The Interview
BBC World Service
Conversations with people shaping our world, from all around the globe. Listen to The Interview for the best conversations from the BBC, the world's most trusted international news provider.
We hear from titans of business, politics, finance, sport and culture. Global leaders, decision-makers and cultural icons. Politicians, activists and CEOs.
Each interview is around 20-minutes, packed full of insight and analysis, covering some of the biggest issues of our time.
How does it work? Well, at the BBC, our journalists interview amazing people every single day. And on The Interview, we bring them to you.
It’s your one-stop-shop to the best conversations coming out of the BBC, with the people shaping our world, from all over the world.
Get in touch with us on emailTheInterview@bbc.co.uk and use the hashtag #TheInterviewBBC on social media.
We hear from titans of business, politics, finance, sport and culture. Global leaders, decision-makers and cultural icons. Politicians, activists and CEOs.
Each interview is around 20-minutes, packed full of insight and analysis, covering some of the biggest issues of our time.
How does it work? Well, at the BBC, our journalists interview amazing people every single day. And on The Interview, we bring them to you.
It’s your one-stop-shop to the best conversations coming out of the BBC, with the people shaping our world, from all over the world.
Get in touch with us on emailTheInterview@bbc.co.uk and use the hashtag #TheInterviewBBC on social media.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Jan 15, 2025 • 23min
Vladimir Kara-Murza: Is Putin vulnerable?
In this engaging conversation, Vladimir Kara-Murza shares his chilling journey as an anti-Putin activist who survived two poisonings and imprisonment. He reflects on the psychological scars of his captivity and the plight of political prisoners in Russia. Kara-Murza argues for increasing Western pressure on the Kremlin and discusses the complexities of sanctions following Ukraine's invasion. He also contemplates the unpredictable political landscape in Russia, expressing cautious optimism for a future democratic transition.
Jan 13, 2025 • 23min
Asif Kapadia: Pushing the boundaries of film-making
Asif Kapadia, the award-winning filmmaker behind acclaimed documentaries like 'Senna' and 'Amy Winehouse', discusses his latest project '2073'. He explores the merging of documentary and science fiction to reflect on grim realities like climate change and authoritarianism. The conversation delves into creative accountability, the challenges of navigating the film industry, and the impact of social media on artistry. Kapadia also highlights unsettling truths within the wellness industry, urging for awareness and justice against exploitation.
Jan 10, 2025 • 23min
Alice Edwards: Is it possible to eradicate torture?
Alice Edwards, the UN special rapporteur on torture, passionately addresses the alarming persistence of torture four decades after the UN Convention Against Torture. She discusses the link between global conflicts and rising torture incidents, revealing harrowing personal accounts from victims. Edwards emphasizes the necessity for a unified international code of human rights to eradicate torture, exposing the challenges of governmental hypocrisy and accountability in war zones. Her insights offer a stark reminder of the ongoing fight for human dignity and justice.
Jan 8, 2025 • 23min
Alan Hollinghurst: How has Britain changed since the 1980s?
Stephen Sackur speaks to the British novelist Alan Hollinghurst, author of Our Evenings and the Booker Prize-winning The Line of Beauty. Over four decades, how has his writing and his view of Britain changed?
Dec 23, 2024 • 23min
HARDtalk - 2024 Review
HARDtalk’s Stephen Sackur looks back on some of the most powerful moments from 2024 in his end of year review.
Dec 20, 2024 • 23min
Dmytro Kuleba: What are Ukraine's options?
Stephen Sackur speaks to former Ukrainian foreign minister Dmytro Kuleba. Russian forces are gaining ground along the frontline in eastern Ukraine, and US president-elect Donald Trump wants the war to end. What are Ukraine’s options now?
11 snips
Dec 18, 2024 • 23min
Marty Baron: Is mainstream media in terminal decline?
In this engaging conversation, former Washington Post editor Marty Baron shares insights from his Pulitzer-winning career. He discusses how Trump's rise exposed the media's disconnect from middle America and highlights the challenges of maintaining objectivity today. Baron reflects on the Post's recent choice to forgo political endorsements amidst declining trust in media, particularly among younger audiences. He emphasizes the necessity for traditional outlets to adapt for the future, reinforcing the critical role of journalism in a fragile democracy.
Dec 13, 2024 • 23min
Terumi Tanaka: Is nuclear war unthinkable?
Terumi Tanaka, a 92-year-old survivor of the Nagasaki bombing and co-chair of Nihon Hidankyo, shares her powerful story as she advocates for nuclear disarmament. She recounts the traumatic experience of surviving the atomic blast at just 13 years old. The conversation highlights the emotional scars left by such tragedies and critiques the misguided belief in nuclear weapons as security. Tanaka emphasizes the urgent need for public awareness about the ongoing threats of nuclear armament, particularly with the alarming global arsenal still present today.
9 snips
Dec 6, 2024 • 23min
Mark Alford: Is America ready for Trump 2.0?
Stephen Sackur interviews Mark Alford, a Republican congressman and fervent Trump supporter, who discusses the potential for Trump 2.0 and its implications for America. They delve into economic strategies, such as proposed tariffs and the effects of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. The conversation touches on the impact of deportation policies on agriculture, the balance between enforcing immigration laws and protecting vulnerable communities, and critiques of U.S. foreign policy, particularly regarding Ukraine and Gaza.
Dec 5, 2024 • 23min
Arab Barghouthi: Will his father shape Palestinians' future?
Arab Barghouthi shares his experiences as the son of Marwan Barghouthi, a revered Palestinian leader imprisoned in Israel for over twenty years. He discusses the emotional toll of his father's incarceration on their family and broader Palestinian identity. The conversation dives into the complex realities of justice and resistance, examining perceptions of his father's trial and the political dynamics in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Arab emphasizes resilience, hope, and the dreams for a united Palestinian future despite ongoing struggles.
