PODCAST · business
Secret Leaders
by Leaders Media
Dan Murray-Serter and Chris Donnelly are two serial entrepreneurs who've built, sold, scaled & failed companies worth hundreds of millions of dollars. In Secret Leaders we get inside the greatest minds and greatest moments in business, because we believe the best way to learn about business is to hear from the people who make it happen. Sponsored by Wise Business and Vanta. Contact: [email protected]
Episodes
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Introducing: The Wrong Side of History — The Women Who Fought Against the Vote
A note from Secret Leaders: This week, we’re sharing the first episode of The Wrong Side of History, a new show from former Secret Leaders producer Jay Singleton. On Wrong Side Of History Jay helps you understand history’s bad guys the way they understood themselves. Each season takes the...
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I quit. The final episode?
Millions of downloads, 400+ episodes and 7 years, it's time for a break. -------- Sign up to Wise Business banking: https://wise.com/uk/business/ Join Vanta and receive $1000 off: http://vanta.com/secretleaders
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The 5 Minute Secret to Changing Your Life ｜Alex Ikonn, The 5 Minute Journal
What if the secret to happiness, clarity, and success took just 5 minutes a day? In this episode, we sit down with Alex Ikonn — co-founder of the viral sensation The Five Minute Journal, used by the likes Emma Watson, Tim Ferriss, and millions of others. From being fired at a bank to building a...
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Meet the CEO Bill Gates backs to beat Tesla: Alex Kendall, Wayve.AI
In this episode of Secret Leaders, we sit down with Alex Kendall, co-founder & CEO of Wayve AI — the $1B+ British startup taking on Tesla in the race to build a driverless future. From raising $1.05 billion from Microsoft, SoftBank, and NVIDIA, to reimagining cities with AI-powered vehicles, Alex...
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Matchroom CEO on Business of Conor Benn v Chris Eubank Jr & Signing Anthony Joshua ｜ Frank Smith
From pouring tea to billion-dollar deals — Frank Smith's rise to CEO of Matchroom Boxing is nothing short of legendary. In this exclusive podcast, Frank opens up about building global stars like Anthony Joshua, sealing game-changing partnerships with DAZN, and navigating boxing’s Saudi-powered...
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Lessons From A Female Billionaire Business Founder ｜Christina Cacioppo, Vanta
What does it take to go from thinking "I’m not the type to start a company" to building a $2.5B startup that serves over 10,000 businesses? Christina Cacioppo, founder & CEO of Vanta, shares her raw and remarkable journey in this episode of Secret Leaders In this candid interview, we dive into...
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The Millionaire Chef Who HUSTLED His Way To A $50M Empire｜Tom Kerridge
Discover how Tom Kerridge went from washing dishes to building a £40M hospitality empire. In this episode of Secret Leaders, we dive into the raw truth behind restaurant success (and failure), why most places don’t make it, and how Tom hustled his way to the top—without any business background,...
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How One Simple AT&T Ad Changed Internet History Forever
From the first banner ad in 1994 to programmatic mobile ads, the internet as we know it was built on one thing: advertising. In this explosive episode of Secret Leaders, we break down the untold story of how ads didn’t just fund the web—they engineered it. You will learn: The birth of banner ads...
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The CEO on a Mission to end Your Credit Card Debt｜Philip Belamant, Zilch
Is this the man who could end the global credit card crisis? In this explosive episode of Secret Leaders, we sit down with Philip Belamant, the visionary founder of Zilch — the UK fintech unicorn that’s rewriting the rules of credit, debt, and how we pay. Most people know Zilch as a "Buy Now, Pay...
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Why Toxic Men Become CEOs (and How to Stop It)
You've seen them—the red-faced, power-tripping, emotionally disconnected CEOs barking orders while morale sinks. But how did we get here? And more importantly… how do we fix it? This isn't just another workplace rant—it's a deep dive into the dark psychology of leadership, the gendered traits…
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The Truth about Masculinity: Have we really created weak & Toxic Men? & How to fix it - Sam Conniff
What does "toxic masculinity" really mean? In this powerful episode, Sam Conniff dives deep into the crisis of modern masculinity, exploring how society has shaped a generation of men caught between weakness and toxicity. Sam shares his growing concern for younger men, especially after…
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McDonald's vs Burger King: How One Campaign Hijacked Millions of Customers
Ever wondered how Burger King pulled off one of the slickest marketing stunts ever—racking up 1.5 MILLION app downloads in just ONE WEEK by targeting people standing INSIDE McDonald’s stores? _______________ Sign up to Wise Business banking: https://wise.com/uk/business/ Join Vanta and receive...
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Dopamine Expert: This 30 minute Rule Will Fix Your Dopamine Addiction
Are your daily habits killing your motivation? Neuroscientist TJ Power, once a self-confessed dopamine junkie reveals how phones and quick fixes tanked his focus and ambition. He broke free from phone and alcohol addiction with his D.O.S.E framework (Dopamine, Oxytocin, Serotonin, Endorphins)…
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$500M Bitcoin Lost Because Of An Angry Ex
Imagine losing 8,000 Bitcoins—now worth over half a billion pounds—because someone threw out your hard drive. In this episode of Leaders Chat, Dan and Chris dive into this jaw-dropping story, dissect Tony Khan’s daring strategy to keep AEW a family-run powerhouse, and dish out must-know...
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The Man Who Took Over Savile Row With Just $10,000
Savile Row is one of the most prestigious shopping streets in London, and with just £10,000, Sean Dixon transformed his brand, Richard James, into one of the city's most sought-after tailors. From designing Sir Alex Ferguson's iconic coat to hosting Elton John and Oasis in his shop at the same...
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Did you see Elon Musk RIDICULOUS texts to billionaire?
Has anyone seen how CASUAL Elon Musk's text messages were when trying to convince billionaire to invest in X? We will be discussing how common this actually is as well as how Elon's Grok 3 has emerged has the top AI platform despite behind 5 years behind ChatGPT Then Dan and Chris finish of by...
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Huel & RedBull’s PR expert talks marketing hacks to go viral - Emily Austen
Want to build a killer marketing campaign? Look no further than our interview with PR expert Emily Austen who does exactly that for global giants Red Bull. She takes us some through some of the most successful PR campaigns ever including how Barbie and Oppenheimer clashed on purpose?! and the...
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How Rolex Turns Over $11 Billion But Makes $0 Profit
Rolex is one of the most iconic and prestigious brands in the world, generating an incredible $11 billion in annual revenue. But here’s the shocking twist—Rolex doesn’t make a single dollar in profit. So, where does all that money go? And how does Rolex continue to dominate the luxury watch...
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The Man who accidentally sold $100M on Shopify by Travelling the world - Danny Buck, CRAFTD London
Meet the man behind CRAFTD, the Shopify hit that has made him $100 million. This is a man who has experienced it all on his entrepreneurial journey. From car boot sales, to buying out his bosses, creating the iconic Cristiano Ronaldo billboard and ending up in $300k worth of debt. He will be...
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Why Dominos gave away free Rolex’s & reacting to cringe CEOs
Did you know Domino’s used to give out Rolex watches to top-performing franchise owners? Or that LEGO rewarded its employees with solid gold bricks? Some companies go above and beyond to take care of their people. In this episode of Leaders Chat, we break down some of the most surprising employee...
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The Bricklayer Who Built a $50M Empire Selling Honey
From a humble bricklayer to building a $40 million honey empire, Scott Davies is living proof that with relentless determination and a never-say-die mentality, anything is possible. Scott’s journey, which began with self-doubt and uncertainty, evolved into the story of an entrepreneur who…
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Deepseek vs ChatGPT, YouTube Dating? & Beating Bill Gates
Is Chris more influential than Bill Gates? This week, we explore Chris's rise to the top as LinkedIn’s number one ranked creator and dive into the ongoing battle between Deepseek and ChatGPT. Plus, did you know YouTube started out as a dating site?! We’re also excited to introduce a brand new...
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Wealth Expert: Unlock This Mentality to Make $10K a Month - Sahil Bloom
Everyone wants to make money, and many view it as the ultimate path to happiness. But for Sahil Bloom, money is merely the by product of discovering what truly brings you joy and fulfilment. In this incredibly insightful episode, we sit down with Sahil, a wealth expert, to explore the deeper side...
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$25,369,000 EXIT: The Brutal Truths Of Selling My Business
No one truly understands the brutal truth of going through an exit process and this week Chris gives us a raw insight into the reality of what really happens behind the scenes of seeing the company you have put your life into build suddenly in someone else's hands. Everyone will always look at…
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The $1BN CEO who has beat Nike and Adidas in 9 years
Tom Beahon, the co-founder of Castore, reveals how he took on global giants Nike and Adidas—and won—in just 9 years. Tom takes us behind the scenes of Castore’s rise, revealing what really goes on in the world of sports sponsorship deals and how he navigated a highly competitive industry. He also...
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The Strangest Businesses You Didn’t know Existed
In this fascinating episode, we dive into some of the strangest businesses you never knew existed! From companies that allow you to hire bridesmaids to look the part at your wedding, to services where you can literally rent someone's time to stand in line for you, these unusual ventures are…
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Omaze: A Unicorn Business Built by Giving Away Millions to People & Charity
Matthew Pohlson has built Omaze into a unicorn business through some pretty unconventional ways - convincing the Pope to sell his Lamborghini, sending someone to space with Richard Branson and giving away multi-million dollar mansions for $10. All whilst giving away over $300M to charity. This is...
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How this one change made my Business £1M a month
In this episode, Dan shares the incredible journey behind the recent success of his company, Heights, now generating $1.5 million per month in revenue. He reveals the one simple change that transformed the business and led to this massive growth. Whether you're an entrepreneur looking to scale…
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Andy Coulson: Most powerful man in British Media to a national disgrace - Lessons in Reputation management
Andy Coulson was once the face and leader of the most powerful newspaper in the country, News Of The World, and later became the Prime Minister’s right-hand man as Director of Communications. Then he lost it all. After scandals and a prison sentence, Andy founded his own consultancy, Coulson...
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Why We Stopped Caring About Politics
In this week’s Leaders Chat, we discuss Trumps upcoming inauguration and why we have simply stopped caring about politics. We also debate an interesting question: should CEOs earn 196x more than their employees? We break down what drives these massive pay differences and ask if they’re truly...
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I built a $2bn Company By Paying Everybody The Same As Me - Nicola Kilner
In this episode, we sit down with Nicola Kilner, former CEO of The Ordinary, to dive deep into the unique story behind her journey in building a $2 billion company. Nicola shares the highs and lows of her path to success, including the challenges she faced as a leader and the pivotal moments that...
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Everything You Need To Know To Start A Business In 2025
In this episode Chris Donnelly and Dan Murray Serter, each with over 17 years in the game, share the ultimate guide to starting a business in 2025. They cover everything from identifying the best industries to enter, to building a team and scaling your idea into a thriving company. If you're...
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Hermann Hauser: The Man Who Saved Apple from Bankruptcy
In this episode, we sit down with the entrepreneur who built the UK’s biggest company, worth an astonishing $176 billion, from an initial $50 investment. He shares the exact steps and strategies he used to scale a small startup into one of the world’s largest companies, proving that massive…
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Is AI going to ruin the world? Experts & Entrepreneurs discuss…
In this video, leading entrepreneurs and experts dive deep into one of the most pressing questions of our time: Is artificial intelligence going to ruin the world? With AI evolving faster than ever, concerns about its impact on jobs, society, and our future are growing. This insightful discussion...
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Compilation: These UNTOLD Stories Will Blow Your Mind
In this episode, we dive into three incredible stories that blew our minds. Lionel Barber recounts his chilling experience interviewing Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin, giving us a rare insight into what it’s like to sit face-to-face with one of the world’s most powerful leaders. James Watt,...
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8 Life-Changing Books To Read In 2025
Looking for the best books to fuel your success in 2025? In this video, we dive into the top books that have shaped our entrepreneurial journey and made a lasting impact on our lives. Whether you're just starting out or you're a seasoned business owner, these books offer invaluable lessons on...
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How I disrupted a $671 billion industry from my bedroom
Every entrepreneur dreams of disrupting an industry, but few have done it as boldly as today's guest. In this episode, we dive into the story of a visionary who took on billion-dollar skincare giants like L'Oréal and Nivea—without any prior industry experience—and became the #1 men's skincare…
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Our Regrets On Interviewing James Watt
As series 7 draws to a close, in this episode we sit down to chat about some of our favourite episodes, our personal highlights, some of our regrets and how Dan got rejected by Deborah Meaden. ____________ Sign up to Wise Business banking: https://wise.com/gb/business/?utm_sou... Thanks to HP our...
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How Creators AND Businesses Can Win In The New Economy- Caspar Lee
In this episode, Caspar Lee opens up about why he decided to leave his YouTube career behind, despite having 7 million followers, to focus on a new, exciting chapter: becoming a successful entrepreneur. Caspar reveals the challenges he faced as a content creator and how his passion shifted…
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Diary Of A CEO Embarrassing Moment, Selling Feet Pics & Our NEW STUDIO
In this episode we discuss Dan’s embarrassing moment as the first guest on diary of a CEO, we reflect on some of our recent episodes and discuss How Lily Allen and Kate Nash are making the most of OF and we do it all in our brand new studio! ____________ Sign up to Wise Business banking:...
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Why creators risk losing their audience - Dom Smales
In this eye-opening episode, we sit down with Dom Smales, founder of Gleam Futures, to discuss why the creator economy is on the verge of collapse and what creators must do to avoid losing their audiences. With a wealth of experience managing some of the biggest names in the industry, including...
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Why DECIEM'S Black Friday Boycott Works
Dan and Chris speak with the Founder of a £2 billion brand that takes the bold step of shutting down on Black Friday — the biggest shopping day of the year — and how they continue to thrive! ____________ Sign up to Wise Business banking: https://wise.com/gb/business/?utm_sou... Thanks to HP our...
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Why Mumsnet founder is suing Open AI for stealing
AI bots have scraped 6 billion words of content from Mumsnet. Justine Roberts (Founder of Mumsnet) isn't going away without a fight. In this episode she reveals why she’s suing AI and warns of its potential to destroy the future of content creators. She also reacts to the unfair treatment of…
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Padel With Max Verstappen, Reacting to Losing £50m and Entrepreneurs' ADHD
Sign up to Wise Business banking: https://wise.com/gb/business/?utm_sou... Thanks to HP our sponsor for this episode. For 10% off the HP Omnibook UltraFlip with built-in AI, use code 'HPLOVEWORK'. Valid until 31st January 2025, UK only. T&Cs apply. https://bit.ly/HPOmnibook-SLQ424 Join Vanta and...
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Brewdog: World’s Most Controversial Boss
In this episode, we sit down with BrewDog founder James Watt to dive into the story behind one of the world’s most disruptive beer brands. From bold marketing stunts to growing BrewDog into a global craft beer giant, James shares the entrepreneurial insights that helped him take the company to…
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How Dubai Changed The World In 64 Years
This Episode is sponsored by Dubai's Department of Economy and Tourism (DET). Discover why Dubai is the ultimate business hotspot here: http://www.dubaibeyondpossible.com AD In just 64 years, Dubai transformed from a small fishing village into a global hub for trade, technology, and innovation....
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8 Business lessons from $5.3bn Entrepreneur - Richard Harpin, Homeserve
Richard Harpin turned a simple home repair service into a $5.3 billion empire with Homeserve. Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur or seasoned business owner, Richard reveals the secrets behind scaling, leadership, and resilience and shares the 8 crucial business lessons that will help you...
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Why Elon’s Twitter will NEVER be profitable
In this episode, we dive deep into the whirlwind that’s been Elon Musk’s acquisition of Twitter and why it might be his most advantageous move to date. From making headlines with his partnership with President Donald Trump during the election to dominating the news cycle ever since—Elon’s…
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Deborah Meaden: What You Don't See On Dragons' Den
In this episode, we sit down with the legendary Deborah Meaden to dive into her incredible entrepreneurial journey—from her early days starting up in business to becoming a household name on Dragons' Den. Deborah shares candid stories from her time on the show, offers invaluable tips for aspiring...
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Entrepreneurs react to UK Budget - Will This Fix Britains Debt Disaster?
In this episode, we dive deep into the UK's 2024 Autumn Budget, a pivotal moment in British history. With Labour delivering their first budget in 14 years and the first female Chancellor leading the charge, there’s a lot to unpack. We discuss the £22 billion black hole in the nation's finances…
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Dan Murray-Serter and Chris Donnelly are two serial entrepreneurs who've built, sold, scaled & failed companies worth hundreds of millions of dollars. In Secret Leaders we get inside the greatest minds and greatest moments in business, because we believe the best way to learn about business is to hear from the people who make it happen.
Sponsored by Wise Business and Vanta.
Contact: [email protected]
HOSTED BY
Leaders Media
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Secret Leaders have?
Secret Leaders currently has 403 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Secret Leaders about?
Dan Murray-Serter and Chris Donnelly are two serial entrepreneurs who've built, sold, scaled & failed companies worth hundreds of millions of dollars. In Secret Leaders we get inside the greatest minds and greatest moments in business, because we believe the best way to learn about business is to...
How often does Secret Leaders release new episodes?
Secret Leaders publishes regularly with 403 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
Where can I listen to Secret Leaders?
You can listen to Secret Leaders on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Secret Leaders?
Secret Leaders is created and hosted by Leaders Media.
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