has a story to tell, through seeking true, authentic insights about the entrepreneurial journey, I provide a platform for our peers to share their stories and inspire those that listen. Welcome! I’m Sam Thomas, the host of the "Different Hats Podcast." In a world where entrepreneurs often feel pressured to wear countless hats, I believe in the power of authentic storytelling to redefine what success truly means. My mission is to help the 'World to See Success Differently' so you can achieve happiness, purpose, and fulfilment, by sharing real stories from those who’ve navigated the entrepreneurial landscape. Through engaging conversations with peers and industry leaders like Chris Anderson of TED, I aim to provide you with the insights and inspiration needed to build the business you desire. Unlike other platforms, "Different Hats" focuses on the human side of entrepreneurship, moving beyond the performative aspects to foster genuine connections and meaningful growth. Happy Listening 🎧 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

Publisher

Sam Thomas

Category

business · health & fitness · society & culture

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

29 Apr 2021

Latest episode

2 Jun 2026

Latest episodes

220 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   2 Jun 2026

   #148 The Real Reason You Keep Self-Sabotaging | Hema Patel

   What if the stories you've been telling yourself for years... simply aren't true? In this deeply moving and thought-provoking episode of the Different Hats Podcast, I sit down with RTT Hypnotherapist, Coach and Suicide Prevention Advocate Hema Patel for one of the most important conversations we've had on the show. Together, we explore childhood trauma, emotional literacy, self-worth, people-pleasing, perfectionism, visibility, purpose, and the powerful role our subconscious mind plays in shaping our lives. We also dive into the heartbreaking reality of suicide, the systemic issues contributing to the mental health crisis, and why Hema believes suicide prevention is everyone's business. Hema shares her own deeply personal story of experiencing suicidal thoughts, losing her cousin to suicide, growing up with racism and feelings of abandonment, and how those experiences ultimately shaped her life's mission. This is a conversation about healing. About hope. About finding possibility when life feels impossible. And about creating a world where people feel safe to be seen, heard, and understood. If you've ever struggled with self-doubt, felt stuck in old patterns, questioned your worth, or wondered if things can truly change, this episode is for you. ⏱️ CHAPTERS 00:00 – Powerful Suicide Prevention Messages 02:22 – Introduction & Meet Hema Patel 06:02 – You Alright Mate? Check-In 08:45 – Purpose Bigger Than Fear 12:12 – People Pleasing, Worthiness & Self-Worth 16:51 – Understanding Trauma & Childhood Wounds 22:18 – Emotional Literacy & Why It Matters 30:37 – Teaching Suicide Prevention In Schools 36:30 – How Hema Defines Success 40:22 – Why We Believe Thoughts That Aren't True 45:05 – Education, Purpose & The Future 55:44 – Measuring Kindness Instead of Performance 01:07:16 – Losing Her Cousin To Suicide 01:14:00 – The ABC of Suicide Prevention 01:20:13 – Hope, Possibility & Reaching Out 01:33:06 – Antidepressants, Mental Health & Awareness 01:40:27 – Community, Connection & Finding Joy 01:47:06 – Racism, Abandonment & Healing Childhood Wounds 02:03:12 – Masculinity, Emotional Safety & Modern Manhood 02:06:54 – Finding Your Voice & Sharing Your Message 02:18:12 – What Hema Hopes You Take Away 02:20:40 – Presence, Trust & Living In The Moment 02:31:25 – A World Where Everyone Feels Seen 02:32:08 – Storytelling Cards & Vulnerability 02:35:49 – Hema's Mission To Reduce Suicide 🎧 LISTEN TO MORE DIFFERENT HATS EPISODES: 👉 Different Hats Podcast (https://www.different-hats.co.uk/podcast?utm_source=chatgpt.com) 🔗 Connect with Hema Patel LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hema-p-71ba9819/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/hema-p-71ba9819/) Useful Links: https://linktr.ee/ResetandRediscover (https://linktr.ee/ResetandRediscover) Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/resetandrediscover/ (https://www.instagram.com/resetandrediscover/) 💡 If this episode resonated with you, please like, share, and comment below. Your support helps us spread this important message and change the narrative around success and mental health. ⚠️ Support note (please read) This episode includes discussion of suicidal ideation, domestic abuse, addiction, and mental health crises. If you’re in the UK & Ireland and you need someone right now: Samaritans (24/7): 116 123 Text SHOUT to 85258 (UK, 24/7): If you or someone is in immediate danger, call 999. NHS guidance on urgent mental health help: CLICK HERE (https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/mental-health-services/where-to-get-urgent-help-for-mental-health/?utm_source=chatgpt.com) SPONSORED BY: Rivervale – https://www.rivervale.co.uk (https://www.rivervale.co.uk/) Brown Bear Studios – https://www.brownbearstudio.co.uk (https://www.brownbearstudio.co.uk/) Carpenter Box – https://www.carpenterbox.com (https://www.carpenterbox.com/) 🎬 PRODUCED BY: H2 Productions – https://h2productions.co.uk/ (https://h2productions.co.uk/) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

2. 

   12 May 2026

   #147 The Conversation That Could Save A Life | Suicide Prevention Special

   This week’s conversation honestly feels like one of the most important episodes I’ve ever recorded. Being released during Mental Health Awareness Week, I recently sat down with the incredible Rose Rowkins for a raw, honest and deeply powerful conversation about suicide prevention, emotional literacy, masculinity, parenting, modern pressure, hope, and the importance of human connection. Statistics still show that around 6,000–7,000 people die by suicide every year in the UK. Around 75% are men. Many never speak to a mental health professional before they die. That has to change. One of the biggest things I took away from the ASIST training Rose delivers is this: 👉 Suicide prevention does not belong solely to professionals. It belongs to all of us. This conversation explores how we’ve created a world where people often feel safer hiding their pain than speaking about it… and how we can all learn to better show up for each other when it matters most. Rose shares her own lived experience with suicidal thoughts, the devastating loss that shaped her mission, and the life-changing lessons she’s learned through over a decade of suicide prevention work. We talk about: Why people don’t want to die, they want the pain to end The power of simply listening without trying to fix Why emotional literacy needs to start in schools Modern masculinity and the pressure men carry silently Parenting, kindness and raising emotionally aware children The role community and belonging play in keeping people alive Redefining success beyond money, status and achievement Why awkward conversations can genuinely save lives And honestly… this episode reminded me again that hope often begins with one conversation. If this episode helps even one person feel less alone, it’s worth it. ⏱️ CHAPTERS 00:00 – Introduction: Why This Conversation Matters 02:13 – “You Alright Mate?” | Rose’s Honest Check-In 06:56 – Why Work Shouldn’t Become Your Identity 09:35 – Parenting, Kindness & Emotional Literacy 14:18 – How Rose Defines Success 16:30 – Leaving Corporate Life & Following Your Heart 25:59 – The Suicide That Changed Rose’s Life Forever 32:40 – What Samaritans Taught Rose About Suicide Prevention 35:45 – “People Don’t Want To Die — They Want The Pain To End” 41:02 – Rose Opens Up About Her Own Suicidal Thoughts 46:57 – Why We Must Stop Waiting For People To Reach Out 50:57 – Why Emotional Literacy Must Start In Schools 57:01 – Why Asking About Suicide Saves Lives 01:03:45 – Community, Belonging & Human Connection 01:11:27 – Are We Teaching Children How To Live? 01:20:01 – The Language That Can Save A Life 01:30:59 – Financial Pressure, Success & Suicide 01:40:48 – Why Talking About Death Helps Us Live 01:50:06 – What Gives Rose Hope 01:53:00 – A Message For Anyone Struggling Right Now 01:54:26 – Closing Reflections & Final Thoughts ⸻ 🎧 LISTEN TO MORE DIFFERENT HATS EPISODES: 👉 https://www.different-hats.co.uk/podcast (https://www.different-hats.co.uk/podcast) 🔗 Connect with Rose Rowkins: https://www.linkedin.com/in/roserowkins/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/roserowkins/) Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/start_the_conv/ (https://www.instagram.com/start_the_conv/) Website: https://www.starttheconversation.uk/ (https://www.starttheconversation.uk/) 💡 If this episode resonated with you, please like, share, and comment below. Your support helps us spread this important message and change the narrative around success, mental health and suicide prevention. 🚨 If you are struggling right now, please speak to someone. UK Samaritans: Call 116 123 (24/7) 👉 Samaritans UK (https://www.samaritans.org/?utm_source=chatgpt.com) SPONSORED BY: Rivervale – https://www.rivervale.co.uk (https://www.rivervale.co.uk/) Brown Bear Studios – https://www.brownbearstudio.co.uk (https://www.brownbearstudio.co.uk/) Carpenter Box – https://www.carpenterbox.com (https://www.carpenterbox.com/) 🎬 PRODUCED BY: H2 Productions – https://h2productions.co.uk/ (https://h2productions.co.uk/) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

3. 

   5 May 2026

   #146 How Much of Your Life Is a Performance?

   👉 How much of life is actually a performance… and what does it really mean to be yourself? In this episode, I sit down with my good friend Craig Whiteley, West End performer, drama teacher, and someone who has experienced both the highs of standing ovations and the deeper lessons that come after. We explore the masks we wear, the roles we play, and the question so many of us avoid… 👉 Who am I… really? From performing on the West End to teaching the next generation, Craig shares powerful insights on authenticity, resilience, self-belief, and why success isn’t what we’ve been taught. This is an honest, emotional, and deeply human conversation about identity, kindness, and finding balance in a world full of noise. ⏱️ CHAPTERS 00:00 – Introduction & the BIG question: Is life a performance? 02:30 – “You Alright Mate?” – navigating life, noise & pressure 05:00 – Family, cancer, and finding purpose through challenge 09:30 – Childhood, kindness & where mindset begins 12:30 – Who am I? Identity beyond roles & achievements 18:30 – Teaching kids confidence, play & self-belief 23:00 – What success really means (then vs now) 30:00 – Regret, perspective & redefining priorities 40:00 – Why we struggle with self-worth & accepting compliments 50:00 – The highs of performing vs real life fulfilment 01:00:00 – Ego, validation & being enough 01:10:00 – Social media, performance & authenticity 01:20:00 – Resilience, rejection & staying grounded 01:30:00 – Final reflections: kindness, play & legacy 💭 KEY THEMES Authenticity vs performance Redefining success beyond status and achievement Confidence, self-worth & validation The importance of play and joy Resilience, rejection & growth Teaching the next generation emotional literacy Kindness as a core value 🎧 LISTEN TO MORE DIFFERENT HATS EPISODES: 👉 https://www.different-hats.co.uk/podcast (https://www.different-hats.co.uk/podcast) 🔗 Connect with Craig Whiteley https://thetheatreworkshop.com/person/craig-whiteley/ (https://thetheatreworkshop.com/person/craig-whiteley/) 💡 If this episode resonated with you, please like, share, and comment below. Your support helps us spread this important message and change the narrative around success and mental health. SPONSORED BY: Rivervale – https://www.rivervale.co.uk (https://www.rivervale.co.uk/) Brown Bear Studios – https://www.brownbearstudio.co.uk (https://www.brownbearstudio.co.uk/) Carpenter Box – https://www.carpenterbox.com (https://www.carpenterbox.com/) 🎬 PRODUCED BY: H2 Productions – https://h2productions.co.uk/ (https://h2productions.co.uk/) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

Who has been a guest on Different Hats Podcast

Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.

• Oly Newton
• Abi Mellor
• Ashley Usiskin
• Howie McConnell
• Asis Patel

Reach and audience

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

YouTube views

195,385

Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025

Spotify

5.0 / 5

3 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 67 / 100

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

Quality

71

Social presence

0

YouTube

82

Engagement

76

Contact Different Hats Podcast

Guest appearances

Books guests

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

Questions about Different Hats Podcast