Ways to Change the World with Krishnan Guru-Murthy

Nile Rodgers is the disco legend who changed the course of modern music. The Chic track 'Good Times' that he co-wrote has alone been sampled more than 200 times and sparked the advent of hip hop. He talks to Krishnan about his lifetime of hits, why he's always been a social activist and how America has changed since the Black Panthers movement. 

George Mpanga, better known by his stage name George the Poet, began his career as a rapper, but after feeling constrained by the form, he moved into poetry and now podcasting. His show 'Have You Heard George's Podcast' swept the board at the British Podcast Awards for its unique interrogation of social injustice. He talks to Krishnan about the epidemic of youth violence within communities like his, and why the government may not be able to change it in his lifetime.

Gary Jones became the editor of the Daily Express in March 2018. Earlier in his career he was on the staff of the News of the World, The Sunday People and the Daily Mirror.  He talks to Krishnan about editing a Tory newspaper as a Labour supporter, how he’s trying to change the reputation of the paper, and the “hostile friendship” between newspapers and politicians.

Albert Woodfox was one of the ‘Angola Three’, the three African-American former prison inmates who were held for decades in solitary confinement. Woodfox has recently published his book 'Solitary', retelling the story of the 44 years and 10 months he spent inside for a crime he didn't commit. He speaks to Krish about how he stayed sane whilst imprisoned and how he is still fighting against ‘the system'. Warning: Very strong and racially sensitive language.

David Harewood is a British actor known for his roles in Homeland, Supergirl and the Merchant of Venice. He has recently made a documentary retracing the events that led up to his psychotic breakdown 30 years ago.  He talks to Krishnan about his experience of psychosis, the challenges he faces being a British black actor in the States and the intolerance and hatred he thinks Brexit has sparked.  Warning: Very strong and racially sensitive language. Strong drug and racial references. 

Annie Mac is a superstar DJ headlining festivals all over the world, including this week's Glastonbury. She talks to Krishnan about the death of clubs, how drug culture is changing and why music needs more women calling the shots.

Jack White, formerly of The White Stripes and now The Raconteurs, is one of the best guitarists in the world. He talks to Krishnan as his new tour kicks off about why he doesn't own a mobile phone, why the fear of foreigners still shocks him and what influences his music.

Tayari Jones is an American author and winner of the 2019 Women’s Prize for Fiction. She speaks to Krishnan Guru-Murthy about her most recent novel, An American Marriage, about growing up in the middle class black community of Atlanta, discovering racism at the age of 20 and the challenges of being a black feminist in America today. 

Waad and Hamza al-Kateab are two Syrian refugees who risked everything to stay in Aleppo during the war. Waad is an award-winning film-maker, whose documentary ‘For Sama’ just won Best Documentary at Cannes. It tells the intimate and epic journey of her experience of war. Her husband Hamza is a doctor and ran a hospital in eastern Aleppo. They talk to Krishnan ahead of their film's premiere at the Sheffield Doc Fest on 8th June. It will be shown on Channel 4 and released in theatres later this year.

Tracy Brabin has had an unlikely route into politics. A successful actor for decades, she won Batley and Spen's by-election following the murder of Jo Cox by a far-right extremist. She talks to Krishnan about her transition into the political world, how potent a threat she thinks the far-right poses and why she thinks funding the arts can bring opportunity to former industrial towns like hers. This episode was recorded prior to the European election results.

Adwoa Aboah is a model, activist and founder of ‘Gurls Talk’, an online community for young women to discuss issues that matter to them. She talks to Krishnan about feeling uncomfortable in your skin, recovering from addiction and her contribution to the changing face of fashion.

Jon Ronson is the journalist behind books like 'The Psychopath Test' and 'You've Been Publicly Shamed', documentaries such as 'Tottenham Ayatollah' and more recently the podcast 'The Last Days of August - The Butterfly Effect' which investigates the porn industry. He talks to Krishnan while on a stage tour in the UK about the importance of curiosity, why he's decided to talk about his mental breakdown, and the ethics that drive his journalism.

Matt Haig is a best-selling author of adult and children's books - his most recent being 'Notes on a Nervous Planet' and 'The Truth Pixie'. He talks to Krishnan about his mental breakdown aged 24, how he got through it and the lessons we all need to learn to cope with the pressures of the modern world.

Simon Amstell made his name as a stand-up comedian and presenter, best known for his stint on 'Never Mind the Buzzcocks'. Now he's a fully-fledged film-maker, taking on veganism in his 2017 film 'Carnage', while his latest venture, 'Benjamin', is a semi-autobiographical look at a gay man struggling to find intimacy. Krishnan talks to him about how therapy helped him see the joy in things, his creative process and why he's turned off by politicians.

Matt Brittin is the President of Google's business and operations in Europe, the Middle East and Africa. He was also a British rower winning medals at the World Championships and representing GB at the Olympics. Krishnan challenges him on some of the controversies Google faces, whether YouTube's policies are in the right place when it comes to hate speech and why he still thinks technology can be a force for good.