My new podcast 'Under The Skin' asks: what's beneath the surface - of people we admire, of the ideas that define our time, of the history we are told. Speaking with guests from the world of academia, popular culture and the arts, they'll help us to see the ulterior truth behind our constructed reality. And have a laugh.
Episodes (48)
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#047 Egos and Alcohol (with Ryron & Rener Gracie)
#047 Egos and Alcohol (with Ryron & Rener Gracie)
Published: 25 Feb 2018 Duration: 01:19:21Brothers and part of jiu jitsu’s most illustrious family, my guests today are Ryron and Rener Gracie who discuss how Brazilian jiu-jitsu has shaped the people they are today; the pressure of continuing their family’s legacy; how UFC (their ... Read more →Brothers and part of jiu jitsu’s most illustrious family, my guests today are Ryron and Rener Gracie who discuss how Brazilian jiu-jitsu has shaped the people they are today; the pressure of continuing their family’s legacy; how UFC (their ... Read more →
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#046 Power vs Kindness (with Jordan Peterson)
#046 Power vs Kindness (with Jordan Peterson)
Published: 15 Feb 2018 Duration: 01:36:58Recently making the headlines after a combative interview about the gender pay gap with Channel 4’s Cathy Newman, my guest today is Jordan Peterson, who discusses with me some of his 12 Rules for Life.Recently making the headlines after a combative interview about the gender pay gap with Channel 4’s Cathy Newman, my guest today is Jordan Peterson, who discusses with me some of his 12 Rules for Life.
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#045 What’s The Biggest Threat To Freedom? Islam Or Consumerism (with Sam Harris)
#045 What’s The Biggest Threat To Freedom? Islam Or Consumerism (with Sam Harris)
Published: 3 Feb 2018 Duration: 02:03:59In a bumper 2 hour episode neuroscientist, author and fellow podcaster Sam Harris and I discuss the effects and rationality of religious belief, the illusion of freedom, Western intervention in the Middle East and where true power lies. ... Read more →In a bumper 2 hour episode neuroscientist, author and fellow podcaster Sam Harris and I discuss the effects and rationality of religious belief, the illusion of freedom, Western intervention in the Middle East and where true power lies. ... Read more →
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#044 Headspace - Could Mass Meditation Change Everything? (with Andy Puddicombe)
#044 Headspace - Could Mass Meditation Change Everything? (with Andy Puddicombe)
Published: 20 Jan 2018 Duration: 01:17:03Co-founder and voice of the Headspace app, Andy Puddicombe joins me to discuss his striving to teach meditation and mindfulness within a consumerist society via an interesting journey from the UK to becoming a Tibetan Buddhist monk and trai... Read more →Co-founder and voice of the Headspace app, Andy Puddicombe joins me to discuss his striving to teach meditation and mindfulness within a consumerist society via an interesting journey from the UK to becoming a Tibetan Buddhist monk and trai... Read more →
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#043 Professor Brian Cox - God, The Universe and Meaning
#043 Professor Brian Cox - God, The Universe and Meaning
Published: 13 Jan 2018 Duration: 01:09:44The one we’ve been waiting for - the brilliant Professor Brian Cox discusses the possibility of intelligent life other than our own; the danger of dogma within science; and Elon Musk’s space travel plans. As well as the small matters of God... Read more →The one we’ve been waiting for - the brilliant Professor Brian Cox discusses the possibility of intelligent life other than our own; the danger of dogma within science; and Elon Musk’s space travel plans. As well as the small matters of God... Read more →
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#042 Senses & Consciousness - Beyond The 5 Senses Myth (with Prof Barry Smith)
#042 Senses & Consciousness - Beyond The 5 Senses Myth (with Prof Barry Smith)
Published: 7 Jan 2018 Duration: 01:23:32Professor Barry Smith discusses collaborative research between philosophers, psychologists and neuroscientists and their discoveries, including how we have many more than the commonly perceived 5 senses.Professor Barry Smith discusses collaborative research between philosophers, psychologists and neuroscientists and their discoveries, including how we have many more than the commonly perceived 5 senses.
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#041 Shakespeare And Power! (with Professor Tony Howard)
#041 Shakespeare And Power! (with Professor Tony Howard)
Published: 23 Dec 2017 Duration: 01:17:29Is Shakespeare still at the heart of British culture? Tony Howard discusses Shakespeare’s continued relevance in reflecting the shifts in British society; the marginalisation of Black and Asian performers; and how the entertainment sector s... Read more →Is Shakespeare still at the heart of British culture? Tony Howard discusses Shakespeare’s continued relevance in reflecting the shifts in British society; the marginalisation of Black and Asian performers; and how the entertainment sector s... Read more →
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#040 How To Be Spiritually Healthy In Damaged Times (with Emma Kenny)
#040 How To Be Spiritually Healthy In Damaged Times (with Emma Kenny)
Published: 16 Dec 2017 Duration: 55:00Psychological therapist Emma Kenny discusses new and forgotten ideas around personal growth, gained from 17 years working with people in crisis including some of the UK’s toughest estates.Psychological therapist Emma Kenny discusses new and forgotten ideas around personal growth, gained from 17 years working with people in crisis including some of the UK’s toughest estates.
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#039 Putin & Trump, Global Gangsters Or Same Old Same Old? (with Luke Harding)
#039 Putin & Trump, Global Gangsters Or Same Old Same Old? (with Luke Harding)
Published: 9 Dec 2017 Duration: 58:55Author of current New York Times bestseller ‘Collusion: Secret Meetings, Dirty Money, and How Russia Helped Donald Trump Win’ Luke Harding talks me through the international espionage, off-shore banks, mobsters, money laundering and compute... Read more →Author of current New York Times bestseller ‘Collusion: Secret Meetings, Dirty Money, and How Russia Helped Donald Trump Win’ Luke Harding talks me through the international espionage, off-shore banks, mobsters, money laundering and compute... Read more →
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#038 Revolution In The Age Of Anger (with Pankaj Mishra)
#038 Revolution In The Age Of Anger (with Pankaj Mishra)
Published: 2 Dec 2017 Duration: 01:05:05Historian and novelist Pankaj Mishra joins me to talk about what he calls the ‘age of anger’ - a global pandemic of rage - and how the pursuit of progress and individualism has created a demoralised world.Historian and novelist Pankaj Mishra joins me to talk about what he calls the ‘age of anger’ - a global pandemic of rage - and how the pursuit of progress and individualism has created a demoralised world.
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#037 Extreme Survival with Ed Stafford - Is The Toughest Terrain Your Own Mind?
#037 Extreme Survival with Ed Stafford - Is The Toughest Terrain Your Own Mind?
Published: 25 Nov 2017 Duration: 01:06:26Survivalist and adventurer Ed Stafford joins me to discuss his life changing expeditions and their physical and mental consequences, the lure of extreme isolation and the importance of meditation.Survivalist and adventurer Ed Stafford joins me to discuss his life changing expeditions and their physical and mental consequences, the lure of extreme isolation and the importance of meditation.
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#036 Beyond Conspiracy - The Terrifying Truth Of Corporate Power (with Jacques Peretti)
#036 Beyond Conspiracy - The Terrifying Truth Of Corporate Power (with Jacques Peretti)
Published: 18 Nov 2017 Duration: 59:41Having spent years investigating some of the wealthiest people on the planet, journalist and broadcaster Jacques Peretti joins me to discuss the secret billion dollar deals that we never hear about but which are changing our world and revol... Read more →Having spent years investigating some of the wealthiest people on the planet, journalist and broadcaster Jacques Peretti joins me to discuss the secret billion dollar deals that we never hear about but which are changing our world and revol... Read more →
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#035 Ruby Wax - Madness & Meditation. Can We Heal Ourselves?
#035 Ruby Wax - Madness & Meditation. Can We Heal Ourselves?
Published: 11 Nov 2017 Duration: 01:08:23The brilliant Ruby Wax joins me to discuss her transition from the world of showbiz to becoming known as a campaigner on mental-health issues and a champion of mindfulness. We discuss her own inner battles with self-esteem and her life-chan... Read more →The brilliant Ruby Wax joins me to discuss her transition from the world of showbiz to becoming known as a campaigner on mental-health issues and a champion of mindfulness. We discuss her own inner battles with self-esteem and her life-chan... Read more →
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#034 Science Vs God - Is There A Life Force That Transcends Matter? (with Rupert Sheldrake)
#034 Science Vs God - Is There A Life Force That Transcends Matter? (with Rupert Sheldrake)
Published: 4 Nov 2017 Duration: 01:07:02Dubbed “the most controversial scientist on Earth” Rupert Sheldrake joins me to discuss the dogmas within conventional science, the evolving laws of physics, memory in nature, and how science validates and improves spiritual practices. ... Read more →Dubbed “the most controversial scientist on Earth” Rupert Sheldrake joins me to discuss the dogmas within conventional science, the evolving laws of physics, memory in nature, and how science validates and improves spiritual practices. ... Read more →
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#033 Is Trump Better For Black America Than Barack Obama? (with Kehinde Andrews)
#033 Is Trump Better For Black America Than Barack Obama? (with Kehinde Andrews)
Published: 28 Oct 2017 Duration: 01:14:51Author and Professor of Black Studies Kehinde Andrews joins me to discuss Britain’s colonial nostalgia, how the west is built on racism, and that Donald Trump is better for black America than Barack Obama.Author and Professor of Black Studies Kehinde Andrews joins me to discuss Britain’s colonial nostalgia, how the west is built on racism, and that Donald Trump is better for black America than Barack Obama.
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#032 Mental Health Crisis - Is Community The Answer? (with Chirlane McCray)
#032 Mental Health Crisis - Is Community The Answer? (with Chirlane McCray)
Published: 19 Oct 2017 Duration: 47:08First Lady of New York City Chirlane McCray joins me to discuss America's mental health crisis, why our society breeds depression, the importance of mental health reform, and her organisation ‘Thrive NYC’.First Lady of New York City Chirlane McCray joins me to discuss America's mental health crisis, why our society breeds depression, the importance of mental health reform, and her organisation ‘Thrive NYC’.
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#031 Gender Fluidity - Is It Time To Abandon All Labels? (with Mae Martin)
#031 Gender Fluidity - Is It Time To Abandon All Labels? (with Mae Martin)
Published: 11 Oct 2017 Duration: 01:04:39Comedian Mae Martin joins me to discuss gender fluidity, breaking down barriers and the compelling statistic that 40% of people under 25 don't identify as gay or straight. Plus, we discuss her experiences with addiction and an intriguing ob... Read more →Comedian Mae Martin joins me to discuss gender fluidity, breaking down barriers and the compelling statistic that 40% of people under 25 don't identify as gay or straight. Plus, we discuss her experiences with addiction and an intriguing ob... Read more →
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#030 Why Won't America Put Down Its Guns? (with Gary Younge)
#030 Why Won't America Put Down Its Guns? (with Gary Younge)
Published: 4 Oct 2017 Duration: 01:00:51In the week of the devastating Las Vegas shooting, author Gary Younge discusses his most recent book “Another Day In The Death Of America” - a harrowing account of children's lives cut short by the ubiquity of gun violence in the US. This s... Read more →In the week of the devastating Las Vegas shooting, author Gary Younge discusses his most recent book “Another Day In The Death Of America” - a harrowing account of children's lives cut short by the ubiquity of gun violence in the US. This s... Read more →
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#029 Does Even The Establishment Know Anarchy Is The Answer? (with Carne Ross)
#029 Does Even The Establishment Know Anarchy Is The Answer? (with Carne Ross)
Published: 28 Sep 2017 Duration: 01:06:49This week I'm joined by Carne Ross, a former high-flying diplomat and Middle East adviser who lost his faith in western democracy but put his trust in people power and is now putting forward the case for anarchism.This week I'm joined by Carne Ross, a former high-flying diplomat and Middle East adviser who lost his faith in western democracy but put his trust in people power and is now putting forward the case for anarchism.
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#028 Marxism On The Rise - Can It Really Defeat Capitalism? (with David Harvey)
#028 Marxism On The Rise - Can It Really Defeat Capitalism? (with David Harvey)
Published: 20 Sep 2017 Duration: 01:23:09The world's leading Marxist thinker joins me to discuss the contradictions at the heart of capitalism, Marxism’s recent rise in popularity, and why it resonates more today than ever.The world's leading Marxist thinker joins me to discuss the contradictions at the heart of capitalism, Marxism’s recent rise in popularity, and why it resonates more today than ever.