Podcast Summary: Just A Moment

Episode: A Cup of Tea with Kendrick Lamar – Will Bremridge
Host: Brant Menswar
Guest: Will Bremridge
Date: August 18, 2025
Duration: ~24 minutes

Episode Overview

This episode of Just a Moment dives deep into the pivotal, career-defining moments of Will Bremridge—acclaimed photographer, athlete, and communication coach—including his iconic photo shoot with Kendrick Lamar, and the missed moment that reframed his relationship with self-doubt and identity. Host Brant Menswar guides the conversation as Will reflects on formative early experiences, the evolution of his creative career, and transformative lessons about embracing one’s unique path.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Early Life and Feeling “Unseen”

Timestamps: [01:02]–[04:19]

• Will was born into an international, unconventional family: his father a British army officer, his mother an enigmatic ex-MI6 employee and artist.
• Grew up moving between Germany, Oman, and rural England.
• Felt out of place in traditional school settings, especially compared to his academically gifted brother:

  “My parents just didn't quite know what to do with me... I was very hyperactive, very easily distracted and not performing that well at school.” —Will ([01:02])

• Noted generational and cultural disconnects, especially around praise for creative or “different” children; highlights the “children should be seen but not heard” mindset of the era.
• Early outlets were music (drumming since 1991) and solo sports.

2. The Breakthrough: Pursuing Passion Outside the Mainstream

Timestamps: [04:19]–[09:35]

• Will rebelled against rigid masculinity and conformity (“needlessly hardcore masculine stereotypes”) prevalent in British schools—favored drumming and snowboarding over rugby.
• Degree in music but candid about how “naive” it was to assume that guaranteed an industry job:

  “We were told this degree does not guarantee you a place in the music industry. How you conduct yourself, who you meet... is what will get you there.” ([04:33])

• His passion for snowboarding led him to the French Alps as a young adult—a time of “punk snowboard culture.”
• The turning point: discovering photography through a friend, leading to shooting snowboarding pros and gaining attention from brands like Vans and Oakley in the US.
• Emphasizes the role of being available, enthusiastic, and proactive over being “the best” technically:

  “I really had no idea what I was doing, but I was available, had a camera and was providing what they needed.” ([05:49])

3. Growth and Imposter Syndrome

Timestamps: [07:54]–[09:15]

• Initial success as a snowboard photographer, but faced imposter syndrome when transitioning to the London creative scene:

  “I didn’t get too much imposter syndrome back then because I didn’t know what really good photography looked like... I got a lot more when I moved to London and realized I knew nothing.” —Will ([07:54])

• Shares regret over letting ego prevent him from seeking feedback early on, advice he now passes on:

  “You know nothing. And keep asking, like, always get advice from people above you.” ([07:54])

• Identifies the rush and sense of belonging from quickly emulating industry idols.

4. The Defining Photography Moment: Kendrick Lamar

Timestamps: [09:35]–[13:49]

• Living in North London, struggling with self-doubt and comparison to peers.
• First major editorial jobs: Bruce Dickinson (Iron Maiden), then Kendrick Lamar.
• The Kendrick shoot:
  • Was supposed to be two hours; was reduced to 40 minutes by Kendrick’s publicist.
  • Improvised setting: “We're going to use this hotel room like it's his apartment... get you sipping a cup of tea, being a little bit ironic.”
  • The shot (Kendrick with a cup of tea and pinky out) became iconic.
  • Realized his ability to stay calm and creative under pressure:

    “That shoot was the start of me knowing that I can go into these kind of jobs, have all my resources cut in half and still pull it off.” ([09:35])

  • Big lesson: reduce self-doubt, trust your capabilities, and use constraints to fuel creativity.
• Host commentary:

  “When people think they're going to be rushed, they usually make shitty decisions.” —Brant ([13:24])

5. Transition to Coaching and Communication

Timestamps: [14:50]–[17:54]

• Will’s greatest strength: building rapport and being approachable—noticed as both a photographer and in new ventures.
• Feedback from photo subjects consistently highlighted his ability to make them feel at ease.
• Recognized this as a transferable skill:

  “You make this really easy... And you've come in and just made this such an easy process. I heard that said to me maybe like a hundred times.” —Will ([14:59])

• Applied these insights to coaching CEOs and creatives on communication:

  “I want to teach other people how to go into rooms... show off what they do, state their worth, and walk away having really showcased their talents.” ([14:59])

6. Approach to Building Connections

Timestamps: [16:30]–[18:38]

• Emphasizes silliness and self-deprecation to break tension and foster genuine conversation:

  “I realized that my biggest strength was the ability to just be silly and relax, take the piss out of myself... and just be down to embarrass myself.” ([16:30])

• Focuses on “needs, goals, beliefs, and emotions” to replace small talk with meaningful dialogue.
• Key insight: authenticity and openness about failure and limitations make people relatable and likable.

7. The Missed Moment: Understanding ADHD

Timestamps: [18:43]–[21:43]

• Will opens up about being bullied and feeling adrift after school, resulting in low self-esteem and self-doubt.
• Was labeled disruptive as a child—years later, a conversation with a psychotherapist friend revealed his ADHD:

  “She went, did you not know that you've got ADHD?... everything about your personality says that you have ADHD.” ([18:43]) “If someone had told me about this at school... I would have just felt so much more proud of myself. And instead... I just thought that I was dumb and that I was a little bit broken.” ([18:43])

• The ADHD diagnosis helped reframe his struggles as differences rather than deficiencies; many negatives can be turned to positives.

8. Advice for Others Feeling “Behind”

Timestamps: [21:43]–[23:51]

• Encourages patience and long-term persistence:

  “Firstly, figure out what it is that you want to do and decide that you are going to be smashing it. Not in one year or two years, but in 10 years.” ([22:35])

• Let go of ego, celebrate small wins, and love the process—not just the results.
• Consistent effort and seeking advice are keys to growth.

9. Where to Find Will

Timestamps: [24:03]

• Will shares where listeners can find him:
  • LinkedIn: “Will Bremridge”
  • Instagram: @communicationmastery
  • TikTok: @willbremridge

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “People weren't very good at those kind of conversations back then. I was like a wild boy compared to my brother.” —Will ([02:54])
• “All I could think about was, I'm going to go and play the drums in a band. And I saw it as a genuinely feasible thing.” —Will ([04:33])
• “I got a lot more [imposter syndrome] when I moved to London... realized I knew nothing.” —Will ([07:54])
• “I wanted my thing to be: that guy can pull off US-level publication shoots with just a backpack and a camera.” —Will ([09:35])
• “Turn down all that noise and just walk towards all that fear.” —Will, on the lessons from the Kendrick shoot ([13:49])
• “I teach CEOs and executives how to build rapport with clients... It all comes down to your ability to talk about those four pillars [needs, goals, beliefs, emotions].” —Will ([17:54])
• “If someone had told me about [ADHD] at school... I would have just felt so much more proud of myself.” —Will ([18:43])
• “Let your ego down and just love that you don't know anything and then celebrate all the small wins of learning to do something every day.” —Will ([23:51])

Key Timestamps for Important Segments

• [01:02] Will’s childhood and struggles in school
• [04:33] Music and creative pursuits
• [05:49] Discovering photography and snowboarding immersion
• [09:35] The Kendrick Lamar photo shoot breakthrough
• [13:49] Reflection on self-doubt and trusting oneself
• [14:59] Transition to coaching and focus on communication skills
• [16:30] Using humor and authenticity to build rapport
• [18:43] Missed moment: ADHD diagnosis and self-understanding
• [22:35] Will’s advice for people feeling “behind” in life
• [24:03] Where to find Will online

Summary Tone

Candid, thoughtful, reflective, and encouraging—Will mixes British self-deprecation with honesty, while Brant maintains an uplifting and insightful tone throughout.

This summary captures the heart of Will Bremridge's journey: a creative outsider who found his place by leaning into his authenticity, overcoming self-doubt, and transforming vulnerability into his greatest strength. The episode offers both inspiration and practical advice for anyone navigating unconventional paths or feeling “behind.”