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
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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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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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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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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1
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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1
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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1
Introducing: Inside COP - the Official COP30 Podcast from Outrage + Optimism
4:43
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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1
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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1
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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1
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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1
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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1
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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1
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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1
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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1
Introducing... Rylan: How to Be in Love featuring Mel Robbins
26:55
26:55
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26:55Rylan sits down with powerhouse podcaster and author Mel Robbins. Mel teaches Rylan her ‘Let Them’ theory and explains how he can apply it to his relationships, as he hopes to embark upon his next romantic chapter. Mel also discusses the best way to get over a break-up and shares how she and her husband of 28 years have navigated the trials and tri…
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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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1
Too Hot to Handle?: Facing a Future Beyond 1.5°C
54:17
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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1
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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51
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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1
Car Break-Ins, Ugly Crying, and the Power of Female Friendships
36:18
36:18
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36:18Jo 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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1
DIG IN: Have You Ever Been Starstruck During a Celebrity Interview?
30:13
30:13
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30:13Jo 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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1
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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1
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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51
Trump’s War on Climate - and Maggie Baird on food justice and plant-based touring with Billie Eilish
56:07
56:07
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56:07As record heat scorches the US, Trump’s government is making things dramatically worse. We break down the devastating implications of the One Big Beautiful Bill, the reversal of the Environmental Protection Agency’s endangerment finding, and a potential US withdrawal from all UN agencies. It’s a full-blown climate backslide with global consequences…
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1
The Greatest Thing You’ll Ever Learn… with Zawe Ashton
39:36
39:36
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39:36Miquita Oliver and Zawe Ashton discuss weddings, the Lionesses Euros victory, and 90s music influencing their identities. This episode contains very strong language and adult themes. Credits:Producer: Flossie BarrattTechnical Producer: Will Gibson SmithAssistant Producer: Caillin McDaidProduction Coordinator: Hannah BennettExecutive Producers: Dino…
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1
Oasis Reunion, Harry Styles’ Sex Toys and Successional Planting
38:30
38:30
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38:30Jo and Zoe cover the emotional return of Oasis at Wembley, tales from Latitude Festival, and Harry Styles’ new Pleasing product. There’s also expert advice from gardening guru Jamie Butterworth on successional planting for late summer colour. Got something to ask Jo and Zoe? Or a tip to share? Get in touch! ⸻ GET IN TOUCH 📧 Email us: questions@digi…
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Miquita Oliver and Zawe Ashton answer your questions about self esteem. Next week, Zawe is back with Miquita and we want to hear your questions about CLUBBING. 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: F…
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1
DIG IN: Windproof Pants, Apple-Catchers and Why Grief Sometimes Blooms
27:43
27:43
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27:43Scaly legs, eye bags, and wind-absorbing underwear - nothing’s off-limits in this Q&A edition of Dig It. Jo and Zoe also get honest about motherhood, identity and how planting something beautiful can keep a memory alive. Got something to ask Jo and Zoe? Or a tip to share? Get in touch! GET IN TOUCH 📧 Email us: [email protected] 📱 Text us: 07…
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The UK’s high speed railway has been plagued with cost blowouts, delays and scale-backs - so Ed Balls and George Osborne consider: has it all just been a big waste of money? Couldn’t those funds have been put to better use? Perhaps for the NHS, for example? The pair also consider the concept of age limits on voting. We’ve got a minimum age - recent…
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1
Is Labour reaching a breaking point on Palestine?
1:06:24
1:06:24
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1:06:24Parliament has broken up for summer, but politics shows no sign of cooling down. Ed Balls and George Osborne run through the latest from every party - the Tories’ frontbench reshuffle, Labour’s mounting tensions over Gaza, Reform’s approach to protests worries - all while the Greens and Lib Democrats make their moves. What’s really going on as MPs …
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1
*Breaking Planetary News*: The ICJ Climate Opinion Explained
53:20
53:20
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53:20“An Existential Problem of Planetary Proportions” International Court of Justice President Yuji Iwasawa just delivered a landmark advisory opinion on climate change and human rights - one that could transform global climate action and accountability. A dancing and crying Christiana Figueres is joined by Tom Rivett-Carnac and Paul Dickinson, to reac…
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Miquita Oliver and Zawe Ashton discuss entering their 40s, motherhood and the power of the patriarchy. 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 SofosAssistant Commiss…
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1
Skip-Diving, Family Holidays and Mare’s Tail Misery
39:59
39:59
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39:59Jo Whiley and Zoe Ball are in full summer mode - this week it’s skip-diving, French canal disasters and forgotten suitcases. Pack light and bring snacks. GET IN TOUCH 📧 Email us: [email protected] 📱 Text us: 07477 038795 💬 Or tap here to send a voice note or message on WhatsApp: https://wa.me/447477038795 GET EARLY AND AD-FREE EPISODES Becom…
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1
EMQs: Can we really fund everything in the NHS?
47:46
47:46
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47:46What should the NHS pay for, and what should it not? In this week’s episode, Ed Balls and George Osborne tackle one of the toughest political questions: how do you decide what’s “reasonable” for the state to fund when it comes to healthcare? As medical advances multiply and the public expects more from the NHS, is a national conversation about rati…
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Lily Allen and Miquita Oliver answer your questions about personal hygiene. Next week, we want to hear your questions about SELF ESTEEM. 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…
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1
DIG IN: The Worst Gift You’ve Ever Had, Morning Routines & Long-Body Swimsuit Struggles
31:27
31:27
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31:27This week, it’s a special Q&A edition of Dig It as Jo Whiley and Zoe Ball answer your questions — from terrible presents and touching gestures to early morning routines, long-body swimwear and their favourite everyday fashion finds. Got something to ask Jo and Zoe? Or a tip to share? Get in touch! GET INVOLVED! 📧 Email us: [email protected] …
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1
Could the Epstein files cost Trump his MAGA base?
59:26
59:26
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59:26Donald Trump wants to know why everyone won’t just forget about the Epstein files already. As he keeps pointing out, the disgraced financier has been dead for years. But Trump himself stirred up fresh interest in a trove of documents that many hoped would reveal explosive new details. Now it looks like they won’t be released after all - and the MAG…
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1
Planes, Protests, Pensions... and have banks given up on saving the planet?
58:09
58:09
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58:09Can a pilot really be the change-maker who helps us to holiday nearer home? Why aren’t governments and institutions doing more to help climate activists? And can climate progress happen without sacrificing prosperity, especially in countries like Brazil? Christiana Figueres, Paul Dickinson and guest host Fiona McRaith (Director of The Climate Pledg…
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Lily Allen and Miquita Oliver discuss Justin Bieber & Swag, Lena Dunham’s new Netflix show and the cult of American Apparel. 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 …
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1
Family Nicknames, Feeling Anxious at Parties and Mulching Your Borders!
38:23
38:23
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38:23Jo Whiley and Zoe Ball are here — and they’re kicking off Dig It with barn dances, hosepipe bans, and navigating life in your 50s and 60s with humour, honesty, and great boots. GET IN TOUCH 📧 Email us: [email protected] 📱 Text us: 07477 038795 💬 Or tap here to send a voice note or message on WhatsApp: https://wa.me/447477038795 GET EARLY AND…
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Lily Allen and Miquita Oliver answer your questions about nature. Next week, we want to hear your questions about PERSONAL HYGIENE. 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 Prod…
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1
EMQs: Is Labour the new party of the monarchy?
39:05
39:05
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39:05Which side of politics loves the monarchy more? Conventional wisdom says Conservatives are the monarchy’s biggest fans. But are Ed Balls and George Osborne the exceptions to that rule? The pair explore how royalist sentiment plays out across the political spectrum, how long this current reign might last, and whether we’ll ever see a King George. Th…
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1
Can the UK-France deal solve the migrant crisis?
59:53
59:53
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59:53There was a lot of ceremony and back-patting this week as Emmanuel Macron visited the UK. But behind the smiles, thorny issues like migration and post-Brexit power dynamics are back on the table. George and Ed ask what this renewed Franco-British ‘friendship’ really means, and whether it signals a serious reset or just more political theatre. Also …
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