Simon Cockram presents...

About Simon Cockram presents...

Simon Cockram Presents is a curiosity driven podcast exploring the minds of fascinating people. Each episode is a long-form conversation where Simon sits down with thinkers, creators, and experts from a wide range of fields to explore how they see the world. Guests may come from science, philosophy, psychology, business, sport, comedy, culture or any area where someone has developed an interesting perspective on life and human experience. Simon is not positioned as the expert. Instead, he approaches each conversation with genuine curiosity, asking questions and following ideas wherever they lead. The goal is to give thoughtful people the space to think out loud and explore the ideas, experiences, and perspectives that shape how they understand the world. Conversations often move across big topics such as science, consciousness, human behaviour, relationships, parenting, culture, creativity and human potential. The format is open, thoughtful and wide ranging, allowing ideas to develop naturally rather than being restricted to a narrow theme. The purpose of the show is simple: to create a space where interesting minds can explore meaningful ideas through honest conversation. At its heart, the podcast is driven by one principle: curiosity about great minds.

Publisher

Simon Cockram

Category

education

Language

en

Explicit

Yes

First episode

23 Dec 2024

Latest episode

25 Sept 2025

Latest episodes

89 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   25 Sept 2025

   #89 Jack Harrison: The Ultra-Endurance Athlete Who Conquered 15 Sports & 80 Countries

   In this episode, Simon Cockram sits down with Jack Harrison, an ultra-endurance athlete from York, United Kingdom, who has tested his limits across an incredible 15 different disciplines. Unlike many athletes who specialise in one sport, Jack has competed in ultramarathons, Ironmans, marathon swims, long-distance cycling, sailing across seas, and even summiting some of the world’s highest peaks. His journey combines adventure, resilience, and an unstoppable drive to see how far the human body can really go. Jack shares powerful insights into the mindset required for ultra-endurance challenges—how to deal with pain, manage recovery, and harness curiosity as fuel to keep pushing forward. We dive into the lessons he’s learned from competing in some of the toughest events on the planet, including why understanding your muscles vs tendons matters, how to manage injuries, and the importance of balancing strength, endurance, and mental resilience. With over 80 countries travelled, Jack also reflects on the beauty of racing in extraordinary locations, from skiing in Lapland to running on the Great Wall of China. This conversation is packed with motivation, mindset tools, and practical advice for runners, triathletes, and anyone drawn to testing their limits. Chapters 00:00 – Why Endurance? Sport lessons that carry into life 04:00 – Type-2 Fun: discomfort now, reward later 08:00 – Raising Your Ceiling: unlocking new mental “levels” 12:00 – What the Finish Gives You: fulfillment vs immediate gratification 16:00 – Curiosity & Limits: why we seek the edge 20:00 – Multisport Approach: snow, water, land (and why) 24:00 – Training the Common Denominators: cardio + S&C + specific skill 28:00 – Running vs Cycling: impact, injuries, smart progression 32:00 – Load–Capacity Model: how to push without breaking 36:00 – Zone Training 101: using Zone 2 and avoiding the bonk 40:00 – Fueling in the Real World: supported vs unsupported 44:00 – Mind Games: breaking ultras into tiny wins 48:00 – Solitude & Headspace: 10 hours alone with your thoughts 52:00 – Expectation Setting: choosing hardship on purpose 56:00 – Pacing the Red Mist: managing the race-start adrenaline 01:00:00 – From Kid Racer to Adult Adventurer: shifting from perfection to enjoyment 01:04:00 – Niche endurance races: skiing, ice skating & Lapland 01:08:00 – Calf injuries, running setbacks & learning to adapt 01:12:00 – Muscles vs tendons: recovery, resilience & training age 01:16:00 – Next challenge: 24-hour solo swim (1 mile every hour) 01:20:00 – Why do this? Type-2 fun, curiosity & personal growth 01:24:00 – Writing the lessons: book ideas & stories from races 01:28:00 – Where to find more: World’s Hardest Endurance Races book & next steps

2. 

   24 Sept 2025

   #88 Matthew Stafford - From School Dropout to Venture Capital

   In this episode, Simon Cockram sits down with Matthew Stafford to explore the power of networks, the journey into venture capital, and what really makes founders and businesses succeed. Matthew shares how, despite leaving school with poor grades, he hustled through early jobs, discovered tech during the Y2K boom, and eventually transformed his career with a computer science degree at Durham University—proving it’s never too late to reinvent yourself. His path through consulting, an MBA, and into early-stage investing reveals valuable lessons about grit, persistence, and taking chances. We dive into the creation of Nine Others, Matthew’s global network of curated dinners that have brought entrepreneurs together in over 50 cities since 2011. He explains why a “give-first” mindset, safe spaces, and accountability are key to meaningful connections, and why playing the long game in relationships beats short-term transactions. From pitching basics to the reality of venture capital, Matthew breaks down what separates successful founders from those who fail, including the idea of “with or without you” energy. He also shares insights from his investments, including Unplugged’s digital detox cabins, and reflects on why the best opportunities often look obscure before they become obvious. Chapters 00:00 – Why networking matters (from a reluctant networker) 04:00 – Business school lesson: “your network is your net worth” (reframed) 08:00 – Nine Others origin: small, curated dinners since 2011 12:00 – Give-first mindset: be helpful, connect, share generously 16:00 – Play the long game: relationships over transactions 20:00 – Designing safer rooms: rules, vulnerability, real challenges 24:00 – From investor dinners to founder circles: the aha moment 28:00 – Scaling to 50+ cities: community before “startup hubs” 32:00 – Common founder problems: money, people, communication 36:00 – Funding options and targeting the right investors 40:00 – Great pitch basics: keep it short, simple, get the meeting 44:00 – Relationship-first investing: truth, timelines, and trust 48:00 – School results, early jobs & first hustles 52:00 – John Lewis to Y2K: landing RBS IT role 56:00 – Learning tech on the job; consulting at Bank of New York 01:00:00 – Back to uni at 27: Durham CS degree, transformation 01:04:00 – Post-degree restlessness; MBA and discovering venture capital 01:08:00 – First early-stage investor role; portfolio math and exits 01:12:00 – Picking winners: grit, “with/without you” energy, Tesla lens; Unplugged case; wrap-up & contact info

3. 

   22 Sept 2025

   #87 Merlin Matthews - Men in 2025: Brotherhood, Purpose & Living Without Regret

   In this powerful and wide-ranging conversation, Simon Cockram and Merlin Matthews dive deep into what it means to be a man in 2025. From fatherhood and role models to brotherhood and purpose, this episode explores the challenges men face today—and the opportunities for growth, strength, and connection. We begin by unpacking how traditional male roles have shifted and why so many men are struggling with isolation, silence, and the pressure to “go it alone.” We discuss the missing rites of passage that once helped boys become men, and how modern substitutes—from gangs to the military—often provide structure without true support. The conversation turns to mental health, with an honest look at the male suicide crisis and the lack of spaces for men to share openly. We explore how men can replace shallow pub talk with real, vulnerable conversations—and why accountability, brotherhood, and coaching are so essential to thriving. From there, we dig into focus and goals. Why having more than three goals often leads to overwhelm, and how consistency, compounding, and long-term thinking unlock real transformation. We talk about regrets, the “future self” test, and why it’s always the things left untried that haunt us later in life. In one of the most personal parts of the episode, I share my dream of DJing hard techno to a live crowd—something I know I’ll regret if I don’t pursue. We break down the fears of age, failure, and even success, and how pursuing your passion sets a powerful example for your kids. We finish with the importance of strength training, belonging, and purpose—not just for health today but for longevity and vitality tomorrow. This episode is about men, meaning, and movement—taking action, finding brotherhood, and living without regret. Chapters 00:00 – Intro: Men in 2025 & shifting roles 04:00 – Fathers as role models: traits to keep vs reject 08:00 – Conditioning programming & the “lone warrior” script 12:00 – Male suicide crisis, men’s circles and support orgs 16:00 – Missing male presence: mentors, sport & rites of passage 20:00 – Initiation stories; “boys in man suits” & the loss of elders 24:00 – Modern initiation (gangs/military) & power under control 28:00 – Women’s daily support vs men’s silence; sharing struggles 32:00 – New-dad example: support gap & rebuilding community 36:00 – Coffee vs beers, ego, shallow chat; purpose after work, retirement 40:00 – Talking feelings without fixing stigma & real check-ins 44:00 – Accountability, brotherhood and going farther together 48:00 – Why three goals: focus, overwhelm & action over consumption 52:00 – Implement what you read: mentors, doing knowing, consistency 56:00 – 10-year thinking, compounding gains & choosing where to spend an hour 01:00:00 – Plan cascade, “gain vs gap”, Who Not How, 10x vs 2x, BHAGs 01:04:00 – Purpose over money; future-self & rocking-chair test; regrets of inaction 01:08:00 – Declaring the DJ dream; age fears; who’s stopping you; make a plan 01:12:00 – Role-modelling for kids; Blue Zones: purpose, belonging, exercise; lift for life 01:16:00 – Why people skip training; comfort culture; go with a crew; wrap-up & how to join Man Academy

Who has been a guest on Simon Cockram presents...

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

• Peter Anderson
• Mike Lane-Evans
• Richard Few
• Lucy Wahl
• Jools Tyrer

Reach and audience

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

YouTube views

109,386

Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

1 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 60 / 100

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

Quality

86

Social presence

0

YouTube

86

Engagement

0

Contact Simon Cockram presents...

Guest appearances

Does not typically book guests

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