Best Luc Simons Podcasts (2025)

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Workers vs. the Billionaire Coup – Conversation with Luc Triangle 29:55

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2h ago29:55

29:55

EQUALS is back with a brand-new season! We open our 8th season with Luc Triangle, General Secretary of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC), to explore the fight against inequality, the erosion of democracy, and what he calls a ‘billionaire coup’ that is reshaping global politics. Luc shares why the fight against inequality is insepar…

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Money, Power, and Inequality: Season 7 Wrap-Up 19:39

3M ago19:39

19:39

In this special wrap-up episode, hosts Grazielle and Max reflect on their favorite and most powerful conversations from the season. From the transformative discussion with Kate Pickett and Richard Wilkinson on power of equality, to the role of monetary policy in driving inequality with Jordi Schroder, to the everlasting legacy of colonialism with J…

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From Competition to Concentration: How monopoly power shapes inequality. 27:17

4M ago27:17

27:17

In this eye-opening episode, we sit down with investigative journalist and author Nick Shaxson to unpack one of the hidden forces behind rising inequality: monopoly power. From food to healthcare to tech and finance, monopolies are tightening their grip on our economies—and our lives. He shares how corporate fuels billionaire wealth, undermines dem…

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CENTRAL BANKS AND INEQUALITY: How inflation, interest rate and other monetary policies impact inequality 26:40

5M ago26:40

26:40

How do central bank policies like hiking interest rates affect inequality? Annie and Grazielle sit down with Jordi, an economist at Positive Money, to unravel the complexities of monetary policy. Jordi explains how central banks influence financial conditions to achieve economic targets and the impact of interest rate changes on inequality. The dis…

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AI AND INEQUALITY: Will AI exacerbate inequality or help improve it? 30:19

6M ago30:19

30:19

Do you think Artificial Intelligence (AI) will exacerbate inequality or will it help in tackling it? In this episode Nafkote and Grazielle hosts Nobel Prize winner and MIT professor Simon Johnson as they dive deep into the world of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its effect on inequality. From the promises of AI to its potential challenges, Simon …

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SHADOWS OF THE PAST: Germany's Wealthiest Families’ ties with the Nazi regime 22:21

7M ago22:21

22:21

Did you know that some of Germany's wealthiest families, who control major brands like BMW and Volkswagen, had deep ties to the Nazi regime? In this eye-opening episode, journalist David de Jong reveals how these powerful dynasties amassed their fortunes through close collaboration with the Nazi party (National Socialist German Workers' Party), for…

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VULTURE CAPITALISM UNVEILED: Grace Blakeley on the Oligarchs' Grip on Our Economy 24:05

7M ago24:05

24:05

In this episode, Max and Nafkote interview Grace Blakeley, an economist and author, about the rise of oligarchy and the relationship between billionaires, corporations, and the state. Grace discusses the close relationship between the American political establishment and the billionaire class, highlighting how modern capitalist economies are charac…

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BILLIONAIRE COLONIALISM: Jason Hickel on how colonialism never ended and drives today’s extreme inequality. 29:27

8M ago29:27

29:27

To coincide with the launch of Oxfam’s Davos 2025 report, Takers, not Makers, Naf and Max interview acclaimed author, academic and activist Jason Hickel. Find out how our world is still organised primarily to benefit a small group of white men in rich countries and what we can do to stop this. If you enjoy the episode, please like, share, comment, …

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FLOWERS OR BARS ON THE WINDOWS?: How more Equal Societies are the key to everything that is good, with Kate Pickett and Richard Wilkinson 30:10

10M ago30:10

30:10

Grazielle and Max interview the epidemiologists Kate Pickett and Richard Wilkinson, whose groundbreaking work has shown how more equal societies are much safer, happier, healthier, more democratic and greener places to live. How the American dream is actually a Danish dream - and that radically reducing inequality is the key to our future. If you e…

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CAN SOUTH AFRICA TURN THE TIDE ON INEQUALITY? 31:07

10M ago31:07

31:07

As South Africa prepares to take on the G20 presidency next year, we were inspired to explore how it might seize this opportunity to tackle inequality. In our latest episode, we speak with lawyer and activist Isobel Frye, Executive Director at Social Policy Initiative (SPI). With the enduring legacy of apartheid, high unemployment, and deep-rooted …

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CLIMATE FINANCE: Stop bombing and start saving our planet! 30:05

11M ago30:05

30:05

As we head to COP29 with climate finance taking centre stage, join Max and Nafkote for an insightful discussion. This episode features Meena Raman, a veteran activist and Head of Programs at Third World Network. Together, they explore the pressing $5 trillion climate debt, the call for reparations, and the main obstacles in climate finance negotiat…

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KENYA UPRISING: the power of the people 22:07

11M ago22:07

22:07

In the summer of 2024, Kenya ignited with protests against the controversial Finance Bill 2024. This legislation threatened to impose heavy taxes on essential goods, sparking widespread outrage. In this episode, Grazielle and Nafkote delve deep into the movement with Grace Wendo, a passionate youth activist and student leader from Kenya. We explore…

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ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW TO FIGHT INEQUALITY- with Jayati Ghosh a world leading thinker and activist economist on debt, tax, colonialism, care and so much more. 30:06

11M ago30:06

30:06

Jayati Ghosh is an incredible activist, campaigner, academic and thinker. She is leading the fight on so many issues key to the fight against inequality. In this fascinating interview hear her sharp analysis of issues from colonialism to care, and from tax to climate, and what we need to do to win. As always, like, share and leave us a review. You …

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MEET OXFAM’S NEW BOSS 27:25

12M ago27:25

27:25

As we launch our new season focusing on fighting inequality, Max and Grazielle host Oxfam’s new Executive Director, Amitabh Behar. From growing up in Bhopal, India, a city infamous for the chemical leak by a US corporate that killed thousands, Amitabh talks us through his life experiences and how they have shaped his thinking and his passion to fig…

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How are Big Pharma like hedge funds? – With Nick Dearden 30:16

1y ago30:16

30:16

As the World Health Organization (WHO) continue to negotiate the Pandemic Accord, Max and Grazielle interviews Nick Dearden on Pharma patents, monopolies and greed that makes them price medical tools out of reach by people who need them. They also discuss how the public funded research changes hand to be a patent for big pharmaceutical companies wh…

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Decolonizing to decarbonize - with Fadhel Kaboub. 30:19

1y ago30:19

30:19

Imagine someone owing you money, but instead of paying you, they offer you a loan with conditions on how to use it. That is the how climate financing looks like according to Fadhel Kaboub. Fadhel, hosted by Max and Nafkote, breaks down bit by bit, the situation in climate financing and why it is impossible to have just transition within the structu…

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Corporate Run Cities (really) - and the fightback! - with Ana Arendar from Progressive International 29:03

1+ y ago29:03

29:03

Imagine a private company creating its own jurisdiction in a sovereign country. It sets up its own laws, currency, and tax, labour and environmental regulations regardless of their compatibility with national laws. And when the democratically elected government steps in, the company sues it in little-known ‘corporate courts’ for billions of dollars…

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How water is ‘flowing up’ to the rich 31:30

1+ y ago31:30

31:30

In this episode of EQUALS, we talk about how wealth and power defy gravity by making water flow… upwards! Max and Nafkote interview Sushmita Mandal about water inequality and how climate breakdown is already affecting water access for people around the world. Sushmita shares amazing stories about a young boy in India (who observed water flowing upw…

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Is it Possible to be a Neoliberal Feminist? 30:59

1+ y ago30:59

30:59

On International Women’s Day, Max and Nafkote interviewed Bhumika Muchhala, a development and feminist economist, on the possibility of being a feminist in an economic system that thrives on the exploitation of people and nature. This episode explores the importance of the way our global economy is organized in understanding the fight for gender eq…

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SOCIAL MOBILITY- is the capitalist dream just a myth? 23:29

1+ y ago23:29

23:29

Nafkote and Max interview Dr. Faiza Shaheen on how capitalism has failed on its main selling point – work hard and you will succeed. The idea that everyone has equal opportunity in life is just a myth. Your success in life is significantly influenced by where you are born, your social class, race, and education. This episode is a powerful critique …

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AUSTERITY: A WEAPON TO DISCIPLINE THE PUBLIC? - with Dr. Clara Mattei 30:44

1+ y ago30:44

30:44

Max and Nafkote interview the brilliant Dr. Clara Mattei on the history of austerity and how it was created to maintain “the capital order”. Austerity today the world over remains a favored tool of policymakers. And yet it is far more than just a policy. We examine the roots of austerity and its fundamental role in entrenching capital, and discipli…

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"TO LIVE AS AFRICAN" - with Dr Ndongo Samba Sylla, on economic liberation 32:47

1+ y ago32:47

32:47

Nafkote and Nabil welcome the pioneering Senegalese development economist Ndongo Samba Sylla onto EQUALS. We talk about the untold vision of former Burkina Faso President Thomas Sankara for economic liberation. The role of the French colonial currency in today’s world. What Modern Monetary Theory can mean to the Global South. And what a Green Bandu…

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ECONOMICS FOR THE 99% - with Professor Ha-Joon Chang 28:38

1+ y ago28:38

28:38

Max and Nafkote interview the world-famous economist Professor Ha Joon Chang to ask what is causing the inequality crisis and what governments can do to stop it. How are traffic lights, neoliberalism, and the Catholic Church in medieval times linked? How can we create a new generation of developmental states that face down corporates and build equa…

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THE WALL STREET CONSENSUS - with Dr. Daniela Gabor 30:16

2y ago30:16

30:16

EQUALS is back. Max and Nabil speak to Dr. Daniela Gabor, who says we’ve entered a new era of the “Wall Street Consensus”. Her macro analysis is lighting up debates around the world about how much power we’re giving up to global private finance - and what exactly comes after neoliberalism. Daniela, Professor of Economics and Macro-Finance at UWE Br…

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CLIMATE INEQUALITY 31:31

2y ago31:31

31:31

Introducing a new EQUALS season and our new podcast co-host, Nafkote Dabi, Climate Policy Lead at Oxfam International. Joining Nafkote and Max in this episode are Astrid Nilsson Lewis and Ashfaq Khalfan. Together, they delve into the latest Oxfam report “Climate Equality: A planet for the 99%” How are the climate and inequality crises intertwined? …

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Season Five Closer. Farewell Nadia! 13:44

2+ y ago13:44

13:44

A season five wrap-up with just the co-hosts! Nadia is sadly leaving the podcast (and Oxfam). The co-hosts get together to look back on their time together and reflect on over fifty episodes of EQUALS. We’ll be back for season six folks. Inequality’s sky-high. The fight’s on this decade but there’s hope. You’ve asked us to cover issues from the glo…

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JOSEPH STIGLITZ ON INEQUALITY, WAR PROFITEERS, AND A NEW COLD WAR 28:48

2+ y ago28:48

28:48

Nadia and Nabil interview Nobel Prize Laureate Professor Joseph Stiglitz to ask just how dire the state of inequality is - and what we’ve got to do about it. Is it realistic to tax the richest at rates above 70%? What’s the connection between Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and IMF-backed austerity in low income countries? An EQUALS episode not to be …

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A PLAN TO MAKE RICH COUNTRIES ADDRESS THEIR PAST WRONGS - PART 2 - With Professor Verene Shepherd and Dr. Grieve Chelwa 26:04

2+ y ago26:04

26:04

How exactly can rich countries address their past wrongs of slavery and colonialism? Well, there’s a plan. Jamaican scholar and UN leader Verene Shepherd outline what Caribbean nations have called for. This EQUALS episode is the second of a two-part special on reparations. In the first episode, we heard the case for reparations – and went back to t…

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SHOULD RICH COUNTRIES PAY FOR THEIR PAST CRIMES? – PART 1 – With Professor Verene Shepherd 23:20

3y ago23:20

23:20

We start on the shores of the Caribbean islands of the 15th century. As white European men landed on its shores, the story of centuries of colonialism and slavery, and today’s global inequality begins. This EQUALS is the first of a two-part special on the case for reparations. Nabil and Nadia speak with the Jamaican scholar Professor Verene Shepher…

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ON BILLIONAIRES AND FOSSIL FUELS - With Nafkote Dabi, Harjeet Singh, and Teun Ott after COP 24:20

3y ago24:20

24:20

In this episode, Nafkote Dabi, Harjeet Singh, and extinction rebellion activist Teun Ott join Max and Nadia to talk about billionaires, inequality, and climate breakdown. Nafkote and Harjeet joined us directly from the COP last week. Nafkote, Climate Lead at Oxfam describes how billionaires contribute to carbon emissions not only through their life…

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THE “CASINO” OF GLOBAL FINANCE – with Ann Pettifor 33:51

3y ago33:51

33:51

Ann Pettifor joins Max and Nabil on EQUALS. She famously predicted the global financial crash in 2007/8 and she’s worried again. She says it’s not just simply supply and demand that’s driving global food system shocks - and tells the story of how gambling-like practices in global financial markets are affecting all of us. She’s got some big ideas t…

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COST OF LIVING STORIES ACROSS THE GLOBE – from Lumbadzi, London and Cape Town 31:26

3y ago31:26

31:26

We speak to three people reckoning with today’s massive cost of living crisis – with stories from Malawi, the United Kingdom and South Africa. Max speaks with Nellie Kumambala, a secondary school teacher in Lumbadzi, Malawi, and Walter, a security guard in London, United Kingdom. Nabil speaks with Wafaa Abdurahman, the National Coordinator, Fight I…

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INFLATION: THE UNTOLD STORY – with Lindsay Owens and Irit Tamir 32:21

3y ago32:21

32:21

EQUALS is back! We're asking: What has *really* been happening in the board rooms of multinational companies? And what's that got to do with today's cost-of-living crisis being felt across the globe? This new season on EQUALS we’ll focus on the crisis, bringing stories and solutions from across the globe. Nabil and Nadia speak with Dr. Lindsay Owen…

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“FOR HEAVEN’S SAKE, GET PREPARED!” – With Helen Clark, Former PM of New Zealand 32:55

3+ y ago32:55

32:55

Nadia and Nabil welcome former New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark on the EQUALS podcast for a special episode. The IMF, World Bank and the G20 all are meeting this week. The world is facing multiple crises that are converging from the COVID-19 pandemic to the Ukraine crisis, to soaring food and fuel prices. Two years into the pandemic, we ask P…

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IT’S A WRAP ON SEASON 4! 11:19

3+ y ago11:19

11:19

It’s a wrap on Season 4 of EQUALS! Liz, Max, Nabil and Nadia reflect on the season, and on 2 years since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. We talk race, inequality, political power, access to justice, and we discuss campaigning for a People’s Vaccine. 14 episodes in, which ones stand out for us and why? Make sure you share the podcast on social m…

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WILL CHILE'S NEW 36-YEAR-OLD PRESIDENT BURY NEOLIBERALISM? - with Noam Titelman (and Ana Arendar) 34:05

3+ y ago34:05

34:05

In a few days, a 36-year-old former student leader who wants to fight inequality will become the President of Chile. He says, “If Chile was the cradle of neoliberalism, it will also be its grave”. We find out about what President-elect Gabriel Boric wants to do, and about the movement of young people whose protests have swung the pendulum of power …

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FORMER UK PM GORDON BROWN ON THE EXTRAORDINARY COVID RESPONSE WE NEED 32:10

3+ y ago32:10

32:10

Max and Nabil welcome former UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown on the Oxfam EQUALS podcast for an incisive interview. The pandemic is far from over. Vaccine inequality rages on. We ask Gordon what he would do if he was leading the G20 today – and how to rally the world’s leaders to act, as he did in response to the global financial crash. Gordon Brown…

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“AN INCREDIBLE EXPLOSION OF INEQUALITY” – with Renowned Economist, Branko Milanovic 21:31

3+ y ago21:31

21:31

We are witnessing a COVID-19 driven explosion in inequality. This week, Oxfam released its annual report, Inequality Kills, showing that the pandemic is killing at least 1 person every 4 seconds, while the ten richest men have doubled their fortunes during this same pandemic. This is the biggest single increase in billionaire wealth in recorded his…

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IS SANTA CLAUS A CAPITALIST ICON? – A lively Holiday Special with Asad Rehman 20:32

4y ago20:32

20:32

Alas! Santa Claus is coming to town!! And we’re having a Christmas debate on a hot button topic that is dividing people. Is Santa a socialist or a merciless capitalist? Liz and Nadia talk to Asad Rehman, the Executive Director of War on Want. He’s a lifelong campaigner against racialised capitalism, economic, climate and social injustice – and he’s…

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WILL THE PANDEMIC CHANGE HEALTHCARE FOREVER? – With Rob Yates of Chatham House and Rebecca Riddell of New York University 38:16

4y ago38:16

38:16

We finally talk healthcare on EQUALS. Could the pandemic trigger the creation of universal healthcare systems around the world? What can we learn from Thailand and Costa Rica? What is privatization doing to healthcare in Kenya? And who is undermining healthcare for all? Liz, Nabil and Max chat to Rob Yates (Director, Global Health Program, Chatham …

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POST-COP26: WHAT’S NEXT? CLIMATE JUSTICE V CLIMATE COLONIALISM – With Asad Rehman and Nafkote Dabi 26:23

4y ago26:23

26:23

Here’s your post-COP26 deep dive. What do the outcomes mean for us all? Why were developing countries insisting on reparations? What’s the fuss about billionaire emissions? We welcome two amazing guests from the climate justice movement who were influencing the Glasgow climate talks. Asad Rehman is the Executive Director of War on Want, a lifelong …

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BUSES AND THE INEQUALITY CRISIS – With Bassam Khawaja and Matteo Rizzo 31:31

4y ago31:31

31:31

We need to talk about buses. Yes, buses. And inequality. The issue that nobody’s talking about. Since the 80s, transport across the world has been privatized – fueling an inequality crisis that undermines our human rights. Liz, Max and Nabil chat to Bassam Khawaja (Co-Director, Human Rights and Privatization Project, NYU Law School Center for Human…

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IS GREEN GROWTH A CONVENIENT LIE? – With Jason Hickel, Economic Anthropologist 29:48

4y ago29:48

29:48

How fighting inequality and beating climate change means we must end our addiction to economic growth and fast. We’re asking: How are inequality, climate breakdown and growth linked? Why is green growth an impossibility? If rich nations must stop growing, what does this mean for developing countries? Nadia and Max have an amazing conversation with …

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CAN FOREIGN AID BE DECOLONIZED? – With Power Shifter Degan Ali 29:30

4y ago29:30

29:30

Foreign aid has helped save millions of lives. But the whole system is facing a huge reckoning. As the New York Times’ Editorial Board wrote recently, “A growing group of intellectuals, aid workers and civic leaders from Africa say the “white savior” mentality of the world’s foreign aid system can end up doing more harm than good. We’re asking: Doe…

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ECONOMIC HUNGER GAMES IN AFRICA –With Pan-African feminist Crystal Simeoni 32:15

4y ago32:15

32:15

What doesn’t mainstream economics “get” about Africa? What is the future of the state itself in Africa? And how much should we really be focusing on corruption within Africa? Max and Nabil have a riveting conversation with Pan-African feminist Crystal Simeoni – who is Director at Nawi: Afrifem Macroeconomics Collective (which is well worth checking…

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WHEN NEOLIBERALISM TOOK ON AFRICA’S ECONOMIC IMAGINATION – With Zambian economist Grieve Chelwa 32:00

4y ago32:00

32:00

Former Zambian President Kenneth Kaunda (“KK”) – who led his country in the wake of independence from colonial rule – recently died. A pan-African giant, he pursued efforts to boldly pursue equality at home and fight for liberation across the African continent. Max Lawson and Nabil Ahmed have an amazing chat with Dr. Grieve Chelwa on what President…

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TAX THE RICH! SAY THE RICH – Meet Patriotic Millionaires Morris Pearl and Erica Payne 30:27

4+ y ago30:27

30:27

How does it feel to have more money than you could ever spend? What is it that makes someone who is a millionaire fight for higher taxes on the rich? How does playing a rigged game of monopoly reveal how rich people’s minds work? What chance that President Joe Biden can reverse the relentless lowering of taxes on the richest people? Nadia and Max a…

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IS RACISM SHAPING THE GLOBAL VACCINE RESPONSE? – With Priti Krishtel, Tahir Amin and Asia Russell 32:52

4+ y ago32:52

32:52

We’re asking: is racism silently shaping the global vaccine response? And what could President Biden’s recent huge decision to take on vaccine monopolies mean for people around the world? We also do a special round of “big pharma bingo”, examining the key arguments that pharmaceutical corporations have been making that is stifling the mass producti…

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MUSIC AS POLITICAL POWER - With PilAto, Zambian Music Artist Sensation 30:20

4+ y ago30:20

30:20

[This episode contains great music!] His beautiful music reaches millions. He’s topped the charts in the African continent. He’s winning change. He’s even been arrested for his music. He is PilAto – real name Fumba Chama – the Zambian music artist and activist sensation. On this truly inspiring episode of the EQUALS podcast Max and Nabil speak to P…

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WHY WE NEED TO DREAM – Award-Winning Author Gary Younge on MLK, Inequality and Race 28:47

4+ y ago28:47

28:47

A remarkable conversation with a great thinker and giant of journalism who has covered the great stories of our time. We ask what can be learnt from MLK about the fight against inequality? What holds back change and what is the role of journalism? How can America heal under Biden? We talk about the place of idealism in politics and how we can bring…