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What's The Trick?
The Hoosiers: How We Wrote Worried About Ray
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.
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30. Cally Beaton: From MTV Exec to Stand-up Comedian
01:04:27||Season 1, Ep. 30How 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.
29. Brian Conley: How He Became Saturday Night TV’s Biggest Star
55:18||Season 1, Ep. 29Brian 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.
28. Brent F: How 'The Simpsons' and 'The Office US' Were Really Written
01:03:31||Season 1, Ep. 28Emmy 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.
27. Henry Lewis: How 'The Play That Goes Wrong' Became a Global Comedy Empire
59:01||Season 1, Ep. 27Henry 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.
26. Paul Zerdin: What happens after you win Amercia’s Got Talent
58:05||Season 1, Ep. 26Paul 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.
25. Derren Brown: The Psychology Behind Extraordinary Performers
01:04:18||Season 1, Ep. 25In 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.
24. Warrick Brownlow-Pike: From Watching The Muppets To Working With Them
49:00||Season 1, Ep. 24In 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.
23. Nadia Casey: How we can all be funnier in real life…
45:55||Season 1, Ep. 23In 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.
22. Dominic McGregor: How we built Social Chain into a £200m company
52:16||Season 1, Ep. 22In 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.