The inimitable Stephen Fry joins us for a warm and witty conversation, sharing stories from his rich and varied career, as a writer, actor, director, TV host, memoirist and all around polymath.
Stephen talks about his latest acting projects with his signature charm, giving listeners a peek behind the curtain of his work in television and film. Fry also reflects on his adventures filming documentaries and traveling across America, offering humorous and heartfelt insights into the people and cultures he encountered along the way.
As the conversation turns to his writing, Fry opens up about his deep love for classical myths, explaining why these ancient stories still captivate him—and why they continue to speak to us today. He also shares his thoughtful views on religion, exploring the connections between mythology and belief with the kind of sharp intellect and humor that have won him renown the world over. Whether discussing his work, travels, or philosophical musings, Fry’s passion and warmth make this episode an engaging and entertaining listen.
Chapters:
00:00 - Introduction
02:09 - Stephen Fry's Recent Projects
03:30 - The Film 'Treasure'
12:17 - Television Career
16:59 - Adventures with Douglas Adams and Endangered Species
21:33 - The Body Farm Experience
29:25 - Exploring Mythology and Upcoming Book 'Odyssey'
37:20 - The Universality of Dragon Myths
38:15 - The Aeneid and the Roman Legacy
39:05 - Biblical and Greek Mythological Connections
41:17 - The Appeal of Greek Mythology
47:16 - Tolkien's Mythological Inspirations
51:02 - The Evolution of Mythological Characters
59:02 - The Axial Age and the Birth of Philosophy
01:00:54 - Atheism and the Sublime in Art
01:07:26 - The Corruption and Evolution of Religious Institutions
01:16:00 - The Printing Revolution and Its Impact
01:18:23 - Conclusion
Stephen Fry:
- Website: https://www.stephenfry.com/
- IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000410/
- X: https://x.com/stephenfry?lang=en
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stephenfryactually/?hl=en
The Glenn Gould Foundation:
- https://www.glenngould.ca
- https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-glenn-gould-foundation/
- https://www.youtube.com/@theglenngouldfoundation
- https://www.facebook.com/TheGlennGouldFoundation/
- https://twitter.com/GlennGouldFndn
- https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-glenn-gould-foundation/
- Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3E4NjSP86kUnBxc3iVMQDs
- Podcast: https://pod.link/thegouldstandard