Podcast Episodes

Robert Sapolsky: The psychology behind Donald Trump, the science of stress, and the illusion of ‘free will’

Episode 59

Why do we get stressed? What are the psychological differences between conservatives and liberals? Is free will a myth?

Rory and Alastair are joined by scientist Dr Robert Sapolsky to answer all these…

Published on 1 year, 10 months ago

Humza Yousaf, First Minister of Scotland: Nicola Sturgeon, independence, and his family's escape from Gaza

Episode 58

What is the future of the independence debate in Scotland? How was it to work with Nicola Sturgeon? Have world leaders done enough to curb civilian deaths in Gaza?

On today's episode of Leading, Rory …

Published on 1 year, 10 months ago

Tucker Eskew, communications director to George W. Bush and Sarah Palin: Why I'm voting Democrat

Episode 57

What does President Biden need to do to defeat Trump? What went wrong in Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign? Did Republican figures like Sarah Palin and Newt Gingrich pave the way for Trump?

Ror…

Published on 1 year, 11 months ago

Bill Gates: Conspiracy theories, AI, and the politician he most admires

Episode 56

How does one of the richest men in the world run a business? Is artificial intelligence going to be as big as the Windows PC? What politicians does Bill Gates admire?

Bill Gates joins Rory and Alasta…

Published on 1 year, 11 months ago

Gillian Keegan: The future of British schools, union 'barons', and Sunak's Rwanda battle

Episode 55

What's it like to be the Secretary of State for Education who left school at 17? How much power do unions really have in British politics? What's it like to become a Tory MP when your family hails fr…

Published on 1 year, 11 months ago

Guy Verhofstadt: Is there a case for a European army?

Episode 54

What's it like to run Belgium for a decade? How many people in the EU actually believe in 'ever-closer union'? What are the pros and cons of being a career politician?

On today's episode of Leading, R…

Published on 1 year, 11 months ago

Seb Coe: Corruption, gender, and the geopolitics of sport

Episode 53

Will doping ever be defeated in sport? What was it like going from world class runner to government whip? Are the Tories finished in Britain?

In the first Leading episode of 2024, Rory and Alastair ar…

Published on 1 year, 11 months ago

Tom Holland: How religion shaped politics and the Western world

Episode 52

Is the West more Christian than it thinks? Why are so many British prime ministers from religious backgrounds? How does the evangelical support for Donald Trump and the culture wars in the US reflect…

Published on 2 years ago

Tim Peake: Will humans colonise Mars?

Episode 51

What is the future of human space exploration? Will people live on Mars in our life time? Are there plans to grow human organs on the moon?

British astronaut Tim Peake joins Rory and Alastair to discu…

Published on 2 years ago

Angela Rayner: From zero GCSEs to Britain’s most powerful woman?

Episode 50

Could Labour still lose the next election? What really went wrong under Jeremy Corbyn? What do the left actually think of the right?

Rory and Alastair are joined by Labour's Deputy Leader, Angela Rayn…

Published on 2 years ago