What's The Trick?

Simon Painter went from an unemployed classical violinist to creating and producing some of the biggest live entertainment shows in the world, including The Illusionists and Now You See Me Live. He joins Ben Hanlin to reveal how he built a global theatre career, sold 42,000 tickets at the Sydney Opera House in just eight days, why he creates the poster before the show, the disastrous opening night of The Illusionists, and the lessons he’s learned about risk, creativity and giving audiences what they actually want. 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/@BenHanlin Apple Podcasts: https://linktr.ee/benhanlin Spotify: https://linktr.ee/benhanlin 📩 Work with Ben: https://www.benhanlin.com/ --- FOLLOW BEN: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCM0oXTRP-zWlJ_IiNykTLag Instagram: http://instagram.com/benhanlin Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/benhanlin TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@benhanlin Check out Now You See Me Live: https://londoncoliseum.org/events/now-you-see-me-live/ How do creative people turn ideas into reality? Ben Hanlin breaks down the mindset, process, and decisions behind it. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Summer Social 5 brings together highlights from three incredible guests: America’s Got Talent winner Paul Zerdin, Mischief Theatre co-founder Henry Lewis and The Simpsons & The Office writer Brant Forrester. Discover the stories, creative processes and career lessons behind three of the biggest names in comedy and entertainment. 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/@BenHanlin Apple Podcasts: https://linktr.ee/benhanlin Spotify: https://linktr.ee/benhanlin 📩 Work with Ben: https://www.benhanlin.com/ --- FOLLOW BEN: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCM0oXTRP-zWlJ_IiNykTLag Instagram: http://instagram.com/benhanlin Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/benhanlin TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@benhanlin How do creative people turn ideas into reality? Ben Hanlin breaks down the mindset, process, and decisions behind it. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join Ben Hanlin for a special episode of What’s the Trick? as he looks back over the first 30 episodes and revisits three of his personal highlights. Featuring Andy Nyman on creativity and performance, Callie Hart on self-publishing and the power of BookTok, and Dominic McGregor on building Social Chain and understanding what makes content go viral. 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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join Ben for his summer specials series of What’s the Trick? as he looks back on the first 30 conversations. We explore three more of his personal highlights and the unforgettable insights from some of the show’s most inspiring guests. 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/@BenHanlin Apple Podcasts: https://linktr.ee/benhanlin Spotify: https://linktr.ee/benhanlin 📩 Work with Ben: https://www.benhanlin.com/ --- FOLLOW BEN: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCM0oXTRP-zWlJ_IiNykTLag Instagram: http://instagram.com/benhanlin Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/benhanlin TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@benhanlin How do creative people turn ideas into reality? Ben Hanlin breaks down the mindset, process, and decisions behind it. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ben is back for the summer specials of What’s the Trick? as he looks back on the first 30 conversations. Revisit three more of his personal highlights and the unforgettable insights shared by some of the show’s most inspiring guests. 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/@BenHanlin Apple Podcasts: https://linktr.ee/benhanlin Spotify: https://linktr.ee/benhanlin 📩 Work with Ben: https://www.benhanlin.com/ --- FOLLOW BEN: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCM0oXTRP-zWlJ_IiNykTLag Instagram: http://instagram.com/benhanlin Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/benhanlin TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@benhanlin How do creative people turn ideas into reality? Ben Hanlin breaks down the mindset, process, and decisions behind it. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join Ben Hanlin for a special episode of What’s the Trick? as he looks back on the first 30 conversations. Revisit three of his personal highlights and the unforgettable insights shared by some of the show’s most inspiring guests. 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/@BenHanlin Apple Podcasts: https://linktr.ee/benhanlin Spotify: https://linktr.ee/benhanlin 📩 Work with Ben: https://www.benhanlin.com/ --- FOLLOW BEN: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCM0oXTRP-zWlJ_IiNykTLag Instagram: http://instagram.com/benhanlin Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/benhanlin TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@benhanlin How do creative people turn ideas into reality? Ben Hanlin breaks down the mindset, process, and decisions behind it. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How 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 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/@BenHanlin Apple Podcasts: https://linktr.ee/benhanlin Spotify: https://linktr.ee/benhanlin 📩 Work with Ben: https://www.benhanlin.com/ --- FOLLOW BEN: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCM0oXTRP-zWlJ_IiNykTLag Instagram: http://instagram.com/benhanlin Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/benhanlin TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@benhanlin --- 🎤 FOLLOW CALLY: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/callybeatoncomedian Website: https://callybeaton.com/ How do creative people turn ideas into reality? Ben Hanlin breaks down the mindset, process, and decisions behind it. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Brian 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/@BenHanlin Apple Podcasts: https://linktr.ee/benhanlin Spotify: https://linktr.ee/benhanlin 📩 Work with Ben: https://www.benhanlin.com/ --- FOLLOW BEN: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCM0oXTRP-zWlJ_IiNykTLag Instagram: http://instagram.com/benhanlin Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/benhanlin TikTok: 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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Emmy 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 generation Check 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/@BenHanlin Apple Podcasts: https://linktr.ee/benhanlin Spotify: https://linktr.ee/benhanlin 📩 Work with Ben: https://www.benhanlin.com/ --- FOLLOW BEN: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCM0oXTRP-zWlJ_IiNykTLag Instagram: http://instagram.com/benhanlin Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/benhanlin TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@benhanlin --- 🎤 FOLLOW BRENT: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/forrestercomedycourse TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@brentforrestercomedy Website: https://www.brentforrester.com/about How do creative people turn ideas into reality? Ben Hanlin breaks down the mindset, process, and decisions behind it. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Henry 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/@BenHanlin Apple Podcasts: https://linktr.ee/benhanlin Spotify: https://linktr.ee/benhanlin 📩 Work with Ben: https://www.benhanlin.com/ --- FOLLOW BEN: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCM0oXTRP-zWlJ_IiNykTLag Instagram: http://instagram.com/benhanlin Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/benhanlin TikTok: 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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Paul 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/@BenHanlin Apple Podcasts: https://linktr.ee/benhanlin Spotify: https://linktr.ee/benhanlin 📩 Work with Ben: https://www.benhanlin.com/ --- FOLLOW BEN: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCM0oXTRP-zWlJ_IiNykTLag Instagram: http://instagram.com/benhanlin Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/benhanlin TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@benhanlin --- 🎤 FOLLOW PAUL ZERDIN: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@paulzardin Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paulzerdin TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thepaulzerdin Website: https://paulzerdin.com/ --- How do creative people turn ideas into reality? Ben Hanlin breaks down the mindset, process, and decisions behind it. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In 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 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/@BenHanlin Apple Podcasts: https://linktr.ee/benhanlin Spotify: https://linktr.ee/benhanlin 📩 Work with Ben: https://www.benhanlin.com/ --- FOLLOW BEN: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCM0oXTRP-zWlJ_IiNykTLag Instagram: http://instagram.com/benhanlin Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/benhanlin TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@benhanlin --- 🎤 FOLLOW DERREN BROWN: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@OfficialDerrenBrown Instagram: 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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In 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/@BenHanlin Apple Podcasts: https://linktr.ee/benhanlin Spotify: https://linktr.ee/benhanlin 📩 Work with Ben: https://www.benhanlin.com/ --- FOLLOW BEN: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCM0oXTRP-zWlJ_IiNykTLag Instagram: http://instagram.com/benhanlin Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/benhanlin TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@benhanlin --- 🎤 FOLLOW WARRICK BROWNLOW-PIKE: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@WarrickBP Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/warrickbp/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@warrickbp Website: 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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In 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/@BenHanlin Apple Podcasts: https://linktr.ee/benhanlin Spotify: https://linktr.ee/benhanlin 📩 Work with Ben: https://www.benhanlin.com/ --- FOLLOW BEN: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCM0oXTRP-zWlJ_IiNykTLag Instagram: http://instagram.com/benhanlin Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/benhanlin TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@benhanlin --- 🎤 FOLLOW NADIA CASEY: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCkoM_REtRDc18btK7UE93g Instagram: 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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In 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 generation In 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 Frontiers 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/@BenHanlin Apple Podcasts: https://linktr.ee/benhanlin Spotify: https://linktr.ee/benhanlin 📩 Work with Ben: https://www.benhanlin.com/ --- FOLLOW BEN: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCM0oXTRP-zWlJ_IiNykTLag Instagram: http://instagram.com/benhanlin Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/benhanlin TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@benhanlin --- 🎤 FOLLOW DOM: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dpjmcgregor/ Instagram: www.instagram.com/dpjmcgregor Website: 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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of "What’s The Trick?", Ben Hanlin sits down with Shoot From The Hip to explore how they turned an improv group in a full time career. If you want to discover how to make a success improv show, 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/@BenHanlin Apple Podcasts: https://linktr.ee/benhanlin Spotify: https://linktr.ee/benhanlin 📩 Work with Ben: https://www.benhanlin.com/ --- FOLLOW BEN: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCM0oXTRP-zWlJ_IiNykTLag Instagram: http://instagram.com/benhanlin Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/benhanlin TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@benhanlin --- 🎤 FOLLOW SHOOT FROM THE HIP: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@shootimpro Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shootimpro/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@shootimpro Website: https://www.shootimpro.com/ --- What is this episode about? This episode explains how to make career as a improv group. How do creative people turn ideas into reality? Ben Hanlin breaks down the mindset, process, and decisions behind it. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of "What’s The Trick?", Ben Hanlin sits down with Derren Litten to explore how he wrote Benidorm. If you want to learn how to write your own show and have it commissioned, 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 In this episode, you’ll learn: - Great ideas often start smaller than you think. - Not knowing the rules can sometimes become your advantage. - Character is stronger than plot. - A creative world expands through observation. - Success creates its own creative trap. --- 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/@BenHanlin Apple Podcasts: https://linktr.ee/benhanlin Spotify: https://linktr.ee/benhanlin 📩 Work with Ben: https://www.benhanlin.com/ --- FOLLOW BEN: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCM0oXTRP-zWlJ_IiNykTLag Instagram: http://instagram.com/benhanlin Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/benhanlin TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@benhanlin --- 🎤 FOLLOW DERREN: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/derrenlitten/ Website: https://www.derrenlitten.com/ --- What is this episode about? This episode explains how the hit show Benidorm was written. How do creative people turn ideas into reality? Ben Hanlin breaks down the mindset, process, and decisions behind it. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of "What’s The Trick?", Ben Hanlin sits down with Matt Richardson to explore how to become a stand up comic. If you want to improve your knowledge on ways to truly make it as a comedian, 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 In this episode, you’ll learn: - Great comedy starts as a messy idea, not a finished joke - Audience trust changes what you’re allowed to do - The best performers still treat it like a craft, not a status symbol - Creative careers aren’t linear, visibility and value constantly fluctuate - The people who last are usually the people willing to keep grafting --- 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/@BenHanlin Apple Podcasts: https://linktr.ee/benhanlin Spotify: https://linktr.ee/benhanlin 📩 Work with Ben: https://www.benhanlin.com/ --- FOLLOW BEN: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCM0oXTRP-zWlJ_IiNykTLag Instagram: http://instagram.com/benhanlin Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/benhanlin TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@benhanlin --- 🎤 FOLLOW MATT: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/mattrichardsoncomedy Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattrichardson3/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mattrichardson3 Website: https://www.mattrichardsoncomedy.co.uk/ --- What is this episode about? This episode explains how to become a full time comedian. How do creative people turn ideas into reality? Ben Hanlin breaks down the mindset, process, and decisions behind it. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode is a little different, and that is exactly why it matters. Instead of focusing on one guest, one project, or one creative journey, Ben steps back and looks at what the first 10 episodes of What’s The Trick? have actually revealed. The result is a smart, generous roundup of the ideas, habits, decisions, and mindset shifts that keep showing up across very different creative worlds. Across these first conversations, the people featured have built companies, books, films, comedy careers, social media brands, stage shows, and creative bodies of work that took years to sharpen. This episode exists to pull the best lessons back into focus: not as a greatest-hits package, but as a practical guide to how creative work really gets made. If you are new to the podcast, this is a useful entry point. If you have been listening from the start, it is a strong reminder that the real value is not just in hearing a great story once, but in noticing the patterns underneath it. FOLLOW BEN: SUBSCRIBE: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCM0oXTRP-zWlJ_IiNykTLag FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/benhanlin INSTAGRAM: http://instagram.com/benhanlin TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@benhanlin WEBSITE: Benhanlin.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What does it take to make a character feel alive when that character is made of mechanics, code, cables, and performance? In this episode, Ben Hanlin sits down with animatronics expert and robot inventor Matt Denton to unpack the craft behind some of modern cinema’s most memorable practical creations, most notably BB-8 from Star Wars: The Force Awakens, but also work connected to Harry Potter, Project Hail Mary, and the wider world of robotics and film effects. This conversation exists because great screen characters are rarely “just designed.” They’re engineered, tested, puppeteered, compromised, rebuilt, and refined under pressure. What emerges here is not just a story about robots or puppets, but a deeper look at how technical problem-solving becomes emotional storytelling. If you’ve ever wondered how a sketch on a Post-it note becomes an iconic film character, or how practical effects still survive in an increasingly digital world - this episode is a fascinating look behind the curtain. FOLLOW BEN: SUBSCRIBE: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCM0oXTRP-zWlJ_IiNykTLag FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/benhanlin INSTAGRAM: http://instagram.com/benhanlin TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@benhanlin FOLLOW MATT: SUBSCRIBE: https://www.youtube.com/@UCbOrJwJsd4vFS4aLIILa_7Q FACEBOOK: facebook.com/mantisrobot INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/mantisrobot TIKTOK: tiktok.com/@mantisrobot Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.