FOUNDER DIARIES - Taylor James on Mental Health, Starting Out, and the Truth About Podcasting
Welcome back to Founder Diaries, a RecTalk podcast hosted by Nitin Sharma, founder of Rectools.io — the only whole-of-market directory for recruitment suppliers. This week, Nitin sits down with Taylor James — Co-Founder of Twentytwo Productions, award-winning podcast host, producer, and creator of The Waffle Shop. Taylor’s journey is anything but ordinary, and in this deeply real and refreshingly honest conversation, he opens up about: 🔥 What We Dive Into * How a darkest-hour moment became the catalyst for Taylor starting a podcast. * Nearly losing his mum, becoming a full-time carer overnight, and the emotional impact that shaped the next five years of his life. * Why creating The Waffle Shop became his therapy — and how it evolved into a platform with global guests and millions of downloads. * The truth behind podcast charts, vanity metrics, and the social-media illusion many creators fall into. * How podcasting helped him rediscover purpose, community, empowerment, and his personal voice. * Why he chose to step back from mental-health content despite its success — and what the next chapter looks like. * Advice for anyone thinking of starting a podcast: testing concepts, not chasing numbers, and understanding your why. * The emotional and psychological weight of becoming “the mental health guy” — and learning to protect your own wellbeing. * Empowerment, resilience, and the mindset shift needed to build a life on your own terms. This episode is raw, inspiring, emotional, funny, and full of perspective. Whether you're at a crossroads or building something from scratch, Taylor’s story hits home. 🎯 Who This Episode Is For * Founders navigating tough transitions * Creators or entrepreneurs battling imposter syndrome * Anyone considering starting a podcast * People interested in resilience, mental health, and personal reinvention * Solo founders building from rock bottom * Anyone who wants a brutally honest look at what “success” really means 🔗 Connect with the guest Taylor James: https://www.linkedin.com/in/taylorpattinson/ Twentytwo Productions: https://twentytwo.productions/ The Waffle Shop: https://open.spotify.com/show/60C1ePAB4tZJkwpBMAQCib 🔗 Connect with the host Nitin Sharma: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nitin-rectools/ Discover recruitment tools and services: https://www.rectools.io/ New episodes of RecTalk, plus Founder Diaries and Talking Talent, drop every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. New episodes of The Mixed Grill — the official podcast of the Recruitment Curry Club — drop on Thursday. https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-recruitment-curry-club/ Listen on another platform: https://rectalk.co.uk/ 🔗 Get in touch with these recommended suppliers Ross Thompson — Infinity Staff Global: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rossnthompson/ Matt Fox — Exitus Advisory: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-fox-50b10311/ SourceFlow: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sourceflow/ Robert Woodford — The Marketing Junction: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marketing4recs/ Carl Jones — Konquest: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carl-jones-66093722/
