1. Michelle Washington: Founder of The Curious Story Lab, discussing the lack of design museums and cultural spaces for diverse design works, and addressing the issues surrounding black maternal health.
2. John Horgan: Science journalist and author of "The End of War", sharing insights on the war between Israel and Hamas, and the concerning rise of artificial intelligence in warfare.
3. Ian Dale: Broadcaster from LBC Radio, offering his perspective on the Israel-Gaza conflict and its profound emotional impact, as well as discussing international affairs and elections.
4. Keir Paterson: Australian activist and politician, reflecting on his time in Laos and the contrast between the Lao people's peaceful resilience and the ongoing global conflicts.
5. Francine Hardaway: Tech investor and entrepreneur, sharing her personal and emotional response to the war between Israel and Hamas and the emergence of anti-Semitism.
6. Roifield Brown: The host himself, sharing his personal story and insights on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, emphasizing the complexity and historic roots of the issue.

The episode is a special edition focusing on a reflective look back at the year 2023. It features a diverse group of guests, each bringing their unique perspectives on various global issues. The topics range from cultural discussions about design and black maternal health to more politically charged issues like the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the role of AI in warfare, and global peace. The episode stands out for its deep, personal reflections by each guest, offering a multifaceted view of the year's significant events and their broader implications. The host, Roy Phil Brown, ties these narratives together with his insights, concluding with a message of peace and reconciliation.

1. Michelle Washington: "When people think of design, they tend to think of fashion design, interior design, and architecture. Where are the spaces, cultural spaces, that a person who is a maker, then is a maker of objects, can be exhibited in a gallery space? Why don't we have enough of that around?"
2. John Horgan: "Artificial intelligence is being used on the battlefield in Ukraine and in the Middle East in ways that are really disturbing. Nations around the world, especially the U.S., China, and Russia, are developing AI, and that's worrisome."
3. Ian Dale: "To hear the desperation in my Jewish callers' voices as they coped with the fallout of the Israel-Gaza War, and the utter desperation in the voices of many of my Muslim listeners... It's getting to me in a way that maybe other conflicts haven’t."
4. Keir Paterson: "The remarkable thing about the Lao people is they don't seem to harbor any resentment or rage. They're not seeking retribution. And it has led me to think about the conflicts where people are being killed indiscriminately for reasons of either revenge or to achieve political aims."
5. Francine Hardaway: "The incident that has affected me the most this year is the war between Israel and Gaza. As a Jew who has not paid much attention to being a Jew, I have now had to deal, for the first time in my life, with ever-present anti-Semitism around me."
6. Roifield Brown: "The only way that the state of Israel will have peace is when Palestinian people have an equitable state. The Israelis have a right to exist, however, that is not at the expense of the Palestinian people."

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.