Carl Honoré

Carl Honoré is an award-winning writer, broadcaster and a leading voice on the power of slowing down in a fast-paced world. The author of In Praise of Slow, he has inspired a worldwide movement that challenges the obsession with speed and 'always on' culture, and champions a more thoughtful, balanced and sustainable approach to life and work. His ideas have influenced business leaders, educators, medical professionals and policymakers seeking new strategies for sustainable performance, wellbeing and creativity.

Carl’s interest in the 'cult of speed' began while working as a foreign correspondent in Europe and South America, reporting for publications including The Economist, The Washington Post, The Observer and Time. After years of racing through assignments, deadlines and global crises, he realised that he, like much of the modern world, was moving too fast to think, make good decisions, connect or live well. This insight became the foundation of his writing on the Slow Movement.

Carl's international bestseller In Praise of Slow sparked a cultural shift by questioning whether faster is always better, and exploring how slowing down can improve everything from productivity and innovation to relationships and mental health. Carl went on to expand these ideas in Under Pressure, which examines childhood and parenting in an age of acceleration, and The Slow Fix, which argues that long-term thinking and deeper problem-solving often outperform quick fixes. His book Bolder challenges outdated assumptions about ageing and shows how to thrive at every stage of life whilst also consider the advantages and disadvantages to an aging population.

A compelling and warm communicator, Carl has presented two BBC Radio documentaries, delivered TED Talks with millions of views, and been featured in media outlets around the world. He has worked with organisations across sectors, from tech companies and banks to governments, schools and healthcare institutions, helping them rethink time, redesign work cultures, re-evaluate structures and processes, and build environments where people and ideas can flourish.

Whether speaking about leadership, wellbeing or creativity, Carl blends storytelling, evidence and humour to show audiences how to resist overwhelm, make smarter choices and succeed without sacrificing what matters most. He remains one of the most influential and accessible thinkers on how to live and work better in a fast-changing world.