Radical with Amol Rajan

How can Millennials, Gen Zs and Gen As thrive in a world where so much success depends on having access to the Bank of Mum and Dad?

Historian Dr Eliza Filby – an expert in generational identity – tells Amol that society needs to shift in three major ways to mitigate the “rupture” between young and old: in values, education and wealth.

Amol speaks with her about her book ‘Inheritocracy’ which calls for a radical redefining of meritocracy. They also discuss the shifts in parenthood and the evolving household roles of men and women, and ‘kidulthood’ - where young people move into adulthood in their early thirties instead of their late teens or early twenties.

(00:02:30) What is ‘Inheritocracy?’

(00:04:13) The values rupture – Baby Boomers are the exceptional generation

(00:10:07) The education rupture - the declining graduate premium

(00:16:00) The wealth rupture – unattainable ‘big ticket’ items

(00:28:00) Why is the social contract broken between generations?

(00:38:27) Shifts in assortative mating

(00:45:30) Is meritocracy a good idea in principle?

(00:54:17) How to reconfigure the tax system for a new generation

(00:57:07) Dr Eliza Filby's radical idea

(01:01:11) Amol’s reflections

(01:04:25) Listener messages

GET IN TOUCH * WhatsApp: 0330 123 9480 * Email: radical@bbc.co.uk Episodes of Radical with Amol Rajan are released every Thursday and you can also watch them on BBC iPlayer: https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episodes/m002f1d0/radical-with-amol-rajan Amol Rajan is a presenter of the Today programme on BBC Radio 4. He is also the host of University Challenge on BBC One. Before that, Amol was media editor at the BBC and editor at The Independent.

Radical with Amol Rajan is a Today Podcast. It was made by Lewis Vickers with Anna Budd. Digital production was by Gabriel Purcell-Davis. Technical production was by Gareth Jones. The editor is Sam Bonham. The executive producer is Owenna Griffiths.

Artificial Intelligence is fundamentally changing the internet. But Matthew Prince, CEO of cybersecurity giant Cloudflare, thinks there is a way to ensure content creators and publishers earn enough to operate — even as their work feeds AI.

Cloudflare has put up digital firewalls around its clients’ sites, which blocks the bots that copy content to train large language models like OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Anthropic’s Claude. It is then up to its customers to choose whether to allow those so-called AI “crawlers” to access their sites.

Matthew spoke to Amol ahead of his appearance at the Thomson Reuters Foundation's Trust Conference, about how he hopes his decision will lead to a better deal for publishers as ‘search engines’ become ‘answer engines’ in the era of AI overviews and chatbots.

They also talk about the debate between artists like Sir Elton John and the UK government over plans to exempt technology firms from copyright laws.

The UK’s Competition and Markets Authority has designated Google with strategic market status in general search, which includes AI Overview and AI Mode. But Google says “many of the ideas for interventions that have been raised in this process would inhibit UK innovation and growth, potentially slowing product launches at a time of profound AI-based innovation.” The company also disputes Matthew’s claim that traffic to websites has fallen since the launch of AI Overview.

(00:03:52) How the internet is changing

(00:08:05) How AI is reducing web traffic

(00:11:34) Why it's important to compensate content creators

(00:18:50) AI is a platform change

(00:21:38) How AI could improve content creation

(00:26:29) The story behind Cloudflare

(00:31:42) Why he decided to block AI “crawler” bots

(00:42:33) AI and copyright laws in the UK

(00:45:19) Google’s market power

(00:51:37) Advice for becoming a tech entrepreneur

(00:54:01) Amol’s reflections

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* WhatsApp: 0330 123 9480 * Email: radical@bbc.co.uk

Episodes of Radical with Amol Rajan are released every Thursday and you can also watch them on BBC iPlayer: https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episodes/m002f1d0/radical-with-amol-rajan Amol Rajan is a presenter of the Today programme on BBC Radio 4. He is also the host of University Challenge on BBC One. Before that, Amol was media editor at the BBC and editor at The Independent.

Radical with Amol Rajan is a Today Podcast. It was made by Lewis Vickers with Anna Budd. Digital production was by Gabriel Purcell-Davis. Technical production was by Ricardo McCarthy and Dafydd Evans. The editor is Sam Bonham. The executive producer is Owenna Griffiths.

Whilst on a night out in the summer of 2011, Jacob Dunne made a split second decision to throw a punch that killed James Hodgkinson.

After being convicted of manslaughter, Jacob spent 14 months in prison during which time James’ parents contacted him to get answers about their son’s death. A dialogue began between them and when Jacob was released, Joan and David asked a question that he says saved him: “What are you going do with your life?”

That led to him doing his GCSE’s and getting a degree, and with James’ parents he now campaigns for criminal justice reform to improve the experience of victims and reduce reoffending.

Amol and Jacob go into extraordinary detail about his tough upbringing in Nottingham, what happened on that fateful night in 2011, and how – through his relationship with Joan and David - Jacob turned his life around.

They also discuss knife crime and why he thinks building stronger relationships is the solution to ending the cycle of violence in some of the most deprived areas of the UK.

His story is the subject of a West End play called Punch by James Graham and an award-winning BBC Radio 4 Series, which you can listen to here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000l0jr

(00:04:00) What is restorative justice?

(00:14:00) Growing up in Nottingham

(00:26:44) The punch

(00:47:00) Time in prison

(00:56:20) Life after prison

(01:05:00) Meeting James' parents

(01:22:40) The future

(01:31:00) Amol’s reflections

(01:36:14) Listener messages

GET IN TOUCH * WhatsApp: 0330 123 9480 * Email: radical@bbc.co.uk Episodes of Radical with Amol Rajan are released every Thursday and you can also watch them on BBC iPlayer: https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episodes/m002f1d0/radical-with-amol-rajan Amol Rajan is a presenter of the Today programme on BBC Radio 4. He is also the host of University Challenge on BBC One. Before that, Amol was media editor at the BBC and editor at The Independent.

Radical with Amol Rajan is a Today Podcast. It was made by Lewis Vickers with Anna Budd. Digital production was by Gabriel Purcell-Davis. Technical production was by James Piper. The editor is Sam Bonham. The executive producer is Owenna Griffiths.

As extreme weather forces people from their homes, the journalist and author Gaia Vince makes the positive case for immigration.

Projections show that billions of people will be displaced by 2050 due to the effects of global warming, a phenomenon she has reported on in her book ‘Nomad Century: How to Survive the Climate Upheaval’.

She argues that if governments plan for the mass movement of people they can reap the economic rewards of immigration despite public concern about the issue.

And with news that renewable energy overtook coal as the world's leading source of electricity in the first half of 2025, Gaia tells Amol why she thinks we’re approaching a “tipping point” which will see the end of our reliance on fossil fuels and green energy become the dominant source of power.

GET IN TOUCH * WhatsApp: 0330 123 9480 * Email: radical@bbc.co.uk Episodes of Radical with Amol Rajan are released every Thursday and you can also watch them on BBC iPlayer: https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episodes/m002f1d0/radical-with-amol-rajan Amol Rajan is a presenter of the Today programme on BBC Radio 4. He is also the host of University Challenge on BBC One. Before that, Amol was media editor at the BBC and editor at The Independent.

Radical with Amol Rajan is a Today Podcast. It was made by Lewis Vickers with Anna Budd. Digital production was by Gabriel Purcell-Davis. Technical production was by James Piper. The editor is Sam Bonham. The executive producer is Owenna Griffiths.

Headteacher Katharine Birbalsingh thinks multiculturalism in Britain has led to an excessive focus on our differences rather than what unites us, but she believes schools like hers can change that by teaching traditional values and British culture.

Known for enforcing strict discipline at Michaela Community School in north London, Katharine explains why she promotes unity over diversity.

She is also critical of those in power who ignore what she sees as the concerns of “white British people”, which she says breeds resentment towards minorities.

And she tells Amol why she's opposed to the government’s school’s bill and what she makes of Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson.

In a statement the Department for Education said: "This government is delivering transformative education reforms so every child can achieve and thrive, regardless of their background or postcode because expecting a great education for all children should never be controversial.

"The Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill will be a seminal moment for the safety and success of our children, introducing common-sense measures backed by parents and teachers that ensure excellence and support - from highly qualified teachers and a cutting-edge curriculum, to reduced costs for families through breakfast clubs and school uniforms.”

GET IN TOUCH * WhatsApp: 0330 123 9480 * Email: radical@bbc.co.uk Episodes of Radical with Amol Rajan are released every Thursday and you can also watch them on BBC iPlayer: https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episodes/m002f1d0/radical-with-amol-rajan Amol Rajan is a presenter of the Today programme on BBC Radio 4. He is also the host of University Challenge on BBC One. Before that, Amol was media editor at the BBC and editor at The Independent.

Radical with Amol Rajan is a Today Podcast. It was made by Lewis Vickers with Anna Budd. Digital production was by Gabriel Purcell-Davies. Technical production was by James Piper. The editor is Sam Bonham. The executive producer is Owenna Griffiths.

Physicist Carlo Rovelli thinks we need natural intelligence and not artificial intelligence in an age of confrontation.

Ten years ago he wrote a short book called Seven Brief Lessons on Physics, which became an international bestseller and catapulted him to scientific stardom.

A decade on he thinks the world is at a dangerous moment as the West’s dominance declines and global powers prioritise competition over collaboration.

One area he's most concerned about is AI, which he thinks is overhyped but needs to be controlled nonetheless.

He also explains some mind-bending ideas about time, space and why he thinks the Big Bang was actually a Big Bounce.

GET IN TOUCH * WhatsApp: 0330 123 9480 * Email: radical@bbc.co.uk Episodes of Radical with Amol Rajan are released every Thursday and you can also watch them on BBC iPlayer: https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episodes/m002f1d0/radical-with-amol-rajan Amol Rajan is a presenter of the Today programme on BBC Radio 4. He is also the host of University Challenge on BBC One. Before that, Amol was media editor at the BBC and editor at The Independent.

Radical with Amol Rajan is a Today Podcast. It was made by Lewis Vickers with Grace Reeve. Digital production was by Gabriel Purcell-Davies. Technical production was by Phil Bull. The editor is Sam Bonham. The executive producer is Owenna Griffiths.

Edward Enninful thinks fashion risks going backwards on diversity, which is why he’s launched a new media business, EE72, to promote inclusion in an anti-woke era.

The former editor of British Vogue talks to Amol about why the industry needs to appeal to all generations – from getting Gen Z on side by tackling fast fashion and affordability, to highlighting the full spectrum of beauty by focussing on ‘women of a certain age’ in the first issue of his quarterly magazine.

Amol asks him about the recent Sydney Sweeney jeans advert after the US fashion retailer American Eagle ran ads with her alongside the words: "Sydney Sweeney has great jeans".

Edward also explains why he left British Vogue and talks about his relationship with his former boss, Anna Wintour.

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* WhatsApp: 0330 123 9480

* Email: radical@bbc.co.uk

Episodes of Radical with Amol Rajan are released every Thursday and you can also watch them on BBC iPlayer: https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episodes/m002f1d0/radical-with-amol-rajan

Amol Rajan is a presenter of the Today programme on BBC Radio 4. He is also the host of University Challenge on BBC One. Before that, Amol was media editor at the BBC and editor at The Independent.

Radical with Amol Rajan is a Today Podcast. It was made by Lewis Vickers with Izzy Rowley and Grace Reeve. Digital production was by Gabriel Purcell-Davies and Sophie Millward. Technical production was by Mike Regaard. The editor is Sam Bonham. The executive producer is Owenna Griffiths.

There are some new (and old) faces on the left of British politics hoping to challenge Keir Starmer’s struggling Labour government, but could a party to the left of Labour ever win power?

His predecessor Jeremy Corbyn has setup a new party with another former Labour MP, Zarah Sultana, who has declared that “Labour is dead”.

And the Green Party of England and Wales has elected eco-populist Zack Polanski, who is urging left-leaning voters to back him rather than waiting around for Corbyn’s party to get off the ground.

The journalist and political commentator Ash Sarkar has written a book called ‘Minority Rule’, which argues that the Left has become bogged down in identity politics and needs to stop fighting the culture wars so it can focus on building a broad coalition of support.

A contributing editor at left-wing media organisation Novara Media, Ash discusses the radical potential for a Marxist approach to contemporary British politics and why she thinks Karl Marx would’ve loved Twitter.

She also talks to Amol about why she can’t think of a ‘dumber group of people’ than Keir Starmer’s cabinet and what lies behind the recent success of Nigel Farage's Reform UK.

GET IN TOUCH * WhatsApp: 0330 123 9480 * Email: radical@bbc.co.uk Episodes of Radical with Amol Rajan are released every Thursday and you can also watch them on BBC iPlayer: https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episodes/m002f1d0/radical-with-amol-rajan Amol Rajan is a presenter of the Today programme on BBC Radio 4. He is also the host of University Challenge on BBC One. Before that, Amol was media editor at the BBC and editor at The Independent.

Radical with Amol Rajan is a Today Podcast. It was made by Lewis Vickers with Grace Reeve and Izzy Rowley. Digital production was by Gabriel Purcell-Davis. Technical production was by Mike Regaard and Dafydd Evans. The editor is Sam Bonham. The executive producer is Owenna Griffiths.

Artificial intelligence is arguably the single biggest force shaping our world today.

Dario Amodei, CEO and co-founder of Anthropic which created AI chatbot Claude, says that this technology has the potential to revolutionise our lives but could also cause us significant harm if we don’t regulate it properly.

Amol and Dario discuss how quickly large language models (LLMs) like Claude and OpenAI’s ChatGPT are developing, the threat they could pose to white-collar jobs and how his company’s chatbot helped his sister through a difficult pregnancy.

They also talk about how AI could be used to carry out cyberattacks and why there is a “fundamental difficulty of control” at the centre of these models.

GET IN TOUCH * WhatsApp: 0330 123 9480 * Email: radical@bbc.co.uk Episodes of Radical with Amol Rajan are released every Thursday and you can also watch them on BBC iPlayer: https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episodes/m002f1d0/radical-with-amol-rajan Amol is a presenter of the Today programme on BBC Radio 4. He is also the host of University Challenge on BBC One. Before that, Amol was media editor at the BBC and editor at The Independent.

Radical with Amol Rajan is a Today podcast. If you enjoy this (and you've read this far so hopefully you do), then we think you’ll also like another podcast from Today. It’s called Political Thinking with Nick Robinson and you can listen to Nick’s interviews here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/p04z203l

This episode of Radical with Amol Rajan was made by Lewis Vickers with Izzy Rowley. Digital production was by Gabriel Purcell-Davis. Technical production was by Rohan Madison. The editor is Sam Bonham. The executive producer is Owenna Griffiths.

Could finding religion allow Gen Z to better find their place in the world? That is the assessment made by Jordan Schwarzenberger, the manager of Europe’s biggest YouTube group Sidemen and advisor to Downing Street’s Small Business Council. He converted to Catholicism in 2020 after being a devout atheist all his life.

He now argues that we're too obsessed with pleasure and that in turning our backs on the Catholic Church we have become a less moral society.

Jordan tells Amol about how he came to Christianity at a Kanye West album launch party, how his new-found faith has impacted his life and why he wants more people to follow in his footsteps.

This is part two of Amol’s Jordan Schwarzenberger interview. Look back in your feed for the first part, where Jordan explains how to build a successful brand on social media.

GET IN TOUCH

* WhatsApp: 0330 123 9480 * Email: radical@bbc.co.uk

Episodes of Radical with Amol Rajan are released every Thursday and you can also watch them on BBC iPlayer: https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episodes/m002f1d0/radical-with-amol-rajan

Amol is a presenter of the Today programme on BBC Radio 4. He is also the host of University Challenge on BBC One. Before that, Amol was media editor at the BBC and editor at The Independent.

Radical with Amol Rajan is a Today podcast. If you enjoy this (and you've read this far so hopefully you do), then we think you’ll also like another podcast from Today. It’s called Political Thinking with Nick Robinson and you can listen to Nick’s interviews here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/p04z203l

This episode of Radical with Amol Rajan was made by Lewis Vickers with Izzy Rowley. Digital production was by Gabriel Purcell-Davis. Technical production was by Phil Bull. The editor is Sam Bonham. The executive producer is Owenna Griffiths.

With audiences increasingly turning to echo-chambers on Instagram, TikTok and YouTube for their entertainment and away from traditional mass-media, is there anything that can bring communities together again?

Jordan Schwarzenberger manages Sidemen, Europe’s most popular YouTube collective – and recently went viral with a thesis over what he described as “the death of monoculture”.

The Forbes 30 Under 30 entrepreneur and member of Downing Street’s Small Business Council tells Amol why he thinks Gen Z are withdrawing into micro-communities.

But he has some radical suggestions for how to survive and thrive in an era where unique social content can count for far more than being part of an established media brand.

GET IN TOUCH * WhatsApp: 0330 123 9480 * Email: radical@bbc.co.uk Episodes of Radical with Amol Rajan are released every Thursday and you can also watch them on BBC iPlayer: https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episodes/m002f1d0/radical-with-amol-rajan Amol is a presenter of the Today programme on BBC Radio 4. He is also the host of University Challenge on BBC One. Before that, Amol was media editor at the BBC and editor at The Independent.

Radical with Amol Rajan is a Today podcast. If you enjoy this (and you've read this far so hopefully you do), then we think you’ll also like another podcast from Today. It’s called Political Thinking with Nick Robinson and you can listen to Nick’s interviews here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/p04z203l

This episode of Radical with Amol Rajan was made by Lewis Vickers with Izzy Rowley. Digital production was by Gabriel Purcell-Davis. Technical production was by Phil Bull. The editor is Sam Bonham. The executive producer is Owenna Griffiths.

Homelessness is on the rise in Britian with record numbers of people living in emergency accommodation.

Sabrina Cohen-Hatton, Chief Fire Officer of the West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service, spent time sleeping rough on the streets of Newport in Wales as a teenager.

Now, she is working to end homelessness and stop people getting stuck in poverty.

Amol and Sabrina discuss what can be done in schools to prevent homelessness, the stigma facing homeless people and how to stop professions from being dominated by the elites.

They also talk about Sabrina’s work with Prince William's charity, Homewards, and how poverty becomes a trap.

GET IN TOUCH * WhatsApp: 0330 123 9480 * Email: radical@bbc.co.uk Episodes of Radical with Amol Rajan are released every Thursday and you can also watch them on BBC iPlayer: https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episodes/m002f1d0/radical-with-amol-rajan Amol Rajan is a presenter of the Today programme on BBC Radio 4. He is also the host of University Challenge on BBC One. Before that, Amol was media editor at the BBC and editor at The Independent. Radical with Amol Rajan is a Today Podcast. It was made by Lewis Vickers with Izzy Rowley. Digital production was by Gabriel Purcell-Davis. Technical production was by Philip Bull. The editor is Sam Bonham. The executive producer is Owenna Griffiths.

Conspiracy theories have flooded the internet in recent years and a growing number of people are avoiding mainstream news.

Eliot Higgins, founder of the open source investigative organisation Bellingcat, thinks this is partly down to a lack of trust in institutions, which is leading to a crisis of democracy in Britain and elsewhere.

He discusses why we need to spend less time online, improve media literacy and how Bellingcat has built a community of open source investigators on Discord.

Eliot also explains how his team tracked down the Russian agents behind the Salisbury poisonings, took on Putin’s Kremlin and uncovered what really happened to Malaysian Airlines flight MH17.

GET IN TOUCH * WhatsApp: 0330 123 9480 * Email: radical@bbc.co.uk Episodes of Radical with Amol Rajan are released every Thursday and you can also watch them on BBC iPlayer: https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episodes/m002f1d0/radical-with-amol-rajan Amol Rajan is a presenter of the Today programme on BBC Radio 4. He is also the host of University Challenge on BBC One. Before that, Amol was media editor at the BBC and editor at The Independent. Radical with Amol Rajan is a Today Podcast. It was made by Lewis Vickers with Izzy Rowley. Digital production was by Gabriel Purcell-Davis. Technical production was by James Piper. The editor is Sam Bonham. The executive producer is Owenna Griffiths.

Only one in three children in the UK enjoy reading in their spare time – the lowest rate recorded in 20 years, according to a survey for the National Literacy Trust.

Best-selling children’s author Katherine Rundell, whose books include Impossible Creatures and The Explorer, says that represents a crisis of reading which will make it harder to tackle disinformation.

She thinks every school should have a library that is subject to an Ofsted inspection and literacy should be included in teacher training programmes to try to tackle the decline in children reading for pleasure.

Amol and Katherine also discuss why Donald Trump’s re-election as US president led her to donate all the royalties from US sales of The Golden Mole (published under the title Vanishing Treasures in America) to climate charities.

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* WhatsApp: 0330 123 9480 * Email: radical@bbc.co.uk

Episodes of Radical with Amol Rajan are released every Thursday and you can also watch them on BBC iPlayer: https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episodes/m002f1d0/radical-with-amol-rajan

Amol Rajan is a presenter of the Today programme on BBC Radio 4. He is also the host of University Challenge on BBC One. Before that, Amol was media editor at the BBC and editor at The Independent.

Radical with Amol Rajan is a Today Podcast. It was made by Lewis Vickers with Izzy Rowley. Digital production was by Gabriel Purcell-Davis. Technical production was by James Piper. The editor is Sam Bonham. The executive producer is Owenna Griffiths.

Ever since Labour won a landslide victory at the general election, Nigel Farage’s Reform UK party and Kemi Badenoch’s Conservatives have been fighting for the soul of the political right in Britain.

Now a new right-wing think tank is putting together a suite of potential policies for a future Reform government.

Dr James Orr, an associate professor of the philosophy of religion at Cambridge University and friend of US Vice President JD Vance, chairs the advisory board of that new think tank - the Centre for a Better Britain (CBB).

Amol asks him whether the CBB is modelled on American organisations like the Heritage Foundation, which wrote a policy wish list called ‘Project 2025’ that set out a vision for how Donald Trump might govern during his second term in the White House.

They also discuss who is funding the CBB, the politics of national preference, and how James was radicalised by Brexit and the culture wars.

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* WhatsApp: 0330 123 9480

* Email: radical@bbc.co.uk

Amol Rajan is a presenter of the Today programme on BBC Radio 4. He is also the host of University Challenge on BBC One. Before that, Amol was media editor at the BBC and editor at The Independent. Radical with Amol Rajan is a Today Podcast.

It was made by Lewis Vickers with Izzy Rowley. Digital production was by Gabriel Purcell-Davis. Technical production was by Rohan Madison. The editor is Sam Bonham. The executive producer is Owenna Griffiths.

Serious pollution incidents by water companies in England rose by 60% last year, but the best-selling author Robert Macfarlane says there is a way to save our rivers.

Days after a long-awaited review of the water sector in England and Wales was published, Amol sat down with Robert for a conversation about the state of rivers globally, why some are dying and how we can save them.

From President Donald Trump's dismantling of the Clean Water Act in the US to the dying River Wye, Robert takes us on a journey around the world and explains why he is optimistic about the future.

He says we can do things like give our rivers rights and mobilise citizen scientists to save them.

Robert also digs out Amol's report card from when he taught him at Cambridge University more than twenty years ago.

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* WhatsApp: 0330 123 9480

* Email: radical@bbc.co.uk

Amol Rajan is a presenter of the Today programme on BBC Radio 4. He is also the host of University Challenge on BBC One. Before that, Amol was media editor at the BBC and editor at The Independent. Radical with Amol Rajan is a Today Podcast.

It was made by Lewis Vickers with Izzy Rowley. Digital production was by Gabriel Purcell-Davis. Technical production was by Rohan Madison. The editor is Sam Bonham. The executive producer is Owenna Griffiths.

The Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson recently warned that Britain’s declining birth rate could have “worrying repercussions for society.”

Demographer Paul Morland agrees. He says the trend towards an older society with fewer young people risks serious social and economic consequences.

The author of 'No One Left' tells Amol that he would change the tax system to benefit parents, subsidise childcare and rethink the way we teach sex education in our schools.

They also discuss immigration and the impact that a growing population has on the climate.

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* WhatsApp: 0330 123 9480

* Email: radical@bbc.co.uk

Amol Rajan is a presenter of the Today programme on BBC Radio 4. He is also the host of University Challenge on BBC One. Before that, Amol was media editor at the BBC and editor at The Independent.

Radical with Amol Rajan is a Today Podcast. It was made by Lewis Vickers with Izzy Rowley. Digital production was by Gabriel Purcell-Davis. Technical production was by Dave O’Neill. The editor is Sam Bonham. The executive producer is Owenna Griffiths.

The singer, songwriter and political activist Billy Bragg thinks there’s a crisis of accountability in politics (23:51). To fix it, he says we need to reform the House of Lords (27:55) and redefine what liberty means in the age of social media (25:17).

A socialist and anti-racism campaigner who grew up in a community where the main employer was the local Ford car factory (3:35), Billy talks to Amol about class in modern Britain (15:47) and sets out the challenges facing democracy today (20:38).

He also argues that there’s a link between Donald Trump, Boris Johnson, Jeremy Corbyn and Nigel Farage (31:37), warns that Keir Starmer’s Labour Party is in danger of losing the working class (31:14) and offers his advice to young musicians (39:12).

GET IN TOUCH

* WhatsApp: 0330 123 9480

* Email: radical@bbc.co.uk

Amol Rajan is a presenter of the Today programme on BBC Radio 4. He is also the host of University Challenge on BBC One. Before that, Amol was media editor at the BBC and editor at The Independent.

Radical with Amol Rajan is a Today Podcast. It was made by Lewis Vickers with Izzy Rowley. Digital production was by Gabriel Purcell-Davis. Technical production was by Mike Regaard and Chris Ablakwa. The editor is Sam Bonham. The executive producer is Owenna Griffiths.

Is there a better way to handle divorce and family separation in the courts? Lady Hale thinks there is.

The former president of the UK’s Supreme Court explains why there needs to be a more streamlined approach and how cuts to legal aid have impacted the family justice system (14:37).

She also talks to Amol about the rise of authoritarianism (27:42), assisted dying (31:39) and whether lawyers should still wear wigs (42:47).

GET IN TOUCH * WhatsApp: 0330 123 9480

* Email: radical@bbc.co.uk

Amol Rajan is a presenter of the Today programme on BBC Radio 4. He is also the host of University Challenge on BBC One. Before that, Amol was media editor at the BBC and editor at The Independent.

Radical with Amol Rajan is a Today Podcast. It was made by Lewis Vickers with Izzy Rowley. Digital production was by Gabriel Purcell-Davis. The editor is Sam Bonham. The executive producer is Owenna Griffiths.

More children are being convicted of crime and our prisons are nearly at capacity. But Steve Chalke thinks he has a solution.

The founder of the Oasis Charitable Trust, which runs a chain of academies and the UK’s first secure school, works closely with children who have committed the worst crimes. He advocates for radically changing our schools, the education system, and how we rehabilitate our young offenders.

Amol and Steve also talk about their shared background, the crisis of masculinity, and how a rejection at the age of 14 lead him to where he is today.

GET IN TOUCH

* WhatsApp: 0330 123 9480

* Email: radical@bbc.co.uk

Amol Rajan is a presenter of the Today programme on BBC Radio 4. He is also the host of University Challenge on BBC One. Before that, Amol was media editor at the BBC and editor at The Independent.

Radical with Amol Rajan is a Today Podcast. It was made by Lewis Vickers with Izzy Rowley. Digital production was by Gabriel Purcell-Davis. The editor is Sam Bonham. The executive producer is Owenna Griffiths.

Leading historian Professor Sir Niall Ferguson explains how patterns from the past can help us understand the future.

Amol and Sir Niall discuss the tensions in the Middle East and why he thinks Israel’s strikes on Iran are a victory for the West. They also explore the idea that we're in a new Cold War.

And Sir Niall explains why Britain needs a leader like Argentina’s Javier Milei rather than Donald Trump.

GET IN TOUCH * WhatsApp: 0330 123 9480 * Email: radical@bbc.co.uk

Amol Rajan is a presenter of the Today programme on BBC Radio 4. He is also the host of University Challenge on BBC One. Before that, Amol was media editor at the BBC and editor at The Independent.

Radical with Amol Rajan is a Today Podcast. It was made by Lewis Vickers with Grace Reeve. Digital production was by Gabriel Purcell-Davies. The editor is Sam Bonham. The executive producer is Owenna Griffiths.

Feminist campaigner Laura Bates has fought for women's safety for over a decade. But now her battle against misogyny moved online.

She tells Amol how social media platforms are fuelling hatred against women, with algorithms promoting increasingly extreme content.

The popularity of figures like Andrew Tate, whose videos are widely available, and offensive material is being pushed to teenage boys and young men, even if they don't seek it out.

So how can it be stopped? What responsibility do the big tech companies have in combating this problem? How can they be held accountable? And what is it doing to society if young men are being radicalised in this way?

GET IN TOUCH * WhatsApp: 0330 123 9480 * Email: radical@bbc.co.uk

Amol Rajan is a presenter of the Today programme on BBC Radio 4. He is also the host of University Challenge on BBC One. Before that, Amol was media editor at the BBC and editor at The Independent.

Radical with Amol Rajan is a Today Podcast. It was made by Lewis Vickers with Grace Reeve and Lucy Pawle. Digital production was by David Kaplowitz and Sophie Millward. The editor is Sam Bonham. The executive producer is Owenna Griffiths.

Conversations about tomorrow, from Today.

Every week Amol Rajan talks to radicals, pioneers and innovators from all over the world.

From populism and climate change, to economics and AI... How can their radical ideas help you win the future?

Episodes of Radical with Amol Rajan will be published on Thursdays on BBC Sounds starting on 12th June 2025. It will also be broadcast on BBC Radio 4 on Thursdays at 11pm. Visualised versions of the podcast will also be available on BBC iPlayer and YouTube.

Amol Rajan is a presenter of the Today programme on BBC Radio 4. He is also the host of University Challenge on BBC One. Before that, Amol was media editor at the BBC and editor at The Independent.

Radical with Amol Rajan is a Today Podcast.

The creator of The Thick of It and Veep discusses the rise of populism and the evolution of political language.

And Nick compares Amol to Billie Piper in Dr Who as they announce some news about The Today Podcast regenerating into not one, but two podcasts.

Radical with Amol Rajan will be available on this feed, so make sure you hit subscribe on BBC Sounds to make sure you don’t miss an episode.

Political Thinking with Nick Robinson is available here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/p04z203l

The Today Podcast is hosted by Amol Rajan and Nick Robinson who are both presenters of BBC Radio 4’s Today programme. Amol was the BBC?s media editor for six years and is the former editor of the Independent, he’s also the current presenter of University Challenge. Nick has presented the Today programme since 2015, he was the BBC?s political editor for ten years before that and also previously worked as ITV’s political editor.

This episode was made by Lewis Vickers with Izzy Rowley and David Pittam. Digital production was by Izzy Rowley. The technical producer was Mike Regaard. The editor is Louisa Lewis. The executive producer is Owenna Griffiths.

Over half term this week Radio 4’s Today is conducting an exciting experiment: asking teenagers to abandon their smartphones for a week.

On the podcast Amol discusses the monumental impact the smartphone has had on our lives and what the future of the smartphone might be with Professor Jim Ang, an expert in Human-Computer interaction, and digital regulation campaigner Baroness Beeban Kidron.

Amol also takes a moment to pay tribute to his friend, former BBC executive Alan Yentob, who died last weekend.

To get Amol and Nick's take on the biggest stories and insights from behind the scenes at the UK's most influential radio news programme make sure you hit subscribe on BBC Sounds. That way you’ll get an alert every time we release a new episode, and you won’t miss our extra bonus episodes either.

GET IN TOUCH:

* Send us a message or a voice note via WhatsApp to +44 330 123 4346 * Email today@bbc.co.uk

The Today Podcast is hosted by Amol Rajan and Nick Robinson who are both presenters of BBC Radio 4’s Today programme. Amol was the BBC’s media editor for six years and is the former editor of the Independent, he’s also the current presenter of University Challenge.

Nick has presented the Today programme since 2015, he was the BBC’s political editor for ten years before that and also previously worked as ITV’s political editor.

This episode was made by Tom Smithard with Izzy Rowley. Digital production was by Izzy Rowley. The technical producer was Ben Andrews. The editor is Louisa Lewis. The executive producer is Owenna Griffiths.

It’s the end of an era for Match of the Day – with Gary Lineker hosting for the final time after 25 years in the hot seat. He will now leave the BBC a year earlier than expected in the wake of an antisemitism row. Amol – who recently sat down with Lineker for a long television interview – reflects on the former footballer’s run-ins with the BBC over impartiality and use of social media – and his legacy both as a presenter and a modern celebrity influencer. He’s joined by former culture minister, Conservative peer Lord Vaizey, and by former Sun editor David Yelland, now co-host of BBC Sounds podcast When It Hits the Fan. To get Amol and Nick's take on the biggest stories and insights from behind the scenes at the UK's most influential radio news programme make sure you hit subscribe on BBC Sounds. That way you’ll get an alert every time we release a new episode, and you won’t miss our extra bonus episodes either. GET IN TOUCH: * Send us a message or a voice note via WhatsApp to +44 330 123 4346 * Email today@bbc.co.uk The Today Podcast is hosted by Amol Rajan and Nick Robinson who are both presenters of BBC Radio 4’s Today programme. Amol was the BBC’s media editor for six years and is the former editor of the Independent, he’s also the current presenter of University Challenge. Nick has presented the Today programme since 2015, he was the BBC’s political editor for ten years before that and also previously worked as ITV’s political editor. This episode was made by Lewis Vickers and Tom Smithard with Izzy Rowley. Digital production was by Izzy Rowley. The technical producer was Michael Regaard. The editor is Louisa Lewis. The executive producer is Owenna Griffiths.

Why does Eurovision find itself at the centre of political controversy when it’s supposed to be non-political?

This year, Israel’s participation has been questioned because of its role in the war in Gaza whilst Israeli fans have been warned by their country's National Security Council not to wear Jewish or Israeli symbols while attending Eurovision.

Amol is joined by Times columnist (and Eurovision superfan) Fraser Nelson and Dr Dean Vuletic who is a leading Eurovision historian to discuss the politics of the song contest through the years. (1:39)

Fraser also gives his assessment of the state of Kemi Badenoch’s Conservative party and Nigel Farage’s Reform UK after the recent local elections in England. (28:36)

To get Amol and Nick's take on the biggest stories and insights from behind the scenes at the UK's most influential radio news programme make sure you hit subscribe on BBC Sounds. That way you’ll get an alert every time we release a new episode, and you won’t miss our extra bonus episodes either.

GET IN TOUCH: * Send us a message or a voice note via WhatsApp to +44 330 123 4346 * Email today@bbc.co.uk

The Today Podcast is hosted by Amol Rajan and Nick Robinson who are both presenters of BBC Radio 4’s Today programme. Amol was the BBC’s media editor for six years and is the former editor of the Independent, he’s also the current presenter of University Challenge. Nick has presented the Today programme since 2015, he was the BBC’s political editor for ten years before that and also previously worked as ITV’s political editor.

This episode was made by Lewis Vickers with Izzy Rowley. Digital production was by Izzy Rowley. The technical producer was James Piper. The editor is Louisa Lewis. The executive producer is Owenna Griffiths.

On the 80th anniversary of VE Day, Amol and Nick discuss what President Biden told Nick in his first interview since leaving office.

They’re also joined by Professor Lucy Noakes, author of The People’s Victory, and Professor Jason Arday, whose work focuses on inequality, race and education, to talk about how we remember World War Two as the wartime generation dwindles and the politics of nostalgia.

And Nick and Amol enjoy a vintage Today programme theme song.

To get Amol and Nick's take on the biggest stories and insights from behind the scenes at the UK's most influential radio news programme make sure you hit subscribe on BBC Sounds. That way you’ll get an alert every time we release a new episode, and you won’t miss our extra bonus episodes either.

GET IN TOUCH: * Send us a message or a voice note via WhatsApp to +44 330 123 4346 * Email today@bbc.co.uk

The Today Podcast is hosted by Amol Rajan and Nick Robinson who are both presenters of BBC Radio 4’s Today programme. Amol was the BBC’s media editor for six years and is the former editor of the Independent, he’s also the current presenter of University Challenge. Nick has presented the Today programme since 2015, he was the BBC’s political editor for ten years before that and also previously worked as ITV’s political editor.

This episode was made by Lewis Vickers with Izzy Rowley. Digital production was by Izzy Rowley. The technical producer was Dafydd Evans. The editor is Louisa Lewis. The executive producer is Owenna Griffiths.

Kim Jong Un has confirmed for the first time that North Korean troops have been fighting in Russia against Ukraine.

Amol and Nick catch up with Today presenter Anna Foster who is in Ukraine to find out about the reporting she has been doing (3:00).

They also speak to Edward Howell, a fellow at Chatham House’s Korea Foundation and lecturer at Oxford University, to discuss the significance of North Korea's admission and whether Donald Trump could rekindle his relationship with Kim Jong Un (16:16).

And Nick reveals that he once took part in a yo-yoing record attempt (32:35).

To get Amol and Nick's take on the biggest stories and insights from behind the scenes at the UK's most influential radio news programme make sure you hit subscribe on BBC Sounds. That way you’ll get an alert every time we release a new episode, and you won’t miss our extra bonus episodes either.

GET IN TOUCH: * Send us a message or a voice note via WhatsApp to +44 330 123 4346 * Email today@bbc.co.uk

The Today Podcast is hosted by Amol Rajan and Nick Robinson who are both presenters of BBC Radio 4’s Today programme. Amol was the BBC’s media editor for six years and is the former editor of the Independent, he’s also the current presenter of University Challenge. Nick has presented the Today programme since 2015, he was the BBC’s political editor for ten years before that and also previously worked as ITV’s political editor.

This episode was made by Lewis Vickers with Izzy Rowley. Digital production was by Izzy Rowley. The technical producer was Antonio Fernandes. The editor is Louisa Lewis. The executive producer is Owenna Griffiths.

Donald Trump has once again criticised Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky and is putting pressure on both sides to accept a proposed peace deal.

Nick speaks to Fiona Hill, who advised Donald Trump on Russia during his first term in the White House, about that deal (7:26) and the US president's approach to negotiations (8:35).

She also explains what it was like advising President Trump (10:08) and how Putin manipulates him (28:38).

Plus Nick and Amol are reunited for Moment of the Week (40:40).

To get Amol and Nick's take on the biggest stories and insights from behind the scenes at the UK's most influential radio news programme make sure you hit subscribe on BBC Sounds. That way you’ll get an alert every time we release a new episode, and you won’t miss our extra bonus episodes either.

GET IN TOUCH: * Send us a message or a voice note via WhatsApp to +44 330 123 4346 * Email today@bbc.co.uk

The Today Podcast is hosted by Amol Rajan and Nick Robinson who are both presenters of BBC Radio 4’s Today programme. Amol was the BBC’s media editor for six years and is the former editor of the Independent, he’s also the current presenter of University Challenge. Nick has presented the Today programme since 2015, he was the BBC’s political editor for ten years before that and also previously worked as ITV’s political editor.

This episode was made by Lewis Vickers and Tom Smithard with Izzy Rowley and Grace Reeve. Digital production was by Izzy Rowley. The technical producer was Abbey Wiltshire. The editor is Louisa Lewis. The executive producer is Owenna Griffiths.

Tensions between Washington and Beijing threaten the global economy, but could it escalate into a more serious conflict?

Nick is joined by former spy Nigel Inkster, now a senior advisor on China and Cybersecurity at the International Institute for Strategic Studies, to discuss whether it risks becoming a new Cold War (2:25).

They also talk about what Chinese President Xi Jinping wants (8:31), his desire to achieve “reunification” with Taiwan (16:32) and whether the UK might have to choose between the US and China (28:47).

To get Amol and Nick's take on the biggest stories and insights from behind the scenes at the UK's most influential radio news programme make sure you hit subscribe on BBC Sounds. That way you’ll get an alert every time we release a new episode, and you won’t miss our extra bonus episodes either.

GET IN TOUCH: * Send us a message or a voice note via WhatsApp to +44 330 123 4346 * Email today@bbc.co.uk

The Today Podcast is hosted by Amol Rajan and Nick Robinson who are both presenters of BBC Radio 4’s Today programme. Amol was the BBC’s media editor for six years and is the former editor of the Independent, he’s also the current presenter of University Challenge. Nick has presented the Today programme since 2015, he was the BBC’s political editor for ten years before that and also previously worked as ITV’s political editor.

This episode was made by Lewis Vickers with Izzy Rowley. Digital production was by Izzy Rowley. The technical producer was Mike Regaard. The editor is Louisa Lewis. The executive producer is Owenna Griffiths.

The president has paused the introduction of higher tariffs on goods from most countries, but continues to ramp up the trade war with China.

What caused the change of heart? Nick speaks to the BBC’s Economics Editor Faisal Islam. (2:19)

And before the news about the pause on those tariffs broke Nick was joined by Carla Sands, a former economic advisor to Donald Trump who was US Ambassador to Denmark, to find out what he is trying to achieve with his trade policy. Does the president want things to be made in America or are the tariffs designed to make money by putting a tax on the price of imported goods? (15:18)

He also asked her about the row between Elon Musk and Trump’s trade advisor Pete Navarro after the Tesla boss called him a “moron”.

To get Amol and Nick's take on the biggest stories and insights from behind the scenes at the UK's most influential radio news programme make sure you hit subscribe on BBC Sounds. That way you’ll get an alert every time they release a new episode.

GET IN TOUCH: * Send us a message or a voice note via WhatsApp to +44 330 123 4346 * Email today@bbc.co.uk

The Today Podcast is hosted by Amol Rajan and Nick Robinson who are both presenters of BBC Radio 4’s Today programme. Amol was the BBC’s media editor for six years and is the former editor of the Independent, he’s also the current presenter of University Challenge. Nick has presented the Today programme since 2015, he was the BBC’s political editor for ten years before that and also previously worked as ITV’s political editor.

This episode was made by Lewis Vickers with Izzy Rowley. Digital production was by Izzy Rowley. The technical producers were Mike Regaard and Graham White. The editor is Louisa Lewis. The executive producer is Owenna Griffiths.

Marine Le Pen has been convicted of embezzling EU funds, potentially ruining her plans to run for the French presidency in 2027.

Marine Le Pen was seen as the frontrunner to replace Emmanuel Macron at that election so the judge’s decision to ban her from standing for public office for the next five years has led to a backlash from her supporters and right-wing European allies.

Nick and Amol talk to Yascha Mounk, an expert on populism and author of The Identity Trap, about what this verdict means for Europe’s populist parties (6:12).

And Nick and Amol get all sentimental in Moment of the Week (42:06).

To get Amol and Nick's take on the biggest stories and insights from behind the scenes at the UK's most influential radio news programme make sure you hit subscribe on BBC Sounds. That way you’ll get an alert every time they release a new episode.

GET IN TOUCH: * Send us a message or a voice note via WhatsApp to +44 330 123 4346 * Email today@bbc.co.uk

The Today Podcast is hosted by Amol Rajan and Nick Robinson who are both presenters of BBC Radio 4’s Today programme. Amol was the BBC’s media editor for six years and is the former editor of the Independent, he’s also the current presenter of University Challenge. Nick has presented the Today programme since 2015, he was the BBC’s political editor for ten years before that and also previously worked as ITV’s political editor.

This episode was made by Lewis Vickers with Izzy Rowley. Digital production was by Izzy Rowley. The technical producer was Dafydd Evans. The editor is Louisa Lewis. The executive producer is Owenna Griffiths.

Messages accidentally sent to a journalist by senior members of the Trump administration reveal information about strikes on the Houthis in Yemen and what Vice President JD Vance privately thinks about America’s European allies. Nick and Amol talk to James Orr, who Vance once described as his “British sherpa”, about the vice president's views and how much influence he has on President Trump (7:12).

And after a huge response to last week’s episode we hear some of your messages about the issues raised by the hit Netflix drama Adolescence (42:35).

You can listen to Adolescence and the Crisis of Masculinity here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m00290bg

Amol’s full interview with Stephen Graham and Erin Doherty is available here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p0ktfd2w

To get Amol and Nick's take on the biggest stories and insights from behind the scenes at the UK's most influential radio news programme make sure you hit subscribe on BBC Sounds. That way you’ll get an alert every time they release a new episode.

GET IN TOUCH: * Send us a message or a voice note via WhatsApp to +44 330 123 4346 * Email today@bbc.co.uk

The Today Podcast is hosted by Amol Rajan and Nick Robinson who are both presenters of BBC Radio 4’s Today programme. Amol was the BBC’s media editor for six years and is the former editor of the Independent, he’s also the current presenter of University Challenge. Nick has presented the Today programme since 2015, he was the BBC’s political editor for ten years before that and also previously worked as ITV’s political editor.

This episode was made by Lewis Vickers with Izzy Rowley and Grace Reeve. Digital production was by Grace Reeve. The technical producers were Mike Regaard and Michal Gorecki. The editor is Louisa Lewis. The executive producer is Owenna Griffiths.

Adolescence has sparked fresh discussion about the impact social media and misogynistic influencers have on young boys, so we thought you’d like to hear Amol’s full interview with Stephen Graham and Erin Doherty.

He spoke to them before the series was released about what inspired Stephen to make it, the issues it raises, Owen Cooper’s standout performance and how each episode was filmed in one-shot.

And make sure you listen to this week’s episode of The Today Podcast to hear Amol explore those themes in more detail.

To get Amol and Nick's take on the biggest stories and insights from behind the scenes at the UK's most influential radio news programme make sure you hit subscribe on BBC Sounds. That way you’ll get an alert every time they release a new episode.

GET IN TOUCH: * Send us a message or a voice note via WhatsApp to +44 330 123 4346 * Email today@bbc.co.uk

The Today Podcast is hosted by Amol Rajan and Nick Robinson who are both presenters of BBC Radio 4’s Today programme. Amol was the BBC’s media editor for six years and is the former editor of the Independent, he’s also the current presenter of University Challenge. Nick has presented the Today programme since 2015, he was the BBC’s political editor for ten years before that and also previously worked as ITV’s political editor.

This episode was made by Lewis Vickers with Jade Lauriston. The technical producer was Jonny Baker. The editor is Louisa Lewis. The executive producer is Owenna Griffiths.

A series about a teenage boy who is accused of murdering a girl from his school was the most watched show on Netflix last weekend. Meanwhile the former England manager Sir Gareth Southgate has said that he fears young men are spending too much time gaming, gambling and watching porn.

Amol spoke to Stephen Graham and Erin Doherty, who star in the Netflix series, and in this episode of The Today Podcast he delves deeper into what it means to be a boy today with Richard Reeves, who wrote Of Boys and Men, and Catherine Carr who made a Radio 4 documentary called About the Boys.

You can listen to her series here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/m001yshl

To get Amol and Nick's take on the biggest stories and insights from behind the scenes at the UK's most influential radio news programme make sure you hit subscribe on BBC Sounds. That way you’ll get an alert every time they release a new episode.

GET IN TOUCH: * Send us a message or a voice note via WhatsApp to +44 330 123 4346 * Email today@bbc.co.uk

The Today Podcast is hosted by Amol Rajan and Nick Robinson who are both presenters of BBC Radio 4’s Today programme. Amol was the BBC’s media editor for six years and is the former editor of the Independent, he’s also the current presenter of University Challenge. Nick has presented the Today programme since 2015, he was the BBC’s political editor for ten years before that and also previously worked as ITV’s political editor.

This episode was made by Lewis Vickers with Izzy Rowley and Grace Reeve. Digital production was by Grace Reeve and Beth Chalmers. The technical producer was Jonny Baker. The editor is Louisa Lewis. The executive producer is Owenna Griffiths.

Voters seem to be giving Keir Starmer a bit of credit for the role he has been playing on the world stage, so is it a sign that the prime minister is getting better at politics?

Former Labour cabinet minister Lord Blunkett tells Amol what he makes of the prime minister’s recent performance, why he thinks the government is right to cut the welfare budget and what lessons it could learn from Alastair Campbell about spin (2:15).

Amol also talks to Anna Foster after it was announced that she will be joining Today as one of its main presenters (36:22).

To get Amol and Nick's take on the biggest stories and insights from behind the scenes at the UK's most influential radio news programme make sure you hit subscribe on BBC Sounds. That way you’ll get an alert every time they release a new episode.

GET IN TOUCH: * Send us a message or a voice note via WhatsApp to +44 330 123 4346 * Email today@bbc.co.uk

The Today Podcast is hosted by Amol Rajan and Nick Robinson who are both presenters of BBC Radio 4’s Today programme. Amol was the BBC’s media editor for six years and is the former editor of the Independent, he’s also the current presenter of University Challenge. Nick has presented the Today programme since 2015, he was the BBC’s political editor for ten years before that and also previously worked as ITV’s political editor.

This episode was made by Lewis Vickers with Izzy Rowley and Grace Reeve. Digital production was by Grace Reeve. The technical producer was Jonny Baker. The editor is Louisa Lewis. The executive producer is Owenna Griffiths.

In the first six weeks of his second term Donald Trump has rewritten US foreign policy, fractured the Nato alliance, dismantled parts of the US government and signed various presidential orders on everything from border security to diversity programmes.

In this episode Nick and Amol are joined by Brian Klaas, professor of global politics at University College London and a writer for The Atlantic magazine, who thinks Trump is undermining democracy and global security (07:44).

And Nick tells Amol about his exclusive interview with Rishi Sunak (44:36).

To get Amol and Nick's take on the biggest stories and insights from behind the scenes at the UK's most influential radio news programme make sure you hit subscribe on BBC Sounds. That way you’ll get an alert every time we release a new episode, and you won’t miss our extra bonus episodes either. GET IN TOUCH: * Send us a message or a voice note via WhatsApp to +44 330 123 4346 * Email today@bbc.co.uk The Today Podcast is hosted by Amol Rajan and Nick Robinson who are both presenters of BBC Radio 4’s Today programme. Amol was the BBC’s media editor for six years and is the former editor of the Independent, he’s also the current presenter of University Challenge. Nick has presented the Today programme since 2015, he was the BBC’s political editor for ten years before that and also previously worked as ITV’s political editor. This episode was made by Lewis Vickers with Nadia Gyane and Grace Reeve. Digital production was by Grace Reeve. The technical producer was Jonny Baker. The editor is Louisa Lewis. The executive producer is Owenna Griffiths.

Sir Keir Starmer’s announcement that he is increasing defence spending to 2.5% of GDP has defence experts taking a sigh of relief, whilst humanitarian workers are left despairing. Nick and Amol are joined by former US military strategist Rachel Ellehuus, the new director general of defence think-tank RUSI, to explore how the UK – and Europe – will contain Russia without so much American support.

Plus, Theresa May’s former chief of staff Fiona Hill remembers an awkward first meeting between the PM and a newly elected President Trump.

To get Amol and Nick's take on the biggest stories and insights from behind the scenes at the UK's most influential radio news programme make sure you hit subscribe on BBC Sounds. That way you’ll get an alert every time we release a new episode, and you won’t miss our extra bonus episodes either.

GET IN TOUCH: * Send us a message or a voice note via WhatsApp to +44 330 123 4346 * Email today@bbc.co.uk

The Today Podcast is hosted by Amol Rajan and Nick Robinson who are both presenters of BBC Radio 4’s Today programme. Amol was the BBC’s media editor for six years and is the former editor of the Independent, he’s also the current presenter of University Challenge. Nick has presented the Today programme since 2015, he was the BBC’s political editor for ten years before that and also previously worked as ITV’s political editor.

This episode was made by Tom Smithard with Nadia Gyane and Grace Reeve. Digital production was by Gabriel Purcell-Davis. The technical producer was Mike Regaard. The editor is Louisa Lewis. The executive producer is Owenna Griffiths.

Donald Trump has accused Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky of being a “dictator” and doing a “terrible job”.

After a week in which the US President brought Russia's Vladimir Putin in from the cold, Nick is joined by the BBC’s former diplomatic correspondent Bridget Kendall and the former UK foreign secretary Jeremy Hunt.

What do they make of Trump appearing to blame Kyiv for the war? And how should Keir Starmer respond?

To get Amol and Nick's take on the biggest stories and insights from behind the scenes at the UK's most influential radio news programme make sure you hit subscribe on BBC Sounds. That way you’ll get an alert every time we release a new episode, and you won’t miss our extra bonus episodes either.

GET IN TOUCH: * Send us a message or a voice note via WhatsApp to +44 330 123 4346 * Email today@bbc.co.uk

The Today Podcast is hosted by Amol Rajan and Nick Robinson who are both presenters of BBC Radio 4’s Today programme. Amol was the BBC’s media editor for six years and is the former editor of the Independent, he’s also the current presenter of University Challenge. Nick has presented the Today programme since 2015, he was the BBC’s political editor for ten years before that and also previously worked as ITV’s political editor.

This episode was made by Lewis Vickers with Nadia Gyane and Grace Reeve. Digital production was by Grace Reeve. The technical producer was Hannah Montgomery. The editor is Louisa Lewis. The executive producer is Owenna Griffiths.

New research has found that young people seem to be disillusioned with life in Britain, so Amol (Millennial) and Nick (Baby Boomer) are joined by Labour MP Nadia Whittome (Generation Z) and former Conservative minister Lord Willetts (Baby Boomer) to discuss why that might be - and what can be done about it.

And Nick explains how he discovered that his X/Twitter account had been hacked after a tweet was posted saying that he and the Today programme had launched a new cryptocurrency.

To get Amol and Nick's take on the biggest stories and insights from behind the scenes at the UK's most influential radio news programme make sure you hit subscribe on BBC Sounds. That way you’ll get an alert every time we release a new episode, and you won’t miss our extra bonus episodes either.

GET IN TOUCH: * Send us a message or a voice note via WhatsApp to +44 330 123 4346 * Email today@bbc.co.uk

The Today Podcast is hosted by Amol Rajan and Nick Robinson who are both presenters of BBC Radio 4’s Today programme. Amol was the BBC’s media editor for six years and is the former editor of the Independent, he’s also the current presenter of University Challenge. Nick has presented the Today programme since 2015, he was the BBC’s political editor for ten years before that and also previously worked as ITV’s political editor.

This episode was made by Lewis Vickers with Nadia Gyane and Grace Reeve. Digital production was by Grace Reeve. The technical producer was Fiona Fairmaner. The editor is Louisa Lewis. The executive producer is Owenna Griffiths.

The prime minister has rejected the idea that Britain will have to choose between Brussels and Washington, but with the US president threatening the European Union and other allies with tariffs, how should Keir Starmer deal with him?

And what should he do about Donald Trump saying he wants the US to “take over” Gaza and turn it into “the Riviera of the Middle East”, which would mean resettling the almost two million Palestinians who live there.

Nick and Amol are joined by the senior Labour MP and chair of the Foreign Affairs Select Committee Emily Thornberry, and Raoul Ruparel who was a special advisor to Theresa May on trade and Brexit.

To get Amol and Nick's take on the biggest stories and insights from behind the scenes at the UK's most influential radio news programme make sure you hit subscribe on BBC Sounds. That way you’ll get an alert every time we release a new episode, and you won’t miss our extra bonus episodes either.

GET IN TOUCH: * Send us a message or a voice note via WhatsApp to +44 330 123 4346 * Email today@bbc.co.uk

The Today Podcast is hosted by Amol Rajan and Nick Robinson who are both presenters of BBC Radio 4’s Today programme. Amol was the BBC’s media editor for six years and is the former editor of the Independent, he’s also the current presenter of University Challenge. Nick has presented the Today programme since 2015, he was the BBC’s political editor for ten years before that and also previously worked as ITV’s political editor.

This episode was made by Lewis Vickers with Nadia Gyane and Hugo Chambre. Digital production was by Nadia Gyane. The technical producer was Annie Smith. The editor is Louisa Lewis. The executive producer is Owenna Griffiths.

From his childhood in Seattle to the current state of the world and the alliance between President Trump and the billionaire owner of X, Bill Gates joins Amol for an extended interview about his new memoir, Source Code.

Reflecting on his life, Gates describes childhood adventures with friends, what it was like founding Microsoft and explains the key qualities he looks for in budding entrepreneurs. Together Amol and Gates discuss the intersection of wealth, influence and technology as Donald Trump re-enters the White House with Elon Musk heading a department of government efficiency.

To get Amol and Nick's take on the biggest stories and insights from behind the scenes at the UK's most influential radio news programme make sure you hit subscribe on BBC Sounds. That way you’ll get an alert every time we release a new episode, and you won’t miss our extra bonus episodes either.

GET IN TOUCH: * Send us a message or a voice note via WhatsApp to +44 330 123 4346 * Email today@bbc.co.uk

The Today Podcast is hosted by Amol Rajan and Nick Robinson who are both presenters of BBC Radio 4’s Today programme. Amol was the BBC’s media editor for six years and is the former editor of the Independent, he’s also the current presenter of University Challenge. Nick has presented the Today programme since 2015, he was the BBC’s political editor for ten years before that and also previously worked as ITV’s political editor.

This episode was made by Lewis Vickers with Izzy Rowley and Grace Reeve. Digital production was by David Kaplowitz. The technical producer was Dafydd Evans. The editor is Louisa Lewis. The executive producer is Owenna Griffiths.

The Chancellor has backed the expansion of Heathrow and picked a fight with bats in her pursuit of economic growth. Nick is joined by fellow Today presenter Justin Webb to talk about his interview with Rachel Reeves on Thursday morning’s Today programme.

They discuss her new approach, whether Keir Starmer's government is taking a leaf out of Donald Trump’s book and why political interviews are much better face-to-face.

To get Amol and Nick's take on the biggest stories and insights from behind the scenes at the UK's most influential radio news programme make sure you hit subscribe on BBC Sounds. That way you’ll get an alert every time we release a new episode, and you won’t miss our extra bonus episodes either.

GET IN TOUCH: * Send us a message or a voice note via WhatsApp to +44 330 123 4346 * Email today@bbc.co.uk

The Today Podcast is hosted by Amol Rajan and Nick Robinson who are both presenters of BBC Radio 4’s Today programme. Amol was the BBC’s media editor for six years and is the former editor of the Independent, he’s also the current presenter of University Challenge. Nick has presented the Today programme since 2015, he was the BBC’s political editor for ten years before that and also previously worked as ITV’s political editor.

This episode was made by Lewis Vickers with Nadia Gyane and Grace Reeve. Digital production was by Nadia Gyane and Grace Reeve. The technical producer was Hannah Montgomery. The editor is Louisa Lewis. The executive producer is Owenna Griffiths.

Nick reports from Jerusalem on the ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas and Amol is joined by the former head of MI6 to talk about global security now that Donald Trump is back in the White House. Sir Alex Younger, who was Chief of the Secret Intelligence Service from 2014 until 2020, explains why he thinks we are “moving into the era of the deal” and why that makes the world “more hazardous”. To get Amol and Nick's take on the biggest stories and insights from behind the scenes at the UK's most influential radio news programme make sure you hit subscribe on BBC Sounds. That way you’ll get an alert every time we release a new episode, and you won’t miss our extra bonus episodes either. GET IN TOUCH: * Send us a message or a voice note via WhatsApp to +44 330 123 4346 * Email today@bbc.co.uk The Today Podcast is hosted by Amol Rajan and Nick Robinson who are both presenters of BBC Radio 4’s Today programme. Amol was the BBC’s media editor for six years and is the former editor of the Independent, he’s also the current presenter of University Challenge. Nick has presented the Today programme since 2015, he was the BBC’s political editor for ten years before that and also previously worked as ITV’s political editor. This episode was made by Lewis Vickers with Izzy Rowley and Grace Reeve. Digital production was by David Kaplowitz. The technical producer was Dafydd Evans. The editor is Louisa Lewis. The executive producer is Owenna Griffiths.

After Donald Trump was sworn in as the 47th President of the United States he immediately set about signing executive orders on everything from immigration to climate change so in this episode we answer your questions.

Amol and Nick are joined from Washington DC by fellow Today presenter Justin Webb to discuss the return of the Make America Great Again agenda, whether President Trump could still be prosecuted for alleged crimes after he leaves office and his relationship with tech bros like Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg.

Plus, comedy writer Armando Iannucci and journalist Helen Lewis with their questions for the Today team.

The recording of this episode was livestreamed on BBC Sounds.

To get Amol and Nick's take on the biggest stories and insights from behind the scenes at the UK's most influential radio news programme make sure you hit subscribe on BBC Sounds. That way you’ll get an alert every time we release a new episode, and you won’t miss our extra bonus episodes either.

GET IN TOUCH: * Send us a message or a voice note via WhatsApp to +44 330 123 4346 * Email today@bbc.co.uk

The Today Podcast is hosted by Amol Rajan and Nick Robinson who are both presenters of BBC Radio 4’s Today programme. Amol was the BBC’s media editor for six years and is the former editor of the Independent, he’s also the current presenter of University Challenge. Nick has presented the Today programme since 2015, he was the BBC’s political editor for ten years before that and also previously worked as ITV’s political editor.

This episode was made by Lewis Vickers with Izzy Rowley and Grace Reeve. Digital production was by David Kaplowitz. The technical producers were Dafydd Evans in London, Darren Wardrobe in Jerusalem and Ian Mitchell in Washington. The editor is Louisa Lewis. The executive producer is Owenna Griffiths.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves says she will go ‘further and faster’ in the search for economic growth after a week of market turbulence that pushed up the cost of government borrowing.

Nick and Amol are joined by Today business presenter Sean Farrington to explain what bonds and gilts are and why they matter so much. They also talk to Paul Mason, former economics editor and Labour Party supporter, about what Rachel Reeves could do next.

To get Amol and Nick's take on the biggest stories and insights from behind the scenes at the UK's most influential radio news programme make sure you hit subscribe on BBC Sounds. That way you’ll get an alert every time we release a new episode, and you won’t miss our extra bonus episodes either.

GET IN TOUCH: * Send us a message or a voice note via WhatsApp to +44 330 123 4346 * Email today@bbc.co.uk

The Today Podcast is hosted by Amol Rajan and Nick Robinson who are both presenters of BBC Radio 4’s Today programme. Amol was the BBC’s media editor for six years and is the former editor of the Independent, he’s also the current presenter of University Challenge. Nick has presented the Today programme since 2015, he was the BBC’s political editor for ten years before that and also previously worked as ITV’s political editor.

This episode was made by Lewis Vickers with Izzy Rowley and Grace Reeve. Digital production was by David Kaplowitz. The technical producer was Dafydd Evans. The editor is Louisa Lewis. The executive producer is Owenna Griffiths.

After listener Margaret got in touch asking about Steve Rosenberg’s life in Moscow as the BBC’s Russia Editor, Nick and Amol sat down with him to find out how the country has changed over the years that he has lived there and what it’s like reporting from Russia now.

They talk about the challenges he faces, how he reports impartially and accurately on Vladimir Putin, how he relaxes and what it was like playing the piano for Mikhail Gorbachev.

To get Amol and Nick's take on the biggest stories and insights from behind the scenes at the UK's most influential radio news programme make sure you hit subscribe on BBC Sounds. That way you’ll get an alert every time we release a new episode, and you won’t miss our extra bonus episodes either.

GET IN TOUCH: * Send us a message or a voice note via WhatsApp to +44 330 123 4346 * Email today@bbc.co.uk

The Today Podcast is hosted by Amol Rajan and Nick Robinson who are both presenters of BBC Radio 4’s Today programme. Amol was the BBC’s media editor for six years and is the former editor of the Independent, he’s also the current presenter of University Challenge. Nick has presented the Today programme since 2015, he was the BBC’s political editor for ten years before that and also previously worked as ITV’s political editor.

This episode was made by Lewis Vickers with Nadia Gyane and Grace Reeve. Digital production was by Nadia Gyane. The technical producer was Jonny Baker. The editor is Louisa Lewis. The executive producer is Owenna Griffiths.

The billionaire owner of X has made misleading claims about Keir Starmer’s handling of the grooming gangs scandal and Meta boss Mark Zuckerberg has announced the end of independent fact-checking on Meta’s platforms in the US. The move comes as Zuckerberg and other tech executives seek to improve relations with US President-elect Donald Trump before he takes office later this month.

In this episode Amol and Nick talk to Vivian Schiller, former head of news at Twitter, about what is happening to free speech online. They also reflect on how Prime Minister Keir Starmer, the Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch and the Reform UK leader Nigel Farage have reacted to Elon Musk’s intervention.

To get Amol and Nick's take on the biggest stories and insights from behind the scenes at the UK's most influential radio news programme make sure you hit subscribe on BBC Sounds. That way you’ll get an alert every time we release a new episode, and you won’t miss our extra bonus episodes either.

GET IN TOUCH: * Send us a message or a voice note via WhatsApp to +44 330 123 4346 * Email today@bbc.co.uk

The Today Podcast is hosted by Amol Rajan and Nick Robinson who are both presenters of BBC Radio 4’s Today programme. Amol was the BBC’s media editor for six years and is the former editor of the Independent, he’s also the current presenter of University Challenge. Nick has presented the Today programme since 2015, he was the BBC’s political editor for ten years before that and also previously worked as ITV’s political editor.

This episode was made by Lewis Vickers with Nadia Gyane and Grace Reeve. Digital production was by Nadia Gyane. The technical producer was Jonny Baker. The editor is Louisa Lewis. The executive producer is Owenna Griffiths.

Amol and Nick with their take on what to expect in 2025.

From a year of protest in the UK to what Donald Trump’s return to the White House might mean for the world. Plus, some reasons to be cheerful, and former Today sports presenter Garry Richardson returns with a prediction about tennis star Novak Djokovic.

To get Amol and Nick's take on the biggest stories and insights from behind the scenes at the UK's most influential radio news programme, make sure you hit subscribe on BBC Sounds. That way you’ll get an alert every time we release a new episode, and you won’t miss our extra bonus episodes either.

GET IN TOUCH: * Send us a message or a voice note via WhatsApp to +44 330 123 4346 * Email today@bbc.co.uk

Over the Christmas period we're bringing you extended interviews with the Today programme's Christmas guest editors, so hit subscribe on BBC Sounds to make sure you get an alert every time we release a new episode.

The Today Podcast is hosted by Amol Rajan and Nick Robinson who are both presenters of BBC Radio 4’s Today programme. Amol was the BBC’s media editor for six years and is the former editor of the Independent, he’s also the current presenter of University Challenge. Nick has presented the Today programme since 2015, he was the BBC’s political editor for ten years before that and also previously worked as ITV’s political editor.

This episode was made by Lewis Vickers with Nadia Gyane and Grace Reeve. Digital production was by Nadia Gyane. The technical producer was Ben Andrews. The editor is Louisa Lewis. The executive producer is Owenna Griffiths.

Dame Laura Kenny is Team GB's most decorated female Olympian. She used her guest edit of Today to ask whether elite sport could have a damaging impact on the fertility of female athletes? She also shares her concerns about how much physical exercise children get at school.

Dame Laura Kenny is speaking to Emma Barnett.

GET IN TOUCH: * Send us a message or a voice note via WhatsApp to +44 330 123 4346 * Email today@bbc.co.uk

Over the Christmas period we're bringing you extended interviews with the Today programme's Christmas guest editors, so hit subscribe on BBC Sounds to make sure you get an alert every time we release a new episode.

The Today Podcast is hosted by Amol Rajan and Nick Robinson who are both presenters of BBC Radio 4’s Today programme. Amol was the BBC’s media editor for six years and is the former editor of the Independent, he’s also the current presenter of University Challenge. Nick has presented the Today programme since 2015, he was the BBC’s political editor for ten years before that and also previously worked as ITV’s political editor.

The latest Today Christmas guest editor is the TV presenter, author and Liberal Democrat peer Floella Benjamin.

Baroness Benjamin is most famous for her work on children's TV shows Playschool and Playaway. She spoke to Amol about why she thinks there's a "crisis" in children's TV today, but they began by talking about her moving to the UK from Trinidad as a child.

GET IN TOUCH: * Send us a message or a voice note via WhatsApp to +44 330 123 4346 * Email today@bbc.co.uk

Between now and the end of the year we're bringing you extended interviews with the Today programme's Christmas guest editors, so hit subscribe on BBC Sounds to make sure you get an alert every time we release a new episode.

The Today Podcast is hosted by Amol Rajan and Nick Robinson who are both presenters of BBC Radio 4’s Today programme. Amol was the BBC’s media editor for six years and is the former editor of the Independent, he’s also the current presenter of University Challenge. Nick has presented the Today programme since 2015, he was the BBC’s political editor for ten years before that and also previously worked as ITV’s political editor.

Former Conservative Chancellor Sir Sajid Javid is Today's latest Christmas guest editor.

Sir Sajid's key theme for the programme is Artificial Intelligence - but he also revisits his favourite childhood TV show, Grange Hill.

He speaks to Nick about his guest edit.

GET IN TOUCH: * Send us a message or a voice note via WhatsApp to +44 330 123 4346 * Email today@bbc.co.uk

Between now and the end of the year we're bringing you extended interviews with the Today programme's Christmas guest editors, so hit subscribe on BBC Sounds to make sure you get an alert every time we release a new episode.

The Today Podcast is hosted by Amol Rajan and Nick Robinson who are both presenters of BBC Radio 4’s Today programme. Amol was the BBC’s media editor for six years and is the former editor of the Independent, he’s also the current presenter of University Challenge. Nick has presented the Today programme since 2015, he was the BBC’s political editor for ten years before that and also previously worked as ITV’s political editor.

UK Chief Scout Dwayne Fields is the Today programme's Boxing Day guest editor.

Dwayne grew up on an inner city estate in London and turned away - in his words - from a life of “weed, cocaine and guns”.

He speaks to Nick about his life and about the focus of his programme - volunteering.

GET IN TOUCH: * Send us a message or a voice note via WhatsApp to +44 330 123 4346 * Email today@bbc.co.uk

Between now and the end of the year we're bringing you extended interviews with the Today programme's Christmas guest editors, so hit subscribe on BBC Sounds to make sure you get an alert every time we release a new episode.

The Today Podcast is hosted by Amol Rajan and Nick Robinson who are both presenters of BBC Radio 4’s Today programme. Amol was the BBC’s media editor for six years and is the former editor of the Independent, he’s also the current presenter of University Challenge. Nick has presented the Today programme since 2015, he was the BBC’s political editor for ten years before that and also previously worked as ITV’s political editor.

Frank Cottrell-Boyce, the UK Children's Laureate, is Today's first guest editor this Christmas.

His programme focuses on whether we should rethink our approach to reading - and make reading to young children a public health priority.

And he gets the chance to interview none other than Dolly Parton - about why she's turned to writing children's books.

GET IN TOUCH: * Send us a message or a voice note via WhatsApp to +44 330 123 4346 * Email today@bbc.co.uk

Between now and the end of the year we're bringing you extended interviews with the Today programme's Christmas guest editors, so hit subscribe on BBC Sounds to make sure you get an alert every time we release a new episode.

The Today Podcast is hosted by Amol Rajan and Nick Robinson who are both presenters of BBC Radio 4’s Today programme. Amol was the BBC’s media editor for six years and is the former editor of the Independent, he’s also the current presenter of University Challenge. Nick has presented the Today programme since 2015, he was the BBC’s political editor for ten years before that and also previously worked as ITV’s political editor.

Amol Rajan and Nick Robinson are joined by Today programme colleague Justin Webb to discuss a bumper election year that saw the UK elect a new prime minister and the US re-elect a president. Plus, Emma Barnett looks back at her first few months as a Today presenter and Garry Richardson returns to pick out his sporting moments of 2024.

To get Amol and Nick's take on the biggest stories and insights from behind the scenes at the UK's most influential radio news programme make sure you subscribe to The Today Podcast on BBC Sounds. That way you’ll get an alert every time we release a new episode, and you won’t miss our extra bonus episodes either.

GET IN TOUCH: * Send us a message or a voice note via WhatsApp to +44 330 123 4346 * Email today@bbc.co.uk

The Today Podcast is hosted by Amol Rajan and Nick Robinson who are both presenters of BBC Radio 4’s Today programme. Amol was the BBC’s media editor for six years and is the former editor of the Independent, he’s also the current presenter of University Challenge. Nick has presented the Today programme since 2015, he was the BBC’s political editor for ten years before that and also previously worked as ITV’s political editor.

This episode was made by Lewis Vickers with Nadia Gyane and Grace Reeve. The technical producers were Ben Andrews and Mike Regaard. The editor is Louisa Lewis. The executive producer is Owenna Griffiths.

A few weeks into her new job, Amol sits down with the Conservative Party leader for a wide-ranging interview about her brand of politics, what she would do as prime minister and why Elon Musk is backing Nigel Farage.

They also discuss what she has done since taking over from Rishi Sunak, the Conservative government's record on immigration and Donald Trump's victory in the US presidential election.

GET IN TOUCH: * Send us a message or a voice note via WhatsApp to +44 330 123 4346 * Email today@bbc.co.uk

Between now and the end of the year we will be bringing you our News Review of the Year and extended interviews with the Today programme's Christmas guest editors, so hit subscribe on BBC Sounds to make sure you get an alert every time we release a new episode.

The Today Podcast is hosted by Amol Rajan and Nick Robinson who are both presenters of BBC Radio 4’s Today programme. Amol was the BBC’s media editor for six years and is the former editor of the Independent, he’s also the current presenter of University Challenge. Nick has presented the Today programme since 2015, he was the BBC’s political editor for ten years before that and also previously worked as ITV’s political editor.

This episode was made by Lewis Vickers with Kirsty Mackenzie and Oscar Pearson. The technical producers were Mike Regaard and Ben Andrews. The editor is Louisa Lewis. The executive producer is Owenna Griffiths.

French prime minister Michel Barnier was forced to resign when his government collapsed in the wake of a no-confidence vote and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz is heading for fresh elections in February. Amol and Nick are joined by Jose Manuel Barroso, former President of the European Commission, to look at what the crisis in those countries means for the EU as it faces economic decline, the rise of populist parties and a second Donald Trump presidency.

Plus, sports presenter Karthi Gnanasegaram pops in for Moment of the Week and to discuss her busy work schedule over Christmas.

To get Amol and Nick's take on the biggest stories and insights from behind the scenes at the UK's most influential radio news programme make sure you hit subscribe on BBC Sounds. That way you’ll get an alert every time we release a new episode, and you won’t miss our extra bonus episodes either.

GET IN TOUCH: * Send us a message or a voice note via WhatsApp to +44 330 123 4346 * Email today@bbc.co.uk

The Today Podcast is hosted by Amol Rajan and Nick Robinson who are both presenters of BBC Radio 4’s Today programme. Amol was the BBC’s media editor for six years and is the former editor of the Independent, he’s also the current presenter of University Challenge. Nick has presented the Today programme since 2015, he was the BBC’s political editor for ten years before that and also previously worked as ITV’s political editor.

This episode was made by Lewis Vickers with Nadia Gyane and Grace Reeve. Additional digital production was by Joe Wilkinson. The technical producer was Ben Andrews. The editor is Louisa Lewis. The executive producer is Owenna Griffiths.

When Nigel Farage accepted the Spectator’s Newcomer of the Year Award, he suggested that his Reform UK party could get hundreds more MPs at the next election. In this week’s episode Amol and Nick discuss whether that’s possible with BBC political editor Chris Mason and Tim Montgomerie, who founded the Conservative Home website, but recently left the Tory Party to join Reform UK.

He explains why he decided to defect, how his friends in the Conservative Party have reacted and what he thinks can be learned from Donald Trump's victory in the US presidential election.

To get Amol and Nick's take on the biggest stories and insights from behind the scenes at the UK's most influential radio news programme make sure you hit subscribe on BBC Sounds. That way you’ll get an alert every time we release a new episode, and you won’t miss our extra bonus episodes either.

GET IN TOUCH:

* Send us a message or a voice note via WhatsApp to +44 330 123 4346 * Email today@bbc.co.uk

The Today Podcast is hosted by Amol Rajan and Nick Robinson who are both presenters of BBC Radio 4’s Today programme. Amol was the BBC’s media editor for six years and is the former editor of the Independent, he’s also the current presenter of University Challenge. Nick has presented the Today programme since 2015, he was the BBC’s political editor for ten years before that and also previously worked as ITV’s political editor.

This episode was made by Lewis Vickers with Nadia Gyane and Molly Higgins. Digital production was by Joe Wilkinson. The technical producer was Mike Regaard. The editor is Louisa Lewis. The executive producer is Owenna Griffiths.

After a bumpy first few months in power Keir Starmer is giving a speech to outline his milestones for the next five years, so in this episode Amol and Nick are joined by the former Labour MP Jonathan Ashworth to discuss the prime minister’s approach to politics and whether the speech should be seen as a reset moment for his government.

Since winning the election in July, Keir Starmer chief of staff Sue Gray and transport secretary Louise Haigh have both resigned. He’s also faced a backlash over the decision to scrap the winter fuel payment for millions of pensioners, there was a row over senior Labour figures receiving freebies and Rachel Reeves’ first budget got a frosty reception from some business leaders. But Jonathan Ashworth, who now runs the think tank Labour Together, insists the speech is not a reset for the government and is instead a moment for Keir Starmer to explain to the country how he will achieve his five missions.

To get Amol and Nick's take on the biggest stories and insights from behind the scenes at the UK's most influential radio news programme make sure you hit subscribe on BBC Sounds. That way you’ll get an alert every time we release a new episode, and you won’t miss our extra bonus episodes either.

GET IN TOUCH:

* Send us a message or voice note via WhatsApp to +44 330 123 4346 * Email today@bbc.co.uk

The Today Podcast is hosted by Amol Rajan and Nick Robinson who are both presenters of BBC Radio 4’s Today programme. Amol was the BBC’s media editor for six years and is the former editor of the Independent, he’s also the current presenter of University Challenge. Nick has presented the Today programme since 2015, he was the BBC’s political editor for ten years before that and also previously worked as ITV’s political editor.

This episode was made by Lewis Vickers with Nadia Gyane and Joe Wilkinson. The technical producer was Mike Regaard. The editor is Louisa Lewis. The executive producer is Owenna Griffiths.

When Dame Esther Rantzen told Amol and Nick that she had joined the Dignitas clinic in Switzerland she helped reignite a debate about assisted dying in the UK. Now MPs are preparing to vote on a bill that would legalise it in England and Wales, so in this episode they catch-up with Dame Esther and speak to two MPs, Preet Kaur Gill and Warinder Singh Juss, about how their religion has influenced their thinking.

They also discuss the interview Amol did with the Labour MP Kim Leadbeater, whose private members' bill could bring about this colossal social change.

The Today Podcast is hosted by Amol Rajan and Nick Robinson who are both presenters of BBC Radio 4’s Today programme. Amol was the BBC’s media editor for six years and is the former editor of the Independent, he’s also the current presenter of University Challenge. Nick has presented the Today programme since 2015, he was the BBC’s political editor for ten years before that and also previously worked as ITV’s political editor.

To get Amol and Nick's take on the biggest stories and insights from behind the scenes at the UK's most influential radio news programme make sure you subscribe on BBC Sounds. That way you’ll get an alert every time we release a new episode, and you won’t miss our extra bonus episodes either.

If you have a question you’d like Amol and Nick to answer about presenting the Today programme or something they discuss on the podcast, get in touch by sending us a message on WhatsApp to +44 330 123 4346 or email Today@bbc.co.uk

The Today Podcast was made by Lewis Vickers with Nadia Gyane. Research and digital production was by Joe Wilkinson. The technical producer was Dafydd Evans. The editor is Louisa Lewis. The executive producer is Owenna Griffiths.

Each year the Today programme gives guest editors the chance to explore the issues that matter to them. In this bonus episode one of this year’s guest editors, screenwriter and UK Children’s Laureate Frank Cottrell-Boyce, tells Amol what he’s planning for his programme. The Today Podcast is hosted by Amol Rajan and Nick Robinson who are both presenters of BBC Radio 4’s Today programme. Amol was the BBC’s media editor for six years and is the former editor of the Independent, he’s also the current presenter of University Challenge. Nick has presented the Today programme since 2015, he was the BBC’s political editor for ten years before that and also previously worked as ITV’s political editor. To get Amol and Nick's take on the biggest stories and insights from behind the scenes at the UK's most influential radio news programme make sure you subscribe to The Today Podcast on BBC Sounds. That way you’ll get an alert every time we release a new episode, and you won’t miss our extra bonus episodes either.

The senior producer is Lewis Vickers and the producer is Nadia Gyane. Research and digital production by Joe Wilkinson. The editor is Louisa Lewis. The executive producer is Owenna Griffiths. Technical production from Daniel Ehrlich.

In this special episode two former Labour prime ministers, Tony Blair and Gordon Brown, reflect on the life of the former deputy prime minister who has died at the age of 86. Plus, Amol and Nick discuss their recollections of John Prescott and assess the impact he had on British politics.

You can listen to John Prescott on Desert Island Discs here, in an episode first broadcast in 2012: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/b01c6trm

The Today Podcast is hosted by Amol Rajan and Nick Robinson who are both presenters of BBC Radio 4’s Today programme. Amol was the BBC’s media editor for six years and is the former editor of the Independent, he’s also the current presenter of University Challenge. Nick has presented the Today programme since 2015, he was the BBC’s political editor for ten years before that and also previously worked as ITV’s political editor.

To get Amol and Nick's take on the biggest stories and insights from behind the scenes at the UK's most influential radio news programme make sure you subscribe on BBC Sounds. That way you’ll get an alert every time we release a new episode, and you won’t miss our extra bonus episodes either.

The Today Podcast was made by Lewis Vickers with Nadia Gyane. The technical producer was Nathan Chamberlain. The editor is Louisa Lewis. The executive producer is Owenna Griffiths.

Keir Starmer has said Labour will “smash the gangs” to stop the small boats carrying migrants across the Channel, so Nick joins Amol from the busiest border crossing in Europe to discuss whether that’s really possible.

They hear from Syrian men living in a Bulgarian refugee camp and meet a sniffer dog who can detect rubber boats being taken across the border. Plus, they answer your questions about the issues raised in Nick’s reporting and what it’s like taking Today on the road.

The Today Podcast is hosted by Amol Rajan and Nick Robinson who are both presenters of BBC Radio 4’s Today programme. Amol was the BBC’s media editor for six years and is the former editor of the Independent, he’s also the current presenter of University Challenge. Nick has presented the Today programme since 2015, he was the BBC’s political editor for ten years before that and also previously worked as ITV’s political editor.

To get Amol and Nick's take on the biggest stories and insights from behind the scenes at the UK's most influential radio news programme make sure you subscribe on BBC Sounds. That way you’ll get an alert every time we release a new episode, and you won’t miss our extra bonus episodes either.

The Today Podcast was made by Lewis Vickers with Nadia Gyane and Joe Wilkinson in London and Jade Bogart-Preleur and Oscar Pearson in Bulgaria. The technical producers were Philip Bull and Joe Lawrence. The editor is Louisa Lewis. The executive producer is Owenna Griffiths.

Nick joins Amol from the border between Bulgaria and Turkey, which is also the border between the EU and rest of the world. What happens here has a direct impact on what happens in the English Channel, so in this special episode he reports on the migration routes into Europe - where people are coming from, why they're coming and what, if anything, can be done to stop the people smugglers.

Along the way he meets people hoping to make the crossing into Europe and some who ultimately want to come to the UK. He also hears how people smugglers use TikTok to advertise their offers and what is being done to stop people crossing the border illegally.

If you have a question for Nick about his reporting you can send them to us via Whatsapp on +44 330 123 4346 or email us Today@bbc.co.uk and he’ll answer them on an episode later this week.

The Today Podcast is hosted by Amol Rajan and Nick Robinson who are both presenters of BBC Radio 4’s Today programme. Amol was the BBC’s media editor for six years and is the former editor of the Independent, he’s also the current presenter of University Challenge. Nick has presented the Today programme since 2015, he was the BBC’s political editor for ten years before that and also previously worked as ITV’s political editor.

To get Amol and Nick's take on the biggest stories and insights from behind the scenes at the UK's most influential radio news programme make sure you subscribe on BBC Sounds. That way you’ll get an alert every time we release a new episode, and you won’t miss our extra bonus episodes either.

The senior producer is Lewis Vickers, the producers are Jade Bogart-Preleur, Oscar Pearson and Nadia Gyane. The editor is Louisa Lewis. The executive producer is Owenna Griffiths. Technical production from Nicola Brough and Pete Wise.

Ahead of a planned protest by farmers who are angry about the Budget, Amol and Nick talk to farmer and best-selling author James Rebanks.

Plus, as Donald Trump's top team takes shape and he hires Elon Musk to jointly lead a new “Department of Government Efficiency”, they discuss what his appointments tell us about his approach to China and the war in Ukraine.

The Today Podcast is hosted by Amol Rajan and Nick Robinson who are both presenters of BBC Radio 4’s Today programme. Amol was the BBC’s media editor for six years and is the former editor of the Independent, he’s also the current presenter of University Challenge. Nick has presented the Today programme since 2015, he was the BBC’s political editor for ten years before that and also previously worked as ITV’s political editor.

To get Amol and Nick's take on the biggest stories and insights from behind the scenes at the UK's most influential radio news programme make sure you subscribe on BBC Sounds. That way you’ll get an alert every time we release a new episode and you won’t miss our extra bonus episodes either.

You can also listen to the latest episode of The Today Podcast any time on your smart speaker by saying “Smart Speaker, ask BBC Sounds to play The Today Podcast.”

If you have a question you’d like Amol and Nick to answer, get in touch by sending us a message on WhatsApp to +44 330 123 4346 or email us Today@bbc.co.uk

The senior producer is Lewis Vickers, the producer is Nadia Gyane, research and digital production from Joe Wilkinson. The editor is Louisa Lewis. The executive producer is Owenna Griffiths. Technical production from Daniel Ehrlich.

In this bonus live episode Amol and Nick are joined by fellow Today presenter Justin Webb who is in Washington DC. Together they answer questions about what Trump does next, why the pollsters got it so wrong, what they would ask Donald Trump if he came on the podcast and when Justin gets some sleep after presenting the Today programme overnight from America.

The Today Podcast is hosted by Amol Rajan and Nick Robinson who are both presenters of BBC Radio 4’s Today programme. Amol was the BBC’s media editor for six years and is the former editor of the Independent, he’s also the current presenter of University Challenge. Nick has presented the Today programme since 2015, he was the BBC’s political editor for ten years before that and also previously worked as ITV’s political editor. To get Amol and Nick's take on the biggest stories and insights from behind the scenes at the UK's most influential radio news programme make sure you subscribe on BBC Sounds. That way you’ll get an alert every time we release a new episode and you won’t miss our extra bonus episodes either. You can also listen to the latest episode of The Today Podcast any time on your smart speaker by saying “Smart Speaker, ask BBC Sounds to play The Today Podcast.” Thanks to everyone who sent in questions for this episode. We do regular bonus Q&A’s, so if you have a question you’d like Amol and Nick to answer, get in touch by sending us a message on WhatsApp to +44 330 123 4346 or email us Today@bbc.co.uk The senior producer is Lewis Vickers, the producer is Nadia Gyane, research and digital production from Joe Wilkinson. The editor is Louisa Lewis. The executive producer is Owenna Griffiths. Technical production from Ben Andrews.

In this episode we look forward and discuss what a second Trump presidency could mean for the world with Lord Sedwill who was the UK’s most senior civil servant and national security adviser when Trump was last in the White House. Amol and Nick also speak to Mike Gonzalez who is a senior fellow at the conservative Heritage Foundation in Washington DC about what we can expect from Donald Trump this time round. The Today Podcast is hosted by Amol Rajan and Nick Robinson who are both presenters of BBC Radio 4’s Today programme. Amol was the BBC’s media editor for six years and is the former editor of the Independent, he’s also the current presenter of University Challenge. Nick has presented the Today programme since 2015, he was the BBC’s political editor for ten years before that and also previously worked as ITV’s political editor. To get Amol and Nick's take on the biggest stories and insights from behind the scenes at the UK's most influential radio news programme make sure you subscribe on BBC Sounds. That way you’ll get an alert every time we release a new episode and you won’t miss our extra bonus episodes either. You can also listen to the latest episode of The Today Podcast any time on your smart speaker by saying “Smart Speaker, ask BBC Sounds to play The Today Podcast.” If you have a question you’d like Amol and Nick to answer, get in touch by sending us a message on WhatsApp to +44 330 123 4346 or email us Today@bbc.co.uk The senior producer is Lewis Vickers, the producer is Nadia Gyane, research and digital production from Joe Wilkinson. The editor is Louisa Lewis. The executive producer is Owenna Griffiths. Technical production from Hannah Montgomery.

How will the first Budget by a female chancellor and the first from a Labour government since 2010 be remembered? Nick is joined by Stephanie Flanders, head of economics and politics at Bloomberg, and Professor Tim Leunig from the London School of Economics, who advised two Conservative chancellors. Together they dig deeper into the Budget following Nick’s interview with Rachel Reeves on the Today programme. Plus Amol takes a break from half term childcare to give us his reflections. The Today Podcast comes out once a week. It’s hosted by Amol Rajan and Nick Robinson who are both presenters of BBC Radio 4’s Today programme. Amol was the BBC’s media editor for six years and is the former editor of the Independent, he’s also the current presenter of University Challenge. Nick has presented the Today programme since 2015, he was the BBC’s political editor for ten years before that and also previously worked as ITV’s political editor. To get Amol and Nick's take on the biggest stories and insights from behind the scenes at the UK's most influential radio news programme make sure you subscribe on BBC Sounds. That way you’ll get an alert every time we release a new episode and you won’t miss our extra bonus episodes either. You can also listen to the latest episode of The Today Podcast any time on your smart speaker by saying “Smart Speaker, ask BBC Sounds to play The Today Podcast.” If you have a question you’d like Amol and Nick to answer, get in touch by sending us a message on WhatsApp to +44 330 123 4346 or email us Today@bbc.co.uk The senior producer is Lewis Vickers, the producer is Nadia Gyane, research and digital production from Joe Wilkinson. The editor is Louisa Lewis. The executive producer is Owenna Griffiths. Technical production from Gareth Jones.

In this episode we bring you Nick’s full interview with the Chancellor after she delivered the first Labour Budget since 2010.

Later Nick will be joined by former BBC economics editor Stephanie Flanders and economist Tim Leunig to unpick what was in the Budget and what she said in the interview. That will be available on Thursday afternoon.

To make sure you don’t miss it subscribe to The Today Podcast on BBC Sounds so you get an alert every time we release a new episode.

You can also listen any time on your smart speaker by saying “Smart Speaker, ask BBC Sounds to play The Today Podcast.”

The Today Podcast is hosted by Amol Rajan and Nick Robinson, both presenters of BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, the UK’s most influential radio news programme. Amol was the BBC’s media editor for six years and is the former editor of the Independent, he’s also the current presenter of University Challenge. Nick has presented the Today programme since 2015, he was the BBC’s political editor for ten years before that and also previously worked as ITV’s political editor.

The senior producer is Lewis Vickers and the producer is Nadia Gyane. The editor is Louisa Lewis. The executive producer is Owenna Griffiths.

In this bonus episode, Nick and Amol answer more of your questions. How much power does a political spin doctor have? How do journalists look after their mental health? And what happens if a guest swears on air?

If you have a question you’d like to Nick and Amol to answer, get in touch by sending us a message or a voice note via WhatsApp to +44 330 123 4346 or email us on today@bbc.co.uk

Subscribe to The Today Podcast on BBC Sounds so you don’t miss an episode. You can also listen any time on your smart speaker by saying “Smart Speaker, ask BBC Sounds to play The Today Podcast.”

The Today Podcast is hosted by Amol Rajan and Nick Robinson, both presenters of BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, the UK’s most influential radio news programme. Amol was the BBC’s media editor for six years and is the former editor of the Independent, he’s also the current presenter of University Challenge. Nick has presented the Today programme since 2015, he was the BBC’s political editor for ten years before that and also previously worked as ITV’s political editor.

The producer is Hatty Nash, the senior producer is Lewis Vickers, research and digital production from Joe Wilkinson. The editor is Louisa Lewis. The executive producer is Owenna Griffiths. Technical production from Hannah Montgomery.

In this exclusive interview Kate Bush talks to Today presenter Emma Barnett about a new short film she has made for the charity War Child, her music reaching a whole new audience through the TV series Stranger Things and her plans for the future.

Plus, Emma tells Amol how she got such a rare interview with the music legend.

The Today Podcast is hosted by Amol Rajan and Nick Robinson, both presenters of BBC Radio 4’s Today programme. Amol was the BBC’s media editor for six years and is the former editor of the Independent, he’s also the current presenter of University Challenge. Nick was the BBC’s political editor for ten years before and was also ITV’s political editor.

You can subscribe to The Today Podcast on BBC Sounds so you don’t miss an episode. You can also listen any time on your smart speaker by saying “Smart Speaker, ask BBC Sounds to play The Today Podcast.”

The senior producer is Lewis Vickers, the producers are Sinead Heekin and Nadia Gyane. The editor is Louisa Lewis. The executive producer is Owenna Griffiths.

The billionaire boss of X, Tesla and SpaceX is backing Donald Trump in the US election, so what are his motivations and how should politicians deal with him?

Amol and Nick talk to Ryan Mac, a reporter at the New York Times and author of ‘Character Limit: How Elon Musk Destroyed Twitter’.

Plus, they’re joined in the studio by Kirsty Young to talk about the new series of Young Again, the art of the long-form interview and her poignant speech as the coverage of the Queen's funeral drew to a close.

If you have a question you’d like Amol and Nick to answer, get in touch by sending us a message or a voice note via WhatsApp to +44 330 123 4346 or email us on today@bbc.co.uk

The Today Podcast is hosted by Amol Rajan and Nick Robinson, both presenters of BBC Radio 4’s Today programme. Amol was the BBC’s media editor for six years and is the former editor of the Independent, he’s also the current presenter of University Challenge. Nick was the BBC’s political editor for ten years before and was also ITV’s political editor.

To get their take on the biggest stories of the week, with insights from behind the scenes at the UK's most influential radio news programme, subscribe to The Today Podcast on BBC Sounds so you don’t miss an episode. You can also listen any time on your smart speaker by saying “Smart Speaker, ask BBC Sounds to play The Today Podcast.”

The senior producer is Lewis Vickers, the producers are Hatty Nash and Nadia Gyane, research and digital production from Joe Wilkinson. The editor is Louisa Lewis. The executive producer is Owenna Griffiths. Technical production from Hannah Montgomery.

After two decades in politics, including 10 cabinet positions under four prime ministers, Michael Gove is no stranger to the heat of a Conservative leadership contest. With Kemi Badenoch and Robert Jenrick now going head-to-head in the final stage of the race to choose the party’s next leader, the Tory veteran joins Nick and Amol to give his assessment of the two candidates. What are their strengths and weaknesses? And what is the future - not just of the Conservative party - but the right more broadly?

Now out of politics, Michael Gove also discusses his new role as editor of The Spectator magazine, why he’d vote for Kamala Harris over Donald Trump and why he’d vote against changing the law on assisted dying in the UK.

If you have a question you’d like Amol and Nick to answer, get in touch by sending us a message or voice note on WhatsApp to +44 330 123 4346 or send an email to today@bbc.co.uk.

The Today Podcast is hosted by Amol Rajan and Nick Robinson, both presenters of BBC Radio 4’s Today programme. Amol was the BBC’s media editor for six years and is the former editor of the Independent, he’s also the current presenter of University Challenge. Nick was the BBC’s political editor for ten years before and was also ITV’s political editor.

To get Amol and Nick's take on the biggest stories of the week, with insights from behind the scenes at the UK's most influential radio news programme, subscribe to The Today Podcast on BBC Sounds so you don’t miss an episode. You can also listen any time on your smart speaker by saying “Smart Speaker, ask BBC Sounds to play The Today Podcast.”

The senior producer is Lewis Vickers, the producer is Hatty Nash, research and digital production from Joe Wilkinson. The editor is Louisa Lewis. The executive producer is Owenna Griffiths. Technical production from Mike Regaard.

This week marks 100 days of Keir Starmer’s government. But the new Prime Minister has already faced several setbacks, with stories swirling of freebies, party infighting, and anger at the scrapping of the winter fuel payments scheme.

Nick and Amol sit down with Thangam Debbonaire, the former Labour MP and Shadow Culture Secretary, who lost her seat in the 2024 election. Is the negative media coverage of the new government unfair? Does Starmer have a ‘politics problem’? And what is it like to watch the drama unfold from the outside?

Plus, more from behind the scenes of Radio 4! Weather presenter and meteorologist Simon King is here to share the secrets of the Shipping Forecast.

If you have a question you’d like Amol and Nick to answer, get in touch by sending us a message or voice note on WhatsApp to +44 330 123 4346 or send an email to today@bbc.co.uk.

To get Amol and Nick's take on the biggest stories of the week, with insights from behind the scenes at the UK's most influential radio news programme, subscribe to The Today Podcast on BBC Sounds so you don’t miss an episode.

You can also listen any time on your smart speaker by saying “Smart Speaker, ask BBC Sounds to play The Today Podcast.”

The Today Podcast is hosted by Amol Rajan and Nick Robinson, both presenters of BBC Radio 4’s Today programme. Amol was the BBC’s media editor for six years and is the former editor of the Independent, he’s also the current presenter of University Challenge. Nick was the BBC’s political editor for ten years before and was also ITV’s political editor.

The senior producer is Lewis Vickers, the producer is Hatty Nash, research and digital production from Joe Wilkinson. The editor is Louisa Lewis. The executive producer is Owenna Griffiths. Technical production from Jeremy Morgan.

In the week that Israel invaded Lebanon and Iran attacked Israel with missiles, Nick and Amol take a step back to ask how we got here.

They’re joined in the studio by Sir Simon Gass, one of the UK’s most experienced Iran watchers who was the UK ambassador to Tehran and political director at the Foreign Office.

How powerful is Iran? What might happen now both Hezbollah and Hamas appear to have been weakened? And what are his hopes and fears for the wider Middle East?

Plus, newsreader and Radio 4 continuity announcer Jane Steel drops in to share secrets from behind the scenes at Radio 4.

And finally, to celebrate the first anniversary of the podcast, we hear your Moments of the Year!

If you have a question you’d like Amol and Nick to answer, get in touch by sending us a message or voice note on WhatsApp to +44 330 123 4346 or send an email to today@bbc.co.uk.

To get Amol and Nick's take on the biggest stories of the week, with insights from behind the scenes at the UK's most influential radio news programme, subscribe to The Today Podcast on BBC Sounds so you don’t miss an episode.

You can also listen any time on your smart speaker by saying “Smart Speaker, ask BBC Sounds to play The Today Podcast.”

The Today Podcast is hosted by Amol Rajan and Nick Robinson, both presenters of BBC Radio 4’s Today programme. Amol was the BBC’s media editor for six years and is the former editor of the Independent, he’s also the current presenter of University Challenge. Nick was the BBC’s political editor for ten years before and was also ITV’s political editor.

The senior producer is Lewis Vickers, the producer is Hatty Nash, research and digital production from Joe Wilkinson. The editor is Louisa Lewis. The executive producer is Owenna Griffiths. Technical production from Mike Regaard.

Ruby Wax began her career as a classically trained actor. She’s also starred in sitcoms, made documentaries and done celebrity interviews. Now she’s best known as a mental health campaigner. In this bonus episode she opens up to Amol about her difficult upbringing, the highs and lows of her career and the art of the celebrity interview.

Details of support with mental health are available at bbc.co.uk/actionline.

Regular episodes of The Today Podcast with Amol Rajan and Nick Robinson drop on Thursday mornings. Subscribe to The Today Podcast on BBC Sounds so you don’t miss an episode and you can also listen any time on your smart speaker by saying “Smart Speaker, ask BBC Sounds to play The Today Podcast.”

Amol and Nick are both presenters of BBC Radio 4’s Today programme. Amol was the BBC’s media editor for six years and is the former editor of the Independent, he’s also the current presenter of University Challenge. Nick was the BBC’s political editor for ten years before and was also ITV’s political editor.

The senior producer was Lewis Vickers, the producer was Hatty Nash, the editor was Louisa Lewis and the executive producer was Owenna Griffiths. Technical production from Jeremy Morgan and digital production from Charlie Henry.

Amol and Nick with their take on Keir Starmer’s first Today interview since becoming PM and behind the scenes insights about what it’s like doing big political interviews.

Plus, Ruby Wax drops in for Moment of the Week.

You can hear more of Amol’s conversation with Ruby Wax in a bonus episode that will drop on Saturday morning.

Subscribe to The Today Podcast on BBC Sounds so you don’t miss an episode.

You can also listen any time on your smart speaker by saying “Smart Speaker, ask BBC Sounds to play The Today Podcast.”

Amol and Nick are both presenters of BBC Radio 4’s Today programme. Amol was the BBC’s media editor for six years and is the former editor of the Independent, he’s also the current presenter of University Challenge. Nick was the BBC’s political editor for ten years before and was also ITV’s political editor.

The senior producers were Lewis Vickers and Tom Smithard, the producer was Hatty Nash, the editor was Louisa Lewis and the executive producer was Owenna Griffiths. Technical production from Ben Andrews and digital production from Charlie Henry.

In this bonus episode, Nick talks to Keir Starmer after his first Labour conference speech as prime minister.

Check back later to get Amol and Nick’s take on the interview and make sure you subscribe to The Today Podcast on BBC Sounds so you don’t miss an episode.

You can also listen any time on your smart speaker by saying “Smart Speaker, ask BBC Sounds to play The Today Podcast.”

The Today Podcast is hosted by Amol Rajan and Nick Robinson, both presenters of BBC Radio 4’s Today programme. Amol was the BBC’s media editor for six years and is the former editor of the Independent, he’s also the current presenter of University Challenge. Nick was the BBC’s political editor for ten years before and was also ITV’s political editor.

The senior producers are Lewis Vickers and Tom Smithard, the producer is Hatty Nash, the editor is Louisa Lewis and the executive producer is Owenna Griffiths. Technical production from Ian Mitchell.

Pagers and walkie-talkies used by Hezbollah have exploded across Lebanon killing several people and injuring thousands more.

Israeli defence minister Yoav Gallant says the country is "opening a new phase in the war" - and the "centre of gravity is shifting to the north through the diversion of resources and forces".

Sir Alex Younger, a former head of MI6, talks to Amol and Nick about the significance of the attacks, which were reportedly carried out by the Israeli spy agency Mossad.

They’re also joined by the presenter of Radio 4’s Kitchen Cabinet, Jay Rayner, for his moment of the week.

If you have a question you’d like Amol and Nick to answer, get in touch by sending us a message or voice note on WhatsApp to +44 330 123 4346 or send an email to today@bbc.co.uk.

To get Amol and Nick's take on the biggest stories of the week, with insights from behind the scenes at the UK's most influential radio news programme, subscribe to The Today Podcast on BBC Sounds so you don’t miss an episode.

You can also listen any time on your smart speaker by saying “Smart Speaker, ask BBC Sounds to play The Today Podcast.”

The Today Podcast is hosted by Amol Rajan and Nick Robinson, both presenters of BBC Radio 4’s Today programme. Amol was the BBC’s media editor for six years and is the former editor of the Independent, he’s also the current presenter of University Challenge. Nick was the BBC’s political editor for ten years before and was also ITV’s political editor.

The senior producers are Tom Smithard and Lewis Vickers, the producer is Joe Wilkinson, the editor is Louisa Lewis and the executive producer is Owenna Griffiths. Technical production from Hannah Montgomery and digital production from Charlie Henry and Joe Wilkinson.

How do independent MPs work together to hold the government to account? What do the producers behind Today do? And why does the programme mark the end of each hour with the pips?

Amol and Nick return with answers to more listener questions.

You too can put a question to Amol and Nick. Get in touch by sending us a message or voice note to WhatsApp to +44 330 123 4346 or you can email Today@bbc.co.uk

Episodes of The Today Podcast with Amol and Nick land first on BBC Sounds. Get Amol and Nick's take on the biggest stories with insights from behind the scenes at the UK’s biggest and most influential radio news programme.

The Today Podcast is hosted by Amol Rajan and Nick Robinson, both presenters of BBC Radio 4’s Today. Amol was the BBC’s media editor for six years and is the former editor of the Independent, he’s also the current presenter of University Challenge. Nick has presented the Today programme since 2015, he was the BBC’s political editor for ten years before that and also previously worked as ITV’s political editor.

You can listen to the latest episode of The Today Podcast any time on your smart speaker by saying “Smart Speaker, ask BBC Sounds to play The Today Podcast.”

The senior producer is Tom Smithard, the producer is Hatty Nash, research and digital production from Joe Wilkinson. The editor is Louisa Lewis. The executive producer is Owenna Griffiths. Technical production from Hannah Montgomery.

As Lord Darzi’s report on the state of the NHS is released, Nick and Amol take a look at what needs to be done to bring about real change.

They speak to Professor Sir John Bell - one of the country's most decorated doctors and an adviser to government during the Covid-19 pandemic - who believes that more funding is not the only way of improving the NHS.

Plus, the nation's favourite pub landlord Al Murray drops in with his moment of the week.

If you have a question you’d like to Amol and Nick to answer, get in touch by sending us a message or voice note via WhatsApp to +44 330 123 4346 or email us Today@bbc.co.uk

Episodes of The Today Podcast land first on BBC Sounds. Get Amol and Nick's take on the biggest stories of the week, with insights from behind the scenes at the UK's most influential radio news programme.

The Today Podcast is hosted by Amol Rajan and Nick Robinson, both presenters of BBC Radio 4’s Today programme. Amol was the BBC’s media editor for six years and is the former editor of the Independent, he’s also the current presenter of University Challenge. Nick has presented the Today programme since 2015, he was the BBC’s political editor for ten years before that and also previously worked as ITV’s political editor.

You can listen to the latest episode of The Today Podcast any time on your smart speaker by saying “Smart Speaker, ask BBC Sounds to play The Today Podcast.”

The senior producer is Tom Smithard, the producers are Hatty Nash and Hazel Morgan, the researcher is Joe Wilkinson. The editor is Louisa Lewis. The executive producer is Owenna Griffiths. Technical production from Hannah Montgomery and digital production from Elliot Ryder and Joe Wilkinson.

A scathing report from the public inquiry into the Grenfell Tower fire has concluded that all 72 deaths were avoidable – but were the result of a chain of failures by governments, "dishonest" companies and a lack of strategy by the fire service.

Nick assesses whether anyone will now be held accountable – and whether this might be the moment that substandard social housing becomes a major political issue.

He’s joined by Emma Dent Coad, the former Labour MP for Kensington who had just been elected to represent Grenfell constituents at the time of the fire, to reflect on that morning and the subsequent campaign for justice.

And Nick and Amol also speak to Today sports presenter Garry Richardson ahead of his final programme, fifty years to the day he joined the BBC.

If you have a question you’d like to Amol and Nick to answer, get in touch by sending us a message or voice note via WhatsApp to +44 330 123 4346 or email us Today@bbc.co.uk

Episodes of The Today Podcast land first on BBC Sounds. Get Amol and Nick's take on the biggest stories of the week, with insights from behind the scenes at the UK's most influential radio news programme.

The Today Podcast is hosted by Amol Rajan and Nick Robinson, both presenters of BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, the UK’s most influential radio news programme. Amol was the BBC’s media editor for six years and is the former editor of the Independent, he’s also the current presenter of University Challenge. Nick has presented the Today programme since 2015, he was the BBC’s political editor for ten years before that and also previously worked as ITV’s political editor.

You can listen to the latest episode of The Today Podcast any time on your smart speaker by saying “Smart Speaker, ask BBC Sounds to play The Today Podcast.”

The editor is Tom Smithard, the producer is Hatty Nash, research and digital production from Joe Wilkinson. The executive producer is Owenna Griffiths. Technical production from Hannah Montgomery.

“Things will get worse before they get better.” That was the gloomy warning given by Keir Starmer this week, in his first major speech since becoming prime minister.

Labour have previously blamed the Tories for the ‘economic black hole’ they say they’ve found in the public finances since taking office. But what did Starmer mean when he referred to a ‘societal black hole’ left by his predecessors? And if there are cracks in British society, how does the government fix them?

Amol and Nick are joined by Starmer’s former director of policy and expert on the working class Claire Ainsley – now a director at the left-leaning thinktank, the Progressive Policy Institute.

And Tom Walker - the comedian behind the fictitious political correspondent Jonathan Pie - is in the studio to give his moment of the week and reminisce on some of his favourite bloopers by news reporters.

If you have a question you’d like to Amol and Nick to answer, get in touch by sending us a message or voice note via WhatsApp to +44 330 123 4346 or email us Today@bbc.co.uk

Episodes of The Today Podcast land first on BBC Sounds. Get Amol and Nick's take on the biggest stories of the week, with insights from behind the scenes at the UK's most influential radio news programme.

The Today Podcast is hosted by Amol Rajan and Nick Robinson, both presenters of BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, the UK’s most influential radio news programme. Amol was the BBC’s media editor for six years and is the former editor of the Independent, he’s also the current presenter of University Challenge. Nick has presented the Today programme since 2015, he was the BBC’s political editor for ten years before that and also previously worked as ITV’s political editor.

You can listen to the latest episode of The Today Podcast any time on your smart speaker by saying “Smart Speaker, ask BBC Sounds to play The Today Podcast.”

The senior producer is Tom Smithard, the producer is Hatty Nash, research and digital production from Joe Wilkinson. The editor is Louisa Lewis. The executive producer is Owenna Griffiths. Technical production from Mike Regaard.

What tips would you give a government minister ahead of a Today programme interview? What was the best advice you got when you first became a Today presenter? And how do you get up so early?

In this special summer edition of The Today Podcast, Amol and Nick take on questions from some invited guests and friends of the podcast, including the queen of the high street Mary Portas, historian Greg Jenner, TV’s Kirstie Allsopp, Peaky Blinders creator Stephen Knight, journalist Helen Lewis and comedian Angela Barnes.

You too can put a question to Amol and Nick. Get in touch by sending us a message or voice note to WhatsApp to +44 330 123 4346 or you can email us Today@bbc.co.uk

Episodes of The Today Podcast with Amol and Nick land first on BBC Sounds. Get Amol and Nick's take on the biggest stories and get insights from behind the scenes at the UK’s biggest and most influential radio news programme.

The Today Podcast is hosted by Amol Rajan and Nick Robinson, both presenters of BBC Radio 4’s Today. Amol was the BBC’s media editor for six years and is the former editor of the Independent, he’s also the current presenter of University Challenge. Nick has presented the Today programme since 2015, he was the BBC’s political editor for ten years before that and also previously worked as ITV’s political editor.

You can listen to the latest episode of The Today Podcast any time on your smart speaker by saying “Smart Speaker, ask BBC Sounds to play The Today Podcast.”

The senior producer is Tom Smithard, the producer is Hatty Nash, research and digital production from Joe Wilkinson. The editor is Louisa Lewis. The executive producer is Owenna Griffiths. Technical production from Jack Graysmark.

Amol and Nick use their decades of experience as journalists to discuss the future of news in this special episode of The Today Podcast.

Joining them are Sun editor David Yelland and former No10 communications director Simon Lewis – the duo behind Radio 4’s When It Hits The Fan – to look at what’s happening in journalism, where the future lies for the profession... and why it really matters for us all.

If you have a question you’d like to Amol and Nick to answer, get in touch by sending us a message or voice note via WhatsApp to +44 330 123 4346 or email us Today@bbc.co.uk

Episodes of The Today Podcast with Amol and Nick land first on BBC Sounds. Get Amol and Nick's take and get insights from behind the scenes at the UK’s biggest and most influential radio news programme.

The Today Podcast is hosted by Amol Rajan and Nick Robinson, both presenters of BBC Radio 4’s Today. Amol was the BBC’s media editor for six years and is the former editor of the Independent, he’s also the current presenter of University Challenge. Nick has presented the Today programme since 2015, he was the BBC’s political editor for ten years before that and also previously worked as ITV’s political editor.

You can listen to the latest episode of The Today Podcast any time on your smart speaker by saying “Smart Speaker, ask BBC Sounds to play The Today Podcast.”

The senior producer is Tom Smithard, the producer is Hatty Nash, research and digital production from Joe Wilkinson. The editor is Louisa Lewis. The executive producer is Owenna Griffiths. Technical production from Jack Graysmark.

Elon Musk has repeatedly attacked Sir Keir Starmer on his platform ‘X’ this week over the handling of riots in England and Northern Ireland.

The disorder follows the fatal stabbing last week of three young girls in Southport and has been fuelled by misinformation online, the far-right and anti-immigration sentiment.

This week Amol looks at whether social media companies should be forced to go further in stopping the spread of misinformation online.

He is joined by David Wilding, a former director of Twitter UK who resigned when Musk took over, and former Facebook trust & safety manager Professor Victoria Baines, now at Gresham College.

And University Challenge’s Roger Tilling returns to the podcast to chat about the new series – and his moment of the week.

If you have a question you’d like to Amol and Nick to answer, get in touch by sending us a message or voice note via WhatsApp to +44 330 123 4346 or email us Today@bbc.co.uk

Episodes of The Today Podcast land first on BBC Sounds. Get Amol and Nick's take on the biggest stories of the week, with insights from behind the scenes at the UK's most influential radio news programme.

The Today Podcast is hosted by Amol Rajan and Nick Robinson, both presenters of BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, the UK’s most influential radio news programme. Amol was the BBC’s media editor for six years and is the former editor of the Independent, he’s also the current presenter of University Challenge. Nick has presented the Today programme since 2015, he was the BBC’s political editor for ten years before that and also previously worked as ITV’s political editor.

You can listen to the latest episode of The Today Podcast any time on your smart speaker by saying “Smart Speaker, ask BBC Sounds to play The Today Podcast.”

The senior producer is Tom Smithard, the producer is Hatty Nash, the researcher is Joe Wilkinson. The editor is Louisa Lewis. The executive producer is Owenna Griffiths. Technical production from Jack Graysmark and digital production from Charlie Henry.

Every week on The Today Podcast Amol and Nick share something significant that’s happened to them that week and they call it their ‘moment of the week’.

But as Nick’s on holiday, Amol invited one of Britain’s best known comedians, Frank Skinner, to The Today Podcast studio to help him out.

And they ended up talking for so long about faith, class, parenthood, grief - and, of course, poetry, we’ve made it into a bonus podcast.

Frank Skinner has been a stand-up comedian for 30 years. He presented Fantasy Football in the 1990s alongside David Baddiel and for co-created the anthem of English football, 'Three Lions’.

But you may not know that he is also a practising Catholic, reads poetry every day, and is striving to write cleaner comedy material.

Subscribe to The Today Podcast for more ‘Moments of the Week’ with Amol and Nick and other special guests sharing theirs including Sara Cox, Hugh Dennis, Prue Leith, Greg James, James May and many more.

Episodes of The Today Podcast land first on BBC Sounds. Get Amol and Nick's take on the biggest stories of the week, with insights from behind the scenes at the UK's most influential radio news programme.

The Today Podcast is hosted by Amol Rajan and Nick Robinson, both presenters of BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, the UK’s most influential radio news programme. Amol was the BBC’s media editor for six years and is the former editor of the Independent, he’s also the current presenter of University Challenge. Nick has presented the Today programme since 2015, he was the BBC’s political editor for ten years before that and also previously worked as ITV’s political editor.

If you have a question you’d like to Amol and Nick to answer, get in touch by sending us a message or voice note via WhatsApp to +44 330 123 4346 or email us Today@bbc.co.uk

You can listen to the latest episode of The Today Podcast any time on your smart speaker by saying “Smart Speaker, ask BBC Sounds to play The Today Podcast.”

The senior producer is Tom Smithard, the producer is Hatty Nash, research and digital production from Joe Wilkinson. The editor is Louisa Lewis. The executive producer is Owenna Griffiths. Technical production from Mike Regaard.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves and Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner have been championing growth this week. But will their plans actually work?

Amol has assembled an expert panel to provide their take on how to generate more wealth in the UK – Institute for Fiscal Studies director Paul Johnson and venture capitalist and co-founder of Lovecrafts, Cherry Freeman.

And comedian Frank Skinner joins Amol with his moment of the week – watch out for a bonus episode with much more of their chat coming to this feed soon.

If you have a question you’d like to Amol and Nick to answer, get in touch by sending us a message or voice note via WhatsApp to +44 330 123 4346 or email us Today@bbc.co.uk

Episodes of The Today Podcast land first on BBC Sounds. Get Amol and Nick's take on the biggest stories of the week, with insights from behind the scenes at the UK's most influential radio news programme.

The Today Podcast is hosted by Amol Rajan and Nick Robinson, both presenters of BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, the UK’s most influential radio news programme. Amol was the BBC’s media editor for six years and is the former editor of the Independent, he’s also the current presenter of University Challenge. Nick has presented the Today programme since 2015, he was the BBC’s political editor for ten years before that and also previously worked as ITV’s political editor.

You can listen to the latest episode of The Today Podcast any time on your smart speaker by saying “Smart Speaker, ask BBC Sounds to play The Today Podcast.”

The senior producer is Tom Smithard, the producer is Hatty Nash, research and digital production from Joe Wilkinson. The editor is Louisa Lewis. The executive producer is Owenna Griffiths. Technical production from Mike Regaard.

Amol and Nick take on more questions from listeners – such as whether having younger MPs will lead to a change in policies and why do politicians sound more sensible when ejected from office?

Plus they answer questions on the state of political journalism and whether podcasting makes it easier or more difficult to maintain impartiality.

If you have a question you’d like to Amol, Nick and the Pod Squad to answer get in touch by sending us a message or voice note via WhatsApp to +44 330 123 4346 or email us Today@bbc.co.uk

Episodes of The Today Podcast land weekly and look out for bonus episodes like this one. Subscribe on BBC Sounds to get Amol and Nick's take to the big stories of the week, with insights from behind the scenes at the UK's most influential radio news programme.

The Today Podcast is hosted by Amol Rajan and Nick Robinson, both presenters of BBC Radio 4’s Today programme. Amol was the BBC’s media editor for six years and is the former editor of the Independent, he’s also the current presenter of University Challenge. Nick has presented the Today programme since 2015, he was the BBC’s political editor for ten years before that and also previously worked as ITV’s political editor.

You can listen to the latest episode of The Today Podcast anytime on your smart speaker by saying “Smart Speaker, ask BBC Sounds for The Today Podcast.”

The senior producer is Tom Smithard, the researcher and digital producer is Joe Wilkinson, the producer is Hatty Nash. The editor is Louisa Lewis. The executive producer is Owenna Griffiths. Technical production from Mike Regaard.

This week Keir Starmer dealt with a Labour rebellion on the two-child benefit cap that saw the whip removed from seven of his MPs. Meanwhile in America, Kamala Harris has moved quickly to mobilise her campaign and define her Republican rival.

To make sense of it all, Nick and Amol turn to Prof Mary Beard for a classical perspective on power, succession, and rebellions. What was Cicero’s advice for winning elections? Which Latin quote did John F Kennedy incorrectly use in a famous speech? And why does she hate being asked which Roman emperor most resembles Donald Trump?

She also updates them on her campaign for membership of the - until very recently - male-only private members’ club, the Garrick.

If you have a question you’d like to Amol and Nick to answer, get in touch by sending us a message or voice note via WhatsApp to +44 330 123 4346 or email us Today@bbc.co.uk

Episodes of The Today Podcast continue to land twice a week post-election. Subscribe on BBC Sounds to get Amol and Nick's take on the new government, with insights from behind the scenes at the UK's most influential radio news programme.

The Today Podcast is hosted by Amol Rajan and Nick Robinson, both presenters of BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, the UK’s most influential radio news programme. Amol was the BBC’s media editor for six years and is the former editor of the Independent, he’s also the current presenter of University Challenge. Nick has presented the Today programme since 2015, he was the BBC’s political editor for ten years before that and also previously worked as ITV’s political editor.

You can listen to the latest episode of The Today Podcast any time on your smart speaker by saying “Smart Speaker, ask BBC Sounds to play The Today Podcast.”

The producer is Hatty Nash, the editor is Tom Smithard. The executive producer is Owenna Griffiths. Digital production from Joe Wilkinson and Charlie Henry, technical production from Jack Graysmark.

Joe Biden is out and has endorsed his vice president. But will Kamala Harris win the Democratic nomination – and can she beat Donald Trump in November?

Amol and Nick are joined by fellow Today presenter and Americast host Justin Webb for his take on the big news. Who might Harris pick as her running mate? How will she frame Trump in the contest? And why might it all come down to the voters of Omaha, Nebraska?

If you have a question you’d like to Amol and Nick to answer get in touch by sending us a message or voice note via WhatsApp to +44 330 123 4346 or email us Today@bbc.co.uk

Episodes of The Today Podcast will continue to land twice a week post-election and look out for bonus Q&A episodes. Subscribe on BBC Sounds to get Amol and Nick's take on the new government, with insights from behind the scenes at the UK's most influential radio news programme.

The Today Podcast is hosted by Amol Rajan and Nick Robinson, both presenters of BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, the UK’s most influential radio news programme. Amol was the BBC’s media editor for six years and is the former editor of the Independent, he’s also the current presenter of University Challenge. Nick has presented the Today programme since 2015, he was the BBC’s political editor for ten years before that and also previously worked as ITV’s political editor.

You can listen to the latest episode of The Today Podcast anytime on your smart speaker by saying “Smart Speaker, ask BBC Sounds for The Today Podcast.”

The producer is Hatty Nash, the editor is Tom Smithard. The executive producer is Owenna Griffiths. Research and digital production from Joe Wilkinson, technical production from Jonny Baker.

Sir Keir Starmer has been quick to meet with a host of world leaders since entering Downing Street. After his in-person meeting with Joe Biden, and a personal phone call to Donald Trump, Amol and Nick dissect how the new PM will navigate ‘the special relationship’ in turbulent times.

And closer to home, European leaders are meeting this week in Blenheim Palace. Baroness Cathy Ashton, the EU’s former foreign policy chief, joins Nick and Amol in the studio to give insight on Starmer’s strategy. How will he fulfil Labour’s manifesto pledge to forge an ‘improved and ambitious relationship with our European partners’? And what will EU leaders want in return?

Plus, Radio 1’s Greg James drops by to give his moment of the week and pay tribute to England cricketer Jimmy Anderson following his retirement.

If you have a question you’d like to Amol and Nick to answer, get in touch by sending us a message or voice note via WhatsApp to +44 330 123 4346 or email us Today@bbc.co.uk

Episodes of The Today Podcast continue to land twice a week post-election and look out for bonus Q&A episodes. Subscribe on BBC Sounds to get Amol and Nick's take on the new government, with insights from behind the scenes at the UK's most influential radio news programme.

The Today Podcast is hosted by Amol Rajan and Nick Robinson, both presenters of BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, the UK’s most influential radio news programme. Amol was the BBC’s media editor for six years and is the former editor of the Independent, he’s also the current presenter of University Challenge. Nick has presented the Today programme since 2015, he was the BBC’s political editor for ten years before that and also previously worked as ITV’s political editor.

You can listen to the latest episode of The Today Podcast any time on your smart speaker by saying “Smart Speaker, ask BBC Sounds to play The Today Podcast.”

The producer is Hatty Nash, the editor is Tom Smithard. The executive producer is Owenna Griffiths. Research and digital production from Joe Wilkinson, technical production from Mike Regaard.

Amol and Nick look at whether the language of politics might now grow less heated after the assassination attempt on Donald Trump – and what effect the shooting will have on the US election.

Keir Starmer will put the disappointment of the European Championships result behind him and look forward to this week’s King’s Speech – but will he face his own problem from the left wing?

Plus, pollster and friend of the podcast James Kanagasooriam joins Amol to get into the data and dispel the myths surrounding the general election results.

If you have a question you’d like to Amol and Nick to answer, get in touch by sending us a message or voice note via WhatsApp to +44 330 123 4346 or email us Today@bbc.co.uk

Episodes of The Today Podcast continue to land twice a week post-election and look out for bonus Q&A episodes. Subscribe on BBC Sounds to get Amol and Nick's take on the new government, with insights from behind the scenes at the UK's most influential radio news programme.

The Today Podcast is hosted by Amol Rajan and Nick Robinson, both presenters of BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, the UK’s most influential radio news programme. Amol was the BBC’s media editor for six years and is the former editor of the Independent, he’s also the current presenter of University Challenge. Nick has presented the Today programme since 2015, he was the BBC’s political editor for ten years before that and also previously worked as ITV’s political editor.

You can listen to the latest episode of The Today Podcast any time on your smart speaker by saying “Smart Speaker, ask BBC Sounds to play The Today Podcast.”

The producer is Hatty Nash, the editor is Tom Smithard. The executive producer is Owenna Griffiths. Research and digital production from Joe Wilkinson, technical production from Antonio Fernandes.

It’s Keir Starmer’s first full week in government and he’s already facing an impending crisis: overflowing prisons.

Amol and Nick speak to the former justice secretary Alex Chalk, who tells us what his successor, Shabana Mahmood, should do to fix it.

Journalist and podcaster Helen Lewis swings by to assess Labour’s first week and the Conservative leadership race.

And – what a row over an AI candidate who turned out to be real says about the way rumours circulate via direct messaging.

If you have a question you’d like to Amol and Nick to answer, get in touch by sending us a message or voice note via WhatsApp to +44 330 123 4346 or email us Today@bbc.co.uk

Episodes of The Today Podcast continue to land twice a week post-election and look out for bonus Q&A episodes. Subscribe on BBC Sounds to get Amol and Nick's take on the new government, with insights from behind the scenes at the UK's most influential radio news programme.

The Today Podcast is hosted by Amol Rajan and Nick Robinson, both presenters of BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, the UK’s most influential radio news programme. Amol was the BBC’s media editor for six years and is the former editor of the Independent, he’s also the current presenter of University Challenge. Nick has presented the Today programme since 2015, he was the BBC’s political editor for ten years before that and also previously worked as ITV’s political editor.

You can listen to the latest episode of The Today Podcast any time on your smart speaker by saying “Smart Speaker, ask BBC Sounds to play The Today Podcast.”

The producer is Izzy Rowley, the editor is Tom Smithard. The executive producer is Owenna Griffiths. Research and digital production from Joe Wilkinson, technical production from Hannah Montgomery.

Amol and Nick are back for Labour’s first week in government to look at Rachel Reeves’ plan for growth and how Keir Starmer can position himself on the world stage as he jets off for a Nato summit in the US.

Plus, Nick is in Normandy to provide his assessment of what the final round of the French elections might mean for Emmanuel Macron’s political future.

And they answer listener questions – should 16-year-olds get the vote and can politicians ever hold back the tides of change?

If you have a question you’d like to Amol and Nick to answer get in touch by sending us a message or voice note via WhatsApp to +44 330 123 4346 or email us Today@bbc.co.uk

Episodes of The Today Podcast will continue to land on Mondays and Wednesdays post-election and look out for bonus Q&A episodes. Subscribe on BBC Sounds to get Amol and Nick's take on the new government, with insights from behind the scenes at the UK's most influential radio news programme.

The Today Podcast is hosted by Amol Rajan and Nick Robinson, both presenters of BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, the UK’s most influential radio news programme. Amol was the BBC’s media editor for six years and is the former editor of the Independent, he’s also the current presenter of University Challenge. Nick has presented the Today programme since 2015, he was the BBC’s political editor for ten years before that and also previously worked as ITV’s political editor.

You can listen to the latest episode of The Today Podcast anytime on your smart speaker by saying “Alexa, Ask BBC Sounds for The Today Podcast.”

The producer is Izzy Rowley, the editor is Tom Smithard. The executive producer is Owenna Griffiths. Research and digital production from Joe Wilkinson, technical production from Jack Graysmark.

It’s the afternoon after the night before and Amol and Nick are back after 14 hours of live radio for a post-election podcast.

How will Keir Starmer govern as prime minister? Will the Conservative leadership contest be taken over by Nigel Farage? How did the Liberal Democrats do so well? And why has there been such a pronounced splintering overnight in British politics?

Plus – an update on pod squadder Alex’s election night cross stitching!

If you have a question you’d like to Amol and Nick to answer get in touch by sending us a message or voice note via WhatsApp to +44 330 123 4346 or email us Today@bbc.co.uk

Episodes of The Today Podcast will continue to land on Mondays and Wednesdays post-election and look out for bonus Q&A episodes. Subscribe on BBC Sounds to get Amol and Nick's take on the new government, with insights from behind the scenes at the UK's most influential radio news programme.

The Today Podcast is hosted by Amol Rajan and Nick Robinson, both presenters of BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, the UK’s most influential radio news programme. Amol was the BBC’s media editor for six years and is the former editor of the Independent, he’s also the current presenter of University Challenge. Nick has presented the Today programme since 2015, he was the BBC’s political editor for ten years before that and also previously worked as ITV’s political editor.

You can listen to the latest episode of The Today Podcast anytime on your smart speaker by saying “Alexa, Ask BBC Sounds for The Today Podcast.”

The senior producer is Tom Smithard, the producer is Hazel Morgan. The editor is Louisa Lewis. The executive producer is Owenna Griffiths. Technical production from Hannah Montgomery. Digital production from Elliot Ryder.

Amol and Nick look ahead to election night, with a run down of the key moments and the best time to get some sleep (if you must!)

They also discuss one of the big challenges the next government faces - whoever enters Downing Street on Friday - what to do about small boats crossing the Channel. What could the elections in France mean for any future agreement? Lord Ricketts, former ambassador to France and former National Security Adviser gives his take.

Plus the Pod Squad have a special birthday surprise for Amol!

If you have a question you’d like to Amol, Nick and the Pod Squad to answer get in touch by sending us a message or voice note via WhatsApp to +44 330 123 4346 or email us Today@bbc.co.uk

Episodes of The Today Podcast during the election campaign land on Mondays and Wednesdays and look out for bonus episodes. Subscribe on BBC Sounds to get Amol and Nick's reaction to the election results this Friday, with insights from behind the scenes at the UK's most influential radio news programme.

The Today Podcast is hosted by Amol Rajan and Nick Robinson, both presenters of BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, the UK’s most influential radio news programme. Amol was the BBC’s media editor for six years and is the former editor of the Independent, he’s also the current presenter of University Challenge. Nick has presented the Today programme since 2015, he was the BBC’s political editor for ten years before that and also previously worked as ITV’s political editor.

You can listen to the latest episode of The Today Podcast anytime on your smart speaker by saying “Alexa, Ask BBC Sounds for The Today Podcast.”

The senior producer is Tom Smithard, the researcher is Joe Wilkinson, the producer is Hazel Morgan. The editor is Louisa Lewis. The executive producer is Owenna Griffiths. Technical production from Jonny Baker. Digital production from Joe and Elliot Ryder.

Should there be an alternative to voting for the least-worst candidate? Why are we obsessed by cult of personality politicians? And what are the election night words to avoid?

Amol and Nick return with another bonus question and answer episode as The Today Podcast prepares for polling day.

If you have a question you’d like to Amol, Nick and the Pod Squad to answer get in touch by sending us a message or voice note via WhatsApp to +44 330 123 4346 or email us Today@bbc.co.uk

Episodes of The Today Podcast during the election campaign land on Mondays and Wednesdays. Look out for bonus episodes like this one. Subscribe on BBC Sounds to get Amol and Nick's reaction to the election results this Friday, with insights from behind the scenes at the UK's most influential radio news programme.

The Today Podcast is hosted by Amol Rajan and Nick Robinson, both presenters of BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, the UK’s most influential radio news programme. Amol was the BBC’s media editor for six years and is the former editor of the Independent, he’s also the current presenter of University Challenge. Nick has presented the Today programme since 2015, he was the BBC’s political editor for ten years before that and also previously worked as ITV’s political editor.

You can listen to the latest episode of The Today Podcast anytime on your smart speaker by saying “Alexa, Ask BBC Sounds for The Today Podcast.”

The senior producer is Tom Smithard, the researcher and digital producer is Joe Wilkinson, the producer is Hazel Morgan. The editor is Louisa Lewis. The executive producer is Owenna Griffiths. Technical production from Jack Graysmark.