5x15stories

23/09/2025

An award-winning author of four novels and numerous acclaimed non-fiction books, which have been translated into twenty-four languages, turns in his latest book to the question of home.

What does it mean to live through an age of intense transformation? Born in 1958, the only child of a dinner lady and a sheet-metal worker, Geoff Dyer grew up in a world shaped by memories of shortages and the Second World War.

His memoir, Homework, recalls an eroded but strangely resilient England and carries us back, with characteristic comic affection, to the joys of lingering questions of every childhood.

We are thrilled that Geoff Dyer will be speaking live at 5x15 at The Tabernacle next week, on the story of his upbringing.

Join us! See link in bio for more info and tickets…

5x15 at The Tabernacle, Powis Square, W11, Monday 29th September, 7pm.

22/09/2025

‘I am writing this story without knowing its end: it begins long before I was born and will continue long after I die. I am writing this story to help myself heal and to make you understand.’

When Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, decided it was finally time to tell her story.

An acclaimed chef, cookery writer and author of award-winning recipe books, Olia recently published Strong Roots, a moving and powerful memoir about Ukraine, described by Nigella Lawson as ‘an instant classic.’

It is an ode to the land, to ideas of home and belonging, and to family stories and recipes passed down the generations – the tang of sour cherries, the best way to make borsch. It is an account of resilience in the hardest of circumstances.

We are delighted that Olia will be speaking about her story at our event at The Tabernacle next week, alongside a stellar line-up of speakers.

See link in bio for more info and tickets!

5x15 at The Tabernacle, Powis Square, W11, Monday 29th September, 7pm.

17/09/2025

Last week, at the Royal Geographical Society, we welcomed a superb panel of speakers to discuss land, soil and biodiversity.

From the wonders of ancient landscapes and the importance of restoring them, to the power of regenerative agriculture, rewilding and other innovative solutions, this discussion offered a glimpse into the past, present and future of the land we walk on.

Catch up on this informative and inspiring conversation, featuring .tree Minette Batters and Thomas Halliday, on 5x15’s Youtube channel. See link in bio!

This was the third event in The Earth Convention Live series, in partnership with Greenbank

11/07/2025

At our Oceans & Rivers event last month, we were delighted to host a pop-up exhibition at the Royal Geographical Society by author and artist Beatrice Forshall , whose beautiful engravings, made using an intaglio press, attest to the wonders of marine life, from whales and plankton to turtles and sea birds 🌊

Check out Bea’s website www.beaforshall.com for more information about her work, and her book, The Book of Vanishing Species.

03/06/2025

For our summer 5x15 event, we are thrilled to welcome tech pioneer De Kai , one of the inventors of Google Translate.

De Kai’s new book Raising AI: An Essential Guide to Parenting Our Future draws on his decades of experience working at the nexus of tech and society, and explores how AI is changing how we think. We can survive the AI revolution, he argues, if we can create a more compassionate and understanding world. Don’t miss this eye-opening and inspiring insight into the future.

Join us on June 23rd at 7pm, live at The Tabernacle!

Visit www.5x15stories.com for more information and tickets

28/05/2025

Just as water is crucial to human life, oceans and rivers provide a key glimpse into the future of the planet 🌊

For the second session in our Earth Convention Live series with Greenbank , we’re bringing together an exceptional panel of speakers to explore the relationship between human civilisation and the Earth’s Oceans and Rivers.

Featuring , , &  and hosted by 5x15 co-founder .

From ocean tipping points to the death of our waterways, to understanding the language of whales and uncovering the mysteries of the wild seas, join us for a session exploring the extraordinary depths of our blue planet 🌍

Tuesday 17th June, 7pm, Royal Geographical Society, SW7 

Visit www.5x15stories.com for more information and tickets.

19/05/2025

We had a dream 5x15 evening last week in the Temperate House with Elif Shafak, Jon Drori, Tristan Gooley, Kevin Martin and Ersin Han Ersin speaking about the power of trees and why we need to protect them. Thank you to all our speakers and everyone who was there!

04/04/2025

Following the runaway success of The Earth Convention over the last five years, 5x15 and Greenbank are delighted to bring the series to a live audience for the first time!

Join us next week at the Royal Geographical Society  where we will be asking the big questions with a line-up of leading environmental thinkers and writers. 

Our first session, Energy and Finance, invites a stellar panel of speakers to reflect on the future of energy, including world-leading historian  author of The Earth Transformed; esteemed writer and researcher  Mike Berners-Lee; Stewardship & Engagement Lead, Sophie Lawrence; and natural capital expert  Siddarth Shrikanth.
Whether it’s fossil fuels or renewables, every year we use more and more energy. Can the planet survive this? Are current energy usage levels out of line with a net zero future? These are some of the biggest questions of our time.
Join us next week to find out more. Tickets and information at www.5x15.com

11/12/2024

How can we be better citizens of the planet, now and in the future?

Over the last 500 years, innovations in agriculture and natural resources have changed life on Earth, and increased the life chances of billions of people.

Yet every technological innovation has also empowered humans to exploit each other and the planet.

As the consequences of climate change become clearer each day, it has never been more urgent to change our ways.

Join us this evening to hear acclaimed Yale Professor Sunil Amrith, author of the groundbreaking new book THE BURNING EARTH, in conversation with John Vaillant, author of the award-winning FIRE WEATHER.

Wednesday 11th December, 7pm (GMT), online via Zoom

Register via link in bio!

15/10/2024

How do you welcome someone new into your heart and home?

In 2022, after a grief-stricken year, Rory Cellan-Jones and his wife Diane came across a listing for a rescue dog, ‘a kind girl who loves everybody and is just looking for her forever home’.

Soon after, they welcomed the beloved into their life, and so began a moving tale of love, kindness and a lot of patience...

We are delighted to welcome Rory Cellan-Jones to 5x15 in October to tell this joyful and inspiring story. Join us!

Monday 28th October, 7pm, The Tabernacle, W11

Buy tickets via link in bio!

10/09/2024