Working Hours Podcast

April 24, 2023

I’m pleased to share some information with readers about Leeds local Simon Treen and his Working Hours Podcast. Deciding that the best way to do this would be to jump in and be a guest, I booked us some time at Unity Through Music (UTM) in Meanwood.

UTM are a valuable asset to the community, providing young adults with the resources and support they need to pursue their passions in the music and arts industry. A fantastic space available to rent, with equipment, to anyone that needs a one off or regular space for recording, photography or podcasts.

For the Working Hours Podcast Simon is interviewing anyone in Leeds or from Leeds who, has ever had, still has, or aspires to having a job. The podcast wants to record Loiners’* personal experiences of work. There are no expectations during the interview, as everyone’s experiences are quite different. Simon says, so many of the jobs we do now didn’t even exist ten years ago, so careers advice has never been so hard. Especially, when most of us won’t stay in a sector or industry or even stay with one firm for long anymore.

“I started recording the Working Hours Podcast because I wanted to hear a podcast talking to workers, not just talking to experts. To hear more from the public than a 5 minute Vox Pop sound bite. More about what people know (experience) and less about what they think (opinion).

1,000 Loiners’* seemed like an achievable target at the time. Perhaps didn’t think it through.”

Podcaster Simon Treen – Working Hours Podcast

Leeds is the largest city in the largest county on the UK mainland, it is a former imperial textile centre and is now a major UK financial centre. Leeds has declared a Climate Emergency and is one of the fastest growing tech centres in the country, as well as being one of the most important healthcare training centres on the island. The Working Hours Podcast looks to document this vital city’s important experiences through this eventful and highly important decade. The ultimate goal is to record one thousand Loiners* over the decade for the podcast, so Simon is on the lookout for more guests.

I didn’t find it scary at all, I suppose that’s because I knew all the answers – as they were about my experiences of work. From what I wanted to be when I grew up to what I would change about my role if I could. The questions cover a lot of ground but it’s all done in a friendly no pressure conversational form.

*Loiners, for the purposes of Working Hours Podcast, are anyone living in an LS postcode or working in LS postcode or anyone originally from an LS postcode now living and working anywhere else.

be a guest on The Working Hours Podcast

Give it a go, you can be anonymous or promote yourself or your brand. You can big up your company or put down your job (though apparently no one has done this yet). Get some practice for your media and interview skills and drop Simon an email.