The Art of Brilliance Podcast

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 thrivin...

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 - an...

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 sim...

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 hidi...

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 b...

Is it fear... or something else? In this episode, Andy chats about a conversation with an old friend and explores a few ideas about how we think, feel, and maybe overthink? You’ll also get a glimpse into his brain mid-book-writing - complete with military metaphors, some very daft character names, and a few creative leaps that somehow tie it all together. Tune in for a fresh perspective on worry,...

Would you grow younger if it meant growing apart? This week, Andy Cope spins a magical tale – part fable, part rom-com, and 100% brilliant allegory – inspired by poet laureate Simon Armitage and delivered with a custard cream-sized sprinkle of mischief. Meet Norman. He’s had a few pints, he’s tucked up in bed, and suddenly… a thumb-sized cherub appears with a once-in-a-lifetime offer… age backward...

What if therapy told you to keep doing the wrong thing? This week, Andy Cope goes rogue. We’re talking Latin, coaching tips, powerful questions and a therapy style so cheeky it might just change your life. Meet provocative therapy - a bizarre (but genius) form of counselling created by Frank Farrelly, where the therapist takes your worst habits, agrees with them loudly, and somehow leads you to yo...

You’ve got 30 seconds with yourself from 20 years in the future. What would they say? This week, Andy Cope takes things back to basics with a reminder of what positive psychology actually is - and why the Art of Brilliance exists in the first place. (Spoiler - it’s not just about bouncing around being happy all the time.) In a world obsessed with fixing what’s wrong, Andy flipped the script and fo...

Do you look like your job - or your dog? This week, Andy Cope takes us from a Sunday morning tip run to a room full of Botox, beauty, and bold ideas. Fresh off the back of speaking at a Aesthetics conference (read: 200 wrinkle-free, fabulous humans), Andy dives into what it’s like to be the only non-medical keynote speaker in a world of jawlines, lasers and lip fillers. But instead of playing it s...

What do alligators, octopi and flamingos have to do with wellbeing? This week, Andy Cope takes us on a wild ride from World Book Day to the power of culture and collective nouns (yes, really). While dressed as a children’s author and not a PhD-level happiness expert, Andy finds himself in a school where something magical happens. Enter a superhero named Eli - a quiet lad who’s not keen on speaking...

Are you a caged canary or ready to fly? This week, Andy is tackling one of life’s biggest questions - are you flapping around trying to climb the pecking order, or are you ready to break free and soar? In this passionate (and slightly ranty) episode, Andy unpacks why life can sometimes feel like one giant canary cage, where stress sticks around like an unwanted guest, and happiness evaporates fast...

What does it take to break free from autopilot and truly thrive? This week Andy Cope is diving a bit deeper into the fascinating world of positive psychology and the mystical realm of the ‘two percenters’ - those rare people who are so full of life, they have more bounce than a toddler after a late-night sugar binge. Andy spills the secrets of his PhD research (don’t worry, he’s removed the big wo...

What does it take to stay strong in the face of life’s toughest challenges? This week, Andy welcomes his son and fellow Art of Brill Trainer, Ollie Cope, for a fun and insightful conversation about resilience. They kick things off by sharing the incredible story of Sir Adrian Paul Ghislain Carton de Wiart, a World War I soldier whose grit and determination were legendary. From simple habits like c...

Ever feel like everyone’s watching your every move? In this episode, Andy tackles the ‘Spotlight Effect’ - the surprising psychological tendency to overestimate how much attention others pay to us. Think of that time you had a coffee stain on your coat and worried everyone would notice. Chances are, nobody did - most people are too focused on their own little mishaps. This tendency can undermine y...

In this episode, Andy talks about anxiety and our relationship with it in today’s world. Recognising the complexities of modern life, he highlights the importance of appreciating the present while acknowledging the challenges created by overstimulation, fake news, excessive screen time, and the never-ending buffet of convenience and overindulgence. He shares a completely true, made-up story about...

In this episode, Andy talks about courage, and how it’s not always what you think it is.  From stepping outside your comfort zones and being brave and asking for help, to allowing yourself to be vulnerable and embracing a failure. It takes a lot of bravery to navigate the modern world, so this week, Andy talks through 10 truths about courage.  So, if you don’t class yourself as someone who is part...

Join Andy for a fascinating dive into the “Cobra Effect,” a real-life cautionary tale of how a British Raj’s well-intentioned bounty on cobras dramatically backfired. This episode explores how our best efforts to fix or control situations - whether it’s curbing pesky snakes or managing our public image - can sometimes cause us more trouble than what we started with. With examples ranging from Barb...

Welcome to series 8 of the Art of Being Brilliant podcast! In this episode, Andy discusses the importance of shining brightly in a world that can sometimes feel a bit dark. Never missing the chance to use a good metaphor, Andy talks about light bulbs to illustrate how people can either dim their glow or illuminate their surroundings. Ultimately, it's about the need for us all to embrace resili...

Welcome to series 8 of the Art of Being Brilliant podcast! We're joined by the Doctor of Happiness, Andy Cope, who loves to chat about all things happiness, personal development and wellbeing. This episode, Andy talks about the importance of finding some fun in your life... whilst sharing a light-hearted take on traditional horoscopes.

Do you ever wish that life was just a little bit simpler? In this week's episode, Carl joins us to talk about... Paddington Bear. Why? Because he's a true 2percenter - who manages to take his (rather unfair) share of challenges in his stride. He keeps things simple. So, this week's episode has a few tips (and a challenge) that will help you live a simpler life. So if you find yourself...

This week, Andy asks "what hasn’t happened, that you didn't want, that you haven't celebrated"... er... what? Maybe you went to the loo and there wasn't a crocodile in there? Maybe you drove to work and didn't get a flat tyre? Look, we get it, It's a ridiculous question, but like all things Art of Brill, there is a clever twist to this story... so if you've got 5...

Ever get the feeling that things just don't go to plan? Yeah, we've been there. In this episode, let Flis take you through how a day in the holiday consisting of pyjamas, schedule changes and a nasty accident made her not just think twice about making plans... but share a few tips on how to deal with life when it starts running in the opposite direction.

Today, we're joined by positive psychologist Nikki Ayle s , who is talking about the power of kindness. Nikki explores how doing a random act of kindness to someone else, can actually boost our own happiness. When we do something kind, our brains release dopamine, making us feel great. Plus, the gratitude we receive amplifies this effect, enhancing our self-esteem and strengthening relationshi...

Welcome to episode 23. Today, Peter Anderton tackles the tricky issue of Mood Hoovers. Mood Hoovers are those negative people in your life who are stuck in a bit of a grumpy mood and who constantly drain your energy. Peter explains that while you can’t fix a Mood hoover, there are three powerful techniques to help you manage their impact on you and those around you.