Turning World

What role do stories play in shaping who we are?In this episode of Turning World, Jon Egan and Keith Hitchman are joined by Frank Cottrell-Boyce—award-winning author, screenwriter and former Children's Laureate—to explore storytelling as one of the foundations of culture, identity and community.Reflecting on a career that spans television, film and children's literature, Frank discusses why stories matter, how childhood has changed, and why reading remains one of the most powerful ways to cultivate imagination, empathy and hope.The conversation also explores faith, national identity and the role storytelling can play in helping Britain navigate an increasingly fragmented political and cultural landscape.Topics include:Frank's journey from television drama to children's fictionThe purpose of the Children's LaureateReading, literacy and childhood todayStorytelling in the digital ageWhy stories read aloud have such lasting powerChildhood, imagination and resilienceCatholic faith and hopeThe London 2012 Olympic Opening CeremonyStorytelling, politics and national identityGuestFrank Cottrell-Boyce is an award-winning novelist, screenwriter and former UK Children's Laureate. He has written bestselling children's books including Millions, Cosmic and The Astounding Broccoli Boy, as well as acclaimed screenplays such as Hilary and Jackie, Welcome to Sarajevo and the London 2012 Olympic Opening Ceremony.About Turning WorldHosted by Jon Egan and Keith Hitchman, Turning World explores politics, culture, faith and public life through thoughtful conversations that go beyond headlines and ideology. Each episode asks not only what's happening in the world—but what stories shape the way we understand it.

The Makerfield by-election has been described as one of the most significant political moments in recent years. But what does it really tell us about the future of British politics?In this episode of Turning World, Jon Egan and Keith Hitchman are joined by political thinker Neal Lawson to explore the questions beneath the headlines.The conversation examines whether Labour can reconnect with its traditional working-class roots, the rise of Reform UK, the possibility of a progressive alliance, and whether modern politics has become disconnected from the people it claims to represent.Moving beyond electoral tactics, the discussion also considers whether Britain's political crisis is ultimately cultural and moral rather than simply economic.Topics include:The significance of the Makerfield by-electionAndy Burnham and Labour's futureReform UK's electoral challengeProgressive alliancesWorking-class identity and political belongingThe legacy of neoliberal economicsPolitics beyond left and rightMorality, faith and Labour's ethical traditionWhether politics has lost its sense of purposeGuestNeal Lawson is a political commentator, campaigner and founder of Compass. He has spent more than two decades arguing for democratic renewal, political reform and a more plural, collaborative approach to British politics.About Turning WorldHosted by Jon Egan and Keith Hitchman, Turning World explores politics, culture, faith and public life through thoughtful conversations that go beyond headlines and ideology. Each episode seeks to understand not just what is happening, but why—and what it means for the future.

In this episode, Jon Egan and Keith Hitchman are joined by Laurence Thompson of Liverpool Post for a conversation about journalism, identity and cultural storytelling.The discussion explores the role of local journalism in holding power to account, shaping civic identity and preserving meaning in an increasingly fragmented world.Topics include:• Local journalism and democratic accountability• Journalist-politician relationships• Liverpool and Manchester identities• Cultural production and civic pride• Writing and poetry• Catholicism and artistic expression• Meaning, memory and nostalgiaGuest bio:Lawrence Thompson is a journalist and writer with Liverpool Post, covering politics, culture and civic life across the Liverpool City Region.

In this special episode of Turning World, Jon Egan reports from Makerfield after a day spent speaking to local residents, campaign teams and political operatives during one of Britain's most closely watched by-election campaigns.Rather than focusing on polling or Westminster commentary, Jon reflects on the conversations taking place on the ground and what they reveal about trust, political identity and the mood of voters.The discussion explores: • The issues people are actually talking about • Whether Labour remains connected to its traditional voters • Reform UK's appeal in former Labour areas • Political disengagement and voter frustration • What campaigners are seeing on the doorstep • Whether the result has national implicationsA field report from the front line of British politics.Produced by Opus Media.

In this bonus episode of Turning World, Jon Egan and Keith Hitchman explore a question increasingly felt across the political spectrum: why do so many people no longer feel at home in politics?As traditional party loyalties weaken and trust in institutions continues to decline, political debate often seems unable to address deeper questions about belonging, meaning, identity and purpose.This conversation examines whether the crisis facing politics is ultimately a cultural and spiritual one.Topics include: • The decline of traditional party politics • Political homelessness and alienation • Fragmentation and social disconnection • Keir Starmer and the future of Labour • Jeremy Corbyn and political realignment • Politics as branding and performance • Beyond left and right • Paul Kingsnorth and cultural grief • Eastern Orthodoxy and spiritual renewal • Meaning, belonging and identity • Human values and political renewal • Paradox in public lifeAbout Turning World:Turning World is hosted by Jon Egan and Keith Hitchman and explores politics, culture, faith and public life in a time of uncertainty and transformation.Through open and thoughtful conversations, the podcast examines the questions that sit beneath today's headlines and seeks understanding beyond ideological tribes.Produced by Opus Media.

In Episode 5 of Turning World, Jon Egan and Keith Hitchman explore one of the defining questions of our age: why do so many people feel disconnected from meaning, place and community?Drawing on literature, cultural history, spirituality and personal experience, this conversation examines what has been lost as communities become more homogenised, public life becomes more managed and genuine face-to-face conversation becomes increasingly rare.Topics include: • Counterculture and non-conformity • Independent thinking and self-education • The legacy of literary and underground movements • Sense of place and local identity • Nostalgia and memory • Political uses of nostalgia • The disappearance of grassroots culture • Meaning and modern life • Sacred experience and mysticism • John Moriarty and deep attention • Conversation, listening and human connection • Paradox and the complexity of being humanAbout Turning World:Turning World is hosted by Jon Egan and Keith Hitchman and explores politics, culture, faith and public life in an age of uncertainty and transformation.The podcast creates space for thoughtful conversations that don't fit neatly into ideological boxes, seeking understanding rather than certainty.Produced by Opus Media.

In Episode 4 of Turning World, Jon Egan and Keith Hitchman are joined by Stephen Atkinson for a discussion about political realignment, civic identity and the widening gap between national politics and local communities.Stephen reflects on his move from the Conservative Party to Reform UK, while exploring the pressures facing local government, the importance of civic pride and whether practical politics has been replaced by remote political management.Topics include: • Reform UK and political change • Leaving the Conservative Party • Civic pride and community identity • Jobs, growth and economic pragmatism • Remote politicians and distrust in institutions • Devolution and local governance • Lancashire’s financial rescue • Experience vs inexperience in politics • Whether Reform risks becoming “Conservative 2.0”Guest bio:Stephen Atkinson is a Lancashire councillor and political figure associated with Reform UK, with a focus on local governance, economic pragmatism and civic renewal.About Turning World:Turning World is hosted by Jon Egan and Keith Hitchman and explores politics, culture, faith and public life in an era of uncertainty and transformation.Produced by Opus Media.

In Episode 3 of Turning World, Jon Egan and Keith Hitchman are joined by Professor Paul Garner for an in-depth conversation on long Covid, chronic fatigue, chronic pain and the evolving science of mind-body medicine.As both a researcher and patient advocate, Paul offers insight into the scientific, social and personal dimensions of chronic illness — from predictive coding and psychosomatic symptoms to fear, avoidance and pathways to recovery.Topics include:• Long Covid and post-Covid illness• Chronic fatigue syndrome and ME/CFS• Predictive coding and neuroscience• Mind-body approaches to healing• Psychosomatic illness and pain• Fear, stress and trauma• NHS and systemic healthcare failures• Community support and local resilienceGuest bio:Professor Paul Garner is professor emeritus at Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, member of the Oslo Chronic Fatigue Network, contributor to Fatigue Science Talks, and advocate for improved understanding of chronic fatigue and post-viral conditions.Paul Garner, professor emeritus, Liverpool School of Tropical MedicineAnd member of the Oslo Chronic Fatigue Network Links:Raelan Agle interview on the post covid condition (Nov 2025) Failed by the NHS on chronic fatigue illness (Oct 2025)Patients with severe ME/CFS (May 2025)Long covid in Manchester Evening News (March 2025)Fatigue Science ChannelOrcid 0000-0002-0607-6941About Turning World:Turning World is hosted by Jon Egan and Keith Hitchman and explores politics, culture, faith and public life in an age of uncertainty and transformation.Produced by Opus Media.