THE STAGE • 61 min
Following your joy.
With Ashleigh Gray.
West End performer Ashleigh Gray on finding her way into theatre, auditioning for Wicked and following what brings her joy.
What Was I Made For?
One big question.
Does anybody know the answer?
Stories of doing what you love, figuring it out as you go, and finding a little more happiness along the way.
Taking a breather. Still here for your ears.
YOUR HOSTSShaun & Rach
PRESS PLAY. SEE WHERE IT TAKES YOU.
NEW AROUND HERE?
Good places to start.
Different journeys. The same big question.
Find a conversation that speaks to you.
Following your joy.
THE MUSIC • 56 min
Finding your own way.
With Black Prez.
From football ambitions to a life in music. Rapper Black Prez talks friendship, creative doubt and being yourself.
THE CREATIVE LIFE • 50 min
Making room for life.
With Tommy Reynolds.
Photographer Tommy Reynolds talks creativity, family and finding a balance between the work you love and the life around it.
THE PEOPLE BEHIND THE QUESTION
We’re Shaun & Rach.
One big question.
Does anybody know the answer?
We’re a music producer and a dance school owner, with a shared curiosity about what makes people tick.
On What Was I Made For?, we sit down with people who’ve followed a passion, taken a chance or found themselves on an unexpected path. We talk about the highs, the setbacks and the messy bits in between.
And sometimes, it’s just the two of us, a catch-up and a conversation that goes somewhere neither of us expected.
Shaun Reynolds
Music producer &
content creator
Rachael Reynolds
Dance school owner &
talent agent
THE EPISODE ARCHIVE
Find your next listen.
All 37 episodes. Yours to explore.
Start anywhere. Stay curious.
37 episodes
The REYNFEST Special - Part 2
Backstage at REYNFEST with Shaun, Molly and the performers, talking confidence, rejection, friendship and finding your place.
The REYNFEST Special - Part 1
Lucy meets the people behind REYNFEST for conversations about stage nerves, belonging and the joy of performing.
Being Sick, Knicker Flicks & The Big Exam Debate
A season-two send-off full of life updates, New York stories, exam pressure and a particularly memorable gym anecdote.
Magic Acts, Milestones & The Importance of Working For Free
Creative milestones, wedding magic and a conversation about getting experience when you are starting out.
From Frog Pits to Fashion Hits: Finding Inspiration Everywhere
Finding creative sparks in everyday life, from Wicked to a surprising story about frogs. Plus the usual Shaun and Rach tangents.
Teddy Bears, Trophies & Triumph For The Whole Team
Dance-school celebrations, the Reggie Foundation and a listener’s story about finding her way back to performing.
Rach Is Sick | The Best of Season 1
A little of everything: Shaun revisits season-one conversations, creative advice and some wonderfully unexpected moments.
Black Prez: Being Yourself, Making Friends & Overcoming Doubt
From football ambitions to a life in music. Rapper Black Prez talks friendship, creative doubt and being yourself.
Freddie Lewis: Embracing Who You Are & Unlocking Your Potential
Songwriter Freddie Lewis explores identity, finding a voice and the winding route into making music.
Halloween! Old Friends, New Dreams & The Art of Staying Inspired
A Halloween catch-up about staying inspired, creative setbacks and whether it is ever too late to follow a dream.
Ruby Joanne: From Ballet Dreams to Football Teams. "If You Want It, Fight For It"
From ballet to women’s football, Ruby shares how an unexpected change of direction opened up a new creative path.
Live From Center Parcs: Wine, Regrets & Toxic Traits
A holiday conversation about career choices, business ideas, regrets and the routes we could have taken.
Rich Staplehurst: Creative Twists and Turns. Why having a 'Big Plan' is pointless.
Rich talks acting, advertising and creative direction, and why a career does not always need a perfectly plotted plan.
What's the Scoop? Exploring Failed Business Ideas and Tilda's New Single
Failed business ideas, taking chances and the supportive community around Tilda’s song Sticks & Stones.
Alto Key: Switching Coding for Content & Overcoming Insecurities
Musician and creator Alto Key talks leaving coding behind, building a music career and navigating self-doubt.
We're Back! Inspire-y Diary, Football Fever & Future Stars | S2E1
Shaun and Rach begin season two with dance-school stories, new music and a reminder to keep going.
The Grand Finale: Laughs, Tears, and Pizza Cravings
The end of season one: show memories, emotional moments, trying to relax and a very real craving for pizza.
The Summer Showcase Special 2024
Behind the curtain at the 2024 dance showcase, with performers and teachers sharing their stories and ambitions.
Balancing Birdie Rescues and Dance Show Chaos
Show preparations, teamwork and a bird rescue: a busy, funny and sometimes emotional catch-up with Shaun and Rach.
How To Stay Positive All The Time / Rach Is Tired
An honest catch-up about positivity and tiredness, and what it means to keep going when energy is running low.
Shaun Blanks On Stage and Our Big Future Plan
A stage blank, creative plans and a conversation about where Shaun and Rach want to go next.
BONUS EPISODE Ashleigh Gray: Wicked Mishaps & Industry Insights
More with Ashleigh Gray: backstage mishaps, the unpredictability of live theatre and life in the industry.
Ashleigh Gray: Following Her Joy & Defying Gravity
West End performer Ashleigh Gray on finding her way into theatre, auditioning for Wicked and following what brings her joy.
Reynolds Rants: Mugs, Slimy Hands, and HelloFresh Confusion
An unfiltered Shaun and Rach catch-up, taking in mugs, unexpected irritations and a little HelloFresh confusion.
Tommy Reynolds: Finding The Harmony In Photography & Fatherhood
Photographer Tommy Reynolds talks creativity, family and finding a balance between the work you love and the life around it.
Shawna Hamic: From Broadway Dreams to Breaking Barriers on Orange is the New Black
Shawna Hamic shares a journey through Broadway and Orange Is the New Black, and the barriers encountered along the way.
The One About Mental Health with Shaun & Rachael Reynolds
A personal conversation between Shaun and Rach about mental health and life behind the creative work.
Having The Dream But Not The Drive with Shaun & Rachael Reynolds
What happens when the dream is there but the motivation is not? Shaun and Rach talk about getting started.
Sophie Griffiths: Leveraging Social Media & Managing Your Mind
Singer-songwriter Sophie Griffiths talks building a presence online and looking after your mindset along the way.
Jess Bonwick: How To Become A Makeup Artist
Makeup artist Jess Bonwick shares her route into the industry and what it takes to begin building a creative career.
Tasting Colours & Smelling Sounds with Shaun & Rachael Reynolds
Shaun and Rach explore the unexpected connections between sound, colour and the way we experience the world.
Sam Lane: Climb Aboard The Starlight Express
Sam Lane shares her story of performing, finding her way in theatre and climbing aboard Starlight Express.
James Hume: Naughty School Boy To West End Star
James Hume looks back on the path from his school days to a career on the West End stage.
Jack Shepherd: Soaking Wet In Stormzy's Recording Studio
Guitarist Jack Shepherd shares music-making stories, creative experiences and a memorable visit to Stormzy’s recording studio.
From Ninja Turtles To YouTube Success with Shaun Reynolds
Get to know Shaun through the story of his creative beginnings, music and building an audience on YouTube.
You'll Never Get Anywhere Unless You Work Your Little Butt Off with Rachael Reynolds
Get to know Rachael through her journey in dance, the work behind her ambitions and making things happen.
Introduction
A short hello from Shaun and Rachael, and the question at the heart of the podcast.
No episodes found.
Try another name or topic, or clear your filters.
A NOTE FROM US
The mics are resting.
The stories aren’t.
We’re taking a break from recording at the moment, but there’s plenty here to keep you company. Dive into the archive, revisit an old favourite, or send an episode to someone who needs a little inspiration.
Follow the podcast Be there whenever the next chapter arrives.