Stephen Fry has helped shaped my words and my outlook on the world for more than 30 years. This post celebrates what Stephen Fry means to me, and considers whether “the secret of life is in art”.
Recent Posts
Peak surreal
2020 has been at times profoundly surreal. The cavalcade of surreal events is showing no signs of slowing down. Have we even arrived at peak surreal yet?
This is out of your control
So much of what is happening now is out of your control. But not everything. Kind words and supportive gestures can mean the world.
Star Wars single-line #Sketchulence
Star Wars #Sketchulence: A selection of folks from a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away, each sketched in a single line without lifting pen from paper.
How do you deal with the future?
Can we ever say with true confidence what lies ahead?
Reset
It’s never too late to reset. To mark the 2020 fourth of July weekend, some reflections on change and the need to learn from past mistakes.
My top 5 podcasts of 2020 (Part one)
What are the best podcasts of 2020? My pick of the podcasts that have meant the most to me in the first six months of 2020, featuring: Steve Silberman; David Crosby; Richard Herring; Michael Palin; Shereen Daniels; Rosey Jarvis; Scott Adams; Naval Ravikant; Moodie Black; Myke C-Town; and Chief.
Breaking the silence
The silence is coming to an end. The silence has a lesson to teach us. Will we listen? Will we learn? Some thoughts on the end of the coronavirus lockdown and on Black Lives Matter.
To listen with compassion and empathy
This is a time for some of us to speak. It’s a time for others to listen with compassion and empathy. A post inspired by the powerful words of Shereen Daniels.
Take yourself out of the story
What happens when you take yourself out of the story? This post is inspired by wise words from Naval Ravikant on choiceless awareness – the art of taking yourself out of the story.
How do you look at life?
How we can we understand and learn from the disruption to our lives caused by the coronavirus pandemic?
The not-so-immaculate conception of Basil Fawlty
BASIL! When was Basil Fawlty created? We can pinpoint the exact date of the not-so-immaculate conception of Basil Fawlty via Michael Palin’s The Python Years: Diaries 1968-1979.
Ready to imagine another world
What do you want the post-pandemic world to look like? This post is inspired by wise words and thoughts from Arundhati Roy, Naval Ravikant and Scott Adams.
Everyone is
There is no right way and no wrong way for us to respond to this situation. Everyone is lost in this maze. But there is a path through.
Nothing manmade remains long
Nothing has felt stranger than these times. But social isolation also brings things into sharper focus. It reminds us of all we have now, the luxury of life and the beauty of love.
Time suddenly alters completely
The coronavirus-driven halting of everyday live has given us all so much time. But there is so much worry and dread to fill that time. How are you coping?
Make me unselfish
It is only natural to feel overwhelmed by the novel coronavirus pandemic. But we are not powerless. Small acts of altruism and of mutual aid can snowball into real, positive change.
My ridiculous life
Gentle reader: How improbable is your life? How ridiculous does it seem that the pieces fell into place exactly as they did, to give you exactly the life you have?
Farewell, Lord Sabre (Andrew Weatherall RIP)
Andrew Weatherall’s death was a truly jolting moment, the saddest of losses. This post is my personal tribute to this musical maverick, this genius gentleman raconteur. I am also honoured to host Tim Scott’s tribute to Lord Sabre.
Be kind to all
Be kind to all. Thoughts on kindness, featuring some wonderful guest words from Rebecca L Coates on why kindness can require both effort and strength… but is so worth it.
David Crosby: Fighting darkness, shedding light
Freak Flag Flying – David Crosby’s epic podcast conversation with Steve Silberman – is a beautiful gift to humanity, generously sharing warmth, wisdom and wonderful music.
What’s your action? (Robert Downey Jr wisdom)
Three pieces of wisdom from Robert Downey Jr’s January 2020 appearance on the Joe Rogan podcast.
My top 5 podcasts of 2019
My pick of the podcasts that have meant the most to me in 2019, featuring: Scott Adams; Naval Ravikant; Richard Herring; Samira Ahmed; Brian Koppelman; Joe Rogan; Michael Rapaport; Rich Roll; Jocko Willink; Kate Carrau; and Adam Buxton.
A year in the life of Emma Dixon: No fear but only love
I am honoured to host a guest post from Emma Dixon – human rights barrister, end of life doula in training, and a wonderful human being. Emma has written some wonderful words about her experiences in 2019 and the lessons that she has taken from them.
#FiveQuidFoodBank
The #FiveQuidFoodBank campaign encourages people to donate £5 to their local food bank, or directly to the Trussell Trust. Russ Jones – who originated #FiveQuidFoodBank in 2017 – explains how #FiveQuidFoodBank came to be, and why it’s just as necessary today.
My top 5 podcasts of 2019 (so far!) Part III
My third pick of the podcasts that have meant the most to me in 2019 (so far!), featuring: Laurie Ruettimann; Rich Roll; Jeff Gordinier; Richard Herring; Tony Slattery; Joey Diaz; Andrew Schulz; RuPaul; Michelle Visage; Nile Rodgers; Leonard Maltin; Jessie Maltin; and Fred Willard.
Kirsten Shiel interview: A little smattering of doodles
An interview with Kirsten Shiel – a phenomenal Dublin-based artist, art director and illustrator.
You can prove anything with facts
“You can prove anything with facts,” as the excellent Stewart Lee would remind us*. And that is no bad thing.
#7songs: Beasties, beer spraying and Saṃsāra
I think you know what time it is… This an update of my 2015 post, celebrating the Beastie Boys, and including an unwitting encounter of the Yauch kind in Soho Square.
Monty Python’s Bicycle Repairman sketch: It was 45 years ago today
Monty Python’s Flying Circus is big news at the moment, as the tastefully titled Monty Python Live (Mostly) run of shows continues at London’s o2 arena. But it also turns out that today (Tuesday 8 July 2014) sees cause for further Monty Python-related celebration: It’s 45 years to the day since the very first […]
The reward is in the doing
How do you create a pure art place where everything lands? Zen lessons in creativity, purity and process from Rick Rubin and Richard Linklater… plus a little celebration of Clueless.
