Best BBC Studios Audio Podcasts (2025)

1
PART 2 Exclusive Christian Horner Interview: Inside Red Bull’s F1 Season So Far 14:15

1d ago14:15

14:15

In this special episode of The Inside Track, Matt Majendie visits Red Bull Racing HQ for an in-depth conversation with Team Principal Christian Horner. With the F1 season at full throttle, Horner reflects on Max Verstappen’s performances — and whether he believes Max is the greatest driver in Red Bull history. He discusses the decision-making behin…

1
The Official Language of the United States 32:12

2d ago32:12

32:12

Comedy writer Armando Iannucci and journalist Helen Lewis decode the utterly baffling world of political language. This week, a look over the pond at Trump's first 100 days. How have his administration used language to further their agenda? From the Gulf of America, to Making Showers Great Again, Helen and Armando examine how the US government is f…

1
PART 1 Exclusive Christian Horner Interview: Inside Red Bull’s F1 Season So Far 22:17

4d ago22:17

22:17

In this special episode of The Inside Track, Matt Majendie visits Red Bull Racing HQ for an in-depth conversation with Team Principal Christian Horner. With the F1 season at full throttle, Horner reflects on Max Verstappen’s performances — and whether he believes Max is the greatest driver in Red Bull history. He discusses the decision-making behin…

1
Verstappen not happy! What has happened to Hamilton? 40:53

11d ago40:53

40:53

Rick Edwards and Matt Majendie return with another high-octane episode of The Inside Track! This week, they dive into the drama of the Saudi GP — did Max deserve that penalty? What are Red Bull thinking? And what has happened to Lewis Hamilton at Ferrari? Plus, we crown this week’s prediction champ (spoiler: it’s not the AI), tease our upcoming sit…

1
How Much is a Pint of Milk? (with Rob Burley) 32:45

9d ago32:45

32:45

Comedy writer Armando Iannucci and journalist Helen Lewis decode the utterly baffling world of political language. Helen Lewis and Armando Iannucci are joined by the BBC's former Live Political Editor to discuss the art of the political interview. What's a valid question? What's a cheap gotcha? They also discuss Paxman's beard, the best political i…

1
Red Bull in Crisis? 35:24

18d ago35:24

35:24

This week on The Inside Track, Rick Edwards and Matt Majendie tackle a wild week in F1 — Are Red Bull in crisis? Did Oscar Piastri just announce himself as the main title contender? And is Verstappen really thinking about jumping ship? We break down all the Bahrain drama, reveal who nailed their podium predictions (spoiler: not the AI), share heart…

1
Liberation Day (with Soumaya Keynes) 37:19

19d ago37:19

37:19

Comedy writer Armando Iannucci and journalist Helen Lewis decode the utterly baffling world of political language. This week, Helen and Armando are joined by economist and journalist for the Financial Times, Soumaya Keynes. They take a look back on Liberation Day - what exactly was America being liberated from? What was the response in China to the…

1
Max Verstappen masterclass in Japan. Is he the best ever? 43:39

25d ago43:39

43:39

This week on The Inside Track, Rick Edwards and Matt Majendie break down all the action from the Japanese Grand Prix — from Max Verstappen’s clinical victory to McLaren’s tactics and Liam Lawson vs Yuki Tsunoda. There’s humble pie on the menu as Rick reacts to being embarrassed by AI in the predictions, plus the return of our cultural corner: Japan…

1
Three Word Slogans (with Cleo Watson) 32:42

24d ago32:42

32:42

Comedy writer Armando Iannucci and journalist Helen Lewis decode the utterly baffling world of political language. This week, Helen and Armando are joined by author, broadcaster and former adviser to Theresa May and Boris Johnson, Cleo Watson. Taking a look back at the three word slogans that defined politics in recent years, especially those that …

1
Race Strategy Deep Dive 22:47

1M ago22:47

22:47

This week Matt takes us on a deep dive into the topic of race strategy. He does this with the help of two members of the Oracle Red Bull Racing team, Principle Strategy Engineer Hannah Schmitz, and Head of Race Strategy Will Courtenay. For the entire season Matt is embedded with Max Verstappen, Christian Horner and the Red Bull Racing Formula 1 tea…

1
Fist Emoji, Flag Emoji, Fire Emoji (with Ava Santina Evans) 33:57

1M ago33:57

33:57

Comedy writer Armando Iannucci and journalist Helen Lewis decode the utterly baffling world of political language. Following the remarkable security breach dubbed 'Signalgate', Helen and Armando are joined by political editor of Politics Joe, Ava Santina Evans, to discuss how casualness has crept into political communication. Is it a threat? Is it …

1
China, Ciao & Liam Lawson 41:15

1M ago41:15

41:15

Rick Edwards and Matt Majendie react to the news of Red Bull driver Liam Lawson being dropped in favour of Racing Bull's Yuki Tsunoda. We also look at Ferrari’s shock disqualifications, shocking merchandise and Red Bull’s performance in China. Matt shares his exclusive behind-the-scenes experience at Red Bull HQ, offering unique insights from the t…

1
Seizing the Narrative (with Stephen Bush) 32:30

1M ago32:30

32:30

Comedy writer Armando Iannucci and journalist Helen Lewis decode the utterly baffling world of political language. Are Labour telling a good enough story? Who is the best storyteller in politics? How do you establish a narrative to take control of events, rather than let events define you? To answer these questions, Helen and Armando are joined by …

1
Melbourne, Mayhem and Murray Walker 38:28

2M ago38:28

38:28

Matt Majendie and Rick Edwards chew over events in Melbourne, get the gossip from the Red Bull garage, and look ahead to Shanghai. The show was recorded before the sad news broke about Eddie Jordan. Matt and Rick will pay tribute to the F1 legend in next weeks show. For the entire season Matt is embedded with Max Verstappen, Christian Horner and th…

1
Britain Isn't Working 25:47

2M ago25:47

25:47

Comedy writer Armando Iannucci and journalist Helen Lewis decode the utterly baffling world of political language. This week, the Government announced their plans for welfare reform, so we take a look at the language around welfare, around benefit claimants, and how it's changed over the years. Gone are the 'strivers vs shirkers' of the 2010s or ev…

1
Introducing....The Inside Track 1:30

2M ago1:30

1:30

Experience the F1 season with unrivalled access to Red Bull Racing. Matt Majendie and Rick Edwards are big F1 fans and they might have just hit the jackpot. For the entire season Matt is embedded with Max Verstappen, Christian Horner and the Red Bull Racing Formula 1 team. He’ll be in the pits and in the garage, with the drivers and in the factory,…

1
Be Quiet, Small Man 30:50

2M ago30:50

30:50

Comedy writer Armando Iannucci and journalist Helen Lewis decode the utterly baffling world of political language. This week, Musk has been threatening a former astronaut (no, not the one he threatened the other week - another one), Trump has been talking tariffs, and Rupert Lowe took on his party's 'Messiah', Nigel Farage. What does all this tough…

1
In the Public Interest? 29:19

2M ago29:19

29:19

Comedy writer Armando Iannucci and journalist Helen Lewis decode the utterly baffling world of political language. Hot mics, leaks, tell-all books. We find out a lot about how politicians talk in private. How does it differ from their public pronouncements? And are politicians less careful about how they come across in public these days? Helen and …

1
Everybody's Miserable 29:59

2M ago29:59

29:59

Comedy writer Armando Iannucci and journalist Helen Lewis decode the utterly baffling world of political language. Farage says everybody is miserable, Trump says everything is a 'disaster', and Liz Truss chimed in saying Britain is a 'failed state', so Helen and Armando are trying to find out why those who claim to be patriots are keen to talk the …

1
The Threat from Within 36:57

2M ago36:57

36:57

Comedy writer Armando Iannucci and journalist Helen Lewis decode the utterly baffling world of political language. This week, JD Vance sent European leaders into a tailspin with an inflammatory speech at the Munich Security Conference, and Kemi Badenoch made an attention-grabbing speech at the Alliance for Responsible Citizenship. Looking at them s…

1
Build, Baby, Build! 38:37

3M ago38:37

38:37

Comedy writer Armando Iannucci and journalist Helen Lewis decode the utterly baffling world of political language. This week, Starmer has suggested that Britain adopt a 'Build, Baby, Build' strategy. Sound familiar? We thought so too, so Helen and Armando are looking at why politicians copy their opponents. Is it a sign of strength or weakness, and…

1
Flying a Kite and Rolling the Pitch (with Rob Hutton) 36:06

3M ago36:06

36:06

Comedy writer Armando Iannucci and journalist Helen Lewis decode the utterly baffling world of political language. Why do we know what's going to be in a political speech before it happens? What is 'kiteflying' and 'pitch rolling'? To find out, Helen and Armando are joined by sketch writer for The Critic, Rob Hutton, who has been at more political …

1
Trump Derangement Syndrome 36:51

3M ago36:51

36:51

Comedy writer Armando Iannucci and journalist Helen Lewis decode the utterly baffling world of political language. This week, Trump has truly settled back into the White House, but is it different this time around? Helen and Armando take a look at how this unique politician uses language to get his way. We also look at Trump Derangement Syndrome - …

1
Free Speech Is Back! 29:50

3M ago29:50

29:50

Comedy writer Armando Iannucci and journalist Helen Lewis decode the utterly baffling world of political language. This week, Helen and Armando take a deep dive into Mark Zuckerberg's statement which explains the new rules around fact checking and free speech on his Meta platforms. Is free speech really back? Or should we be worried that fact-check…

1
A Lawyer, Not a Leader 32:16

4M ago32:16

32:16

Comedy writer Armando Iannucci and journalist Helen Lewis decode the utterly baffling world of political language. This week, after a well-earned week off, Helen and Armando are back to break down how political attacks work. After Kemi Badenoch landed a blow on Keir Starmer calling him 'a lawyer, not a leader', we look at what makes a political att…

1
Listeners' Strong Messages 24:00

4M ago24:00

24:00

Comedy writer Armando Iannucci and journalist Helen Lewis decode the utterly baffling world of political language. This week, Helen and Armando are delving into the email inbox to find out which political phrases have been driving our listeners to distraction. Strong Message here will be back on the 16th January at 9.45am on Radio 4 and then head s…

1
Words of the Year 30:15

5M ago30:15

30:15

In a year where Labour secured a 'loveless landslide' in the UK and Trump sealed his return to the White House, Helen and Armando will be 'laser-focused' on their 'mission' to skewer the use and abuse of political language. From 'freebies' to 'fascism', 'weird' to 'working people', all of the strong messages that helped Make 2024 Great Again will b…

1
The Tepid Bath of Managed Decline 29:19

5M ago29:19

29:19

Comedy writer Armando Iannucci and journalist Helen Lewis decode the utterly baffling world of political language. This week, Helen and Armando are having a splash around in the tepid bath of managed decline. When does a phrase become accidentally too evocative? What is the remedy to a tepid bath? And is the desire for 'start up culture' within the…

1
Reset, NOT Relaunch 32:33

5M ago32:33

32:33

Comedy writer Armando Iannucci and journalist Helen Lewis decode the utterly baffling world of political language. This week, following Keir Starmer's 'Plan for Change', Helen and Armando look at what a reset actually means. From Jaguar's rebrand to Miliband's Ed Stone, do resets work? Listen to Strong Message Here every Thursday at 9.45am on Radio…

1
Lonely No More: Episode 1: “The Fall” 25:11

5M ago25:11

25:11

Life takes a shocking turn when a seemingly normal day on the M4 is disrupted by a series of inexplicable events. As Nina and Nikesh navigate a chaotic motorway pile-up, they witness a chilling phenomenon that defies all logic—a man falling from the sky with no clear explanation. But that’s just the beginning. Strange symptoms, mysterious figures, …

1
Lonely No More: Episode 2: “Signals” 24:03

5M ago24:03

24:03

As the world reels from the mysterious events on the M4, Nikesh struggles to make sense of what’s happening while grappling with Nina’s sudden absence. A fire alarm forces him and his colleagues onto the street, where unsettling questions about Lucette’s disappearance arise. Meanwhile, cryptic connections between global incidents begin to surface—a…

1
Lonely No More: Episode 3: “The Mountain” 25:53

5M ago25:53

25:53

In Tokyo, Nikesh finds himself navigating the opulence and mystery surrounding Tucker Lane King’s enigmatic business empire. After witnessing the shocking crash at Haneda Airport, questions about the Lonely No More phenomenon deepen when Tucker reveals chilling cockpit footage of the missing flight crew—and an unsettling sound that defies explanati…

1
Lonely No More: Episode 4: “The Shape of Things” 25:42

5M ago25:42

25:42

As Nikesh returns from Tokyo, unsettling discoveries await on all fronts. Nina is grappling with secrets from her harrowing work in A&E, while cryptic structures appear near the motorway crash site, drawing crowds and whispers of a global transformation. Haroun introduces Nikesh to Xavi Anderson, whose unsettling theories about Lonely No More and i…

1
Lonely No More: Episode 5: “The Gathering” 25:35

5M ago25:35

25:35

With Nikesh and Nina’s wedding drawing closer, tension and uncertainty ripple through every corner of their lives. Lucette’s cryptic return sparks more questions than answers, while unsettling structures continue to appear across the countryside. At Heathrow, Nikesh faces a mysterious transformation in his father, Syed, whose miraculous recovery de…

1
Lonely No More: Episode 6: “The Shift” 28:03

5M ago28:03

28:03

As the wedding day unfolds, tensions between personal and global chaos reach a breaking point. Nina and Nikesh try to navigate their future together amidst ominous signs that the world around them is fracturing. Unsettling events at the reception—including unexpected guests and shocking revelations—disrupt their hopes for a peaceful union. Meanwhil…

1
Lonely No More: Episode 7: “The Divide” 27:12

5M ago27:12

27:12

As chaos spreads, Nina and Nikesh navigate a shattered Brighton in search of safety. The haunting reality of the transformed population becomes impossible to ignore, as they encounter eerie crowds gathering in silence along the shoreline. Desperation mounts when their escape is thwarted by relentless violence, forcing them to seek refuge in an aban…

1
Lonely No More: Episode 8: “The Reckoning” 30:10

5M ago30:10

30:10

At Fortress Gatwick, tensions boil over as Nina and Nikesh face the grim realities of the evolving world. With Xavi’s control tightening and shocking revelations about the Lonely No More phenomenon coming to light, the cracks in their sanctuary widen. Haroun, still reeling from Demelza’s transformation, grapples with his own devastating decisions, …

1
Becoming a Distraction 32:48

5M ago32:48

32:48

Comedy writer Armando Iannucci and journalist Helen Lewis decode the utterly baffling world of political language. Following Louise Haigh's resignation and Matt Gaetz's withdrawal from his Attorney General nomination, both said they were 'becoming a distraction', so Helen and Armando dig into the language of the political resignation. Looking at in…

1
I Make No Apology For... 28:31

5M ago28:31

28:31

Comedy writer Armando Iannucci and journalist Helen Lewis decode the utterly baffling world of political language. This week, we get into the world of political apologies. Why does Starmer keep insisting he makes no apologies for things that no one is actually asking him to apologise for? Is saying something is 'regrettable' really an apology? And …

1
The Deep State 29:40

6M ago29:40

29:40

Comedy writer Armando Iannucci and journalist Helen Lewis decode the utterly baffling world of political language. This week, Helen and Armando spend some time trying to understand the 'deep state', and why it's caught on as a political attack. What's the difference between The Movement and The Blob? And who is draining the swamp of what? And is it…

1
In Listening Mode 28:37

6M ago28:37

28:37

Comedy writer Armando Iannucci and journalist Helen Lewis decode the utterly baffling world of political language. This week, as the Democrats lick their wounds, and Kemi Badenoch looks to rebuild her party, we are talking about politicians in 'listening mode'. Who are they listening to? Why weren't they listening sooner? Is it a tick-box exercise,…

1
MAGA - Trump trumps Harris 30:06

6M ago30:06

30:06

Comedy writer Armando Iannucci and journalist Helen Lewis decode the utterly baffling world of political language. This week, Trump has made his way back to the White House, but will he Make America Great Again? What does that phrase really mean? And how did it become the enduring political message of our times? Helen and Armando examine how politi…

1
Tough Decisions 29:16

6M ago29:16

29:16

Comedy writer Armando Iannucci and journalist Helen Lewis decode the utterly baffling world of political language. This week, as Rachel Reeves delivers the first Labour budget in 15 years, we’re talking about ‘tough decisions'. What’s a tough decision? Why is language around budgets so slippery? And why doesn’t anyone drink at the dispatch box anym…

1
Kemi-Kaze and political nicknames 23:38

6M ago23:38

23:38

In this new series for Radio 4, comedy writer Armando Iannucci and journalist Helen Lewis decode the utterly baffling world of political language. This week, Helen’s eye was caught by the Conservative leadership race, where Robert Jenrick has coined a new nickname for rival Kemi Badenoch. They dig into other examples of political nicknames and name…

1
Introducing Strong Message Here 1:31

7M ago1:31

1:31

Helen Lewis and Armando Iannucci investigate which political buzzwords are strong and stable and which are a crock of covfefe. New episodes are available weekly on Thursdays on BBC Sounds from 24 October, 2024.By BBC Radio 4

1
Welcome to Restart 2:17

2+ y ago2:17

2:17

“Camp Restart” is a video games detox centre where parents send their troubled teenagers to overcome addiction to technology… At least that’s what the brochure says. Mind-bending thriller starring Armin Karima, Jon Gabrus and Lillete Dubey, from creators Brett Neichin and John Scott Dryden.By BBC Sounds

1
Tim & Gend's Weekend Podcast: EP 57 - Roulette, Raclete and Riding 1:07:11

3+ y ago1:07:11

1:07:11

HELP SUPPORT THE PODCAST: This podcast will always be free and Ad Free too but it does cost us money every single week. If you want to support us by donating a small amount, then you can do so here: ko-fi.com/timandgendle People who donate will make it into our special Ko-Fi songs Gendle is going to make at the end of the year! X ————— INTRODUCTION…

1
Tim & Gend's Weekend Podcast: EP 56 - Bingo & Bankrupting your mother in law... 1:16:47

3+ y ago1:16:47

1:16:47

HELP SUPPORT THE PODCAST: THANKS SO MUCH FOR YOU DONATIONS> Means the world! This podcast will always be free and Ad Free too but it does cost us money every single week. If you want to support us by donating a small amount, then you can do here: ko-fi.com/timandgendle People who donate will make it into our special Ko-Fi songs Gendle is going to m…

1
Tim & Gend's Weekend Podcast: EP 55 - 1:06:55

3+ y ago1:06:55

1:06:55

HELP SUPPORT THE PODCAST: This podcast will always be free and Ad Free too but it does cost us money every single week. If you want to support us by donating a small amount, then you can do here: ko-fi.com/timandgendle People who donate will make it into our special Ko-Fi songs Gendle is going to make at the end of the year! x ————— INTRODUCTION SP…

1
Tim & Gend's Weekend Podcast: Ep 54 - leaves, loners and being late! 1:12:41

3+ y ago1:12:41

1:12:41

HELP SUPPORT THE PODCAST: This podcast will always be free and Ad Free too but it does cost us money every single week. If you want to support us by donating a small amount, then you can do here: ko-fi.com/timandgendle People who donate will make it into our special Ko-Fi songs Gendle is going to make at the end of the year! x ————— INTRODUCTION SP…

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