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

Bandwidth Conversations

Release Date: 08/25/2025

Paul Benney: Portrait Of An Artist show art Paul Benney: Portrait Of An Artist

Bandwidth Conversations

I’m excited to share with you my conversation with the eminent contemporary artist, portraitist, musician and thinker, Paul Benney. Paul’s artwork spans genres from Neo-Expressionism to Photorealism. His award- winning paintings are represented in major public collections around the world, including The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, The National Gallery of Australia, The National Portrait Gallery in London and even The Throne Room of Buckingham Palace. His portraits and contemporary works have been featured across television, radio and documentary programmes on all major...

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Connor Finch on Acting, Auditions, Trauma in Adolescence & Leading BOOKISH. show art Connor Finch on Acting, Auditions, Trauma in Adolescence & Leading BOOKISH.

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On the eve of the release of the second season of Mark Gatiss’s acclaimed post-war detective drama Bookish, I’m delighted to share my conversation with one of its standout stars, Connor Finch. Connor plays Jack Blunt, a young man recently released from prison who finds employment with Gabriel Book, played by Mark Gatiss. As the series unfolds, the mystery surrounding Jack and his connection to Book becomes every bit as compelling as the murders they investigate together. Bookish is an absolute gem: beautifully acted, full of warmth and humanity, and packed with clever, twist-filled...

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[REPLAY] Damian Lewis: From school, to Band of Brothers, to Homeland, to Billions. show art [REPLAY] Damian Lewis: From school, to Band of Brothers, to Homeland, to Billions.

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Damian Lewis is one of Britain's most acclaimed and sought-after actors, with an extraordinary career spanning both the UK and America. A multiple award winner and nominee, Damian has captivated audiences in some of television's most iconic dramas. Among many things, Damian talks about how Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks chose him to play Major Richard "Dick" Winters in Band of Brothers, how he landed the role of Nicholas Brody in Homeland, how he created the character of Bobby Axelrod in Billions, and his role as an MI6 agent in the miniseries A Spy Among Friends. Along the way, he also...

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John Inverdale: The Voice behind the Greatest Moments in Sport. show art John Inverdale: The Voice behind the Greatest Moments in Sport.

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What does it take to stay at the top of broadcasting for decades and what do you learn along the way? I had a fascinating conversation with one of Britain’s most recognisable sporting voices, the gold medallist of commentating, John Inverdale, about his life and career. From the early days of breaking into broadcasting to covering some of the greatest moments in sporting history, John shares the highs that defined him, the challenges that tested him and the lessons he’s learned. Insightful and candid, this is a conversation about far more than sport - it’s about growth, dedication, the...

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Wings, War and Wisdom: Air Chief Marshall Sir John Stringer. show art Wings, War and Wisdom: Air Chief Marshall Sir John Stringer.

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Air Chief Marshal Sir John Stringer began his career flying fast jets for the Royal Air Force, enforcing no‑fly zones over Iraq and flying combat missions over the Balkans. He went on to command air war against ISIS in the Middle East, overseeing every UK air operation during Operation Shader. But what makes him exceptional is not just that he’s led in battle, it’s that he’s also helped shape how Britain and NATO think about the future of war. He’s served at the highest levels of defence strategy. He was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire in recognition of gallant...

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From Downton Abbey to War and Peace to Sense8 to OCD: The Extraordinary Life of Tuppence Middleton. show art From Downton Abbey to War and Peace to Sense8 to OCD: The Extraordinary Life of Tuppence Middleton.

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Tuppence Middleton is one of the most talented actors of her generation. Her work spans the intimate and the epic, from the haunting dystopias of Sense8 to the elegance of Downton Abbey. She brings a rare depth to every role she inhabits and her recent memoir Scorpions reveals a courageous and deeply personal side of her story. This podcast is a celebration of an impressive career to date, a tutorial in Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and also serves as a reminder that we can look at someone, judge, think they have it all, perhaps allow a modicum of envy to creep in and yet we have absolutely no...

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The Master of Mimicry – Rory Bremner and Friends! show art The Master of Mimicry – Rory Bremner and Friends!

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Rory Bremner is a national treasure. He’s Britain’s best-known impressionist, satirist and comedian – bringing to life everyone from the likes of Donald Trump, Nelson Mandela, Boris Johnson and Tony Blair to Billy Connolly, Ian Mckellen and John Cleese. But, did you know that he is also a translator of operas, a columnist, writer, presenter, ballroom dancer and actor? And also that he actively supports a great number of good causes; one being the UK ADHD Partnership of which he is patron? In this podcast, Rory reflects on his life and career. If you would like to find out how the mind of...

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Ted Lasso, Daisy Jones and the 6, Early Man, The Great British Bake Off. Tom Howe on the art of film composition. show art Ted Lasso, Daisy Jones and the 6, Early Man, The Great British Bake Off. Tom Howe on the art of film composition.

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Tom Howe is a brilliant musician, award-winning composer, conductor and multi-instrumentalist whose music has elevated stories across screens big and small, from the pulse of action to the quiet moments of reflection. He’s scored everything from Ted Lasso, Daisy Jones and the 6 to David Attenborough series and The Great British Bake Off. Listen to find out how he arrived in this space, why he advocates having no Plan B, the process of scoring and how he comes up with new, fresh and hugely diverse compositions. For musicians and non-musicians alike, this episode is packed full of insights,...

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Surviving the Storm: John Withington on Catastrophe, Longevity and the Human Spirit show art Surviving the Storm: John Withington on Catastrophe, Longevity and the Human Spirit

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What series of unfortunate events led to the assassination of Archduke Ferdinand? What little known facts raise more questions on the shooting of JFK? Why was the Kings Cross fire a disaster waiting to happen? Is there a limit on how long humans can live? If you are interested in any of the above, this podcast is for you. John Withington, one of Britain’s leading disaster historians, has written 11 books on the history of disasters, assassinations and the 'Secrets of the Centenarians'. A former award-winning television producer, director and reporter, John also works as an independent...

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Nitin Sawhney on music, identity and humanity show art Nitin Sawhney on music, identity and humanity

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I had the most wonderful conversation with multi-award-winning musician, multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, producer, composer, presenter and DJ, Nitin Sawhney. His musicianship and compositions embrace the entire universe of music from jazz to flamenco to world to electronica. He has written, performed and played with the likes of The London Symphony Orchestra, Sir Paul McCartney and Sting. The fruits of his labours range from writing solo albums, collaborating with musical royalty to writing scores for Hollywood blockbuster films. He’s been awarded a CBE for his services to music. In fact,...

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More Episodes

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 consciousness and The Divine.

This conversation is a journey into the heart of what it means to be human — rich with wisdom, wonder and the kind of clarity that only Dr. McGilchrist can offer.

Related Links

Iain’s Website

The Master and His Emissary

The Matter with Things

Iain’s Podcast