Ways to Change the World with Krishnan Guru-Murthy
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How can you change the world? Join Krishnan Guru-Murthy and his guest of the week as they explore the big ideas influencing how we think, act and live.
Available episodes
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Dec 1, 2023
Billy Porter on being a queer Black man in the music industry, the actors' strike and Trump's America
Billy Porter started singing in church when he was about five years old, and growing up saw performance as a lifeline out of the trauma and rejection he experienced as a Black gay man.
The multi-hyphenate star won a Grammy and a few Tonys since his breakout role on Broadway with 2013's Kinky Boots, and was the first openly gay Black man to win a lead acting Emmy for his role in the drama series Pose in 2019. Now Porter is returning to mainstream music with his fifth studio album, Black Mona Lisa, which he hopes will continue to craft an empowering legacy for the queer youth of colour.
Today on Ways to Change the World, he tells Krishnan Guru-Murthy about the challenges he faced due to homophobia in the music industry in the '90s, the harsh reality of being an actor in the golden age of streaming and what success means to him.
Produced by Silvia Maresca.
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Nov 23, 2023
Astronaut Tim Peake on Elon Musk's SpaceX and the future of space exploration
Being an astronaut is a job like no other. Of the estimated 100 billion people who have ever lived, only 628 people in human history have left Earth.
Tim Peake is one of them. A former test pilot who served in the British Army Air Corps, he was the first British astronaut to ever walk in space, and completed his six-month Principia mission to the International Space Station with the European Space Agency when he landed back on Earth in June 2016.
Today on Ways to Change the World, he tells Krishnan Guru-Murthy about his journey to becoming an astronaut, his time on the ISS and the crucial role of Elon Musk and SpaceX in future space missions.
Produced by Silvia Maresca.
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Nov 17, 2023
Caster Semenya on gender fairness in athletics and what being a woman means to her
Caster Semenya has never doubted that she was a woman. It wasn’t until her athletics career started to take off that the now two-time Olympic Games gold medallist and a three-time World Athletics Championships gold medallist faced any questions over her gender. Called a ‘threat to the sport’ and ‘not woman enough’, she has become the most visible DSD (difference in sex development) athlete today, and found herself at the centre of the debate around the newly drawn line between gender and sport.
In this episode of Ways to Change the World, she tells Krishnan Guru-Murthy about her experiences as an athlete with a difference in sex development, her tumultuous journey to the top of the athletics world, and what being a woman means to her.
Produced by Silvia Maresca
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Nov 3, 2023
Carlo Rovelli on white holes, challenging different narratives and the need for a ‘reasonable compromise’ in the Israel-Palestine war
Carlo Rovelli has devoted large parts of his life to explaining to the general public what appears on the surface to be the unexplainable - and his bestselling science books saw him dubbed 'the poet of modern physics’.
But the quantum gravity researcher is as comfortable discussing his own work on black holes, as he is talking about recent politics such as the Israel-Palestine conflict, on the grounds that, like in scientific research, every issue has different facets and cooperation is key to finding a solution.
Today on Ways to Change the World, Carlo Rovelli tells Krishnan Guru-Murthy about his search for ‘white holes’ and how science can bridge different global narratives in the geopolitical arena.
Produced by Silvia Maresca
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Oct 20, 2023
Mikaela Loach on fighting the climate crisis through social justice, the problem with net zero, and being a 'soft Black girl'
The climate crisis is the biggest single issue affecting us all - but for some, the impact will be, and already is, far greater than for others.
This is the principle of climate justice, that sees the causes and consequences of climate change as inextricably linked with social inequality - and that activist Mikaela Loach has made the focus of her work.
Today on Ways to Change the World, Mikaela Loach tells Krishnan Guru-Murthy why we need to reframe our understanding of the climate crisis in order to tackle its root causes, and why only through “active hope” and collective action can we radically transform our world for the better.
Produced by Silvia Maresca
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Sep 29, 2023
Yanis Varoufakis on the death of capitalism, Starmer and the tyranny of big tech
The world is witnessing an epochal shift, according to Greek economist Yanis Varoufakis: from the now-dead capitalism, to “technofeudalism”.
In his latest book, the former Greek politician - who in 2015, at the height of the Greek debt crisis, was catapulted from academic obscurity to Minister of Finance - argues that insane sums of money that were supposed to re-float our economies in the wake of the financial crisis and the 2020 pandemic have ended up supercharging big tech's hold over every aspect of the economy. And capitalism's twin pillars - markets and profit - have been replaced with big tech's platforms and rents; while we, the “cloud serfs”, increase these companies’ power with every online click and scroll.
Today on Ways to Change the World, Yanis Varufakis tells Krishnan Guru-Murthy how the world is grappling with an entirely new economic system and therefore political power, and why Britain and the EU are “irrelevant” compared with the “fiefdoms” of US and Chinese tech firms.
Produced by Silvia Maresca
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Sep 22, 2023
Cambridge’s youngest Black professor Jason Arday on Autism, racism, and learning to read at 18
"You're categorised as not being particularly intelligent or able," says Jason Arday, an autistic Sociologist who became Cambridge University's youngest black professor.
Jason Arday was unable to speak until he was 11 and could not read or write until he was 18. As a PE teacher in 2012, he wrote a list of goals he wanted to achieve. One of them was to be a professor at Oxford or Cambridge University.
Today on Ways To Change The World, Jason Arday tells Krishnan Guru-Murthy about his journey with Autism, learning to read and write at the age of 18, and why racial profiling is limiting people’s ability to achieve their dreams.
Produced by Silvia Maresca and Shaheen Sattar
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Sep 15, 2023
Poet Lemn Sissay on growing up in the care system, racism and finding his Ethiopian family
At 14, Lemn Sissay inked his initials into his hand with a homemade tattoo. He didn’t write LS, but NG, for Norman Greenwood, which he thought was his name. Except that it wasn’t. His real identity had been withheld from him since he was born.
Born in Wigan to an Ethiopian mother, Lemn Sissay was raised in care; first in a foster family and then, from the age of 12 to 18, in a string of children's homes, including the notorious Wood End assessment centre, where he was physically, emotionally and racially abused. Despite going on to become an award-winning and internationally acclaimed poet, the trauma of his harrowing childhood never left him, and has informed much of his work on and off the page.
Today on Ways to Change the World, he talks to Krishnan Guru-Murthy about growing up in the care system, finding his identity as a British and Ethiopian man, and why the care system in the UK is failing children in need.
Produced by Silvia Maresca
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Sep 8, 2023
Dawn Butler MP on white feminism, Sadiq Khan, and racism in Parliament
As the third Black woman ever to be elected as an MP, and then instated as a government Minister, Dawn Butler has been vocal on the disrespect that Black women face in politics.
As an outspoken campaigner herself, Butler was criticised in 2019 for calling Boris Johnson a liar in the House of Commons. She was subsequently asked to leave the Parliament grounds that day.
Whilst calling for the former Met Commissioner, Cressida Dick, to resign, she ironically found herself being stopped by the police whilst driving with her friend (who is also Black).
After facing a long battle with breast cancer in 2021, she found inspiration to write her first book, ‘A Purposeful Life’, where she draws on the repeated times she’s been called a liar after facing racism and sexism both in politics and outside of it.
In today’s episode of Ways to Change the World, Labour MP Dawn Butler speaks to Krishnan Guru-Murthy about calling Boris Johnson a liar in Parliament, white feminism in the Labour party (and at large) and her ambitions to be the next Mayor of London. Being a Black person in a white-dominated space, she also tells us why wearing a lime-green suit in a sea of grey-suits was her way of realising you don’t have to fit in.
Produced by Silvia Maresca
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Sep 1, 2023
Ice Cube on the police, AI and Black business
“The police haven’t changed,” says American rapper Ice Cube, marking 35 years since the release of the track “F*** Tha Police” that cemented his status in musical history alongside the hip hop group N.W. A.
Ice Cube is regarded by hip-hop critics and fans as one of the greatest and most influential rappers of all time. He was first famous for the N.W.A album, Straight Outta Compton, then became a solo artist, actor, producer and owner of a new basketball league, BIG3.
Today on Ways to Change The World, Ice Cube tells Krishnan Guru-Murthy about his journey through 50 years of Hip Hop, his thoughts on the American government and why he thinks AI is an existential threat.
Produced by Shaheen Sattar
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Aug 25, 2023
Activist Gina Martin on changing the law on upskirting, ‘boys will be boys’, and the impact of online abuse
Gina Martin is best known as the driving force behind the Voyeurism Act, which made upskirting, or the taking of pictures under a person’s clothing without permission, a criminal offence in England and Wales, after she was assaulted at a music festival.
The gender equality activist is now working to teach people how to challenge problematic statements such as ‘boys will be boys’ and ‘not all men’, and have constructive conversations on social justice issues.
Today on Ways to Change the World, Gina Martin tells Krishnan Guru-Murthy about the lessons she has learnt since changing the law on upskirting, the importance of trans voices, the online abuse she has received and why the conversation around masculinity needs to change.
Produced by Silvia Maresca
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Jul 21, 2023
Poet Ben Okri on disruptive climate protests and dreaming of Nigeria
‘This earth that we love is in grave danger because of us,’ reads the first line of Sir Ben Okri’s poem, ‘The Broken’.
The poet and Booker-prize winner, who has long been a vocal environmental activist, has seen the effects of the climate catastrophe firsthand, as a young boy growing up in Nigeria, but is optimistic that it’s not too late to reverse the damage that’s been done to our planet.
Today on Ways to Change the World, Ben Okri tells Krishnan Guru-Murthy about the urgent need for action on climate change, the importance of disruptive protests like Just Stop Oil, and why artists like him should use their voice to encourage people to rise up to the challenge.
Produced by Alice Wagstaffe and Silvia Maresca
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Jul 14, 2023
Syrian chef and refugee Imad Al Arnab on his journey from war-torn Syria to opening his dream restaurant in Soho
When he fled his war-torn hometown of Damascus, Imad Al Arnab spent three dangerous months smuggled in lorries trying to reach Europe. He arrived in the UK in the autumn of 2015 with a fake passport and just £12 in his pocket.
Now, the Syrian chef has opened his own restaurant in Soho, and written a cookbook that is as much a celebration of his homeland as a reflection of his experience as a refugee.
Today on Ways to Change the World, Imad Al Arnab joins Krishnan Guru-Murthy to talk about fleeing Syria and his journey from losing everything in the war to rebuilding a life in the UK.
Produced by Annie La Vespa, Silvia Maresca and Alice Wagstaffe
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Jul 7, 2023
Wes Streeting on child poverty, coming out, and how he would run the NHS
Brought up on a council estate in the East End of London, the son of a single mother whose own father was a bank robber and whose mother once shared a prison cell with Christine Keeler, Wes Streeting MP owes his life to a fry up.
His working class background and the challenges he experienced growing up in poverty now inform the Shadow Health Secretary’s mission in politics, to ensure others like him have similar opportunities.
Today on Ways to Change the World, Wes Streeting joins Krishnan Guru-Murthy to talk about his journey from a Stepney council estate to the Labour frontbench in Westminster, his optimism that poverty is a trap we can escape and his vision for an NHS ‘fit for the future’ on the eve of the 2024 UK general election.
Produced by Silvia Maresca
Warning: The following contains language that some viewers might find offensive
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Jun 30, 2023
Evgenia Kara-Murza on the fight to free Russia’s political prisoners and the dream of a democratic Russia
When Evgenia Kara-Murza and her husband Vladimir parted ways in April 2022, she had no idea that would be the last time they’d see each other.
Vladimir, a long-time Russian opposition activist, was arrested in Moscow later that month and is now serving 25 years in prison for his public criticism of President Vladimir Putin and Russia's war on Ukraine. Since then, Evgenia has taken up the mantle of his activism, travelling around the world to speak out against his detention and the crimes of Putin’s authoritarian regime.
Today on Ways to Change the World, Evgenia Kara-Murza joins Krishnan Guru-Murthy to talk about her fight to free Russia’s political prisoners, the toll Vladimir’s detention has taken on their family and whether she can envisage a future in a free, democratic Russia.
Produced by Silvia Maresca
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Jun 23, 2023
Barbara Kingsolver on America’s opioid crisis and classist attitudes to rural communities
For a generation growing up in the rural US state of Virginia, opioid addiction isn't an abstraction - it's neighbours, parents, and friends.
Writer Barbara Kingsolver wanted to give these ‘lost boys’ of Appalachia a voice; to tell the story of the children forced into a life of foster care because their parents are dead, in prison or too incapacitated by addiction.
Today on Ways to Change the World, the award-winning author joins Krishnan Guru-Murthy to talk about America’s opioid crisis, the devastating impact it has on rural communities and how she set out to write ‘the great Appalachian novel’, tracing back the steps of Charles Dickens.
Produced by Silvia Maresca
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Jun 16, 2023
Kamila Shamsie on "Googling while Muslim", Shamima Begum and the UK’s ‘racist’ immigration policy
In 1988, a 15-year-old Kamila Shamsie stayed up all night to watch Pakistan elect its first woman prime minister. Years later, and politics is still very much at the centre of the writer’s life – on and off the page.
The Pakistani / British writer has long been a vocal critic of the UK government’s immigration and civil rights policies, and yet she only felt able to write Home Fire – which offers a piercing critique of Islamophobia within the British political establishment – after she became a citizen of the country.
Today on Ways to Change the World, Kamila Shamsie joins Krishnan Guru-Murthy to discuss her Pakistani upbringing, how politics shaped her writing and her view of Suella Braverman’s ‘racist’ immigration policy.
Produced by Silvia Maresca and Alice Wagstaffe
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Jun 9, 2023
Chris van Tulleken on how our ultra-processed diet is killing us
What is ultra-processed food? And do we really know what it’s doing to our bodies, our health, and the planet?
Chris van Tulleken is a doctor and TV presenter who says most of the food that we eat isn’t really food. “Whether you're eating a burger, or a piece of fried chicken, or a breakfast cereal, there are illusions of texture. There will be little crunches and pops and snaps and greasy bits and dry bits and chewy bits. But it's all inhalably fast-to-eat and the hormones that tell you to stop just can't keep up.”
His latest book, ‘Ultra-Processed People’, explores how ultra-processed food is designed to fuel addiction and is creating an epidemic of diet-related disease.
Today, Chris joins Krishnan Guru-Murthy on Ways to Change the World to discuss the dangers of a UPF diet, and why urgent government regulation is needed.
Produced by Annie La Vespa, Freya Pickford and Alice Wagstaffe.
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Jun 2, 2023
Sadiq Khan on climate change, immigration and London’s policing crisis
Sadiq Khan has been the mayor of London since 2016, and he’s seeking a third term next year.
In today’s episode of Ways to Change the World, Sadiq talks to Krishnan about his new book, ‘Breathe’, in which explores why tackling the climate emergency has become his defining policy, as the mayor of London.
Sadiq also discusses the crisis of policing in London, the possibility of a Labour government in Downing Street and why the UK government should be allowing more migrants to move to London.
This podcast was recorded on June 24 2023.
Produced by: Freya Pickford
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May 26, 2023
Nick Cave on free speech, his religion, and finding - and defining - happiness
Nick Cave hates giving interviews. It’s the first thing he mentions in his new book, “Faith, Hope & Carnage”, which comprises a series of conversations between Cave and the writer Seán O’Hagan.
So it’s with some trepidation that Krishnan Guru-Murthy sits down with the post punk legend, to discuss the book, along with Cave’s attending the coronation, the tragic death of his son, his attitudes towards free speech and political correctness, and his journey to find - and define - happiness.
With thanks to the London Review Bookshop, where this interview was filmed.
Produced by Alice Wagstaffe.
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May 19, 2023
Suzanne Simmard on fungal networks, ‘Mother’ trees, and restoring our forests
When Suzanne Simard discovered that trees could communicate through underground networks of fungi in 1997, her work was largely dismissed.But today, as a Professor of Forest Ecology at the University of British Columbia, her work is recognised as pioneering within the scientific community.
In her book ‘Finding Mother Tree’, she explores how forests have ‘hub trees’ that play an important role in plant communication.In today’s episode of Ways to Change the World, Suzanne looks back at her work, and explains to Krishnan Guru-Murthy how it could help protect forests from climate change.
Produced by Imahn Robertson and Annie La Vespa.
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May 12, 2023
Azeem Rafiq on tackling racism in cricket, losing his son, and facing his own failures
In 2017, Azeem Rafiq’s world collapsed around him. He lost his baby son, and shortly after, the career that he had worked his entire life for, after he blew the whistle on racism and bullying at Yorkshire County Cricket Club. Azeem found himself at the centre of a long-running scandal which unlocked a long process which is now international.
In the years that followed, Rafiq’s grief, his battle with the club, and numerous allegations of poor behaviour against himself, saw him reach the lowest of lows - struggling for money, often staying in bed for days at a time.
Fast forward to 2023, Azeem has written a new book, “It’s Not Banter, It’s Racism: What Cricket’s Dirty Secret Reveals About Our Society”, and is looking ahead to a brighter future; hoping to get back into the game that he has devoted his life too, and campaigning for meaningful change in sport.
In today’s episode of Ways to Change the World, Azeem looks back at several years of pain and growth, and tells K…
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Apr 7, 2023
Actor Eddie Marsan on the struggles of being a working class actor and the tyranny of toxic masculinity
He is an actor who would be hard to typecast, but Eddie Marsan always plays the villain. “I think it has a lot to do with my upbringing”, he says, “there was a lot of violence, criminality and a lot of toxic masculinity.”
“I remember being afraid of white working class men. When you see Danny Dyer, Ray Winstone… they have an appeal to them, and I've never been able to do that. And it's because of my experience growing up within the white working class; there was always an element of fear.”
Today on Ways to Change the World, Eddie Marsan joins Krishnan Guru-Murthy to discuss his chaotic upbringing, lessons in Buddhist teachings, and how actors from privileged backgrounds can find success despite being “mediocre”.
Produced by Imahn Robertson
Warning: This episode contains offensive language
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Mar 31, 2023
Michael Balogun on finding his purpose in prison and the power of belief
“I don't think you can expect someone to change their life by putting them in a room and locking the door.” Michael Balogun might not believe that prison “helps” people to turn their life around, but it was undoubtedly his experience serving time that led him to where he is today - a star of the West End, currently appearing in a version of the Lehman Trilogy at the National Theatre.
But there’s more to Balogun than a zero to hero story; his is one of extraordinary resilience, the power of manifestation, and a chance encounter with someone who saw his potential that changed everything.
Michael Balogun joins Krishnan Guru-Murthy on Ways to Change the World to discuss how he turned his life around through acting, and why the power of your thoughts matter.
Produced by: Imahn Robertson
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Mar 24, 2023
Gary Younge on race, Rwanda and a lifetime of writing about Black life
“On the television, they were saying we were thieves, that we were raised with no morals”. Growing up Black in 1970s Britain, writer Gary Younge didn’t feel fully accepted - he didn’t even feel British. “Someone would go, “it’s cold today isn’t it, I bet it’s not like this where you come from,” and you’d be like, "I come from just down the road mate!”
His latest book, Dispatches from the Diaspora, looks at a lifetime of writing about Black life, spanning a 30-year career, based in Britain and America, that goes from Mandela to Obama and from Stormzy to Black Lives Matter.
He joins Krishnan Guru-Murthy on Ways to Change the World to discuss significant events that have impacted the Black diaspora, his mother’s influence and what he can teach the next generation of journalists.
Produced by: Imahn Robertson
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Mar 17, 2023
Mariana Mazzucato on how governments can take back control of their contracts
How can the government attract the country’s best minds to work for them? How do we know when a private sector contract is a good one? And what can we learn from NASA about business and efficiency?
Mariana Mazzucato is a professor of Economics at the University College London and an advisor to many governments. In her latest book, ‘The Big Con’, she looks at the relationship between the consulting industry and government, and the way business and governments are run, and plans executed.
She joins Krishnan Guru-Murthy on Ways to Change the World to discuss how economic theory can streamline everything from school lunches to handling a pandemic, and the link between knife crime and the economy.
Produced by Imahn Robertson and Ka Yee Mak
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Mar 10, 2023
Peter Frankopan on how humans have shaped the planet and how we’ll destroy ourselves
“We're the only species who have worked out to blow up everything and kill everyone”. In his latest book, The Earth Transformed, Peter Frankopan takes on the entirety of the history of planet earth, and looks at how our lives have been shaped by environmental changes since the dawn of our planet, 4.5 billion years ago, until the present day. He tackles the transformation of the earth, teasing apart the connection between humans and climate, explaining how “we are the product of massive climate change in the past”, and looks ahead to crises anew.
In this episode of Ways to Change the World, Peter Frankopan sits down with Krishnan Guru-Murthy to discuss how humans have impacted the world, the existential threat posed by nuclear war and global superpowers, and what happens “when the music stops”.
Produced by: Imahn Robertson
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Mar 3, 2023
Simon Le Bon on the secret to Duran Duran’s success and why the band shy away from politics
He’s the frontman of one of the most iconic bands of the 80s.
Four decades on, Simon Le Bon says that New Wave legends Duran Duran are still going strong, making new music and announcing that they’re going on tour again. In today’s episode of Ways to Change the World, Simon Le Bon sits down with Krishnan Guru-Murthy to discuss why the band doesn't make political statements, the state of the music industry, and the secret to Duran Duran’s longevity.
Produced by : Imahn Robertson
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Feb 24, 2023
Sebastian Payne on centre-right ideas and Britain’s political future
Sebastian Payne is an author and the Director of centre-right think tank Onward, where he explores the bigger problems and challenges facing Britain today.
He recently left his post as Whitehall Editor of the Financial Times, where he spent years navigating the corridors of Parliament, detangling the latest scandals and finding out what politics really means for people up and down the country. His childhood, growing up in Gateshead, influenced him to write one of his books, ‘Broken Heartlands’, and he went on to write ‘The Fall of Boris Johnson’, charting the former PM’s final weeks in office.
In today’s Ways to Change the World, Sebastian Payne sits down with Krishnan Guru-Murthy to discuss Brexit, Boris, and what we can expect from the next general election.
Produced by Imahn Robertson.
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Feb 17, 2023
Baaba Maal on the power of music and the future of Africa
“I’m a nomadic person, I don’t want to stay in one place”. When Baaba writes his music, he takes inspiration from the places he visits. “When I started travelling, I came to London, I bought cassettes, I appreciated different people. And when I got a chance to meet them, we sat down and wrote songs”. But no matter how much Baaba has travelled, and to where, he always brings his music “back home to Podor, Senegal”.
Baaba has released his first solo album in seven years, ‘Being’, which is inspired by working on the soundtrack to Black Panther and the issues facing the world today, including climate change and desertification in African countries. In today’s Ways to Change the World, Baaba sits down with Krishnan Guru-Murthy to discuss the power of music and why we are all politicians in our own way when it comes to helping the world.
Produced by: Imahn Robertson and Alice Wagstaffe
Music credits:
Wakanda by Ludwig Göransson ft. Baaba Maal - Hollywood Records
Y…
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Feb 3, 2023
Cariad Lloyd on coping with grief and finding humour in death
“I was thinking about all my friends who launched a podcast and I thought, “if I had a podcast. I'd just talk to people about death. That's a terrible idea”.” When Cariad Lloyd’s father died of cancer when she was 15, she was angry, “for, probably, 10 years”. But later in life, she found herself wanting to share her experience of grief, and started the award-winning podcast Griefcast.
Cariad has now written a book, ‘You Are Not Alone’, which delves into her own experience of grief, and what she has learned from her hundreds of podcast guests. In today’s Ways to Change the World, Cariad sits down with Krishnan Guru-Murthy to discuss dying, death, grief, and what comes next.
Produced by Imahn Robertson
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Jan 27, 2023
Jyoti Patel on identity, belonging, and how to ask someone the question: “Where are you from?”
“I didn't write this book to be hugely sellable, hugely commercial - I wrote it because it’s a story that I felt needed to be told.”
Jyoti Patel’s debut novel, ‘The Things That We Lost’ is the story of a British Gujarati mother and son discovering how they fit into the world and learning how to balance the Gujarati and British sides of their identities.
The book earnt Jyoti the Merky Books New Writers Prize 2021, a competition launched by Stormzy and Penguin House UK to discover unpublished and underrepresented writers.
In this episode, Jyoti joins Krishnan to talk about feeling othered, why her book is written in the voice of a young man, and how to ask someone the question, “where are you from?”
Produced by: Imahn Robertson
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Jan 20, 2023
Frances O’Grady on strikes, single parents and the trade union movement
Frances O’Grady stepped down as the General Secretary of British Trades Union Congress at the end of 2022. She was the first woman to hold the post in TUC’s 154-year history.
She is now a Labour peer in the House of Lords where she is committed to abolishing the unelected chamber.
She joins Krishnan to talk about the history of the trade union movement, why she thinks workers are going on strike and what the government should be doing to support them and support for single parents.
Produced by : Imahn Robertson
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Jan 13, 2023
Rick Rubin on working with Run DMC, The Strokes, Slayer and Johnny Cash and how to be an artist
Rick Rubin is the legendary music producer who founded Def Jam records, one of the most important hip hop labels of the 80s.
He has won nine Grammy awards and worked with some of the biggest artists of our time, to name but a few: Jay Z, the Red Hot Chilli Peppers, The Strokes, Adele, Run DMZ and Slayer.
He joins Krishnan to talk about his incredible career, as well as the launch of his new book ‘The Creative Act’.
Produced by: Joe Lord Jones and Nina Hodgson
Music Credits:
Superrappin’ - Grandmaster Flash, Melle Mel, and The Furious Five
Label: Enjoy Records
Producer – Bobby Robinson
It's Yours - T La Rock
Artists: Jazzy Jay and T La Rock
Label: Def Jam Recordings
Producer Rick Rubin
Feel the Heartbeat - Treacherous Three
Label: Enjoy Records
Producer – Bobby Robinson
The Big Beat - Label: Capitol Records
Producer – Eddy Offord
The Adults Are Talking - The Strokes
Label: RCA AND Cult Records
Producer – Rick Rubin
Angel of Death Slayer
Label: Geffen R…
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Dec 23, 2022
Ways to Change the World with Chatbot GPT
ChatbotGPT is a new artificial intelligence programme designed to simulate human conversation and tackle complex questions.
It's made by Open AI foundation, a tech-startup co-founded by Elon Musk, and it draws on text taken from a variety of sources on the internet and its creators say it has learned how to answer academic questions, and even sometimes admits when it's wrong. We've done an interview by putting questions to the chatbot, and then generating a voice for it using different software.
We asked the Chatbot GPT whether fears about A.I. threatening the human race are well-founded.
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Dec 16, 2022
Nouriel Roubini on the ‘megathreats’ to our global economy, how to stop them and his nickname Dr Doom
Nouriel Roubini is an economist, a professor in New York, a global economic consultant and an author who, amongst many distinguishing things, was one of those who foresaw the 2008 credit crunch and financial crisis.
His latest work is called ‘Megathreats’, and it details 10 trends that make it more likely than not that we are heading for a global economic crash of stagnant growth, debt crises and high inflation that will cause decades of dystopian suffering and injustice. No wonder they call him Dr. Doom.
In this episode, Nouriel joins Krishnan to talk about climate change, job-displacing artificial intelligence and our future.
Produced by: Imahn Robertson
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Dec 9, 2022
George Takei on being sent to an internment camp, Star Trek and hiding his sexuality.
George Takei is an actor, activist and author, best known for his role of Lieutenant Sulu in Star Trek.
Imprisoned as a child in the United States for being of Japanese origin, he campaigns for gay and immigrant rights. He brings his award-winning broadway musical ‘Allegiance’ to London, which is inspired by his own memories of growing up in a Japanese internment camp.
George joins Krishnan to tell his extraordinary story, from childhood to stardom and his mission to raise awareness about his life.
Produced by: Imahn Robertson
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Dec 2, 2022
Rosie Holt on being a Twitter comic, women in media and why we should laugh at things that make us angry
Rosie Holt has become famous on Twitter, where she reinvented herself via satirical videos; A conversative MP and right-wing activist who many mistake for being real.
In this episode Rosie joins Krishnan to discuss life as a social media sensation, women in media and why we should laugh at things that make us angry.
Produced by: Imahn Robertson
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Nov 25, 2022
Clint Dyer on dealing with dyslexia, racism, his admiration for Shakespeare and his vision for directing
Clint Dyer is an actor, writer and director who has turned his pain into power. That power has resulted in numerous ‘firsts’, the first Black British artist to have performed, written and directed a full-scale production at the National Theatre and the first Black man to direct a Shakespeare tragedy at a major British venue.
In this episode, Clint joins Krishnan to discuss theatrical traditions, his vision to articulate the Black experience and his new history-making production of Shakespeare’s tragedy Othello.
Warning: this podcast contains references to racist language
Produced by : Imahn Robertson
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Nov 18, 2022
Julian Lennon on his identity, the Beatles and his life outside of music
Julian Lennon is a singer-songwriter, who rose to fame for the Beatles song Hey Jude, which was written after his parents John and Cynthia Lennon separated.
In this episode, Julian joins Krishnan to speak about his seventh album Jude, emotion in songwriting, dealing with depression and the importance of relearning his old material.
While Julian has received platinum success for his music, he has also pursued other endeavours. The multi-faceted singer-songwriter discusses his work as a photographer, filmmaker, author and his foundation called The White Feather Foundation.
Produced by Ka Yee Mak
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Nov 11, 2022
Rob Delaney on the loss of his son, supporting the NHS and swimming
Rob Delaney is a comedian, actor and writer, best known for co-creating the British sitcom Catastrophe, which won him a Bafta for comedy writing.
But during the height of his success, he learnt that his son, Henry, was dying of a brain tumour. He’s written a book about it in which he grapples with the fragility of life, the mysteries of death, and the question of purpose for those left behind.
In this episode, Rob joins Krishnan to talk about his new book, ‘A Heart That Works’ and why he felt it was important to tell his family’s story.
Produced by : Imahn Robertson and Nina Hodgson
Photo Credit: Southbank Centre
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Oct 14, 2022
Orhan Pamuk on authoritarianism and pandemics, his new novel and Salman Rushdie’s attack
Orhan Pamuk is a renowned Turkish Nobel Prize winning author.
He is one of Turkey’s most acclaimed writers and has been openly critical of laws which curtail freedom of expression, particularly those which make it illegal to criticise Turkish President Recep Erdogan.
He joins Krishnan to talk about his new book, ‘Nights of Plague’, why he believes pandemics fuel authoritarianism and how he became an author.
Produced by : Joe Lord-Jones
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Oct 7, 2022
Marina Hyde on British politics, Brexit and her new book
Marina Hyde is a columnist at the Guardian, where she’s worked for over 20 years.
She is one of the most admired journalists in the UK and known for her witty analysis of politics and the chaotic times we live in.
She joins to talk about her new book ‘What Just Happened?!’, an amalgamation of the columns she writes for the Guardian. It spans post-referendum politics in Britain, from David Cameron to Theresa May, to Boris Johnson.
Marina also talks about how she became a journalist, the state of British politics and what’s next in her career.
Produced by Freya Pickford
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Sep 30, 2022
Gaia Vince on how to manage climate change migration
Gaia Vince is a science and environment journalist and author.
She has written extensively about the impact human life has had on our planet.
In this episode, Gaia joins Krishnan to talk about her new book, Nomad Century, in which she takes a look at how migration could be the solution to the climate crisis.
Produced by : Joe Lord-Jones
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Sep 23, 2022
Auschwitz survivor Tova Friedman on escaping death, struggling with God and taking her story to TikTok
Tova Friedman was one of the youngest survivors of the Auschwitz death camp.
Her family came from Poland, went through various concentration camps, and ended up in Auschwitz. But remarkably, both her, her mother and father survived.
She has written an extraordinary memoir called The Daughter of Auschwitz, together with the journalist Malcolm Brabant.
Tova joins Krishnan with her grandson Aron, who is taking her story to a new generation through the medium of TikTok.
Krishnan talks to Tova about what she remembers of her time in Auschwitz, her views on God and what she wants the world to learn from her story.
Producers: Freya Pickford and Rachel Evans
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Sep 16, 2022
Edward Enninful on his career as the editor of British Vogue, being a refugee and the war on woke
Edward Enninful is the editor of British Vogue and European editorial director of Condé Nast.
Krishnan talks to him about what it’s like to be a refugee in the UK, having moved to London from Ghana at a young age.
They also discuss Enninful’s new book, ‘A Visible Man’, what he thinks of Liz Truss and how he’s changed Vogue to be representative of all women.
Producer: Freya Pickford
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Sep 2, 2022
Dave Stewart on meeting Annie Lennox, Eurythmics and his new album
Dave Stewart is a musician, who rose to fame after forming the iconic British pop duo, Eurythmics, alongside Annie Lennox.
Krishnan talks to him about his latest solo album, Ebony McQueen, which has drawn heavily on the blues he heard growing up in Sunderland, as he tells the story of his life through the songs.
Ebony McQueen is a 26 track epic, which will also become a film, featuring a fictional “voodoo queen” who visits a boy very much in need of the blues.
Producer: Joe Lord-Jones
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Aug 26, 2022
Deborah Meaden on the cost of living crisis, why she hated school and how Dragons’ Den has transformed the business world
Deborah Meaden is a successful businesswoman, entrepreneur and star of the TV show Dragons’ Den.
She talks to Krishnan about her worries about the British economy, how Dragons’ den has transformed the world of business and why she has been talking about protecting the environment for decades.
Producer: Rachel Evans
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Aug 12, 2022
Tom Daley on LGBTQ+ inclusion in sport, trans rights and being a gay parent
Tom Daley is an Olympic Gold Medallist, sports personality, campaigner and knitter.
We recently saw him at the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Games as a flag bearer, bearing the Progress Pride flag with LGBTQ+ athletes across the commonwealth.
Krishnan talks to Tom about why he is fighting for LGBTQ+ inclusion in sports, his views on trans athlete participation and what it’s been like for him being a gay parent in the UK.
Warning: contains distressing themes.
Sources: BBC
Produced by: Rachel Evans
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Jul 29, 2022
Michael Pollan on his belief that using psychedelics can cure mental health issues
Michael Pollan is one of TIME magazine’s top 50 most influential people in the US, he is a reporter, writer and psychonaut.
His books The Omnivore’s Dilemma and The Botany of Desire questions the way the world thinks about food and he is now doing the same for psychedelics and psychoactive plants. His book How To Change Your Mind and a new Netflix series by the same name explore his belief that Psychedelics are the tool to understanding the mind.
Produced by: Nina Hodgson
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Jul 22, 2022
Steve Thompson on his early-onset dementia, his new book and how rugby changed his life
Steve Thompson is a former England rugby player and he played in every England match during the 2003 Rugby World Cup.
But today, age 43, Steve remembers nothing about that final. And in 2020 he was diagnosed with early-onset dementia - and probable chronic traumatic encephalopathy.
In today’s episode Krishnan talks to him about his diagnosis, the impact it’s had on his mental health and his memoir, ‘Unforgettable’.
if you have been affected by any of the issues covered in that report, you can find a range of places to seek help by visiting channel4.com/support
Produced by: Joe Lord-Jones and Freya Pickford
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Jul 15, 2022
US Air Force Chief General CQ Brown Jr. on the Ukraine war, BLM and Top Gun
General Charles Q Brown Jr. is the chief of staff of the US Air Force.
Krishnan talks to him about how the war in Ukraine has changed the way he thinks about defending the US, why he joined the US Air Force and whether he thinks anything has changed in America since the death of George Floyd.
Producer: Freya Pickford
Sources: Pacific Air Forces/ Mentorship Moment
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Jul 8, 2022
Asma Khan on her female run restaurant Darjeeling Express and discrimination in hospitality
Asma Khan is a world-renowned restaurateur and cookbook author who runs London restaurant Darjeeling Express with its kitchen entirely staffed by women.
After two years at her current location in Covent Garden, she has moved on, but she’s struggling to find another place for her restaurant. She blames discrimination in what she called the ‘all white, Mayfair, men only club’ of the hospitality industry.
She joined Krishnan to talk about where her love of cooking real Indian food came from, finding a new home for her restaurant, and writing her recent cookbook for her mother.
Produced by : Nina Hodgson
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Jul 1, 2022
Ukrainian MP Lesia Vasylenko on her work, how the war might end and Russian war tactics
Lesia Vasylenko is a Ukrainian politician and human rights lawyer.
Since the war in Ukraine began, we’ve spoken to her many times on Channel 4 News, but she joins Krishnan to talk about what it was like to have to send her children to another country when the war in Ukraine began. She also discusses her first impression of President Zelenskyy and how she believes this war might end.
Produced by : Freya Pickford
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Jun 24, 2022
Leila Mottley on writing her bestselling novel at 17, police brutality in America and the way the world treats Black girls
Leila Mottley has only just turned 20 and she is already a New York Times Bestseller and the youngest person to make Oprah Winfrey’s book club. Her first book, which she started writing one month before her 17th birthday, has received rave reviews from critics.
She joins Krishnan to talk about all the themes her novel, Nightcrawling, takes in; racism, sexism, poverty, injustice, police abuse of power.
Produced by : Nina Hodgson
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Jun 17, 2022
‘Don’t treat those who disagree with you as your enemy’ - Archbishop Justin Welby
Justin Welby has been the Archbishop of Canterbury since 2013. Before he began training for ministry in 1989, Archbishop Justin worked in the oil industry for 11 years.
His new book, The Power of Reconciliation encourages peacebuilding at all levels, turning the abstract idea of reconciliation into something that can be done throughout life.
Krishnan joined the Archbishop at Lambeth Palace to talk about what reconciliation is, and how we can use it to approach wars, culture wars and personal conflicts as well as what the role of church is in a time of war.
Produced by: Freya Pickford and Rachel Evans
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Jun 10, 2022
Lethal Bizzle on racism, crypto and grime
Our guest this week is Lethal Bizzle. He’s a rapper and entrepreneur with Ghanaian heritage, who originally hails from Walthamstow.
He’s one of the founding fathers of Grime who got into a very public spat with David Cameron when he was prime minister about whether the music genre glorified violence.
He talks to Krishnan about how he started out in music, crypto and his new album, ‘Lethal B Vs Lethal Bizzle’.
Produced by : Freya Pickford
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Jun 3, 2022
Geoff Norcott on being a conservative comedian, the culture war and why politicians shouldn’t be on Twitter
Geoff Norcott is a writer, activist and comedian.
As a rare right-winger, Geoff is a unique voice in British comedy operating outside the usual comedic commentary on social issues and politics.
Geoff talks to Krishnan about how politics doesn’t have to be all about ‘punching up’, why he’s had enough of ‘the culture war’ and his thoughts on the importance of having class diversity in the media.
Produced by: Rachel Evans
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May 6, 2022
Denzel Curry on police brutality, overcoming trauma and the power of martial arts
Denzel Curry is an American rapper and artist. He is brutally honest in his music about very personal topics such as his own mental health and his approach to policing and racism in America.
Krishnan talks to Denzel about how he’s overcome trauma, his attitudes towards police brutality and why he thinks the music industry needs to become more collaborative.
Warning: This episode contains very strong language and very adult themes
Produced by: Rachel Evans
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Apr 29, 2022
Sarah Brown on her daughter’s death, the importance of educating all children and her time at Downing Street
Sarah Brown is the Chair of Theirworld. Their mission is to end the global education crisis. She’s also the Executive Chair for the Global Business Coalition for Education.
She joins Krishnan to talk about Theirworld’s work and how they are helping Ukrainian children. She also speaks about her experience of losing her daughter, Jennifer, and her time at Downing Street.
Producer: Freya Pickford
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Apr 22, 2022
Bill Browder on his life as a target of Putin, if sanctions can stop the war and the legacy of Sergei Magnitsky
Bill Browder was one of the biggest foreign investors in Russia until 2005 when he was kicked out of the country. He is now known for being one of Vladimir Putin’s fiercest critics.
He joins Krishnan to talk about his new book called Freezing Order - in which he details his mission to pursue justice for his lawyer and friend Sergei Magnitsky who died in a Russian jail.
Produced by: Nina Hodgson
Photo credit: Luke MacGregor
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Apr 15, 2022
Vanessa Nakate on the climate crisis, online abuse and racism in the media
Vanessa Nakate is a Ugandan climate activist who has quickly become a prominent and formidable voice in the climate change movement.
She recently published her book ‘A Bigger Picture: My Fight to Bring a New African Voice to the Climate Crisis’.
Krishnan spoke to her about why she became a climate activist, racism and online abuse she has experienced.
Produced by : Freya Pickford
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Apr 8, 2022
Ai Weiwei on China and the West, his father’s exile and if democracy really exists
Chinese dissident Ai Weiwei is a world-famous artist and activist.
Krishnan speaks to him about China’s relationship with the West, his father’s exile and whether democracy really exists.
His new exhibition, The Liberty of Doubt, is currently on display at Kettle’s Yard gallery in Cambridge.
Produced by: Freya Pickford
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Apr 1, 2022
Francis Fukuyama on the war in Ukraine, liberalism and democracies under threat
Francis Fukuyama is a political scientist and professor at Stanford University.
Francis is known for his book, 'The End of History and the Last Man', but he recently published a new book 'Liberalism and its Discontents’.
He joins Krishnan to talk about the war in Ukraine, liberalism and whether democracy is under threat in today’s world.
Producer: Freya Pickford
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Mar 25, 2022
Angela Davis on socialism, how change happens and growing up in segregated Alabama
Angela Davis grew up in segregated Alabama and became a world renowned political thinker, activist, author and academic.
Her involvement with a politically distorted murder trial sent her into hiding, becoming one of the FBI’s most wanted. She spent 18 months in jail before she was acquitted of all charges.
She returned to teaching, writing a series of seminal books on social justice and equality. She joined Krishnan to talk about Socialism, how change happens, and her life.
Produced by: Shaheen Sattar and Nina Hodgson
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Mar 18, 2022
Tom Tugendhat on the war in Ukraine, his time in the military and his ambition to run for PM
Our guest this week is Conservative MP and Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee, Tom Tugendhat.
Tom talks to Krishnan about Russia's invasion of Ukraine, his plans to run for Prime Minister and his time serving in the military during the Iraq war and war in Afghanistan.
Produced by : Freya Pickford
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Mar 11, 2022
Isabel Allende on her life as a refugee, the decline of the West and war being a male construct
Isabel Allende has been called “the world’s most widely read Spanish-language author”, known for titles such as 'The House of the Spirits' and 'City of the Beasts'. Her books often put women at the centre, paying homage to some incredible female characters.
Her new book, ‘Violeta’ is written as a letter from a grandmother to her grandson. Violeta, the narrator, was inspired by Isabel’s own recently deceased mother.
Isabel talks to Krishnan about being a life-long feminist, her hopes for a post-pandemic world and her own experience of being a refugee during the civil war in Chile.
Producer: Rachel Evans
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Mar 4, 2022
Adam McKay on his new movie Don’t Look Up, the climate crisis and the state of US politics
Adam McKay is an Oscar-winning writer, director and comedian. He is the man behind a whole string of movies including Vice, The Big Short, Anchorman and Talladega Nights.
His most recent film, Don’t Look Up, is a satirical movie about a comet hurtling toward Earth and is a metaphor for climate change, and has been nominated for four BAFTAs and four Oscars. It has also recorded the highest viewing in a week in Netflix history.
Adam speaks to Krishnan about his fears for the future of our planet, if world leaders and fossil fuel companies fail to take proper action now. He also discusses the state of US politics, his ideas for his next movie and the possibility of working with Will Ferrell again.
Produced by: Freya Pickford
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Jan 21, 2022
Ruby Wax on why we are more "frazzled" than ever, re-visiting her past interviews and her closure with Louis Theroux
Ruby Wax is an an actress, a comedian, a script writer and was a star on television through the 1990s, doing some of the most high profile celebrity interviews of all time.
She is also an author and her most recent book 'And Now for the Good News' chronicles her experiences meeting inspiring people who are spearheading the latest innovation and influencing a brighter future for humanity
Krishnan speaks to Ruby about her techniques for coping in a "frazzled" world and how speaking to Louis Theroux has given her closure in her life.
Produced by: Rachel Evans
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Jan 14, 2022
Rosie Jones on being a disabled, gay, northern woman in comedy
Rosie Jones is a comedian, writer, actor and broadcaster known for appearing on programmes like 8 Out Of 10 Cats and The Last Leg.
She speaks to Krishnan about getting into comedy, diversity in the media and making the world a better place for disabled people.
Produced by : Nina Hodgson
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Jan 7, 2022
Lin-Manuel Miranda on Jonathan Larson’s legacy, diversity in the arts and where America is now
Lin-Manuel Miranda is a theatre composer, writer and actor, who has made his directorial debut with Tick Tick...Boom!, the story of Broadway composer Jonathan Larson and his struggles as an artist before he wrote the world-renowned musical, Rent.
Lin-Manuel is best known for his Pulitzer Prize, Tony and Emmy award-winning musical, Hamilton, which remains one of the most popular musicals on Broadway and the West End today.
He speaks to Krishnan about Jonathan Larson’s influence on him as a writer, the Hamilton years and how he sees America now.
Tick, Tick...Boom! is available on Netflix now
This episode was recorded in December 2021.
Produced by: Faye White and Max Velody
Sources: Netflix, New York City Center/Encores! Off-Center, Warner Bros. Pictures, Disney+, Atlantic Records/WEA International Inc.
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Dec 24, 2021
Jon Snow on his life, finding a sense of right and wrong and always seeking the truth
Jon Snow has spent almost all his adult life trying to make the world a better place as a volunteer, giving public service and as a journalist.
He joins Krishnan to talk about finding his sense of right and wrong, going to Uganda for voluntary service, his life in broadcasting and his advice for young journalists.
Produced by: Nina Hodgson
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Dec 17, 2021
Paul Chowdhry on making family-friendly comedy in a cancel culture age and diversity in the media
Paul Chowdhry is a no holds barred comedian who sold out Wembley with his ‘Live Innit’ stand-up tour making him the first British Asian comedian to do so. Paul is now on tour with his new show, ‘Family Friendly Comedian’, hoping that this style of comedy won't get him cancelled. He speaks to Krishnan about how comedy has evolved, creating stand-up material in a cancel culture age and diversity in the media.
Warning: This episode contains language some might find distressing
Producer: Fola Olorunselu
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Dec 10, 2021
Pauline Campbell on the Windrush scandal, changing your career late in life and racism in Britain today
Pauline Cambell is an award winning local government lawyer who supervises The Windrush Justice Clinic, providing free legal advice and preparing compensation claims for victims of the Windrush scandal.
She’s written a new book ‘Rice & Peas and Fish & Chips’ a part memoir, part commentary on what it means to be British as a first-generation immigrant child of Caribbean parents.
In this week’s Ways to Change the World, Pauline talks to Krishnan about her work, how she became a lawyer at the age of 39 and tackling racism in Britain today.
Produced by: Freya Pickford
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Dec 3, 2021
Sir Roger Penrose on being a nobel prize winning Physicist, impossible art and AI
Sir Roger Penrose, a mathematical physicist who has changed the way we see the universe. He won the Nobel Prize for Physics in 2020 for his work on black holes.
He tells Krishnan about how he wasn’t top of the class in maths at school, talks about his relationships with Steven Hawking and MC Escher and tells Krishnan why he thinks Artificial Intelligence is a misnomer.
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Nov 26, 2021
Benjamin Bratton on why Covid should change the way we think and on why he hates Ted talks
Benjamin Bratton is a sociologist, design theorist and author. He perhaps is most known for his TED talk, 'What's wrong with TED Talks?'
His most recent book, 'The Revenge of the Real: Politics for a Post-Pandemic' world discusses the lessons he says that we can learn from our experiences with Covid-19 politically, culturally and technologically.
Benjamin talks to Krishnan about 'that' Ted talk, why he thinks we need a new language and why he thinks universal collaboration is of utmost importance.
Producer: Rachel Evans
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Nov 19, 2021
Jools Holland on his old friend the piano, his dancing dog and inventing punk piano
Jools Holland is a world-renowned musician, composer, broadcaster, band leader and host of Later with Jools Holland and the Hootenanny.
He tells Krishnan all about how the piano changed his life, sparking a lifelong love affair with music and tells him about how his dancing dog inspired a track on his new album.
Producer: Nina Hodgson
Credit for Clips: East West Records
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Nov 15, 2021
Nish Kumar on political comedy, mental health and leaving The Mash Report
Comedian Nish Kumar is best known for his five years at the helm of BBC Two's The Mash Report.
The show was cancelled by the BBC earlier this year and moved to Dave under a new name - Late Night Mash.
But in an act of "self-cancellation", Kumar stepped down as its host and is touring with his new show, Control, in 2022.
He speaks to Krishnan about leaving The Mash Report, seeking professional help for his mental health and sexism in comedy.
Producer: Faye White
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Nov 5, 2021
Steven Pinker on rationality during an epidemic of unreason, teaching tools of reason and debating an irrational people
Steven Pinker, an experimental cognitive scientist and professor of psychology at Harvard. He has been named by Time Magazine as one of the 100 most influential people in the world today.
He joins Krishnan to discuss his new book, ‘Rationality: What It Is, Why It Seems scarce, Why It Matters’ which is billed as a user's guide to rationality during an epidemic of unreason.
Producer: Nina Hodgson
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Oct 29, 2021
Yuval Noah Harari on the origins of racism, the future of Israel and the dangers of AI
Yuval Noah Harari is one of the world's most famous public intellectuals, historians and writers. He is probably most famous for his book 'Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind'.
His most recent book, 'Sapiens: A Graphic History, Volume 2: The Pillars of Civilization' has just been published and offers a different way of telling the story of humankind for a younger audience.
Yuval talks to Krishnan about where racism comes from, what the recipe for a dictatorship is and why we should be very careful about how we used artificial intelligence.
Producer: Rachel Evans
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Oct 22, 2021
Shon Faye on the liberation of transgender people, the problems with the trans ‘debate’ and choosing to save her own life
Shon Faye is a writer, comedian and podcaster who had an instant Sunday Times Bestseller with her debut book The Transgender Issue - An Argument for Justice, making her the first trans person to be a bestseller since 1974.
Shon’s new book is a detailed overview of the systemic violence and discrimination trans people face in Britain today. From access to healthcare, to poverty and homelessness, Shon outlines what it will take for trans people to achieve true liberation.
She talks to Krishnan about how the liberation of Trans people would benefit everyone in society, the problems with the ‘debate’ about Trans people in the media and how transitioning saved her life.
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Oct 15, 2021
Steve Van Zandt on being Bruce Springsteen's right-hand man, The Beatles and his disillusion with American politics
Steve Van Zandt is an American musician, actor and activist. He is best known as a member of Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band and for his role in the TV drama series, The Sopranos.
His new book, Unrequited Infatuations, tells the story of his journey from Surburban New Jersey in the early '60s to performing on some of the world's largest stages and using rock and soul to change the world.
Steve talks top Krishnan about how The Beatles had a profound effect on the course of his career and how he has used his music to influence politics and social affairs.
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Oct 8, 2021
Lady Hale on the historical prorogation case, widening access to the law and whether we should televise court cases
Lady Brenda Hale is a British judge, who was the first female president of the Supreme Court from 2017 to 2020.
Her new book, 'Spider Woman', which refers to the famous spider broach she wore when reading the judgement that ruled Boris Johnson's prorogation of parliament unlawful, tells the story of her accomplished life.
Lady Hale speaks to Krishnan about that famous judicial moment, the challenges she has faced in her career and the need to widen access to justice.
Producer: Rachel Evans
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Oct 1, 2021
Indra Nooyi on being the former CEO of PepsiCo, women in business and working from home
Indra Nooyi is the former chairman and CEO of PepsiCo. She was perhaps the first of the Indian Americans to start taking over the big American giants.
Her new book, My Life in Full: Work, Family and Our Future explores her journey to becoming one of the world's most powerful women.
She talks to Krishnan about how working from home has revolutionised the relationship between women and work and the importance of business in politics.
Producer: Rachel Evans
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Sep 24, 2021
Jay Rayner on the politics of food, restaurant culture and the supply chain crisis
Jay Rayner is a journalist, food critic and author, best known for his entertaining food and drink criticism and gastronomic publications.
His latest book, Chewing the Fat, is a collection of some of his columns, digging deep into the world of food.
In this Ways to Change the World he talks to Krishnan about how politics and culture reflect and influence our eating habits - and reveals his lesser-known love and talent for jazz music.
Producer: Rachel Evans
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Sep 17, 2021
KAMILLE on fame, self-image, and Black women in music
KAMILLE is an award-winning songwriter who has written hits for artists including Little Mix, Stormzy and The Saturdays.
She has now become an artist in her own right, with her single Sad Party, and is one of the stars of Channel 4's new docu-series, Highlife.
KAMILLE speaks to Krishnan about leaving her finance career to write top 20s for some of the world's most famous artists and the reality of being a Black woman in the music industry today.
Producers: Rachel Evans and Faye White
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Sep 10, 2021
Carl Cox on over 30 years of DJ'ing, the British rave scene and performing in Parliament
Carl Cox is one of the original superstar DJs of the 80s and 90s. He helped bring acid house from the warehouses of Chicago to British raves, the unregulated party scene, then festivals and clubs. And he's still going.
His new book 'Oh Yes, oh yes!' chronicles his life from a scaffolder in the south London suburbs to one of the true pioneers of UK club culture.
He talks to Krishnan about how his craft has evolved of the decades, his concerns for the British entertainment industry and how he nearly gave up on his career after a terrifying experience.
Producer: Rachel Evans
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Jul 23, 2021
KSI on his journey from YouTube to the music charts, boxing and charity
KSI, otherwise known as 'JJ', became famous on YouTube nearly a decade ago with millions now subscribing to his channel. Since then, he has become well-known as a signer, a rapper and even a boxer.
Krishnan speaks to him about his career as a musician, how boxing has helped him and how he deals with racism in the industry.
Producer: Rachel Evans
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Jul 16, 2021
Andy Burnham on devolution, culture wars and why Westminster needs an overhaul
Andy Burnham has held many senior cabinet positions and stood for the Labour leadership twice, before leaving Westminster and becoming Mayor of Greater Manchester in 2017.
Now serving his second term as Mayor, his profile grew over the past year as he fought for his position and challenged the government on imposing the highest tier Covid restrictions in the north west of England.
Andy speaks to Krishnan about his experience leaving the north for Cambridge university, why he feels devolution is the way forward for the UK and how he thinks Westminster needs to change.
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Jul 9, 2021
George Packer on the future of America, the language of patriotism and how Biden avoids culture wars
George Packer is a writer for The Atlantic and author of many books on American politics and foreign policy.
His new book 'Last Best Hope' is an essay on the crisis and revival of modern America.
George talks to Krishnan about the four distinct groups of people in American politics, his hopes and worries for the future of the US and the influence of social media on national dialogue.
Producer: Rachel Evans
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Jul 2, 2021
Levi Roots on his Reggae Reggae sauce business, surviving prison and reinventing himself
Levi Roots is a musician, chef and businessman who found success after securing a £50,000 investment for his Reggae Reggae Sauce on Dragon’s Den.
14 years on, he dedicates his time to sharing his story in schools and prisons to inspire young people.
Roots speaks to Krishnan about his journey from growing up with his grandmother in Jamaica and moving to the UK as a child in the 1970s, before finding himself at the centre of the British business world.
Producer: Faye White
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Jun 25, 2021
Andrea Leadsom on postnatal depression, her relationship with Boris Johnson and whether she will run again for Tory leader
Andrea Leadsom in her fairly short parliamentary career has already been in two cabinets and ran to be leader of the Tory Party twice.
Now she is on the backbenches and leading a review into early years and how to give children across the country the best start to life.
She talks to Krishnan about her political passions including her experiences being one of the leading advocates for Brexit, why she has chosen to open up about her postnatal depression and whether she would run again for Tory leadership.
Producer: Rachel Evans
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Jun 18, 2021
Gillian Tett on why the world needs anthropology and how she predicted the financial crash
Gillian Tett is editor-at-large at the Financial Times and an anthropologist.
Her latest book 'Anthrovision: How Anthropology can Explain Business and Life' reveals how anthropology can make sense of people's behaviour, in business and beyond.
Krishnan talks to Gillian about why need to pay more attention to 'social silences', how she predicted the financial crash and the new global crisis on the horizon.
Producer: Rachel Evans
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Jun 11, 2021
Gordon Brown on global cooperation, Scottish independence and why he's staying out of 'culture wars'
Gordon Brown was Prime Minister of the UK from 2007 to 2010 after being Chancellor of the Exchequer for ten years under Tony Blair's leadership.
His new book 'Seven Ways to Change the World' explores even major global problems he believes we must address including climate change, nuclear proliferation and global poverty.
Krishnan speaks to Gordon about why he thinks the world needs to work together more, what he thinks the pandemic has taught us and his new campaign to save the Union.
Producer: Rachel Evans
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Jun 4, 2021
Ed Miliband on Keir Starmer's leadership, the need for 'big thinking' in politics and why he's looking to Biden
Ed Miliband was leader of the Labour Party from 2010 to 2015. He's now back in frontline politic as the Shadow Business Secretary.
His new book 'Go Big: How to Fix our World' explores his ambitious ideas for change from inequality to the climate crisis.
Krishnan speaks to Ed about why he thinks his solutions while he was leader of the opposition weren't big enough and why he's looking to Joe Biden for guidance.
Producer: Rachel Evans
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May 28, 2021
Rob Rinder on fighting for access to justice, identity politics and how he nearly became an actor
Rob Rinder is hugely well known across TV as Judge Rinder. But he's also a very accomplished lawyer.
He has made numerous TV shows including documentaries about his Jewish history and the Holocaust.
Krish talks to Rob about how he became both a lawyer and a celebrity, why he is worried about identity politics and his concerns about the British legal system.
Producer: Rachel Evans
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May 21, 2021
Gary Numan on surviving 40 years of ups and downs in music and how his Asperger's has helped him
Gary Numan is considered as one of the pioneers of electronic music. Over his 40-year career he has sold over millions of records.
His new album 'Intruder' explores climate change from the planet’s point of view.
Krishnan speaks to Gary about what saved his music career, his experiences with depression and how the best day of his life is yet to come.
Producer: Rachel Evans
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May 14, 2021
Jamelia opens up about the highs and lows of her career, being a black woman in the media and why she’s taking anti-depressants
Jamelia has been public figure for around 20 years. She burst into our lives as a pop star with numerous top 20 hits.
But after about 10 years, she moved into more of a television career and has been famous on programmes like Loose Women and is often called upon as a valuable voice on social issues on news and current affairs programmes.
She speaks to Krishnan about what she describes as her 'tug of war' relationship with the TV industry and how this has affected her mental health.
Producer: Rachel Evans
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May 7, 2021
Tawseef Khan on Islamophobia, integration and what he calls 'The Muslim Problem'
Tawseef Khan is a solicitor specialising in immigration and asylum law and a human rights activist.
His debut book, 'The Muslim Problem: Why We're Wrong About Islam And Why It Still Matters' explores what it means to believe in Islam today.
Khan speaks to Krishnan about Islamophobia, what integration means to him and his experience growing up as a Muslim in the north of England.
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