Horatio Clare is one of Britain’s most captivating writers and broadcasters. From trekking across two continents following the migration of swallows, to voyaging on container ships, to writing about mental health and the natural world, his work is rooted in curiosity, humanity, and a deep urge to understand the world around us.

In this episode, we dive into his brand new book We Came by Sea – a fearless exploration of migration across the English Channel and the stories of those who are helping in what Horatio hails as one of the great search and rescue operations of all time.

Horatio talks about immersing himself in both sides of the debate, from spending time in right-wing pubs to listening on the ground in Dover. He shares what he witnessed first-hand at the frontline of Britain’s migration crisis, and why he believes current government policies are not just failing but wasting money.

We also step behind the curtain of his writing life: how he shapes ideas, the craft of putting words to paper, and why writing remains for him both an art and an act of public service.

For more information on Horatio and his books: https://horatioclarewriter.com/

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What happens when a group of wild swimmers take on the pollution giants and fight for the soul of their local river? In this episode I sit down with filmmakers Charlotte Sawyer and Aggie Nyagari, the creative duo behind the acclaimed documentary Rave on for the Avon, to explore how their cameras captured one community’s joyful yet defiant battle to reclaim the River Avon.

We dive deep into the questions of access, ecology, and the very human need to connect with water. Charlotte and Aggie reveal how the Avon swimmers turned playfulness into protest, from data collection to mermaid costumes - and why sewage, though shocking, is just 4% of the problem.

Our conversation ranges from the poetic - attempts to give the river legal personhood - to the profoundly personal, including Meg’s extraordinary story of marrying the River Avon. We discuss how the film’s reception is already reshaping perceptions of rivers, and why falling in love with nature might be the most radical thing we can do in the face of environmental crisis.

This is an episode about activism, creativity, and community - but above all, it’s about remembering that rivers are not just scenery. They are living, breathing systems that we depend on, and perhaps even kin.

In May 2025, Sarah Ruggins made history.

She became the fastest person to cycle from John O’Groats to Land’s End and back, covering the 1,677-mile route in an astonishing 5 days, 11 hours, and 14 minutes.

Sarah didn’t just smash the women’s record - she claimed the outright record.

But what makes her achievement all the more extraordinary is everything she had to overcome to get there.

Just over two years earlier, she had barely ridden a bike. Before that, she spent years recovering from a debilitating illness that stripped her of her physical strength and sense of identity. And yet, through grit, precision, and an unshakeable mindset, she transformed herself from a complete novice into one of the most elite endurance cyclists in the world.

This episode is about more than athletic achievement, it’s a story of what happens when you set an audacious goal, back it with discipline, and believe that setbacks are just the start of something greater.

Follow Sarah: https://www.instagram.com/sarah_ruggins/

Mentioned in the Podcast:

The Bike Project: https://thebikeproject.co.uk/

Bikes for Refugees: https://www.bikesforrefugees.scot/

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