The Convex Conversation

Find out how Theresa Patricios, Head of Investments at Convex, and Cam Parker from Swiss Re overcame extreme mental and physical challenges to complete the World’s Toughest Row in record time.   

The Pacific Discovery 2023 four-strong team rowed 2,800 miles in just 34 days, 8 hours and 22 mins – the fastest mixed team ever – and have become the first reinsurance team to complete the race.

Theresa and Cam reflect on how they kept going through harsh weather, serious technical issues, exhaustion, and sleep deprivation. And they share their excitement at passing on the baton so another industry team can rise to the challenge, raising more funds for mental health charity Mind.

Photographs courtesy of World’s Toughest Row and Penny Bird 

Journalist John McCarthy was held hostage in Lebanon for more than five years. Now, three decades on, he’s helping others in similar situations through his role as Patron of Hostage International.

The charity was originally founded by John’s former cellmate and great friend Sir Terry Waite who himself was held for more almost five years, much of it alone.

John reflects on the fanfare he came home to in Britain, how the experience has influenced his life and how honoured he is to help Terry and Hostage International support families and former hostages through the ordeal of kidnap and illegal detention, which remains a global problem.

John's return to RAF Lyneham, UK

John reunited with former cellmates Brian Keenan and Terry Waite

Jill Morrell campaigning for John's release

John McCarthy with former girlfriend Jill Morrell

YouTube star Geoff Marshall reveals how and why he started making great quality, informative, interesting, fun transport films which have attracted more than 82 million views on his channel and are appreciated by his 314,000 plus subscribers.

Geoff travelled to all 2,563 trains in the UK followed by Ireland's 198 and held the Guinness World Record twice for visiting every London Underground station in the fastest time!

He shares his YouTube story, his passion for transport, chats about his new stand-up show - World’s Biggest Tube Nerd – and, in a rare contemplative moment, talks about a moving film he made about how travelling by train can sometimes help when people feel low.

On this week’s podcast we hear from Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, King Charles, Money Saving Expert Martin Lewis and former PM Boris Johnson, thanks to the incredible talent and wit of impressionist Jon Culshaw.

Jon, who is busy rehearsing two shows for this year’s Edinburgh Fringe – LENA and Imposter Syndrome – stops off for a chat and some laughs on his way to record the latest episode of BBC Radio 4’s comedy programme Dead Ringers.

He shares his thoughts on how satire has changed since he first graced our screens on Spitting Image; recalls butterflies the size of seagulls when he got through to the then Prime Minister Tony Blair at No 10 posing as Leader of the Opposition William Hague, and explains how he starts to build and develop a new voice.

Scott Mitchell talks about his life loving Dame Barbara Windsor - one of Britain’s national treasures - and their heart-breaking battle with dementia. 

Scott is an Ambassador for Alzheimers' Research UK and is involved in campaigning, fundraising, and taking part in trials to help find a cure for a disease which affects more than a million people in Britain. 

Scott says he feels blessed to have shared almost three decades with Carry On and Eastenders star Barbara and shares lots of happy, wonderful memories of their life together.

Acclaimed British painter and Academician David Remfry confesses he thought he’d never be asked to coordinate the Royal Academy's world-famous Summer Exhibition. When the call came, the 80-year-old artist says he was over the moon and said yes immediately.  

Helen catches up with David at his London studio surrounded by his stunning work to find out what’s involved; hear about his colourful life in London and New York, and his daily passion for Afrobeats dancing.

David recalls leaving Hull in the '60s with his paintings packed in the back of a £50 van to seek his fortune in London; reminisces about living for two decades at the infamous Hotel Chelsea in Manhattan and talks about how his love of people inspires much of his work.

Main photograph courtesy of the Royal Academy of Arts

Twenty-five years ago, a young hat-maker secured a grant from The Prince’s Trust to help fund her own atelier.

So as milliner Jess Collett joined millions watching the King’s Coronation, she felt grateful for the help she’d received but also knew all eyes were on the stunning head pieces she’d designed for the Princess of Wales and Princess Charlotte in collaboration with Alexander McQueen. Jess said she’d waited "all her hat-life" for that moment!

She’s designed for Madonna, Helena Bonham Carter, Princess Eugenie, Samantha Cameron, Pippa Middleton and many more famous people, but her passion is making hats for everyone and seeing the confidence the right one can bring.

Journalist Kate Silverton tells Helen why she left a hugely successful career in broadcasting to become a child therapist.

Since studying psychology at Durham University, Kate has been fascinated with the complexities of how the brain works and the role it plays in shaping behaviour as well as our future mental health.

She works closely with The Princess of Wales on Her Royal Highness’s Shaping Us campaign and says they are both passionate about the science behind the importance of a child’s early years.

Kate’s first book – There’s No Such Thing as Naughty – is a best-seller and her second, There’s Still No Such Thing as Naughty, is due out this autumn.

Crime reporter Martin Brunt has covered some of the biggest and most notorious crime stories in British history for Sky News for the last three decades. 

Still working in 24-hour breaking news, he’s finally found time to write a book - No One Got Cracked Over the Head for No Reason – filled with previously undisclosed details and fascinating inside track.

Martin shares gripping dispatches about his relationship with violent prisoner Charles Bronson; an unusual encounter with his music hero Sir Paul McCartney; discusses the nations insatiable appetite for crime, both real-life and fiction, and reveals how a fascination with Valerio Viccei, the charismatic Italian robber behind Britain’s biggest ever jewellery heist, ended in a death threat!

Photograph by Mark Senn

Convicted robber Valerio Viccei