47 episodes
Desperately Seeking Wisdom Red Bicycle & Creators Inc
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- Society & Culture
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4.6 • 215 Ratings
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This is a podcast where well-known people talk about what they’ve learned from life - particularly the tough times. Guests have come from the worlds of entertainment, politics, business and journalism, including: Richard Curtis, George Alagiah, Amber Rudd, the Rev. Richard Coles, Lyse Doucet and David Baddiel. It’s a chance to hear their wisdom - and to think about how it might apply to your life…
After the Brexit vote, Craig Oliver's high-powered job and privileged position at the heart of the British government came to an abrupt end.
In the aftermath of that bruising battle, he despaired at how divided society had become, but also came to realise something fundamental was missing from his own life. Outwardly he was still achieving; but he realised he'd never felt comfortable in his own skin.
Life had always felt more of a grind than a gift – he'd always believed that if he only worked harder, he'd find fulfilment. Now he realised that wasn't the case. Like many others, he asked himself why he'd always had a constant feeling of unease and discontent?
He wondered what wise people had to say about how we can live better. Craig decided to try a different path to the one he'd travelled before, reading and listening to many people. Some had little to offer, but he found many revelatory.
Throughout this podcast series, Craig talks to some extraordinary people about the wisdom they've been able to take from the ups and downs of life - including traumas and triumphs - and finds out what they believe will help others gain peace of mind and heart.
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Tanni Grey-Thompson - Part 2
Baroness Tanni-Grey Thompson is one of Britain’s most successful athletes, having won 16 Paralympic medals, including 11 golds.
In part two of our conversation, we talk about what Tanni has learnt from moving from being a elite athlete to working in the House of Lords...as well as the wisdom her father gave her, when he told her to think of herself as a 'Venn Diagram'.
This is the last episode of our current season. All of our episodes, from every season, are available now and we have a fantastic variety of guests for you to explore if you haven’t heard them already including George Alagiah, Richard Curtis, Amber Rudd, The Reverend Richard Coles and Ruth Davidson.
This epsiode was produced by Red Bicycle. -
Tanni Grey-Thompson - Part 1
Baroness Tanni-Grey Thompson is one of Britain’s most successful athletes, having won 16 Paralympic medals, including 11 golds. Since retiring, she’s transferred her drive to a different arena, the House of Lords.
In part one of our conversation, we discuss where her positive attitude comes from and explore how she’s achieved such remarkable success throughout her life. We discuss how she has learnt not to react to the steady stream of prejudice she faces and she also refers to the action movie Under Siege, a first for the podcast...
Part two of our conversation is out on Thursday 4th April.
This episode is produced by Red Bicycle. -
Sir Trevor McDonald - Part 2
Sir Trevor McDonald is one of our country’s most celebrated journalists and news presenters.
In part two of our conversation, Sir Trevor talks in more detail about some of the defining moments of his career, including his reaction to hearing Nelson Mandela’s wisdom when he was released after nearly three full decades in prison.
This episode is produced by Red Bicycle. -
Sir Trevor McDonald - Part 1
Sir Trevor McDonald is one of our country’s most celebrated journalists and news presenters.
He rose from a poor childhood in Trinidad, to cover the biggest stories of our times - and became one of the most famous people in Britain while he was at it. It’s a unique story and in part one of our conversation we talk to Sir Trevor about what his childhood taught him and how an aspirational family environment prepared him for an extraordinary career.
Part two of our conversation is out on Thursday 28th March.
This episode is produced by Red Bicycle. -
Compilation 1 - Pieces of Wisdom
As part of season three, this is a special compilation episode featuring guests from season one and two.
In the last couple of years we have had many inspiring conversations with people including Richard Curtis, the late George Alagiah, Amber Rudd, Sian Williams, David Baddiel and many more. You can listen to all of these episodes on our website - www.desperatelyseekingwisdom.com - or whereever you get your podcasts.
But to give you a taste of these conversations, we’ve compiled a collection of some of the most memorable insights from our guests. First-up, wisdom. What rules do each of these guests live by?
This compilation features the following people:
Matt Forde, George Alagiah, Isobel Hardman, Ruth Davidson, Reverend Richard Coles, John Simpson, Richard Curtis, Tanya and Nadim Ednan-Laperous, Sian Williams and Kenny Imafidon. -
Robi Damelin
Robi Damelin is a peace activist based in Israel. She's a leading voice in The Parents Circle - a grassroots Israeli-Palestinian organisation, made up of over 600 families who’ve all lost family members in the conflict and campaign for a non-violent response.
Robi’s life was changed forever when her beloved son David was killed by a Palestinian sniper, twenty years ago. Her response was to reject violence and the idea of revenge and work for peace, something she's done ever since.
In this conversation, we discuss how her work is needed more than ever after the attacks of 7th October 2023 and find out what she's learnt from 20 years of travelling the world meeting people who've lost family members in conflicts and attacks. Robi also shares her secrets for coping with
her emotionally demanding work....which include music, whisky, laughter and cats.
This episode was produced by Red Bicycle.
Customer Reviews
Wonderful conversations
This is a marvellous podcast which really reminds me of what’s most important in life. I love to hear the stories of the paths people’s lives have taken. I would also love to hear Craig himself interviewed by someone who asks him these same questions - we pick up his story in little bits, but it would be really interesting to hear him tell it from start to finish, and reflect on his own learning.
Really enjoyed Richard Cole’s interview.
Lots of space for reflection and comfortable but important conversations.
A really uplifting listen
Craig Oliver is utterly brilliant, an intelligent & thoughtful host who gently probs to get real insights out of his guests. An antidote to the abrasive cut and thrust of political commentary. Hugely enjoyable.