Chatting with Channing

Rahim Hirji joins the Channing School podcast to discuss staying human in the age of AI. He shares his career journey from banking into education technology, his early encounters with AI in China in 2012–2013, and the frameworks he's developed to help people navigate an AI-shaped future.

The conversation covers the risks of outsourcing our thinking to machines, the human skills that will become more valuable as AI grows, and practical advice for students, parents, and school leaders.

"Super Skills: The Seven Human Skills for the Age of AI" — based on research with 200+ companies over the last 2–3 years. Available at all good bookstores (https://thesuperskills.com)

In this episode of Chatting with Channing, host Arabella Northey is joined by Grace Mitchell (Development Manager), Jennifer Kung (Director of Social Impact), and two Year 13 students, Ruby and Layla, to discuss Channing School's newly launched Social Impact Fund and the difference it's already making.

Discover how Asti Wagner transformed her childhood shyness into a thriving business. In this inspiring conversation, she shares her educational background, the inception of Invyted, and lessons learned along the entrepreneurial path.

Key topics:

• Asti’s early school experiences and overcoming shyness at Channing
• Her favourite subjects: maths and economics, and their influence on her career
• The journey post-university: from studying economics to building Invited
• How the idea for Invited was born from personal frustration with booking processes
• Navigating university life during COVID and gaining real-world experience
• The entrepreneurial mindset: risk-taking, fearlessness, and starting young
• Building a business with family support and in-depth market research
• The importance of learning from mistakes and resilience in startups
• The rapid growth of Invited and plans for international expansion
• Advice for students and parents: embracing passions and making the most of school years

Links:

https://www.invyted.com

https://www.linkedin.com/in/asti-wagner-246249175/

In this episode, we sit down with the art department at Channing School to talk about their individual creative practices and an exciting upcoming staff exhibition.

The Exhibition Do What No Other Can Do celebrates the creativity and individual artistic practice of Channing's art and design colleagues. The exhibition runs at the Avison Gallery, Highgate High Street, from 19–24 May, 1–5pm daily.

In this episode we're talking to Tim Marshall, a journalist and author. He was the longstanding foreign affairs editor and later diplomatic editor for Sky News, during which time he reported from thirty countries and covered the events of twelve wars. He has reported from across Europe, the United States - covering three US Presidential Elections - and Asia, as well as from the field in Bosnia, Croatia and Serbia during the Balkan wars of the 1990s.

In addition to his journalism career, he is a prolific author. His best-selling books include Prisoners of Geography, Divided: Why We’re Living in an Age of Walls, and The Power of Geography, which explore how geography shapes the course of history and international relations.

Interviewing him today will be our students, Imogen and Stevie.

It’s a pleasure to welcome Tali Sharot, a professor of cognitive neuroscience whose work sits at the intersection of psychology, neuroscience, and human behaviour. Tali is Professor of Cognitive Neuroscience at University College London, where she also directs the Affective Brain Lab, and she is Professor of Cognitive Neuroscience at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. She is an award winning author of 3 books and internationally recognised for her research on how emotions shape our decisions, beliefs, and perceptions of the future, and for her ability to translate cutting-edge science into insights that are both accessible and deeply relevant. Over to Psychology students Bella and Emily who are going to interview her!

Welcome to Chatting with Channing. In this episode we will be talking to Dr Russell Arnott. Dr Arnott holds a degree and a Masters in Oceanography. His career has spanned from working as a survey oceanographer to retraining as a science teacher and serving as Head of Physics. Leaving teaching to start Incredible Oceans, an organisation that aims to educate as many people as possible about the importance of our ocean. Dr Arnott went on to a PhD in phytoplankton dynamics at the University of Bath. He has worked at the University of Cambridge and is currently an Associate Lecturer in Ocean Science at University of Exeter and Falmouth University's Marine & Natural History Photography course. Interviewing him today will be our student leaders Lucia and Lara.

Links:

www.channing.co.uk

In this conversation Dr Lisa Pine emphasises the importance of following one's passion in the field of history and academia. She highlights the richness of the subject and the vast opportunities for research, particularly in under-explored areas such as the history of Nazi Germany, the Second World War, and the Holocaust.

Takeaways

• Girls should follow their passion in history.
• History offers diverse approaches and themes.
• There is much work to be done in archives.
• Interest in history can lead to a fulfilling career.
• The history of Nazi Germany is still under-researched.
• The Second World War has many unexplored topics.
• The Holocaust remains a significant area for study.
• Academia needs passionate individuals.
• Engaging with history can be rewarding.
• Pursuing a career in history is highly recommended.

Chiara Lewis reflects on her time at Channing, her passion for languages, and the importance of emotional intelligence in a technology-driven world. She shares her experiences studying at Cambridge, her year abroad in Paris, and her journey into journalism. Chiara emphasises the significance of resilience, self-belief, and cultural exchange, while also reminiscing about cherished traditions from her school days.

Takeaways

• Chiara left Channing in 2021 after a long tenure since 2007.
• She fondly remembers her favorite subjects, particularly languages and English.
• Emotional intelligence is a crucial skill that technology cannot replicate.
• The decline in language learning is concerning for cultural exchange.
• Chiara's year abroad in Paris was transformative and challenging.
• She emphasizes the importance of saying yes to new experiences.
• Mistakes are part of the learning process and should not be feared.
• Living independently in Paris taught her valuable life skills.
• Chiara's journalism journey began with student publications at Cambridge.
• Channing traditions fostered creativity and community spirit.

Anna and Molly, two sixth-formers at Channing, discuss their experiences auditioning for and preparing to perform in the musical Hadestown. They share insights into their backgrounds, the audition process, the emotional highs and lows of landing roles, and the challenges of balancing schoolwork with rehearsals. The duo reflects on their growth in confidence, teamwork, and the supportive environment fostered by their drama department. They also emphasise the importance of feedback and collaboration in the creative process, encouraging younger students to participate in drama and take advantage of the opportunities available to them. As they look back on their favourite productions and share their aspirations for the future, they express excitement about the upcoming performance of Hadestown.

Takeaways

• Anna & Molly both have a strong background in drama and have participated in multiple productions.
• The choice of Hadestown was influenced by its themes and musical demands.
• They emphasise the importance of camaraderie in the drama community.
• Auditioning for Hadestown was a significant moment for both of them.
• They discuss the challenges of balancing schoolwork and rehearsals.
• Confidence and teamwork have been key areas of growth for them.
• The rehearsal process is demanding but rewarding, especially with a large cast.
• They encourage younger students to get involved in drama.
• Both have aspirations to continue their creative pursuits in the future.