Every week 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?
Amol Rajan is a presenter of the Today programme on BBC Radio 4. He is also the host of University Challenge on BBC One. Before that, Amol was media editor at the BBC and editor at The Independent.
Episodes of Radical with Amol Rajan will be published on Thursdays on BBC Sounds. It will also be broadcast on BBC Radio 4 on Thursdays at 11pm. Visualised versions of the podcast will also be available on BBC iPlayer and YouTube.
Radical with Amol Rajan is a Today Podcast.
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Social psychologist and author of The Anxious Generation Jonathan Haidt answers your questions on social media bans for under‑16s, the influence of YouTube, and the risk of restricting access to certain online platforms. He also talks about Donald Trump’s second presidency and how technology is changing the nature of political debate. GET IN TOUCH * WhatsApp: 0330 123 9480 * Email: radical@bbc.co.uk Episodes of Radical with Amol Rajan are released every Thursday and you can also watch them on BB...
Social psychologist Jonathan Haidt is at the forefront of the campaign to ban social media for under-16s and end what he calls “phone-based childhoods”. His book, The Anxious Generation, sparked a global reckoning that has led countries like Australia and Spain to introduce laws restricting access to social media platforms. He spoke to Amol ahead of a meeting with UK health secretary Wes Streeting about why he thinks we’re at a tipping point, whether technology is making us “stupider” and how pa...
Panos A. Panay, president of the Grammy Awards and Recording Academy, answers your questions about how governments can better support musicians and whether an AI-free music platform could exist in the future. He also explores whether royalties paid to artists’ estates could be redirected to help fund the next generation of musicians. GET IN TOUCH * WhatsApp: 0330 123 9480 * Email: radical@bbc.co.uk Episodes of Radical with Amol Rajan are released every Thursday and you can also watch them on BBC...
Executive producer and son of John le Carré, Simon Cornwell, speaks to Amol about how The Night Manager was revived a decade after its first season and how his father’s work was reimagined for a new generation. They also discuss the shifting realities of producing for linear TV versus streaming, the risk of losing distinctive British storytelling, and whether there should be a ‘streamers’ tax’. And as the second series comes to an end, Simon offers Amol a tantalising hint of what’s to come in se...
As president of The Recording Academy, which organises the Grammy Awards, Panos A. Panay is grappling with how artificial intelligence and streaming is transforming the music industry, often at the expense of artists. A former agent who worked with the likes of Leonard Cohen and Nina Simone, Panos tells Amol about his love of music and how that led to him becoming one of the most influential figures in the industry. And against the backdrop of record-breaking tours from Beyonce and Taylor Swift,...
Louise Allen answers your questions about the rewards and challenges of being a foster carer. She also discusses reports that a new government strategy will back a scheme that helps foster carers expand their properties to give more young people a home. GET IN TOUCH * WhatsApp: 0330 123 9480 * Email: radical@bbc.co.uk Episodes of Radical with Amol Rajan are released every Thursday and you can also watch them on BBC iPlayer: https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episodes/m002f1d0/radical-with-amol-rajan ...
Amol Rajan speaks with foster carer and author Louise Allen about England's worsening fostering crisis, marked by record children in care and a drastic decline in foster families. Allen advocates for a radical shift from recruiting new carers to retaining current ones by improving working conditions, allowances, and providing domestic support like cleaners. She also highlights the often-overlooked issue of screen-induced emotional neglect as a primary driver of children entering care, alongside the need to build social capital for vulnerable youth.
Professor Helen Thompson answers listener questions on global energy and politics. She details the historical divergence in US and European energy interests, the geopolitical implications of the US shale boom, and risks associated with Russian oil tankers. Thompson also explores how the shift to green energy impacts geopolitics, particularly China's role in critical minerals and the Arctic's strategic importance, alongside a deep dive into the practical challenges and "uncomfortable truths" behind net zero targets.
Amol Rajan speaks with Professor Helen Thompson about the evolving global political landscape, focusing on how oil fuels the US-China competition and reshapes international power dynamics. They explore Trump's assertiveness in the Western Hemisphere, the reevaluation of the "rules-based international order," Europe's struggles for strategic autonomy, and the significant role of oil prices in the 2008 financial crisis. The conversation also delves into the impending global debt crisis and the radical idea of reconsidering central bank independence in response to these profound challenges.
Louisa Munch, a critical theorist and TikTok star, answers listener questions about her rapid rise and political views. She discusses the challenges of accent and class bias in academia, advocates for policies like Universal Basic Income, and shares her vision for education reform to foster critical thinking. The episode also explores whether social media algorithms create echo chambers and her stance on pushing for radical, non-mainstream change.
In a radical discussion, critical theorist Louisa Munch champions free university education, asserting its role in cultivating critical thought and an informed citizenry rather than merely preparing for jobs, a perspective that challenges prevailing neoliberal views. She delves into the political weaponization of nostalgia by the right and the left's current struggle to articulate an inspiring vision for a disenchanted Gen Z, all while candidly sharing her personal struggle with student debt and bridging socio-economic divides.
Historian Tom Holland answers listener questions, comparing Britain's 1970s challenges with current anxieties and exploring the historical parallels between Donald Trump and Julius Caesar within the context of the Roman Republic. He also delves into the multifaceted definition of "radical" and shares humorous stories about his cricket career and the surprising benefits of sports psychology. The episode concludes with a lighthearted moment about his famous namesake.
Amol Rajan hosts historian Tom Holland, who delves into the radical nature of Christianity, arguing that its transformative power laid the groundwork for Western secular thought and institutions. They discuss key figures like Gregory VII, the impact of the Reformation, and how European ideas of "religion" were exported globally. Holland also posits that modern atheism and movements like Marxism bear the imprint of Christian intellectual frameworks, concluding with a look at current societal shifts as a new "reformation" and the evolving meaning of "radical."
This episode reflects on how modern technology, especially AI, is changing human lives, exploring whether it augments or degrades our species. Discussions cover AI's role in promoting misogyny, influencing youth through pornography, the decline of reading, and its transformation of online search and job markets. The host also touches on Britain's unique societal challenges and concludes with a call for collective self-control and thoughtful navigation of humanity's technological crossroads.
Best-selling author Naomi Alderman answers your questions about her first non-fiction book, how she feels about her writing being used to train AI models and whether there will be a new series of ‘The Power’ on Amazon Prime. And Naomi also reveals exciting new details about her latest novel, called ‘The Strangers’, which is set to be released in September 2026. GET IN TOUCH: * WhatsApp: 0330 123 9480 * Email: radical@bbc.co.uk Amol Rajan is a presenter of the Today programme on BBC Radio 4. He i...
Bestselling author Naomi Alderman explores the "third information crisis" caused by digital communication, comparing it to the societal upheavals brought by the invention of writing and the printing press. She argues that while technology offers incredible benefits, it also risks degrading human connection and exacerbating societal anxieties. Alderman proposes a three-pronged solution involving new laws, technological structures like a "checked internet," and cultivating stronger social norms, emphasizing the vital importance of real-world human interaction.
Chef, author and campaigner Jamie Oliver answers your questions about obesity and how he'd create a more inclusive education system. Also, is food in French supermarkets better than in British ones? And should there be a move towards predominantly plant-based meals in schools? GET IN TOUCH: * WhatsApp: 0330 123 9480 * Email: radical@bbc.co.uk Amol Rajan is a presenter of the Today programme on BBC Radio 4. He is also the host of University Challenge on BBC One. Before that, Amol was media editor...
Chef Jamie Oliver passionately addresses Britain's critical issues of diet-related illness and debt, proposing radical changes to food policy, education, and financial literacy. He shares personal insights on his dyslexia and the failure and relaunch of Jamie's Italian, emphasizing the importance of learning from mistakes and fostering community over celebrity. The episode highlights his unwavering commitment to improving the health and prospects of future generations.
Musician and campaigner Jordan Stephens answers your questions about porn and masculinity. One half of the hip hop duo Rizzle Kicks, he now also advocates for young men and boys, which is why he was invited to an International Men’s Day reception at Downing Street - so why did he turn it down? He explains in this episode of Your Radical Questions. * WhatsApp: 0330 123 9480 * Email: radical@bbc.co.uk Amol Rajan is a presenter of the Today programme on BBC Radio 4. He is also the host of Universit...
How is online porn affecting sex and relationships? In this episode, musician and campaigner Jordan Stephens calls for a new approach to sex education and a modern redefinition of masculinity. From Paris Hilton to Bonnie Blue and AI generated porn he discusses how sexual content is evolving and the impact it is having on young people’s lives. Jordan also explains how his childhood and the whirlwind fame he found with Rizzle Kicks led to heartbreak and addiction. And how that led him to become an...
Environmentalist and TV presenter Chris Packham answers your questions about wildlife conservation, consumerism and his love of punk. Also, why does he oppose trail hunting? What support would have helped him as a child growing up with autism? And how does he make even the smallest insects interesting? Here’s how to send us your questions for Jordan Stephens and Jamie Oliver: * WhatsApp: 0330 123 9480 * Email: radical@bbc.co.uk Amol Rajan is a presenter of the Today programme on BBC Radio 4. He ...
What does it mean to confront climate change? Amol speaks to broadcaster and campaigner Chris Packham who says conservationists like him have not done enough to protect nature. After the COP climate summit in Brazil ended without new targets to reduce the use of fossil fuels, he wants the UK government to lead a global emergency action plan as it did in World War Two and during the 2008 financial crisis to address what he calls climate and nature breakdown. The Springwatch and Winterwatch presen...
In this listener Q&A, farmer and author James Rebanks discusses vital issues facing British agriculture, from consumer support and misleading labels to the future of vertical farming and rewilding national parks. He also tackles the obesity crisis and reflects on his personal educational journey, critiquing the concept of meritocracy and its societal impact.
Farmer and author James Rebanks discusses the dire state of British farming, highlighting how flawed government subsidies and the pursuit of cheap food have undermined both farmer livelihoods and environmental health. He argues for a systemic overhaul, proposing policies that prioritize resilience, local production, and fair prices over corporate consolidation and ultra-processed foods. Rebanks also shares personal insights into farming's cultural legacy, his educational journey, and how a visit to Norway challenged his perceptions of masculinity.
How should we balance innovation, power and accountability in the digital age? This week, Amol speaks to Sir Nick Clegg — former UK deputy prime minister and former president of global affairs at Meta — about the power and responsibility of big tech companies. Sir Nick argues that breaking them up won’t solve the problem of their digital dominance, calling instead for greater regulation and user control. He discusses how technology shapes young people’s lives, warning against moral panic whilst ...
How do human choices, biases, and behaviours shape our economy? This week Amol speaks to Nobel Prize winning behavioural economist Professor Richard Thaler about his theories that dive into the patterns behind our decision-making and reveal why humans aren’t always as rational as we like to think. From overconfidence and the lure of winning at any cost, to the hidden costs of risk-taking and the psychology of incentives, his research shows why individuals and markets sometimes make surprising — ...
How can Millennials, Gen Zs and Gen As thrive in a world where so much success depends on having access to the Bank of Mum and Dad? Historian Dr Eliza Filby – an expert in generational identity – tells Amol that society needs to shift in three major ways to mitigate the “rupture” between young and old: in values, education and wealth. Amol speaks with her about her book ‘Inheritocracy’ which calls for a radical redefining of meritocracy. They also discuss the shifts in parenthood and the evolvin...
Artificial Intelligence is fundamentally changing the internet. But Matthew Prince, CEO of cybersecurity giant Cloudflare, thinks there is a way to ensure content creators and publishers earn enough to operate — even as their work feeds AI. Cloudflare has put up digital firewalls around its clients’ sites, which blocks the bots that copy content to train large language models like OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Anthropic’s Claude. It is then up to its customers to choose whether to allow those so-called A...
Whilst on a night out in the summer of 2011, Jacob Dunne made a split second decision to throw a punch that killed James Hodgkinson. After being convicted of manslaughter, Jacob spent 14 months in prison during which time James’ parents contacted him to get answers about their son’s death. A dialogue began between them and when Jacob was released, Joan and David asked a question that he says saved him: “What are you going do with your life?” That led to him doing his GCSE’s and getting a degree,...
As extreme weather forces people from their homes, the journalist and author Gaia Vince makes the positive case for immigration. Projections show that billions of people will be displaced by 2050 due to the effects of global warming, a phenomenon she has reported on in her book ‘Nomad Century: How to Survive the Climate Upheaval’. She argues that if governments plan for the mass movement of people they can reap the economic rewards of immigration despite public concern about the issue. And with ...
