Youthonomics Podcast

In this episode of the Youthonomics Podcast, Shayne is joined by Geoff, a sustainability and social impact consultant, to explore his career journey and break down complex sustainability concepts in a clear, accessible way. Geoff reflects on his path from studying geography and management at the University of Cambridge to working across government, NGOs, and social enterprises, before becoming a freelance consultant. He explains the differences between ESG, sustainability, and net zero, helping listeners understand how organizations measure environmental and social impact and why these frameworks matter.

The interview features Enoch Ayo Ajala, a London School of Economics graduate and Market Intelligence Analyst at the Bank of England, discussing his journey into economics, education, and central banking. Enoch explains how an early passion for economics, strong mentorship, and proactive learning, such as essay competitions and economic societies helped him gain admission to LSE and later secure a role at the Bank of England. He emphasizes resilience in the face of rejection, the importance of mindset, and responding quickly to failure. The conversation also breaks down what the Bank of England and central banks do, explaining inflation, interest rates, and financial stability in accessible terms, while encouraging young people from diverse backgrounds to pursue careers in economics and public institutions without self-doubt

In this 2nd episode of Youthonomics, Shayne sits down with Darren Crowder to translate the world of work, careers, and the economy into a language young people can actually understand. Darren grew up in Mansfield, Nottingham, and went on to work across global organisations including Microsoft, SAP, and iCIMS. But this conversation isn’t about job titles or CVs. It’s about what young people are never told. Together, Shayne and Darren explore: what young people misunderstand about how work really works why so many capable people feel stuck early in their careers how decisions are actually made inside organisations what skills matter most in a changing economy how AI is reshaping work — without the fear and what Darren wishes he understood at 18 This episode is part of a wider Youthonomics project, a continuous conversation designed to help young people navigate life, work, and the economy with clarity and confidence.

In this solo episode, I dive into why everything feels so difficult right now, particularly for young people. I ask us to gather and grapple with ideas & the state of affairs & set the stage for the coming of the budget & its impact on us. I introduce the concept of Youthonomics & what to expect from the podcast