The Author Archive Podcast

Sir Anthony Seldon has written about a 1,300 kilometre walk he took across Europe from Southern France, through Austria and the Czech Republic finally reaching his destination, Auschwitz in Poland.

On the journey he seeks out inspiring stories of the lives of 'figures of light'.

As he tells me , while he was walking through places associated with fascism and the second world war he was well aware of the worrying state of global politics in the 21st century.

The Path of LIght is now available as a paperback.

 

Steve Ashley played a gig to a hometown Cheltenham crowd on June 26th 2026.

It was a triumph.

Steve has had a long illustrious career in music and political activism.

This conversation was recorded in November 2025, a few months before his  80th birthday.  His passions, enthusiasms and commitment remain undimmed.

In this informal interview Steve tells of his influences and motivation. He clearly has a lot of fight and lyricism left!

A very entertaining musician and stimulating conversationalist.

 

Racism is on the rise.

Misogyny is on the rise.

These  awful social trends remind me of what Nina Simone said to me. She was the victim of cruel prejudice. She was angry.

Nina Simone was born on February 21st 1933.

There has been news recently of a plan to buy Nina Simone's childhood home in Tryon North Carolina and make it into a museum celebrating the life and work of the girl who was born Eunice Waymon.

I interviewed Nina  in December 1998 just before her last ever show at the Royal Albert Hall in London.

She was talking to me for a programme on the radio station Jazz fm, which would promote the concert.

Nina had a reputation for being a tricky interviewee but on the day she was delightful and during the conversation she was eager to give her views on sexism, racism and feminism.

After the interview I  was asked to introduce Nina on stage at the Albert Hall. It was a memorable day.

 

 

When 'Entitled ' was published last year it caused quite a stir, changed the lives of the Duke and Duchess of York for ever .... and became a number one bestseller.

The new paperback of Entitled contains a whole chapter of new information and chronicles what has happened in a tumultuous year.

Andrew Lownie predicts that there is more information to come.

The story continues ......

A gripping conversation.

 

Doubles is a powerful compact story, a novella. The protagonist is a 12 year old girl who finds comfort and security in numbers and maths.

It takes place in 1968 in an institution for troubled youth. The novella explores how the 'good' girl, over a period of six months, turns into a delinquent.

The conversation with Dr Gold is thoughtful, passionate and engaging. 

Doubles is a  short book that stays with you for a long time!

 

 

 

 

Antonio Forcione is a brilliant guitar player who is just about to go on tour.

Antonio really likes to entertain and he is joined by comedian, singer and songwriter Boothby Graffoe.

When we talked Antonio was in a museum in Rome and Boothby was in Portugal.

I'm David Freeman and I was in Cheltenham.

Prue is back as a judge on The Great American Cooking Show. 

In our conversation Prue talks to me about her life and how she still has a lot of fun.

Ageing, acting your age, health, exercise, fame ...... she talks about it all!!!

 

 

Some interviewees I remember as 'troupers'.

At the very top of that tree were the Collins sisters. Joan is now 93. She is still looking galmorous at Cannes!

I remember a televised conversation I had with Joan. Her assistant decreed that the lighting must be subtle but Joan herself insisted on full on straight in the face spots. I had theories why this might be her preference.

Over the years I interviewed Joan and her sister Jackie a few times. It was always 'an event'.

The Collins sisters spoke to me in London at the end of the last century. Jackie was promoting her novel 'Thrill' about the glamorous world of Hollywood, and Joan was encouraging interest in her autobiography 'Second Act'. Both sisters were happy to talk about themselves.

Sadly Jackie died in 2015 .... but Joan marches on!

In this early Author Archive podcast John Le Carre talks about writing politics , and Mallory Blackman explains the political thinking behind Noughts and Crosses.

Maggie Gee gives the background to her novel The White Family that endeavours to explain prejudice and the national treasure Jilly Cooper gives background to how life might be in the English counties. Her 'Rivals' is back on UK TV.

The episode concludes with two views of the Court of King Henry VIII, Philippa Gregory discusses her book about 'The Other Boleyn Girl' and Alison Weir explains how the king was totally surrounded by the people of the court all the time!

 

 

 

 

 

The American president now suggests that he is closely associated with Jesus. He has distributed pictures. He is performing Bible readings. Will he include the bits from Matthew 5:9? Blessed are the peacemakers?

He declares that he has been saved by God to make his country great again, I find it impossible not to wonder about the precise nature of the deity that he professes to believe in. Are Donald and his advisers familiar with the writings that are the basis of his religion? 

This book by Catherine Nixey is terrific - its a revelation and it's now available in paperback format.

Catherine has studied texts written around the same time as the writings we know as the gospels. 

Some of these ancient documents tell the story of the bible characters we are familiar with in a totally different way.

Listen to Catherine talk about her research and you will be surprised ..... probably very surprised!!

Every time I see a politician leaning in a faith direction I want to urge them to read this book!