Radical with Amol Rajan

Keir Starmer's bold declaration to "smash the gangs" ignites a discussion on the practicalities of halting migrant boats. Live from a key border crossing, the hosts dig deep into the real-life struggles of Syrian refugees and the complex networks of human smuggling. A fascinating encounter with a sniffer dog sheds light on the challenges of detecting illegal boat activities. They also navigate the fraught political landscape surrounding immigration, examining why human stories matter amidst rising anti-migrant sentiments.

At the Bulgaria-Turkey border, harsh realities of illegal migration unfold, showcasing the lives of desperate refugees. Personal stories reveal the struggles of those hoping to cross into Europe, facing daunting geopolitical challenges. The podcast uncovers how people smugglers have adapted, even using TikTok for promotion. Tensions rise as attitudes towards refugees shift in Istanbul, reflecting growing hostility and xenophobia. The evolving refugee landscape in Turkey highlights a significant transition, raising urgent questions about safety and acceptance.

James Rebanks, a farmer and best-selling author known for 'The Shepherd's Life,' shares his insights on the planned protests by farmers against new inheritance tax changes. He highlights the challenges in the agricultural sector and the emotional impact of shifting policies post-Brexit. The conversation also touches on the unexpected appointment of Elon Musk alongside Donald Trump to revamp government efficiency, reflecting on how these appointments resonate with broader political strategies and implications for both American and British farmers.

The hosts tackle the surprising outcomes of the recent US election, questioning why pollsters missed the mark. They discuss the media’s portrayal of Trump supporters and how it can misrepresent voter sentiment. The challenge of maintaining neutrality in political journalism is a major theme, as they ponder the future anxieties of younger generations. Additionally, they explore the intriguing friendship between Farage and Trump, before imagining the probing questions they would ask Trump himself.

Lord Sedwill, former UK's civil servant and national security advisor, and Mike Gonzalez, senior fellow at the Heritage Foundation, dive into the implications of Trump's potential second presidency. They discuss his unexpected victory, analyzing voter dynamics and social media's influence. The conversation navigates international relations, touching on the UK's diplomatic strategies and the significance of trade and immigration. They also explore the evolving political landscape marked by Trump's influence, alternative media roles, and the critical function of journalism today.

Join Stephanie Flanders, an economics expert at Bloomberg, and Tim Leunig, a professor and chief economist, as they unpack a historic budget from the Labour Chancellor. They discuss the budget's transformative implications for youth and the economy, analyzing minimum wage changes and government investments. Important themes emerge, such as the role of oversight to ensure economic accountability and contrasting Labour and Conservative taxation strategies. Their insights shed light on the genuine motivations behind political decisions in today's rapidly changing landscape.

Rachel Reeves, the Chancellor of the Exchequer and the first Labour leader to deliver a budget since 2010, discusses the significant implications of her recent budget announcement on the UK economy. She explains the complexities of national insurance and income tax decisions, emphasizing transparency and growth. The conversation also covers the budget's impact on the NHS, the endorsement from the IMF, and the balancing act between investment and taxation strategies, all crucial for the future of public services and living standards.

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.ukSubscribe 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.ukThe 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.