Introducing The Knot Podcast

Launching our podcast and introducing our first guest. It's out now.

The Knot Podcast is brought to you by dissident creative agency. Social-first marketing, photography and video creation.

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I’m delighted to announce the launch of The Knot Pod and share our first episode with you.

Episodes will be released every other Wednesday and newsletter subscribers always receive them first.

Episode 1: George Bettany, Founder of MARA Run Club. “All the things that make me happy are in Staffordshire”

The Knot Pod is available on all major podcast streaming platforms. Find the links here.

The full episode of The Knot Pod is available to watch on YouTube too. Get it on the big screen.

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Episode 1 with George Bettany

Can you be creative in Staffordshire? Can you be yourself? Is Staffordshire or Stoke the best place to be if you're creative, entrepreneurial and ambitious? How does Staffordshire really compare to London and other cities?  

George Bettany is the founder of MARA Run Club, based in Lichfield with clubs in Stone and Stoke. MARA's philosophy promotes a way of being that is akin to buddhism and expresses itself through running.

George started MARA in his hometown of Lichfield. Now hundreds of runners every week gather on Staffordshire high streets to run mindfully for their physical and mental health.

George grew up in Lichfield, played football across Staffordshire and then went away to cities all over the UK to find himself and pursue his entrepreneurial ambitions. Only to be led back to Staffordshire, home, after COVID. Since then, he's happier, more creative with more friends and better wellbeing.

Despite London being a global business hub where he built his last business, he's now choosing Staffordshire as the best place to build MARA.

In this episode of The Knot Pod we dig into:

• George's upbringing

• Travelling to find who you are

• Coming "back" home - London, Manchester, Sheffield vs Staffordshire

• Mental health and wellbeing in London compared to Lichfield

• The MARA running philosophy

• How running can be good for you, help you find community and make friends

• How you can be creative in Staffordshire

• Opportunities in Staffordshire

• Coffee, food and things to do locally

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The Knot is reader and sponsor funded, we’re not owned by any conglomerates and don’t have wealthy backers. We’re real journalism by real people. If you enjoy our writing, and our podcast, please consider upgrading your membership to support our work. Or, if you’re a business, become a sponsor. - James