Podcast Episodes

Anthony Joshua: Responding to failure, Saudi Arabia, and Tyson Fury

Episode 30

From raving and "wheeler-dealing" to heavyweight champion of the world, Anthony Joshua's story is unmissable. Listen to Rory, Alastair and AJ talk about the culture of boxing, socialism, how imperati…

Published on 2 years, 4 months ago

Yuval Noah Harari: Crisis and tragedy in Israel (Part 1)

Episode 29

‘We are facing spiritual and moral destruction.’ 

Is Israeli democracy facing the most dangerous moment in its history? Yuval Noah Harari joins Rory and Alastair to discuss his first-hand experience o…

Published on 2 years, 4 months ago

Paul Nurse: The power of genetics, battling politicians, and the fight against cancer

Episode 28

How close are we to finding a cure for cancer? What did the government do wrong - in scientific terms - during the pandemic? Do Labour or the Tories have a proper plan to harness the power of British…

Published on 2 years, 5 months ago

Feargal Sharkey: Teenage Kicks, Bobby Sands, and saving our rivers

Episode 27

Can we reverse the damage done to our polluted rivers and seas? What was it like to write Teenage Kicks? How has Brexit hamstrung the music industry?

From punk singer to political activist, Feargal Sh…

Published on 2 years, 5 months ago

Feargal Sharkey: Teenage Kicks, Bobby Sands, and saving our rivers

Episode 27

Can we reverse the damage done to our polluted rivers and seas? What was it like to write Teenage Kicks? How has Brexit hamstrung the music industry?

From punk singer to political activist, Feargal Sh…

Published on 2 years, 5 months ago

Francis Fukuyama: Trump, Modi, and ‘The End of History’

Episode 26

What was the worst political mistake in modern history? How do religious Republicans bring themselves to support Trump? Was it wrong to describe the fall of the Soviet Union as ‘The End of History’?

O…

Published on 2 years, 5 months ago

Michael Ignatieff: Fighting Orban's Global Conservative Cabal

Episode 25

What's it like to know how your obituary will read? What makes the democratic system the best for fighting against climate change? How does politics change a person, whether they like it or not? Alas…

Published on 2 years, 5 months ago

John Major: The Gulf War, Black Wednesday, and Populism (Part 2)

Episode 24

What was it like fighting New Labour? Why did Black Wednesday happen? How did Ian McKellen help bring the campaign for gay rights into Downing Street?

Join Alastair and Rory as they answer all these q…

Published on 2 years, 6 months ago

John Major: From Brixton to Downing Street (Part 1)

Episode 23

Why is Sir John Major a Tory? How did he make it from Brixton to 10 Downing Street? What was it like to witness the fall of Margaret Thatcher first hand?

In the first of two episodes, Rory and Alastai…

Published on 2 years, 6 months ago

Kate Raworth: Doughnut economics and thriving in balance

Episode 22

In the 21st century, the impact of financial and environmental crises can be felt by all. But how do we marry the nature of the economy with the ever depleting means of the planet? Rory and Alastair …

Published on 2 years, 6 months ago