Season 6 · Episode 75 · 30 Jan 2026
75 - Ben Rawlence
With Ben Rawlence
“"We've got to train new leaders who can have a new kind of relationship with nature and drive and engineer systems change at speed and scale."”
Reflections
Q1: Place
If we could do a flypast on any part of the world that is significant to you, which place, city or country would it be and why?
The east coast of Africa, on the rim of the Indian Ocean
Q2: Life
Give us a glimpse into your life story so far with an emphasis on what you are doing currently?
Early career taught English in Tanzania which provoked questions about the world and why it was arranged in the way it was which led to SOAS University in London. Got a scholarship to the University of Chicago to do a master's in international relations and ended up working at the UN for a think tank looking at interdisciplinary global security around food, water and environment. Back to the UK and became a script writer for the Lib Dems and led the campaign against the Iraq war. After a burn out went back to Africa and worked for Human Rights Watch which led to the first book Radio Congo and a second book City of Thorns about the largest refugee camp in the world. The latest book The Treeline focusses on the Northern end of the world and the amazing function of the Boreal Forest. Recently founded Black Mountains College in Wales to put into practise a core curriculum for the 21st century.
Q3: Reset
Where on earth is your place or reset or re-charge?
Cold Water
Q4: Wonder
What wonder of the natural world excites you the most?
The Interconnectedness of Nature
Q5: Hopefulness
What is your story of hopefulness (not your own) about a person, business or non-profit who are doing amazing things for the world?
Location
Flyover
The east coast of Africa, on the rim of the Indian Ocean
Guest
🇪🇹 Brecon Beacons National Park (Wales)