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

Bagawire is the new band to look out for. Its band members are Steve Overland and Tony Remy, both legends in the world of music. Steve Overland is a singer, songwriter & guitarist who has headlined all over Europe and America. He is best known as FM’s lead singer and for whom he’s written 20 albums. Steve’s been voted one of the top 10 rock singers of all time and in Europe he is known simply as The Voice.

Tony Remy is one of the world’s greatest and most versatile guitarists. He has been sought after by rock and pop music icons including Annie Lennox, Simply Red, Gary Barlow, Jack Bruce, Craig David, Glenn Hughes and from the Jazz, Funk and Soul world, he’s played with Herbie Hancock, Pee Wee Ellis, The (Jazz) Crusaders, Matt Bianco, Incognito and many more.

Sonia Jones, their manager, is one of the top backing vocalists worldwide & has sung, recorded and toured with bands including The Who, Rolling Stones, Dave Gilmour, Donna Summer, Spandau Ballet and Monty Python. I am lucky enough to sing with them with the band The Staks.

Prasanna has appeared in multiple TV series, films and theatre productions; ‘The Crown’, ‘Patrick Melrose’, ‘Line Of Duty’, ‘Defending the Guilty’, ‘Ten Percent’ to name but a few.

Onstage he has further acting credits with the RSC, the Donmar Warehouse and the Young Vic. He writes for the stage, for the screen and is a published author. He started off life as a junior medical doctor.

In this conversation Prasanna talks about the challenges he faced being a junior doctor, the multiple and varied projects he has either performed or masterminded in the entertainment industry and why he feels he is ‘skin queer’.

Packed full of insights, anecdotes and honesty, this is a great episode!

‘Lessons in Chemistry’ is a multi-million copy bestselling novel, it’s in over 40 countries and has won far too many awards to list here. Such is its success it has been made into a series on Apple Plus, starring Brie Larson.

My aunt sent it to me to cheer me up after I had open heart surgery this Summer. It was one of the best presents I have ever been given and it transformed my recovery. I was devastated when I finished it. I contacted author Bonnie Garmus to tell her how wonderful her book was and she very kindly agreed to let me interview her.

In the episode, Bonnie discusses her journey, inspirations, how she came up with her characters, the struggles of being a writer, tackling sexism & how to use anger constructively. Funny, smart, self-deprecating, full of wisdom, insight and humour, talking to Bonnie was as joyous and compelling as reading her brilliant novel.

Bonnie’s Website

Buy ‘Lessons in Chemistry’

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What do Cindy Crawford, Bill Nighy and a polar bear have in common? They have all been photographed by David Yarrow, one of the most celebrated photographers in the world.

David Yarrow’s photographs are on the walls of celebrities, art collectors and no less than 3 ex-US presidents. He makes and takes photographs of the natural world and captures scenes that tell iconic stories.

In this conversation we talk about how David began, left and returned to photography, the current marketplace for photographers, the pitfalls of conservation and how he took some of his legendary shots. He, like his photographs, is a great story teller and he talks with great humility and humour. I loved talking to David!

Related Links

David Yarrow’s Website

Follow David on Instagram

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Santa Montefiore is a no 1 bestselling author on the Sunday Times Best Sellers list and each and every book she publishes immediately shoots into the top ten. She writes sweeping sagas of love, tragedy, trauma, heartbreak and hope. She has written 30 books and has sold over 6 million copies worldwide. 

A friend of hers recently said of her, “She is a candidate for sainthood as a mother, sister, godmother and wife, but somehow also one of the funniest people in London.”  

Santa talks about her childhood, her love affair with Argentina, her incredible success, how she has honed her craft and her ability to see spirits all with great humility, humour and insight. 

Santa has also just released her new book 'Wait for Me'. Based on a true story, this is a tale of enduring love and devastating secrets, sweeping across England during WWII to Australia five decades later.

Related Links:

Santa Montefiore Website

Oogway Ascends - Bing video

Related Books:

Wait for Me

Here and Now

Flappy Entertains

The Deverill Chronicles Collection

Meet Me Under the Ombu Tree