93. Fred MacAulay on a crisis of confidence, grief and the true power of comedy

On January 28th, 2009, a rehearsed stunt on set of Harry Potter went horrifically wrong. David, who for a decade was the lead stunt double for his friend Daniel Radcliffe, was left paralysed from the chest down.A number of long and dangerous operations followed, many of them lifesaving. David survived but his condition is degenerative - each year bringing yet more challenge for him.From being an elite gymnast and professional stunt double for the most famous boy in the world at the time… as someone who was defined by their physicality … David’s accident stripped of his identity.His story – told brilliantly in the moving documentary David Holmes: The Boy Who Lived and now in his autobiography - is more than one of survival. It is the story of someone who decided to reject bitterness about his old life to pursue a new one full of meaning and purpose. As David puts it: “I’m having a unique journey on this planet, and I am going to own it.”David is now a podcaster, producer, author … and an inspiration to all that meet him. He is speaking at Creative Folkestone Festival on 21st November. Secure your tickets now: https://www.creativefolkestone.org.uk/whats-on/david-holmes-harry-potterandrsquos-double/?book=566337Thank you David for sharing your remarkable perspective, positivity and wisdom.Links    David’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/davidholmes83/?hl=en  Book The Boy Who Lived: https://amzn.eu/d/auagBtq  Documentary David Holmes: The Boy Who Lived: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/video/detail/B0CN4X1Q8B/ref=atv_dp_share_cu_r  Charities The Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital: https://www.rnohcharity.org/  Stream/buy ‘Allies’ by Some Velvet Morning: https://ampl.ink/qp6bm    Some Velvet Morning Website: www.somevelvetmorning.co.uk      Your Daily Practice: Sleep by Myndstream: https://open.spotify.com/track/5OX9XgJufFz9g63o2Dv2i5?si=b2f9397c92084682    This podcast is brought to you by Crisis What Crisis? Productions and Coulson PartnersHost – Andy Coulson   CWC team: Jane Sankey, Louise Difford, Mabel PickeringWith special thanks to Ioana Barbu and the brilliant people at Global      For all PR and guest approaches please contact – [email protected]     

On the face of it, magazine guru Lindsay Nicholson has had a brilliant, glamorous and high-powered career. Yet she achieved all this whilst her own life has been marked with crisis, with drama and the most unimaginable grief.  Here are her three crisis comforts which helped and continue to help her survive and thrive through the most extreme and painful experiences.  Full episode https://www.crisiswhatcrisis.com/series/series-7/  Links    Lindsay’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lindsayannenicholson/Lindsay’s X: https://x.com/linsnicholson    BookPerfect Bound: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Perfect-Bound-memoir-trauma-heartbreak/dp/0008685274  Charities: Riding for the Disabled: https://rda.org.uk/  Stream/buy ‘Allies’ by Some Velvet Morning: https://ampl.ink/qp6bm    Some Velvet Morning Website: www.somevelvetmorning.co.uk      Your Daily Practice: Sleep by Myndstream: https://open.spotify.com/track/5OX9XgJufFz9g63o2Dv2i5?si=b2f9397c92084682    This podcast is brought to you by Crisis What Crisis? Productions and Coulson PartnersHost – Andy Coulson   CWC team: Jane Sankey, Louise Difford, Mabel PickeringWith special thanks to Ioana Barbu and the brilliant people at Global    

Lindsay Nicholson transformed some of our best-known magazine titles including Cosmopolitan, Prima and, most famously, Good Housekeeping. On the face of it a brilliant, glamorous and high-powered career for which she was awarded an MBE in 2018.  But Lindsay achieved all this whilst her own life was marked with crisis, with drama and the most unimaginable grief. In 1992 Lindsay lost her first husband, the journalist John Merritt, when she was pregnant with their second child, Hope. Five years later, their nine-year-old daughter Ellie died from the same rare form of leukaemia.  Lindsay then faced her own ten-year battle with breast cancer.  She came through but then, in 2016, in a series of events following a near death car crash, her life unravelled. The result? The end of her second marriage, a lost home, a lost job and – for a while – a damaged reputation. A set of circumstances that truly took her to the brink.  Lindsay’s brilliant new memoir – Perfect Bound is not only a compelling read it’s in many ways a field guide on how to cope when faced with real difficulty. In this episode she shares her astonishing story and the invaluable lessons of how to survive and thrive through the most extreme and painful experiences.  Links    Lindsay’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lindsayannenicholson/Lindsay’s X: https://x.com/linsnicholson    Book Perfect Bound: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Perfect-Bound-memoir-trauma-heartbreak/dp/0008685274  CharitiesRiding for the Disabled: https://rda.org.uk/  Stream/buy ‘Allies’ by Some Velvet Morning: https://ampl.ink/qp6bm   Some Velvet Morning Website: www.somevelvetmorning.co.uk      Your Daily Practice: Sleep by Myndstream: https://open.spotify.com/track/5OX9XgJufFz9g63o2Dv2i5?si=b2f9397c92084682    This podcast is brought to you by Crisis What Crisis? Productions and Coulson PartnersHost – Andy Coulson   CWC team: Jane Sankey, Louise Difford, Mabel PickeringWith special thanks to Ioana Barbu and the brilliant people at Global      For all PR and guest approaches please contact – [email protected]   

Adventurer Charley Boorman - whose life is full of motorbike journeys, personal challenge, crisis and resilience – shares his three crisis comforts.  Full episode https://www.crisiswhatcrisis.com/podcasts/charley-boorman-on-severe-dyslexia-loss-and-the-motorbike-crash-that-almost-claimed-his-life/  Links    Charley’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/charleyboorman/?hl=enCharley’s website: https://www.charleyboorman.com/  Charities: UNICEF: http://www.unicef.org.uk/Dyslexia Action: http://dyslexiaaction.org.ukUnited World Schools: http://www.unitedworldschools.org/  Stream/buy ‘Allies’ by Some Velvet Morning: https://ampl.ink/qp6bm    Some Velvet Morning Website: www.somevelvetmorning.co.uk      Your Daily Practice: Sleep by Myndstream: https://open.spotify.com/track/5OX9XgJufFz9g63o2Dv2i5?si=b2f9397c92084682    This podcast is brought to you by Crisis What Crisis? Productions and Coulson PartnersHost – Andy Coulson   CWC team: Jane Sankey, Louise Difford, Mabel PickeringWith special thanks to Ioana Barbu and the brilliant people at Global      For all PR and guest approaches please contact – [email protected]  

You know him from his epic road trips with Ewan McGregor in Long Way Round, Down and Up but adventurer Charley Boorman’s life is full of journeys of an entirely different kind … of personal challenge, crisis and resilience.As a child actor Charley, the son of director John Boorman, starred in movies including The Emerald Forest but severe dyslexia got in the way.  He then faced the devastating loss of his beloved sister before his own health crisis with cancer.  Working as a builder, Charley found his true purpose and passion after becoming friends with fellow motorbike obsessive actor Ewan McGregor.  Their hugely successful TV show followed, as did a series of crashes – one in 2018 that almost claimed Charley’s life.  He continues to embrace a life of daring adventure proving that, for him, action truly is the antidote for despair.  Links    Charley’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/charleyboorman/?hl=enCharley’s website: https://www.charleyboorman.com/  Charities: UNICEF: http://www.unicef.org.uk/Dyslexia Action: http://dyslexiaaction.org.ukUnited World Schools: http://www.unitedworldschools.org/  Stream/buy ‘Allies’ by Some Velvet Morning: https://ampl.ink/qp6bm    Some Velvet Morning Website: www.somevelvetmorning.co.uk      Your Daily Practice: Sleep by Myndstream: https://open.spotify.com/track/5OX9XgJufFz9g63o2Dv2i5?si=b2f9397c92084682    This podcast is brought to you by Crisis What Crisis? Productions and Coulson PartnersHost – Andy Coulson   CWC team: Jane Sankey, Louise Difford, Mabel Pickering With special thanks to Ioana Barbu and the brilliant people at Global     For all PR and guest approaches please contact – [email protected]   

On the night of September 30, 2022, at High Barnet station, Sarah de Lagarde slipped between the train and the platform. She lost two limbs and almost her life.  With resilience and an unyielding spirit, Sarah has embarked on a journey of recovery and of advocacy.  Sarah’s story is one that tells a truly shocking story but also provides insight and learnings for us all. Here are her three crisis comforts.  Links    Sarah’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sjdelagarde/?hl=enSarah’s website: www.sarahdelagarde.com  Charities: STAND https://stand.ngo/2024/05/30/we-are-stand/  Stream/buy ‘Allies’ by Some Velvet Morning: https://ampl.ink/qp6bm    Some Velvet Morning Website: www.somevelvetmorning.co.uk      Your Daily Practice: Sleep by Myndstream: https://open.spotify.com/track/5OX9XgJufFz9g63o2Dv2i5?si=b2f9397c92084682    This podcast is brought to you by Crisis What Crisis? Productions and Coulson PartnersHost – Andy Coulson   CWC team: Jane Sankey, Louise Difford, Mabel PickeringWith special thanks to Ioana Barbu and the brilliant people at Global      For all PR and guest approaches please contact – [email protected]   

On the night of September 30, 2022, at High Barnet station, Sarah de Lagarde slipped between the train and the platform.  Trapped there, unseen and unheard, Sarah was hit by the train as it left the station, severing her right arm. 11 minutes after she first fell, she was struck by a second tube as it entered the station, crushing her right leg.  In the aftermath of this unimaginable accident, Sarah faced long term physical and emotional challenges. Yet, with resilience and an unyielding spirit, Sarah has embarked on a journey of recovery and of advocacy.  She recently climbed Kilimanjaro in August to raise money for STAND, a charity that supports amputees in conflict zones and developing countries.  Sarah’s story is one of unbelievable strength, of putting an appalling crisis to positive work for others without bitterness. An episode that tells a truly shocking story but also provides insight and learnings for us all.  Links    Sarah’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sjdelagarde/?hl=enSarah’s website: www.sarahdelagarde.com  Charities: STAND https://stand.ngo/2024/05/30/we-are-stand/  Stream/buy ‘Allies’ by Some Velvet Morning: https://ampl.ink/qp6bm    Some Velvet Morning Website: www.somevelvetmorning.co.uk     Your Daily Practice: Sleep by Myndstream: https://open.spotify.com/track/5OX9XgJufFz9g63o2Dv2i5?si=b2f9397c92084682    This podcast is brought to you by Crisis What Crisis? Productions and Coulson PartnersHost – Andy Coulson   CWC team: Jane Sankey, Louise Difford, Mabel PickeringWith special thanks to Ioana Barbu and the brilliant people at Global      For all PR and guest approaches please contact – [email protected]  

Dylan Jones is a true titan of the world of media … someone who has helped shape the cultural landscape of the UK for the last four decades. Throughout our full conversation, which is courageous and, at times difficult, Dylan’s resilience and, as he puts it, ‘very particular’ approach to crisis shines through.   Here are his three crisis comforts which helped and continue to help him maintain an incredibly positive attitude.   Full episode https://www.crisiswhatcrisis.com/podcasts/dylan-jones-on-a-violent-childhood-recovery-from-rape-and-life-shaping-headlines/     LinksDylan’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/DylanJones/?hl=en-gb   CharitiesHoffman process: https://www.hoffmaninstitute.co.uk/about-the-process/Rape Crisis: https://rapecrisis.org.uk/find-a-centre/   BooksThese Foolish Things (2024): https://www.amazon.co.uk/These-Foolish-Things-Dylan-Jones/dp/1408719851      Stream/buy ‘Allies’ by Some Velvet Morning: https://ampl.ink/qp6bm    Some Velvet Morning Website: www.somevelvetmorning.co.uk      Your Daily Practice: Sleep by Myndstream: https://open.spotify.com/track/5OX9XgJufFz9g63o2Dv2i5?si=b2f9397c92084682    Host – Andy Coulson   CWC team: Jane Sankey, Louise Difford, Mabel Pickering   With special thanks to Ioana Barbu and the brilliant people at Global      For all PR and guest approaches please contact – [email protected]

Dylan Jones is a true titan of the world of media … someone who has helped shape the cultural landscape of the UK for the last four decades.  A lad from High Wycombe who rose to become one of the best connected and sharpest operators here and in the US … along the way editing GQ magazine 22-year years, writing or editing over 25 books and picking up a cabinet full of awards including an OBE.  He is now Editor in Chief of London’s Evening Standard.  Dylan’s latest book – his memoir These Foolish Things, tells the story of this successful, glamourous life in rich detail, but is also a moving, revealing story of success in spite of a number of deeply personal crises.   Dylan’s childhood was blighted by physical and emotional abuse at the hands of his ex-RAF officer father – beatings that left him with a stammer and scars you don’t see.  Having escaped to seek freedom and a life in London, Dylan – as a 17-year-old – was raped.  Throughout this courageous and, at times difficult, conversation, Dylan’s resilience and, as he puts it, ‘very particular’ approach to crisis shines through.  Links    Dylan’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/DylanJones/?hl=en-gb  CharitiesHoffman process: https://www.hoffmaninstitute.co.uk/about-the-process/Rape Crisis: https://rapecrisis.org.uk/find-a-centre/  BooksThese Foolish Things (2024): https://www.amazon.co.uk/These-Foolish-Things-Dylan-Jones/dp/1408719851  Stream/buy ‘Allies’ by Some Velvet Morning: https://ampl.ink/qp6bm   Some Velvet Morning Website: www.somevelvetmorning.co.uk      Your Daily Practice: Sleep by Myndstream: https://open.spotify.com/track/5OX9XgJufFz9g63o2Dv2i5?si=b2f9397c92084682    This podcast is brought to you by Crisis What Crisis? Productions and Coulson PartnersHost – Andy Coulson   CWC team: Jane Sankey, Louise Difford, Mabel PickeringWith special thanks to Ioana Barbu and the brilliant people at Global      For all PR and guest approaches please contact – [email protected]

Dr Rachel Clarke is a dedicated palliative care doctor, passionate NHS advocate and bestselling author. In this conversation, Rachel helps us look hard at how we talk about – or too often fail to talk about - death. I urge you to listen to the full episode but for now, here are Rachel’s three crisis comforts.Links    Rachel’s Twitter: https://x.com/doctor_oxford  CharityHospice Ukraine: https://www.hospiceukraine.com/what-we-do  Books2024: The Story of a Heart  TV adaptation of BreathtakingBreathtaking. ITV. 2024. https://www.itv.com/watch/breathtaking/10a4089  Stream/buy ‘Allies’ by Some Velvet Morning: https://ampl.ink/qp6bm    Some Velvet Morning Website: www.somevelvetmorning.co.uk      Your Daily Practice: Sleep by Myndstream: https://open.spotify.com/track/5OX9XgJufFz9g63o2Dv2i5?si=b2f9397c92084682    This podcast is brought to you by Crisis What Crisis? Productions and Coulson Partners Host – Andy Coulson   CWC team: Jane Sankey, Louise Difford, Mabel PickeringWith special thanks to Ioana Barbu and the brilliant people at Global      For all PR and guest approaches please contact – [email protected]