More philosophical musings from Mike and Matt now as they discuss the ladies leading the leaders, the mental health of the privileged including hard done-by Harry & martyr Meghan, skilled manual work, taking a mission to the sun, whether there's life after death, the Catholic church and its nefarious practices and Phillip Schofield's sexuality announcement. They also take a very quick dip into the mailbox. Follow the podcast on Twitter: @ThoughtPoliceTP. Mike is: @IROMG and Matt can be found...
Feb 13, 2020•43 min•Ep 64•Transcript available on Metacast The commanding commentariat, Mike Graham and Matt Kelly, are back to look down on the rest of the world as they pontificate over the week's news including: the destruction caused by Storm Ciara, the UK transport network's atrocious handling of adverse weather, stunt driving experiences, The Oscars, travelling to Dubai, the wonder of IKEA, the potential of a United Ireland, Mark Thatcher, whether a bridge could connect Scotland and Ireland, catching the coronavirus and the world's only existentia...
Feb 11, 2020•36 min•Ep 63•Transcript available on Metacast Mike Graham and Matt Kelly are here to brighten up your day as they muse over a little bit of sport and culture from over the last few days including reaction to the Super Bowl and its half time show, unmissable recent movies, Robert De Niro's renaissance, the legend of the Mafia, tear-jerking rom-coms, and steamed vaginas. Interspersed is some serious chat about the Nobel Peace Prize, Donald Trump's recent moves and the latest terror incident on our streets. Plenty of light and shade then, just...
Feb 06, 2020•35 min•Ep 62•Transcript available on Metacast Mike and Matt are back and ready to deliver some more hard hitting news and views. Topics up for discussion today include: the mood of the nation (and your co-hosts) the morning after Brexit, the struggles of working from home, observations about the restaurant business, how MG ended up enjoying a Jonas Brothers gig, the media's primitive coverage of Brexit day and what constitutes bullying in the work place and whether (as a performance technique) it actually works. It's the podcast which has a...
Feb 04, 2020•39 min•Ep 61•Transcript available on Metacast We'll soon be living in a post-Brexit world and Mike Graham and Matt Kelly are here to discuss what it might look like weeks, months and years from now in Britain and beyond. Debate includes: the inner workings of the EU, how the Norman invasion may have missed the South East, the potentially twisted future of transport at home and abroad (and the pros and cons of what might be used to power it!) and why Russian taxis are a death trap. See you on the other side...good luck everyone! Follow the p...
Jan 30, 2020•30 min•Ep 60•Transcript available on Metacast Mike Graham and Matt Kelly discuss the week's news including how the media reported Kobe Bryant's death, the ongoing saga of Harry and Meghan and the upcoming Brexit deal and the benefits of leaving the EU. As you've come to expect, there's a few tangential tales from the news room including the unsung skill of being succinct, appeasing difficult editors, running cringeworthy and factually incorrect stories and how celebrities use the press for their benefit. Follow the podcast on Twitter: @Thou...
Jan 28, 2020•38 min•Ep 59•Transcript available on Metacast It's a big day on The Thought Police as #wormgate reaches a conclusion and there's also an update on the life of MG's rootless outdoor Christmas Tree. Other topics up for discussion include whether to challenge or ignore someone who obnoxiously offends, celebrity bubbles, gang tourism, being the victim of crime and the intimidating world (and experiences of) fight sports. Follow the podcast on Twitter: @ThoughtPoliceTP. Mike Graham is: @IROMG and Matt Kelly can be found: @TheNewEuropean New epis...
Jan 23, 2020•33 min•Ep 58•Transcript available on Metacast Mike and Matt take a closer look at the week's news including whether Big Ben should indeed bong for Brexit, the press coverage of Harry and Meghan and the long term future for the monarchy (if there is one), what's next for the House of Lords, why MG believes someone should build a ship on the Thames, the overwhelming omnipresence of the BBC and whether there's value in the licence fee and how Matt discovered aural stimulation on the US airwaves...indeed. Follow the podcast on Twitter: @Thought...
Jan 21, 2020•39 min•Ep 57•Transcript available on Metacast Mike and Matt unpick a few more world events as they get stuck into how you categorise people who were formerly 'Remainers', the argument for a new centre-left to challenge Labour, falling out with those who don't share your politics...or your humour, colleagues who have used and abused their power, Boris Johnson's premiership and the mysteries of the deep... Follow the podcast on Twitter: @ThoughtPoliceTP. Mike Graham is: @IROMG and Matt Kelly can be found: @TheNewEuropean New episodes are avai...
Jan 16, 2020•33 min•Ep 56•Transcript available on Metacast Mike and Matt are back once again to digest the news of the week. The future of the Royal family is up in the air and the pair ponder whether the Sussexes may be the first yet not the last to go, Mike lambastes the woke generation and their propensity to milk problems, Matt informs us that you can learn a lot from Monty Don and American gardens and they both share their experiences of having to deal with repetitive sounds that go on for hours when you're trying to get some kip. On an unrelated n...
Jan 14, 2020•38 min•Ep 55•Transcript available on Metacast Mike and Matt discuss getting back to work, MGs car problems, the Labour party leadership race, being pansexual, what constitutes sub judice, the horrendous news agenda and the cause of the Australian fires. Follow the podcast on Twitter: @ThoughtPoliceTP. Mike Graham is: @IROMG and Matt Kelly can be found: @TheNewEuropean New episodes are available to download every Tuesday and Thursday so subscribe from your favourite podcast provider so you never miss a thing and if you have a question or top...
Jan 09, 2020•36 min•Ep 54•Transcript available on Metacast Mike Graham and Matt Kelly return from their holidays with a bang as they discuss their action packed sojourns abroad over Christmas and take a look at the busy news agenda as 2020 rolls in. Also up for discussion today is the brutality of social media, why it's wrong to judge a holiday brochure by its cover, why you need to make sure you have an expensive bottle at the ready when you visit MG's friends and that plank with the bat. Follow the podcast on Twitter: @ThoughtPoliceTP. Mike Graham is:...
Jan 07, 2020•35 min•Ep 53•Transcript available on Metacast CHRISTMAS BEST OF 2: What better way to see in the New Year than to gather round for a little story time! Here are some more best bits from the Thought Police ahead of their return in 2020 for you to enjoy as Mike and Matt tell stories of mistaken identity, youthful boozing, unfortunate column titles, smuggling 'guns', the rigmarole of buying the Christmas tree and how to cleverly dupe a fearsome editor. It's what they do best and it's the perfect way to end (or start) the year... If you're miss...
Dec 31, 2019•41 min•Ep 52•Transcript available on Metacast CHRISTMAS BEST OF 1: While the boys take a Christmas break to mull more than just wine, why not take a listen back to how Mike Graham and Matt Kelly reacted to the big political stories of the last few months including Brexit, selling the NHS, climate change, the London Bridge terror attack, the December General Election and the fractures within the Labour Party and of course...that Prince Andrew interview. It's fair to say it's been a busy few months and the Thought Police have been with you ev...
Dec 24, 2019•38 min•Ep 51•Transcript available on Metacast It's the final Thought Police of the year and the last chance for Mike Graham and Matt Kelly to tidy up a few loose ends to round off 2019. Exciting things to come but for now enjoy conversation which covers the role of Scotland and Northern Ireland post Brexit, Christmas tree decorations, reaching a half-century of podcast episodes, Campuchia, the language of touts, festive telly, and how the camera can distort your image (and not always to the better!). Full to bursting like a Christmas stocki...
Dec 19, 2019•41 min•Ep 50•Transcript available on Metacast It's the podcast you've been waiting for as Mike and Matt deliver all the fall out to the 2019 General Election. From Labour's poor performance, to a Boris Johnson run United Kingdom, to the countdown to Brexit - it's all in here. The pair also explain their separate encounters with Rupert Murdoch...one of which was far more dramatic than it probably should have been. Follow the podcast on Twitter: @ThoughtPoliceTP. Mike Graham is: @IROMG and Matt Kelly can be found: @TheNewEuropean New episodes...
Dec 17, 2019•39 min•Ep 49•Transcript available on Metacast It's polling day - at last - and Mike and Matt are sick of the whole affair. On today's episode they try and predict the future without knowing what's going to happen, they bash politicians who won't give you a straight answer and they debate whether Brexit will happen. They also tangent into areas including celebrity endorsements of political campaigns, the costs of going through a divorce, trustworthiness among politicians, must-watch TV shows and facilities on trains. It's a big day. It's a T...
Dec 12, 2019•32 min•Ep 48•Transcript available on Metacast The election is almost upon us but before we get to it, there's some other business to dispense with. Mike and Matt discuss losing your voice, being roped in to going to the panto, buying Christmas trees, the perils of Christmas party season and Robert Kilroy Silk. What more do you need to get you in the festive spirit? Follow the podcast on Twitter: @ThoughtPoliceTP. Mike Graham is: @IROMG and Matt Kelly can be found: @TheNewEuropean New episodes are available to download every Tuesday and Thur...
Dec 10, 2019•38 min•Ep 47•Transcript available on Metacast Mike and Matt return with a look at what might happen next week as the people prepare to head to the polls to decide the next Prime Minister. They discuss the shoddy state of politics in the UK and why there are so few decent candidates to vote for, while Matt shares the details of working on an ultimately doomed project which the pair speculate could offer a hint to the future for the latest entrant into the world of sports journalism. It's the Thought Police! Give them a follow on Twitter: MG ...
Dec 05, 2019•39 min•Ep 46•Transcript available on Metacast The Thought Police (Mike Graham and Matt Kelly) are quick to respond as you might expect, giving their informed assessment of the London Bridge terrorist attack as well as the justice system in the UK as a whole. They also debate the appropriate punishment for serious offenders, being Matt Kelly's neighbour and radical new ways to discourage radicalisation. Follow the podcast on Twitter: @ThoughtPoliceTP. Mike Graham is: @IROMG and Matt Kelly can be found: @TheNewEuropean New episodes are availa...
Dec 03, 2019•39 min•Ep 45•Transcript available on Metacast Matt Kelly and Mike Graham are back for another sparkling edition of the Thought Police and today it's all about the changing landscape of local and national journalism. From months spent gathering information inside the walls of Buckingham Palace to days grinding away in the newsroom office, the times they are a-changing. The pair share their experiences of engaging with the community to win their trust and look ahead to possibly bleaker, darker times where the journalist becomes more foe than ...
Nov 28, 2019•30 min•Ep 44•Transcript available on Metacast There are three weeks to go until the election and it's reaching... who knows what conclusion? Mike Graham and Matt Kelly try to make sense of it all in their usual blockbusting manner while also discussing what makes successful journalism and why the Daily Mail's controversial political position was brilliant if not always favourable thanks to their highly skilled yet polarising former editor... Follow the podcast on Twitter: @ThoughtPoliceTP. Mike Graham is: @IROMG and Matt Kelly can be found:...
Nov 26, 2019•31 min•Ep 43•Transcript available on Metacast Independent candidates Mike Graham (@IROMG) and Matt Kelly (@TheNewEuropean) discuss all the week's political talking points at home and abroad including why the upcoming Christmas election is important but tedious and in a different Remain vs. Leave issue - this time from across the pond - whether Donald Trump can survive his impeachment hearings. PS The sound of drilling is not coming from the Thought Police, Matt still has the builders in... Follow the show on Twitter: @thoughtpoliceTP and su...
Nov 21, 2019•42 min•Ep 42•Transcript available on Metacast Mike and Matt drill down into the car crash TV event of the year; Emily Maitlis' interrogation of His Royal Highness, Prince Andrew. Enjoy. The sounds in the background are not the sounds of the Prince digging himself out of an enormous hole... Matt has the builders in! Follow the lads on Twitter: @IROMG and @TheNewEuropean while the podcast is: @ThoughtPoliceTP. Email questions or comments to: thoughtpolicepod@gmail.com and subscribe from your favourite podcast provider so you never miss an epi...
Nov 19, 2019•38 min•Ep 41•Transcript available on Metacast Mike and Matt dip into the mailbag and pull out a question on their best and worst business trips. Prepare for some cracking stories from around the world as well as other classic titbits such as an why MG has an intimate knowledge of Richard Madeley, why Matt Kelly has always been a bum and why you should always write down your good ideas... Follow the podcast on Twitter: @ThoughtPoliceTP / @IROMG / @TheNewEuropean and if you have a question for the boys email: thoughtpolicepod@gmail.com. Meanw...
Nov 14, 2019•40 min•Ep 40•Transcript available on Metacast Mike and Matt return to their soapboxes to give the result of the upcoming election...or at least how it seems after the latest round of political posturing; and once they've started they can't stop as they discuss the NHS, how we treat our old people, whether to lower the voting age, Father Christmas*, terrible excuses for turning down jobs and Liverpool's relentless quest for the Premier League title... *Warning - this episode MAY NOT be suitable for children. Follow the podcast on Twitter: @T...
Nov 12, 2019•37 min•Ep 39•Transcript available on Metacast Matt and Mike capture the zeitgeist of modern journalism as they discuss the importance of free speech, the potential purchase of the Telegraph and what it might mean, the challenges of tackling tricky issues as a media savant, the influence of social media vs. newspapers on the upcoming election and of course there are a few tangents via Fleet Street as well! Follow the podcast on Twitter: @ThoughtPoliceTP. Mike Graham is: @IROMG and Matt Kelly can be found: @TheNewEuropean New episodes are ava...
Nov 07, 2019•40 min•Ep 38•Transcript available on Metacast Mike and Matt discuss the big stories of the week including the build up to the General Election and the first few days of campaigning, the cans and cant's of the political process, snowflake footballers, why Brendan Rodgers is a bit odd, dreaming about ministers (definitely not through choice) and the recent high profile McDonald's firing on an explosive edition of the Thought Police. Follow the boys on Twitter: @IROMG, @TheNewEuropean and @ThoughtPoliceTP Email the show: thoughtpolicepod@gmail...
Nov 05, 2019•44 min•Ep 36•Transcript available on Metacast Mike and Matt reflect on their changeable drinking habits over the years as they discuss the best ways to give up alcohol; as far as Kelly is concerned, it's all down to the right beer. MG hazily remembers some drunken Fleet Street nights and offending some Germans while Matt harps on about a hotel stay which very nearly wasn't. It's a boozy, woozy, doozy of an episode of the Thought Police. Follow the podcast on Twitter: @ThoughtPoliceTP / @IROMG / @TheNewEuropean Subscribe from your favourite ...
Oct 31, 2019•42 min•Ep 35•Transcript available on Metacast Mike and Matt return after a short period of illness for an in depth look at the latest news and how it's reported. Topics include Kay Burley, interviewing politicians, standing up to Terry Manners, religion not practising what it preaches and pigs in blankets. Follow the podcast on Twitter: @ThoughtPoliceTP / @IROMG / @TheNewEuropean and if you have a question for the boys email: thoughtpolicepod@gmail.com. Meanwhile don't forget to subscribe from your favourite podcast provider so you never mi...
Oct 29, 2019•38 min•Ep 34•Transcript available on Metacast 
