In a remarkable display of stamina and purpose, Bristol‑based podcaster Ollie Collard set a new world record for the longest interview marathon. Over a 56‑hour, 44‑minute stretch at Films at 59, he conducted 70 back‑to‑back conversations with entrepreneurs, shedding light on the mental‑health pressures faced by founders.
Record‑breaking effort
Collard, co‑founder of the Founded & Grounded podcast, surpassed the previous benchmark by 34 minutes. Medical staff from 1st Defence Medical were on standby, describing themselves as “guardian angels” who could intervene if needed.
Focus on founder wellbeing
Each interview began with Talk Club’s simple question, “How are you? Out of 10?” The candid discussions revealed widespread loneliness, anxiety, burnout and the pressure to appear in control. A 2025 Sifted survey of 138 European founders found only 6% reported no mental‑health issues in the prior year, underscoring the relevance of Collard’s mission.
Collard, who has run his own business since 2018, joined a Talk Club therapy group earlier this year after experiencing isolation and anxiety himself. “I walked into a room full of blokes I’d never met, nervous as anything, and talked about things I’d never said out loud,” he recalled, calling the experience “the most liberating thing I’d done in years.”
Personal motivation
The attempt almost didn’t happen. Collard’s grandfather passed away three weeks before the marathon, and after only two and a half hours of sleep he considered canceling. Support from more than 130 volunteers and the memory of his grandfather pushed him forward.
By the second night he was hallucinating and suffering severe stomach cramps, but combat medics Chris and Anna Lee remained on hand. As exhaustion set in, two close friends stepped in to conduct interviews, and Collard’s children made surprise visits. One founder arrived dressed as a Power Ranger, and the final guest appeared in full medieval armor.
Family and community support
When Collard finally broke the record, the person opposite him was his wife, Kat. Initially hesitant about the two‑day sleep deprivation, she later expressed pride in his achievement. “Sometimes people need someone to stop, listen and ask how things really are,” Collard said.
After the marathon, Collard was driven home in an ambulance, where he slept for nine and a half hours. He emphasized that the record was a means to an end: “The real work starts now—making sure these conversations are heard.”
Future plans
The 70 interviews will be released as podcast episodes beginning in 2027. Talk Club aims to develop a documentary on founder mental health and is seeking a producer and funding. So far the effort has raised £5,500 ($7,360), with donations still open via the JustGiving page.
Original reporting: KTBS 3 (Shreveport) — read the source article.
