PLAY PODCASTS
Better Known

Better Known

428 episodes — Page 3 of 9

Kathryn Hughes

Kathryn Hughes discusses with Ivan six things which should be better known. Kathryn Hughes is the critically acclaimed author of The Victorian Governess, The Short Life and Long Times of Mrs Beeton, which was longlisted for the Samuel Johnson Prize, and the hugely acclaimed George Eliot: The Last Victorian, which won the James Tait Black Memorial Prize for biography. Her new book is Catland: Feline Enchantment and the Making of the Modern World. Educated at Oxford University, she holds a PhD in Victorian studies. She is a visiting lecturer at several British universities and reviews regularly for The Guardian, Daily Telegraph and Literary Review. Mrs Cotman, portrait by John Sell Cotman (hanging in Norwich Castle Museum) https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Portrait_of_Mrs_John_Sell_Cotman.jpg Frances Simpson https://cat-o-pedia.org/frances-simpson.html The Heart of Wales railway line https://news.tfw.wales/news/heart-of-wales-railway-line-best-in-europe The proper use of the word “disinterested” https://www.britannica.com/dictionary/eb/qa/disinterested-vs-uninterested Linley Sambourne House https://www.rbkc.gov.uk/museums/sambourne-house The Gas Man Cometh (1963) by Flanders and Swann https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v1dvAxA9ib0 This podcast is powered by ZenCast.fm

May 12, 202429 min

Elaine Lin Hering

Elaine Lin Hering discusses with Ivan six things which should be better known. Elaine Lin Hering has been a lecturer at Harvard Law School and a Managing Partner at Triad Consulting Group. She has worked with a wide range of clients in Fortune 500 companies, including American Express, Capital One, Google, Merck, Nike, Shell and Pixar, as well as with government and non-profit organisations. Elaine "has all the ingredients to become the next Brené Brown” - Douglas Stone and Sheila Heen, co-authors of NYT Bestseller, Difficult Conversations. Elaine’s new book is Unlearning Silence: How to Speak Your Mind, Unleash Talent and Lead with Courage, available at https://www.waterstones.com/book/unlearning-silence/elaine-lin-hering/9781529900170. The real costs of AI https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/ais-climate-impact-goes-beyond-its-emissions/ Babble hypothesis of leadership https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2021/08/leaders-talk-more-babble-hypothesis/ No-knead pizza dough https://www.seriouseats.com/jim-laheys-no-knead-pizza-dough-recipe Social change ecosystems https://buildingmovement.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Ecosystem-Guide-April-2022.pdf Use of low power language is strategic https://www.yourpowerunleashed.org/blog/2023/5/21/womens-use-of-low-power-language-at-work-is-not-diminishing-but-very-strategic Forest-bathing is healthy https://time.com/5259602/japanese-forest-bathing/ This podcast is powered by ZenCast.fm

May 5, 202428 min

Andrew Finkel

Journalist Andrew Finkel discusses with Ivan six things which should be better known. Andrew Finkel has spent years reporting for media organisations including The Times, The Economist, New York Times and CNN. He has covered wars and earthquakes, market booms and busts, and in his capacity as a food critic and contributing editor for Istanbul’s Cornucopia magazine, the postmodernity of the kebab. His experiences working in the Turkish-language press prompted him to co-found P24, an association to promote freedom of expression, and the Istanbul literature house, Kiraathane. He has written a number of non-fiction titles, including Turkey: What Everyone Needs to Know which was “called a succinct, readable and expert briefing on the modern country” by the Daily Telegraph and “no better introduction to today’s Turkey” by Andrew Mango. The Adventure of the Second Wife is his debut novel. The obsession of the Ottoman sultan Abdülhamid II for Sherlock Holmes https://www.thebulwark.com/p/plagues-of-the-body-and-plagues-of-the-mind-orhan-pamuk The art of the dramatically satisfying ending https://www.vulture.com/article/the-101-best-movie-endings-of-all-time-ranked.html Cornucopia https://www.cornucopia.net/ The Big Green Egg https://www.biggreenegg.co.uk/ The plight of Turkish journalism https://ethicaljournalismnetwork.org/turkey-after-an-attempted-coup-the-journalists-nightmare The periphery of Istanbul https://www.istanbulmeetandgreetservice.com/the-5-most-charming-small-villages-near-to-istanbul/ This podcast is powered by ZenCast.fm

Apr 28, 202427 min

Bill Weir

Bill Weir discusses with Ivan six things which should be better known. Bill Weir is a veteran anchor, writer, producer, and host who came to CNN in 2013 after a decade of award-winning journalism at ABC News. In 2019, he was named the network’s first Chief Climate Correspondent, drawing on his experience creating and hosting the primetime CNN Original Series “The Wonder List with Bill Weir,” now streaming on Discovery+. His first book, Life As We Know It (Can Be) was published by Chronicle Prism in April 2024. The Goldilocks Earth https://www.thedailybeast.com/cnn-host-bill-weir-plans-to-hold-bidens-feet-to-the-fire-on-climate-change Humanity’s role models will be beavers, camels and gentoo penguins https://edition.cnn.com/2024/04/16/climate/life-as-we-know-it-book-bill-weir/index.html We need thoughtful YIMBYs https://edition.cnn.com/2023/04/23/us/climate-crisis-earth-day-weir-letter/index.html The home of the future will come with much thicker walls https://www.builderonline.com/products/building-construction-materials/cnn-report-examines-alternative-way-to-build-homes The new industrial revolution https://edition.cnn.com/videos/tv/2024/02/05/clean-revolution-weir-pkg.cnn Veggie burgers can do more environmental harm than a steak https://edition.cnn.com/2023/07/03/us/climate-crisis-cattle-amp-grazing/index.html This podcast is powered by ZenCast.fm

Apr 21, 202430 min

Chioma Okereke

Chioma Okereke discusses with Ivan six things which should be better known. Born in Nigeria, Chioma Okereke grew up in London and studied law at UCL. She started her writing career as a performance poet before turning her hand to prose. Her debut novel, Bitter Leaf (Virago), was shortlisted for the Commonwealth Writers' Prize, and her short story, Trompette De La Mort, received First Runner Up in the Costa Short Story Award. Her new novel is Water Baby. Jamaica Kincaid https://www.theparisreview.org/blog/2022/04/07/jamaica-kincaids-rope-of-live-wires/ Cadaqués https://www.lonelyplanet.com/spain/cadaques PRP (platelet rich plasma) https://www.webmd.com/fitness-exercise/platelet-rich-plasma-injections Raye https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/raye-escapism-21st-century-blues-interview-1234671381/ Tiger nuts https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2772753X23003325 Andre Brink https://www.theguardian.com/books/2015/feb/08/andre-brink This podcast is powered by ZenCast.fm

Apr 14, 202429 min

Ash Bhardwaj

Ash Bhardwaj discusses with Ivan six things which should be better known. Ash Bhardwaj is an award-winning journalist, broadcaster and keynote speaker, whose work explores the intersection of travel, current affairs and human behaviour. He has reported from around the world for outlets including the BBC, Daily Telegraph, Sunday Times and Condé Nast Traveller. Before travel writing, Ash was a ski instructor, science teacher and wannabe cowboy. He is an officer in the British Army Reserve, and a lecturer in travel journalism at City, University of London. Why We Travel is his first book. Great Polynesian Migration https://nzhistory.govt.nz/culture/encounters/polynesian-voyaging The Jet Propulsion Laboratory https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/ Ukraine (as a place, not just a site of war) https://theculturetrip.com/europe/ukraine/articles/the-top-20-attractions-in-ukraine Turning grief into hope https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/oceania/new-zealand/my-mother-died-of-cancer-new-zealand-turned-my-grief/ How beliefs and behaviours work https://iulianionescu.com/blog/how-our-beliefs-and-values-shape-our-behavior/ Psychogeography https://www.tate.org.uk/art/art-terms/p/psychogeography This podcast is powered by ZenCast.fm

Apr 7, 202430 min

Anthony Daniels

Anthony Daniels discusses with Ivan six things which should be better known. Anthony Daniels was born in London in 1949. He retired from medical practice except for medico-legal work in 2005. He has written several books, including an account of a journey across Africa by public transport, and under his pseudonym, Theodore Dalrymple, has written many essays for publications such as City Journal, some of which were collected in Life at the Bottom (2001), which has been translated into several languages. His new book is Buried But Not Quite Dead: Forgotten Writers of Père Lachaise. He divides his time between England and France. The Fire Raisers by Max Frisch https://www.theguardian.com/stage/theatreblog/2007/nov/01/thearsonistsstillburnsbrig The Hospital Poems by WE Henley https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1931720414002025 A Mother Peeling Apples by Pieter de Hooch https://artuk.org/discover/artworks/a-woman-peeling-apples-209233 Eugène-Melchior de Vogüé https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eug%C3%A8ne-Melchior_de_Vog%C3%BC%C3%A9 That Le Corbusier was a fascist https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-32546182 That the poor are disproportionately the victims of crime https://www.theguardian.com/society/2006/apr/18/socialexclusion.crime This podcast is powered by ZenCast.fm

Mar 31, 202431 min

Leah Redmond Chang

Historian Leah Redmond Chang discusses with Ivan six things which should be better known. Leah Redmond Chang is a former Associate Professor of French and Director of the French Literature Programme at George Washington University, and was most recently a Senior Research Associate at University College London. She is the author of two previous books: Into Print: The Production of Female Authorship in Early Modern France and Portraits of the Queen Mother: Polemics, Panegyrics, Letters, winner of the Josephine Roberts Award from the International Society for the Study of Early Modern Women. She lives with her husband and three children, and divides her time between Washington, DC and London. Fake news goes back at least to the 16th century https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2016/12/fake-news-history-long-violent-214535/ 16th-century Europe was dominated by female leaders https://www.historytoday.com/archive/review/young-queens-leah-redmond-chang-review The Renaissance Italian painter Sofonisba Anguissola https://www.nationalgeographic.co.uk/history-and-civilisation/2022/03/this-italian-artist-became-the-first-female-superstar-of-the-renaissance The teenaged queen consort of Spain, Elisabeth de Valois https://flhwnotesandreviews.com/2018/06/11/book-review-elizabeth-de-valois-queen-of-spain-and-the-court-of-philip-ii-by-martha-walker-freer/ The story of the 16th-century French peasant Martin Guerre and his wife Bertrande https://www.ancient-origins.net/history-famous-people/martin-guerre-0016613 Letter-locking https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20210616-how-the-forgotten-tricks-of-letterlocking-shaped-history This podcast is powered by ZenCast.fm

Mar 24, 202430 min

Alice Loxton

Historian Alice Loxton discusses with Ivan six things which should be better known. Alice Loxton is a 28 year old history broadcaster and writer with over two million followers on social media (@history_alice). She has appeared on many channels including Sky Arts, Channel 5, BBC News and History Hit, and has worked with a wide array of organisations to bring history to mainstream audiences, including Christie’s, Meta, The National Trust, 10 Downing Street, The Royal Collection Trust, The National Portrait Gallery and The National Gallery. UPROAR! Satire, Scandal and Printmaking in Georgian London is Alice’s first book. Her second book, Eighteen: A History of Britain in 18 Young Lives, comes out in August 2024. James Gillray https://www.lrb.co.uk/the-paper/v23/n12/peter-campbell/at-tate-britain The fact that Napoleon wasn’t short https://www.history.com/news/napoleon-complex-short Landmark Trust https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2023/may/12/how-a-derelict-scottish-tower-was-turned-into-a-sumptuous-retreat The French House, Soho https://www.timeout.com/london/bars-and-pubs/french-house Parish churches https://www.countryfile.com/go-outdoors/days-out/britains-most-beautiful-churches The London Library https://www.lrb.co.uk/the-paper/v13/n18/john-sutherland/sod-off-readers This podcast is powered by ZenCast.fm

Mar 17, 202430 min

Charlie Russell

Charlie Russell discusses with Ivan six things which should be better known. Charlie Russell she/her. Creative Associate and co-founder at Mischief. Trained at LAMDA. Work with Mischief includes Groan Ups (West End); The Play That Goes Wrong (UK Tour, West End, Broadway); Peter Pan Goes Wrong (Pleasance, West End, BBC1 adaptation, Broadway); The Comedy About A Bank Robbery (West End); The Goes Wrong Show (BBC Sitcom); Improviser, Mischief Movie Night (West End, UK Tour), Austentatious, Yes Queens. Charlie wrote and performed a run of her first solo show, Charlie Russell Aims To Please, at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 2022. Other acting work includes Kat in Kite Strings (Short Film), Doctors (BBC 1), And Then There Were None (BBC1 & Mammoth Screen) #FindTheGirl (BBC3 Online) and A Twist Of Dahl (BBC Radio 4). Charlie can next be seen starring in Fanny at The Watermill Theatre in May 2024. 500 Acts of Kindness group https://www.facebook.com/groups/2074795452542346/ Fanny Mendelssohn https://www.nytimes.com/1996/03/23/arts/music-review-fanny-mendelssohn-was-audacious-too.html The game Worldle https://thinkygames.com/reviews/worldle-a-treasure-trove-for-geography-nerds/ Improv https://www.hooplaimpro.com/improv-comedy-club-london-bridge.html A Short History of Queer Women by Kirsty Loehr. https://www.gscene.com/arts/books/book-review-a-short-history-of-queer-women-by-kirsty-loehr/ Therapy https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/talking-therapies-medicine-treatments/talking-therapies-and-counselling/benefits-of-talking-therapies/ This podcast is powered by ZenCast.fm

Mar 10, 202431 min

Sunny Singh

Sunny Singh discusses with Ivan six things which should be better known. Sunny Singh is a writer, novelist, public intellectual, and a champion for decolonisation and inclusion across all aspects of society. She is the author of three critically acclaimed novels, Hotel Arcadia, With Krishna’s Eyes, and Nani’s Book of Suicides, a study of Amitabh Bachchan for the BFI’s film star series, and the recent, A Bollywood State of Mind: A Journey into the World’s Biggest Cinema. She has recently completed a collection of stories linked by the theme of war and is currently working on a new novel, and a non-fiction book about writing ethically. In 2017 she launched the celebrated Jhalak Prize. She is also a founder of the Jhalak Foundation that focuses on a range of literary, artistic and literacy initiatives in the UK and beyond. Sunny lives in London where she is Professor of Creative Writing and Inclusion in the Arts at the London Metropolitan University. Bollywood movies https://asianreviewofbooks.com/content/a-bollywood-state-of-mind-a-journey-into-the-worlds-biggest-cinema-by-sunny-singh/ Backpacking https://nomadsworld.com/6-reasons-backpacking-good/ Intersectionality https://www.vox.com/the-highlight/2019/5/20/18542843/intersectionality-conservatism-law-race-gender-discrimination Senegal http://hipafrica.com/features/9-reasons-visit-senegal/ Open water swimming (and adult swimming lessons) https://www.brighton.ac.uk/news/2023/is-open-water-swimming-good-for-you The excellence and range of literature by British writers of colour https://www.theguardian.com/books/2021/oct/03/akala-bernardine-evaristo-ben-okri-and-more-pick-20-classic-books-by-writers-of-colour This podcast is powered by ZenCast.fm

Mar 3, 202429 min

Alexandra Tolstoy

Alexandra Tolstoy discusses with Ivan six things which should be better known. Alexandra Tolstoy is an Anglo-Russian mother, adventurer, author and TV presenter. She organises adventurous horse riding holidays in Kyrgyzstan, and runs The Tolstoy Edit, a curated shop of her favourite interiors discoveries. Kyrgyzstan https://alexandratolstoytravel.com/ Ronald Welch https://foxedquarterly.com/ronald-welch-carey-novels-telegraph-review/ Darning and patching https://pieceworkmagazine.com/your-guide-to-mending/ Ivan Bilibin http://textualities.net/jennie-renton/the-art-of-ivan-bilibin 19th century European novels https://potpourri2015.wordpress.com/2021/06/14/review-the-semi-detached-house-by-emily-eden/ Victoria sponges https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/grannys-victoria-sponge This podcast is powered by ZenCast.fm

Feb 25, 202428 min

Julius Taranto

Novelist Julius Taranto discusses with Ivan six things which should be better known. Julius Taranto is the author of a novel, How I Won a Nobel Prize, which is available at https://www.panmacmillan.com/authors/julius-taranto/how-i-won-a-nobel-prize/9781035006830. His other writing has appeared in the Washington Post, Los Angeles Review of Books, Chronicle of Higher Education, and Phoebe. He attended Yale Law School and Pomona College. He lives in New York. Cynthia Ozick https://centerforfiction.org/interviews/cynthia-ozick-interviewed-by-alessandra-farkas/ The Spirit of Liberty by Learned Hand https://www.nybooks.com/articles/2013/12/05/judge-who-shaped-our-law/ Jon Brion https://aquariumdrunkard.com/2023/01/17/jon-brion-the-aquarium-drunkard-interview/ Polite Society https://www.theguardian.com/film/2023/apr/26/polite-society-review-fun-action-comedy-mashes-jane-austen-and-the-chuckle-brothers American Civil War battlefields and history tourism https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/defining-battles-civil-war/ Peter Carey https://play.acast.com/s/talkingpolitics/petercarey This podcast is powered by ZenCast.fm

Feb 18, 202429 min

Faye Begeti

Faye Begeti discusses with Ivan six things which should be better known. Dr Faye Begeti is a practising neurology doctor and neuroscientist at Oxford University Hospitals. She completed her medical degree and PhD at Cambridge, and currently conducts research into Parkinson’s disease alongside seeing her neurology patients. Her Instagram account @the_brain_doctor was started to share her knowledge more widely and has since amassed a community of over 134K followers. She lives in Oxfordshire with her husband and two young daughters. Her new book is The Phone Fix at https://www.amazon.co.uk/Phone-Fix-Brain-Focused-Building-Breaking/dp/1803285567 Our phones are not addictive https://technosapiens.substack.com/p/smartphoneaddiction Habits are stored in a subconscious part of our brain https://www.npr.org/2012/03/05/147192599/habits-how-they-form-and-how-to-break-them We don’t have unlimited mental energy https://www.dayagrant.com/blog/how-the-brain-leaks-energy Chronic stress can lead to physical symptoms https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/types-of-mental-health-problems/stress/signs-and-symptoms-of-stress/ A good night’s sleep starts in the morning https://hr.uconn.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/1421/2023/02/A-Healthy-Nights-Sleep-Starts-the-Moment-You-Wake-Up.pdf Building cognitive reserve reduces the risk of dementia https://www.ageuk.org.uk/information-advice/health-wellbeing/mind-body/staying-sharp/thinking-skills-change-with-age/cognitive-reserve/ This podcast is powered by ZenCast.fm

Feb 11, 202430 min

Kelly Link

Kelly Link discusses with Ivan six things which should be better known. Kelly Link is the author of White Cat, Black Dog; Get in Trouble, a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize in Fiction; Magic for Beginners; Stranger Things Happen; and Pretty Monsters. Her short stories have been published in The Best American Short Stories and Prize Stories: The O. Henry Awards. She is a MacArthur “Genius Grant” fellow and has received a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts. She is the co-founder of Small Beer Press and co-edits the occasional zine Lady Churchill’s Rosebud Wristlet. She is also the co-owner of Book Moon, an independent bookstore in Easthampton, Massachusetts. The Book of Love is her debut novel. Bloomsbury: https://www.bloomsbury.com/uk/book-of-love-9781804548431/ Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Book-Love-Kelly-Link/dp/1804548456/ Bookshop.org: https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/the-book-of-love-kelly-link/7508595?ean=9781804548455 Waterstones: https://www.waterstones.com/book/the-book-of-love/kelly-link/9781804548455 Kathryn Davis https://artsci.wustl.edu/faculty-staff/kathryn-davis Dorothy https://dorothyproject.com/ Winterpills https://www.winterpills.com/ Kiva www.kiva.org CCATE www.ccate.org Street Books www.streetbooks.org This podcast is powered by ZenCast.fm

Feb 4, 202428 min

Alice Kinsella

Alice Kinsella discusses with Ivan six things which should be better known. Alice Kinsella is a poet from Mayo, on the west coast of Ireland. She is the author of Sexy Fruit (Broken Sleep, 2018) and editor of Empty House: poetry and prose on the climate crisis (Doire Press, 2021). Milk (Picador, 2023) is her debut book of prose. She is an Arts Council of Ireland Next Generation Artist. The Loneliest Whale in the World https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KDwDXwcF3iw Happy Tummy Company https://www.thehappytummyco.com/ Mosab Abu Toha https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2024/01/01/a-palestinian-poets-perilous-journey-out-of-gaza Polycystic Ovary Syndrome https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/polycystic-ovary-syndrome County Mayo's Whaling past https://iwdg.ie/end-of-our-whaling-era/ Being wrong https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jan/24/french-parliament-passes-law-giving-citizens-the-right-to-make-mistakes This podcast is powered by ZenCast.fm

Jan 28, 202427 min

Robert McCrum

Robert McCrum discusses with Ivan six things which should be better known. Robert McCrum is a writer and editor whose most recent book, Shakespearean was published to great acclaim in 2021. Formerly the editor-in-chief of Faber & Faber, and literary editor of the Observer, he is also the author of Wodehouse: A Life (2004), and a classic memoir, My Year Off (1998). From 1980 to 1996, McCrum was editor-in-chief of Faber & Faber, where he published Kazuo Ishiguro, Hanif Kureishi, Milan Kundera, Peter Carey, Danilo Kis, Paul Auster, Marilynne Robinson, Lorrie Moore, Adam Phillips, Mario Vargas Llosa, Jayne Anne Phillips, Orhan Pamuk, and Adam Mars-Jones. At the same time, he wrote seven novels, and co-authored the BBC TV series, The Story Of English, for which he was awarded an Emmy in 1986, followed by a Peabody Prize in 1987. In July 1995, McCrum suffered a serious stroke, a personal crisis he described in My Year Off, a book now regarded as an essential study in the understanding of the condition. He was literary editor of the Observer from 1996 to 2010. Globish (2010) was an international bestseller. In 2024, he will publish The Penalty Kick: The Story of A Game-changer with Notting Hill Editions. The Lost Art of Silence by Sarah Anderson https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/blog/animal-emotions/202312/the-art-and-power-of-connecting-to-the-sounds-of-silence The River Granta https://www.wildlifebcn.org/news/river-granta-gets-wiggle The invention of the penalty kick in football https://epicchq.com/story/william-mccrum-the-irish-inventor-of-the-penalty-kick/ Alfred the Great https://www.lrb.co.uk/the-paper/v40/n09/tom-shippey/what-did-he-think-he-was Kindness https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/how-the-unbearable-lightness-of-being-enthralled-a-generation/ Rossini’s Petite Messe Solonelle https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CqrzmdevQSI This podcast is powered by ZenCast.fm

Jan 21, 202428 min

Less well known

Ivan looks back at previous discussions with a variety of guests and picks out the things which they think should be less well known. Foregoing the normal positivity, guests rant, complain and moan about famous people, books, television shows, sports, ideas and 90s dances which they find deeply tiresome. The guests and topics are: James Runcie on Lord of the Rings Helen Thompson on The West Wing Paul Willetts on Meghan Markle Matthew Parris on Alistair Campbell Irenosen Okojie on The Sun Daisy Dunn on Whats app Jon Glover on the word “like” Dominic Sandbrook on history Emma Smith on Shakespeare Kate Mosse on Nigel Farage Henry Hemming on Formula One Subhadra Das on Charles Darwin Andy Smith on Macarena This podcast is powered by ZenCast.fm

Jan 14, 202427 min

Matthew Rice

Matthew Rice discusses with Ivan six things which should be better known. Matthew Rice paints, writes and runs courses in the summer which utilise his garden, which is the focus of the rest of his time. Over his career he has published 11 books on architecture, designed many millions of mugs for the business he ran with his then wife Emma Bridgewater, and illustrated for Country Life magazine. His interests in architecture have led to a series of charity roles in that area. Matthew grew up in a household of designers and now lives in Oxfordshire where he paints and writes. Matthew Rice, educated at Bedales, studied painting and theatre design at Chelsea and Central Schools of Art, is an honorary doctor of Keele and Staffordshire Universities and is a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries. Matthew has four children and one grandson. His books include Village Buildings of Britain, Building Norfolk, Rice’s Architectural Primer, The Lost City of Stoke-on-Trent, Rice’s Church Primer, Oxford, Pat Albeck Queen of the Tea Towel, Rice’s Language of Buildings, Venice A Sketchbook Guide and Rome A Sketchbook Guide. During the summer, Matthew runs a variety of painting and gardening courses in addition to opening his garden at his home in west Oxfordshire. Further details are available at www.matthewricewatercolours.co.uk. His 2024 courses include: Tuesday 30th April – Vegetable & Cut Flower Growing Course Wednesday 15th & Thursday 16th May – Botanical Drawing Course Wednesday 29th & Thursday 30th May – Sketchbook Course Wednesday 5th & Thursday 6th June – Sketchbook Course Wednesday 19th & Thursday 20th June – Botanical Drawing Curse Wednesday 10th & Thursday 11th July – Architectural Drawing Course His 2024 Open Garden dates are: Sunday 2nd June, Sunday 21st July an Sunday 8th September. Poundbury https://poundbury.co.uk/ Landmark trust https://www.landmarktrust.org.uk/ Choral evensong https://www.choralevensong.org/uk/ The Grant Museum https://www.ucl.ac.uk/culture/grant-museum-zoology Zinnias https://www.gardenersworld.com/how-to/grow-plants/how-to-grow-zinnias/ Silver Birch https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/trees-woods-and-wildlife/british-trees/a-z-of-british-trees/silver-birch/ This podcast is powered by ZenCast.fm

Jan 7, 202428 min

Richard Mills

Richard Mills discusses with Ivan six things which should be better known. Dr Richard Mills is Associate Professor in English Literature and Popular Culture at St Mary’s University, London. He has been programme director for the Film and Popular Culture, Cultural Studies and Irish Studies degrees. He has published extensively on popular music, Irish literature and culture, film, fashion and British television. Mills is the author of The Beatles and Fandom: Sex, Death and Progressive Nostalgia (Bloomsbury 2019). He is co-editor of Mad Dogs and Englishness (Bloomsbury 2017) and The Beatles and Humour (Bloomsbury 2023). He is author of the forthcoming The Beatles and Black Music: Post-colonial Theory, Musicology and Remix Culture (Bloomsbury 2024) Richard is a regular contributor to BBC4’s Last Word, Sky News, RTE, Portobello Radio and BBC Live and serves on the editorial board of The Journal of Beatles Studies. Bedazzled https://www.bfi.org.uk/film/32e4e509-795e-5e0d-b70b-681f67bde3c8/bedazzled The black artists who influenced the Beatles' music https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uqp2h65BAs8 & https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BGLGzRXY5Bw Deep End https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deep_End_(film) Disturbing the Peace by Richard Yates https://www.amazon.co.uk/Disturbing-Peace-Vintage-Classics-Richard/dp/0099518554 Dining at the Dunbar by Maurice Leitch https://www.theguardian.com/books/2023/oct/13/maurice-leitch-obituary Claire Keegan's stories and novels https://www.curtisbrown.co.uk/client/claire-keegan This podcast is powered by ZenCast.fm

Dec 17, 202328 min

Noreen Masud

Noreen Masud discusses with Ivan six things which should be better known. Noreen Masud is a Lecturer in Twentieth Century Literature at the University of Bristol, and an AHRC/BBC New Generation Thinker 2020. Her first book for non-academic audiences is A Flat Place (2023): a memoir-travelogue about the beauty of flat places, and how they might help us relate to each other. The beauty of flat landscapes https://theartsdesk.com/books/noreen-masud-flat-place-reflective-landscapes The history of non-white British MPs https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/sn01156/ Deep canvassing https://www.vox.com/2020/1/29/21065620/broockman-kalla-deep-canvassing W. S. Graham https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poets/w-s-graham The proper use of prepositions and conjunctions https://content.byui.edu/file/b8b83119-9acc-4a7b-bc84-efacf9043998/1/Grammar-1-2-1.html How to make elderly carrots less bendy https://www.allrecipes.com/article/how-to-revive-limp-vegetables/ This podcast is powered by ZenCast.fm

Dec 10, 202329 min

Bob Cryer

Bob Cryer discusses with Ivan six things which should be better known. Bob Cryer is an actor and writer best known for Coronation Street and Hollyoaks. He is the youngest child of Barry Cryer. He collaborated with his father on Barry's book of anecdotes, Butterfly Brain, in 2010. Shortly afterwards, they created the book series Mrs Hudson's Diaries, which was adapted into a play for Wilton's Music Hall. Mrs Hudson's Radio Show soon followed for Radio 4 in 2018. Their joint podcast, Now Where Were We?, launched just before Barry's death in January 2022. Bob's new book is Barry Cryer: Same Time Tomorrow?: The Life and Laughs of a Comedy Legend. Black filter coffee https://majestycoffee.com/blogs/posts/americano-vs-drip-coffee Phyllis Pearsall https://www.peterberthoud.co.uk/post/the-real-story-of-a-z-maps-by-phyllis-pearsall Barry Cryer https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-34041501 Raymond Carver https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2007/12/24/rough-crossings The Felice Brothers https://www.theguardian.com/music/2016/jun/23/the-felice-brothers-life-in-the-dark-new-album Kiss Kiss Bang Bang https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/kiss-kiss-bang-bang-review/ This podcast is powered by ZenCast.fm

Dec 3, 202329 min

Martin Knight

Martin Knight discusses with Ivan six things which should be better known. Martin Knight is a British author. He has written autobiographies with footballers George Best, Dave Mackay, Peter Osgood and Charlie Cooke also Alan Longmuir founder member of the Bay City Rollers. In addition he has authored true crime titles and novels. His latest book Justice Killer is released in November 2023. His collaboration with ex-criminal Ronnie Field Nefarious will be published by Harper Collins in 2024. Bird identification apps https://birda.org/best-birdwatching-apps-uk/ Letter writing https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2016/nov/26/from-me-with-love-lost-art-letter-writing Non-league and lower league football https://www.echo-news.co.uk/sport/23260993.support-non-league-football/ The Small Faces https://medium.com/the-riff/the-tragic-story-of-the-small-faces-8830946625b9 The Footage Detectives https://www.tptvencore.co.uk/Playlist/Footage-Detectives?id=1ce12be2-3de3-4c50-a784-a8ceb1083fb0 Hastings https://www.ellieandco.co.uk/2022/02/7-secret-highlights-of-a-weekend-in-hastings-east-sussex.html This podcast is powered by ZenCast.fm

Nov 26, 202329 min

300th episode: Henry Lewis

To mark the 300th episode of Better Known, actor Henry Lewis discusses with Ivan six things which should be better known. Henry Lewis is a power house creative: writer, actor, director and puzzle genius. He is the Artistic Director of Mischief and writes, produces and performs for the company. His work with Mischief includes: The Play that Goes Wrong (Broadway, West End, UK & International Tours), Peter Pan Goes Wrong (BBC1, West End & UK Tours), The Comedy About A Bank Robbery (West End & UK Tour), The Goes Wrong Show (BBC1 & Amazon), Magic Goes Wrong (created with magicians Penn & Teller, West End), Groan Ups (West End), Mischief Movie Night (West End & UK Tour). Henry's work has earned him five Olivier Nominations including a win for Best New Comedy for The Play that Goes Wrong, and his writing has been performed in over thirty countries worldwide. His new book is The Museum Heist, available at https://www.waterstones.com/book/the-museum-heist/henry-lewis/9781408728499. Royal Institution www.rigb.org I am Mother https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/la-et-mn-capsule-genre-string-20190620-story.html Paxos https://www.greektravel.com/greekislands/paxos/ John Duffin https://www.johnduffin.co.uk/ Tony’s Chocolate https://tonyschocolonely.com/uk/en The Mystery Agency https://themysteryagency.com/ This podcast is powered by ZenCast.fm

Nov 19, 202328 min

Lucy Eaton

Lucy Eaton discusses with Ivan six things which should be better known. Lucy Eaton’s theatre credits include: The Duchess of Malfi (Old Vic), A Day in the Death of Joe Egg (Trafalgar Studios), The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui (Donmar Warehouse), A Midsummer Night's Dream (Southwark Playhouse), Daisy Pulls it Off (Park Theatre), Khadija is 18 (Finborough Theatre) and Almost, Maine (Park Theatre). TV credits include BBC1's lockdown smash comedy Staged, alongside David Tennant and Michael Sheen, and Netflix US’ Murder Maps. Alongside her acting, Lucy co-runs Go People, a production company specialising in uplifting escapism on an intimate scale. She is also Founding Director of Revels in Hand, an internationally renowned luxury events service that offers world class theatre productions in clients’ private homes. Revels in Hand has been featured in Tatler, The Guardian, Forbes, The Telegraph and Vogue. Greek food https://greekreporter.com/2012/03/05/top-10-strange-greek-foods-you-may-like-or-not/ How actors learn their lines https://theactorsplace.org/how-actors-memorize-lines-part-1/ Colons and semi-colons https://www.sussex.ac.uk/informatics/punctuation/colonandsemi/semi The pursuit of happiness https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/a_better_way_to_pursue_happiness The best theatres in London https://www.timeout.com/london/theatre/top-london-theatre-venues-chosen-by-you You can hire theatre for your home https://www.revelsinhand.com/ This podcast is powered by ZenCast.fm

Nov 12, 202330 min

Simon Garfield

Simon Garfield discusses with Ivan six things which should be better known. Simon Garfield was born in London in 1960. He is the author of an appealingly diverse and unpredictable canon of non-fiction, including the bestsellers Mauve, Just My Type and On The Map. He is a trustee of Mass Observation, and is the editor of several books of diaries from the archive, including Our Hidden Lives and A Notable Woman. His recent books include Timekeepers, In Miniature, and All the Knowledge in the World: The Extraordinary History of the Encyclopaedia. The Interrogatory Mood by Padget Powell https://www.theguardian.com/books/2010/nov/07/padgett-powell-interrogative-mood-review The complete works of Tracy Kidder https://www.nybooks.com/articles/1981/10/08/modern-times/ The Albertus typeface https://www.weidenfeldandnicolson.co.uk/titles/simon-garfield/albertus/9781399609258/ Backlisted podcast https://www.backlisted.fm/ Yallah Coffee bar in St Ives https://yallahcoffee.co.uk New Wave - Elvis Costello’s collaboration with the Slovenian Eurovision entrants Joker Out https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fKcxldNZYQA This podcast is powered by ZenCast.fm

Nov 5, 202328 min

Leah Morgan

Leah Morgan discusses with Ivan six things which should be better known. Leah Morgan is a project engineer and science communicator working in fusion energy research. She makes science and engineering videos on her YouTube channel Leah Morgan and gives talks all about the energy of the future! You can find her at www.leahmorgan.co.uk and on TikTok, Youtube, and Instagram @LeahLoveScience. Fusion energy research https://www.iaea.org/topics/fusion Dame Jocelyn Bell Burnell https://scientificwomen.net/women/bell-jocelyn-14 Melodeons https://hobgoblin.com/instruments/instrument/melodeon The King of Rome https://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/news/nostalgia/meet-derbys-king-rome-worlds-5932317 The dubious origins of English folk songs https://biblio.uottawa.ca/omeka1/silentfilmmusiccanada/exhibits/show/folk-music/cecil-sharp The value of opportunity https://opportunitynetwork.org/about/ This podcast is powered by ZenCast.fm

Oct 29, 202329 min

Max Décharné

Max Décharné discusses with Ivan six things which should be better known. Max Décharné‘s new book Teddy Boys – Post-war Britain and the First Youth Revolution is published by Profile Books on 25 January 2024. He was the drummer of the band Gallon Drunk, and has been the singer and songwriter with The Flaming Stars since 1994. An authority on the 1950s and 1960s counterculture, his other books include Vulgar Tongues: An Alternative History of British Slang, A Rocket in My Pocket, Hardboiled Hollywood and King’s Road: The Rise and Fall of the Hippest Street in the World. He lives in London. Frank Key https://foxedquarterly.com/andrew-nixon-frank-key-hooting-yard-stories-literary-review/ Annette Hanshaw https://www.sandybrownjazz.co.uk/JazzRemembered/AnnetteHanshaw.html Jonathan Latimer https://mysteryfile.com/Latimer/Latimer.html What's On in London https://vintagemagazinecompany.co.uk/collections/whats-on-in-london The Jacobites https://soundcloud.com/jacobites/i-miss-you Coup de Torchon http://www.frenchfilms.org/review/coup-de-torchon-1981.html This podcast is powered by ZenCast.fm

Oct 22, 202329 min

Nigel Planer

Nigel Planer discusses with Ivan six things which should be better known. Nigel Planer is an actor, writer and musician. He played Neil in the BBC comedy The Young Ones and Ralph Filthy in Filthy Rich & Catflap. He has appeared in many West End musicals, including original casts of Evita, Chicago, We Will Rock You, Wicked, and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. His play, It’s Headed Straight Towards Us, is co-written with Adrian Edmondson, stars Samuel West and Rufus Hound, and is on at the Park Theatre, London. His latest book is Jeremiah Bourne in Time. Myths of 20th century leftist icons https://www.theguardian.com/politics/from-the-archive-blog/2019/may/01/eugenics-founding-fathers-british-socialism-archive-1997 Ambedkar and Mulk Raj Anand https://blogs.lse.ac.uk/lsereviewofbooks/2023/02/27/book-review-ambedkar-in-london-by-william-gould-santosh-dass-and-christophe-jaffrelot/ Jane Jacobs https://www.nybooks.com/online/2012/03/30/jane-jacobs-neocons-health-care/ Anselm Keifer https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2017/07/03/anselm-kiefers-beautiful-ruins Nenda Neururer https://www.imdb.com/name/nm10130242/ Learning languages https://www.cambridge.org/elt/blog/2022/04/29/learning-language-changes-your-brain/ This podcast is powered by ZenCast.fm

Oct 15, 202330 min

Danell Jones

Danell Jones discusses with Ivan six things which should be better known. Danell Jones is a writer with a PhD in literature from Columbia University. She is the author of The Virginia Woolf Writers Workshop; the poetry collection Desert Elegy; and An African in Imperial London, which won the High Plains Book Award for Nonfiction. Her newest book is The Girl Prince: Virginia Woolf, Race, and the Dreadnought Hoax. Julia Margaret Cameron’s Photographs of Alamayou, Prince of Abyssinia https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O1394113/d%C3%A8jatch-al%C3%A1mayou--b%C3%A1sha-f%C3%A9lika-photograph-cameron-julia-margaret/ Britons Through Negro Spectacles, by A.B.C. Merriman-Labor https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/447069/britons-through-negro-spectacles-by-merriman-labor-abc/9780241559741 Public libraries https://www.neh.gov/article/complicated-role-modern-public-library Sophie Stone performing All the World’s A Stage https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NbIOZZy54EM California Highway 395 https://californiathroughmylens.com/highway-395-roadtrip/ London Calling by Una Marson https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b6xyJxC_yl4 This podcast is powered by ZenCast.fm

Oct 8, 202329 min

Angus Jackson

Angus Jackson discusses with Ivan six things which should be better known. Angus Jackson is a screen and stage director and writer. For the screen he has directed the feature length film Elmina’s Kitchen for the BBC for which he was nominated for a BAFTA as best new director. For The Royal Shakespeare Company he has directed Oppenheimer, Don Quixote, Coriolanus and Julius Caesar. He wrote and directed Secret Cinema Presents Casino Royale in London and Shanghai in collaboration with Eon Productions. Changing Lanes https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/changing-lanes-2002 Shostakovich’s 2nd piano concerto https://www.bso.org/works/piano-concerto-no-2-shostakovich Coriolanus https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2017/sep/22/politicians-people-coriolanus-rsc-shakespeare Special v general relativity http://www.differencebetween.net/science/difference-between-general-relativity-and-special-relativity/ Movies based on ancient myths https://www.theguardian.com/theobserver/2003/aug/31/features.review87 Drawing on the right side of the brain by Betty Edwards https://www.drawright.com/theory This podcast is powered by ZenCast.fm

Oct 1, 202329 min

Cathi Unsworth

Cathi Unsworth discusses with Ivan six things which should be better known. Cathi Unsworth is a novelist, writer and editor who lives and works in London. She began her career on the legendary music weekly Sounds at the age of 19. Her novels include The Not Knowing, Weirdo and That Old Black Magic. She is currently teaching novel writing for Curtis Brown Creative's online platform. Her latest book is Season of the Witch: The Book of Goth. The magazine Fortean Times https://www.nytimes.com/2016/06/26/magazine/letter-of-recommendation-fortean-times.html Discovering London's secrets by going for long walks https://www.london-walking-tours.co.uk/secret-london/introduction.htm The noir writer Derek Raymond https://lareviewofbooks.org/article/doors-closing-slowly-derek-raymonds-factory-novels/ The pop artist Pauline Boty https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/20/obituaries/pauline-boty-overlooked.html The publishers London Books https://www.london-books.co.uk/ The musician Tim Smith https://thequietus.com/articles/31719-tim-smith-cardiacs-strange-world This podcast is powered by ZenCast.fm

Sep 24, 202330 min

Doreen Cunningham

Doreen Cunningham is an Irish-British writer born in Wales. After studying engineering she worked briefly in climate related research at NERC and in storm modelling at Newcastle University, before turning to journalism. She worked for the BBC World Service as a international news presenter, editor, producer and reporter, for twenty years. She won the RSL Giles St Aubyn Award 2020, was shortlisted for the Eccles Centre and Hay Festival Writers Award 2021, and longlisted for the Wainwright Prize for writing on Global Conservation, for Soundings, her first book. Composting toilets https://www.theguardian.com/global/2019/dec/09/no-flush-movement-composting-toilet-clean-water-waste-fertiliser-eco-revolution Earhart the grey whale https://www.pugetsoundexpress.com/10-gray-whale-sounders-have-returned/ Indigenous languages https://en.unesco.org/courier/2019-1/indigenous-languages-knowledge-and-hope Travel-sickness remedy https://www.rivieratravel.co.uk/blog/12-ways-banish-seasickness Regrowing spring onions https://www.allrecipes.com/article/save-money-diy-fresh-green-onions/ Take Me To Church by Sinéad O'Connor https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jMzY_KQIKjU&pp=ygUlVGFrZSBNZSBUbyBDaHVyY2ggYnkgU2luw6lhZCBPJ0Nvbm5vcg%3D%3D This podcast is powered by ZenCast.fm

Sep 17, 202328 min

Becky Smethurst

Becky Smethurst discusses with Ivan six things which should be better known. Dr Becky Smethurst is a Royal Astronomical Society Research Fellow at the University of Oxford. She is the star of astronomy-themed You Tube channel Dr Becky. Her current research is trying to answer the question, “How do galaxies and black holes evolve together?” Her latest book is A Brief History of Black Holes. Black holes are neither “black” nor “holes” https://www.panmacmillan.com/authors/dr-becky-smethurst/a-brief-history-of-black-holes/9781529086706 Annie Jump Cannon https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Annie_Jump_Cannon The same algorithm that identifies stars also identifies individual whale sharks https://www.nasa.gov/feature/goddard/star-mapping-algorithms-track-endangered-animals The dark sky sights of the UK https://www.rmg.co.uk/stories/topics/best-dark-sky-sites-uk You can measure the speed of light with a microwave https://www.open.edu/openlearn/science-maths-technology/science/physics-and-astronomy/physics/measure-the-speed-light-your-microwave The "black hole of Calcutta" prison is where black holes get their name from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Hole_of_Calcutta This podcast is powered by ZenCast.fm

Sep 10, 202328 min

DanRam

DanRam discusses with Ivan six things which should be better known. DanRam travels the globe as an Event MC & Speaker at over 100 events a year. Hosting changemakers like President Barack Obama, billionaire founders Sir Richard Branson and Reid Hoffman, F1 champion Nico Rosberg, Grammy-winning artists and celebrities, he works on 4 continents from college campuses to parliaments to in-house corporate innovation days for Fortune 500 companies to the biggest tech conferences in the world. His passion is to inspire people with his motto “Start Now Start Simple” in building a future we all want to live in. How to survive a charging wild lion https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=829YuVH1dg8 Why introverts make better professional speakers https://www.givepowerfulpresentations.com/blog/3-reasons-why-introverts-make-great-public-speakers-pt-1 A superpower I can give you – adaptability https://blog.lumen.com/adaptability-embracing-the-new-superpower/ My 5G morning routine https://www.cnbc.com/2022/12/18/psychologists-morning-habits-to-help-you-be-happier-more-productive.html Why MCs are more important to an event than speakers https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/5-reasons-hire-professional-emcee-mc-event-host-amy-mcwhirter/ The soul stirring music of Gospel Music legend Kirk Franklin https://www.star-telegram.com/entertainment/article272178398.html This podcast is powered by ZenCast.fm

Sep 3, 202330 min

Helen Batten

Helen Batten discusses with Ivan six things which should be better known. Helen Batten is an author and psychotherapist. Her non-fiction books delve into the historical worlds of circuses, nuns, a family of redheaded sisters and Victorian music hall and opera. After reading history at Cambridge, she trained as a journalist, and worked in television producing and directing documentaries for the BBC. She now works as an integrative psychotherapist and couples counsellor in private practice in London. Helen is currently working on a book about a murder, magic and sacred music in Renaissance Italy. Her books are Confessions of a Showman, Sisters of the East End, The Scarlet Sisters, and The Improbable Adventures of Miss Emily Soldene. Carlo Gesualdo https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2011/12/19/prince-of-darkness The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse in Relationships https://www.gottman.com/blog/the-four-horsemen-recognizing-criticism-contempt-defensiveness-and-stonewalling/ Emily Soldene https://www.historyextra.com/period/victorian/emily-soldene-who-was-life-facts-actress-writer-rebel/ How to have a good death https://www.amazon.co.uk/Sisters-East-End-Helen-Batten Homing by Jon Day https://www.theguardian.com/books/2019/jun/07/homing-jon-day-review-pigeons The Gladstone Arms https://www.thegladpub.co.uk/ This podcast is powered by ZenCast.fm

Aug 27, 202330 min

Andrew Pontzen

Andrew Pontzen discusses with Ivan six things which should be better known. Andrew Pontzen is a cosmologist and a Professor at University College London. He is currently principal investigator on the ERC-funded GMGalaxies project, and co-director of UCL's Cosmoparticle Initiative. Previously he held a Royal Society University Research fellowship and, before that, junior fellowships in Oxford and Cambridge. His latest book is The Universe in a Box. Simulations and the role they play in science and society https://original.newsbreak.com/@massachusetts-updates-1665615/3107758662878-decoding-the-universe-the-role-of-computer-simulations-in-cosmology Beatrice Hill Tinsley https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/18/obituaries/overlooked-beatrice-tinsley-astronomer.html Hugh Everett https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/hugh-everett-biography/ There are in the order of 200 billion terrestrial planets in our galaxy https://exoplanets.nasa.gov/what-is-an-exoplanet/planet-types/terrestrial/ Bayesian probability https://www.analyticsvidhya.com/blog/2016/06/bayesian-statistics-beginners-simple-english/ Sierpinski triangle https://fractalfoundation.org/OFC/OFC-2-1.html This podcast is powered by ZenCast.fm

Aug 20, 202330 min

Jonathan Sayer

Jonathan Sayer discusses with Ivan six things which should be better known. Jonathan Sayer is an award-winning comedy playwright and screenwriter; he is the co-author of The Play That Goes Wrong, Peter Pan Goes Wrong, The Comedy About A Bank Robbery, and many more. He is a writer, performer and Creative Director of Mischief Comedy. His work has been performed internationally in forty-six territories including The West End and Broadway. His new book is Nowhere to Run: The ridiculous life of a semi-professional football club chairman. More information is at https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/455269/nowhere-to-run-by-sayer-jonathan/9781787636897 Ashton United and non-league football https://www.theguardian.com/football/2023/aug/10/non-league-football-season-ticket-sales-ashton-united-jonathan-sayer The virtues of growing your own veg https://urbanrootsgardenmarket.ca/the-top-5-benefits-of-growing-your-own-vegetables/ JG Farrell https://www.bookforum.com/print/1203/at-his-death-1979-j-g-farrell-was-called-his-generation-s-greatest-historical-novelist-does-the-claim-hold-up-2017 Dunning Kruger effect https://thedecisionlab.com/biases/dunning-kruger-effect Twisted Wheel https://www.fredperry.com/subculture/articles/twisted-wheel-pl Al Lubel https://www.chortle.co.uk/comics/a/34098/al_lubel/review This podcast is powered by ZenCast.fm

Aug 13, 202330 min

Thomas Curran

Thomas Curran discsses with Ivan six things which should be better known. Thomas Curran is a professor of psychology at the London School of Economics and author of a landmark study that the BBC hailed as “the first to compare perfectionism across generations.” His TED Talk on perfectionism has received more than three million views. His research has been featured in media ranging from the Harvard Business Review to New Scientist to CNN and he has appeared on numerous television and radio programs. His new book is The Perfection Trap: Embracing the Power of Good Enough, which is available at https://www.amazon.com/Perfection-Trap-Embracing-Power-Enough/dp/1982149531/. Perfectionism is not high standards https://www.thementalfitnesscompany.com/perfectionism-or-high-standards/ It does not make us more successful https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/why-successful-people-rarely-perfectionists-john-mclachlan-2f Perfectionism has many faces https://www.apa.org/monitor/nov03/manyfaces It is rising rapidly among young people https://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/2018/01/perfectionism-young-people Perfectionism is nature and nurture https://thedaily.case.edu/perfectionism-is-a-mix-of-nature-nurture-says-psychologys-amy-przeworski/ The antidote to perfectionism is self-acceptance https://www.kindfulbody.com/blog/self-compassion-antidote-perfectionism This podcast is powered by ZenCast.fm

Aug 6, 202328 min

Anna Katharina Schaffner

Anna Katharina Schaffner discusses with Ivan six things which should be better known. Anna Katharina Schaffner is a cultural historian and professional burnout coach. Her books include The Art of Self-Improvement: Ten Timeless Truths, Exhaustion: A History and the novel The Truth about Julia. Anna writes regularly for the Times Literary Supplement and Psychology Today. Feelings of exhaustion are nothing new https://aeon.co/ideas/why-exhaustion-is-not-unique-to-our-overstimulated-age We are not our thoughts https://www.the-exhaustion-coach.com/post/what-s-so-great-about-acceptance-and-commitment-therapy Mind metaphors matter https://psyche.co/ideas/youre-not-a-computer-youre-a-tiny-stone-in-a-beautiful-mosaic We are profoundly shaped by stories about ourselves https://ideas.ted.com/the-two-kinds-of-stories-we-tell-about-ourselves/ ‘Dead man’s goals’ are not enough for creating sustainable behavioural change https://joshuanhook.com/2018/02/04/turn-around-your-dead-mans-goals/ Only Lovers Left Alive https://www.theguardian.com/film/2014/feb/20/only-lovers-left-alive-review This podcast is powered by ZenCast.fm

Jul 30, 202329 min

Quiz Show

Ivan Wise adopts six quiz show formats and asks himself some searching questions. He uses Family Friends to try and work out if we all think of the same extinct bird, American prison and canyon, He adopts Uiversity Challenge to try and answer the text of Padgett Powell's The Interrogative Mood - A Novel? in which every sentence is a question. He employs Who Wants to be a Millionaire to consider the exact wording of King Henry II's request about Thomas Beckett. Wilhelm Gustloff https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/deadliest-disaster-sea-happened-75-years-ago-yet-its-barely-known-why-180974077/ Charlton Athletic v Huddersfield, 1957 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charlton_Athletic_F.C._7%E2%80%936_Huddersfield_Town_A.F.C. Ignaz Semmelweis https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2015/01/12/375663920/the-doctor-who-championed-hand-washing-and-saved-women-s-lives Manuscripts destroyed by fire https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2019/12/09/ralph-ellisons-slow-burning-art Spanish flu https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-i/1918-flu-pandemic Charborough Wall http://www.charborough.co.uk/ This podcast is powered by ZenCast.fm

Jul 23, 202328 min

David Robson

David Robson discusses with Ivan six things which should be better known. David Robson is an award-winning science writer based in London. His latest book, The Expectation Effect: How Your Mindset Can Transform Your Life (Canongate/Henry Holt), was a Financial Times Best Book of 2022 and won the British Psychological Society Book Award in 2023. His was previously a features editor at New Scientist and a senior journalist at the BBC, and he writes regularly for the Guardian, the Observer, and the Psychologist. Find out more at www.davidrobson.me. How the nocebo effect makes us sick https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20150210-can-you-think-yourself-to-death Why speaking in the third person makes us smarter https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20230411-illeism-the-ancient-trick-to-help-you-think-more-wisely How to escape the illusion of knowledge: https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20220812-the-illusion-of-knowledge-that-makes-people-overconfident Reframing fatigue can boost your workouts: https://psyche.co/ideas/physical-fatigue-is-in-the-brain-as-much-as-in-the-body Family Lexicon by Natalia Ginzburg https://www.newyorker.com/books/page-turner/hiding-in-plain-sight-natalia-ginzburgs-masterpiece Love Soup https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2015/feb/12/love-soup-box-set-review This podcast is powered by ZenCast.fm

Jul 16, 202329 min

Hana Ayoob

Hana Ayoob discusses with Ivan six things which should be better known. Hana Ayoob is a science communicator and illustrator using art and events to explore the world around us. She speaks at a range of events from science festivals to comedy nights, produces illustrations for books and other projects, and provides training and consulting for universities and other organisations. Honey badgers https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/63407/11-fierce-facts-about-honey-badger Leonardo Da Vinci (the man rather than the myth) https://edition.cnn.com/2011/11/08/world/europe/leonardo-da-vinci-life/index.html Singapore https://www.timeout.com/singapore/things-to-do/9-hidden-gems-you-never-knew-existed-in-singapore How to draw anything by Scriberia https://info.scriberia.com/free-chapter-howtodrawanything How useless the human sinuses are https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/sdut-sinuses-the-mysterious-holes-in-our-heads-2006jul16-story.html Henna https://stepfeed.com/8-things-you-didn-t-know-about-henna-4526 This podcast is powered by ZenCast.fm

Jul 9, 202325 min

Lewis Dartnell

Lewis Dartnell discusses with Ivan six things which should be better known. Professor Lewis Dartnell is a research scientist, presenter and author based in London. He graduated from Oxford University with a First Class degree in Biological Sciences and completed his PhD at University College London in 2007. He now holds the Professorship in Science Communication at the University of Westminster. His research is in the field of astrobiology and the search for microbial life on Mars. He has also held a STFC Science in Society Fellowship and is very active in delivering live events at schools and science festivals, working as a scientific consultant for the media, and have appeared in numerous TV documentaries and radio shows. He has won several awards for his science writing and outreach work and regularly freelances for newspapers and magazine articles. He has also published five books: The Knowledge was the Sunday Times ‘New Thinking’ Book of the Year and international bestseller, and Origins: How the Earth Made Us is a Sunday Times top History book of 2019. Being Human: How our Biology shaped World History is now out. Dave Gingery and his lathe https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_J._Gingery SODIS https://www.sodis.ch/methode/index_EN.html How voting in the US southern states follows a 75-million-year-old seafloor https://www.history.co.uk/article/how-earth-shaped-human-history-interview-with-lewis-dartnell-about-origins Link between a defunct gene in human DNA and the emergence of the Mafia https://www.newscientist.com/podcasts/199-being-human-lewis-dartnell-on-how-our-biology-shapes-our-actions/ How tropical diseases helped bring about the union between England and Scotland https://www.nls.uk/exhibitions/scotland-and-darien/ Titan and possibility of two biospheres https://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/2012/28jun_titanocean This podcast is powered by ZenCast.fm

Jul 2, 202330 min

Oliver Burkeman

Oliver Burkeman discusses with Ivan six things which should be better known. Oliver Burkeman is the author of the New York Times and Sunday Times bestseller Four Thousand Weeks, about embracing limitation and finally getting round to what counts, along with The Antidote: Happiness for People Who Can't Stand Positive Thinking and Help! How to Become Slightly Happier and Get a Bit More Done. For many years he wrote a popular column for the Guardian, 'This Column Will Change Your Life'. In his email newsletter The Imperfectionist, he writes about productivity, mortality, the power of limits and building a meaningful life in an age of distraction. He lives in the North York Moors. The Zettelkasten https://zenkit.com/en/blog/a-beginners-guide-to-the-zettelkasten-method/ Death: The End of Self-Improvement by Joan Tollifson https://www.joantollifson.com/book-death-the-end-of-self-improvement.html The fact that everyone is just winging it https://www.theguardian.com/news/oliver-burkeman-s-blog/2014/may/21/everyone-is-totally-just-winging-it Rosedale Chimney Bank and Spaunton Moor https://www.walkingbritain.co.uk/walk-1921-description "Ought implies can" https://platofootnote.wordpress.com/2016/06/13/ought-implies-can-or-does-it/ This Jungian Life https://thisjungianlife.com/ This podcast is powered by ZenCast.fm

Jun 25, 202329 min

Rachel Nuwer

Rachel Nuwer discusses with Ivan six things which should be better known. Rachel Nuwer is an award-winning freelance science journalist and author who regularly contributes to the New York Times, Scientific American and National Geographic. Her first book, Poached: Inside the Dark World of Wildlife Trafficking, took her to a dozen countries to investigate the multi-billion dollar illegal wildlife trade. Her new book, I Feel Love: MDMA and the Quest for Connection in a Fractured World, delves into the history, science, politics and culture of MDMA. She lives in Brooklyn. MDMA has been used by therapists since the 1970s https://www.amazon.com/Feel-Love-Quest-Connection-Fractured/dp/1635579570/ Most health problems and deaths attributed to MDMA are the result of prohibition https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-61734334 Composting is a really easy way to support the environment https://www.outsideonline.com/culture/essays-culture/compost-new-york-city-zero-waste/ Trophy hunting contributes to conservation in Africa https://www.biographic.com/africas-conservation-conundrum/ Arresting poachers won't solve the problem of illegal wildlife trade https://www.amazon.com/Poached-Inside-World-Wildlife-Trafficking/dp/0306825503 Rabbits are incredible pets and should be kept indoors http://allaboutrabbitsrescue.org/rabbits-101/ This podcast is powered by ZenCast.fm

Jun 18, 202328 min

Jack Ashby

Jack Ashby discusses with Ivan six things which should be better known. Jack Ashby is the Assistant Director of the University Museum of Zoology, Cambridge. His zoological focus is on the mammals of Australia, but his work more broadly centres on engaging people with the natural world, chiefly through museums, and exploring the colonial biases that museums often exhibit. His books, Platypus Matters: The Extraordinary Story of Australian Mammals and Animal Kingdon: A Natural History in 100 Objects combine these scientific and social stories. From 2022-23 he was an Art Fund Headley Fellow. He is a trustee of the Natural Sciences Collections Association, an Honorary Research Fellow in UCL Science and Technology Studies, and formerly sat on the Council of the Society for the History of Natural History. Platypuses https://www.amazon.co.uk/Platypus-Matters-Extraordinary-Australian-Mammals/dp/0008431477/ Ali from Sarawak https://theconversation.com/i-am-ali-wallace-the-malay-assistant-of-alfred-russel-wallace-an-excerpt-85738 Biases in natural history museum displays https://www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/news/2019/october/more-male-than-female-specimens-in-natural-history-collections.html Stockholm’s Biologiskamuseet https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/biologiska-museet Tasmanian devils https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/facts/tasmanian-devil Gran Paradiso National Park https://www.cicerone.co.uk/five-ways-to-enjoy-italys-gran-paradiso-national-park This podcast is powered by ZenCast.fm

Jun 11, 202329 min

Christian Donlan

Christian Donlan discusses with Ivan six things which should be better known. Chris Donlan is a writer and journalist. He was born in Los Angeles and now lives in Brighton with his family. His first book, The Unmapped Mind, was shortlisted for the PEN Ackerley prize. Ellen Raskin https://www.eurogamer.net/something-solid-in-a-world-of-liars-the-tattooed-potato-and-the-most-haunted-address-in-new-york-city HP https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/minds-behind-the-brain-stanley-finger/1101398997 William Marlow https://artuk.org/discover/artists/marlow-william-17401813 I and My Chimney, a short story by Herman Melville https://www.gutenberg.org/files/2694/2694-h/2694-h.htm LA Dept of Water and Power building https://waterandpower.org/museum/Construction_of_the_GOB.html Hubert Julian https://www.smithsonianmag.com/air-space-magazine/the-black-eagle-of-harlem-95208344/ This podcast is powered by ZenCast.fm

Jun 4, 202328 min

Kate Harford

Kate Harford discusses with Ivan six things which should be better known. Rev. Kate Harford serves as University Chaplain at Oxford Brookes University, and the European vocations adviser for the Metropolitan Community Churches as well as a recovering bookseller and keen amateur flautist. She's currently studying for a master's degree at the Queen's Foundation for Ecumenical Theological Education and has a particular interest in queer and disabled theologies with an emphasis on mental health and neurodiversity. Metropolitan Community Church https://www.mccchurch.org/ Rivers of London series by Ben Aaronovitch https://www.denofgeek.com/books/an-introduction-to-the-rivers-of-london-series/ The Story Museum, Oxford https://www.storymuseum.org.uk/ ADHD in girls and women https://chadd.org/for-adults/women-and-girls/ Valerie Coleman https://www.vcolemanmusic.com/ The Anchoress https://iamtheanchoress.bandcamp.com/ This podcast is powered by ZenCast.fm

May 28, 202328 min

Jeremy Musson

Jeremy Musson discusses with Ivan six things which should be better known. Jeremy Musson is an author of many books on the country house and historic buildings and related subjects, How to Read A Country House, English Ruins, The Drawing Room, Up and Down: Stairs the history of the country house servant, and a contributor or contributing editor to many more, including with Prof Sir David Cannadine, The Country House: Past, Present and Future. Born in London in 1965, he grew up in London and Surrey, and after a law degree, at University College, London, and an M Phil in renaissance history, at the Warburg Institute, he worked for the Victorian Society as an architectural adviser, before moving to the National Trust, in East Anglia, as a junior curator. From 1995, he worked for Country Life magazine, as architectural writer and then architectural editor. Since 2007, he has been an independent author, expert and consultant, advising on the care of numerous historic buildings, including St Paul’s Cathedral, Bevis Marks Synagogue, Red House, Chartwell - Churchill’s country home - and Oxburgh Hall and Hardwick Hall, as well as advising on a number of new architectural projects in sensitive contexts. An occasional television presenter on architectural subjects, he was the presenter and co-writer of the two BBC 2 series of The Curious House Guest. A Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries, he also teaches for the University of Cambridge, the University of Buckingham and New York University (London programmes). He sits on the FAC for Ely Cathedral, is a trustee of the Historic Houses Foundation, and is chair of the Hall Bequest Trust. He is also a former Trustee of the Stowe House Preservation Trust and the Pevsner Book Trust. He is married with two grown up daughters, has lived in Cambridge since 1993, and is an active member of the Champion of the Thames Rowing Club in Cambridge. Stanway https://www.stanwayfountain.co.uk/ The Dennis Severs House https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2021/jul/25/dennis-severs-house-recreates-his-eccentric-tours-based-on-found-tapes The churchyard garden, Little St Mary’s Church in Cambridge https://www.parksandgardens.org/places/little-st-marys-churchyard The Compton Mortuary Chapel https://www.wattsgallery.org.uk/visit/explore-our-site/watts-cemetery-chapel Homes Sweet Homes by Osbert Lancaster https://www.houseandgarden.co.uk/gallery/osbert-lancaster Friendships by Mark Girouard https://catholicherald.co.uk/the-writer-who-goes-where-historians-dont-dare/ This podcast is powered by ZenCast.fm

May 21, 202329 min