After Aston I... | Podcast Guru

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In this podcast we interview Aston University alumni – some of the UK’s most employable graduates, and hear the remarkable stories of where their careers have taken them. Aston has more than 100,000 alumni in 100 countries around the world, and between them, they’re building multi-million-pound empires, saving lives, competing in the Olympics, making TV appearances, getting themselves on Forbes 30 Under 30 lists, uncovering possibilities in AI, and a whole lot more. Get ready to be inspired, as we uncover what some of our alumni did, after Aston. What to expect from Series 2 (Episodes 11-20) Series 2 will be full of the same great stuff, but with a bit of a difference. This series, Geoff will be joined by a new co-host, Aimee Postle - Aston alumna, Coach, and Senior Teaching Fellow. You can expect candid conversations, career journeys, and a dose of inspiration from our global alumni community. Series 1 Recap (Episodes 1-10) Geoff Savage from Aston’s Community, Alumni Relations and Development team, and Aston graduate Katrina Raipuri interviewed 10 alumni about their career experiences so far. They heard from Christine who founded a global football franchise, Grace who became an award-winning cocktail entrepreneur, Sunjay who worked with Kylie Minogue, Simba who went on BBC’s The Apprentice, Gabriella who moved her career to Norway, Grace who became a BBC Breakfast Presenter, Paul who taught thousands of people to be better leaders, Sue who oversaw £6 billion of assets, James who lived and worked in 8 countries, and Rachel who project managed a new Cadbury chocolate bar.

Recent Episodes

DEC 3, 2025

After Aston I... discovered the good and the bad of corporate boards

Geoff and Aimee are joined by alumnus Stephen Billingham, who discusses his journey through various leadership roles, including being an executive at multiple high-profile organizations and a chair in both corporate and charitable boards. He talks candidly about the good and the bad of corporate boards, including what makes a good one, and why sometimes personality clashes are inevitable. Stephen also reflects on the crucial role of the chair, and the evolving responsibilities of boards, especially in terms of sustainability and social responsibility.

View the digital Aston for Life magazine: https://aflmagazine.aston.ac.uk/

30 MIN

NOV 12, 2025

After Aston I... explored the world of tech in the Big Apple

In this episode of 'After Aston I...' hosts Aimee Postle and Geoff Savage sit down with Dr. Krystle Burnett-Dunkley, a triple alumna who has carved an impressive path in the tech industry. Krystle discusses her journey from Birmingham to New York, her work at Hewlett Packard in leading strategic marketing campaigns, and her PhD research on sustainable leadership in the US tech industry. She delves into the fast-paced nature of the New York tech scene, the importance of staying informed in an ever-evolving field, and the potential of AI in marketing. Krystle also shares insights on her role as a mentor, the importance of balancing professional ambitions with personal joy, and the rich crossover between industry and academia.

31 MIN

JUN 11, 2025

After Aston I…produced a hit TV series for Netflix and YouTube

In this episode of the After Aston I... podcast, hosted by Aimee and Geoff, the spotlight is on Arese Ugwu, an Aston University alumna and renowned financial educator, author, and filmmaker. Arese shares her journey from studying Business Management at Aston to becoming a key figure empowering African millennial women with smart financial decisions. She talks about her struggles with personal finances and how they inspired her to create educational content, including articles, the bestselling book 'The Smart Money Woman,' and a hit Netflix series of the same name.

Arese also discusses the entrepreneurial challenges of funding creative projects and her approach to merging business acumen with creative visions. Tune in for an inspiring discussion about financial empowerment, storytelling, and navigating the film industry. Don't forget to check out the links for where to watch 'The Smart Money Woman' series on YouTube, and for more information on Aston's 20% loyalty scholarship for postgraduate studies.

34 MIN

MAY 14, 2025

After Aston I... empowered thousands of South Asian women to lead with confidence

In this episode of After Aston I…, co-hosts Aimee and Geoff are joined by Rupinder Kaur, founder of Asian Women Mean Business. Rupinder shares her inspiring journey from navigating the corporate world as a South Asian woman to leading a platform that empowers South Asian women to overcome self-doubt and step into leadership roles. She discusses the cultural challenges faced by South Asian women in the corporate world and the importance of community support, culturally relevant mentorship, and confidence-building. Rupinder also talks about her inspiring climb up Mount Kilimanjaro with the first all South Asian female group and the impact of her upcoming learning and development app aimed at supporting South Asian women globally. Listen in to hear how Rupinder is reshaping the leadership landscape for South Asian women and fostering confidence, ambition, and success.

To learn more about Asian Women MEAN Business at https://www.asianwomenmeanbusiness.com/

35 MIN

APR 16, 2025

After Aston I... covered the 2024 US election for The Economist

In this episode of After Aston I…, co-hosts Aimee and Geoff sit down with Daniel Franklin, an Aston alumnus and the executive editor of The Economist. The conversation spans Daniel's illustrious 41-year career, during which he covered significant global events such as the collapse of communism, the global economic crisis, and recent US elections. Daniel discusses the evolution of The Economist into a global media brand and shares his experiences editing 'The World In' annual edition.

The discussion also touches on the impact of AI on journalism, the importance of news literacy, and major global trends in technology, demographics, and politics. Whether you're interested in journalism, global politics, or future trends, this episode offers a wealth of insights and thought-provoking discussion.

Study online postgraduate degrees with Aston University, from the comfort of your own home: https://online.aston.ac.uk/

33 MIN