Young Again

Kirsty Young talks to the author Philip Pullman about what he’s learned from his life so far. Pullman is the acclaimed novelist behind global bestsellers like His Dark Materials. He recounts the story of his own childhood, how he still contemplates the mystery of his father’s death, and why he owes his literary success to hard work. If you could have a conversation with your yo

Kirsty Young talks to the pop star Melanie Brown about what she’s learned from her life so far. Mel B is the girl from Leeds who became a global superstar with the Spice Girls. Glamour, fortune, drugs, violence, redemption and healing, her life has an air of make believe - except, of course, she has actually lived it. If you could have a conversation with your younger self, what

Kirsty Young talks to the former spin doctor Alastair Campbell about what he’s learned from his life so far. From the bagpipes to New Labour, geopolitics to Burnley FC, Alastair Campbell is passionate about his interests and deeply tribal in his allegiances. But does he ever allow these passions to cloud his judgement? Having been a key figure in Tony Blair’s government and now

Kirsty Young talks to the artist Sir Grayson Perry about what he’s learned from his life so far. Once cross-dressing punk rebel, now ennobled member of the British establishment, Grayson Perry’s extraordinary life has given him plenty of material to inspire his art. He reflects on how his traumatic childhood resulted in him retreating into a rich fantasy world and considers whe

Kirsty Young talks to philanthropist Melinda French Gates about what she’s learned from her life so far. A computer scientist by training, she dated her boss and became one half of one of the world’s most famous power couples. But as she travelled a road paved with gold, French Gates describes the tough lessons she learned along the way, the danger of untrustworthy acquaintance

Kirsty Young talks to the actor Peter Capaldi about what he’s learned from his life so far. Celebrated for iconic TV roles as Doctor Who and as Malcolm Tucker in The Thick Of It, Capaldi’s 40-year career also includes an Oscar in 1995 for work behind the camera. He reflects on his journey from a Glasgow tenement block, how he owes his career to a lot of luck and why early failu

Kirsty Young is back with a new set of intriguing guests.

Kirsty Young talks to actor and producer Jada Pinkett Smith about the lessons she has learned from her life so far. Jada explains the impact of her parents’ drug addiction and her early experiences of Baltimore street life on her mental health and subsequent relationships. She reflects on her marriage to actor Will Smith and why she has chosen to go public about her private life.

Kirsty Young talks to comedian and actor Steve Coogan about what he's learned from his life so far. He describes his evolution from impressionist and stand-up comedian to award-winning actor, and reflects on how fame offered him a hedonistic lifestyle that quickly caught the attention of the tabloid press. What advice would he give his younger self? Steve talks candidly to Kirsty a

In Young Again Kirsty Young asks her guests what advice they would give to their younger selves. In this episode Naomi Klein shares the origins of her political activism. Having shot to fame aged 29 with the anti-globalisation bestseller No Logo, Naomi Klein has gone on to publish several books about politics, climate, capitalism and the disorienting impact of social media. Growing