Best OpenDemocracy Podcasts (2025)

1
Now that we have to say 'genocide' 34:56

Play Pause

20d ago34:56

34:56

Did Western media manufacture consent for Israel's ongoing genocide of Palestinians in Gaza? In the last two years since Hamas' attack on Israel, and the latter's bombardment of the territories of Palestine it partially occupies, mainstream media particularly in the U.S. and Europe have broken their own rules of fairness, accuracy, conflict of inte…

1
Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal: Is This A South Asia Spring? 26:41

1M ago26:41

26:41

In early September, Nepal witnessed massive protests under the banner of GenZ protests to demonstrate against what they viewed as a hopelessly corrupt and sclerotic regime. The immediate trigger was a government ban on social media apps, but as the protestors themselves have made clear – their grievances run much deeper. The protests in Nepal bear …

1
Worse Than Trump: India is Deporting Its Own People 24:52

2M ago24:52

24:52

The world is rightly horrified by how US President Trump is deporting people, including minors, without due process. Something similar is underway in India, but worse and under the radar. Even since the border skirmishes between India and Pakistan this year, Indian authorities have been rounding up Muslim citizens and deporting them on the spurious…

1
What has Labour done for women? 34:23

2M ago34:23

34:23

As Labour marked a year in government, Fawcett Society's Penny East asks: what has Labour done for women? And what needs to happen next? — https://www.opendemocracy.net/en/newsletters/ In Solidarity is openDemocracy’s podcast about people, power, and politics. Support the show by visiting https://www.openDemocracy.net/donate/ Credits: Presented by …

1
Planet Patriarchy 25:18

3M ago25:18

25:18

Patriarchy refuses to die. In every country of the world, women are oppressed by male violence, patriarchal religions, and ideas of the family. But women are resisting, as Rahila Gupta explains, in a fascinating analysis that takes us from Riyadh and Russia, to Rojava. Buy Planet Patriarchy: Global Tales of Feminism and Oppression: https://uk.books…

1
The tech start-up targeting sexual assault survivors 34:58

3M ago34:58

34:58

Content warning: This episode discusses sexual assault, rape and trauma. When our investigative reporter Sian Norris heard worrying claims about a Silicon Valley-style start-up targeting rape survivors at universities in Bristol, she knew she needed to uncover what exactly was going on. Over the next six months, Sian interviewed more than a dozen p…

1
Who is funding Nigel Farage’s Reform party - and why? 28:05

4M ago28:05

28:05

This is the first episode of our new mini-series exploring the financial interests of political parties in England and Wales. Nigel Farage’s Reform UK has banked almost £5m from wealthy donors since 2023, including those with links to fossil fuels, the financial services industry and tax havens. It has also received significant financial investment…

1
A momentous day for reproductive rights 21:09

4M ago21:09

21:09

On 17 June 2025 UK Parliament voted to decriminalise abortion in England and Wales, reversing a Victorian-era law. The amendment will prevent women from being prosecuted for ending a pregnancy after 24 weeks or without approval from two doctors. We spoke to our senior investigative reporter Sian Norris, author of Bodies Under Siege: How the Far-Rig…

1
Locked up: protesters in prison 29:57

4M ago29:57

29:57

Earlier this year, openDemocracy explored how successive governments had cracked down on protest rights. Now, with Just Stop Oil activists facing lengthy sentences for "conspiring" to commit protest offences, the impact of these laws is being felt more than ever. We sat down with human rights lawyer Katy Watts to discuss the sentencing, and how she…

1
Generation Crisis: Why generational labels miss the mark 26:35

5M ago26:35

26:35

Boomers ruined everything, Millennials are work-shy and Gen Z can’t comprehend anything that isn’t a TikTok dance. Generational language defines the way we think about broad cohorts of society, but is this way of viewing the world dividing us further at a time when solidarity has never been more important? Tom Nicholas, a writer, filmmaker and YouT…

1
How Protest Became a Crime in the UK: "We’re All Arrestables Now" 35:09

5M ago35:09

35:09

This week on In Solidarity, we're in discussion with openDemocracy's senior investigative reporter and feminist activist, Sian Norris. Sian joins us on the podcast to reveal how recent laws are quietly dismantling the right to protest in the UK. Drawing on six months of in-depth reporting, Sian breaks down the true impact of the Public Order Act 20…

1
Women, life, freedom: resistance and protest in Iran 30:28

5M ago30:28

30:28

As a young woman in 1980s Iran, Nasrin Parvaz was arrested, imprisoned and tortured by the Iranian regime. In this moving interview, she shares her experience of torture and incarceration, reflects on the successive women's revolutions in Iran, questions the West's ideas of regime change, and offers a powerful call for global sisterhood. http://www…

1
Companies are making billions from anti-immigration fears 31:55

6M ago31:55

31:55

For many years, politicians have sold the public a simple story: The answer to undocumented immigration is a strong, fortified border. This story has a seductive, common-sense reasoning — but it is also wrong. Decades of research has shown that people determined to move, find a way to move. And when States respond with border controls, people turn …

1
Why organising locally matters 40:29

6M ago40:29

40:29

Community organisers around the world have long argued that to change a country, canvas a community. But is that really true? In this episode, we catch up with someone who literally wrote the book on the subject. Our guest George Goehl started organising in a soup kitchen in Southern Indiana 30 years ago in the Clinton era and continues to do so in…

1
Palestine, Musk and BRICS: the issues dividing US and South Africa 41:36

6M ago41:36

41:36

The already fraught relationship between the United States and South Africa has been put under even more strain with Donald Trump's decision to cut foreign aid, not to mention South Africa's case against Israel at the ICJ. Menzi Ndhlovu, a political economist and risk analyst at Signal Risk a risk analysis consultancy focused on Africa, joins us to…

1
Populism's Silver Lining 29:14

7M ago29:14

29:14

Danny Sriskandarajah is the author of Power to the People: Use your voice, change the world Sriskandarajah discusses the shift from a positive phase of civic engagement to a reversal over the past decade, emphasising the importance of community networks beyond state and market fixations. He highlights the role of civil society in nurturing democrac…

1
Escaping The Alt-Right Pipeline 33:31

7M ago33:31

33:31

Jimmy The Giant is a popular YouTuber who did what many would consider to be beyond the pale - he changed his mind about politics. Jimmy went from heading down the right wing pipeline of self improvement gurus to U-turning and becoming, dare we say, ‘woke’. In today’s episode Aman Sethi talks to Jimmy about how and why he changed his mind about the…

1
Migration, AI and The Rise of the Machines 31:45

8M ago31:45

31:45

Borders patrolled by AI-powered robotic dogs once seemed like something purely in the realm of dystopian sci-fi novels. But the border industrial complex is working hard to make them a part of our (still dystopian) reality. Petra Molnar, author of The Walls Have Eyes: Surviving Migration in the Age of Artificial Intelligence, joins us to discuss th…

1
What Germany's Rightwing Voters Are Telling Us 19:10

8M ago19:10

19:10

Something strange is happening in Germany. Last year, the Alternative for Germany or AFD, as it scored, became the first far right party to win a state election in Germany since World War Two. Then in February this year, the AfD came second in Germany's national elections, with 20% of the votes. The AFD isn't just another populist right wing party.…

1
Ukraine and the return of Empire 30:21

8M ago30:21

30:21

What do the Ukrainians at the heart of the conflict with Russia feel about being used as a bargaining chip by countries like the United States? In this episode we speak to Volydomyr Yermolenko, a Ukrainian philosopher, academic, and editor of Ukraine World. Volydomyr lives in Kyiv and is also the host of the Explaining Ukraine podcast. — Get our in…

1
What's actually behind the Far Right's anti-women agenda? 28:03

8M ago28:03

28:03

The rising global far right is violent, racist and misogynistic – and depends on exploiting women. While many of us associate attacks on women’s bodily autonomy with ultra-religious groups, openDemocracy’s Sian Norris argues that the stripping away of abortion rights is a political issue, rooted in fascistic ideas about women and men. Her book, Bod…

1
Misdiagnosing Donald: Trumpism is Religion not Politics 23:22

9M ago23:22

23:22

Have we all been looking at Donald Trump’s success in the wrong way? Jeff Sharlet, journalist and author of The Undertow: Scenes from a Slow Civil War, makes a compelling case for examining his rise not as a political figure, but as a religious one. After all, Trump himself would surely be the first to suggest that he is divine. Do the president’s …

1
Syria’s future lies in its past 31:12

9M ago31:12

31:12

Since al-Assad’s regime fell from power in December 2024, much of the reporting on Syria has focussed on geopolitics in the region. More concern has been paid to the reactions of neighbouring nations than the ordinary Syrians whose lives have been uprooted by years of violence. But Syria is so much more than a strategic stronghold to be fought over…

1
Trump 2.0: Is This the Inauguration of A New Era of the Strongman? 36:56

9M ago36:56

36:56

Trump 2.0: Is This the Inauguration of A New Era of the Strongman? Professor Wendy Brown is an American political theorist, UPS Foundation Professor in the School of Social Science at the Institute for Advanced Study at Princeton and an author. Professor Brown’s bibliography includes what we refer to as ‘the Trump trilogy' - three books that span t…

1
How the cult of Nigerian prophet TB Joshua lives on 21:49

1+ y ago21:49

21:49

Never miss a story from our Africa desk by signing up for alerts on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaEgF1qFi8xgf1MRmD1WBy openDemocracy

1
Anti-abortion group targets women and children in Mexico 18:54

2y ago18:54

18:54

You can read part 1 of this investigative series here: https://www.opendemocracy.net/en/5050... ═ See our latest stories: https://www.opendemocracy.net/ Support our work: https://bit.ly/3o0XTgi Subscribe to our channel: http://bit.ly/odytsubBy openDemocracy

1
Healthcare workers are dodging abortion rules in Mexico 13:42

2y ago13:42

13:42

You can read part 2 of this investigative series here: https://www.opendemocracy.net/en/5050... ═ See our latest stories: https://www.opendemocracy.net/ Support our work: https://bit.ly/3o0XTgi Subscribe to our channel: http://bit.ly/odytsubBy openDemocracy

1
Daniel Trilling in conversation with Gary Younge 52:14

2+ y ago52:14

52:14

Gary Younge, one of the UK’s leading political voices, on the significant events of the last few decades that have affected the Black diaspora around the globe.By openDemocracy

1
Why do Russians support the war? 23:27

2+ y ago23:27

23:27

One year since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, surveys demonstrate that over two-thirds of Russians still support the war. Why do people believe that the ‘special military operation’ was necessary? How is it possible that they don’t change their minds even when they know about the Russian army’s devastating war crimes in Ukraine and losses…

1
Long Read - How Britain’s broken asylum system props up the Iranian government 11:36

2+ y ago11:36

11:36

Iran’s leaders use the UK’s increasingly hostile asylum policies to warn political refugees against fleeing Reax the full story: https://www.opendemocracy.net/en/britain-asylum-system-broken-iran-protests-refugees-migrants-channel/ Donate to openDemocracy: https://support.opendemocracy.net/project/home…

1
Long Read - Idaho bill tries again to equate trans healthcare with female genital mutilation 10:11

2+ y ago10:11

10:11

Idaho Republicans are trying for the second time to ban gender-affirming healthcare for minors. Will they succeed? Read the full story: https://www.opendemocracy.net/en/5050/ban-trans-healthcare-female-genital-mutilation-idaho-texas/ Donate to openDemocracy: https://support.opendemocracy.net/project/home…

1
Ukrainian journalists share their stories of war 21:26

2+ y ago21:26

21:26

Hear Igor Burdyga and Kateryna Semchuk explain what it's like working in a homeland under threat. Plus British author Oliver Bullough and chair Daniel Trilling. Watch the full discussion: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gX2ziEDpjx8 Donate to openDemocracy: https://support.opendemocracy.net/project/home…

1
Environmental campaigners ‘spied on’ ahead of Sadiq Khan event 11:39

2+ y ago11:39

11:39

Security agents linked to London mayor Sadiq Khan “spied” on a group of environmental activists and blocked them from participating in a public debate, openDemocracy can reveal. Read the full article here: https://www.opendemocracy.net/en/environmental-campaigners-spied-on-mayor-london-sadiq-khan-o2/ Donate to openDemocracy: https://support.opendem…

1
Long Read - Are we seeing the collapse of the dollar-dominated global economy? 10:24

2+ y ago10:24

10:24

Financial shocks in recent years are forcing the global monetary architecture to change, say some economists Read the full story here: https://www.opendemocracy.net/en/oureconomy/end-dollar-dominated-global-economy-bretton-russia-ukraine-china-saudi-arabia/ Donate to openDemocracy: https://support.opendemocracy.net/project/home…

1
Long Read - A year after Partygate, why is the government still being so secretive? 8:02

3y ago8:02

8:02

A year after the news broke about Partygate, the Cabinet Office is still refusing openDemocracy’s FOI requests on key evidence Read the full story: https://www.opendemocracy.net/en/partygate-cabinet-office-cctv-conservative-party-boris-johnson/ Donate to openDemocracy: https://support.opendemocracy.net/project/home…

1
Long Read - BlackRock says we’re all doomed. It’s being optimistic 6:59

3y ago6:59

6:59

The world’s largest asset manager has forecast systemic economic chaos. The reality is even worse Read the full story: https://www.opendemocracy.net/en/oureconomy/blackrock-asset-management-economy-prediction-inflation-recession/ Donate to openDemocracy: https://support.opendemocracy.net/project/home…

1
Long Read - Ukraine prepares to give free rein to property developers 12:22

3y ago12:22

12:22

Critics fear a new planning law will hand power to property developers and put Ukraine’s historic buildings at risk Read the full story: https://www.opendemocracy.net/en/odr/ukraine-planning-law-historic-building-demolition-property-developer/ Donate to openDemocracy: https://support.opendemocracy.net/project/home…

1
Long Read - How austerity caused the NHS crisis 7:11

3y ago7:11

7:11

The A&E delays can be traced back to Cameron – and have been worsened by successive health secretaries Read the full story: https://www.opendemocracy.net/en/nhs-a-and-e-delays-austerity-emergency-care-hospitals-hunt-hancock-lansley/ Donate to openDemocracy: https://support.opendemocracy.net/project/home…

1
Long Read - The government’s wrong. We can afford public sector pay rises 8:21

3y ago8:21

8:21

OPINION: There’s one obvious way to fund public sector wage increases: tax the wealthy Read the full piece: https://www.opendemocracy.net/en/public-sector-strikes-pay-rise-nurses-james-meadway/ Donate to openDemocracy: https://support.opendemocracy.net/project/homeBy openDemocracy

1
Long read - At the UK’s detention centres, border violence and outsourcing collide 7:14

3y ago7:14

7:14

OPINION: We need unity between the detained, the outsourced and the underpaid – unions must take on the fight Read the original article: https://www.opendemocracy.net/en/manston-immigration-border-violence-outsourcing-security/ Donate to openDemocracy: https://support.opendemocracy.net/project/homeBy openDemocracy

1
Long Read - The UK firm at the heart of a high-level fraud conviction in Russia 10:39

3y ago10:39

10:39

The Magomedov brothers defrauded the Russian state of billions – via a Scottish limited partnership Read the original article: https://www.opendemocracy.net/en/odr/newbay-investments-magomedov-fraud-russia/ Donate to openDemocracy: https://support.opendemocracy.net/project/homeBy openDemocracy

1
Long read - Labour knows our democracy is broken. So why are its ‘reforms’ so weak? 7:18

3y ago7:18

7:18

OPINION: Gordon Brown is on the money with his diagnosis of the problem. But his solutions aren’t nearly enough Read the original article: https://www.opendemocracy.net/en/labour-abolish-house-of-lords-democratic-reform/ Donate to openDemocracy: https://support.opendemocracy.net/project/homeBy openDemocracy

1
Long read - Russia forced them to fight. Ukraine tried them for treason 13:31

3y ago13:31

13:31

Russia has forcibly mobilised tens of thousands in Ukraine’s occupied territories to fight, but when captured those recruited under duress are facing difficult legal battles back home. Read the orignal article: https://www.opendemocracy.net/en/odr/russia-forced-mobilisation-donetsk-luhansk-ukraine/ Donate to openDemocracy: https://support.opendemoc…

1
Long Read - Crisis in legal aid system as asylum seekers unable to find lawyers 7:40

3y ago7:40

7:40

More than 40% of asylum seekers may be unable to access legal aid, despite the vast majority needing such support Read the original article: https://www.opendemocracy.net/en/asylum-seekers-legal-aid-system-crisis-justice/ Support openDemocracy: https://support.opendemocracy.net/project/homeBy openDemocracy

1
Coffee, Comedy, Music 27:17

3y ago27:17

27:17

Usman Khalid wanted to set up a coffee shop with a difference - Haven Coffee is a social enterprise, a cafe with a mission of breaking false narratives around migration. Their Laff-Uccino comedy gigs are regular events in London, with comedians of refugee or migrant background and Kryzsia, one of the comedians involved, talks comedy, migration and …

1
Art Athens Activism 27:33

3y ago27:33

27:33

Wael Habbal started the Syrian Greek Youth Forum, (the SGYF) in 2018 to advocate for human rights, to connect people together, to break stereotypes around migration, and to create their own opportunities in Athens. He sits down with another member of SGYF - Kareem Al Kabbani - and our reporter Bairbre Flood to talk about how activism, creativity an…

1
From All Over: LGBTQ Turkiye 16:55

3y ago16:55

16:55

Two LGBT refugees in Yalova, Turkiye, Mehdi and Nihal, are setting up their own group, From All Over. Bairbre Flood met them at their home to see why they need this group, and what life is like for LGBT refugees outside of Istanbul. Presenter Mahmoud Hassino also shares some of his personal experiences helping to organise a Mr Gay Syria event which…

1
Art Here 34:04

3y ago34:04

34:04

Art and migration in Türkiye, Jordan and Ireland. Arthereistanbul is a community space, an art centre and place where artists can create in peace. Founder Omar Berakdar and artist and curator Sherin Zeraaty talk to Bairbre Flood. In Jordan, Syrian illustrator and painter Haya Halaw is having her first solo exhibition show in Jacaranda Gallery in Am…

1
Ana Surie 24:01

3y ago24:01

24:01

Mohamad Khalf has been teaching photography in Zaatari refugee camp, Jordan, for many years – instilling a love of learning and creative expression in his students Ali and Mohammed Nour Al-Babisi. They talk to Bairbre Flood about the photography exhibition Mohmamad Khalf organised in the camp, called ‘Ana Surie’ (‘I Am Syrian’) and why they are Syr…

1
Media and Migration 34:11

3y ago34:11

34:11

A look at migration and the media with journalists Osama Gaweesh, Nasruddin Nizami and Mohammad Subat. Osama Gaweesh is an Egyptian journalist who joined the Refugee Journalism Project in the UK. He explains how the project works, and why it’s so important – not just for individual journalists, but for the quality of news and media overall. His own…