Creative Collisions

“Incredibly online” Ph.D. researcher, and activist Rianna Walcott spoke at Libreria during U.K. Black History Month on “Tech Bias and Digital Communities and muses on the nuances of tech and anti-racism with a sharp critique of woke-washing by blue-chip brands.

Could antipathy to hard work be humankind's greatest salvation? We consider this in the latest episode of Creative Collisions. Our guest is Oxford Professor Marcus du Sautoy, one of the world's leading mathematical communicators in conversation with Second Home founder Rohan Silva to discuss du Sautoy's latest book "Thinking Better: The Art Of the Shortcut" and according to him, math is central to the shortcut. In this spirited discussion they examine how circumventing obstruction in problem solving has underpinned humanity's greatest achievements and against all odds--driven some of civilization's greatest progress. Plus: how we can use them to solve complex challenges in everyday life.

In this episode iconic art curator Hans Ulrich Obrist shares new imaginative ways from the art world for us to engage with the climate emergency in our daily lives, in our homes and communities, as well as public spaces. He's joined by artist & filmmaker Lynn Hershman and the youngest ever architect to be commissioned for the Serpentine Pavilion Sumayya Vally to discuss 140 Artists' Ideas for Planet Earth – a publication dedicated to the environment and the climate emergency.

BAFTA nominated producer Faye Ward and award-winning casting director Kharmel Cochrane of the groundbreaking female-led production 'Anne Boleyn' in conversation with Professor of History of Slavery Olivette Otele, discuss this empowering period drama, and revisit history from a different perspective.

Theoretical physicist Carlo Rovelli, in conversation with Second Home co-founder Rohan Silva, discusses his radical approach to quantum physics, and its profound implications for contemporary culture.

Award-winning author and professor James Shapiro in conversation with Second Home co-founder Rohan Silva to discuss his latest book Shakespeare in a Divided America, and explore the nation’s fault lines around race, gender, immigration and free speech.

In the aftermath of Trump's historic second impeachment trial, director and comedian Judd Apatow (The 40 Year Old Virgin, Knocked Up) and President Obama's former solicitor general Neal Katyal catch up for a frank conversation about what the future holds for Donald Trump and his followers. All donations raised from this event go to 826LA - a non-profit organisation based at Second Home Hollywood that supports young students with their creative and expository writing skills. Donate via https://826la.org/donate/.

Academy award-winning director Kevin Macdonald and ACLU SoCal senior staff attorney Mohammad Tajsar discuss The Mauritanian - his new film based on the true story of a man imprisoned without charge in Guantanamo for 14 years.

The rock star Harvard political philosopher Michael Sandel joins award winning Turkish-British novelist Elif Shafak to discuss meritocracy, inequality and the ideas raised in Sandel’s new book The Tyranny of Merit: What’s Become of the Common Good? This episode is part of a new series presented by Second Home and Berggruen Institute – free public events that bring together the most inspiring and celebrated figures of our time to exchange and discuss groundbreaking cultural, social and political ideas.

Award-winning Wall Street Journal writer Lee Hawkins and acclaimed historian and outspoken activist Blair Imani join Second Home's Magdalena Moursy and Dow Jones' Chief Innovation Officer Edward Roussel to discuss August 28 – a date that resonates throughout black history and the civil rights movement in America. This episode is part of a new series presented by Second Home and Berggruen Institute – free public events that bring together the most inspiring and celebrated figures of our time to exchange and discuss groundbreaking cultural, social and political ideas.

Supermodel and environmental activist Lily Cole joins the former Wired editor David Rowan for the exclusive launch of her new book Who Cares Wins – they discuss the future of socially responsible business, and how innovators are responding to issues like fast fashion, renewable energy and gender equality. This episode is part of a new series presented by Second Home and Berggruen Institute – free public events that bring together the most inspiring and celebrated figures of our time to exchange and discuss groundbreaking cultural, social and political ideas.

We celebrated 100 years of the American Civil Liberties Union – America's premier defender of civil rights and social justice – powerhouse literary couple Michael Chabon & Ayelet Waldman joined Hector Villagra of ACLU Southern California to discuss their new collection of essays Fight of the Century.

Former chief editor of The Guardian, Alan Rusbridger, talks to Rohan Silva about playing the piano and learning Chopin – during one of the most tumultuous years in British journalism.

Rohan Silva welcomes charismatic internet pioneer Martha Lane Fox to Second Home Lisbon. They discuss Martha’s creation of lastminute.com and her subsequent focus on social justice and the internet. Working in government with Rohan to set-up Gov.co.uk they also consider gender inequality in tech and the importance of appointing more women VCs.

Second Home founder Rohan Silva talks to editor of GQ Dylan Jones on the creative genius of David Bowie. After an initial nine year spell of struggle, Jones outlines Bowie’s ability to transform failure into eventual creative success. And with that Bowie’s unique collaborative vision, most notably with Brian Eno (famously in Berlin) and Iggy Pop.

Second Home co-founder Rohan Silva introduces feminist and author of Rise-Up, Women! Diane Atkinson. Diane discusses the Suffragette Movement of early 20th century Britain – describing the group's fearless and creative resolve in the face of repeatedly brutal and shameful treatment at the hands of the state.

Rohan Silva and his guests discuss the idea of 'skin in the game' and how it looks in our modern world. They consider associated economic terms such as incentives, accountability, and transfer of risks. More specifically, they discuss what it is that determines the long-term success of an idea and the often contradictory social and scientific factors at play.

Bella Freud discusses the importance of having worked with genius designer, Vivienne Westwood and the core advice imparted by her late father, the painter, Lucian Freud, of dedicated perseverance. She describes going on to create her own collections, ingeniously developing her own content marketing – and showcasing her work in short films with the likes of John Malkovich.

Design architect Thomas Heatherwick talks to Rohan Silva about the evolution of his thinking and his passion for ordinary public spaces – the gaps in between – and how to make 'rubbish' things brilliant.

Former Chair of the Arts Council Peter Bazalgette talks to Rohan Silva about his book The Empathy Instinct, at Second Home Holland Park. He highlights the problem of online echo chambers and how they can incubate erroneous, sometimes dangerous opinion. Plus, the critical balance between nature and nurture and how the arts play a fundamental role in enabling us to understand each other.