Best Speak First Think Later Podcasts (2025)

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Why is the UK Recognising a Palestinian State Now? 33:29

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18m ago33:29

33:29

Today, we look at what Sir Keir Starmer’s promise to recognise a Palestinian state means. Laura and Paddy are joined by political correspondent Joe Pike to discuss the arguments for and against the move. And we discuss the Liberal Democrat’s party conference, and whether Ed Davey’s stunts are playing well with voters and members. You can take part …

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Russian Warplanes Breach Nato Airspace 23:17

16m ago23:17

23:17

Today, we look at whether Russia is deliberately testing Nato, after three Russian fighter jets flew into Estonia’s airspace. Ukraine Correspondent James Waterhouse joins Laura and Paddy from Kyiv to discuss the how Europe is responding. Laura and Paddy also discuss an early rift in the leadership of Your Party, the new political party set up by fo…

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Leo Varadkar on Brexit, Boris Johnson & Coming Out 43:34

1d ago43:34

43:34

Today, Adam sits down with former Irish Taoiseach Leo Varadkar to discuss his time in office, how he became the leader of Ireland and his new book Speaking My Mind. You can take part in the Newscast census here - https://bbc.in/newscastcensus You can now listen to Newscast on a smart speaker. If you want to listen, just say "Ask BBC Sounds to play …

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Trump's State Visit: The President and Starmer Agree To Disagree 30:26

19m ago30:26

30:26

Today, Donald Trump and Sir Keir Starmer faced questions from the press on everything from Gaza to Lord Mandelson. The press conference at the PM's country residence Chequers, lasted just under an hour. After a difficult few weeks today was seen as the moment of most jeopardy for the Prime Minister, so faced with the press, did the two men avoid fl…

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Trump’s State Visit: King Charles's Royal Reception 36:51

16m ago36:51

36:51

Today, King Charles has rolled out the red carpet for President Trump at Windsor Castle on his second state visit to the UK. BBC Senior Royal Correspondent Daniela Relph and Chief North America correspondent Gary O’Donoghue join Adam to explore all the pomp and ceremony and what both nations want to get out of this vist. Plus, the government has an…

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Israel Committing Genocide in Gaza Says UN Commission 35:10

1d ago35:10

35:10

Today, a United Nations commission of inquiry has said that Israel has committed genocide against Palestinians in Gaza. A new report says there are reasonable grounds to conclude that four of the five genocidal acts defined under international law have been carried out since the start of the war with Hamas in 2023. Israel's foreign ministry said it…

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Are The Conservatives 'Over'? 46:42

2d ago46:42

46:42

Today, Danny Kruger the Conservative MP and shadow minister has defected to Reform. Speaking at a press conference alongside Nigel Farage, Kruger said “the Conservatives are over” and confirmed he would not be triggering a by-election. In response Kemi Badenoch says she is “not going to get blown off course” - Adam and Chris discuss this, and the P…

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Epstein Victim's Family Speaks Out Over Mandelson 38:14

3d ago38:14

38:14

Today, we hear from the family of Virginia Giuffre, who became the most prominent victim of Jeffrey Epstein. In an interview with Laura, they said that Lord Mandelson should never have been given the position of UK ambassador to the United States. And Business Secretary Peter Kyle told her it was "highly unlikely" Lord Mandelson would have been app…

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The Mandelson-Epstein Emails - Who Knew What, When? 20:30

4d ago20:30

20:30

Today, we look at how Bloomberg broke the story of Mandelson’s emails to Jeffrey Epstein that got him sacked as US ambassador. And we hear new information about the investigation Keir Starmer carried out into the relationship before appointing him. Laura and Paddy are joined by Alex Campbell who led the Bloomberg team. You can take part in the News…

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The Week: When Keir Starmer Sacked Peter Mandelson 37:38

5d ago37:38

37:38

Today, we look back at a very difficult week for Keir Starmer and the Government. Lord Mandelson’s sacking as UK ambassador to the US comes only days after the Prime Minister reshuffled his cabinet and the resignation of his deputy, Angela Rayner. Starmer sacked Lord Mandelson after new information emerged about his friendship with convicted paedop…

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Peter Mandelson Sacked Over Epstein Messages 32:34

23m ago32:34

32:34

Today, Keir Starmer sacked US Ambassador Lord Peter Mandelson following the publication of messages he exchanged with paedophile Jeffrey Epstein. Adam and Chris discuss how the ambassador’s position became untenable, and what this means for questions around Starmer’s leadership plus Trump’s planned state visit next week. And Charlie Kirk, an influe…

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Will Mandelson Have To Quit Over Epstein Revelations? 33:40

44m ago33:40

33:40

Today, politicians across the House of Commons have called for Lord Mandelson to resign as UK ambassador to the US over his connection to Jeffrey Epstein. Lord Mandelson acknowledged that there could be more "embarrassing" exchanges to come from his correspondence with Epstein who he described as his "best pal" in a letter for his 50th birthday. He…

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Israel Strikes Hamas In Qatar 30:05

44m ago30:05

30:05

Today, Israel carried out a surprise strike on senior Hamas leaders in Doha, Qatar. Hamas claims the leaders - who were in Doha as part of the delegation negotiating a possible ceasefire deal - survived but said that six others were killed in the strike. The Trump administration was notified about the strikes before they happened by the US military…

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Another Government Plan To Tackle Illegal Migration 40:11

24h ago40:11

40:11

Today, the new Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said that the UK could suspend visas for countries with who don’t “play ball” with the government’s migrant return plans. This comes after the Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s surprise cabinet reshuffle at the end of last week, triggered by the resignation of his Deputy Angela Rayner, who paid an incorrect…

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Has Labour Just Moved Towards the Right? 29:39

2d ago29:39

29:39

Today, we look at whether the government’s leadership changes point to a turn to the right after a series of personnel changes after Angela Rayner’s resignation. The new home secretary Shabana Mahmood is said to be taking up a harder stance on immigration and is looking at moving asylum seekers onto military sites as an alternative to hotels, as co…

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Angela Rayner: How Much Could Her Resignation Damage Keir Starmer? 33:55

3d ago33:55

33:55

Today, we look at the damage done to Keir Starmer and his government after he lost his deputy prime minister. Angela Rayner resigned after the prime minister's ethics adviser found that she had breached the ministerial code over failing to pay enough tax on her flat in East Sussex. But does that mean Keir Starmer’s lost one of his most valuable cab…

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Angela Rayner: Resignationcast AND a Reshuffle! 30:36

3d ago30:36

30:36

Today, Angela Rayner resigned after an investigation concluded she breached the ministerial code by underpaying stamp duty on a flat in Hove. The report into Rayner’s conduct concluded she had ‘acted with integrity’ but had failed to meet the standards of the ministerial code by not looking for expert tax advice. Her resignation triggered a major c…

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Angela Rayner: The Tax Tangle Continues! 45:08

12d ago45:08

45:08

Today, we look at the continuing row over Angela Rayner not paying enough tax on her second home. James is joined in Glasgow by Chris who’s been travelling with Sir Keir Starmer. Earlier today, the Prime Minister refused to tell Chris if he’d sack Angela Rayner if she is found to have broken the ministerial code. With a judgment from the independen…

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Angela Rayner: The Deputy Prime Minister Admits Underpaying Tax 32:22

13d ago32:22

32:22

Today, Angela Rayner admitted to underpaying stamp duty on her £800,000 flat in Hove and referred herself for investigation by the PM's standards adviser. James is joined by Faisal Islam, Economics Editor, and Chris Mason, Political Editor, to discuss the deputy prime minister’s explanation of her family and tax arrangements, the reaction in parlia…

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The Big Putin, Xi and Kim Jong Un Meeting 39:15

8d ago39:15

39:15

Today, we look ahead to the unprecedented meeting between Xi Jinping, Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong Un happening on Wednesday, the first time the three of them have ever met in public. It’s happening off the back of a summit in China, where Beijing hosted leaders from over 20 non-Western countries. Why are they meeting and what does it mean for the W…

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The Downing Street Shake-Up 42:21

7d ago42:21

42:21

Today, as parliament returns Keir Starmer has reshuffled his Downing Street team once again. What has prompted another change at Number 10? What does this mean for Rachel Reeves as Chancellor? And, why are so many people talking about flags? James and Chris are joined by 5 Live presenter Matt Chorley after he interviewed the Prime Minister, to disc…

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Old Newscast: Margaret Thatcher Announces Her Resignation, 1990 (Part 2) 23:44

16d ago23:44

23:44

On this episode of Old Newscast, we look at how the downfall of Margaret Thatcher as prime minister changed British politics. Jim Naughtie, BBC special correspondent, joins Adam with Caroline Slocock, who was Thatcher’s private secretary. They talk about how it affected the Conservative government that followed, how she might have influenced Tony B…

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Old Newscast: Margaret Thatcher Announces Her Resignation, 1990 (Part 1) 41:11

20d ago41:11

41:11

On this episode of Old Newscast, we look at the day that Margaret Thatcher announced she would stand down as prime minister, 22 November 1990. Jim Naughtie, BBC special correspondent joins Adam with Caroline Slocock, who was Thatcher’s private secretary. They go through how the day unfolded publicly and behind the scenes, and what led to the decisi…

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The Newscast Guide to the New Parliamentary Term 34:16

13d ago34:16

34:16

With politicians returning to Westminster on Monday we look back at the summer and ahead to the challenges awaiting them. Adam is joined by political correspondent Joe Pike, and director of the Institute for Government Hannah White, to discuss Reform UK’s attempt to fill the summer recess void, the prime minister’s latest reshuffle of his top advis…

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Trump v The Central Bank 32:59

11d ago32:59

32:59

Today, we discuss the US Federal Reserve governor Lisa Cook suing President Donald Trump after he attempted to fire her. President Trump claims she made false statements on her mortgage, and says he has the authority to remove her. Cook has said there is "no cause exists under the law" to sack her. At the same time Trump is in another public disput…

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What is on the Table at Trump’s Gaza Meeting? 36:45

23d ago36:45

36:45

Today, President Trump prepares to host a meeting about what happens next for Gaza city but - aside from Special Envoy Steve Witkoff promising a ‘comprehensive’ plan for what happens to Gaza - isn’t sharing many details. Adam is joined by James Landale, Diplomatic Correspondent for BBC News and Caitriona Perry, Chief Presenter BBC News in Washingto…

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Nigel Farage’s Deportation Plan 40:09

13d ago40:09

40:09

Today, Reform UK has set out a five-year plan to detain and deport all migrants who arrive in the UK without permission and suggested 600,000 people could be sent back over five years. Under the plan, named Operation Restoring Justice, Reform UK would bar anyone who comes to the UK on small boats from claiming asylum, and strike deals with countrie…

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Old Newscast: The Gulf War, The Legacy (Part 3) 27:13

19d ago27:13

27:13

34 years after the conclusion of Operation Desert Storm, Adam is joined by Kate Adie, Justin Webb, and Jeremy Bowen, to discuss the legacy of the first Gulf War. Was it a high point for conventional war tactics and Western , liberal, democratic power in the world? Or did it herald the start of a bloody intervention in the Middle East, from which th…

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Old Newscast: The Gulf War, Operation Desert Storm, 1991 (Part 2) 28:32

28d ago28:32

28:32

On the 24 February 1991 The ground operation in Kuwait begun. After 6 weeks of decisive air offenses, allied forces moved in with the mission to expel what was left of Saddam Hussein’s military presence in Kuwait. Adam is joined again by three BBC reporters who were in the region at the time - Kate Adie, Justin Webb, and Jeremy Bowen. You can now l…

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Old Newscast: The Gulf War, Operation Desert Storm, 1991 (Part 1) 28:20

18d ago28:20

28:20

On the 17th January 1991, a US led coalition began its air offensive into neighbouring Kuwait, which had been invaded the year before by the Iraqi leader, Saddam Hussein. Codenamed operation ‘Desert Storm’, it marked the defining chapter of the first Gulf War - a conflict which has since been held up as an exemplar of Western military and diplomati…

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The Government Prepares To Fight Asylum Hotel Ruling 28:59

24d ago28:59

28:59

Today, we discuss the government seeking the right to appeal against a High Court ruling blocking a hotel in Essex from housing asylum seekers. Epping Forest District Council was granted a temporary injunction to stop people being placed at the Bell Hotel earlier this week. The Home Secretary Yvette Cooper unsuccessfully tried to get the case dismi…

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Israel Begins Ground Offensive in Gaza City 28:14

19d ago28:14

28:14

Today, we discuss Israel beginning the first stages of a ground offensive into Gaza City. Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians are expected to be ordered to evacuate and head to southern Gaza. This escalation comes as Israel continues to restrict aid into the strip, with Palestinians facing widespread malnutrition. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyah…

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Is This The End Of Asylum Seeker Hotels? 39:39

20d ago39:39

39:39

Today, more councils across England say they could take legal action, after the High Court issued a temporary injunction to stop the government from housing asylum seekers at The Bell Hotel in Epping. Anti-migrant protests and counter protests have been taking place in Epping throughout the summer after an asylum seeker living at the hotel was char…

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Will Zelensky and Putin Meet? 30:04

27d ago30:04

30:04

Today, President Trump has ruled out sending US troops to Ukraine as part of any possible security guarantee. Speaking to US TV, the president said any boots on the ground would be British, French or German but did suggest they would have US air support. Adam is joined by BBC diplomatic correspondent James Landale from London plus Vitaliy Shevchenk…

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Trump vs Zelensky In The Oval Office (The Sequel) 29:25

1M ago29:25

29:25

Straight off the back of the Alaska summit with Vladimir Putin, Donald Trump hosted Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House as he pushes for an end to the war in Ukraine. The last time they met in the Oval Office, it ended in an argument in front of the world's media. It was a friendlier encounter this time, with Zelensky handing a letter to Donald T…

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Old Newscast: The Oslo Accords, 1993 (Part 2) 38:56

1M ago38:56

38:56

On this episode of Old Newscast, we look at how the Oslo peace process failed. Changes in Israeli leadership and disagreement on issues like Jerusalem, Palestinian statehood and Israeli settlements undermined the process and continue to echo today. Adam speaks to Jane Corbin from BBC Panorama and BBC Chief International Correspondent who were repor…

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Old Newscast: The Oslo Accords, 1993 (Part 1) 33:56

1M ago33:56

33:56

On this episode of Old Newscast, we go back to September 13 1993, when long term enemies Yitzhak Rabin, the Israeli Prime Minister and Yasser Arafat, Chairman of the PLO shake hands on the White House lawn. They shook hands after decades of violence and publicly acknowledged a peace process that produced a set of agreements known as the Oslo Accord…

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The Trump-Putin Summit: ‘Next time in Moscow?’ 31:49

1M ago31:49

31:49

The first face to face meeting between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin since the war in Ukraine started is over, with Donald Trump saying “we didn’t get there” on a Ukraine deal, or a ceasefire. The meeting lasted three hours, with the US president insisting progress was made, and Putin saying he is “sincerely interested” in ending the war, but wit…

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The Trump-Putin Summit: Tactics and Trolling? 33:14

27d ago33:14

33:14

Today, all eyes are on Alaska where American President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin will meet. Face-to-face for the first time in six years and joined only by their translators, President Trump says he'll know within minutes if there is a deal to be done to end the war in Ukraine. Adam is joined by Lord Kim Darroch, the former …

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Will Palestine Action Protesters Keep Getting Arrested? 35:33

27d ago35:33

35:33

Today, we ask what happens next following the mass arrests of those demonstrating in support of the proscribed terrorist group, Palestine Action. Over 500 people were arrested on suspicion of breaking terrorism laws in London on Saturday. The Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said that those in support of the proscribed terrorist organisation “Don’t kno…

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The Trump-Putin Summit: Europe’s Message To Trump 27:24

1M ago27:24

27:24

Today, we’re looking at a virtual meeting between European leaders and Donald Trump, two days before he meets his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin in Alaska to discuss ending the war in Ukraine. Trump said afterwards that Russia would face "very severe" consequences unless it halted its war in Ukraine. Alex joins to talk about the UK’s involvemen…

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The Nicola Sturgeon Interview 56:06

1M ago56:06

56:06

Today, Adam speaks to the former first minister of Scotland Nicola Sturgeon. Ahead of the release of her new book, 'Frankly', Nicola Sturgeon reveals details her time in office, her row with JK Rowling over gender in Scotland, her relationship with Alex Salmond, and her sexuality. You can now listen to Newscast on a smart speaker. If you want to li…

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The Trump-Putin Summit: What About Zelensky? 25:56

1M ago25:56

25:56

Today, we’re looking ahead to Friday’s meeting in Alaska between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin, as Trump hints at a potential land swap to end the war in Ukraine. Trump announced the meeting last Friday, the same day of his self-imposed deadline for Russia to agree to a ceasefire or else face more US sanctions. Meanwhile, European allies have ral…

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Old Newscast: Vladimir Putin elected Russian president for the first time, 2000 (Part 2) 36:11

1M ago36:11

36:11

On this episode of Old Newscast, we look at how Vladimir Putin changed Russia, his relationship with the west, and what led to his war in Ukraine. Adam is joined by the BBC’s Russia editor, Steve Rosenberg, and author and Russia reporter for The Washington Post, Catherine Belton. You can now listen to Newscast on a smart speaker. If you want to lis…

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Old Newscast: Vladimir Putin elected Russian president for the first time, 2000 (Part 1) 31:02

1M ago31:02

31:02

On this episode of Old Newscast, we look at how an unknown bureaucrat with a mysterious past unexpectedly rose to president of Russia. Adam is joined by the BBC’s Russia editor, Steve Rosenberg, and Russia reporter for The Washington Post and author, Catherine Belton. They discuss how chaos in Russia in the 1990s allowed Putin’s rise to power, Bori…

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Live at Edinburgh Fringe: Israel’s Gaza City Plan, JD Vance's Fishing Trip & Kemi's Cheating Confession 45:30

1M ago45:30

45:30

Today, Newscast was recorded at the Edinburgh Fringe in front of a live audience. Adam is joined by James Cook, Scotland Editor, Des Clarke, Host of Breaking The News, and Ailbhe Rea, Associate Editor at Bloomberg UK, to discuss Benjamin Netanyahu’s plans to take control of Gaza, plus how Keir Starmer has responded. Plus, they chat about JD Vance a…

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Live at Edinburgh Fringe: John Swinney On Trump, Scottish Independence And The Loch Ness Monster 48:21

2M ago48:21

48:21

Today, Newscast was recorded at the Edinburgh Fringe in front of a live audience. Adam was joined by the First Minister of Scotland John Swinney. We covered his meeting with Donald Trump, his plan for Scottish Independence and his policy on the Loch Ness Monster You can now listen to Newscast on a smart speaker. If you want to listen, just say "Ask…

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Live at Edinburgh Fringe: Masterchef, An AI MP & What The Polls Are Saying in Scotland 47:29

2M ago47:29

47:29

Today, Newscast was recorded at the Edinburgh Fringe in front of a live audience. Adam was joined by Kirsty Wark, former Newsnight host, and James Cook, Scotland editor and friend of the podcast. They chat about the BBC’s decision to air the new series of Masterchef, which was filmed before hosts Gregg Wallace and John Torode were sacked, and Kirst…

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Live at Edinburgh Fringe: Why is Trump talking about actress Sydney Sweeney? 52:30

2M ago52:30

52:30

Today, Newscast was recorded at the Edinburgh Fringe in front of a live audience. Adam was joined by Americast’s Sarah Smith and friend of the podcast James Cook to discuss all things Trump. They chat about what it’s like being part of the President’s press pack, why Sydney Sweeney’s jeans are so controversial, plus what last week’s Truth Social po…

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Live at Edinburgh Fringe: Brian Cox and James Graham! 55:37

2M ago55:37

55:37

Today, Newscast was recorded at the Edinburgh Fringe in front of a live audience. Adam was joined by friends of the podcast Brian Cox, actor, and James Graham, playwright and screenwriter, who are putting on the play Make It Happen at the Edinburgh International Festival. They discuss re-imagining the 2008 financial crisis for the stage in Edinburg…