In this episode I’m joined by three remarkable men, Andy Airey, Mike Palmer and Tim Owen – better known as Three Dads Walking. All would rather have never met but through a common and tragic bond – the loss of their daughters, Sophie, Beth and Emily, to suicide – they did.   Brought together by a shared grief, these three dads connected and decided to shine a light on the shocking number of young people who take their own lives in the UK.   A 300-mile walk between their homes in Cumbria,...

In this episode I’m joined by the force of nature that is Bryony Gordon. Journalist, author, presenter, podcaster, mental health campaigner, marathon runner, cold water swimmer… there’s nothing this woman cannot do. Yet accomplishing all this whilst also dealing with demons is no mean feat – it is a testament to her resilience, her work ethic and her bravery.    Bryony has an honest attitude towards and astonishing candour about her struggles, both physical and mental, including extreme OCD...

As regular listeners and viewers will know, at the end of all our conversations we ask our guests for their three crisis comforts; their go-tos for inspiration and strength during the challenging times. Short but perfectly formed advice for getting you through the tough moments. Over the years we have heard some incredibly interesting and more importantly, useful tips for anyone who might be feeling the weight of their own problems. In this short episode Amy Dowden, a woman who has endured a...

In this episode I’m joined by Strictly Come Dancing legend, TV presenter and candidate for Britain’s most resilient woman Amy Dowden.    Amy’s huge success is all the more remarkable as it has been achieved whilst battling Crohn’s Disease which she has been living with since the age of 11.   Last year Amy was diagnosed with breast cancer. When she developed sepsis towards the end of her chemotherapy, her family were told she only had hours to live.   But throughout all this continual crisis,...

As regular listeners and viewers will know, at the end of all our conversations we ask our guests for their three crisis comforts; their go-tos for inspiration and strength during the challenging times. Short but perfectly formed advice for getting you through the tough moments. Over the years we have heard some incredibly interesting and more importantly, useful tips for anyone who might be feeling the weight of their own problems. In this short episode, Ben Wallace – a man who has lived...

Key words: Military, Conservatives, politics, Boris, Brexit, crisis, defence, army, drama As a soldier and politician Ben Wallace was tasked with keeping us safe through some of the most dangerous moments of recent times. As Security Minister and then as the longest serving Conservative Defence Secretary since Churchill, Ben Wallace managed crises including the 2017 Westminster terror attacks, the Salisbury Poisonings, the military response to the pandemic and the Russian invasion of...

As regular listeners and viewers will know, at the end of all our conversations we ask our guests for their three crisis comforts; their go-tos for inspiration and strength during the challenging times. Short but perfectly formed advice for getting you through the tough moments. Over the years we have heard some incredibly interesting and more importantly, useful tips for anyone who might be feeling the weight of their own problems. In this episode we are joined by one of rugby’s finest...

Key words: Premiership Rugby, Northampton Saints, Six Nations, British and Irish Lions, England, Sports, Family, BLM, Leadership, The Centre for Social Justice (CSJ) In this episode we are joined by one of rugby’s finest international players: Northampton Saints legend, British and Irish Lion and former England Captain Courtney Lawes. When Courtney decided to retire from international rugby after last year’s World Cup, there was some shock – not least because he was still in the form of...

As regular listeners and viewers will know, at the end of all our conversations we ask our guests for their three crisis comforts; their go-tos for inspiration and strength during the challenging times. Short but perfectly formed advice for getting you through the tough moments. Over the years we have heard some incredibly interesting and useful tips for anyone who might be feeling the weight of their own problems. In this episode, Jason Watkins, award-winning actor and campaigner, shares...

Key words: ADHD, child bereavement, dyslexia, grief, sepsis, suicide In this episode I am joined by the award-winning actor and campaigner Jason Watkins. One of Britain’s leading performers whose roles across drama and comedy – on TV, film and stage – have got us thinking, made us laugh and even cry. Jason has won a best actor Bafta for his role in the Lost Honour of Christopher Jeffries, played Prime Minister Harold Wilson brilliantly in The Crown and stars in the hit series Macdonald and...

As regular listeners will know, at the end of all our conversations we ask our guests for their three crisis comforts; their go-tos for inspiration and strength during the challenging times. Short but perfectly formed advice for getting you through the tough moments. Over the years we have heard some incredibly interesting and useful tips for anyone who might be feeling the weight of their own problems. In this episode James Landale, the BBC's Diplomatic Correspondent, shares his Crisis...

In this episode I am joined by the BBC’s Diplomatic Correspondent, James Landale. Drawing on a 30-year career spent on the front line of so many political and geopolitical crises, James offers insight into the role that diplomacy can – must - play in resolving the conflict in the Middle East and across a troubled world. Reflecting on his experience living with cancer, James offers invaluable advice on coping with chemotherapy. He talks movingly about how he approached a sudden diagnosis of...

As regular listeners will know, at the end of all our conversations we ask our guests for their three crisis comforts; their go-tos for inspiration and strength during the challenging times. Short but perfectly formed advice for getting you through the tough moments. Over the years we have heard some incredibly interesting and useful tips for anyone who might be feeling the weight of their own problems. In this episode Pauline Stonehouse, a victim of the appalling Post Office scandal, shares...

As regular listeners will know, at the end of all our conversations we ask our guests for their three crisis comforts; their go-tos for inspiration and strength during the challenging times. Short but perfectly formed advice for getting you through the tough moments. Over the years we have heard some incredibly interesting and useful tips for anyone who might be feeling the weight of their own problems. In this episode Rory Stewart tells us about the things that cheer him up and why silence...

As regular listeners will know, at the end of all our conversations we ask our guests for their three crisis comforts; their go-tos for inspiration and strength during the challenging times. Short but perfectly formed advice for getting you through the tough moments. Over the years we have heard some incredibly interesting and useful tips for anyone who might be feeling the weight of their own problems. In this episode Sajid Javid, former Health and Home Secretary, shares his Crisis...

In this episode I am joined by the politician Sajid Javid. The former Health and Home Secretary talks frankly about a childhood blighted by racism, his ‘survivor’s guilt’ after his older brother Tariq took his life and the extraordinary conversation with Prime Minister Boris Johnson that led him to quit as Chancellor. A fascinating, revealing conversation with a man who has a claim to the title Secretary of State For Crisis. *DISCLAIMER – This episode includes a discussion about racism and...

As regular listeners will know, at the end of all our conversations we ask our guests for their three crisis comforts; their go-tos for inspiration and strength during the challenging times. Short but perfectly formed advice for getting you through the tough moments. Over the years we have heard some incredibly interesting and useful tips for anyone who might be feeling the weight of their own problems. In this episode Davinia Taylor, best-selling author and biohacking superstar, shares her...

Former Hollyoaks star, best-selling author and biohacking superstar Davinia Taylor’s story is a true masterclass in how to turn personal crisis into a rocket-propelled positive. In this episode she talks about it all with raw honesty, emotion and humour. And all done without a hint of self-pity. *DISCLAIMER – This episode includes discussion about addiction issues. Anyone struggling should seek professional help from an expert....

As regular listeners will know, at the end of all our conversations we ask our guests for their three crisis comforts; their go-tos for inspiration and strength during the challenging times. Short but perfectly formed advice for getting you through the tough moments. Over the years we have heard some incredibly interesting and useful tips for anyone who might be feeling the weight of their own problems. In this episode the politician and activist Lord Peter Hain shares his Crisis Comforts...

Former Secretary of State Lord Peter Hain’s remarkable life was forged in crisis. His parents’ peaceful but determined activism against apartheid – and the drama that surrounded his family as a result – was the backdrop to Peter’s upbringing in South Africa. The Hains were constantly harassed – and at one stage jailed by the South African security services. When a close family friend was convicted and executed for the bombing of a railway station – an attack which his family condemned –...

As regular listeners will know, at the end of all our conversations we ask our guests for their three crisis comforts; their go-tos for inspiration and strength during the challenging times. Short but perfectly formed advice for getting you through the tough moments. Over the years we have heard some incredibly interesting and useful tips for anyone who might be feeling the weight of their own problems. In this episode Timbaland, legendary music super producer, shares his Crisis Comforts...

Our guest for this episode is music legend Timbaland. With more Top Ten hits than Elvis, Tim is one of the world’s most successful super producers, performers and music entrepreneurs. He’s worked with artists including Pharrell Williams, Rihanna, Missy Elliott, Justin Timberlake, Michael Jackson, Elton John, Jay-Z and Beyoncé. And yet despite this incredible success, Tim has faced down a number of life-threatening crises. Accidentally shot in the neck as a teenager, he still carries the...

If you pitched the story we discuss in this episode as a fictional film script you’d be laughed out of the room … so shocking, so unlikely is this tale of crisis. In 2005 Steve Gallant was convicted of the brutal revenge murder of a man he claimed had attacked his then girlfriend. After being sentenced to life in prison, with a minimum 17-year term, Steve made a vow to never again use violence. He kept that vow for 14 and a half years until, on November 29th 2019, he was allowed out on day...

Our guest this week is Tom Fletcher, former Ambassador to Lebanon, Downing Street Private Secretary for Foreign Affairs to three successive Prime Ministers and author. Given Tom’s experience at the sharp end of geopolitics, the timing of our conversation could not have been more useful. Tom, who is now Principal of Oxford University’s Hertford College, has first-hand, visceral experience of managing conflict in a region now beset with tragedy and terror. Experience that included facing the...

In this episode I’m joined by the eminent and progressive educator, renowned author and political historian Sir Anthony Seldon. As a Headmaster, he has led some of Britain’s most prestigious schools, including Brighton College and Wellington and most recently Epsom College, a role he took on following the shocking murder of former Headmistress Emma Pattison and her daughter, Lettie. Anthony talks about that challenge and other personal crises he has faced and managed. Along the way we...