David Sedaris now fills arenas with enthusiastic fans but when I interviewed him in 2000 he was almost unknown.

His book 'Me Talk Pretty One Day ' was just published.

There is a new collection of Sedaris writing just published - this conversation gives context and back story.

Harry talks to me about his book which tells of the harsh life lived by gladiators, but also extends to the ideas and philosophies that defined Roman life.

This is not fiction. It's an account written using evidence from the time.

A gripping read. Some of the events told are hideous to us, but we have to remember that not that long ago our ancestors flocked to public executions.

In some places in our 'civilised ' world watching men fight in a cage is still viewed as entertainment. Plus ca change.

Simon Nicol was one of the founder members of Fairport Convention in 1967. Fifty nine years ago.

He talks about being a member of the ground breaking Folk Rock band who still draw a capacity crowd at the Cropredy Festival.

The thoughts and memories of a musician who started his career in the legendary flower power hippie 'Summer of Love'.

Times have changed!

It is very easy to get very troubled by the current US administration .

Who could have predicted that the American Vice President would have thought it part of his task to question the Pope's understanding of theology?

Who could have predicted that Donald Trump would think it a good idea to read parts of the Bible to the nation?

Have they redefined god in their own image?

It seems that the current American administration is behaving in even more wild emotionally driven vindictive ways.

This gripping and shocking book tells the story of the radical conservative movement shaping Donald Trump's agenda and how it threatens freedoms, values and democracy.

Since this conversation was recorded the situation has got much worse.

Sir Anthony Seldon has written about a 1,300 kilometre walk he took across Europe from Southern France, through Austria and the Czech Republic finally reaching his destination, Auschwitz in Poland.

On the journey he seeks out inspiring stories of the lives of 'figures of light'.

As he tells me , while he was walking through places associated with fascism and the second world war he was well aware of the worrying state of global politics in the 21st century.

The Path of LIght is now available as a paperback.

Steve Ashley played a gig to a hometown Cheltenham crowd on June 26th 2026.

It was a triumph.

Steve has had a long illustrious career in music and political activism.

This conversation was recorded in November 2025, a few months before his 80th birthday. His passions, enthusiasms and commitment remain undimmed.

In this informal interview Steve tells of his influences and motivation. He clearly has a lot of fight and lyricism left!

A very entertaining musician and stimulating conversationalist.

Racism is on the rise.

Misogyny is on the rise.

These awful social trends remind me of what Nina Simone said to me. She was the victim of cruel prejudice. She was angry.

Nina Simone was born on February 21st 1933.

There has been news recently of a plan to buy Nina Simone's childhood home in Tryon North Carolina and make it into a museum celebrating the life and work of the girl who was born Eunice Waymon.

I interviewed Nina in December 1998 just before her last ever show at the Royal Albert Hall in London.

She was talking to me for a programme on the radio station Jazz fm, which would promote the concert.

Nina had a reputation for being a tricky interviewee but on the day she was delightful and during the conversation she was eager to give her views on sexism, racism and feminism.

After the interview I was asked to introduce Nina on stage at the Albert Hall. It was a memorable day.

When 'Entitled ' was published last year it caused quite a stir, changed the lives of the Duke and Duchess of York for ever .... and became a number one bestseller.

The new paperback of Entitled contains a whole chapter of new information and chronicles what has happened in a tumultuous year.

Andrew Lownie predicts that there is more information to come.

The story continues ......

A gripping conversation.