Johan Norberg on why civilisations rise, flourish and fall

Jennifer Shahade on how to think like a chess champion

How do elite chess players think? How many moves ahead do they plan? Jennifer Shahade should know. A Woman Grandmaster, two-time US Women's Chess Champion, a professional poker player and author of several books, Jennifer draws on decades of experience in her latest book, "Thinking Sideways: How to Think like a Chess Player and Win at Life". In this podcast she talks about decision-making, creativity, preparation, parenting, coaching and dealing with uncertainty, anxiety and nerves. Instead of resorting to platitudes she offers concrete evidence, through various anecdotes, of how getting small things right can make a difference.

Johan Norberg on why civilisations rise, flourish and fall

Johan Norberg's latest book, Peak Human: What We Can Learn from the Rise and Fall of Golden Ages, is a sweeping account of seven civilizations that flourished through openness, curiosity, trade and innovation. Drawing on examples from Athens, Rome, the Abbasid Caliphate and the Dutch Republic, Johan explores what creates a golden age and what causes its decline. He discusses the ideas of Socrates, Plato and Aristotle, the role of free speech and political satire in ancient Athens, the scientific achievements of the Islamic world and the entrepreneurial spirit that transformed the Dutch into one of history's most successful societies. Despite wars, political turmoil and the pandemic, Johan argues that we may be living through the greatest age in human history. While he worries that societies continue to repeat old mistakes, he believes it is still far too early to give up on mankind.

Jonathan Wilson on football, FIFA and 100 years of World Cup history

Why does the World Cup captivate billions of people every four years? How did a football tournament become a stage for politics, national identity, soft power and some of the greatest stories in sport? Acclaimed football writer and journalist Jonathan Wilson talks about his book, "The Power and the Glory: A New History of the World Cup". He covers the remarkable history of the tournament while explaining how football became a global language, why different nations developed distinct styles of play, the rise of FIFA and the complicated relationship between sport, power and politics. We also discuss VAR, football culture in England, the enduring appeal of the World Cup and what it's like to cover the tournament as a journalist.

Dr Masud Husain on what the brain reveals about us

The human brain has fascinated and confounded us for centuries. Few dedicate their lives to studying and understanding its inner workings. Fewer still can make those complexities accessible to the ordinary reader. Dr Masud Husain, a neurologist who teaches neurology and cognitive neuroscience at the university of Oxford, has done exactly that. His book, "Our Brains, Our Selves" is a fascinating account of what he has learned over decades of treating patients. Through these stories, he helps us better understand not just neurological conditions, but also the very nature of memory, attention, motivation and identity itself. In this conversation, Dr. Husain shares his thoughts on why we behave the way we do and what that reveals about the brain. He talks about why listening and attentiveness are among the greatest tools a doctor can have, what multitasking and social media are doing to our minds, the role of dopamine in shaping motivation, whether humour has a neurological basis and what all of us can do to keep ourselves mentally healthy.

Tim Wigmore: The story of Test cricket

Tim Wigmore's "Test Cricket: A History" is a definitive account of the game's longest and the most demanding format. In this podcast Tim covers a lot of ground, talking about the greats like Ranjitsinhji, Bradman, Sachin, Lara and Pataudi. Who are the best all rounders of the game? What makes a good captain? What is the history of The Ashes? What is it like to face an orb being hurled at 150km an hour? And how has Test cricket evolved and does it still endure the game's ultimate test?