The McKay Interview

In this episode, I sit down once again with Dame Stephanie Shirley, the remarkable IT pioneer, entrepreneur, and philanthropist, whose extraordinary life journey—from a Kindertransport refugee to one of Britain’s most influential businesswomen—has inspired many.

We discuss:

• From war refugee to tech trailblazer: How Dame Steve arrived in the UK as a child and went on to build a pioneering software company.
• Breaking barriers for women in business: The challenges she faced as a female entrepreneur in the 1960s and how she helped reshape the tech industry.
• The power of philanthropy: Her motivations for giving away over £70 million and how her approach mirrors the rigor of business strategy.
• The impact of giving: Stories of lives transformed, including her focus on autism research and technology for social good.
• Lessons for young people: Her advice on living a meaningful life, pursuing ambition, and surrounding oneself with the right people.
• Reflections on restlessness and legacy: Why, even in her 90s, she continues to push forward with new projects, including a potential TV series about her life.

Join us for an inspiring conversation with a woman who has not only changed industries but also dedicated her life to making the world a better place.

In this episode, recorded on the 6th June 2024, I sit down with Jean Ayoub, Secretary General and CEO of International Social Services (ISS), to uncover the remarkable century-long history of this little-known yet crucial organization. While the Red Cross and Geneva Conventions are globally recognized, ISS has been quietly working across borders for 100 years, handling individual social cases that often fall through the cracks of larger humanitarian organizations.

We discuss:

• The origins of ISS: How a group of social workers, mainly women from the YWCA, laid the foundation for modern cross-border social work in 1924.
• The human side of migration: How ISS assists individuals with vital records, family reunification, and social support across different legal systems.
• ISS as an early influencer: How the organization leveraged advocacy and networks before the internet era to shape global social policies.
• The hidden risks of surrogacy: ISS’s work on ethical guidelines, including the Verona Principles, to protect children born through surrogacy.
• The vulnerability crisis: How unaccompanied migrant children are at risk of exploitation, abduction, and human trafficking.
• How you can help: Opportunities to support ISS through donations, volunteering, and participating in their upcoming centennial events in Geneva.

Join us for an eye-opening discussion on the vital but often overlooked role of social work in international humanitarian efforts, and learn how ISS continues to change lives—one individual case at a time.

In this episode, recorded on the 16th June 2024, I sit down with James Fleming, critically acclaimed author and nephew of Ian Fleming, the legendary creator of James Bond. From the picturesque French countryside near Geneva, we discuss Ian Fleming’s literary and personal legacy, the origins of 007, and the enduring appeal of Bond in both literature and film.

We discuss:

• Ian Fleming’s Swiss connection: His time in Geneva, early romance, and how Switzerland influenced Goldfinger.
• The Bond phenomenon: How James Bond has remained a global icon for over 70 years.
• Memories of Ian Fleming: Personal reflections on Ian’s final days, his lifestyle, and the family dynamics that shaped him.
• The Soviet plot against Bond: How the KGB attempted to kill off 007 through literature.
• Jamaica and creativity: Why Ian Fleming was drawn to Jamaica and how it inspired Goldeneye.
• James Bond today: Would a modern Bond still work, and what about the possibility of a female 007?
• James Fleming’s own work: His literary career, Bond Behind the Iron Curtain, and thoughts on creating compelling fictional characters.

Join us for a fascinating conversation on the past, present, and future of one of the most famous fictional characters in history—through the lens of a family insider.

In this episode, I sit down with Maggie Jackson, an award-winning American author and journalist, to explore insights from her latest book, Uncertain: The Wisdom and Wonder of Being Unsure. Jackson challenges our conventional aversion to uncertainty and presents it as a vital skill for creativity, resilience, and adaptability in today's fast-changing world.

We discuss:

• The nature of uncertainty: The difference between aleatory (external) and epistemic (internal) uncertainty and why embracing doubt is crucial.
• Cognitive benefits: How uncertainty enhances problem-solving, sharpens attention, and fosters innovation.
• Leadership and decision-making: Why the best leaders and experts embrace uncertainty rather than fear it.
• The role of technology: How the internet and social media contribute to an illusion of certainty, undermining deep thinking.
• Cultural differences: How tolerance for uncertainty varies across societies and workplaces.
• The psychology of disagreement: Why productive disagreement is key to better decision-making and avoiding groupthink.

Join us for a fascinating discussion on why being unsure isn't a weakness but a strength—one that can unlock deeper learning, better collaboration, and a more open-minded approach to the world around us.

In this episode, I sit down with David Moran, a seasoned diplomat with extensive experience in Central Asia, the South Caucasus, and Europe. Moran shares his deep insights into the geopolitical complexities of Eurasia, drawing from his time as UK ambassador to countries such as Switzerland and Kazakhstan. Together, we explore a wide range of topics that highlight the historical, cultural, and political dynamics shaping the region today.

We discuss:

• Russia’s influence in Eurasia: How former Soviet states navigate their independence while dealing with Russian aggression.
• The impact of climate change: The environmental challenges facing Central Asia, from glacier melt to water scarcity.
• Public aspirations: How youth in the region are redefining national identities and striving for prosperity.
• China's growing presence: The opportunities and risks posed by the Belt and Road Initiative.
• Religion in governance: The role of Christianity in the South Caucasus and the challenges of promoting moderate Islam in Central Asia.
• Brexit reflections: Moran’s observations on the UK’s departure from the EU and lessons from Switzerland's model of engagement.

Join us for a compelling discussion on the interplay of history, geopolitics, and culture that defines one of the world’s most dynamic regions.

In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Daniel Warner to analyze Donald Trump's historic victory over Kamala Harris in the 2024 U.S. Presidential Election, held on November 5th. As Trump returns to the White House, becoming both the forty-fifth and forty-seventh president, Dr. Warner provides an in-depth assessment of what Trump did right and where Harris fell short. The interview was recorded on the 7th January 2025.

We discuss:

• What key strategies led to Trump’s convincing win, and where Harris's campaign faltered.

• The voting trends among hyphenated Americans and their sectarian, partisan tendencies.
• How economic concerns, emotional connection, and nostalgia shaped voter sentiment.
• The implications of Trump’s victory for U.S. allies and America’s international standing.
• The potential impact on “international” Geneva and multilateral diplomacy under Trump’s leadership.

Join us for this thought-provoking conversation on the deeper forces that shaped the election and its potential consequences for the United States and the world.

I discuss the imminent, US Presidential Election with Ed Flaherty, an American/Swiss attorney of long experience, based in Geneva, and who is also Legal Counsel to Republicans Overseas Switzerland.

We cover the following topics:

In this McKay Interview I ask Charles Adams

Of course, we talked about many other things too!

Insights into the success of managing the most connected airport in the world.

In this episode we discuss:

-The reasons for his new airport's success

-His plans for the future

-How he manages the risks and "unknowns" of such a large and dynamic airport.

My discussion with Professor Dubuis centres around food and nutrition, and vaccine and food security.

-What functional food is and its place in the diet of a healthy population.

-Whether the poor of the world are badly served by the relatively rich north, which appears to pamper itself.

-What Switzerland needs to do to ensure security of the supply of vaccines in the event of the next pandemic.