Desperately Seeking Wisdom podcast

Desperately Seeking Wisdom

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.

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.

 

#47

Tanni Grey-Thompson - Part 2

Baroness Tanni-Grey Thompson is one of Britain’s most successful athletes, having won 16 P... more

04 Apr 2024

25 MINS

25:59

04 Apr 2024


#46

Tanni Grey-Thompson - Part 1

Baroness Tanni-Grey Thompson is one of Britain’s most successful athletes, having won 16 P... more

01 Apr 2024

28 MINS

28:43

01 Apr 2024


#45

Sir Trevor McDonald - Part 2

Sir Trevor McDonald is one of our country’s most celebrated journalists and news presenter... more

28 Mar 2024

36 MINS

36:55

28 Mar 2024


#44

Sir Trevor McDonald - Part 1

Sir Trevor McDonald is one of our country’s most celebrated journalists and news presenter... more

25 Mar 2024

28 MINS

28:57

25 Mar 2024


#43

Compilation 1 - Pieces of Wisdom

As part of season three, this is a special compilation episode featuring guests from seaso... more

21 Mar 2024

30 MINS

30:29

21 Mar 2024


#42

Robi Damelin

Robi Damelin is a peace activist based in Israel. She's a leading voice in The Parents Cir... more

18 Mar 2024

47 MINS

47:19

18 Mar 2024


#41

The Return of Matt Forde - Part 2

On Desperately Seeking Wisdom this week, we’re doing something we haven’t done before – sp... more

14 Mar 2024

34 MINS

34:23

14 Mar 2024


#40

The Return of Matt Forde - Part 1

On Desperately Seeking Wisdom this week, we’re doing something we haven’t done before; spe... more

11 Mar 2024

28 MINS

28:36

11 Mar 2024


#39

James Cracknell - Part 2

James Cracknell is a double Olympic Gold medallist, adventurer, and now Parliamentary cand... more

07 Mar 2024

21 MINS

21:47

07 Mar 2024


#38

James Cracknell - Part 1

James Cracknell is a double Olympic Gold medallist, adventurer, and now Parliamentary cand... more

04 Mar 2024

31 MINS

31:58

04 Mar 2024


#37

Clive Myrie - Part 2

This is part two of our conversation with Clive Myrie, one of the most recognisable and ve... more

29 Feb 2024

27 MINS

27:19

29 Feb 2024


#36

Clive Myrie - Part 1

Clive Myrie is one of the most recognisable and versatile broadcasters in the UK. He’s equ... more

26 Feb 2024

43 MINS

43:30

26 Feb 2024


#35

Rory Bremner - Part 2

Rory Bremner is one of the country's leading comedians and impressionists. He's been makin... more

22 Feb 2024

42 MINS

42:21

22 Feb 2024


#34

Rory Bremner - Part 1

Rory Bremner is one of the country's leading comedians and impressionists. He's been makin... more

19 Feb 2024

33 MINS

33:19

19 Feb 2024


#33

James Graham - Part 2

James Graham is an exceptionally talented playwright and screenwriter.His critically accla... more

15 Feb 2024

44 MINS

44:11

15 Feb 2024


#32

James Graham - Part 1

James Graham is an exceptionally talented playwright and screenwriter.His critically accla... more

12 Feb 2024

31 MINS

31:38

12 Feb 2024


#31

Emily Maitlis - Part 2

Emily Maitlis is one of the most well-known and successful broadcast journalists in Britai... more

08 Feb 2024

26 MINS

26:48

08 Feb 2024


#30

Emily Maitlis - Part 1

Emily Maitlis is one of the most well-known and successful broadcast journalists in Britai... more

05 Feb 2024

32 MINS

32:57

05 Feb 2024


#29

Rory Stewart - Part 2

Rory Stewart is a man of many talents. He’s been a politician, diplomat, professor, explor... more

01 Feb 2024

33 MINS

33:05

01 Feb 2024


#28

Rory Stewart - Part 1

Rory Stewart is a man of many talents. He’s been a politician, diplomat, professor, explor... more

29 Jan 2024

30 MINS

30:25

29 Jan 2024


#27

Desperately Seeking Wisdom - Season Three Trailer

After years working 24/7 at the top of media and government, Craig Oliver realised he wasn... more

22 Jan 2024

00 MINS

00:31

22 Jan 2024


#26

Matt Forde

Matt Forde is one of our funniest comedians – carving out a niche for himself as a sharp s... more

01 May 2023

49 MINS

49:43

01 May 2023


#25

Michael Singer

Michael Singer has taught me so much. His New York Times bestselling books such as The Unt... more

24 Apr 2023

46 MINS

46:54

24 Apr 2023


#24

Jacqui Smith

Jacqui Smith scaled the heights of British politics when she became the first female Home ... more

17 Apr 2023

46 MINS

46:30

17 Apr 2023


#23

Professor Azza Karam

Professor Azza Karam is the Secretary General of Religions for Peace – a body set up to fi... more

10 Apr 2023

50 MINS

50:31

10 Apr 2023


#22

Sir Simon Baron-Cohen

Sir Simon Baron-Cohen is a leading clinical psychologist and expert in autism. He has writ... more

03 Apr 2023

52 MINS

52:33

03 Apr 2023


#21

Jack Davenport

Jack Davenport is one of our best and most recognisable actors. His credits include: The P... more

27 Mar 2023

48 MINS

48:59

27 Mar 2023