The Art of Brilliance Podcast

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, ...

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 i...

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...

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 hum...

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...

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 th...

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… Eury...

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...

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 d...

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 tho...

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 o...

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, a smile or two, and maybe ...

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 backwards and relive your life, but w...

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 your own breakthrough. It’s lik...

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 focused on the few who are doing li...

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 safe, he ditches the script an...

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 in school. That is, until so...

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 faster than your morning coffee.

He dives...

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 words), revealing why positivity isn’t ...