The Altered State - WE NEED TO TALK

Altered State
  • 0.0 (0)
  • SOCIETY & CULTURE
  • UPDATED MONTHLY

Altered State’s mission is to foster intelligent debate and stimulate thought through live talks and podcasts. We explore politics, pop culture, contemporary lifestyles, and a green future. We strive to inspire forward-thinking ideas and to cultivate a community for the curious and open-minded. For more Altered State content visit alteredstate.org.uk

  1. 12/17/2025

    The Altered State - Beneath the Skin — an intimate look at our bodies

    Beneath the Skin — an intimate look at our bodies was our talk on October 30th. We were joined by writer, surgeon and mother of 4 Gabriel Weston and Gene Feder Professor of Primary Care at the University of Bristol.  We delved beneath the surface with these two remarkable doctors into their experiences, the human body and biases that have shaped medicine. As we thoroughly enjoyed the body of the talk, we have left it untouched with host from the night Eliz Mizon guiding us through.  Introduction as ever from Al Farquhar.  Music is Ilashe Beach courtesy of Tony Njoku and PRAH recordings.

    57 min

  2. 10/21/2025

    The Altered State — Sound Waves — Changing the soundtrack of the ocean

    Sound Waves - Changing the Soundtrack of the Ocean was our talk held on September 11th in collaboration with Futures (a UKRI funded initiative) Steve Simpson - Professor of Marine Biology & Global Change at the University of Bristol - joined us to talk about his work, in particular on coral reefs. He injected some optimism into what at first sight might be a sorry outlook with the climate and biodiversity emergencies. Altered State host Al Farquhar guides us through. The host on the night was Miranda Krestovnikoff. Music courtesy of Tony Njoku and PRAH Recordings

    31 min

  3. 09/09/2025

    The Altered State — Trump and Vance — With Friends Like These, Who Needs Enemies? Episode 2

    This is part 2 of our podcasts from our talk “Trump and Vance — With Friends Like These Who Needs Enemies”.    Host Colin Gavaghan, Professor of Digital Futures at the University of Bristol, fielded questions from our audience for our panel and asked them for their Toolbox suggestions.   Our panel featured General Sir Tim Radford, former Deputy Supreme Commander NATO Europe, Ana Juncos Garcia, Professor of European Politics at the University of Bristol and Richard Graham, former MP and diplomat who chaired the Westminster Foundation for Democracy and was a member of the Joint Committee for National Security.    Introduction as ever from Al Farquhar and music courtesy of Tony Njoku and PRAH Recordings

    42 min

  4. 08/14/2025

    The Altered State - Trump and Vance - With Friends Like These, Who Needs Enemies ? Episode 1

    This is part 1 of 2 podcasts recorded at our talk Trump and Vance - with  friends like these, who needs enemies? Covering UK defence and geopolitical ruction in the era of America First foreign policy were a hugely qualified panel and erudite new host. So much detailed ground was covered that we’ve been unable to distill things down to the usual half hour podcast and so episode 1 presents the entire panel discussion, whilst episode 2 will feature the audience questions and panel toolbox.   Our panel featured General Sir Tim Radford, former Deputy Supreme Commander NATO Europe, Ana Juncos Garcia, Professor of European Politics at the University of Bristol and Richard Graham, former MP and diplomat who chaired the Westminster Foundation for Democracy and was a member of the Joint Committee for National Security. Our host was Colin Gavaghan, Professor of Digital Futures in the Bristol University Law School.   Introduction from our own Al Farquhar and music courtesy of Tony Njoku and PRAH Recording

    1h 4m

  5. 06/20/2025

    The Altered State - Gut Rot - Are UPF's the New Tobacco

    On May 1st in Gut Rot - Are Ultra-Processed Foods the New Tobacco, business owner and food entrepreneur Charlie Bigham, Heloise Balme of the Bristol Food Network and Will Shotton of Tibico fermentary gave us the lowdown.  ​ We talked fermentation, culture, food deserts and fibre, fibre fibre. Our podcast brings you the edited highlights ​ Podcast host Al Farquhar guides us through. ​ Theme music is Ilashe Beach courtesy of Tony Njoku and PRAH recordings

    34 min

  6. 05/13/2025

    The Altered State - Beware the Ides of Musk. Time to put the brakes on Elon?

    Highlights from our BEWARE THE IDES OF MUSK talk that was held on 27th March. Professor Colin Gavaghan of Bristol University, Green councillor Cara Lavan and Dr Marcus Gilroy-Ware of SOAS discussed whether Elon Musk was containable and if so, what the possibilities are to do so. The host on the evening was Rudy Millard. Podcast host is Al Farquhar Music courtesy of Tony Njoku / PRAH Recordings

    29 min

  7. 03/25/2025

    The Altered State - Health and Happiness: The Magic Properties of Chocolate and Mushrooms

    Highlights from our Health and Happiness talk on 6th Feb. Mushrooms and chocolate are great antidotes to the February blues according to Tom Baxter, founder of the Bristol Fungarium, and Joe McDonnell, Director of local chocolate maker, Radek's. Tom came to mushrooms later in life after chasing down fraud in Siberia. Joe told us about the chocolate making process, and the exotic lucuma flower he uses. Tom entertained us with fungi tales and magical compounds.     Podcast host Al Farquhar guides us through.

    27 min

  8. 01/16/2025

    The Altered State – A Life Less Ordinary: Tales of Inner Strength and Resilience

    Highlights from the brilliant A LIFE LESS ORDINARY talk on Nov 19. Hearing 3 differing stories of bravery and compassion, we learnt to never underestimate the human spirit. Our panel comprised of Douglas Robertson, who survived 38 days on a raft in the Pacific Ocean, war zone medic for Médicins Sans Frontières, Dr. Rachael Craven, and endurance athlete and mental health advocate, Dan Beaumont. They were hosted by author Polly Morland.  Podcast host is Al Farquhar.

    34 min
See All (13)

About

Altered State’s mission is to foster intelligent debate and stimulate thought through live talks and podcasts. We explore politics, pop culture, contemporary lifestyles, and a green future. We strive to inspire forward-thinking ideas and to cultivate a community for the curious and open-minded. For more Altered State content visit alteredstate.org.uk

Information