Ed Balls and George Osborne take us behind closed doors into the rooms where decisions are made. Having battled it out across the despatch box, the former Chancellor and shadow chancellor now meet in the studio to discuss the decisions that affect the nation’s pockets. Our frenemies have the knowledge and experience to explain how good politics follows the economics - and expose how the powerful become powerless when faced with market forces and political currents they can’t control. Join us ...
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Persephonica Podcasts
Jo Whiley and Zoe Ball lift the lid on the messy, everyday reality of trying to live well. Long-time friends and beloved broadcasters, they swap the studio for the sofa to catch up on everything going on in their lives — from homes and gardens to family life, health, ageing and music. New episodes every Monday and Wednesday on YouTube and all podcast platforms. Send your messages or voicenotes to: https://wa.me/447477038795 [email protected] Find us on social media @digitpod Dig It is ...
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Outrage + Optimism: The Climate Podcast is for anyone who is not ready to give up on making the world a better place. For unrivalled conversations with decision makers, visionary thinkers and a community of like-minded climate optimists, join former UN climate chief Christiana Figueres, political strategist Tom Rivett-Carnac and sustainable business consultant Paul Dickinson. Each week they make sense of all the top climate news stories, go behind the scenes at crucial talks and ensure you s ...
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Join friends since birth Lily Allen and Miquita Oliver twice a week for their transatlantic catch-ups, discussing everything from the highs and lows of their lives to the biggest cultural moments of the week. Every Monday, Lily and Miquita will throw the show open and invite questions on a theme; celebrity weddings, indie sleaze, orgasms, lies… Then on Thursdays, they’ll pick apart the world around them with unfiltered conversation on everything from intimacy to interiors, from exercise to e ...
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This is the story of how two Heirs of Enslavement - Clive Lewis MP, a descendent of the enslaved, and Laura Trevelyan, of the enslaver - can come together to right the wrongs of the past. In this six-part series, Clive and Laura will travel to Grenada, Barbados, and back to London to delve into their shared history. They’ll be asking what people across the Caribbean and beyond want, how to find a way forward, and whether true reparatory justice can be achieved. New episode every Friday. Host ...
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What does it really take to become an elite Paralympian? To be the strongest, the fastest, the most fearless - to not just defy expectations, but shatter them entirely. In this new podcast, Paralympic silver medallist Matt “The Armless Archer” Stutzman and Olympic legend Michael Johnson interview 8 incredible Paralympians as they prepare for this summer’s Paralympic Games. This is a chance for listeners to get to know the elite athletes going for the medals, to invest in their journeys, and ...
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President Donald Trump is in town, so it’s back to Windsor Castle for our Ed Balls! A podcast recording the morning after a lavish state banquet? Not a problem, it’s all par for the course for Ed, who has apparently been catching up on Downton Abbey in preparation. He brought George Osborne up to speed on the events of the evening; who sat where an…
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From Courtrooms to Statehouses: The US Climate Pushback
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1:06:00This week on Outrage + Optimism, we join the Be Hope global podcast takeover - a collaboration of shows amplifying courage and possibility in facing the greatest challenges of our time. Alongside Christiana Figueres, Tom Rivett-Carnac, and Paul Dickinson, guest co-host Sophia Li helps us explore how states, cities, and communities in the US are hol…
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Miquita Oliver and Jordan Stephens discuss the impact of astrology, the BTS dramas in getting TV made, and Elon Musk This episode contains very strong language and adult themes. Credits:Producer: Natalie JamiesonTechnical Producer: Will Gibson SmithAssistant Producer: Caillin McDaidProduction Coordinator: Rose WilcoxExecutive Producer: Dino SofosAs…
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From Beyoncé and Jay-Z garden centre rumours to Strictly baby news, this week’s Dig It with Jo Whiley and Zoe Ball is packed with surprises. We welcome Polly Wilkinson (Studio Pollyanna) for September gardening tips. SUBSCRIBE TO OUR FREE SUBSTACK Stay up to date with Dig It — new updates every Friday straight to your inbox. 👉 https://digitpod.subs…
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Lily Allen and Miquita Oliver answer your questions about absolutely anything! Next week, we want to hear your questions about BLOWJOBS. Please send us a voice note on WhatsApp: 08000 30 40 90. Or, if you like, send us an email: [email protected]. This episode contains very strong language and adult themes. Credits:Producer: Natalie JamiesonTechnica…
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Dig In: Solo Parenting, Rogue Hamsters, and a Wedding Gift Dilemma
26:17
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26:17Jo and Zoe tackle pets, parenting and a runaway hamster. Zoe opens up about co-parenting, while Jo shares her thoughts on weddings and when your presence really is the present. SUBSCRIBE TO OUR FREE SUBSTACK Stay up to date with Dig It — new updates every Friday straight to your inbox. 👉 https://digitpod.substack.com/subscribe GET IN TOUCH 📧 Email …
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EMQs: Lasagna plots and Shakespearean AI bots
44:59
44:59
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44:59What really happens in the frantic first 24 hours of a new government job? This week on Ex-Ministers’ Questions, Ed Balls and George Osborne lift the lid on the art of political survival. From the scramble of last-minute briefings to the insider secrets government drivers know before their ministers do, they swap stories on navigating the chaos of …
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Peter Mandelson, the so-called “Prince of Darkness” got sacked this morning, thanks to fresh revelations of his lengthy friendship with sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Now all eyes are turning to his replacement … Could George Osborne himself be getting the call up for US Ambassador? He and Ed Balls consider what this sudden, inglorious end for Mande…
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Beyond the Bad News: Evidence for Climate Optimism
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44:09
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44:09From stalled UN plastics treaty talks, to the hottest summer on record across much of the northern hemisphere - it’s been a bleak few weeks for climate news. So this week, against a backdrop of worsening headlines, we ask: are there still reasons to be optimistic? And what will it take to turn urgency into real change? Christiana Figueres, Tom Rive…
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Lily Allen and Miquita Oliver discuss the tube strikes, state schools vs private schools, and Richard Osman’s success This episode contains very strong language and adult themes. Credits:Producer: Natalie Jamieson Technical Producer: Will Gibson SmithAssistant Producer: Caillin McDaidProduction Coordinator: Rose WilcoxExecutive Producer: Dino Sofos…
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Mum Bum, Celebrity Communes and Burying Jewellery
33:25
33:25
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33:25Jo and Zoe debrief after a festival weekend, with Zoe’s spider scare and Jo reliving the time Keith Lemon went Through the Keyhole. There’s the great scone debate, childhood mischief, and Gardener’s World’s Jamie Butterworth on the best bulbs to plant now for a brilliant spring. SUBSCRIBE TO OUR FREE SUBSTACK Stay up to date with Dig It — new updat…
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Lily Allen and Jordan Stephens answer your questions about justice. Next week, Miquita & Lily are back together and want to hear your questions about ANYTHING. We are doing an ASK US ANYTHING. Please send us a voice note on WhatsApp: 08000 30 40 90. Or, if you like, send us an email: [email protected]. This episode contains very strong language and …
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DIG IN: Feral Weeing, Grief and Toothbrush Etiquette
26:42
26:42
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26:42Jo and Zoe answer your questions on coping with grief, navigating retirement after decades of work, and the perils of living above a pub. Plus, just how clean is your toothbrush? GET IN TOUCH 📧 Email us: [email protected] 📱 Text or Voice Note: 07477 038795 💬 Or tap here to send a voice note or message on WhatsApp: https://wa.me/44747703879…
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EMQs: Car doors, pole dancers and Diary columns
46:17
46:17
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46:17How should a politician respond when a voter blames all their problems on immigration? In this week's Ex-Ministers' Questions, Ed Balls and George Osborne offer competing strategies for handling difficult conversations on the doorstep. They also tackle a stark warning from a Gen Z listener: is the political establishment's failure to listen pushing…
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Could sacking Rayner make her a ‘backbench martyr’?
1:11:29
1:11:29
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1:11:29Politics is back with a bang, and so are Ed Balls and George Osborne. As Keir Starmer declares "phase two" of his government, he's immediately engulfed by a scandal that threatens his Deputy Prime Minister, Angela Rayner. In this episode, Ed and George dissect her complicated tax affairs, the accusations of hypocrisy, and the difficult choice facin…
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Rising Tides: How indigenous communities are facing the climate crisis
57:40
57:40
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57:40What does it mean to live on the front lines of climate change - where rising seas, collapsing ecosystems and the legacies of colonialism collide? This week, Christiana Figueres and Paul Dickinson are joined by guest host Andrew Higham (Founder of the Future of Climate Cooperation, and former UNFCCC Senior Advisor), to hear from three remarkable pe…
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Lily Allen and Jordan Stephens discuss where they first met, performing on stage and the latest series of Love Is Blind UK. This episode contains very strong language and adult themes. Credits:Producer: Flossie BarrattTechnical Producer: Will Gibson SmithAssistant Producer: Caillin McDaidProduction Coordinator: Rose WilcoxExecutive Producer: Dino S…
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Weight-Loss Jabs, Coldplay, and the Never-Ending Quest for a Capsule Wardrobe
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37:32Jo and Zoe open up about health — from how Mounjaro injections have helped their family, to Ezra full-body scans and Parkinson’s — while also diving into autumn fashion (hello, loafers and capsule wardrobes). Father John Misty, Oasis vinyl and gardening tips from Adam Kirtland (aka View From The Potting Bench) round out a jam-packed episode. GET IN…
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Lily Allen and Miquita Oliver recap their best conversations about sex. Plus some exclusive content from the Live Shows in March! Next week, Lily will be joined by Jordan Stephens and we want to hear your questions about JUSTICE. Please send us a voice note on WhatsApp: 08000 30 40 90. Or, if you like, send us an email: [email protected]. This episo…
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DIG IN: Mum Guilt, Jägerbombs and Imposter Syndrome
27:47
27:47
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27:47Jo and Zoe open up about the tug of mum guilt and the moments you miss when work and family collide. They share honest tips on how to silence that inner critic and start believing in yourself. GET IN TOUCH 📧 Email us: [email protected] 📱 Text or Voice Note: 07477 038795 💬 Or tap here to send a voice note or message on WhatsApp: https://wa.me…
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EMQs: Could David Miliband have defeated the Tories in 2015?
52:01
52:01
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52:01What if the great 'what if' moments of recent British history had turned out differently? Ed Balls and George Osborne dive into the political sliding doors that could have rewritten the last three decades. They debate whether Margaret Thatcher would have won the 1992 election if she hadn't been ousted, and how her legacy would have been transformed…
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Emily Thornberry on the Corbyn era, being left out of government and Starmer’s first year
1:08:25
1:08:25
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1:08:25Political Currency’s summer specials continue! This week, while Ed Balls is away, George Osborne is joined by one of Labour's longest-serving and most compelling figures, Dame Emily Thornberry. Thornberry takes George inside the Corbyn-era shadow cabinet and explores the tantalising 'what if' of 2017: what would a Prime Minister Corbyn really have …
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Listening to the Living World: Can AI help us hear the planet?
58:05
58:05
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58:05What if we could not only listen to the rest of nature, but actually understand it? From decoding whale songs to giving nature a legal voice, the possibilities are tantalising - and they may not be as far-fetched as they sound. That’s why the Earth Species Project (ESP) is racing to use artificial intelligence to translate the communication of othe…
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Lily Allen and Miquita Oliver take a walk down memory lane and listen back to their favourite moments from the past year of Miss Me? This episode contains very strong language, adult themes and strong sexual references. Credits:Producer: Flossie BarrattTechnical Producer: Will Gibson SmithAssistant Producer: Caillin McDaidProduction Coordinator: Ro…
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Introducing: Inside COP - the Official COP30 Podcast from Outrage + Optimism
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4:43
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4:43Live from Belém… it’s Outrage + Optimism! (Or it will be.) This year’s COP is one of the most significant in years, and we’ll be there with you every step of the way - charting the buildup, analysing events on the ground, and reflecting on the impacts that will be felt for decades to come. We’re delighted to announce that we are the official COP30 …
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Failing Exams, Parenting in the Phone Age and the News No Family Wants
44:38
44:38
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44:38Jo and Zoe talk candidly about finding their careers after exam failures, the anxiety that comes with parenting in the phone age, and share some very sad news from home. GET IN TOUCH 📧 Email us: [email protected] 📱 Text or Voice Note: 07477 038795 💬 Or tap here to send a voice note or message on WhatsApp: https://wa.me/447477038795 GET EARLY…
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DIG IN: Sexy Reindeer, Steel Pants & Tooth Fairy inflation
25:10
25:10
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25:10Jo and Zoe toast the arrival of baby Phoebe and discover the only acceptable use for fridge space — chocolate, cheese and nail polish, obviously. There’s pet drama, favourite childhood toys and Christmas traditions that may or may not involve a sexy reindeer. GET IN TOUCH 📧 Email us: [email protected] 📱 Text or Voice Note: 07477 038795 💬 Or …
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EMQs Political Craft Special: Speeches, diaries and the art of politics
43:11
43:11
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43:11What are the essential skills for a life in politics? In an age of TikTok soundbites, can a single speech in Parliament still change minds and topple a government? Ed Balls and George Osborne dive into the art of political craft, taking questions on the real-world impact of parliamentary debates, the secrets to managing a ministerial diary, and the…
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You Are What You Eat: Soil, Seeds and Social Justice
45:10
45:10
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45:10What’s really in the food on our plates? The journey to our supermarket shelves is one of broken economics, environmental destruction, and social injustice. But what if agriculture could look completely different? This week, Christiana Figueres and Paul Dickinson travel to Umbria, Italy, to visit QuintoSapore, a farm founded by twin brothers Nicola…
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Lily Allen & Miquita Oliver are taking a summer breakBy BBC Sounds
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Wes Streeting on battling the Treasury, his plan for the NHS, and the reality of power
1:06:46
1:06:46
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1:06:46What is it really like to go from nine years in the political wilderness to running one of the most challenging departments in government? For Wes Streeting, Labour's Secretary of State for Health, it's a challenge he has been visibly relishing this past year, after a long, frustrating period fighting from the opposition benches. With Ed Balls away…
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Topshop Returns and Jo’s Strictly Come Dancing Ban
35:49
35:49
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35:49Jellyfish stings,multi-generational holiday mishaps, and a crash course in the latest slang (“huzz,” anyone?). Got something to ask Jo and Zoe? Or a tip to share? Get in touch! GET IN TOUCH 📧 Email us: [email protected] 📱 Text or Voice Note: 07477 038795 💬 Or tap here to send a voice note or message on WhatsApp: https://wa.me/447477038795 GE…
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Lily Allen and Miquita Oliver answer your questions about slang. Next week, we want to hear your questions about JUSTICE. Please send us a voice note on WhatsApp: 08000 30 40 90. Or, if you like, send us an email: [email protected]. This episode contains very strong language and adult themes. Credits:Producer: Flossie BarrattTechnical Producer: Will…
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DIG IN: Why Is It So Hard to Find Friends Later in Life?
30:54
30:54
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30:54Jo and Zoe answer your questions on first-crush confessions, the minefield of baby names and finding friends later in life. Got a question? Details on how to contact the show below! GET IN TOUCH 📧 Email: [email protected] 📱 Text or voice note: 07477 038795 💬 WhatsApp link: https://wa.me/447477038795 GET EARLY & AD-FREE EPISODES Become a memb…
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EMQs Young People Special: Why won’t politicians listen to the next generation?
40:08
40:08
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40:08Why do the concerns of young people barely register in political debate? Ed Balls and George Osborne take questions on the widening gap between the careers young people dream of and the jobs actually available, and why debt, unaffordable housing and the loss of defined benefit pensions leave the next generation feeling shortchanged. They discuss wh…
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Sarah Vine on Michael Gove, the Camerons, and why she's done with "toxic" politics
1:02:31
1:02:31
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1:02:31While George Osborne is away “stirring the pot” (this time with JD Vance),Ed Balls is joined by author and columnist Sarah Vine for a powerfully candid conversation about her explosive memoir, How Not to Be a Political Wife. Sarah gives the unfiltered story of her marriage and divorce from Michael Gove, revealing how the "toxic culture" of Westmins…
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Too Hot to Handle?: Facing a Future Beyond 1.5°C
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54:17
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54:17As global temperatures continue to skyrocket, the once unthinkable is now within view: overshooting 1.5°C of warming. This limit, set out in the Paris Agreement, has defined a decade of climate action, but is fast approaching. So what happens next? This week, Tom, Christiana and Paul grapple with the latest science, the looming risks of climate tip…
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Lily Allen and Miquita Oliver discuss the new Bonnie Blue documentary, the heyday of lads mags and whether they can still holiday in Ibiza. This episode contains very strong language, adult themes, strong sexual references and discussions about sexual assault. If you have been affected by any of the issues raised, you can find support via the BBC A…
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Zoe’s Ibiza Confessions, That Placenta Moment & Lawn Care SOS
38:39
38:39
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38:39Ibiza calls! Zoe shares her legendary late-90s island adventures and the work trip that sparked a wonderful romance. Jo relives a nerve-jangling Wilderness DJ set with famous faces side-stage, and we toast Calvin & Vick’s baby news. Jonny Hincks AKA @gardenwithjonny drops August lawn-rescue tips. GET IN TOUCH 📧 Email: [email protected] 📱 Tex…
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Lily Allen and Miquita Oliver answer your questions about books. Next week, we want to hear your questions about SLANG. Please send us a voice note on WhatsApp: 08000 30 40 90. Or, if you like, send us an email: [email protected]. This episode contains very strong language, adult themes and strong sexual references. Credits:Producer: Flossie Barratt…
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DIG IN: Should I Stop Sleeping With My Husband?
26:47
26:47
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26:47How many remote controls, odd keys, and random bits live in your kitchen drawer? Jo and Zoe reveal the secrets of their “sh*t drawers,” debate separate bedrooms and snoring, and take questions from the Potting Shed on everything from favourite films to furniture restoration. GET LONGER EPISODES Become a member of The Potting Shed for more questions…
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EMQs Books Special: Do politicians make good writers?
40:34
40:34
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40:34Why haven’t Ed Balls or George Osborne written political memoirs? Broadcaster Iain Dale puts the question to them, asking what’s stopping them, what they’d reveal if they did, and whether political history is incomplete without their accounts. And another listener digs into a moment of political tension between Ed and Tony Blair over the Euro. Did …
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Kwasi Kwarteng on the Liz Truss meltdown, getting sacked and Kemi Badenoch’s future
58:11
58:11
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58:11Kwasi Kwarteng reflects on what went wrong. The former Chancellor joins Ed Balls to talk through the decisions behind the Truss mini-budget - from bypassing the OBR to what he now calls its “real intellectual failing.” He explains why the Bank of England’s intervention “killed the government,” and why he believes his sacking was no coincidence. Kwa…
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Mistakes, Mistruths and Misinformation: Climate's biggest myths debunked
52:24
52:24
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52:24Isn’t climate change just part of a natural cycle? Weren’t CO2 levels much higher in the past? And, even if we should be worried, can one person really make a difference? Lies travel faster than facts. We’ve all been confronted by someone who doesn’t ‘believe the science’ and asks questions like these - but how do we change their minds? A powerful …
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Lily Allen and Miquita Oliver discuss Lily’s new play Hedda, Miquita’s trip to the Scottish Highlands, and the state of the rental market. This episode contains very strong language and adult themes. Credits:Producer: Flossie BarrattTechnical Producer: Will Gibson SmithAssistant Producer: Caillin McDaidProduction Coordinator: Rose WilcoxExecutive P…
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Car Break-Ins, Ugly Crying, and the Power of Female Friendships
36:16
36:16
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36:16Jo shares her cover girl moment (and the secrets to a stress-free photo shoot), while Zoe battles car drama and both get candid about the irreplaceable value of female friendships. Plus, giant pumpkins, bee-friendly garden tips, and your exit song choices. Got something to ask Jo and Zoe? Or a tip to share? Get in touch! GET IN TOUCH 📧 Email us: qu…
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Miquita Oliver and Zawe Ashton answer your questions about clubbing. Next week Lily is back and we want to hear your questions about BOOKS. Please send us a voice note on WhatsApp: 08000 30 40 90. Or, if you like, send us an email: [email protected]. This episode contains very strong language, adult themes, and discussions about alcohol. Credits:Pro…
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DIG IN: Have You Ever Been Starstruck During a Celebrity Interview?
30:05
30:05
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30:05Jo and Zoe tackle listener questions on capsule wardrobes for camping, who still makes them starstruck, and why packing for holidays feels impossible. Got something to ask Jo and Zoe? Or a tip to share? Contact us! ⸻ GET IN TOUCH 📧 Email us: [email protected] 📱 Text us: 07477 038795 💬 Or tap here to send a voice note or message on WhatsApp: …
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EMQs: Is a two-state solution still possible?
47:57
47:57
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47:57The future of a two-state solution between Israel and Palestine comes into question this week, as Ed Balls and George Osborne respond to a listener asking whether Israeli public opinion has shifted irreversibly after the October 7th attacks. Is peace still possible, or has that hope died with the victims? Another listener shares a devastating story…
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Could the UK spiral into a ‘debt doom loop’?
1:06:56
1:06:56
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1:06:56The IMF has upgraded its global growth forecast - so things aren’t quite as bleak as we feared. Still bleak, though. Ed Balls and George Osborne dig into what the numbers mean for Chancellor Rachel Reeves. With spending cuts ruled out and the Autumn Budget on the horizon, the question looms: can the government afford all it has promised? George thi…
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