BBC Radio Podcasts from Four Thought
What I've Learned from Four Thought
Sheila Cook reflects on what she has learned from producing Four Thought.
Life Without Chilli
Dina Rezk returns to Four Thought to speak about a bereavement.
Care to Care
Farrah Jarral explains why she believes we need to put care at the centre of our society.
Turning to Art
Ted Harrison argues that only art can truly capture the essence of spirituality.
Stand Up for Irish Travellers
Martin Warde talks about his journey to becoming the first Irish Traveller comedian.
I'm not having children to save the planet
Why a woman who had always wanted children has decided not to become a mum.
Life after 'life-changing'
Thought-provoking talks in which speakers explore original ideas about culture and society
I love gaming, but gaming doesn't always love me
Professional gamer Meg Sunshine on how gaming needs to tackle its toxic culture.
Moral Animals
Virginie Simoneau-Gilbert asks us to think differently about our pets.
On Regret
Rachel Genn describes her fascination with regret.
After a Parent Dies by Suicide
Anna Wardley argues that we should better support children whose parents kill themselves.
Piracy on the Page
Author Joe Nutt argues we need to fight back against what he calls 'linguistic piracy'.
From Care to Cambridge
A care leaver who graduated from Cambridge University on why its time to rethink education
Baldness, Beauty and Me
Lizi Jackson-Barrett developed alopecia in her 40s and re-evaluated her idea of beauty.
From Bradford with Love
Bradford-born writer Amit Dhand on how people in his city can lead the way on integration.
What I learnt from Reality TV
Former Love Island contestant Malin Andersson reflects on reality TV and social media.
A Friendship
Novelist Richard Owain Roberts shares a story about a friendship.
Who Tells the Story?
Chloe Juliette argues that we need a wider variety of true stories.
Somewhere, not Nowhere
Jonathan Evershed argues that we should re-imagine how we think of the Irish Sea.
Meeting Up
Laura Simpson argues that online meetings have been good for business.
Asking the right questions about crime
Criminologist Dr Laura Bui wants us to ask the right questions when it comes to crime.
Cities made for our mental health
Psychiatrist Dr Layla McCay asks how our buildings and towns can benefit our mental health
Making Time
Watchmaker Rebecca Struthers warns that this traditional skill is endangered in Britain.
Grief: A Practical Guide
James Helm gives a practical guide to dealing with grief and sudden single parenthood.
Valuing Care
Ai-jen Poo argues that we should all value caring, and carers.
Brain Matters
Beth Stevens talks about the brain cells most people have never heard of.
Painting a different history
Tara Munroe reveals what she learned when she rescued some badly damaged paintings.
Prison Sentence
Philippa Greer discusses the imprisonment of people convicted of genocide.
The Power of Doubt
Nicola Reindorp says we should rehabilitate doubt as a strength rather than a weakness.
Leaving Your Homeland
Eva Hnizdo reflects on the impulses which drive people to emigrate - or not.
Freedom Is a Must
Robyn Travis believes that labelling children as criminals is counter-productive.
And They Said We'd Be Glowing
Laura Dockrill describes her frightening experience of post partum psychosis.
Mum... again
Angela Frazer-Wicks tells her extraordinary story of being a mother.
Who Owns Space?
Simon Morden argues that we should resist the privatisation of space.
And His Wife
Jessica Barker argues that we should rediscover overlooked sculptures of women.
200 Days
Steven Dowd tells the story of how his life changed, and how he regained control of it.
Fear of Finance
Professor Atul Shah argues that we need a healthier relationship with finance.
What is it to Hear?
Joe Friedman, who grew up with deaf parents, reflects on what it means to hear.
The Tyranny of Positivity
Sian Ejiwunmi-Le Berre argues against the tyranny of positivity.
The Power of Classical Music
Leon Bosch reflects on the power of classical music to transform lives.
When We Were Young
Luke Rigg argues that more young magistrates will improve justice.
Virtually Immortal
Tracey Follows explores how virtual assistants can help us survive after death.
Mums in Prison
Dr Shona Minson argues that we shouldn't punish children if their parents go to prison.
Climate Consultations
Dr Tamsin Ellis explains how to improve health and climate outcomes.
The Meaning of Statues
Jak Beula says statues and memorials matter because they show who a society values.
What's In a Name?
Helena Goodwyn challenges the practice of giving children their father's surname.
Defeat Don't Repeat
Sergeant Rhys Rutledge explains why he thinks people deserve a second chance.
Making a Friend of Fear
Dina Rezk describes how she made a friend of fear following the murder of her mother.
Our Lost Food Culture
Alastair Hendy explains why he thinks we've lost our food culture.
Being a Carer
Penny Wincer reflects on what it means to be a carer.
Coffee with an Imam
Sabah Ahmedi, one of Britain's youngest imams, is on a mission to overcome Islamophobia.
Seeing Differently
Adam Morse, who is registered blind, tells how he directed a film by seeing differently.
Selfhood
Ranjit Saimbi explains why he doesn't want to be defined by his cultural heritage.
The Empathy Equation
Anne-Marie Douglas discusses the need for more empathy in provision of services.
More Than a Game
Lydia Furse looks at the personal and political benefits of playing women's rugby.
Class of 2020
Rufaro Mazarura discusses what the class of 2020 have learned from the pandemic.
Reading Outside Your Comfort Zone
Ann Morgan commends the challenge of reading outside your comfort zone.
Craftivism: Gentle Protest
Sarah Corbett explains the power of 'craftivism' as a form of gentle protest.
In Defence of Embarrassment
Tiffany Atkinson rehabilitates the concept of embarrassment.
Writing Black British History
Stephen Bourne thinks we need to teach children more about the history of black Britons.
Telford, Little Yugoslavia
Jelena Sofronijevic tells a story of Serbia, Yugoslavia - and Telford.
The Other Mother
Claire Lynch describes how she navigated motherhood.
The Craft of Surgery
Sam Gallivan examines the similarities between surgery and sculpture.
War on Two Wheels
Lois Pryce argues that cycling needs to be uncool again.
The Power of Mentoring
Reggie Nelson believes in the importance for young people to find a mentor.
Embracing Uncertainty
Caoilinn Hughes discovers the power of embracing uncertainty.
Ending Ageism
Carl Honoré thinks we're all missing out by stereotyping older people as 'over the hill'.
Change Through Engagement
Mahamed Hashi, a youth worker and gun crime victim, says we must listen to communities.
Making Sense of the World
Nwando Ebizie describes how she experiences the world, through her 'visual snow'
Good and Clever
Sammy Wright asks why we put such weight on exam results.
Depolarizing
Ali Goldsworthy explains why campaigns that succeed by polarising can cause long-term harm
Fit and Finished
Emma Hayes explains why the fit of our clothes matters.
Digital Sadness
Alice Moloney discusses how best to express negative emotions in the digital realm.
A Boy Who Died
Andrew Hankinson tells the story of a boy who died, and his parents, who wanted him alive.
Living With Gods
Anna Della Subin takes a journey with a man once worshipped as a living god.
Tidying Up
Sarah Gristwood is worried that the vogue for tidying will make history harder to uncover.
The Pen Is Mightier Than The Sword
Ashley Hickson-Lovence argues black boys need to read books that reflect their own lives.
The Romance of Train Travel
Monisha Rajesh says the romance of train travel is not dead.
Recovery After Rape
Winnie M Li talks about her traumatic experience as a survivor of sexual violence.
Life In Transit
Novelist Louise Doughty discovers her own past sheds light on the experience of others.
Grief, and Starscape
Lora Stimson uses sky and starscape to navigate her grief.
Digging Deep
Rabab Ghazoul makes the case for Wales as a place of post-colonial possibility.
Working Class Women
Rachael Gibbons discusses class, social mobility and Imposter Syndrome.
Politics Fans
Penny Andrews argues that thinking of political supporters as fans helps explain politics.
An Empathy Machine
Emmanuel Ordóñez-Angulo asks whether virtual reality could be an 'empathy machine'.
The P Word
Richard Lynch-Smith argues that social workers need to better acknowledge poverty.
Life in Letters
Helen Cullen makes the case for the art of letter writing.
A Pleasure Culture of War
Historian Kasia Tomasiewicz discusses how to commemorate war.
How poker teaches decision making
Liv Boeree explains how playing poker teaches good decision making.
Preserving the Home Visit
Dr Mark Williams believes we need to preserve the traditional GP home visit.
Taking Humour Seriously
Harriet Beveridge says we don't take humour seriously enough.
The Inside of Being
Bex Burch explores the difference between 'doing' and 'being' as a source of creativity.
House Buying Agony
Kevin Carr charts the agony of the first-time house buyer.
Social Media Snooping
Harleen Nottay says snooping and spying via social media is bad for our mental health.
Facing Death Creatively
R.M. Sánchez-Camus describes how art can help us to talk about death and dying.
Identity Through Reading
Author Zoë Strachan charts her journey of self-discovery as a gay woman through reading.
The Last Poets
The Last Poets discuss why they're still performing after 50 years.
Play the game, lads
Ewan Flynn argues that grassroots football is more than just a game on a Sunday afternoon.
Rediscovering Human Connections
Julia Unwin asks if we have lost the human touch in a world of automation.
All The Music We'll Never Hear
Grammy award-winning producer Ian Brennan talks about all the music we may never hear.
Back to the Land
John Connell speaks about how the connection to land can heal the modern urban soul.
The Magic of the Forest
Folk singer Mari Kalkun tells us why we should stop and listen to the forest.
Going sober
Clare Pooley tells us how her love of wine got in the way of her love of life.
Future First
Sophie Howe explains how she tries to get politicians in Wales to put the future first.
Mental Health Crisis?
Ann John examines the current discussion around young people's mental health.
Belonging, On Hold
Author Lloyd Markham shares a dystopian tale about belonging.
To Absent Friends
Blogger Gemma Louise Bond asks us to think about how we grieve the end of friendship.
Thinking Differently about Difference
Maura Campbell asks us to think differently about difference.
A Toast To The Bridesmaids
Actress and comedian Diona Doherty proposes that bridesmaids should be seen AND heard.
Aesthetic Labour
Chris Warhurst reveals that how good-looking you are may determine if you get a job.
Married Life
Laiba Husain discusses life before, and after, marriage.
Exceptional
David Baker asks what happens to the families of people shot by the police.
Screened out?
Felicity Boardman discusses genetic screening for 'serious conditions'.
Being a Muslim Dad
Zia Chaudhry reflects on his role as a Muslim dad to help his children to feel British.
Learning Outdoors
Julie White shares her passion for young children learning outdoors in the natural world.
The AI Ethics Challenge
David Reid warns of the dangers of encoding unconscious bias into artificial intelligence.
The Invisible Entrepreneurs - Women
Maggie O'Carroll calls for action to encourage more women to become entrepreneurs.
Dreams of Public Resting Spaces
Theatre maker Raquel Meseguer has a vision for public resting spaces.
Achieving Dreams
Young entrepreneur Bejay Mulenga tells the story of his business success.
Philosophy on the Battlefield
Former army intelligence officer Andy Owen explains how philosophy can help in battle.
Gardening, Roses and Cultural Identity
Artist Zarah Hussain reflects on gardening, roses and cultural identity.
Am I a Gentrifier?
Karen Chapple discusses gentrification and how to keep our cities diverse.
Socially Mobile?
Michael Merrick challenges how we think about social mobility.
Being Muslim in America
Dalia Elmelige tells the story of her life as a Muslim in America after 9/11.
Truth and Reality
Geoff Colman discusses truth and reality in acting.
You're A Musician Too
Dan Mayfield explains why he believes everyone is capable of making music.
How to Be Optimistic (Despite Everything)
Comedian Nick Revell explains why he manages to be optimistic - despite all the evidence.
The Power of Singing Together
Natalie Maddix explains why she believes in the power of singing together.
The Sound of Syria
Syrian qanun virtuoso Maya Youssef on the healing power of music. Recorded at WOMAD.
Get Fit, Do Good
Ivo Gormley tells the story of his bright idea to combine getting fit with doing good.
Being Bereaved
Annie Broadbent shares her experience of being bereaved.
Cash Not Card
Andrew Martin explains his passion for paying by cash rather than by card.
Understanding Drug Addiction
Hanna Pickard says we need to understand the reasons why people become addicted to drugs.
Being Transgender
Juno Dawson thinks we should get over our prurient obsession with transgender people.
Intelligent Kindness in Healthcare
John Ballatt says we need 'intelligent kindness' to transform the culture of healthcare.
Fragmented Landscape
Hugh Warwick calls for reconnection of our fragmented landscape to preserve our wildlife.
The Cyber Effect
Cyberpsychologist Mary Aiken fears an evolutionary blip from our internet obsession.
Captain Trouble
Richard Gillis challenges the myth of sports leadership.
Regulation Nation
Josie Appleton argues that petty rules stifle our human responses and damage society.
Football for Good
Andrea Cooper explains why she believes that football can change the world.
A Speck of Dust
Jay Owens argues that we should pay more attention to dust.
Capturing Moonlight
Astrid Alben explains how art and science together can explain phenomena like moonlight.
A Good Book
Daniel Hahn discusses what makes a 'good' book.
Building for a new life
Mark Breeze asks what architects can do for refugees.
The Curse of Confidence
Rowland Manthorpe explains why he thinks confidence is overrated.
Co-Art
Ellen Mara De Wachter explores the insights offered by collaborative art or "co-art".
Stereotypes
Franklyn Addo describes how witnessing a murder transformed his life.
Ghost Stories
Writer Jonathan Stroud explains why he thinks ghost stories are good for you.
Digital Millennial
Jonnie Bayfield on being the last generation to grow up in an analogue childhood.
Performance Teaching
Matt Hood says we need to treat teaching like a performance profession.
Listening to Street Children
Sarah Thomas de Benitez says it's time to listen to street children.
Dealing With Dementia
Tommy Whitelaw calls for more support and respect for people living with dementia.
Straight from the Root
VV Brown explains why she has embraced her natural hair.
A Lonely Society
Lucy Hurst-Brown asks why so many learning disabled people are so lonely.
Magazine Renaissance
Jeremy Leslie explains why reports of magazines dying have been greatly exaggerated.
Sensitive Souls
Hannah Jane Walker makes the case for being a bit sensitive.
Change for the Better
Katz Kiely argues that we should all learn to better manage change.
Property Ownership
Chris Pierson makes the case for a radical rethinking of private property.
Supporting Mothers
Kerry Littleford argues that mothers who have children taken into care need help.
Stories with Food
Annie Zimmerman and James Wheale argue that food is the perfect storytelling medium.
Other People's Stories
Anna Derrig asks who has the right to tell someone else's story.
Liberating Men
Dave Pickering makes the case for a men's liberation movement.
The Art of Diary Writing
Sally Bayley traces the art of diary writing from Pepys to today's culture of blogging.
The Pull of the Land
Nick Ivins explains how the pull of the land turned him into a homesteader.
Funny Politics
Ayesha Hazarika explains why she thinks humour is so important in our political discourse.
In Praise of Parks
Travis Elborough explores the role of public parks in British life.
The Social Media Poet
Brian Bilston on becoming an accidental Twitter poet.
Are Pornographers Anti-Sex?
Melissa Raphael explains why she sees pornographers as anti-sex.
Father and Son
Laurence Anholt describes how his dying father revealed his traumatic past experiences.
Being Turkish
Writer Elif Shafak describes how being Turkish means always worrying about your country.
Citizen Diplomacy
Former ambassador Tom Fletcher argues that the future of diplomacy will be citizen-led.
The Muslim Soldier
Adnan Sarwar discusses being a Muslim in the British Army.
Dead White Composers
Simon Zagorski-Thomas thinks we fail to value the study of pop music.
Spice In Prison
Stuart J Cole warns of the crisis in UK prisons posed by 'spice', a synthetic cannabis.
Healing Minds
Rachel Kelly believes there needs to be a more nuanced approach to mental illness.
The Meaning of North
Alex Beaumont questions the meaning of 'the north'.
Best of Four Thought: Hinge Moments in History
Another chance to hear three of the best recent episodes of Four Thought.
Reaching Out
Charlie Howard argues that public services should find their users, not wait to be found.
Positively Medieval
Lucy Allen argues that medieval society had a conflicted attitude towards women.
The Whirlpool Economy
Charles Leadbeater argues that we are living in a whirlpool economy.
Big Charity, Big Business
David Russell asks whether backing big charities is the best way of improving the world.
The End of the Age of Ideas
Robert Rowland Smith argues that we are coming to the end of the age of ideas.
Passports for a Price
Katy Long argues that we should think differently about citizenship.
National Pride
Alex Marshall discusses patriotism and nationalism.
On Being Ignored
John Osborne discusses what it means to be ignored.
Democratising Education
Rachel Roberts argues that education needs a democratic revolution.
Economists' Lost Literary Touch
Adam Kelly argues that economics needs to get back in touch with its literary side.
A Boat of One's Own
Michelle Madsen makes the case for life on Britain's rivers and canals.
D Is for Diagnosis
Ann York discusses diagnoses - her own, and ones she gives to others.
Stories of Terrorism
Benedict Wilkinson challenges how we think about terrorism.
Changing Laws of War
Muna Baig argues that forced displacement should be taken seriously as a war crime.
Lessons in Development
Alpa Shah argues that tribal people need a better development model.
Trust Me, I'm a Magician
Magician Paul Hyland explains that he is not a trickster. At least, not a dishonest one.
The Best of Four Thought: Matt Haig, Tim Meek, Adjoa Andoh
Another chance to hear three great talks combining personal stories and new ideas.
Why Run?
Adharanand Finn provides a subtle answer to a simple question: why run?
A Scaredy-Cat's Guide to Moving Abroad
Sarah Bennetto shares her tips for starting a new life in a strange land.
The Unequal Past
Jim Smallman says society treats men and women differently when it comes to their pasts.
Saving the Skyline
Barbara Weiss says we must act fast to save London's skyline from ugly buildings.
Cold Calling
Ian McDowell experiences misery in a cold-calling centre raising money for charities.
The Power of Dreams
Shane McCorristine thinks that people are losing out by not talking about their dreams.
Writing Myself into the Script
Playwright Bola Agbaje on why black women are still under-represented on British TV.
Matt Haig
The writer Matt Haig describes how words helped him live with depression.
Amanda Palmer
Amanda Palmer on reconciling art and motherhood. Recorded at the Hay Festival.
Caroline Ingraham
Caroline Ingraham, founder of a new approach to animal welfare, on giving animals choices.
Tim Meek
Tim Meek on using the precious resource of time more wisely. Recorded at the Hay Festival.
Brian Lobel
Brian Lobel says surviving cancer does not mean you have to be heroic.
Huda Jawad
Huda Jawad describes reconciling her deeply held Islamic faith with her feminism.
Baraa Shiban
Baraa Shiban, stranded in London by the conflict in Yemen, on how his life has changed.
John Williams: Unexpected Joy
Comedian John Williams finds unexpected joy in his autistic son's view of life.
Agata Pyzik
Polish writer Agata Pyzik on what she sees as prejudice against eastern European migrants.
Peter Bleksley
Peter Bleksley, a former undercover policeman, argues that drugs should be legalised.
Jamie Bartlett
Jamie Bartlett meets online trolls and finds out that they can be surprisingly human.
Amy Golden
Amy Golden, who is severely disabled, shares what life is like through her eyes.
Keeping It Personal
Paralympian Darren Harris argues for a person-centred approach in the age of big data.
Art, Design and Politics
Paola Antonelli explores the politics in art and design.
The Shadow of the Cold War
Jeffrey Sachs argues that many global problems were caused by mistakes at the end of wars.
Black in America
Christina Greer asks what it means to be black in America today.
Writing for a Living
Elizabeth Wurtzel explores the relationship between writing and the need to pay the bills.
Esther Woolfson
Esther Woolfson controversially argues it may be time to stop owning pets?
Kenneth Steven
Kenneth Steven considers the damage cruise ships do to fragile indigenous communities.
Andy Kirkpatrick
Mountaineer Andy Kirkpatrick considers the importance of managed risk for our children.
Claire Cunningham
Disabled dancer Claire Cunningham considers why she would never want to be 'fixed'.
Killing the Consumer
Jon Alexander argues that consumer power has become an idea which is damaging society.
Risk and Reward
Robyn Scott argues that accepting more risk will improve public services.
Migration, Separation and Wales
Wyn James tells the story of the Welsh settlements in Patagonia.
High Street Revival
We are trying to revive our high streets the wrong way, argues Clare Richmond.
Making Drugs Today
Sunil Shaunak argues that pharmaceuticals could, and should, build social capital.
A World for Children
Daniel Hahn argues that more children's books should be translated into English.
Judgement at Last
Tiffany Jenkins argues that we need more judgement about quality in art, culture and life.
Creative Women
Anna Beer asks why we do not hear more music composed by women.
The Trouble with Paradise
Carrie Gibson argues that we need to rethink our notion of paradise.
In Defence of Anger
Philosopher Amia Srinivasan makes the case for anger.
A New Currency of Commitment
Comedian Rosie Wilby proposes the end of monogamy.
Americans Abroad
Mara Oliva argues that we need to think differently about Americans and foreign policy.
Philip North
Philip North argues that poor people have been held back by the professional middle class.
Adjoa Andoh
Adjoa Andoh on raising a transgender child.
Rupert Goodwins
Technology writer Rupert Goodwins asks what has gone wrong with internet discourse.
Noreena Hertz
Noreena Hertz argues that it is sometimes very dangerous to put your trust in experts.
Jasper Fforde
Jasper Fforde asks whether humans have reached the limit of creative thought.
Serena Kutchinsky
Serena Kutchinsky reflects on a fateful obsession with the Faberge egg.
Karl Sharro
Karl Sharro wants people to be allowed to build whatever they want.
Sandra Newman
Sandra Newman argues that genuinely cool people are a liability.
Jono Vernon-Powell
Jono Vernon-Powell argues for a revival in the lost art of hitchhiking.
Jonathan Ree
Jonathan Ree warns against the current fashion for confusing morality with politics.
Rachel Armstrong
Rachel Armstrong proposes we should harness the computing power of the natural world.
SF Said
SF Said believes fiction can help to bridge the divide between 'us' and 'them'.
Mark Graham
Thought-provoking talks with a personal dimension.
Rebecca Mott
Rebecca Mott calls for the abolition of prostitution.
Philippa Perry
Philippa Perry explains why the stories we tell to and about ourselves are so powerful.
Benet Brandreth
Benet Brandreth criticises the bankruptcy of current political discourse.
Making a Home
Becky Manson discusses the meaning of home, as home ownership becomes less common.
Cult of Girls
Sharon Kinsella explores the Japanese 'cult of girls'.
Nothing to Lose
Byron Vincent discusses nature versus nurture, and society's obligations to its weakest.
Role Modelling
Anne-Marie Imafidon argues that we need to think differently about role models.
Heaven Crawley
Heaven Crawley argues for a different approach in our attitude towards asylum seekers.
Matthew Engel
Matthew Engel makes a secular case for reclaiming the peace and quiet of the Sabbath.
Emile Simpson
Former soldier Emile Simpson argues we need to rethink the way we fight wars.
Curtis Blanc
Former prisoner turned entrepreneur, Curtis Blanc, says prison only works if you let it.
Refugee Stories
Agnes Woolley examines what is missing from the stories told by, and about, refugees.
Courage and Effect
Brian Lavery on how a fishwife from Hull changed the country's most dangerous industry.
Chemophobia
Chemistry lecturer Mark Lorch asks why we are all so afraid of chemicals.
Ambivalence: For and Against
Mark O'Connell argues that in an age of strong opinions, we should embrace ambivalence.
Putting Profit in Its Place
Jane Burston argues that we should put profit in its place: as a means to an end.
How to Remember
Sam Edwards argues that we should think again about how we memorialise war.
Learning from our teenage selves
Molly Naylor explores what we can learn from our teenage selves.
Empires of Attention
Matt Locke examines how our attention has shaped our culture.
Hello Cheeky
Farrah Jarral puts the case for more cheekiness.
Drugs in Sport
Paul Dimeo argues that drugs have made modern sport what it is today.
Language Is Power
Lindsay Johns says language is power, and makes the case for speaking English properly.
Mona Siddiqui
Prof Mona Siddiqui considers the importance of friendship in a divided world.
Danny Dorling
Prof Danny Dorling on why he thinks the population bomb has already been diffused.
Emily Bell
Emily Bell considers the affect of cyberspace on actual space.
Alan Bissett
Author Alan Bissett on his journey from lad to feminist.
Greg Votolato
Greg Votolato confesses his addiction to cars, while arguing for more sustainable designs.
Yasmin Hai
Yasmin Hai gives her personal perspective on the radicalisation of young British Muslims.
Jad Adams
Jad Adams thinks we are dealing with homelessness less well than in the 1930s.
Andrew Graystone
Andrew Graystone argues that we are using the wrong language to talk about cancer.
Kevin Allen
Kevin Allen explains how missing airline cutlery shows where business leaders go wrong.
Jamie Tehrani
Social anthropologist Jamie Tehrani dissects our obsession with celebrity culture.
Judith Shapiro
Economist Judith Shapiro believes the next steps towards women's equality will be harder.
Dick Moore
Dick Moore calls for urgent action to tackle the problems of adolescent mental health.
Steven Poole: Think for Yourself
Steven Poole argues that we should resist the idea that humans are irrational.
Anna Woodhouse: Windows to the Soul
Anna Woodhouse explores what looking through glass and glasses means for us.
Henry Stewart: Choose Your Boss
Henry Stewart argues that we should choose our own bosses.
Emma Byrne: Why We Swear
Science writer Emma Byrne explores the benefits of swearing.
Stewart Henderson: Poetry in Politics
Stewart Henderson makes the case for putting poetry back in political rhetoric.
Daniela Papi: The Problem with Volunteering
Daniela Papi explores the dark side of volunteering overseas.
Mat Paskins: The future in history
Mat Paskins tells a story of black sand conjuring emotions, which bring history to life.
Emma Woolf: Explaining Anorexia
Emma Woolf explores the prospects for a proper explanation of anorexia.
Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy: Forget Impartiality
William Dalrymple introduces Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy in Four Thought in Jaipur.
Ranjini Obeyesekere: Lost in Translation?
William Dalrymple introduces Ranjini Obeyesekere in Four Thought in Jaipur.
Anwar Akhtar: The Meaning of Pakistan
Anwar Akhtar says British Pakistanis can help Pakistan face its future as an Asian nation.
Sally Kettle: Does hope help?
Adventurer Sally Kettle argues that hope is not helpful.
Tom Armitage: The Coded World
Tom Armitage says learning to write computer code means learning to think in a modern way.
Georgie Fienberg: Saying No to Pity
Georgie Fienberg argues that charities doing development work should want to close.
Nancy Lublin: 21st-Century Social Activism
Nancy Lublin argues that the web has transformed social activism for the better.
Amber Dermont: The Benefits of an Unhappy Childhood
Amber Dermont explains the benefits of an unhappy childhood.
Sara Ziff: The Problem with Fashion
Model and activist Sara Ziff discusses the problems with fashion and modelling.
Maria Popova: The Architecture of Knowledge
Maria Popova asks how we can find more information we don't know we want to know.
Ismail Einashe: The Challenge for British Somalis
Ismail Einashe reflects on the causes of violent gang culture among young Somali men.
James Friel: In Praise of the Single Life
James Friel defends the values and virtues of the single life.
Anna Minton: Fuelling Fear with High Security
Anna Minton argues that higher security creates a sense of fear rather than safety.
Ben Dyson: Understanding How Money Works
Ben Dyson argues for the need to understand how money works before fixing the bank system.
Rabina Khan: Redefining Multiculturalism
Rabina Khan calls for a new definition of multiculturalism which avoids simplistic labels.
Mark Vernon: Narcissism
Writer Mark Vernon says narcissism should be rehabilitated as a positive form of self-love
Colin Murray Parkes: Insecurity and Extremism
Colin Murray Parkes illuminates the importance of secure attachments for human happiness.
Margaret Heffernan: Whistleblowers
Entrepreneur Margaret Heffernan argues for the value of whistle-blowers to businesses.
Ruchir Sharma: The Search for Economic Growth
Ruchir Sharma describes his search for the next global economy which can deliver growth.
Niall Iain MacDonald: Rowing the Minch
Niall Iain MacDonald describes his extraordinary fight back against depression.
Ian Robertson: The Winner Effect
Ian Robertson argues that success and being a winner has a drug-like effect on us drug.
Joe Dunthorne: Lessons from the Mosh Pit
Writer Joe Dunthorne asks what we can all learn from rock gigs about living together.
Katarina Skoberne: Family History Repeating
Katarina Skoberne describes how history repeating itself taught her valuable lessons.
Ali Mangera: The Future of Shopping
Architect Ali Mangera discusses the closely-connected futures of cities and shopping.
James Bridle: Computers and Cultural Memories
James Bridle asks how computer networks will affect cultural memories.
Gillian Wheeler: Flower Design as Art
Flower design is evolving into an art, argues Gillian Wheeler.
Naif Al-Mutawa: Art and Religion
Naif Al-Mutawa discusses the importance of interpreting and translating between cultures.
Leisa Rea: The Delight of Losing
In the year of the London Olympics, Comedian Leisa Rea ponders the delight of losing.
Alice Bell: Improving Public Understanding of Science
Alice Bell tackles the myth of scientific literacy as a panacea to understanding science.
Colin Crooks: The Let-Down Generation
Social entrepreneur Colin Crooks argues that we are wrong to focus on youth unemployment.
Mitu Khandaker: Knowing Ourselves Through Computer Games
Computer games offer many opportunities for self-reflective thought, says Mitu Khandaker.
Sir Terry Farrell: Architects are Problem Solvers
Sir Terry Farrell says architects can solve the problems of Britain's public spaces.
Kamin Mohammadi: Life in Authoritarian Regimes
Kamin Mohammadi says life under an authoritarian regime is lived more creatively.
Paddy Docherty: Poverty and Entrepreneurship
Paddy Docherty says business is best placed to bring prosperity to impoverished nations.
Kate Smurthwaite: Stop Laughing at Sexism
Comedian Kate Smurthwaite argues it is time to stop laughing at sexism.
Martin Cassini: The Case Against Traffic Lights
Martin Cassini argues that the UK system for managing traffic needs radical reform.
Matthew Syed: Does Talent Trump Effort?
Matthew Syed says the importance of talent over effort should not be over-emphasised.
Clare Melford: Buddah in the Boardroom
Clare Melford explains what she believes business leaders can learn from Buddhism.
June Andrews: A Revolution for Dementia Treatment
Prof June Andrews argues for a revolution in the approach to dealing with dementia.
Jules Evans: Socrates and Psychotherapy
Jules Evans explores what ancient philosophy can tell modern society about well-being.
Bobby Cummines: How to Reform Criminals
Bobby Cummines, chief executive of UNLOCK, says ex-offenders need jobs to reduce crime.
Robin Gorna: Are We Losing the Fight Against AIDS?
Robin Gorna fears the world is losing the political will to deal with the problem of AIDS.
Rob Hopkins: Sustainability and Community
Rob Hopkins argues for a new approach to energy, society and our surroundings.
Gordon Bridger: Re-thinking Foreign Aid
Economist Gordon Bridger says we should change the way in which we spend overseas aid.
Bali Rai: Stop Talking About Race
Author Bali Rai argues that stopping talking about race is the best way to stop racism.
Gerard Darby: Science and Creativity
Writer Gerard Darby argues that creativity is just as vital as science in education.
Clare Allan: Liberation Through Lies
Novelist Clare Allan asks why lying gets such a bad press.
Judith Clegg: Pay it Forward
Judith Clegg argues that start-up culture can make the world a dramatically better place.
Paul Flatters: Childhood is Better Than Ever
Social trends analyst Paul Flatters argues that childhood today is better than ever before
Tim Smit: Britain's Not Broken
Tim Smit argues that if we learn to trust one another, Britain could be great again.
James Lange: YouTube and Scientific Research
James Lange argues that YouTube videos can be a vital tool for sociology - and science.
Anthony McGowan: Seeing Ourselves as Villains
Author Anthony McGowan thinks we should see ourselves as villains, not heroes.
David Perks: Re-thinking Science in Schools
Physics teacher David Perks says current science teaching is short-changing children.
Angela Saini: Throwaway Technology
Science writer Angela Saini celebrates being a late adopter of new technology.
David Bainbridge: Celebrating Middle Age
David Bainbridge sees the evolution of middle age as central to our species' success.
James Daunt: In Defence of Bookshops
James Daunt argues libraries and bookshops should be vital social and cultural spaces.
Aza Raskin: A Design Renaissance for Healthcare
American designer Aza Raskin proposes a design renaissance in healthcare.
Dreda Say Mitchell: Family, Faith and Community
Author Dreda Say Mitchell says we have overlooked the cultural element to social mobility.
Christie Watson: What's Worse than Death?
Christie Watson asks if there are some things worse than death for some very ill children.
Ed Yong: The Philosophy of Bacteria
Science journalist Ed Yong explores the implications of being host to billions of microbes
Kate Fox: Understanding Alcohol
Kate Fox argues we need to re-learn what we think we know about the effects of alcohol.
Cindy Gallop: Embracing Zero Privacy
Advertising guru Cindy Gallop discusses embracing zero privacy.
Matthew Goodwin: An Electable Far Right?
Matthew Goodwin argues the well of potential support for the far right in Britain is deep.
Russell M Davies: The Next Technological Revolution
Russell M Davies says the next revolution will unleash individual creativity.
Charles ffrench-Constant: Regenerating the Human Body
Charles ffrench-Constant on a new wave of drugs which could help the body heal itself.
Jim Crumley: A New Dance with Wolves
Nature writer Jim Crumley asks if it is time to reintroduce wolves to the UK.
Ed Howker: Do Young People Deserve a Bad Reputation?
Ed Howker asks if young people deserve the bad reputation given to them?
Andrew Robinson: What Can We Learn from Geniuses?
At the Edinburgh Festival, Andrew Robinson asks: 'What can we learn from geniuses?'.
Owen Hatherley: The Decline of Architecture
Owen Hatherley attacks the architectural results of recent 'urban regeneration'.
Dominic Hobson: Sport is a Zero Sum Game
Dominic Hobson argues that organised competitive sport harms rather than builds character.
Musa Okwonga: Life without Facebook
Poet Musa Okwonga explores the downside of living a life on Twitter and Facebook.
Clare Lockhart: Rethinking Aid and the Developing World
Clare Lockhart calls for a new model of engagement for the developing world.
Hilary Cottam: Redesigning Welfare
Entrepreneur Hilary Cottam unfolds her vision for redesigning the welfare state.
Matthew Engel: An Invasion of Americanisms
Matthew Engel warns of a new threat to the English language from Americanisms.
Penny Pepper: Disability and Identity
Writer Penny Pepper gives her perspective on human identity as a disabled person.
Danny Kruger: The Purpose of Punishment
Danny Kruger calls for a re-evaluation of the purpose of punishment for crime.
Ed Smith: Professionalism in Sport
Former England cricketer Ed Smith argues that too much professionalism is not a winner.
Steve Jones: The Legacy of Eugenics
Biologist Steve Jones reflects on the legacy of the father of eugenics, Francis Galton.
Felipe Fernandez-Armesto: The Myth of the Protestant Work Ethic
Professor Felipe Fernandez-Armesto explodes the myth of the Protestant work ethic.
Anne Applebaum: Repressive Regimes
Anne Applebaum asks how governments can best compensate victims of repressive regimes.
Philip Cowley: Politicians and Pogo Sticks
Philip Cowley says today's politicians compare favourably to those of the past.
Jake Wallis Simons: Buddha vs Buddha
Writer Jake Wallis Simons explains why he decided to abandon Buddhism.
Johann Hari: Dying for a New Phone
Johann Hari argues that our demand for gadgets has helped to drive the war in the Congo.
Jonathan Sumption: Don't Apologise
Jonathan Sumption argues against apologising today for historical events.
Christina Patterson: Care to be a Nurse?
Christina Patterson says we should stop making excuses for bad nursing.
Tom Gill: Homeless in Japan
Tom Gill recalls some memorable incidents he witnessed as an anthropologist in Japan.
Naomi Shragi: Fusion and Confusion
Naomi Shragai on how her beliefs were challenged only after she left moved neighbourhood.
Ahdaf Soueif: The Egyptian Uprising
Egyptian author Ahdaf Soueif discusses what the protests mean for Egyptian culture.
David Goldblatt: Guerilla Urbanism Comes to Town
Photographer David Goldblatt argues that we need a new model for urban redevelopment.
Peter Hennessy: On Joining the Constitution
Peter Hennessy discusses joining the constitution, after a lifetime writing about it.
Susan Greenfield: Once Upon a Future
Scientist Susan Greenfield discusses her life's ambition & how stories develop our brains.