Our Top 5 Picks For Who To See at #LIFI23

The wait is no more – the Leeds International Festival of Ideas is returning once again, inviting bright minds along to hear from a host of key influential speakers from across the industry. Being hosted at the Leeds Playhouse in the heart of the city, fans of the festival can buy tickets to hear from an exceptional host of talks, panels and interviews, surrounding some of the most current and important discussions facing the present day. 

The four day festival welcomes famous and influential speakers to Leeds to discuss a range of thought provoking topics. From cryptocurrency to grief, entertainment to women’s health, the conversations offer new and diverse perspectives from a wide range of backgrounds. Some key speakers in attendance this year include renowned actor Christopher Eccleston, restaurateur and television presenter Dame Prue Leith, Diary of CEO podcaster and business mogul Steven Bartlett, UK drag star Bimini and performer and best selling author Ruby Wax OBE. The festival aims to provide a platform to people to share their ideas and insights, and utilising these leading experts is a great way to introduce large audiences to new concepts. 

The 2 month to go countdown comes as Steven Bartlett’s ‘A New Generation of Entrepreneurship’ and panel talk “When Will Women’s Health Be Taken Seriously?” are officially sold out, and other prominent talks, including Ruby Wax OBE’s “My Journey To Mindfulness”, have few tickets remaining. Those not hot enough on tickets for the shows running low can rest assured that waiting lists will be made available soon, and can also grab some seats at some of the other discussions the Festival has on offer. 

If you’re a little stuck on which of these talks will be your top pick, we’ve listed 5 of the upcoming shows we’re most looking forward to.

Other Side of the Coin 

Cryptocurrency – it’s the word on everybody’s lips. From big time bankers to everyday investors, the digital financial system is an emblem of speculation, conspiracy and fear. BBC Presenter Naga Munchetty is joined by leading experts in the field, hearing the opinions of Deputy Bank of England Governor Sir Jon Cunliffe, and Tom Duff Gordon – Vice President of cryptocurrency platform ‘Coinbase’. 

In a time of heightened financial insecurity and the mass monitoring of economic systems, you can expect to hear the truth about what a cashless society could look like, and how it will impact each and every one of us. 

Buy tickets for ‘Other Side of the Coin” HERE.

Invisible Rule of Law

With his hit TV show ‘Judge Rinder’ and numerous reality TV appearances aside, Rob Rinder boasts an impressive resume as one of the UK’s most influential barristers, with over 20 years of expertise. On 28 September, he will be joined by award winning broadcast journalist Charlotte “Lotty” Leeming, who will be discussing the “Invisible Rule of Law”.

The talk delves into the way the law influences every aspect of our lives, from the obvious to the mundane. Whilst the law may be invisible, it underpins every foundation of our society, from the advertisements we consume, to the number of cameras that record us, to the control of who can and can’t build on British soil. In this thought provoking discussion, unpick the rules of law that govern us all.

Buy tickets for ‘Invisible Rule of Law’ HERE.

Can Living the Good Life Help Save Our Planet?

We live in a world of weather disasters, fast paced technological advancements and economic uncertainty, inviting many to revert back to living the “good life”. In the midst of a cost of living crisis and the end to a global pandemic, now is the perfect time to welcome a sustainable lifestyle, with many embracing a slower, natural and morally fulfilling routine. 

But, will questioning the legitimacy of our supply chains and revolting against the status quo truly be enough to curb climate change? LIFI23 welcomes speakers Matt Baker MBE, Banjo Beale, Flavia Cacace-Mistry, Clare Lewis and Douglas McMaster, as they promote their motivations for living innovatively and sustainably, from farming and off-grid living, to slow fashion and upcycling.

Buy tickets for “Can Living the Good Life Save Our Planet?” HERE.

What’s Our Obsession With True Crime?

The current entertainment industry is so saturated that it can be difficult to make a show, podcast or movie that cuts through the competition. However, there’s one topic always hot in everyone’s heads when it comes to a late night in front of the TV – true crime. From serial killers to kidnappers, we relish in the horrific and the horrifying, bombarded by increasingly shocking content from every corner of the media. But, what is it that sets this morbid curiosity into motion?

Join leading experts Louise Shorter, Richard McCann, Dr Coltan Scrivner, Gemma Whelan and Mark Williams-Thomas, as this panel delves into the weird and wonderful fascination of True Crime. 

Buy tickets for “What’s Our Obsession with True Crime?” HERE.

Who Does Our Political System Benefit? 

Polarisation is on the rise, along with a growing sense of detachment between everyday people and the governments who control them. With the current political landscape at the forefront of radical change, economic turmoil and international tensions, many are questioning the effectiveness of our current leaders and the systems they try so hard to keep in place. Amid this dreary political mood, will we ever rebuild true faith in politics? 

In a time of a political uncertainty, this panel discussion is needed now more than ever. Join award-winning television journalist Jon Sopel as he talks to a host of key speakers in the field of politics, such as Tom Brake, Magid Magid, Amber Rudd and Scarlett Westbrook. 

Buy tickets for “Who Does Our Political System Benefit” HERE.

Have your brains picked this Summer at the Leeds International Festival of Ideas, taking place between 27-30 September 2023, we can assure this is not one to be missed.