Five business.connected podcasts our community keeps coming back to

One of the simplest ways to learn as a founder is to hear from people who've already been there. The wins, the mistakes, the decisions that changed everything and the moments they nearly gave up.

That's why the business.connected podcast, The Small Business Sessions, has become such a big part of the programme.

Since October 2023, it's helped thousands of founders learn while commuting, walking the dog or grabbing a quiet half-hour.

To date, the podcast has passed 220,000 downloads, making it one of the most-watched parts of business.connected.

Business.connected itself is a free digital skills support programme run by Enterprise Nation in partnership with Vodafone Business. Its aim is simple – help the UK's small businesses build confidence with digital tools, adopt new technology and grow online.

So far, it's:

• supported one million SMEs

• delivered more than 40,000 hours of digital support

• hosted over 300 online events

• helped founders increase their confidence in digital skills by 56%

To mark the one million milestone, here are five podcast episodes that stand out, and why they're worth your time.

1. Richard Harpin, founder of HomeServe

Richard Harpin's episode is a masterclass in long-term thinking.

He talks openly about starting HomeServe from scratch and building it into a global business, but what makes this conversation useful is the detail behind the decisions.

Richard shares how he thought about growth in the early days, how he handled setbacks and why culture mattered long before HomeServe became a household name.

He also reflects on selling the business and what founders should consider if exit is on the horizon, even if that feels a long way off right now.

If you're building something you want to last, or you're curious about what scaling really involves, this episode gives you plenty to think about.

Watch the episode with Richard on YouTube:

2. Louise Hill, co-founder of GoHenry

Louise Hill built GoHenry with a clear mission – help children learn how to manage money.

In this episode, she talks about how purpose shaped the business from day one and how that focus helped guide decisions as the company grew.

She shares practical insight into building a brand that parents trust, navigating growth while raising a family and what it's like to scale a business in a regulated space.

There's also honest discussion about confidence, self-belief and backing yourself when the idea feels bigger than you.

This is a strong listen for anyone building a values-led business or trying to stay focused as things get busier and more complex.

Watch the episode with Louise on YouTube:

3. Joanna Jensen, founder of Childs Farm

Joanna Jensen's story will resonate with founders who spotted a gap because they experienced the problem themselves.

Childs Farm began as a response to Joanna's daughter's eczema and grew into a well-known skincare brand stocked nationwide.

In the episode, Joanna talks about developing a product people genuinely need, getting it into retailers and dealing with the realities of rapid growth.

She also shares what she learned from selling the business and moving into investing, including what she now looks for in founders.

If you're building a product-based business or navigating retail and manufacturing, this episode offers grounded, practical insight.

Watch the episode with Joanna on YouTube:

4. Saasha Celestial-One, co-founder of Olio

Building an app is one thing. Getting people to use it regularly is another.

Saasha Celestial-One talks through the journey of growing Olio, a sharing app designed to reduce food waste and build local communities.

She explains how they tested ideas, listened to users and made decisions that supported growth without losing sight of the original mission.

There's plenty here for founders interested in tech, platforms and community-driven businesses, but also for anyone trying to create something people keep coming back to.

It's a thoughtful conversation about resilience, persistence and staying close to your users.

Watch the episode with Saasha on YouTube:

5. Josh Kleiner, founder of Sandwich Sandwich

This episode offers a very different perspective. Josh Kleiner shares the story behind Sandwich Sandwich, from opening a single shop to dealing with viral demand and rapid growth.

He talks honestly about operational challenges, staffing, consistency and the pressures that come with sudden success.

For founders in food, retail or hospitality, this episode feels particularly real, but there's value for anyone managing growth while trying to protect quality and reputation.

It's a reminder that visibility and demand bring new problems as well as new opportunities.

Watch the episode with Josh on YouTube:

How to listen to more and what to do next

All of these episodes are part of the free business.connected programme.

If you're looking to build confidence with digital tools, learn from experienced founders or simply feel less alone in the ups and downs of running a business, this is a good place to start.

You can watch the episodes on YouTube and explore the wider business.connected hub on Enterprise Nation. With free podcasts, webinars, blogs and online events, the support is there when you need it.

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