strategyaaron

Aaron H. Ellis
  • 5.0 (2)
  • POLITICS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Strategy is achieving your ambitions as "stuff" tries to stop you. Aaron Ellis explores the stuff shaping people's environments and how they try to master it – whether in politics, world affairs, business, or pop culture.

  1. 09/12/2025

    The power of small states | Armen Sarkissian

    America and China are trying to divide the world between them. Whether it’s tariffs, rare earths, or Ukraine, Donald Trump and Xi Jinping seem to think big states can do what they like and smaller ones should suffer what they must… Yet today’s guest – the former President of Armenia, Dr Armen Sarkissian – argues that there’s a lot they can learn from small states. As well as discussing this, he and Aaron touch on: Why the world seems so chaoticWhat leaders can do to overcome itHow he negotiated a peaceful end to unrest in Armenia They also talk about the importance of silence, Francis Fukuyama, why the Soviet Union still haunts us, and climate change. If you would like to buy The Small States Club, visit the strategyaaron Bookshop page And if you would like to support the podcast, purchase some of our new merch! Thanks for listening! Feel free to share!

    1hr 21min

  2. 02/12/2025

    To write is to think | Harry Ashbridge

    There is growing concern about a literacy crisis. Rather than reading a book, more and more people are choosing to play video games, listen to podcasts, or watch something on their phones. But is this “crisis” overblown? We are actually producing and consuming written text more than ever before. What really matters, says Harry Ashbridge – former head of writing at Monzo and now Sunsave – is thinking about the words we use and their impact on others. On the show today, he and Aaron discuss: How Harry integrated writing into Monzo's operationsCreating a "single voice" across large teamsThe critical role of consistency and intentionality in branding They also delve into the pitfalls of cliches and historical analogies, the ethics of using AI in writing, and the need to rethink the term "Net Zero"... If you need any strategy consulting – or want to advertise on the show – email me@strategyaaron.com Other links: The strategyaaron Bookshop The strategyaaron ⁠Bluesky⁠ | ⁠Instagram⁠ Thanks for listening! Feel free to share!

    1hr 3min

  3. 18/11/2025

    Britain’s forgotten political masters | George Owers

    Modern Britain was born in the late 1600s and early 1700s. The Bank of England was created, England and Scotland became a united kingdom, political parties as we know them were formed for the first time, and power was increasingly concentrated in the hands of the monarch’s chief minister. Yet the politicians responsible – Sidney Godolphin, Robert Harley, and the Junto lords – are almost completely forgotten. On the show today, Aaron talks to George Owers – author of The Rage of Party: How Whig Versus Tory Made Modern Britain – about these early masters of our politics. They also touch on culture wars, polarisation, and Sydney Sweeney... If you would like to buy The Rage of Party and support independent stores in the UK, check out the strategyaaron Bookshop page. If you need any strategy consulting – or want to advertise on the show – email me@strategyaaron.com

    51 min

  4. 05/11/2025

    New old Uzbekistan | Joanna Lillis

    Journalist Joanna Lillis was one of the first guests on strategyaaron. In fact, she agreed to do the show before it'd even launched. Today, she returns to talk about her new book 'Silk Mirage: Through the Looking Glass in Uzbekistan'. Joanna and Aaron explore: Uzbekistan's pivotal role in Central AsiaThe challenges posed by its authoritarian governmentWhy there's more to the country's people than the romance of the Silk Road They also discuss reporting on dictators, and if those in Central Asia feel emboldened by Trump's return. If you would like to pre-order Silk Mirage AND support independent stores in the UK, check out the strategyaaron Bookshop page

    42 min

  5. 14/10/2025

    Europe's balancing act | Gesine Weber

    Europe is economically powerful but geopolitically weak. Its leaders always seem to be on the backfoot if ever China, Russia, or America decide to pick a fight. But are things changing…? Today, foreign policy expert Gesine Weber returns to the show and puts recent Euro-news in a bigger strategic context. She and Aaron touch on: * Why things seem better for Europe * How its leaders have learnt to charm Trump * Whether they can do this and lessen their dependence on the U.S. Gesine and Aaron also discuss news exhaustion, the “axis of authoritarianism”, how Trump’s brain works – and Russia’s recent escalation of its hybrid war. Links: Gesine’s Bluesky | Substack The strategyaaron Bluesky | Instagram If you need any strategy consulting – or want to advertise on the show – email me@strategyaaron.com Thanks for listening! Feel free to share! To hear more, visit strategyaaron.substack.com

    45 min
  6. How to save the Tories | John Oxley

    07/10/2025

    How to save the Tories | John Oxley

    In the election last year, Britain’s Conservatives suffered their worst ever defeat – and things have only gotten worse for them. More and more of their voters are switching to Nigel Farage’s Reform Party, as are more and more ambitious politicians on the Right. Today, a YouGov poll found that most people either want the Tories to disappear or don’t care if they do. But should we be careful what we wish for…? On the show today, Aaron talks to strategist and Tory thinker John Oxley (Joxley) about how to save usually one of the most successful political parties in the world. They touch on: * Why Brexit caused so many problems * How the party lost touch with the middle class * Whether a change of leadership is necessary Aaron and John also discuss bureaucratic knifefighting, the importance of whimsy in British politics, competition reality shows, and the scourge of qualifying words. Links: John’s Substack | Bluesky The strategyaaron Bluesky | Instagram If you need any strategy consulting – or want to advertise on the show – email me@strategyaaron.com Thanks for listening! Feel free to share! To hear more, visit strategyaaron.substack.com

    50 min
  7. Where Latin America goes, the world follows | Will Grant

    30/09/2025

    Where Latin America goes, the world follows | Will Grant

    In the late ‘90s and 2000s, fed up with tired political establishments, voters across Latin America swung behind “populist” outsiders who promised to make their lives better. Things started off well but leaders like Hugo Chavez, Evo Morales, and Daniel Ortega were quickly accused of cronyism, corruption, and democratic backsliding. Countries like Venezuela and Nicaragua eventually became outright dictatorships. On the show today, Aaron talks to Will Grant – Central America correspondent for the BBC and author of ¡Populista! The Rise of Latin America’s Strongmen. They touch on: * Why these populists were so successful * How their early promise soon broke down * What lessons Britain and Europe can learn They also discuss the importance of TV to populists, the epic life of Brazil’s Lula da Silva and his struggle against Jair Bolsonaro – as well as why Donald Trump is so obsessed with everywhere south of the US border. If you would like to buy ¡Populista! AND support independent stores in the UK, check out the strategyaaron Bookshop: https://uk.bookshop.org/shop/strategyaaron Other links: Will’s X | Instagram The strategyaaron Bluesky | Instagram If you need any strategy consulting – or want to advertise on the show – email me@strategyaaron.com Thanks for listening! Feel free to share! To hear more, visit strategyaaron.substack.com

    1hr 7min
  8. Aaron Answers | What is strategy?

    24/09/2025

    Aaron Answers | What is strategy?

    People keep asking Aaron: What actually is strategy? In the first of a new series – Aaron Answers – he tries to explain what he believes it is. If you have any questions, leave them in the comments. If you or your organization needs any strategy advice, get in touch. The email is me@strategyaaron.com Excerpt from Kenneth Clark’s Civilisation | © BBC Thanks for listening! Feel free to share! To hear more, visit strategyaaron.substack.com

    4 min
See All (47)

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

Strategy is achieving your ambitions as "stuff" tries to stop you. Aaron Ellis explores the stuff shaping people's environments and how they try to master it – whether in politics, world affairs, business, or pop culture.

Information

  • Creator
    Aaron H. Ellis
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2025
  • Episodes
    47
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Aaron H. Ellis
  • Show Website
    strategyaaron