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.

Related links

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.

Related Links

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!

Related Links

Tim’s Website

Buy ‘The Teacher’

This interview was recorded on March 15th 2024.

Dr Michael Mosley is a household name and one of the best loved and most respected doctors in the UK. He’s a medical journalist, a producer and presenter of award-winning television programmes.

He has written international bestselling books on diet, sleep and a myriad of health topics. He has a brilliant podcast called ‘Just One Thing’ which gives simple, scientifically proven tips to improve your health and change your life. I am addicted to it!

Michael talks about his circuitous route to medicine and, following that, the media and is full of health advice and anecdotes about the crazy things he has subjected himself to in the quest for medical knowledge from which we may all benefit and thereby live better and longer lives.

Related Links

Michael’s Website
Follow Michael Mosley
Listen to ‘Just One Thing’ - Michael’s Podcast

Martin Sixsmith is many things; he’s an academic, an investigative journalist, a documentarian and he spent years as a foreign correspondent for the BBC working in Russia, Washington and Poland. He’s an author of both fiction and non-fiction, a radio and television presenter and he was an adviser to the Labour Government. Of the 8 books he has written to date, probably his most well known is “The Lost Child of Philomena Lee” which was turned into a multi Oscar and BAFTA nominated film “Philomena” starring Judi Dench and Steve Coogan.

In this conversation Martin talks about his experiences in Russia, The Cold War and Putin and how he came to write about The Lost Child of Philomena Lee. Fascinating, frank, informative and funny, I really enjoyed talking to Martin.

In no particular order, Gyles Brandreth was an MP in John Major’s government, is a writer of novels, biographies, autobiographies and stageplays, is a broadcaster, a podcaster, a television presenter and an accomplished speaker.

He has set up a teddy bear museum, he started the UK Scrabble competition, he campaigns for public spaces. Veteran of Call my Bluff and Just a Minute, he is one of the most quick witted people on the planet!

Full of wisdom and hilarious anecdotes, this is a wonderful conversation.

Gyles Brandreth’s Website

My guest today Ben Goldsmith has been dealt cards of both privilege and tragedy. In our conversation, Ben covers his upbringing, his time at Eton, his love of nature, the tragic loss of his daughter Iris and the organisation he has set up in her memory; ‘The Iris Project’.

Ben is also a pioneer in the rewilding movement and has his own podcast ‘Rewilding the World’. He discusses some of the environmental challenges the world is facing and details some fascinating facts and stories about our connection to nature.

Ben talks with such openness and eloquence. It was very special for me to have him as a guest.

Related links

Ben’s Book ‘God Is an Octopus’

Listen to Ben’s podcast ‘Rewilding The World’

The Iris Project

Follow Ben Goldsmith

Guy Fletcher is a multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, engineer and producer. He has performed, recorded, toured and worked with artists including Dire Straits, Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel, Roxy Music, Tina Turner and Mick Jagger.

His longest standing collaboration is with Mark Knopfler not only with Dire Straits, but also with Notting Hillbillies, Mark’s solo albums and the film scores they have written together.

In this conversation, Guy talks about his love of music from an early age, some of the mad experiences touring with bands at the height of their fame, his extraordinary project for the Teenage Cancer Trust and how in his career he has covered all areas in the world of music. Hugely talented, hugely modest, Guy Fletcher is one of a kind!

Related Links

Guy Fletcher’s Website

Follow Guy Fletcher

Listen to Guy’s music