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
15 snips
Dec 4, 2023 • 24min
Fatih Birol: Is the global energy transition veering off course?
Stephen Sackur speaks to Fatih Birol, Head of the International Energy Agency, about the global energy transition and its challenges. They discuss the decline of fossil fuel demand, the growth of solar energy in India, the role of carbon capture and storage, and the upcoming COP meeting in Dubai.
Dec 1, 2023 • 25min
Jasem Albudaiwi: Could the Gulf states be destabilised by the conflict in Gaza?
Stephen Sackur speaks to Jasem Albudaiwi, Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council. They discuss the potential destabilization of the Gulf states due to the conflict in Gaza, the normalization of relations with Israel, difficulties in delivering aid to Palestinians, diplomatic fallout within the GCC, perception of public sentiment and human rights in the Gulf states, separating politics from trade, and the conflict in the Gulf over climate change and oil production.
Nov 30, 2023 • 24min
Philippe Lazzarini: Could Gaza become unliveable?
Stephen Sackur speaks to Philippe Lazzarini, head of UNRWA, the UN’s refugee agency for Palestinians. He is just back from Gaza where the temporary truce gave him a chance to assess the scale of the humanitarian crisis. With Israel vowing to resume its war on Hamas, could Gaza soon be unliveable?
Nov 28, 2023 • 24min
Simcha Rothman: Is violence in Israel's best interests?
Stephen Sackur speaks to far-right Israeli politician Simcha Rothman, whose Religious Zionism party is in Prime Minister Netanyahu’s ruling coalition. He and his party colleagues seem ready for a new era of long-term violent confrontation, not just in Gaza, but in the West Bank too. Is his mindset and strategic vision in the best interests of Israel’s future?
Nov 27, 2023 • 24min
Cardinal Peter Turkson: Is the Catholic Church at a crossroads?
Cardinal Peter Turkson, a Vatican insider widely seen as a possible contender to be Africa's first pope, discusses the Catholic Church's shift in center of gravity from Europe to Africa and Asia. They also touch on controversial issues within the church such as sexuality and gender, the criminalization of homosexuality in Ghana, the Catholic Church cover-up scandal, and decision-making within the church.
Nov 24, 2023 • 23min
Jonna Mendez: Does the world still need spies?
Former US spy Jonna Mendez, CIA's chief of disguise during the Cold War, discusses the qualities of a spy and the moral complexities of their work. They share the thrilling story of Argo and other intriguing CIA operations. The balance between technology-focused intelligence gathering and human intelligence is explored, highlighting the importance of both. The personal challenges and sacrifices of being a spy are also discussed.
Nov 22, 2023 • 24min
Michel Roux: Is the business of fine food turning sour?
Michel Roux, master chef and restaurateur, reflects on the closure of his renowned family restaurant, Le Gavroche, highlighting the high cost and pressure of perfection in the culinary industry. The podcast also addresses the issue of bullying in the kitchen and discusses the future of elite restaurants amidst constant innovation.
Nov 17, 2023 • 23min
Chris Coons: Is team Biden in trouble?
Stephen Sackur is in Washington DC to speak to one of President Biden’s closest allies in the US Congress, Democrat Senator Chris Coons. The president’s staunch support for Israel is dividing his party at a time when some question whether he should run for a second term. Is team Biden in trouble?
Nov 17, 2023 • 23min
Mark Alford: Do US Republicans have a winning formula?
Stephen Sackur is in Washington DC to speak to Republican Congressman Mark Alford, one of Donald Trump’s most loyal supporters on Capitol Hill. With a presidential election less than a year away, does the Republican Party have a winning formula?
Nov 13, 2023 • 23min
Mervyn King: Global growth and inflation
Former governor of the Bank of England, Mervyn King, discusses global challenges including rising inflation, geopolitical tensions, and climate change. Topics covered include the impacts of global conflicts on the economy, limitations of economic forecasts, the response to the COVID crisis, opportunities and consequences of Brexit, and the challenges faced by central banks in controlling inflation.
