How do you turn broken tech into life-changing opportunities? Mike Tarbard, co-founder and CEO of Every Child Online and Everyone Digital, has spent five years answering that question... and the results are impressive!

Dave and James welcome Mike to discuss digital inclusion, online safety, and how refurbished IT equipment is creating pathways for young people who would otherwise have no access. From collecting surplus tech from businesses to wiping data securely, from training centres to creative upcycling, this is a charity that's doing things differently.

What they discuss:

💻 How 50,000+ devices have been refurbished and distributed to schools and charities, and they're just getting started
🎓 Digital inclusion isn't just about education, it's about belonging and self-esteem
🔒 The online safety crisis: bullying, sextortion, and predators
♻️ Creating jewellery and gifts from old circuit boards
🤝 How ESG credentials help businesses win tenders whilst supporting their community
🏢 Expanding to new premises and outreach centres across the region
📚 The importance of practical work experience alongside qualifications

As always, enjoy, with your 'Quick Brew' ⏱️☕🎙️

🤝 Connect with Mike on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-tarbard/

🙏 Learn more about Every Child Online: https://everychildonline.co.uk/

📖 Read Mike's book recommendation: The Magic Faraway Tree Collection by Enid Blyton: https://amzn.eu/d/0c8y6FXz

❤️ Thank you to our sponsors, Loomyna. Your AI conversation coach - helping managers, leaders, and HR professionals rehearse, refine, and communicate with clarity, confidence, and care.
🔗 https://wellityglobal.com/meet-loomyna/
🤑 Don't forget to use the discount code: BREW10

#digitalinclusion #everychildonline #onlinesafety #charity #tech #cybersecurity #corporatesocialresponsibility #businesspodcast #aquickbrew #podcast

Sometimes the best episodes are about the simplest things: paying it forward and remembering that kindness still matters.

Dave and James kick off their 40th episode discussing James's decision to refocus on an AI project inspired by recent health scares, and David's work as a charity ambassador for Every Child Online and Everyone Digital.

What follows is a celebration of random acts of kindness.

What they discuss:

🤝 Why paying it forward matters when the world feels cynical
💻 Refurbishing tech and making cufflinks from circuit boards
👴 The elderly couple and a £3 bottle of water
🤝 InfoSec at the Excel and the Cyber House Party igloo
📱 Why people engage with one-minute shorts instead of full episodes
🎬 Film actors that never have anything in their cups...

A genuinely positive episode about community, connection, and the fact that small acts of kindness cost nothing but make everything better.

As always, enjoy, with your 'Quick Brew' ⏱️☕🎙️

#podcast #kindness #community #charity #volunteers #everychild #cybersecurity #mentalhealth #payitforward #businesspodcast #aquickbrew

00:00 The Perfect Introduction

01:03 Focus on Personal Projects and Side Hustles

03:02 Charity Initiatives and Community Support

05:33 Acts of Kindness and Paying It Forward

10:21 Challenges of Modern Transactions - Just Take My Money!

12:00 The Importance of Paying It Forward

12:47 Community Engagement in Cybersecurity

14:17 Positive Initiatives and Charitable Causes

17:23 Recognition and AQB Host Identities

19:20 Humor and Family Dynamics

21:20 Come On Guys, Watch The Pod!

22:16 James' Stunt Mug

23:48 Acts of Kindness in Daily Life

25:47 Wrapping Up

26:35 AQB_intro_short.mp4

What happens when vulnerability becomes your superpower?

Dave and James 'Hehe' Sharples welcome Lauren Cross, award-winning "vulnerability warrior" and blogger, for a conversation that spans mental health, authenticity, and why not everyone will like you, even if you're a peach...

From her win at the Great British Workplace Wellbeing Awards to sharing her journey through anxiety, solo parenting, and food addiction, Lauren proves that being open about struggles creates the psychological safety others need.

What they discuss:

🏆 The best celebration ever witnessed at the awards

💪 Why vulnerability isn't weakness

📝 Blogging through dark times and finding community

🎭 How authenticity beats perfection every time

✨ Lauren's word of the year conceptFrom

Michael Jackson appreciation to the Tom List (yes, it's a thing), this episode weaves between deep vulnerability and joyful tangents.

As always, enjoy, with your 'Quick Brew' ⏱️☕🎙️

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📖 Read Lauren's book recommendation: Always Winning by Ashley Walters 🔗 https://amzn.eu/d/0439Hzf9

-----❤️ Thank you to our sponsors, Loomyna.

Your AI conversation coach - helping managers, leaders, and HR professionals rehearse, refine, and communicate with clarity, confidence, and care.

🔗 https://wellityglobal.com/meet-loomyna/

🤑 Don't forget to use the discount code: BREW10

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#podcast #mentalhealth #vulnerability #authenticity #wellbeing #anxiety #personaldevelopment #blogging #psychologicalsafety #businesspodcast