Ways to Change the World with Krishnan Guru-Murthy

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.

Comedian Omid Djalili talks to Krishnan Guru-Murthy about Syria, Israel, Gaza and the Iranian regime, and why the West should care about the Middle East. In this episode of Ways to Change the World, Djalili says a combination of his Baha’i faith, his heritage and the encouragement of friends is what has kept him resilient in the face of setbacks, including being “cancelled” after the 9/11 attacks. Produced by Silvia Maresca  

Tim Minchin, a comedian, musician, and writer known for his work on 'Matilda', discusses his unorthodox career path and creativity. He shares insights on stepping away from social media and its emotional toll, especially on youth. Minchin emphasizes the importance of kindness in public discourse, advocating for empathy in conflicting views, including the Israel-Palestine issue. He also reflects on the beauty of imperfection in art and human experiences, revealing how struggles enrich storytelling and personal narratives.

Esther Ghey is the mother of Brianna Ghey, the 16-year-old transgender girl who was stabbed to death in a park in Cheshire, England in 2023. In the wake of her daughter’s brutal murder, Esther has been campaigning to ensure that Brianna’s legacy is an improvement in the mental health of children and teenagers, something she believes can be achieved by limiting their access to harmful online content from an early age, as well as with teaching mindfulness in schools. In this episode of Ways to Change the World, she tells Krishnan Guru-Murthy why protecting young people online is not only the parents’ responsibility, but that of governments and social media companies. She also talks about the importance of teaching empathy and compassion to children, and why she supports Labour MP Josh MacAlister’s proposal of banning social media apps for under-16s in the UK. Produced by Silvia Maresca.