Desert Island Discs

Pia Sinha, Director of the Prison Reform Trust and former prison governor, discusses the challenges of prison reform, her experiences working as a psychologist in a women's prison, and the importance of staying hopeful. She also shares her favorite song, 'Kathy's Song' by Simon & Garfunkel, and her luxury item choice of chili sauce.

Peter White, award-winning broadcaster, shares his experiences as a blind presenter and his motivation behind creating a series portraying disability. He discusses learning Braille, winning competitions, and his fears about being stranded on an island. Peter also reveals his book choice and favorite song.

Lea Salonga, international theatre star and advocate for better Asian representation on stage and screen, discusses her early success, facing racial discrimination in the industry, making history on Broadway, being a double Disney princess, and her preferences for a desert island.

Professor Dame Lesley Regan, the Government’s first Women’s Health Ambassador for England, discusses her role in the Women’s Health Strategy, her taboo-breaking work in obstetrics and gynaecology, and her journey from aspiring doctor to leading advocate. She also shares her desert island song choices including Nina Simone, Mahler, and Bach, and discusses her book and luxury item picks.

Patrick Grant, designer and entrepreneur, discusses his unconventional path in the fashion industry, challenges faced by Cookson and Clegg factory, impact of the fashion industry on the environment, and his book and luxury item choices on a desert island.

Film studio executive Dame Donna Langley discusses her career in Hollywood, including greenlighting films like Oppenheimer and Mamma Mia. She emphasizes the importance of gut instinct in decision-making and champions original content. In this entertaining podcast, she also shares her personal connection to music and reflects on the dark side of Hollywood. She discusses the impact of silence, systemic changes in the industry, and her joy of motherhood. With her British background and adventurous spirit, Dame Donna Langley shares fascinating insights into the film industry.

Greg Jackson, founder and CEO of Octopus Energy, shares his entrepreneurial journey in the energy market. Highlights include his early years in Germany, returning to education, and his transition from selling his mirror company to venturing into the energy sector. Greg also discusses the importance of customer care and his desire to explore new places. He reveals his choice of a pinball machine as a luxury item on a desert island.

Katherine Ryan, a Canadian comedian and writer, discusses her successful career, her sitcom 'The Duchess', and the importance of personal stories. She talks about growing up in a small-minded town, her experience working at Hooters, and navigating the emotional rollercoaster of miscarriages. The podcast also introduces an upcoming show 'Nature Bang' exploring consciousness and self-identity.

Lucinda Russell, a Scottish racehorse trainer with almost 900 winners and two Grand National champions, discusses her passion for horses, her successful career in racing, and the emotional experience of winning the Grand National. She also reflects on her childhood connection to the Ground National at Aintree and addresses controversy surrounding horse safety.

Adrian Edmondson first shot to national fame in 1982, playing the studded punk Vyvyan in the TV sitcom The Young Ones, set in a seedy student flat. The cast largely came from the developing alternative comedy scene, and included Rik Mayall and Alexei Sayle. Adrian was born in Bradford in 1957. He spent time as a child in Cyprus, Bahrain and Uganda, following his father who worked as a teacher for the armed forces. He attended a boarding school in Yorkshire from the age of 11, where he often rebelled against its rules and restrictions, but enjoyed performing in school plays. He headed to Manchester University to study drama, where he soon met Rik Mayall. They bonded over their shared interests in comedy, double acts, violent slapstick and the plays of Samuel Beckett. It was the start of a long performing partnership and friendship, which included the anarchic TV comedy and long-running touring show Bottom and a production of Beckett’s Waiting for Godot on the West End stage.Adrian has also worked widely as an actor and musician, including an acclaimed appearance as Scrooge for the RSC, and performances with the reunited Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band. Adrian married Jennifer Saunders in 1985, and they have three daughters.DISC ONE: Downtown - Petula Clark DISC TWO: A Song of the Weather - Flanders & Swann DISC THREE: Sugar, Sugar - The Archies DISC FOUR: On My Radio - The Selecter DISC FIVE: Jole Blon - Vin Bruce DISC SIX: Saturday Gigs - Mott the Hoople DISC SEVEN: I’m Bored - Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band DISC EIGHT: Wide Open Spaces - The Chicks (formerly The Dixie Chicks)BOOK CHOICE: Waiting for Godot by Samuel Beckett LUXURY ITEM: A tab of acid CASTAWAY'S FAVOURITE: Wide Open Spaces - The Chicks Presenter Lauren Laverne Producer Sarah Taylor