EP 24 – Ian McEwan

FromWhat I Believe

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EP 24 – Ian McEwan

FromWhat I Believe

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Length:

45 minutes

Released:

Apr 29, 2021

Format:

Podcast episode

Description

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.

Released:

Apr 29, 2021

Format:

Podcast episode

Titles in the series (57)

In this podcast, Chief Executive of Humanists UK Andrew Copson talks to humanists today about what they believe, to understand more about the values, convictions, and opinions they live by.

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Robin Ince: 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. by What I Believe
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Natalie Haynes: 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... by What I Believe
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Rebecca Goldstein: 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. by What I Believe
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Tim Minchin: 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…). by What I Believe
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Janet Ellis: 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. by What I Believe
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Richard Wiseman: 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. by What I Believe
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Leo Igwe: 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. by What I Believe
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Adèle Anderson: 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. by What I Believe
55 min listen
Margaret Heffernan: 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. by What I Believe
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Paul Sinha: 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. by What I Believe
31 min listen
Joan Bakewell: 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 ... by What I Believe
39 min listen
Christina Patterson: 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. by What I Believe
34 min listen
Alice Roberts: 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. by What I Believe
41 min listen
Jim Al-Khalili: 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 th... by What I Believe
35 min listen
David Baddiel: 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. by What I Believe
50 min listen
Carol Smillie: 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 st... by What I Believe
30 min listen
Stephanie Merritt: 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. by What I Believe
37 min listen
Helen Czerski: 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, b... by What I Believe
30 min listen
Hannah Peel: 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 op... by What I Believe
34 min listen
Ian McEwan: 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. by What I Believe
45 min listen
Richard Dawkins: 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. by What I Believe
36 min listen
Dan Snow: 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. by What I Believe
42 min listen
John Amaechi: 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. by What I Believe
31 min listen
José González: 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. by What I Believe
31 min listen
Steven Pinker: 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. by What I Believe
34 min listen
Isaac Hempstead Wright: 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 m... by What I Believe
30 min listen
David Aaronovitch: 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 i... by What I Believe
44 min listen
Siân Berry: 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. by What I Believe
40 min listen
Angela Eagle: 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. by What I Believe
28 min listen
Andrew Gold: 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. by What I Believe
36 min listen

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EP 57 – Adam Kay on the values of the NHS, fundamental human equality, and the future of one of the UK’s most cherished institutions: Andrew Copson speaks to award-winning writer, comedian, and former doctor Adam Kay who shares the beliefs that have shaped his life and career. From the original values of the NHS, to questions about its future, he lifts the lid on one of the UK’s mo... by What I Believe
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EP 56 – Lynne Featherstone on liberalism, being the chief architect of the same-sex marriage act, and her deep aversion to conformity: Andrew Copson speaks to Liberal Democrat peer and patron of Humanists UK, Baroness Lynne Featherstone who shares her political experiences as a Minister of the Conservative–Liberal Democrat Coalition Government (2010-2015). From being the chief archi... by What I Believe
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Ep 55 – Alom Shaha on becoming a humanist, the joy of teaching, and writing ’The Young Atheist’s Handbook’,: Andrew Copson speaks to science communicator Alom Shaha who shares his experiences as a teacher and author. From growing up in a strict Bangladeshi Muslim area in south-east London, to the role of his teachers in shaping his worldview, it’s a thought... by What I Believe
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EP 54 – Tommy Sheppard MP on republicanism, the anti-nuclear campaign, and why he’s not a nationalist: Andrew Copson speaks to SNP MP Tommy Sheppard about his life and career as a politician. From his childhood in Northern Ireland during the Troubles, to his unwavering commitment to Scottish independence, it's an engaging episode that explores the imp... by What I Believe
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EP 53 – Samira Ahmed on the art of interviewing, equal pay at the BBC, and the ‘toxic’ nature of UK political discourse: Andrew Copson chats to multi award-winning journalist, writer, and broadcaster Samira Ahmed who shares the secrets and skills behind her successful career. From questioning those in power, to taking an equal pay case against the BBC, it’s an inspirin... by What I Believe
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EP 52 – Adam Rutherford on tackling racist pseudoscience, ’Where are you really from?’, and Taylor Swift Vs Charles Darwin: Andrew Copson chats with geneticist and author of How to Argue With a Racist Adam Rutherford about the motivations behind a career spent challenging false claims from religion and pseudoscience. From unshackling ourselves from the constraints of evol... by What I Believe
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EP 51 – Henry Marsh on being a neurosurgeon, living with advanced prostate cancer, and the arguments for assisted dying: Andrew Copson explores the life and work of eminent neurosurgeon and writer Henry Marsh who reflects on living with advanced prostate cancer and the motivations behind his world-renowned career. From his unconventional route into medicine, to his exp... by What I Believe
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EP 50 – Sandi Toksvig on bishops, Scandi convents, and masterminding a school rebellion: Andrew deep dives into the fascinating world of comedian, author, and human rights advocate Sandi Toksvig who shares some of the experiences that have fueled her fervent commitment to equality and justice. From school days spent at a French-speaking ... by What I Believe
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Susan Blackmore: 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 ... by What I Believe
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Laura Lacole: 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. by What I Believe
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Nichola Raihani: 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. by What I Believe
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S I Martin: 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. by What I Believe
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Kate Pickett: 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. by What I Believe
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Clive Lewis: 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. by What I Believe
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Tim McGarry: 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. by What I Believe
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Angela Barnes: 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. by What I Believe
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Anne Glover: 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... by What I Believe
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Saiful Islam: 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. by What I Believe
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Francesca Stavrakopoulou: 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, a... by What I Believe
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Mike Little: 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. by What I Believe
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John Amaechi: 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. by What I Believe
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Shaparak Khorsandi: 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 appreci... by What I Believe
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Eddie Marsan: 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. by What I Believe
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EP 24 – Ian McEwan

EP 24 – Ian McEwan

Description

Titles in the series (57)

More Episodes from What I Believe