Was Donald Trump Born a Compulsive Liar?

As you may have seen, Trump shared an AI image of himself as Jesus.

Then said it was just him “playing a doctor”, he event said "That’s what most people thought.". Did they Donald? I don't think they did!

This brief episode tells you everything you need to know about this man.

We all know that politicians stretch the truth. That’s nothing new; and yes, they sometime lie. But this is way different. This is saying that something everyone can see isn’t true, then blaming everyone else for not agreeing.

Recent Claims vs Reality

• On the AI “Jesus” image (April 2026) – Said it was him “playing a doctor”, despite the image clearly using religious, Christ-like symbolism and being widely interpreted that way across media and religious groups.
• “If I weren’t president, the world would be torn to pieces” (April 2026) – A sweeping personal claim about global stability with no supporting evidence, made during ongoing unresolved conflicts.
• Iran nuclear programme “obliterated” (2025–2026) – Repeatedly claimed US strikes completely destroyed Iran’s nuclear capability, but international agencies and fact-checkers confirmed the programme was damaged, not eliminated.
• “War is basically won” / Strait of Hormuz reopened (March 2026) – Claimed victory and reopening of key trade routes while fighting and disruption were still ongoing.
• Iran had Tomahawk missiles (March 2026) – Claimed Iran carried out an attack using Tomahawk missiles, despite the US being the only known operator of that weapon system.
• Claims of imminent Iran deal (April 2026) – Suggested a deal was close, even as negotiations had already failed and no agreement had been reached.

So what is it with him?

Either it’s deliberate. Say something outrageous, stay in the headlines, keep control of the narrative. Or, and this is the truly worrying part, does he actually believes what he’s saying.

When he says things like “if I wasn’t president, the world would be torn to pieces”, it leans hard into that saviour idea. Not confidence. Something else.

At this point, if he told you the sky was blue, you’d still need check out of the window.

Realistically it’s probably a mix of ego, strategy, and something a bit harder to pin down.

But the result is the same. People stop believing you, and luckily, Americans are starting to disbelieve Donald Trump.

What The F**K is Protein Anyway?

You think you’re eating alright… then you actually look at your protein intake and realise you’re miles off.

That was me. Late 50s, vegetarian, eating what I thought was a decent mix of Quorn, mushrooms, beans, and pulses. All the usual “good stuff”. Then I roughly added it up… about 30g of protein a day. That’s not just a bit low, that’s nowhere near.

Then you start researching it, apparently you need 100g, 120g, or even more; I called one of my daughters who is a Dietician and she said at my age, I need 150g a day. Bit of a wake-up call.

So… what actually is protein?

Protein isn’t just something gym lads bang on about, I mean they do, but it's more important than just building muscle so you can do more bicep curls!

It’s the basic building material your body runs on. Every cell, every bit of tissue, every repair job your body does… it all needs protein.

The brief science bit: Strip it right back and protein is made up of amino acids. Think of them as the small bits that get pieced together to build and maintain your body.

Without enough of them, things don’t run properly. Simple as that.

What protein actually does in your body

This is the bit most people don’t realise. As already mentioned, protein isn’t just about muscle. It’s doing jobs all over the place, every day, whether you notice it or not:

• Repairs and rebuilds tissue
  Skin, hair, nails, muscles, and organs are constantly breaking down and rebuilding.
• Supports your immune system
  Your body produces proteins that help fight off bacteria and viruses.
• Helps with digestion
  Enzymes, which break down food, are made from protein.
• Provides structure and strength
  Think collagen, the stuff that holds skin, tendons, and ligaments together.
• Transports and stores nutrients
  Some proteins move vitamins and minerals around your body where they’re needed.

Protein isn’t really for energy

Here’s something that surprised me.

Yes, your body can use protein for energy… but it really doesn’t want to. It would much rather use carbohydrates and fats first. Protein is more valuable doing the jobs above, so your body tries to save it for that.

Which means if you’re not eating enough, your body has to start cutting corners. Not ideal.

The reality… most of us aren’t getting enough

It’s easy to assume you are. You eat a bit of this, a bit of that, and it feels balanced. But when you actually track it, it can be way lower than you think.

Plant-based foods do contain protein, but often not in the amounts you’d expect unless you’re being deliberate about it.

That was the shock for me. Quorn, beans, lentils… all good, but you need more volume, and more planning, than you might think to hit proper daily targets.

Vegetarian? You’ve got to be more intentional

If you eat meat, it’s easier. Chicken, turkey, pork, and lean beef are all protein-dense. You don’t have to try too hard.

If you’re vegetarian, it takes a bit more thought:

• Eggs and dairy can help massively if you eat them
• Lentils, chickpeas, and beans are solid, but not as dense
• Tofu and tempeh are worth getting used to
• Quorn is useful, but not a magic fix
• Nuts and seeds help, but bring calories with them

I've had to resort to necking some Whey Protein every day just to help, even now, I probably eat no more than 100g a day, but its better than where I was.

... And Finally

Protein isn’t some niche fitness thing. It’s basic maintenance for your body.

If you’re not getting enough, you’re effectively running your system on the cheap.

You don’t need to panic. You don’t need to overhaul everything overnight. But it’s worth checking.

Because if you’re anything like me… what you think you’re getting, and what you’re actually getting, are two very different numbers.

Why Don't People Vote

When I signed up to be a Liberal Democrat candidate for Horbury and South Ossett, I started digging into our local history. I’ll be honest: I was shocked. Back in the 2019 local elections, the turnout was just 32.2%.

Think about that. Nearly 70% of our neighbors didn’t feel that any of the names on that ballot paper represented them or their community. It’s a staggering silence. It’s easy to say people are just "uninterested," but I think the truth is more uncomfortable: people don’t vote because they don’t see themselves, or their values, in the people asking for their support.

Where is the Local Identity?

For too long, we’ve seen the "old guard" take these seats for granted. When voters don't see someone sticking their head up and saying, "Look at us, and look at what we can actually achieve for our streets and our community," they switch off. If the choice feels like a carbon copy of the same old politics, why bother walking to the polling station?

We need candidates who don't just want a seat, but who want to represent the identity of Horbury and Ossett. People are waiting for someone to relate to, someone who understands that local issues aren't just bullet points in a manifesto, but the fabric of our daily lives.

The Trust Gap and the "Safe Seat" Trap

There is a deep disillusionment with the political elite. Many feel that the system is rigged for the same few voices to keep winning. This creates a "safe seat" trap: if you think your vote won't make a difference, you stay home, and the same cycle continues. But that 32% figure proves that there is a missing majority. If even a fraction of that 70% found someone they believed in, the "old guard" wouldn't know what hit them.

The Social Media Bubble & The Knowledge Gap

It doesn't help that our world is increasingly partitioned by algorithms. Our social feeds often tell us everything is fine, or that everyone thinks exactly like we do. Combine that with a political process that is often made to feel intentionally confusing, and it’s no wonder people feel alienated. We need to break that bubble by showing up in person, on the doorstep, and proving that local politics is accessible, understandable, and, most importantly, vital.

It’s Time to Speak Up

I’m sticking my head up because I refuse to believe that Horbury and South Ossett are "apathetic." I think we are just waiting for a reason to care again. We don't have to settle for the status quo. That "missing 70%" holds all the power, we just have to give them a reason to use it..

Why Everyone Thinks They Can Do Marketing

…and why most of them are kidding themselves

Somewhere along the way, marketing got mistaken for “posting stuff online.” or a simple email out to all your customers meant that you've launched a product ... all this is social medias fault, it made marketing (or promotion) feel accessible to all, tools made it feel easy, and now it seems like anyone with a login thinks they’ve cracked it.

Blame the platforms. Blame Canva. Blame AI tools like ChatGPT and the rest of them. You can knock up something that looks decent in minutes, so it feels like the hard part’s done before you’ve even started thinking.

Write something. Generate an image. Add a hashtag. Post something. Sit back and wait for the sales to roll in.

That’s the expectation. That’s also where it starts going wrong.

The tools are easy. The thinking isn’t.

The problem isn’t the tools. They’re brilliant for what they do. But they don’t replace thinking, and they don’t build a strategy for you.

Without a plan, you’re just making noise. You’re putting things out there without any real direction, and hoping something sticks.

I’ve seen it more times than I can count. Nice-looking posts, clean design, plenty of activity… and absolutely nothing coming back from it. No engagement, no leads, no sales.

Non-marketing folk clammer for Followers and Engagement - it's all bullshit. I tell anyone that starts working with me in marketing that if only one person follows me, and they are a journalist, and they engage with everything i do, I would be VERY happy. 

Once you actually step back and work out who you’re talking to, what you’re trying to say, and why it matters, things start to move. It’s never the font or the colours. It’s always the thinking behind it.

Social media didn’t create marketers. It created confidence.

One post does well and suddenly someone’s a marketing expert. You see it everywhere now, especially on social media. I've had a couple of Tik-Tok posts go viral, I'm no fecking expert on the platform, I have very little idea what I'm doing on it - but sometimes you get lucky.

A meme lands, something gets shared a few times, and next thing they’re selling “growth strategies” in their bio. It looks convincing on the surface, but there’s usually not much underneath it.

Posting content is not marketing. Marketing is understanding why people buy, what stops them buying, and what makes them trust you over someone else.

Likes might feel good, but they don’t pay the bills. Revenue does.

AI has made this worse, not better

This is the bit a lot of people won’t say out loud. AI hasn’t made everyone better at marketing, it’s just made everyone faster at producing, at best, very average content.

Most people don’t know what to ask, so they get surface-level answers back. Slightly off, slightly generic, and usually missing the point… but written well enough that it feels right.

And that’s the danger. Because it sounds good, people assume it is good, and out it goes.

AI is only as good as the prompt behind it. If you don’t understand marketing, you won’t spot when the answer’s wrong. You’ll just publish it and wonder why nothing happens.

That’s why so much AI content looks the part but doesn’t deliver. It’s been written without any real understanding behind it.

Marketing is slow. That’s the part nobody likes

There’s this idea that marketing should deliver instant results. Run something today, see the spike tomorrow.

In reality, it’s slower and a lot less glamorous. It’s testing, tweaking, reviewing, and going again. Over and over.

Some of it’s creative, sure. But a big chunk of it is looking at what didn’t work, digging into the numbers, and figuring out why. God I love the numbers stuff.

That’s where the real progress comes from. Not the “publish” button.

What you actually need (and what most people skip)

When you strip it back, proper marketing comes down to a few core things. None of them are particularly flashy, but all of them matter.

You need to know who you’re talking to. Not “everyone” or “anyone who might buy”, but actual people with specific needs and problems.

You need to understand how you’re different. And no, “we care more” isn’t a strategy. Everyone says that.

You need messaging that lands. Something that makes people stop and think, “that’s exactly what I need.”

And you need data. What’s working, what isn’t, and what needs to change. If you’re not measuring it, you’re guessing.

You’re probably not going viral

It’s worth saying this plainly. Going viral is not a strategy. It’s luck. I know - it happened to me.

I just love it when Sales asks me to create a post or video that will go viral, I'm sure my face gives away the fact that they have just admitted they know nothing about marketing :-) 

I admit, it happens to some, but most businesses grow through consistent, steady improvements. Better targeting, clearer messaging, smarter decisions.

It’s not flashy, but it works. And it lasts.

It’s not about pretty posts

People love the creative side of marketing. The visuals, the layouts, the clever copy. And yes, that stuff matters.

But if it doesn’t perform, it doesn’t matter how good it looks. You need to know who clicked, who converted, and who came back.

Without that, you’re just decorating the internet and hoping for the best.

A quick reality check

I’ve been doing this for 35-ish years. I know what the feck I’m talking about.

Knowing how to use a platform doesn’t make you a marketer. And your cousin’s aunty spending two weeks in a marketing office doesn’t count as experience either.

This is a craft. It takes time to learn, and even longer to get properly good at.

The reality

Marketing is easy to start, and that’s the problem. It gives the impression anyone can do it well.

They can’t. It’s strategy, psychology, data, and execution all working together. Miss one of those, and the whole thing weakens.

The tools have opened the door. Knowing what to do once you’re through it… that’s the difference.

I'm now a Liberal Democrat Candidate

You don’t often get a chance to stand up and actually do something about the direction things are heading.

So I’ve taken it.

I’m standing as a paper candidate for the Liberal Democrats in Horbury and South Ossett ward (Wakefield).

And yes, I know what that means.
No campaign machine.
No expectation of winning.
No grand illusion that I’ll be walking into the council chamber any time soon.

But that’s not really the point.

Where this all started

Politics has always been there in the background for me.

I used to argue with my grandad about it when I was younger. Not in a hostile way. We just enjoyed the back and forth. The ideas, the principles, the “what ifs”. It was never about shouting louder. It was about thinking harder.

When I was old enough to vote, I did what most people should do but many don’t. I looked around properly.

What do I actually believe?

I landed on a set of values that felt consistent and grounded.

Social justice matters.
We should be working with Europe, not turning our backs on it.
Power should be pushed down, not hoarded at the top.
The NHS should be protected and strengthened, not chipped away at.

And that was also what the brand new SDP (Social Democrat Party) believed in too, over time, that lined up with the values of the Liberal Democrats.

So why stand if you’re not going to win?

Because doing nothing guarantees nothing changes.

Standing as a paper candidate still puts a name on the ballot. It gives people a choice. It gets the Liberal Democrats visible in an area where that visibility might otherwise disappear.

And it gives me a platform to talk about their values.

Not a big one.
Not a polished one.
But a real one.

I’ve already started doing small, practical things locally. Reporting potholes. Flagging issues. Paying attention to what’s actually happening on the ground.

It’s not glamorous.
But it’s real.

And that matters more than a leaflet full of promises.

The bigger reason

Let’s be honest about what’s going on right now.

There’s a shift happening in parts of the UK. You can see it, hear it, feel it. The rise of right-wing populism. The noise getting louder. The tone getting sharper (and nastier).

And alongside that, something else has crept in.

Open racism.
Not hidden. Not coded. Just… there. And yes Reform, I'm blaming you.

This rise of rasism is something that should worry people.

It worries me.

Now, I’ll say this clearly. Not everyone flying a St George’s flag is racist. Of course they’re not. But when that symbol starts appearing alongside rhetoric that excludes, divides, and blames, it changes how it feels. It changes what it signals.

And I don’t think we should just shrug that off.

If you believe in a fair, open, outward-looking country, you don’t sit quietly while that grows.

You push back.

And that’s not all about Reform that worries me, Farage is a close friend of Donald Trumps, he respects his policies and approach to politics, so yes, if Reform ever win a General Election, we can expect Trump-style politics here!

Why this matters, even if it’s small

This isn’t about winning a seat.

It’s about putting a marker down.

It’s about saying that there are still people who believe in cooperation over division. Evidence over noise. Fairness over blame.

It’s about reminding people that there are alternatives.

Even if only a handful of people see my name on that ballot and think, “Actually, yeah… that’s closer to what I believe,” then it’s worth it.

Because change doesn’t always start with a landslide.

Sometimes it starts with one extra name on a ballot paper.

Closing notes

I’m not a career politician.
I’m not trying to be one.

I’m just someone who still thinks this stuff matters enough to show up.

And right now, that feels like the least we should be doing.

From Marketing Agency to Digital Garden

The Pivot: From Marketing Agency to Digital Garden

For over a decade, this corner of the internet has been my "office." It was a place for all things Marketing,  SEO tips and professional advice designed to help businesses rank and thrive. It served its purpose, but lately, the walls have started to feel a bit thin.

The truth is, the internet has changed, and so have I. We’ve moved into the era of the "infinite scroll", a noisy stream of algorithmic drivel from people I don't particularly like and opinions I didn't ask for.

Take LinkedIn, for example. It used to be a place to actually learn and grow professionally. Now? it’s a performative circus. It’s become a race to the bottom of "thought leadership" and engagement bait. I realised I’m done contributing to that noise. I missed the old web, the one where personal blogs felt like actual conversations instead of polished sales pitches or desperate grabs for a "like."

Why I’m Clearing the Deck

I’m moving away from the "Marketing Agency" template, both literally and figuratively. This site is now a Digital Garden. It’s a personal social site without the social pressure or the ego-driven metrics.

It’s a place for things that don't necessarily "scale" or "convert," but actually matter to me:

• Contract Shenanigans: The real-world headaches from me where I've taken on all sorts of businesses - and won!
• Consumer Rights: Ranting with a purpose when the system fails.
• Beer Reviews: Because life is too short for bad pints and even shorter for bad reviews.
• The "Now": A simple log of what I’m actually doing, reading, and thinking today.
• Rants: I like a rant, I've proud that I've finally become a "grumpy old man".
• Politics: I used to argue about politics with grandad, not that we had different opinions, we just enjoyed it - I can do it here now.

The Benefits

By stripping away the professional "armor," I get to write more honestly. You get a feed that isn't trying to sell you a consulting package or a "proven framework."

I’ve moved to a much leaner, minimalist setup. No tracking cookies, no "suggested posts," and no pop-ups. Just text.

The old marketing archives are still here if you need them, but the new growth is going to look a little different. It’ll be shorter, more frequent, and significantly more human.

Thanks for sticking around for the rebrand. I’m looking forward to screaming into the void again—only this time, without the LinkedIn "influencers" screaming back.

— Andy

Short Form Video for Business

Short-form video is having a moment. From TikTok to Instagram Reels, businesses are flocking to these platforms to connect with audiences in a new and exciting way. But what exactly is short-form video, and why is it so important for businesses?

What is Short-Form Video? 

Short-form video is essentially any video that is less than 60 seconds long. These videos typically appear as TikTok videos, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts. They are usually highly engaging and shareable, making them perfect for capturing attention and building brand awareness.

Why is Short-Form Video Important for Businesses?

It not if you don't want to engage with your customers and market, but if you do want to engage with them, here's some benefits you see fairly quicky.

It's highly engaging. Short-form videos are designed to be watched quickly and easily. This makes them perfect for capturing the attention of busy consumers.

It's shareable. Short-form videos are often shared on social media and other platforms. This can help you reach a wider audience and build brand awareness.

It's cost-effective. Short-form videos are relatively inexpensive to produce. This makes them a great option for businesses of all sizes.

It's versatile. Short-form videos can be used for a variety of purposes, such as product demos, customer testimonials, and behind-the-scenes content.

How Can a Business Use Short-Form Video

Not sure how to use short-form video for your business, here are a few tips that might help you:

Start by identifying your target audience. Who are you trying to reach with your videos? Once you know your target audience, you can create content that is relevant to them.

Keep your videos short and sweet. Remember, you only have a few seconds to capture your audience's attention. Make sure your videos are concise and to the point.

Use high-quality visuals and audio. Your videos should be visually appealing and easy to hear.

Use a strong call to action. What do you want your viewers to do after watching your video? Make sure to include a clear call to action, such as visiting your website or following you on social media.

Promote your videos. Share your videos on social media and other platforms. You can also use paid advertising to reach a wider audience.

OK, I'm convinced that I need to use Short Form Video, but for what?

Product demos. Short-form videos are a great way to show off your products and services.

Customer testimonials. Use short-form videos to share positive customer feedback.

Behind-the-scenes content. Give your audience a glimpse into your company culture with behind-the-scenes videos.

Educational content. Use short-form videos to teach your audience about your products or services.

Interactive content. Encourage your audience to participate in your videos by asking questions or challenges.

Short-form video is a powerful tool that can help businesses of all sizes connect with their audiences. By following these simple tips, you will create engaging and effective short-form videos that will help you achieve your business goals.

Really Simple Keyword Research

Let's remember that Googles aim is to deliver to the user the most relevant results possible. So keyword research should focus around INTENT and TOPIC RELEVANCE to your business.

HEADLINE KEYWORDS

Single words or acronyms i.e. "Beer" - these are the worst type of keywords to optimise for (mainly because the intent is not clear, and typically usersresearch and more information), as intent is not clear, traffic will be poor and conversions will be low, but worst of all is that competition will be massively high and you'll need a ton of money and manpower to rank successfully for them.

BODY KEYWORDS 

Typically these are 2-3 word keywords i.e. "Best Beer" - while the intent of the searcher is a little clearer, it's still not 100% clear what they are trying to achieve with their search. These terms are often very competitive, because as keywords they are generally easier to find, this high competitiveness and therefore expensive in time and money to rank well for.

LONG TAIL KEYWORDS

4 or more words i.e. "Best Beer From The Supermarket" , these are the best type to optimise for as the intent of the searcher is much clearer. It will also be a much less competitive keyword.

It's important in the early stages of keyword research that 100% of keywords identified should be based on INTENT, yes search volume is important, but INTENT will ensure that anyone that finds your site WILL BE more likely to purchase. Your conversion rate will be higher, and will likely generate more good quality leads, plus competition will be lower, meaning ranking high for these keywords will be much easier.

PHASE 1 - EXISTING KEYWORDS

Use your existing searches and keyword data to give you inspiration for your keyword analysis, the easiest place to find these is in your Google Search Console, Google is already suggesting that you are ranking well for these keyworks, so it will be easier for you to take advantage of them.

Categorise these keywords into:

LOW HANGING FRUIT - keywords that are currently ranking from positions 2 to 15. Remember to prioritise keywords that based on INTENT and RELVANCE to your business.

EXISTING KEYWORDS - these are ranking from position 16 to 50. Make these your second priority keywords to look at.

POSSIBLE OPPORTUNITIES - these are keywords that are ranking from position 51 to 100. These keywords are outside of the top 50, so would suggest that you are simply not putting enough effort into these pages. On these look at the long tail key phrases and consider writing a blog post around each phrase.

PHASE 2 - KEYWORD DISCOVERY

Use SEMRUSH to help you discover new keywords (you can create a free account).
Navigate to 'Keyword Magic Tool' to discover for free some new ideas for keywords.

• Start looking at Keywords that are ranked at VERY EASY.
• Create a list of possible new keywords for you to rank for.
• Once you have a list of possible keywords, I sometimes like to search for these on Wikipedia and that can sometimes provide you with additional topics and keywords that are highly relevant to your site.  Use these new and related phrases in SEMRUSH to get more keywords.

PHASE 3 - ALSO ASKED

At the bottom of any Google search is a section that is often forgotten about called 'People Also Searched For', you can use some of these as your keywords, or try alsoasked.com to get a clearer picture and more potential keywords. 

Again, enter one of your best keywords into the search bar and it will provide you with a list of relevant phrases and questions that searches are looking for right now. These tend to make great topics for blog posts, and the chances are your competitors will not be using any of these terms.  Now while these won't bring you lots of traffic, they will make your site more relevant in the eyes of Google.


IMPORTANT:
When it comes to creating content one your website, remember to use only ONE PRIMARY KEYWORD.
Your Primary Keyword MUST address the intend of the searcher. To help decide what your primary keywords should be consider:

• What are you currently ranking well for
• Aim for keywords that have a search volume of at least 200 searches per month
• Only choose a primary keyword with a low competition
• Consider the intend of the searcher
• Make it hyper relevant to your offering
• Click potential - linked to intent, if someone searches for this primary keyword and finds your listing, how likely are they to click through to your site!