Alastair welcomes Maurice Collins, a 90-year-old inventor, entrepreneur, and author, whose wisdom and wit span nearly a century of generational change. With infectious humour and humility, Maurice reflects on growing up in wartime Britain, the discipline of hand-setting printing type, and the joy of collecting eccentric Victorian gadgets. But more than that, he shares how his life has been defined by continual reinvention - from entrepreneur to disability rights campaigner.
This episode is a masterclass in resilience, adaptability, and the value of living a purposeful life, regardless of age. Maurice proves that learning is lifelong, age is just a number, and intergenerational collaboration is richer when we replace judgement with curiosity.
Key Takeaways
- How growing up during wartime shaped Maurice’s values of resilience and self-reliance.
- The surprising parallels between the Silent Generation and Gen Z’s desire for purpose.
- Why curiosity, not technology, is the real engine of progress.
- Intergenerational respect starts with genuinely listening—on both sides.
