Changed My Mind

Derek Black was one the US White Nationalist movement's rising stars. But in his early 20s Derek changed his mind and now actively campaigns against those who hold these views. We unpack what caused him to abandon his beliefs and what could be done to encourage others to follow in his footsteps.

Tali Sharot, Professor of Cognitive Neuroscience at University College London and best selling author of The Optimism Bias and The Influential Mind joins us for this special episode of Changed My Mind to share her research on what the brain reveals about how beliefs are formed, what works to change others’ minds and what does not.

Small-business guru and UK lobbyist, Craig Beaumont, talks to us about his changing views on devolution, whether he’s an a-typical thinker and the need to support small business owners as they seek diversity of thought.

Singer, songwriter and renowned humanitarian activist Peter Gabriel questions his previous belief in the power of the internet to do good for democracy.

One of America's leading activists Shannon Downey on how her mum made her rethink her views on abortion, the impact of a being woken up by a bullet in her Chicago bedroom and why some unusual career choices made her happy.

Business leader, former think-tanker and journalist Julia Margo talks about her radical volte-face on marriage. We explore - and question - the value of direct experience in changing people’s minds, as well delving into why it’s so much harder to divert from the status quo on some issues than it is on others.

World leading moral psychologist Jonathan Haidt on his changing view about the value of testing on children. We also discuss his latest book, The bestselling Coddling of the American Mind and the importance of risk taking and value of play in parenting.

• IPSOS Mori - BBC Global Survey on the world divided