Can adversity ever be an advantage? Can early trauma shape future success? Times’ columnists, Rachel Sylvester and Alice Thomson interview notable people about the challenges they faced in their lives. What impact did these have on their identities and on their careers? Brian Cox, the actor, discusses growing up in poverty in Dundee after his father died when he was 8, and how witnessing his mother’s attempted suicide made him know he could survive anything.  You can now listen to Past Imperfect and all the other podcasts from The Times, on the Times Radio app. To download the app just go to your app store and search on 'Times Radio'. '   See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.