Best Cardiff University Podcasts (2025)

1
Cuts at Cardiff University 55:18

29d ago55:18

55:18

At the end of January, Cardiff University announced plans to cut academic staff in a bid to plug a £30 million shortfall in its finances. A formal consultation with staff, titled Securing our Academic Future, is underway and will conclude in May. Universities across the UK are facing financial pressures thanks to student visa restrictions causing a…

1
Personal Independence Payment (PIP) 44:11

9d ago44:11

44:11

In this episode of Spare a Thought, Tom speaks with Luke Young, Head of Policy at Citizens Advice. Luke has previously worked for organisations including NUS Wales, Stonewall, the Senedd, and the Labour Party. Tom and Luke discuss the people who shaped Luke’s worldview, the work of Citizens Advice, the unique challenges facing Wales, recent UK Gove…

1
Season 1 Highlights 27:20

16d ago27:20

27:20

This month Spare a Thought celebrated 1,000 downloads. As a way to celebrate, Tom has put together a retrospective of Season 1, to look back at the conversations he had with the first cohort of guests. You can find the links to the individual episodes from Season 1 below: Spare a Thought for the Iris Prize Spare a Thought for Refugees Spare a Thoug…

1
A look back at 'Coaching redefined: an everyday pedagogical endeavour' with Prof Robyn Jones 1:02:11

21d ago1:02:11

1:02:11

For our season finale, we invited back to the studio Professor Robyn Jones (Cardiff Metropolitan University) who was joined by the entire podcast team. In this episode, we discussed Robyn's 2007 paper 'Coaching redefined: an everyday pedagogical endeavour'. We invited him to reflect on the origins of the paper and its relevance in today's context. …

1
Compassionate Leadership and Purpose-Driven Business 29:26

22d ago29:26

29:26

In this episode of Spare a Thought, Tom speaks with Paul Hargreaves, CEO of Cotswold Fayre, a UK-based wholesaler committed to ethical and sustainable business. Paul is also the author of two influential books, Forces for Good, which explores how businesses can help create a better world, and The Fourth Bottom Line, a guide to flourishing in a new …

1
Work and Non-Work Boundaries in Coaching with Emlyn Lewis and Dr Charlie Corsby 1:21:24

1M ago1:21:24

1:21:24

Fresh from submitting his doctoral thesis, Emlyn Lewis (Cardiff Metropolitan University) joins Mike Castle and his supervisor, Dr. Charlie Corsby (Cardiff Metropolitan University), for a conversation about his research. In this episode, they discuss Emlyn's thesis, which explores the everyday practices of coaches, with a particular focus on the bou…

1
Supporting Those Living With Long Covid 51:41

1M ago51:41

51:41

Content warning: This episode features personal experiences of living with long Covid. While some listeners may find aspects of this discussion difficult and triggering, we believe these stories are important to share. Listener discretion is advised. In this episode, Tom is joined by breathing coaches Vikki Jones and Jackie Baxter to explore what i…

1
Action Research with Ashley Kempson and Dr Oli Lum 58:18

2M ago58:18

58:18

In this episode, we welcome DSC alum Ashley Kempson (University of Gloucestershire), who is joined by our very own Oli Lum—this time taking the guest's chair. They discuss their paper published in the special edition of Sports Coaching Review, which explores their experiences conducting action research, particularly their reflections from being in …

1
Living with Long Covid 39:26

2M ago39:26

39:26

Content warning: This episode features personal experiences of living with long Covid. While some listeners may find aspects of this discussion difficult and triggering, we believe these stories are important to share. Listener discretion is advised. Five years after the pandemic started, we live parallel lives. There are those who have returned to…

1
Spare a Thought for Feminism 36:42

2M ago36:42

36:42

Recent surveys seem to indicate that many in society, particularly young men, believe equality has gone too far, that women’s rights are infringing on their ability to succeed. In this conversation, recorded in February 2024, Tom speaks to Dr Iain McKenzie about feminism, the role men can play in the feminist debate and, why reading feminism is lik…

1
Spare a Thought for Welsh Women's Football 42:52

2M ago42:52

42:52

To celebrate international women’s day, Tom speaks to Professor Laura McAllister CBE and Lowri Roberts about Welsh Women’s football. Together Tom, Laura and Lowri discuss the development of the women’s game in Wales, Cymru’s journey to the 2025 Women’s Euros and the opportunities that will open up. Professor Laura McAllister is Vice President at UE…

1
Gaining Access to a Research Context with Dr Harley-Jean Simpson 1:09:15

2M ago1:09:15

1:09:15

We are absolutely delighted to receive Dr Harley-Jean Simpson (Anglia Ruskin University). In this episode, we discussed Harley-Jean's recent article, which shares her experiences of gaining access to the research field. Harley-Jean shared her journey of gaining access to coaching spaces, building trust with coaches, and juggling some ethical dilemm…

1
Spare a Thought for Wales 55:30

2M ago55:30

55:30

Gwern Gwynfil is the acting Director of New Wales, a new Welsh cross-party think tank, and is the former CEO of Yes Cymru, Wales’ independence campaign group. In this episode Tom speaks to Gwern about the Welsh language, surprising facts about Wales, the successes and shortcomings of devolution, and the future of Wales. You can find out more about …

1
Creativity in Coaching with Dr Ludvig Rasmussen and Dr Manuel Santos 1:07:20

3M ago1:07:20

1:07:20

We are delighted to receive Dr Ludvig Rasmussen (Aalborg Universitet) to the podcast. Ludvig's extensive work in the field of creativity in sports was the basis for this conversation. During the episode, we discussed Ludvig's evolving views on how to define creativity, the challenges of working with elite coaches, and his current research project. …

1
A conflicted coaching identity with Dr Ieuan Davies and Dr Gethin Thomas 47:08

3M ago47:08

47:08

We are back with season 5! We start this season with Dr Ieuan Davies' (Cardiff Metropolitan University, MAD Hockey coaching) doctoral work. In this thesis, Ieuan looked back at his doctoral journey and where the ideas of a conflicted coaching identity stemmed. They also looked back at the process of doing auto-ethnographical work and the wider impl…

1
Spare a Thought for Creativity 37:06

4M ago37:06

37:06

Briony Goffin is a writer, tutor, and mentor. She teaches creative writing at Cardiff University and is a specialist in facilitating creative writing experiences in community and healthcare settings. In this episode, I spoke to Briony about where ideas come from, being creative, getting back into writing and facilitating workshops. You can find out…

1
Spare a Thought for the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) 29:05

4M ago29:05

29:05

Stephen Wheatley is a volunteer crew member for the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) in London. In this episode Stephen speaks to host Tom Spare about the RNLI’s mission, its history and his experience of volunteering for the 200 year old charity. So, sit back and spare a thought for the RNLI. Stephen’s Just Giving Page raising money for …

1
Spare a Thought for Dima Hamdan 33:34

5M ago33:34

33:34

Content warning: This episode includes reference to genocide, sexual assault, coercion, torture and other topics listeners might find distressing. Listener discretion is advised. Dima Hamdan is a Palestinian filmmaker and former journalist. In this episode Dima Hamdan talks about why she became a filmmaker, her experience of being a member of the P…

1
Spare a Thought for International Students - Part 3 30:16

5M ago30:16

30:16

This fifth episode of Spare a Thought completes a miniseries focused on international students studying in UK universities. In this episode Tom interviews Tanya Thomas, a partner at Spencer West solicitors, who specialises in Higher Education disputes and dispute resolution. During their conversation Tom and Tanya discuss the issues that students r…

1
Spare a Thought for International Students - Part 2 46:30

5M ago46:30

46:30

This fourth episode of Spare a Thought continues a mini series focused on international students studying in the UK. In this episode, Tom interviews four former international students and one current, all from Cardiff University - Sidd, Lily, Sumani, Zuzanna and Nathan. He finds out why they chose to study in the UK, the barriers to living here and…

1
Spare a Thought for International Students - Part 1 44:31

5M ago44:31

44:31

This third episode of Spare a Thought starts a mini series focused on international students studying in the UK. In episode three, Tom chats with Julie Campbell, International Student Advisory Manager at Ulster University about international students and the Higher Education sector. International students provide a net contribution to the UK econom…

1
Spare a Thought for the Care of Refugees 38:10

5M ago38:10

38:10

In the second episode of Spare a Thought, Tom chats with Dr Samantha James, an NHS doctor who volunteered for the German charity Sea Watch collecting refugees in distress in the Mediterranean in 2022. Together, Sam and Tom discuss why Sam became a doctor, how she found out about Sea Watch and explore her experience in the Mediterranean. To donate t…

1
Spare a Thought for the Iris Prize 35:45

5M ago35:45

35:45

In this inaugural episode of Spare a Thought, Tom chats with Berwyn Rowlands, Director of the Iris Prize, the world’s largest LGBTQ+ short film prize. Together, Berwyn and Tom discuss first cinema memories, delve into the origins of Iris, consider the challenges faced by the LGBTQ+ community, and reveal what’s in store for the upcoming Iris Prize L…

1
Women-only coach education with Dr Kerry Harris, Dr Sofia Santos and Lisa Newton 1:19:54

5M ago1:19:54

1:19:54

It’s the season finale so it’s the perfect opportunity to revisit the WRU Women in High Performance Programme. We invited back Dr Sofia Santos and Dr Kerry Harris who recently published paper that offers a view for the future of Women's coach education. Alongside Lisa Newton (Cardiff Met WRFC Head coach), who took part in the program, they discusse…

1
Dr Oli Lum and Dr Gethin Thomas on "Being fast and running fast" 1:14:57

5M ago1:14:57

1:14:57

In this episode, our host became the guest - Dr Oli Lum presented some of the findings of his thesis that will be soon published. Mike Castle and Oli were joined Dr Gethin Thomas, who was Oli's Director of Studies. They looked back at Oli's first steps in his doctoral studies, at how he gained the trust of elite athletics coaches and at some of the…

1
Marginalised Groups in Sports with Emma Godman and Tallin Cowling 1:13:12

6M ago1:13:12

1:13:12

In this episode, Mike hosted Emma Godman and Tallin Cowling, PhD and UG students respectively, at Cardiff Metropolitan University. They shared some of their experiences in sports and HE, and how these experiences informed their research projects. Join us in this conversation! Follow us on youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@CardiffMetSportsCoachingHu…

1
Sport Wales' Coach Developer Programme with Dr Christian Edwards and Gruff Rees 1:03:19

6M ago1:03:19

1:03:19

We welcomed back to the studio Dr Christian Edwards to share his experiences in designing and delivering Sport Wales' Coach Developer Practitioner. Gruff Rees (Cardiff RFC) and our host Mike Castle, who both completed the course, were in the studio with him. Enjoy their conversation! Follow us on youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@CardiffMetSportsCo…

1
Translation and meaning-making with Dr Charlie Corsby and Mara Mata 1:17:37

7M ago1:17:37

1:17:37

In this episode, we welcomed back to the studio Dr Charlie Corsby (Cardiff Metropolitan University) and debuted Mara Mata (Cardiff Metropolitan University) and they discussed their recent paper on translation and meaning-making in Sports coaching research. During the episode both provided an insight into their experiences when coaching and research…

1
Developing Coaches' Creativity with Dr Manuel Santos and Prof Robyn Jones 1:08:41

7M ago1:08:41

1:08:41

We are back for season 4! To kick start this season, Oli hosted our podcast producer, Dr Manuel Santos (Cardiff Metropolitan University) and Prof Robyn Jones (Cardiff Metropolitan University). They presented their recently published paper on developing coaches' creative practice. The paper is available on open access, click here to access it. Follo…

1
Culture, creativity and long-term conditions 54:06

8M ago54:06

54:06

This podcast is part of Dr Sofia Vougioukalou’sBritish Academy Innovation Fellowship ‘Creative Ageing and Social Prescribing: Bridging the gap between diverse service users, service providers and policy makers in Wales’. In this episode Dr Ricky Hellyar is joined by Sofia and three project participants to discuss the role of creativity in their liv…

1
CRiC 2024 Sport Coaching Review Q&A with Prof. Robyn Jones and Dr Charlie Corsby 53:34

10M ago53:34

53:34

It's the final episode of the season and our final episode from the 2024 CRiC conference. This episode is a live recording of a panel with Prof. Robyn Jones and Dr. Charlie Corsby on publishing in Sports Coaching Review. After a short introduction about their roles in the journal, they took questions from the audience. We'll be back in your feed so…

1
Graduation Special Episode! 1:11:36

10M ago1:11:36

1:11:36

It's graduation! The SC Hub podcast joins the celebrations by releasing a very special episode! Oli sat down with 3 of our 2024 graduates: Katie Batishill, Josh Williams and Evan Kennedy. During this episode, they looked back at their first steps in HE, the challenges of being an undergraduate student, and looked at what the future reserves for the…

1
CRiC 2024 Review with Dr Ed Hall 47:51

10M ago47:51

47:51

In this episode, we are delighted to welcome to the podcast Dr Ed Hall (Northumbria University). Ed is CRiC's Conference Officer and was the driving force behind the 2024 conference. He shared his conference reflections, challenges and highlights. Also, he discussed the shared his vision for future conferences. Enjoy! Follow us on youtube: https://…

1
CRiC 2024 Bitesize: Dr Noel Dempsey 14:56

11M ago14:56

14:56

In the final CRiC bitesize episode, Mike welcomed Dr Noel Dempsey (University Campus of Football Business) to the pod. Besides sharing some of his early experiences as a PhD student, Noel provided an insightful look at his work, particularly looking at the selection box metaphor in coach education and the inspiration drawn from Bernstein's work. We…

1
CRiC 2024 Bitesize: Dr Christian Thue Bjørndal 16:50

11M ago16:50

16:50

We are delighted to welcome to the podcast Dr Christian Thue Bjørndal (Norwegian School of Sport Sciences). Christian looked back at his first steps in academia, provided an overview of the work on the dominating discourse on talent pathways in Norway and how talent tends to be represented in everyday conversations. Christian Bjørndal: Website: htt…

1
CRiC 2024 Bitesize: Dr Pete Holmes 15:17

11M ago15:17

15:17

It's episode 5 of our CRiC bitesize special episodes and Mike welcomed the very busy Dr Pete Holmes (Nottingham Trent University). Pete was at CRiC to present a poster and a parallel session and in this episode, he brokedown how his work can influence coach education. Enjoy the episode! Dr Pete Holmes Website: https://www.ntu.ac.uk/staff-profiles/s…

1
CRiC 2024 Bitesize: Andrew Higham 12:52

11M ago12:52

12:52

Welcome to one more CRiC bitesize episode. This time, Mike chatted with Andrew Higham, PhD student at Sheffield Hallam Student. During the episode, Andrew took us back to his first steps in HE and introduced us to his work on coaches' wellbeing and the use of photo elicitation. Enjoy the episode! Andrew Higham: Website: https://www.shu.ac.uk/sport-…

1
CRiC 2024 Bitesize: Dr Alex Consterdine 13:53

11M ago13:53

13:53

In this episode of our special CRiC series, Mike sat down with Dr Alex Consterdine (Liverpool John Moores University). Alex previewed her work on precarity, and its implications to a wider coaching field. Enjoy the episode! Dr Alex Consterdine: Website: https://www.ljmu.ac.uk/about-us/staff-profiles/faculty-of-science/sport-and-exercise-sciences/al…

1
CRiC 2024 Bitesize: Dr Tom Leeder 13:42

11M ago13:42

13:42

In the second of our special CRiC episodes, Mike welcomed to the podcast Dr Tom Leeder (University of East Anglia). In this episode, Tom shared the work he has been doing with British Orienteering and the impact of the work in coach education. Enjoy the episode! Dr Tom Leeder: https://research-portal.uea.ac.uk/en/persons/thomas-m-leeder CRiC websit…

1
CRiC 2024 Bitesize: Dr Han Wool Lee 13:58

11M ago13:58

13:58

The first of our special CRiC episodes is out! Mike welcomed Dr Han Wool Lee (Seoul National University, Cardiff Metropolitan University) to the pod. In this first episode, Han shared the origins of his groundbreaking work on the use of Lefevbre's work in Sports Coaching and implications for coaches. Enjoy the episode! CRiC website: https://cricspo…

1
CRiC 2024 Conference Preview 11:34

11M ago11:34

11:34

The Sports Coaching Hub Podcast is going on the road! We have partnered with the Cluster for Research into Coaching (CRiC) and during the upcoming 6th International CRiC conference, we will be recording a special series of episodes. The podcast team (Manuel Santos, Oli Lum and Mike Castle) gathered in the studio to preview the upcoming conference a…

1
"Sustaining the unsustainable" in Sports Coaching with Prof. Robyn Jones and Dr. Charlie Corsby 1:11:55

11M ago1:11:55

1:11:55

In this episode, we welcomed back to the studio Prof. Robyn Jones (Cardiff Metropolitan University) and Dr. Charlie Corsby (Cardiff Metropolitan University). In this episode we discussed their article on sustainability in coaching, that both of our guests authored with Dr. Andy Lane. During the episode, the origins of this study, focus on coaches' …

1
I-Prehab Interviews with Dr. Sarah Fry - Stuart Davies 11:04

11M ago11:04

11:04

We are catching up with Stuart Davies in Portugal from hisboat. Stuart got involved with healthcare research after having Prostate cancer several years ago. Stuart wanted to make a positive difference andhelp people.

1
I-Prehab Interviews with Dr. Sarah Fry - Bami 9:41

11M ago9:41

9:41

We are talking with Bami. Bami is an author, a non-executive director, a patient advocate, and really interested in equity. She also works as a visiting lecturer with Cardiff University. She has a family history of breast cancer, both as a patient and family members. Bami is from Swansea, so has good local knowledge toshare.…

1
I-Prehab Interviews with Dr. Sarah Fry - Rashmi Kumar 22:31

11M ago22:31

22:31

In this podcast we are talking to Rashmi Kumar, from anAsian background who is full-time carer for his elderly mother. Rashmi’s experience has helped him understand some key health issues, and the challengesfaced by patients and families.

1
Northern Lights, New Camera, Cosmological Action 53:57

12M ago53:57

53:57

Edward and Chris discuss the recent Northern Lights show seen across the UK, the discovery of new free-floating planets, massive black holes and the completion of the largest camera ever built. Ian Harrison joins us to report on the latest tensions in cosmology, and the potential solutions to a problem that has been concerning cosmologists for the …

1
"Vulnerability and uncertainty" in Sports Coaching with Dr. Charlie Corsby and Dr. Andy Lane 54:28

12M ago54:28

54:28

We are back with season 3! In the first episode of the season, Oli welcomed back to the studio Dr. Charlie Corsby (Cardiff Metropolitan University) and Dr. Andy Lane (Cardiff Metropolitan University). In this episode they discussed their 2023 article: "Contending with vulnerability and uncertainty: what coaches say about coaching." This included a …

1
Dust to dust 42:25

1y ago42:25

42:25

Edward Gomez and Chris North discuss names going to Jupiter on the Europa Clipper mission, which is currently being assembled. Then there is a new cannibal star, suspected of eating its own planets, and the detection of new "Galactic Streams" of stars that all formed together but have since spread out through the Galaxy. Finally, we move onto plane…

1
Game Based Approaches with Dr José Castro and Dr Ruan Jones 1:08:15

1y ago1:08:15

1:08:15

In our season finale, Mike received Dr. Jose Castro (Senior Lecturer in Sport, Physical Education and Health, Cardiff Metropolitan University) and Dr. Ruan Jones (Senior Lecturer in Sport, Physical Education and Health, Cardiff Metropolitan University). We leaned upon our guest's expertise in the topic to discuss a range of matters, including: comm…

1
Charming in Coaching with Dr Sofia Santos and Prof Robyn Jones 1:22:28

1y ago1:22:28

1:22:28

Mike welcomed back to the studio Dr Sofia Santos and Prof Robyn Jones. This time, the conversation was centred around their 2022 article on "Charming, influencing and seducing" in coaching. The conversation included a breakdown of how charming is part of the everyday actions of coaches as a mean to get athletes buy-in. (Welsh description will be ad…

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Cardiff University Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen