Andy Coulson was editor of The News of the World and was Downing Street Director of Communications for David Cameron after he became Prime Minister in 2010. He founded and now runs Coulson Partners giving strategic advice to global CEOs, entrepreneurs and philanthropists on crisis avoidance and management, on seizing opportunities and on how to drive smart, long-term decision making.

He also founded and hosts the brilliant “Crisis What Crisis?” podcast, talking to guests who have endured the worst of life’s experiences and who share their wisdom on how to survive and thrive. In partnership with the Ministry of Justice, his podcast has just been made available to thousands of inmates across UK prisons. These podcasts will inform, inspire and provide hope in what are often empty, wasted, despair-filled days. Andy understands crisis well when, 10 years ago, he himself was convicted of conspiracy to intercept voicemails and spent time in prison at HMP Belmarsh and Hollesley Bay.

In this conversation, Andy describes the highs and lows of his journey and how he has dealt with both successes and crises. Andy is very open, honest and has much wisdom to share.

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Coulson Partners

Listen to Andy's podcast: Crisis What Crisis?

James Krishna Floyd is an award winning actor, a screen writer and director. He has been described as a young Robert de Niro and his versatility is displayed in the extraordinary breadth and variety of roles he has played to date. His film Unicorns which he wrote and co-directed came out last week (July 5th). It’s not only entertaining but also important, brave, ground-breaking and deeply human.

In this conversation James talks about how he prepares for the roles he plays and the scripts he writes; he lived in amongst East London gangs for six months, he found an Egyptian refugee on which to base his character in The Swimmers and he immersed himself in the Gaysian scene for Unicorns. Packed with interest, thoughtful insights, humility and empathy, I was struck by this hugely talented man and profound thinker.

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Unicorns Trailer

Tim Sullivan is a screenwriter, film and TV director and author. He wrote and directed 'Jack and Sarah' with Richard E. Grant, Judi Dench and Ian McKellan. He directed 'The Casebook of Sherlock Holmes', 'Thatcher The Final Days', the last 90 minute episode of 'Cold Feet' and 'Coronation Street'. His scripts include 'Letters to Juliet' with Amanda Seyfried and Vanessa Redgrave. He co-wrote 'A Handful of Dust', 'Where Angels Fear to Tread' and more recently 'My Little Pony: A New Generation' which shot to the number one movie slot worldwide on Netflix in its first week of release.

He is now the author of a series of crime novels which are gripping, clever and twisty, yet also touching and funny, featuring a brilliant detective DS George Cross who has Autism Spectrum Disorder. It has been hailed as the best detective series since Sherlock Holmes. His latest novel in the series, 'The Teacher', is out in paperback on Thursday.

Tim discusses the joys and woes of writing for Hollywood, his writing process, advice for aspiring writers and the surprising way he plots his novels. My conversation with Tim is out today!

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Tim’s Website

Buy ‘The Teacher’