Over 50 years ago, with the spark of an idea, Richard Jackson boldly started a school with just a handful of students. Today Hurtwood House is home to 360 students and its alumni include Hollywood Royalty, award winning filmmakers, world famous musicians and top business entrepreneurs. Each week in ‘Hurtwood: Beyond the Hill’ ex-student and presenter James Gaffney interviews one of the many thousands who have been through Hurtwood’s doors, reminiscing about the good times at the school and lifting the lid on their journeys and the secrets of their success.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
Host James interviews Lucy Mason-Lockett, Deputy Stage Manager, about technical theatre, RADA, and her experiences on productions like 'Hercules', revealing the interconnectedness of Hurtwood alumni in the theatre industry.
20 Jun 2025
S2.7 Alex Baranowski: Composer
James Gaffney interviews Alex Baranowski, an award-winning composer and sound designer, who explores his songwriting process across diverse genres like Netflix films, television, theatre, and commercials.
13 Jun 2025
S2.6 Josie Ferguson: Author and Clinical Psychologist
Author and Clinical Psychologist Josie Ferguson discusses her novel, "The Silence In Between," with James, exploring the intersection of psychology and writing, in this interview.
6 Jun 2025
S2.5 Georgina Steele: Co-Founder of Maiven
Georgina Steele, co-founder of Maiven, discusses launching her AI company, securing investments, and leveraging her engineering background in this interview with James.
30 May 2025
S2.4 Toby Miles: West End Star
Actor Toby Miles discusses his West End debut as Marius in 'Les Misérables' and reflects on auditions and drama school with host James, in this interview.
23 May 2025
S2.3 Amelia Hitchcock-Merritt: Founder of Bijoux De Mimi
James interviews Amelia Hitchcock-Merritt, founder of Bijoux De Mimi, about designing, marketing, and building a million-pound jewelry business after leaving Hurtwood.
16 May 2025
S2.2 Zara Brownless: Behavioural Scientist and Google Researcher
Zara Brownless is probably the most dynamic student we have ever had at Hurtwood. Winner of ‘The Young Apprentice’ before she stepped through our doors, we had high hopes for Zara. She surpassed all expectations! In this episode James finds out about reading ‘Experimental Psychology, Philosophy and Linguistics’ at Oxford University, giving TED Talks, interviewing the CEO of TED and working as a Behavioural Scientist at Google.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
9 May 2025
S2.1 Doug Quinn: Head of Performing Arts
What is it like to be the Head of Performing Arts at the most creative school in England? Series 2 starts with James chatting to Doug Quinn who has been the busiest man at Hurtwood for two decades. Everything you want to know about the Performing Arts at the school, in this episode, Doug discusses what makes Hurtwood productions so famous, the rewards of a teaching career, being a housemaster and the successful alumni he has directed.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
28 Jun 2024
S1.9 Ward Thomas: Country Music Stars
Country music is more popular than ever.
In this episode, James speaks to country duo Ward Thomas who made chart history in 2016 by becoming the first UK country act to score a number one album.
Twin sisters Catherine and Lizzy Ward Thomas discuss their journey from song writing at Hurtwood, to releasing a single with music legend James Blunt and ultimately to country music fame in Nashville and beyond.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
Our next guest, Ebiye Alaibe, is arguably the most charismatic student we have ever had at Hurtwood.
Supremely talented academically, he was nothing short of a legend on both the stage and the sports fields. Ebiye talks with James about everything from working as a barrister, acting in films and his subsequent career in Maritime Logistics in Nigeria.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
14 Jun 2024
S1.7 Cassa Jackson: Singer- Songwriter
From Hurtwood to the O2 Arena.
Our next guest is singer-songwriter Cassa Jackson whose songs have over 15 million streams and have been regularly played on Radio 1.
In this episode, Cassa talks to James about breaking into the music industry, songwriting about relationships and what it’s like to perform in major arenas.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
7 Jun 2024
S1.6 Finn Bruce: Award-winning Film Producer and Director
How do you break into the film industry?
Our next guest on Beyond the Hill is the award-winning film producer and director Finn Bruce. Finn is best known for producing Paramount Pictures film ‘Sumotherhood’ as well as directing and producing ‘Swede Caroline’ and the multi award-winning ‘Tucked’.
In this episode, Finn reflects on how his remarkable career has developed since finding his passion at Hurtwood Film Academy. He also offers advice for any budding young filmmaker looking to make their mark in this notoriously competitive industry.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
31 May 2024
S1.5 Luke Brady: West End Star
What is it like to be the lead in a hit West End musical?
James sits down with Luke Brady, who played the starring role of Moses in ‘The Prince of Egypt’. As well as musical theatre, Luke has also appeared in Kenneth Branagh’s ‘Murder on the Orient Express’ and ‘Fresh Meat’ alongside Jack Whitehall.
In this episode, Luke discusses his acting career, how he deals with auditions and how he keeps his performances fresh night after night.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
24 May 2024
S1.4 Kate Elisabeth: Lifestyle Influencer and Content Creator
How do you become a successful influencer and content creator?
In this episode, social media star Kate Elisabeth reflects on her journey from creating viral content about Hurtwood as a student to collaborating with some of the world’s biggest companies and even launching her own bikini brand. The popular fashion and lifestyle influencer also shares her key tips for success in this competitive industry.
Find out more about Hurtwood House: https://www.hurtwoodhouse.com/ (https://www.hurtwoodhouse.com/)
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
17 May 2024
S1.3 Abbas Dayekh: Founder of OyaNow
How do you become a successful entrepreneur?
Abbas Dayekh’s journey to founding one of Nigeria’s fastest growing companies, OyaNow, has not always been smooth but his success has been nothing short of remarkable.
In this episode, Abbas speaks about losing his mother’s savings in his first entrepreneurial adventure, the humble beginnings of OyaNow, how dealing with Covid revolutionised his company and his secrets to success in global business.
Find out more about Hurtwood House: https://www.hurtwoodhouse.com/ (https://www.hurtwoodhouse.com/)
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
10 May 2024
S1.2 Katie Buchholz: Star of Agatha Christie’s ‘Witness for the Prosecution’
What is it like to star in one of the world’s most famous murder mysteries?
In this episode, Katie Buchholz, the lead in Agatha Christie’s ‘Witness for the Prosecution’ talks about acting and her journey to the West End. James and Katie discuss all things Hurtwood, life at RADA and her different roles including ‘Jodie Kelly’ in EastEnders. They delve into how to manage nerves, getting into character and the difference between stage and screen acting.
Find out more about Hurtwood House: https://www.hurtwoodhouse.com/ (https://www.hurtwoodhouse.com/)
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
3 May 2024
S1.1 Richard Jackson: Founder of Hurtwood House
How do you create a school with nothing but an old Remington typewriter and an idea?
In the inaugural episode of ‘Beyond the Hill’, Richard Jackson, the founder of Hurtwood House, takes us through the story of its foundation and development over the last 50 years and how it became the creative utopia that it is today.
Find out more about Hurtwood House: https://www.hurtwoodhouse.com/ (https://www.hurtwoodhouse.com/)
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
Who has been a guest on Hurtwood: Beyond The Hill
Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.
Lucy Mason-Lockett
Alex Baranowski
Josie Ferguson
Georgina Steele
Toby Miles
Podcast Authority Score: 14 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
28
Social presence
0
YouTube
0
Engagement
0
Contact Hurtwood: Beyond The Hill
Guest appearances
Does not typically book guests
Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.
Host of Hurtwood: Beyond The Hill?
Claim your podcast to manage its listing and keep your show details accurate.
Pod Engine is an independent podcast discovery and analytics service and is not affiliated with or endorsed by this podcast. Artwork and show content belong to their owners. Full legal notice.
Explore this show Podcast research with Pod Engine
