Content Warning: This episode contains discussion of suicide and bereavement.

In this episode of The Brilliant Humans Podcast, Jonathan sits down with teacher, choreographer, and lifelong musical theatre lover Jo Burston, as she shares the deeply personal story of the brilliant human who changed the course of her life.

Jo opens up about the lifelong anxiety she carried from childhood, the trauma of a serious car crash, and the profound heartbreak of losing her brother to suicide. Feeling lost in her early twenties - unsure of her path, disconnected from the joy of dance, and struggling to find her place in the world - a chance conversation in a nightclub led her to Andrew Tilling, who helped her on a transformative journey of coaching, clarity, and finally feeling seen.

With honesty, warmth, and humour, Jo reflects on:

• How Andrew guided her through overwhelming self-doubt and helped her reclaim confidence
• The strange and beautiful coincidences that connect their lives, including the name of her son
• Why the right person, at the right time, can shift your entire direction
• The power of being encouraged by someone who truly believes in you

This is a story about the unexpected moments that alter who we become, the people who walk beside us when life is too heavy to carry alone, and the brilliance of giving someone the courage to be themselves.

The Brilliant Humans Podcast celebrates the people who remind us what makes us human.

In this powerful and deeply personal episode of The Brilliant Humans Podcast, Jonathan Griffiths speaks with Paul Naisbitt - a survivor of domestic abuse, advocate, volunteer, and campaigner raising funds to create the first male refuge in the North of England.

Paul shares his remarkable journey from feeling trapped and voiceless to rebuilding his life with purpose and compassion. He opens up about the moment that changed everything - discovering coach and speaker Paul Mort, whose honesty, accountability, and belief in personal responsibility helped him regain his confidence and sense of self.

Together, Jonathan and Paul explore what it means to take back control, to rebuild after trauma, and to find freedom through focus and kindness.

The Brilliant Humans Podcast celebrates the people who remind us what makes us human.

Content warning: this episode includes references to domestic abuse and suicide, which some listeners may find difficult. Please take care while listening, or feel free to skip this one if it feels too much right now.

In this episode of The Brilliant Humans Podcast, Jonathan Griffiths talks with Chip Means about the power of laughter, vulnerability, and what we can learn from Conan O’Brien’s unique blend of humour and humanity.

From late-night comedy to quiet moments of self-doubt, Chip reflects on how Conan’s openness about mental health and imperfection makes him not just funny - but profoundly relatable. Together, they explore why the best humour often comes from honesty, how comedy can connect and heal, and why being human will always be funnier - and braver - than pretending to have it all figured out.

🎧 The Brilliant Humans Podcast celebrates the people who remind us what makes us human.

When your big brother becomes a professional footballer, admiration can take many forms. For Steve Shaw, it grew into a lifelong respect for habits, humility, and hard work that separate raw talent from true brilliance.

In this episode of The Brilliant Humans Podcast, Steve reflects on the powerful lessons he learned from his brother Paul Shaw - lessons forged through nearly two decades in professional football with clubs including Arsenal, Millwall, and Gillingham. From the discipline behind a 19-year career to the resilience needed to stay grounded under pressure, Steve shares how those same principles now guide his own approach to business, leadership, and family.

A thoughtful and inspiring conversation about persistence, character, and what it really means to pursue excellence on and off the pitch.

In this deeply moving episode of The Brilliant Humans Podcast, Jonathan is joined by Ryan Curtis-Johnson - a proud, gay, neurodivergent dad, and Chief Communications Officer at The Valuable 500.

Ryan opens up about his brilliant human: his mum, Ann.
A formidable, outspoken woman who never let her MS diagnosis define her, Ann showed strength, compassion, and fierce love throughout her life, especially when Ryan came out as gay in the early 2000s.

Together, Jonathan and Ryan explore how resilience, acceptance, and advocacy can ripple through generations and how love, when it’s loud and unwavering, can change everything.

A conversation about disability, pride, parenting, and the power of a mother’s belief in who you are...long before you believe it yourself.

In this episode of The Brilliant Humans Podcast, Jonathan Griffiths speaks with Sasha Gorbatenko, a runner, TEDx speaker, champion of women in technology, and platinum-tier facilitator of Google’s I Am Remarkable programme.

Sasha shares the story of her Brilliant Human, Irina, a formidable journalism teacher whose lessons went far beyond writing. Through discipline, curiosity, and compassion disguised as toughness, Irina transformed shy young students into fearless, independent thinkers.

Nearly 20 years after Irina’s passing, her impact still shapes how Sasha lives, leads, and inspires others. It’s a moving reminder that real teachers don’t just teach skills, they teach us how to be human.

In this episode of The Brilliant Humans Podcast, host Jonathan Griffiths interviews Lloyd Hollett, a stand-up comic and entertainer, who shares his journey and the profound influence of his childhood hero, Russ Abbott.

Lloyd reflects on how Abbott inspired him to pursue a career in comedy, the importance of family entertainment, and the role of teachers in nurturing talent. The conversation delves into the evolution of comedy, the significance of kindness, and the legacy of entertainers like Abbott, highlighting the impact they have on future generations.

🎙️ Subscribe to The Brilliant Humans Podcast for more conversations that celebrate kindness, creativity, and the everyday people who make life brighter.

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#BrilliantHumans #LloydHollett #RussAbbott #Comedy #Kindness #Inspiration

In this first episode of The Brilliant Humans Podcast, host Jonathan Griffiths sits down with Andrew Tilling to explore the extraordinary legacy of his parents, Ian Tilling and Cecilia-Wells Tilling.

From Ian leading the largest peacetime aid convoy to Romania to Cecilia founding a transformative theatre school, their stories of resilience, courage, and community impact reveal what it truly means to be a brilliant human.

Andrew reflects on how their examples shaped his life and work, offering lessons in leadership, purpose, and creating change. If you’re inspired by stories of ordinary people doing extraordinary things, this episode will move you and make you think.

👉 Listen now for an uplifting mix of storytelling, personal growth, and real-world impact.