5x15

5x15 is delighted to announce a special event with Nina Stibbe, the 'funniest person who owns a computer' (in the words of Ann Patchett), in conversation with acclaimed memoirist Cathy Rentzenbrink. This is not to be missed! Ten years after her beloved and multi-award winning book Love, Nina, Nina is back with Went to London, Took the Dog, a diary of her return to London in her sixty-first year. After two decades away, Nina is back in the city she used to call home, with her dog, Peggy. Together they take up lodging in Camden for a 'year-long sabbatical'. It’s a break from married life back in Cornwall, or even perhaps a fresh start altogether. Nina is not quite sure yet... By turns hilarious and irreverent, joyful as well as poignant, Went to London, Took the Dog is 'like spending an endless afternoon in the most sparkling company' (Frank Cottrell-Boyce). Join us for a sparkling evening in Nina's company, and an enlightening conversation on motherhood, independence, the menopause, branching out and growing up. Praise for Nina Stibbe and Went to London, Took the Dog ‘So sharp and funny, blissfully gossipy, enviably well-observed - it’s like she has X-ray vision when it comes to human beings. I couldn’t stop reading it. I wish it were twice as long. I loved it’ - INDIA KNIGHT ‘I don't think I've enjoyed a diary so much since I read Adrian Mole for the first time - it's a pleasure and a privilege to live in her London.... A future classic. ...THIS is the book everyone is going to be quoting to each other over the table on Christmas Day.’ - DAISY BUCHANAN 'Funny, warm, enlightening. The reading equivalent of getting the giggles in the back row of a school assembly' - SATHNAM SANGHERA Speakers Nina Stibbe is the author of seven books. Love, Nina won the Non-Fiction Book of the Year Award at the 2014 National Book Awards, and was shortlisted for Waterstones Book of the Year. The book was adapted by Nick Hornby for BBC Television. She is the author of four novels, all of which have been shortlisted for the Bollinger Everyman Wodehouse Prize for Comic Fiction. Her third novel, Reasons to Be Cheerful, is the only novel to date to have won both the Bollinger Everyman Wodehouse Prize for Comic Fiction and the Comedy Women in Print Award for comic fiction. Cathy Rentzenbrink is an acclaimed memoirist whose books include The Last Act of Love, How to Feel Better and Dear Reader. Her first novel is Everyone is Still Alive and Write It All Down is a friendly and down to earth guide to writing a memoir. Cathy regularly chairs literary events, interviews authors, runs creative writing courses and speaks and writes on life, death, love, and literature. Despite being shortlisted for various prizes, the only thing Cathy has ever won is the Snaith and District Ladies’ Darts Championship when she was 17. She is now sadly out of practice. Learn more about 5x15 events: 5x15stories.com Twitter: www.twitter.com/5x15stories Facebook: www.facebook.com/5x15stories Instagram: www.instagram.com/5x15stories

5x15 is delighted to announce the second event is our new events partnership with Rathbones, in collaboration with Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew on the theme of Regeneration. No discussion about climate change and biodiversity loss is complete without acknowledging the importance of children, adolescents and young adults. While activists look to involve and encourage new generations, many young people are themselves leading the way as instigators of change, faced with the urgency of the global crises. For this intergenerational conversation, we invite a range of speakers to share their perspectives, from those closely working with young people to the campaigners, naturalists and writers who inspire hope for a better future. Tori Tsui (she/they) is a climate justice organiser and writer from Hong Kong now based in Bristol. Her work focuses on the intersections between (environ)mental health and climate change, culminating in her debut book, It’s Not Just You. She is an organiser with Unite for Climate Action, EarthPercent, Climate Live and Stop Rosebank. Dwayne Fields is a presenter, explorer, naturalist, and all-round adventurer. Dwayne is an inspiring advocate for encouraging people to get outdoors and explore the world around them. Following a life-threatening incident in his younger years, Dwayne developed a passion to break the norm and expectations, reconnecting himself with his early experiences of the outdoors in wild Jamaica. He went on to become the first black Briton to walk over 400 nautical miles to the magnetic North Pole and has lived a life of incredible adventure and exploration thereafter, whilst simultaneously encouraging others to do the same. In 2018 he formed Team #WeTwo with his teammate Phoebe Smith and launched the #WeTwo Foundation, with the aim to use responsible adventuring as a force for good. Claire Howard (they/them) is a qualified teacher with over 15 years’ experience in education and youth work. They are particularly interested in the power of story- telling to enact change, and how to bridge the ‘adolescent dip’ in nature connection amongst young people growing up in urban environments. They now co-ordinate the youth programme at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, which reaches over 200 young people each year. Kew’s youth programme prioritises long- term, meaningful engagement with the young people it serves, and is designed to amplify youth voice through projects that explore the fundamental question of why plants and fungi matter. In their spare time they also work as a mountain leader, developing young people’s confidence, skills and sense of belonging in the outdoors. Phoebe Smith is an adventurer, presenter, broadcaster, author, photographer, speaker and podcast host. In 2018 she formed Team #WeTwo with her teammate Dwayne Fields and launched the #WeTwo Foundation, with the aim to use responsible adventuring as a force for good. The Foundation's aim is to inspire the next generation. They run an expedition each year, taking with them a group of underprivileged young people to key destinations all over the planet. On each expedition, they will take part in citizen science: helping with vital research and adding experience to their own CV. Pre-trip they will be 'paying it forward' by participating in environmental, conservation, and youth initiatives in their local communities. Phoebe is also the author of 10 books including the bestselling Extreme Sleeps: Adventures of a Wild Camper. We see it as our responsibility to invest for everyone’s tomorrow. That means doing the right thing for our clients and for others too. Keeping the future in mind when we make decisions today. Looking beyond the short term for the most sustainable outcome. This is how we build enduring value for our clients, make a wider contribution to society and create a lasting legacy. Recordings of Rathbones and 5x15's online series The Earth Convention can be viewed here.

David Grann is a staff writer at The New Yorker. He has written about everything from New York City's antiquated water tunnels to the hunt for the giant squid. His stories have appeared in several anthologies. He has written for the New York Times Magazine, the Atlantic Monthly, the Washington Post, the Wall Street Journal and the New Republic. He lives in New York with his wife and two children. His books include the international best-seller Killers of the Flower Moon, and his new book, The Wager, tells a mesmerising story of shipwreck, mutiny and murder. With thanks for your support for 5x15 online! Learn more about 5x15 events: 5x15stories.com Twitter: www.twitter.com/5x15stories Facebook: www.facebook.com/5x15stories Instagram: www.instagram.com/5x15stories

As plant-based diets gain popularity and outdoor activities like hiking and wild swimming become more advocated for wellness, the crucial link between nature and human health is gaining recognition. But what does it entail to derive nutrients, physical, and mental health benefits from the natural world? While the significance of dietary choices is well-established, can we also enhance agricultural practices to foster fertile soils, better health, and a deeper connection to the land? David R. Montgomery, a geomorphologist, delves into how Earth's surface processes shape ecological systems and human societies. His research spans from landslide impacts on mountain heights to soil's role in civilizations. Anne Biklé, a science writer, merges biology and environmental planning to explore humanity's complex bond with nature, focusing on agriculture, soil, and food. Their collaboration produced acclaimed works like "The Hidden Half of Nature" and "What Your Food Ate," examining soil health's influence on crops, animals, and humans. Marchelle Farrell, a therapist and writer, blends her Trinidadian roots with her UK experience, finding solace in gardening and nature writing. Her debut, "Uprooting," won the Nan Shepherd Prize for nature writing. Lorraine Lecourtois, the Interim Director of Wakehurst, bridges her background in theatre production with her passion for nature engagement. Committed to connecting people with the natural world, she spearheads research on biodiversity's impact on behavior. Kathy Willis CBE, a Professor of Biodiversity at Oxford, is renowned for her research on plant responses to environmental changes and ecosystem services. Her advocacy extends to public communication, evident in her BBC Radio series and books like "Botanicum." Recognized with the Michael Faraday Medal, she embodies the commitment to bridging science with public understanding. These voices collectively underscore the importance of nature's role in human health and well-being, inviting us to rethink our relationship with the natural world. For more on 5x15 events, visit: 5x15stories.com Twitter: twitter.com/5x15stories Facebook: facebook.com/5x15stories Instagram: instagram.com/5x15stories

5x15's new season kicks off in January with a special conversation about consciousness and the world of psychedelics with two highly acclaimed authors, neuropsychologist Andy Mitchell and neuroscientist Anil Seth. The 'psychedelic renaissance' is upon us. While psychedelic drugs were once demonised, and are still largely illegal, they are now officially a 'breakthrough therapy' used to treat mental health disorders and enhance well-being. But there is a risk that making them safe or normal might ultimately destroy what makes them potent. What is at stake in normalising substances that alter our consciousness? In his book Ten Trips, Andy Mitchell argues that we should embrace what is strange and valuable about these drugs, less as a prescribed antidote for certain conditions than as a way to rethink mental health itself, and re-enchant us with the world. The psychedelic experience is, after all, part of the rich tapestry of consciousness, which is also not as simple as it once seemed. In his 'exhilarating' book Being You, the neuroscientist Anil Seth shows that our conscious experience is made of billions of neurons working together, and offers a radical new theory of self and what it means to 'be you.' Don't miss this eye-opening conversation with two pioneering thinkers, who will share unique insights about how we think, feel and experience the world. Praise for Andy Mitchell, Ten Trips "Original and thrilling" - MIKE JAY "A dazzling, timely book, as deep and poignant as it is madcap and hilarious - exactly what you'd want from a book on psychedelics." - PROFESSOR MARK LYTHGOE "Utterly compelling" MARK MIODOWNIK Praise for Anil Seth, Being You "Anil Seth thinks clearly and sharply on one of the hardest problems of science and philosophy, cutting through weedswith a scientist’s mind and a storyteller’s skill." - ADAM RUTHERFORD "Being You is an exhilarating book: a vast-ranging, phenomenal achievement that will undoubtedly become a seminal text." - GAIA VINCE, Guardian Speakers Andy Mitchell is a neuropsychologist and therapist. He has specialized in treating patients with rare brain conditions, head injuries and epilepsy, and in the application of mindfulness for neurological patients. As a therapist he has worked with people with a range of mental health disorders. Before entering medicine, his first degree was in English Literature at Oxford University. He is originally from Leeds Anil Seth is a leading British researcher in the field of consciousness science. He is Professor of Cognitive and Computational Neuroscience at the University of Sussex, Co- Director of the Canadian Institute for Advanced Research (CIFAR) Program on Brain, Mind and Consciousness, and a European Research Council Advanced Investigator. His writing has appeared in the Guardian, New Scientist, Scientific American and Granta, and his 2017 TED talk has been viewed more than 13 million times. With thanks for your support for 5x15 online! Learn more about 5x15 events: 5x15stories.com Twitter: www.twitter.com/5x15stories Facebook: www.facebook.com/5x15stories Instagram: www.instagram.com/5x15stories

Kassia St Clair studied the history of women's dress and the masquerade during the eighteenth century at Bristol and Oxford. She has since written about design and culture for the Economist, House & Garden, TLS, Quartz and New Statesman, and has had a column about colour in Elle Decoration since 2013. Her first book The Secret Lives of Colour was a top-ten bestseller, a Radio 4 Book of the Week and has been translated into over a dozen languages; her second, The Golden Thread, was a Sunday Times Book of the Year and was shortlisted for the Somerset Maugham Award. She lives in London. Her new book,The Race to the Future, tells the incredible true story of a quest against the odds that shaped the world we live in today. With thanks for your support for 5x15 online! Learn more about 5x15 events: 5x15stories.com Twitter: www.twitter.com/5x15stories Facebook: www.facebook.com/5x15stories Instagram: www.instagram.com/5x15stories

Paul Caruana Galizia became a reporter after his mother Daphne was assassinated and since then has won a British Journalism Award, a Media Excellence Award from the Association of International Broadcasters, a silver medal at the British Podcast Awards, and a bronze medal at the Radio Academy ARIAs. With his two brothers, he won a Magnitsky Human Rights Award and an Anderson-Norman-Lucas Award for. His book A Death in Malta is a spellbinding account of the shocking murder of his muckraking mother and the search for justice that has reverberated far beyond their tiny homeland. With thanks for your support for 5x15 online! Learn more about 5x15 events: 5x15stories.com Twitter: www.twitter.com/5x15stories Facebook: www.facebook.com/5x15stories Instagram: www.instagram.com/5x15stories

Rosamund Young is the bestselling author of The Secret Life of Cows - named a Times book of the year - and the recently published The Wisdom of Sheep & Other Animals. Alongside her brother Richard and her partner Gareth she runs Kite’s Nest Farm on the edge of the Cotswold escarpment, where nature is left to itself as much as possible and the animals receive exceptional kindness and consideration. The farm produces beef and lamb from 100% grass-fed animals which are sold in the farm shop. Learn more about 5x15 events: 5x15stories.com Twitter: www.twitter.com/5x15stories Facebook: www.facebook.com/5x15stories Instagram: www.instagram.com/5x15stories

Adam Sisman is a writer specialising in biography, living in Bristol, England. He is the author of Boswell's Presumptuous Task, winner of a National Book Critics Circle Award, and the biographer of John le Carré, A. J. P. Taylor and Hugh Trevor-Roper. Among his other works are two volumes of letters by Patrick Leigh Fermor. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature and an Honorary Professor at the University of St Andrews. "Mr. Sisman has an ideal biographical style: inquisitive and open, serious yet not severe," Dwight Garner wrote of Sisman's life of Hugh Trevor-Roper in the New York Times: "I’d read him on anyone.” With thanks for your support for 5x15 online! Learn more about 5x15 events: 5x15stories.com Twitter: www.twitter.com/5x15stories Facebook: www.facebook.com/5x15stories Instagram: www.instagram.com/5x15stories

The Six Ideas to Change the World series, in partnership with Keystone Positive Change Investment Trust, concludes in November with writer and journalist Jeff Goodell, author of the best-selling book The Heat Will Kill You First. The planet is changing in extreme ways. Spring is arriving a few weeks earlier and autumn a few weeks later. Heatwaves are becoming more intense and more common. Heat is the first order threat that drives other climate change impacts, and it will affect everything from our food supply to disease outbreaks. The basic science behind rising temperatures is not complicated, but the failure to act now is revealing significant fault lines in our governments, our economy and our values. For the final event in this series on the future of the planet, join us for an eye-opening conversation about heat, and how it it will dramatically change the world as we know it. Award-winning journalist and bestselling author Jeff Goodell will be live at 5x15 in conversation with the BBC's Climate Editor, Justin Rowlatt. They will be tackling the big questions, while reflecting on an important truth: that extreme heat is a force beyond anything we have reckoned with before. Speakers Jeff Goodell’s latest book is The Heat Will Kill You First: Life and Death on a Scorched Planet, which was an instant New York Times bestseller. He is the author of six previous books, including The Water Will Come: Rising Seas, Sinking Cities, and the Remaking of the Civilized World, which was a New York Times Critics Top Book of 2017. He has covered climate change for more than two decades at Rolling Stone and discussed climate and energy issues on NPR, MSNBC, CNN, CNBC, ABC, NBC, Fox News and The Oprah Winfrey Show. He is a Senior Fellow at the Adrienne Arsht-Rockefeller Foundation Resilience Center and a 2020 Guggenheim Fellow. Justin Rowlatt is the BBC's first ever climate editor. He describes his role as reporting from the front line of climate change - how it's affecting our lives and what we can do about it. He's been nominated for RTS and BAFTA awards over the years and well as news programmes, Justin has reported for Panorama, the One Show, the Today programme as well as many one-off and short documentary series. His first taste of environmental reporting came during his first week on Newsnight when the editor recreated him as "Ethical Man". He was tasked with filming as he and his young family did everything they could to cut their carbon emissions including giving up flying, going vegan, and ditching the car. Six Ideas to Change the World We are at a critical point in the global response to climate change, and the conversation around the central issues remains complex. Amidst numerous debates and conflicting narratives, public discourse runs the risk of information overload, at a time when urgent action is necessary, at both an individual and collective level. This curated series of live online events, in partnership with Keystone Positive Change Investment Trust, offers a clearer path, spotlighting the most compelling, important and hard-hitting work being published today — the six ideas that will shape the future of our planet. Tune in each month to hear stories and ideas we can all learn from. Whether it’s advice on changing diets, or solutions to the world’s water crisis, these conversations will suggest a blueprint for what we must do in the years ahead. Each event will feature the author of a recent work, in conversation with an expert host about the most important issues and takeaways. Audiences will also have the chance to submit questions. The recordings of previous events in the series are available to view on 5x15's Youtube channel. With thanks for your generous support for 5x15's online series. Learn more about 5x15 events: 5x15stories.com Twitter: www.twitter.com/5x15stories Facebook: www.facebook.com/5x15stories Instagram: www.instagram.com/5x15stories