Intelligence Squared

Cultural Favourites from the Archives – Words that Changed The World, with Jeremy Irons and Carey Mulligan

Jan 2, 2023

Philip Collins, former chief speechwriter for Tony Blair, and Cody Keenan, who penned speeches for Barack Obama, join the talented Carey Mulligan for a captivating discussion on the art of impactful oratory. They explore the historical weight of speeches like Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address and King’s 'I Have a Dream.' The conversation delves into the role of rhetoric in shaping public sentiment, the unique challenges faced by modern speechwriters, and the essential power of concise language in making a lasting impression.

01:40:28

Episode guests

Carey Mulligan

Cody Keenan

Philip Collins

AI Chapters

Episode notes

Intro

2min

The Power of Words: A Rhetorical Journey

25min

The Power of Rhetoric in Historic Speeches

13min

Voices of Defiance: Women in Leadership

12min

The Power of Rhetoric: Historical and Modern Perspectives on Speech

3min

Echoes of Courage and Oratory

10min

A Call to Reach for the Stars

3min

The Power of Oratory in Politics

21min

The Weight of Indifference

9min

To celebrate some of the most influential and impactful speeches ever made, we invited Barack Obama’s director of speechwriting, Cody Keenan and Tony Blair’s former speechwriter, Philip Collins, to discuss the power of the spoken word. Our host was journalist and presenter Emily Maitlis, with actors including Jeremy Irons and Carey Mulligan joining us to reenact speeches that have defined pivotal moments in history.

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