Visionary

When we talk about global security, most people picture boots on the ground or missiles in the sky. But today’s conflicts are unfolding in quieter, more invisible arenas: in hacked servers, misinformation campaigns, and silent sabotage of infrastructure.Charles Hecker — geopolitical expert and author of Zero Sum: The Arc of International Business in Russia — joins Georgina Godwin to unpack how hybrid warfare is transforming global business. Drawing from his time in post-Soviet Russia and his deep knowledge of modern intelligence operations, Charles explores how cyber conflict is no longer a side skirmish — it’s the main event.The rise of digital hostilities isn't just about state actors. From energy companies to chipmakers, the private sector is increasingly caught in the crosshairs — and often left to defend itself.Charles' message is clear: cybersecurity is no longer a specialist niche — it’s a frontline issue for every organisation. And just as military alliances shaped the 20th century, cyber alliances may define the 21st.

Former Chancellor Jeremy Hunt joins Marc Sidwell for a rare insider’s look at what it takes to build a Budget under pressure. From late-night policy calls to the fine balance between fiscal discipline and economic ambition, Hunt reveals how the Treasury weighs every decision between raising revenue and protecting productivity.In this candid conversation, he argues that spending reform — not higher taxes — is key to unlocking growth, and outlines a vision for an economy that rewards work, innovation, and enterprise. Drawing on his time at both the Treasury and the Department of Health, Hunt offers an unvarnished perspective on how policy really gets made.This episode was produced in partnership with our friends at The Capitalist. Subscribe here: https://linktr.ee/thecapitalistpod

In a volatile economy, launching a startup might seem risky — but for Paul Krutko, CEO of Ann Arbor Spark, it’s exactly the moment to act. In this energising episode of Visionary, recorded at Here East and hosted by Georgina Godwin, Krutko shares practical advice for founders looking to secure early-stage investment and turn bright ideas into lasting impact.With decades of experience and a hand in over 450 early-stage deals, Paul offers a clear-eyed look at what investors are really looking for: long-term vision, cross-sector collaboration, and a strong sense of place. His approach? “Gardening” — backing a wide portfolio of promising ventures, not just chasing the next unicorn.For founders, policymakers, and anyone serious about startup growth, this is a blueprint worth hearing. As Paul puts it: “Real innovation doesn’t start with a building — it starts with a plan.”

For journalist and activist Maksym Eristavi, defence isn’t just a military term. It’s a mindset. And it starts at home — literally. In this episode of Visionary, recorded at Here East and hosted by Georgina Godwin, Maksym lays out how Ukrainians have turned innovation, identity, and DIY resilience into a powerful toolkit — and why Europeans urgently need to follow suit.From his work exposing Russia’s colonial legacy to supporting frontline tech startups, Eristavi argues that Europe is still clinging to a peacetime mindset — and dangerously underestimating how fast things are changing. “You don’t wait until the door’s kicked in to install a lock,” he says. That applies to drones, defence investment, and even learning how to go a day without electricity.This is an episode not just about Ukraine, but about Europe’s future — and why innovation and resilience are skills we all need to master.

What does it mean to disagree better — and could learning how to do so help rebuild the foundations of public life?Georgina Godwin meets journalist and Harvard Magazine editor Joanna Weiss, whose career has been devoted to understanding how we exchange ideas — and how the culture of debate itself is changing. From the pressures of social media to the polarisation of politics, Weiss explores why honest disagreement has become so difficult, and what we can do to make it more constructive.As universities and institutions grapple with questions of free speech, inclusion, and intellectual vitality, Weiss argues that progress begins not with shouting louder, but with listening better.Recorded at Here East, this edition of Visionary asks: in a noisy world, how can we create the conditions for thoughtful conversation — and rediscover the value of ideas themselves?

When Sol Rogers and his team at Magnopus were asked to reimagine The Wizard of Oz for the Sphere in Las Vegas, they weren’t just remastering a classic — they were redefining what a cinematic experience could be. Using cutting-edge generative AI, they expanded the original film beyond its frame, creating a 360-degree memoryscape that wraps the audience in colour, sound and emotion.In this episode of Visionary, recorded on campus at Here East, Sol joins Georgina Godwin to share how immersive technologies are changing the rules of storytelling — and why that’s not something to fear. From blending physical and digital spaces to reframing AI as a tool for craft, Sol believes the future lies in content that respects our most precious resource: time.

Live performance, music education, even your next band rehearsal — all of it is about to change. At the forefront of this shift is Fiona Ryder, founder of Bonza, a British startup creating immersive audio spaces where musicians can collaborate in real time, no matter where they are in the world.In this episode of Visionary, recorded on campus at Here East, Fi joins Georgina Godwin to reveal how Bonza’s ultra-low-latency technology and spatial soundscapes are opening new creative possibilities for performers, educators and venues alike. Think: virtual concerts, hybrid gigs, and masterclasses across continents — all with the sonic feel of a shared room.

In a world where political fallouts, policy shifts and leadership moments play out in real time, being offline is no longer an option. Just ask Robert Midgley, the digital strategist who advised two British Prime Ministers on how to communicate with clarity, confidence and authority — all under the spotlight of the internet.In this episode of Visionary, recorded on campus at Here East, Robert joins Georgina Godwin to share hard-won lessons from the frontlines of digital messaging. He unpacks the dangers of chasing trends, the case for owning your tone, and how smart storytelling — not shiny visuals — is what makes a message stick.From influencers to cabinet ministers, Robert argues that today’s leaders must think like broadcasters, act like strategists, and speak with the kind of authenticity that algorithms — and audiences — reward.

How do you relaunch a watch company that’s been dormant since 1976? For Nicholas Bowman-Scargill, the answer lay not just in heritage, but in hustle. When he discovered that his great-great-great-grandfather once ran one of Britain’s oldest watch firms, he left his job at Rolex, sold nearly everything he owned, and set out to bring Fears Watches back to life.Nicholas joins Georgina Godwin to share how he built a brand that’s as comfortable in the 21st century as it was in the 19th — with a strong sense of identity, quiet confidence, and a modern take on craftsmanship.From learning Illustrator at night school to navigating the secretive Swiss watchmaking world, Nicholas reveals the practical steps (and personal sacrifices) behind turning a family legacy into a thriving modern company.