The Culture Counter

Former Cabinet minister and British Army officer Johnny Mercer joined us in Leo's on the release day of his new book, No Way To Run A Country. Mercer reflected on his nine turbulent years in Parliament, serving under five prime ministers, and shared the stories behind his candid, insightful and often darkly funny account of modern British politics.

In this episode of The Culture Counter, we we're joined by Eleanor Palfrey, UK art curator for Deutsche Bank. We discuss all things banking and art as well Palfrey's journey into the industry.

Parenthood, identity, and emotional resilience come into focus in a thoughtful discussion led by Dr. Sarah Rasmi, licensed Psychologist & Founder of Thrive Wellbeing Centre and Michelle Estekantchi, M.Ed. & licensed Psychologist at Thrive Wellbeing Centre examining how to lead with steadiness rather than certainty through the shifting realities of family life. Drawing on professional insight and personal experience, the conversation offers space for reflection, honesty, and practical wisdom around navigating change, selfhood, and connection within modern family dynamics.

We are thrilled to welcome Moeen Ali OBE. World Cup champion, celebrated all-rounder, and one of cricket’s most distinctive voices. Beyond his achievements on the field, Moeen reflects on his journey as a professional athlete, his experience receiving the Order of the British Empire, and the personal values that have shaped his leadership and global influence. The conversation touches on the demands of elite sport, identity in the public eye, philanthropy, mentorship, and the responsibility that accompanies success, offering rare first-hand insight from the world stage to the quieter moments that defined his discipline and resilience.

In this episode, Blanche Parris, Head of Cultural Programming at The Arts Club, is joined by History Hit host and bestselling author Tristan Hughes, to explore two of history’s most legendary figures: the mythical hero Odysseus and the legendary conqueror Alexander the Great. In celebration of Christoper Nolan’s release of the ancient Greek epic The Odyssey, they discuss how myth and history intertwine, why these ancient figures continue to captivate us, and what their stories reveal about heroism, ambition and legacy.

This episode features Jonathan Caplan KC, one of the UK’s most high-profile and well-respected barristers, speaking on his new book Not For Disclosure, in conversation with Madison Marriage, former Editor of Special Investigations at the Financial Times and now Investigations Team Leader at Bloomberg.Not For Disclosure is a landmark study of Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAPs), previously known as UFOs, drawing on five decades of research, global sources, and newly released material exploring one of the most debated subjects of our time. The book includes significant new material including information about JFK, as well as secret meetings held by President Truman and Secretary Forrestal.

Silicon Valley–based sex tech expert Kaamna Bhojwani explores how advances in AI and robotics are reshaping intimacy, relationships, and human connection in conversation with Blanche Parris, Head of Cultural Programming at The Arts Club. From AI chatbots to increasingly humanlike humanoid robots, she examines a future where the boundaries between digital and physical relationships are becoming ever more fluid. The session will consider the opportunities and challenges of a world in which intimacy can be accessed in new ways and what it is to be human in the age of AI.

A fireside chat between Francesco Sciortino, Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Proxima Fusion, and Devika Thapar, Co-founder and General Partner at Wilbe, brings the global race toward energy abundance into focus. Together, they explore the promise of fusion energy, the scientific and commercial challenges ahead, and what it will take to move fusion from breakthrough research to a scalable, world-changing power source.

With summer approaching, host Blanche Parris sits down with two leading voices in functional medicine to explore how to support our health holistically, treating root causes rather than symptoms, and how to navigate the season's many temptations without losing our footing. A practical, expert-led conversation for anyone looking to feel their best.Featuring Dr Nikita Glover, physician, member of the Royal College of Physicians and Royal College of GPs, and lecturer in Culinary Medicine at UCL Medical School, and Neetha Lobo, nutritional advisor, functional health coach, and founder of the Hampstead Nutrition Practice. Both practitioners at Lanserhof at The Arts Club.Dr Nikita Gloverhttps://lhtac.com/team/dr-nikita-grover/Neetha Lobohttps://lhtac.com/team/neetha-lobo/

This panel discussion explores the increasingly divisive politics of rewilding and its impact on the future of the UK countryside, spanning environmental ambition, food security, rural livelihoods, and economic reality. Featuring conservationist and bestselling author Isabella Tree, agricultural diplomat Dr Kevin Parris, rewilding practitioner and founder of the Thousand Year Project Merlin Hanbury-Tenison, and Countryside Alliance CEO Tim Bonner, with moderation from journalist William Sitwell of The Telegraph, it offers a focused look at the cultural and policy tensions at the heart of the debate.