The James Briefel Podcast

Sam Cornforth is one of the funniest and most innovative creators on social media, often pulling tens of millions of views with his comedy videos. We got into everything from his approach to comedy, to what actually makes a great ad, to the moment he walked away from the 9 to 5 world and bet on himself. This one is packed with insight for anyone interested in monetising social media, including the...

This week I’m joined by actor and comedian Matt Bentley. Matt’s success online goes completely against what most people say you need to do to get views, yet his viral comedy videos prove to be the exception. We talked about his journey through drama school and acting, the dangers of chasing fame too young, and how success online has shaped his perspective. Matt’s take on authenticity in social med...

How dropping out of uni led me to build a career in TV and the media industry. Welcome back to the pod! Thanks for bearing with me, I’m so so excited to get things up and running again. I’ve got some amazing guests lined up for the next few episodes, and I can’t wait to share them with you. In this episode, I’m giving some background on my career in media. From dropping out of uni to finding my wa...

This week, I sat down with food creator Seema Pankhania, best known as @seemagetsbaked, with over 2 million followers on social media. She shares her journey from training at Gordon Ramsay’s Lucky Cat to becoming a presenter and writing her debut cookbook, Craveable . We talk about her rise as a food personality, her experience appearing on live TV, and the terrifying moment that nearly ended it a...

In this first solo episode, I take a moment to step back and share the bigger picture behind this podcast—where it's headed, what you can expect, and why now feels like the right time for something new. I discuss the lessons I've learned from podcasting, building something from the ground up, and how those experiences have shaped my creative direction. I also dive into the reasons behind l...

Singer Zak Abel joins the podcast to talk about his new music, getting signed to a record label at 17, and what it was like performing for King Charles. He shares his journey overcoming hearing loss, which nearly ended his music career, and gives practical tips for aspiring artists on how to stand out on social media, build a fanbase, and succeed in today’s music industry. Zak's latest single 'My...