The Best Is Yet To Come...

About The Best Is Yet To Come...

On Sir John Tusa's 90th birthday, he is starting a podcast. John was one of the founding members of BBC Newsnight, he went on to run the BBC World Service and subsequently became managing director of the Barbican Arts Centre. He's lived an incredible life, both personally and professionally, spanning the very best in arts, architecture, culture and politics, and there's still plenty more he wants to do. Speaking to other people in their 90s who have lived equally impressive lives, he shows that although nonagenarians can share stories that traverse generations, they have rich insights for the modern day that we need to listen to. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

Publisher

- -

Category

arts · history · news

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

19 Feb 2026

Latest episode

4 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

15 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   4 Oct 2026

   From Yorkshire to Glyndebourne | Janet Baker

   How difficult was it to break into the music industry in the 1940s having not studied at a conservatory? What's the difference between singing as a soloist in a concert, and performing an opera? Are classical music conductors usually open to feedback? In this week’s episode, John is joined by concert and opera singer Dame Janet Baker. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

2. 

   27 Sept 2026

   A Lifetime of Writing | Penelope Lively

   What was it like growing up in Egypt in the 1930s? How difficult is it to move between writing for children and adults? What is the best thing to do when afflicted with writer’s block? In this week’s episode, John is joined by writer Dame Penelope Lively Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

3. 

   10 May 2026

   Witnessing the Fall of the Soviet Union

   Diplomat Sir Rodric Braithwaite shares insights with host John Tusa on the Soviet Union's collapse and navigating relations with the Kremlin.

4. 

   4 May 2026

   Everything Starts With Learning A Craft

   Conductor John Carewe shares insights on mastering a craft and the impact of music education on culture in this interview with host John.

5. 

   26 Apr 2026

   Escaping the Nazis: Life After The Kindertransport

   Host John interviews Lady Milena Grenfell-Baines MBE about her escape from the Nazis via the Kindertransport and the fate of those left behind.

6. 

   19 Apr 2026

   Taking on Thatcher, Revitalising Liverpool, and Planting Trees | Lord Michael Heseltine

   John interviews Lord Michael Heseltine about his political career, challenging Margaret Thatcher, and his views on Brexit, offering insights into leadership and legacy.

7. 

   12 Apr 2026

   Why You Should Play Sport

   Journalist Sir Geoffrey Owen shares his experiences running an influential newspaper and playing on Wimbledon's Centre Court with host John.

8. 

   5 Apr 2026

   How To Keep Going Forward

   Composer Thea Musgrave shares with host Sir John Tusa how to navigate a changing musical landscape and embrace the future.

9. 

   29 Mar 2026

   Working with Musicians Behind the Iron Curtain

   Impresario Lilian Hochhauser joins host John to discuss the challenges and triumphs of working with musicians from behind the Iron Curtain, revealing the diplomatic power of the arts.

10. 

    23 Mar 2026

    Why Buildings Should Make Us Happier

    Host John Tusa interviews architect Nicholas Thompson about how building design profoundly impacts human happiness and experience.

11. 

    16 Mar 2026

    How To Have Fun

    John Tusa interviews author Lady Antonia Fraser about the importance of a woman's perspective in history and how to have fun.

12. 

    9 Mar 2026

    How To Live A Happy Life

    John Tusa interviews Lord Richard Layard about the economics and measurement of happiness and societal wellbeing.

13. 

    2 Mar 2026

    A History Of Child Psychiatry

    Sir John Tusa interviews Philip Graham, author and Professor of Child Psychiatry, about what he's learned both personally and professionally over nine decades and what lessons he would tell his younger self. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

14. 

    1 Mar 2026

    Fleeing The Nazis And Founding BBC Newsnight | Rory Stewart

    Sir John Tusa turns 90 and is interviewed by his godson, Rory Stewart about his life, from fleeing the nazis at a young age, to running the Barbican Arts Centre and BBC World Service. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

15. 

    19 Feb 2026

    The Best Is Yet To Come... with Sir John Tusa

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

Who has been a guest on The Best Is Yet To Come...

Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.

• Rodric Braithwaite
• John Carewe
• Lady Milena Grenfell-Baines MBE
• Lord Michael Heseltine
• Sir Geoffrey Owen

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

3 ratings

Contact The Best Is Yet To Come...

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.

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Questions about The Best Is Yet To Come...