Best W4 Podcast Studio Podcasts (2025)

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Baku or Bust: Red Bull’s Rookie Gamble, McLaren on the Brink & F1’s Wild 2026 Reboot 29:22

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8d ago29:22

29:22

This week on 2 Soft Compounds, Rick is joined by Jad Malek, Editor of GrandPrix247.com to unpack the latest paddock bombshells as Formula One races toward Baku. Red Bull looks set to pair Max Verstappen with rising star Isack Hadjar in 2026, a bold move that could either ignite the rookie's career or crush it under the weight of expectation. But wi…

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Adam Griffiths: Relationships, Trust & Building A People-First Agency 37:41

6h ago37:41

37:41

When Adam Griffiths packed a bag and followed his brother to Dubai he didn’t plan on founding an event agency. However, fatherhood and a hard look at what “trust” means in this market, pushed him to launch Enigma, built on a simple promise: do what you say you’ll do. In this week’s episode of EventNewsDXB, Adam draws a clear line between live event…

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Italian GP: Verstappen’s Masterclass, McLaren’s Switcheroo & The Rise of F1’s Next Gen 30:21

14d ago30:21

30:21

This week on 2 Soft Compounds, Rick and Paul unpack the fastest Formula One race in history and the drama it delivered! At the legendary Temple of Speed, Max Verstappen silenced the doubters with a vintage drive that saw him break the Monza lap record and reclaim the top step of the podium in dominant style. Meanwhile, all eyes were on McLaren, for…

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Ben McDonald: Purpose Driven Tech & The Art of Meaningful Engagement 36:48

6d ago36:48

36:48

When Ben McDonald returned to Dubai to join Purple Glow, he wasn’t chasing shiny objects or the flashiest tech. He was chasing meaning. In this episode of EventNewsDXB, Ben shares why success in event technology isn’t about who has the biggest screens, it’s about creating moments that truly connect. For him, the metrics are simple: engagement, dwel…

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Dutch GP: The Fast & The Frustrated! 37:32

7d ago37:32

37:32

This week on 2 Soft Compounds, the Dutch Grand Prix delivered a script Hollywood wouldn’t dare write and Oscar Piastri nailed the lead role! Plenty of stuff for Rick and Paul to dive into this week including the part of the script no-one saw coming as Lando Norris’ engine gave up the ghost, leaving him sitting trackside with a thousand-yard stare a…

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Jasper Donat: Connections Beyond The Stage & Why Live Still Matters 34:40

13d ago34:40

34:40

What happens when you set out to “just see who comes through the door” and end up building one of Asia’s most influential event companies? In this episode of EventNewsDXB, I talk with Jasper Donat, co-founder and CEO of Branded, about his 30-year journey from Star TV in Hong Kong to creating the All That Matters conference and festival in Singapore…

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Genltemen, Start Your Engines: Will The Gloves Come Off At Zandvoort? 34:11

23d ago34:11

34:11

Genltemen, Start Your Engines: Will The Gloves Come Off At Zandvoort? This week on 2 Soft Compounds, Formula 1 roars back from the summer break and Rick and Paul kick off by discussing whether McLaren’s drivers are about to go from mates to mortal rivals. With Oscar Piastri holding a slender nine-point lead over Lando Norris, the guys dive into one…

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James Mistry: Pulling Back The Curtain On Event Safety 38:37

23d ago38:37

38:37

James Mistry: Pulling Back The Curtain On Event Safety. This week on EventNewsDXB, we sit down with James Mistry, founder of JAM Event Services, for an unfiltered conversation about the realities of event safety and staffing in the Middle East. From the chaotic beginnings of Dubai’s early event scene to Expo 2020’s game-changing legacy, James share…

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X-Mode Engaged: F1’s Future, Cadillac’s Big Bet & the Great Hamilton Pushback 25:54

21d ago25:54

25:54

X-Mode Engaged: F1’s Future, Cadillac’s Big Bet & the Great Hamilton Pushback This week on 2 Soft Compounds, Rick and Paul take the plunge into F1’s radical 2026 rule shakeup - and let’s just say, not everyone’s loving it! With DRS gone, ground effect binned and the rise of switchable aero modes (Z for corners, X for straights), we’re entering a br…

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Vicki Galloway-Place: From Classroom to Center Stage 39:04

1M ago39:04

39:04

When Vicki Galloway-Place swapped her UK classroom for the high-stakes world of events, she stepped into a career that would push her creativity, leadership and resilience to the limit. In this episode of EventNewsDXB, Vicki shares her journey from drama teacher to theatre director to events producer and the hard-earned lessons learned along the wa…

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The Rise & Fall of Lewis Hamilton 30:15

1M ago30:15

30:15

The Rise & Fall of Lewis Hamilton. This week on 2 Soft Compounds, we're dedicating the whole podcast to Lewis Hamilton who's dream Ferrari move is rapidly becoming a nightmare. Hosts Rick and Paul, alongside special guest Damian Reid, unpack the worrying signs surrounding the seven-time world champ: from his puzzling form slump to cryptic comments …

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Jon Noonan: Transforming Event Spaces - One Decibel At A Time! 35:23

2M ago35:23

35:23

Jon Noonan: Transforming Event Spaces - One Decibel At A Time! From student nightclub promotions to supplying global iconic events like Wimbledon, Royal Ascot, and Formula One, John Noonan has seen many sides of the event industry. As founder of Thorns Group, he takes us behind the scenes of event logistics - where 400 staff, 15 site managers and 1…

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Hungarian GP: May The Best McLaren Win! 33:07

2M ago33:07

33:07

Hungarian GP: May The Best McLaren Win! This week on 2 Soft Compounds, Rick and Paul dive into the drama of the Hungarian Grand Prix - a race where technical compromises stole the spotlight and McLaren cemented its place at the top. Pole for Charles Leclerc but a podium place quickly evaporated thanks to a bizarre fix for plank wear that left him w…

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David Balfour: Redefining Brand Experiences 43:17

2M ago43:17

43:17

David Balfour: Redefining Brand Experiences In this episode of EventNewsDXB, we sit down with David Balfour, co-founder of LightBlue and one of the pioneers of experiential marketing in the Middle East. David shares his desire to help redefine brand engagement in Dubai - shifting the focus from traditional activations to emotionally driven experien…

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Belgian GP: When Is Wet, Wet? And Other Stories From Spa! 32:13

2M ago32:13

32:13

This week on 2 Soft Compounds, Rick and Paul dissect a Belgian Grand Prix that had all the ingredients for chaos - then delivered a soggy serving of frustration. Rain before lights out, endless delays and a sport still terrified of a little water. Has Formula 1 forgotten how to race in the wet? We think so. Plenty of chat tho about Oscar Piastri st…

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Spa Shenanigans, Max’s Mystery Meetings & Horner’s Heir – It’s Belgian GP Time! 30:56

2M ago30:56

30:56

Spa Shenanigans, Max’s Mystery Meetings & Horner’s Heir – It’s Belgian GP Time! This week on Two Soft Compounds, Rick and Jad Mallak gear up for the high-speed chaos of Spa-Francorchamps - where the forecast is part rainstorm, part rumour tornado. With Christian Horner officially out, Red Bull begins a bold new chapter under Laurent Mekies. Is he r…

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Iain Morrison - Beyond Burnout: The True Cost of Event Excellence 41:13

2M ago41:13

41:13

Iain Morrison - Beyond Burnout: The True Cost of Event Excellence With over 35 years in the event industry, Iain Morrison has seen the effect the industry can have on people first-hand. This week on EventNewsDXB, the founder of The Imagination Collaborative opens up about the pressures facing today’s event professionals - from resource cuts to unre…

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Benoit Honnart - Inside Electra: Building a Turnkey Event Production Powerhouse 43:38

2M ago43:38

43:38

Benoit Honnart - Inside Electra: Building a Turnkey Event Production Powerhouse. We kick off Season 2 of EventNewsDXB with Benoit Honnart, CEO of Electra, as he pulls back the curtain on the high-stakes world of event production in the Middle East. Behind every spectacular luxury event lies a finely-tuned operation juggling impossible deadlines, cr…

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Midseason Mayhem: Horner's Exit, Max's Future and McLaren's Championship Battle. 29:15

2M ago29:15

29:15

Midseason Mayhem: Horners Exit, Max's Future and McLaren's Championship Battle. This week on Two Soft Compounds, Rick and Paul unpack a jaw-dropping first half of the 2025 Formula One season. McLaren has gone from dark horses to dominant force, with Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris locked in a tense title scrap that’s friendlier in the press than it …

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Going, Going, Gone! Horner Ousted In Red Bull's Radical Shake-Up 24:24

3M ago24:24

24:24

Going, Going, Gone! Horner Ousted In Red Bull’s Radical Shake Up The Formula One world has been thrown into chaos with the stunning announcement that Christian Horner has been sacked as Red Bull team principal and CEO after 20 years at the helm. What seemed unthinkable just days ago has become reality, sending shockwaves through the paddock and rai…

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British GP: Rain, Rage & Redemption - Norris Doubles Up, Red Bull Slides & Hulk Pops His Podium Cherry. 38:25

3M ago38:25

38:25

British GP: Rain, Rage & Redemption - Norris Doubles Up, Red Bull Slides & Hulk Pops His Podium Cherry. This week on Two Soft Compounds, Rick is joined by Grandprix247 editor Jad Malek alongside motorsport journalist and F1 TV commentator, Damien Reid, as the three dive into a soaked Silverstone showdown that flipped the championship script and gav…

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Austrian GP: Orange You Glad It's Not Red Bull Again? Norris Silences The Sceptics! 29:19

3M ago29:19

29:19

Austrian GP: Orange You Glad It's Not Red Bull Again? Norris Silences The Sceptics! This week on 2 Soft Compounds, Rick and Paul disect the sensational Austrian Grand Prix which saw Lando Norris turn up the heat at the Red Bull Ring and throw down the gauntlet in the championship fight! The guys break down every twist in McLaren’s high-speed team b…

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The Heat Is On: McLaren's Team Dynamics, Verstappen Under Pressure & Groundhog Day At Ferrari! 29:50

3M ago29:50

29:50

The Heat Is On: McLaren's Team Dynamics, Verstappen Under Pressure & Groundhog Day At Ferrari! This week on 2 Soft Compounds, Formula 1 heads to the Red Bull Ring where the established order is crumbling and the pressure is building - especially for Max Verstappen. With penalty points stacking up Rick and Paul discuss how the current World Champion…

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Canadian GP: Russell’s Redemption, Norris' Despair And Hamilton’s Frustration! 31:13

3M ago31:13

31:13

Canadian GP: Russell’s Redemption, Norris’ Despair And Hamilton’s Frustration! This week on 2 Soft Compounds we span continents and emotions - from Robert Kubica’s fairy-tale return to the top at Le Mans, to George Russell’s precision-crafted win at the Canadian Grand Prix. Rick and Paul discuss how Mercedes are back in business and if George Russe…

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Canada Eh! Will The Man Cubs Overthrow The King of the Jungle?! 33:35

4M ago33:35

33:35

Canada Eh! Will The Man Cubs Overthrow The King of the Jungle?! 🎙️ This week, 2 Soft Compounds shifts focus slightly - from apexes to apertures - as Rick and Paul sit down with 25-year-old F1 photographer Alexis Perrin. From dodging marshals to getting that perfect Hamilton shot, Alexis gives us a behind-the-scenes look at life in the pitlane. 🇨🇦 R…

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Spanish GP: Piastri's Perfect Weekend & Verstappen's Red Mist 33:03

4M ago33:03

33:03

Spanish GP: Piastri's Perfect Weekend & Verstappen's Red Mist. 🎙️ In this week’s 2 Soft Compounds, Rick and Paul unpack a dramatic Spanish Grand Prix that may have just redrawn the 2025 championship map. 🔥 No surprise that the guys kick off this weeks episode disussing the clash between Max Verstappen and George Russell - one that's left fans and p…

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Flexing the Limits: Wings, Rules & What to Expect From The Spanish GP! 22:53

4M ago22:53

22:53

Flexing the Limits: Wings, Rules & What to Expect From The Spanish GP! 🎙️ On this week’s 2 Soft Compounds, Rick is joined by GrandPrix247 editor Jad Malek as they gear up for the Spanish Grand Prix and the spotlight shifts from street circuit glamour to raw technical grit. 🔧 The guys run through the FIA’s new directive banning flexible front wings …

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Rudi Buchner: Three Monkeys & Dubai's Virtual Event Revolution 32:15

4M ago32:15

32:15

🎙️ This week on the EventNewsDXB podcast, we’re joined by Rudi Buchner, co-founder of Three Monkeys, whose journey from a 10-year-old cable runner at a Pope’s visit in Bavaria to one of Dubai’s most innovative event producers is nothing short of remarkable. ⛑️ When the pandemic brought the industry to a halt, Rudi and his team didn't just pivot - t…

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Monaco GP: Glitz, Glory... and Gridlock. Monaco’s Two Stop Sham! 30:19

4M ago30:19

30:19

Monaco GP: Glitz, Glory... and Gridlock. Monaco’s Two Step Sham! 🎙️ Monaco: Glitz, Glory… and Gridlock – This week on 2 Soft Compounds, Rick and Paul break down Formula 1’s most glamorous paradox: the Monaco Grand Prix. It’s a race that promises spectacle but often delivers a slow-motion chess match - and 2025 was no different. 🏁 This week our host…

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Rob Statham & Jake Smith: Behind the Pit Wall - F1 And The Power Of Experiential Marketing 31:39

4M ago31:39

31:39

Rob Statham & Jake Smith: Behind the Pit Wall - F1 And The Power Of Experiential Marketing 🚦 This week, we’re going full throttle into the world of Formula One with Rob Statham and Jake Smith from The Events House, the creative minds behind some of the most memorable fan zone activations on the global F1 calendar. From setting up Giant Jenga at loc…

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Imola GP: Max The Intimidator - The Battle For Imola 43:59

4M ago43:59

43:59

Imola GP: Max The Intimidator - The Battle For Imola On this episode of 2 Soft Compounds, Rick and Paul dissect a potentially decisive moment in the 2025 drivers title race, as Max Verstappen reasserts his dominance with a clinical win at Imola. 💥 It started with that lunge - Verstappen's audacious dive on Piastri into Turn 1 set the tone and relea…

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Mind Games & Tire Water: The Build Up to Imola 37:08

4M ago37:08

37:08

Mind Games & Tire Water: The Build Up to Imola 🎙️ This week on Two Soft Compounds, Rick, Paul & Jad unpack the psychological warfare, paddock politics and cheeky innovation behind McLaren’s rise to the top as F1 enters its critical European leg. 🧠 McLaren’s not just fast - they’re smart. Stap in as Jad gets all technical discussing McLaren's sneaky…

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Miami GP: Lego Cars, Ferrari's Facepalm and McLaren's Unstoppable Rise 30:20

5M ago30:20

30:20

Miami GP: Lego Cars, Ferrari's Facepalm and McLaren's Unstoppable Rise This week on 2 Soft Compounds, Rick is joined by Grandprix247 editor and unabashed 'tifosi', Jad Mallak, as they dive into a wild Miami Grand Prix weekend that served up one of the most chaotic sprint races in F1 history—followed by a McLaren whitewash no one could ignore. 🌧️ Fr…

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Attack of the Blue Ferraris: Miami Madness & Motorsport Realities 39:34

5M ago39:34

39:34

Attack Of The Blue Ferraris: Miami Madness & Motorsport Realities 🎙️ Racing Realities & Ruthless Champions – This week on 2 Soft Compounds, Rick and Paul are joined by rising F3 star Hugh Barter for a no-nonsense look at what it really takes to make it in motorsport. 💰 £5 million. That’s the price tag Hugh drops for a proper shot at F3 and F2. It’s…

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Saudi Arabia GP: Piastri's Dominance - Red Bull's Spin Doctor Can't Fix This One 40:25

5M ago40:25

40:25

Saudi Arabia GP: Piastri's Dominance - Red Bull's Spin Doctor Can't Fix This One 🏁 Jeddah Masterclass! On this week’s Two Soft Compounds, Rick Houghton and Paul Velasco are joinded by Grandprix247.com editor Jad Mallak and break down a Saudi Arabian Grand Prix that may have just reshaped the championship narrative. 🧡 "Oscar Piastri was untouchable"…

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Jeddah Jitters: McLaren Dominance and Red Bull's Identity Crisis 25:31

5M ago25:31

25:31

Jeddah Jitters: McLaren Dominance and Red Bull's Identity Crisis 🏎️ Jeddah Jitters! This week the 2 Soft Compounds team is revved up as F1 heads to Saudi Arabia with the balance of power shifting before our eyes. Hosts Rick Houghton and Paul Velasco discuss McLaren’s rise as Red Bull stumbles into the kind of meltdown Jos Verstappen warned about a …

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Mohammad Al Shehhi: The Emirati Who Quit His Day Job To Start A Wrestling Revolution 33:17

5M ago33:17

33:17

Mohammad Al Shehhi: The Emirati Who Quit His Day Job To Start A Wrestling Revolution What happens when a young Emirati decides to ditch his conventional career path and dive headfirst into the high-flying world of professional wrestling? This week on EventNewsDXB, we're talking to Mohammed Al Shehhi, known to fans as "Shaheen" (Arabic for falcon), …

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Bahrain GP: Piastri Triumphant As Red Bull's Dynasty Unravels! 40:52

5M ago40:52

40:52

Bahrain GP: Piastri Triumphant As Red Bull's Dynasty Unravels! This week on 2 Soft Compounds, Rick Houghton and Paul Velasco are joined by Grandprix247 editor, Jad Mallak, as they unpack the race that blew the title fight wide open and tear into everything from McLaren’s rising power to Red Bull’s unraveling. 🏁 There's united opinion in the studio …

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Paul Berger: Built To Impress with Arena Events Group CEO 34:46

6M ago34:46

34:46

Paul Berger: Built To Impress with Arena Events Group CEO In this episode, Paul Berger, CEO of Arena Events Group, shares his journey from the advertising world of 1990s Dubai to leading one of the world’s premier event infrastructure companies. From launching the city’s first indoor karting facility to developing Dubai Autodrome and scaling Arena …

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F1's Desert Showdown: Bahrain’s Benchmark Battles 26:09

6M ago26:09

26:09

2 Soft Compounds - F1's Desert Showdown: Bahrain’s Benchmark Battles 🏜️ Bahrain Breakdown! On this week’s 2 Soft Compounds, Rick Houghton and Paul Velasco dig into the desert showdown that always reveals who's really hot - and who's not. From the wild backstory of how Bahrain even made it onto the F1 calendar, to the latest chapter in the Verstappe…

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Japan GP: Max's Masterclass in Suzuka Stunner 32:05

6M ago32:05

32:05

2 Soft Compounds - Japan GP: Max's Masterclass in Suzuka Stunner! 🇯🇵 Suzuka Stunner! This week on Two Soft Compounds, Rick Houghton and Paul Velasco break down Max Verstappen’s jaw-dropping qualifying lap in Japan in a car he called “...a bag of bolts.” Is this the moment we’re witnessing a living legend at his peak? 🧡 The boys also dive into McLar…

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Eddie Jordan: The Maverick Who Rocked The Paddock 26:07

6M ago26:07

26:07

2 Soft Compounds - Eddie Jordan: The Maverick Who Rocked The Paddock 🍀 It's the end of era! On this special edition of 2 Soft Compounds, Rick Houghton and Paul Velasco pay tribute to the legendary Eddie Jordan, who passed away at age 76 - a true F1 maverick who left an unforgettable mark on the sport. ❤️ In a time when a time when hustlers, dreamer…

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From Hero to Zero: Lawson's Axing and Tsunoda's Big Break at Suzuka 25:09

6M ago25:09

25:09

2 Soft Compounds - From Hero to Zero: Lawson's Axing and Tsunoda's Big Break at Suzuka 🚨 Red Bull chaos! On this week’s 2 Soft Compounds, Rick Houghton and Paul Velasco unpack and offer their thoughts on the shock mid-season driver swap that’s rocked the paddock. Liam Lawson is out after just two races, and Yuki Tsunoda is promoted — just in time f…

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Chinese GP: McLaren's Comeback And Ferrari's Fiasco 25:29

6M ago25:29

25:29

2 Soft Compounds - Chinese GP: McLaren's Comeback And Ferrari's Fiasco 🏁 Shanghai Shockwaves! The Two Soft Compounds crew is back and the Chinese Grand Prix did not disappoint! Rick Houghton and Paul Velasco (GrandPrix247.com) dive into one of the wildest weekends of the season - full of fairytales, heartbreak and jaw-dropping drama. 🐎 From Lewis H…

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Melbourne GP: Crashes, Chaos And Championship Dreams! 33:06

6M ago33:06

33:06

2 Soft Compounds Ep 4 - Melbourne GP: Crashes, Chaos and Championship Dreams! 🏁 Melbourne Madness! The Two Soft Compounds team is back, and what a race to dissect! Rick Houghton and Paul Velasco (GrandPrix247) break down all the chaos from a jaw-dropping Australian Grand Prix that had it all - rain, crashes and shock results! 🇦🇺 McLaren stuns the g…

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Amy Morris: Building Creativity And Innovation In The Entertainment Industry. 37:03

7M ago37:03

37:03

EventNewsDXB - Ep. 8 - Amy Morris: Building Creativity And Innovation In The Entertainment Industry. In this episode of EventNewsDXB, host Ian Carless sits down with Amy Morris, CEO of PopUp Global, to discuss her journey from cruise ship performer to entertainment entrepreneur. Amy shares how a Disney cease-and-desist notice led her to pivot her U…

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Race Week: Who Has The Edge Down Under?! 38:16

7M ago38:16

38:16

2 Soft Compounds Ep. 3 - Race Week: Who Has The Edge Down Under?! 🏁 Lights Out in Melbourne! The wait is over – Formula 1 is back! This week on Two Soft Compounds, hosts Rick Houghton and Paul Velasco (GrandPrix247) gear up for what could be the wildest F1 season opener in years. 🇦🇺 Australia kicks off the season - and with rain on the radar, chaos…

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The 2025 F1 Season Intro 21:42

7M ago21:42

21:42

.2 Soft Compounds - Ep. 01 - The 2025 Season Intro In the very first episode of 2 Soft Compounds, hosts Rick Houghton and Paul Velasco(GrandPrix247) dive into their personal F1 journeys — from childhood karting and Marlboro media days to life in the paddock as a photo journalist and behind-the-scenes stories from the world of motorsport. The duo al…

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2025 F1 Pre Season Testing 22:35

7M ago22:35

22:35

2 Soft Compounds - Ep 2 - 2025 Pre Season Testing 🏁 Testing, Tyres & Toto's Cannon! This week on 2 Soft Compounds, hosts Rick Houghton and Paul Velasco (GrandPrix247) break down pre-season testing in Bahrain, revealing which teams look hot, which look lost and why McLaren might just be the ones to beat. They also dig into Hamilton’s smooth start at…

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Mike Wain: Thriving & Surviving - Balancing Business & Well-Being 32:10

7M ago32:10

32:10

EventNewsDXB Ep. 07 Mike Wain: Thriving & Surviving - Balancing Business & Well-Being EventNewsDXB is supported by Warehouse Four - Dubai's best independent event venue. Join host Ian Carless and seasoned event professional, Mike Wain, as he shares his insights on Dubai’s ever-evolving event industry and the challenges of entrepreneurship. It's a c…