The Tutor Podcast
Business & Finance
About
The Tutor Podcast the weekly show that’s all about the business of helping people.If you’re a tutor, a teacher or a coach, join your host Neil Cowmeadow for news, tips and insights to help you Start, Grow and Love your tutoring business. Plain English, no buzzwords and no BS. So, if you want to make more money - and make more of a difference - The Tutor Podcast will be with you, every step of the way.
Episodes
- 428 - Zen and The Art of Guitar Tutoring
Broadcasting live from Ota City, Tokyo, I’m digging into the quiet power of Zen Buddhism and how it can stop you from going around the twist while building your business. After years of being influenced by Japanese concepts like Kaizen and…
- Right Time, Wrong Place - Contextual Cues
Ever feel like you’re trying to build an empire while drowning in a sea of sticky notes and notifications? It is time to rethink where you work. Today we dive into a real-world story about Steve, a brilliant NHS consultant whose property b…
- Why Every Tutor Needs One Single Master Notebook
Stop letting your best ideas vanish into a "stack of chaos and disorder". Neil Cowmeadow returns with a no-nonsense guide to the most valuable tool in his business: the Compendium Notebook. This episode explores compelling research showing…
- How to Write Your Own Self-Talk Script for Instant Confidence
The Tutor Podcast episode
- Why Doing Less is the Secret to Making Way More
The Tutor Podcast episode "Why Doing Less is the Secret to Making Way More" discusses simplifying tasks to improve productivity. Key takeaways include using paper for mental off-loading, the power of eliminating unnecessary habits, and the…
- Talking To Yourself
This episode of The Tutor Podcast discusses the impact of internal dialogue on our lives, referencing Shad Helmstetter's "What to Say When You Talk to Yourself." It highlights that much daily self-talk is negative, often stemming from chil…
- What Gets You Out of Bed
This episode explores the Japanese concept of Ikigai, a reason for being, as it relates to teaching and finding one's professional purpose. Host Neil Cowmeadow reflects on his teaching career, the importance of flow states, and a four-elem…
- LOCUS OF CONTROL
This episode of The Tutor Podcast discusses the psychological concept of Locus of Control, differentiating between internal and external orientations. Host Neil explains how an external locus of control can lead to vulnerability and exploi…
- Focus on The Process
Neil tackles the frustrating disconnect between a student's desire for instant mastery and the harsh reality of gradual skill acquisition. Using the relatable example of aspiring guitarists who mistakenly believe musical prowess is an inna…
- Hunting For Treasure
Neil explores the transformative power of ‘peripheral learning’. Drawing from his diverse background as a guitar teacher, property investor, and author, Neil challenges the traditional expert path of knowing ‘more and more about less and l…
- Haters and Crabs
In this episode, Neil dives into the universal challenge of dealing with ‘haters and crabs’, those who criticise, doubt, or try to pull you down as you strive for growth and self-improvement. Neil explores the psychological reasons behind…
- Dump, Divide, Diarise
Today, Neil shares his personal ‘Dump, Divide, Diarise’ system - a synthesis of methods he’s refined over 27 years in business to help tutors, coaches, and mentors eliminate mental overload. Neil breaks down how to transition from a state…
- Brutal Self-Honesty
Today, Neil challenges listeners to confront the lies they tell themselves. He argues that self-deception is a universal human trait that often keeps people stuck in unproductive patterns, whether in business or personal life. Neil introdu…
- Into The Silence
In today’s episode, Neil steps away from the usual business strategies to discuss a fundamental mental tool: silence. He describes the modern world as a constant ‘cacophony’ of digital pings, traffic, and background hums that mask our inte…
- Planning Beyond the Plan: Avoiding the ‘Wile E. Coyote’ Trap
In this episode, Neil explores the psychological trap of treating a business plan as a finished work of art. Using the classic imagery of Wile E. Coyote running off a cliff, Neil reflects on his own experience of ‘running out of plan’ afte…
- Two Magic Words
In this episode, Neil explores the profound psychological impact of two ‘magic words’: I Am. He delves into how these words act as identity statements that shape our subconscious beliefs, behaviors, and ultimately, our reality. Through a p…
- Advanced Time Management for Beginners
In this episode, Neil dives into the essential topic of advanced time management for beginners, emphasizing the importance of treating time as a strategic asset. Drawing from his 27 years of experience, Neil shares practical strategies to…
- Get Back on the Horse
It’s the end of January, and for many, the ‘New Year, New You’ momentum has already hit a wall. In this episode, Neil explores the sobering reality behind New Year’s resolutions, citing research that suggests up to 80% of these promises fa…
- On Mortality 2 - Leave Something Behind
Following up on last week's episode, Neil shifts the focus from the inevitability of death to the importance of what we leave behind. Inspired by Marcus Aurelius and Steve Jobs, Neil explores the concept of "putting a dent in the universe"…
- On Mortality 1 - You're Gonna Die, Deal With It
In today’s episode, Neil delves into the profound and often overlooked topic of mortality. Drawing heavily from Stoic philosophy and Marcus Aurelius’s Meditations, Neil argues that acknowledging our "finish line" is not morbid, but rather…
- Zero Days
Today, Neil dives into the topic of New Year's resolutions and the common pitfalls that accompany them. He notes that while many people set ambitious goals at the start of the year, the majority will abandon them by February. Neil encourag…
- Why You’re Not Rich Yet
Reflecting on his own journey over the last 27 years, Neil explores why many hard-working, intelligent people remain just ‘one paycheck away from financial trouble’. He breaks down the eight specific reasons why individuals struggle to acc…
- The Fasting Miracle
Neil steps away from traditional business tactics to focus on the essential foundation of any successful venture: the health and well-being of the entrepreneur. He explores the concept of ‘The Fasting Miracle’, specifically focusing on wat…
- Momentum
While the world winds down for the Christmas and New Year break, Neil cautions against letting your professional flywheel come to a complete stop. He explains the physics of momentum - mass times velocity - and warns that it is far harder…
- Becoming an Autodidact
In today's episode, Neil takes a look at the concept of self-directed learning and the importance of creating a structured plan for personal education. Drawing from his 27 years of experience in the tutoring and coaching business, Neil emp…
- The AI Elephant in the Room
Today, Neil takes a look at the transformative impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on the tutoring, teaching, and coaching industries. Drawing from his 26 years of experience, Neil shares personal anecdotes and practical examples of how…
- Kaizen, For Life
In this episode, Neil delves into the concept of Kaizen, a Japanese philosophy centered on continuous improvement. Neil emphasizes the importance of making small, consistent changes rather than relying on dramatic transformations, highligh…
- The Japanese 5S System
In today's episode, Neil delves into the Japanese 5S system, a methodology for organizing workspaces to enhance efficiency, safety, and productivity. Drawing from his 26 years of experience in tutoring, teaching, and coaching, Neil explain…
- Celebrating 400 Episodes: How The Tutor Podcast Became a Lifeline During Uncertain Times
In this special milestone episode, The Tutor Podcast celebrates hitting 400 episodes! Neil takes a light-hearted look back at his eight-year adventure, sharing the surprising lessons, quirky insights, and hard-won wisdom he’s picked up in…
- Bouncebackability ... Resilience
Today, Neil delves into the concept of 'bouncebackability', more commonly known as resilience. He explores resilience as a dynamic process rather than a fixed trait, emphasising that it can be developed and strengthened over time. Neil dis…
- Getting It Together When You Think You Might Have ADHD
Today, Neil digs into the tricky world of staying organised - especially for people with ADHD or brains that work a bit differently. With 26 years of tutoring and coaching under his belt, Neil shares what he’s learned about turning the ADH…
- When The Music Stops
Life can throw surprises our way, from illness to burnout, and Neil shares why it’s so important to be ready with a solid Plan B. In this episode, you’ll hear how to choose someone you trust to step in if needed, build a financial cushion,…
- Do The Clothes Make The Man? | Enclothed Cognition
Neil takes a look at the concept of ‘enclothed cognition’, exploring how the clothes we wear can significantly influence our psychological processes, confidence, and performance. Drawing on a 2012 study by psychologists Adam Galinsky and H…
- Money Is a Myth
Today, Neil takes a look at the intriguing concept of money, asserting that it is fundamentally a myth and an illusion. He explores the nature of fiat currency, emphasising that its value is derived from collective agreement rather than in…
- Yes, And ...
In this episode, Neil delves into the challenges of perfectionism, particularly in the context of improvisation. Drawing from his extensive experience in tutoring and coaching, Neil discusses how perfectionism can paralyse students, especi…
- Fixing What You Didn't Break
Today, Neil delves into the challenges faced by adult guitar students who are revisiting their musical dreams after years of self-doubt and poor instruction. He discusses the pervasive issues of self-belief, perfectionism, and the failure…
- The Myth of Perfection
Neil discusses the damaging myth of perfectionism and how it prevents people from taking action. He shares lessons from his 26 years in business, including experiences as a tutor, coach, and consultant for a major UK property investment co…
- How To Handle Rejection and Disappointment
Today, Neil delves into the often unavoidable experience of rejection in the tutoring business. Neil discusses various scenarios where tutors may face disappointment, such as no-shows, students quitting, or not being hired by prospective c…
- Just As Far As The Lights Will Show You
Today, Neil explores the journey of pursuing personal and professional goals, emphasising the importance of taking action despite uncertainty and fear. He likens the process to driving at night, where one can only see as far as the headlig…
- The Way You Do One Thing
Neil explores the profound impact of seemingly simple advice and observations on our personal and professional lives. Drawing from his extensive experience in the tutoring and coaching business, Neil reflects on the idea that "the way you…
- Who Do You Think You Are?
Neil delves into the concept of identity statements and their profound impact on our self-perception and behaviour. He discusses how we are affected by external influences, leading to limiting beliefs that can hinder personal growth. Neil…
- The Morning Set Up
Neil explores the importance of establishing effective morning routines for tutors, teachers, and coaches. Drawing from his 26 years of experience, Neil emphasises that a well-structured morning can set a positive tone for the entire day,…
- My Life, My Rules
Neil shares his personal "Rune Laws" for life, a set of 14 guiding principles that have significantly impacted his journey in tutoring, teaching, and coaching. With a focus on practical advice and a no-nonsense approach, Neil emphasizes th…
- Right Place, Right People
Neil explores the importance of understanding the subtle cues and changes in students' behaviour and body language as indicators of their emotional and psychological states. Drawing from his 26 years of experience in the tutoring and coach…
- What's Good About This - The Magic Question
Neil explores the essential balance between sameness and variety in our lives and businesses. He emphasises that while sameness provides comfort and safety, too much of it can lead to stagnation, whereas variety fosters growth but can also…
- The Fundamentals Matter: Even for The Special Ones
Neil shares the challenges faced by ambitious music students, particularly guitar players, who often rush to master specific riffs and tunes without establishing a solid foundation in the fundamentals of music. Drawing from his 26 years of…
- I'm Wrong About Everything
Neil explores the value of recognising and embracing our mistakes as opportunities for growth. Drawing from his 26 years of experience in the tutoring and coaching business, Neil emphasises the importance of revisiting old learning materia…
- Boo, Reality
Neil explores the concept of reality and how our perceptions shape our experiences. He introduces the idea of chaos magic, emphasising that we can manipulate our interpretation of events to create a more positive and beneficial reality for…
- The Thinking Book Socrates and The Unexamined Life
Neil talks through the profound concept of self-examination, inspired by the famous quote from Socrates, "the unexamined life is not worth living." Drawing from his 26 years of experience in the tutoring and coaching business, Neil emphasi…
- When the Music Stops - Part Two
Neil dives into the often-overlooked topic of pensions, challenging the notion that they are boring. Drawing from his 26 years of experience in the tutoring and business world, Neil discusses the importance of taking control of your retire…