EP76 | John Nejjy | Boilies, Banter and Belonging | Local Heroes Podcast

This week, Chris and Dan are joined by South Shields-born producer, filmmaker and content creator John Nejjy for a conversation about creativity, curiosity and using social media to tell better stories about the North East. From joining the Merchant Navy at 17 and travelling the world, to training as a stonemason, working in bars and eventually building a successful career in the video games industry, John’s journey has never followed a straight line. He talks about working his way from customer service and game testing into design and production, while continuing to explore his own creativity through filmmaking and online content focused on local people, artists, history, food and place. We get into why authentic storytelling matters, the unpredictability of social media, the pressure to keep feeding the algorithm and John’s mission to “heal the algorithm” by creating positive, human content in a digital world often driven by outrage, division and exploitation. John also shares why he keeps trying new skills, the importance of staying curious and his determination not to reach the end of his life wishing he had given something a go. And, as always, the conversation heads in several unexpected directions. There are fears of flying, red jackets, Flash Gordon, South Shields beaches, Greggs orders, chocolate pasties, shrinking Feasts, Angel Delight, 84 eggs and a WhatsApp group dedicated entirely to boiled egg content. Funny, thoughtful and completely unpredictable — a conversation about creativity, identity, local pride and finding your own way to make something positive.