Episodes
HUNGRY.
HUNGRY. is the podcast for Challenger Food and Drink brands wanting to pour gasoline on their growth. Fancy being kind? Want to feel warm inside? Please hit the Subscribe button. You’d really, really make my week.
Episodes
The £100m Brand Man: 17 Unknown Ways To ACTUALLY Secure a HUGE Exit + “the EXIT world has COMPLETELY changed… Multiples of revenue is DEAD”
⬇️ REGISTER FOR TICKETS TO LIVE PODCAST & SUPPER CLUB WITH GILES ON 25TH FEB BELOW ⬇️ https://forms.gle/bHgQQg9EkVYTMw368 If you want to EXIT your brand for MILLIONS $$$ Make dat COIN boi-shee. Bread. Dough. Wonga. Moolah. This is THE most important podcast I’ve ever recorded. Honour to sit down with INDUSTRY LEGEND legend Giles Brook. ON THE MENU: Why Challenger Brands Must Understand The Way You Exit has COMPLETELY CHANGED: Giles’he Gold, Silver Bronze of True Gross Margin and EBITDA PLEAS...
Espresso: THE Easiest Way To Build a Creative Culture... "Separate the gold from the lead"
In this conversation with the founders of LoCal Beer, fostering a creative culture and the process of distinguishing strong ideas from weaker ones. Creativity Doesn’t Require a Huge Budget – The discussion emphasized that disruptive ideas don’t always need big budgets. Using parody and playful marketing can create impactful branding moments. The "Golden Mead" Campaign for Camden Town Brewery – A spontaneous idea born from reading a news headline led to a limited-edition honey mead beer celebrati...
The 11 BIGGEST Lessons from 4.5 Years Podcasting - Every Food & Drink Founder Should Have These Tattooed on Their Arm
Riding Solo on el poddy this week Fancy riding shotgun? Simply shove my waffle in your ears. This week, I’ve picked 11 lessons from the 4 years of podcasting with INSANE GUESTS I’m referring to these DAILY. So hope they help you too. 4.5 years of value, stuffed into 45 mins. Get ya chops round it asap Lemme know if you like these, can do more. May do a sales one too ON THE MENU: 1. THE SINGLE Biggest lesson from Luke Boase and Emma Heal , Lucky Saint | B Corp™ 2. Giles Brook : 3 Game Changing Br...
Espresso: James Smith - The Hidden Secret to TONNES of Attention for Your Brand
Espresso's are powered by our brand new sponsor, Unleashed! 1. What on earth is Unleashed, I hear you asking? Unleashed is Inventory management software that talks to your financial and eComm software. We use it daily at Islands. It's BANGING!! 2. Why Unleashed will change your life as a foodie founder? Cut admin time in half. Save money. Lots of money. Get lucid clarity on margins. Be all over cash flow, after all cash is king. Manage stock and cash flow. 3. The biggest brands in FMCG love love...
Oisín Rogers, The Devonshire: 13 Unconventional Leadership Secrets of the World’s Best Pub (these will blow your mind)
An EXTRAORDINARY conversation on leadership Laden with Sparkling Easter Eggs of Wisdom You’ll never find these in a-gimpy-bore-you-to-death-business-book. Osh is an wonderful storyteller We recorded the poddy in the infamous Green Room. The Green Room hides behind the bar, where punters clamour, chinwag and pine-for-pints It’s sacred. sacrosanct Splashed with art. Sensory overload. At night, it morphs into every texture, shade and flavour of raucous fun. If you're curious about some of the artwo...
Espresso - James Smith - The HIDDEN Secret to INSANE Confidence
Espresso's are powered by our sponsor Unleashed! 1. What on earth is Unleashed, I hear you asking? Unleashed is Inventory management software that talks to your financial and eComm software. We use it daily at Islands. It's BANGING!! 2. Why Unleashed will change your life as a foodie founder? Cut admin time in half. Save money. Lots of money. Get lucid clarity on margins. Be all over cash flow, after all cash is king. Manage stock and cash flow. 3. The biggest brands in FMCG love love Unleashed....
James Smith - How To Be F*cking Confident and Why “Traditional Marketing is DEAD”
Honour to sit down and chinwag with Marketing Genius, James Smith. James built a WHOPPA social following through honest, direct, empathetic marketing. Last year, he moved into the challenger space, launching Neutonic (a nootropic blend of research-backed ingredients to help boost your productivity) with Chris Williamson and Luke Betts. Our conversation is JAM-PACKED with GOLD. ON THE MENU: The Success Paradox: “Never stop doing the things that make you successful, as you get successful“ Billboar...
Espresso: BrewDog Founder: Why Fast Startups Always Win (and How They Do It)
James Watt, co-founder of BrewDog, delivers a masterclass in startup growth, brand innovation, and scaling a global beer brand. He reveals how BrewDog's meteoric rise was fueled by speed over perfection, customer feedback, and learning from mistakes. He shares stories of risky pivots, customer-driven innovation, and the painful lessons of scaling too quickly, including the hiring missteps that led to a complete culture overhaul. James believes being wrong faster is better, customer feedback...
The Genius Behind The Alcohol Free Movement: Applying Behavioural Economics “Thinking Fast & Slow” to Change Culture FOREVER
Ben Branson founded Seedlip Drinks . Seedlip pioneered the Low to No movement. The Low to No Movement helped more people go sober. More sober people, led to more happier people. More happier people, more productive people. We REALLY don’t understand the power of Sober (just yet) It’s unfathomably enormous. In 50 years, we'll teach kids in school. Going sober is discovering coffee. Going sober is discovering electricity. Going sober is discovering penicillin. Going sober is discovering Nandos Gar...
Espresso: Black Bear Burger, Street Food Stall to Burger Empire (and how you can too)
"We only sold 20 burgers in our first market run." Espresso's are powered by our brand new sponsor, Unleashed! 1. What on earth is Unleashed, I hear you asking? Unleashed is Inventory management software that talks to your financial and eComm software. We use it daily at Islands. It's BANGING!! 2. Why Unleashed will change your life as a foodie founder? Cut admin time in half. Save money. Lots of money. Get lucid clarity on margins. Be all over cash flow, after all cash is king. Manage stock and...
Waitrose CEO: How To Win Waitrose in 7 Easy Ways
It’s Christmas. I’ve stuffed my face all week. Drunk. Don’t know what day of the week it is. And am having some rest as 2025 is going to be HUGE Reposting one of the most downloaded episodes of all time which was recorded 2 years ago with Waitrose. Alas. Back to the left overs Normal service resumes next week 🤝 Let's Connect! ►Let’s link-up here (https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-pope/) ►Stalk me here (https://www.instagram.com/_hungry.pod/)...
Espresso: Gary Lavin, "DON'T SKIP SALES"..Sales is Leg Day for Brands
============================================ 🌟Espresso's are powered by our sponsor Unleashed!🌟 1. What on earth is Unleashed, I hear you asking? Unleashed is Inventory management software that talks to your financial and eComm software. We use it daily at Islands. It's BANGING!! 2. Why Unleashed will change your life as a foodie founder? Cut admin time in half. Save money. Lots of money. Get lucid clarity on margins. Be all over cash flow, after all cash is king. Manage stock and cash flow. 3...
The D2C Don: Growing Purdy & Figg £0 to £40 Million in 3 Years Using Behavioural Science Secrets
Why do so many food & drink brands struggle on D2C? Why do MOJU or SURREAL absolutely kill it ? Jack Rubin knows D2C better than anyone I know The D2C Donny Honour to wax lyzzy about how he’s built Purdy & Figg into a HUGE WHOPPA brand Love D2C or love Behavioural Science - you’ll love this ON THE MENU: 1. Charlie Munger’s Lollapalooza Principle for Building HUGE D2C Brands - Business Model - spend X make Y - Allowable cost of acquisition - Contribution on first order - Future order + co...
Espresso: James Watt, BrewDog: Why Price Laddering Is the Most UNDERRATED Growth Hack
James Watt shares why price laddering is the ultimate growth hack most brands ignore. From £1.25 basics to £10 ultra-premium brews, discover how BrewDog uses this strategy to attract everyone—from first-time buyers to hardcore fans. We break down how offering different price points boosts accessibility, creates perceived value, and drives trade-ups to more profitable products. ON THE MENU: What Price Laddering Actually Means (Hint: It’s Not Just About Money) How BrewDog Converts Lager Lovers wit...
Ex-PepsiCo Sales Director: 7 Easy Ways Unlock Tesco, Waitrose and Sainsbury’s With Category Management
Book a North Star Demo - by emailing the legend here kieran@northstarbc.co.uk Wanna land Tesco Sainsbury's CoOp or Waitrose & Partners in 2025? Well, my friend, good news listen up. Delighted to welcome Kieran South founder of North Star on to the poddy We chat all tingz Category management Category Management is THE secret weapon you didn’t know you needed The thread from founder vision <> buyer goals <> retail success = build mahoosive brands. Yes, North Star are a poddy sponso...
Espresso: Why Michelin Stars Make F&CK ALL ££ - Unruly Pig founder
Ever wondered what it takes to run a top-rated gastropub? Brendan from The Unruly Pig breaks down why Michelin-starred restaurants often struggle to make money, dealing with sky-high costs for fancy ingredients and skilled chefs. What's super interesting is how they've cracked the code at The Unruly Pig. While fancy Michelin spots might serve 45-60 people on a Saturday night, they're pumping out 100-120 covers. But here's the clever bit - they've actually simplified their menu over time, focus...
Gary Lavin, VITHIT - “I was SKINT…” from Broke to £80 Million Global Drinks Brand
Recently, I’ve had to really really DIG IN. Grind. Grind. Chew glass. Wade in. Full send. Gary delivers a Masterclass in Grit & Sales Our conversation really helped me. I know it’ll help you, too. ON THE MENU: 1. Why going bankrupt is a death by a thousand paper cuts - but it’s the best day of your life too 2. Sell. Sell. Sell. Why too many brands skip Challenger Brand “Leg Day” - you HAVE to get good at sales 3. Why “Denial” is both very good and bad in business + how to use the power corre...
Espresso: How Tarquin’s Gin Turned £50k into a Dream Distillery
Tarquin's Cornish Gin is a perfect example of how passion, creativity, and strategic spending can transform limited resources into a successful food and drink brand.Driven by obsession and love for the craft, Tarquin Leadbetter refused to outsource, instead mastering the distillation process himself. His approach combined resourcefulness—like affordable local branding and budget-friendly equipment from Portugal—with a commitment to quality and authenticity. Key Takeaways: Leveraged a tight budge...
James Watt, BrewDog Founder - 17 Years of Billion Dollar Brand Building GOLD in 2 Hours
In 2016, I read Business For Punks. One of the greatest business books of all time. And, a huge inspiration to start HUNGRY. Total honour to sit down with James Watt , BrewDog founder This is a F*CKING BANGER!!!!!! Deffo watch on Youtube if you can, first time we’ve recorded in 4K cinematic a.k.a grown up cameras. ON THE MENU: 1. The Swimming with Sharks Gratitude Rule: “there’s a 100 billion to 1 chance of you being here so GO FOR IT” 2. Why Good founders solve problems, but Great Founders use ...
Espresso: Alex Smith, No Bullshit Strategy: The SECRET Link Between Brand Strategy and Storytelling ITSU and Apple
https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/alex-smith-the-strategy-expert-and-no-bullshit/id1537239469?i=1000659223965 Listen to the full episode here Espresso's are powered by our brand new sponsor, Unleashed! 1. What on earth is Unleashed, I hear you asking? Unleashed is Inventory management software that talks to your financial and eComm software. We use it daily at Islands. It's BANGING!! 2. Why Unleashed will change your life as a foodie founder? Cut admin time in half. Save money. Lots of money...
9 Bonkers Ways The Unruly Pig Became The UK’s No.1 Voted Pub After a Fire Burned Down Their Pub “We are COMPLETELY F*CKED”
The Unruly Pig is The UK’s Best Pub 🐷 Number 1 & Winner – UK Top 50 Gastropubs Awards 2024 🍺 National Restaurant Awards 2024 Top 100 -#56 🐷 GQ Magazine Food & Drinks Awards 2023 – “Best Pub” 🍺 Taste of East of England Awards 2023 – Winner & Gold Award 🐷 The Sunday Times-Best Sunday Roasts in the UK 2024 🍺 The Good Food Guide 2024 – “Britain’s 50 Cosiest Pubs” The food is slap-bang, full-sha-bang STONKINGLY delish. Brendan Padfield, Unruly founder, is a wonderful human. Garrulou...
Espresso: How the 'Doom Bar Effect' Took Tarquin’s Gin from Local Legend to £10M National
Tarquin Leadbetter dives into his absolutely genius strategy of focusing on local brand building in Cornwall, capturing the seasonal tourist market, and gradually expanding nationally. He describes how he used a regional focus to market cost-effectively across the UK—a concept he calls the "Doom Bar effect" - based on the small brewery born on the North Cornish coast that scaled to become the UK's best selling cask and bottled ale. Key Takeaways: you can market to a national audience on a local ...
How School of Wok Bounced Back from Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Waitrose SCREWIN Their Brand
In 2018, Jeremy Pang built a HUGE cookery school, School of Wok in Covent Garden So huge, so forward thinking Tesco , Sainsbury's , Waitrose & Partners come knocking. Suddenly, School of Wok launches into 1200 stores Happy days? Right? Well, that’s when it started to go wrong (all revealed in our conversation) Thankfully, Jeremy Pang is a total legend. Relentlessly resourceful. Go getter-grafter. Deal maker. Grit-graft, twist-turn, plot-pivot, Jez, got School of Wok back on it’s feet Charlie...
Espresso: YumBug Founder's Life Changing Hack to Fundraise Millions (super quickly)
Listen to the full episode here Espresso's are powered by our brand new sponsor, Unleashed! 1. What on earth is Unleashed, I hear you asking? Unleashed is Inventory management software that talks to your financial and eComm software. We use it daily at Islands. It's BANGING!! 2. Why Unleashed will change your life as a foodie founder? Cut admin time in half. Save money. Lots of money. Get lucid clarity on margins. Be all over cash flow, after all cash is king. Manage stock and cash flow. 3. The ...
Tarquins Gin Founder: The Unconventional Brand Building Playbook DIAGEO Wish They Knew About
Tarquins are a brand I adore. A brand who followed no “rules”. Tarquin turned beautifully constrained budgets from headwind to tailwind They’ve built a WHOPPAAA business, by not focusing on London. Distribution Density> Distribution Breadth Brand Depth > Brand Awareness Die Hard Fans> Meek Fans LOVED this episode. ON THE MENU: The Prudent Path to Profitability: Why Founders must OBSESS with the path to profitability “Giles Brook you don’t have a business if you can’t hit 40% gross margi...
Espresso: "Your Brand is NOTHING Without These" BOTIVO's 4 Essential Pillars of Brand Story
Imme, the branding expert and co-founder of Botivo, outlines how to tell your brand story and build long term resonance with your customers with these four key tensions found in your market, throughout broader society, and your customer. Tensions which are then woven into the company’s brand strategy Espresso's are powered by our brand new sponsor, Unleashed! 1. What on earth is Unleashed, I hear you asking? Unleashed is Inventory management software that talks to your financial and eComm softwa...
How Black Bear Burger Use Behavioural Economics to WIPE OUT Five Guys & Shack Shack
I remember the day with marble-polished clarity. The day I sodomised my first Black Bear Burger Brixton. 2020. In the strangled-mangled shackles lockdown, at my mates on Efra road. A celestial chubby steaming parcel of joy arrived. Lip-smackingly, soul-spankingly, face-melting YUM. My fave Burgus in London, and Stew is an absolute G ON THE MENU: Packvertising Genius: How Black Bear Burger turned their Deliveroo packaging into a Storytelling Machine Surviving Crispy Chips Crisis: How BBB solved t...
Espresso: Will Storr, The Status Game Author: Why Your Food & Drink Brand Is Ruining Your Identity?!
FULL EPISODE: Youtube Espresso's are powered by our brand new sponsor, Unleashed! 1. What on earth is Unleashed, I hear you asking? Unleashed is Inventory management software that talks to your financial and eComm software. We use it daily at Islands. It's BANGING!! 2. Why Unleashed will change your life as a foodie founder? Cut admin time in half. Save money. Lots of money. Get lucid clarity on margins. Be all over cash flow, after all cash is king. Manage stock and cash flow. 3. The biggest br...
Seth Godin: All His Food & Drink Strategy Secrets in a 57 Min Conversation
TOTAL HONOUR to sit down for a podcast part two with the legend Seth Godin. We go DEEP into the Strategy + Brand + Storytelling Secrets of the best challenger brands Tony’s Chocolonely vs. Cadbury’s Blank Street Coffee vs. Starbucks Nespresso vs. Kenco Farmers Markets . Supermarket Lettuce Teaser below, fully eppy Monday morning ON THE MENU: David Chang Momofuko + Brussel Sprouts with bacon Rule: Pick your customers, pick your future - “Some customers will cross the street for your brand promise...