Young Again

Kirsty Young talks to the author Philip Pullman about what he’s learned from his life so far. Pullman is the acclaimed novelist behind global bestsellers like His Dark Materials. He recounts the story of his own childhood, how he still contemplates the mystery of his father’s death, and why he owes his literary success to hard work. If you could have a conversation with your younger self, what would you tell them? In Young Again Kirsty takes her guests back to the pivotal moments in their lives. Reflecting on what they wish they’d known at the time, and what they’ve learned along the way, she discovers the honest – and surprising – advice they’d give their younger selves. Producer: Sam Peach Content Editor: Richard Hooper Executive Editor: Alice Feinstein Senior Technical Producer: Duncan Hannant Presenter: Kirsty Young A BBC Audio Production

Kirsty Young talks to the pop star Melanie Brown about what she’s learned from her life so far. Mel B is the girl from Leeds who became a global superstar with the Spice Girls. Glamour, fortune, drugs, violence, redemption and healing, her life has an air of make believe - except, of course, she has actually lived it. If you could have a conversation with your younger self, what would you tell them? In Young Again Kirsty takes her guests back to the pivotal moments in their lives. Reflecting on what they wish they’d known at the time, and what they’ve learned along the way, she discovers the honest – and surprising – advice they’d give their younger selves.Producer: Laura Northedge Content Editor: Richard Hooper Executive Editor: Alice Feinstein Senior Technical Producer: Duncan Hannant Presenter: Kirsty YoungA BBC Audio Production

Kirsty Young talks to the former spin doctor Alastair Campbell about what he’s learned from his life so far. From the bagpipes to New Labour, geopolitics to Burnley FC, Alastair Campbell is passionate about his interests and deeply tribal in his allegiances. But does he ever allow these passions to cloud his judgement? Having been a key figure in Tony Blair’s government and now the co-host of a hit podcast, Alastair explores how events in his childhood have shaped his outlook on the world and whether he regrets any of the tough decisions he has taken. If you could have a conversation with your younger self, what would you tell them? In Young Again Kirsty takes her guests back to the pivotal moments in their lives. Reflecting on what they wish they’d known at the time, and what they’ve learned along the way, she discovers the honest – and surprising – advice they’d give their younger selves. Producer: Laura Northedge Content Editor: Richard Hooper Executive Editor: Alice Feinstein Senior Technical Producer: Duncan Hannant Presenter: Kirsty Young A BBC Audio Production

Kirsty Young talks to the artist Sir Grayson Perry about what he’s learned from his life so far. Once cross-dressing punk rebel, now ennobled member of the British establishment, Grayson Perry’s extraordinary life has given him plenty of material to inspire his art. He reflects on how his traumatic childhood resulted in him retreating into a rich fantasy world and considers whether he would have been given the freedom to explore it artistically had he been starting out today. If you could have a conversation with your younger self, what would you tell them? In Young Again Kirsty takes her guests back to the pivotal moments in their lives. Reflecting on what they wish they’d known at the time, and what they’ve learned along the way, she discovers the honest – and surprising – advice they’d give their younger selves. Producer: Laura Northedge Content Editor: Richard Hooper Executive Editor: Alice Feinstein Senior Technical Producer: Duncan Hannant Presenter: Kirsty Young A BBC Audio Production

Kirsty Young talks to philanthropist Melinda French Gates about what she’s learned from her life so far. A computer scientist by training, she dated her boss and became one half of one of the world’s most famous power couples. But as she travelled a road paved with gold, French Gates describes the tough lessons she learned along the way, the danger of untrustworthy acquaintances and how she had to dig deep to not lose herself in the maelstrom of extreme wealth and influence. If you could have a conversation with your younger self, what would you tell them? In Young Again Kirsty takes her guests back to the pivotal moments in their lives. Reflecting on what they wish they’d known at the time, and what they’ve learned along the way, she discovers the honest – and surprising – advice they’d give their younger selves. Producer: Laura Northedge Content Editor: Richard Hooper Executive Editor: Alice Feinstein Senior Technical Producer: Duncan Hannant Presenter: Kirsty Young A BBC Audio Production

Kirsty Young talks to the actor Peter Capaldi about what he’s learned from his life so far. Celebrated for iconic TV roles as Doctor Who and as Malcolm Tucker in The Thick Of It, Capaldi’s 40-year career also includes an Oscar in 1995 for work behind the camera. He reflects on his journey from a Glasgow tenement block, how he owes his career to a lot of luck and why early failures have made him a better actor. If you could have a conversation with your younger self, what would you tell them? In Young Again Kirsty takes her guests back to the pivotal moments in their lives. Reflecting on what they wish they’d known at the time, and what they’ve learned along the way, she discovers the honest – and surprising – advice they’d give their younger selves. Producer: Laura Northedge Content Editor: Richard Hooper Executive Editor: Alice Feinstein Senior Technical Producer: Duncan Hannant Presenter: Kirsty Young A BBC Audio Production

Kirsty Young is back with a new set of intriguing guests.

Kirsty Young talks to actor and producer Jada Pinkett Smith about the lessons she has learned from her life so far. Jada explains the impact of her parents’ drug addiction and her early experiences of Baltimore street life on her mental health and subsequent relationships. She reflects on her marriage to actor Will Smith and why she has chosen to go public about her private life. Would she do it all again? Jada talks to Kirsty about her extraordinary life.Producer: Laura Northedge Content Editor: Richard Hooper Editor: Alice Feinstein Senior Technical Producer: Bob Nettles Presenter: Kirsty YoungA BBC Audio Production

Kirsty Young talks to comedian and actor Steve Coogan about what he's learned from his life so far. He describes his evolution from impressionist and stand-up comedian to award-winning actor, and reflects on how fame offered him a hedonistic lifestyle that quickly caught the attention of the tabloid press. What advice would he give his younger self? Steve talks candidly to Kirsty about class, recovery and sharing a parallel life with his alter-ego Alan Partridge.Producer: Laura Northedge Content Editor: Richard Hooper Editor: Alice Feinstein Senior Technical Producer: Duncan Hannant Presenter: Kirsty YoungA BBC Audio Production

In Young Again Kirsty Young asks her guests what advice they would give to their younger selves. In this episode Naomi Klein shares the origins of her political activism. Having shot to fame aged 29 with the anti-globalisation bestseller No Logo, Naomi Klein has gone on to publish several books about politics, climate, capitalism and the disorienting impact of social media. Growing up in a political family, Naomi initially rejected her parents' activism, but, as she describes to Kirsty, a series of painful events instilled in her the importance of campaigning for social change. She talks to Kirsty about the battles she has won and lost.Producer: Laura Northedge Research by: Martha Owen Content Editor: Richard Hooper Editor: Alice Feinstein Senior Technical Producer: Duncan Hannant Presenter: Kirsty YoungA BBC Audio Production

In Young Again, Kirsty Young asks her guests what advice they would give to their younger selves and in this episode Jamie Oliver shares with Kirsty the ups and downs of his career.Despite having always struggled with the written word he’s published 25 cookbooks and is one of the UK’s best-selling authors. His original dream was to run a country pub but his TV career took off and led to cookbooks, a restaurant chain and high-profile campaigns for better food. It’s been a life lived in public. If he could go back, would he do it all again? He talks to Kirsty candidly about whether he’d choose the life he’s got or swap it for a quiet life running a pub instead. Producer: Sam Peach Content Editor: Richard Hooper Editor: Alice Feinstein Senior Technical Producer: Duncan Hannant Presenter: Kirsty Young A BBC Audio Production

Kirsty Young talks to the movie star Daniel Kaluuya, about what he’s learned from his life so far. He grew up in Camden, North London and first found success as an actor and also writer of the teen drama Skins. An acclaimed career in Hollywood has followed, with an Academy Award in 2021 for his role in Judas and the Black Messiah. His first feature film which he has written, produced and directed, The Kitchen, will be released in early 2024. Producer: Sam Peach Content Editor: Richard Hooper Editor: Alice Feinstein Senior Technical Producer: Duncan Hannant Presenter: Kirsty YoungA BBC Audio Production

Kirsty Young talks to legendary supermodel Linda Evangelista about what she’s learned from her life so far. After a career spanning 40 years, in early September 2023 she released a retrospective book with photographer Steven Meisel. As one of the first international supermodels, she reflects on listening to your parents, the infamous “$10,000 a day” quote, knowing your worth, and she looks back on how it felt to leave her marriage. If you could have a conversation with your younger self, what would you tell them? In Young Again Kirsty takes her guests back to the pivotal moments in their lives. Reflecting on what they wish they’d known at the time, and what they’ve learned along the way, she discovers the honest – and surprising – advice they’d give their younger selves. Producer: Sam Peach Content Editor: Richard Hooper Executive Editor: Alice Feinstein Senior Technical Producer: Duncan Hannant Presenter: Kirsty Young A BBC Audio Production

Kirsty Young takes her guests back to meet their younger selves and asks the question: if you knew then, what you know now... what would you tell yourself?