Best HS2 Podcasts (2024)

1
2/23 Calling All Stations is LIVE! 32:43

1h ago32:43

32:43

In our first ever episode recorded in front of a live audience at the Cogitamus and Rail Forum #allchangerail seminar, Christian Wolmar and Mark Walker examine the outcome of the UK General Election and the appointments of Labour's Transport Ministers [1:08] along with publication of the new Government's extensive transport legislative programme in…

1
In southern Lebanon on the brink of war 36:15

7h ago36:15

36:15

Michael Safi travels to southern Lebanon where Hezbollah is trading strikes with Israeli forces and one misstep could result in all-out conflict. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocusBy The Guardian

1
Mehdi Hasan on Kamala Harris vs Donald Trump 31:39

14h ago31:39

31:39

Endorsements for Harris to be the new Democratic presidential nominee have come thick and fast. But without Joe Biden can the Democrats win the US election? s. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocusBy The Guardian

1
President Biden steps aside 28:29

19m ago28:29

28:29

President Joe Biden upended the 2024 US election race by withdrawing as his party’s canidate to face Donald Trump and instead threw his support behind his vice president Kamala Harris. Jonathan Freedland spoke to Nikki McCann Ramirez for a special episode of Politics Weekly America. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus…

1
Modern Servitude And Future Asset Wars 21:16

3h ago21:16

21:16

Yenifer, from Provincia De Panamá, Panama is the lucky listener setting out the first question for discussion today - “Are we brainwashed into thinking working hard gets us wherever we want? Is that just a form of enslavement? If we were taught to have a mindset of working smarter, would that impact those trying to keep us in our seats? We’re told …

1
The ‘brat’ summer takeover 30:52

4d ago30:52

30:52

The Guardian music editor Ben Beaumont-Thomas, books editor Lucy Knight and film and TV critic Leila Latif look at what’s dominating culture this summer. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocusBy The Guardian

1
Dodging the draft: one Ukrainian man’s story 29:18

11h ago29:18

29:18

As the war grinds on and the death toll mounts, fewer Ukrainians are volunteering to fight. And some are going to desperate lengths to avoid it. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocusBy The Guardian

1
The king’s speech: how radical will Labour be? 20:15

22m ago20:15

20:15

The new Labour government gets its first chance to set a legislative agenda with the king’s speech at the state opening of parliament. Jessica Elgot examines how radical it will be. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocusBy The Guardian

1
Has the attempt to kill Trump handed him the election? 27:37

12m ago27:37

27:37

As Republicans meet at their national convention this week, has the shooting of the former president altered the course of US politics? David Smith reports. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocusBy The Guardian

1
Inside the biggest art fraud in US history 35:20

1h ago35:20

35:20

Orlando Whitfield, the author of All That Glitters, on his years of friendship with the art fraudster Inigo Philbrick. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocusBy The Guardian

1
The attempted assassination of Donald Trump – Politics Weekly America 22:36

1h ago22:36

22:36

On Saturday night in London, word came through that Donald Trump had been injured during one of his rallies in Pennsylvania. A shooter, who killed another person and seriously injured others, was killed by Secret Service agents. As the US comes to grips with what just happened, Jonathan Freedland presents as special edition of Politics Weekly Ameri…

1
Rethinking Population Policy 21:58

4h ago21:58

21:58

Today, we’re again taking a break from our usual format, to give more time and to encourage you, our valued listeners, to send in more questions, for us to explore in future episodes. In this episode, we discuss a question set by an attendee of last year’s iteration of Environmental Debate Live & Unscripted, the live incarnation of this podcast. Th…

1
Euro 2024: is it coming home? 25:31

1d ago25:31

25:31

How did Gareth Southgate get the England team to the Euro 2024 final? Barney Ronay reports. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocusBy The Guardian

1
The Conservative party: rows, resignations … and a tilt right? 33:23

3d ago33:23

33:23

After a brutal defeat, the starting gun has been fired on the Tory leadership battle – but which faction will triumph? Kiran Stacey and Peter Walker report. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocusBy The Guardian

1
Joe Biden and the Democrats’ dilemma 27:33

4d ago27:33

27:33

Since Biden’s poor performance in first TV debate against Donald Trump, his place on the ballot has been under threat. Joan E Greve reports. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocusBy The Guardian

1
France’s leftwing alliance beat the far right, but what now? 26:17

5d ago26:17

26:17

A leftwing alliance snatched victory from the far right in the final round of the French parliamentary elections. But will France now fall into political deadlock? Angelique Chrisafis reports. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocusBy The Guardian

1
Keir Starmer’s first weekend in power 27:42

6d ago27:42

27:42

Keir Starmer vowed to put the country before his party as he appointed his cabinet and toured the four countries of the UK. Jonathan Freedland reports on what we have learned from the new prime minister’s first days in office. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocusBy The Guardian

1
Unpacking the Sustainability of Common Human Activities 9:21

9d ago9:21

9:21

Today, we're taking a break from our usual format, to give more time and to encourage you, our valued listeners, to send in more questions for us to explore in future episodes. In this special episode, we revisit a thought-provoking question posed by Peter T. during our Environmental Debate Live & Unscripted event in May 2023. This was the ticketed…

1
Politics Weekly UK – Labour wins a landslide: Is this a new dawn? 35:10

8d ago35:10

35:10

Labour has won a landslide victory with Keir Starmer saying “change begins now”. Is this a new era for the country? The Guardian’s John Harris is joined by political editor Pippa Crerar and political correspondent Kiran Stacey. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocusBy The Guardian

1
Labour’s landslide victory 30:30

8d ago30:30

30:30

Labour have won a resounding victory making Keir Starmer prime minister with a thumping majority. Helen Pidd tells the story of the night with the help of Guardian reporters from around the country. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocusBy The Guardian

1
Election Extra: a guide to the night 9:14

9d ago9:14

9:14

When to set your alarm for the potential Portillo-moments and how to make it through to dawn. With Archie Bland. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocusBy The Guardian

1
Will France fall to the far right? 37:38

10d ago37:38

37:38

Marine Le Pen’s party won a significant victory in the first round of the French parliamentary elections. Can they be stopped? Angelique Chrisafis reports. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocusBy The Guardian

1
Election Extra: is it over? 10:20

10d ago10:20

10:20

Conservatives appear to be close to conceding defeat the day before the election. And Archie Bland hands out his campaign awards. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocusBy The Guardian

1
Marina Hyde and John Crace on the 2024 election campaign 26:32

11d ago26:32

26:32

Guardian columnist Marina Hyde and parliamentary sketch writer John Crace reflect on the highs and lows of the general election campaign. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocusBy The Guardian

1
Election Extra: desperate times 10:12

11d ago10:12

10:12

As the campaign enters its final hours, party leaders are trying to reach as many constituencies as they can and throwing out last desperate attack lines. Archie Bland reports. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocusBy The Guardian

1
The enigma of Keir Starmer 46:31

12d ago46:31

46:31

By the end of the week, Keir Starmer could be the UK’s next prime minister. Why do voters feel they don’t know him?. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocusBy The Guardian

1
Election Extra: Is the race to replace Sunak already under way? 9:55

12d ago9:55

9:55

The general election may be three days away, but for some Tory candidates it is merely the staging post for the competition they are really focused on: their party leadership contest. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocusBy The Guardian

1
The 14 years that broke Britain, part 2 45:02

13d ago45:02

45:02

In part two of our miniseries on how 14 years of Tory rule have impacted the UK, Jonathan Freedland explores how chaos from Brexit to Partygate destroyed trust in politics Listen to part 1: austerity. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocusBy The Guardian

1
Nature, Humanity, Potential 28:50

13d ago28:50

28:50

Join your co-hosts Stuart 'The Wildman' Mabbutt and William Mankelow as they tackle two thought-provoking questions sent in by listeners in this engaging episode of The People's Countryside Environmental Debate Podcast. Recorded in Stuart's garden, the duo dive into two intriguing queries that challenge perceptions of nature, society, and personal …

1
Election Extra: Reform UK activist’s racist ‘pub talk’ 10:53

26d ago10:53

10:53

Nigel Farage has vowed to banish those accused of extremist comments from campaigning for his Reform party after an undercover report from Clacton by Channel 4 News. Archie Bland reports. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocusBy The Guardian

1
The 14 years that broke Britain, part 1 39:36

26d ago39:36

39:36

If the polls are correct, an era is about to come to an end. What have 14 years of Conservative government done to the country? Jonathan Freedland reports Listen to part 2 here. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocusBy The Guardian

1
Election Extra: will undecided voters be decisive? 10:12

16d ago10:12

10:12

Apathy and antipathy towards all parties is a growing trend in UK elections. But with a week to go, undecided voters could prove critical to the result. Archie Bland reports. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocusBy The Guardian

1
Returning to Leigh: can Labour rebuild the red wall? 36:47

19d ago36:47

36:47

The Greater Manchester town was a Labour stronghold before 2019. Will it be once again? Helen Pidd reports. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocusBy The Guardian

1
Election Extra: Pippa Crerar on breaking the betting scandal 11:51

21d ago11:51

11:51

When she broke the first story over a week ago, the Guardian’s political editor, Pippa Crerar, could hardly have known how deep the betting scandal would go. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocusBy The Guardian

1
A win for Julian Assange and a loss for press freedom? 23:37

18d ago23:37

23:37

After years in ferocious pursuit, the US has finally agreed to a plea deal with the WikiLeaks founder. But there are fears it may set a dangerous precedent. Julian Borger reports. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocusBy The Guardian

1
Election Extra: Where are voters getting their news? 10:05

18d ago10:05

10:05

The election has just over a week to go and traditionally it is around now that voters start to really engage with the campaign. But this year feels different, says Jim Waterson. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocusBy The Guardian

1
McSweeney and Gray: the powers behind Keir Starmer 28:38

19d ago28:38

28:38

After Labour’s 2019 election defeat, Keir Starmer vowed to transform the party. Who are the advisers who have helped him shape it? Jessica Elgot reports. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocusBy The Guardian

1
Election Extra: Farage doubles down 9:37

19d ago9:37

9:37

Rishi Sunak has heavily criticised comments from Nigel Farage that the west provoked Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Archie Bland reports. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocusBy The Guardian

1
New towns and old ideas: Labour’s housing plan 33:33

24d ago33:33

33:33

What are Labour’s proposals for fixing the housing crisis? Robert Booth reports from Hitchin, North Hertfordshire. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocusBy The Guardian

1
Days, Ego And Consciousness 22:09

29d ago22:09

22:09

Why do we do this podcast? We do it to stop the big issues slipping into the shadows. We talk about listener questions as that's what's important to them, and always try to bring it back to the natural world in some way. We have the conversations that need having. It’s not the usual ambience in this episode, as we are back out in Stuart’s courtyard…

1
Election Extra: hope (within reason) 10:19

22d ago10:19

10:19

Labour has begun to hint that its ambitions in government will go beyond what it has promised in its manifesto, and sources have told the Guardian of plans to look at redrawing wealth taxes. Archie Bland reports. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocusBy The Guardian

1
Has Clacton fallen for Nigel Farage? 34:18

23d ago34:18

34:18

He claims he could be prime minister in 2029 but first he has to become an MP. Will it be eighth time lucky for Reform’s leader? Esther Addley reports. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocusBy The Guardian

1
Election Extra: All bets are off 10:11

28d ago10:11

10:11

The Conservatives have been hit with further irregular gambling allegations and the party’s campaigns director has taken a leave of absence. Archie Bland reports. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocusBy The Guardian

1
The Lib Dems’ surprising strategy to breach the blue wall 26:28

24d ago26:28

26:28

The Liberal Democrats began their campaign with eye-catching stunts, but it’s tactical voting that may help them breach the blue wall. Peter Walker reports. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocusBy The Guardian

1
Election Extra: inflation on target and the SNP manifesto 8:52

1M ago8:52

8:52

The SNP launched its manifesto today amid polling that shows the once dominant Scottish party facing steep losses. Archie Bland reports. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocusBy The Guardian

1
Germans are divided. Can Euro 2024 unite them? 21:47

25d ago21:47

21:47

Thanks to a troubled economy and gains by the far right in the European elections, Germany’s sense of identity is in the balance. Could footballing success bring the country back together? Philip Oltermann reports. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocusBy The Guardian

1
Election Extra: Labour heading for a landslide 9:49

1M ago9:49

9:49

A new poll for Ipsos shows Labour heading for an unprecedented majority and spells disaster for Rishi Sunak. Archie Bland reports. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocusBy The Guardian

1
The British judges ruling on the law in authoritarian Hong Kong 23:33

26d ago23:33

23:33

Since 1997 Hong Kong’s highest court has included British judges. But with China changing the laws in the city, they are being urged to resign. Amy Hawkins reports. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocusBy The Guardian

1
Election Extra: Farage’s five-year plan 10:13

26d ago10:13

10:13

Nigel Farage has launched Reform UK’s ‘contract’ with voters, which he insists is not a manifesto. Archie Bland reports on its content and whether it adds up. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocusBy The Guardian

501
The economy and Labour’s post-election dilemma 21:59

30d ago21:59

21:59

Heather Stewart explains how the party’s central economic message could help it win power but then constrain it in office. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocusBy The Guardian

Podcasts Worth a Listen

HS2 Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Quick Reference Guide