There are moments in a creative journey that quietly mark a turning point. You don’t always realise it at first—but looking back, everything after feels slightly different.

There are moments in a creative journey that quietly mark a turning point. You don’t always realise it at first—but looking back, everything after feels slightly different.

For us, Re:Connect Conference 2025 was one of those moments.

This was new territory. And it mattered that we showed up well.

Before the Conference: Preparing to Go Live

Before the Conference: Preparing to Go Live

Once the confirmation came through, excitement quickly turned into responsibility.

We didn’t just want to attend Re:Connect—we wanted to bring the conference to people who couldn’t be there. That meant one thing: going live.

Up until this point, our setup had been simple and familiar. A controlled environment. A quiet room. Minimal variables. But now we were talking about live streaming from a stadium, with guests walking in and out, time constraints, noise, pressure, and no second takes.

To make it happen, we had to level up—fast.

We introduced new tools into our workflow, most notably OBS, to handle live streaming directly to YouTube. There was a learning curve, and more than a few “are we sure this will work?” moments. Thankfully, with the help of Kevin and Rachel, we were able to run test sessions, iron out issues, and gain enough confidence to trust the setup.

We also decided to design and print custom t-shirts as merchandise—something small, but symbolic. This wasn’t just another episode. This was a milestone. And we wanted to mark it properly.

It was our first opportunity of this scale, and we were determined not to waste it.

The Day Arrives: Setting Up at the Stadium

We arrived early—earlier than necessary, but exactly when we needed to.

Our podcast space was set inside one of the VIP boxes, overlooking the pitch and the stands. The view alone was enough to stop you in your tracks for a moment. But there wasn’t much time to soak it in—we had work to do.

We began setting up immediately. Cameras, microphones, lighting, streaming checks. There were challenges—as expected—but nothing that stopped us. A few test recordings later, everything was running smoothly. Then came the waiting.

Rachel was tracking the keynote speaker, Kevlin Henney, following his movement after his talk. Meanwhile, I was doing what I always do before an interview—researching. Reading about Kevlin’s journey, his philosophy, his work, and the ideas he cares deeply about. We wanted the conversation to feel thoughtful, not transactional.

When Kevlin finally walked into the room, his first reaction said it all—surprise, curiosity, and genuine interest. A full podcast setup at a conference wasn’t something he expected.

We were already recording. All that was left to do was go live.

And we did.

Conversations That Matter

The conversation with Kevlin was everything we hoped it would be—calm, reflective, and deeply insightful. He spoke openly about his journey, his evolution into a multi-disciplined technologist, and the values that have guided his career.

It didn’t feel rushed. It didn’t feel forced. It felt human.

The feedback that followed—from Kevlin himself and from the organisers—was incredibly encouraging. It affirmed that we weren’t just “doing a podcast at a conference,” but creating a space where meaningful conversations could happen.

After that first recording, the momentum carried us forward.

We had the pleasure of sitting down with Marina Pellufo from Prima, Jonathan from Equal IT, and several students from Bournemouth University. The student conversations, in particular, were refreshing—full of curiosity, honesty, and ambition. It was a reminder of why spaces like Re:Connect matter so much.

Each conversation felt different, yet connected by a shared theme: people building, learning, and navigating technology with purpose.

Reflections: What Re:Connect Meant to Us

By the end of the day, over 150 people had attended the conference. Many stopped by our setup, asked questions, shared encouragement, or simply observed. The feedback we received—about the podcast, the conversations, and the energy—meant more than we can properly put into words.

Re:Connect wasn’t just successful as an event. For us, it was proof of growth.

It showed us that what started as an idea between two people could evolve into something larger—something that belongs in rooms like this. It pushed us outside our comfort zone and reminded us that progress often begins the moment you say yes to something that feels slightly terrifying.

Looking Ahead

We left Re:Connect inspired, grateful, and hungry for more.

We hope to be back next year—stronger, more refined, and ready to push boundaries even further. And who knows? Maybe one day we won’t just attend conferences.

Maybe we’ll host one.

For now, we keep building. One conversation at a time.