Ways to Change the World with Krishnan Guru-Murthy

Historical novelist Robert Harris writes about the Roman Empire - and says the parallels of disillusionment with modern day politics are ‘impossible’ to ignore.  
In this episode of Ways to Change the World, he tells Krishnan Guru-Murthy that Donald Trump’s vanity projects and strong man tactics remind him of Emperor Augustus, how the pressure to appease the masses is ‘crushing politicians into a form where it’s impossible for them to operate’ and why historians might look back and see the Brexit vote as ‘the first big crack’ in British democracy.

We talk more openly about mental health than ever. So why is alcohol so often left out of the conversation?
Millie Gooch believes Britain's relationship with drinking is overdue for a rethink. After struggling with binge drinking and anxiety herself, she founded Sober Girl Society and has become one of the leading voices calling for a more honest conversation about alcohol, addiction and wellbeing.
In this episode of Ways to Change the World, Krishnan Guru-Murthy speaks to Millie about the science behind "hangxiety" (hangover anxiety), why moderation is harder for some people than others, the stigma surrounding addiction, and whether Britain's drinking culture is preventing us from asking difficult questions. They discuss the alcohol industry's influence, the changing habits of younger generations, and why Millie believes giving people better information - not banning alcohol - is the way forward.
This episode features conversation around suicide.

Former Silicon Valley insider Dex Hunter-Torricke spent years advising some of the most influential figures in tech, from Google and Facebook to SpaceX. Now, the founder of The Center for Tomorrow, he is sounding the alarm about the future being built by the industry he once helped champion.

In this episode of Ways to Change the World, Krishnan Guru-Murthy speaks to Dex Hunter-Torricke about why he believes society is unprepared for the impact of artificial intelligence, the growing power of Big Tech, and the political influence of Silicon Valley’s leaders. Drawing on his experience working alongside figures including Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg, he reflects on what changed inside the tech industry, why he feels betrayed by its direction, and why he fears AI could deepen inequality, fuel social unrest and transform the global balance of power. From online safety and regulation to jobs, democracy and the future of international cooperation, this is a conversation about whether technology is really changing the world for the better, and what must happen if we are to avoid the dangers he believes lie ahead.

Artificial intelligence is transforming the workplace. Employers are rethinking how they hire, train and retain staff, while workers face growing uncertainty about which skills will matter in the future. As technology accelerates, long-established assumptions about education, careers and social mobility are being challenged.

Euan Blair believes Britain needs a radical rethink. As founder and chief executive of the skills and apprenticeship company Multiverse, and the son of former Prime Minister Tony Blair, he argues that the country has become too reliant on traditional academic pathways and is failing to equip people for a rapidly changing economy.

In this conversation, Blair explains why he believes universities are no longer the reliable route to opportunity they once were, why apprenticeships and workplace learning should play a much bigger role in education, and how artificial intelligence is already changing recruitment and career progression. 

In this episode of Ways to Change the World, Krishnan Guru-Murthy speaks to Euan Blair about apprenticeships, artificial intelligence, social mobility, and why he believes the future of education lies beyond the university lecture hall.

Democracy is under pressure. Human rights are increasingly contested. And around the world, authoritarian leaders are gaining ground.
In this episode of Ways to Change the World, Krishnan Guru-Murthy speaks to Binaifer Nowrojee, president of the Open Society Foundations, one of the world's most influential human rights organisations. From documenting sexual violence during the Rwandan genocide to leading a global network dedicated to democracy, justice and human rights.
Nowrojee reflects on the growing backlash against women's rights, the mounting pressure facing civil society groups, and the future of international law in the aftermath of conflicts from Ukraine to Gaza. She also discusses the controversy surrounding billionaire philanthropy, why she believes human rights are not in retreat, and the reasons she remains hopeful about the next generation's willingness to fight for freedom and dignity.
Drawing on her own experience growing up under authoritarian rule in Kenya, she argues that progress is rarely linear - but that the struggle for justice is never finished.