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The Convex Conversation

Convex

Inspirational life-stories with award-winning journalist Helen Fospero

business

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41:29

Footballing Legend Clyde Best OBE on his Legacy

The Convex Conversation ·

2026/03/29

Clyde Best OBE was just 17 when he left Bermuda and came to London to play for West Ham United, becoming the first black superstar of First Division football in England.His dad told him in 1968 that he’d be playing for those coming after him. A new documentary - Transforming the Beautiful Game: The Clyde Best Story – shows just how many world-class black players Clyde has inspired, including England stars Viv Anderson and Ian Wright. Clyde reflects on the incredible highs, scoring more than 50

52:25

Ash Smith - the Man Behind C4's Dirty Business

The Convex Conversation ·

2026/03/22

Retired detective Ash Smith, played by David Thewlis in Channel’s 4’s shocking new docudrama Dirty Business, talks about his decade‑long investigation with neighbour Professor Peter Hammond into England's water companies and the incredible response to the programme.It’s a dramatisation of the real-life story of how they uncovered the illegal dumping of raw sewage by water companies in Britain’s waterways and it's drawn a huge response from the public. Ash explains how they started to put the

46:40

Ultra-Marathon Champion Ken Rideout on Discipline and...

The Convex Conversation ·

2026/03/15

The world’s fastest marathon runner over 50 shares his extraordinary story of resilience, redemption and personal transformation. Ken Rideout grew up in a broken home in inner-city Boston, Massachusetts; became a corrections officer in a hard-core prison at 18; made millions as a trader on Wall Street but behind the financial success battled a long, dark addiction to opioids. Adopting a baby from an orphanage in Ethiopia and endurance running became Ken’s salvation. He won his first ever

48:12

Illustrator & TED Fellow George Butler on Why He...

The Convex Conversation ·

2026/03/08

Award-winning reportage artist and TED Fellow George Butler draws in ink and watercolour in war zones, refugee camps and disaster areas all over the world telling poignant, human stories we rarely hear on the news. His testimonies of ordinary people capture courage, resilience, strength and moments of hope, introducing us to real characters behind the headlines. George has drawn in a leprosy clinic in Nepal; spent time with The Hazda tribe in Tanzania who work with honeyguide birds, and most

53:50

Figen Murray OBE on Saving Lives with Martyn’s Law

The Convex Conversation ·

2026/03/01

When Figen Murray’s 29-year-old son Martyn was murdered in the Manchester Arena terrorist attack in 2017, her family - and those of the 21 other victims - was torn apart. No longer able to function as a psychotherapist, Figen studied for a Masters in Counter Terrorism and has spent the last six and a half years lobbying Government and the Lords to create a new law to make venues safer and protect against terror attacks. Martyn's Law finally received Royal Assent last spring, after meetings with

47:35

The Godfather of Modern Poetry, Roger McGough CBE

The Convex Conversation ·

2026/02/21

Merseybeat poet Roger McGough on life as a poet, number one hits with sixties comedy band The Scaffold, hanging out with musicians like Jimi Hendrix, Bob Dylan and Keith Moon, growing up during the second world war in Liverpool and being part of the cultural movement.Roger reads from his new book – The Collected Poems: 1959-2024 - which he featured recently in his tour Alive and Gigging, and says it's a myth that poetry is difficult. It's for everyone and good for our mental health. Roger presents

37:57

Mind Over Mountains Royal Hike with Co-Founder Alex...

The Convex Conversation ·

2026/02/15

The Princess of Wales braved blustery weather to get out in the Peak District with Mind Over Mountains, co-founded by adventurer Alex Staniforth.Catherine discovered how Alex and the team use nature, the outdoors and expert coaches to help people open-up about their mental health. Plagued by adversity as a child – coping with epilepsy, bullying and a life-long stammer – Alex discovered the power of nature on his first hill walk at 14. He developed an extraordinary will to succeed which led him

51:37

Designer Elizabeth Emanuel on her life in fashion

The Convex Conversation ·

2026/02/08

Elizabeth Emanuel designs for stars like Rita Ora, Courtney Love and Madonna but her name will forever be remembered for creating Diana, Princess of Wales’, fairytale wedding dress with her then partner David Emanuel.From her London studio, Elizabeth shares stories behind the surreal royal experience which changed the young designers' lives forever. She recalls the extreme tactics used to conceal the iconic dress from the press; a rehearsal with Diana on a locked down floor at Buckingham Palace and

49:23

Inside the Mind of Biographer Howard Sounes

The Convex Conversation ·

2026/02/01

Renowned writer & TV producer Howard Sounes reveals fascinating stories behind his best-selling biographies on Bob Dylan, Sir Paul McCartney, Moors murderer Myra Hindley, serial killers Fred and Rose West, and more. His latest book is based on exclusive access to 100 hours of Fred West’s police interviews which he helped turn into Netflix documentary series ‘Fred and Rose West: A British Horror Story’ - watched by more than 100 million people. Howard dreamt of becoming a writer from the age

49:01

Calming our Nervous System with Nahid de Belgeonne

The Convex Conversation ·

2026/01/25

Before Nahid de Belgeonne became ‘the nervous system whisperer’, she worked in high-growth fashion, tech, publishing and wellness start-ups, building her entire identity on composure, capability, and chronic motion. After a near-death experience and the eventual realisation she was living in a state of high-functioning anxiety and collapse, Nahid began to restore herself and went on to create The Human Method and The Soothe Programme, detailed in her book Soothe. As a Somatic Movement Educator,

56:38

The Fraud Explosion with BAFTA-winning Nick Stapleton

The Convex Conversation ·

2026/01/18

Investigative journalist Nick Stapleton - co-host of Scam Interceptors - talks about the worldwide fraud explosion, worth trillions, and how it’s getting even more sophisticated thanks to AI.Nick reveals what it’s like confronting scammers through ethical hacking on the BBC show, and shares stories from his career as an undercover reporter. He’s the son of TV legends John Stapleton and Lynn Faulds Wood who fought for consumer rights on programmes like BBC Watchdog. Nick has forged his own path as

66:04

Lt Col Stewart Hill - Living with an Invisible Brain...

The Convex Conversation ·

2026/01/11

On his final tour of Afghanistan in 2009, British Army Officer Lt Col Stewart Hill was blown up by a crude Taliban bomb as he led his troops on Operation Panther's Claw. He suffered a devastating, invisible brain injury which left him hanging between life and death. Tipped to become a fine general, Stewart was medically discharged from a world he loved. He’s spent years re-discovering his lost identity and re-learning the most basic of skills. In an emotional interview, he shares the techniques

38:17

A Peek into Miniaturist Ethan Goodbody’s Model Making...

The Convex Conversation ·

2025/12/14

Model maker Ethan Goodbody - founder of Mon Studios - takes us behind the scenes of the new BBC series The Marvellous Miniature Workshop, hosted by DJ and broadcaster Sara Cox.Ethan is one of a team of miniaturists who recreate someone’s meaningful place or room, beautifully crafting it in tiny proportions and fine detail. From scaling down a 36-metre iconic mural to painting the spots on minute 3D dominoes with a needle, Ethan explains the techniques and skills he combines with incredible

44:50

British Diplomat Nicholas Hopton Shares his Italian...

The Convex Conversation ·

2025/12/07

Nicholas Hopton – former UK Ambassador to Iran, Qatar, Yemen, and Libya – reveals how his diplomatic skills have come in handy as he’s breathed new life into a run-down olive farm in a little-known area of Tuscany. Encounters with wild boar, leaky pipes, colourful local characters, attempts at olive oil production and wading through Italian bureaucracy are all part of Nick’s beautifully written and witty memoir, Maremma Mia. Nick talks about the privilege of serving as British Ambassador to Iran at

44:26

Avalanche Search and Rescue with Caroline Elliott

The Convex Conversation ·

2025/11/30

Avalanche Search and Rescue expert Caroline Elliott shares some of her life-saving missions in the mountains. She was the first British woman to join the French Fire and Rescue Specialist Mountain Unit as a dog handler, with retriever Fjord by her side, and the first to qualify in all disciplines for the elite French ski patrol. Every second counts when saving lives – teamwork and communication are key. Caroline translates valuable lessons learned in often harsh, hostile mountain conditions to

62:13

In the Studio with Charlie & Lola Creator Lauren Child

The Convex Conversation ·

2025/11/23

As Lauren Child celebrates 25 years of writing and illustrating her much-loved Charlie and Lola children’s books, we chat at her London studio about everything from libraries, art galleries, dolls houses and writers’ block to growing up in the seventies. Lauren has worked with UNESCO in places like Mongolia - where she adopted her daughter from - and was Children’s Laureate. I Am Wishing Every Minute for Christmas is out now. Lauren laughs when she reveals she started writing it 20 years ago and

38:46

Saving Lives with Helen Addis’s Change & Check Campaign

The Convex Conversation ·

2025/11/16

ITV/Lorraine producer and breast cancer survivor Helen Addis MBE on ‘making noise’ with her Change & Check Campaign which has saved lives and earned her the MBE. TV star Davina McCall has just revealed she has breast cancer and has caught it early thanks to seeing the campaign’s stickers. Helen documented her gruelling treatment for aggressive grade 3 cancer to emphasise the importance of early diagnosis. The campaign has taken her to Downing Street to lobby the Government, her choir has

38:09

Rhian Mannings and Prince William Discuss Suicide...

The Convex Conversation ·

2025/11/09

The founder of 2wish, Rhian Mannings MBE, caught the world’s attention when Prince William joined her for a cup of tea in her kitchen in Cardiff to discuss her experience of suicide and find out more about its devastating impact. The future King was overcome with emotion at one point as Rhian spoke openly about the double tragedy of her 33-year-old husband Paul unexpectedly taking his own life five days after the couple lost their one-year-old baby, George. No berevement help was available as she

48:34

Samantha Baines on Being Part of the Incredible Deaf...

The Convex Conversation ·

2025/11/02

Deaf actor, comedian and podcaster Samantha Baines takes us on her fascinating life journey – from acting in some of Britain’s top dramas, working with stars like John Lithgow, Channing Tatum and Miriam Margolyes; creating an award-winning podcast out of her divorce to the challenges of stand-up comedy.She’s a passionate champion and advocate for the deaf and disabled communities - diagnosed as deaf when she was 29, and more recently with ADHD. Sam has written a best-seller - Living with Hearing

60:39

Linda Magistris OBE Shares Her Vision for Grief with...

The Convex Conversation ·

2025/10/26

Founder of The Good Grief Trust Linda Magistris OBE has shared her vision for ensuring everyone who is bereaved finds the help and hope they need during a conversation with HRH the Prince of Wales at her investiture at Windsor Castle. Linda started the charity nine years ago after struggling to find the support she needed when her partner, BAFTA-winning director Graham Theakston, died aged 62. In our updated Convex Conversation, Linda explains how interested Prince William was in the work the

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