Intelligence Squared

In this straight-talking podcast brought to you by Intelligence Squared, Chris Hirst cuts through the bullsh*t and gets to the heart of modern leadership. For this episode, Chris speaks to theatre director Sir Nicholas Hytner. Previously Artistic Director of the National Theatre, his major successes include Miss Saigon, The History Boys, and One Man, Two Guvnors. Under Hytner’s leadership, the National Theatre innovated with Sunday openings, live cinema broadcasts of plays around the world, and reduced ticket prices. In 2017, he founded the Bridge Theatre, where he is currently directing Guys and Dolls. Chris and Nicholas discuss his early life in Manchester, the unique challenges of leadership in a rehearsal room, and what is needed to revitalise the arts sector in Britain. Chris Hirst is the author of the award-winning book, No Bullsh*t Leadership: Why the World Needs More Everyday Leaders and Why That Leader Is You. Chris’ latest book, No Bullsh*t Change, is published on 1 June 2023. His brand new online leadership training programme is available on his website (www.chris-hirst.com). Connect with Chris Hirst on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrishirst/), Twitter (@chrishirst) & Instagram (@chrishirst_leadership). Watch exclusive content and original videos from Chris Hirst on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNC4qT90ArKOuKV8B0LWTWA). This podcast was produced and edited by Isabella Soames. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

14 Syys 202340min

Accelerated by a pandemic, global conflict and rapid technological change, extremist ideas are becoming more widespread: QAnon proponents run for U.S. Congress, neo-fascists win elections in Europe and hyper-partisan commentators spread dangerous myths to millions online. Julia Ebner is a researcher specialising in far-right extremism, reciprocal radicalisation, conspiracy myths and terrorism prevention. Her new book is Going Mainstream: How Extremists Are Taking Over. She joins our host Carl Miller, Research Director of the Centre for the Analysis of Social Media at the think tank Demos, to talk about it.  We’d love to hear your feedback and what you think we should talk about next, who we should have on and what our future debates should be.  Send us an email or voice note with your thoughts to podcasts@intelligencesquared.com or Tweet us @intelligence2.  And if you’d like to support our mission to foster honest debate and compelling conversations, as well as ad-free podcasts, exclusive bonus content, early access and much more, become a supporter of Intelligence Squared. Just visit intelligencesquared.com/membership to find out more.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

12 Syys 202336min

This is the second instalment of a three-part episode. David Baddiel would love there to be a God. The comedian and bestselling author has spent a lot of time fantasising about how much better life would be if there actually were a supreme being – which for him would be some kind of Superhero Dad who chased off Death. Unfortunately for him, there isn’t. Or at least, that’s Baddiel’s view, and it’s the starting point of his new book The God Desire. In April 2023 Baddiel came to our stage at The Tabernacle in Notting Hill, London, to argue that it is the very intensity of his, and everyone else’s, desire for God to exist that proves God’s non-existence. Baddiel was joined on stage by comedian, actor and film-maker Richard Ayoade and theologian and broadcaster Ben Quash for a conversation that tackled this most ancient and fundamental of questions: is our need for there to be something greater than ourselves anything more than just that – a need? We’d love to hear your feedback and what you think we should talk about next, who we should have on and what our future debates should be.  Send us an email or voice note with your thoughts to podcasts@intelligencesquared.com or Tweet us @intelligence2.  And if you’d like to support our mission to foster honest debate and compelling conversations, as well as ad-free podcasts, exclusive bonus content, early access and much more, become a supporter of Intelligence Squared. Just visit intelligencesquared.com/membership to find out more.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

10 Syys 202339min

David Baddiel would love there to be a God. The comedian and bestselling author has spent a lot of time fantasising about how much better life would be if there actually were a supreme being – which for him would be some kind of Superhero Dad who chased off Death. Unfortunately for him, there isn’t. Or at least, that’s Baddiel’s view, and it’s the starting point of his new book The God Desire. In April 2023 Baddiel came to our stage at The Tabernacle in Notting Hill, London, to argue that it is the very intensity of his, and everyone else’s, desire for God to exist that proves God’s non-existence. Baddiel was joined on stage by comedian, actor and film-maker Richard Ayoade and theologian and broadcaster Ben Quash for a conversation that tackled this most ancient and fundamental of questions: is our need for there to be something greater than ourselves anything more than just that – a need? We’d love to hear your feedback and what you think we should talk about next, who we should have on and what our future debates should be.  Send us an email or voice note with your thoughts to podcasts@intelligencesquared.com or Tweet us @intelligence2.  And if you’d like to support our mission to foster honest debate and compelling conversations, as well as ad-free podcasts, exclusive bonus content, early access and much more, become a supporter of Intelligence Squared. Just visit intelligencesquared.com/membership to find out more.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

9 Syys 202337min

What are the connections between propaganda about the Russian Empire and the invasion of Ukraine? Mikhail Zygar, a renowned Russian dissident journalist, is the founding editor-in-chief of Russian news TV channel Dozhd, who was forced to close his company and flee the country after condemning the invasion. In July 2023 he came to Intelligence Squared to share his insights into the power struggles and myths that shape Russo-Ukrainian relations today. Drawing on his new book War and Punishment: Putin, Zelensky, and the Path to Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine, Zygar explored how pervasive historical myths about Ukraine led Russian President Putin to underestimate the growing influence of Volodymyr Zelensky, the television comic who ultimately became Ukraine’s president. Joining Zygar in conversation is Edward Lucas, columnist at The Times and an expert on National Security. We’d love to hear your feedback and what you think we should talk about next, who we should have on and what our future debates should be.  Send us an email or voice note with your thoughts to podcasts@intelligencesquared.com or Tweet us @intelligence2.  And if you’d like to support our mission to foster honest debate and compelling conversations, as well as ad-free podcasts, exclusive bonus content, early access and much more, become a supporter of Intelligence Squared. Just visit intelligencesquared.com/membership to find out more.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

8 Syys 202338min

Samira Ahmed speaks to comedian Katherine Ryan, as part of the Intelligence Squared series How I Found My Voice. From working at Hooters and her first stand-up gigs to watching TV with her mum, they discuss the moments that inspired Katherine to find her voice and, in her own words, be a disruptive woman. This episode was first aired in 2019. How I Found My Voice explores how some of the world's greatest artists and thinkers became such compelling and unique communicators.  — We’d love to hear your feedback and what you think we should talk about next, who we should have on and what our future debates should be.  Send us an email or voice note with your thoughts to podcasts@intelligencesquared.com or Tweet us @intelligence2.  And if you’d like to support our mission to foster honest debate and compelling conversations, as well as ad-free podcasts, exclusive bonus content, early access and much more, become a supporter of Intelligence Squared. Just visit intelligencesquared.com/membership to find out more.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

5 Syys 202341min

Food has always been more than just fuel. Beyond mere nourishment, food carries deep meaning in our lives. It evokes feelings of comfort and joy and it can ignite disagreement and discord. It serves as a powerful link to culture and identity, creating a sense of belonging and community. In August 2023 we were joined by restaurateur and author Ravinder Bhogal and award-winning writer and broadcaster Kavita Puri, as they discussed the politics of food in our increasingly globalised world. Exploring the arguments around culinary authenticity, they asked how genuine food needs to be in a multicultural society. Can recipes be subject to cultural appropriation? And what happens when a people lose their cuisine, as has happened to some Palestinian people who have been living on UN food aid for so long they have lost touch with their traditional cuisine? -- We’d love to hear your feedback and what you think we should talk about next, who we should have on and what our future debates should be.  Send us an email or voice note with your thoughts to podcasts@intelligencesquared.com or Tweet us @intelligence2.  And if you’d like to get ad-free access to all Intelligence Squared podcasts, including exclusive bonus content, early access to new episodes and much more, become a supporter of Intelligence Squared today for just £4.99, or the equivalent in your local currency .  Just visit intelligencesquared.com/membership to find out more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

3 Syys 202334min

Among wine lovers, there is no greater divide than that between Burgundy and Bordeaux. These are the world’s most celebrated wine regions. What separates them and why the great rivalry? Back in 2015 we invited two of the UK's top wine critics, Jancis Robinson and Hugh Johnson, to debate the issue. Chairing the event was Michelin-starred chef and restauranteur Michel Roux Jr.  We’d love to hear your feedback and what you think we should talk about next, who we should have on and what our future debates should be.  Send us an email or voice note with your thoughts to podcasts@intelligencesquared.com or Tweet us @intelligence2.  And if you’d like to get ad-free access to all Intelligence Squared podcasts, including exclusive bonus content, early access to new episodes and much more, become a supporter of Intelligence Squared today for just £4.99, or the equivalent in your local currency .  Just visit intelligencesquared.com/membership to find out more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

2 Syys 202338min