To watch this episode and other past episodes, please visit Greg Ellis’ YouTube channel.

Join our Community: https://community.therespondent.com/ 

Listeners can find Winston on Twitter: https://twitter.com/MrWinMarshall 

Winston’s podcast Marshall Matters: https://www.spectator.co.uk/podcasts/marshall-matters 

Winston Marshall is a musician and was one of the founding members of Mumford and Sons. In 2021, he departed from the band, amidst controversy, and wrote about his decision here: https://mrwinstonmarshall.medium.com/why-im-leaving-mumford-sons-e6e731bbc255 

Winston is also the host of the new podcast "Marshall Matters", in partnership with Spectator Magazine, focusing on the state of the arts and creative industries. Guests will join Winston as they discuss the taboos and the obstacles of freedom of expression that artists meet today.

In this episode, we chat about Winston’s decision to leave Mumford & Sons, cancel culture, standing up to the mob, music, the MeToo movement, and much more!

“…particularly after I published the letter when I quit, I got thousands of messages. It's very moving when you get messages from people who say that they feel trapped or they feel that they can't say what they think or that if they say what they think they're going to lose their job or lose something from all walks of life. Now I can afford to quit, right? I've made money. I'll be alright but a lot of people can't afford to quit. If they lose their job, they can't pay rent or they can't pay their mortgage, they've got kids, there's so much that they're juggling… when you challenge some of these big ideas, you become a pariah, you become untouchable, you become a bad guy.”

Show Notes: 

• [1:40] Greg welcomes Winton to the show.   
• [3:20] Winston talks about leaving Mumford & Sons and facing the Twitter mob.
• [5:40] Manchester United, Liverpool, and the community found in sports. 
• [10:40] Greg and Winston discuss their starts in the music/entertainment business. 
• [17:00] Being a self-taught musician.   
• [20:10] Winston’s apology and the Twitter reaction. 
• [27:00] Fear of speaking out against the mob and trying to have more open discussions.
• [30:10] Greg talks about his own experiences with cancel culture.
• [33:00] Book, reading, and the power of language.  
• [37:30] Johnny Depp v. Amber Heard trial.
• [47:20] The MeToo movement’s response to Amber Heard.
• [53:40] Eve Barlow.
• [55:40] Debating ideas and having nuanced conversations.
• [59:10] Where does Winston find meaning?
• [1:02:40] What is the most meaningful moment of your life?
• [1:06:50] Where do you go to find peace?
• [1:09:50] If you could write your own epitaph, what would you want it to say?
• [1:11:10] Greg wraps up the show.
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