Business and a Brew
Welcome to Business and a Brew – the podcast where real conversations about business happen over a good drink. Hosted by Danielle and Simon, this show brings together two friends with years of shared experiences, lessons learned, and plenty of stories to tell.
We’re here to explore the highs, lows, and in-betweens of business, from awkward challenges to unexpected victories. No topic is off the table – if it’s part of the entrepreneurial journey, we’re talking about it. Whether you’re looking for relatable advice, fresh perspectives, or just a laugh, you’ll find it here.
Think of us as your business buddies, chatting over coffee (or something stronger), keeping it real and keeping you entertained. So, grab your brew of choice, tune in, and let’s get talking. Cheers!
Business and a Brew
DePuy or Not DePuy: When Medical Devices Go Very, Very Wrong
Things took a darker turn with the story of DePuy’s ASR hip replacements, a medical device that promised mobility but ended up causing chaos inside the body.
The ASR model used an all-metal design, which turned out to be a massive problem. Over time, metal debris would shed into the bloodstream, leading to serious health issues like metallosis, pseudo tumours, and even cognitive decline. The worst part? It skipped the usual rigorous safety checks thanks to a fast-track approval route known as the 510(k) pathway.
By 2008, more than 100,000 of these devices had been implanted around the world, raking in over $1 billion in sales. But the fallout was huge. Thousands of patients suffered, and DePuy eventually had to pay out $2.5 billion in settlements.
It’s a case that raises big questions about medical ethics, corporate responsibility, and how something so dangerous made it into so many bodies.
About Simon and Danielle:
Simon and Danielle are both business owners, based in the East Midlands, who met through mutual business contacts and who share a love of all things business.
Simon runs Skylight Media – Award-winning experts in Website Design, E-commerce & Marketing running since 2003.
Danielle runs Goldspun Support – a multi-faceted support service for fractional directors and small business owners across the globe, running since 2009.
Since they first met Simon and Danielle have spent a ridiculous amount of time talking about the subjects that interest them – usually over a drink in the pub – and they decided that now was the time to bring these conversations to a wider audience and invite them to join the chat.
Both Simon and Danielle are successful business owners in their own rights with big plans for the future but will never lose their love of talking all things business… and the pub.