The Big Interview
In-depth conversations with global leaders in art, design, literature, politics, business, and food. Learn from the best about their craft and successes.
Latest Episodes
Mary Robinson
The former president of Ireland and ex-UN high commissioner for human rights devoted her life to standing up for gender equality and social justice around the world. Today, she is an outspoken climate-change campaigner. In conversation with Tom Edwards, she talks about her podcast ‘Mothers of invention’ and how she’s…
Kerry James Marshall
The celebrated Chicago-based artist, known for his figurative paintings depicting black figures using his signature black paint, sits down with Augustin Macellari to reflect on his early passion for painting, the influence of the European masters and the invisibility of black bodies in the western canon of art.
David Sedaris
The American humorist and bestselling author joins Georgina Godwin to discuss his latest book, ‘Calypso’. He muses over everything from family dynamics and awkward social situations to the boundaries of humour and the role of entertainment in a time of troubling politics.
Ian Bremmer
For our season finale we sit down with Bremmer, president and founder of Eurasia Group. He is one of the world’s leading political-risk experts, specialising in US foreign policy, states in transition and global political risk. He talks to Tom Edwards about his new book ‘Us vs Them: The Failure…
The chefs
Ahead of the publication of Monocle’s inaugural ‘Drinking & Dining Directory’, we hear from some of the great chefs and restaurateurs who have featured on past episodes of ‘The Big Interview’. Join Tom Edwards for a tasty mix of insights from the likes of Massimo Bottura, Ruth Rogers, Bill Granger…
Robert Harris
The author of numerous bestsellers, including ‘Fatherland’, ‘The Fear Index’ and ‘An Officer and a Spy’, sits down with Robert Bound to talk about his new novel ‘Munich’, as well as themes ranging from ancient Rome to contemporary politics and why it’s difficult to write political fiction in the modern…
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
The Nigerian novelist known for critically acclaimed titles such as ‘Half of a Yellow Sun’ and ‘Americanah’ joins Monocle foreign editor Megan Gibson to talk about being black in America, becoming a global feminist icon, Nigerian fashion and the challenges facing the Left.
Matthew Rolston
Celebrities from Oprah Winfrey to Prince and Beyonce have all appeared in front of Matthew Rolston’s lens. His glamorous photographs have appeared on the covers of ‘Rolling Stone’, ‘Harper’s Bazaar’, ‘Vogue’, ‘GQ’ and many more. Through the use of his signature lighting, he has become an icon of Hollywood photography.…
Vik Muniz
The acclaimed Brazilian visual artist and photographer Vik Muniz is best known for his bold and layered recreations of canonical artworks using a range of media. In conversation with Monocle’s Robert Bound, Muniz muses on the role of art, his fascination with illusion and image and his influences, which range…
Dame Jane Goodall
Renowned primatologist Dame Jane Goodall has spent nearly six decades researching our closest non-human relatives. Since her first trip to Tanzania in 1960 her work has vastly expanded our comprehension of chimpanzees. She talks to Andrew Mueller about her groundbreaking discoveries, chimpanzees’ sense of humour and the work still ahead.
