Best Clean Cut Audio Podcasts (2025)

1
Starmer’s back-to-school headaches 24:25

Play Pause

1d ago24:25

24:25

Pippa Crerar and Kiran Stacey are back, talking through all of the challenges the government faces as MPs return to Westminster. Plus, they discuss the prime minister’s shake-up of his Downing Street team. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspodBy The Guardian

1
Episode 34 (pt 2): How drinks businesses are responding to water risks and nature loss 42:13

4d ago42:13

42:13

Episode 34 of Sustainability Uncovered is a two-part special to mark World Water Week 2025, which runs from 24 August to 28 August inclusive.Big businesses are reporting $77bn of water-related risks though 2050 via CDP, and with 10% of this risk being classed as immediate. Floods, droughts, water pollution and over-use are huge challenges for many …

1
‘Rugby is the best idea we’ve ever come up with as a species,’ I go, channelling Fr Fehily 6:34

4d ago6:34

6:34

It’s finally here. A day I’ve dreamt about for, like, 12 years. Brian, Johnny and Leo are storting school in Castlerock College, where their old man famously went and his old man before him. irishtimes.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1
No going back: Nigel Farage’s immigration plan 26:00

6d ago26:00

26:00

In a major speech this week, Reform UK set out how it would lower immigration. With controversial plans to deport hundreds of thousands of migrants and scrap key human rights protections, Nigel Farage described immigration as a ‘scourge’ and an ‘invasion’. Was this a watershed moment in the way politicians talk about small boat crossings? And what …

1
Episode 34 (pt 1): Inside luxury giant Kering’s new water strategy 32:01

6d ago32:01

32:01

Episode 34 of Sustainability Uncovered is a two-part special to mark World Water Week 2025, which runs from 24 August to 28 August inclusive.Big businesses are reporting $77bn of water-related risks though 2050 via CDP, and with 10% of this risk being classed as immediate. Floods, droughts, water pollution and over-use are huge challenges for many …

1
A year of hate: what I learned when I went undercover with the far right – from The Audio Long Read 35:55

8d ago35:55

35:55

Working for Hope Not Hate, I infiltrated an extremist organisation, befriended its members and got to work investigating their political connections Written and read by Harry Shukman Find more from The Audio Long Read here Read the text version here Adapted from Year of the Rat: Undercover in the British Far Right, published by Chatto & Windus. To …

1
Sorcha goes, ‘The Dalkey Lobster Festival is this weekend. How am I going to show my face?’ 6:28

11d ago6:28

6:28

“I remember when you got your Leaving Cert results,” Sorcha’s old man goes. “I don’t think I’ve ever been more proud of you, Dorling.” Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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Revisited: A day on the frontline of England’s social care crisis 36:24

12d ago36:24

36:24

An ageing population, a funding squeeze and a recruitment crisis have taken England’s adult social care system to breaking point. In this episode, recorded and first published in March, John Harris visited Greater Manchester to find out what a day in the life of a care worker looked like and whether it was too late to save this vital service. Help …

1
Ryvid: Electric Motorcycles Powering a Change in Urban Transportation 17:58

15d ago17:58

17:58

What if your motorcycle wasn’t just electric, but designed to evolve with you? That’s the question Ryvid, a California-based electric vehicle startup, is answering with their bold new approach to urban mobility. Their modular, lightweight motorcycles are built not only for performance and style, but for sustainability across the full product lifecy…

1
How does woke start winning again? – from The Audio Long Read 35:24

15d ago35:24

35:24

British progressives have suffered major setbacks in recent years, in both public opinion and court rulings. Was a backlash inevitable, and are new tactics needed? By Gaby Hinsliff. Read by Carlyss Peer Find more from The Audio Long Read here Read the text version here. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod…

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‘I think you should have a conversation with Honor about her drinking,’ Sorcha goes 5:59

19d ago5:59

5:59

So – yeah, no – we’re in the cor, on the way to the airport, to collect Honor, who’s coming home from her Leaving Cert holiday in, believe it or not, Magaluf. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1
Our list of the summer’s best culture picks 4:02

19d ago4:02

4:02

Politics Weekly is taking a break for the summer. But, as is tradition, John Harris has a roundup of some of his favourite cultural picks Get In: The Inside Story of Labour Under Starmer by Patrick Maguire and Gabriel Pogrund The Restless Republic: Britain Without a Crown by Anna Keay The Blood in Winter: A Nation Descends, 1642 by Jonathan Healey …

1
Your questions answered: opinion polls and celebrity politicians 33:30

22d ago33:30

33:30

You asked, we answered. In this special episode, Pippa Crerar and Kiran Stacey sit down to chat through some of the questions you’ve sent to us. Fancy another one? We’d love to hear from you. Our email address is [email protected]. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod…

1
‘I got thrun out of Amedica,’ Ronan goes. ‘Me visa was revoked’ 7:11

26d ago7:11

7:11

So I’m walking around town with Ronan and – yeah, no – we’re playing a game we used to play when he was, like, eight years old: when we pass a shop or restaurant, he tells me whether it’s a real business or a money-laundering front. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1
Social Security Under Strain 29:31

26d ago29:31

29:31

If you’ve experienced issues with Social Security — missed checks, delayed responses, or inaccessible services — you can file a complaint with the California Department of Justice at oag.ca.gov/socialsecurity. APPEARING IN THIS EPISODE: Kelly Dearman – Executive Director, San Francisco Department of Disability and Aging Services Paul Aguilar – Soci…

1
Dale Vince on net zero, Gaza and why he’s still backing Labour 34:17

28d ago34:17

34:17

John Harris is joined by the eco-activist, entrepreneur and political donor Dale Vince to chat through his journey from new age traveller to renewable energy millionaire and major backer of the Labour party. Plus, he discusses why he believes business holds the key to solving the climate emergency, and what he thinks the government should be doing …

1
Catherine Ashton on the UK’s role in a changing world 31:15

30d ago31:15

31:15

Pippa Crerar and Kiran Stacey sit down in a special episode with peer Catherine Ashton to hear from the former EU commissioner and trade negotiator on what she makes of an increasingly unstable world. Find out what it’s like to be in a room with world leaders including Benjamin Netanyahu, Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin …. Help support our independen…

1
When Honor drops the news, I sit there with my mouth open like someone from Roscommon seeing escalators for the first time 5:40

1M ago5:40

5:40

Sorcha tells Honor that she’s leaving it very late. Honor’s like, “What are you talking about?” And Sorcha goes, “I’m talking about the debs, Honor.” Honor’s there, “Not this again,” and she’s right because her old is like a dog with a chew toy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.…

1
Summer riots: what have we learned a year on? 36:53

1M ago36:53

36:53

This week marks a year since the murder of three young girls in Southport became a catalyst for riots that spread to many parts of the UK. With scenes of unrest at hotels housing asylum seekers in recent weeks, have we learned anything from the events of last year? John Harris is joined by Dame Sara Khan, the former counter-extremism commissioner a…

1
Episode 33: Greener cleaning, B Corp strategy and Britain’s infrastructure bonanza 1:02:10

1M ago1:02:10

1:02:10

Is the UK's Infrastructure Strategy good news, or bad news, for climate, nature and jobs? Are we really in an ESG winter? And what's the best path to B Corp certification?Find out in the new episode of edie's Sustainability Uncovered podcast, which is provides a UK policy recap as the Government strives to deliver 150 major infrastructure projects …

1
Angela Rayner on lessons learned from Labour’s first year 34:35

1M ago34:35

34:35

Pippa Crerar and Kiran Stacey speak to Angela Rayner about Labour’s first year in government and the challenges ahead. The deputy prime minister reveals the issue that keeps her awake at night, reflects on why voters are frustrated with Labour, what she thinks the party can do about it, and how it’s planning to take the fight to Reform. Help suppor…

1
The old dear made a seating plan for her own funeral. She didn’t want ugly people in the first three pews 6:14

1M ago6:14

6:14

Sorcha says I can’t wear those. And I’m like, “My Dubes? What’s wrong with my Dubes?” She goes, “You can’t wear Dubes to a funeral, Ross. Put a pair of actual shoes on.” Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1
Gaza: if the UK won’t act now, then when? 31:41

1M ago31:41

31:41

As hundreds of thousands of people face starvation in Gaza, this week the foreign secretary, David Lammy, joined a chorus of global condemnation over Israel’s actions, describing the killing of innocent civilians seeking food and water as grotesque. But when will his words be followed by action? John Harris speaks to the UN’s special rapporteur on …

1
Why was the government allowed to keep the Afghan data breach secret? 35:50

1M ago35:50

35:50

The revelation that the government concealed a huge story about the resettlement of people from Afghanistan after their lives were put at risk by a data breach has left Westminster reeling. So why was it allowed to be kept secret for so long? And what could the fallout be? The Guardian’s political correspondent Kiran Stacey joins John Harris to dis…

1
The big stink: will a new watchdog clean up our waterways? 27:43

1M ago27:43

27:43

Pippa Crerar and Kiran Stacey discuss the government’s plans to overhaul the water industry. Will they be able to clean up the waterways of England and Wales, and what could it mean for bills? Plus, what is Keir Starmer’s latest move to help restore public trust in politics? And, as MPs break for summer, Pippa and Kiran hand out their end-of-year a…

1
I get this sudden flashback to when I was six or seven and I’d hold the wheel steady for the old dear while she drove home, half-cut 6:24

2M ago6:24

6:24

“Okay,” the old man goes, “here’s another one you, Kicker!” because – yeah, no – he’s written a book of his Fifty Years of Letters to The Irish Times, which Honor has helped pull together for him. “Listen to this one! Dear Madam. Whilst sorting through the vegetable tower in the kitchen the other morning, I discovered an oval-shaped tuber with a pa…

1
Mazak: The Machine Tools Powering Sustainable Manufacturing 16:59

2M ago16:59

16:59

Mazak Europe is part of the Yamazaki Mazak Corporation, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of CNC machine tools and laser cutting machines. These machines use ultra-precise multi-axis tools to shape the components used in everything from medical devices to Formula One cars. But Mazak’s focus is not just on performance, it is on sustainability…

1
Have tax rises become inevitable? 20:57

2M ago20:57

20:57

Pippa Crerar and Kiran Stacey look at how Rachel Reeves will try to reassure her party and the country about the state of the economy in a major speech this week. Also, how does the government plan to convince the public – and other MPs – to embrace net zero measures? Plus, as details of Donald Trump’s second state visit are confirmed, why won’t he…

1
The Silent Killer — Chronic Hepatitis B Threatens the Health of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. 29:29

2M ago29:29

29:29

About the ‘Silent Killer’ Series The San Francisco Public Press examined recent efforts to step up diagnosis, vaccination and treatment for hepatitis B. Chronic hepatitis B affects an estimated 305,000 people in California, with the vast majority of cases affecting people in Asian American and Pacific Islander communities. Deep racial and cultural …

1
The old dear goes, ‘Sorcha? I don’t know anyone of that name. Is she one of your tarts, Ross?’ 6:51

2M ago6:51

6:51

The room is absolutely rammers and through the door I spot so many faces from the past. We’re talking Angela and Dermot from the campaign to move Funderland to the northside. We’re talking Ida and Clem from the campaign to stop the Luas from coming to Foxrock. We’re talking Lucy and Aednat from the campaign to stop poor people being allowed into th…

1
More headaches for Labour: Send, strikes and small boats 32:07

2M ago32:07

32:07

Only a week after the government was forced to retreat on benefits reform, there’s now controversy over its plans for children with special educational needs and disabilities (Send). John Harris speaks to Kate Cox, a parent of two children with special needs, about why there’s such concern about the plans. Plus, with NHS doctors going on strike aga…

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Is Send the next battleground for Labour? – Politics Weekly UK 27:01

2M ago27:01

27:01

Pippa Crerar and Kiran Stacey discuss why backbenchers and campaigners are already gearing up for another fight, this time over children’s special educational needs and disabilities (Send) support. And, could a new party on the left be a threat to Labour?. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod…

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One year of Labour - Politics Weekly live at Crossed Wires festival 42:14

2M ago42:14

42:14

One year on from Keir Starmer’s election victory and Labour are well behind Reform in the polls, while the government is already having to bend to the will of its backbenchers. So how can Starmer recover? Kiran Stacey talks to Jonathan Ashworth, the chief executive of Labour Together and former MP for Leicester South, and Marie Tidball, the Labour …

1
Oisinn goes, ‘Dude, you’re saying goodbye. You do realise that? You’re saying goodbye to your old dear’ 5:57

2M ago5:57

5:57

“What the fock?” Oisinn goes. “Are you serious?” I’m there, “Oh, I’m serious all right. I’m as serious as – well, you know what.” He goes, “A living funeral? Where did this idea even come from?" Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1
Unhappy birthday? Labour in turmoil after one year in government – Politics Weekly UK 38:20

2M ago38:20

38:20

This week marks one year since Keir Starmer came to power after a landslide election victory. But with questions over the Chancellor’s future, historically low popularity and a series of U-turns, Labour has not had the honeymoon period some might have wished for. So how did we get here? John Harris is joined by Pippa Crerar and Kiran Stacey to talk…

1
How the welfare bill went wrong – Politics Weekly Westminster 26:01

2M ago26:01

26:01

Pippa Crerar and Kiran Stacey discuss how the government was forced into backtracking on its plans to cut disability payments. Will changes to the welfare bill be enough to win over rebels? And how damaging is another U-turn for Keir Starmer and his team?. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod…

1
Brett goes, ‘She’s close to the end, Ross. I was thinking we should arrange a living funeral for her’ 6:19

2M ago6:19

6:19

“He must have been in a fight last night,” Sorcha goes. And – yeah, no – she’s talking about my brother slash half-brother, Brett. I’m there, “Why do you say he was in a fight?” And she goes, “Oh my God, didn’t you see the bruises on his neck when he came home this morning?” Seriously, sometimes it’s like she was never young at all. Hosted on Acast…

1
The welfare cuts rebellion – Politics Weekly UK 38:42

2M ago38:42

38:42

Keir Starmer is vowing to push ahead with plans to cut disability payments. But with more than 100 Labour MPs threatening to rebel, could he be forced into another U-turn? Kiran Stacey asks Labour’s Rebecca Long-Bailey and the Guardian’s Heather Stewart. Plus, in the age of Trump, does the UK still matter on the world stage? Labour peer and former …

1
Episode 32: Bottom trawling bans, oyster restoration and the High Seas Treaty 57:20

2M ago57:20

57:20

Was the UN Ocean Conference in France a success? Why are oysters a great coastal climate solution? And what, exactly, is bottom trawling?Find out in the new episode of edie's Sustainability Uncovered podcast, which is all about the ways in which we can conserve and restore our oceans - whether we're business leaders, academics or athletes. Your co-…

1
UK walks diplomatic tightrope over Trump’s attack on Iran – Politics Weekly Westminster 23:21

2M ago23:21

23:21

Pippa Crerar and Kiran Stacey discuss how Keir Starmer’s government is responding to the US president’s decision to launch attacks on Iranian nuclear sites. What might happen next? And what could it mean for the UK and the world?. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod…

1
I’m always telling Sorcha to tone down the southside when we come out to Bray but she never listens 6:53

2M ago6:53

6:53

I’m like, “Bray?” And Sorcha’s there, “Yes, Ross – Bray!” I’m like, “But why do we have to go to Bray?” sounding like a spoiled child – in other words, one of ours. irishtimes.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1
Trump edges closer to war: could he drag the UK in? – Politics Weekly UK 33:22

3M ago33:22

33:22

As Israel and Iran trade escalating blows, and the horrific situation in Gaza continues, Trump has suggested the US could get directly involved. So how is Keir Starmer going to handle all this? And what could it mean for millions of Iranians? John Harris speaks to the Guardian’s diplomatic editor, Patrick Wintour, and an Iranian woman who now lives…

1
Grooming gang inquiry U-turn; and how will the UK respond to Israel-Iran conflict? - Politics Weekly Westminster 28:52

3M ago28:52

28:52

Pippa Crerar and Kiran Stacey discuss the UK’s reaction to the Israel-Iran conflict, and whether Gaza has influenced the government’s response. And as Keir Starmer bows to pressure to launch a national inquiry into grooming gangs, they ask: why now and what could the political fallout be of yet another U-turn?. Help support our independent journali…

1
‘I haven’t really been living before now,’ Brett tells his wife. ‘Ross has slept with more than 800 women’ 6:16

3M ago6:16

6:16

So it’s, like, ridiculous o’clock on a Saturday morning – we’re talking nine, ten, something like that – and I hear a ring on the front doorbell, followed, a short time later, by the sound of a woman’s voice going, “Is this the home of Ross O’Carroll-Kelly?” irishtimes.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.…

1
Reeves relaunches – but will it save Labour from Farage? – Politics Weekly UK 33:39

3M ago33:39

33:39

The chancellor has announced extra money for housing, energy, the NHS, defence and more, so is this the start of a new phase for the government? And should they have done it sooner to combat the rise of Reform? John Harris is joined in Westminster by our political editor, Pippa Crerar, and political correspondent, Kiran Stacey, to discuss the spend…

1
Winter fuel U-turn and spending review standoff – Politics Weekly Westminster 28:11

3M ago28:11

28:11

Pippa Crerar and Kiran Stacey discuss Rachel Reeves’s U-turn on winter fuel payments: will it be enough to undo the damage done by the policy? Plus, they look ahead to this week’s spending review as negotiations with ministers go down to the wire. And after its chair dramatically quit the party only to return 48 hours later, what’s going on with Re…

1
‘I’m not even a bit stressed,’ Honor goes, ‘I haven’t done a focking tap for these exams’ 5:42

3M ago5:42

5:42

Sorcha thinks we should maybe check on Honor and there’s an air of definite excitement in her voice when she says it? Yeah, no, it’s the night before the stort of the Leaving Cert and my wife is absolutely determined that this should be one of those mother-daughter moments... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.…

1
Missing in the Amazon: the disappearance – episode 1 26:56

3M ago26:56

26:56

Three years ago, British journalist Dom Phillips and Brazilian indigenous defender Bruno Pereira vanished while on a reporting trip near Brazil’s remote Javari valley. The Guardian’s Latin America correspondent, Tom Phillips, investigates what happened in the first episode of a new six-part investigative podcast series. Find episode 2 – and all fut…

1
Will Labour’s spending squeeze kill its big housing promise? – Politics Weekly UK 33:09

3M ago33:09

33:09

Labour’s pledge to build 1.5 million homes is reportedly under serious threat. What’s gone wrong? And what happens if the government breaks its promise to tackle the housing crisis? John Harris talks to the political correspondent Kiran Stacey and social affairs correspondent Jessica Murray. Plus, will the chancellor’s charm offensive ease concerns…

1
Is the UK ready for war? – Politics Weekly Westminster podcast 23:02

3M ago23:02

23:02

Keir Starmer promised to make Britain ‘battle-ready’ as he announced the government’s defence spending plans. But what does that actually look like? And how will the government pay for it? Pippa Crerar and Kiran Stacey discuss the strategic defence review and ask: is the UK really ready for war? Plus, they look ahead to next week’s spending review.…