Charlotte Owen-Burge

September 16, 2026

Caitlin Moran: I think we’re about to reach and pass peak despair

The award-winning columnist and author on waving goodbye to a million followers, why anxiety is a state not an identity, and the Paul McCartney-endorsed philosophy the rest of us would do well

MORALITY·PLANET

August 19, 2026

Julia Shaw: Why do clever people destroy the planet?

The best-selling criminal psychologist and science writer on why smart people are so good at talking themselves out of feeling guilty.

Chloe Slater: Put that damn phone down and think for a while

The singer-songwriter on why we're mistaking AI for progress, how doom-scrolling erodes

Ben Okri: AI cannot read the spirit of the times. AI cannot catch lightning

The world-renowned writer and poet on why AI has as much chance

Julie Finch: While you cannot stop technological change, you can decide not to be a sheep

Hay Festival CEO Julie Finch on why we must protect the art of in-person conversation as the ultimate antidote to a digital world of

May 7, 2026

CREATIVITY·EDUCATION

Emily Rawson: The music industry still judges women on appearance and age, a double standard that hurts careers

The DJ and founder of London’s longstanding and popular Hiphop & RnB throwback night Supa Dupa Fly on breaking into a male‑dominated world and

April 22, 2026

MORALITY·POWER

Frank Turner: An artist has one responsibility, and one only, which is to their art

Marking 20 years since his first headline tour, the folk‑punk veteran explains why he's sceptical of celebrity activism, the causes he champions from the

April 21, 2026

CREATIVITY·MORALITY

Hot Blood: Lack of fun and boredom are as big an enemy to individuals as anything

The Lovebox founder and Hot Blood DJ, Jools Butterfield, reflects on the erosion of compassion, the crisis facing 16‑ to‑24‑year‑olds and why boredom is a

April 21, 2026

MORALITY

Ny Oh: A quiet voice repeating the same thing over a long period of time is far more powerful than loud voices that run out of steam

The UK-born, New Zealand-raised, musician who toured with Harry Styles on why playing to three people in a forest is more meaningful than playing

March 11, 2026

CREATIVITY·MORALITY·PLANET

Oyinkan Braithwaite: After food and shelter, the next essential thing a child should receive is access to books

The Nigerian-British novelist and writer on growing up between Lagos and London, the loss of community in the UK, and why societies only change when

November 30, 2025

CREATIVITY·EDUCATION·MORALITY

Maria Alyokhina: Dictators will always do two things when they want more power – oppress women and ban jokes

The Russian political activist and Pussy Riot member on life under Putin, how repression works, and the cost of dissent in Russia.

November 29, 2025

POWER

Mary Portas: Every pound spent is a vote for the world you want

The businesswoman, broadcaster, author, and activist on community, consumerism and why buying less is the most radical choice we have.

November 28, 2025

CREATIVITY·PLANET·POWER

Antony Szmierek: Creativity feels magic to me, something powerful and frightening to the people who need to be frightened

The rapidly rising Manchester-based musician on sensitivity, censorship and why power always fears the arts.

November 27, 2025

CREATIVITY·MORALITY·POWER

Hamsa Yassin: My dream is that kids could name five trees before they can name five Kardashians

The wildlife cameraman, Strictly champion and children’s TV presenter on the value of boredom, what lockdown revealed about our need for the outdoors, and

November 20, 2025

EDUCATION·PLANET