My career in broadcasting has spanned more than 25 years in commercial and BBC radio and television, and now as a podcast producer.

The reason for my focus on growing confidence with Your Podclass is because for much of the early part of my career, including the transition from school into work, I was very shy and lacked confidence.

As a child I'd listen to the radio in the back of Mum & Dad's car. It was always more fun when Mum drove because she listened to Radio 1 and "Steve Wright in the Afternoon" on the way home from school. I remember listening and loving it. That was what I wanted to do when I was older.

Years later, with the help of a fax machine, I sent in some jokes to my local radio station. I really wanted to be a presenter, but I lacked the confidence. I could write... but radio was filled with gregarious personalities. That wasn't me at that age.

As I learned my craft, and spent time working in radio stations across the North and the Midlands, my confidence grew, encouraged by good people and a love for sharing stories. And I learned:

Everything is about authentic connection.

It's been a career that has seen me interview, listen to, and share stories of hundreds of people: from A-list movie stars and pop stars, to community leaders and, on one of the oddest birthdays I've ever spent working, a pothole. (Admittedly, that wasn't a person.)

I've been flown in plane by a veteran World War 2 pilot and interviewed on Maldives national news.

But, as fun and interesting as those things are, everything comes down to the same thing: people and their stories. (Again, not the pothole...)

As a presenter and interviewer, I consistently meet people who tell me beforehand: "I'm a bit nervous".

I remind them they don't need to be. They're there because we're interested in what they do and who they are. They already know the answers.

As a podcast producer I have helped coach people who were hesitant around a microphone grow and become brilliant hosts.

During all of this, I became a Dad-of-2. And it was when my eldest, Alfie, told me he was doing a podcast at school "but only pretend", I had the idea for Your Podclass.

Your Podclass is all about using the skills used in broadcasting - scripting, creating, communicating - to help build confidence in young people which they can take into their daily lives.

Hi. I'm Al Booth.