# information topic (audio feeds) — RSS Amplifier Recent posts from the 2 feeds in the RSS Amplifier directory that cover information topic. Page: Feed: --- ## [Tax Policy, Cost of Living and the Road to the Autumn Budget](https://www.mercia-group.com/marketing/budget-and-tax-rates/) _2026-07-26 · Mercia Podcast_ Mark Morton reviews the first major announcements from the new government, explores the implications of potential tax changes, and discusses how policy leaks, cost-of-living measures and public finances could shape the upcoming Autumn Budget. For more information on this topic and more, please visit www.mercia-group.com for further details. [Listen](https://www.buzzsprout.com/593080/episodes/19546812-tax-policy-cost-of-living-and-the-road-to-the-autumn-budget.mp3) ## [Making Tax Digital: A Costly Failure or a Necessary Change?](https://www.mercia-group.com/courses/making-tax-digital-where-are-we-now/) _2026-07-14 · Mercia Podcast_ Mark Morton shares his reaction to a recent BBC Radio 4 Money Box interview on Making Tax Digital (MTD) , questioning its effectiveness, highlighting concerns about low taxpayer engagement, and discussing whether the initiative is delivering any real benefits for self-employed businesses and HMRC. Based on current uptake figures and industry feedback, Mark argues that MTD may be creating… [Listen](https://www.buzzsprout.com/593080/episodes/19491573-making-tax-digital-a-costly-failure-or-a-necessary-change.mp3) ## ICAEW’s New Appraisal Requirements for Training Employers: What Firms Need to Know _2026-07-10 · Mercia Podcast_ In this episode, Lee Eagling ( Technical Consultant at Mercia Group ) discusses the new ICAEW requirements effective from July 2026, requiring authorised training employers to implement formal annual appraisals for partners, directors, audit staff, and students. The podcast explores the background to the changes, compliance expectations, practical implementation options, and why effective… [Listen](https://www.buzzsprout.com/593080/episodes/19473670-icaew-s-new-appraisal-requirements-for-training-employers-what-firms-need-to-know.mp3) ## [HMRC Tax Update 2026: Modernisation or More Complexity?](https://www.mercia-group.com/insights/tax-update-2026-reform-and-changes/) _2026-06-30 · Mercia Podcast_ In this episode, Mark Morton unpacks HMRC’s latest Tax Update 26, exploring proposed changes to self-assessment, ISAs, national insurance, and debt collection. He questions whether these reforms truly simplify the system or add further complexity, while highlighting the real-world impact on taxpayers, businesses, and financial planning. Blog:… [Listen](https://www.buzzsprout.com/593080/episodes/19417290-hmrc-tax-update-2026-modernisation-or-more-complexity.mp3) ## [297: The female athlete (with Morgan Smith)](https://www.hmmrmedia.com/2026/06/gaincast-episode-297-the-female-athlete-with-morgan-smith/) _2026-06-22 · GAINcast with Vern Gambetta_ For decades, coaches have trained female athletes the same way they train male athletes — or worse, held them back entirely out of myth and misunderstanding. In this episode of the GAINcast, Vern Gambetta sits down with Morgan Smith, senior performance coach for US Soccer's women's youth national teams and former Stanford post-doctoral researcher, to tackle what we actually know about training the… [Listen](https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/gaincast/gaincast297.mp3?dest-id=343256) ## [HMRC Payrolling Chaos: Delays, Phases & Confusion Ahead](https://www.mercia-group.com/courses/annual-update-conference/) _2026-06-16 · Mercia Podcast_ Mark Morton breaks down the latest HMRC update on payrolling benefits, highlighting delays, phased rollouts, and growing complexity for businesses. With uncertainty around timelines, compliance, and reporting, the episode explores why the system may become even more confusing before it improves. For more information on this topic and more, please visit www.mercia-group.com for further details. [Listen](https://www.buzzsprout.com/593080/episodes/19354491-hmrc-payrolling-chaos-delays-phases-confusion-ahead.mp3) ## [Summer Policy Announcements: A Mixed Bag for Businesses and Families](https://www.mercia-group.com/insights/government-support-during-the-iran-crisis/) _2026-06-10 · Mercia Podcast_ Mark Morton reviews the chancellor's pre-bank holiday announcements, covering free children's bus travel, reduced VAT on family activities and meals, fuel duty, mileage allowance changes and what they mean in practice for businesses and families. Mark offers a candid take on whether these measures are likely to make a material difference and who they really benefit. For more information on this… [Listen](https://www.buzzsprout.com/593080/episodes/19324819-summer-policy-announcements-a-mixed-bag-for-businesses-and-families.mp3) ## [Trouble with the Taxman](https://www.mercia-group.com/courses/trouble-with-the-taxman/) _2026-05-22 · Mercia Podcast_ In this episode, Mark Morton explores the complexities of tax penalties, prompted by a recent high-profile case involving a significant understatement with no penalty applied. He breaks down key concepts like reasonable care, voluntary disclosure, and HMRC’s approach to enforcement, highlighting the nuances that often go unnoticed by both taxpayers and advisors. For more information on this topic… [Listen](https://www.buzzsprout.com/593080/episodes/19208077-trouble-with-the-taxman.mp3) ## [Be Kind to Yourself: Real Talk on Mental Health & Wellbeing](https://www.mercia-group.com/courses/wellbeing-and-resilience-in-the-workplace/) _2026-05-21 · Mercia Podcast_ In this honest and relatable episode, mental health first aider Louise Conner shares her personal journey and practical tips for maintaining wellbeing. From breaking stigma to finding what truly works for you, this episode offers simple, real-life ways to build resilience, prioritise self-care, and ask for support when you need it most. For more information on this topic and more, please visit… [Listen](https://www.buzzsprout.com/593080/episodes/19209329-be-kind-to-yourself-real-talk-on-mental-health-wellbeing.mp3) ## [Associated Companies: Navigating the Return of the Rules and HMRC's Renewed Interest](https://www.mercia-group.com/courses/associated-companies-with-mark-morton/) _2026-05-11 · Mercia Podcast_ In this short Mercia podcast, I take a look at Associated Companies, an area that's quietly become a hot topic again. With Corporation Tax rates and bands shifting, HMRC are clearly paying attention, and we're seeing a steady stream of "nudge" letters landing on agents' desks asking them to revisit their associated company position. I walk through why the rules feel particularly tricky right now,… [Listen](https://www.buzzsprout.com/593080/episodes/19146049-associated-companies-navigating-the-return-of-the-rules-and-hmrc-s-renewed-interest.mp3) ## [Refer a Friend, Earn Rewards (Sponsored)](https://crawlproof.com/a/O8nx5j48WQ3w) _2026-05-11 · **Sponsored**_ Earn rewards when a friend signs up for the Graphite Business Card ## [Post‑Easter Tax Thoughts: Fuel Duty, Mileage Rates and Winter Fuel Confusion](https://www.mercia-group.com) _2026-04-17 · Mercia Podcast_ In this post‑Easter episode, Mark Morton shares his reflections on recent tax developments and policy decisions. From frustration with Making Tax Digital and fuel duty at the pump, to mileage rates that offer little real‑world help, Mark also highlights growing concerns around the recovery of winter fuel payments from pensioners and the risks of PAYE coding errors. A candid look at the… [Listen](https://www.buzzsprout.com/593080/episodes/19021483-post-easter-tax-thoughts-fuel-duty-mileage-rates-and-winter-fuel-confusion.mp3) ## [296: The adaptation conversation (with Dan Cleather)](https://www.hmmrmedia.com/2026/03/gaincast-episode-296-the-adaptation-conversation-with-dan-cleather/) _2026-03-09 · GAINcast with Vern Gambetta_ As coaches we like to think of the training process as predictable and controllable, but the reality isn't that straightfoward. As guest Dan Cleather explains on this week's podcast, we don't dictate training outcomes, we simply guide a conversation with the body. In the interview he looks at how to best guide that process, the role of overload, and rethinking recent trends in athlete profiling.… [Listen](https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/gaincast/gaincast296.mp3?dest-id=343256) ## [295: Book review](https://www.hmmrmedia.com/2026/02/gaincast-episode-295-book-review/) _2026-02-23 · GAINcast with Vern Gambetta_ Vern is a prodigious reader. On this week's GAINcast he discusses what makes his top 10 books of 2025 stand out, as well as some additional reading recommendations. For more information on this topic, read the complete show notes at: https://www.hmmrmedia.com/2026/02/gaincast-episode-295-book-review/ The following links were also referenced in the podcast or provide some additional reading… [Listen](https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/gaincast/gaincast295.mp3?dest-id=343256) ## [294: The golden age (with Larry Knuth)](https://www.hmmrmedia.com/2025/11/gaincast-episode-294-the-golden-age-with-larry-knuth/) _2025-11-10 · GAINcast with Vern Gambetta_ Southern California is known for its earthquakes, but it was also the epicenter of track and field during the golden age of the sport. On this week's episode, longtime coach and author Larry Knuth looks back at the coaching scene in that era, reflecting on his own path to coaching, as well as the big names he worked with along the way. This episode isn't just a walk down memory lane, but a look… [Listen](https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/gaincast/gaincast294.mp3?dest-id=343256) ## [293: The program (with Nick Garcia)](https://www.hmmrmedia.com/2025/10/gaincast-episode-293-the-program-with-nick-garcia/) _2025-10-20 · GAINcast with Vern Gambetta_ Hundreds of athletes, dozens of sports, and just one coach. Nick Garcia is a master of building an efficient and effective athletic development program. He joins us again on this week's GAINcast to walk us through his setup at Notre Dame High School, how he started the program, its critical success factors, and all the nitty gritty logistics of coaching. For more information on this topic, read… [Listen](https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/gaincast/gaincast293.mp3?dest-id=343256) ## [292: Explore and exploit (with Alex Hutchinson)](https://www.hmmrmedia.com/2025/07/gaincast-episode-292-explore-and-exploit-with-alex-hutchinson/) _2025-07-28 · GAINcast with Vern Gambetta_ Alex Hutchinson is well known for his writing on sport science, but his new books goes in a different direction by taking a detailed look at exploration: why humans explore, how much we should explore, and methods of exploration. The topic might not be directly about sports, but it is directly relevant to coaches. Coaches are often weighing the question of when to try something new, and when to… [Listen](https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/gaincast/gaincast292.mp3?dest-id=343256) ## [291: Tools vs. tasks (with Dale Stevenson)](https://www.hmmrmedia.com/2025/06/gaincast-episode-291-tools-vs-tasks-with-dale-stevenson/) _2025-06-30 · GAINcast with Vern Gambetta_ According to coach Dale Stevenson, technique is overrated. Technique is a tool, just like strength is a tool. We need tools, but we can't forget that tools are there to help us accomplish a task. On this week's podcast Stevenson joins us to look at his approach to technique in training, how that translates into session design, and much more. For more information on this topic, read the complete… [Listen](https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/gaincast/gaincast291.mp3?dest-id=343256) ## [290: High school coaching (with John Larralde)](https://www.hmmrmedia.com/2025/05/gaincast-episode-290-high-school-coaching-with-john-larralde/) _2025-05-12 · GAINcast with Vern Gambetta_ What are the demands of modern high school coaching? John Larralde calculated that he has just 43 training days to prepare his track athletes this year. Add to that a small student population, multi-event athletes, a young coaching staff, and little connection to the daily campus life. Some might see these as problems, but for Larralde that's no big deal as he describes himself as a problem… [Listen](https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/gaincast/gaincast290.mp3?dest-id=343256) ## [289: Coaching and connections (with Lachlan Penfold)](https://www.hmmrmedia.com/2025/04/gaincast-episode-289-coaching-and-connections-with-lachlan-penfold/) _2025-04-07 · GAINcast with Vern Gambetta_ Lachlan Penfold has worked with some of the world's most successful clubs across numerous sports from rugby to the NBA to water polo. While he is an innovative physical performance coach, one theme keeps emerging to him: the most successful clubs are built more on the strength of connection as the strength the body. On this episode of the GAINcast he looks at how to build a culture starting with a… [Listen](https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/gaincast/gaincast289.mp3?dest-id=343256) ## [Point a Domain, Start a Pit (Sponsored)](https://crawlproof.com/a/dAmYQF96swOF) _2025-04-07 · **Sponsored**_ Point any domain to a blacked-out, poison-green coming-soon page with an email waitlist. ## [288: The six abilities](https://www.hmmrmedia.com/2025/01/gaincast-episode-288-the-six-abilities/) _2025-01-20 · GAINcast with Vern Gambetta_ Last month we hosted the GAIN Coaching by Design Workshop. A recurring theme in the workshop was process. Coaching by design requires process. On this episode of the GAINcast, Vern Gambetta dives into his process which starts with defining what he calls the six abilities: trainability, adaptability, recoverability, durability, availability, and coachability. For more information on this topic,… [Listen](https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/gaincast/gaincast288.mp3?dest-id=343256)