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Creating Masterpieces: Amor Towles on Writing Timeless Novels

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Release Date: 02/11/2025

From Wrexham’s Revival with Ryan Reynolds to Reinventing Sherlock: Humphrey Ker Examines the Evidence show art From Wrexham’s Revival with Ryan Reynolds to Reinventing Sherlock: Humphrey Ker Examines the Evidence

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I loved my conversation with the charming, humble and very talented Humphrey Ker - actor, comedian, improviser, writer and football aficionado. From the stage to the stadium, Humphrey talks about his acting and comedic journey, his detour via Wrexham AFC with actors Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds to becoming a treble promotion winning cult hero football executive and why he’ll be spending his 2025/26 Christmas holidays at the Birmingham Rep playing Sherlock Holmes singing songs written for him by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice. Humphrey Ker is a total delight! Related Links

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Dr Emma Craythorne: Skin Deep: Bombs, Breakthroughs & The Bad Skin Clinic show art Dr Emma Craythorne: Skin Deep: Bombs, Breakthroughs & The Bad Skin Clinic

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In this episode, Dr. Emma Craythorne takes us far beyond the surface. From surviving an IRA bombing to becoming one of the UK’s most recognized dermatologists, Emma shares her extraordinary journey through medicine, resilience and media. She talks about her work on the hit TV show The Bad Skin Clinic, her candid conversations on After Hours Skin Clinic, and the personal experiences that shaped her path. Committed to her patients, listeners and viewers, transforming the lives of all those she treats, Emma’s achievements are many and her story is an...

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[REPLAY] Bonnie Garmus: Bestselling Author of ‘Lessons in Chemistry’ show art [REPLAY] Bonnie Garmus: Bestselling Author of ‘Lessons in Chemistry’

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‘Lessons in Chemistry’ is a multi-million copy bestselling novel, it’s in over 40 countries and has won far too many awards to list here. Such is its success it has been made into a series on Apple Plus, starring Brie Larson. My aunt sent it to me to cheer me up after I had open heart surgery this Summer. It was one of the best presents I have ever been given and it transformed my recovery. I was devastated when I finished it. I contacted author Bonnie Garmus to tell her how wonderful her book was and she very kindly agreed to let me interview her. In the episode, Bonnie discusses her...

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From War Zones to Wards: The Many Chapters of Dr. Rachel Clarke’s Life show art From War Zones to Wards: The Many Chapters of Dr. Rachel Clarke’s Life

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This week on the podcast, I’m joined by someone whose career defies convention and whose work has touched lives across war zones, hospital wards and the written page. Dr Rachel Clarke began as a broadcast journalist, reporting from some of the world’s most dangerous places — covering Al Qaeda, the Gulf War and the civil war in the DRC. Then, at 29, she retrained as a doctor, specialising in palliative care, where she now helps patients live their final days with dignity and as much comfort as possible. Her bestselling books; ‘Your Life in My Hands’, ‘Dear Life’,...

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From War Zones to Wards: The Many Chapters of Dr. Rachel Clarke’s Life show art From War Zones to Wards: The Many Chapters of Dr. Rachel Clarke’s Life

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This week on the podcast, I’m joined by someone whose career defies convention and whose work has touched lives across war zones, hospital wards and the written page. Dr Rachel Clarke began as a broadcast journalist, reporting from some of the world’s most dangerous places — covering Al Qaeda, the Gulf War and the civil war in the DRC. Then, at 29, she retrained as a doctor, specialising in palliative care, where she now helps patients live their final days with dignity and as much comfort as possible. Her bestselling books; ‘Your Life in My Hands’, ‘Dear Life’,...

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The Movie Music Maker: A Conversation with Paul Broucek, President of Warner Bros Pictures Music. show art The Movie Music Maker: A Conversation with Paul Broucek, President of Warner Bros Pictures Music.

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Paul Broucek, President of Warner Bros Pictures Music is the man behind the soundtracks of some of the most iconic films of our time: The Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit Trilogy, Harry Potter, Inception, Dunkirk, Gravity, American History X, The Notebook and Austin Powers to name but a few. Paul has collaborated with legendary composers, visionary directors and groundbreaking producers creating award-winning music to some of the greatest movies of the last half century. From orchestras to Oscar winners, his journey is packed with stories that span genres,...

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Why Are We Here? Who Are We? Dr. Iain McGilchrist on Consciousness, the Divided Brain, and the Matter with Things show art Why Are We Here? Who Are We? Dr. Iain McGilchrist on Consciousness, the Divided Brain, and the Matter with Things

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In this unmissable episode, I talk to renowned psychiatrist, philosopher and author Dr. Iain McGilchrist to explore the profound questions that shape our existence: Why are we here? Who are we? Drawing from his groundbreaking books — including The Master and His Emissary and The Matter with Things — Dr. McGilchrist shares insights from his life and career, weaving together neuroscience, philosophy and metaphysics. Dr. McGilchrist explains the mysteries of the divided brain, the nature of time, the power of creativity and intuition, the pursuit of happiness and the essence of...

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Horse with No Name and Sister Golden Hair: Gerry Beckley talks about his 53 years in the band AMERICA. show art Horse with No Name and Sister Golden Hair: Gerry Beckley talks about his 53 years in the band AMERICA.

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In this episode, Gerry Beckley; singer, songwriter, and co-founder of the iconic band America takes us on a remarkable journey through five decades of music, fame and friendship. Gerry talks about their timeless hits including “A Horse with No Name” and “Sister Golden Hair” and what it felt like to top the charts with both a No. 1 single and album at just 19 years old. He shares vivid stories of forming the band while still in high school, navigating sudden stardom, collaborating with legendary producer George Martin (The Beatles) and performing alongside everyone from Pink Floyd to...

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Saving the Planet One Species at a Time: Edward Whitley OBE on Conservation, Philanthropy & Jane Austen show art Saving the Planet One Species at a Time: Edward Whitley OBE on Conservation, Philanthropy & Jane Austen

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Edward Whitley OBE is a financier, philanthropist, author and conservationist whose work has helped protect some of the planet’s rarest species. He’s raised over £24 million for more than 220 conservation projects in 80+ countries, encountering everything from golden-headed tamarins to monkey-eating eagles.  He’s also written on subjects ranging from Gerald Durrell and Nick Leeson, to Indira Gandhi, Sir John Betjeman, and even Jane Austen vs George Eliot—all while running his own investment firm for over two decades. In this wide-ranging conversation, we explore endangered...

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Walking to the Ends of the Earth: Erling Kagge - Life Lessons from the First Man to Complete the 3 Poles Challenge. show art Walking to the Ends of the Earth: Erling Kagge - Life Lessons from the First Man to Complete the 3 Poles Challenge.

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Erling Kagge is a man of firsts: In 1990, together with Børge Ousland, he was the first to reach the North Pole unsupported. In 1992/3 he was the first man to walk solo to the South Pole. In 1994 he summitted Everest making him the first man on the planet to have completed the journey to the North Pole, the South Pole and to have climbed Everest – in other words, to complete the 3 Poles Challenge on foot, all unsupported. He has crossed oceans and he even crossed New York City through its tunnel system. A true explorer, he’s also a writer, philosopher,...

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Amor Towles, the award-winning and bestselling author of Rules of Civility, A Gentleman in Moscow and The Lincoln Highway shares the journey from his childhood fascination with storytelling to his transition from investment banking to the literary stage. Discover the meticulous process behind his richly imaginative novels, the secrets to creating unforgettable characters and his thoughts on literature’s lasting impact. Amor offers an intimate look into the mind of one of our generation's most celebrated writers. It was a pleasure getting to chat to him!

Related links:

Amor’s website

Follow Amor on Instagram