From near-bankruptcy to 300 million books: Jeffrey Archer on health, writing, and resilience
What does it take to stay sharp at 85, sell over 300 million books, and keep going after criticism, controversy, and cancer? Lord Jeffrey Archer reflects on his life and work — from running for his country to facing near-bankruptcy, from building global bestsellers to dealing with prostate cancer.
He explains how he keeps his energy, why discipline and resilience matter, why he reworks every book through as many as 17 drafts, and his support for Mary Archer’s drive to build the UK’s first children’s hospital that treats mental and physical health together. They also discuss Olympic security, fairness in sport, assisted dying, and the challenges of living longer.
Ask Dr Hilary
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Fighting fake medicines, illegal weight-loss jabs, and online health scams with Andy Morling
The UK is seeing a surge in the illegal trade of prescription medicines, often sold online without any medical supervision. In this episode, Dr Hilary talks to Andy Morling, Head of Criminal Enforcement at the MHRA, about how criminals are moving from heroin and cocaine into the trade in prescription medicines.
Andy explains how unlicensed and counterfeit weight-loss injections are entering the country, why they can contain the wrong dose or even insulin, and the risks of buying any medicine outside the regulated supply chain. He also describes how the MHRA works with Border Force, social media companies, and international partners to seize illegal products and raise public awareness.
You can use https://yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk/ to report any concerns — whether with a legitimate medicine or an unlicensed version — and the MHRA will investigate.
Ask Dr Hilary
Whether it’s advice on sleep, diet, mental well-being, or everyday medical concerns, now’s your chance to get answers. Each week, Dr Hilary answers your health and wellness questions. If it’s on your mind, he wants to help. Send your questions to Ask@drhilaryjones.com
Sign up for the weekly newsletter with tips and advice on health and wellbeing: https://drhilaryjones.com
Follow Dr Hilary
X: @DrHilaryJones
Instagram: @thedrhilaryshow/
More about the show and to sign up for weekly newsletter: https://drhilaryjones.com
When cocaine destroys your nose: inside the surgery that can rebuild it
Dr Anil Joshi is an ENT and facial plastic surgeon who repairs the damage from drug use, trauma, and cancer — and is helping to shape the future of reconstructive surgery. In this conversation with Dr Hilary, he explains how 3D printing is changing what’s possible, and the ethical challenges of saying no when surgery would do more harm than good.
They discuss the progression of cocaine-related nasal injury, the dangers of unlicensed injectors and bargain medical tourism, and how AI is starting to support surgical planning. Dr Joshi also shares how musicianship informs his surgical judgment, why fitness and mindset matter for eight-hour operations, and what’s next for training and global standards.
Ask Dr Hilary
Whether it’s advice on sleep, diet, mental well-being, or everyday medical concerns, now’s your chance to get answers. Each week, Dr Hilary answers your health and wellness questions. If it’s on your mind, he wants to help.
Send your questions to Ask@drhilaryjones.com
Sign up for the weekly newsletter with tips and advice on health and wellbeing: https://drhilaryjones.com
Follow Dr Hilary
X: @DrHilaryJones
Instagram: @thedrhilaryshow/