Seeking Meaning: Ruby Wax's quest for meaning during lockdown takes her through unique experiences, leading to self-discovery and acceptance of her mental health struggles, revealing that 'home' is more about memory than a physical place.
Ruby Wax shares her journey of seeking meaning and purpose in her life, especially during the loneliness of lockdown. She explores various experiences, such as living in a monastery, working in a refugee camp, and undergoing a silent retreat. This quest humorously leads her to unexpected places, including a mental institution. Through therapy, she uncovers underlying issues that drove her to search for meaning, ultimately discovering that the idea of 'home' is not a physical place but a memory of a past that no longer exists. Her journey reveals the importance of addressing mental health and accepting that sometimes we are running from our inner struggles rather than towards clarity.
Family Legacy: Family history and mental health deeply shape identity, influencing personal growth and creativity. With mentorship from Alan Rickman, resilience emerges from challenges, illustrating how past struggles can inspire humor and authenticity in one's work.
The conversation explores the impact of family history and mental health on personal identity. It highlights experiences of having a mysterious family background, including relatives in institutions, and how these experiences shaped the individual's comedic career. Despite a challenging upbringing, the individual found resilience, humor, and inspiration through mentorship from notable figures like Alan Rickman, who encouraged authenticity in their work. This journey reflects how difficult pasts can lead to creativity and personal growth, showcasing the importance of understanding one's roots and the complexities of familial relationships in shaping who we become.
Resilience and Humor: Despite experiencing trauma from an abusive father, the speaker found humor and resilience, leading to a successful career in documentary filmmaking and celebrity interviews, influenced by mentorship from Alan Rickman.
The speaker reflects on a deep-rooted trauma stemming from a violent upbringing, particularly a father who was abusive. Despite these hardships, mentorship from Alan Rickman inspired them to pursue a career in documentary filmmaking. They transitioned from acting to creating impactful documentaries that tell genuine stories, highlighting extraordinary experiences from various cultures. These experiences reveal their resilience and ability to find humor even in dark past memories. They disclose how they shifted from serious documentaries to celebrity-focused interviews, illustrating the complex evolution of their career. With gratitude, they recall the importance of storytelling and the connections formed with real people throughout their work, while emphasizing how humor serves as a coping mechanism in recounting painful experiences from their past.
Toxic Fame: Fame can distort relationships, making interactions toxic and abusive. Ruby Wax's encounters with celebrities highlight how powerful figures often exert control, revealing deeper insecurities behind their public personas.
Fame can change people in unexpected and often troubling ways. The intense scrutiny and observation make individuals feel paranoid about how they're perceived by others. Ruby Wax's experiences with celebrities like Bill Cosby and Donald Trump revealed their toxic behaviors and the unsettling dynamics in those powerful relationships. They often exert control and create an atmosphere of fear, illustrating how fame can lead to abusive interactions. Wax’s insights emphasize that what is seen on the surface does not always match the reality behind the personalities of famous individuals, revealing deeper, often darker personal truths. Fame can be an isolating experience, where the fear of judgment overshadows personal connections. People may appear powerful and charismatic, but their actions can show they are deeply insecure and harmful.
Conversational Dynamics: Personalities strongly influence conversations and interactions, as seen in experiences with Trump and Fisher. Fisher's warmth contrasted with Trump's intimidation, highlighting how charisma can enrich or impair connections.
Engaging with people like Donald Trump and Carrie Fisher highlights the power dynamics in conversations. Trump’s intimidating presence made the speaker feel inferior, leading to awkward interactions, while Fisher’s charismatic and relatable nature brought out the best in the speaker. Ultimately, the speaker’s contrasting experiences with both personalities reveal how individual charisma and energy can significantly impact the flow of a conversation. Fisher's ability to connect through shared experiences of humiliation and humor made for a memorable engagement, creating a bond, unlike the uncomfortable vibe with Madonna. Each encounter serves as a lesson on how different personalities influence relationships and communication. Feeling confident and connected can lead to meaningful interactions, while feeling intimidated can hinder authentic exchanges.
Evolving Interviews: Celebrity interviews used to be deeper and more genuine due to more time, budget, and freedom. Now, PR teams and social media change the game, making it harder for interviewers to create meaningful connections with stars.
Celebrity interviews have changed a lot over the years. In the past, interviewers like the speaker had more time, freedom, and money for their shows, allowing for deeper and more meaningful conversations. Nowadays, celebrities are surrounded by PR teams and social media that limit genuine interactions, making interviews less impactful. The speaker reflects on how aging and sexism played a role in her career ending, as older female hosts struggle to find opportunities in television. Unlike the past where access and authenticity were more valued, today's environment demands a different approach that often feels rushed and less personal. Access to stars has become more controlled, and interviewers now face challenges that didn't exist before, making it harder to create the compelling content that draws large audiences. Overall, a change in culture and industry practices has transformed how celebrity interviews are conducted today.
Mental Health Awareness: Mental health issues are rising due to societal pressures, yet support systems are lacking. Initiatives like Frazzled Café help provide necessary conversations, but more funding and accessibility to mental health care are essential for true improvement.
In today's world, mental health issues are increasingly prevalent, with many people feeling overwhelmed and burnt out due to societal pressures. Traditional labels of mental health don’t always reflect reality. Support systems like Frazzled Café aim to provide necessary resources and conversations for those struggling. However, mental health treatments are still underfunded, leaving many without support. There's a need for open discussions to reduce stigma surrounding mental health and for better accessibility to professional help. By acknowledging that mental health is a real and enduring issue, society can start making necessary changes. It’s crucial for everyone to feel supported and understood in their struggles, as this fosters better overall mental well-being.
Community and Mindfulness: Community and mindfulness are crucial for mental health. Recognizing our feelings and connecting with others helps combat loneliness and fosters happiness in the ever-changing journey of life.
Community connection is vital for mental well-being. Many people feel lonely and struggle with understanding their emotions. The speaker emphasizes the importance of mindfulness to recognize feelings and maintain mental health. The journey of self-discovery is ongoing, and emotions can change rapidly. Happiness is often transient, tied to experiences rather than possessions. It’s essential to stay aware of our internal state and seek support from others instead of blaming them for our feelings. Sharing life’s challenges openly, like in town halls or among friends, fosters a sense of belonging. Overall, mental health awareness and human connection are key aspects of living a fulfilling life, even when faced with struggles.
Conversations and Truths: A light conversation reveals the joy found in unexpected self-reflection and highlights a podcast exploring the complexities of American politics, addressing perceptions of democracy and hidden truths within the government.
In a light-hearted conversation, two people reflect on their enjoyment of discussing a show, revealing different perspectives on self-reflection. One participant admits to initially dreading the chat but ultimately finds it enjoyable, highlighting how listening and sharing can lead to unexpected pleasure in conversations. Additionally, a podcast announcement introduces a new series that explores the complexities of American democracy, emphasizing a divide in political opinions about the state of democracy and the hidden dynamics within the government. This series will delve into the idea that reality may not be what it seems, especially regarding important political events. It's a reminder that understanding the truth of political situations requires careful examination. Together, these themes showcase the importance of communication and the different ways people can connect through conversation, as well as the need to critically analyze current political narratives.
Ruby Wax talks to Amol
Recent Episodes from The Today Podcast
Ruby Wax talks to Amol
Ruby Wax began her career as a classically trained actor. She’s also starred in sitcoms, made documentaries and done celebrity interviews. Now she’s best known as a mental health campaigner. In this bonus episode she opens up to Amol about her difficult upbringing, the highs and lows of her career and the art of the celebrity interview.
Details of support with mental health are available at bbc.co.uk/actionline.
Regular episodes of The Today Podcast with Amol Rajan and Nick Robinson drop on Thursday mornings. Subscribe to The Today Podcast on BBC Sounds so you don’t miss an episode and you can also listen any time on your smart speaker by saying “Smart Speaker, ask BBC Sounds to play The Today Podcast.”
Amol and Nick are both presenters of BBC Radio 4’s Today programme. Amol was the BBC’s media editor for six years and is the former editor of the Independent, he’s also the current presenter of University Challenge. Nick was the BBC’s political editor for ten years before and was also ITV’s political editor.
The senior producer was Lewis Vickers, the producer was Hatty Nash, the editor was Louisa Lewis and the executive producer was Owenna Griffiths. Technical production from Jeremy Morgan and digital production from Charlie Henry.
Keir Starmer’s interview - the analysis
Amol and Nick with their take on Keir Starmer’s first Today interview since becoming PM and behind the scenes insights about what it’s like doing big political interviews.
Plus, Ruby Wax drops in for Moment of the Week.
You can hear more of Amol’s conversation with Ruby Wax in a bonus episode that will drop on Saturday morning.
Subscribe to The Today Podcast on BBC Sounds so you don’t miss an episode.
You can also listen any time on your smart speaker by saying “Smart Speaker, ask BBC Sounds to play The Today Podcast.”
Amol and Nick are both presenters of BBC Radio 4’s Today programme. Amol was the BBC’s media editor for six years and is the former editor of the Independent, he’s also the current presenter of University Challenge. Nick was the BBC’s political editor for ten years before and was also ITV’s political editor.
The senior producers were Lewis Vickers and Tom Smithard, the producer was Hatty Nash, the editor was Louisa Lewis and the executive producer was Owenna Griffiths. Technical production from Ben Andrews and digital production from Charlie Henry.
The Keir Starmer interview
In this bonus episode, Nick talks to Keir Starmer after his first Labour conference speech as prime minister.
Check back later to get Amol and Nick’s take on the interview and make sure you subscribe to The Today Podcast on BBC Sounds so you don’t miss an episode.
You can also listen any time on your smart speaker by saying “Smart Speaker, ask BBC Sounds to play The Today Podcast.”
The Today Podcast is hosted by Amol Rajan and Nick Robinson, both presenters of BBC Radio 4’s Today programme. Amol was the BBC’s media editor for six years and is the former editor of the Independent, he’s also the current presenter of University Challenge. Nick was the BBC’s political editor for ten years before and was also ITV’s political editor.
The senior producers are Lewis Vickers and Tom Smithard, the producer is Hatty Nash, the editor is Louisa Lewis and the executive producer is Owenna Griffiths. Technical production from Ian Mitchell.
Will the Lebanon blasts lead to an escalation in the Middle East?
Pagers and walkie-talkies used by Hezbollah have exploded across Lebanon killing several people and injuring thousands more.
Israeli defence minister Yoav Gallant says the country is "opening a new phase in the war" - and the "centre of gravity is shifting to the north through the diversion of resources and forces".
Sir Alex Younger, a former head of MI6, talks to Amol and Nick about the significance of the attacks, which were reportedly carried out by the Israeli spy agency Mossad.
They’re also joined by the presenter of Radio 4’s Kitchen Cabinet, Jay Rayner, for his moment of the week.
If you have a question you’d like Amol and Nick to answer, get in touch by sending us a message or voice note on WhatsApp to +44 330 123 4346 or send an email to today@bbc.co.uk.
To get Amol and Nick's take on the biggest stories of the week, with insights from behind the scenes at the UK's most influential radio news programme, subscribe to The Today Podcast on BBC Sounds so you don’t miss an episode.
You can also listen any time on your smart speaker by saying “Smart Speaker, ask BBC Sounds to play The Today Podcast.”
The Today Podcast is hosted by Amol Rajan and Nick Robinson, both presenters of BBC Radio 4’s Today programme. Amol was the BBC’s media editor for six years and is the former editor of the Independent, he’s also the current presenter of University Challenge. Nick was the BBC’s political editor for ten years before and was also ITV’s political editor.
The senior producers are Tom Smithard and Lewis Vickers, the producer is Joe Wilkinson, the editor is Louisa Lewis and the executive producer is Owenna Griffiths. Technical production from Hannah Montgomery and digital production from Charlie Henry and Joe Wilkinson.
Bonus Q&A – BBC jargon, who makes Today and covering the US election
How do independent MPs work together to hold the government to account? What do the producers behind Today do? And why does the programme mark the end of each hour with the pips?
Amol and Nick return with answers to more listener questions.
You too can put a question to Amol and Nick. Get in touch by sending us a message or voice note to WhatsApp to +44 330 123 4346 or you can email Today@bbc.co.uk
Episodes of The Today Podcast with Amol and Nick land first on BBC Sounds. Get Amol and Nick's take on the biggest stories with insights from behind the scenes at the UK’s biggest and most influential radio news programme.
The Today Podcast is hosted by Amol Rajan and Nick Robinson, both presenters of BBC Radio 4’s Today. Amol was the BBC’s media editor for six years and is the former editor of the Independent, he’s also the current presenter of University Challenge. Nick has presented the Today programme since 2015, he was the BBC’s political editor for ten years before that and also previously worked as ITV’s political editor.
You can listen to the latest episode of The Today Podcast any time on your smart speaker by saying “Smart Speaker, ask BBC Sounds to play The Today Podcast.”
The senior producer is Tom Smithard, the producer is Hatty Nash, research and digital production from Joe Wilkinson. The editor is Louisa Lewis. The executive producer is Owenna Griffiths. Technical production from Hannah Montgomery.
Doom, Gloom and the NHS
As Lord Darzi’s report on the state of the NHS is released, Nick and Amol take a look at what needs to be done to bring about real change.
They speak to Professor Sir John Bell - one of the country's most decorated doctors and an adviser to government during the Covid-19 pandemic - who believes that more funding is not the only way of improving the NHS.
Plus, the nation's favourite pub landlord Al Murray drops in with his moment of the week.
If you have a question you’d like to Amol and Nick to answer, get in touch by sending us a message or voice note via WhatsApp to +44 330 123 4346 or email us Today@bbc.co.uk
Episodes of The Today Podcast land first on BBC Sounds. Get Amol and Nick's take on the biggest stories of the week, with insights from behind the scenes at the UK's most influential radio news programme.
The Today Podcast is hosted by Amol Rajan and Nick Robinson, both presenters of BBC Radio 4’s Today programme. Amol was the BBC’s media editor for six years and is the former editor of the Independent, he’s also the current presenter of University Challenge. Nick has presented the Today programme since 2015, he was the BBC’s political editor for ten years before that and also previously worked as ITV’s political editor.
You can listen to the latest episode of The Today Podcast any time on your smart speaker by saying “Smart Speaker, ask BBC Sounds to play The Today Podcast.”
The senior producer is Tom Smithard, the producers are Hatty Nash and Hazel Morgan, the researcher is Joe Wilkinson. The editor is Louisa Lewis. The executive producer is Owenna Griffiths. Technical production from Hannah Montgomery and digital production from Elliot Ryder and Joe Wilkinson.
Will the victims of Grenfell ever get justice?
A scathing report from the public inquiry into the Grenfell Tower fire has concluded that all 72 deaths were avoidable – but were the result of a chain of failures by governments, "dishonest" companies and a lack of strategy by the fire service.
Nick assesses whether anyone will now be held accountable – and whether this might be the moment that substandard social housing becomes a major political issue.
He’s joined by Emma Dent Coad, the former Labour MP for Kensington who had just been elected to represent Grenfell constituents at the time of the fire, to reflect on that morning and the subsequent campaign for justice.
And Nick and Amol also speak to Today sports presenter Garry Richardson ahead of his final programme, fifty years to the day he joined the BBC.
If you have a question you’d like to Amol and Nick to answer, get in touch by sending us a message or voice note via WhatsApp to +44 330 123 4346 or email us Today@bbc.co.uk
Episodes of The Today Podcast land first on BBC Sounds. Get Amol and Nick's take on the biggest stories of the week, with insights from behind the scenes at the UK's most influential radio news programme.
The Today Podcast is hosted by Amol Rajan and Nick Robinson, both presenters of BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, the UK’s most influential radio news programme. Amol was the BBC’s media editor for six years and is the former editor of the Independent, he’s also the current presenter of University Challenge. Nick has presented the Today programme since 2015, he was the BBC’s political editor for ten years before that and also previously worked as ITV’s political editor.
You can listen to the latest episode of The Today Podcast any time on your smart speaker by saying “Smart Speaker, ask BBC Sounds to play The Today Podcast.”
The editor is Tom Smithard, the producer is Hatty Nash, research and digital production from Joe Wilkinson. The executive producer is Owenna Griffiths. Technical production from Hannah Montgomery.
Starmer’s ‘black holes’: What will fill them?
“Things will get worse before they get better.” That was the gloomy warning given by Keir Starmer this week, in his first major speech since becoming prime minister.
Labour have previously blamed the Tories for the ‘economic black hole’ they say they’ve found in the public finances since taking office. But what did Starmer mean when he referred to a ‘societal black hole’ left by his predecessors? And if there are cracks in British society, how does the government fix them?
Amol and Nick are joined by Starmer’s former director of policy and expert on the working class Claire Ainsley – now a director at the left-leaning thinktank, the Progressive Policy Institute.
And Tom Walker - the comedian behind the fictitious political correspondent Jonathan Pie - is in the studio to give his moment of the week and reminisce on some of his favourite bloopers by news reporters.
If you have a question you’d like to Amol and Nick to answer, get in touch by sending us a message or voice note via WhatsApp to +44 330 123 4346 or email us Today@bbc.co.uk
Episodes of The Today Podcast land first on BBC Sounds. Get Amol and Nick's take on the biggest stories of the week, with insights from behind the scenes at the UK's most influential radio news programme.
The Today Podcast is hosted by Amol Rajan and Nick Robinson, both presenters of BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, the UK’s most influential radio news programme. Amol was the BBC’s media editor for six years and is the former editor of the Independent, he’s also the current presenter of University Challenge. Nick has presented the Today programme since 2015, he was the BBC’s political editor for ten years before that and also previously worked as ITV’s political editor.
You can listen to the latest episode of The Today Podcast any time on your smart speaker by saying “Smart Speaker, ask BBC Sounds to play The Today Podcast.”
The senior producer is Tom Smithard, the producer is Hatty Nash, research and digital production from Joe Wilkinson. The editor is Louisa Lewis. The executive producer is Owenna Griffiths. Technical production from Mike Regaard.
Summer special – celebrity Q&A
What tips would you give a government minister ahead of a Today programme interview? What was the best advice you got when you first became a Today presenter? And how do you get up so early?
In this special summer edition of The Today Podcast, Amol and Nick take on questions from some invited guests and friends of the podcast, including the queen of the high street Mary Portas, historian Greg Jenner, TV’s Kirstie Allsopp, Peaky Blinders creator Stephen Knight, journalist Helen Lewis and comedian Angela Barnes.
You too can put a question to Amol and Nick. Get in touch by sending us a message or voice note to WhatsApp to +44 330 123 4346 or you can email us Today@bbc.co.uk
Episodes of The Today Podcast with Amol and Nick land first on BBC Sounds. Get Amol and Nick's take on the biggest stories and get insights from behind the scenes at the UK’s biggest and most influential radio news programme.
The Today Podcast is hosted by Amol Rajan and Nick Robinson, both presenters of BBC Radio 4’s Today. Amol was the BBC’s media editor for six years and is the former editor of the Independent, he’s also the current presenter of University Challenge. Nick has presented the Today programme since 2015, he was the BBC’s political editor for ten years before that and also previously worked as ITV’s political editor.
You can listen to the latest episode of The Today Podcast any time on your smart speaker by saying “Smart Speaker, ask BBC Sounds to play The Today Podcast.”
The senior producer is Tom Smithard, the producer is Hatty Nash, research and digital production from Joe Wilkinson. The editor is Louisa Lewis. The executive producer is Owenna Griffiths. Technical production from Jack Graysmark.
Summer special: Is journalism in crisis?
Amol and Nick use their decades of experience as journalists to discuss the future of news in this special episode of The Today Podcast.
Joining them are Sun editor David Yelland and former No10 communications director Simon Lewis – the duo behind Radio 4’s When It Hits The Fan – to look at what’s happening in journalism, where the future lies for the profession... and why it really matters for us all.
If you have a question you’d like to Amol and Nick to answer, get in touch by sending us a message or voice note via WhatsApp to +44 330 123 4346 or email us Today@bbc.co.uk
Episodes of The Today Podcast with Amol and Nick land first on BBC Sounds. Get Amol and Nick's take and get insights from behind the scenes at the UK’s biggest and most influential radio news programme.
The Today Podcast is hosted by Amol Rajan and Nick Robinson, both presenters of BBC Radio 4’s Today. Amol was the BBC’s media editor for six years and is the former editor of the Independent, he’s also the current presenter of University Challenge. Nick has presented the Today programme since 2015, he was the BBC’s political editor for ten years before that and also previously worked as ITV’s political editor.
You can listen to the latest episode of The Today Podcast any time on your smart speaker by saying “Smart Speaker, ask BBC Sounds to play The Today Podcast.”
The senior producer is Tom Smithard, the producer is Hatty Nash, research and digital production from Joe Wilkinson. The editor is Louisa Lewis. The executive producer is Owenna Griffiths. Technical production from Jack Graysmark.