What if your biggest life challenges could become your most powerful content?
That’s exactly what Mark Grimes, host of Chewing the Crust and author of The Pie-Eating Man’s Guide to a Healthy Mind, has done. His journey from working-class dad with a passion for mental health to podcast host with million-follower guests is a masterclass in authenticity, relatability, and resilience.
In this post, we unpack the actionable lessons from Mark’s podcasting story, including how to start podcasting without fancy gear, why imperfection makes your content stronger, and the value of simply letting your guests finish their thoughts.
It doesn’t matter where you are at in your podcasting or professional journey, this conversation happened just for you.
From Pies to Podcasts: A Working-Class Message that Resonates
Mark Grimes didn’t start with a slick production studio or a viral marketing campaign. He started with pie. Well, metaphorically.
His book and then his podcast were born from a simple yet brilliant idea: make mental health accessible and relevant to working-class people. He saw that there was a gap in mental health care between the front office and the people on the ground floor.
“In the UK, a pie is almost symbolic for the working class. So the title The Pie-Eating Man’s Guide to a Healthy Mind immediately tells you who it's for,” Mark says.
This grounded and audience focused approach paid off. Instead of targeting broad or polished self-help themes, Mark focused on something real and specific…And it resonated. Mark found that when speak directly to a defined audience, they listen. He did this through the use cultural references, shared struggles, and inside language. That relatability is what builds loyalty. These are the same simple principles that you can apply to your own podcast.
Authenticity > Perfection (Every Time)
One of the strongest themes in Mark’s story is the permission to be imperfect. He found that this was especially true when he was just starting out. “I’ve got a GoPro from my diving trips, a messy office, and some Star Wars art behind me. I just moved the crap to the side of the camera,” Mark laughs.
He’s not joking. His first few episodes were shot in that setting. He didn’t spend the time or money on perfect lighting, equipment, or confidence. He just started.
“If your message is good enough, don’t worry about the tech. People will forgive poor quality if the content is improving.”
We talk about this all of the time on our podcast and in conversations with other podcasters. Whether it’s for a company brand podcast or personal growth series, people care more about what you say than how it looks.
The Podcast as a Living Book
For Mark, each episode of Chewing the Crust is like an extra chapter to his book.
His guests have lived through incredible adversity. They’ve seen murder, had a late life autism diagnosis, and are even experiencing terminal illness. Each has emerged with insights that help others survive and thrive and that’s become a big part of his goal. Mark wants to reach listeners who are struggling and show them there’s a way through.
“If even one person in a dark place hears that someone else made it through something worse, and they decide not to give up—that's everything.”
How can we translate this to your brand? You can use your podcast to extend your brand story and what people know about your expertise. Whether you’ve written a book, built a business, launched a new product recently, or all of the above, your podcast can be a deeper dive into what matters most to both you and your brand.
The Two Biggest Podcasting Lessons
When asked what the biggest thing he’s learned from podcasting is, Mark gives two answers:
1. Let People Finish
As a host, Mark says the best thing he’s learned is to let people finish talking.
“You don’t know what they’re going to say. And if you assume you do, you’re probably wrong.”
This simple idea has created space for some of the most profound moments on his show.
2. Be Okay with a Bit of Mess
He also points out how important it is to leave in a few pauses, stammers, or “ums.”
“In the beginning, I edited out every little pause. But now I realize it’s part of who people are. Especially for my guests with autism and a stammer. It’s their story, not mine. Let it breathe.”
We often talk about this being one of the most powerful reasons to have a podcast. It’s because authenticity builds connection. This is why we don’t over-edit your podcast into robotic perfection. We know that real people want to hear real people. (We can say this as real people)
The Secret Sauce: Human Curiosity
It’s not just production lessons that Mark shares. It’s the mindset behind it all. His ADHD and genuine curiosity make him the kind of host who truly listens.
“I’m not here for the killer quote. I’m here to give my guest the stage.”
This is the secret to making some of the best podcasts out there. It’s not about the host. It’s about the human beings on the other side of the microphone and the listeners who need to hear those stories. If you make sure to lead your podcast with curiosity, you’ll get the stories and information that you and your audience are looking for. Don’t just market to your audience. You need to connect with them.
How to Apply This to Your Business Podcast
If you’re running a small business and thinking about podcasting, Mark’s story offers a clear roadmap:
🎙 Start scrappy – Your phone and a quiet room are enough.
📚 Use your existing content – A blog, a book, even social posts can inspire episodes.
🎧 Let guests shine – Your job is to draw out their wisdom, not to show off your own.
✨ Embrace imperfection – It’s part of the charm, not a flaw.
💬 Engage with people – Real stories build real loyalty.
Call to Action: Ready to Start Your Podcast?
You’ve got a story to tell. And someone out there needs to hear it.
Want help getting started without the pressure of a sales pitch?
👉 Book your free no-pitch podcast consultation now
🎥 Watch this episode on YouTube