On The Horizon

Hello! Welcome to the On The Horizon podcast. This podcast series is starting by taking you through recordings from our latest event here at Hawarden Estate, called On The Horizon. Which happened at the beginning of July 2024. When we ran On The Horizon, we thought we could record the conversations that happened at the event, and release them as a standalone series. However, we have decided to continue it as a podcast throughout the year, bringing you more conversations with more brilliant people. Gentle, generous, considered conversation feels peculiarly important today. We live in a world of argument, of culture wars, of opinions formed quickly and blurted loudly, of half-facts and fake news. Conversations that involve listening and digesting and conversing are important, entertaining and life enhancing but I can’t help but worry that they are becoming depressingly rare.

From the family home in the Highlands of Scotland, Anja Baak runs a classic small business, Great Glen Charcuterie. Here she talks about family, food waste, hard work, imagination and much more.

This is a new series in which I talk to people who work with food; there will be chefs, writers, producers, growers and stylists. My first guest is writer and chef Olia Hercules whose new book The Sumer Kitchen is one of the most warmly received of 2020.

The final part of Series 1 of Outdoor Voices features answers to some simple questions from a gardener and chef, some artists and food producers and a green wood worker. This is about nature and our relationship with it. I hope you enjoy it.

This is a short lockdown series in which I question people who work outdoors about why they do what they do and what nature and being outside means to them. There are answers from a gamekeeper, a shepherd, an artist or two and a green wood worker.

Part 4 of a short series in which I talk to people who live and work outdoors. In this edition I have contributions from a gamekeeper, an environmental artist, a shepherd and a forager. These are the voices of people who work alongside nature.

This is a short lockdown series in which I ask people who work outdoors why they choose to do so and what they love about living close to nature. I talk to a warden on a remote island, a forager, a shepherd, a game keeper, an environmental artist and many more people who spend their lives in the great outdoors.

This is a short series about people who live and work outdoors. In this remotely-recorded lockdown series I talk to people who have chosen to live as close to nature as possible, from a forager to an environmental artist and from a warden on a remote island to a shepherd, these are the voices of the outdoors.

This is a short series about people who live and work outdoors. In this remotely-recorded lockdown series I talk to people who have chosen to live as close to nature as possible, from a forager to an environmental artist and from a warden on a remote island to a shepherd, these are the voices of the outdoors.

This is Part 6 (and the final part of Series 1) of Cover Stories, in which my guests dial in their stories about a cover version of a song that has had a profound impact on them. This is about people and music and friendship and life. I hope you enjoy it.

Cover Stories is about people's relationships with that most storied type of song, the cover version. In this episode my guests dial in their tales of frozen New Year's Eve parties, weddings and long-held passion. There's the Falklands War, friendship and much more.

Part 4 of Series 1 of Cover Stories, in which guests dial in reminiscences about a cover version of a song that has set their world on fire. This is a sort of Desert Island Discs about one song, that has to be a cover version. But it isn't really about music, it's about what culture does for us; the passions it evokes and the relationships it builds.

A short series of podcasts in which my guests dial in a personal story about a cover version of a song. They talk about their reaction to and relationship with this song; how it affects them, why they love it, what it makes them feel. This is a sort of Desert Island Discs with one song that has to be a cover. I hope you enjoy it.

In this lockdown series guests dial in their memories of that most intriguing art form, the cover version. This is about people and their relationship with a song; I suppose it's a sort of single song Desert Island Discs or perhaps a better title might be Last Night A DJ Saved My Life. Whatever, this is about love, emotion, youth and passion. I hope that you enjoy it.

30 people speak in 30 minutes. This is Part 2 of my Time Capsule in which we edit down the answers of the second 30 guests on my Love in the Time of Coronavirus to create a Time Capsule of our thoughts on this Spring's challenges and the opportunities they have presented. This will be released on cassette soon but for now, have a listen. It's a speedy slowpod.

30 people speak in 30 minutes. This is Part 1 of my Time Capsule in which we edit down the answers of the first 30 guests on my Love in the Time of Coronavirus to create a Time Capsule of our thoughts on this Spring's challenges and the opportunities they have presented. This will be released on cassette soon but for now, have a listen. It's a speedy slowpod.

Rob Poynton is an expert in strategic leadership and his ideas are relevant and incredibly exciting. He is also the author of the best-selling Do:Pause. Charlie and Rob talk leadership, culture, Spain, horse whispering, fly fishing, novels, business and more.

Episode 15 -and the final one- in my daily series in which guests dial-in answers to three simple questions. There are messages of hope, optimism, love and much more.

Episode 14 of my my slowpod in which my guests dial in their answers to three simple questions. This is slow, considered and thoughtful stuff full of optimism and hope. I hope you enjoy it and that it gives you cause to smile.

Episode 13 of my daily slowcast, Love in The Time of Coronavirus. This is a series in which I ask guests to dial-in the answers to three simple questions. And here are some of the results; love, optimism, joy, hope and a great album by The Clash.

It's Episode 12 of Love in The Time of Coronavirus in which I ask my guests three simple questions. This is a slowpod full of optimism, joy, love and culture. I hope you enjoy it.

Episode 11 of a daily slowcast (or is it slowpod?) in which guests ruminate on three questions. This is about love, resilience, optimism and positivity and this episode features me rambling on a bit (too much) as well.

This is Episode 10, kids, of my slow podcast in which my guests ruminate on the answers to three simple questions. This is a podcast of quiet reflection, today with four guests' dialled-in answers. And there are a few recommendations from me, too. Tune in, please!

In which guests dial-in their answers to three simple questions. This is a slow podcast full of optimistic reflection on the current global lockdown and its wider implications. There are also a few cultural recommendations too; mainly novels and classic double albums.

Episode 8 of a daily (or almost daily) slow podcast series in which I ask people three simple questions and they dial-in their answers. This is gentle, considered, revealing stuff. It addresses some big questions. I rabbit on a bit about things I like, particularly the best long (double or triple) albums ever made. That's it! I hope that you enjoy it.

This is a slow -but short- podcast in which guests mull three simple questions about the current global lockdown and the future as they see it. I also talk about some of the best double (or triple) albums ever made and some lesser-known novels that are worth investigating. And that's it; simple, considered pleasure.

In which guests dial in their answers to three very straightforward questions. This is a slow podcast that oozes optimism, hope and melancholy. I hope you enjoy it.

A short, slow podcast in which guests send me their recorded answers to three simple questions about the global lockdown and its wider impact. There's optimism and quiet contemplation here and much more.

Episode 4 of my special series of slow podcasts in which guests dial-in their answers to three simple questions. This is about optimism, change, family and the future.

I asked people three simple questions about these strange times and their responses fill this fascinating, optimistic, beautiful slow podcast. This is a simple, encouraging, bite-sized rumination on progress and optimism. The answers might be dialled-in but they are deeply considered and, I think, richly rewarding. Be SLOW!

Love in The Time of Coronavirus is a special series where guests dial-in their thoughts on three questions asked by Charlie. This is a slow podcast full of thoughtful, considered optimism and warmth that will cheer you up during the global lockdown of 2020.

Episode 1 of a special series. This is a slow podcast in which several guests dial-in their answers to some simple questions. It's a podcast about good, optimism and love. It'll cheer you up, make you think and help you to figure out how our world can (and will) improve.

Steve Chapman is an artist, writer, speaker, consultant and silent podcaster. He is endlessly engaging and restlessly creative and is -also-endlessly making art, much of which he gives away for nothing; a lot of what Steve does is counter-intuitive, as you'll find out in this conversation. His work has hung alongside artists such as Shrigley and Picasso and he'll be the first ever Artist in Residence at The Good Life Experience, 2020.

Tom Herbert has been an author, television personality, chef and public speaker. But he's given almost all of this up to follow his faith and work in an area that he, at last, finds truly rewarding. Charlie and Tom talk about fame, money, faith, charity and loads more. Tom remains one of the most charismatic and original voices in British food and -drum roll- this is his story.

Anja Dunk is a true polymath; she is an author, cook, artist, mother, expert in fermentation and lots more besides. And, what's more, she rarely talks of her skills and absolutely never shouts about them. This conversation was recorded at Charlie's new venture Camp Glen Dye in late October where Anja was one of the lead educators. Warning! Very croaky voice.

Dan Kieran is CEO of the publisher Unbound. James Otter is a master craftsman and maker of wooden surf and paddle boards. Together they chat with Charlie in front of a live audience at The Good Life Experience about the power of making and their new, joint project which was inspired by Dan's life changing week of being taught by James. This is a story of friendship and powerful change.

Valentine Warner is a chef, enthusiast, artist and writer. In fact, he's a true polymath; restless, clever, creative and a true original. On the eve of the publication of his new book The Consolation of Food, Charlie and Valentine chat in front of a live audience at The Good Life Experience.

Tristan Gooley is probably the world's only full time natural navigator and certainly a preeminent expert on the subject. He's the author of a four books on natural navigation and founder of a school specialising in the subject. In this fireside conversation he reveals how a childhood interest became a life's work.

Jorge Fernandez was the man behind the much-loved and influential chain of provenance-centric London cafes Fernandez and Wells. Dee Rettali worked at the heart of F & W too and is a chef and baker who has travelled widely including many years in Morocco. Together Dee and Jorge have recently established the lauded sourdough bakery and cafe Fortitude. Here, sitting around a campfire at Camp Glen Dye they discuss travel, family, business and the joy of campfire baking.

Priscilla Woolworth is an environmental activist, author, sustainability champion and small holder. Today she lives in Upstate New York on a small farm where she works to develop her ideas and theories about living a 'better' life. But things were once very different for Priscilla; she started her adult life at the epicentre of Hollywood. Charlie and Priscilla talk about change, development, sustainability and much more.

Peter Buchanan-Smith founded the American retailer Best Made Co a decade ago. His first product was an axe; an axe so beautiful that it became a globally recognised icon of contemporary design. Best Made grew to become one of the most exciting retailers in the world, selling serious gear to outdoors people everywhere. Charlie and Peter chat about Best Made Co, travel, axes, retail, Scotland and Canada in the week that Peter announced he was leaving his beloved company.

Alissa Timoshkina's first book, Salt and Time, is published in March this year. It's an investigation into Russian cuisine that offers up recipes as well as delving into the history and culture of the country. Alissa has run a fabled supper club in London that connects film and food. Alissa is part academic, part cook, part author and will be joining us at The Good Life Experience this year.

Hilary Gallo has just published his latest book, Fear Hack, which helps its readers identify and deal with their fears. It's an engaging and vital book which supports his wider work in helping individuals and companies to fulfil their potential. Hilary has been a lawyer at one of Europe's biggest law firms, a jewellery designer, a high level corporate negotiator and has written other books. He's an interesting man.

Roger Phillips really is an icon; he's a legend in a number of fields and a true maverick. Roger is perhaps the world's greatest expert on mushrooms but that's just one feather in his very large cap; he has authored around 50 books, he's a prolific painter, an original thinker and a fire ball of energy and charm. In this conversation we touch on subjects as wide ranging as what it's like to be a conscientious objector, cooking offal and it's impact on family life, identifying mushrooms, trees and flowers and much more.

Alex Gregory MBE won Olympic gold in two successive Olympics. Not bad! But that's just the beginning; he's been (almost) lost in a frozen ocean, written a book about spending time with his children outdoors, won every world championship rowing has to offer, overcome huge (often self imposed) obstacles and much more. And yet he remains ambitious and self effacing. We chat about all of this and start scheming a project in Scotland in 2019.

More tales and conversations from this year's Good Life Experience. This is the final part of my special series recorded over the course of one long, cheerful, super-friendly, life affirming weekend of music, craft, ideas, outdoor rampaging and cooking over fire. I hope you enjoy it.

In Part 2 of my series of chats from this year's Good Life Experience there are conversations with Mark Shayler on kindness, Tom Hunt on food sustainability, Isabella Tree on re-wilding her farm and lots more. If you were there I hope this will act as a trip down memory lane and if not I hope that this will entice you to join us for 2019's new, relocated and more intimate festival.

Conversations from this year's Good Life Experience with Roger Phillips, the world's greatest expert on mushrooms as well as Alex Gregory, two times Olympic gold winner, vegetable grower Alice Holden, surfboard maker James Otter, chef Signe Johansen, DJ 78 and lots of other wonderful people. This is a true taste of a fine weekend.

This is Caroline and I talking about bringing up our children in the Highlands and how this informed our festival, The Good Life Experience. It's a conversation that we recorded with Chris Roberts of the (brilliant) With Love Project.

This is Edition 2 of my mini series, The Young Mavericks. It's an interview with a young band manager, Charlie Williams, whose father I worked with in the music industry 25 years ago. Charlie is managing some exciting and successful new bands with focus and passion. There are lessons here but most of all it's a good story. I hope you enjoy it.