Today's guest helps make the magic happen in London's West End at the Harry Potter and Cursed Child show.

John Bulleid is an actor, magician and illusion designer, creating magical solutions for stage and screen.

His love of magic began at the age of 7 when he was given a Paul Daniel Magic Set as a gift.

John is a rarity too. He's an Associate Member of the famed Magic Circle. One of fewer than 300 worldwide.

This is a lovely chat with insights into the magical world of an illusion designer. The tricks, the stories and the ideas.

John talks about the escapism which comes with magic - taking people away from their normal lives whilst the tricks are performed. He tells us how his dad encouraged him to follow a path of being a magician and how it's taken him to some remarkable productions.

There's a discussion of magic and awe and Josie gives us some theory about how awe can enhance critical thinking, improve health and give a sense of being part of something bigger. And John agrees that awe is such an important part of what he does.

He ends the podcast talking about how he uses reverse engineering to solve problems and be braver.

The Be Braver Podcast is presented by Annie Emmerson and Dr Josie Perry.

Annie is a former international triathlete and world champion. She's now a broadcaster and motivational speaker. She left school and education at the age of 15 after a family breakdown and that's led to a life of self-improvement.

She had a transition from party-girl to a life with purpose after being robbed at knife point. She talks candidly about how she has redefined herself several times.

Josie Perry's life first changed when she failed in her A levels which ended her plans to go and study law at a top university. She worked in journalism and communications before becoming passionate about performance psychology which led to a complete career change.

So what's your purpose? What's your why? How can we help you on your journey?

Thanks for listening!

The Be Braver Podcast - because life is not a dress rehearsal.

Insta: @bebraverpod

Jez Cox accidentally got in to cycling as a 12 year old who loved his neighbour's bike. In this podcast he reveals for the first time that mountain biking took him away from a really difficult and impactful part of his young life. It became his safe space.

His need to escape and explore meant he was spending lots of time on two wheels and discovering he was good enough to compete.

Jez tells Annie and Josie about the relationship with his dad, who was impassionate and extremely harsh. He was once told he'd never achieve anything in his life. The sentence he remembers to this day. And it led to a need to finding the best way of being the best athlete he could be. A need to prove his dad wrong.

Josie's analysis is that Jez has perfectionist tendencies, always setting a high bar. He tells Josie that he believes he has ADHD with a brain that's constantly working.

Jez tells the story of how he got in to commentary - again by accident. Now he can be heard at the world's top sporting events....commentating on Breaking and Surfing at the Paris Olympics.

His advice on being braver comes from an Abraham Lincoln quote - "Discipline is choosing between what you want now and what you want most".

Hope you enjoy this chat!

The Be Braver Podcast is presented by Annie Emmerson and Dr Josie Perry.

Annie is a former international triathlete and world champion. She's now a broadcaster and motivational speaker. She left school and education at the age of 15 after a family breakdown and that's led to a life of self-improvement.

She had a transition from party-girl to a life with purpose after being robbed at knife point. She talks candidly about how she has redefined herself several times.

Josie Perry's life first changed when she failed in her A levels which ended her plans to go and study law at a top university. She worked in journalism and communications before becoming passionate about performance psychology which led to a complete career change.

So what's your purpose? What's your why? How can we help you on your journey?

Thanks for listening!

The Be Braver Podcast - because life is not a dress rehearsal.

Insta: @bebraverpod

Today's guest is Geoff Thomas, leukaemia survivor, former Crystal Palace(amongst others) and England footballer and incredible charity fund-raiser.

Geoff is about to head off on his 7th trip to ride the Tour de France route...and aims to raise another £1 million pounds for Cure Leukaemia.

He speaks with Annie and Josie in the week when Crystal Palace won the FA Cup. Geoff was a special guest, having captained the side on their last Cup Final appearance.

Geoff tells us he was training to be an electrician when he was spotted by a football scout and signed for Rochdale. A move to Port Vale followed before the signficant transfer to Crystal Palace. He talks about recovering from a career-threatening injury. He retired from football in 2002 but just a year later was diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukaemia, a form of blood cancer. Geoff was given three months to live but after receiving pioneering stem cell treatment and a transplant from his sister Kay, he went in to remission.

Geoff talks to Annie and Josie about his resilience and where he drew his strength from after such a shocking prognosis. His mantra is just dig in.

In 2015 he was persuaded to do a charity bike ride on the Tour de France route. He hadn't ridden since he was 7. It was gruelling. But he's done it many times since and this year is the 20th anniversary of that first ride.

His efforts and charity fund-raising saw him awarded the MBE and winning the Helen Rollason Award at the BBC Sports Personality of the Year.

Here are details of his Tour de France adventures

www.thetour21.co.uk

And London to Paris

https://www.l2prevolution.com/

The Be Braver Podcast is presented by Annie Emmerson and Dr Josie Perry.

Annie is a former international triathlete and world champion. She's now a broadcaster and motivational speaker. She left school and education at the age of 15 after a family breakdown and that's led to a life of self-improvement.

She had a transition from party-girl to a life with purpose after being robbed at knife point. She talks candidly about how she has redefined herself several times.

Josie Perry's life first changed when she failed in her A levels which ended her plans to go and study law at a top university. She worked in journalism and communications before becoming passionate about performance psychology which led to a complete career change.

So what's your purpose? What's your why? How can we help you on your journey?

Thanks for listening!

The Be Braver Podcast - because life is not a dress rehearsal.

Insta: @bebraverpod