We speak to neuroscientist Antonio Damasio about his new book ‘The Strange Order of Things’, which looks at the role feelings play in the workings of the body and mind. Plus: freediver Hanli Prinsloo explains the benefits of a life spent near water and we learn why London’s Sadlers Wells theatre is embracing the spirit of flamenco in 2018 with its director of artistic programme, Katy Arnander.

We meet Ghislaine Wood, one of the creators of the V&A Museum’s new exhibition “Ocean Liners: Speed and Style”. Plus: film-maker Brett Morgen discusses his latest production “Jane”, which celebrates the life and career of primatologist Jane Goodall, and we learn the story of the Moroccan city of Agadir with artist Yto Barrada and curator Lotte Johnson.

Behaviour and business specialist Daniel Pink talks about his book: ‘When: The Scientific Secrets of Perfect Timing’. Plus, director of hit film ‘Raw’ Julia Ducournau discusses why French filmmaking is on the ascendant and we learn the story of the world’s favourite drink with Jeff Koehler, author of ‘Where the Wild Coffee Grows’.

Author, historian and journalist Laura Shapiro discusses her book ‘What She Ate: Six Remarkable Women and the Food That Tells Their Stories’. Plus, we learn how to build a computer with Alex Klein, co-founder of technology startup Kano, and find out how it’s possible – and whether it’s sensible – that some artworks fetch prices in the millions of dollars with economist Don Thompson.

Alice Black, co-director of London’s Design Museum, discusses what makes for good design in 2018 and this month’s nominations for the Beazley designs of the year. We also welcome back Travis Elborough to talk about his new book – ‘Our History of the 20th Century’ – and meet social-health and connectedness speaker Julia Hobsbawm to learn about her book ‘Fully Connected’.

For the first edition of ‘The Monocle Weekly’ of 2018 we’re joined by our bureau staff from Tokyo, Toronto and New York to discuss a global spread of themes and stories to look out for over the next 12 months.

We listen back to some of our favourite conversations from 2017, featuring Yasmeen Ismail, Booker T Jones, Phyllida Lloyd, Sudan Archives and more.

Recalling a great 20th-century design innovation, our editor in chief wonders if true progress has been grounded by technological mores.

Monocle’s Sophie Grove and Marie-Sophie Schwarzer discuss how to make great architecture in snowbound settings.

We discuss the history of Christmas with Judith Flanders, meet birdsong expert Richard Smyth, enjoy some winter sports in Slovenia and learn about a Christmas Eve tradition in Iceland with Eliza Reid.