Art Of Brilliance Podcast

What if the comfiest seat in the house... could actually change your mindset?In this episode, Andy tells the story of a very expensive chair that, thanks to a little family mischief, became “Percy the Positive Chair.” What started as a silly game with his kids turned into something bigger... a lesson in energy, anchoring, and the contagious power of positivity.From skeptical ten-year-olds to postmen, neighbours, and even the famously gloomy Rob from last week, Percy had a 100% success rate in turning moods around. The secret? Not the chair itself - but the people, the energy, and the belief you bring into the room.Tune in for Boxing Day experiments, zombie-walks through Morrisons, and a reminder that sometimes the daftest ideas - like a “positive chair” - might not be as daft as they sound...

What if one small win was all it took to change the game?This week, Andy dusts off a story he hasn’t told in 15 years - an afternoon in the garden with eight-year-olds, a cricket bat, and one girl who swore she was rubbish before she’d even tried. What happened next is part comedy, part psychology experiment, and part life lesson.It all ties back to the Matthew Effect: the idea that small advantages snowball into big ones, while early setbacks can quietly cement themselves into lifelong confidence gaps.Tune in for missed balls, neighbourly apologies, and a reminder that whether you’re eight or 58, momentum starts with tiny wins - and they’re often the spark for something much bigger.

What if the cage we’re trapped in… was built by us?This week, Andy wrestles with a heavy word - buckling. From social workers under impossible pressures to a snake shedding its skin, he explores what happens when life feels way too much and how we might just be strangers to ourselves.It’s an emotional journey this one. Going through human zoos, Stockholm syndrome, and the little bargains we make with fast food, scrolling, and comfort - even when we know they’re stealing our freedom.Hear Andy’s thoughts on broken systems, Greek philosophy, and a challenge to stop settling for hedonic quick hits. The aim? We can start leaning into the deeper, more meaningful stuff that makes us truly alive.

What if the most complicated machine on earth came with no manual?In this episode, Andy takes a detour through a one-star review, a shiny new toaster, and the chaos of becoming a dad - only to land on a much bigger question… who actually taught you how to think?It’s a wild ride from hospital wards to hot bread, but the point is simple. Whilst our education is crammed full of maths, French, and media studies, nobody ever sits us down and explains thinking itself. Most of what’s in your head? Hand-me-downs from parents, teachers, and generations past.Tune in for toast, tiny toes, and a mental software upgrade that might just rewire how you see yourself - and the world around you.

What if your brain could send you a desperate late-night email?This episode is short, sharp, and straight from the grey matter itself - literally. Andy reads a cheeky, slightly gross, and surprisingly heartfelt letter from “your brain” to “your body,” pleading for a better night’s sleep.You’ll learn why slow-wave snoozing is basically brain housekeeping, why screen time is the arch-nemesis of cranial cleanliness, and how skipping rest leaves you clogged up with… well, “brain poop.”It’s a playful reminder that beauty sleep isn’t just a saying - it’s a nightly detox for your mind, mood, and health. Switch off, sleep in, and let your head do the washing up.

What if rocking the boat was the most responsible thing you could do?This week, Andy wades into the murky waters of leadership clichés - everything from “change starts at the top” to “a leader’s job is to inspire their team” - and gives them a good shake. Spoiler alert… not all boats need steadying… some need sinking.Along the way, you’ll meet mood hoovers (who might secretly be your best problem-solvers), psychedelic sheep, and a surprising case for why you should stop trying to inspire everyone else and focus on staying inspired yourself.It’s leadership advice without the jargon, a little rebellion without the chaos, and a gentle nudge that change doesn’t have to wait for permission - it can start with you, today.

What if your culture document was actually useful... and slightly Moses-themed?In this episode, Andy shares the (cardboard) stone tablet that keeps the Art of Brill team pointing in the right direction: ten commandments, one Sharpie each, and zero tolerance for terrible PowerPoints.You’ll hear why “Don’t chase the money” makes sense, why social media isn’t optional (even if you hate it), and how a well-timed hobnob reference can still teach you something about leadership.Tune in for commandments, common sense, and a behind-the-scenes peek at the not-so-secret sauce behind 20 years of brilliant training.

What if the most powerful leadership tool… was actually just caring?In this episode, Andy goes all in on relational energy, Mr. Nobody, and a Gallup survey that boils leadership down to one beautifully simple idea: someone at work seems to care about me as a person.You’ll hear about ADHD envy, toe-curling book signings, a tragic Mr. Men story, and how the workforce from hell might just be a side effect of confusing “satisfaction” with “engagement.”Tune in for spreadsheets, superpowers, and one crucial question that could change your culture by Monday morning.

What if some of your most ‘motivational’ mantras... are total rubbish?In this episode, Andy dusts off some lockdown-era thinking and takes a flamethrower to four of the biggest clichés in personal development: YOLO, fitting in, SMART goals, and “if at first you don’t succeed...”You’ll hear why trying is overrated, why mediocrity is sneaky, and why standing out (for the right reasons) beats blending in every time.Tune in for dancing un-danced, Lego never built, and a gentle nudge to live like your 4,000 weeks actually matter - starting now.

What if the secret to life was hiding in a toy box?In this episode, Andy reads a chapter from Brill Kid - The Big Number Two. One of his children's books that might just contain some of the best life advice you’ve never heard.It’s playful, daft, and surprisingly profound. Because it turns out Lego isn’t just Danish, dangerous underfoot, and oddly emotional - it’s a metaphor for how to live well, rebuild after setbacks, and keep playing, even when the instructions don’t make sense.Tune in for rogue bricks, joyful nonsense, and a reminder that whether you’re 8 or 58, life’s a game best played with curiosity, creativity... and maybe a bucket of spare pieces.

What if you’re so busy managing the symptoms... when you should be fixing the roof?In this episode, Andy shares a few famous last words (spoiler: Elvis died doing exactly what he said he was going to do), before rolling into a parable that didn’t make the book - but might just make your brain go “Oof.”It’s the tale of Miss Cleverclogs, Ralph, and a leaking maths classroom. A ridiculous story, yes. But also... not. Because it’s a metaphor for how we handle mental health - more buckets, more apps, more busyness. Still dripping.Tune in for irony, weather warnings, and a reminder that the bravest thing you can do sometimes is climb up and fix the actual flipping roof.

What if the best leader in the world wore a hard hat and hung out with a cement mixer called Dizzy?In this episode, Andy ditches the usual leadership clichés and goes all in on the unexpected hero of the working world... Bob the Builder.You’ll hear why happiness isn’t something you choose (but positivity is), how leadership isn’t about Mandela quotes or motivational posters, and why the attitude you carry is your most powerful tool - whether you’re laying bricks or leading teams.Tune in for awkward conference icebreakers, a rant about grinogogs, and seven words that could quietly change your leadership forever... Can we fix it? Yes, we can.

What if the toughest guy in the room taught you the softest lesson?In this episode, Andy shares a story he hasn’t dared tell in years - about a nightclub bouncer with a cobweb tattoo, a grudge seven years deep, and one phone call that changed everything.It’s about forgiveness, hand grenades (metaphorically), and why carrying a grudge is like getting punched in the face... by yourself.Tune in for a quiet gut-punch of humanity, a room full of tearful bouncers, and a reminder that moving on isn’t weakness - it’s wisdom.

What if being in the top 10% still means you're only 50% there?In this episode, Andy ditches the deep philosophy and jumps back into something simpler (and sneakily brilliant): what it really takes to move from “good” to “wow.”You’ll hear about football academies, pelotons, celebrity keynotes, and why your real superpower might just be washing your hands properly.Tune in for Olympic strategies, small tweaks, and the seven words that could quietly nudge you into the top 1% - in work, life, and even your next staffroom brew.

You are not who you think you are.In this episode, Andy takes a deep breath and heads straight into the philosophical deep end -mixing ants, airplane engines, and Tesco epiphanies in a bold attempt to answer the biggest question of all… who (or what) are we, really?Inspired by Rupert Spira, road rage, and a misbehaving mind, Andy explores the idea that you’re not your story, your stress, or your Spotify algorithm… you’re the awareness underneath it all.Tune in for thought loops, sideways logic, and a slightly dizzying but surprisingly comforting reminder that you are the universe, experiencing itself. So be a nice universe.

What if your biggest challenge isn’t change… it’s distraction?In this episode, Andy returns to his favourite recording studio (the car) to explore plot twists, personal upgrades, and what happens when your epiphany strikes in Tesco.You’ll meet a Greek hero with serious foresight, reflect on why happiness is too important to outsource, and learn a new word that might just be the secret to thriving in a distracted world… Eurythmia.Tune in for supermarket wisdom, a realisation that you’re always stuck with yourself, and a reminder that the best version of you is always… well, you.

What if your harshest critic accidentally proved your point?In this episode, Andy reads out a brutally honest one-star review of The Art of Being Brilliant - and somehow manages to laugh through it.But the real star? A small purple alien called Gilbert, sent from Planet Glee where everyone is too happy (yes, there are consequences). Gilbert’s mission? To learn the secrets of human grumbling - and Andy’s got just the life advice for him.Tune in for cosmic daftness, a masterclass in handling criticism, and a sideways look at what makes life messy, real, and actually worth it.

Is your goal big enough to wake you up at 3am?In this episode, Andy rethinks goal-setting - from over-engineered watch ads to underwhelming SMART targets - and introduces a better way to dream big: WHOOP goals.You’ll hear about deep-sea diving, exploded eyeballs, and a Japanese word that might just change how you set your next life mission?Tune in for bold thinking, unexpected laughs, and a simple method to turn your wildest “one day…” into “right, let’s go.”

When was the last time you eye-rolled at something good?In this episode, Andy takes on the madness of modern life - from mental health stats and exploding lightbulbs to what our ancestors might make of QR codes, vending machines, and 150 different brands of water.Amid the chaos of a world changing at warp speed, he shares a brilliantly simple mindset shift that helps you spot the good stuff hiding in plain sight.Tune in for big thoughts, a few laughs, and a ridiculously easy habit that might just help you thrive in the middle of the change-quake.

What if there’s nothing wrong with you… but everything wrong with your environment?This week, Andy Cope tackles big questions about mental health, modern living, and whether humans—like zoo animals—might be suffering from a case of "zoochosis."From a conversation with a GP to giraffes on Prozac, this episode explores the idea that maybe it’s not you that’s broken, but the world we’ve built around ourselves.There’s a bit of science, a few stats, some eyebrow-raising therapy trends (yes, including one that involves drinking your own wee), and a powerful reminder of what Art of Brilliance has always been about: helping you unlearn what’s holding you back, and rediscover how to shine.Tune in for fresh thinking, bold questions, and maybe—just maybe—a new way of looking at the chaos around you.