Crisis What Crisis with Andy Coulson

In this special tribute episode, we revisit my conversation with the legendary Dame Jenni Murray. Recorded in February 2021 in the early days of the podcast, Jenni joined me to discuss her remarkable 33-year tenure at BBC Radio 4’s Woman’s Hour, her harrowing battle with breast cancer, and the lifelong, deeply personal crisis of obesity that she detailed in her book, Fat Cow, Fat Chance.Jenni was a pioneer who proved that no topic was too difficult to discuss. In this incredibly frank and moving conversation, we explore the roots of resilience, the complexity of forgiveness, and why "getting on with it" was the only strategy she knew when the world seemed to be unravelling.POWERED BY KINGSLEY NAPLEY:I know what it is to have the right legal support around you when facing crisis. Kingsley Napley are the kind of lawyers I wish more people knew about – there to help you make the right decisions, protect what matters, and build real resilience when the pressure is on.This episode is powered by Kingsley Napley; visit www.kingsleynapley.co.uk for more details.LESSONS YOU’LL LEARN:Action Eases Anxiety: When the "shit hits the fan," shifting into a practical, task-oriented mode can prevent you from folding in on yourself.Vulnerability is Bravery: Resilience isn't just about being "tough"; it's about the courage to drop the mask and admit when the pressure is too much.Forgiveness is a Process: Moving past personal trauma requires acknowledging the full, complicated humanity of those who hurt us.Set Your Own Milestones: In times of health or personal crisis, creating small, achievable targets (like writing a eulogy or finishing a treatment) provides a vital sense of control.Words Matter: Shaming – whether of oneself or others – never leads to positive change; empathy and understanding are the only true paths to recovery.CHAPTERS:01:50 – "Fat Cow": The Reality of Public Shaming06:05 – Inherited Habits: A Childhood Defined by Food08:10 – The Black Bombers: Amphetamines and University Weight Loss18:20 – Reconciling with Her Mother22:30 – The Failure of Therapy vs. the Power of Friendship29:35 – The Phone Call to the Samaritans36:35 – December 2006: Cancer, Loss, and the Mastectomy43:00 – "Just Get On With It": The Instinctive Practicality of Crisis52:00 – A Vascular Necrosis: The Hidden Cost of Chemotherapy57:05 – The Turning Point: Metabolic Surgery and a Second Chance01:06:10 – Crisis Cures: Dogs, Crime Novels, and New Forest Ice CreamFOLLOW CRISIS WHAT CRISIS? Instagram – www.instagram.com/crisiswhatcrisispodcast TikTok – www.tiktok.com/@crisispod

Ryan Holiday – bestselling author of The Daily Stoic, Ego is the Enemy, and The Obstacle is the Way – joins me on Crisis What Crisis to explore why intelligence doesn't protect you from stupidity, why modern life's frictionlessness is making us weaker, and what ancient Stoic philosophy can teach us about navigating today's world.POWERED BY KINGSLEY NAPLEY:I know what it is to have the right legal support around you when facing crisis. Kingsley Napley are the kind of lawyers I wish more people knew about – there to help you make the right decisions, protect what matters and build real resilience when the pressure is on.This episode is powered by Kingsley Napley, visit www.kingsleynapley.co.uk for more details.IN THIS EPISODE:00:00 Intro – Ryan Holiday’s Crisis Compass00:18 Who Guides You in Crisis? (Marcus Aurelius)00:58 The Power of Role Models in Stoicism01:08 Daily Habit: Why Journaling Matters01:24 Finding Calm: The Simple Power of Walking01:46 One Rule to Live By (Epictetus’ Advice)02:03 What Stoicism Really Teaches About Control02:15 More Stoicism EpisodesBUY RYAN'S BOOK:Wisdom Takes Work – https://www.amazon.co.uk/Wisdom-Takes-Work-Important-Journey/dp/1788166299FOLLOW RYAN:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ryanholiday/?hl=enX/Twitter: https://x.com/RyanHolidayTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ryan_holidayYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYmBIKsrzIjdHRuqs2I8nHAFOLLOW CRISIS WHAT CRISIS?Instagram – www.instagram.com/crisiswhatcrisispodcastTikTok – www.tiktok.com/@crisispod

Why do genius-level intellects fall for conspiracy theories? How does someone who taught himself rocket science from Soviet manuals end up believing nonsense on social media?Ryan Holiday – bestselling author of The Daily Stoic, Ego is the Enemy, and The Obstacle is the Way – joins me on Crisis What Crisis to explore why intelligence doesn't protect you from stupidity, why modern life's frictionlessness is making us weaker, and what ancient Stoic philosophy can teach us about navigating today's world.In this conversation, we discuss Elon Musk's descent into conspiracy theories, why judging young men from reading philosophy is dangerous, what Marcus Aurelius would make of AI, and why Victor Frankl warned in 1979 that our "too soft" world would lead to emptiness.POWERED BY KINGSLEY NAPLEY: I know what it is to have the right legal support around you when facing crisis. Kingsley Napley are the kind of lawyers I wish more people knew about – there to help you make the right decisions, protect what matters and build real resilience when the pressure is on.This episode is powered by Kingsley Napley, visit www.kingsleynapley.co.uk for more details.WHAT YOU'LL HEAR:Why "making a massive contrarian bet that works" can be brain-destroyingThe Stoic POW who tapped Epictetus through prison walls in VietnamWhy young men desperately need philosophy (not less of it)How to guard against your own stupidity while pursuing wisdomWhat Marcus Aurelius would say about your Instagram habitsLESSONS YOU'LL LEARN:Intelligence DOES NOT EQUAL wisdom – being brilliant at one thing doesn't protect you from being an idiot about othersStay a student forever – Marcus Aurelius, the philosopher-king, made a point of always staying a studentFriction builds resilience – a frictionless life leaves you vulnerable when reality intervenesYou don't control what happens, only how you respondWisdom takes work – it's not something you're born with; it's the result of hard work, experience, and timeCHAPTERS: 00:00 – Introduction: The Modern Day Philosopher King 02:37 – What is Stoicism? (Explained for people in crisis) 07:58 – Why Ryan turned to ancient philosophy at 19 10:11 – The marketing career he walked away from 13:25 – What if Ryan never discovered Stoicism? 15:02 – Does Stoicism have a "toxic masculinity" problem? 19:16 – Why choose Stoicism over Instagram wealth? 22:07 – What is wisdom and how do you get it? 24:53 – Elon Musk: A cautionary tale of genius + stupidity 27:42 – Will we ever have philosophical leaders again? 30:11 – Victor Frankl's 1979 warning: Life is too soft 33:05 – What would Marcus Aurelius make of AI? 36:22 – Where Ryan goes next?BUY RYAN'S BOOK: Wisdom Takes Work – https://www.amazon.co.uk/Wisdom-Takes-Work-Important-Journey/dp/1788166299FOLLOW RYAN: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ryanholiday/?hl=enX/Twitter: https://x.com/RyanHolidayTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ryan_holidayYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYmBIKsrzIjdHRuqs2I8nHAFOLLOW CRISIS WHAT CRISIS? Instagram – www.instagram.com/crisiswhatcrisispodcast TikTok – www.tiktok.com/@crisispod

After building MTV and rising to the very top of the global media industry, Tom Freston experienced dramatic setbacks that forced him to rebuild - not for the first time.In this Crisis Compass segment, the co-founder of MTV and former CEO of Viacom reveals the personal habits, relationships and mindset that helped him navigate the highs and lows of an extraordinary life.Tom shares the quiet routines and pieces of advice that keep him grounded today.POWERED BY KINGSLEY NAPLEY:I know what it is to have the right legal support around you when facing crisis. Kingsley Napley are the kind of lawyers I wish more people knew about – there to help you make the right decisions, protect what matters and build real resilience when the pressure is on.This episode is powered by Kingsley Napley, visit www.kingsleynapley.co.uk for more details.IN THIS EPISODE:01:10 – The people Tom relies on for advice and perspective02:25 – The daily habit that keeps Tom grounded04:05 – The moment that changed how Tom sees business problems05:30 – Finding comfort in nature and musicTOM’S BOOK:Read Tom’s book: Unplugged: Adventures from MTV to Timbuktu Follow Tom Freston:https://www.amazon.com/Unplugged-Adventures-Timbuktu-Tom-Freston/dp/1668089793FOLLOW TOM: Instagram – www.instagram.com/tomfrestonunplugged/?hl=enFOLLOW CRISIS WHAT CRISIS? Instagram – www.instagram.com/crisiswhatcrisispodcastTikTok – www.tiktok.com/@crisispod

From building a multimillion-dollar clothing business in India only to be wiped out by a global trade embargo, to redefining pop culture for a generation at MTV and Nickelodeon, Tom Freston’s career is a masterclass for any aspiring entrepreneur.In this episode, Tom joins me to discuss the resilience required to reach the top and the sheer guts needed to start over when it's all taken away. He shares his "decidedly non-traditional" path to the C-suite and why humility, earnestness, and curiosity are the ultimate defining traits for success.POWERED BY KINGSLEY NAPLEY:I know what it is to have the right legal support around you when facing crisis. Kingsley Napley are the kind of lawyers I wish more people knew about – there to help you make the right decisions, protect what matters and build real resilience when the pressure is on.This episode is powered by Kingsley Napley, visit www.kingsleynapley.co.uk for more details.IN THIS EPISODE, WE EXPLORE:Building the MTV empire: The legendary "I Want My MTV" campaign and the David Bowie sauna story.The reality of being fired as the boss at Viacom by Sumner Redstone and receiving a hero’s send-off from 1,000 employees.Returning to Afghanistan to help launch the country’s first television network.Why stepping off the "conveyor belt of conformity" is the best classroom for a young person today.LESSONS YOU’LL LEARNSkills are transferable: It’s never too late to change careers.Optimism is a competitive advantage: back yourself when no one else willThe most successful careers are rarely the most conventionalKnow when to disappear: recovery needs space, don't rush the next moveHire people smarter than you: it's your best protection against your worst instinctsTIMESTAMPS:0:00 - Intro04:44 - Stepping off the conveyor belt of conformity12:30 - Where does confidence come from?17:23 - Becoming a millionaire in your 20s22:11 - The sudden collapse of Hindu Kush31:06 - The ground floor of MTV36:44 - The "I Want My MTV" Hail Mary pass45:28 - Being fired as CEO of Viacom53:30 - Reassessing life and finding Phil Stutz56:28 - The "perfect circle" back to Afghanistan1:00:26 - The Tom Freston manual for young peopleTOM’S BOOK:Read Tom’s book: Unplugged: Adventures from MTV to Timbuktu Follow Tom Freston:https://www.amazon.com/Unplugged-Adventures-Timbuktu-Tom-Freston/dp/1668089793FOLLOW TOM: Instagram – www.instagram.com/tomfrestonunplugged/?hl=enFOLLOW CRISIS WHAT CRISIS? Instagram – www.instagram.com/crisiswhatcrisispodcastTikTok – www.tiktok.com/@crisispod

Following the loss of his daughter Sushila to anorexia, broadcaster Sir Trevor Phillips reveals the daily habits, personal anchors, and life advice that keep him grounded.In this "Crisis Compass" segment, we move away from the headlines to look at the personal resilience required to survive a 22-year battle with mental illness.THE COMPASS QUESTIONS:In this episode, Andy Coulson asks Trevor to reveal:The person who shaped his perspective during his darkest hours.The daily habit he refuses to give up (even in crisis).The piece of advice he returns to when uncertainty takes over.His ultimate source of comfort.WATCH THE FULL INTERVIEW:This is a bonus segment. Listen to the full, wide-ranging conversation with Sir Trevor Phillips here:https://player.captivate.fm/episode/8be66777-24c2-42ee-9d97-c59f4996be30/IN THIS EPISODE:00:00 – Sir Trevor Phillips: A life forged in crisis01:06 – The people he turns to for strength02:32 – The daily habit for mental clarity04:00 – Life-changing advice for hard times05:26 – Finding comfort after lossFOLLOW TREVOR:X – https://x.com/TrevorPTweetsFOLLOW CRISIS WHAT CRISIS?Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crisiswhatcrisispodcast/TikTok – https://www.tiktok.com/@crisispod

After a 22-year battle with anorexia, Sir Trevor Phillips' daughter Sushila died aged 36 in April 2021. Now he's calling for a radical shift in how we talk about mental illness – and he's not holding back.The broadcaster, writer, and equality campaigner joins Crisis What Crisis? to explain why banning social media for under-16s is "preposterous," why celebrity "mental health struggles" make him furious, and what the "seventh circle of hell" really looks like in an eating disorder ward.Trevor also talks to us about his remarkable upbringing and career across media, business and politics - all of it etched with resilience.⚠️ Please note: This episode contains frank discussions of anorexia, eating disorders, mental illness, and grief that some listeners may find distressing.WHAT YOU’LL HEAR:The brutal reality of a 22-year battle with severe anorexiaWhy mental illness and sadness are NOT the same thingTrevor's message to celebrities who conflate difficulty with trauma: "F*** off"Why removing friction from children's lives destroys resilienceLESSONS YOU'LL LEARN:Separate mental illness from sadness: stop confusing clinical illness with being "a bit fed up"Teach resilience, don't remove pain: you can't take friction out of the human conditionThe good guys can win: but you have to fight for itKnow what you cannot do: in crisis, understand your limitationsLight a candle: don't curse the darknessIN THIS EPISODE:00:00 – Introduction: Sir Trevor Phillips' remarkable life21:23 – What Britain should learn from its racial progress27:10 – What real resilience looks like in a crisis31:26 – The Leadership Lesson: knowing what you can't do33:06 – Shushila: A 22-year battle with anorexia44:39 – How grief changed everything49:27 – Mental Illness vs. Feeling Sad: "stop conflating them"57:12 – Why banning under-16s from social media Is "preposterous"01:04:30 – What immigrants can teach Britain about resilienceSUPPORT & RESOURCES: If you or someone you know is struggling with an eating disorder: Beat Eating Disorders - www.beateatingdisorders.org.ukFOLLOW TREVOR: X – https://x.com/TrevorPTweetsFOLLOW CRISIS WHAT CRISIS? Instagram – www.instagram.com/crisiswhatcrisispodcast/TikTok – https://www.tiktok.com/@crisispodIF YOU FOUND THIS USEFUL... If you found this episode useful I recommend heading into our archive and listening to:Lisa Squire - whose daughter, Libby Squire, was rapped and murdered. Lisa's resilience and methods for managing unimaginable heartache left me beyond moved.Click here to listen now – https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/crisis-what-crisis/id1517015748?i=1000592846650

In 2021, the UK energy market collapsed. More than 30 of the big energy suppliers went under. But, the business Greg Jackson founded, Octopus Energy, didn't just survive, it grew. In this bonus Crisis Compass episode of Crisis What Crisis?, Greg shares with us the four anchors he relies on when pressure mounts and uncertainty takes over.In this segment, Andy asks Greg for:1) A person who shaped his perspective2) A piece of advice he returns to3) A source of comfort4) A daily habit he refuses to give upThis is Part Two of a longer conversation with Greg. If you enjoyed this episode, you can listen to the full interview on our podcast homepage.Follow Octopus EnergyInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/octopusenergy/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@octopusenergyFollow Crisis What Crisis?Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crisiswhatcrisispodcast/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@crisispod

Greg Jackson, founder and CEO of energy giant Octopus Energy, is perhaps one of Britain’s most innovative CEOs.In 2021, the British energy market collapsed. Wholesale gas prices surged six-fold, thirty suppliers went under in months, while millions of families faced impossible bills.Rather than sticking his head in the sand, Greg went public, putting his own credibility on the line to explain why prices were rising. He cut his own salary to minimum wage, provided £150 million in bill relief packages, and became the face of the energy crisis when everyone told him not to.The result? Octopus became the UK's largest energy supplier during the worst energy crisis in a generation, now valued at over £7 billion.Greg is an entrepreneur who's built multiple businesses by doing exactly what everyone else refuses to do – a true lesson in why fortune really does favour the brave.LESSONS YOU'LL LEARN:Character matters more than ability.When you see something clearly, don't hesitate.Fortune favors the brave, zig when others zag!Being smart isn't enough. The combination of being smart and working hard is critical.Communicate relentlessly, especially in crisis.FOLLOW OCTOPUS:Instagram – www.instagram.com/octopusenergy/?hl=enTikTok – www.tiktok.com/@octopusenergy?lang=enFOLLOW CRISIS WHAT CRISIS?Instagram – www.instagram.com/crisiswhatcrisispodcast/?hl=enTikTok – https://www.tiktok.com/@crisispod

Johnnie Boden, founder of Boden, reveals how he survives crisis as a business leader.In this Crisis Compass bonus episode of Crisis What Crisis?, Johnnie shares the person, piece of advice, the daily habit and comfort that he uses to navigate life under pressure.This is the second part of a longer conversation with Johnnie – if you enjoyed this be sure to check out the full episode on our podcast homepage.Whether you’re an entrepreneur, CEO or leader, this episode offers a snapshot personal insight into the mindset of one of Britain's most successful fashion founders.FOLLOW BODEN: Instagram – www.instagram.com/boden/?hl=enTikTok – www.tiktok.com/@boden_clothingFOLLOW CRISIS WHAT CRISIS?Instagram – www.instagram.com/crisiswhatcrisispodcast/?hl=enTikTok – https://www.tiktok.com/@crisispod

For three decades, Johnnie Boden has turned cheerful prints, quality fabrics, and unmistakable English charm into one of Britain's most distinctive retail brands – worn by royals, loved internationally, with nearly 2 million active customers and the second-biggest British clothing business in America. But as Johnnie so candidly reveals, his success has been far from linear…In this business special of Crisis What Crisis? we delve deep into the challenges of starting and running a multinational fashion label offering lessons that apply to almost every founder, entrepreneur and leader.LESSONS YOU'LL LEARN:Hire people who complement you, not clone you.Match paranoia about people with confidence about your core idea.Ask the stupid questions.Listen intensely.Admit failure fast.FOLLOW BODEN:Instagram – www.instagram.com/boden/?hl=enTikTok – www.tiktok.com/@boden_clothingFOLLOW CRISIS WHAT CRISIS?Instagram – www.instagram.com/crisiswhatcrisispodcast/?hl=enTikTok – https://www.tiktok.com/@crisispod

For over a decade at BBC Newsnight, Sam McAlister secured the interviews others couldn't – Bill Clinton, Elon Musk, Stormy Daniels. But it was six months of negotiation that led to the conversation that changed everything: Prince Andrew discussing his ties to Jeffrey Epstein in 2019.Today, Sam teaches negotiation at LSE and is one of Britain's most compelling voices on persuasion, power, and resilience.This is Sam McAlister's Crisis CompassFOLLOW CRISIS WHAT CRISIS?Instagram – www.instagram.com/crisiswhatcrisispodcast/?hl=enTikTok – https://www.tiktok.com/@crisispod

For over a decade at BBC Newsnight, Sam McAlister secured the interviews others couldn't – Bill Clinton, Elon Musk, Stormy Daniels. But it was 13 months of negotiation that led to the conversation that changed everything: Prince Andrew discussing his ties to Jeffrey Epstein in 2019. The interview became a global news event, resulted in Andrew stepping back from royal duties, and is still making headlines six years later.In July 2021, Sam threw the dice, she gave up her BBC pension and security as a single mother in the middle of a pandemic to write a book. That gamble paid off. Her memoir Scoops became a bestseller and a Netflix film starring Gillian Anderson and Billie Piper. Today, Sam teaches negotiation at LSE and is one of Britain's most compelling voices on persuasion, power, and resilience.LESSONS YOU'LL LEARN:Don't get bitter, take control - When Sam wasn't getting credit for the Prince Andrew interview, she didn't whine or play victim. She took voluntary redundancy, wrote a book, and ended up with a Netflix deal and 30 million viewers watching Billie Piper play her.Imposter syndrome is mostly a crock - When you've worked hard and earned your place, confidence isn't arrogance – it's honesty.Build trust through respect, not manipulation - Sam's superpower wasn't sucking up to powerful people. It was treating them with respect while demanding it of herself.Know your financial bottom line before taking risks - Sam had three outcomes mapped before leaving the BBC. That clarity gave her the courage to leap.No one is dead – If you can't control it, suck it up. If you can, do something about it.FOLLOW CRISIS WHAT CRISIS?Instagram – www.instagram.com/crisiswhatcrisispodcast/?hl=enTikTok – https://www.tiktok.com/@crisispod

This is a relaunch of a previous episode, but the lessons contained within it are as important today as they were when we sat down to speak over two years ago.Rory Stewart has spent his life running toward gunfire. At thirty, he was governing millions of Iraqis under siege, rockets landing in his compound while insurgents climbed the walls. Years earlier, he'd walked six thousand miles across Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iran and India – surviving on strangers' floors, dodging bullets, and at one point sitting down in the snow ready to freeze to death until his dog Babur barked him back to life. Then he tried to fix British politics from the inside – becoming Prisons Minister, running for Prime Minister, and standing as an Independent for London Mayor before Covid cancelled the election seven weeks out and ended his political career. Today he's the force behind the podcasting phenomenon The Rest Is Politics – currently touring the country giving erudite political commentary.While his most recent book, Middleland, launched last month (October 2025), draws on pieces originally written for a local newspaper when he was serving as an MP in Cumbria, it is an urgent and inspiring portrait of rural Britain today.LESSONS YOU'LL LEARN:Permission to fail breeds confidence - Rory's father set impossibly high expectations while making him feel it was okay to fail. That paradox became the foundation for handling extreme crisis without paralysis.Beware thinking in clichés during crisis - Under siege in Iraq, Rory evacuated civilians into an ambush because he fell into a "women and children first" narrative. When you're living the movie version instead of the real version, you make dangerous decisions.Animals are crisis teachers - Babur the dog saved Rory's life by refusing to let him give up in the snow. Animals approach the world with courage, presence, and forgiveness.Bitterness is backwards motion - After being defeated by Boris Johnson, Rory struggled with anger. Whenever you have bitter days, you always go backwards. It's not just bad for you – it's terrible for everyone around you.Test yourself before crisis finds you - By voluntarily embracing discomfort and risk when you don't have to, you build the capacity to handle it when you must.FOLLOW CRISIS WHAT CRISIS?Instagram – www.instagram.com/crisiswhatcrisispodcast/?hl=enTikTok – https://www.tiktok.com/@crisispod