How I Found My Voice

David Schwimmer & Nick Mohammed

April 11, 2023 14:01 - 1 hour

Samira Ahmed is joined by Friends star David Schwimmer and comedy writer Nick Mohammed. David Schwimmer is one of the most recognisable faces on television. His iconic role as Ross Geller in all 236 episodes of Friends has made him TV royalty. And beyond the global cultural impact of Friends, Schwimmer is a seasoned stage actor and has gone on to direct the hit comedy Run Fatboy Run and gain critical acclaim as Robert Kardashian in American Crime Story: The People v. O.J. Simpson. For his lat...

Russell Kane

April 11, 2023 12:21 - 47 minutes

Samira Ahmed speaks to award-winning comedian Russell Kane. They speak about his life and career, growing up in Essex, his break into comedy at the prestigious Edinburgh Fringe, and his relationship with class and identity as a comedian. The recording for this episode took place in April 2021. — We’d love to hear your feedback and what you think we should talk about next, who we should have on and what our future debates should be. Send us an email or voice note with your thoughts to podcast...

Kate Mosse

April 11, 2023 12:18 - 47 minutes

Samira Ahmed speaks to best-selling author Kate Mosse. Together they discuss her life and career, the success of her historical fiction novels - including Labyrinth which won Best Read of the Year at the 2006 British Book Awards - and her contribution to the recognition of female writers. The recording for this episode took place in February 2021. — We’d love to hear your feedback and what you think we should talk about next, who we should have on and what our future debates should be. Send ...

Emily Ratajkowski

April 08, 2023 01:00 - 37 minutes

Samira Ahmed speaks to model and actress Emily Ratajkowski. Together they discuss her rise to fame after appearing in the music video for the controversial song ‘Blurred Lines’, as well as the fraught relationship between feminism, capitalism, and exploitation. — We’d love to hear your feedback and what you think we should talk about next, who we should have on and what our future debates should be. Send us an email or voice note with your thoughts to [email protected] or Twee...

Jude Law

April 08, 2023 00:00 - 41 minutes

Samira Ahmed speaks to Academy Award-nominated actor Jude Law. They speak about his life and career, skipping school to go to the cinema in London as a teenager, his foray into acting, and the wide range of characters he’s covered in his career, from Dr. John Watson to the Pope. — We’d love to hear your feedback and what you think we should talk about next, who we should have on and what our future debates should be. Send us an email or voice note with your thoughts to podcasts@intelligences...

Ian Hislop

April 07, 2023 23:00 - 46 minutes

Samira Ahmed speaks to journalist, satirist, and editor of the magazine Private Eye, Ian Hislop. They speak about his life and career, from an upbringing in Nigeria, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and Hong Kong before returning to Britain to attend boarding school where he began his satirical career. Ian Hislop became editor of the British satirical magazine Private Eye at just 25, in his 37 years as editor he has been reported as the most sued man in English legal history. This episode was recorded i...

David Schwimmer & Nick Mohammed - Bonus Preview

October 21, 2022 22:02 - 17 minutes

Samira Ahmed is joined by Friends star David Schwimmer and comedy writer Nick Mohammed in a special preview of an episode coming out in the autumn as part of Season 4 of How I Found My Voice. David Schwimmer is one of the most recognisable faces on television. His iconic role as Ross Geller in all 236 episodes of Friends has made him TV royalty. Fans around the world still gleefully recount some of his most famous lines including ‘Pivot!’, “Unagi” and ‘We were on a break!’ Beyond the global c...

Phil Collins

April 09, 2021 10:23 - 47 minutes

Samira Ahmed speaks to the journalist and former chief speechwriter to Prime Minister Tony Blair, Philip Collins. They speak about his life and career, from growing up in a household that strongly supported Margaret Thatcher to becoming a supporter of the Labour party and speechwriter for the then Prime Minister. He is a former political columnist for The Times and author of When They Go Low, We Go High: Speeches that Changed the World and Why We Need Them. This is the last episode for this S...

Tayari Jones

March 31, 2021 01:00 - 51 minutes

Samira Ahmed speaks to the novelist and author of An American Marriage, Tayari Jones. They speak about her life and career from growing up in Atlanta and taking a stand on ethical issues as a child to developing her voice as a writer, the role that children's author Judy Blume played in her life, and being selected for President Barack Obama's summer reading list and Oprah's Book Club. _ We’d love to hear your feedback and what you think we should talk about next, who we should have on and wh...

Gloria Estefan

March 24, 2021 14:16 - 50 minutes

Join Samira Ahmed as she speaks to the incredible Gloria Estefan - Grammy award-winning singer, international superstar, and survivor of both political and physical adversity. From fleeing Cuba as a young child to selling over 120 million records worldwide, Gloria's journey is truly awe-inspiring. Discover how she helped bring Latin-flavoured pop music to the world stage and hear her reflections on a career spanning four decades. This episode was recorded in 2020. The Producer was Head of Pod...

Margaret Atwood

March 17, 2021 01:00 - 46 minutes

Samira Ahmed speaks to the acclaimed author of The Handmaid’s Tale and The Testaments Margaret Atwood. They speak about her life and career, from her experiences as a young schoolgirl in Canada and her prolific writing career of novels and poetry to the impact of the Handmaid becoming a symbol of resistance against the disempowerment of women and her playful love for puppeteering. Margaret Atwood is the bestselling author of more than fifty books of fiction, poetry and critical essays. Her 19...

BONUS: International Women's Day Special with Margaret Atwood, Bernardine Evaristo, Rose McGowan and more

March 08, 2021 00:04 - 53 minutes

For International Women's Day we bring to you a special bonus episode of our award-winning podcast, How I Found My Voice presented by the BBC journalist Samira Ahmed. This episode features clips from some of our favourite female interviewees including novelists Margaret Atwood, Bernardine Evaristo and Elif Shafak, actors Kate Winslet, Rose McGowan and Priyanka Chopra Jonas, singer Paloma Faith, Labour politician and Member of Parliament Jess Phillips, businesswoman Gina Miller, and comedian K...

Priyanka Chopra Jonas

March 03, 2021 15:31 - 52 minutes

Samira Ahmed speaks to the actor Priyanka Chopra. They speak about her life and career, from growing up in a military family and developing her love for performance to gaining fame through winning Miss World and her career in Bollywood and now Hollywood. If you enjoy this podcast, we would love to know what you think. Please rate and review us on Apple Podcasts. BUY TICKETS TO ATTEND OUR EXCLUSIVE LIVE RECORDING OF HOW I FOUND MY VOICE WITH SATIRIST IAN HISLOP AT 6PM ON 14 APRIL 2021. Use the...

Anthony Horowitz

February 24, 2021 11:07 - 48 minutes

Samira Ahmed speaks to the writer Anthony Horowitz, known for his bestselling novels including Sherlock Holmes, James Bond and the young adult Alex Rider series, as well as his screenwriting contributions to hit TV shows such as Foyle's War, Agatha Christie's Poirot and Midsomer Murders. They speak about his life and career, from being sent to boarding school and finding his voice as a writer to his championing of young people having a voice in political conversations such as Brexit that impa...

Kate Winslet

February 17, 2021 17:01 - 55 minutes

Samira Ahmed speaks to the Oscar-winning actor and Hollywood star Kate Winslet. She speaks about her life and career, from discovering her love of acting in childhood and becoming a Hollywood sensation in Titanic to never-before-told stories of her and Leonardo DiCaprio, as well as her reflections on how the film industry deals with recording intimate scenes and her latest movie Ammonite, which looks at the Victorian fossil hunter Mary Anning. If you enjoy this podcast, we would love to know ...

Meera Syal

February 10, 2021 14:47 - 51 minutes

Samira Ahmed speaks to the actor, comedian and writer Meera Syal. They speak about her life and career from growing up in a Punjabi household to pioneering comedy with Asian actors on the BBC through hit shows such as Goodness Gracious Me and The Kumars at No.42. If you enjoy this podcast, we would love to know what you think. Please rate and review us on Apple Podcasts. BUY TICKETS TO ATTEND OUR EXCLUSIVE LIVE RECORDING OF HOW I FOUND MY VOICE WITH SATIRIST IAN HISLOP AT 6PM ON 14 APRIL 2021...

David Lammy

February 03, 2021 12:08 - 45 minutes

Samira Ahmed speaks to the outspoken Labour politician and MP for Tottenham, David Lammy. He is currently the Shadow Lord Chancellor and Shadow Secretary of State for Justice. In this episode he reflects on his life and career, from winning a choral scholarship as a young boy and developing his interest in politics to becoming a barrister and one of Britain's most vocal politicians around issues of social justice. If you enjoy this podcast, we would love to know what you think. Please rate an...

Paloma Faith

January 27, 2021 00:00 - 47 minutes

Samira Ahmed speaks to the one of the biggest names in British music, the BRIT Award-winning singer, songwriter and actor, Paloma Faith. They discuss her life and career, from how she found her unique voice as a performer to where her strong sense of social justice comes from and how she has had to navigate racist and sexist elements within the music industry. If you enjoy this podcast, we would love to know what you think. Please rate and review us on Apple Podcasts. How I Found My Voice is ...

Yotam Ottolenghi

January 20, 2021 00:00 - 41 minutes

Samira Ahmed speaks to the chef Yotam Ottolenghi, who has arguably done more than any other food writer in recent times to change the way we cook and eat. In 2014 the American food magazine Bon Appétit wrote that he had ‘made the world love vegetables’ – although he himself is not a vegetarian. They speak about his life and career, from discovering his love of food in Jerusalem and that his grandmother was a Mossad spy to his professional partnership with Palestinian chef Sami Tamimi and navi...

Elizabeth Day

January 13, 2021 03:00 - 49 minutes

Samira Ahmed speaks to the journalist and author Elizabeth Day, who she dubs the 'failure guru'. They speak about her life and career, from growing up in Northern Ireland during The Troubles to learning from failed dates and coming up with her chart-topping podcast, How To Fail, a celebration of things that haven't gone right. She has been a feature writer for publications including The Times, Vogue and Vanity Fair and her latest book is Failosophy: A Handbook for When Things Go Wrong. If you...

John McDonnell MP

November 25, 2020 04:00 - 49 minutes

Samira Ahmed speaks to the Labour MP John McDonnell who until recently was former Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer under Jeremy Corbyn's leadership. A lifelong socialist and elder statesman of the Left, he reflects on his early childhood aspirations of wanting to become a priest, career at the Greater London Authority and crisis of anti-Semitism within the Labour party, as well as Chancellor Rishi Sunak's economic policies during the coronavirus crisis, the American election and Boris Johns...

Graham Norton

November 18, 2020 03:00 - 52 minutes

Samira Ahmed speaks with one of the biggest names in British entertainment - the television and radio presenter Graham Norton. From growing up as a young gay man in County Cork, Ireland, to living with hippies in Los Angeles and becoming a household name in the UK, Graham has had a fascinating life and career. His prime time chat show on BBC1, 'The Graham Norton Show' is a magnet for the biggest names in show business, including Tom Cruise, Taylor Swift, George Clooney, Judi Dench, and Stormz...

A message from Samira Ahmed

June 16, 2020 12:50 - 4 minutes

Samira Ahmed records a special message for How I Found My Voice listeners, with an update on how the podcast has won an award and of Season 3 which is coming up. To watch and take part in exclusive live recordings for Season 3, with guests such as Margaret Atwood, Elizabeth Day and David Lammy, subscribe to Intelligence Squared+. For £4.99 a month subscribers have access to all of Intelligence Squared's online events and the chance to ask questions to our high profile speakers. Click here fo...

Deborah Frances-White

January 13, 2020 04:00 - 42 minutes

In the last episode of this season Samira Ahmed speaks to Deborah Frances-White, stand-up comedian and host of The Guilty Feminist podcast. Deborah speaks to Samira about her journey from being an adopted child to joining the Jehovah's Witnesses as a teenager and escaping what she calls a 'high-control group' to discover and pursue her love of performance. If you enjoy this podcast, we would love to know what you think. Please rate and review us on Apple Podcasts. How I Found My Voice is an...

Fatima Bhutto

January 06, 2020 08:12 - 49 minutes

Samira Ahmed speaks to the author Fatima Bhutto about the power of writing fiction, growing up in one of Pakistan’s most famous political dynasties and why she blames her aunt, former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, for the death of her father. If you enjoy this podcast, we would love to know what you think. Please rate and review us on Apple Podcasts. How I Found My Voice is an Intelligence Squared podcast that explores how some of the world's greatest artists and thinkers became such compe...

Paul J. Franklin

December 30, 2019 17:04 - 57 minutes

Samira Ahmed speaks to the Oscar-winning visual effects director Paul J. Franklin whose works span from Interstellar and Inception to the Harry Potter and Batman movie franchises. They speak about what led him from his childhood in rural Cheshire to designing what fantastical worlds look like in Hollywood. How I Found My Voice is an Intelligence Squared podcast that explores how some of the world's greatest artists and thinkers became such compelling – and unique – communicators. If you e...

Bernardine Evaristo

December 23, 2019 09:30 - 51 minutes

Samira Ahmed speaks to this year's Booker Prize winner, author Bernardine Evaristo. She speaks to Samira about how she found her voice, from growing up in South-East London and setting up the UK's first black women's theatre group to the moment she won the Booker for her novel Girl, Woman, Other. If you enjoy this podcast, we would love to know what you think. Please rate and review us on Apple Podcasts. How I Found My Voice is an Intelligence Squared podcast that explores how some of the ...

Richard Osman

December 16, 2019 11:37 - 46 minutes

Samira Ahmed speaks to comedian and Pointless quiz show presenter Richard Osman. They speak about his love of lists, developing hit TV shows and the power of terrestrial TV in an age of Netflix. How I Found My Voice is an Intelligence Squared podcast that explores how some of the world's greatest artists and thinkers became such compelling – and unique – communicators. If you enjoy this podcast please tell your friends, subscribe, and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts. Season 2 is pro...

Jon Snow

December 09, 2019 03:00 - 45 minutes

Samira Ahmed speaks to the Channel 4 News presenter and journalist Jon Snow about growing up in the 1950s, leading student protests against apartheid South Africa and being approached by MI5 to be a spy. How I Found My Voice is an Intelligence Squared podcast that explores how some of the world's greatest artists and thinkers became such compelling – and unique – communicators. If you enjoy this podcast please tell your friends, subscribe, and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts. Season 2 ...

Gina Miller

December 02, 2019 03:00 - 53 minutes

Samira Ahmed speaks to the Gina Miller, the businesswoman and campaigner most famous for bringing two legal cases regarding Brexist against the government and winning. How I Found My Voice is an Intelligence Squared podcast that explores how some of the world's greatest artists and thinkers became such compelling – and unique – communicators. If you enjoy this podcast please tell your friends, subscribe, and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts. Season 2 is proudly supported by THE OUT, in...

Richard Branson

November 25, 2019 03:00 - 44 minutes

Samira Ahmed speaks to business mogul Sir Richard Branson about becoming a serial entrepreneur developing the Virgin brand, signing some of the biggest names in music and the next frontiers of space travel. How I Found My Voice is an Intelligence Squared podcast that explores how some of the world's greatest artists and thinkers became such compelling – and unique – communicators. If you enjoy this podcast please tell your friends, subscribe, and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts. Season...

Chris Wylie

November 18, 2019 03:29 - 46 minutes

Samira Ahmed speaks to the Cambridge Analytica whistleblower, Chris Wylie. He speaks to Samira about data micro-targeting, leaking documents that led to the Facebook-Cambridge Analytica data scandal and the part he played in developing technologies that can help shape election results. How I Found My Voice is an Intelligence Squared podcast that explores how some of the world's greatest artists and thinkers became such compelling – and unique – communicators. If you enjoy this podcast plea...

Naomi Klein

November 11, 2019 03:00 - 45 minutes

Samira Ahmed speaks to the journalist, social activist and New York Times best-selling author Naomi Klein. She speaks to Samira about growing up in a politically active family, being at the forefront of protest movements, the case for a Green New Deal and her views on Extinction Rebellion. How I Found My Voice is an Intelligence Squared podcast that explores how some of the world's greatest artists and thinkers became such compelling – and unique – communicators. If you enjoy this podcast p...

Jess Phillips

November 04, 2019 03:00 - 55 minutes

Samira Ahmed speaks to the Labour Party politician and MP for Birmingham Yardley, Jess Phillips. She speaks to Samira about holding truth to power, her gift for swearing and women pushing back. How I Found My Voice is an Intelligence Squared podcast that explores how some of the world's greatest artists and thinkers became such compelling – and unique – communicators. Season 2 is proudly supported by THE OUT, innovative car rental powered by Jaguar Land Rover. See acast.com/privacy for p...

Michael Palin

October 28, 2019 03:00 - 1 hour

Samira Ahmed speaks to the actor, writer and comedian Michael Palin. Part of the legendary Monty Python comedy group, Palin has helped shape British comedy on our TV screens. From growing up with a father who stuttered to finding his comedy partners and travelling the world, Palin speaks about the moments that shaped and inspired his voice. How I Found My Voice is an Intelligence Squared podcast that explores how some of the world's greatest artists and thinkers became such compelling – and ...

Season 2 TRAILER: launching 28 October

October 22, 2019 17:57 - 5 minutes

Season 2 of How I Found My Voice is nearly here! Launching on 28th October, Samira Ahmed is joined by a range of new guests including actor Michael Palin, businessman Richard Branson, climate activist Naomi Klein, journalist Jon Snow, Pakistani novelist Fatima Bhutto, comedian Richard Osman and the Guilty Feminist podcaster Deborah Frances-White. Join us as we discuss how each of them came to find their voice. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ...

Lyse Doucet

June 03, 2019 14:57 - 50 minutes

Samira Ahmed speaks to the BBC's Chief International Correspondent Lyse Doucet. Renowned as a foreign correspondent in some of the toughest war zones in the past thirty years, Doucet speaks about the moments that shaped her voice from growing up in a small Canadian town to reporting from the front lines in Afghanistan, Syria and Yemen. How I Found My Voice is a new Intelligence Squared podcast that explores how some of the world's greatest artists and thinkers became such compelling – and uni...

Bonus: Lang Leav

May 31, 2019 14:50 - 17 minutes

Samira Ahmed speaks to poet Lang Leav in this short bonus episode of the podcast. From posting her poetry on Tumblr to becoming an Instagram sensation, Leav speaks about how modern poetry uses social media platforms and reflects on the inspirations that shaped her voice. How I Found My Voice is a new Intelligence Squared podcast that explores how some of the world's greatest artists and thinkers became such compelling – and unique – communicators. — We’d love to hear your feedback and what y...

Samuel West

May 27, 2019 03:00 - 44 minutes

Samira Ahmed speaks to the actor Samuel West. West speaks about the moments that shaped and inspired his voice from growing up in a household of actors with famous parents and wanting to be accepted into the 'family business' to his lifelong socialism. How I Found My Voice is a new Intelligence Squared podcast that explores how some of the world's greatest artists and thinkers became such compelling – and unique – communicators. — We’d love to hear your feedback and what you think we should ...

Sayeeda Warsi

May 20, 2019 04:24 - 53 minutes

Samira Ahmed speaks to the Conservative politician Baroness Sayeeda Warsi. Warsi speaks about the moments that shaped and inspired her voice from growing up in a working-class family in Yorkshire to becoming the first Muslim politician to serve in a British Cabinet. Throughout her journey one mantra kept her going: 'If not me then who? If not now then when?' How I Found My Voice is a new Intelligence Squared podcast that explores how some of the world's greatest artists and thinkers became su...

Tracey Emin

May 13, 2019 03:00 - 46 minutes

Guest host Razia Iqbal speaks to contemporary artist Tracey Emin. Emin talks about the moments that shaped and inspired her voice, including her family's sudden poverty, her sexual encounters with older men as a teenage girl, and her emergence as one of Britain's most famous and controversial visual artists. How I Found My Voice is a new Intelligence Squared podcast that explores how some of the world's greatest artists and thinkers became such compelling – and unique – communicators. — We’d...

David Baddiel

May 06, 2019 03:00 - 48 minutes

Samira Ahmed speaks to award-winning comedian, author, screenwriter and director David Baddiel. They discuss the moments that shaped and inspired David's voice – from his time in the Cambridge Footlights to being part of the first comedy act to sell-out Wembley Arena and writing the hit single and unofficial English football anthem Three Lions. — We’d love to hear your feedback and what you think we should talk about next, who we should have on and what our future debates should be. Send u...

Elif Shafak

April 29, 2019 03:00 - 46 minutes

Samira Ahmed speaks to bestselling Turkish novelist Elif Shafak. From keeping a childhood diary and learning different languages to being taken to court on charges of 'insulting Turkishness' through the words of her fictional characters, Shafak talks about the moments that shaped and inspired her voice. How I Found My Voice is an Intelligence Squared podcast that explores how some of the world's greatest artists and thinkers became such compelling - and unique - communicators. If you want to ...

Benjamin Zephaniah

April 22, 2019 00:00 - 49 minutes

Samira Ahmed speaks to poet and activist Benjamin Zephaniah. From racist attacks and police brutality to receiving a letter from Bob Marley telling him that Britain needs him, Zephaniah talks about the moments that shaped and inspired his voice. How I Found My Voice is an Intelligence Squared podcast that explores how some of the world's greatest artists and thinkers became such compelling - and unique - communicators. To hear the rest of the series search How I Found My Voice wherever you ge...

Adam Buxton

April 15, 2019 03:00 - 41 minutes

Samira Ahmed speaks to one of Britain's most popular podcasters - Adam Buxton. From experimenting with early video recorders to his David Bowie impressions and comedic use of Star Wars figurines on national television, Buxton talks about the moments that shaped and inspired his voice. How I Found My Voice is an Intelligence Squared podcast that explores how some of the world's greatest artists and thinkers became such compelling - and unique - communicators. If you want to support this podcas...

Mark Millar

April 08, 2019 03:00 - 41 minutes

Samira Ahmed speaks to the best-selling comic-writer Mark Miller, most famous for creating and inspiring the Hollywood blockbusters Kingsman, Kick-Ass and Civil War. From growing up in a small Scottish town to discovering Superman as a child and pursuing a career at Marvel and Netflix, Millar talks about the moments that shaped and inspired his voice. How I Found My Voice is an Intelligence Squared podcast that explores how some of the world's greatest artists and thinkers became such compell...

Philip Pullman

April 01, 2019 03:00 - 45 minutes

Samira Ahmed speaks to the best-selling author Sir Philip Pullman, most famous for the acclaimed His Dark Materials fantasy trilogy. From reading Rudyard Kipling as a child to discovering the power of poetry and how to be a storyteller as a teacher, they discuss the moments that shaped and inspired his voice. How I Found My Voice is an Intelligence Squared podcast that explores how some of the world's greatest artists and thinkers became such compelling - and unique - communicators. Picture c...

Katherine Ryan

March 25, 2019 03:00 - 43 minutes

Samira Ahmed speaks to comedian Katherine Ryan. From working at Hooters and her first stand-up gigs to watching TV with her mum, they discuss the moments that inspired Katherine to find her voice and, in her own words, be a disruptive woman. How I Found My Voice is an Intelligence Squared podcast that explores how some of the world's greatest artists and thinkers became such compelling - and unique - communicators. — We’d love to hear your feedback and what you think we should talk about nex...

Rose McGowan

March 18, 2019 03:00 - 41 minutes

Samira Ahmed speaks to Hollywood actor and activist Rose McGowan who was one of the first to speak out against Harvey Weinstein. From growing up in a religious cult in Italy to becoming a TV and film star and speaking out against one of the most powerful men in Hollywood - they discuss what moments shaped and inspired Rose to find her voice. How I Found My Voice is an Intelligence Squared podcast that explores how some of the world's greatest artists and thinkers became such compelling - and ...

TRAILER: How I Found My Voice - launching 18th March 2019

February 28, 2019 03:00 - 4 minutes

'How I Found My Voice' is Intelligence Squared's podcast exploring the journeys behind some of our biggest cultural icons. What shaped their artistic, personal and political voices? Hosted by Samira Ahmed, other guests include Rose McGowan, Adam Buxton, Philip Pullman and Benjamin Zephaniah. Launching 18th March 2018. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How I Found My Voice

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