Living Gratefully

In this podcast Mona Siddiqui speaks to Magnus Llewellin, editor of The Times in Scotland. Born in Shropshire, Magnus has held various senior roles in Scottish journalism and regards Scotland as his home. He is passionate about journalism and views the profession as ultimately one that holds people in public life accountable. For Magnus, most journalists are ethical and trying to do the best they can to publish news in a social media market driven by personal opinions and conspiracy theories.  

In this podcast, Mona Siddiqui speaks to Humza Yousaf MSP, who is cabinet secretary for justice in the Scottish government. Having held several ministerial roles from a very young age, Humza speaks about the pull of politics, finding a home in the SNP, the tensions of living a Pakistani Islam and to what extent his faith guides his politics.  For Humza, social justice must remain a priority in Scotland, a country which is his home but for all its achievements still has a long way to go on issues of race and equality. 

In this podcast, Mona Siddiqui speaks to James Williams, the managing director of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. Having grown up with music in a happy home, James speaks about his mother’s strong influence, his love for brass instruments and the associated sense of community, and the reasons why he had to give up on his aspiration of playing the tuba professionally. An advocate of the creative arts and youth justice, James sees his role as managing director of the RPO as keeping orchestral music relevant to a society’s needs, sharing his passion more widely, especially in the challenging times of Covid-19.  For James, music heals both physically and mentally. 

In this podcast Mona Siddiqui speaks to the internationally-renowned art historian, Neil MacGregor. Born in Glasgow, Neil studied languages at Oxford but was drawn to art history. His glittering career includes directorships of both the National Gallery and the British Museum as well as presenter of several award-winning radio and television programmes including Living with the Gods. Here he speaks about how speaking a different language opens up new worlds, the special place of museums and art galleries in a nation’s life, how the UK has rewritten its history and the importance of humility. 

In this podcast, Mona Siddiqui speaks to the celebrity Bradford based GP Dr Amir Khan. A highly successful and motivated GP, Amir has become a familiar face on national TV, especially after his appearance in the hugely popular Channel 5 series, GPs Behind Closed Doors. Here he talks about growing up in Bradford, gratitude for his grammar school education, the challenges of fitting in, and his love for the NHS.  While Amir enjoys working as a doctor, and his growing media career, he has attracted a big social media following because of his wonderful nature posts and the amusing anecdotes he shares about his relationship with his mother, #MamaKhan. 

In this podcast Mona Siddiqui speaks to the world renowned American philosopher and public intellectual, Professor Cornel West. Born in Oklahoma, Professor West is Professor of the Practice of Public Philosophy at Harvard University. With over 20 books and countless media appearances to his name, he is one of the most eloquent commentators on race and American culture today. Here he speaks of his loving upbringing, the philosophical influences on his life, racism and oppression in America, and why he feels that as a Christian, despair can never be the last word.  

In this podcast, Mona Siddiqui speak to the award-winning Croatian theologian Professor Miroslav Volf. Director of the Yale Centre for Faith and Culture, Professor Volf has spent much of his professional life exploring how the Christian faith bears on human and societal flourishing. Here he speaks about growing up in Croatia, finding joy in his work and friendships, exploring the complex meaning of home and what keeps him a Christian. 

In this podcast, Mona Siddiqui speaks to the internationally-acclaimed, Edinburgh-based, Scottish crime writer Val McDermid. Author of 34 books, Val speaks about her Scottish roots, being exotic at the University of Oxford, the allure of crime novels, and finding personal happiness. Despite her international travel, and time spent in England, Val speaks with humour and honesty about why Scotland will always be home. 

In this podcast on the theme of gratitude, Mona Siddiqui speaks to the former Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams. A true intellectual force and one of the most respected and celebrated Christian theologians of his generation, Dr Williams talks about his Welsh roots, his love for Russian thought and literature, the joys of life at Cambridge and the gratitude he feels on returning to his native Wales.

In the first of a series of interviews, Mona Siddiqui explores the place of gratitude in our lives with the acclaimed Scottish singer, songwriter and broadcaster Ricky Ross. Listen to Ricky speak about growing up in Dundee, his songwriting career with Deacon Blue, learning gratitude from his mother and how he still doesn’t think of himself as a singer…