Episode
E201: Stephen Fry: “Lost, alone and I wanted to take my life”
1:35:34
Published: Mon Dec 05 2022
Description
To call Stephen Fry a national treasure would be underselling him. One of the hardest working names in British media, you name it and Stephen has done it; writer, actor, director and comedian. The size of his contribution to British culture in over four decades as a public figure is staggering. However, behind this mountain of work and out of the spotlight is a side of Stephen Fry that many people will be completely unaware of, from a childhood of crime and loneliness, to severe mental health struggles and attempts at suicide. In this honest and revealing conversation Stephen discusses the scars he carries within him and which affect him to this day. But despite this he is constantly reinventing himself and striving to find joy in the smaller things in life, all the while spreading happiness and wonder with his work. Topics: Early context Credit card fraud - getting arrested Feeling like an outsider Going to Cambridge Why acting? Where happiness really comes from How can we change who we are? What has changed from the core of your younger self Lowest moment in your life Manic depression Your relationship with social media Depressive lows Why have you been successful Are we all artists? What creates a good life for you? Last guest question Stephen: Instagram - https://bit.ly/3un1E3d Watch the episodes on Youtube: https://g2ul0.app.link/3kxINCANKsb Follow us on Telegram: https://g2ul0.app.link/E5re0ADNKsb Confidential helplines and sources of support: Samaritans 116 123 / samaritans.org Papyrus - Prevention of Young Suicide 0800 068 41 41 www.papyrus-uk.org Maytree - A sanctuary for the suicidal 02072637070 / https://www.maytree.org.uk Calm Campaign Against Living Miserably 0800 58 58 58 / www.thecalmzone.net Sponsors: Intel - https://bit.ly/3UVp3UC use our code evoceo15 for 15% off at John Lewis Mercedes-Benz - https://bit.ly/3yXTQI1 Huel - https://g2ul0.app.link/G4RjcdKNKsb BlueJeans - https://g2ul0.app.link/NCgpGjVNKsb
Chapters
In this podcast, Stephen Fry discusses his troubled childhood and how it shaped him into the person he is today.
00:00 - 02:00 (02:00)
Summary
In this podcast, Stephen Fry discusses his troubled childhood and how it shaped him into the person he is today.
EpisodeE201: Stephen Fry: “Lost, alone and I wanted to take my life”
PodcastThe Diary Of A CEO with Steven Bartlett
Stephen Fry recounts his experience boarding school in Gloucestershire from the age of seven and how he was deemed disruptive.
02:00 - 10:02 (08:01)
Summary
Stephen Fry recounts his experience boarding school in Gloucestershire from the age of seven and how he was deemed disruptive. He later moved to a public school at the age of 13.
EpisodeE201: Stephen Fry: “Lost, alone and I wanted to take my life”
PodcastThe Diary Of A CEO with Steven Bartlett
The speaker shares their experience of being on probation at a young age, overcoming academic challenges, and later discovering the diagnosis of bipolar disorder.
10:02 - 15:54 (05:52)
Summary
The speaker shares their experience of being on probation at a young age, overcoming academic challenges, and later discovering the diagnosis of bipolar disorder.
EpisodeE201: Stephen Fry: “Lost, alone and I wanted to take my life”
PodcastThe Diary Of A CEO with Steven Bartlett
Performing in a long-running play can be both exhilarating and anxiety-inducing, even after many months of doing the same thing every night.
15:54 - 22:03 (06:08)
Summary
Performing in a long-running play can be both exhilarating and anxiety-inducing, even after many months of doing the same thing every night. The rush of performing is rooted in a primal feeling that is hard to shake.
EpisodeE201: Stephen Fry: “Lost, alone and I wanted to take my life”
PodcastThe Diary Of A CEO with Steven Bartlett
The podcast explores the purpose of getting older and how it is not to become stagnant.
22:03 - 29:36 (07:33)
Summary
The podcast explores the purpose of getting older and how it is not to become stagnant. The conversation discusses the different ways people can redefine their goals to avoid falling into a state of depression.
EpisodeE201: Stephen Fry: “Lost, alone and I wanted to take my life”
PodcastThe Diary Of A CEO with Steven Bartlett
David Brin discusses the ethical concerns surrounding the creation of sentient beings and how it impacts human civilization.
29:36 - 33:50 (04:13)
Summary
David Brin discusses the ethical concerns surrounding the creation of sentient beings and how it impacts human civilization.
EpisodeE201: Stephen Fry: “Lost, alone and I wanted to take my life”
PodcastThe Diary Of A CEO with Steven Bartlett
The podcast hosts discuss how the core of their identities has and has not changed over time, and mull over whether this essence can be quantified or separated from the body.
33:50 - 38:22 (04:31)
Summary
The podcast hosts discuss how the core of their identities has and has not changed over time, and mull over whether this essence can be quantified or separated from the body.
EpisodeE201: Stephen Fry: “Lost, alone and I wanted to take my life”
PodcastThe Diary Of A CEO with Steven Bartlett
The episode discusses the convenience of buying a laptop with Intel’s seal of approval and the shift in attitudes towards marriage equality.
38:22 - 43:38 (05:15)
Summary
The episode discusses the convenience of buying a laptop with Intel’s seal of approval and the shift in attitudes towards marriage equality.
EpisodeE201: Stephen Fry: “Lost, alone and I wanted to take my life”
PodcastThe Diary Of A CEO with Steven Bartlett
In this episode, the speaker shares his experience of travelling from Denmark to England, where he had been teaching English and writing poetry.
43:38 - 49:23 (05:45)
Summary
In this episode, the speaker shares his experience of travelling from Denmark to England, where he had been teaching English and writing poetry. He reflects on the role of technology at that time and how it impacted communication during his travels.
EpisodeE201: Stephen Fry: “Lost, alone and I wanted to take my life”
PodcastThe Diary Of A CEO with Steven Bartlett
Manic depression is a combination of depression and mania.
49:23 - 56:30 (07:07)
Summary
Manic depression is a combination of depression and mania. It is a chronic condition that can be controlled with therapies like exercise, gardening, music making, and knitting.
EpisodeE201: Stephen Fry: “Lost, alone and I wanted to take my life”
PodcastThe Diary Of A CEO with Steven Bartlett
The speaker talks about walking around Regent's Park and listening to audiobooks, choosing books that they had not read before or always meant to read.
56:30 - 1:01:08 (04:38)
Summary
The speaker talks about walking around Regent's Park and listening to audiobooks, choosing books that they had not read before or always meant to read.
EpisodeE201: Stephen Fry: “Lost, alone and I wanted to take my life”
PodcastThe Diary Of A CEO with Steven Bartlett
The idea of free speech is crucial for people to speak their minds, share ideas and thoughts without fear, and work towards peaceful co-existence.
1:01:08 - 1:05:40 (04:31)
Summary
The idea of free speech is crucial for people to speak their minds, share ideas and thoughts without fear, and work towards peaceful co-existence. This is especially important in the journey towards mental health, which has recently gained public attention with the work of charities such as Mind, whose president is a notable guest in the podcast discussion.
EpisodeE201: Stephen Fry: “Lost, alone and I wanted to take my life”
PodcastThe Diary Of A CEO with Steven Bartlett
Even though it can be difficult to share personal struggles with family or friends, holding onto those closest to you can provide a sense of stability and remind you that what you're going through is real and will eventually pass.
1:05:40 - 1:09:04 (03:24)
Summary
Even though it can be difficult to share personal struggles with family or friends, holding onto those closest to you can provide a sense of stability and remind you that what you're going through is real and will eventually pass. In the end, having a support system is crucial in overcoming mental health challenges.
EpisodeE201: Stephen Fry: “Lost, alone and I wanted to take my life”
PodcastThe Diary Of A CEO with Steven Bartlett
Research suggests that individuals with a history of mental health issues may have a more extreme difference in the size of their left and right eyes.
1:09:04 - 1:14:18 (05:13)
Summary
Research suggests that individuals with a history of mental health issues may have a more extreme difference in the size of their left and right eyes. Additionally, bipolar disorder can result in both manic and depressive episodes, with some individuals preferring their partner to be in a depressed state rather than manic.
EpisodeE201: Stephen Fry: “Lost, alone and I wanted to take my life”
PodcastThe Diary Of A CEO with Steven Bartlett
The pursuit of artistic expression is a valuable form of work that can benefit mental health and provide a sense of fulfillment.
1:14:18 - 1:22:42 (08:24)
Summary
The pursuit of artistic expression is a valuable form of work that can benefit mental health and provide a sense of fulfillment.
EpisodeE201: Stephen Fry: “Lost, alone and I wanted to take my life”
PodcastThe Diary Of A CEO with Steven Bartlett
The podcast discusses the value of giving handmade gifts instead of commercialized items during the holiday season, emphasizing the art of craftsmanship.
1:22:42 - 1:26:56 (04:14)
Summary
The podcast discusses the value of giving handmade gifts instead of commercialized items during the holiday season, emphasizing the art of craftsmanship.
EpisodeE201: Stephen Fry: “Lost, alone and I wanted to take my life”
PodcastThe Diary Of A CEO with Steven Bartlett
In this podcast, the speaker talks about his definition of a good life in terms of personal, sentimental things rather than materialistic possessions, giving examples such as scrapbooks and personal stuff to cherish.
1:26:56 - 1:32:51 (05:55)
Summary
In this podcast, the speaker talks about his definition of a good life in terms of personal, sentimental things rather than materialistic possessions, giving examples such as scrapbooks and personal stuff to cherish.
EpisodeE201: Stephen Fry: “Lost, alone and I wanted to take my life”
PodcastThe Diary Of A CEO with Steven Bartlett
The speaker highly recommends Hewll's virtual events tool, calling it the best he's seen.
1:32:51 - 1:35:26 (02:35)
Summary
The speaker highly recommends Hewll's virtual events tool, calling it the best he's seen. Additionally, he expresses his enjoyment of Hewll's newest flavor, iced coffee caramel, in their ready to drink line.