Best Wes Sharp Podcasts (2025)

From scandals and cabinet chaos to Trumpian antics and the ‘special’ relationship that some say is anything but, The Spectator presents The Year in Review – a look back at the funniest and most tragic political moments of 2025. Join The Spectator’s editor Michael Gove, deputy editor Freddy Gray, political editor Tim Shipman, deputy political editor…

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The biggest stories of 2025 1:03:25

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8h ago1:03:25

1:03:25

As 2025 draws to a close Anoosh Chakelian joined by the New Statesman's associate political editor Rachel Cunliffe, and editor in chief Tom McTague to discuss the biggest domestic and international stories of the year. Daily Politics will return on 1 January 2026. SAVE £££ THIS CHRISTMAS: ⭐️ Gift big ideas, bold politics, and proper journalism from…

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Reality Check: 2025 – tears, tariffs & taxes 33:30

13m ago33:30

33:30

Reality Check host and the Spectator's economics editor Michael Simmons reflects on some of the economic highs and lows of 2025. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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From Porn Britannia to Political Chaos: The Spectator’s Year in Review 30:13

3d ago30:13

30:13

The Spectator’s senior editorial team – Michael Gove, Freddy Gray, Lara Prendergast and William Moore – sit down to reflect on 2025. From Trump’s inauguration to the calamitous year for Labour, a new Pope and a new Archbishop of Canterbury, and the ongoing wars in Gaza and Ukraine, the year has not been short of things to write about. The team take…

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Spectator Out Loud: Slipshod – by Sarah Perry 34:22

19m ago34:22

34:22

For this special Spectator Out Loud, Sarah Perry reads her short story Slipshod, from the Spectator's Christmas issue. The story follows an academic tasked with reconstructing a disturbing incident involving two long-standing colleagues whose close friendship unravels under the weight of envy, illness – and something harder to explain. What emerges…

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Merry Quizmas! 38:58

2h ago38:58

38:58

How did Trump's tariffs affect the price of Labubus? Which bear was voiced by Volodymyr Zelensky? And what, crucially, did Katy Perry describe California girls as? Join the New Statesman team for our quiz of the year! SAVE £££ THIS CHRISTMAS: ⭐️ Gift big ideas, bold politics, and proper journalism from just £2 LISTEN AD-FREE: 📱Download the New Stat…

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Holy Smoke: how transformative has 2025 been for Christianity? 20:56

5d ago20:56

20:56

Anglican author The Rev'd Fergus Butler-Gallie, Catholic priest Fr Alexander Lucie-Smith and Evangelical commentator Fleur Meston join Damian Thompson to reflect on 2025. They discuss Pope Leo XIV's leadership so far, the choice of Dame Sarah Mullally as Archbishop of Canterbury and why Christianity has been coopted by the far right. Plus, was the …

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Star Wars in 2025: A Look Back 54:58

3d ago54:58

54:58

On tonight’s episode of The Youtini Show, Eric guides us through a reflective and exciting look at the galaxy far, far away. We start with the news that Starfighter has officially wrapped filming, then take a step back to revisit the biggest Star Wars moments of 2025. From major releases to unforgettable surprises, we round things out by sharing Yo…

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Coffee House Shots: Stephen Flynn on Reform, Sturgeon & a second referendum 26:26

6d ago26:26

26:26

The SNP’s Westminster leader Stephen Flynn, MP for Aberdeen South, joins Lucy Dunn for a special episode to assess the place of the SNP in British politics as we approach the end of 2025. The SNP were ‘decimated’ to just nine MPs at the 2024 general election – yet, if polls are to be believed, they are on course for another record win in the 2026 H…

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The greatest aviation disaster that didn't happen 30:17

3d ago30:17

30:17

Months before 9/11, a passenger seized control of a Boeing 747 and nearly crashed it into the Sahara. Everyone survived - including a curious ensemble of famous passengers - but no one quite recovered. Kate Mossman tells the story of Flight 2069 to Oli Dugmore. READ: The strange fate of Flight 2069 SAVE £££ THIS CHRISTMAS: ⭐️ Gift big ideas, bold p…

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Rejoice! God Is at Work. 48:35

3d ago48:35

48:35

Ruth 4:18-22By New City Fellowship

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Table Talk: Michael Gove 30:48

3d ago30:48

30:48

Surely needing no introduction to Spectator listeners, Michael Gove has been a staple of British politics for almost two decades. As a Christmas treat, he joins Lara Prendergast to talk about his memories of food including: the 'brain food' he grew up on in Aberdeen, his favourite Oxford pubs and the dining culture of 1980s Fleet Street. He also sh…

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Christmas Out Loud II: Dominic Sandbrook, Philip Hensher, Steve Morris, Christopher Howse, Michael Hann & Mary Killen 40:43

8d ago40:43

40:43

On this week’s special Christmas edition of Spectator Out Loud – part two: Dominic Sandbrook reflects on whether Lady Emma Hamilton is the 18th century’s answer to Bonnie Blue; Philip Hensher celebrates the joy of a miserable literary Christmas; Steve Morris argues that an angel is for life, not just for Christmas; Christopher Howse ponders the Spe…

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Coffee House Shots: who won 2025? with Quentin Letts 24:43

10d ago24:43

24:43

As is fast becoming a tradition on Coffee House Shots at this time of year, James Heale and Tim Shipman are joined by sketch writer Quentin Letts to go through the events of the past 12 months. From sackings to resignations, and Farage to Polanski, it is a year in which the centuries-old consensus has been challenged and Westminster is delicately p…

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Predictions for the year ahead 40:09

6d ago40:09

40:09

Is the New Statesman too soft on Wes Streeting? Are the Lib Dems an unserious party? Plus our journalists make their predictions for what will happen in 2026, and listen back to their guesses from last year… Oli Dugmore is joined by Anoosh Chakelian and Rachel Cunliffe. SAVE £££ THIS CHRISTMAS: ⭐️ Gift big ideas, bold politics, and proper journalis…

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Americano: why did Susie Wiles talk to Vanity Fair? 29:14

11d ago29:14

29:14

Freddy Gray speaks to Vanity Fair's Washington correspondent Aidan McLaughlin about their latest two-part interview with one of Trump's closest allies Susie Wiles. As chief of staff to the White House, she has given some of the most candid quotes about what really happens inside Trump's regime. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more inform…

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Misogyny is a "national emergency" 23:06

7d ago23:06

23:06

After being pushed back not once, not twice, but three times, the government's long-awaited strategy to halve violence against women and girls has been revealed. Measures include training teachers to spot signs of misogyny in the classroom and police forces introducing specialist rape and sexual offence investigation teams. But do they go far enoug…

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A Very Flagrant Christmas 1:32:22

11d ago1:32:22

1:32:22

YERRR – it’s a Flagrant Christmas special, and the boys are ashy, blistered, and wildly unhinged. We’re talkin’: – Andrew’s busted lip, Overrated holiday movies, – Gen Z brain rot, and a studio romance?! – Skaters wiping out, crimes before death, and David’s community peen – Plus: the Flagrant Christmas Quiz, hopes for 2026, and the New Yorker of t…

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Speaker series: Bernard Cornwell – Sharpe's Storm 1:04:09

12d ago1:04:09

1:04:09

The Spectator’s associate editor Toby Young sits down with master storyteller Bernard Cornwell, author of more than 50 international bestselling novels, including The Last Kingdom and much-loved Sharpe series. They delve into Cornwell’s life and career, discuss the real history behind his riveting tales of war and heroism and explore the enduring a…

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Jimmy Lai’s Hong Kong show trial 27:25

8d ago27:25

27:25

Jimmy Lai, Hong Kong’s most famous media tycoon and a British citizen, could be sentenced to life in prison. What does his case say about the political climate in Hong Kong, and how might it affect relations between the East and West? Oli Dugmore is joined by Katie Stallard. SAVE £££ THIS CHRISTMAS: ⭐️ Gift big ideas, bold politics, and proper jour…

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Quite right!: where does Islamism come from? 23:54

13d ago23:54

23:54

Michael Gove and Madeline Grant confront the horror of the Bondi Beach massacre and ask why anti-Semitic violence now provokes despair rather than shock. As Jewish communities are once again targeted on holy days, they examine the roots of Islamist ideology and the failure of political leaders to name it. Why has anti-Semitism metastasised across t…

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Can Andy Burnham be the next Prime Minister? 20:00

9d ago20:00

20:00

Speculation surrounding a leadership challenge to Keir Starmer is rife. Andy Burnham, Manchester Mayor, is in the mix as a challenger. But can he find the necessary seat in parliament, and what hurdles does he face? Anoosh Chakelian is joined by Ethan Croft and George Eaton to discuss. SAVE £££ THIS CHRISTMAS: ⭐️ Gift big ideas, bold politics, and …

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Holy Smoke: why religious societies succeed – with Rory Sutherland 35:06

14d ago35:06

35:06

Advertising guru – and the Spectator's Wiki Man columnist – Rory Sutherland joins Damian Thompson for this episode of Holy Smoke. In a wide ranging discussion, from Sigmund Freud and Max Weber to Quakers and Mormons, they discuss how some religious communities seem to be predisposed to success by virtue of their beliefs. How do spiritual choices af…

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TWO New Star Wars Games & Disney Throws $1 Billon at AI 55:11

10d ago55:11

55:11

On tonight’s episode of The Youtini Show, Eric breaks down some massive shifts in the Star Wars landscape. Two brand-new Star Wars video games have been announced, signaling a big future for gaming in the galaxy far, far away. We also react to news of an upcoming Star Wars digital card game and discuss Disney’s move to bring Star Wars into the age …

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Are Jews safe? 32:08

10d ago32:08

32:08

The "evil" mass shooting at Bondi Beach was the latest in a rising number of antisemitic attacks. 16 people died in the attack in Sydney, Australia. They were Jews who had gathered to celebrate the first night of Chanukah. Among them, a holocaust survivor and a ten-year old girl. Antisemitic attacks are on the rise. In this year to September, Austr…

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Americano: how is Trump's counter revolution going? 41:26

10d ago41:26

41:26

US historian and classicist Victor Davis Hanson joins Americano for a wide-ranging assessment of Donald Trump’s first year back in office, from the economy and immigration to Ukraine and the future of the West. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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A Son Has Been Born 51:04

11d ago51:04

51:04

Ruth 4:1-17By New City Fellowship

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Christmas Out Loud I: James Heale, Gyles Brandreth, Avi Loeb, Melanie McDonagh, Mary Wakefield, Richard Bratby & Rupert Hawksley 44:15

16d ago44:15

44:15

On this week’s special Christmas edition of Spectator Out Loud – part one: James Heale wonders if Keir Starmer will really have a happy new year; Gyles Brandreth discusses Her Majesty The Queen’s love of reading, and reveals which books Her Majesty has personally recommended to give this Christmas; Avi Loeb explains why a comet could be a spaceship…

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Is Britain complicit in genocide? 57:42

12d ago57:42

57:42

Journalist Peter Oborne claims both Labour and Conservatives have fallen short on their response to Israel's war in Gaza. -- Peter Oborne is a journalist, author and commentator. He was the political editor of The Spectator, a commentator for the Daily Telegraph and now writes for Middle East Eye. A long-time conservative, Oborne joins Oli Dugmore …

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Coffee House Shots: will Scotland switch course in 2026? with Gordon McKee 17:30

17d ago17:30

17:30

The Spectator heads into Christmas a little bit less Scottish as we bid farewell to our political correspondent Lucy Dunn. Before Lucy leaves for STV, she joins Coffee House Shots – with fellow Scots Michael Simmons and Labour MP Gordon McKee – for one final episode reflecting on the state of Scottish politics. They discuss whether the SNP has stab…

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You asked, we listened ... to Liz Truss' podcast 18:33

13d ago18:33

18:33

In this week’s episode of You Ask Us, one listener wonders, is the media infatuated with Zack Polanski? And another challenges our journalists to listen to the Liz Truss podcast. You ask, we deliver. Anoosh Chakelian is joined by Rachel Cunliffe. SAVE £££ THIS CHRISTMAS: ⭐️ Gift big ideas, bold politics, and proper journalism from just £2 LISTEN AD…

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The Christmas Edition: From The Queen to Bonnie Blue 40:22

18d ago40:22

40:22

The Spectator’s bumper Christmas issue is a feast for all, with offerings from Nigel Farage, Matthew McConaughey and Andrew Strauss to Dominic Sandbrook, David Deutsch and Bonnie Blue – and even from Her Majesty The Queen. To take us through the Christmas Edition, host Lara Prendergast is joined by deputy political editor James Heale, associate edi…

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Wes Streeting is "pretty frustrated, tbh" 28:42

14d ago28:42

28:42

Wes Streeting denied plotting to oust Keir Starmer. Ailbhe Rea met the Health Secretary to learn what he's really thinking. *** Ailbhe writes: Labour is in danger of presenting itself as the “maintenance department for the country”, he says. “The problem with that kind of practical, technocratic approach is that if someone else comes along and says…

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The Book Club: The Journey to Save the Siberian Tiger 49:24

19d ago49:24

49:24

My guest on this week’s Book Club podcast is Jonathan C. Slaght, whose new book is Tigers Between Empires: The Journey to Save the Siberian Tiger from Extinction. He tells me about these remarkable animals, the remarkable people who studied them, and how their fates have been entwined with the shifting politics of post-Soviet Russia. Hosted on Acas…

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“Diddy Doc is Worse than Life is Prison” | How 50 Cent Ended Diddy's Career 1:21:39

19d ago1:21:39

1:21:39

YERRR – the boys break down the wild Diddy doc and everything it stirred up. From Biggie, Tupac, and the rise of Bad Boy, to power, control, and sociopathy, this doc is WILD and 50 Cent is WILDER for putting this all together! All that and more on this week’s episode of FLAGRANT. INDULGE. 0:00 START: Holiday drinking + Don’t care for names 1:56 Cul…

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Natalie Fleet MP: I won't report my rape 41:40

19d ago41:40

41:40

If you are raped in London today, you could be waiting until 2030 for a trial. Justice secretary David Lammy has stated that 60 per cent of rape victims drop their cases whilst waiting for the trial. Rape Crisis estimates 1 in 6 women go to the police. Oli Dugmore is joined by Labour MP Natalie Fleet, who has written for the New Statesman on the fi…

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Post-Budget briefing: what will it mean for your finances? 36:17

20d ago36:17

36:17

In the wake of an extraordinary Budget – leaked an hour before the Chancellor addressed Parliament – The Spectator brings clarity to a turbulent political and take stock of how the announcements will impact you. Michael Simmons speaks with John Porteous of Charles Stanley and James Nation, formerly of the Treasury and No. 10, to discuss how the eve…

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Nigel Farage wants to be American 27:38

16d ago27:38

27:38

Why does the Reform leader spend so much time in the US? Freddie Hayward has been speaking to him to find out. -- Winston Churchill had an American mother. Boris Johnson was a dual citizen. But if Nigel Farage makes it to Downing Street, he’ll have closer ties to the US than any other British PM. That’s the argument of our correspondent Freddie Hay…

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Diego Luna Gets Nominated, Star Wars is BACK in Theaters, and a New Game Announcement?! 45:21

16d ago45:21

45:21

On tonight’s episode of The Youtini Show, Diego Luna finally receives an Emmy nomination for Andor—and we break down why it matters. We also celebrate the exciting return of the original Star Wars to theaters, speculate about a surprise Star Wars game announcement on the horizon, and take a heartfelt look at Columbia’s new Star Wars apparel line, w…

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Table Talk: Tom Gilbey 30:25

16d ago30:25

30:25

Tom Gilbey, the internet’s most charismatic wine expert, sits down with Olivia Potts for Table Talk. Tom is a winemaker, merchant, educator – and also an author. His new book, Thirsty, is part-memoir, part guide to his life through wine in 100 bottles, and is available now. On the podcast, Tom discusses his family’s love for winemaking that stretch…

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Labour’s Green attacks are misfiring 41:41

17d ago41:41

41:41

Keir Starmer described Green party policy as “nuts” and “dangerous” in an interview with the Observer yesterday. But is he underestimating one of Labour’s biggest threats? And is Starmer alienating a generation of young voters who might run into the arms of Zack Polanski? Rachel Cunliffe is joined by George Eaton and Will Dunn. SAVE £££ THIS CHRIST…

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Americano: will anyone miss the Boomers? 30:11

17d ago30:11

30:11

Christopher Caldwell joins Freddy Gray to discuss why the 'Boomer generation' – those born between 1946 and 1964 – became one of the most hated generations in recent history. Chris argues that the Boomers uniquely benefited from the resources of other generations, and were able to enjoy the benefits of leftist politics alongside the political and e…

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Live Faithfully & Make Plans with Humility 39:09

18d ago39:09

39:09

Ruth 3:1-18By New City Fellowship

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How can the UK win back the net zero narrative? 29:22

18d ago29:22

29:22

As the UK grapples with cost of living pressures, geopolitical shocks and a shifting political landscape, the case for net zero remains strong - but the story around it seems to have stalled. How can policymakers, businesses and campaigners reconnect climate action with public priorities such as jobs, growth, energy security and household bills? In…

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Spectator Out Loud: what's the greatest artwork of the century so far? 14:12

23d ago14:12

14:12

For this week's Spectator Out Loud, we include a compilation of submissions by our writers for their greatest artwork of the 21st century so far. Following our arts editor Igor Toronyi-Lalic, you can hear from: Graeme Thomson, Lloyd Evans, Slavoj Zizek, Damian Thompson, Richard Bratby, Liz Anderson, Deborah Ross, Calvin Po, Tanjil Rashid, James Wal…

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Is Labour still Labour? 29:16

19d ago29:16

29:16

Is the Labour Party holding true to its founding principles? Have we lost trust in the police? Are we in a recession? Anoosh Chakelian is joined by Luke O’Reilly and Rachel Cunliffe to answer your questions. SAVE £££ THIS CHRISTMAS: ⭐️ Gift big ideas, bold politics, and proper journalism from just £2 LISTEN AD-FREE: 📱Download the New Statesman app …

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Coffee House Shots: who really runs No.10? 23:42

24d ago23:42

23:42

This weekend’s Coffee House Shots digs into the growing debate over whether Keir Starmer should tack left on the economy as voters peel away to the Greens and Lib Dems – and why some in Labour think its migration stance is now more popular with their own voters than ever. Are Labour tacking left? But beyond policy, a deeper question looms: is Westm…

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#166 - "Drift" by Wes Corbett 1:25:48

20d ago1:25:48

1:25:48

www.patreon.com/banjopodcast It's a Freshly-Picked episode, talking to Picky Fingers alum Wes Corbett (of the Sam Bush Band) about his new album of original music titled "Drift" - available now on Adhyaropa Records! Drift has everything you want from a modern banjo album: creative compositions, interesting arrangements, and virtuosic playing from W…

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Labour’s polling nightmare 28:51

20d ago28:51

28:51

A recent result from pollsters Find Out Now has put Labour support at just 14%, behind Reform, the Tories and the Greens. Just how bad are these polling numbers for Labour? Oli Dugmore is joined by the New Statesman’s senior data journalist and polling expert Ben Walker to discuss. SAVE £££ THIS CHRISTMAS: ⭐️ Gift big ideas, bold politics, and prop…