⚠️ Warning ⚠️ This episode contains content that may be alarming to some listeners. We do talk about suicide which we know can be distressing.

In this deeply moving episode of the Different Hats Podcast, I sit down with purpose-led mentor and scale-up strategist Simon Chuter for an unfiltered conversation about mental health, masculinity, and meaning.

Simon shares his journey through the extremes, what he describes as his personal Mariana Trench and Everest moments. From being diagnosed with bipolar disorder and surviving a suicide attempt, to mentoring startups and parenting with emotional presence, this is a conversation that doesn’t just inspire, it transforms.

This episode is a masterclass in emotional intelligence, the power of giving, and why redefining success is vital for our personal and collective wellbeing. Whether you're a founder, parent, educator, or simply a human navigating life's highs and lows, this one will stay with you.

🎧 Listen in for insights on:

• The danger of emotional suppression in boys
• Why autonomy, mastery & purpose matter more than money
• Healing fractured relationships
• Mentorship as a mental health lifeline
• How cricket, cuddles, and conversations keep us grounded

🎧 LISTEN TO MORE DIFFERENT HATS EPISODES:

👉 https://www.different-hats.co.uk/podcast

🔗 Connect with Simon Chuter

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonchuter/

💡 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:

Search Seven www.searchseven.co.uk

Nostos Hove www.nostos-hove.co.uk

Rivervale www.rivervale.co.uk

Plus X https://www.plusxinnovation.com/

PRODUCED BY: H2 Productions: https://h2productions.co.uk/

*If you have been affected by any of the content during this interview you can reach out to any of the below:

Samaritans - https://www.samaritans.org

My Black Dog - https://www.myblackdog.co/mental-health-charity

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this special Unplugged edition of the Different Hats Podcast, I dive into one of the most urgent questions facing UK business owners in 2025:

How do you retain great people without breaking the bank?

Amid soaring employment costs and rising redundancies, smart business leaders are exploring creative solutions. One powerful tool? Salary sacrifice car schemes. But what are they really, and how can they help both your people and your bottom line?

Joined by three expert guests, Sarah May (HR strategist), Chris Barnard (finance guru), and Warren Keech (salary sacrifice specialist at RiverVale), this episode breaks down how salary sacrifice works, who it benefits, and how it can help build a purpose-driven culture that attracts and keeps top talent.

Packed with practical insights, real-world examples, and financial clarity, this conversation is a must-listen for business owners, HR leaders, and anyone navigating recruitment and retention in today’s challenging climate.

✅ Reduce payroll costs

✅ Support employee wellbeing

✅ Retain talent

✅ Promote sustainability

✅ Save money for your business

📌 KEY CHAPTERS

00:00 - Introduction

02:20 - Why Employees Feel Undervalued Today

04:00 - Wellbeing Beyond Wages: Gen Z Expectations

06:45 - Creating a Competitive Benefits Package

09:30 - The Hidden Cost of Losing a Team Member

11:00 - Culture, Trust & Retention

15:35 - What is Salary Sacrifice?

17:00 - Employer & Employee Tax Savings Explained

21:10 - Who Can Benefit from Salary Exchange?

23:00 - Pitfalls & Credit Considerations for Employers

25:20 - Electric vs Hybrid Cars: Tax & Sustainability

29:40 - Why Offering an EV Scheme Increases Retention

32:45 - The ESG & CSR Advantage

36:00 - Hire Purchase vs Business Lease Explained

41:00 - How to Introduce a Salary Exchange Scheme

44:20 - Answering Employee Concerns with Clarity

48:15 - Benefits Beyond Cars: Pensions, Health, and More

51:30 - Solo Directors & Tax-Efficient EV Strategies

53:05 - Final Takeaways: Pick n’ Mix Benefits That Work

🎧 LISTEN IF YOU WANT TO LEARN:

• How to save money through smart employee benefits
• The power of values-led retention strategies
• What salary sacrifice schemes actually mean
• How to offer EV car benefits without the risk
• The importance of wellbeing, trust & financial literacy in today’s job market

🔗 Brought to you in partnership with RiverVale

Find out more: https://www.rivervale.co.uk/

Connect with out experts:

Sarah May - https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-maydayhr/

https://www.maydayhr.com/

Chris Barnard - https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-barnard-b4642968/

https://www.collectiveconceptsaccounting.com/

🎬 Produced by H2 Productions

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this deeply honest and vulnerable conversation, I sit down with Joel Lawton, entrepreneur, coach, and founder of In Your Corner, to explore what it really means to redefine success and live in full alignment with your true self.

Joel shares his powerful personal journey: building a multi-million-pound business, navigating burnout, and ultimately making the courageous decision to walk away and rebuild life and work on his own terms. Together, we dive into the emotional narratives men carry, the importance of self-worth beyond doing and providing, and how true presence can be one of the most underrated measures of success.

This conversation also touches on fatherhood, mental health, the challenges of hustle culture, emotional intelligence, men's groups, workplace culture, the education system, and how we can better equip younger generations to process emotions.

Expect raw honesty, actionable insights, and an inspiring message for anyone questioning their own version of success.

KEY CHAPTERS

00:00 — The Illusion of Success

03:00 — Joel’s Definition of Success

06:30 — Presence & Busyness

11:50 — Hustle Culture Pressure

17:40 — What Is Enough?

21:20 — Joel’s Early Life & Upbringing

25:00 — Self-Worth & Identity

32:00 — Emotional Intelligence & Holding Space

39:00 — Safe Spaces for Men

43:40 — Supporting the Next Generation

53:40 — Rethinking Education & Life Skills

58:30 — The Power of Human Connection

1:10:00 — Business Burnout & Transition

1:25:00 — Full-Body Yes Decisions

1:30:00 — Taking Responsibility for Change

1:33:00 — Living in Alignment

1:46:30 — Final Invitation: You Can Change It

🎧 LISTEN TO MORE DIFFERENT HATS EPISODES:

👉 https://www.different-hats.co.uk/podcast

🔗 Connect with Joel Lawton

Website: https://www.inyourcorner.co/

Instagram: @_in_your_corner

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joel-lawton-3194aa9/

💡 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:

Search Seven www.searchseven.co.uk

Nostos Hove www.nostos-hove.co.uk

Rivervale www.rivervale.co.uk

Plus X https://www.plusxinnovation.com/

PRODUCED BY: H2 Productions: https://h2productions.co.uk/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.