Pod Save the UK

Crooked Media
Crooked Media
  • 4.8 (662)
  • News Commentary
  • Weekly

Pod Save the UK is your weekly fix of political news, big ideas and a shot of inspiration. Each week hosts, comedian Nish Kumar and journalist Coco Khan are joined by politicians, experts, and famous friends to unpick the latest news, look for solutions, and inspire action. From Crooked Media – the creators of Pod Save America – tune in to new episodes of Pod Save the UK every Thursday wherever you pod.

  1. 2d ago

    Russell Brand, David Walliams: media’s misogyny problem. Plus, ‘pragmatism’ and climate villains w/ Greenpeace

    This week, Coco and Nish reckon with the allegations that have finally come out about another one of comedy’s ‘open secrets’, while reflecting on Russell Brand’s sentencing, and the persistent problem of misogyny and rape culture– not just in the entertainment industry, but at all levels of society.  They ask what it will take to see systemic change: an independent monitoring organisation, or referral system? A government-led mission to truly tackle violence against women and girls? And a commitment to sack, rather than enable, those who abuse their position of power. (Nish puts it in swearier terms, as you might imagine.)  Then, we’re joined by Areeba Hamid, powerhouse and co-exec director of Greenpeace, who shares her optimism in the fight for the planet’s future. As Andy Burnham heads to COP and the government looks set to slash EV targets, Nish & Coco want to know what we can do to fight the oil and gas lobby before it’s too late. And let’s start naming the climate villains: Shell, we’re looking at you.  Also, we’d love to do another mailbag episode for the Christmas holidays, so send over your best festive (or non-festive) questions, queries, quizzes to podsavetheuk@crooked.com.  USEFUL LINKS In the UK, Rape Crisis offers support for rape and sexual abuse on 0808 802 9999 in England and Wales, 0808 801 0302 in Scotland, or 0800 0246 991 in Northern Ireland.  You can also find out more here: https://rapecrisis.org.uk/get-help/ If you would like to find your nearest Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC), you can do so here: https://www.nhs.uk/service-search/other-services/Rape-and-sexual-assault-referral-centres/LocationSearch/364  In the US, Rainn offers support on 800-656-4573. In Australia, support is available at 1800Respect (1800 737 732).  Get Off Live Comedy: https://getofflivecomedy.org/ - independent, confidential support service dealing with sexual harassment in live comedy Write to your MP and tell them to say no to Rosebank: https://act.greenpeace.org/page/203021/action/1?source=UN&subsource=ECCLPLSOUN01N0  Stop Rosebank Day of Action on 13 November, everyone can take part in - online or in your communities: https://www.stopcambo.org.uk/  (iii) Follow Greenpeace on their social channels online: https://www.instagram.com/greenpeaceuk/ and you can become a supporter here to fuel their work holding power to account for climate action: https://tinyurl.com/4u9k4bdt  CHECK OUT THESE DEALS FROM OUR SPONSORS VANTA: https://www.vanta.com/PSTUK BETTERHELP: https://www.betterhelp.com/psuk    SHOPIFY: https://www.shopify.co.uk  Pod Save the UK is an Intelligence Squared production for Crooked Media. Like and follow us on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@PodSavetheUK Instagram: https://instagram.com/podsavetheuk TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@podsavetheuk BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/podsavetheuk.crooked.com Facebook: https://facebook.com/podsavetheuk X: https://x.com/podsavetheuk

    Russell Brand, David Walliams: media’s misogyny problem. Plus, ‘pragmatism’ and climate villains w/ Greenpeace

  2. Nov 5

    Reparations, immigration reform, and regulating a ‘common good economy’ w/ Mariana Mazzucato

    This week, Nish is back from tour and joins Coco to speak to rockstar economist, Mariana Mazzucato. Her brand of ‘mazzonomics’ has influenced governments and politicians around the world, and she digs into what a ‘common good economy’ might look like: less talking, more doing; fewer silos, more collective purpose.  Mariana also explains why we should be recognising the social value of cultural places and events, like Notting Hill Carnival, and shares how she accidentally ended up on Wikifeet… We contain multitudes at Pod Save the UK!  Also, Coco & Nish catch up on the Labour government’s latest, as Shabana Mahmood ‘softens’ her (still pretty hardline) immigration reforms, and Burnham tries to avoid a reparations row while opening the door to a formal state apology for Britain’s role in the slave trade. And, it’s the blue wave! Pronouns back in your emails please! We check in with Tommy Vietor from Pod Save America to hear their take on the stunning set of midterm election results and what this means for the last years of Trump 2.0.   USEFUL LINKSBuy Mariana’s book: https://www.hive.co.uk/product/mariana-mazzucato/the-common-good-economy--a-new-compass/32296162  Read the Empire of AI: https://www.hive.co.uk/product/karen-hao/empire-of-ai--inside-the-reckless-race-for-total-domination/31755930  CHECK OUT THESE DEALS FROM OUR SPONSORS BETTERHELP: https://www.betterhelp.com/psuk    SHOPIFY: https://www.shopify.co.uk  Pod Save the UK is an Intelligence Squared production for Crooked Media. Like and follow us on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@PodSavetheUK Instagram: https://instagram.com/podsavetheuk TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@podsavetheuk BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/podsavetheuk.crooked.com Facebook: https://facebook.com/podsavetheuk X: https://x.com/podsavetheuk

    Reparations, immigration reform, and regulating a ‘common good economy’ w/ Mariana Mazzucato

  3. Oct 29

    Baked beans and bank tax: Healey’s ‘boring’ budget? Plus, Brazil boots Bolsonaro 2.0

    This week, while Nish is on tour, Coco is joined by journalist Zoë Grünewald to make sense of the first ‘steady-as-he-goes’ Burnham budget. From Burnham’s barnstormer, to Healey’s humdrum address… it was, fine I guess? Weeks of pitch-rolling and pre-announcements led up to this moment, which meant there were very few surprises in Parliament, but a few cans kicked into next year.  Coco & Zoë speak to Helen Barnard, Director of Policy at the Trussell Trust, to understand what the budget means for those who really do need ‘breathing space’ the most. Keep an eye out for the Timms and Milburn reviews, due next month, to understand how the government intends to support the most vulnerable.  Plus, Coco & Zoë discuss the recent election victories for progressive movements across the world–from Serbia to Brazil and beyond–and ask, what will it take to see the same over here in the UK? Are we too busy lime bike jousting, or are there bigger structural hurdles (electorally, and legally) that prevent the easy formation of mass protests in the same way… CHECK OUT THESE DEALS FROM OUR SPONSORS HEXCLAD: https://www.hexclad.co.uk/PSTUK BETTERHELP: https://www.betterhelp.com/psuk    SHOPIFY: https://www.shopify.co.uk  Pod Save the UK is an Intelligence Squared production for Crooked Media. Like and follow us on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@PodSavetheUK Instagram: https://instagram.com/podsavetheuk TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@podsavetheuk BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/podsavetheuk.crooked.com Facebook: https://facebook.com/podsavetheuk X: https://x.com/podsavetheuk

    Baked beans and bank tax: Healey’s ‘boring’ budget? Plus, Brazil boots Bolsonaro 2.0

  4. Oct 22

    Pod Save…the world? Global justice w/ Thomas Piketty and ‘Changing Gender’ w/ Susan Stryker

    It’s a bumper episode this week! Put on your big brain hats, as Nish & Coco are joined by two incredible thinkers from around the world: PSUK goes global. First up, it’s pioneering (or ‘OG’) trans historian Susan Stryker who discusses her new book, ‘Changing Gender’: charting the history and development of the concept and language of gender, weaving in elements of memoir and observations from the present day. As “gender” has become the bogeyman for gender-critical campaigners, ethno-nationalists and religious conservatives alike, Susan traces the development of these transphobic ideologies, and sets out how the existence of ‘transness’ itself could offer the potential for human liberation.  Next, we’re joined by academic and economist Thomas Piketty, who runs Nish & Coco through the Global Justice Report that was released this summer: a comprehensive roadmap to achieving global equality and planetary sustainability by 2100. What’s the catch? Look away, billionaires– it’s time for global redistribution. He also explains the significance of the mass student protests in France, and the role they may play in next year’s presidential election. No prizes for guessing the common enemy in both conversations… What a treat! Let us know what you think of the episode in the comments, and don’t forget you can email podsavetheuk@crooked.com with any questions, musings, or thoughts!  USEFUL LINKS Read the Global Justice Report: https://globaljusticeproject.wid.world/global-justice-report/  Buy Susan’s book: https://www.hive.co.uk/product/susan-stryker/changing-gender--the-history-and-future-of-a-concept/26517789  Justice for Joelle: https://www.translegalclinic.com/justice-for-joelle  Further information about the NHS’s ‘single sex spaces’ guidance: https://genderedintelligence.co.uk/news/37-nhs-single-sex-guidance  CHECK OUT THESE DEALS FROM OUR SPONSORS SHOPIFY: https://www.shopify.co.uk VANTA: https://www.vanta.com/PSTUK Pod Save the UK is an Intelligence Squared production for Crooked Media. Like and follow us on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@PodSavetheUK Instagram: https://instagram.com/podsavetheuk TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@podsavetheuk BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/podsavetheuk.crooked.com Facebook: https://facebook.com/podsavetheuk X: https://x.com/podsavetheuk

    Pod Save…the world? Global justice w/ Thomas Piketty and ‘Changing Gender’ w/ Susan Stryker

  5. Oct 15

    The Brexit Cinematic Universe w/ Anand Menon, and Premier League pitfalls ft. Man City

    This week, Nish & Coco reckon with the latest act of political desperation from Farage and his ailing Reform party: returning to their single-issue roots and promising to shut down England’s asylum system altogether.  Plus, amidst the ongoing Manchester City scandal, we dive into the PSUK vault and return to an interview from June 2023 with then-mayor Andy Burnham, where Nish & Coco quizzed him on Abu Dhabi investment in the city. Back then, he said broader issues were a “matter for government”. Now he is the government–what next? Also, Nish outs himself as a football nerd.  And, Brexit’s back on the table– again?! We’re joined by Professor of European Politics Anand Menon, to talk about whether rejoining the EU is desirable, or even possible anymore. Will this dominate the next ten years’ worth of political debate? Does Europe even want us back? We discuss, using a lot of Marvel metaphors… USEFUL LINKS Manchester Mill’s reporting on Abu Dhabi’s relationship with Manchester City Council: https://manchestermill.co.uk/exclusive-sheikh-mansour-contract-manchester/  UK in a Changing Europe website and resources: https://ukandeu.ac.uk/  Don’t forget you can get in touch! Contact us via email: podsavetheuk@crooked.com if you want to share questions, thoughts, or general musings!  CHECK OUT THESE DEALS FROM OUR SPONSORS  INCOGNI: https://www.incogni.com/podsavetheuk Code: podsavetheukSHOPIFY: https://www.shopify.co.uk  Pod Save the UK is an Intelligence Squared production for Crooked Media. Like and follow us on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@PodSavetheUK Instagram: https://instagram.com/podsavetheuk TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@podsavetheuk BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/podsavetheuk.crooked.com Facebook: https://facebook.com/podsavetheuk X: https://x.com/podsavetheuk

    The Brexit Cinematic Universe w/ Anand Menon, and Premier League pitfalls ft. Man City

  6. Oct 8

    It’s Conference season: ideology, Iron Domes and independence. Plus, why is Burnham “hypocritical and insulting”? w/ Lara Bird MP

    This week, Nish & Coco are joined by Megan Kenyon, Political Correspondent at the New Statesman, to unpack some of the noisy headlines coming out of the Green Party conference over the weekend. They discuss what the passing of the ‘Zionism is Racism’ means for the party, and how the Greens are positioning themselves in relation to Labour: as a wholesale replacement, or as a way to hold Burnham to account?  They also look ahead to the Holborn & St Pancras by-election (which is happening today as you listen!), and ask: who is the Conservative Party actually for in 2026? Dinkwads, Dumpys, or something in-between?  Also, newly elected SNP MP Lara Bird joins us! She shares her experience navigating Westminster, reflects on how her work for Britain Palestine Project has shaped her politics, and explains why achieving the SNP’s core mission would put her out of a job… **Coco was a little under the weather in this week’s episode, so you may hear some coughs. We tried to remove as many as we could, but there was so much interesting conversation we didn’t want to lose! **  USEFUL LINKSCatch up with Megan’s reporting on the Green Party Conference and the ‘Zionism is Racism’ motion: https://www.newstatesman.com/politics/2026/10/greens-vote-to-declare-zionism-as-racism  Watch the I Think You Should Leave Hot Dog sketch Nish references: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WLfAf8oHrMo  Join the National March for Palestine on the 10th October: https://palestinecampaign.org/events/national-march-for-palestine-save-the-date/  Don’t forget you can get in touch! Contact us via email: podsavetheuk@crooked.com if you want to share questions, thoughts, or general musings!  CHECK OUT THESE DEALS FROM OUR SPONSORS  HEXCLAD: https://www.hexclad.co.uk/PSTUK BETTERHELP: https://www.betterhelp.com/psuk    SHOPIFY: https://www.shopify.co.uk  Pod Save the UK is an Intelligence Squared production for Crooked Media. Like and follow us on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@PodSavetheUK Instagram: https://instagram.com/podsavetheuk TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@podsavetheuk BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/podsavetheuk.crooked.com Facebook: https://facebook.com/podsavetheuk X: https://x.com/podsavetheuk

    It’s Conference season: ideology, Iron Domes and independence. Plus, why is Burnham “hypocritical and insulting”? w/ Lara Bird MP

  7. Oct 1

    Burnham’s barnstormer - ‘Hope Again’ for Labour? Plus, ‘the most dangerous story ever told’: Naomi Klein and Astra Taylor on ‘End Times Fascism’

    This week, Nish & Coco catch up on the Labour Party Conference, and react to Andy Burnham’s promises to break with the politics of the past, and build a sustainable future…but what about the present?  We’re also starstruck in the studio as we’re joined by Naomi Klein and Astra Taylor to discuss their latest book, ‘End Times Fascism: And the Fight for the Living World’. They talk about the consequences of a dangerous alliance of tech bros, Christian fundamentalists, and ethno-nationalists, wary of the so-called “great replacement”.  But there’s also hope in community organising, action, and championing the natural world; staying grounded, while the billionaires plan their exit to space. Nish wanted to call this episode “gay porn and soup”... you will have to listen to find out why!  USEFUL LINKSBuy Naomi & Astra’s book: End Times Fascism : Naomi Klein, : 9780241816288 : Blackwell's  Read Jane Bradley’s reporting for the New York Times into Nigel Farage and Reform UK’s links to one of America’s most influential conservative Christian groups, the ‘Alliance Defending Freedom’: They Helped Topple Roe v. Wade. Now Their Sights Are Set on Britain. - The New York Times  Join the National March for Palestine on the 10th October: https://palestinecampaign.org/events/national-march-for-palestine-save-the-date/  CHECK OUT THESE DEALS FROM OUR SPONSORS VANTA: https://www.vanta.com/PSTUKSHOPIFY: https://www.shopify.co.uk  Pod Save the UK is an Intelligence Squared production for Crooked Media. Don’t forget you can get in touch! Contact us via email: podsavetheuk@crooked.com if you want to share questions, thoughts, or general musings!  Like and follow us on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@PodSavetheUK Instagram: https://instagram.com/podsavetheuk TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@podsavetheuk BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/podsavetheuk.crooked.com Facebook: https://facebook.com/podsavetheuk X: https://x.com/podsavetheuk

    Burnham’s barnstormer - ‘Hope Again’ for Labour? Plus, ‘the most dangerous story ever told’: Naomi Klein and Astra Taylor on ‘End Times Fascism’

  8. Sep 24

    “The world is a casino”: polling, politics & Palantir w/ Galen Druke

    This week, Nish & Coco are left reeling from the news that Tom Watson is the latest in a long line of politicians swapping the ballot box for big tech bucks. They consider the implications of Palantir’s cosy relationship with former government officials, and ask where the line is with lobbying.  Also, we’re joined by 33.3% of the hosts of Crooked’s new podcast, ‘Still Counting’ - Galen Druke. He demystifies all things polls, explaining the methodology in the madness and how much we can learn from all these numbers. Plus, have you ever wondered who’s the most optimistic about fighting a bear?  And, Coco & Nish reunite with Nikesh Shukla, ten years after the publication of The Good Immigrant. They consider the role identity politics has played in the last decade, and how we can stay optimistic–and active–members of our communities during increasingly scary times.  USEFUL LINKSRead the Nerve’s excellent reporting on Palantir poaching government officials: https://www.thenerve.news/p/palantir-revolving-doors-peter-thiel-transparency-corruption-risk  Listen to Still Counting: https://crooked.com/podcast-series/still-counting/ Buy Nikesh’s book (10th anniversary edition)! https://www.amazon.co.uk/Good-Immigrant-writers-reflect-contemporary/dp/1837266220  CHECK OUT THESE DEALS FROM OUR SPONSORS INCOGNI: https://www.incogni.com/podsavetheuk Code: podsavetheukSHOPIFY: https://www.shopify.co.uk VANTA: https://www.vanta.com/PSTUK Pod Save the UK is an Intelligence Squared production for Crooked Media. Don’t forget you can get in touch! Contact us via email: podsavetheuk@crooked.com if you want to share questions, thoughts, or general musings!  Like and follow us on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@PodSavetheUK Instagram: https://instagram.com/podsavetheuk TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@podsavetheuk BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/podsavetheuk.crooked.com Facebook: https://facebook.com/podsavetheuk X: https://x.com/podsavetheuk

    “The world is a casino”: polling, politics & Palantir w/ Galen Druke
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4.8
out of 5
662 Ratings

About

Pod Save the UK is your weekly fix of political news, big ideas and a shot of inspiration. Each week hosts, comedian Nish Kumar and journalist Coco Khan are joined by politicians, experts, and famous friends to unpick the latest news, look for solutions, and inspire action. From Crooked Media – the creators of Pod Save America – tune in to new episodes of Pod Save the UK every Thursday wherever you pod.

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