Supporting student podcasting at HELIX
HELIX, the University of Leeds Digital Innovation Hub, supports students in developing their digital skills and building their media presence through its state-of-the-art podcasting facilities. These are used by a wide range of students, from those completing media projects for taught modules to independent students creating their own podcast series.
Faculty of Business MBA student Rohit Prasad has used the podcasting facilities to create and host his Mind the Business Gap podcast, which explores topics ranging from managing transformation at scale to leading a global business. Rohit has combined his business insight with strong networking skills to welcome prominent industry figures to the podcast, including former Caffè Nero CEO Will Stratton and Jon Geldart, Director General of the Institute of Directors. Rohit caught up with Digital Education to talk about his podcast and his ambitions for the future.
Location: HELIX Podcasting Studios
Aims: To produce high quality content with leading figures from business and industry.
Output: 11 episodes featured on YouTube, Spotify and Apple
What inspired you to create the Mind the Business Gap podcast?
“Back in India, I spent a lot of time driving and listening to long-form podcasts. I always found myself wanting to ask the guests follow-up questions, to go deeper into their decisions, their challenges, and how things really worked behind the scenes. As a listener, you don’t get that opportunity. I decided that I didn’t just want to consume these conversations - I wanted to be part of them. I wanted to meet people, question them, and learn from their experiences.”
Initially, the podcast was meant to be very small and focussed on the University. But the more conversations I had, the more I realised there was a much larger gap in the UK market. A lot of existing podcasts focus on storytelling, brand narratives, or high-level success, but very few talk about the actual work behind building a career or a business, what day-to-day realities look like, what people struggle with, and how their expectations differ from reality. I also wanted it to be relatable - instead of featuring CEOs or high-profile leaders, I chose to include a mix of voices from SMEs and managers to executives, recruiters, and practitioners. I wanted to create conversations that early-career professionals could genuinely connect with and learn from.
At its core, the podcast is about curiosity, accessibility, and bridging the gap between aspiration and reality in the world of business."
How did you first find out about HELIX’s podcasting facilities?
"I first found out about HELIX’s podcasting facilities during my MBA induction. Being introduced to the studio felt like a very timely opportunity. It wasn’t just a theoretical idea anymore - I had access to the infrastructure needed to bring my podcast to life.
I began exploring how the facilities worked, understanding the technical side of recording and thinking more seriously about format, guests and positioning. It acted as the catalyst that pushed me to take the podcast from an idea to something I could do. One of the things I really appreciate about HELIX is the overall quality of the setup, especially the aesthetics of Studio 2 and the camera equipment. Having the HELIX setup has elevated the quality of the podcast and made it feel much more professional."
Could you tell me a little about the support you have received from HELIX throughout your podcasting journey?
"The HELIX team has been incredibly supportive throughout and Peter North, the HELIX Innovation Space Manager, has played a key role in that. I recorded an episode with Will Stratton, the former CEO of Café Nero, but the main podcast studio wasn’t available that week. Even though he was busy, Peter helped us identify an alternative space and helped us to create a mock-up studio setup so we could still go ahead as planned. The episode turned out just as polished as our usual podcasts."
You have secured high‑profile guests for the podcast. What approach or strategy have you used to persuade them to take part?
"I find guests through university-led and external networking events. I look for individuals who not only have strong professional experience but also a story or perspective that would genuinely resonate with my audience.
When I met John Geldart, Director General of the Institute of Directors, at a networking event at Leeds University Business School, I was impressed by his speaking style and the way he engaged the room. He was speaking about personal branding and made a remark that, at 70 years old, no one in the room could beat him at mountaineering. I approached him afterwards and I used that as a starting point for our conversation. I mentioned that while I may not be able to compete with him in mountaineering, I am deeply interested in fitness and hiking myself and I spoke about resilience and discipline from that perspective. That helped us build a connection. I followed up with him on LinkedIn a few days later and he remembered me — that led to him coming on the podcast.
I’ve found that many of the people I invite have reached a stage in their careers where they are open to sharing their experiences and giving back."
What is next for the Mind the Business Gap podcast?
"I started in December and have already recorded 11 episodes, so the focus now is on building consistent reach while keeping the growth authentic. For me, it’s less about numbers and more about having a genuinely engaged audience, even if that starts small. LinkedIn and YouTube Shorts have been particularly effective in driving discovery, and I plan to expand further into short-form, insight-led content that breaks down real business concepts in an accessible way.
The next phase is to gradually build a revenue model. This includes exploring sponsored content, collaborations and eventually expanding into a broader multi-format platform, with things like masterclasses and practical learning resources. My vision is to grow Mind the Business Gap into a credible platform that delivers real business and career insights, while staying grounded in authenticity and accessibility."
You can watch and listen to the Mind the Business Gap podcast on Youtube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts the Mind the Business Gap website
Interested in creating your own podcast?
Find out more about the HELIX Podcasting studios