The James Kennedy Podcast

Prolific Welsh poet Patrick Jones joins the James Kennedy Podcast to talk about his powerful new collection of poems, inspired by his visit to Palestine called 'Antidotes to Dissolution'. We discuss the West Bank and the everyday reality for the people living there — and how poetry can give a voice to the voiceless and make sense of senselessness. Along the way we chat about Albert Camus, the Beat Poets Jack Kerouac and Allen Ginsberg, Patrick's influences and upbringing in the South Wales valleys town of Blackwood with his brother Nicky Wire from the Manic Street Preachers, Punk Rock, the Ed Sheeran / Macklemore debacle and Patrick gives a live reading of one of his poems. A wonderful conversation with a wonderful human. 'Antidotes to Dissolution' can be found at:https://www.parthianbooks.com/products/antidotes-to-dissolution-hardbackSubscribe to the podcast for more conversations with scientists, authors, artists and thought leaders about how we can better navigate this messy thing called life.Support the podcast at: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/jameskennedyukMore about me at: ⁠https://www.jameskennedyofficial.comAnd check out my music page at: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6Cz7SfBAwZaCLN54GAMXX3Join the newsletter at: https://james-kennedy.kit.com/628554dc8b

Author, Russell Warfield joins the James Kennedy Podcast to discuss the recent history of the Green Party of England and Wales, Zack Polanski's extraordinary rise, the current Green surge and what the future holds for the party. We discuss the latest developments with the Labour Party, Andy Burnham, Nigel Farage, Reform UK and why the Green's might just be the only party who can truly reform the UK. Russell's latest book 'The Green Socialist - Zack Polanski and the Battle for Britains Future' is out on September 20th on Pluto Press. Get it here:https://www.plutobooks.com/product/the-green-socialistSubscribe to the podcast for more conversations with scientists, authors, artists and thought leaders about how we can better navigate this messy thing called life. Support the podcast at : https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/jameskennedyukMore about me at : ⁠https://www.jameskennedyofficial.comAnd check out my music page at: https://www.youtube.com/@jameskennedyofficialJoin the Secret Society at : https://james-kennedy.kit.com/628554dc8b

Dr David Cox is a neuroscientist and the author of the internationally best selling book, 'The Age Code' in which he shares the latest science-backed information on how the food we eat (and when we eat it) affects our body's internal aging and how we can change it for the better by making a few simple changes to our diet. In this fascinating and informative chat we discuss: geroscience, the gut microbiome, brain health, inflammation, biological aging, genetics, fibre, sugar, Omega 3, protein, fasting and much more. David gives simple tips for ways in which we can all eat our way to a longer, healthier life and most importantly, he answers the big question of why Keith Richards seems to be immortal. A super informative, wide-ranging conversation for anyone interested in the science of food, health, diet, losing weight, beating fatigue and living longer. David's book, 'The Age Code' can be found at:https://www.amazon.co.uk/We-Are-What-Eat-Science/dp/0008708878Subscribe to the podcast for more conversations with scientists, authors, artists and thought leaders about how we can better navigate this thing called life. Support the podcast at : https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/jameskennedyukMore about me at : ⁠https://www.jameskennedyofficial.comJoin the Secret Society at : https://james-kennedy.kit.com/628554dc8b

How to Find Meaning in the Second Half of Life | Frank Tallis on Death, Purpose & Overcoming NihilismWhat happens when we reach the midpoint of life and begin to confront mortality, ageing, lost possibilities and the question of whether our lives have meaning?In this wide-ranging conversation, psychologist, novelist and author Frank Tallis joins the James Kennedy Podcast to discuss the ideas explored in his new book, Wise: How to Find Meaning in the Second Half of Life.We explore death and the human desire for immortality, why the pursuit of purpose may be more important than the pursuit of happiness, how meaning can support wellbeing and longevity, and how we can move beyond nihilism towards a greater sense of wholeness.Drawing on the work of Ernest Becker, Albert Camus, Carl Jung, Viktor Frankl and Joseph Campbell, we discuss existential anxiety, depression, the hero’s journey, the monomyth, the myth of Sisyphus, mortality, spirituality, identity and what it means to live a psychologically complete life.Can we overcome the fear of death? Is happiness really the ultimate goal? Why do so many people experience an existential crisis in midlife? And how do we find meaning when life feels uncertain, absurd or finite?Support the podcast at : https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/jameskennedyukMore about me at : ⁠https://www.jameskennedyofficial.comAnd check out my music page at: https://www.youtube.com/@jameskennedyofficialJoin the Secret Society at : https://james-kennedy.kit.com/628554dc8b Topics discussed include:• Finding meaning in the second half of life• Death anxiety and the fear of mortality• Humanity’s search for immortality• Why purpose may be better than happiness• Purpose, meaning and longevity• Overcoming nihilism and existential despair• Midlife crisis, ageing and personal growth• Depression and the search for meaning• Ernest Becker and The Denial of Death• Albert Camus and the myth of Sisyphus• Carl Jung, individuation and achieving wholeness• Viktor Frankl and the importance of meaning• Joseph Campbell, the hero’s journey and the monomyth• Existential psychology and the human condition• How to live a meaningful and fulfilled lifeFrank Tallis is a psychologist, novelist and the author of Wise: How to Find Meaning in the Second Half of Life.If you enjoy conversations about psychology, philosophy, mental health, existentialism, meaning, purpose, mortality and personal growth, subscribe for more in-depth interviews.

Dr Rowan Hooper is an evolutionary biologist, journalist, author and the editor of the New Scientist podcast. Here we chat about his new book, 'Togetherness' and how Symbiosis made our world. Rowan explains how Symbiosis drives evolution and maintains our ecosystems, we chat about Darwin and Dawkins and how their work has been misused, fascinating facts about Lichen, the gut microbiome, mycelium, leafcutter ants and lots more! Rowan also shares his thoughts on how humans can reach a better state of 'Togetherness' with nature. His book can be found at: https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/459006/togetherness-by-hooper-rowan/9781911717140Support the podcast at : https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/jameskennedyukMore about me at : ⁠https://www.jameskennedyofficial.comAnd check out my music page at: ‪https://www.youtube.com/@jameskennedyofficialJoin the Secret Society at : https://james-kennedy.kit.com/628554dc8b And don't forget to subscribe!

Dr. Joseph Jebelli is a British neuroscientist and author known for his work on Alzheimer’s disease, human brain evolution, and the importance of cognitive rest. He earned his PhD in neuroscience from University College London and conducted postdoctoral research at the University of Washington, Seattle. Here we chat about his book, The Brain at Rest and the long list of benefits to our memory, brain health, brain size, mental heath and physical health that we gain by simply resting our brains more often. Joseph explains what 'rest' in this sense means and how often we need it and he also warns of the detrimental effects that an over-worked, un-rested brain can have on our health, wellbeing and longevity. A fascinating and important conversation. Joseph can be found at:https://drjosephjebelli.comSupport the podcast at : https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/jameskennedyukMore about me at : ⁠https://linktr.ee/jameskennedyukAnd check out my music page at: https://www.youtube.com/@jameskennedyofficialJoin the Secret Society at : https://james-kennedy.kit.com/628554dc8b

Robben Ford is a legendary Blues, Jazz and Rock guitarist, considered to be one of the greatest guitarists of the 20th century. Throughout his 50 year career he has played with Miles Davis, Joni Mitchell, Bob Dylan, George Harrison and Kiss alongside his own groups and solo work. We chat about Robben's incredible career and he shares wisdom on life, musicianship, staying inspired, the music industry, spirituality and his new album 'Two Shades of Blue'. Robben can be found at:www.robbenford.comSupport the podcast at : https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/jameskennedyukMore about me at : ⁠https://linktr.ee/jameskennedyukAnd check out my music page at: https://www.youtube.com/@jameskennedyofficialJoin the Secret Society at : http://www.jameskennedystuff.com/tribe

Paul Gilbert is widely considered to be one of the best guitarists of all time. He found global success in the bands Mr Big and Racer X and has released or featured on countless recordings since. We chat about his latest solo album, 'WROC', how he stays inspired and challenged, his thoughts on the music industry, advice for young musicians, his desert island guitar pedals and why you should always be careful when accepting gifts from him. WROC is out on February 27th 2026 and Paul can be followed at: www.instagram.com/paulgilbert_officialSupport the podcast at : https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/jameskennedyukMore about me at : ⁠https://linktr.ee/jameskennedyukAnd check out my music page at : ‪‪‪‪‪www.youtube.com/@jameskennedystuffJoin the Secret Society at : http://www.jameskennedystuff.com/tribe