Best Torsten Bell Podcasts (2024)

1
Halloween budget: trick or treat? w/ Torsten Bell MP, Grace Blakeley & Katie Schmuecker 47:02

7d ago47:02

47:02

Double, Double, toil and trouble…the Government’s first budget has been unveiled on the eve of Halloween, and Nish and Coco are peering into chancellor Rachel Reeve’s cauldron. It’s a spooky episode, so buckle up, we find out if the Halloween budget is the horror show it’s been predicted to be. A seance with economic and political journalist Grace …

1
Trump wins: where the hell do we go from here? w/ Katy Balls + Bell Ribeiro-Addy MP 51:44

42m ago51:44

51:44

It’s a dark, dark day for the world. Donald Trump - a convicted criminal no less - has been elected 47th US president in a shocking political resurrection. Nish and Coco are joined by the Spectator’s political editor Katy Balls to discuss just how ready the UK Government is for Trump’s comeback and Kemi Badenoch’s leadership win. Later, Bell Ribeir…

1
How f***ed are we if Trump wins? + Is Jeremy Corbyn MP forming a new party? 45:49

6d ago45:49

45:49

The Government’s rallying cry to the nation to help fix the NHS via a public consultation has not disappointed. In what is fast becoming the National Health Service’s very own Boaty McBoatface moment, Nish and Coco dissect the wild and weird policy suggestions flooding the website. Then Jeremy Corbyn, former Labour Party leader and Independent MP f…

1
48: Understanding race, ethnicity and health inequalities – with Heidi Safia Mirza and Shabna Begum 36:31

14d ago36:31

36:31

The UK is becoming more ethnically diverse: nearly 20% of the population reports being from a minority ethnic background and projections suggest growing diversity is the future. People from minority backgrounds in the UK experience a variety of inequalities. But what is the latest evidence telling us? A comprehensive analysis of race and ethnicity,…

1
How ruthless is Keir Starmer willing to be? w/ Anushka Asthana and Josh Babarinde MP 52:44

14d ago52:44

52:44

With just two weeks to go until the Autumn budget, the Labour government is preparing to make some huge reforms. But just how ruthless is Keir Starmer willing to be in reshaping the UK? Coco and Nish dig into it with Anushka Asthana, ITV’s political editor and author of “Taken as Red: How Labour won big and the Tories crashed the party”. Later, in …

1
The Tories lose their minds (again) - can Starmer hold against the far right? 57:34

28d ago57:34

57:34

The Tory party have once again chosen violence against themselves, as Keir Starmer’s Labour party are languishing in the polls after 90-something days of a lack of action. Nish and Coco burst the bubble on the news that Starmer’s Chief of Staff has been replaced by his election guru, joined by political journalist Ian Dunt to find out just how big …

1
Is Britain’s benefits system broken? w/ Caroline Selman and John Pring 49:15

29d ago49:15

49:15

The new Labour government has promised bold action to fix Britain’s benefit system. Last week, Keir Starmer announced a crackdown on benefit fraud and said people on long-term sickness benefits should look for work. But is this the answer? To chew over the Government’s plans, Coco and Nish are joined by Caroline Selman, senior research fellow at th…

1
Can Starmer’s upbeat note drown out the donation scandal? w/ Zoë Grünewald and Simon Kuper 54:03

1M ago54:03

54:03

Exclusive INCOGNI Deal ➼ go to https://incogni.com/podsavetheuk to get 60% off your annual plan! Keir Starmer gave his first Labour Conference speech as Prime Minister this week - but his message of “national renewal” was slightly spoiled by a backdrop of poor polling, infighting and their never ending “garm drama”. Journalist Zoë Grünewald joins N…

1
Starmer’s Garm Drama + the Government looks right on immigration w/ Zoe Gardner 51:57

1M ago51:57

51:57

Exclusive INCOGNI Deal ➼ go to https://incogni.com/podsavetheuk to get 60% off your annual plan! Keir Starmer promised a Labour government would “turn the page” on scandal - but he’s already under fire after a late declaration of thousands of pounds of gifts. As the Tories clamour for an investigation, Nish and Coco take to the PSUK couch to weigh …

1
ReGeneration Rising S2E12: Re-enchanting the Earth with David Abram 54:35

2M ago54:35

54:35

In this episode, Daniel and Philipa discuss perception and language in a more-than-human world with cultural ecologist, Dr David Abram. David Abram is a cultural ecologist, geophilosopher, and the founder and creative director of the Alliance for Wild Ethics (AWE). His books include Becoming Animal: An Earthly Cosmology and The Spell of the Sensuou…

1
47: Why are cancer rates rising among younger people? – with Kimmie Ng and Charles Swanton 37:46

2M ago37:46

37:46

Since the early 1990s, there’s been a concerning uptick in cancer incidence among adults younger than 50 years. Scientists are racing to understand what’s driving these trends. Some evidence points to roles for established risk factors – including smoking and obesity. But some research is also exploring environmental exposures – such as microplasti…

1
Inside out: How to fix the UK’s prison system + Labour embraces unpopularity 49:50

2M ago49:50

49:50

Exclusive INCOGNI Deal ➼ go to https://incogni.com/podsavetheuk to get 60% off your annual plan! The government has won a vote in the commons over its controversial winter fuel payments - but Keir Starmer knows he’s not winning over the public. Unpopular decisions are the theme of the day as Nish returns to join Coco on the PSUK couch. Later, our h…

1
Time to nationalise Ticketmaster? “Cigarettes & Alcohol”, the Grenfell Inquiry concludes 48:44

2M ago48:44

48:44

Parliament is back in session and so is Pod Save the UK! Coco is joined by Zoë Grünewald, filling in for Nish, to discuss Keir Starmer’s gloomy new lines trailing what’s shaping up to be a miserable Autumn budget. Free political point scoring around the Oasis/Ticketmaster fiasco probably isn’t going to be enough to offset the grim energy emanating …

1
ReGeneration Rising S2E11: Making Embassy with Tyson Yunkaporta 34:07

3M ago34:07

34:07

In this episode, Daniel and Philipa welcome Dr Tyson Yunkaporta back for an extended yarn on relatedness and making embassy through community. Tyson Yunkaporta is an Aboriginal scholar, educator, maker, researcher, and poet. He is the founder of the Indigenous Knowledge Systems Lab at Deakin University in Melbourne, and the author of two books, the…

1
Live! How comedy can bring hope in dark times - with Adam Hills and Kemah Bob 46:49

3M ago46:49

46:49

In this special live episode from the Edinburgh Fringe, recorded on 07/08/24, Nish and Coco are joined by comedians Adam Hills and Kemah Bob to talk about how political comedy offers relief in dark times, while still holding power to account. The gang reflect on political flashpoints and what they learned from it, from dropping a spoonful of sugar …

1
Live! Finding hope in the wake of Britain's racist riots - with Ahir Shah & Tom Ballard 56:54

3M ago56:54

56:54

In this special live episode from the Edinburgh Fringe, Nish and Coco bring two special guests to talk about the racist riots tearing Britain apart. **CORRECTION** This episode incorrectly states that the Baha Men's "Who Let The Dogs Out" has a sexist subtext, when it is in fact a song criticising misogyny. We regret the error. Nish, Coco and Ahir …

1
How Can We Fix The British Economy? With Paul Johnson From The IFS 50:35

3M ago50:35

50:35

It’s been a tough few weeks for new Chancellor Rachel Reeves. In a speech to the House of Commons on Monday, Reeves declared that despite going in to government with gloomy prospects, the financial inheritance was much worse than she had expected. Naturally, this didn’t go down particularly well with the now Shadow Chancellor Jeremy Hunt, as the tw…

1
ReGeneration Rising S2E10: Border Work with Bayo Akomolafe & Tyson Yunkaporta 54:17

3M ago54:17

54:17

In this episode, Philipa and Daniel talk about post-activism, border transgressions and making sanctuary with Dr Bayo Akomolafe and Dr Tyson Yunkaporta. Bayo Akomolafe is a widely celebrated international speaker, post-humanist thinker, philosopher, writer, activist and professor of psychology. He is the author of two books, These Wilds Beyond our …

1
Red Rebellion, Just Stop Locking Up Activists And How To Fix Our Broken NHS With Clare Farrell And Victor Adebowale 1:04:44

4M ago1:04:44

1:04:44

Three weeks haven’t yet passed since the election, but Keir Starmer’s Government has faced its first rebellion. The response to seven Labour MPs breaking rank over the Government’s stance on the two child benefit cap was swift and fierce, leading to the whip being removed and anger inside and outside the party. Nish and Coco ask if Starmer has only…

1
46: A new government and health after the general election: part 2 – with Hannah White and John McTernan 31:18

4M ago31:18

31:18

There’s a new Prime Minister in Downing Street and a new political reality in the UK. But what does it all mean for health and care? The incoming government faces a range of complex policy challenges – many of them linked to health and care – and a daunting fiscal inheritance. While the public might show patience for a few months, they will expect …

1
The Kings Speech, Knives Out for Vaughan Gething and An Education on Schools Policy with Liz Bates 53:13

4M ago53:13

53:13

As parliamentarians were ironing their robes in preparation for the King’s Speech, Trump’s new running mate JD Vance shocked the UK with flippant remarks that have sent a shiver down the spine of the New Government. Nish and Coco are joined by Liz Bates to discuss Vance’s comments, the themes behind the surprise-free King’s Speech and two shock res…

1
ReGeneration Rising S2E9: Thinking Like a Mountain with John Seed & Skye Mandozay 53:37

4M ago53:37

53:37

In this episode, Daniel and Philipa discuss the practices that can help us reconnect with the living world with renowned author and activist, John Seed, and deep ecology practitioner, Skye Mandozay. John Seed is the founder and director of the Rainforest Information Centre in Australia. Since 1979 he has been involved in the direct actions which ha…

1
Are Labour the party to finally fix housing? w/ Kwajo Tweneboa, Toby Lloyd and Sam Freedman 48:31

4M ago48:31

48:31

It’s week one in government and Labour have hit the ground running. We’ve got a new cabinet and big moves on planning reform and international relations are underway. But what about the opposition? Nish and Coco check in with Substack superstar Sam Freedman to uncover some of the challenges the new government faces over the course of the parliament…

1
Labour Landslide - will things get better? With Torsten Bell MP and Femi Oluwole 54:59

4M ago54:59

54:59

It’s official. The election results are in and we are in the era of a Labour government. Prime Minister Keir Starmer has stepped up the 10 Downing Street - but one of the key questions for Nish and Coco is will things concretely improve under his leadership? What can we hope for in this new era? The results of this election has shown massive change…

1
Would a Labour supermajority really be bad for democracy? Rory Stewart on why opposition is vital 27:28

4M ago27:28

27:28

Counting down the last five days until the election results come flooding in, the Conservative Party is still blowing themselves apart from the inside. Why has the Tory campaign been such a clusterfuck and should we care if they implode? Would a Labour supermajority be good or bad for democracy as a whole? To discuss these points, Nish and Coco are…

1
Will “gamblegate” scandal obliterate the Tories Forever? Plus last few days of the election with Liz Bates 42:23

4M ago42:23

42:23

With just one week to go until the election, Rishi Sunak’s chances of avoiding a landslide defeat might have just got slimmer - all thanks to “gamble-gate”. Nish and Coco are joined by political correspondent Liz Bates to discuss the betting scandal plaguing the government. Sunak vowed to lead the world in “standards of decency” but has been very s…

1
ReGeneration Rising S2E8: Enlivenment with Andreas Weber 54:39

4M ago54:39

54:39

In this episode, Philipa and Daniel discuss the kindness at the heart of reality with author and biophilosopher, Dr Andreas Weber. Dr Andreas Weber is a Berlin-based author, biophilosopher & independent scholar. His work focuses on re-evaluating our understanding of the living world in which organisms are subjects and the biosphere is a meaning-cre…

1
Chris Packham Vs Taylor Swift: Will People or Politics Save Our Planet? 42:35

5M ago42:35

42:35

The major parties have failed to pledge to make the radical changes needed to save our planet from climate catastrophe - but people power may well save us yet. Nish and Coco are joined by conservationist Chris Packham to find out what more our politicians need to do and how citizens can get involved. Chris also questions the wisdom of Taylor Swift’…

1
45: The general election and health: part 1 – with Sam Freedman and Paul Corrigan 36:54

5M ago36:54

36:54

As the general election approaches, what are the main parties planning on health and will it make a difference? Polling day is rapidly approaching and all the main party manifestos have now been published. But when it comes to health and care, do we know what we’re voting for? Many commentators have expressed deep frustration at the opacity of the …

1
Who gets the power? Devolution and the General Election. 52:43

5M ago52:43

52:43

It’s been a horrendous campaign for the Conservatives so far, careening from disaster to catastrophe, but the Tories don't have the exclusive on political drama. This week Nish and Coco focus on the action in the devolved nations, with a particular focus on Wales and Northern Ireland. First, we check in with Welsh Journalist Will Hayward to learn a…

1
Manifesto deep-dive: Is Labour’s at all progressive? 44:03

5M ago44:03

44:03

Following a week of political manifestoes dropping from UK parties - Nish & Coco take a deep-dive investigation to see how they hold up against one another. With a focus on manifestoes that have left-wing approaches - they discuss what policies are the most realistic and which hold up the best under scrutiny. Joined by political journalist Zoe Grün…

1
How to make your vote count: is Tactical Voting a necessary evil? With Femi Oluwole 43:08

5M ago43:08

43:08

The polls are indicating a landslide victory for Labour come the election on July 4th. But that hasn’t stopped the calls - from both the left and the right - for citizens to vote tactically. But what does that really mean in Britain’s broken electoral system? Joining Nish and Coco on the PSUK sofa is Femi Oluwole, activist and campaigner, and Joe T…

1
Why is it so hard to tax the rich? Would it fix our economy? With Gary Stevenson 47:15

5M ago47:15

47:15

The UK’s sorry state of affairs when it comes to water and railways is both a massive problem and an opportunity for the incoming government. Water companies are teetering on the brink of collapse and it feels inevitable that they will soon fall back in to public ownership. But how can we pay for renationalised services? Cat Hobbs from We Own It ta…

1
Jeremy Corbyn & Mhairi Black: Left Culled, Centre Cracked and Right Reformed? 53:51

5M ago53:51

53:51

In week two of the campaigns for the upcoming General Election - the fight for the centre vote has become a focal point. But the crucial question remains - what will this do for the future of politics in the UK? Are we at risk of losing diversity across parties? And as Keir Starmer appears to be purging the left-wing factions of the Labour Party, N…

1
ReGeneration Rising S2E7: Patterns of Meaning with Jeremy Lent & Morag Gamble 1:02:43

5M ago1:02:43

1:02:43

In this episode, Daniel and Philipa are joined by award-winning permaculture teacher and designer, Morag Gamble, and best-selling author and integrator, Jeremy Lent. Together, they discuss the urgent need to realign our patterns of meaning with the life-sustaining patterns of our planet to create thriving, regenerative cultures. An award-winning pe…

1
Generational Warfare: Has Rishi Sunak’s electoral gambit misfired? 42:05

5M ago42:05

42:05

It’s week one of the campaign and after a comical series of false starts, Rishi Sunak and the Tories have fired the first shots in a campaign of generational warfare. Nish and Coco are joined by political correspondent Liz Bates to find out if there are votes to be won in these wedge politics. Later, they speak to Christine Jardine from the Liberal…

1
44: Sure Start: a model for long-term policymaking? – with Naomi Eisenstadt and Donna Molloy 33:08

5M ago33:08

33:08

More long-term, mission-led policymaking is sorely needed, but how best to do it? The Sure Start programme was set up with the aim of giving young children the best possible start in life, narrowing gaps in outcomes for disadvantaged children. First announced by the New Labour government in 1998, it has evolved regularly over the past two decades. …

1
What do the Trans & Non-binary community need most right now? 48:48

5M ago48:48

48:48

Nish and Coco are joined by Abigail Thorn (actress, writer and host of PhilosophyTube) and Freddy McConnell (writer and journalist) to examine the issues facing the trans and non-binary community in the UK today. In recent news, the current Tory government has proposed new guidelines for education in schools across England. Education Secretary Gill…

1
Are these the last six weeks of Rishi Sunak and the Tories? 45:02

6M ago45:02

45:02

Nish and Coco bring you a hot off-the-press special look at the announcement of a UK general election. On Wednesday 22nd May - Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced the next general election will be on Thursday 4th July 2024. It appeared to be a sudden decision that surprised even his own Conservative MPs. But this announcement brings a whole host o…

1
The economy is growing, so why are we feeling poorer? 45:00

6M ago45:00

45:00

The UK is officially out of recession - Rishi Sunak and Chancellor Jeremy Hunt have been banging the drum of the 0.6% GDP growth in the Jan-March quarter, but are things actually getting better? George Monbiot drops into the studio to demystify Neoliberalism - the invisible economic doctrine that has influenced UK politics and policy since the That…

1
Abortion rights & ending hunger with Aisling Bea 49:38

6M ago49:38

49:38

“A hung Parliament” - it’s not quite admitting defeat, but the new media lines from Rishi Sunak and the Conservative Party suggest that even the Government knows its days are numbered. Nish and Coco unpack Sunak’s shock admission and some of the highlights from the local elections. Comedian, actor and activist (and old colleague of Nish) Aisling Be…

1
ReGeneration Rising S2E6: The Systems View of Life with Fritjof Capra 49:57

6M ago49:57

49:57

In this episode, Daniel and Philipa talk with best-selling author author, physicist, and educator, Dr Fritjof Capra about how adopting a systems view of life can help to address our current crisis of perception. Fritjof Capra, Ph.D., is a scientist, educator, activist, author and systems theorist. Capra received his Ph.D. in theoretical physics fro…

1
Are the Local Election results the beginning of total Tory annihilation? 41:25

6M ago41:25

41:25

While the results from elections across England & Wales are still rolling in - the signs so far are pointing to a disastrous outcome for the Conservative party. So Nish & Coco have jumped on for this special bonus episode to pop the champagne - asking exactly what it means ahead of the General Election - whenever that will eventually be called! Liz…

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