Critical Edge

Lord Peter Mandelson: New Labour’s architect and now, Oxford’s potential Chancellor. In this interview, he discusses his past in politics, the ethical dilemmas of university funding, and why he’s the right choice to lead Oxford into the future. Mandelson is also no stranger to controversy, though the truth of such claims is up for debate. Oliver and Lukas unpack all this, two days before the Chancellorship election.

Kathrine Switzer: marathon legend, trailblazer, and champion for women in sports. In 1967, as she ran the Boston Marathon as the first female to ever do so, the race organiser jumped onto the track and attempted to pull her off. Sitting with Lukas and Oliver, in a full-length interview, Switzer shares her historic experience, her battles against outdated beliefs, and her vision for empowering women globally through running.

What does it mean to be lost in your 20s and how can psychological analysis help us understand ourselves? Jemma Sbeg is a mental health advocate, podcast host, and voice behind 'The Psychology of Your 20s'. In this insightful interview, she delves into the quarter-life crisis, choice overload, and the power of embracing solitude.

Oliver Burkeman is a journalist, bestselling author, and expert on ‘time management for mortals’. In this candid interview, Burkeman unpacks the truths behind time management, why slowing down may not be the solution, and how to embrace our limitations to find meaning.

Cameron Hamilton is a tech entrepreneur, and 'Love is Blind' star. In this episode, Cameron talks about whether love is truly blind, navigating life in the public eye, and how vulnerability is the key to lasting relationships. He also dives into the intersection of AI and ethics, sharing his thoughts on the future of technology and its impact on society. 🌍

Ankur Warikoo is India’s top content creator, a serial entrepreneur, and the author of ‘Do Epic Shit’. In this episode, Ankur shares invaluable lessons on leveraging failure as a stepping stone to success, the power of discipline over motivation, and why habits, not goals, decide your destiny. 🧠💡

Thomas Erikson is a behaviourist and the bestselling author of "Surrounded by Idiots", as well as a number of other installments in his "Surrounded By" series.Thomas breaks down the fascinating world of personality types using his unique color theory—red, yellow, green, and blue—revealing how understanding these traits can enhance communication and prevent those everyday conflicts. Learn practical strategies to deal with different personality types and why self-awareness is the key to thriving in relationships.

Kayla Barnes-Lentz is an entrepreneur, biohacker, and founder of the Longevity Optimization Pod.In this episode, she shares her expertise on brain health, the brain-gut connection, and innovative health therapies. Learn about her insights on longevity for women, the importance of nutrition, and practical lifestyle habits for optimal health.

Dr Paul Conti MD: world-leading psychiatrist, author of Trauma: The Invisible Epidemic.Dr Conti begins by telling us his personal story with trauma, using this as a springboard into a discussion ranging from epigenetics and collective trauma, to how we can individually combat our trauma, to its links to substance abuse and other societal harms.

What does the creator of ‘How I Met Your Mother’ think about its ending? Carter Bays shares his creative journey from TV to his debut novel, ‘The Mutual Friend’. We explore themes of technology, relationships, and storytelling, uncovering his insights on writing, and his future projects.