Crisis What Crisis with Andy Coulson

Andy Coulson

Hard-earned lessons from people who've faced the worst and come back stronger. Hosted by Andy Coulson. Follow for weekly insights into the art of the rebuild. Crisis What Crisis? is powered by Kingsley Napley — the lawyers you want in your corner when the pressure is on. Visit kingsleynapley.co.uk

  1. KATE BOWLER: Everything DOES NOT happen for a reason

    21 HR AGO

    KATE BOWLER: Everything DOES NOT happen for a reason

    At 35, Kate Bowler had the life she'd always wanted: she was a Duke University professor, married to her high school sweetheart, with a one-year-old son. Then she was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer. Today, Kate is a five time New York Times bestselling author, host of the Everything Happens podcast and one of the most inspiring and unique voices on the subject of suffering, the myth of the prosperity gospel and the reality of the human condition. POWERED BY KINGSLEY NAPLEY: I know what it is to have the right legal support around you when facing crisis. Kingsley Napley are the kind of lawyers I wish more people knew about – there to help you make the right decisions, protect what matters and build real resilience when the pressure is on. This episode is powered by Kingsley Napley, visit www.kingsleynapley.co.uk for more details. FIVE LESSONS FROM KATE: Don't trust your 2 am self. Your 2 a.m. self is despairing and terrified.People want to help. Give them small, specific ways to show they love you.Put an expiry date on bitterness.Saying yes opens up untold opportunities – often it’s worth it.Happiness is cheap. Meaning isn't. A happy person isn't necessarily living a meaningful life – they're often just extremely lucky. CHAPTERS: 04:42 – Defining resilience 10:49 – Growing up with depressed person 14:46 – The prosperity gospel 16:48 – When it all came apart 20:33 – The diagnosis 22:07 – Performing gratitude 35:23 – Rules for surviving cancer 43:33 – The reality of being cured 45:12 – Joyful Anyway 48:19 – The happiness industry 51:23 – On stoicism 55:35 – Fear, sharks and risk 58:18 – Tasked with love BUY KATE'S NEW BOOK: Joyful Anyway – www.amazon.co.uk/Joyful-Anyway-Finding-Delight-Impossible/dp/1037202562 FOLLOW KATE BOWLER: Instagram – www.instagram.com/katecbowler/ YouTube – www.youtube.com/@katecbowler TikTok – www.tiktok.com/@katecbowler Substack – https://katebowler.substack.com/ Podcast – Everything Happens FOLLOW CRISIS WHAT CRISIS? Instagram – www.instagram.com/crisiswhatcrisispodcast TikTok – www.tiktok.com/@crisispod

    1hr 1min
  2. NICK WHEELER'S CRISIS COMPASS: 4 tools for navigating crisis

    14 APR ·  BONUS

    NICK WHEELER'S CRISIS COMPASS: 4 tools for navigating crisis

    Charles Tyrwhitt founder, Nick Wheeler, started the business with just £99, a Morris Minor (with a hole rusted through the floor), and zero understanding of how you make a shirt. Today, it’s a £400m global empire – but his story is one not short of tragedy. In this bonus episode of Crisis What Crisis, I sit down with Nick to discuss his Crisis Compass. The four points of navigation that he turns to in order to help survive a crisis – a person, a habit, a comfort and a piece of advice. We’d love to know yours, let us know in the reviews... POWERED BY KINGSLEY NAPLEY: I know what it is to have the right legal support around you when facing crisis. Kingsley Napley are the kind of lawyers I wish more people knew about – there to help you make the right decisions, protect what matters and build real resilience when the pressure is on. This episode is powered by Kingsley Napley, visit www.kingsleynapley.co.uk for more details. CHAPTERS: 00:49 A Person – Learning from your children's fresh perspective 01:33 A Habit – 474 days of Duolingo (and still can't speak Italian) 02:32 A Comfort – Singing on a Brompton around London 03:12 A Piece of Advice – Stop stressing about what you can't change FOLLOW CHARLES TYRWHITT: ‪@charlestyrwhitt‬ Instagram – www.instagram.com/charlestyrwhitt/ YouTube – www.youtube.com/c/charlestyrwhitt TikTok – www.tiktok.com/discover/charles-tyrwhitt Website – https://www.charlestyrwhitt.com/uk/home FOLLOW CRISIS WHAT CRISIS? Instagram – www.instagram.com/crisiswhatcrisispodcast TikTok – www.tiktok.com/@crisispod

    4 min
  3. CHARLES TYRWHITT FOUNDER: The uni bedroom business that now does £400 million in sales | Nick Wheeler

    7 APR

    CHARLES TYRWHITT FOUNDER: The uni bedroom business that now does £400 million in sales | Nick Wheeler

    Nick Wheeler founded Charles Tyrwhitt with just £99 and a Morris Minor with a hole rusted through the floor (and zero understanding of how you make a shirt!). Today, it’s a £400m global empire – but his story is one not short of tragedy, with the loss of his mother aged just five years old, bankruptcy, and a catalogue of mistakes which meant he nearly lost everything. In this episode of Crisis What Crisis, I sit down with the man who revolutionised British menswear. Nick Wheeler shares the raw, unfiltered reality of building a world-class brand. If you want to learn about entrepreneurial resilience, business scaling, and the power of dogged self belief, this masterclass is for you. POWERED BY KINGSLEY NAPLEY: I know what it is to have the right legal support around you when facing crisis. Kingsley Napley are the kind of lawyers I wish more people knew about – there to help you make the right decisions, protect what matters and build real resilience when the pressure is on. This episode is powered by Kingsley Napley, visit www.kingsleynapley.co.uk for more details. SIX BUSINESS LESSONS: 1) Build to be loved. Nick's motivation has always been simple: to be loved. By his team. By his customers. It's made him £400 million. 2) Never give away a share of your business. The minute you do, someone else has the right to tell you what to do. 3) Be the best in the world at one thing. Not two things. One. Going bust taught him that. 4) Cut early. If something isn't working, be brutally honest with yourself about why. Don't wait. 5) The only real job of an entrepreneur is choosing the right person to run your business. 6) Be a tortoise, not a hare. Grow 10% every year. It's boring for the first 20 years. Then it becomes extraordinary. CHAPTERS: 01:19 – Introduction 02:54 – The entrepreneurial gene 15:29 – From failed shoes to Charles Tyrwhitt 23:31 – Mistake one 31:07 – Mistake two 36:15 – The hardest lesson 39:31 – The pandemic 44:04 – Cracking America 50:37 – Building a brand people love FOLLOW CHARLES TYRWHITT: Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/charlestyrwhitt/ YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRD_t-tXUDpidmNKqg4kayQ TikTok – https://www.tiktok.com/discover/charles-tyrwhitt Website – https://www.charlestyrwhitt.com/uk/home FOLLOW CRISIS WHAT CRISIS? Instagram – www.instagram.com/crisiswhatcrisispodcast TikTok – www.tiktok.com/@crisispod

    53 min
  4. Dame Jenni Murray (1950 – 2026)

    31 MAR

    Dame Jenni Murray (1950 – 2026)

    In this special tribute episode, we revisit my conversation with the legendary Dame Jenni Murray. Recorded in February 2021 in the early days of the podcast, Jenni joined me to discuss her remarkable 33-year tenure at BBC Radio 4’s Woman’s Hour, her harrowing battle with breast cancer, and the lifelong, deeply personal crisis of obesity that she detailed in her book, Fat Cow, Fat Chance. Jenni was a pioneer who proved that no topic was too difficult to discuss. In this incredibly frank and moving conversation, we explore the roots of resilience, the complexity of forgiveness, and why "getting on with it" was the only strategy she knew when the world seemed to be unravelling. POWERED BY KINGSLEY NAPLEY: I know what it is to have the right legal support around you when facing crisis. Kingsley Napley are the kind of lawyers I wish more people knew about – there to help you make the right decisions, protect what matters, and build real resilience when the pressure is on. This episode is powered by Kingsley Napley; visit www.kingsleynapley.co.uk for more details. LESSONS YOU’LL LEARN:Action Eases Anxiety: When the "shit hits the fan," shifting into a practical, task-oriented mode can prevent you from folding in on yourself.Vulnerability is Bravery: Resilience isn't just about being "tough"; it's about the courage to drop the mask and admit when the pressure is too much.Forgiveness is a Process: Moving past personal trauma requires acknowledging the full, complicated humanity of those who hurt us.Set Your Own Milestones: In times of health or personal crisis, creating small, achievable targets (like writing a eulogy or finishing a treatment) provides a vital sense of control.Words Matter: Shaming – whether of oneself or others – never leads to positive change; empathy and understanding are the only true paths to recovery. CHAPTERS:01:50 – "Fat Cow": The Reality of Public Shaming06:05 – Inherited Habits: A Childhood Defined by Food08:10 – The Black Bombers: Amphetamines and University Weight Loss18:20 – Reconciling with Her Mother22:30 – The Failure of Therapy vs. the Power of Friendship29:35 – The Phone Call to the Samaritans36:35 – December 2006: Cancer, Loss, and the Mastectomy43:00 – "Just Get On With It": The Instinctive Practicality of Crisis52:00 – A Vascular Necrosis: The Hidden Cost of Chemotherapy57:05 – The Turning Point: Metabolic Surgery and a Second Chance01:06:10 – Crisis Cures: Dogs, Crime Novels, and New Forest Ice Cream FOLLOW CRISIS WHAT CRISIS? Instagram – www.instagram.com/crisiswhatcrisispodcast TikTok – www.tiktok.com/@crisispod

    1hr 12min
  5. RYAN HOLIDAY'S CRISIS COMPASS: 4 tools of a stoic philosopher

    24 MAR ·  BONUS

    RYAN HOLIDAY'S CRISIS COMPASS: 4 tools of a stoic philosopher

    Ryan Holiday – bestselling author of The Daily Stoic, Ego is the Enemy, and The Obstacle is the Way – joins me on Crisis What Crisis to explore why intelligence doesn't protect you from stupidity, why modern life's frictionlessness is making us weaker, and what ancient Stoic philosophy can teach us about navigating today's world. POWERED BY KINGSLEY NAPLEY: I know what it is to have the right legal support around you when facing crisis. Kingsley Napley are the kind of lawyers I wish more people knew about – there to help you make the right decisions, protect what matters and build real resilience when the pressure is on. This episode is powered by Kingsley Napley, visit www.kingsleynapley.co.uk for more details. IN THIS EPISODE: 00:00 Intro – Ryan Holiday’s Crisis Compass 00:18 Who Guides You in Crisis? (Marcus Aurelius) 00:58 The Power of Role Models in Stoicism 01:08 Daily Habit: Why Journaling Matters 01:24 Finding Calm: The Simple Power of Walking 01:46 One Rule to Live By (Epictetus’ Advice) 02:03 What Stoicism Really Teaches About Control 02:15 More Stoicism Episodes BUY RYAN'S BOOK: Wisdom Takes Work – https://www.amazon.co.uk/Wisdom-Takes-Work-Important-Journey/dp/1788166299 FOLLOW RYAN: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ryanholiday/?hl=en X/Twitter: https://x.com/RyanHoliday TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ryan_holiday YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYmBIKsrzIjdHRuqs2I8nHA FOLLOW CRISIS WHAT CRISIS? Instagram – www.instagram.com/crisiswhatcrisispodcast TikTok – www.tiktok.com/@crisispod

    3 min
  6. RYAN HOLIDAY: Why wisdom takes work (and smart people still do stupid things)

    17 MAR

    RYAN HOLIDAY: Why wisdom takes work (and smart people still do stupid things)

    Why do genius-level intellects fall for conspiracy theories? How does someone who taught himself rocket science from Soviet manuals end up believing nonsense on social media? Ryan Holiday – bestselling author of The Daily Stoic, Ego is the Enemy, and The Obstacle is the Way – joins me on Crisis What Crisis to explore why intelligence doesn't protect you from stupidity, why modern life's frictionlessness is making us weaker, and what ancient Stoic philosophy can teach us about navigating today's world. In this conversation, we discuss Elon Musk's descent into conspiracy theories, why judging young men from reading philosophy is dangerous, what Marcus Aurelius would make of AI, and why Victor Frankl warned in 1979 that our "too soft" world would lead to emptiness. POWERED BY KINGSLEY NAPLEY: I know what it is to have the right legal support around you when facing crisis. Kingsley Napley are the kind of lawyers I wish more people knew about – there to help you make the right decisions, protect what matters and build real resilience when the pressure is on. This episode is powered by Kingsley Napley, visit www.kingsleynapley.co.uk for more details. WHAT YOU'LL HEAR: Why "making a massive contrarian bet that works" can be brain-destroyingThe Stoic POW who tapped Epictetus through prison walls in VietnamWhy young men desperately need philosophy (not less of it)How to guard against your own stupidity while pursuing wisdomWhat Marcus Aurelius would say about your Instagram habits LESSONS YOU'LL LEARN: Intelligence DOES NOT EQUAL wisdom – being brilliant at one thing doesn't protect you from being an idiot about othersStay a student forever – Marcus Aurelius, the philosopher-king, made a point of always staying a studentFriction builds resilience – a frictionless life leaves you vulnerable when reality intervenesYou don't control what happens, only how you respondWisdom takes work – it's not something you're born with; it's the result of hard work, experience, and time CHAPTERS: 00:00 – Introduction: The Modern Day Philosopher King 02:37 – What is Stoicism? (Explained for people in crisis) 07:58 – Why Ryan turned to ancient philosophy at 19 10:11 – The marketing career he walked away from 13:25 – What if Ryan never discovered Stoicism? 15:02 – Does Stoicism have a "toxic masculinity" problem? 19:16 – Why choose Stoicism over Instagram wealth? 22:07 – What is wisdom and how do you get it? 24:53 – Elon Musk: A cautionary tale of genius + stupidity 27:42 – Will we ever have philosophical leaders again? 30:11 – Victor Frankl's 1979 warning: Life is too soft 33:05 – What would Marcus Aurelius make of AI? 36:22 – Where Ryan goes next? BUY RYAN'S BOOK: Wisdom Takes Work – https://www.amazon.co.uk/Wisdom-Takes-Work-Important-Journey/dp/1788166299 FOLLOW RYAN: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ryanholiday/?hl=en X/Twitter: https://x.com/RyanHoliday TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ryan_holiday YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYmBIKsrzIjdHRuqs2I8nHA FOLLOW CRISIS WHAT CRISIS? Instagram – www.instagram.com/crisiswhatcrisispodcast TikTok – www.tiktok.com/@crisispod

    38 min
  7. TOM FRESTON’S CRISIS COMPASS: 4 Tools for Starting Over

    10 MAR ·  BONUS

    TOM FRESTON’S CRISIS COMPASS: 4 Tools for Starting Over

    After building MTV and rising to the very top of the global media industry, Tom Freston experienced dramatic setbacks that forced him to rebuild - not for the first time. In this Crisis Compass segment, the co-founder of MTV and former CEO of Viacom reveals the personal habits, relationships and mindset that helped him navigate the highs and lows of an extraordinary life. Tom shares the quiet routines and pieces of advice that keep him grounded today. POWERED BY KINGSLEY NAPLEY: I know what it is to have the right legal support around you when facing crisis. Kingsley Napley are the kind of lawyers I wish more people knew about – there to help you make the right decisions, protect what matters and build real resilience when the pressure is on. This episode is powered by Kingsley Napley, visit www.kingsleynapley.co.uk for more details. IN THIS EPISODE: 01:10 – The people Tom relies on for advice and perspective 02:25 – The daily habit that keeps Tom grounded 04:05 – The moment that changed how Tom sees business problems 05:30 – Finding comfort in nature and music TOM’S BOOK: Read Tom’s book: Unplugged: Adventures from MTV to Timbuktu Follow Tom Freston: https://www.amazon.com/Unplugged-Adventures-Timbuktu-Tom-Freston/dp/1668089793 FOLLOW TOM: Instagram – www.instagram.com/tomfrestonunplugged/?hl=en FOLLOW CRISIS WHAT CRISIS? Instagram – www.instagram.com/crisiswhatcrisispodcast TikTok – www.tiktok.com/@crisispod

    7 min
  8. MTV CO-FOUNDER: building a $7bn Media Empire with ZERO experience in TV | Tom Freston

    3 MAR

    MTV CO-FOUNDER: building a $7bn Media Empire with ZERO experience in TV | Tom Freston

    From building a multimillion-dollar clothing business in India only to be wiped out by a global trade embargo, to redefining pop culture for a generation at MTV and Nickelodeon, Tom Freston’s career is a masterclass for any aspiring entrepreneur. In this episode, Tom joins me to discuss the resilience required to reach the top and the sheer guts needed to start over when it's all taken away. He shares his "decidedly non-traditional" path to the C-suite and why humility, earnestness, and curiosity are the ultimate defining traits for success. POWERED BY KINGSLEY NAPLEY: I know what it is to have the right legal support around you when facing crisis. Kingsley Napley are the kind of lawyers I wish more people knew about – there to help you make the right decisions, protect what matters and build real resilience when the pressure is on. This episode is powered by Kingsley Napley, visit www.kingsleynapley.co.uk for more details. IN THIS EPISODE, WE EXPLORE: Building the MTV empire: The legendary "I Want My MTV" campaign and the David Bowie sauna story.The reality of being fired as the boss at Viacom by Sumner Redstone and receiving a hero’s send-off from 1,000 employees.Returning to Afghanistan to help launch the country’s first television network.Why stepping off the "conveyor belt of conformity" is the best classroom for a young person today. LESSONS YOU’LL LEARN Skills are transferable: It’s never too late to change careers.Optimism is a competitive advantage: back yourself when no one else willThe most successful careers are rarely the most conventionalKnow when to disappear: recovery needs space, don't rush the next moveHire people smarter than you: it's your best protection against your worst instincts TIMESTAMPS: 0:00 - Intro 04:44 - Stepping off the conveyor belt of conformity 12:30 - Where does confidence come from? 17:23 - Becoming a millionaire in your 20s 22:11 - The sudden collapse of Hindu Kush 31:06 - The ground floor of MTV 36:44 - The "I Want My MTV" Hail Mary pass 45:28 - Being fired as CEO of Viacom 53:30 - Reassessing life and finding Phil Stutz 56:28 - The "perfect circle" back to Afghanistan 1:00:26 - The Tom Freston manual for young people TOM’S BOOK: Read Tom’s book: Unplugged: Adventures from MTV to Timbuktu Follow Tom Freston: https://www.amazon.com/Unplugged-Adventures-Timbuktu-Tom-Freston/dp/1668089793 FOLLOW TOM: Instagram – www.instagram.com/tomfrestonunplugged/?hl=en FOLLOW CRISIS WHAT CRISIS? Instagram – www.instagram.com/crisiswhatcrisispodcast TikTok – www.tiktok.com/@crisispod

    1hr 3min

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Hard-earned lessons from people who've faced the worst and come back stronger. Hosted by Andy Coulson. Follow for weekly insights into the art of the rebuild. Crisis What Crisis? is powered by Kingsley Napley — the lawyers you want in your corner when the pressure is on. Visit kingsleynapley.co.uk

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