Best Robin Duncan Podcasts (2025)

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John Lloyd, Valene Kane, Kit Green, Luvcat, Jessica Swale 37:10

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3d ago37:10

37:10

What's a Kentucky? Comedy legend John Lloyd is here to reveal all, in honour of the 42nd anniversary of his cult dictionary 'The Meaning of Liff', co-written with the much missed Douglas Adams, Jessica Swale is the writer behind the new Paddington musical and she tells us about her emotional first meeting with the bear. Jessica Valene stars as a wo…

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Suleika Jaouad’s Survival Mechanisms (Replay) 58:46

4d ago58:46

58:46

Suleika Jaouad was diagnosed with cancer at 22. She made her illness the subject of a New York Times column and a memoir, Between Two Kingdoms. She and Steve talk about what it means to live with a potentially fatal illness, how to talk to people who've gone through a tragedy, and ways to encourage medical donations. SOURCES: Suleika Jaouad, author…

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Long Story Short Ep-17: Emptying the Full Magazine, with Joe Hill 1:12:00

6d ago1:12:00

1:12:00

Robin & David were joined in the run up to World Fantasy in Brighton (UK) by Joe Hill, whose new novel, King Sorrow, is his first in nine years. This episode is a real doozy, with the chat ranging far-and-wide. Not to be missed! Check out our new detailed timestamps at the bottom of these notes. https://britishfantasysociety.org/blog/bfs-podcast-lo…

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Goodbye, Massage Therapy; Hello, Kilts: An Auntie’s Midlife Plot Twist 46:41

7d ago46:41

46:41

Send us a text We talk through a month that changes everything: selling nearly all we own, ending a 23-year massage career, and booking a one-way ticket to Edinburgh guided by intuition, ancestry, and an owl that wouldn’t quit. We also take the gloves off on politics, corporate power, church influence, AI fear, and what community care looks like wh…

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John Cleese, Sue Perkins, Clive Anderson, Judi Love, Tom Smith, Hugh Dennis, Natalie Duncan Trio 35:57

10d ago35:57

35:57

Clive Anderson is joined by a giggle of comics or should that be a brace of jokers in the Loose Ends studio this week. Fawlty Towers creator John Cleese recalls being told his nascent sitcom - 50 years old this year - would fail if they didn't "get it out of the hotel more". Sue Perkins describes the urge to get out on a stand up tour again after a…

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170. Finding the God Particle 59:10

11d ago59:10

59:10

Physicist and former pop star Brian Cox tells Steve about discovering the Higgs boson, having a number-one hit, and why particle physics research will almost certainly not create a black hole that destroys all life on earth. SOURCES: Brian Cox, physicist at the University of Manchester. RESOURCES: Black Holes: The Key to Understanding the Universe,…

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Artificial Intelligence and Telemedicine: Human Judgment in the Digital Era with Dr. Jan Niclas Strickling 28:29

12d ago28:29

28:29

The age of artificial intelligence is reshaping healthcare delivery worldwide, with telemedicine at the forefront of this transformation. In episode five of the DevelopmentAid Dialogues podcast, host Hisham Allam speaks with Dr. med. Jan Niclas Strickling, a German board-certified interventional cardiologist who has played a key role in advancing t…

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Danny Robins, Garth Marenghi, Rebecca Lucy Taylor, Donna Thompson, The New Eves 35:18

17d ago35:18

35:18

It's a particulary spooky edition of Loose Ends as we're joined by Danny Robins - host of Uncanny and writer of 2.22 a Ghost Story and cult horror author Garth Marenghi. But which of them is the real king of horror? Rebecca Lucy Taylor, AKA Self Esteem brings us her literary debut, A Complicated Woman and there's music from The New Eves with a song…

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Long Story Short Ep-16: Storytelling Traditions, with Marve Michael Anson 1:00:37

20d ago1:00:37

1:00:37

Robin & Pam are joined by Marve Michael Anson, whose eagerly anticipated debut fantasy novel Firstborn of the Sun released this month. Come learn about ‘an epic world of courtly intrigue and forbidden power’, and the important work Marve does for the BFS on Outreach & Inclusion. https://britishfantasysociety.org/blog/bfs-podcast-long-story-short/ A…

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Eliza Carthy and Jon Boden; Jake Arnott; Kerry Godliman; India Knight; Kiri Pritchard-McLean 36:26

24d ago36:26

36:26

Kiri Pritchard-McLean loves a bit of crime - so much so that she hosts a podcast about serial killers. So she's right at home on Loose Ends this week talking cosy crime and laminating machines with actor and comedian Kerry Godliman, who stars as the charming private detective and oyster-shucking restaurateur Pearl Nolan in TV drama Whitstable Pearl…

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169. Decoding the World’s First Writing 49:35

25d ago49:35

49:35

Irving Finkel is an expert on cuneiform — the oldest known writing system. He tells Steve the amazing story of how an ancient clay tablet unlocked the truth about Noah’s ark (and got Finkel in trouble with some Christians). SOURCES: Irving Finkel, curator in the department of the Middle East at the British Museum. RESOURCES: "How to write cuneiform…

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Shadows Of Conflict: Why Some Emergencies Get Left Behind. A Quick-exchange with Desiree Ketabchi from OXFAM 15:58

27d ago15:58

15:58

The global humanitarian landscape is marked by stark contrasts: while some crises like Ukraine dominate international attention and resources, others such as Sudan, the Sahel, and Haiti struggle in the shadows. In this episode of the DevelopmentAid Dialogues podcast, host Hisham Allam had a lightning interview with Désirée Ketabchi, Head of Humanit…

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Brian Bilston, Chris Smither, Teresa Livingstone, Jolene O'Hara, Stick in the Wheel, AOIBHA 37:48

1M ago37:48

37:48

Clive kicks off in Belfast's Black Box as the Belfast International Arts Festival begins to light up venues around the city. Poet Brian Bilston is in town after putting some of his poetry to music with the help of The Catenary Wires. US folk and blues musician Chris Smither tells all about his musical journey spanning over six decades. Someone else…

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Is There a Fair Way to Divide Us? (Update) 1:00:06

1M ago1:00:06

1:00:06

Moon Duchin is a math professor at the University of Chicago whose theoretical work has practical applications for voting and democracy. Why is striving for fair elections so difficult? SOURCES: Moon Duchin, professor of mathematics at Cornell University. RESOURCES: "Gerrymandering: The Origin Story," by Neely Tucker (Timeless: Stories from the Lib…

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Long Story Short Ep-15: So You Think You're A Disaster Mage, with Annabel Campbell 1:00:23

1M ago1:00:23

1:00:23

Annabel Campbell, whose debut novel The Outcast Mage released in January, joins Robin & David to talk mages of many varieties. How would you shape up as a wizard? Would you use your power for good, or be tempted to the Dark Side where - we are given to believe - there are cookies? Are you a member of the British Fantasy Society yet? Join us here: h…

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Dom Joly, Lauren Lyle, Lorn Macdonald, Sarah Rankin, Tide Lines, Cara Rose 36:25

1M ago36:25

36:25

Clive Anderson is joined in Glasgow by comedian Dom Joly who first introduced the world to the concept of a very loud man yelling in to a giant mobile phone 25 years ago. He’s celebrating Trigger Happy TV on a national tour. Lauren Lyle is used to an investigation in her role as Val McDermid's Karen Pirie, and in new psychological thriller The Ridg…

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168. Chemistry, Evolved 56:53

1M ago56:53

56:53

Frances Arnold pioneered the process of directed evolution — mimicking natural selection to create new enzymes that have changed everything from agriculture to laundry. SOURCES: Frances Arnold, professor of chemistry at the California Institute of Technology. RESOURCES: "Innovation by Evolution: Bringing New Chemistry to Life," by Frances Arnold (N…

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Navigating the Aid Front Lines with Head of OCHA's UAE office Sajeda Shawa 31:11

1M ago31:11

31:11

World Humanitarian Day 2025, observed globally on August 19, stands as a solemn tribute to the courage and sacrifice of aid workers delivering hope amid crises. In this episode of the DevelopmentAid Dialogues podcast, host Hisham Allam speaks with Sajeda Shawa, head of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in…

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Joanna Lumley; James Graham; Esther Walker; Bret McKenzie; Nxdia; Clive Anderson 37:19

2M ago37:19

37:19

There's plenty of treasures, national and otherwise in this week's Loose Ends. Joanna Lumley describes selecting from a lifetime's worth of lists, poems and anecdotes to create a thoughtful, moving and often hilarious anthology that she says describes the workings of her mind perfectly. Playwright James Graham on updating his play Dear England to s…

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Long Story Short Ep-14: Walking on the Moor, with Sam K. Horton 48:22

2M ago48:22

48:22

David & Robin chat with author Sam K. Horton, whose second novel Ragwort releases in November. We talk maps, book tour costumes, and the love of wild places. David discovers that Friday also is a business day. Plus, hear about the Top 10 reasons to attend Fantasycon from Ben and Nico of the Tiny Bookcase podcast. Are you a member of the British Fan…

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Could a Golden Vagina Actually Save the World (Kind of) 1:07:34

2M ago1:07:34

1:07:34

Send us a text The headlines felt relentless, the feed louder than my own thoughts—so I grabbed a paintbrush, hit record, and chose a different kind of response. What followed was part art session, part reckoning: we talk about gun violence and responsibility, the way doomscrolling hijacks our nervous systems, and why joy might be the most subversi…

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Nigel Planer; Rowan McCabe; Bryony Kimmings; Emma-Jean Thackray; Studio Electrophonique 0:06

2M ago0:06

0:06

Loose Ends this week is full of people who aren't afraid to say or do difficult things in the name of entertainment. The actor Nigel Planer will forever be associated with the character Neil from The Young Ones, so much so that Nigel's Mum thought he was vegetarian because Neil was, though Nigel definitely isn't. At least, he says, she remembered h…

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167. The Secret of Humanity? It’s Common Knowledge. 58:45

2M ago58:45

58:45

Steven Pinker’s new book argues that all our relationships depend on shared assumptions and “recursive mentalizing” — our constant efforts to understand what other people are thinking. He and Steve talk about the psychology of eye contact, the particular value of Super Bowl ads, and what it’s like to get cancelled. SOURCES: Steven Pinker, professor…

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Transparency to the Bone: Rethinking Remote Aid with Ina Bluemel 34:19

2M ago34:19

34:19

The hard truth of modern humanitarian action was this: access had closed, risks had risen, and remote delivery had become unavoidable. In this episode of the DevelopmentAid Dialogues podcast (Season 3), host Hisham Allam spoke with Ina Bluemel—a veteran of emergency health, WASH, and logistics leadership across WHO, IFRC, and multiple NGOs—about wh…

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Neil Hannon & The Divine Comedy, Mark Gatiss, Kate Fox, AA Dhand, Edith Bowman 35:59

2M ago35:59

35:59

Edith Bowman is your host for a special Loose Ends live at the BBC's Contains Strong Language Festival in Bradford. Guests include the celebrated actor - from Sherlock to Mission Impossible - and writer - from Dr Who to Bookish - Mark Gatiss. He's at the festival starring in a Radio 4 comedy drama written by his League of Gentlemen colleague Jeremy…

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How to Have Great Conversations (Update) 44:24

2M ago44:24

44:24

The Power of Habit author Charles Duhigg wrote his new book in an attempt to learn how to communicate better. Steve shares how the book helped him understand his own conversational weaknesses. SOURCES: Charles Duhigg, journalist and author. RESOURCES: Supercommunicators: How to Unlock the Secret Language of Connection, by Charles Duhigg (2024). "20…

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Long Story Short Ep-13: The Pleasures & Perils of Indie Publishing, with William C. Tracy 58:04

2M ago58:04

58:04

David & Robin meet publisher, editor, & author William C. Tracy of Space Wizard Science Fantasy to chat about WorldCon Seattle, indie small press publishing, the bookselling market, and codifying magic systems. We also discuss cats, bees, and commas. (And yes, Robin did find ‘That Comma Video’ and if you absolutely must watch it… https://youtu.be/t…

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Moira Buffini, Josh Jones, George Egg, Urielle Klein-Mekongo, Black Country, New Road 36:13

2M ago36:13

36:13

Stuart Maconie's guests in Salford include comedian Josh Jones on his new tour 'I Haven't Won The Lottery So here's Another Show'. We find out what happens if he wins the lottery mid-run. Actor and writer Moira Buffini has just won the YA Book Prize for her debut novel Songlight. George Egg is the Snack Hacker, brining us goodies from his kitchen a…

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166. The World’s Most Effective Public Health Intervention Is Under Attack 1:01:47

2M ago1:01:47

1:01:47

Seth Berkley used to run the world's largest vaccine funding organization. He and Steve talk about the incredible value of vaccines, the economics of immunizing the developing world, and the current attacks on public health. SOURCES: Seth Berkley, epidemiologist at Brown University School of Public Health. RESOURCES: "Trump Administration Ends Prog…

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Beyond the Aid Cliff: Dr. Julius Sindi on What Comes After the Donor Exit 44:18

2M ago44:18

44:18

The age of abundant Western aid is ending—and this time, no rebound is guaranteed. In this episode of the DevelopmentAid Dialogues podcast, host Hisham Allam speaks with Dr. Julius Kirimi Sindi, a systems innovator and director of the Gates Foundation–backed Catalyze Impact Initiative, about how global development must adapt before it unravels. Dra…

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Robert Webb, Cecelia Ahern, Patrick Marber, Curtis Stigers, Nova Twins 36:18

2M ago36:18

36:18

Clive Anderson is joined by the multi-platinum selling American Jazz singer Curtis Stigers, Rob Webb on Mitchell & Webb Are Not Helping, best-selling Irish novelist Cecila Ahern, author of P.S I Love you, on her new book Paper Heart, director Patrick Marber discusses his spin on Mel Brook's musical The Producers and Mercury prize shortlisted rock d…

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Long Story Short Ep-12: Why Science Fantasy is the Best (Sub) Genre, with Lorraine Wilson 55:24

3M ago55:24

55:24

Robin & David converse with Lorraine Wilson, author of We Are All Ghosts in the Forest, about folklore, the future of identity, and the sea. In search of a response to the podcast’s title, literature, fantasy, magic and science all go into the growbag of genre. The efficacy of an ice-skating scoring system for panel responses is also assessed durin…

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Mark Radcliffe, Andi Osho, Adele Parks, Amy Webber, The 7:45s 36:36

3M ago36:36

36:36

Stuart Maconie is joined by his 6Music weekend breakfast co-host Mark Radcliffe who's here to talk about his new book Et Tu, Cavapoo - all about Mark’s springtime sojourn to Rome alongside his dog Arlo. Andi Osho is taking on the role of Tedra in the RSC's production of the Pulitzer Prize winning play Fat Ham and prolific novelist Adele Parks is wi…

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165. The Economist Who (Gasp!) Asks People What They Think 53:14

3M ago53:14

53:14

Stefanie Stantcheva’s approach seemed like career suicide. In fact, it won her the John Bates Clark Medal. She talks to fellow winner Steve Levitt about why she uses methods that most of the profession dismisses — and what she’s found that can’t be learned any other way. SOURCES: Stefanie Stantcheva, professor of political economy at Harvard Univer…

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#29: Transformers for Recommender Systems with Craig Macdonald and Sasha Petrov 1:37:25

3M ago1:37:25

1:37:25

In episode 29 of Recsperts, I welcome Craig Macdonald, Professor of Information Retrieval at the University of Glasgow, and Aleksandr “Sasha” Petrov, PhD researcher and former applied scientist at Amazon. Together, we dive deep into sequential recommender systems and the growing role of transformer models such as SASRec and BERT4Rec. Our conversati…

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Jon Culshaw, Harriet Dyer, Jon Watts, Nadia Reid, Yazmin Lacey 36:46

3M ago36:46

36:46

Stuart is joined by Jon Culshaw, the star of the much loved comedy series Dead Ringers, which is about to hit the road for its 25th anniversary tour. Harriet Dyer is Easily Distra.... so let's hope she doesn't wander off halfway through the show. Jon Watts discovered his love of cooking in custody. After being taken under the wing of Jamie Oliver h…

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Rick Rubin on How to Make Something Great (Update) 53:24

3M ago53:24

53:24

From recording some of the first rap hits to revitalizing Johnny Cash's career, the legendary producer has had an extraordinary creative life. In this episode he talks about his new book and his art-making process — and helps Steve get in touch with his own artistic side. SOURCES: Rick Rubin, music producer and record executive. RESOURCES: The Crea…

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Self-Love Revolution with Aunty Robin with Moxie, Martinis, and Microsoft Vista 36:10

3M ago36:10

36:10

Send us a text Ready to become unfuckable with? That's the revolutionary ideals at the heart of Auntie Robin's new podcast direction. Saying goodbye to Kicked Can Generations Podcast, she's embracing a fresh path focused on fierce self-love and challenging beliefs that no longer serve us. Drawing inspiration from her great aunt who "gave zero shits…

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Long Story Short Ep-11: The Power of Community, with Jay McGuiness 59:28

3M ago59:28

59:28

Join David & Robin in conversation with Jay McGuiness, star of stage, screen & chart, as we talk about all manner of things including painting with watercolours rather than oils, love of Lemony Snicket, with a dramatic ‘Hollywood deal-making’ twist at the end. Are you a member of the British Fantasy Society yet? Join us here: https://britishfantasy…

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Ruth Jones, Jordan Gray, Jamie MacDonald, Dylan Adler, Hot Mess, James Emmanuel 35:46

3M ago35:46

35:46

Clive Anderson hosts a Loose Ends party with some of the many musicians, comedians, writers and stars of the stage lighting up the Edinburgh Festivals. Ruth Jones’ latest book By Your Side is partly set in Scotland, and she’ll be in the capital sharing some of her pet peeves that have found their way on to its pages. Comedian and actor Jordan Gray …

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164. Unravelling the Universe, Again 1:02:14

3M ago1:02:14

1:02:14

More than two decades ago, Adam Riess’s Nobel Prize-winning work fundamentally changed our understanding of the universe. His new work is reshaping cosmology for a second time. RESOURCES: Adam Riess, astrophysicist at Johns Hopkins University. SOURCES: "The Nobel Prize Winner Who Thinks We Have the Universe All Wrong," by Ross Andersen (The Atlanti…

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Tom Rosenthal, Thanyia Moore, Karine Polwart, Michael Elsener, Niall Moorjani, Couplet 35:50

3M ago35:50

35:50

Clive Anderson hosts a Loose Ends party with some of the many musicians, comedians, writers and stars of the stage lighting up the Edinburgh Festivals. Tom Rosenthal is a comedian best known as Jonny on Friday Night Dinner, though I suppose you can describe him however you’d like as his new show is Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I Am. Thanyi…

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Long Story Short Ep-10: Does the Balrog Have Wings? with Calah Singleton 1:07:22

3M ago1:07:22

1:07:22

In which David speaks to Calah Singleton about many things Middle Earth; the Hobbit, the trilogy, the movies, Rings of Power, where their own love of Tolkien’s work originated, their hot takes, and much, much more. Are you a member of the British Fantasy Society yet? Join us here: https://britishfantasysociety.org/about-the-bfs/become-a-member/ Lea…

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Bertie Carvel; Jo Wood; Lost Chimes; Tori Allen-Martin; Rajiv Karia; RIYA 36:02

4M ago36:02

36:02

Listen up as Nihal unfolds the Beyoncé/Destiny's Child theme he's spotted in this weeks' Loose Ends. He's humming "Irreplaceable" for the heroine of author Jo Wood’s debut novel - The Resurrection of Flo - who's left her cheating husband Max (“To the left, to the left”). It's "I'm a Survivor" for the actor Bertie Carvel who is playing King Leontes …

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163. The Data Sleuth Taking on Shoddy Science 56:25

4M ago56:25

56:25

Uri Simonsohn is a behavioral science professor who wants to improve standards in his field — so he’s made a sideline of investigating fraudulent academic research. He tells Steve Levitt, who's spent plenty of time rooting out cheaters in other fields, how he does it. SOURCES: Uri Simonsohn, professor of behavioral science at Esade Business School.…

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Beyond the Flames and the Heatwaves: Robin Degron on Europe and the Mediterranean Basin’s Climate Crisis 36:03

4M ago36:03

36:03

Devastating wildfires and intense heatwaves are sweeping across continents—from Indonesia’s burning rainforests and Canada’s parched woodlands to Latin America and, of course, Europe’s Mediterranean coasts. The scale and frequency of these disasters are reminders that climate change is no longer a distant threat, but a global emergency demanding ac…

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Tiff Stevenson, Sam Palladio, Ella Al-Shamahi, Chris Grace, The Miki Berenyi Trio 35:37

4M ago35:37

35:37

Clive Anderson is joined in Salford by a Post-Coital (that's the name of her new show) Tiff Stevenson and by Sam Palladio is finally acting in his own accent in 'The Couple Next Door' after playing Texan Gunnar Scott in 'Nashville' for six seasons. Ella Al-Shamahi has been in search of what makes us 'Human' for her new BBC Two series. American acto…

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Arne Duncan Says All Kids Deserve a Chance — and Criminals Deserve a Second One (Update) 46:11

4M ago46:11

46:11

Former U.S. Secretary of Education, 3x3 basketball champion, and leader of an anti-gun violence organization are all on Arne’s resume. He’s also Steve’s neighbor. The two talk about teachers caught cheating in Chicago public schools and Steve shares a story he’s never told Arne, about a defining moment in the educator’s life. SOURCES: Arne Duncan, …

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Long Story Short Ep-9: Fun, Games & Medieval Combat with Adrian Tchaikovsky 56:44

4M ago56:44

56:44

Robin and David talk with the one and only Adrian Tchaikovsky about writing comedy, fighting in armour, TTRPGs, conventions and of course, books, in a wide-ranging chat covering the breadth and height of Adrian’s authorial career to date. Are you a member of the British Fantasy Society yet? Join us here: https://britishfantasysociety.org/about-the-…

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Can One Crisis Solve Another? Debt-for-Nature Swaps with Sawsan Bou Fakhreddine 31:41

4M ago31:41

31:41

As mounting debt strangles public services and climate disasters escalate, a provocative idea is gaining ground: what if countries could trade their debt burdens for environmental action? In this episode of DevelopmentAid Dialogues podcast, host Hisham Allam speaks with Sawsan Bou Fakhreddine, Director General of the Association for Forests, Develo…