Talking to the Top is the podcast made by students for students where we encourage thought about the future, discover the opportunities that lie ahead of us all, and perhaps most importantly, chat to extremely successful individuals as they uncover the steps to success and share their journeys through education and into the working world. Throughout these episodes, we will give you an insight into the lives and minds of incredibly successful people in their respective fields, allowing you to learn more about the world that lies ahead of us all and, most importantly, how our brilliant guests got to where they are today.
The show wouldn't be possible without the help of those mentioned below:
Host and Producer - Edward Brooke
Co-host and Editor - Freddie Fineman
Music - Daniel Marks
In this special episode Freddie and I discuss our key takeaways from SEASON TWO! We want to wish you a very happy New Year and, as New Years is all about reflection and thinking about the future, we thought we would share our lessons learned from season two. We share our favourite moments along the way and present some incredibly special awards for the fabulous guests of S2...
Please feel free to contact us on Instagram @talkingtothetop or, why not email us at hosts@talkingtothetop.com (mailto:hosts@talkingtothetop.com)
Happy Listening! 🎧
30 Nov 2024
General Sir Patrick Sanders KCB CBE DSO - Former Chief of the General Staff (Head of the British Army)
General Sir Patrick Sanders KCB CBE DSO, former Head of the British Army, shares his insights on failure, mental health, and career fulfillment, inspiring listeners to find their true passion and purpose.
31 Oct 2024
Dame Prue Leith DBE - Restauranteur & Broadcaster
In this episode Freddie and I speak to our first Dame on the podcast, the legendary Dame Prue Leith DBE. Dame Prue is a world renowned restauranteur, broadcaster, novelist, presenter, cookery writer, and from time to time works on fabulous clothing collections. To try to align her with a specific career path seems impossible! Prue discusses her journey through education, how she found her love for food and cooking in France, and the proudest moments of her career. Both Freddie and I had a fabulous time chatting to Prue, so we hope you enjoy listening!
Please feel free to contact us on Instagram @talkingtothetop or, why not email us at hosts@talkingtothetop.com (mailto:hosts@talkingtothetop.com)
Happy Listening! 🎧
30 Sept 2024
Kate Adie CBE - Journalist
In this episode Freddie and I have the pleasure of speaking to a LEGEND in the world of Journalism and War Correspondence. Kate Adie CBE, former Chief News Correspondent for the BBC has reported in some of the most dangerous warzones across the world, her ability to tell a story is truly mesmerising, and her insights into her career in journalism are invaluable. From studying Swedish and Icelandic Studies at University to reporting on the Troubles and the Tiananmen Square Protests, Kate's career is truly fascinating. Both Freddie and I absolutely loved this interview so we hope you do too!
Please feel free to contact us on Instagram @talkingtothetop or, why not email us at hosts@talkingtothetop.com (mailto:hosts@talkingtothetop.com)
Happy Listening! 🎧
31 Aug 2024
Kate Mosse CBE talks books! (BONUS)
Here’s a sneaky bonus extra from our interview with Bestselling Author Kate Mosse CBE! If you like this clip, be sure to check out the full interview with her on your preferred streaming platform…
Please feel free to contact us on Instagram @talkingtothetop or send us an email at hosts@talkingtothetop.com
30 Jun 2024
Kate Mosse CBE - Bestselling Author and Founder of the Women’s Prize
In this episode Freddie and I speak to the fabulous Kate Mosse CBE. Kate is not only a bestselling author, with her books being translated into over 37 languages, but is also the Founder of the Women's Prize for both Fiction and Non-Fiction. Kate discusses her experience of the education system, how she knew she wanted to be an author, and the importance of feminism and equality when celebrating writers and their achievements. Kate was absolutely fascinating to speak to and both Freddie and I loved this interview, so we hope you do too!
Please feel free to connect with us on Instagram @talkingtothetop or, why not email us at hosts@talkingtothetop.com (mailto:hosts@talkingtothetop.com)
Happy Listening! 🎧
31 May 2024
The Lord Mark Sedwill GCMG - Former Cabinet Secretary (Talking to the Top: Live!)
This episode is a bit different, its a very special one! Earlier this month we hosted our very first Talking to the Top: Live event! For this event, Freddie and I were lucky enough to speak with the former Cabinet Secretary and Head of the Home Civil Service, The Lord Sedwill KCMG.
We discuss his time working with Boris Johnson, Theresa May, and many other leaders, speaking about his time as the United Kingdoms National Security Advisor and his work with NATO. Mark speaks about the various challenges he faced along the way and uncovers how he went from Scuba Diving to Diplomat to Cabinet Secretary... Most excitingly, for the second half of this episode you will hear from our fantastic live audience! Their questions were thought provoking and we hope you enjoy listening.
As is discussed throughout this episode, here at Talking to the Top we have been lucky enough to work with an incredible local charity, The Rendezvous. ‘The Rendezvous supports young people in North Dorset and South Somerset. They have a team of trained and friendly individuals who can offer in-depth support or a listening ear, help and advice on health, housing, money, or small targeted group sessions to build confidence and self-esteem. The volunteers help young people gain the English and Maths qualifications they are missing and their ‘Future is Yours’ programme can help them find jobs, join an apprenticeship scheme or go to college. They seek to improve the mental health and wellbeing of young people facing disadvantage (13-25) in the North Dorset and South Somerset area one day at a time, providing them with the tools they need to live happy, healthy and fulfilling lives.’ – The Rendezvous
We would be so grateful if you could donate to this wonderful charity using the link below:
https://www.therendezvous.org.uk/donate/ (https://www.therendezvous.org.uk/donate/)
30 Apr 2024
Val Garland - Britains Best Makeup Artist
In this episode Freddie and I have the privilege of speaking to the incredible Val Garland. From working as Global Makeup Director for L’Oréal Paris, to being Judge on the BBC’s hit show, ‘Glow Up’, Val is certainly not short of a few stories to tell. Val has worked with some legends, from Alexander McQueen to Kate Moss, clearly, she has an impressive set of contacts! We discuss her journey through education, uncovering how she went from hair to makeup, and even hear about how she inspired Lady Gaga to wear the iconic meat dress. Freddie and I really loved this interview, so we hope you do too!
Please feel free to connect with us on Instagram @talkingtothetop or, why not email us at hosts@talkingtothetop.com (mailto:hosts@talkingtothetop.com)
Happy Listening! 🎧
19 Mar 2024
A Very Special Announcement...
In this bonus episode we finally get the chance to tell you all about a VERY exciting live event we are hosting in May. We are interviewing The Lord Mark Sedwill. Lord Sedwill is a British Diplomat and Senior Civil Servant who served as Cabinet Secretary and Head of the Home Civil Service to Prime Ministers Theresa May and Boris Johnson. Lord Sedwill was also the United Kingdom's National Security Advisor from 2017 to 2020.
The Live Event is taking place of the 7th of May 2024 in The Digby Hall, Sherborne. If you are around and are interested we would love for you to attend!
For the second half of this event we are giving YOU the chance to ask the questions. So, make sure to book your tickets to get your voice heard! For this event we have partnered with 'The Rendezvous' a Dorset and Somerset charity helping young people to navigate challenging circumstances for nearly THIRTY YEARS. As the charities Chief Executive, Helen, says:
'We help young people facing disadvantage to develop resilience, confidence and self-esteem to become happier, less socially isolated and more optimistic for their future'
50% OF ALL PROCEEDS will be donated to 'The Rendezvous' so just by attending the event you will be helping to support this wonderful charity.
If all of this sounds interesting to you, why not get your tickets now! The link to book tickets is as follows:
https://www.trybooking.com/uk/DGUC (https://www.trybooking.com/uk/DGUC)
We look forward to seeing you in May!
Feel free to get in contact with us using the following:
Email: hosts@talkingtothetop.com (mailto:hosts@talkingtothetop.com)
Instagram: @talkingtothetop
** Audio from this event will be distributed via our Podcast platform. Filming may occur of the interview itself, however, audience members will not be filmed.
31 Jan 2024
Theo Paphitis - Entrepreneur (Dragons Den, Ryman, And More...)
In this episode Freddie and I speak to the incredible Theo Paphitis. Theo discusses his own journey through education, how dyslexia has enabled him to see the world in new ways, and the lessons he has learnt along the way. Both Freddie and I found this interview eye opening, so we hope you do too. Please feel free to connect with us on Instagram @talkingtothetop or why not send us an email at: hosts@talkingtothetop.com (mailto:hosts@talkingtothetop.com) Happy Listening! 🎧
1 Jan 2024
New Year Reflections
In this special bonus episode Freddie and I discuss our key takeaways from the season so far. We want to wish you a VERY happy New Year and, as New Year is all about reflecting and thinking about the future, we thought we would share our lessons learned from Season One. We also have an EXTREMELY exciting announcement ant the end of the episode so be sure to keep listening and follow us on @talkingtothetop for updates…
15 Dec 2023
Preet Chandi MBE - Polar Explorer
In this episode, Freddie and I had the incredible privilege of speaking with the AMAZING Preet Chandi MBE. She discusses breaking not one, but two world records for the Longest Solo Unsupported Polar Ski Journey ever and being the First Woman of Colour to achieve this feat. Preet delves into her educational journey, unveiling the invaluable lessons she learned during her expeditions. We explore the profound impact of these ventures on her mental well-being and discuss the pressures and expectations that come with such remarkable achievements. We both loved this conversation and found Preet so inspiring so we genuinely hope you do too. If you enjoyed this episode as much as we did, we'd love to hear your thoughts through a rating and review. Also, don't forget to connect with us on Instagram @talkingtothetop for more engaging content and updates...
24 Nov 2023
James Palmer - Bank of America, Managing Director & Head of EMEA ECM
In this episode, Freddie and I speak to James Palmer, Managing Director and Head of Europe, the Middle East, and Africa Equity Capital Markets for the Bank of America. James shares his experience of moving from a degree in History to a career in finance. He discusses his advice for the next generation, how he deals with rejection, and the highs and lows of his career. From receiving death threats in the New York Stock Exchange to being driven around Italian race tracks, James is not short of a few stories to tell. Both Freddie and I really enjoyed this interview, so we hope you do too! If you enjoy this episode please leave us a rating and review to let us know your thoughts. Don't forget to connect with us on Instagram @talkingtothetop or send us an email at hosts@talkingtothetop.com (mailto:hosts@talkingtothetop.com) for more content and updates...
2 Oct 2023
Rebecca Salter - Artist (President of the Royal Academy of Arts)
In this episode, Freddie and I speak to the President of the Royal Academy of Arts, Rebecca Salter, uncovering what fundamentally shaped who she is now and the career she went on to follow. As the President of an Academy with a rich history spanning 254 years, Rebecca shares her perspective on the pressures and expectations of being the first Female President and the challenges the Academy faced through the pandemic. Rebecca discusses the importance of young people in contemporary society, speaking about the rejection and challenges she faced as a student. We hear about her hugely influential time in Kyoto, and the impact this had on her, and finally, we uncover her own personal thoughts on education as she reflects on the future of the Arts and their importance. Both Freddie and I really enjoyed this interview, so we hope you do to! If you enjoyed this episode as much as we did, please consider leaving a rating and review to let us know your thoughts. Don't forget to connect with us on Instagram @talkingtothetop for more engaging content and updates...
22 Jul 2023
Eddie Hamilton ACE - Film Editor
In this episode, Freddie and I speak to film editor, Eddie Hamilton ACE, uncovering how he became one of the most succesful film editors of today, working on hit films such as Top Gun: Maverick, Mission Impossible, Kingsman, X-Men, and many more. We discover how he knew he wanted to be an editor and the difficulties he faced when trying to accomplish this. Eddie talks passionately about his career and we learn more about how his journey through education led to the amazing point he is at now. He speaks on the difficulties of the reality of working in Hollywood, and provides a fascinating insight into working as a film editor. So sit back, relax, and join us as we dive deep into conversation with Eddie Hamilton ACE.
5 Jun 2023
Hugh Bonneville - Actor
Hello and welcome to Talking to the Top, the podcast where we chat to extremely successful individuals as they uncover the steps to success and share their journeys through education and into the working world. In this episode Freddie and I chat with Hugh Bonneville about how he decided what career to go into, how he came to this decision, and what his journey as an actor has been like so far. We discover the highs and lows of his career, exploring what fuels his passion for acting and how he made his way into such an exciting career. So sit back, relax, and join us as we dive deep into conversation with Hugh Bonneville.
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
YouTube views
12,935
Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025
Spotify
4.9 / 5
25 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 33 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
16
Social presence
0
YouTube
72
Engagement
51
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