What I Believe

In this episode, Andrew speaks to writer and broadcaster Dr Susan Blackmore about what she believes, from being open minded and then skeptical, to arguments leading you somewhere, and the self as the whole embodied person with no free will but happy and good.

In this episode, Andrew speaks to model and humanist campaigner Laura Lacole about what she believes, from one life, to being who you are, making a difference, and expressing yourself.

In this episode, Andrew speaks to Swedish author and IT-entrepreneur Christer Sturmark about what he believes, from the importance of being an activist, to our moral responsibility to learn and be coherent, and critical thinking to find the truth.

In this episode, Andrew speaks to psychologist Nichola Raihani about what she believes, from cooperation and our social instincts, to moral trade-offs, and the cultural specifics of certain values.

In this episode, Andrew speaks to historian S I Martin about what he believes, from history and common ownership, to history as a framework for great arguments and ongoing engagement, and exposure to as many diverse views and experiences as possible.

In this episode, Andrew speaks to epidemiologist Professor Kate Pickett about what she believes, from fairness as a moral value to the benefits to all of reducing inequality, hopefulness in the cause of social change, and taking the long view.

In this episode, Andrew speaks to Clive Lewis MP about what he believes, from the necessity of politics to camaraderie of service, opposing imperialism and racism, universal humanity, and the climate threat.

In this episode, Andrew speaks to comedian Tim McGarry about what he believes, from devout atheism to accidental humanism, the values of education and comedy, and mutual respect and tolerance.

In this episode, Andrew speaks to philosopher A C Grayling about what he believes, from curiosity and making sense of things to being a good guest at life's dinner party, our democratic deficit, the good state, and the interconnectedness of all these things.  

In this episode, Andrew speaks to comedian Angela Barnes about what she believes, from occasional nostalgia to knowing where and who you are, making the most of the here and now, and putting everything out there.

In this episode, Andrew speaks to singer-songwriter, Frank Turner, about what he believes, from creativity to community, connection, empathy through art, nothing to excess, and 'know thyself'.

In this episode, Andrew speaks to philosopher Nigel Warburton about what he believes, from clarity to being accessible, free speech, thinking aloud, thinking together, thinking on the page, and being free and open.

In this episode, Andrew speaks to former Chief Scientific Adviser to the European Commission, Professor Dame Anne Glover, about what she believes, from curiosity, to the infinite possibilities of things you can't see, uncertainty, making knowledge useful, making a difference, and the vital importance of diversity to success.  

In this episode, Andrew speaks to Professor of Materials Chemistry, Saiful Islam, about what he believes, from beautiful crystals, to green energy, scientific progress, combating ignorance and fear, and the value of education.

In this episode, Andrew speaks to broadcaster and Professor of Hebrew Bible and Ancient Religion, Francesca Stavrakopoulou, about what she believes, from justice for marginalised people from the past, to death rituals, identity in the long human story, and human exceptionalism. 

In this episode, Andrew speaks to co-founder of WordPress, Mike Little, about what he believes, from democratic participation, to giving people a voice, an open source world, cooperation, and inspiration in utopianism.

In this episode, Andrew speaks to Labour MP, Dame Angela Eagle, about what she believes, from opportunity for all, to contributing to a collective effort, remaking society, and being a pragmatic humanist.

In this episode, Andrew speaks to cognitive scientist, Steven Pinker, about what he believes, from understanding ourselves, to consciousness raising of what it means to be human, the continuous landscape of knowledge, progress, and rationality.

In this episode, Andrew speaks to psychologist and author, John Amaechi OBE, about what he believes, from leadership, to congruence, opportunity, words authentically delivered for social good, and human thriving and development.

In this episode, Andrew speaks to stand up comedian and author, Shaparak Khorsandi, about what she believes, from living in exile and being an outsider, to hospitality, communication and creativity, connecting with others, equality of status, and appreciation of freedom.

In this episode, Andrew speaks to actor Eddie Marsan about what he believes, from choosing your way, living with integrity, thinking like an immigrant, combatting dogmatism and supremacy, empowerment, making your own character, and opportunity for all.

In this episode, Andrew speaks to journalist and broadcaster, Polly Toynbee about what she believes, from social justice, human frailty, political activism, persuasion, human imagination, and doing the best you can.

In this episode, Andrew speaks to journalist and podcaster, Andrew Gold about what he believes, from encounters with difference, enjoying people, understanding people, compromise, anti-dogmatism, and the nature of being human.  

In this episode, Andrew speaks to politician, campaigner, and author, Siân Berry about what she believes, from abundance, optimism, improvement, the long view of human history, the spirit of inquiry, the distribution of power, and democracy and freedom.

In this episode, Andrew speaks to actor and fledgling scientist Isaac Hempstead Wright about what he believes, from inquiry and truth, joy of finding things out, question after question, and how creativity and imagination are essential for science, and make-believe alike.  

In this episode, Andrew speaks to critically acclaimed novelist Ian McEwan about what he believes, from novels as a conversation through the generations, tolerance, empathy, freedom, pleasure, being each other, and enlarging our sympathies.

In this episode, Andrew speaks to theoretical physicist, author, and broadcaster, Jim Al-Khalili about what he believes, from lessons from quantum, science as a human enterprise, the values of the scientific approach, and amiable approaches to finding the truth.

In this episode, Andrew speaks to physicist, oceanographer, author, television presenter, and ‘bubble-enthusiast’, Helen Czerski about what she believes, from finding out how the world works, acknowledgment of messiness, the perspective of a scientist, being moved by the currents, and all being in the same canoe.

In this episode, Andrew speaks to world-renowned evolutionary biologist and science communicator, Richard Dawkins about what he believes, from wanting to be understood, clarity, poetry, and being glad to change your mind.

In this episode, Andrew speaks to broadcaster and Humanist Society Scotland celebrant,  Carol Smillie about what she believes, from collaborative environments, the diversity of human stories, taking on taboos and injustices, and building your own life story.

In this episode, Andrew speaks to award-winning journalist, David Aaronovitch about what he believes, from the value of freedom of expression, an obsession with truth, a hatred of scapegoating, and giving up the Marxist-Leninist worldview he was raised in.

In this episode, Andrew speaks to Emmy-nominated composer and producer, Hannah Peel about what she believes, from the meaning of music, its primal quality, music science and nature, music that binds us to place, music that connects us to people, being open, and the mystical aspect of artistic creation.

In this episode, Andrew speaks to Olivier Award-nominated singer and actress, Adèle Anderson about what she believes, from music, beautiful cassocks, performance, opening yourself up to experiences, collaboration, and role models.  

In this episode, Andrew speaks to indie folk singer-songwriter and guitarist, José González about what he believes, from doing what you can, the use of art in making arguments, and the importance of reducing suffering of all sentient animals.  

In this episode, Andrew speaks to English critic, feature writer, and novelist, Stephanie Merritt about what she believes, from freethinking, cultural interchange, cosmopolitanism and unity, to shared values, and the telling of stories.

In this episode, Andrew speaks to writer, broadcaster, and author, Christina Patterson about what she believes, from suffering, human relationships, authenticity, breaking bad habits, perspective, to thinking about death and then living.   

In this episode, Andrew speaks to historian and television presenter, Dan Snow about what he believes, from the use of history to understand today, growing out of British exceptionalism, the spirit of reform, and being a work in progress. 

In this episode, Andrew speaks to journalist, television presenter, and Labour Party peer, Joan Bakewell about what she believes, from curiosity about the beliefs of others, the value of education, social justice, the value of age, giving up the idea of inevitable progress, and thinking about death.  

In this episode, Andrew speaks to writer, broadcaster, classicist, and comedian, Natalie Haynes about what she believes, from everyone’s right to be inspired by the ancient world, happiness through personal development, and personal development as a sort of respect for others. 

In this episode, Andrew talks to Nigerian human rights advocate and humanist activist, Leo Igwe about what he believes, from humanism as an alternative, harm done to the vulnerable by religion in Nigeria, and our potential to change the world.

In this episode, Andrew talks to comedian, author, screenwriter and TV presenter, David Baddiel about what he believes, from complexity, the importance of stories, really really really knowing for absolute certain that there is no god, and being a Jew.

In this episode, Andrew speaks to philosopher and novelist, Rebecca Goldstein about what she believes, from the lust for truth to building an integrated worldview, and why every person matters.

In this episode, Andrew speaks to comedian, broadcaster, and professional quizzer, Paul Sinha about what he believes, from the joy of facts to the power of family.

In this episode, Andrew speaks to academic, broadcaster, and writer, Alice Roberts about what she believes, from serendipity to the importance of stepping outside your species.

In this episode, Andrew speaks to psychologist, author, and magician, Richard Wiseman about what he believes, from skepticism to making your own luck to not forgiving yourself.

In this episode, Andrew speaks to entrepreneur, writer, and TEDTALK favourite, Margaret Heffernan about what she believes, from the fact of uncertainty to the importance of freedom of choice.

In this episode, Andrew speaks to composer, lyricist, musician, comedian, actor, writer, producer, and director, Tim Minchin about what he believes, from skepticism to the necessity of diplomatic good faith (not that sort of faith…).

In this episode, Andrew speaks to actor, presenter, and novelist Janet Ellis about what she believes, from the role of chance to the joy of self-creation and human connections.

In this episode, Andrew speaks to comedian, writer, and broadcaster Robin Ince about what he believes, from finding delight in the disorder of the universe to accepting the absurdity of life.