What's The Trick?

Епизоди

• 
  Summer Special #1 07.08.2026 33мин

  Join Ben Hanlin for a special episode of What’s the Trick? as he looks back on the first 30 conversations. Revisit three of his personal highlights and the unforgettable insights shared by some of the show’s most inspiring guests.This episode is for:- Creatives (writers, performers, content creators)- Business owners and entrepreneurs- Speakers and presenters- Anyone looking to improve communication and idea generationAbout Ben Hanlin:Ben is a magician, presenter, and keynote speaker who helps companies create engagement, connection, and memorable experiences. He hosts corporate events and interviews world-class creatives on this podcast.About the podcast:"What’s The Trick?" explores how creative people think, create, and turn ideas into reality.Topics covered include creativity, communication, storytelling, content creation, performance, and building creative careers.🎧 Listen / Watch:YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BenHanlinApple Podcasts: https://linktr.ee/benhanlinSpotify: https://linktr.ee/benhanlin📩 Work with Ben:https://www.benhanlin.com/---FOLLOW BEN:YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCM0oXTRP-zWlJ_IiNykTLagInstagram: http://instagram.com/benhanlinFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/benhanlinTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@benhanlinHow do creative people turn ideas into reality?Ben Hanlin breaks down the mindset, process, and decisions behind it. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• 
  Cally Beaton: From MTV Exec to Stand-up Comedian 31.07.2026 1ч 4мин

  How a dinner with Joan Rivers led to Cally quitting her big boardroom job and pursuing her passion as a standup comedian, as a single Mum in late forties.She reveals the mindset behind taking big risks, the lessons she learned from turning down South Park, and why being willing to fail is the key to building a more fulfilling creative life.We also cover how to write comedy - how to get a book deal - and how to then write it!It’s such an honest conversation and really inspiring for anyone who wants to take a leap and go for it!This episode is for:- Creatives (writers, performers, content creators)- Business owners and entrepreneurs- Speakers and presenters- Anyone looking to improve communication and idea generationAbout Ben Hanlin:Ben is a magician, presenter, and keynote speaker who helps companies create engagement, connection, and memorable experiences. He hosts corporate events and interviews world-class creatives on this podcast.About the podcast:"What’s The Trick?" explores how creative people think, create, and turn ideas into reality.Topics covered include creativity, communication, storytelling, content creation, performance, and building creative careers.🎧 Listen / Watch:YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BenHanlinApple Podcasts: https://linktr.ee/benhanlinSpotify: https://linktr.ee/benhanlin📩 Work with Ben:https://www.benhanlin.com/---FOLLOW BEN:YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCM0oXTRP-zWlJ_IiNykTLagInstagram: http://instagram.com/benhanlinFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/benhanlinTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@benhanlin---🎤 FOLLOW CALLY:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/callybeatoncomedianWebsite: https://callybeaton.com/How do creative people turn ideas into reality?Ben Hanlin breaks down the mindset, process, and decisions behind it. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• 
  Brian Conley: How He Became Saturday Night TV’s Biggest Star 24.07.2026 55мин

  Brian Conley reveals how he went from performing in clubs and warming up television audiences to becoming one of Britain’s biggest Saturday night entertainers, regularly reaching 15 million viewers. He shares the lessons behind his longevity, including how to handle nerves, make every opportunity count, reinvent your career and truly connect with a live audience.If you want to being a long lasting career in television, this episode breaks down what actually works.This episode is for:- Creatives (writers, performers, content creators)- Business owners and entrepreneurs- Speakers and presenters- Anyone looking to improve communication and idea generation---About Ben Hanlin:Ben is a magician, presenter, and keynote speaker who helps companies create engagement, connection, and memorable experiences. He hosts corporate events and interviews world-class creatives on this podcast.About the podcast:"What’s The Trick?" explores how creative people think, create, and turn ideas into reality.Topics covered include creativity, communication, storytelling, content creation, performance, and building creative careers.🎧 Listen / Watch:YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BenHanlinApple Podcasts: https://linktr.ee/benhanlinSpotify: https://linktr.ee/benhanlin📩 Work with Ben:https://www.benhanlin.com/---FOLLOW BEN:YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCM0oXTRP-zWlJ_IiNykTLagInstagram: http://instagram.com/benhanlinFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/benhanlinTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@benhanlin---🎤 FOLLOW BRIAN:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/realbrianconley/---How do creative people turn ideas into reality?Ben Hanlin breaks down the mindset, process, and decisions behind it. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• 
  Brent F: How 'The Simpsons' and 'The Office US' Were Really Written 17.07.2026 1ч 3мин

  Emmy Award-winning writer Brent Forrester reveals what really happened inside the writers’ rooms of The Simpsons and The Office, from the pressure of pitching jokes to the techniques used to generate unforgettable stories.He also explains how to create a genuinely collaborative environment, why great comedy begins with vulnerability and why aspiring artists should stop waiting for permission to make their work.If you want to learn how to become a professional tv comedy writer, this episode breaks down what actually works.This episode is for:- Creatives (writers, performers, content creators)- Business owners and entrepreneurs- Speakers and presenters- Anyone looking to improve communication and idea generationCheck out our sponsor, the Podcast Rooms for all of your video podcast needs: podcast-room.com---About Ben Hanlin:Ben is a magician, presenter, and keynote speaker who helps companies create engagement, connection, and memorable experiences. He hosts corporate events and interviews world-class creatives on this podcast.About the podcast:"What’s The Trick?" explores how creative people think, create, and turn ideas into reality.Topics covered include creativity, communication, storytelling, content creation, performance, and building creative careers.🎧 Listen / Watch:YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BenHanlinApple Podcasts: https://linktr.ee/benhanlinSpotify: https://linktr.ee/benhanlin📩 Work with Ben:https://www.benhanlin.com/---FOLLOW BEN:YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCM0oXTRP-zWlJ_IiNykTLagInstagram: http://instagram.com/benhanlinFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/benhanlinTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@benhanlin---🎤 FOLLOW BRENT:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/forrestercomedycourseTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@brentforrestercomedyWebsite: https://www.brentforrester.com/aboutHow do creative people turn ideas into reality?Ben Hanlin breaks down the mindset, process, and decisions behind it. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• 
  Henry Lewis: How 'The Play That Goes Wrong' Became a Global Comedy Empire 10.07.2026 59мин

  Henry Lewis reveals how a late-night production performed to tiny audiences grew into The Play That Goes Wrong, a West End phenomenon that has now reached more than 50 countries. He shares the persistence, testing, creative collaboration and business decisions behind Mischief’s success and explains why finishing an imperfect idea is often more valuable than waiting for perfection.This episode is for:- Creatives (writers, performers, content creators)- Business owners and entrepreneurs- Speakers and presenters- Anyone looking to improve communication and idea generation---About Ben Hanlin:Ben is a magician, presenter, and keynote speaker who helps companies create engagement, connection, and memorable experiences. He hosts corporate events and interviews world-class creatives on this podcast.About the podcast:"What’s The Trick?" explores how creative people think, create, and turn ideas into reality.Topics covered include creativity, communication, storytelling, content creation, performance, and building creative careers.🎧 Listen / Watch:YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BenHanlinApple Podcasts: https://linktr.ee/benhanlinSpotify: https://linktr.ee/benhanlin📩 Work with Ben:https://www.benhanlin.com/---FOLLOW BEN:YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCM0oXTRP-zWlJ_IiNykTLagInstagram: http://instagram.com/benhanlinFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/benhanlinTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@benhanlin---🎤 FOLLOW HENRY LEWIS:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/henrylewis---What is this episode about?This episode explains how to create a global hit theatre show.How do creative people turn ideas into reality?Ben Hanlin breaks down the mindset, process, and decisions behind it. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• 
  Paul Zerdin: What happens after you win Amercia’s Got Talent 03.07.2026 58мин

  Paul Zerdin shares the truth about winning America's Got Talent, revealing how 25 years of preparation, relentless refinement and calculated risks led to one of the biggest moments of his career. Sharing the reality of Las Vegas and burnout to building world-class performances that work anywhere, this is a conversation about success, creativity and what it really takes to stay at the top.This episode is for:- Creatives (writers, performers, content creators)- Business owners and entrepreneurs- Speakers and presenters- Anyone looking to improve communication and idea generation---About Ben Hanlin:Ben is a magician, presenter, and keynote speaker who helps companies create engagement, connection, and memorable experiences. He hosts corporate events and interviews world-class creatives on this podcast.About the podcast:"What’s The Trick?" explores how creative people think, create, and turn ideas into reality.Topics covered include creativity, communication, storytelling, content creation, performance, and building creative careers.🎧 Listen / Watch:YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BenHanlinApple Podcasts: https://linktr.ee/benhanlinSpotify: https://linktr.ee/benhanlin📩 Work with Ben:https://www.benhanlin.com/---FOLLOW BEN:YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCM0oXTRP-zWlJ_IiNykTLagInstagram: http://instagram.com/benhanlinFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/benhanlinTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@benhanlin---🎤 FOLLOW PAUL ZERDIN:YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@paulzardinInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/paulzerdinTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thepaulzerdinWebsite: https://paulzerdin.com/---How do creative people turn ideas into reality?Ben Hanlin breaks down the mindset, process, and decisions behind it. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• 
  Derren Brown: The Psychology Behind Extraordinary Performers 26.06.2026 1ч 4мин

  In this episode of "What’s The Trick?", Ben Hanlin sits down with Derren Brown to explore how to create a psychological hypnosis show.If you want to develop your performing skills, this episode breaks down what actually works.This episode is for:- Creatives (writers, performers, content creators)- Business owners and entrepreneurs- Speakers and presenters- Anyone looking to improve communication and idea generationAbout Ben Hanlin:Ben is a magician, presenter, and keynote speaker who helps companies create engagement, connection, and memorable experiences. He hosts corporate events and interviews world-class creatives on this podcast.About the podcast:"What’s The Trick?" explores how creative people think, create, and turn ideas into reality.Topics covered include creativity, communication, storytelling, content creation, performance, and building creative careers.🎧 Listen / Watch:YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BenHanlinApple Podcasts: https://linktr.ee/benhanlinSpotify: https://linktr.ee/benhanlin📩 Work with Ben:https://www.benhanlin.com/---FOLLOW BEN:YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCM0oXTRP-zWlJ_IiNykTLagInstagram: http://instagram.com/benhanlinFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/benhanlinTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@benhanlin---🎤 FOLLOW DERREN BROWN:YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@OfficialDerrenBrownInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/derrenbrown/Website: https://derrenbrown.co.uk/---What is this episode about?This episode explains how how to create the best live performance.How do creative people turn ideas into reality?Ben Hanlin breaks down the mindset, process, and decisions behind it. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• 
  Warrick Brownlow-Pike: From Watching The Muppets To Working With Them 19.06.2026 49мин

  In this episode of "What’s The Trick?", Ben Hanlin sits down with Warrick Brownlow-Pike to explore how to become a professional puppeteer working for Jim Henson and The Muppets.If you want to improve your character work, this episode breaks down what actually works.This episode is for:- Creatives (writers, performers, content creators)- Business owners and entrepreneurs- Speakers and presenters- Anyone looking to improve communication and idea generation---About Ben Hanlin:Ben is a magician, presenter, and keynote speaker who helps companies create engagement, connection, and memorable experiences. He hosts corporate events and interviews world-class creatives on this podcast.About the podcast:"What’s The Trick?" explores how creative people think, create, and turn ideas into reality.Topics covered include creativity, communication, storytelling, content creation, performance, and building creative careers.🎧 Listen / Watch:YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BenHanlinApple Podcasts: https://linktr.ee/benhanlinSpotify: https://linktr.ee/benhanlin📩 Work with Ben:https://www.benhanlin.com/---FOLLOW BEN:YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCM0oXTRP-zWlJ_IiNykTLagInstagram: http://instagram.com/benhanlinFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/benhanlinTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@benhanlin---🎤 FOLLOW WARRICK BROWNLOW-PIKE:YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@WarrickBPInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/warrickbp/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@warrickbpWebsite: https://brownlow-pike.co.uk/---What is this episode about?This episode explains how to be a creative puppeteer.How do creative people turn ideas into reality?Ben Hanlin breaks down the mindset, process, and decisions behind it. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• 
  Nadia Casey: How we can all be funnier in real life… 12.06.2026 45мин

  In this episode of "What’s The Trick?", Ben Hanlin sits down with Nadia Casey to explore how to become funny, without being a comedian. If you want to improve your timing, pace and humour thought process.This episode is for:- Creatives (writers, performers, content creators)- Business owners and entrepreneurs- Speakers and presenters- Anyone looking to improve communication and idea generation---About Ben Hanlin:Ben is a magician, presenter, and keynote speaker who helps companies create engagement, connection, and memorable experiences. He hosts corporate events and interviews world-class creatives on this podcast.About the podcast:"What’s The Trick?" explores how creative people think, create, and turn ideas into reality.Topics covered include creativity, communication, storytelling, content creation, performance, and building creative careers.🎧 Listen / Watch:YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BenHanlinApple Podcasts: https://linktr.ee/benhanlinSpotify: https://linktr.ee/benhanlin📩 Work with Ben:https://www.benhanlin.com/---FOLLOW BEN:YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCM0oXTRP-zWlJ_IiNykTLagInstagram: http://instagram.com/benhanlinFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/benhanlinTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@benhanlin---🎤 FOLLOW NADIA CASEY:YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCkoM_REtRDc18btK7UE93gInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/no.more.funny.business/Website: https://stan.store/nomorefunnybusiness---What is this episode about?This episode explains how to become funny.How do creative people turn ideas into reality?Ben Hanlin breaks down the mindset, process, and decisions behind it. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• 
  Dominic McGregor: How we built Social Chain into a £200m company 05.06.2026 52мин

  In this episode of "What’s The Trick?", Ben Hanlin sits down with Dominic McGregor to explore how he and Steven Bartlett built Social Chain into a £200 million company.If you want to understand how creativity can be used to build a business, this episode breaks down what actually works.This episode is for:- Creatives (writers, performers, content creators)- Business owners and entrepreneurs- Speakers and presenters- Anyone looking to improve communication and idea generationIn this episode, you’ll learn:- Audiences Are More Valuable Than Content- Most People Quit Before Momentum Arrives- The Best Ideas Start Big, Then Get Practical- Stop Selling Time. Start Selling Impact- The Biggest Opportunities Exist on New FrontiersAbout Ben Hanlin:Ben is a magician, presenter, and keynote speaker who helps companies create engagement, connection, and memorable experiences. He hosts corporate events and interviews world-class creatives on this podcast.About the podcast:"What’s The Trick?" explores how creative people think, create, and turn ideas into reality.Topics covered include creativity, communication, storytelling, content creation, performance, and building creative careers.🎧 Listen / Watch:YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BenHanlinApple Podcasts: https://linktr.ee/benhanlinSpotify: https://linktr.ee/benhanlin📩 Work with Ben:https://www.benhanlin.com/---FOLLOW BEN:YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCM0oXTRP-zWlJ_IiNykTLagInstagram: http://instagram.com/benhanlinFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/benhanlinTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@benhanlin---🎤 FOLLOW DOM:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dpjmcgregor/Instagram: www.instagram.com/dpjmcgregorWebsite: https://dommcgregor.com/---What is this episode about?This episode explains how to turn creativity into a successful career.How do creative people turn ideas into reality?Ben Hanlin breaks down the mindset, process, and decisions behind it. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• 
  Shoot From The Hip: Why This Improv Group Is Selling Out Theatres Around the World 22.05.2026 58мин

  In this episode of "What’s The Trick?", Ben Hanlin sits down with Shoot From The Hip to explore how they turned an improv group in a full time career.If you want to discover how to make a success improv show, this episode breaks down what actually works.This episode is for:- Creatives (writers, performers, content creators)- Business owners and entrepreneurs- Speakers and presenters- Anyone looking to improve communication and idea generationAbout Ben Hanlin:Ben is a magician, presenter, and keynote speaker who helps companies create engagement, connection, and memorable experiences. He hosts corporate events and interviews world-class creatives on this podcast.About the podcast:"What’s The Trick?" explores how creative people think, create, and turn ideas into reality.Topics covered include creativity, communication, storytelling, content creation, performance, and building creative careers.🎧 Listen / Watch:YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BenHanlinApple Podcasts: https://linktr.ee/benhanlinSpotify: https://linktr.ee/benhanlin📩 Work with Ben:https://www.benhanlin.com/---FOLLOW BEN:YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCM0oXTRP-zWlJ_IiNykTLagInstagram: http://instagram.com/benhanlinFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/benhanlinTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@benhanlin---🎤 FOLLOW SHOOT FROM THE HIP:YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@shootimproInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/shootimpro/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@shootimproWebsite: https://www.shootimpro.com/---What is this episode about?This episode explains how to make career as a improv group.How do creative people turn ideas into reality?Ben Hanlin breaks down the mindset, process, and decisions behind it. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• 
  Derren Litten: How One Sketch Became Benidorm 15.05.2026 52мин

  In this episode of "What’s The Trick?", Ben Hanlin sits down with Derren Litten to explore how he wrote Benidorm.If you want to learn how to write your own show and have it commissioned, this episode breaks down what actually works.This episode is for:- Creatives (writers, performers, content creators)- Business owners and entrepreneurs- Speakers and presenters- Anyone looking to improve communication and idea generationIn this episode, you’ll learn:- Great ideas often start smaller than you think.- Not knowing the rules can sometimes become your advantage.- Character is stronger than plot.- A creative world expands through observation.- Success creates its own creative trap.---About Ben Hanlin:Ben is a magician, presenter, and keynote speaker who helps companies create engagement, connection, and memorable experiences. He hosts corporate events and interviews world-class creatives on this podcast.About the podcast:"What’s The Trick?" explores how creative people think, create, and turn ideas into reality.Topics covered include creativity, communication, storytelling, content creation, performance, and building creative careers.🎧 Listen / Watch:YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BenHanlinApple Podcasts: https://linktr.ee/benhanlinSpotify: https://linktr.ee/benhanlin📩 Work with Ben:https://www.benhanlin.com/---FOLLOW BEN:YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCM0oXTRP-zWlJ_IiNykTLagInstagram: http://instagram.com/benhanlinFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/benhanlinTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@benhanlin---🎤 FOLLOW DERREN:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/derrenlitten/Website: https://www.derrenlitten.com/---What is this episode about?This episode explains how the hit show Benidorm was written.How do creative people turn ideas into reality?Ben Hanlin breaks down the mindset, process, and decisions behind it. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• 
  Matt Richardson: Why Most Comedians Never Make It 08.05.2026 1ч 4мин

  In this episode of "What’s The Trick?", Ben Hanlin sits down with Matt Richardson to explore how to become a stand up comic.If you want to improve your knowledge on ways to truly make it as a comedian, this episode breaks down what actually works.This episode is for:- Creatives (writers, performers, content creators)- Business owners and entrepreneurs- Speakers and presenters- Anyone looking to improve communication and idea generationIn this episode, you’ll learn:- Great comedy starts as a messy idea, not a finished joke- Audience trust changes what you’re allowed to do- The best performers still treat it like a craft, not a status symbol- Creative careers aren’t linear, visibility and value constantly fluctuate- The people who last are usually the people willing to keep grafting---About Ben Hanlin:Ben is a magician, presenter, and keynote speaker who helps companies create engagement, connection, and memorable experiences. He hosts corporate events and interviews world-class creatives on this podcast.About the podcast:"What’s The Trick?" explores how creative people think, create, and turn ideas into reality.Topics covered include creativity, communication, storytelling, content creation, performance, and building creative careers.🎧 Listen / Watch:YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BenHanlinApple Podcasts: https://linktr.ee/benhanlinSpotify: https://linktr.ee/benhanlin📩 Work with Ben:https://www.benhanlin.com/---FOLLOW BEN:YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCM0oXTRP-zWlJ_IiNykTLagInstagram: http://instagram.com/benhanlinFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/benhanlinTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@benhanlin---🎤 FOLLOW MATT:YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/mattrichardsoncomedyInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattrichardson3/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mattrichardson3Website: https://www.mattrichardsoncomedy.co.uk/---What is this episode about?This episode explains how to become a full time comedian.How do creative people turn ideas into reality?Ben Hanlin breaks down the mindset, process, and decisions behind it. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• 
  Easter Special: What 10 Creative Guests Taught Me About Making Things That Work 27.03.2026 40мин

  This episode is a little different, and that is exactly why it matters.Instead of focusing on one guest, one project, or one creative journey, Ben steps back and looks at what the first 10 episodes of What’s The Trick? have actually revealed. The result is a smart, generous roundup of the ideas, habits, decisions, and mindset shifts that keep showing up across very different creative worlds.Across these first conversations, the people featured have built companies, books, films, comedy careers, social media brands, stage shows, and creative bodies of work that took years to sharpen. This episode exists to pull the best lessons back into focus: not as a greatest-hits package, but as a practical guide to how creative work really gets made.If you are new to the podcast, this is a useful entry point. If you have been listening from the start, it is a strong reminder that the real value is not just in hearing a great story once, but in noticing the patterns underneath it.FOLLOW BEN:SUBSCRIBE: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCM0oXTRP-zWlJ_IiNykTLagFACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/benhanlinINSTAGRAM: http://instagram.com/benhanlinTIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@benhanlinWEBSITE: Benhanlin.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• 
  Matt Denton: How we built BB-8 for Star Wars 20.03.2026 57мин

  What does it take to make a character feel alive when that character is made of mechanics, code, cables, and performance?In this episode, Ben Hanlin sits down with animatronics expert and robot inventor Matt Denton to unpack the craft behind some of modern cinema’s most memorable practical creations, most notably BB-8 from Star Wars: The Force Awakens, but also work connected to Harry Potter, Project Hail Mary, and the wider world of robotics and film effects.This conversation exists because great screen characters are rarely “just designed.” They’re engineered, tested, puppeteered, compromised, rebuilt, and refined under pressure. What emerges here is not just a story about robots or puppets, but a deeper look at how technical problem-solving becomes emotional storytelling.If you’ve ever wondered how a sketch on a Post-it note becomes an iconic film character, or how practical effects still survive in an increasingly digital world - this episode is a fascinating look behind the curtain.FOLLOW BEN:SUBSCRIBE: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCM0oXTRP-zWlJ_IiNykTLagFACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/benhanlinINSTAGRAM: http://instagram.com/benhanlinTIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@benhanlinFOLLOW MATT: SUBSCRIBE: https://www.youtube.com/@UCbOrJwJsd4vFS4aLIILa_7Q FACEBOOK: facebook.com/mantisrobotINSTAGRAM: instagram.com/mantisrobotTIKTOK: tiktok.com/@mantisrobot Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• 
  The Hoosiers: How We Wrote Worried About Ray 13.03.2026 47мин

  This episode is about building a long-term music career, and more specifically, how The Hoosiers made the songs and records that defined them, from early breakthrough tracks like “Goodbye Mr A” and “Worried About Ray” to the harder, less visible work of staying creative after success.Ben sits down with Irwin Sparkes and Al Sharland to explore what was actually made: a band, a body of songs, a number one album, and eventually a career that had to survive both momentum and disappointment. The conversation is not really about fame. It is about craft, resilience, taste, identity, and the pressure that arrives once something works.What makes this episode worth your time is how honest it is about the gap between potential and execution. They talk about the decade of floundering before things clicked, the producer who forced them to get better, the brutal feedback that changed the band, and the real difference between making something good and making something that connects.If you care about how creative work gets shaped over time, how hits are written, how standards get raised, and how people keep going after the first wave passes, this is a deeply useful conversation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• 
  Jack Savoretti: How to Build a Music Career Without Depending on the Industry 06.03.2026 50мин

  In this episode, Ben Hanlin sits down with singer-songwriter Jack Savoretti to unpack the long road behind his music career, and how he eventually built it on his own terms.Jack, the artist behind albums like Singing to Strangers, Europeana and his latest release We Will Always Be the Way We Were, didn’t follow the typical “signed → success” path. Instead he spent years relentlessly touring building audiences room by room and deliberately chose independence over industry control. This approach ultimately led to two UK number-one records.This conversation delves into the true requirements of a music career, encompassing songwriting, navigating the industry, discovering your unique voice and ultimately building a lasting career spanning decades rather than fleeting months.For those curious about the real-world construction of creative careers beyond the glitz and glamour, this episode offers a rare glimpse into the craft, perseverance and mindset necessary to create enduring art.FOLLOW BEN:SUBSCRIBE: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCM0oXTRP-zWlJ_IiNykTLagFACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/benhanlinINSTAGRAM: http://instagram.com/benhanlinTIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@benhanlinWEBSITE: benhanlin.comWe Will Always Be The Way We Were’ - The new album from Jack Savoretti coming 10th April 2026 | Pre order here - https://jacksavoretti.orcd.co/wwabtwwwFollow Jack Savoretti:Sign Up: https://JackSavoretti.lnk.to/SignUpIDYOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/jacksavoretti INSTAGRAM: http://instagram.com/jacksavoretti http://jacksavoretti.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• 
  Dom Joly: How to Make Comedy That Lasts 25 Years (Trigger Happy TV) 27.02.2026 1ч 2мин

  This episode is about the making of one of the most iconic hidden-camera comedy shows ever produced: Trigger Happy TV, created by Dom Jolly.Dom didn’t just star in the show. He built it from scratch. No writing room. No committee. No grand career plan. Just a £1,000 camera, a friend behind the bar who became his cameraman, and an instinct for what made him laugh.I wanted to have this conversation because Trigger Happy TV felt raw, anarchic, and completely of its time and yet 25 years later, it still works. This episode explores how it was actually made, where the ideas came from, how it was sold to 80+ countries, and what it cost Dom creatively and personally.If you’re interested in how comedy is built, not in theory, but in practice, this conversation pulls the curtain back.This is about making comedy without a script.About trusting instinct over consensus.About luck, timing, hunger, burnout and the price of creativity.Trigger Happy TV 25th Anniversary Tour tickets https://www.domjoly.tv/live/  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• 
  Pulp Kitchen: How to Build a Successful Podcast 20.02.2026 59мин

  This episode is about building a podcast - specifically, how two friends built the Pulp Kitchen Podcast, into a sustainable creative business.Pulp Kitchen began as a simple idea: talk about films every week. No built-in audience. No fame. No production team. Just consistency, shared enthusiasm, and a decision to commit long-term. Over time, that weekly habit turned into a full-time creative career with live shows, brand partnerships, junket interviews, and a growing audience.This conversation exists for anyone wondering: How does something like that actually happen? Not the highlight reel. Not the viral moment. But the mechanics. The risk. The mindset. The turning points.If you’ve ever thought about starting something creative, a podcast, a channel, a product, this episode is about what it really takes to make it work.FOLLOW BEN:FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/benhanlinINSTAGRAM: http://instagram.com/benhanlinTIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@benhanlinFOLLOW PULP KITCHEN:YOUTUBE:  @pulpkitchenpodcast  TIKTOK: www.tiktok.com/@pulpkitchenpodcastINSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/pulpkitchenpodcast/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• 
  Amelia Sordell: How to Create a Personal Brand 13.02.2026 1ч 4мин

  In this episode of What’s The Trick?, Ben Hanlin sits down with Amelia Sordell - founder of multi-million-pound personal brand agency 'Klowt' and now a creator, advisor, and podcast host in her own right - to unpack what it really takes to build a personal brand that works.Not the vanity version. Not the “10k followers in 30 days” version. The real version.Together, they explore how Amelia built her company from zero to £4 million in three and a half years, why it nearly broke her, and what she believes now about creativity, positioning, storytelling, and reputation in the modern world.This conversation exists because “personal brand” has become a buzzword - and Amelia has actually done it. Built it. Scaled it. Burned out from it. Rebuilt it. If you care about ideas, visibility, creative work, or building something under your own name - this episode is for you.What You’ll Learn:-Why a personal brand is simply “a reputation at scale” - and why that changes everything-How to test and refine an idea while still employed (and effectively “get paid to learn”)-What fast growth really costs - beyond the headline revenue numbers-Why most content doesn’t convert (and what separates visibility from revenue)-A simple three-bucket framework for content that actually builds authority-Why storytelling only works when someone can say “me too”-How to overcome fear of posting, speaking, or putting yourself forward-The difference between execution problems and positioning problems-Why followers don’t matter nearly as much as you think-How to choose which ideas to pursue - and which to let go Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.