Skilfully Speaking

Skilfully Speaking

Now in our second season! Invaluable insight, life stories, experiences and more - Skilfully Speaking explores the skills and challenges faced by entrepreneurs, broadcasters, leaders and more... Acquiring new skills and seizing opportunities can unlock a whole new world. In Skilfully Speaking, well-known successful people from a wide range of backgrounds pass on the secrets to their success. Talking to skills expert and leading educationalist Jackie Grubb, they share experiences and advice aimed at inspiring others to embrace new skills and seize the opportunities in front of them. Hear from those who have had the confidence to ‘go for it’ – and take control of your future. Supported by Babcock International. From City College Plymouth. www.cityplym.ac.uk Produced by Fresh Air Studios, Podcast Studio in Devon. www.freshairstudios.co.uk Podcast host Jackie Grubb The issues raised by the skills agenda in the South West, and nationally, have become increasingly important as businesses face up to the challenges and opportunities in front of them. Jackie Grubb has spent more than 30 years in a career underpinned by a passion for the development of skills, innovation and education. Recognised regionally and nationally as an expert in the skills arena, as Chief Executive of City College Plymouth Jackie has spearheaded a number of initiatives which have shone a spotlight on the skills issue in Plymouth and the wider South West. An active member, influencer and skills ambassador within the South West business community, she has led the transformation of the College to become the learning destination of choice.

Episodes

July 24, 2025 35 mins
Melissa is a familiar face from the likes of Coronation Street, Grantchester and the much talked-about Adolescence.  Recorded the morning after she presented the City College Plymouth student awards, Mellissa discusses the skills and strategy used to overcome negative attitudes in the industry about her disability, and how she’s now helping young aspiring actors to develop their creative skills. 

Supported by Babcock...
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Beth’s journey started with her playing football as the only girl in a boys’ team to winning the Golden Boot at the Euros.  We find out the skills required to become one of the most famous and successful sportswomen in the country.  Essential listening as the Women’s Euros get underway in Switzerland.

Supported by Babcock, and brought to you by City College Plymouth.
Produced by Fresh Air Studios, Podcast and ADR ...
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Rob Rinder sprang to fame on our TV screens as “Judge Rinder”.  Since then, he has gone on to present numerous TV shows and has fronted many documentary series covering law, travel and art history.  Jackie met up with Rob during his panto run in Plymouth and found out the skills required to become a barrister, how he continues to inspire young people going into law and how communication plays a vital part in fighting for justi...
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Robin is the UK Executive Lead for Jisc’s further education and skills policy. Jackie discovers how Robin’s journey took him from working in shops to managing a band, before a career in teaching came calling. So, what skills are behind being at the forefront of digital innovation in education? How will using tech such as AI and blockchain transform learning? Jackie finds out!

Kindly supported by Babcock. Brought to yo...
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Recorded in the week leading up to the 2025 TCS London Marathon, Dave is setting out to break a record!  Dave has already been a triple Paralympian and is an inspirational athlete.  But this will be his biggest challenge yet, breaking the record for completing the London Marathon on crutches.  Jackie explores Dave’s story and finds out the skills involved in overcoming the challenges he’s faced throughout his life and career.<...
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Marcus is also known on social media as “The Hull Boy”, where you’ll find him undertaking a wide variety of running challenges.  In this episode, Jackie explores what skills are involved in raising money for charity, managing a huge social media presence and keeping mental and physical health in check, just as Marcus is about to take on his biggest challenge yet…!

Supported by Babcock, brought to you by City College P...
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The morning after being guest speaker at the Apprenticeship Awards, former Olympic swimmer and six-times world champion, Mark Foster sat down with Jackie to explore his journey from being the fastest 11-year-old in the world to competing on the world stage.  The skills he acquired, the people he surrounded himself with and the lessons he’s learned have brought him to new loves such as dancing, golf and wild swimming.  He might...
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Celebrating International Women's Day with an essential conversation!

In this episode of Skilfully Speaking, we’re shining a light on women’s health with journalist and author Kate Muir. Kate is a passionate advocate for women, breaking stigmas around menopause and empowering others with knowledge.

Join us as we explore the skills behind Kate’s impactful work and share vital advice that every woman needs to h...
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In this special compilation we focus on the importance of being authentic, mental health, resilience and building a business.  The guests featured are cosmetics legend, Liz Earle, entrepreneur, Ben Towers, Olympics legend, Dame Kelly Holmes, Theatre Royal Plymouth CEO, James Mackenzie-Blackman, former MP, Robert Halfon, TV presenter turned life coach, Anna Williamson and AI educator, Dan Fitzgerald.

Supported by Babco...
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Yes, you read that title correctly!  This episode is the grand finale of Season 1 of Skilfully Speaking, so the tables are turned, and Jackie Grubb is the guest and is being interviewed by Paul Philpott.
Paul finds out about Jackie’s skills journey – from childhood ambitions to be a Blue Peter presenter and a make-up artist, to becoming a teacher.  We find out what Jackie has learned from her Skilfully Speaking guests and ...
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The team at Skilfully Speaking and City College Plymouth has a great relationship with Babcock International Group.  So, it’s great that Babcock’s CEO, David Lockwood has been chatting to Jackie about what it’s like running a global organisation, the essential skills that Babcock looks for in new recruits, the importance of having the right aspirations and just how good David is … at table tennis!

Brought to you by Ci...
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In this special compilation we focus on the importance of education, career choices and technology.  The guests featured are former MP, Robert Halfon, Theatre Royal Plymouth CEO, James Mackenzie-Blackman, TV presenter turned life coach, Anna Williamson, Olympics legend, Dame Kelly Holmes, entrepreneur, Ben Towers and AI educator, Dan Fitzgerald.

Brought to you by City College Plymouth and supported by Babcock. Produce...
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James is the CEO of Theatre Royal Plymouth. He was born in Plymouth and has worked all over the world developing skills, encouraging young people, raising millions of pounds for charity and teaming up with the likes of Sir Matthew Bourne to stage ground-breaking productions that have taught young people new skills that have changed their lives.

Jackie gets some remarkable insights into how James has taken what he’s le...
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Dan is known as “The AI Educator” and has written extensively about AI, as well as having travelled the world educating everyone from students to businesses about AI. 

Jackie asks him all about what AI is and what it can do now, as well as how AI can help us with education in the future and what skills are required to work with it.

Supported by Babcock International

Brought to you by City College Pl...
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Ben’s story is extraordinary and unique.  He started running businesses at the age of 11, is the founder of the employee engagement platform, Happl and has been described by Sir Richard Branson as “one of the UK’s most exciting entrepreneurs” and at the time of recording this episode, Ben is only 25 years old.  

So, how did he develop such impressive skills at such a young age?  What sort of support has he had?...
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As co-founder of the Liz Earle Beauty Company in 1995, Liz knows all about the skills required to succeed.  She’s also been busy as a TV presenter, writer and over the years has even launched a magazine and a range of jewellery.  Liz has all the knowledge and experience to give advice on the skills we all need to learn, to earn and to live a happier, healthier life.

Presented by Jackie Grubb,

From City Colleg...
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Robert Halfon is Minister for Skills, Apprenticeships and Higher Education.  He discusses his important and challenging role in shaping the education and skills landscape in the country – areas he’s been passionate about even before he entered the House of Commons.  He also shares his personal education and skills stories, including his health challenges and his fears around exams as a student.

Presented by Jackie Gru...
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From CITV to This Morning, Anna is not only a familiar face on our TV screens, she’s also a counsellor, mental health campaigner, one half of the LuAnna podcast and the author of the best-selling book, Breaking Mad.

Jackie discovers the connections between developing skills and taking care of mental health, as well as Anna’s work with The Prince’s Trust and the story behind her latest book.

Presented by Jacki...
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Part 2 of a 2 part launch special with Dame Kelly Holmes.

In this two-part special to kick off the podcast series, Jackie chats to double-Olympic gold medallist Dame Kelly Holmes about her life inside and outside athletics and the skills that took her on this extraordinary journey: from meeting an inspirational PE teacher at school, through joining the armed forces, winning gold medals and setting up her own charity. ...
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Part 1 of a 2 part launch special with Dame Kelly Holmes.

In this two-part special to kick off the podcast series, Jackie chats to double-Olympic gold medallist Dame Kelly Holmes about her life inside and outside athletics and the skills that took her on this extraordinary journey: from meeting an inspirational PE teacher at school, through joining the armed forces, winning gold medals and setting up her own charity. ...
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