Intelligence Squared Women’s Prize-winner Rachel Clarke in conversation with Rob Delaney (Part Two)
Dec 22, 2025
Rachel Clarke, a palliative care doctor and author of the award-winning book, The Story of a Heart, joins comedian and writer Rob Delaney for a heartfelt discussion. They explore the impact of kindness in healthcare, focusing on the role of play specialists in children's recovery. Rachel shares Max's journey through his heart transplant and highlights the importance of teamwork in modern surgery. They also delve into the emotional weight of writing true stories, the need for open conversations about organ donation, and the interconnectedness of humanity in times of crisis.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Humanity Matters In Medicine
- Play specialists and small acts of kindness can be lifesaving in paediatrics and palliative care.
- Rachel Clarke says their work restores joy and improves medical outcomes beyond technical treatment.
Despair On The Transplant List
- Rachel Clarke recounts Max as a nine-year-old who tried to harm himself out of despair on the transplant list.
- The example shows how emotional support, not just medicine, saved him.
Animals Bring Real Comfort
- Rob Delaney recounts a child’s face lighting up when a therapy dog visited a cancer ward.
- Rachel Clarke adds that hospices will even bring beloved animals to dying patients to comfort them.