Alastair welcomes Maurice Collins, a 90-year-old inventor, entrepreneur, and author, whose wisdom and wit span nearly a century of generational change. With infectious humour and humility, Maurice reflects on growing up in wartime Britain, the discipline of hand-setting printing type, and the joy of collecting eccentric Victorian gadgets. But more than that, he shares how his life has been defined by continual reinvention - from entrepreneur to disability rights campaigner.

This episode is a masterclass in resilience, adaptability, and the value of living a purposeful life, regardless of age. Maurice proves that learning is lifelong, age is just a number, and intergenerational collaboration is richer when we replace judgement with curiosity.

Key Takeaways

• How growing up during wartime shaped Maurice’s values of resilience and self-reliance.
• The surprising parallels between the Silent Generation and Gen Z’s desire for purpose.
• Why curiosity, not technology, is the real engine of progress.
• Intergenerational respect starts with genuinely listening—on both sides.

Maurice's links
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uSpu5_x_HJU&t=132s

https://victoriangadgets.com/

Generationally Speaking:
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