Tim Campbell chats his new business podcast, The Apprentice memories and more

Tim Campbell, the first-ever winner of The Apprentice UK, has launched his new Rayo Original podcast reWORKING. Unsurprisingly, it’s all about business, careers, money – but more than that, it’s about getting ahead and still maintaining work life balance.

Every week, Tim brings on a new guest – think the likes of The Rest is Politics co-host Alastair Campbell and James Duncan and Fuhad Dawodu, the hosts of mega-successful UK podcast ShxtsNGigs – to share their own advice around success. Plus, they answer your biggest questions such as “how do I ask for a payrise?” and “should I start a side hustle or even quit my 9-5?”.

We sat down with Tim to find out more about the podcast and his dream guest lineup, the book that changed his life, and his best stories from The Apprentice.

Listen to new episodes of reWORKING every Monday on Rayo, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music or wherever you get your podcasts.

Why did you start the re:Working podcast?

“To help. There's no shortage of podcasts about careers and money. Most go to one of two extremes: hustle on one side and wealth advice for people already comfortable on the other. The people I speak to on a regular basis don't sit at either end, and the vast audience in between gets ignored. People with careers but no clarity on "what next?" People with ambition and bills. People trying to build something while holding themselves, a life, and a family together.

I wanted a show that started with the questions they're already living with, not with a guest's CV. Every episode opens with a dilemma the listener has and works backwards from there. That's the whole point. I've been lucky to sit in rooms and conversations I never imagined I'd be in, and I've learnt things that have shaped my career, my life, and my wellbeing. Rather than keep those to myself, I wanted to share them.”

Who were your favourite guests to chat to and why?

“It's hard to pick. They're all my favourites (says every parent about their kids), partly because I was lucky enough to choose them for specific conversations. Three stand out today for different reasons.

Alastair Campbell, because he's been at the top, lost it, and rebuilt with more clarity than most people manage at any stage. And he's a Campbell, so I had to pick him. Seriously though, he taught me there's no weakness in being vulnerable, helped me see the world differently, and showed me how to apply frameworks. Inviting an audience to see what I see in him felt special.

Jordan Schwarzenberger, because he's had an unbelievable career journey. The focus, the discipline, the knowledge of Yoda, and the receipts to back it all up before he's even 30. He breaks down what the new creator economy actually looks like for everyone, not just young people posting on social. The new world means all of us have to be creators, or we get left behind.

Anna Whitehouse, who took the pressure of juggling work and parenthood and turned it into a national campaign. Her honesty and fierce determination will show our audience, as it did me, what it takes to turn passion into purpose.

They're all on the show because they've rebuilt something on their own terms. So, no favourites really. Just the ones that are top of mind today.”

What topics are you most excited to tackle?

“The things people don't say out loud. How do you lead when you're not the boss? How do you really be an entrepreneur? How do you stand out when everyone is shouting? Can you build something on the side without wrecking your home life? Most career advice skips the messy middle and goes straight to the win. It happened to me. Boy done good, wins The Apprentice, life is perfect. Trust me, there have been plenty of bumps on that road, like there have been for most of us. The show stays in the middle, because that's where most of us actually live.”

Do you have any dream guests you'd like to interview?

“So many! Conversations that have changed my life which I’d want to share with everyone would be with Rosaleen Blair, Tom Ilube, Dean Forbes, Elona Mortimer-Zhika and Michael Eboda. If I'm focusing on reWorking, the list would include Michelle and Barack Obama, on rebuilding identity after power and staying married through it. Mary Portas, on betting against the grain. Paul Brunson, on what love's got to do with it when ‘it’ is male identity, and how to balance loving yourself, your career, and the people you go home to. And Pip White, who leads Anthropic in the UK, on what AI really means for all of us at work and what the future of work will demand of us today.

What unites them all is what unites season one. They've reWorked and built something real authentically.”

What's a mantra you live by?

“Two, actually: ‘Don't work with dickheads’ and ‘if it ain't broke, break it.’

Most people are looking for the trick, the hack, the way to get there without breaking a sweat. Then when they get there, they think that's the end. Once you've achieved something, don't get complacent. Use what you’ve learnt to get to the next level faster than before. There are no shortcuts. There's turning up, paying attention, and being honest about what's working and what isn't.”

One book that changed your life?

“Two, because I'm greedy. Long Walk to Freedom by Nelson Mandela and Never Split the Difference by Chris Voss.”

How has your definition of success changed since winning The Apprentice? What is it now?

“Back then, success was the prize. Win the show, get the job. Now, success is whether the people around me are happy and growing too. If I'm doing well and no one near me is moving, I haven't really got anywhere. That shift is most of what reWorking is built on. I have a friend group we call the Ubuntu crew. It's a mantra that's guided my life, probably always has, even before The Apprentice. I am because we are.”

What's your best behind the scenes story from your time on The Apprentice?

“Two come to mind.

The first is that I went into the show with a lot to lose. I'd quit my job, I had a girlfriend with hope in her eyes and fear in her heart, and a young daughter I needed to be a good first male role model to. That was a lot of pressure. But the pressure helped me find out who I really was. Early on I was intimidated by the education, the CVs, and the suits of the other candidates. Then, after one argument with a fellow candidate, something clicked. The pressure I was carrying, and where I'd come from, was my differentiator. It didn't need to be disguised. The minute I leaned into it, I realised I had as much right to be there as anyone, and what happened next was up to me, not them. That was the moment everything changed.

The second story is near the end of the process. I was low. I just wanted to go home and see my family. We were allowed one ten-minute phone call a week, and it was hard. But my wife sensed my mood and got my friends to write me letters. She sent them in a box with my favourite CDs (it was a long time ago!) and a note saying she loved and trusted me. That's when I knew I'd marry her and that I wasn't going to quit. Cliché maybe, but true. The real cheat code to my success is the woman who chose to stand beside me.”

What's been your biggest career milestone to date?

“Founding Bright Ideas Trust. From nothing to over £3 million raised and more than 750 start-ups supported, most from backgrounds that weren't being given a fair shot. The MBE was awarded for that work, but the milestone was the people, not the medal.”

What is your biggest piece of advice for career, work, or just life?

“Most people don't lack potential. They lack positioning. And positioning comes from two things: clarity and a framework. You can be the most talented person in the room and still get overlooked if no one understands what you're great at, why it matters, or where you're going next. Get clarity on those three things. Then say them out loud, often. The rest follows.”

Listen to new episodes of reWORKING every Monday

How can I listen to the podcast?

Listen on Rayo, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music or wherever you get your podcasts.

How can I stay up to date?

Follow @reworkingpodcast on Instagram and TikTok and @reWORKINGwithTimCampbellpod on YouTube.

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