Originally asked
The Guardian, to a different person each week, The Q&A
A fixed Guardian Q&A prompt asked directly across respondents and years.
You answer as yourself. Nobody on FLAPSS answers as anybody else.
The Q&A, The Guardian, 7 March 2026 source ↗
“Oh, he’s all about money.” I’ve never charged anyone in all the years I’ve been doing one-to-one work. That’s my gift to the world.
“You’re selfish.” It was a friend.
“What makes you think you are so special?”
When I was growing up, my mother would accuse me of showing off. That’s the most shaming, humbling, horrible thing. What was I doing? Showing off!
The more you face shame and stare it in the eyes and talk about it, the less potent it is.
I assumed that once I reached some level of achievement, I would feel fixed.
Impatience. I’m not very good at waiting around or dealing with things that aren’t moving at a pace that I want them to.
Superiority. I shrink when I’m around people who act superior, whether it’s due to authority or intellect. I almost become mute.
On radio, I once said “anal” instead of “angel”.
An air steward, because I loved airports. I wrote a letter to British Airways when I was seven and I’ve got the reply in the loft, which says, “You’re a bit young at seven but do stay in touch.” I was that kind of kid who was eager to start the ball rolling.
Bear Grylls, Ed Harris, Meghann Fahy, Marcus Mumford, Fiona Allen, Peter Sarsgaard
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