The Room Where It Happened

World Cup Payouts, Space Industry & AI Bubbles: Jake’s Top Moments 21.07.2026 42min

A special episode where Jake sits with the show’s Producer to discuss some of the most impactful moments and guests from the show so far, before revealing some big news on what is coming soon.XTB 👉 To find out more and make your money work, use code RWIH at: https://highpfrmc.com/xtb-rwih-auIFS - award-winning Asset & Service Management software 👉 Reimagine your operations at: https://highpfrmc.com/ifs-au Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

"Flat White Or F*** Off": Rory Sutherland's Marketing Masterclass (Re-Release) 14.07.2026 41min

What if the biggest breakthroughs in business don’t come from logic, but from noticing what others overlook?In this episode, Rory Sutherland unpacks the moment a late-night scroll through economics blogs led him to Nudge, sparking a fascination with behavioral science that would quietly transform global brands. From saving a snack brand with a single word to helping an airline generate millions through a subtle design change, Rory shares the twists, experiments, and happy accidents that redefined how companies speak to their customers.It’s a masterclass in innovation, risk, and the power of seeing things differently, straight from the man who helped transform marketing with his unconventional insights.XTB 👉 To find out more and make your money work, use code RWIH at: https://highpfrmc.com/xtb-rwih-auIFS - award-winning Asset & Service Management software 👉 Reimagine your operations at: https://highpfrmc.com/ifs-au Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What's Really Happening Inside OpenAI? | Karen Hao (Re-Release) 07.07.2026 45min

Who is Sam Altman, and what is the real story behind OpenAI?Award-winning journalist Karen Hao takes us inside one of the most secretive companies in the world, drawing on the reporting behind her book to explore the growing influence of OpenAI over governments, the environmental cost of the race for artificial intelligence, and what some former colleagues revealed about Sam Altman's leadership and mysterious personality.XTB 👉 To find out more and make your money work, use code RWIH at: https://highpfrmc.com/xtb-rwih-auIFS - award-winning Asset & Service Management software 👉 Reimagine your operations at: https://highpfrmc.com/ifs-au Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Clarkson's Farm, The End Of Top Gear & More With Andy Wilman (Re-Release) 30.06.2026 33min

From Top Gear to The Grand Tour and Clarkson’s Farm, Andy Wilman has spent decades redefining what car television can be, and learning a few hard lessons along the way.In this episode, Andy opens up about the high-stakes Amazon deal that launched The Grand Tour, the legal and creative gymnastics of building something “like Top Gear, but not Top Gear,” and the spontaneous tent idea that became the show’s trademark. He reflects on the behind-the-scenes chaos, the unexpected magic of Clarkson’s Farm, and the times they got it wrong, and what those moments taught him about humility, persistence, and trusting your instincts.It’s a candid look at creativity under pressure, the fine line between chaos and genius, and how taking risks (and a few punches) can lead to something unforgettable.IFS - award-winning Asset & Service Management software 👉 Reimagine your operations at: https://highpfrmc.com/ifs-auXTB 👉 To find out more and make your money work, use code RWIH at: https://highpfrmc.com/xtb-rwih-au Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

West Ham's Financial Crisis, Tottenham's Disaster, & World Cup Prize Money | Kieran Maguire 23.06.2026 59min

Football finance expert Kieran Maguire exposes the volatile economics of the modern game, where Premier League revenue has risen 3,100% since 1992, yet spending has climbed even faster, leaving the sport structurally loss-making.He unpacks the 2025/26 season's biggest financial shockwaves, from Arsenal’s £200m+ Champions League windfall to how Spurs’ brush with relegation rattled multi-billion-dollar investors. Kieran also exposes football's strangest paradoxes: why playing in Europe can lose clubs money, and how the Club World Cup now outpays the actual World Cup. Looking ahead to the new 2026/27 campaign, Kieran breaks down the impact of the new Squad Cost Rules, the bleak future facing relegated West Ham, and why Arsenal are so well positioned to dominate both on and off the pitch.IFS - award-winning Asset & Service Management software 👉 Reimagine your operations at: https://highpfrmc.com/ifs-auXTB 👉 To find out more and make your money work, use code RWIH at: https://highpfrmc.com/xtb-rwih-au Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

SpaceX IPO, Broadcom Crash & Anthropic Vs. OpenAI: The AI Bubble Explained | Andrew Ross Sorkin 16.06.2026 44min

Journalist and founder of DealBook Andrew Ross Sorkin cuts through the hype to expose the high-stakes reality of the AI boom and how a single technology is currently holding up the entire US economy.Drawing parallels to 1929, the dot-com era, and 2008, he unpacks a dangerous paradox: for AI's massive valuations to make sense, it must replace human labour, but if everyone loses their jobs, who's left to buy the products?Andrew also makes a compelling case that history's greatest leaps in progress, from railways to Tesla and SpaceX, were born out of destructive, speculative frenzies. He shares what separates elite entrepreneurs: a healthy insecurity that drives relentless execution, paired with a lifelong curiosity that success usually kills. Andrew Ross Sorkin's book: '1929: The Inside Story of The Greatest Crash in Wall Street' is available in paperback now: https://amzn.eu/d/05LJS2F0IFS - award-winning Asset & Service Management software 👉 Reimagine your operations at: https://highpfrmc.com/rwih-ifs-ytXTB 👉 To find out more and make your money work, use code RWIH at: https://highpfrmc.com/xtb-rwih-yt Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How to Win & Host a World Cup Bid | Ex-Fifa Executive 09.06.2026 36min

CEO of CSME James Johnson takes us behind the scenes of hosting the most successful Women's World Cup in history, revealing why major events need strategic purpose, not just political visibility. He shows how real legacy isn't a buzzword, it's a measurable strategy that must begin years before the first whistle.From the Matildas' historic run becoming the most-watched television event in Australian history, to unlocking government funding by aligning sport with public health policy, James makes the case that the deepest legacy of any major event is a permanent cultural shift, one felt far beyond the final whistle. This is the blueprint for how sport can change a nation, not just entertain one. IFS - award-winning Asset & Service Management software 👉 Reimagine your operations at: https://highpfrmc.com/ifs-au XTB 👉 To find out more and make your money work, use code RWIH at: https://highpfrmc.com/xtb-rwih-au  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The F1 Champion Who Conquered Silicon Valley | Nico Rosberg 01.06.2026 36min

Former F1 driver Nico Rosberg traded the adrenaline of the racetrack for the high-stakes world of venture capital, leveraging his unique F1 access to build a powerhouse fund managing over €200M. In this episode, Nico breaks down the brutal reality of reinventing his identity after reaching the absolute peak of elite sport, and how a lifetime of racing failures completely inoculated him against the fear of failing in business.This conversation also exposes what most athletes and entrepreneurs get wrong about building a network and how Nico uses his network strategically to connect tech founders, investors, and legacy corporations. He shares why you must ruthlessly add value before asking for anything, and why success requires setting clear finish lines to avoid an endless, unhappy pursuit.More on Rosberg Ventures here: https://rosberg.ventures/IFS - award-winning Asset & Service Management software 👉 Reimagine your operations at: https://highpfrmc.com/ifs-au XTB 👉 To find out more and make your money work, use code RWIH at: https://highpfrmc.com/xtb-rwih-auEXCLUSIVE NordVPN Deal 👉 https://nordvpn.com/rwih Try it risk-free now with a 30-day money-back guarantee Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How Private Equity Bankrupts Your Favourite Companies | Eric Ries 26.05.2026 47min

Why do good companies go bad? Eric Ries reveals forces corrupting companies right as they are at their most successful - fromBlockbusters activist shareholders inadvertently setting the company on a path to bankruptcy, to the British health company forced to sell to a cigarette giant.Incorruptible: Why Good Companies Go Bad and How Great Companies Stay Great by Eric Ries is publishing on 28th May (Penguin Life, £17.99)Eric also reveals how companies can avoid the corruption, and the surprising examples of when things are done right.IFS - award-winning Asset & Service Management software 👉 Reimagine your operations at: https://highpfrmc.com/ifs-au XTB 👉 To find out more and make your money work, use code RWIH at: https://highpfrmc.com/xtb-rwih-au Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The £50,000 Lawyer Problem AI Solved In Half A Day | Daniel Priestley 19.05.2026 47min

Award winning author and entrepreneur Daniel Priestley joins us to reveal how AI has become the ultimate power shift, turning global knowledge into a universal commodity. He introduces the "AI Cake", a strategic internal nervous system every business must build, to explain why traditional information gatekeepers are becoming obsolete.We go behind the scenes of a £170k legal dispute where Daniel bypassed six-figure fees by using Claude to identify critical oversights missed by human counsel. This serves as a case study in using AI to disrupt established professional services and solve complex problems in hours rather than months.Despite the technology’s power, Daniel argues that AI is purely "rocket fuel" that lacks conviction. Since AI has no "gut feel" or skin in the game, human purpose remains the only factor that provides direction. Without vision, the most advanced models simply spin their wheels.This episode explores the shifting economic pendulum as land and labor give way to the era of "Enterprise.”IFS - award-winning Asset & Service Management software 👉 Reimagine your operations at: https://highpfrmc.com/ifs-auEight Sleep 👉 Upgrade your sleep and wake up with more energy - get up to £350 off the Pod 5 with code RWIH: https://highpfrmc.com/eightsleep-au XTB 👉 To find out more and make your money work, use code RWIH at: https://highpfrmc.com/xtb-rwih-auEXCLUSIVE NordVPN Deal 👉 https://nordvpn.com/rwih Try it risk-free now with a 30-day money-back guarantee Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why Robert De Niro, Sly Stallone & The Muppets Sell Bread for Warburtons 12.05.2026 49min

The ambition of a family business meets the influence of the A-list in a story that redefined British advertising. In this episode, Warburtons chairman Jonathan Warburton reveals how a bakery from Bolton bypassed the traditional corporate playbook to land global icons like Sylvester Stallone, Robert De Niro, and Samuel L. Jackson.Jonathan breaks down the high-stakes world of celebrity negotiation, explaining why he treats Hollywood stars as collaborators rather than just paid endorsements. He dives into the "Hollywood grapevine", where legends like Morgan Freeman and Samuel L. Jackson compares notes on the brand, and explores how a personal, values-led approach convinced global legends to trade the red carpet for a delivery van.It’s a look at what happens when a legacy brand stops playing safe and starts playing for keeps, where the gap between a global hit and a total flop comes down to a single letter and a handshake.Bio: Since 2001, Jonathan Warburton has served as Chairman, transforming the family business into a national brand. After early experience at Unilever, he joined Warburtons at 23, rising through sales and marketing to lead their iconic family-led TV campaigns.This year, the company is celebrating its 150th anniversary. For more details https://www.warburtons.co.uk/IFS - award-winning Asset & Service Management software 👉 Reimagine your operations at: https://highpfrmc.com/ifs-au Eight Sleep 👉 Upgrade your sleep and wake up with more energy - get up to £350 off the Pod 5 with code RWIH: https://highpfrmc.com/eightsleep-au XTB 👉 To find out more and make your money work, use code RWIH at: https://highpfrmc.com/xtb-rwih-au EXCLUSIVE NordVPN Deal 👉 https://nordvpn.com/rwih Try it risk-free now with a 30-day money-back guarantee Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Silicon Valley to China | Bill Gurley's 2026 Investment Playbook 05.05.2026 42min

Venture capital legend Bill Gurley joins Jake to challenge the "AI doomerism" narrative and expose the high-stakes power play defining our future. He argues that AI anxiety is a low-agency response to an unstoppable shift, warning that the real risk isn’t the technology itself, it’s the choice to ignore it.Bill pulls back the curtain on the "safety" movement, questioning why the leading AI giants are suddenly the loudest voices calling for regulation. He explores whether this fear-mongering is a calculated move to invite state intervention, potentially allowing a handful of companies to write the rules and lock in a permanent monopoly.Bill also reframes the US-China AI race as an "infinite game," questioning if America’s proprietary approach is actually prepared for the scale of China’s open-source strategy.'Bill Gurley's new book Runnin' Down A Dream is available to purchase here: https://amzn.eu/d/0cCYDQH0IFS - award-winning Asset & Service Management software 👉 Reimagine your operations at: https://highpfrmc.com/ifs-auEXCLUSIVE NordVPN Deal 👉 https://nordvpn.com/rwih Try it risk-free now with a 30-day money-back guaranteeXTB 👉 To find out more and make your money work, use code RWIH at: https://highpfrmc.com/xtb-rwih-au Eight Sleep 👉 Upgrade your sleep and wake up with more energy - get up to £350 off the Pod 5 with code RWIH: https://highpfrmc.com/eightsleep-au Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How Much Money is Professional Darts Worth? | PDC CEO 28.04.2026 42min

PDC Chief Executive Matt Porter has spent over a decade transforming Darts from a smoke-filled niche into a global entertainment powerhouse. He did it by flipping the traditional sports model on its head: instead of telling fans what to want, he listened to them, removing the stress of the result to create the most authentic atmosphere in live events.In this episode, Matt explains why the "Luke Littler phenomenon" wasn't a stroke of luck, but a decade-long masterclass in building youth pathways and relatability. He draws sharp, uncomfortable contrasts between the organic growth of Darts and the "manufactured" models of LIV Golf, revealing why corporate spreadsheets often fail where genuine connection succeeds. From his "relationships over contracts" philosophy to the tactical use of data in fan education, this is a strategic blueprint for leading a brand that thrives on authenticity and rapid innovation.IFS - award-winning Asset & Service Management software 👉 Reimagine your operations at: https://highpfrmc.com/ifs-auEXCLUSIVE NordVPN Deal 👉 https://nordvpn.com/rwih Try it risk-free now with a 30-day money-back guaranteeXTB 👉 To find out more and make your money work, use code RWIH at: https://highpfrmc.com/xtb-rwih-au Eight Sleep 👉 Upgrade your sleep and wake up with more energy - get up to £350 off the Pod 5 with code RWIH: https://highpfrmc.com/eightsleep-auStride 👉 Feel, think and perform better today and invest in your future health at: https://highpfrmc.com/Stride_au Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Joe Wicks: Social Media In 2026, Dealing With Criticism & Sticking To The Mission 21.04.2026 45min

Joe Wicks built a multi-million-pound empire on a £147 workout plan, creating a cash-rich, self-funded business with no investors. In this episode, Joe shares the journey that led to his success, from launching his first PDF to building a brand rooted in purpose over profit. He also reveals the brutal truth about today’s market, admitting that starting his career now would be “impossible” due to the changing dynamics of social media and the death of organic reach.Joe explains how the perfect storm of social media timing (2012-2014) helped him reach millions with no paid ads and how the algorithm shift has made building an audience exponentially harder. Despite the challenges, Joe remains focused on his mission, choosing legacy over fame and prioritising his values over monetisation. IFS - award-winning Asset & Service Management software 👉 Reimagine your operations at: https://highpfrmc.com/ifs-auEXCLUSIVE NordVPN Deal 👉 https://nordvpn.com/rwih Try it risk-free now with a 30-day money-back guaranteeXTB 👉 To find out more and make your money work, use code RWIH at: https://highpfrmc.com/xtb-rwih-au Eight Sleep 👉 Upgrade your sleep and wake up with more energy - get up to £350 off the Pod 5 with code RWIH: https://highpfrmc.com/eightsleep-auStride 👉 Feel, think and perform better today and invest in your future health at: https://highpfrmc.com/Stride_au Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

AI, Private Equity, & Predicting The Next Financial Crisis | Ex-Goldman Sachs CEO 14.04.2026 47min

Is the next global financial crisis not just possible, but overdue?Former Goldman Sachs Chairman and CEO Lloyd Blankfein didn’t just survive the 2008 financial crash; he steered the firm through it by trading the ego of a "warrior" for the "professional paranoia" of a worrier.In this episode, Lloyd explains why the "kindling" for the next global crisis is already building on the forest floor and why survival depends on a discipline most leaders ignore. He offers a sharp assessment of the AI bubble and why America’s unique standing allows it to recover faster than the rest of the world. From the personal moments that shaped his skepticism to his lessons on navigating extreme risk, this is a masterclass in leading when the global economy is on the brink.Lloyd Blankfein's new book Streetwise: Getting to and Through Goldman Sachs is out now: https://geni.us/StreetwiseGSEXCLUSIVE NordVPN Deal 👉 https://nordvpn.com/rwih Try it risk-free now with a 30-day money-back guaranteeIFS - award-winning Asset & Service Management software 👉 Reimagine your operations at: https://highpfrmc.com/ifs-au Stride 👉 Feel, think and perform better today and invest in your future health at: https://highpfrmc.com/Stride_au Eight Sleep 👉 Upgrade your sleep and wake up with more energy - get up to £350 off the Pod 5 with code RWIH: https://highpfrmc.com/eightsleep-auXTB 👉 To find out more and make your money work, use code RWIH at: https://highpfrmc.com/xtb-rwih-au  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Football Finance Expert Explains Man City's 115 Charges | Stefan Borson 08.04.2026 1godz 3min

When football meets finance, the real story often sits behind the headlines. In this episode, Stefan Borson takes us inside the financial reality of the Premier League, from Everton's point deduction to the ongoing Manchester City case and what a “win” actually means for the league.Drawing on his background advising clubs and now analysing them from the outside, Stefan breaks down the decisions, loopholes, and pressures shaping modern football. He explains why owners lose rationality, how clubs can lose tens of millions even when they succeed, and why some of the biggest teams in the world may ultimately become unsellable.Eight Sleep 👉 Upgrade your sleep and wake up with more energy - get up to £350 off the Pod 5 with code RWIH: https://highpfrmc.com/eightsleep-au Stride 👉 Feel, think and perform better today and invest in your future health at: https://highpfrmc.com/Stride_auEXCLUSIVE NordVPN Deal 👉 https://nordvpn.com/rwih Try it risk-free now with a 30-day money-back guaranteeXTB 👉 To find out more and make your money work, use code RWIH at: https://highpfrmc.com/xtb-rwih-au  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How David Beckham Became Football’s First $500M Brand | Simon Bayliff 31.03.2026 59min

Before athletes became global brands, there were a handful of people shaping the strategy behind the scenes. In this episode, founder and CEO of ARETÉ Simon Bayliff takes us inside the decisions that built “Brand Beckham,” and the close working relationship that underpinned it; built on trust, alignment, and a shared focus on performance first.He breaks down how Beckham’s brand was carefully constructed, from defining what made him marketable to choosing partnerships that delivered real impact. It’s also a look at how that model has evolved, and why today’s top athletes are no longer just talent, but full-fledged businesses driven by the decisions made in the room.IFS - award-winning Asset & Service Management software 👉 Reimagine your operations at: https://highpfrmc.com/ifs-auXTB 👉 To find out more and make your money work, use code RWIH at: https://highpfrmc.com/xtb-rwih-au  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How an Unknown Sportswear Brand Landed Red Bull & McLaren | Castore 24.03.2026 1godz 1min

How does a £20,000 family loan turn into a £300 million global brand? For Tom Beahon, it all began with his parents remortgaging their home to support him and his brother’s dream of creating Castore. That early sacrifice sparked a relentless drive to succeed and made failure not an option.Tom Beahon takes us through the early hustle, from hiding in train toilets to avoid paying fares, to camping in magazine office lobbies to get meetings. He talks about the struggles of paying himself and his brother just £1,000 a month for three years while building the business and how their £2 million partnership with Andy Murray gave Castore the credibility and authority to secure international partnerships with Premier League teams and Formula One.EXCLUSIVE NordVPN Deal 👉 https://nordvpn.com/rwih Try it risk-free now with a 30-day money-back guaranteeIFS - award-winning Asset & Service Management software 👉 Reimagine your operations at: https://highpfrmc.com/ifs-au Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How I Raised £28.5M In Startup Capital | Spencer Matthews 17.03.2026 49min

Spencer Matthews’ journey from reality TV star to the founder of a £100M business is a story of transformation, grit, and resilience. In this episode, Spencer talks about his personal evolution from battling alcohol to building Clean Co, a brand that’s revolutionizing the alcohol-free space. He takes us through the defining moments that changed everything, including the £1M investment offer from Nicole Quinn at Lightspeed and the explosive growth that saw the company hit £2M in sales in its first year, followed by a £20M raise at an £80M valuation.But success didn’t come without its setbacks. Spencer also shares the challenges of a rushed US launch, the near-collapse of the business, and how a down round and massive product write-offs almost derailed everything. He reflects on the lessons he’s learned along the way, the importance of staying involved in every part of the business, adapting when plans fail, and how Clean Co became a symbol of resilience. It’s a conversation about transformation, overcoming obstacles, and building a business that not only survives but thrives against the odds.IFS - award-winning Asset & Service Management software 👉 Reimagine your operations at: https://highpfrmc.com/rwih-ifs-yt Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

BONUS: Pixar’s Secret Story Formula Behind Toy Story, Cars, & Monsters Inc. | Pete Docter 12.03.2026 10min

With Toy Story 5 & Hoppers releasing this year, The Chief Creative Officer of PIXAR, Pete Docter, joins The Room Where It Happened to break down 40 years of Pixar's history.Pete directed Monsters Inc., Up, Inside Out, & Soul, and has worked with some of animation and technology's biggest icons, including, John Lasseter, Steve Jobs, and Andrew Stanton, just to name a few.In this episode we dive into all of Pixar's behind-the-scenes stories, discuss the incredibly detailed creative process, and break down some of the studio's biggest hits such as Toy Story, Cars, and Monsters Inc.IFS - award-winning Asset & Service Management software 👉 Reimagine your operations at: https://highpfrmc.com/ifs-auNordVPN Deal 👉 https://nordvpn.com/rwih Try it risk-free now with a 30-day money-back guarantee Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.