Rory Stewart, politician and explorer, talks about his highs and lows, shame and mistakes, and the many Prime Ministers he's worked with. He discusses his disillusionment with modern politics and shares ideas for making it better.

Thought-provoking guests Rory Stewart, Emily Maitlis, and James Graham share the wisdom they gained from the toughest times of their lives in this season three trailer of Desperately Seeking Wisdom podcast.

Matt Forde is one of our funniest comedians – carving out a niche for himself as a sharp satirist and brilliant mimic of the likes of Boris Johnson and Keir Starmer.What’s really interesting about him is the humanity he brings to his podcast, The Political Party, where he treats politicians as fully-rounded and complex individuals who deserve our understanding. He speaks brilliantly about how life in a broken family and on free school meals helped shape his approach to life.

Michael Singer has taught me so much. His New York Times bestselling books such as The Untethered Soul, are manuals on how to look at and experience life.He teaches how to radically shift our perspective on what it means to be alive – and how to accept both the past and the world we live in. There’s so much to learn from him...

Jacqui Smith scaled the heights of British politics when she became the first female Home Secretary.It all came crashing down during the expenses scandal, when – among other things – it emerged her husband had claimed for pornographic movies. She’s since rebuilt her life as a broadcaster and political commentator.Jacqui is fascinating, open and honest about the experience of feeling her whole world was crumbling around her and what it taught her.

Professor Azza Karam is the Secretary General of Religions for Peace – a body set up to find a common purpose in the world’s great religions.She grew up in a loving, but restrictive Muslim family, where a strong mother thought she was helping her by limiting her achievements.I was fascinated by how she has come to terms with her past, her faith and her strong belief in our need for spiritual nourishment and expression.

Sir Simon Baron-Cohen is a leading clinical psychologist and expert in autism. He has written a number of popular science books exploring subjects ranging from empathy (and the lack of it) to understanding how the neurodivergent mind works. He believes terms like “good” and “evil” don’t help us see how and why people operate as they do - and it’s in this area where much of his wisdom is to be found.

Jack Davenport is one of our best and most recognisable actors. His credits include: The Pirates of Caribbean, The Talented Mr Ripley, This Life and most recently, Ten Percent.He talks freely about staying centred while acting in a major production, what it was like growing up with film stars dropping in, and why he refuses to have anything to do with social media.

David Baddiel has been at the top of comedy for many years – often using stories about his complex family for his hilarious, but sometimes painful material. He’s also a celebrated writer, having a huge impact with his children’s books and the polemic, Jews Don’t Count. His most recent book, The God Desire (published on April 13th, 2023), explains why although he yearns for there to be a God, he can’t bring himself to believe in one. David has fascinating insights throughout our wide-ranging conversation.

Lyse Doucet is one of the best and most recognised journalists in the world. Her story of how she came to report on some of the poorest and most war-torn parts of the world is remarkable – but what is truly impressive about her is the empathy she brings to everything she does.We discuss how she stays grounded, her choice not to have a family and how one simple teaching is the bedrock of her approach to her life.