AI Summary
5 min readCarl Honoré was speed-reading bedtime stories to his three-year-old son, skipping pages to get through Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs faster. When his son caught him and asked where Grumpy was, Honoré barely registered the moment. The real wake-up call came when he heard about a book called The One Minute Bedtime Story — Snow White in sixty seconds. His first reaction was relief. His second was a searing epiphany: “I am racing through my life instead of actually living it.”
That moment, at age 34, launched a two-decade investigation into what Honoré calls the slow movement — not a call to do everything slowly, but a framework for finding the right speed for each moment.
The epiphany and its roots
Honoré describes himself as a natural “speedaholic” — a Type A personality who found journalism, a profession built on deadlines, a perfect fit. The problem was that having children forced him to confront a fundamental mismatch: children do not rush. “One thing children come out of the womb not doing is rushing,” he says. “They are little Jedi’s of slowness.” His son’s first recognizable phrase was “hurry up,” which Honoré now sees as a warning he ignored until the bedtime-story moment.
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What you'll learn
- 1 (01:19) **Introduction and Guest Background** - Host Shekhar Natarajan introduces Carl Honoré, journalist, two-time TED speaker, and author of the international bestseller *In Praise of Slowness* (translated into 36 languages).
- 2 (03:08) **The Wake-Up Call: Speed-Reading Bedtime Stories** - Carl describes his former life as a "speedaholic" and the moment he realized he was racing through life.
- 3 (07:53) **Children as "Little Jedi's of Slowness"** - Carl explains how parenthood forced him to confront the disconnect between his fast-paced life and the natural slowness of childhood.
- 4 (11:07) **The Slow Revolution: Balance, Not Extremism** - Carl defines the slow philosophy as finding the right balance between fast and slow, not doing everything slowly.
- 5 (14:12) **Is Slowness Cultural?** - Carl explores whether certain cultures are inherently slower, concluding it is a mixed bag.
- 6 (16:38) **Boredom as a Superpower** - Carl argues that unstructured time and boredom are essential for creativity and emotional regulation, especially for children.
- 7 (18:55) **The Paradox of Journalism and Speed** - Carl discusses how the media industry has shifted from thoughtful reporting to a culture of "breaking news" and hot takes.
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Guests on this episode
Show Notes
What happens when the world celebrates speed but your mind and body can no longer keep up?
In this episode, Shekhar Natarajan welcomes internationally bestselling author Carl Honore, whose groundbreaking work on the Slow Movement has inspired millions across the globe to rethink their relationship with time, work, and success.
From personal stories of burnout to the rise of hustle culture, social media addiction, workplace pressure, parenting, creativity, and leadership, this conversation explores why "faster" isn't always "better."
Rather than promoting a slower life for the sake of it, Carl introduces a more powerful philosophy: choosing the right pace for the right moment.
In this episode, you'll discover:
• Why modern society has become addicted to speed
• The hidden cost of hustle culture and constant busyness
• Carl Honoré's personal turning point that inspired the Slow Movement
• How technology influences our attention and relationships
• Why boredom fuels creativity and innovation
• The impact of speed on parenting and childhood
• Fast vs. Slow: finding the right balance in work and life
• How leaders can build healthier, more productive teams
• Why slowing down can actually improve performance
• The future of work, wellbeing, and human connection
This episode is packed with practical insights and timeless perspectives for anyone seeking a more intentional, meaningful, and fulfilling life.
🎙 Host: Shekhar Natarajan
🎧 Guest: Carl Honore
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