Imagine if you could go back 300 years and listen to a podcast of your great relatives—stories of their lives, challenges, dreams, and victories in their own words. FunnellYourThoughts brings this vision to life, preserving and sharing the incredible stories of ordinary people, so they live on for generations to come. Inspired by my grandmother, whose captivating stories shaped my life, this podcast honors her legacy and the spirit of storytelling. Each episode, recorded in person, features guests with tales that reflect the resilience, humor, and heart of everyday life.
Funnell Your Thoughts #8 - John Funnell 88 Years of Grit & Graft
Host John Funnell interviews John Funnell about his life growing up during wartime Britain, building a life rooted in farming, horses, and family, and reflecting on love, loss, and lessons learned.
2 Jun 2025
Funnell Your Thoughts #6 - From £20k to £1.1 Million – The Rise of Racehorse Trainer John Best
Racehorse trainer John Best recounts his remarkable journey from humble beginnings to building a world-class training facility and achieving success at prestigious races, in this interview episode.
19 May 2025
Funnell Your Thoughts #6 Drums, Deep Chats & Dodging AI Jamie Parker Returns
In Part 2 of my conversation with Jamie Parker, we drift into deeper waters—with the same wit, honesty, and rhythm that made Part 1 so much fun.
Jamie, a professional drummer, teacher, and all-around creative force, opens up about life beyond the studio:
🎭 Why vulnerability might be the most punk rock thing you can show
🧠 The strange evolution of digital culture and “AI slop”
😂 The wild world of internet content—from bizarre trends to sensory overload
🎧 What playing drums teaches you about silence, sound, and control
🪞 How self-awareness, relationships, and technology are shaping our identities
If Part 1 was the rhythm, this is the reflection. It’s an unfiltered glimpse into how artists think, question, and navigate a world that’s constantly changing.
28 Apr 2025
Funnell Your Thoughts #5 From Homeless Teen to Celebrity Manicurist – The Stephanie Staunton Story
What does it take to survive—and thrive—after life knocks you down again and again?In this unforgettable episode, I sit down with Stephanie Staunton, a celebrity manicurist, venue stylist, mental health advocate, and survivor of more than most people face in a lifetime. From being homeless at 16 to working with P!NK, Little Mix, and Disney, Stephanie’s journey is as heartbreaking as it is inspiring.We dive into:💅 How she went from jobless to working with A-listers🏥 Surviving three major operations in 2024—including an 18-inch scar and a misdiagnosis🧠 Her experience living with bipolar disorder and ASD🧩 Launching the “Nailing Mental Health” campaign and raising £500k for charity💔 Surviving suicidal lows and finding light again🌸 Building “The Seasonal Styler” while rebuilding her health and lifeStephanie opens up about her past with raw honesty—from childhood trauma and abusive relationships to walking into a nail salon with mascara-streaked cheeks and offering to work for free. Her resilience, humor, and hope will move you, inspire you, and remind you that it’s never too late to rewrite your story.
14 Apr 2025
Funnell Your Thoughts #4 Lisa Stewart’s Rescue Mission - Thorns, Triumphs & Hedgehogs
In this eye-opening episode, I sit down with Lisa Stewart, the founder of Thorne Hedgehog Rescue, to talk about the wild, emotional, and often untold reality of saving one of Britain’s most beloved species.Lisa’s journey is nothing short of remarkable. From qualified holistic therapist, carpenter, and wildlife conservationist to running a 24/7 hedgehog rescue that’s saved thousands—she’s worn every hat (and probably built it, too). What started with one hedgehog quickly became a full-blown rescue operation caring for up to 400 animals a year. And she’s done it all with zero paid staff, endless dedication, and a plan to build the only hedgehog hospital in Kent.In this episode, we cover:🦔 The raw, emotional reality of hedgehog rescue🔬 Why hedgehogs are so complex to treat—and often misunderstood🏥 The vision behind building a dedicated wildlife hospital🌱 How small, messy gardens can help save a species📹 The powerful impact of education, storytelling, and staying true to the missionThorne Hedgehog Rescue: https://thornehedgehogrescue.orgLisa’s story is one of grit, heartbreak, and relentless hope—and it’ll change how you see not only hedgehogs but the natural world around you.🎧 Listen now on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts and more.
31 Mar 2025
Funnell Your Thoughts #3 Healing Through Grief – A Conversation with David Pope
Grief is one of life’s most profound and difficult experiences, but healing is possible. In this episode, I sit down with David Pope, a professional counsellor with over 30 years of experience helping people navigate loss, anxiety, trauma, and relationship struggles.
David’s journey isn’t just professional—it’s personal. After losing both of his parents at just 25 and his best friend to cancer years later, he understands grief in a way that textbooks can’t teach. Through a blend of CBT, Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and trauma work, he has guided countless individuals from pain to recovery.
🔹 Why grief is misunderstood and how to truly heal
🔹 The impact of loss and how it shapes us
🔹 The power of being present and changing negative thought patterns
🔹 How therapy can transform lives, even in the darkest moments
🔹 Real-life stories of resilience, including bringing someone back from suicidal thoughts
This conversation is full of wisdom, practical strategies, and hope for anyone struggling with grief or supporting a loved one through it.
David Pope: https://healyourgrief.co.uk
🎧 Tune in now on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and more!
17 Mar 2025
Funnell Your Thoughts #2 Jamie Parker From Drums To Big Screen
In this episode, I sit down with musician, drum teacher, and all-around creative Jamie Parker. Jamie has built a thriving career as a drummer, touring across Europe, teaching full-time, and even building his own professional studio in Kent. He’s also appeared in Pressure and Downton Abbey 3, and even worked at Sotheby’s as an art handler.
We dive into:
🔥 The journey from jamming as a kid to becoming a professional drummer
🎬 His experiences on movie sets and how drumming landed him a role in Downton Abbey 3
🏗️ The challenges of building his own studio and going full-time in music
🤯 Crazy stories, from near-disaster in Cambodia to the wild world of live gigs
💡 Lessons on persistence, creativity, and trusting the process
Jamie’s path is one of determination, talent, and embracing unexpected opportunities. Whether you’re into music, film, or just love hearing how people carve out unique careers, this episode has something for you.
🔗 Listen now on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts & more!
10 Mar 2025
Funnell Your Thoughts Intro #1
Imagine going back 300 years and listening to a conversation with your ancestors. How incredible would that be? That’s the heart of this podcast—real stories from real people, preserving the moments, experiences, and lessons that shape who we are today. In this first episode, I break down the inspiration behind it all, why storytelling matters, and what you can expect moving forward. Joining us on the into my good friend, actor, musician, and all-around top man, Jamie Parker. I hope this podcast becomes something truly special—and that you’ll be part of the journey.
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
YouTube views
4,657,709,572
Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025
Spotify
5.0 / 5
4 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 56 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
62
Social presence
0
YouTube
93
Engagement
32
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