Under The Skin with Russell Brand

About this podcast

My new podcast 'Under The Skin' asks: what's beneath the surface - of people we admire, of the ideas that define our time, of the history we are told. Speaking with guests from the world of academia, popular culture and the arts, they'll help us to see the ulterior truth behind our constructed reality. And have a laugh. This show is now on Luminary! For more, go to LuminaryPodcasts.com.

Under The Skin with Russell Brand

Episodes

2021
#175 Death, Grief & Finding MEANING (with David Kessler)
David Kessler is a death and grieving expert and author of many books including - The Needs of the Dying: A Guide for Bringing Hope, Comfort, and Love to Life’s Final Chapter and Finding Meaning: The Sixth Stage of Grief. For more information on David’s work or if you would like some support around grief or bereavement go to grief.com In this podcast we discuss our inability to accept death and the struggles we encounter when faced with grief. Has society whitewashed death and hidden it from sight, so much so that we think that it’s never going to happen to us? David’s work and mission is to help us find meaning when we are grieving - something he has had to negotiate first hand after the death of his mother and son. He helps us understand how we can still have an emotional and spiritual relationship with those who have passed. Are some of our cultures grief illiterate and are ultimately making the pain so much worse? Should we start speaking about death more openly in order to help us interface with the one thing that is inevitably going to affect us all? This is a very moving and uplifting podcast episode, that we hope will help all of us during this time of loss. More Info Elites are taking over! Our only hope is to form our own. To learn more join my cartel here https://www.russellbrand.com/join/ and get weekly bulletins too incendiary for anything but your private inbox. *not a euphemism If you’re not already signed up to Luminary you can here - I release a new Under The Skin podcast every Saturday! http://luminary.link/russell
March 6, 2021
27 min
#174 The Horror of Brand Power (with Joel Bakan)
Joel Bakan is an American-Canadian writer, filmmaker, and professor at the Peter A. Allard School of Law at the University of British Columbia. Joel has recently published a book, The New Corporation: How “Good” Corporations are Bad for Democracy, and released a documentary film based upon it. You can find out more about both at joelbakan.com. In Joel’s early documentary film “The Corporation” he famously said that corporations are psychopaths. In this podcast we extrapolate from that discuss how power has shifted from government to corporations as they try to take over every aspect of our lives. What does this mean for democracy? How much power are we willing to give over to these companies? And are they really trying to do “good” or is just a facade to yield more control and ultimately...profit? This is what Joel explores further in his new film and book, he talks about his trip to Davos and the people and CEOs he encountered there who endeavour to change the world, but is it for the better?
February 27, 2021
23 min
#173 Can’t Get Him Out Of My Head Part #2 (with Adam Curtis)
Welcome to Part #2 of Under The Skin with Adam Curtis. Adam is a documentary filmmaker and a previous beloved guest on Under The Skin! In his films he explores areas of sociology, psychology, philosophy and political history. His latest documentary, Can't Get You Out Of My Head: An Emotional History of the Modern World, is a 6-part series that you can now watch on the BBC. In Part #2 of this conversation we discuss US politics, how we’re trying to navigate living through catastrophe after catastrophe, where actual power lies and how it can be challenged. Enjoy!
February 20, 2021
27 min
#172 Can’t Get Him Out Of My Head Part #1 (with Adam Curtis)
Welcome to Part #1 of Under The Skin with the incredible Adam Curtis. Adam is a documentary filmmaker and a previous beloved guest on Under The Skin! In his films he explores areas of sociology, psychology, philosophy and political history. His latest documentary, Can't Get You Out Of My Head: An Emotional History of the Modern World, is a 6-part series that you can now watch on the BBC. In Part #1 of this conversation we discuss Adam’s new documentary where he explores how as individuals we internalise power structures and how we feel doesn’t always come from within but where we are in relation to power. We discuss and debate ideas around progressivism, psychologising, religious ideology and our visions for how we feel the world should go about change. It is, as with all Adam Curtis content, a very enlightening and thought provoking podcast. Let us know how what you thought of it! Join us next week for Part #2!
February 13, 2021
22 min
#171 Understanding Our Divided Realities (with Jonathan Haidt)
This week on Under The Skin is the long awaited guest Jonathan Haidt. Jonathan is an American social psychologist and professor. He is author of The Righteous Mind: Why Good People Are Divided by Politics and Religion, and The Coddling of the American Mind. His main areas of study are the psychology of morality and moral emotions. This is a longer than usual podcast as it delves deep into the root of the division that proliferates every aspect of our political and cultural life right now. We obviously discuss US politics but not just that - we chat about how the goal of The Left to dismantle power has changed and mutated of the years - shifting from economics to identity issues. Jonathan explains some of his findings when researching the psychology of transcendence, we discuss fundamentalism and debate the idea progressivism. A lot is covered in this podcast, enjoy! JONATHAN’S PROJECTS https://openmindplatform.org/ which teaches groups how to get along better, despite political differences https://heterodoxacademy.org/ which advocates for viewpoint diversity and open inquiry at universities Nick Ortner - The Tapping Solution (mentioned in the intro) thetappingsolution.com/russell Sign up to my community here: www.russellbrand.com
February 6, 2021
16 min
#170 Self-Awareness & Parenting (with Philippa Perry)
This week’s guest on Under The Skin Philippa Perry! Philippa is a psychotherapist & author, she is also married to the artist Grayson Perry. Her latest book The Book You Wish Your Parents Had Read (And Your Parents Will Be Glad That You Did) has just been released in Paperback with a new chapter on Siblings. This is a fantastic conversation about self-awareness, projection and parenting. How do we stop ourselves passing on our own trauma and bad habits onto our kids? What is the best way to nurture your relationship with a child? Philippa and I discuss our own personal experience as parents, therapy and individualism, art as a language and form expression and our two different perspectives on spirituality. Philippa’s book The Book You Wish Your Parents Had Read (And Your Parents Will Be Glad That You Did) his out now on paperback: https://www.waterstones.com/book/the-book-you-wish-your-parents-had-read-and-your-children-will-be-glad-that-you-did/philippa-perry/9780241251027
January 30, 2021
14 min
#169 Tapping & Anxiety Hacks (with Nick Ortner)
This week’s guest on Under The Skin is founder of the Tapping Solution, Nick Ortner. Tapping is a natural healing method also known as Emotional Freedom Techniques (EMF). It is a healing modality that combines ancient Chinese acupressure and modern psychology. Nick tells us the science behind Tapping and how it effects the brain and the body. He has been developing and practicing this technique for a long time and has helped people from high functioning athletes, people with chronic pain to those suffering from grief. In this podcast, he also does a live Tapping demo with me to help me with a specific issue I’m dealing with. Please let us know what you think and if you tried it out! You can download the app for free in the app store or Google Play - Nick has offered Under The Skin listeners 50% off the premium version - go to thetappingsolution.com/russell
January 23, 2021
19 min
#168 Holocaust Survivor: ‘Is History Repeating Itself?’ (with Dr. Edith Eger)
This week’s guest on Under The Skin is Dr. Edith Eger. Edith is a Holocaust survivor and a specialist in the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder. Her latest book The Gift - 12 Lessons To Save Your Life, shows us how to stop destructive patterns and imprisoning thoughts in order to find freedom and enjoy life. It is available now. I think it is important at this time of crisis, chaos and conflict to hear a voice from someone who survived the most extreme situation in recent history, The Holocaust. At a time of much division and hateful rhetoric, confusion from all sides, here is a voice that can be truly unifying. Please let us know what you thought of it on social media IG: @russellbrand Twitter: @rustyrockets TikTok: @russellbrand YouTube: @russellbrand Edith’s Book: The Gift - 12 Lessons to Save Your Life https://www.amazon.com/Gift-Lessons-Save-Your-Life/dp/1982143096 Edith’s Instagram https://www.instagram.com/dr.editheger/?hl=en If you want to listen to all latest full-length episodes of Under The Skin please go over to LuminaryPodcasts.com. There is a new episode every Saturday. You can get a subscription for as little as $2.99 a month with their annual plan, plus a 7-day free trial to get started.
January 16, 2021
68 min
#167 Crossing boundaries and Reclaiming land (with Nick Hayes)
This week’s guest is Nick Hayes! Nick is an author, illustrator, print-maker and political cartoonist. He has published four highly acclaimed graphic novels, each one in separate ways focuses on mankind’s relationship with the environment. I’ve just read his latest book The Book of Trespass: Crossing the Lines That Divide Us, that came out last year. It my favourite Christmas present! We discuss the nature of trespassing and the social, political and cultural impacts it has on us. We only have access to 8% of the English countryside, the rest is hidden behind walls and protected by private property laws. Why can’t we swim in a river? Or roam through a forest? Why do these laws exist and why aren’t they being challenged? Nick explains the history of how trespassing laws came into existence and what he is doing to change them with his Right to Roam campaign. Is private property law furthering the disconnection we have with nature and pushing it towards commodification? Has this also become a class issue, where nature and natural beauty spots are now reserved for those who can pay to access them? This is a particularly fascinating podcast that will hopefully inspire you to explore more and join Nick in his Right to Roam campaign. More Info: Join the campaign to open more of England's countryside to public access: www.righttoroam.org.uk Follow Nick on Instagram @nickhayesillustration & Twitter @nickhayesillus1 Support independent bookshops, by purchasing The Book of Trespass from here: https://labiblioteka.co/item/the-book-of-trespass http://lawyersfornature.com/
January 9, 2021
14 min
2020
#165 The War For Your Consciousness (with Tristan Harris)
This week’s guest on Under The Skin is the incredibly insightful and innovative Tristan Harris. You may recognise him from the The Social Dilemma documentary on Netflix. If you haven’t watched it yet, it’s a must see. Tristan is Co-Founder & President of the Center for Humane Technology and Co-Host of the Your Undivided Attention podcast. Rolling Stone magazine named Tristan one of “25 People Shaping the World” and was named in Fortune’s 40 under 40 of 2018 for his work on reforming technology. If you have a smartphone, use social media, communicate via email or use online services in any way…this podcast is for you. Tristan explains the power of the attention economy, reveals how these social media sites are engineered to capture our time but discusses how he is optimistic that positive change is possible in the tech industry. Can we ensure that our future doesn’t turn into products merely mined for our attention, time and data. How can we can change these algorithmic paradigms to serve us rather than the other way around? Let us know what you thought of it! www.humanetech.com www.humanetech.com/podcast Twitter: @HumaneTech_ Instagram: @tristanharris
December 26, 2020
14 min
#164 Genetic Revolution (with Bruce Lipton)
Today’s guest on Under The Skin is Bruce Lipton! Bruce is a developmental biologist, stem cell biologist, notable for his views on epigenetics. He is the bestselling author of The Biology of Belief. This is a fascinating conversation about how our environment effects our biology. How do our cells operate and how do they make us who we are? Bruce explains how we are programmed from a young age through behaviour and culture. He explains how we can reprogram ourselves to live more fulfilling lives using energy psychology. He also discusses some of the scientific breakthroughs he has while working as a stem cell biologist. If we can learn understand how our biology works can we engineer our lives to be most spiritually satisfying and free us from suffering? More info: www.brucelipton.com Twitter: @biologyofbelief Instagram: @brucelipton
December 19, 2020
19 min
#163 Music Is A Crucible (with Annie Lennox)
This week’s guest on Under The Skin is the world famous singer and incredible activist and philanthropist Annie Lennox. Annie is most well known as the front woman of The Eurythmics! She has won X4 Grammy’s and has sold over 83 million albums worldwide! Annie has just released THE 10th ANNIVERSARY RE-ISSUE of her album A CHRISTMAS CORNUCOPIA, that includes the single “Dido’s Lament”. This is a beautiful, warm and creative podcast in which we speak about gift and purpose and Annie’s life as a singer being skyrocketed into fame in the 80s. We share our feelings on being performers, the art of communing with the sacred, how music and art are a form communication and purpose, but how the fame that accompanies it can destroy the artist. We also discuss activism, and how painful it can be to interface with the cruel realities we see so many people deal with. How can we change the world? Is it even possible? What is our purpose? More Info: Annie’s new single, “DIDO’S LAMENT” is available now: https://annielennox.lnk.to/DidosLament Watch the music video for “DIDO’S LAMENT” here: https://AnnieLennox.lnk.to/DidosLamentYouTubePR The 10th Anniversary re-issue of A Christmas Cornucopia is available now: https://annielennox.lnk.to/ChristmasCornucopia Twitter: @AnnieLennox Instagram: @officialannielennox
December 12, 2020
16 min
#160 Theology & Rhyming (with Tim Minchin)
This week’s podcast is an energetic, wordy and occasionally heated (in a good way!) with the incredible musician and artist Tim Minchin. Tim is an Australian comedian, actor, writer, musician, and songwriter. He is best known for his musical comedy! His new album ‘Apart Together’ will be released on Friday 20 November. We discuss everything from creativity and politics to whether or not your view on the origin of consciousness can determine whether we can change the world for the better. Tim is a rationalist and atheist, he explains his world view and how he finds beauty and comfort in a meaningless universe. On the other hand, I argue that spirituality and meaning is needed to supersede the current capitalist and materialist society that is no longer serving and nurturing our needs. Let us know what you think of the discussion on social media! Tim’s debut studio album, Apart Together, is available now: https://tim-minchin.lnk.to/ApartTogetherAlbumPR Twitter: @timminchin Instagram: @timminchin #ApartTogetherAlbum Website: timminchin.com
November 21, 2020
28 min
#159 From Pain to Awakening (with Gabrielle Bernstein)
This week’s guest is Gabrielle Bernstein! Gabrielle is an American motivational speaker, life coach and New York Times best-selling author of The Universe Has Your Back: Transform Fear to Faith and Super Attractor: Methods for Manifesting a Life Beyond Your Wildest Dreams. She teaches primarily from the text “A Course In Miracles” on the practical application of self-love, forgiveness and how to have a holistic approach to spirituality. We had a great conversation about how we are looking after ourselves during the challenges 2020 has presented. How should we be implementing our own spiritual practices in order to grow from very particular and peculiar challenges? Gabrielle explains some excellent therapy techniques, particularly the Internal Family Systems practice, a therapy that has helped her considerably. We also discuss the notion of “spiritual bypassing”, something that we all may fall prey to, where we try and use our spirituality or meditation to bypass difficult feelings and situations, rather than incorporating those challenges into our practices. It is a very connected and grounding podcast that we hope you get something from! MORE INFO On January 1st, Gabby will be leading a 21 day manifesting challenge. A step-by-step how to feel good while you turn what you want into the life you live using the manifesting methods Gabby uses everyday. You’ll discover how to act in alignment with the energy of the Universe, allowing good things to flow to you easily and naturally. Link to waitlist: gabbybernstein.com/manifestingchallenge-waitlist/ gabbybernstein.com Twitter: @gabbybernstein Instagram: @gabbybernstein
November 14, 2020
19 min
#158 Survival On The Edge Of Armageddon (with Ed Stafford)
This week is the return of survivalist Ed Stafford! Ed is a survivor in every sense. This is great podcast on how to cope in an extreme world! We discussed everything from the effect the pandemic has had on us mentally, some solutions Ed has found it terms of honing our bushcraft skills and interacting with the natural world in order to feel connected. Ed reveals what life in the military was like and we open up on how crippling loneliness can be, not just during these Covid-times, but in our lives in general. What is it we really need, to live meaningfully and happily? More Info: Ed’s podcast, “Dangerous Minds with Ed Stafford” is available wherever you get your podcasts and his online bushcraft courses can be found at bushcraft.academy/online-courses Twitter: @Ed_Stafford Instagram: @ed_stafford
November 7, 2020
17 min
#157 Genius In Man & Nature. Where Does It Come From? (with Carlo Rovelli)
This week’s podcast is with theoretical physicist Carlo Rovelli. Carlo works mainly in the field of quantum gravity and is a founder of loop quantum gravity theory. Carlo’s books ‘Seven Brief Lessons on Physics’, ‘Reality Is Not What It Seems’, and ‘The Order of Time’ are international bestsellers which have been translated into 43 languages. His new book, “There are Places in the World Where Rules are Less Important than Kindness” is published next month and features his reflections on everything, from Newton’s alchemy to Einstein’s mistakes, to the consciousness of an octopus, hallucinogens and the meaning of atheism. In this podcast we discuss the history of science and religion, how our knowledge of quantum theory and mechanics can effect our sense of morality and reality and we explore the nature of consciousness from Carlo’s perspective of theoretical physicist. Enjoy! If you’d like to take part in the Ask Me Anything episode - ask your question here: https://www.russellbrand.com/askmeanything/ More Info: Carlo’s latest book: https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/318/318988/there-are-places-in-the-world-where-rules-are-less-important-tha/9780241454688.html Twitter: @carlorovelli Website: www.cpt.univ-mrs.fr/~rovelli/
October 31, 2020
27 min
#156 Salvation & Apocalypse In The Metamodern World (with Seth Abramson)
This week’s guest on Under The Skin is the rather incredible meta modern journalist and political analyst Seth Ambramson! Seth is an American professor, attorney, author, and political columnist. His teaching areas include digital journalism, post-internet cultural theory, post-internet writing, and legal advocacy. He has written several books including Proof of Corruption: Bribery, Impeachment, and Pandemic in the Age of Trump (2020) and Proof of Conspiracy: How Trump's International Collusion Is Threatening American Democracy (2019). We we drill down into why the political landscape is the way it is, if Donald Trump is the problem or actually just a symptom and how postmodernism created a culture of hopelessness! Seth proposes the benefits of the metamodernist approach and explains how the most rebellious amongst us aren’t those reliving the punk attitudes of the 70s but the people who are putting themselves out there, seemingly uncool and and being mocked for their efforts to create change. Enjoy! MORE INFO Seth’s new book Proof of Corruption is available now: https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250273000 Proof of Corruption concludes a series that includes 2018's Proof of Collusion and 2019's Proof of Conspiracy. Listen to Seth’s podcast, Proof: A Pre-Election Special, here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_mrr4WnNM5peXgfFU443Cg sethabramson.net Twitter: @SethAbramson Instagram: @seth.abramson
October 24, 2020
20 min
#155 The Science Of Self & ‘True’ Nature Of Reality (with Prof. Tom Oliver)
This week’s guest on Under The Skin is Prof. Tom Oliver! Tom is a Professor in Ecology at the University of Reading, a socio-ecological systems expert and senior fellow with the UK government informing environmental policy. He is the author of The Self Delusion which explores how people, animals, plants and the planet we live on are all intimately connected – and why that matters. We had an incredible conversation about the science of the self, how we are all interconnected at a level that’s beyond our own senses, and if science can make us feel more connected one another? More Info on Tom: THE SELF DELUSION by Tom Oliver is published by Weidenfeld & Nicolson in hardback, audio and ebook, and the paperback edition will be published on 21 January 2021. https://research.reading.ac.uk/social-and-applied-ecology/the-self-delusion/ TWITTER https://twitter.com/Tom_H_Oliver https://twitter.com/wnbooks https://twitter.com/orionbooks FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/WeidenfeldandNicolson/ https://www.facebook.com/OrionPublishingGroup/ INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/orionbooks/?hl=en https://www.instagram.com/wnbooks/?hl=en
October 17, 2020
16 min
#154 Why We Must Wake Up To Plastic Free Life (with Kate Nelson)
This week I spoke with Kate Nelson (AKA Plastic Free Mermaid)! Kate is an avid waterwoman, science communicator, plastics consultant, and author of “I Quit Plastics: And You Can Too”. We discuss how imminent the need to change the way we consume is, whether we have any power to change production and challenge big corporations, and why the culture of environmentalism, recycling and farmer’s markets has bourgeois connotations. What will make the majority of people change the way they behave? Activism Kate’s conservation work is currently centred in supporting two plastic activism causes: 1. Plastic Free Byron: a local initiative to help her hometown phase out single-use plastics. She is fundraising this through "Products with Purpose" that can be purchased on her website and she is documenting the process as a case study for others to implement in their towns. 2. Plastic Health Summit: an international summit on the emerging science on plastic's impact on humans and the environment. She is helping to report on and amplify this breaking research this month. Follow her on Instagram for entertaining educational solutions and tips to quit plastics PLUS updates on her current plastics activism campaigns. She translates science for top international plastics researchers through fascinating and fun interviews on her Youtube channel and Instagram channel. She prioritises this work due to the incredibly negative health implications caused by our daily overexposure to plastics--from synthetic carpets to plastic packaging to fast fashion. When she learned plastic doesn't biodegrade, she quit using plastics. When she learned our contact with plastic causes obesity, developmental disorders, cancer, heart disease, and infertility--she dedicated her career to helping translate this important science. The science which competes with the convenience plastic offers. Youtube: youtube.com/c/plasticfreemermaid Her book ‘I QUIT PLASTICS’ is available now: www.iquitplastics.com/book She offers in person Mermaid Retreats as well as an online Mermaid Retreat to adventure into one's higher purpose, deepen one's nature connection, meet like-minded mermaids, and quit plastics. Online Mermaid Retreat: www.plasticfreemermaid.teachable.com
October 10, 2020
22 min
#153 Breathe Your Way To Freedom (with Biet Simkin)
This week’s guest on Under The Skin is my friend Biet Simkin! Biet is a very popular meditation and breath work teacher. She has new book out called, “Don’t Just Sit There: 44 Insights to Get Your Meditation Practice Off the Cushion and Into the Real World” (https://amzn.to/2HD7UgY ). In this podcast talk about some of the 4th Way techniques that she employs in he work, we do a breath work demonstration and discuss how to inspire people to live a spiritual life without adding to the “woo woo” and skepticism that people often feel when presented with these ideas. Biet was raised by a Shaman in New York City and signed to Sony Records at the age of 19 as a singer/songwriter. She became a high-profile DJ in the fashion and art scene in Manhattan. Following a string of life changing events she turned to her lifetime study of meditation and launched the ‘Guided By Biet’ event series. Instagram: @guidedbybiet Website: Guidedbybiet.com
October 3, 2020
21 min

Under The Skin with Russell Brand

About this podcast

Categories

About this podcast

Categories

Under The Skin with Russell Brand

Episodes

#175 Death, Grief & Finding MEANING (with David Kessler)

#174 The Horror of Brand Power (with Joel Bakan)

#173 Can’t Get Him Out Of My Head Part #2 (with Adam Curtis)

#172 Can’t Get Him Out Of My Head Part #1 (with Adam Curtis)

#171 Understanding Our Divided Realities (with Jonathan Haidt)

#170 Self-Awareness & Parenting (with Philippa Perry)

#169 Tapping & Anxiety Hacks (with Nick Ortner)

#168 Holocaust Survivor: ‘Is History Repeating Itself?’ (with Dr. Edith Eger)

#167 Crossing boundaries and Reclaiming land (with Nick Hayes)

#165 The War For Your Consciousness (with Tristan Harris)

#164 Genetic Revolution (with Bruce Lipton)

#163 Music Is A Crucible (with Annie Lennox)

#160 Theology & Rhyming (with Tim Minchin)

#159 From Pain to Awakening (with Gabrielle Bernstein)

#158 Survival On The Edge Of Armageddon (with Ed Stafford)

#157 Genius In Man & Nature. Where Does It Come From? (with Carlo Rovelli)

#156 Salvation & Apocalypse In The Metamodern World (with Seth Abramson)

#155 The Science Of Self & ‘True’ Nature Of Reality (with Prof. Tom Oliver)

#154 Why We Must Wake Up To Plastic Free Life (with Kate Nelson)

#153 Breathe Your Way To Freedom (with Biet Simkin)