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Technology

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Mar 10

Carl Pei on Futurism, AI and the Prospect of Civil War

For Episode Eight, Evgeny is joined by Carl Pei, founder and CEO of Nothing, the London-based consumer tech company trying to make devices feel fun. Carl explains how Nothing evolved from earbuds to smartphones, why he believes design and “focus-first” features can counter distraction, and what it means to build products with a distinct, instantly recognisable identity. Evgeny and Carl also explore the psychological cost of always-on devices, the battle for attention and consciousness, and what it might mean to build technology that helps people stay intentional. The episode ends on a wider view of the AI era: enormous promise for medicine and science, but serious unanswered questions about jobs, governance, and whether society is ready for what comes next. This episode was produced by Message Heard and The Standard. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
10/21/2025

Virginia Giuffre's book, Nobody's Girl: the most staggering revelations

We speak to Melanie McDonagh, who has reviewed Virginia Giuffre's memoir, Nobody's Girl: A Memoir of Surviving Abuse and Fighting for Justice. Giuffre's book gives an account of her two-year ordeal as a sexual victim of Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell. Melanie walks us through the memoir and reveals whether it shares new revelations on Epstein and Ghislaine's case, and what specific claims Virginia makes about her alleged encounters with Prince Andrew. To read Melanie's full review, click here. In part two, is £3.95 pasta worth twirling your fork for? Pastino is expanding with a new venue opening next month, offering some eye-catching prices. But does the quality match the price? We find out more from The Standard's food and drink journalist, Josh Barrie. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Apr 29

Should all serious crimes be tried by a jury? With Geoffrey Robertson KC

The government is considering dropping juries for certain criminal cases in an attempt to reduce court backlogs. Will this move undermine British justice? In this bumper episode, host Tamara Kormornick speaks to a vocal opponent to the plans, Geoffrey Robertson KC, former judge and founder of Doughty Street Chambers, where Keir Starmer, David Lammy and Attorney General Richard Herman have all practised. She also hears from criminal barrister and Vice Chair of the Criminal Bar Association, Andrew Thomas KC, who both prosecutes and defends for the Crown, for his view on whether the British justice system needs as many juries. Photograph: Getty Images Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Apr 9

Michael Pollan on Consciousness, Psychedelics and the Fight for Free Thought

For Episode Nine, Evgeny is joined by Michael Pollan, journalist, author, and one of the leading voices exploring the human mind. Drawing on his new book A World Appears, Pollan makes an impassioned case for consciousness as something precious, private, and increasingly under threat. Together, they explore how social media and AI are not just competing for our attention, but beginning to shape attachment, emotion, and even our sense of self. The conversation ranges from chatbots and “AI psychosis” to meditation, psychedelics, and the idea of “consciousness hygiene” - the habits and practices that might help us protect our inner lives. Pollan also reflects on why writing is a form of thinking, why boredom and mind-wandering matter, and how experiences of ego dissolution, art, and nature can deepen our understanding of consciousness. The episode ends on a wider question: whether the real challenge is not only understanding consciousness, but learning how to practise it. This episode was produced by Message Heard and The Standard. Producer: Florence de Schlichting Production Coordinator: James Cox Production Manager: Kirsty McLean Video Editor: Nani Wenani The Standard team: Joe Bromley Will Rogers-Coltman Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
01/21/2024

Anaïs Mitchell on Hadestown's return to London [plus music]; Cowbois & The Good John Proctor reviews

Anaïs Mitchell, the creator of Hadestown, joins us to chat the musical's return to London. In a very special first for our podcast, Mitchell plays two songs from the show: Way Down Hadestown and We Raise Our Cups. Saddle up as Nancy and the Nick's ride into town (well Sloane Square) to review Cowbois at the Royal Court, and The Good John Proctor at the Jermyn Street Theatre. Elsewhere in news, we discuss the RSC’s inaugural season under Tamara Harvey and Daniel Evans, as well as the casting announcement that Adrian Dunbar, star of Line of Duty, is going to be making his musical theatre debut. Get in touch with us at theatrepod@standard.co.uk For all the latest news visit standard.co.uk or pick up a paper. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Apr 29

Is it easier than ever to build a start up now? With AXA Startup Angel Competition judges

Small and medium-sized enterprises accounted for 99.9% of the UK’s 5.7 million new companies last year. So what does it really take to build a business from scratch today, and how easy is it to secure funding? In this episode, host Tamara Kormornick sits down with Raphael Sofoluke, the founder of the UK Black Business Show and UK Black Business Week, and Izzy Obeng, the founder and CEO of Foundervine. Both guests are on the judging panel for the AXA Startup Angel Competition from AXA Business Insurance - in partnership with the Standard - and in a couple of months they will select impressive entrepreneurs to win top prizes, including £25,000, expert mentoring, plus business insurance for a year. Together, they discuss what it takes to be a founder, including the most common mistakes, tips on how to impress investors, and how to build a supportive business network that pays dividends in the long run. Competition entries close on 21 June 2026. For more information and to enter this year's AXA startup Angel competition, visit https://axastartupangel.standard.co.uk/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
02/18/2024

Creators of Six on Why Am I So Single? and our pick of the top shows to see this year…

Joining us from the launch of their new musical, Why Am I So Single?, Lucy Moss and Toby Marlow talk to our chief theatre critic Nick Curtis. Nick and Nancy Durrant line up the shows they’re really excited about this year, and the ones you should totally be booking or pinning in your diary… In news they discuss the hot topics of the week: Tickets for Jamie Lloyd’s Romeo and Juliet starring Tom Holland (who’s playing Juliet?), and Trigger Warnings from Ralph Fiennes. Get in touch with us at theatrepod@standard.co.uk Related articles: How to get cheap theatre tickets in the West End: we reveal the secrets to bagging those seats Tom Holland's West End return sells out in two hours as over 60,000 fans scramble to get tickets Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
03/26/2023

Guys & Dolls: Daniel Mays and Marisha Wallace

Line of Duty star Daniel Mays and Broadway's Marisha Wallace join us to discuss their five-star show Guys & Dolls, at the Bridge Theatre. We review Further Than the Furthest Thing, starring Jenna Russell, at the Young Vic, and Marjorie Prime, starring Anne Reid, at the Menier Chocolate Factory. Plus Nancy Durrant and Nick Clark react to playwright David Hare’s comments about musicals ‘strangling’ the West End. And we chat about some very noisy audience members… In this episode: Part one: Nick Clark and Nancy Durrant react to playwright David Hare’s comments... Part two: We review Further Than the Furthest Thing, plus noisy audience members (2 minutes 58) Part three: We’re joined by Daniel Mays and Marisha Wallace for Guys & Dolls at the Bridge Theatre (10 minutes 34) -What Guys & Dolls is about -Who is Miss Adelaide in Guys & Dolls and how does Marisha Wallace bring her to life -Who Daniel Mays plays in Guys & Dolls, and how he approached the character -Daniel Mays and Marisha Wallace talk about their favourite songs from the show and why -Turning Miss Adelaide into “Beyonce” and “Megan Thee Stallion” -Daniel Mays on Sit Down You’re Rockin’ The Boat and Arlene Phillips’s choreography -Marisha Wallace tears up as she reveals how black audiences are reacting to her leading role -The importance of audience interaction and what it means to them -The musicals they’d love to do next. Will we see Daniel Mays in Jesus Christ Superstar? Part four: Our Chief Theatre Critic Nick Curtis reviews Marjorie Prime, starring Anne Reid (22 minutes 36) For the latest news and reviews head to www.standard.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
09/18/2023

How BT Business CEO Bas Burger's preparing for the next tech revolution

When BT Business was officially launched in April this year, Bas Burger was the man entrusted to take the reigns. He’s in charge of 24,000 people, and a multi-billion pound strategy to make the UK’s broadband infrastructure fit for the future. In this episode we talk about: · Why BT Business had to be created and why he wanted the top job · Why a CEO should “ask questions and not give answers for as long as you can” · The challenges it faces to make the UK prepared for the AI revolution · Why every company’s a digital company and what that means for technology demand · How Canadian ice hockey legend Wayne Gretsky’s influenced his strategy · The importance of knowing “what’s not going to happen” in the future · Why the UK’s “arguably” fallen behind Europe in digital communication · How he was first made a CEO at the age of 31, and how fast he had to learn · Why as a student he spent all his money on a plane trip from the Netherlands to the UK to get his first ever job For more business interviews, news and analysis go to standard.co.uk/business, or pick up the Evening Standard newspaper. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
10/22/2024

Chris Kaba: Met police shooting victim’s criminal past

A murder plot targeting a rival gang member allegedly involving Met Police shooting victim Chris Kaba was among revelations about his criminal record that emerged on Tuesday. Kaba's convictions included prison sentences for weapons possession, as well as being subject to a domestic violence order, which surfaced following the judge’s lifting of reporting restrictions. Police firearms officer Martyn Blake was cleared of murder following the fatal shooting in a ‘hard stop’ in south London, but 24-year-old Kaba’s family described feeling a “deep pain of injustice” following the verdict. We’re joined from the Old Bailey by The London Standard’s courts correspondent, Tristan Kirk. In part two, our business editor Jonathan Prynn on the latest plans for 1 Undershaft - the Square Mile’s tallest skyscraper - how objections have changed this lengthy project and demand for space in the capital’s new-build office blocks. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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