Ray Nayler - Why Dystopian Fiction Matters

Ray Nayler - Why Dystopian Fiction Matters

Author: How To Academy October 14, 2025 Duration: 47:27
Returning to the podcast following episodes around his prize-winning debut The Mountain Under the Sea and his acclaimed novella The Tusks of Extinction, Ray Nayler joins us to explore the rise in authoritarian systems of control and celebrate the power of human agency to drive meaningful social change. These are the themes of his new novel Where the Axe is Buried: a dystopian fable set in a near-future Russia where Artificial Intelligences, technocrats, and a Putinesque dictator come into an unforgettable conflict. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Every other week, the How To Academy Podcast opens a door into conversations that reshape how we see the world. Stemming from London's vibrant hub for big ideas, this series brings you extended, thoughtful dialogues with the very minds shaping contemporary thought. You'll hear from laureates and prize-winners, yes, but more importantly, you'll get the substance behind their headlines. These aren't quick soundbites; each episode allows for a deep, meandering exploration of topics that span society, culture, and the latest scientific discoveries, all with an eye toward practical understanding and personal growth. Tuning in is like securing a front-row seat to a private lecture, where the goal is always to leave you with something tangible-a new perspective, a clearer question, or a genuine sense of possibility. It’s for anyone who believes that ideas, when given enough space to breathe, can genuinely change us from the inside out. This podcast draws directly from the How To Academy's mission, transforming their stage into an intimate audio experience that connects global thinking to your daily life.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

How To Academy Podcast
Podcast Episodes
Jay Heinrichs - How Classical Rhetoric Can Change Your Life [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:05:18
Drawing on Aristotle’s playbook, he shows how to turn rhetoric inward: treat the “soul” as your better self, shift from past/present blame to future-tense choices, separate needs from appetites, and tune out the social “…
Philip Hoare - The Revolutionary Genius of William Blake [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:03:04
A journey of both past and future, of the natural world and metaphysical realms, Philip Hoare guides us through a dreamscape slipping through time and space with the unpredictable guide of William Blake. From William's v…
Dr Jenna Macciochi - The Game-Changing Science of Lifetime Health [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:02:59
Immunologist Jenna Macciochi reveals the “wellness system” linking body and brain, urging us to focus on healthspan as well as lifespan. She explains “immune age,” inflammaging, and the body’s cycle of inflammation and r…
Marina Warner - Reimagining Sanctuary for a World in Crisis [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:00:19
Granted to mythical kings and fugitives alike, enshrined by gods and by communal, human consent, an ancient right since classical times, sanctuary has been a haven, a place of refuge and freedom from harm. It was a sacri…
Emily Kasriel - The Art of Deep Listening [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:06:48
Distracted by our own agenda, we so often hear without understanding, impatiently waiting for our turn to speak. Journalist Emily Kasriel joins us to show how shifting from surface-level exchanges to deep listening can e…
Yuval Noah Harari – Humanity in the Age of AI (Summer Repeat) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:32:19
Long gone are the days when pigeons relayed our messages; now we have a flood of information at all times, from social media to artificial intelligence, all weaving narratives that shape our lives. But the rise of these…
Dexys' Kevin Rowland - A Life Story [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:05:52
One of the great mavericks of British music, Kevin Rowland, recounts his formative years and reveals a deeply personal account of his life. From trying to be 'good' at church and to make his mum proud, to thieving and fi…