Ways to Change the World with Krishnan Guru-Murthy

Pia Sinha worked in prisons for 24 years before being appointed CEO of the charity Prison Reform Trust and she describes herself as a "ridiculously optimistic" person, who believes the prisons can be made to work properly. Sinha started her career in prison as a psychologist and went on to work in female, male prisons and institutions for young offenders. She was the governor at three prisons and later was responsible for all the women’s prisons in the country. Sinha, who believes many of the prisoners in the UK should not be behind bars, speaks to Krishnan Guru-Murthy in the latest episode of Ways to Change the World. Produced by Silvia Maresca, Ka Yee Mak and Tom Gordon-Martin.  

In this discussion, Mike Berners-Lee, a professor and climate researcher, examines how dishonesty in politics, business, and media hampers efforts to address crises like climate change and social inequality. He emphasizes the need for a cultural shift towards valuing honesty, warning that without accountability, our biggest challenges only become harder to resolve. The conversation tackles post-truth politics, the impact of misinformation, and the importance of integrity in media, urging individuals to promote ethical practices for a sustainable future.

Entrepreneur, investor, and former Dragon’s Den star Sara Davies has spent 20 years building businesses and helping others do the same. She started her company, Crafter’s Companion, while still at university and turned it into a global brand. But as she tells Krishnan Guru-Murthy, success isn’t just about strategy - it’s about mindset. It’s a theme she explores in her latest book, The Six-Minute Entrepreneur, which distills the lessons of her own journey into advice for anyone looking to succeed. In this episode of Ways to Change the World, she reflects on the challenges facing small businesses, what she’s learned from Dragon’s Den, and why the UK needs to celebrate its entrepreneurs more. As she steps away from the Den, she also shares what’s next for her and why she remains deeply passionate about backing businesses that make a difference. Produced by Silvia Maresca and Ka Yee Mak.

Christo Grozev is a Bulgarian investigative journalist who has spent years tracking down Russian spies and is on Vladimir Putin’s wanted list. Grozev’s open-source journalism exposed spies linked to the poisoning of Sergei and Yulia Skripal in 2018 and Alexei Navalny in 2020. Now he is at the centre of his own sinister Kremlin plot, as a Bulgarian spy-ring was sent by Moscow to target him and planned to kidnap and kill him, before they were arrested and convicted in the UK. He speaks to Krishnan Guru-Murthy in this episode of Ways to Change the World ahead of the streaming release of his new documentary ‘Kill List: Hunted by Putin’s Spies’ - which is available on Channel 4. Produced by Silvia Maresca, Calum Fraser, Ka Yee Mak.  

Misan Harriman went from picking up a camera for the first time aged 40, to becoming one of the most influential photographers of his generation. In 2020, his images of the Black Lives Matter protests went viral, capturing a historic moment of resistance and solidarity. He was also commissioned by Meghan Markle to take her second pregnancy announcement portrait and made history as the first Black photographer to shoot the cover for British Vogue's acclaimed September issue For Harriman, photography is more than an art form - it’s activism. In this episode of Ways to Change the World, he talks to Krishnan Guru-Murthy about using his platform to challenge injustice, why he believes media coverage of major global issues - including the Israel-Palestine conflict - can fuel division rather than understanding, and why he wants to inspire the next generation to make a difference.. Produced by Silvia Maresca.

Krishnan Guru-Murthy sits down with Jude Kelly, founder of the Women of the World (WOW) Foundation, to talk about the rise of traditional values in global politics, equitable education and the arts and whether the divine really is 'a bloke'. Kelly, a theatre director and former artistic director of the Southbank centre in London, reflects on her experiences challenging entrenched patriarchal values while growing up as an Irish immigrant in England; how she feels our financial, legal and religious norms have placed men in charge of society and what to do about it; the recent resurgence of traditional values and strongman politics; and why community-driven change is the real key to creating a more just and equitable society. Produced by Silvia Maresca.  

Gary Stevenson, a former top trader and creator of the YouTube channel 'Gary’s Economics,' delves into wealth inequality and its real-world impact. He explains how the rich accumulate wealth through passive income while the middle class struggles with debt. Stevenson critiques tax policies that favor the wealthy and emphasizes the need for wealth taxes to combat economic disparity. He urges listeners to educate themselves and advocate for change, warning that without action, inequality will continue to deepen.

Actor Brian Cox, famed for his role as the media magnate Logan Roy in the HBO series Succession, speaks about his fears for America with Donald Trump as president again, how greed has infected politics, and whether he thinks Keir Starmer could be a great leader. In this latest episode of Ways to Change the World, Cox also tells Krishnan Guru-Murthy about growing up in Scotland, his love of British theatre, and his latest West End play “The Score” about the German classical composer Johann Sebastian Bach.   Produced by Silvia Maresca and Freya Pickford.

It appears the ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas has been brought back from the brink as Hamas now says they will now release Israeli hostages as planned on Saturday after Benjamin Netanyahu and Donald Trump threatened the militant group.  But for award-winning author Omar El Akkad, the war in Gaza has already been a turning point for his relationship with the West - the part of the world that took him in as a child refugee. He says the faith he had in the cultural and political values he believed underpinned the West has been totally shattered by its response to the Israel-Gaza war. In this episode of Ways to Change the World, Krishnan Guru-Murthy speaks to him about his new book ‘One Day, Everyone Will Have Always Been Against This’ and asks if he has any hope for the future. Produced by Silvia Maresca, Calum Fraser, Max Velody.  

Alex James, the bassist of Blur and a now full-time farmer, shares his fascinating journey from rock star to rural life. He humorously discusses his struggles with aging and fitting into his old jeans, alongside tales from the iconic band’s reunion tour. Topics like the camaraderie within the band, the essentials of the bass guitar, and the balancing act between music and family come to life. Alex also offers witty reflections on farming life, inheritance tax, and the joy of savoring long lunches filled with French cuisine.