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From our headquarters in the heart of London, The Standard podcast sets the agenda. Top news insiders discuss the pressure-points of the day’s topics. Hear unrivalled insight on politics, culture, going out, sport, and fashion, with award-winning journalists and celebrity guests. Join us Monday to Friday at 4pm. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

2 DAYS AGO

From Wuthering Heights to The Bride: Films we’re most excited for in 2026

It’s a new year, and 2026 is set to be full of blockbuster and arthouse film releases to entice viewers to the cinema. Although we’re only just entering Oscars season, a brand new slate of films will be hitting the big screen very soon. The Standard’s Head of Culture, Martin Robinson, is here to discuss some of the most anticipated movies of 2026, including Wuthering Heights, Hamnet, Supergirl, The Odyssey, Avengers: Doomsday, The Moment, 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple, The Bride, The Testament of Ann Lee and The Drama. You can find the full list of 2026 releases here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

13 min
4 DAYS AGO

Will Ahmed, founder and CEO of WHOOP, on Brave New World (Preview)

A special preview from our sister podcast Brave New World, featuring a new episode from its latest series. Host Evgeny Lebedev is joined by Will Ahmed, founder and CEO of WHOOP, to explore recovery, sleep, and why “you can’t manage what you don’t measure.” Will shares how overtraining as a Harvard athlete led him to build a wearable focused not on steps, but on the missing piece of performance: how ready your body actually is. Listen to the full conversation on the Brave New World podcast here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

15 min
5 DAYS AGO

Has Netflix’s megahit Stranger Things lost its way?

Back in 2016, Netflix released a little show called Stranger Things, which went on to become the defining megahit for the streamer. But now, ahead of the finale on New Year’s Day, the sheen appears to be wearing thin… Fans and critics alike have complained about overstuffed plots and too many characters - and more than 280,000 people have signed a petition, demanding to see alleged unseen footage from the latest volume. It’s never simple to wrap up a hugely popular TV series, so we're joined by The Standard’s Commissioning Editor and Culture Writer, Vicky Jessop, with the latest on the end of The Stranger Things era. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

14 min
6 DAYS AGO

The best video games of 2025: from Wanderstop to Clair Obscur

As another year draws to a close, we’re taking a look back at the past twelve months and what it’s meant for the world of video games. It’s been a stellar year for indie games, with Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 raking in heaps of plaudits (and a fair few award nominations) for its take on the JRPG genre — while smaller titles like Wanderstop and Blue Prince have proved that you can do an awful lot without the massive budgets that AAA studios command. The Standard’s Commissioning Editor and Culture Writer Vicky Jessop is here to discuss the highlights of the year, plus what to look forward to in 2026. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

13 min
24/12/2025

The best TV of 2025: from Adolescence to Hacks

As we settle into the festive season, it’s time for a round-up of all the best TV from 2025. It’s been a jam-packed one, as ever, serving up lashings of humour, tragedy and a whole lot of sequels. Severance has returned for the first time in years, as has Stranger Things, and the Alien franchise has gotten its own TV spinoff for the first time ever. The Standard’s Commissioning Editor and Culture Writer Vicky Jessop is here to discuss the highlights - and lowlights - of the year, plus what to look forward to in 2026. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

17 min
23/12/2025

Fury as ‘secret courts’ hand out warrants for energy firms to break into homes

It’s well-documented that our courts system is in crisis but following an investigation, The Standard can reveal that magistrates are sitting in secret to allow utility companies to break into people’s homes, granting warrants based on applications they have never seen. Back in late 2022, energy firms and courts were rocked by scandal when it was revealed that hundreds of thousands of warrants – including for the homes of some of Britain’s poorest people – were being “waved through” by magistrates. The government promised a clean-up and new court process, but a year-long probe by The Standard has uncovered disturbing practices - and the Chief Magistrate is investigating the concerns. The Standard’s Courts Correspondent Tristan Kirk is here with the latest. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

17 min
22/12/2025

Councils shake-up: Will local elections face further delays?

It might be the festive season, but there’s fury in the corridors of power following a row which broke out regarding proposals that would see local elections delayed for a second year in a row for millions of voters. It comes as the government plans to abolish the two-tier system of district and county councils, creating a swathe of new local authorities that will be responsible for delivering services in their areas from 2028. In total, ministers have written to a total of 63 councils scheduled to hold elections in May 2026, although we won’t know for sure if they’re postponed until January. The Standard’s Chief Political Correspondent Rachael Burford is here with the latest. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

13 min
19/12/2025

Scandals and strikes: Inside the disaster-hit British Library

The British Library is one of the UK’s greatest cultural institutions. However, behind the scenes, the staff who make it function are working longer hours for less pay, in worsening conditions. Now, with help from the PCS union, they’ve decided to fight back. But what does this means more broadly in terms of who is able to access and benefit from our cultural institutions? The Standard’s Culture Writer Claudia Cockerell is here with the findings of her special report on the subject - alongside footage of the strikers in action, from London tour guide Jenny Draper. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

16 min

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From our headquarters in the heart of London, The Standard podcast sets the agenda. Top news insiders discuss the pressure-points of the day’s topics. Hear unrivalled insight on politics, culture, going out, sport, and fashion, with award-winning journalists and celebrity guests. Join us Monday to Friday at 4pm. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.