Best Channel4 Podcasts (2025)

Ed, Oli, and Seán chat about a wealth tax, but they also just chat. How will Rachel Reeves fill the newest hole in government finances? Is a seal a bird? (0:00:00) PoliticsJOE Premium (0:00:48) Opening chat (0:10:45) Torture methods (0:28:00) Aquatic birds (0:41:30) Wealth tax? (0:56:24) Footy chat (1:05:59) End Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/priva…

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Reform MP flames out and Zarah + Jez against the world (?) 1:10:25

Play Pause

2d ago1:10:25

1:10:25

It's Monday morning. Another Reform scandal, another party on the left. Oli and Ed discuss. (0:00:00) PoliticsJOE Premium (0:00:47) Start (0:02:00) Gigs chat (0:06:30) Gardens and civil liberty (0:15:17) Ed is a cyclist (?) (0:22:12) James McMurdock suspends himself from Reform (0:45:04) The Left is back (1:09:48) PoliticsJOE Premium Hosted on Acas…

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Another round: Ruchir Sharma: Why capitalism doesn't work 30:45

4d ago30:45

30:45

Global investor and author Ruchir Sharma joins us to unpack the core arguments from his latest book, What Went Wrong With Capitalism. Drawing on decades of experience in global markets and political analysis, Sharma offers a sweeping critique of how modern capitalism has strayed from its original purpose — and why it's no longer delivering for the …

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Rachel Reeves cries at PMQs | Analysis with Marc Jennings 46:55

7d ago46:55

46:55

Ed and Ava are joined by comedian and fellow Scot Marc Jennings to discuss today's blockbuster PMQs, which saw Rachel Reeves cry and Starmer struggle to answer for yesterday's rebellion. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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Will Keir Starmer get to punish the disabled? Will the Labour party stop him? 39:22

8d ago39:22

39:22

In what's being dubbed a modern classic, Oli and Seán discuss Labour's welfare rebellion and Bob Vylan's criminal investigation, as well as partaking in some vacuum-sealed analysis. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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Are Bob Vylan the next KNEECAP? 1:00:52

9d ago1:00:52

1:00:52

Today the triple threat are back in the dungeon on this, the Monday after Glastonbury, to chew the cud over the weekend's events. As the BBC comes under fire for broadcasting Bob Vylan's set where the group led anti-IDF chants, we ask whether the backlash is overegged and whether free speech is dying at the hands of right-wing snowflakes. Hosted on…

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326. Breaking Bad Retrospective (Season Three) 1:56:02

10d ago1:56:02

1:56:02

This week Dan and Chris take another break from their normal structure to continue our season by season retrospective of Breaking Bad. Is this show as good as history remembers it? Does it hold up to it's reputation? Is 'The Fly' a masterpiece or disaster? Let's discuss!

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Another round: Neoliberalism is under threat with the IEA's Chris Snowden 34:09

12d ago34:09

34:09

Chris Snowden of the IEA, a neoliberal think tank, joins Ava in the JOETowers basement to talk smoking, gambling, and threats to the neoliberal way of life. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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Who is really running the Labour party? Anushka Asthana interview 32:04

12d ago32:04

32:04

Ava sits down with the US Editor of Channel 4 News Anushka Asthana on the launch of her new book Taken for Red. They get into the mind of Keir Starmer, his plans for the country, and his cutthroat nature at the helm of Labour. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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Welfare Cuts and Pride as protest 43:34

13d ago43:34

43:34

Today Ava and Conor talk welfare cuts, the rebellion Starmer faces over them, and the state of Pride in 2025. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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PMQs with Vittorio Angelone 1:07:55

14d ago1:07:55

1:07:55

Comedian and friend of friends of the podcast Vittorio Angelone joins us for some (deputy) PMQs analysis. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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What we saw at the Palestine Action protest 29:38

15d ago29:38

29:38

Laura returns from yesterday's Palestine Action protest to tell Seán all about it. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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Are we doing Iraq 2.0? 1:00:42

16d ago1:00:42

1:00:42

In what could be described as a loose record, Ed and Ava touch on recent developments in the Middle East, Labour's threatened proscription of Palestine Action, and are joined by Fawaz Gerges, Professor of International Relations at LSE, for some real analysis of Trump's actions in Iran. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.…

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Another round: How Trump destroyed his own legacy 42:47

19d ago42:47

42:47

Author of The Big Short Michael Lewis swing by JOETowers to chat to Oli about "who" actually is government. His new book Who is Government? is out now. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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Why there are no "geniuses" anymore 35:59

19d ago35:59

35:59

Helen Lewis swung by JOETowers to chat if anyone is actually a genius - and what who we label "geniuses" tells us about society. She argues that "genius" is a romanticised idea: the notion that extraordinary talent excuses bad behaviour or moral failings. Think, Elon Musk. She unpacks how celebrated (almost always male) figures like Edison, Einstei…

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What we saw at the terrorism trial of KNEECAP 30:56

20d ago30:56

30:56

After reporting from the scene of Mo Chara's court hearing and its surrounding protest yesterday, Seán and Laura dive into what they saw and why the British state are really going after KNEECAP. Support PoliticsJOE's journalism: https://www.patreon.com/PoliticsJOE (0:00:00) JOEnlyFans (0:01:20) Love Irish podcasts hate Irish nonces (0:01:47) A note…

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Big Ange and Philpch have it off at PMQs 49:06

21d ago49:06

49:06

On today's 'tight' record, Ed and Oli discuss the illustrious Deputy Prime Minister's Questions, Robert Jenrick's dark arts, and school uniforms. Support PoliticsJOE's journalism: https://www.patreon.com/PoliticsJOE (0:00:00) JOEnlyFans (0:01:20) Grand opening (0:03:40) (D)PMQs (0:40:13) The record gets loose Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy …

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What’s controversial about the mass rape of children? 40:14

22d ago40:14

40:14

After Yvette Cooper's statement in the Commons yesterday responding to the findings of the Casey report, Seán, Oli, and Laura delve into what's really going on with grooming gangs. Support PoliticsJOE's journalism: https://www.patreon.com/PoliticsJOE (0:00:00) A bit of chat (0:07:10) But why JOEnlyFans? (0:15:24) Grooming gangs Hosted on Acast. See…

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On the ground in Ballymena 1:02:09

23d ago1:02:09

1:02:09

Ed returns to the studio to discuss his Journalism in Northern Ireland, where he was on the ground reporting on the Ballymena riots. Oli joins him to create the platonic ideal of a podcast. Support PoliticsJOE's journalism: https://www.patreon.com/PoliticsJOE (0:00:00) Dross (0:10:01) PoliticsJOE Premium (0:22:40) Witches (0:26:18) Ballymena Hosted…

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How Trump changed the world with Anne Applebaum 38:22

26d ago38:22

38:22

Ava is joined by journalist and historian Anne Applebaum on the release of the paperback of her book Autocracy Inc. They discuss Trump, authoritarianism, and the failure of liberal democracies and world order. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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Does Britain have a "fentanyl" crisis? 26:58

26d ago26:58

26:58

Laura's been in Birmingham, finding out about the city's synthetic opioid crisis. She chats to DISPATCH's editor Jacob Furedi about the drug deadlier than fentanyl being cut into Britain's drug supply. You can watch Laura's report tomorrow on the PoliticsJOE YouTube. You can read Jacob's investigation here: https://dispatch-media.com/britains-hidde…

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Some thoughts on Rachel Reeves' spending review 12:19

27d ago12:19

12:19

In a quiet studio, Oli Dugmore alone takes on Rachel Reeves' spending review with some hard analysis... and a surprise at the end. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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Going deep on the Ballymena riots 44:01

28d ago44:01

44:01

Before Oli dives into the spending review tomorrow morning, Seán joins him to talk the Ballymena riots and how the far right are mobilising across borders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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Why I confronted Nigel Farage on Reform's tax plans 20:34

29d ago20:34

20:34

Ava was at Reform's unveiling of a new party chairman on Tuesday, where Zia Yusuf was also shown off as heading up their UK DOGE wing. We got in the studio for a quick few minutes to break down the crossroads the party is beginning to find itself. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.…

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Why we should nationalise everything with Mathew Lawrence 48:11

29d ago48:11

48:11

Mathew Lawrence of the progressive think tank Common Wealth makes the trip down to JOETowers to talk deindustrialisation, GB Energy, and all things nationalisation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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Emergency Pod: Labour U-turn on Winter Fuel 19:23

1M ago19:23

19:23

Ed, Oli, and Ava hastily reassemble in the PolJoe dungeon to cover Labour's announcement that they will reinstate the winter fuel payment for pensioners. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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Riots in LA, our cancellation, and Zia Yusuf's return 50:51

1M ago50:51

50:51

Following his return from Scotland, Ed is reunited with Oli and Ava to talk immigration protests in LA, wade into last week's backlash, and figure out what's going on with Reform. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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325. The Fourteenth Annual Static Awards (Night Two) 1:55:47

1M ago1:55:47

1:55:47

To celebrate 13 years of this podcast, it's time for the Fourteenth Annual Static Awards, our fictional TV awards show which is really just a poor excuse to recap the year in TV. We both nominate shows for each award and debate who should win. Awards are meaningless, but this podcast is fun. We promise. This year, split this awards into two episode…

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Another round: Oli Dugmore vs Iain Dale on Thatcherism 59:00

1M ago59:00

59:00

Iain Dale is a broadcaster, political geek and author of many books, most recent among them Margaret Thatcher: The Prime Ministers Series. He swung by JOETowers on release of his book to sit down with Oli and chew the fat over her legacy, her policies and how her actions as Britain's first female Prime Minister are misunderstood. Hosted on Acast. S…

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324. The Fourteenth Annual Static Awards (Night One) 2:33:38

1M ago2:33:38

2:33:38

To celebrate 13 years of this podcast, it's time for the Fourteenth Annual Static Awards, our fictional TV awards show which is really just a poor excuse to recap the year in TV. We both nominate shows for each award and debate who should win. Awards are meaningless, but this podcast is fun. We promise. This year, split this awards into two episode…

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Explained: Immigration and the rise of the Irish far-right 21:30

1M ago21:30

21:30

In recent years, Ireland has seen a steady increase in anti-immigration, racist and conspiracy laden politics. What began as an online fringe has manifested in recent months and years into events such as the Dublin riots in 2023, or the burning down of buildings destined to house asylum seekers across the country. While the sentiment and emotion be…

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PoliticsJOE reacts to Elon and Trump's insane beef 54:28

1M ago54:28

54:28

Sound the emergency podcast button, it's Trump versus Musk, politics is good again baby, awooga! Ed and Laura chat about the insane fallout between Trump and Musk, Zia Yusuf leaving Reform, and what really happened in a Scottish by-election. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.…

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Kate Nash: Feminism, why Musk is a fool and the music industry 55:32

1M ago55:32

55:32

Today Ava and Conor are joined by totem of the British music industry Kate Nash. We get into attacks against Imane Khelif, anti-trans activists, and right-wing grifters hell-bent on making everybody's life worse. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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PMQs reaction: Badenoch's best? 48:58

1M ago48:58

48:58

PMQs is back with a vengeance, and Ava and Oli rise to the occasion. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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Reacting to Bobby J and Ava's interview with DWP Secretary 42:12

1M ago42:12

42:12

On this fine Tuesday Ava and Seán react live to Robert Jenrick's latest video in his one-man war against Labour, as well as Ava's interview with Secretary for Work and Pensions Liz Kendall. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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323. Who Review 7 4:32:16

1M ago4:32:16

4:32:16

This week Dan and Chris are diving into the second season of the new era of Doctor Who in this bonus episode. We attempted, and failed to review each episode in just 20 minutes week by week and this is the result!

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Debriefing the Bernie Interview 42:41

1M ago42:41

42:41

This week Oli and Ava draw back the curtain and discuss what went into last Friday's interview with U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders. Join them for a peek. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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Another Round: Bernie Sanders on how to beat the billionaires 32:28

1M ago32:28

32:28

Bernie Sanders is a busy man these days. When he's not holding Trump's cabinet to account, he's speaking to record-breaking crowds with Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez as part of his Fighting Oligarchy tour. The Senator for Vermont was in the UK this week, and took time out of his busy schedule to speak to us about Donald Trump, the billionaires ruling th…

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What I didn't get to say on Question Time 16:03

1M ago16:03

16:03

Ava was in Cheltenham at Question Time on Thursday night and came back to the PolJOE dungeon to talk about it. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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A deep dive into online relationships with Ipsos 30:57

1M ago30:57

30:57

Today we are joined by Director of Politics at Ipsos UK Kieran Pedley after the pollsters conducted research in partnership with JOE Media Group investigating the world of dating, feminism, masculinity and the changing world of human relationships in the digital age. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.…

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Does Lucy Connolly belong in prison? 48:27

1M ago48:27

48:27

This week Oli and Ava talk Tommy Robinson's release, Trump's crackdown on free speech, and go head-to-head on Lucy Connolly's 31 month sentence. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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322. Good TV, Bad Movie 1:48:21

1M ago1:48:21

1:48:21

This week Dan and Chris catch up on some recent TV news including a bunch of casting news, the return of scrubs, the cancellation of The Wheel of Time and Jeremy Renner's Hawkeye Season Two wage dispute. Plus we review The Studio, The Four Seasons and Common Side Effects.

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Another Round: Feminism vs the Algorithm 42:55

2M ago42:55

42:55

Cyber brothels in Berlin. Deepfake pornography in schools. AI "girlfriends". Oli speaks to activist and author Laura Bates about how AI is revolutionising how men and women interact. Her new book The New Age of Sexism: How AI is Reinventing Misogyny is out now. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.…

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Labour MP on why Starmer shouldn't cut welfare 35:09

2M ago35:09

35:09

Neil Duncan-Jordan came by JOETowers to break down his party's crusade against benefits claimants, and why it's the worst possible idea. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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Kneecap member charged with terror offence, and Labour want to castrate nonces 30:33

2M ago30:33

30:33

Today we're reacting to the news that KNEECAP's Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh has been charged with a terror offence after a video of a gig resurfaced after their Coachella gig, and to news the Justice Secretary is considering mandatory castration of sex offenders on early release from prison. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.…

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PMQs analysis 47:34

2M ago47:34

47:34

After Keir Starmer hinted at another u-turn at PMQs today, we ran down to the dungeon to bring you another morsel of analysis. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.