⚠️ 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 powerful episode, I sit down with transformational life coach and breathwork practitioner Sam Adams, whose remarkable journey from trauma to truth will leave you deeply moved and inspired.

Sam shares her raw, unfiltered story, growing up in a white, working-class area where being Black, gay, and female meant hiding her truth. From surviving childhood abuse, to the heartbreak of family rejection, a brain tumour diagnosis, and mental health struggles. Sam hit rock bottom and had planned to take her own life.

From a place of darkness, Sam turned to breathwork, discovering not just a tool for healing, but a lifeline. She now helps others shift from performance to presence, guiding them through deep emotional work that reconnects them with their truth.

This episode dives into the heart of what it means to redefine success, beyond status, wealth, or validation, and instead measure it through authenticity, emotional intelligence, and connection.

Whether you’ve felt lost, out of place, or like you’ve had to wear a mask just to survive, this conversation is for you.

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

Website: https://sam-adams.com

Instagram: @sam_adams_coach

LinkedIn: Sam Adams

💡 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.

Search Seven – www.searchseven.co.uk

Nostos Hove – www.nostos-hove.co.uk

Rivervale – www.rivervale.co.uk

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

🎧 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.

⚠️ 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.