Listen to this ODNB podcast to learn about the life of the legendary footballer, George Best (1946-2005).

In 1961, Best joined Manchester United where, after a slow beginning, he established himself as one of the world's greatest footballers. Best possessed a wide range of skills, including pace, acceleration, stamina, and physical strength. He was also a great showman: to him football was about entertainment. 

This biography of George Best, written by Michael Crick, is taken from the 'Oxford Dictionary of National Biography'. Take a look at the ODNB Website to discover more about the people who shaped the history of the British Isles and beyond.

#ODNBPodcast

Image Credit: 'George Best, 13th October 1976', Nationaal Archief Fotocollectie Anefo (Dutch National Archives), CC by SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Oxford Biographies

George Best (1946-2005), footballer

In this episode, we discuss Chapter 5 of Cusk’s Outline alongside Chapters 3 to 5 of Taylor’s book, The Ethics of Authenticity. Taylor identifies a tension between the sense of identity which is derived from belonging to a community and contemporary culture’s emphasis on the importance of individual self-creation. We reflect on the ways in which Cusk’s book represents this tension.

Speaker names: 

•	Dr. Scarlett Baron, Associate Professor in the English Department at UCL.
•	Alice Harberd, PhD Student in the Philosophy Department at UCL.

3. The Ethics of Authenticity: Charles Taylor

In this episode, we discuss Chapter 6 of Cusk’s Outline alongside an essay by Murdoch called The Idea of Perfection. In this essay, Murdoch argues that the way we pay attention to the world is ethically significant. We talk about how Cusk’s narrator attends to the world, and what this leads the reader to infer about her character and sense of self. 

Speaker names: 

•	Dr. Scarlett Baron, Associate Professor in the English Department at UCL.
•	Alice Harberd, PhD Student in the Philosophy Department at UCL.


4. The Ethics of Attention: Iris Murdoch

Brought to you by Penguin.

The happily ever after is only part of the story… A funny, touching, hopeful gem about love, marriage and second chances

It’s the day before her daughter’s wedding and things are not going well for Gail Baines. First thing, she loses her job – or quits, depending who you ask. Then her ex-husband Max turns up at her door expecting to stay for the festivities. He doesn’t even have a suit. Instead, he’s brought memories, a shared sense of humour – and a cat looking for a new home.

Just as Gail is wondering what’s next, their daughter Debbie discovers her groom has been keeping a secret…

As the big day dawns, the exes just can’t agree on what’s best for Debbie. Gail is seriously worried, while Max seems more concerned with whether to opt for the salmon or prime rib at the reception, if they make it that far.

The day after the wedding, Gail and Max prepare to go their separate ways again. But all the questions about the future of the happy couple have stirred up the past for Gail. Because ‘happy’ takes many forms, and sometimes the younger generation has much to teach the older about secrets, acceptance and taking the rough with the smooth.

‘A joy to read in a single relaxing afternoon’ JACQUELINE WILSON

'Razor sharp on family, love and marriage' DAVID NICHOLLS

'Sublimely written and beautifully observed' - JOANNE FINNEY, GOOD HOUSEKEEPING

© Anne Tyler 2025 (P) Penguin Audio 2025

Three Days in June, written by Anne Tyler and read by J. Smith Cameron

Brought to you by Penguin.

If you have ADHD - or love somebody who does - DIRTY LAUNDRY will change your life, and your relationships.

Do you feel crippling shame because you struggle with cleaning, personal hygiene, or time-keeping? Do you always feel misunderstood by the people close to you and find that they get frustrated by your behaviour?

DIRTY LAUNDRY is an unfiltered look into the chaos of real life with ADHD. It will transform your self-hatred into self-acceptance, with simple tips that actually work for your brain. It will also help to educate partners, parents and friends, to help them move from frustration to patience, understanding - and love.

Learn how to:
Stop believing you are fundamentally broken
Stop judging yourself by the standards of a neurotypical world
Communicate your struggles to those who love you
Support someone with ADHD in ways that work for them
Be compassionate rather than judgemental
...and much more.

From the husband-and-wife team behind social media phenomenon @ADHD_Love, whose viral videos have been viewed more than 200 million times, comes a fearless, often outrageously funny, account of life, learning, and growing with ADHD. They share the strategies they have used to reduce shame, improve communication, and find happiness in their neurodivergent household.

Filled with heartbreak and humour in equal measure, DIRTY LAUNDRY is an invaluable resource both for neurodivergents and the people who love them.

©2023 Richard Pink and Roxanne Emery (P)2023 Penguin Audio

Dirty Laundry Why Adults with ADHD Are so Ashamed and What We Can Do to Help, written and read by Richard Pink and Roxanne Emery

Join co-hosts Brandon Nappi and Hannah Black in an engaging episode of The Leaders Way as they sit down with Linn Tonstad, Professor of Theology, Religion, and Sexuality at Yale Divinity School. In this episode, Tonstad shares her unique perspective on queer theology and how it relates to potential for social transformation. Perfect for Pride Month, this episode challenges us to envision a world with "a little less violence."

54: Queer Theology with Linn Tonstad

In this episode of Public Health Disrupted, hosts Xand van Tulleken and Rochelle Burgess dive into how we form beliefs, and how they shape our understanding of critical public health issues. From vaccination hesitancy to climate change, the episode explores the psychological mechanisms that lead to entrenched views and the challenges of changing minds. Joining them are Mia Forbes Pirie, a leading international mediator, and Dr. Kris De Meyer, Director of the UCL Climate Action Unit. Together, they share their insights on effective communication strategies that prioritise relationship-building over persuasion, emphasising the importance of empathy and understanding in discussions surrounding contentious topics. 

In this episode: 
- How beliefs are formed and why they can become entrenched. 
- The role of cultural identity in shaping opinions and the fear of social rejection. 
- Practical strategies for engaging with differing viewpoints and fostering meaningful dialogue. 

Public Health Disrupted is produced by UCL Health of the Public and edited by Annabelle Buckland at Decibelle Creative / @decibelle_creative.

Transcription link:
https://www.ucl.ac.uk/health-of-public/news-and-events/public-health-disrupted/season-5-ep-2-listening-connect-notes-and-transcript

Date of episode recording: 2025-03-10T00:00:00Z
Duration: 00:42:35
Language of episode: English
Presenter:Xand van Tulleken; Rochelle Burgess
Guests: Mia Forbes Pirie; Kris De Meyer
Producer: Fran Goldman (Producer) Annabelle Buckland (Editor)


Season 5 - Listening to connect: how understanding beliefs can transform public health

From smart buildings to robotics, solving sustainability problems to solving skill shortages, can the construction industry effectively harness the power of AI? Prof Priti Parikh is joined by Dr Abdul-Majeed Mahamadu, Dr Andrew Mitchell and Dr Vijay Pawar as they look at the construction sector and how it already is adapting to the use of artificial intelligence – the rate that is happening and the impact it will have now and in the future.

Date of episode recording: 2025-04-10T00:00:00Z
Duration: 34:31
Language of episode: English
Presenter:Prof. Priti Parikh
Guests: Dr Abdul-Majeed Mahamadu; Dr Andrew Mitchell; Dr Vijay Pawar
Producer: Adam Batstone; Chizoba Onyiuke


The Bartlett Review - The AI Blueprint for the Construction Industry

As summer kicks-off, UCL Generation One dives into the intersection of sport and sustainability – exploring how sport contributes to climate change, and how the climate crisis is already affecting how and where we play. 

Mark and Simon are joined by Sofie Junge Pedersen, professional footballer and climate campaigner (Inter Milan, Denmark national team) and Dan Hall (Sustainability Engagement Officer at UCL, Communications Manager for Football For Future). Dan and Sofie discuss the role of grassroots initiatives and player-led advocacy in promoting climate consciousness in the beautiful game. 

We also hear from Dr Russell Seymour, Senior Fellow at the Institute for Sport Business from Loughborough University, and the Chair of the British Association for Sustainable Sport. Russ breaks down the impact of climate change on sport, and the necessity for stronger government and organisational regulation to tackle climate change. 

From grassroots campaigns to global initiatives, tune in to hear what clubs, venues, and fans can do to build a more sustainable future for the sports we love. 

Link to Action FC actionfc.org/aramno-campaign

Transcript: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/climate-change/podcasts-videos/ucl-generation-one-climate-podcast 

Date of episode recording: 12 and 23 May 2025 

Duration: 49:51 
Language of episode: English  
Presenter: Professor Mark Maslin and Dr Simon Chin-Yee  
Guests: 
Dan Hall (UCL Sustainability, Football For Future) 
Sofie Junge Pederson (Inter Milan, Denmark national team) 
Dr Russell Seymour (Loughborough University, British Association for Sustainable Sport) 
Producers:  
Adam Batstone 
Caitlin Mullin

Season 5, Episode 7 - From sidelines to solutions: Tackling emissions in sport

Black Steel in the Hour of Chaos, 2008

The US-led international order is under strain from without and within. Authoritarian powers such as Russia and China are challenging the core tenets of global cooperation and conflict management. Rising states of the Global South like India, Brazil, and South Africa demand reformed multilateralism in the institutions of global governance, and the US and its Western allies face a domestic surge of right-wing populism that seeks to reverse the eighty-year-old open and interdependent system of international relations. At stake is democracy, a core tenet of American political life and foreign policy. 

 

To discuss and consider these issues, in May 2025, the LSE Phelan US Centre held the conference: International relations and Democracy in a Multipolar World. The conference brought together scholars and experts to examine how important these democratic discourses and practices are in the broader context of challenges to the US-led international order and the domestic contestation over the future direction of US foreign policy. 

 

The conference was convened by Phelan US Centre Affiliates Dr Rohan Mukherjee and Dr Luca Tardelli of LSE’s International Relations Department, and by Theresa Squatrito also of LSE’s Department of International Relations and Mathias Koenig-Archibugi of LSE’s Department of Government. 

 

In this episode of The Ballpark, we speak to Rohan Mukherjee and Theresa Squatrito about the main themes and takeaways from the conference. We also talked to three of the conference participants, Agnes Yu (LSE Department of Government), Farsan Ghassim (University of Oxford), and Tim Murithi (University of Cape Town), about their thoughts on the future of democracy and global governance. 

  

This episode of The Ballpark was produced by Chris Gilson and Luke Digweed.   

 

LSE: The Ballpark | International relations and Democracy in a Multipolar World

Oxford University Press’s academic insights for the thinking world combine authority, innovation, and excellence.  We share audio resources for students, scholars, and researchers.

George Best (1946-2005), footballer

Oxford Academic (OUP)

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