Ways to Change the World with Krishnan Guru-Murthy

Latest Episodes:

Geoff Norcott on being a conservative comedian, the culture war and why politicians shouldn’t be on Twitter Jun 03, 2022

Show notes

Geoff Norcott is a writer, activist and comedian.

As a rare right-winger, Geoff is a unique voice in British comedy operating outside the usual comedic commentary on social issues and politics.

Geoff talks to Krishnan about how politics doesn’t have to be all about ‘punching up’, why he’s had enough of ‘the culture war’ and his thoughts on the importance of having class diversity in the media.

Produced by: Rachel Evans

Denzel Curry on police brutality, overcoming trauma and the power of martial arts May 06, 2022

Show notes

Denzel Curry is an American rapper and artist. He is brutally honest in his music about very personal topics such as his own mental health and his approach to policing and racism in America.

Krishnan talks to Denzel about how he’s overcome trauma, his attitudes towards police brutality and why he thinks the music industry needs to become more collaborative.

Warning: This episode contains very strong language and very adult themes

Produced by: Rachel Evans

Sarah Brown on her daughter’s death, the importance of educating all children and her time at Downing Street Apr 29, 2022

Show notes

Sarah Brown is the Chair of Theirworld. Their mission is to end the global education crisis. She’s also the Executive Chair for the Global Business Coalition for Education.

She joins Krishnan to talk about Theirworld’s work and how they are helping Ukrainian children. She also speaks about her experience of losing her daughter, Jennifer, and her time at Downing Street.

Producer: Freya Pickford

Bill Browder on his life as a target of Putin, if sanctions can stop the war and the legacy of Sergei Magnitsky Apr 22, 2022

Show notes

Bill Browder was one of the biggest foreign investors in Russia until 2005 when he was kicked out of the country. He is now known for being one of Vladimir Putin’s fiercest critics.

He joins Krishnan to talk about his new book called Freezing Order - in which he details his mission to pursue justice for his lawyer and friend Sergei Magnitsky who died in a Russian jail.

Produced by: Nina Hodgson

Photo credit: Luke MacGregor

Vanessa Nakate on the climate crisis, online abuse and racism in the media Apr 15, 2022

Show notes

Vanessa Nakate is a Ugandan climate activist who has quickly become a prominent and formidable voice in the climate change movement.

She recently published her book ‘A Bigger Picture: My Fight to Bring a New African Voice to the Climate Crisis’.

Krishnan spoke to her about why she became a climate activist, racism and online abuse she has experienced.

Produced by : Freya Pickford

Ai Weiwei on China and the West, his father’s exile and if democracy really exists Apr 08, 2022

Show notes

Chinese dissident Ai Weiwei is a world-famous artist and activist.

Krishnan speaks to him about China’s relationship with the West, his father’s exile and whether democracy really exists.

His new exhibition, The Liberty of Doubt, is currently on display at Kettle’s Yard gallery in Cambridge.

Produced by: Freya Pickford

Francis Fukuyama on the war in Ukraine, liberalism and democracies under threat Apr 01, 2022

Show notes

Francis Fukuyama is a political scientist and professor at Stanford University.

Francis is known for his book, 'The End of History and the Last Man', but he recently published a new book 'Liberalism and its Discontents’.

He joins Krishnan to talk about the war in Ukraine, liberalism and whether democracy is under threat in today’s world.

Producer: Freya Pickford

Angela Davis on socialism, how change happens and growing up in segregated Alabama Mar 25, 2022

Show notes

Angela Davis grew up in segregated Alabama and became a world renowned political thinker, activist, author and academic.

Her involvement with a politically distorted murder trial sent her into hiding, becoming one of the FBI’s most wanted. She spent 18 months in jail before she was acquitted of all charges.

She returned to teaching, writing a series of seminal books on social justice and equality. She joined Krishnan to talk about Socialism, how change happens, and her life.

Produced by: Shaheen Sattar and Nina Hodgson

Tom Tugendhat on the war in Ukraine, his time in the military and his ambition to run for PM Mar 18, 2022

Show notes

Our guest this week is Conservative MP and Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee, Tom Tugendhat.

Tom talks to Krishnan about Russia's invasion of Ukraine, his plans to run for Prime Minister and his time serving in the military during the Iraq war and war in Afghanistan.

Produced by : Freya Pickford

Isabel Allende on her life as a refugee, the decline of the West and war being a male construct Mar 11, 2022

Show notes

Isabel Allende has been called “the world’s most widely read Spanish-language author”, known for titles such as 'The House of the Spirits' and 'City of the Beasts'. Her books often put women at the centre, paying homage to some incredible female characters.

Her new book, ‘Violeta’ is written as a letter from a grandmother to her grandson. Violeta, the narrator, was inspired by Isabel’s own recently deceased mother.

Isabel talks to Krishnan about being a life-long feminist, her hopes for a post-pandemic world and her own experience of being a refugee during the civil war in Chile.

Producer: Rachel Evans