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Darren Weale
In August last year, Darren Weale, along with co-presenter Zeenat Noorani and Sarah Marsh-Collings, set up the Bromley Buzz – a podcast covering upbeat news and views from across the borough. We caught up with Darren to find out where he finds his inspiration – and how he manages to juggle a full-time job with what he describes as ‘a personal passion’….
Q: First things first Darren, why the Bromley Buzz podcast – and why now?
We realised that there was a real need for good news and stories to be shared across Bromley. When we started the podcast, Life In Orpington magazine was one of the few decent media channels in the borough. And you’ve added Life In Bromley magazine since, too. I remember you announcing it in episode 4!
Q: Who has been your favourite guest so far – and why?
Johannes Radebe from Strictly Come Dancing (thank you, Churchill Theatre!). Just the loveliest man.
Q: What sort of subjects and topics do you discuss? And who would you like to get on the podcast?
We’ve been called ‘relentlessly positive’ by Gareth Bacon, Orpington’s MP. So, anything and anyone in the borough that can bring a smile to people’s faces. Our top target was Anton Du Beke, now a Strictly judge, who once worked in The Bed Post in Petts Wood. We interviewed him recently, so now maybe comedian Rob Beckett?
Q: Where does your inspiration come from in terms of topics to discuss and people to invite?
Research, especially at the moment around David Bowie,
Bromley’s biggest cultural icon. Lots of friendly contacts,
Life In magazines, News Shopper, the South London Press, hearsay and gossip. We want to celebrate people of all ages and backgrounds and every bit of diversity, and we’ve interviewed six years olds and upwards, had LGBTQ+ guests, two Mayors, and four MP’s. One guest, Peter Fortune, London Assembly Member for Bexley and Bromley, a former actor, played Romeo to Zeenat’s Juliet on Sarah, Darren and Zeenat one show! She swooned on air!
Q: You also have your own PR business, are a member of the BNI, involved in the Rotary (and goodness knows what else) – how do you manage to juggle it all?
With difficulty. Even so, the Buzz goes out every week, usually on Thursdays. It keeps growing, too. We’re on multiple channels, and we have our website and blog at www.bromleybuzz.uk, plus Instagram, LinkedIn, You Tube, Facebook and Twitter. We clocked up over 70 episodes and 100 interviews in our first year alone.
Q: How is the Bromley Buzz funded – and how can people get involved or sponsor it?
We’ve had one donation to date! Thank you, Fairlight Group. But the hours our team of four – myself, Mental Wellbeing and Mindset Coach Zeenat, Digital Marketing expert Sarah Marsh-Collings, and Graphic Designer Tim Dawson – have put in are way beyond any payment that has come in. We really, really love doing it. If you want to talk to us, email darren@intunepr.co.uk.
Q: What is the criteria for being invited to speak on the podcast?
Story. If you have a good one, and it’s positive, we’re interested.
Q: Looking ahead, what are your plans for the Bromley Buzz and how do you envisage it growing?
Sponsorship is an obvious one. We do now have packages available for that. We need to carry on being better known and we have been on BBC Radio London, BBC Radio Kent, the Business Bunker and Mindset Matters on Channel Radio, in the FSB magazine, and in Startups magazine’s blog. We’ll carry on being very visible, championing Bromley and the people in it. Future plans include events.
Q: How can people access the podcasts?
Podbean – the simplest link - https://bromleybuzz. podbean.com, Spotify, Apple, Listen Notes, Tune In, Audible, and now Podchaser. All the links are on our website.
Q. Do you have a message for your listeners?
Listen. Enjoy. Dip in. Share us. Say hello. Life is full of ‘downs’, help us to bring Bromley some ‘ups’! And thank you, too, to Lauretta and all at Life In magazines, you’ve helped us a lot from when we started. You Buzz too!
