What if the most valuable thing at an EdTech festival isn't the tech, but the conversation with the stranger sitting next to you? In this episode, Ben and Steve are joined by three people who know the Brilliant Festival inside out: Andy Miah, Melanie Tagg and returning guest Trudi Barrow. Festival director Martyn Collins was unwell and couldn't join, so the panel stepped in to explain why Brilliant has become one of the UK's most distinctive education events. They cover why educators, tech companies, charities and employers need to be in the same room, why creativity and technology belong across the whole curriculum, and how to get the most out of a packed day. The festival is free and runs on 10th November in Liverpool, and the link to book is below. About our guests Andy Miah is Chair in Science Communication and Future Media at the University of Salford, and has been involved with the Brilliant Festival since its beginning. He works on emerging technologies and on how young people learn to innovate. Melanie Tagg is Principal Analyst at Futuresource Consulting, where she heads up the education technology team. She has tracked global EdTech markets across K-12 and higher education for around 15 years, drawing on insight from parents, students, educators and school leaders. Trudi Barrow works at the intersection of creativity and emerging technology at CLEAPSS. She was named Edufuturist of the Year 2026, has spoken at every Brilliant Festival, and designed and made this year's Brilliant Awards trophies. We cover: - Why a northern, free-to-attend EdTech festival feels different from the big London shows - How Brilliant puts frontline teachers, primary and early years practitioners in direct conversation with CEOs and tech providers - Chester Zoo, Johnny Vegas and why cross-sector collaboration sparks the best ideas - Why children don't live in silos, and why EdTech can't be a bolt-on in 2026 - The shift from "what is the technology?" to "is it improving learning outcomes?" - The disconnect between school skills and employer expectations - Connect, Collaborate and Create, a new closing session hosted by Edufuturists - Inside the Brilliant Awards: 20 categories and an exceptionally high bar - This year's themes: AI, SEND and inclusion, esports, industry engagement and STEAM - Practical advice for getting the most out of the day Why you should listen If you're thinking about attending Brilliant on 10th November, or you want to understand why bringing education, industry and technology together matters for young people, this conversation gives you an insider's view from three people who have shaped the festival from the start. You'll come away knowing what to prioritise, who to talk to, and why the unplanned conversations might matter most. Get your free Brilliant Festival tickets: https://www.brilliantfestival.com/?utm_source=social&utm_medium=partners&utm_campaign=edufuturists Chapters 0:00 Welcome to the Edufuturists podcast 1:05 Astronaut costumes and Starbucks training sessions 3:12 Meet Andy Miah, University of Salford 4:47 Meet Melanie Tagg, Futuresource Consulting 7:27 Meet Trudi Barrow, CLEAPSS 9:16 Is there something special about a northern event? 10:08 Hopes for Brilliant 2026: bigger, broader, more frontline voices 11:20 Access to senior people and bridging the skills gap 14:05 Chester Zoo and the magic of cross-sector conversations 15:26 Putting the A into STEAM 17:49 Martyn Collins and a community bigger than one person 18:28 AD: Brilliant Festival 19:33 Why educators, tech and employers need to be in the same room 21:06 Children don't live in silos 22:47 Beyond the tech: learning outcomes, training and guardrails 24:26 Free tickets and a thread across every phase 25:41 The pace of change and taking the pulse of the nation 27:33 Connect, Collaborate and Create: the new closing session 31:10 How to navigate a packed festival day 33:42 Inside the Brilliant Awards 36:31 Themes for 2026: AI, SEND, esports, industry and STEAM 38:41 Final advice: comfy shoes, open minds, talk to everyone 40:55 Book signings and Pick & Mix Education 42:32 Wrap up and thanks #BrilliantFestival #EdTech #Edufuturists #FutureOfEducation #AIinEducation #STEAM #EdTechUK #Liverpool #EducationConference #SEND #TeacherCPD #Esports Thanks so much for joining us again for another episode - we appreciate you. Ben & Steve x Check out all about Edufuturists at https://www.edufuturists.com Want to sponsor future episodes or get involved with the Edufuturists work? Get in touch: info@edufuturists.com Grab your copy of the new Pick 'n' Mix Education book at: https://www.crownhouse.co.uk/picknmix-education Join the Wolfpack: edufuturists.com/wolfpack