

Radical with Amol Rajan
BBC Radio 4
Conversations about tomorrow, from Today.Every week Today programme presenter 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?As well as presenting Today on BBC Radio 4, Amol is also the host of University Challenge on BBC One. Before that he was the BBC's media editor and editor of The Independent.Episodes of Radical with Amol Rajan are published on Thursdays on BBC Sounds. You can also watch them on BBC iPlayer: https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episodes/m002f1d0/radical-with-amol-rajanRadical 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
Episodes
Mentioned books

Nov 16, 2023 • 47min
Revolting! How much trouble are Sunak and Starmer in?
It's been a week of turmoil in British politics culminating in the government losing its Rwanda case then taking on the Supreme Court – and Labour losing ten from its frontbench following a mass rebellion over Gaza.There’s plenty for Amol and Nick to get stuck into this week on The Today Podcast as they assess the political landscape and ask, how much trouble are Rishi Sunak and Keir Starmer in? Two of the UK’s pre-eminent lawyers, human rights barrister and Labour peer Helena Kennedy and former Supreme Court justice Jonathan Sumption, give their take on why the government lost its Rwanda case. Episodes of The Today Podcast land every Thursday and watch out for bonus episodes. Subscribe on BBC Sounds 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.If you would like a question answering, get in touch by sending us a message or voice note via WhatsApp to +44 330 123 4346 or email us Today@bbc.co.ukThe 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 producers are Tom Smithard and Rufus Gray. The editors are Jonathan Aspinwall and Louisa Lewis. The executive producer is Owenna Griffiths.

Nov 13, 2023 • 34min
David Cameron In, Suella Braverman Out
This morning on the Today programme the news of the sacking Suella Braverman broke and we heard the surprise announcement that former Prime Minister David Cameron would be the Foreign Secretary.In this emergency episode of The Today Podcast Amol and Nick discuss Rishi Sunak’s reshuffle.Former Education Secretary Baroness Nicky Morgan, former Northern Ireland Secretary Theresa Villiers MP and former Deputy Prime Minister Lord Heseltine are all on hand to give their take on where this leaves the Conservative Party.Episodes of The Today Podcast land every Thursday and watch out for bonus episodes. Subscribe on BBC Sounds 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.If you would like a question answering, get in touch by sending us a message or voice note via WhatsApp to +44 330 123 4346 or email us Today@bbc.co.ukThe 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 producers are Tom Smithard and Rufus Gray. The editors are Jonathan Aspinwall and Louisa Lewis. The executive producer is Owenna Griffiths. Studio direction from Adrian Bhargava.

Nov 9, 2023 • 45min
The Politics of Protest: Suella Braverman vs the police
Why did the Home Secretary write a newspaper column that puts her on a collision course with both the UK’s most senior police officer… and seemingly the prime minister?In this week’s podcast Amol and Nick look at the politics of protest – and what exactly Suella Braverman is trying to achieve by taking on the police, ahead of a proposed march through London on Armistice Day calling for a ceasefire in Gaza.They’re joined by Neil Basu, who served for thirty years in the Met Police, including as national lead for counter-terrorism. For many years he was deputy to current Met Commissioner, Sir Mark Rowley.Episodes of The Today Podcast land every Thursday and watch out for bonus episodes. Subscribe on BBC Sounds 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.If you would like a question answering, get in touch by sending us a message or voice note via WhatsApp to +44 330 123 4346 or email us Today@bbc.co.ukThe 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 producers are Tom Smithard and Stephanie Mitcalf. The editors are Jonathan Aspinwall and Louisa Lewis. The executive producer is Owenna Griffiths. Studio direction from Phil Bull.

Nov 2, 2023 • 52min
Covidshambles: The human cost of chaos in No 10
It’s been an explosive week of evidence at the Covid inquiry. Government by WhatsApp and chaotic scenes at Downing Street. Amol and Nick discuss how badly the UK handled Covid and whether a different approach would have fundamentally altered the response and outcomes of the pandemic. Joining them in The Today Podcast studio is Louise Casey, who spent nearly 20 years in the civil service and who has run a range of inquiries, . She tells Amol and Nick what she made of her time working with the former Prime Minister Boris Johnson. And Professor Sir David Spiegelhalter, emeritus professor of statistics at Cambridge University, takes us through the data. Just how badly did Britain really do?Episodes of The Today Podcast land every Thursday and watch out for bonus episodes. Subscribe on BBC Sounds 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. If you would like a question answering, get in touch by sending us a message or voice note via WhatsApp to +44 330 123 4346 or email us Today@bbc.co.ukThe 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 producers are Tom Smithard and Stephanie Mitcalf. The editors are Jonathan Aspinwall and Louisa Lewis. The executive producer is Owenna Griffiths. Studio direction from Mike Regaard.Note: This audio has been edited to include a fuller answer.

Oct 30, 2023 • 16min
Your Questions Answered
Who decides which presenter does which interview on BBC Radio 4's Today programme? Does it create any tensions? In a busy newsroom how do you work out the facts?Amol and Nick answer these listener questions and others in this bonus edition of The Today Podcast.If you would like a question answering, get in touch by sending us a message or voice note via WhatsApp to +44 330 123 4346 or email us Today@bbc.co.ukEpisodes of The Today Podcast land every Thursday. Subscribe on BBC Sounds 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.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 producers are Tom Smithard and Stephanie Mitcalf. The editors are Jonathan Aspinwall and Louisa Lewis. The executive producer is Owenna Griffiths. The Today Podcast music is composed by Nick Foster and Paddy Fletcher.

Oct 26, 2023 • 49min
What hope for peace?
Amol and Nick turn their attention this week to what conditions will need to be reached before Israelis and Palestinians are able to sit down with each other in search of a lasting settlement.They speak to Yossi Beilin and Hiba Husseini, who have spent decades negotiating peace – finding their hopes dashed each time but becoming friends with each other in the process.And they look at what’s happened at the Covid Inquiry and what’s coming up next week. Episodes land every Thursday and watch out for bonus episodes. Subscribe to The Today Podcast 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. Get in touch by sending us a message or voice note via WhatsApp to +44 330 123 4346 or email Today@bbc.co.ukThe Today Podcast is hosted by Amol Rajan and Nick Robinson, presenters of BBC Radio 4’s Today, 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 producers are Tom Smithard and Stephanie Mitcalf. The editors are Jonathan Aspinwall and Louisa Lewis. The executive producer is Owenna Griffiths. Studio direction from Dafydd Evans.

Oct 19, 2023 • 41min
What Is This War Really About?
Amol and Nick discuss how the war in Israel and Gaza shows two competing versions of history. They look at what’s at stake and why it matters. They are joined in The Today Podcast studio by historian Niall Ferguson to discuss how critical a moment this is for the region and wider world. Episodes land every Thursday. Subscribe to The Today Podcast 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. Get in touch by sending us a message or voice note via WhatsApp to +44 330 123 4346 or email Today@bbc.co.uk 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 producers are Tom Smithard and Stephanie Mitcalf. The editors are Jonathan Aspinwall and Louisa Lewis. The executive producer is Owenna Griffiths. The Today Podcast music is composed by Nick Foster and Paddy Fletcher.

Oct 12, 2023 • 46min
Horror in Israel and Gaza - What next?
Martha, presenter of Radio 4's Today from Jerusalem, and Sir Alex Younger, former chief of MI6, discuss intelligence failures and fears for the future in the Israel and Gaza conflict. The hosts also cover the Labour Party conference, Keir Starmer's speech, and polling updates from Jane Green, professor of politics at Oxford University.

Oct 9, 2023 • 15min
I cried after presenting my first Today programme
Amol and Nick, experienced journalists, share their first day presenting Radio 4's Today. They discuss the emotional impact, favorite moments on the show, and unpredictable moments on live radio. They also talk about struggles with sleep and anxiety, conducting interviews, and upcoming interviews with Greta Thunberg and Kia Starma.

Oct 5, 2023 • 40min
Can Rishi Sunak win it for the Tories?
The Today Programme’s got the only interview with the prime minister recorded after his conference speech. What sort of a week has it been for Rishi Sunak and the Conservatives?
Join Amol Rajan and Nick Robinson as they ask whether Rishi Sunak can lead his party to a 5th electoral victory and give their take on a strange week in politics.
Jane Green, professor of politics at Oxford University is in The Today Podcast studio with the latest polling and writer Armando Iannucci joins us to talk about the weirdness of party conferences and that time he nearly got a story on the Today programme.
Plus, it’s Nick’s birthday!
Episodes land every Thursday. Subscribe to The Today Podcast 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.
Get in touch by sending us a message or voice note via WhatsApp to +44 330 123 4346 or email Today@bbc.co.uk The Today Podcast is presented by Amol Rajan and Nick Robinson. The producers are Tom Smithard and Stephanie Mitcalf. The editors are Jonathan Aspinwall and Louisa Lewis. The executive producer is Owenna Griffiths.The Today Podcast music is composed by Nick Foster and Paddy Fletcher.