Best Ben Townsend Podcasts (2025)

1
Ukraine War Update with Ben Hodges and Jane Kobzova 49:28

11h ago49:28

49:28

During the past several weeks, and since around March of this year, Russia has increased the intensity of its attacks on Ukraine. Moscow is launching brutal aerial assaults on cities and civilian centers, amounting to the largest drone and missile attacks to date in this war. Many eyes are now on Washington as the Trump administration sends inconsi…

1
Chelsea champions of the world while England send Wales packing at Euros – Football Weekly 55:01

1d ago55:01

55:01

Max Rushden is joined by John Brewin, Robyn Cowen and Dan Bardell as Chelsea win the Club World Cup and rampant England book a Euro 2025 quarter-final against Sweden. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/footballweeklypodBy The Guardian

1
NATO's Biggest Threats 56:12

5d ago56:12

56:12

In the wake of a very short communiqué and an abbreviated Summit, many questions have been left unanswered by allies. How NATO would manage a reduction of military assets in Europe, support for Ukraine, nuclear strategy, and the rollout of the 5% spending benchmark are all uncertain at the moment, as is the transatlantic relationship. To help us un…

1
Uplifted: Sonnie Trotter 1:04:07

5d ago1:04:07

1:04:07

Sonnie Trotter would never admit to being Canada’s best rock climber, but his multi-decade career of cutting-edge trad climbs and nails-hard sport routes certainly puts him in that conversation. In his new book, Sonnie looks back to the people, experiences and community that defined his path into professional climbing. Just don’t take financial adv…

1
PSG demolish Real Madrid, transfers and a proper England win – Football Weekly Extra 54:34

6d ago54:34

54:34

Max Rushden is joined by Barry Glendenning, Nicky Bandini, Paul Watson and Tom Garry to discuss the Euros, Club World Cup and more. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/footballweeklypodBy The Guardian

1
Chelsea into the Club World Cup final and England’s crunch Euro test – Football Weekly 54:54

7d ago54:54

54:54

Max Rushden is joined by Barry Glendenning, Lars Sivertsen, Jonathan Fadugba and Nick Ames as Chelsea progress to the Club World Cup final with a 2-0 win over Fluminense. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/footballweeklypodBy The Guardian

1
A Diogo Jota tribute – Football Weekly 57:37

9d ago57:37

57:37

Max Rushden is joined by Barry Glendenning, Jonathan Wilson and Mark Langdon to pay tribute to Diogo Jota and Suzy Wrack joins from Zurich after England lose their opening game of Euro 2025. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/footballweeklypodBy The Guardian

1
Transfers, Euro 2025 and Sheffield Wednesday in crisis: Football Weekly Extra 54:04

13d ago54:04

54:04

Max Rushden is joined by Barry Glendenning, Sam Dalling, Sanny Rudravajhala and Tom Garry for a transfer round-up and the latest from Euro 2025 in Switzerland. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/footballweeklypodBy The Guardian

1
Manchester City out of the Club World Cup and Euro 2025 kicks off - Football Weekly 52:39

14d ago52:39

52:39

Max Rushden is joined by Barry Glendenning, Nicky Bandini, Nedum Onuoha and Suzy Wrack to discuss the Club World Cup and the Women’s Euros. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/footballweeklypodBy The Guardian

1
Souvankham Thammavongsa Reads Samanta Schweblin 48:30

15d ago48:30

48:30

Souvankham Thammavongsa joins Deborah Treisman to read and discuss “The Size of Things,” by Samanta Schweblin (translated, from the Spanish, by Megan McDowell), which was published in The New Yorker in 2017. Thammavongsa is a Laotian Canadian writer. Her publications include the poetry collections “Light” and “Cluster” and the story collection “How…

1
Lightning at the Club World Cup, U21 glory and the Women’s Euros – Football Weekly 56:25

16d ago56:25

56:25

Max Rushden is joined by Seb Hutchinson, John Brewin and Dan Bardell to discuss Club World Cup chaos, England’s U21s triumph, the Women’s Euros in Switzerland. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/footballweeklypodBy The Guardian

1
The Future of Arms Control Part 2: The Case for Saving Global Arms Control 51:28

19d ago51:28

51:28

This week’s episode of Brussels Sprouts is the second part in our series on the future of the New START treaty and the viability of arms control between Russia and the United States. If you haven’t already heard this week’s earlier episode with Frank Miller and Eric Edelman, be sure to give it a listen! In a Foreign Affairs piece from April, one of…

1
The Future of Arms Control Part 1: "No New START" 54:55

19d ago54:55

54:55

On this week’s episode of Brussels Sprouts, we’re kicking off a special 2-part series on the future of the New START treaty and the viability of arms control between Russia and the United States. Tune in now to part 2 to hear the other side of this debate! In a recent piece in Foreign Affairs, "No New START," this week’s guests argue that in the cu…

1
Thirty Below: Cassidy Randall 54:21

19d ago54:21

54:21

Writer Cassidy Randall’s new book Thirty Below unearths the story of the first all-female ascent of Denali in 1970 and reveals a deeper story of ambition and teamwork. It’s an incredible story with complex characters. In a sport obsessed with legends and heroics, why did the Denali Damsels nearly fade into history? Watch Climbing Gold on YouTube Th…

1
The Audio Long Read: Extremely loud and incredibly scouse: how Jamie Carragher conquered football punditry 46:06

20d ago46:06

46:06

Football coverage no longer stops after the final whistle. And in this new era, the former Liverpool defender reigns supreme By Kieran Morris. Read by Felipe Pacheco. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/footballweeklypodBy The Guardian

1
Revisited: Luton Town’s Manager Idol – Forgotten Stories of Football podcast 9:47

21d ago9:47

9:47

Primetime TV would prove the inspiration for one of the most shambolic managerial appointments in football history. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/footballweeklypodBy The Guardian

1
Is the Club World Cup actually … quite good? – Football Weekly podcast 53:31

23d ago53:31

53:31

Max Rushden is joined by Barry Glendenning, Will Unwin, Lars Sivertsen and Sid Lowe to talk transfers and Premier League fixtures. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/footballweeklypodBy The Guardian

1
NATO Summit Preview with Julianne Smith and Camille Grand 52:58

26d ago52:58

52:58

Next week, on June 24th and 25th, NATO will hold its annual summit in the Hague. In the run-up to the event, expectations are low among allies. The ultimate goal is to navigate the Summit without major incident and walk away with unity still intact. At the top of the agenda is the historic new pledge to spend 5% of GDP on defense. However, not ever…

1
Revisited: Manchester United v Galatasaray, 1993 – Forgotten Stories of Football podcast 15:48

27d ago15:48

15:48

In this episode: few had expected much from Galatasaray in the European Cup, but United were out of their depth on the pitch amid terrifying hostility and harassment off it. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/footballweeklypodBy The Guardian

1
The Audio Long Read: ‘The Silicon Valley of turf’ – how the UK’s pursuit of the perfect pitch changed football 31:04

28d ago31:04

31:04

They used to look like quagmires, ice rinks or dustbowls, depending on the time of year. But as big money entered football, pristine pitches became crucial to the sport’s image – and groundskeepers became stars. By William Ralston. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/footballweeklypod…

1
The Club World Cup kicks off and Thomas Frank in at Spurs - Football Weekly 56:21

30d ago56:21

56:21

Max Rushden is joined by Barry Glendenning, Nicky Bandini and Mark Langdon as the Club World Cup commences and Thomas Frank is installed at Spurs. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/footballweeklypodBy The Guardian

1
Bitcoin as Pristine Collateral: Risk Redefined. @PeoplesReserve with @CJKonstantinos 20:31

1M ago20:31

20:31

During the darkest days of the last bear market, 5 years ago, I met my friend and guest @CJKonstantinos at The Green Flash in Florida. This guy is the definition of OG by doubling down and starting @peoplesreserve. He's creating Bitcoin-backed financial products that are reshaping the way we think about money. Tomorrow we are both speaking at Bitco…

1
Chris Sharma: Olympic Hopeful 58:28

1M ago58:28

58:28

Elite competition is a young person's game, but when 44-year-old legend Chris Sharma witnessed climbing on the Olympic stage last summer, it lit a fire in him, or at least a small flame. Chris undeniably changed climbing bringing the sport into its modern era, establishing the 5.15 grade, winning World Cups and World Championships as a teen, but an…

1
Is football ready for the Club World Cup? Football Weekly Extra 56:36

1M ago56:36

56:36

Max Rushden is joined by Barry Glendenning, Nick Ames and Paul Watson to look ahead to the Club World Cup which kicks off this weekend in the USA. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/footballweeklypodBy The Guardian

1
England made to suffer by Senegal and a Welsh thriller in Belgium – Football Weekly podcast 54:12

1M ago54:12

54:12

Max Rushden is joined by Barry Glendenning, John Brewin and Nedum Onuoha as Senegal become the first African country to beat the England men’s team. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/footballweeklypodBy The Guardian

1
How the U.S. and Europe are Rethinking China 57:24

1M ago57:24

57:24

China has remained a persistent—and increasingly complex—challenge. With looming discussions of tariffs and strategic decoupling from the U.S., European leaders are watching closely: How will Washington’s China policy evolve, and what does that mean for Europe’s strategic posture toward Beijing? We’re very pleased to welcome Liz Economy and Noah Ba…

1
England’s grind, Nations League drama and Ange Postecoglou out at Spurs – Football Weekly 55:53

1M ago55:53

55:53

Max Rushden is joined by Barry Glendenning, George Elek and Lars Sivertsen to discuss England’s laboured win over Andorra, the Nations League final and Ange Postecoglou’s Spurs exit. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/footballweeklypodBy The Guardian

1
From Bitcoin to Boat Storage: Joey Rosati on Diversifying Investments 34:26

1M ago34:26

34:26

I've gotten to know Joey Rosati (@rosaticorp) over the last 3 years working alonside hime in the VC trenches of Druid Ventures. Let me tell you, the VC world is a funny place and there are gems if you know where to find them. Joey is one of them. He knows that behind every successful business, it's all about people. In today's epic episode, Joey jo…

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