Naomi Smith gets the behind the scenes skinny on Podyssey from Alex Andreou. Where did the idea come from? What's coming up in Season 2? What is the most surprising fact so far? Lots of exclusive access, previews, and exclusive announcements. ALEX ANDREOU'S PODYSSEY can be found here: APPLE: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/alex-andreous-podyssey/id1798575126 SPOTIFY: https://open.spotify.com/show/2x7cD3HjkOyOKTF4YT5Goy?si=e7a86b762431451f AMAZON MUSIC: https://music.amazon.co.uk/podcasts/8...
Apr 22, 2025•43 min•Season 2Ep. 48
Alex Andreou and Naomi Smith talk through the week's news, including the Supreme Court's decision on the protections under the Equality Act, the Trump administration's ultimatum in Ukraine, and rumours of a UK/France returns deal. ***SPONSOR US AT KO-FI.COM/QUIETRIOTPOD*** ALEX ANDREOU'S PODYSSEY can be found here: APPLE: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/alex-andreous-podyssey/id1798575126 SPOTIFY: https://open.spotify.com/show/2x7cD3HjkOyOKTF4YT5Goy?si=e7a86b762431451f AMAZON MUSIC: https:...
Apr 20, 2025•59 min•Season 2Ep. 47
Alex Andreou and Naomi Smith welcome special guest Rafael Behr to talk about the choices facing the Starmer government. Or as Raf put it "the fork on the road that everyone seems to see, but Starmer refuses to acknowledge. And - why has our right wing media landscape become so Americanised? Plus 'Wokey Dokey' and 'Grin And Share It'. ***SPONSOR US AT KO-FI.COM/QUIETRIOTPOD*** ”I think we should be very glad that we are blessed with quite bad fascists.” “The public expect Starmer to be more ambit...
Apr 17, 2025•1 hr 10 min•Season 2Ep. 46
Alex Andreou and Naomi Smith talk through the week's news, including the dramatic recall of Parliament on Saturday to rescue the Scunthorpe Steel Works, the over racism David Lammy gets, and Sunak's resignation dishonours. Packed and gorgeous and VERY funny. ***SPONSOR US AT KO-FI.COM/QUIETRIOTPOD*** ALEX ANDREOU'S PODYSSEY can be found here: APPLE: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/alex-andreous-podyssey/id1798575126 SPOTIFY: https://open.spotify.com/show/2x7cD3HjkOyOKTF4YT5Goy?si=e7a86b762...
Apr 13, 2025•57 min•Season 2Ep. 45
Alex Andreou and Naomi Smith welcome special guest Henry Morris to talk - what else? - TRUMP TARIFF MADNESS, as well as the destruction of biodoversity, why it matters, and why we find it difficult to balance it with the need to build. Plus 'Wokey Dokey' and 'Grin And Share It'. ***SPONSOR US AT KO-FI.COM/QUIETRIOTPOD*** ”Trump wanted the Nobel peace prize, for resolving the situation in Ukraine within 24hours. Having failed… he’s now trying for the economics one. Maybe he’ll do the double.” “Th...
Apr 10, 2025•1 hr 24 min•Season 2Ep. 44
Alex Andreou and Naomi Smith with a Grin And Share It Special, featuring TEN good news stories from politics to the environment and LEGO bricks to beavers. Read more about Intertrade UK here. Find out about the Senedd's plans to punish politicians who lie. Look at the French metro's turnstiles that generate energy! Read about (and see) the LEGO bricks here. Why are publishers taking Russell Brand to court? The loveliest little video rental place in Canada. Sing up for updates from Patriotic Mill...
Apr 08, 2025•28 min•Season 2Ep. 43
Alex Andreou and Kenny Campbell talk through the week's news, with a focus on the fallout from Trump's tariffs, Scottish politics in flux, and the dénouement of the South Korean attempted imposition of martial law last December. Packed and gorgeous and VERY funny. ***SPONSOR US AT KO-FI.COM/QUIETRIOTPOD*** -“So, how do you think they came up with the list of countries and tariffs?” -“Someone asked ChatGPT to create an episode of Pointless.” “Some of these market losses will be recovered when Tru...
Apr 06, 2025•57 min•Season 2Ep. 42
Alex Andreou and Naomi Smith welcome special guest Danny Sriskandarajah, chief executive of the New Economics Foundation and author of "Power to The People", to discuss how to stop the current global backsliding on minority rights, diversity initiatives, and democratic norms. As well as practical advice on how to organise at the grassroots level. Plus, of course, 'Wokey Dokey' and 'Grin And Share It'. ***SPONSOR US AT KO-FI.COM/QUIETRIOTPOD*** ALEX ANDREOU'S PODYSSEY can be found here: APPLE: ht...
Apr 03, 2025•1 hr 10 min•Season 2Ep. 41
Alex Andreou with special guest top economist Vicky Pryce explores Trump's tariffs and other economic policies on their merit. Is there any logic behind them, however unorthodox? Could they actually work? ***SPONSOR US AT KO-FI.COM/QUIETRIOTPOD*** ALEX ANDREOU'S PODYSSEY can be found here: APPLE: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/alex-andreous-podyssey/id1798575126 SPOTIFY: https://open.spotify.com/show/2x7cD3HjkOyOKTF4YT5Goy?si=e7a86b762431451f AMAZON MUSIC: https://music.amazon.co.uk/podca...
Apr 02, 2025•27 min•Season 2Ep. 40
From presidential hopeful to criminal with an electronic tag, Marine Le Pen's fall from grace has been swift and – at least as far her punishment is concerned – eye-popping. Quiet Riot producer Kenny Campbell is joined by our favourite Chevalier/French expert, Olivier Morel who, as well as being a partner at Cripps lawyers, holds senior trade positions and is a champion of Anglo-French business links. How did this all start? What does it mean for France? Is it good or bad news for Le Pen's party...
Mar 31, 2025•36 min•Season 2Ep. 39
Alex Andreou and Naomi Smith talk through the week's news, with a focus on Labour's welfare cuts, Trump's tariffs, JD Vance's visit to Greenland. ***SPONSOR US AT KO-FI.COM/QUIETRIOTPOD*** ALEX ANDREOU'S PODYSSEY can be found here: APPLE: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/alex-andreous-podyssey/id1798575126 SPOTIFY: https://open.spotify.com/show/2x7cD3HjkOyOKTF4YT5Goy?si=e7a86b762431451f AMAZON MUSIC: https://music.amazon.co.uk/podcasts/8c996062-ef8d-42e4-9d80-5b407cb6e2e2/alex-andreou's-pod...
Mar 30, 2025•1 hr 1 min•Season 2Ep. 38
Alex Andreou and Naomi Smith welcome special guest Vicky Pryce - former Joint Head of the United Kingdom's Government Economic Service and Chief Economic Adviser at the Centre for Economics and Business Research - to discuss Rachel Reeves Spring Statement. Plus, of course, 'Wokey Dokey'. ***SPONSOR US AT KO-FI.COM/QUIETRIOTPOD*** ALEX ANDREOU'S PODYSSEY can be found here: APPLE: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/alex-andreous-podyssey/id1798575126 SPOTIFY: https://open.spotify.com/show/2x7cD...
Mar 27, 2025•57 min•Season 3Ep. 37
With pollution out of control, infrastructure at breaking point and water companies prioritising the pumping of pounds – many pounds – to shareholders, our water industry has dissolved into a murky mess. Our seas and rivers are a disgrace, the National Audit Office has warned some areas could run out of water by 2034, and Britain's biggest water company is begging for a Government bailout, after years of loading up with debt to help it pay out juicy dividends. In this Quiet Riot special, our pro...
Mar 25, 2025•50 min•Season 2Ep. 36
Alex Andreou and Naomi Smith talk through the week's news, with a focus on the Labour govt's excellent plans for solar, "unpacking the coalition of the willing", and Lib Dem conference. ***SPONSOR US AT KO-FI.COM/QUIETRIOTPOD*** ALEX ANDREOU'S PODYSSEY can be found here: APPLE: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/alex-andreous-podyssey/id1798575126 SPOTIFY: https://open.spotify.com/show/2x7cD3HjkOyOKTF4YT5Goy?si=e7a86b762431451f AMAZON MUSIC: https://music.amazon.co.uk/podcasts/8c996062-ef8d-4...
Mar 23, 2025•59 min•Season 2Ep. 35
Alex Andreou and Naomi Smith welcome special guest David Gauke - former Conservative Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Lord Chancellor and Secretary of Justice, and Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, who had the whip withdrawn over his rebellion against no-deal Brexit, and was recently appointed by Starmer to lead an independent review into prison sentences. They discuss Liz Kendall's welfare reform proposals, Kemi Badenoch's net zero u-turn, and the future of prisons and justice. Plus, of...
Mar 20, 2025•1 hr 15 min•Season 2Ep. 34
With a looming election, a troublesome neighbour and a former Bank of England Governor as unelected PM, Canada is living through excruciatingly interesting times. We thought it was time to cuddle up to our Canuck cousins, and so Naomi Smith is joined for this special episode by Canadian journalist Graham Lanktree. Graham is Politico's UK trade specialist, and an ideal guide to the ins and outs of Canadian politics. How do Canadians feel about Mark Carney, a leader who has not been elected as an ...
Mar 18, 2025•34 min•Season 2Ep. 34
Alex Andreou and Naomi Smith talk through the week's news, with a focus on the Labour govt's incoherent welfare reforms, and Musk's destruction of his own companies. PLUS Germany goes shopping! ***SPONSOR US AT KO-FI.COM/QUIETRIOTPOD*** “A lack of an ideological basis is leading Labour to some very poor choices. When you’re cutting international aid, you are cutting it for the most vulnerable people in the world. When you are cutting PIP, you are cutting it for the most disadvantaged people in t...
Mar 16, 2025•51 min•Season 2Ep. 33
Alex Andreou and Naomi Smith welcome special guest, veteran journalist, straight-talker, and German sage, Annette Dittert, to discuss the latest in UK and European politics and the effect of instability from across the Atlantic. Plus, of course, 'Wokey Dokey' and 'Grin And Share It'. ***SPONSOR US AT KO-FI.COM/QUIETRIOTPOD*** ALEX ANDREOU'S PODYSSEY can be found here: APPLE: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/alex-andreous-podyssey/id1798575126 SPOTIFY: https://open.spotify.com/show/2x7cD3Hjk...
Mar 13, 2025•1 hr 25 min•Season 2Ep. 32
'Tis the season of St Patrick and so Naomi Smith is joined by Irish politics specialist Professor Mary C Murphy, to see whether Ireland's political glass is half empty or half full. Questions are there many... Ireland is one of three neutral EU countries but is that sustainable in the age of Trump and Putin? How do young people on the island differ politically from their parents? Could there be a border poll and why would it be fraught with risk? And should the Taoiseach be raising a glass to hi...
Mar 11, 2025•36 min•Season 2Ep. 31
Alex Andreou and Naomi Smith talk through the week's news, with a focus on the astounding implosion within Reform UK and signs of reversal of policies and freezing out of Musk by Trump. PLUS will changes on how GDP is calculated help or hinder Reeves? ***SPONSOR US AT KO-FI.COM/QUIETRIOTPOD*** “Parliaments with a higher number of female leaders are more likely to be more equal, achieve higher economic growth and experience lower levels of corruption.” “Have Reform peaked too soon? Timing is ever...
Mar 09, 2025•50 min•Season 2Ep. 31
Alex Andreou talks to investigative journalist Peter Geoghegan about the mysterious - and increasingly influential figure - the owner of GB News, Unherd, and The Spectator, Paul Marshall. ***SPONSOR US AT KO-FI.COM/QUIETRIOTPOD*** Peter's substack Democracy for Sale. It's free and you should subscribe. Peter's LRB profile of Paul Marshall. Our bookshop featuring many of the books we have featured - including Peter Goghegan's - can be found at uk.bookshop.org/shop/quietriot. Kick your X habit, fi...
Mar 07, 2025•39 min•Season 2Ep. 30
Alex Andreou and Naomi Smith welcome special guest More in Common's Luke Tryl to discuss the latest from Washington and how it is making life very difficult for right wing politicians in the UK, including Nigel Farage, suffering rejection-by-association. PLUS We take a deep dive into 'Blue Labour'. Is it genuine? Is it attractive? Is it coherent? Why is Steve Bannon and the Trump regime so interested in it? And of course 'Wokey Dokey' and 'Grin And Share It'. ***SPONSOR US AT KO-FI.COM/QUIETRIOT...
Mar 06, 2025•1 hr 7 min•Season 2Ep. 29
Naomi Smith is joined by award-winning journalist - and QR regular - Will Hayward for a timely stock-take of political life in a part of the country that we Quiet Rioters love, and a look at the Welsh budget (you will never believe how it got through), how farming complaints are different to the rest of the UK, a very inventive youth mobility scheme, and how Reform UK are using Wales - with Lee Anderson saying the quiet bit out loud. ***SPONSOR US AT KO-FI.COM/QUIETRIOTPOD*** ALEX ANDREOU'S PODY...
Mar 05, 2025•36 min•Season 2Ep. 28
Alex Andreou and Naomi Smith with a short debrief at the end of a historic day, on which Starmer has brought Europe (and friends) together, to make a stand for Ukraine. ***SPONSOR US AT KO-FI.COM/QUIETRIOTPOD*** ALEX ANDREOU'S PODYSSEY can be found here: APPLE: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/alex-andreous-podyssey/id1798575126 SPOTIFY: https://open.spotify.com/show/2x7cD3HjkOyOKTF4YT5Goy?si=e7a86b762431451f AMAZON MUSIC: https://music.amazon.co.uk/podcasts/8c996062-ef8d-42e4-9d80-5b407cb6...
Mar 04, 2025•22 min•Season 2Ep. 27
Alex Andreou and Naomi Smith talk through the week's news, with a focus on the gangsters who have taken over the White House. ***SPONSOR US AT KO-FI.COM/QUIETRIOTPOD*** NAOMI: "It's not so much that the world has changed as that the world has finally realized how much the world had already changed. For those for whom the penny hadn't already dropped, it's dropped now. And my overriding feeling is just this renewed anger about the decision to leave the EU." ALEX: "Deliberation is not evidence of ...
Mar 02, 2025•53 min•Season 2Ep. 26
Alex Andreou and Naomi Smith welcome special guest LBC host James O'Brien to discuss Starmer's trip to Washington. What is the best he could come back with? And was raising defence at the expense of aid worth it? And of course 'Wokey Dokey' and 'Grin And Share It'. ***SPONSOR US AT KO-FI.COM/QUIETRIOTPOD*** “The idea that history was over, because the Cold War was over, the Berlin Wall had come down, and liberal democracy had prevailed over the extremes of fascism or communism, was irresistible ...
Feb 27, 2025•1 hr 6 min•Season 2Ep. 25
Alex Andreou and special guest, London bureau chief for the ARD, the multi-award winning journalist, Annette Dittert with an analysis of Sunday's German federal election results. ***SPONSOR US AT KO-FI.COM/QUIETRIOTPOD*** “NATO may have died - in the sense that, if the Article 5 commitment is not longer believable, if it is not something you can bank on, we may already be at a point when we need to start looking at something else, which looks a bit like NATO but doesn’t involve the US.” “Of all ...
Feb 24, 2025•30 min•Season 2Ep. 24
Alex Andreou and special guest, former diplomat and security analyst, Arthur Snell talk about the end of NATO as we know it, today's German federal election, and Apple's tussle with UK gov't over encryption. A packed episode! ***SPONSOR US AT KO-FI.COM/QUIETRIOTPOD*** “NATO may have died - in the sense that, if the Article 5 commitment is not longer believable, if it is not something you can bank on, we may already be at a point when we need to start looking at something else, which looks a bit ...
Feb 23, 2025•47 min•Season 2Ep. 23
Extended 40min version of Alex Andreou and Salma Shah (filling in for Naomi) talking to Emmy-award-winning journalist specialising on NATO, Luke McGee, discussion on whether the USA is still our ally and what the future of NATO is. ***SPONSOR US AT KO-FI.COM/QUIETRIOTPOD*** “There is a logical inconsistency to America demanding that Europe commit more to the NATO project, at the moment it also says: we’re not particularly committed to it.” “I don’t think it’s one man, behind a desk in the White ...
Feb 21, 2025•43 min•Season 2Ep. 22
Alex Andreou and Salma Shah (filling in for Naomi) welcome guest Emmy-award-winning journalist specialising in NATO, Luke McGee, to discuss whether - and I cannot believe I am about to type this - the USA is still our ally or "Putin's Bitch". Plus - Who is out to get Rachel Reeves? We sort truth from gossip and explore why there is already dysfunction in such a young administration with such a secure majority. And of course 'Wokey Dokey' and 'Grin And Share It'. ***SPONSOR US AT KO-FI.COM/QUIETR...
Feb 20, 2025•59 min•Season 2Ep. 21
