Will Storr's The Science of Storytelling: Why Stories Make Us Human, and How to Tell Them Better is a scalpel-sharp, thought-provoking book that demonstrates how master storytellers manipulate and compel us.

Leading us on a journey from the Hebrew scriptures to Mr Men, from Booker Prize-winning literature to box set TV, The Science of Storytelling applies dazzling psychological research and cutting-edge neuroscience to the foundations of our myths and archetypes; showing how we can use these tools to tell better stories – and make sense of our chaotic modern world.

Read by Will Storr.

All the books discussed throughout this series are available at Apple Books, via this link: https://apple.co/ideasmatter

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Award-winning author, Will Storr, in conversation with Tom Killingbeck, the editor of his bestselling book: The Science of Storytelling.

They discuss how essential stories have been in human evolution, how we can use stories to make sense of our chaotic world, and give some tops on how to write your own masterful narrative.

"In our evolutionary history, when our brains were evolving, we would have been roaming around our territory in loose bands of around 150 people. So how do you get 150 people to cooperate with no police force, with no judiciary, with no prisons - how do you do it? You do it with gossip."

All the books discussed throughout this series are available at Apple Books, via this link: https://apple.co/ideasmatter

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Cathy Newman's Bloody Brilliant Women: The Pioneers, Revolutionaries and Geniuses Your History Teacher Forgot to Mention is a freewheeling history of modern Britain that focuses on the pioneering women who defied the odds to make careers for themselves and alter the course of modern history.

Blending meticulous research with information gleaned from memoirs, diaries, letters, novels and other secondary sources, Bloody Brilliant Women uses the stories of some extraordinary lives to tell the tale of 20th and 21st century Britain. It is a history for women and men. A history for our times.

Read by Cathy Newman.

All the books discussed throughout this series are available at Apple Books, via this link: https://apple.co/ideasmatter

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Journalist and broadcaster, Cathy Newman, in conversation with Arabella Pike, the editor of her bestselling book: Bloody Brilliant Women.

They discuss the slow march of progress for women's rights; some of the remarkable women who are illuminated throughout the book; and how we can learn from the mistakes of the past to build a more equal future.

"[in 2019] I think what is so inspiring is that there are so many powerful, opinionated women who are determined to make a difference [...] women who know their own mind and are not going to be intimidated and are determined to stand up for what they believe."

All the books discussed throughout this series are available at Apple Books, via this link: https://apple.co/ideasmatter

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An exclusive extract from the first chapter of Green and Prosperous LAnd: A Blueprint for Rescuing the British Countryside, Dieter Helm's radical and tangible plan for positive change.

In it he sets out a bold, achievable 25-year generational plan for a green and prosperous country.

Read by Mike Grady.

All the books discussed throughout this series are available at Apple Books, via this link: https://apple.co/ideasmatter

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Professor Dieter Helm is Professor of Economic Policy at the University of Oxford and Fellow in Economics at New College, Oxford. He specialises in the environment, notably in climate change, biodiversity, water, energy and agriculture.

The environment is one of the most important topics facing all parties in this election, and increasingly those on all sides are beginning to recognise the importance of protecting our climate from the oncoming crisis. In his book Green and Prosperous Land, Dieter Helm tackles these

In this discussion with his editor, Myles Archibald, he talks about how we can leave the next generation with a better environment than we inherited, how we do that in a way that also enhances our economy, and why their fishing trips together in North Uist inspired the idea behind the book.

"I don't think we're going to need so much land for agriculture. I think we're going to use less land to produce much more food, and actually better and more environmentally friendly food. And that means we free up the land - quite a lot of it [...] this is a world in which a lot of the land can be used for better purposes, and that is why I'm wildly optimistic about what we can achieve."

In December 2015, Dieter was reappointed as Independent Chair of the Natural Capital Committee. He is also an Honorary Vice President of the Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust.

All the books discussed throughout this series are available at Apple Books, via this link: https://apple.co/ideasmatter

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An exclusive extract from the first chapter of A Good Time to be a Girl: Don't Lean in, Change the System, Helena Morrissey's manifesto for change.

In it she makes the case for diversity and difference in any workplace, and shows how, together, we can develop smarter thinking and broader definitions of success. This book sets out a way to reinvent the game – not at the expense of men but in ways that are right and relevant for a digital age. It is a powerful guide to success for us all.

Read by Helena Morrissey.

All the books discussed throughout this series are available at Apple Books, via this link: https://apple.co/ideasmatter

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Dame Helena Morrissey is a financier, campaigner and author.

Former CEO of Newton Investment Management, she then joined Legal and General Management where she spearheaded the launch of the Gender in Leadership UK equity fund. She is the founder of the 30% Club (a cross-business initiative to achieve better gender-balanced UK company boards), a Cambridge philosophy graduate, and is married to a Buddhist meditation teacher with whom she has nine children.

In this expansive interview, Helena discusses the ideas at the heart of her book, A Good TIme to be a Girl, with her editor, Arabella Pike.

They talk about how the workplace has changed since she began her career, the challenges women still face in the corporate environment, and how we can achieve a more equal, balanced workplace and life for everyone.

"I want people to know they are not alone in the way that people might have been many years ago, and that the law is on their side if all else fails."

All the books discussed throughout this series are available at Apple Books, via this link: https://apple.co/ideasmatter

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.