Undercurrent Stories

In this enlightening episode, we delve into the profound impact of music on the human brain. Join us as we explore how melodies and rhythms can evoke emotions, enhance mental health, and serve as a powerful therapeutic tool. With insights from leading neuroscientist Stefan Kölsch, discover the science behind music's ability to heal and transform our minds. Whether you're a music enthusiast or curious about its healing potential, this episode offers a captivating journey into the world of sound therapy.About StefanStefan is a professor of Biological and Medical Psychology and Music Psychology at the University of Bergen. His work explores how music shapes the brain, emotions and health. In addition to scientific articles, he writes popular science books that make complex research accessible to a wider audience.https://www.stefan-koelsch.de/His latest book, 'Good Vibrations: Unlocking the Healing Power of Music' is available now. Click to order.Episode image photo: Niels WestraQuestion or comment? Send us a text message.www.undercurrentstories.com

Today I’m joined by returning guest Steve Carroll — artist, lecturer, and author of the Diaspora science fiction series.In this episode, Steve opens up about the creative process behind his writing, and we dive deep into the role of characters in storytelling — how they evolve, why they matter, and what they can teach us about resilience, belonging, and transformation.It’s an inspiring discussion not just for writers or sci-fi fans, but for anyone interested in how creativity reflects real life. You’ll hear insights on: 🔹 Finding inspiration from everyday people 🔹 Why flaws and struggles make characters — and us — stronger 🔹 The importance of keeping imagination alive at every stage of lifeIf you’re looking for a dose of creativity, hope, and storytelling wisdom, this episode is for you.Linkshttps://stevecarrollarttutor.uk/Purchase 'Diaspora'  https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1578918https://www.instagram.com/stevepaintprint/Question or comment? Send us a text message.www.undercurrentstories.com

 Acclaimed historical fiction author Tony Riches returns to Undercurrent Stories to discuss his latest Tudor novels, Bess: Tudor Gentlewoman and Frances: Tudor Countess. We explore the hidden influence of Elizabeth I’s ladies-in-waiting, the challenges of bringing real historical figures to life, and why these women’s stories still resonate today. Perfect for fans of Tudor history, historical fiction, and untold stories from the past. Tony's links:Website: https://www.tonyriches.com/ Writing blog: https://tonyriches.blogspot.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/tonyriches Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tonyriches.author Podcasts: https://tonyriches.podbean.com/ Question or comment? Send us a text message.www.undercurrentstories.com

In today’s episode, I sit down with Dr. Colin Fisher, author of the book The Collective Edge: Unlocking the Secret Power of Groups. Colin’s journey is a fascinating one—starting out as a professional jazz trumpet player before becoming a leading scholar in organisational behaviour. His research digs into the dynamics of how groups and teams really work, why they so often succeed—or fail—and what leaders can do to harness their true potential.We talk about everything from sports and music to corporate life and family dynamics, exploring why some teams thrive while others stumble, the balance between individual ego and collective success, and even how AI and remote work are reshaping collaboration today.Whether you’re a leader, a team member, or just curious about why groups behave the way they do, this conversation is packed with insights you won’t want to miss.So, sit back and enjoy my conversation with Dr. Colin Fisher.Question or comment? Send us a text message.www.undercurrentstories.com

Singer-songwriter, guitarist and producer  Quint Starkie joins us from his UK  tour to talk about music, meaning, and finding his true voice. From growing up in Lancashire to playing Hollywood clubs, and from house concerts in Sweden to emotional returns to the UK, Quint shares his journey with warmth, humour, and honesty.🎶 Hear about:His early days learning classical guitarA life-changing offer on a yacht in NorwayRecording with Francis Dunnery, (It Bites) and learning to “be authentic”The creative process behind singles like Georgie and That’s When It Gets YouWhy “Brightness in My Soul” brings audiences to tearsFinding beauty in tea, scones, and sausage rollsQuint also reflects on AI, DAWs, and why songwriting still matters in the age of streaming.🎸 Plus: behind-the-scenes stories from his current tour with Dorie Jackson and Remco Engels, and what's next for his third album.And finally what got me about this interview was the sheer joy that Quint talked about. Playing with people he loves and seeing how his songs delight audiences as he takes them on a shared musical journey!✨ Discover more at https://www.quintstarkie.net/Listen to Quint's music at;Spotify - Direct Link or Apple - Direct Link Undercurrent Stories Links;🌐 More episodes at: undercurrentstories.com  📱 Follow: Instagram                      Linkedin 📩 Feedback & guest suggestions: bob@undercurrentstories.comSign up for weekly newsletter here.Undercurrent Stories Music Playlist : Playlist made up of songs from some of our musical guests.Intro and outro music, 'Time for a Coffee'  Bob Wells © 2020Question or comment? Send us a text message.www.undercurrentstories.com

Have you ever wondered what it really takes to produce a classic hit? Or what goes through a producer’s mind when they're building a song from the ground up—or tearing it down to start again? Here to help us understand that process is Stephen Lipson. Stephen is the legendary producer and creative mastermind behind iconic tracks from Frankie Goes to Hollywood, Grace Jones, Annie Lennox, Simple Minds and many more including collaborations on film music such as  Batman: The Dark Knight Rises, The Lion King and Top Gun: Maverick.  From behind-the-scenes studio secrets to philosophical reflections on the role of music and technology, this conversation is a deep dive into the life of a modern music craftsman.🔑 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:The Making of a Producer: Stephen’s musical beginnings, early bands, and first foray into studio building.Creative Risk-Taking: Why muting a guitar line mid-track helped make Driver’s Seat a hit.The Producer’s Role: From guiding artists behind the scenes to understanding when to let go of perfection.Film Scoring with Hans Zimmer: How scoring for orchestras differs from working with bands—and why Stephen prefers to stay away from the recording room.The Impact of Technology: Thoughts on AI, loop libraries, and whether digital tools are enhancing or diluting creativity.Lessons from Trevor Horn: Rhythm, vocals, and the courage to start over.Real Talk for Aspiring Musicians: Honest advice about entering the music industry today.Personal Reflections: Why Stephen never revisits his old work—and what truly brings him joy in music.💬 Memorable Quotes:“People say, ‘That part made the track.’ But really, it’s the stuff you leave out that makes it special.”“Everything we’ve invented has just made our lives easier—not necessarily better.”“I love music, I love tech, I love people. Producing pulls it all together. It’s chaos, and I love it.”🎸 Featured Tracks & Projects:“Relax” – Frankie Goes to Hollywood“Driver’s Seat” – Sniff 'n’ the TearsEx-Propaganda – New album in progressVarious film scores with Hans ZimmerStephen's link: https://www.stevelipson.com/Steve_Lipson/Home.htmlUndercurrent Stories Links;🌐 More episodes at: undercurrentstories.com  📱 Follow: Instagram                      Linkedin 📩 Feedback & guest suggestions: bob@undercurrentstories.comSign up for weekly newsletter here.Undercurrent Stories Music Playlist : Playlist made up of songs from some of our musical guests.Intro and outro music, 'Time for a Coffee'  Bob Wells © 2020Question or comment? Send us a text message.www.undercurrentstories.com

In this episode of Undercurrent Stories, we sit down with Pulitzer prize winning journalist and bestselling author Gary Rivlin to explore the trillion-dollar race to dominate artificial intelligence. Gary, a former New York Times correspondent and veteran Silicon Valley reporter, shares insights from his latest book, AI Valley, which tells the behind-the-scenes story of tech giants, ambitious founders, and the complex world of AI development.From the origins of artificial intelligence in the 1950s to the ChatGPT revolution of today, Gary unpacks how we got here—and where this transformative technology might be taking us next. He also delves into the ethical dilemmas, energy demands, and the real-world impact AI could have on jobs, education, and society as a whole.Whether you're an AI optimist, skeptic, or somewhere in between, this episode offers a compelling, human-centered look at the forces shaping our digital future.🔍 What You'll Learn:Why AI has taken over the tech world—and how it got hereThe surprising history behind artificial intelligenceWhat makes the current AI moment different from past tech boomsThe risks, rewards, and ethical questions surrounding AIHow AI may reshape the workforce, education, and even human relationshipsTips for adapting to AI in your personal and professional life📚 About Gary Rivlin: Gary Rivlin is an award-winning journalist and the author of AI Valley: Microsoft, Google, and the Trillion-Dollar Race to Cash In on Artificial Intelligence. He has written for The New York Times, Wired, and numerous other publications. His work blends investigative depth with vivid storytelling, bringing the human side of tech into focus.🔗 Learn More: Find Gary’s book and more about his work at https://garyrivlin.com/ Book: AI Valley: Microsoft, Google and the Trillion-Dollar Race to Cash in on Artificial Intelligence https://garyrivlin.com/book/ai-valley/ Undercurrent Stories Links;Sign up for weekly newsletter here.Undercurrent Stories Music Playlist : Playlist made up of songs from some of our musical guests.Intro and outro music, 'Time for a Coffee'  Bob Wells © 2020Question or comment? Send us a text message.www.undercurrentstories.com

In this episode, I’m delighted to speak with Rachel Barker, a leading expert in art conservation and the founder of Rachel Barker Associates. With a career spanning decades — including over 20 years at the Tate Gallery — Rachel has restored some of the most iconic works of modern art, from Lichtenstein’s Whaam! to the vandalised Rothko Seagram mural.Rachel shares her personal journey from growing up amid the Troubles in Belfast to developing a deep love of art and science that led her into the world of restoration. We explore how her early exposure to art, her academic path, and her technical skillset came together in a career that balances meticulous science with deep respect for creative legacy.Whether you're an art lover, a science enthusiast, or just curious about what goes into preserving cultural heritage, this episode will open your eyes to the unseen side of the art world.LInks;Restoring Rothko - Tate VideoConserving Roy Lichtenstein's Whaam! - Tate VideoRachel Barker - LinkedinUndercurrent Stories Links;Sign up for weekly newsletter here.Undercurrent Stories Music Playlist : Playlist made up of songs from some of our musical guests.Intro and outro music, 'Time for a Coffee'  Bob Wells © 2020Question or comment? Send us a text message.www.undercurrentstories.com

Today, I’m joined by Neil Lawrence—someone who’s been at the heart of the UK’s builders merchant scene for decades. From starting out in South London with £20 a week to becoming Chief Operating Officer of Jewson and running some of the country’s biggest brands, Neil’s journey is full of lessons, laughs, and a few hard truths.If you’re building a career, leading a team, or just want some no-nonsense advice about work and life, this one’s for you.Here’s what you’ll get:Down-to-earth insights on leadership and people management.Honest talk about what it’s really like climbing the ladder.Stories about learning the hard way—and how to bounce back.And plenty of humour, straight-talking, and heart along the way.Neil doesn’t hold back, and that’s exactly what makes this conversation so good.So whether you're commuting, walking the dog, or just need a break from your inbox—stick around. You’re in for a real treat.Insightful quotes from Neil;🧠 Leadership & Career Growth“I didn’t want to be the chief exec—I wanted to do the job I was good at.” – A reminder that leadership isn’t always about climbing to the very top.“You don’t have to know everything. What you do need are good people around you.” – On building successful teams and letting go of ego.“If someone’s keeping you up at night, that’s the person you need to deal with.” – A powerful truth about people management.“I didn’t want to run a company through fear. I wanted it to feel like it was mine.” – On ownership and culture as a leader.“You can’t be soft and cuddly in operations—you need to have a bit about you.” – Tough love from a seasoned operator.💬 Workplace Culture & Communication“Humour is a great strength—until it’s not.” – On the fine line between levity and leadership missteps.“Most of our staff are trying to do a good job. It’s the few who aren’t that need managing.” – A great mindset shift for leaders dealing with people issues.“I always thought the job was to make decisions. Just get more right than wrong.” – Simple but powerful advice for decision-makers.“Don’t be afraid to say you want to get on. If you don’t speak up, you’ll be overlooked.” – On ambition and visibility in your career.“If you don’t deal with a problem person, it’s not fair on everyone else.” – Leadership is about protecting the whole team, not avoiding conflict.Links:Neil Lawrence on Linkedin Undercurrent Stories; To receive newsletter/notifications of new episodes visit https://www.undercurrentstories.com/Intro and outro music, 'Time for a Coffee'  Bob Wells © 2020Question or comment? Send us a text message.www.undercurrentstories.com

In this live episode of Undercurrent Stories, host Bob Wells sits down with John Coghlan, the legendary original drummer of Status Quo. From "Caroline" to "Rockin’ All Over the World," John recounts the highs, lows, and beat-driven tales of a life lived on stage, on the road, and in rhythm.Recorded in a cosy Cotswolds pub, this intimate conversation dives deep into:How a school Air Cadet turned into a global rock iconWild stories from tours with Slade, Lindisfarne, and Led ZeppelinLife as a "Tax Exile" on the Isle of Man in the '70sBehind-the-scenes of the Frantic Four reunionJazz-infused Status Quo reinterpretations in Quo ReimaginedWhy John still chooses a classic Ringo-style kit over flashy double bass drums🔥 Key Topics CoveredStatus Quo history and legacy1970s British rock sceneInfluences (Ringo Starr, John Bonham, Buddy Rich)Quo Reimagined jazz projectFrantic Four reunion tour storiesBehind-the-scenes rock tour lifeIsle of Man and UK rock taxation exile storiesLife after rock stardomTips for aspiring drummers📚 Resources & Links📘 Spud – John Coghlan’s Biography: Info and Orders email gilliecoghlan@gmail.com💿 Quo Reimagined CD: Info and Orders email gilliecoghlan@gmail.com📸 John Coghlan on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JohnCoghlanOfficial📩 Booking/Info: Gillie Coghlan – gilliecoghlan@gmail.comThanks to Gillie for organising this interview and to Andy for keeping the coffee flowing!Intro and outro music, 'Time for a Coffee'  Bob Wells © 2020Question or comment? Send us a text message.www.undercurrentstories.com