A leading forum for live, agenda-setting debates, talks, and discussions around the world.


Intelligence Squared

How he became fascinated by the world of computers and visual effects.

Samira Ahmed speaks to the Oscar-winning visual effects director Paul J. Franklin whose works span from different collaborations with Christopher Nolan to the Harry Potter franchise. They speak about what led him from his childhood in rural Cheshire to designing what fantastical worlds look like in Hollywood.

How I Found My Voice is the podcast that explores how some of the world’s greatest artists and thinkers became such compelling — and unique — communicators. This Intelligence Squared podcast goes behind the celebrity persona to understand their journeys and inspirations — from writing a childhood diary to first performing on stage or finding the courage to speak up about an issue that matters.

Intelligence Squared Audio

Paul J. Franklin: Designing our dreams

Why the wizarding world franchise was a truly great thing for British filmmaking.

Samira Ahmed speaks to the Oscar-winning visual effects director Paul J. Franklin whose works span from different collaborations with Christopher Nolan to the Harry Potter franchise. They speak about what led him from his childhood in rural Cheshire to designing what fantastical worlds look like in Hollywood.

How I Found My Voice is the podcast that explores how some of the world’s greatest artists and thinkers became such compelling — and unique — communicators. This Intelligence Squared podcast goes behind the celebrity persona to understand their journeys and inspirations — from writing a childhood diary to first performing on stage or finding the courage to speak up about an issue that matters.

Paul J. Franklin: Harry Potter and breaking into the industry

Reflecting on his experiences working with acclaimed director Christopher Nolan.

Samira Ahmed speaks to the Oscar-winning visual effects director Paul J. Franklin whose works span from different collaborations with Christopher Nolan to the Harry Potter franchise. They speak about what led him from his childhood in rural Cheshire to designing what fantastical worlds look like in Hollywood.

How I Found My Voice is the podcast that explores how some of the world’s greatest artists and thinkers became such compelling — and unique — communicators. This Intelligence Squared podcast goes behind the celebrity persona to understand their journeys and inspirations — from writing a childhood diary to first performing on stage or finding the courage to speak up about an issue that matters.

Paul J. Franklin: Working on Inception and Interstellar

Staying true to her experimental style.

Samira Ahmed speaks to 2019's Booker Prize winner, author Bernardine Evaristo. She speaks to Samira about how she found her voice, from growing up in South-East London and setting up the UK's first black women's theatre group to the moment she won the Booker for her novel Girl, Woman, Other.

How I Found My Voice is the podcast that explores how some of the world’s greatest artists and thinkers became such compelling — and unique — communicators. This Intelligence Squared podcast goes behind the celebrity persona to understand their journeys and inspirations — from writing a childhood diary to first performing on stage or finding the courage to speak up about an issue that matters.

Bernadine Evaristo: The Booker Prize, MBEs and keeping true to instincts

Exploring how her upbringing and her family influenced her work.

Samira Ahmed speaks to 2019's Booker Prize winner, author Bernardine Evaristo. She speaks to Samira about how she found her voice, from growing up in South-East London and setting up the UK's first black women's theatre group to the moment she won the Booker for her novel Girl, Woman, Other.

How I Found My Voice is the podcast that explores how some of the world’s greatest artists and thinkers became such compelling — and unique — communicators. This Intelligence Squared podcast goes behind the celebrity persona to understand their journeys and inspirations — from writing a childhood diary to first performing on stage or finding the courage to speak up about an issue that matters.

Bernadine Evaristo: Finding her voice

Discussing the parallels between the book and her life.

Samira Ahmed speaks to 2019's Booker Prize winner, author Bernardine Evaristo. She speaks to Samira about how she found her voice, from growing up in South-East London and setting up the UK's first black women's theatre group to the moment she won the Booker for her novel Girl, Woman, Other.

How I Found My Voice is the podcast that explores how some of the world’s greatest artists and thinkers became such compelling — and unique — communicators. This Intelligence Squared podcast goes behind the celebrity persona to understand their journeys and inspirations — from writing a childhood diary to first performing on stage or finding the courage to speak up about an issue that matters.

Bernadine Evaristo: Winning the Booker Prize for Girl, Woman, Other

Here, she discusses feminism, the podcast’s success and her favourite guests.

Samira Ahmed speaks to Deborah Frances-White about her journey from being an adopted child to joining the Jehovah's Witnesses as a teenager and escaping what she calls a 'high-control group' to discover and pursue her love of performance.

How I Found My Voice is the podcast that explores how some of the world’s greatest artists and thinkers became such compelling — and unique — communicators. This Intelligence Squared podcast goes behind the celebrity persona to understand their journeys and inspirations — from writing a childhood diary to first performing on stage or finding the courage to speak up about an issue that matters.

Deborah Frances-White: The influences behind The Guilty Feminist podcast

The stand-up comedian and host of The Guilty Feminist podcast on books that save your life.

Samira Ahmed speaks to Deborah Frances-White about her journey from being an adopted child to joining the Jehovah's Witnesses as a teenager and escaping what she calls a 'high-control group' to discover and pursue her love of performance.

How I Found My Voice is the podcast that explores how some of the world’s greatest artists and thinkers became such compelling — and unique — communicators. This Intelligence Squared podcast goes behind the celebrity persona to understand their journeys and inspirations — from writing a childhood diary to first performing on stage or finding the courage to speak up about an issue that matters.

Deborah Frances-White: How Keith Johnstone saved her life

The stand-up comedian and host of The Guilty Feminist podcast on adoption and Jehovah's Witnesses.

Samira Ahmed speaks to Deborah Frances-White about her journey from being an adopted child to joining the Jehovah's Witnesses as a teenager and escaping what she calls a 'high-control group' to discover and pursue her love of performance.

How I Found My Voice is the podcast that explores how some of the world’s greatest artists and thinkers became such compelling — and unique — communicators. This Intelligence Squared podcast goes behind the celebrity persona to understand their journeys and inspirations — from writing a childhood diary to first performing on stage or finding the courage to speak up about an issue that matters.

Deborah Frances-White: The early years

How Fatima Bhutto uses her fictional writings to express political concerns.

Fatima Bhutto is an author and activist, born into one of the biggest political dynasties of Pakistan, one that includes two Prime Ministers and too many assassinations. Talking to Samira Ahmed in How I Found my Voice's podcast from Intelligence Squared, she tells her fascinating life story.

How I Found My Voice is the podcast that explores how some of the world’s greatest artists and thinkers became such compelling – and unique – communicators. This Intelligence Squared podcast goes behind the celebrity persona to understand their journeys and inspirations – from writing a childhood diary to first performing on stage or finding the courage to speak up about an issue that matters.

Extremism and what draws people into violence

Having returned to Pakistan, her father was shot dead together with six other members of his party.

Fatima Bhutto is an author and activist, born into one of the biggest political dynasties of Pakistan, one that includes two Prime Ministers and too many assassinations. Talking to Samira Ahmed in How I Found my Voice's podcast from Intelligence Squared, she tells her fascinating life story.

How I Found My Voice is the podcast that explores how some of the world’s greatest artists and thinkers became such compelling – and unique – communicators. This Intelligence Squared podcast goes behind the celebrity persona to understand their journeys and inspirations – from writing a childhood diary to first performing on stage or finding the courage to speak up about an issue that matters.

The murder of her father

Few last names hold as much significance in the political history of Pakistan as hers.

Fatima Bhutto is an author and activist, born into one of the biggest political dynasties of Pakistan, one that includes two Prime Ministers and too many assassinations. Talking to Samira Ahmed in How I Found my Voice's podcast from Intelligence Squared, she tells her fascinating life story.

How I Found My Voice is the podcast that explores how some of the world’s greatest artists and thinkers became such compelling – and unique – communicators. This Intelligence Squared podcast goes behind the celebrity persona to understand their journeys and inspirations – from writing a childhood diary to first performing on stage or finding the courage to speak up about an issue that matters.

The legacy of Bhutto

Is Indian cinema becoming too political?

Fatima Bhutto is an author and activist, born into one of the biggest political dynasties of Pakistan, one that includes two Prime Ministers and too many assassinations. Talking to Samira Ahmed in How I Found my Voice's podcast from Intelligence Squared, she tells her fascinating life story.

How I Found My Voice is the podcast that explores how some of the world’s greatest artists and thinkers became such compelling – and unique – communicators. This Intelligence Squared podcast goes behind the celebrity persona to understand their journeys and inspirations – from writing a childhood diary to first performing on stage or finding the courage to speak up about an issue that matters.

Bollywood's evolution and why it's become uncomfortable watching

Her father was forced to leave the country after claiming responsibility for the hijacking of an aeroplane.

Fatima Bhutto is an author and activist, born into one of the biggest political dynasties of Pakistan, one that includes two Prime Ministers and too many assassinations. Talking to Samira Ahmed in How I Found my Voice's podcast from Intelligence Squared, she tells her fascinating life story.

How I Found My Voice is the podcast that explores how some of the world’s greatest artists and thinkers became such compelling – and unique – communicators. This Intelligence Squared podcast goes behind the celebrity persona to understand their journeys and inspirations – from writing a childhood diary to first performing on stage or finding the courage to speak up about an issue that matters.

Growing up with a father in exile

Is the COVID-19 crisis an opportunity to create a more egalitarian society?

In his 2019 book Winners Take All, Anand Giridharadas launched a searing attack on the global elites. Speaking to Matthew Taylor, Chief Executive of the RSA, for Intelligence Squared he shares his thoughts on the post-pandemic world.

Anand Giridharadas on capitalism in the time of corona

Is it possible to draw the line with free speech?

BBC Newsnight's Emily Maitlis chairs this fascinating live-recorded Intelligence Squared debate, joined by psychologist Jonathan Haidt, chief rabbi Jonathan Sacks, author and activist Eleanor Penny and sociologist Kehinde Andrews.

Is it possible to draw the line with free speech? Are white men being demonised? And, is money the solution to the problem of inclusion? In this final part of the debate, we listen in to the audience questions.

Part III: The battle over free speech

Are universities meant to be a safe space for all types of opinions?

BBC Newsnight's Emily Maitlis chairs this fascinating live-recorded Intelligence Squared debate, joined by psychologist Jonathan Haidt, chief rabbi Jonathan Sacks, author and activist Eleanor Penny and sociologist Kehinde Andrews.

Here, we join in as the conversation turns to the role of universities in cultivating and protecting free speech, as some believe these institutions have become an extension of power, with inclusion issues remaining the same.

Part II: The battle over free speech

Freedom of speech, antifragility and race.

BBC Newsnight's Emily Maitlis chairs this fascinating live-recorded Intelligence Squared debate, joined by psychologist Jonathan Haidt, chief rabbi Jonathan Sacks, author and activist Eleanor Penny and sociologist Kehinde Andrews.
 
In this part, we join in as the panel discusses their different views on the subject of antifragility as well as what is the fundamental role of education, giving some background on their personal experiences.

Part I: The battle over free speech

A live panel: how anger dominates today's economy.

Why are measures of stress and anxiety on the rise, when economists and politicians tell us we have never had it so good? While statistics tell us that the vast majority of people are getting steadily richer the world most of us experience day-in and day-out feels increasingly uncertain, unfair, and ever more expensive. In this week's podcast Professor Mark Blyth and Eric Lonergan speak to economist and broadcaster Linda Yueh about their new book 'Angrynomics', why the world feels so angry and how we can make things better.