Rory Stewart, politician and explorer, talks about his highs and lows, shame and mistakes, and the many Prime Ministers he's worked with. He discusses his disillusionment with modern politics and shares ideas for making it better.
Rory Stewart shares his highs and lows, including the shame he felt at his mistakes and the importance of addressing significant inequalities in society.
Rory Stewart gives his verdicts on the Prime Ministers he's worked with and expresses his disillusionment with modern politics.
Deep dives
The Origins of the Podcast
The podcast was created as a platform to interview well-known people and experts about their life experiences and the wisdom they have gained from challenging times.
Rory Stewart's Varied Life
Rory Stewart has led a diverse and fascinating life, including serving as a soldier, diplomat, writer, and TV presenter. His experiences range from walking across Afghanistan to being a member of the cabinet and now a successful podcaster.
The Influence of Rory's Father
Rory's father, a former intelligence officer and colonial officer, had a profound impact on him. While Rory's father did not share the details of his work as an intelligence officer, he shared his experiences as a colonial officer in Malaya. Rory's father instilled in him the value of being an all-rounder and encouraged him to participate in various activities.
The Perception of Eton and Privilege
Rory reflects on the perception and societal obsession with Eton and privilege. He acknowledges that while being labeled as a "toff" has its challenges, he believes that traditional social class and attending prestigious schools may not be the most important forms of inequality. Rory emphasizes the need to focus on other significant inequalities in society.
Rory Stewart is a man of many talents. He’s been a politician, diplomat, professor, explorer and now a highly-successful podcaster.
In this conversation we talk about his highs and lows, and the shame he felt at his mistakes – one so bad he considered suicide. He also gives his verdicts on the many Prime Ministers he’s worked with, explains why he’s so disillusioned with modern politics, and what we might do to make it better.
This is part one of our conversation first released on 29th January 2024; part two will be released on February 1st.
This episode was produced by Red Bicycle.
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