Critical Edge

Sir Ben Okri OBE is a Booker Prize-winning British-Nigerian writer and a powerful voice in post-colonial literature. In this exclusive interview, Okri reflects on how our ways of seeing — as readers, viewers, and thinkers — are shaped by the media we consume.

Parag Khanna is a strategy advisor and bestselling author. He is an expert in geopolitics and global strategy and how we can apply AI to better navigate economic disruptions in our volatile world. Listen in.

Dave Rubin is an American conservative political commentator and host of ‘The Rubin Report’, a political talk show which often debates political correctness, foreign policy, and freedom of speech.

Cenk Uygur is the founder of The Young Turks and one of the most prominent media critics of corporate governance, campaign financing, and political corruption in the United States. He's very passionate. Listen in.

Ryan Nicodemus is a New York Times best-selling author, and Emmy-nominated Netflix star. He is the co-founder of The Minimalists, an organisation dedicated to helping people eliminate clutter and maximise their lives by scaling back on material possessions and consumerist attitudes.

Joseph Nye is an American political scientist known for his work on US foreign policy and power dynamics. He is also a Harvard University professor who coined the term ‘soft power’ in reference to a country’s ability to influence others through gentle persuasion rather than coercion. In this exclusive interview, we sit down with Nye to discuss his thoughts on the future of American democracy, the lessons the US can learn from its history of political turmoil, and the hypocrisy of the Western world.

Dr Philip Goff is an academic philosopher and panpsychist. In this episode, we discuss his unique takes on religion and his interpretation of consciousness as the foundation of reality. Can science fully explain the human consciousness? Do the smallest forms of matter possess some kind of experience? Listen now and find out.

Judge David Tatel is a recently retired United States Circuit Judge who broke barriers as a blind judge and a champion for justice. In this exclusive interview, we sit down with Judge Tatel to discuss his memoir, his journey overcoming the challenges of blindness in the legal profession, the erosion of judicial restraint in the Supreme Court, and what the future holds for democracy in the United States.

In this episode, we are joined by Ambassador Husam Zomlot, head of the Palestinian mission to the UK and a steadfast advocate for Palestinian rights and justice. Born in the Shaburah refugee camp, he shares his deeply personal story, reflecting on how his early experiences shaped his journey into diplomacy and his commitment to dismantling the Israeli occupation. As a leading voice in the Middle East peace process, he discusses his involvement in resolutions to the Gaza humanitarian crisis, the legacy of the Oslo Accords, and the ongoing potential for a two-state solution.Hosted by two passionate Oxford students, Critical Edge aims to bring you engaging discussions with influential personalities, delving into topics that matter to our society and the world at large. Subscribe for more!

Sir Vince Cable is the former Leader of the Liberal Democrats, and Cabinet Minister during Sir David Cameron’s premiership, among many other things. In this interview, we discuss the past and present of the Liberal Democrats, the questions concerning UK aid to Israel, the potential of wider war with Russia, whether China should be considered a threat to the West, and more.Sir Vince is not afraid of a challenge.