Delegate, Hydrate, Pause: Life Lessons from Microsoft VP Andy Hart
What happens when a top media executive walks away from it all at 50 and heads for the jungle? In this episode of Mentor, Marco Bertozzi and Rachel Ford sit down with the one and only Andy Hart, former Global CRO at Hearst, Microsoft VP, and now... Shamanic. Andy takes us on a journey from running national newspapers to exploring shamanic rituals, Burning Man revelations, and redefining leadership. He shares raw reflections on burnout, ego, learning to let go, and the power of living with intention.
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Produced by Viral Tribe Entertainment: https://viraltribe.co.uk/
Chapters
02:14 Career in 60 Seconds – From VNU to Microsoft
04:46 Digital Transformation & Burnout at the Mail
06:22 Climbing at Microsoft and the Power of Leadership Training
07:35 Quitting at 50 – The Groucho Club Revelation
08:56 Is He Brilliant or Bonkers? Breaking Free from the Corporate Matrix
10:21 Spiritual Awakening, Burning Man & Saying Yes
12:47 Shamandi Is Born – Tribes, Ayahuasca & the Matrix Unplugged
14:11 Helping vs. Fixing – A New Definition of Leadership
15:00 Parenting, Mentorship & Giving Space
17:30 Get Out of Your Own Way – Lessons from INSEAD & Coaching
18:57 Drive-by Shootings & Leadership Blind Spots
21:17 The What, How, When & Where of Maturing as a Leader
22:39 What Would You Tell a 25-Year-Old Today?
27:44 Biggest F*-Up: The Simply Switch Acquisition
31:03 Mentors Who Shaped Andy’s Life – From Shamans to Steve Myron
33:23 Finding Mentors Today – Just Ask
34:17 Spiritual Timing & Clearing Space
35:35 Are You a Whippy? (Well-Off Hippy)
36:14 Marco’s Story – When Shamandi’s Advice Sparked a Business
37:48 Words Are Spells: Mitzvahs, Karma & Bitcoin
39:23 Andy’s Final Advice: The Four Agreements + Trust the Process
43:34 Hydration, Delegation & the Power of a Pause
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45:03
From Spotify to Channel 4: How Rak Patel Redefined Leadership
Mentor is the podcast where industry heavyweights share the lessons they’ve learned on the road to leadership. Hosted by Marco Buzzozi and Rachel Forde, this week’s episode features Rak Patel — Chief Commercial Officer at Channel 4. From his early days cold-calling at Drapers to leading sales teams at Spotify, Rak opens up about authenticity, diversity, and the power of just doing the thing in front of you.
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Produced by Viral Tribe Entertainment: https://viraltribe.co.uk/
Chapters:
00:00 – Channel 4, Gen Z & The Lost Boys Report
04:18 – Rak Patel’s Career in 60 Seconds
11:41 – Diversity, Representation & Why It Can’t Be a Tick Box
18:24 – Leading Through Uncertainty
22:04 – Biggest Career Mess-Up (And What It Taught Him)
26:53 – Role Models & Masculinity
31:06 – What Real Sales Leadership Looks Like
37:30 – Best Advice He Ever Got (From His Wife)
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44:44
How to Build Unbeatable Client Relationships – with Claudine Collins
Claudine Collins – Chief Client Officer at EssenceMediacom UK and the no-nonsense interviewer from BBC’s The Apprentice – joins Rachel and Marco to talk about what 30 years in advertising have taught her. From building bulletproof client relationships to hiring on instinct, Claudine shares the career lessons that shaped her, the value of mentorship, and the one big thing she wishes she’d done differently.
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https://www.instagram.com/thezoo.london/
https://thezoo.london
Produced by Viral Tribe Entertainment: https://viraltribe.co.uk/
Chapters
1:18 — Meet Claudine Collins - From EssenceMediacom to The Apprentice
2:57 — 12 Years Interviewing for The Apprentice: What It’s Really Like
4:34 — 30 Years in Media: How Claudine Stayed and Thrived
7:30 — The Secret to Great Client Relationships
9:42 — Little Gestures, Big Impact: Donuts, Birthdays, and Loyalty
11:06 — Why Claudine Never Switched to Sales or Client Side
13:16 — Mentorship, Cheerleaders, and Supporting Young Talent
17:04 — The Advice Claudine Wishes She’d Heard Earlier
20:37 — Work-Life Culture Then vs. Now: What’s Missing?
24:44 — Why Being in the Office Still Matters
26:38 — Spotting Leadership in Seconds
28:14 — Real-World Hiring: Gut Instinct vs. Resume
32:39 — Claudine’s Biggest Career Mistake (and the Trolls Who Came for Her)
39:38 — Steel with Pride: The Story That Changed Her Leadership Style
44:31 — The Power of Playing to Your Strengths
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56:10
Why Steve King Thinks You Should Quit Your Job After 4 Years
Steve King’s career reads like a playbook for leadership, longevity and bold decision-making. Marco and Rachel chat to the former Publicis COO, to learn about the pivotal moments, mistakes and mentors that shaped his four-decade journey through media and advertising. From selling earrings in Italy to managing 90,000 staff globally, Steve reflects on imposter syndrome, protecting time for family, and what it's really like working under Maurice Lévy. Plus, the one afternoon in his diary he never gave up — no matter what!
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https://www.instagram.com/thezoo.london/
https://thezoo.london
Episode Chapters
01:24 Journalism vs AI: Make It Fair Campaign Explained
05:53 Introducing Steve King – A Masterclass in Leadership
08:48 From Donuts to Media – The Start of Steve’s Journey
13:29 Moving to America: Career Defining Moment
14:51 Dealing with Imposter Syndrome at the Top
20:44 Creating Zenith’s Global Identity – The ROI Agency
24:49 US vs UK vs French Leadership Styles
30:10 Building Publicis Media: Trust, Talent, Transformation
34:08 The Pandemic Years: Shingles, Solitude, and Publicis Survival
41:23 Why US Experience is Crucial for Future Leaders
43:19 What Steve Learned from Maurice Lévy and Arthur Sadoun
46:30 Balancing Work, Life and Rugby – Steve’s True Priorities
49:27 Magpie Advice: Simplify, Listen, Hire Smart
Produced by Viral Tribe Entertainment: https://viraltribe.co.uk/
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52:14
Trailer - Launches 21st May
MENTOR is a podcast that gives a platform to successful senior executives to share their lived experiences, career lessons, and personal stories.
Hosted by founders Rachel Forde and Marco Bertozzi of TheZoo.London and produced by leading podcast network Viral Tribe, each episode offers relaxed yet insightful conversations with top industry leaders.
Launches on 28th May 2025.
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MENTOR is a podcast that shares the lived experiences of senior leaders across industries.
In each episode, guests open up to founders Rachel Forde and Marco Bertozzi of TheZoo.London about their careers, mistakes, lessons, and the people who inspired them along the way. It’s smart, relaxed, and packed with real-world insight. Whether you’re a future leader or simply curious about how others have navigated the world of work, MENTOR delivers valuable takeaways and thoughtful conversation.
Brought to you by TheZoo.London and Viral Tribe.