Best Chris Swinney Podcasts (2025)

1
132- Gibson Designer Guitars - Explorer, Flying V, Firebird (Barber) 49:11

3d ago49:11

49:11

I remember seeing the Edge and James Hetfield with an Explorer. Billy Gibbons and Jimi Hendrix with a Flying V. Johnny Winter and Allen Collins with a Firebird… Such fascinating tones from such fascinating players. Of course I wouldn’t call these guitars traditional by any stretch of the imagination. Simply put… they look awkward, clunky, and like …

1
The Douglas Alexander One 43:09

4d ago43:09

43:09

The Trade Minister explains how a penalty shootout played a role in his government appointment. Douglas Alexander has the same job that he had 20 years ago in Tony Blair's government. He reflects on how the world has changed in that time, and his motivation for returning to politics after a humiliating defeat in 2015.…

1
131- Frontman vs Side Player (Lloyd) 58:20

10d ago58:20

58:20

Nothing can beat a charismatic frontman. Then again, there are some Side Players that give them a run for their money. I mean… who is Bono without Edge? Freddie Mercury without Brian May? Roth or Haggar without Eddie Van Halen? Robert Plant without Jimmy Page? Anthony Kiedis without John Frusciante? Bon Scott or Brian Johnson without Angus & Malcol…

1
The Mel Stride One 37:41

11d ago37:41

37:41

The Shadow Chancellor sets out his vision for a more "thoughtful" politics and faces up to the challenge of winning the argument before the next general election. Sir Mel Stride reveals what he admires about his opposite number, Rachel Reeves, and why a world war two commander is one of his political heroes. He also has a warning about what the Bri…

1
130- Guitar Shows (Owen) 52:57

20d ago52:57

52:57

I am fortunate enough to live in an area that not only has amazing guitar shops, but 1-2 times a year guitar shops from around the nation will come to buy, sell, trade, and showcase musical gear all under 1 roof. Occasionally you’ll see a celebrity. Get a chance to listen to some live music. And possibly touch a true holy grail piece. I grew up goi…

1
The Jacinda Ardern One 33:32

21d ago33:32

33:32

How does it feel to be held up as the 'anti-Trump' by progressives across the globe? Jacinda Ardern was prime minister of New Zealand for 6 years and is now committed to promoting empathy and kindness in world leadership. She joins Nick in the Political Thinking studio to reflect on her unexpected rise to power and being described as a 'global pinu…

1
The Tanni Grey-Thompson One 40:50

25d ago40:50

40:50

After 15 years as a member of the House of Lords, Tanni Grey-Thompson reflects on how a career at the top of sport prepared her for the world of politics. The crossbench peer speaks to Nick about what she sees as a dangerous relationship between benefit reforms and legalising assisted dying. Producer: Daniel Kraemer…

1
The Eluned Morgan One 45:54

1M ago45:54

45:54

The First Minister of Wales sets a marker to the left of Keir Starmer, setting out her vision of a "Red Welsh Way", drawing inspiration from Gavin and Stacey. Producer: Daniel KraemerBy BBC Radio 4

1
The Richard Tice One 38:17

1M ago38:17

38:17

Reform UK’s deputy leader reflects on a year of political success, a privileged upbringing and the cabinet job he’s eyeing up Producer: Daniel KraemerBy BBC Radio 4

1
The Joe Biden One 29:41

2M ago29:41

29:41

To mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day, former president Joe Biden sits down with Nick Robinson for an exclusive interview, his first since leaving the White House. He issues a stark warning about the future of the western alliance and criticises his successor’s approach to foreign policy. In this extended interview, Biden also reflects on his deci…

1
Bonus: The Rishi Sunak Lessons from Downing Street One - Part 2 1:01:28

4M ago1:01:28

1:01:28

In the second, bonus instalment of this exclusive interview with the former prime minister, Rishi Sunak opens up about his time as Chancellor and Prime Minister, including how his relationship with Boris Johnson fell apart, why he regrets his "Stop the Boats" slogan and what comes next for someone who has become an elder statesman, aged 44. Produce…

1
The Rishi Sunak Lessons from Downing Street One 58:32

4M ago58:32

58:32

An exclsuive in-depth interview with the Rishi Sunak. In this first instalment, the former prime minister tells stories from behind the scenes on the world stage explains why he thinks we must now cut welfare spending to fund defence. Sunak reflects on how a sense of duty - inspired by his Hindu faith - helped drive his political career, and reflec…

1
The Carla Denyer 2025 One 33:15

4M ago33:15

33:15

The co-leader of the Green Party of England and Wales joins Nick for a conversationBy BBC Radio 4

1
The Heidi Alexander One 41:41

4M ago41:41

41:41

The Transport Secretary on Corbyn, Ukraine and growing up in Swindon Producer: Lauren TavrigerBy BBC Radio 4

1
The Charlie Taylor One 40:20

4M ago40:20

40:20

The Chief Inspector of Prisons for England and Wales on how he went from being a teacher at a school for kids with beahvioural problems, to being the leading voice on prison conditions. He tells stories of cheap suits, perspex windows, being the subject of offensive graffiti, and explains how he retains optimism. Producers: Lauren Tavriger and Dani…

1
The Zia Yusuf One 48:06

5M ago48:06

48:06

Who is the 38-year-old, Muslim, second-generation immigrant chairman of Reform UK? Zia Yusuf joins Nick in the Political Thinking studio to tell his story, lay out his party's path to power, and share his thoughts on Boris Johnson, Elon Musk, Suella Braverman and his boss, Nigel Farage. Producer: Daniel Kraemer…

1
The Chris Philp One 41:50

5M ago41:50

41:50

The Shadow Home Secretary joins Nick in the Political Thinking studio to reflect on mistakes of the last government, humility in opposition and his anger at the new government. Chris Philp also opens up about the impact of caring for his premature baby twins and what he has learned from success and failure in business. Producer: Daniel Kraemer…

1
The Kim Leadbeater One 42:32

5M ago42:32

42:32

The Labour MP sits down with Nick to reflect on how she went from selling beds in her Yorkshire hometown, to being at the forefront of political debate, as the face of the campaign to legalise assisted dying, and how the murder of her sister, Jo Cox, helps explain the journey. Producer: Daniel Kraemer…

1
The Rachel Reeves Chancellor One 34:30

5M ago34:30

34:30

The Chancellor reflects on her first six months in power and what lies behind her determination that she has "what it takes" to "turn things around". Producer: Daniel KraemerBy BBC Radio 4

1
129- 2024 Premier Guitar Mystery Stocking (Jason) 1:09:04

6M ago1:09:04

1:09:04

This has been a fun annual event to do each year. I enjoy the anticipation, the fun in the forums, and the chance to get something I normally would not pick out myself. I would also say that I am a consumer of Premier Guitar’s content and for me this is a small way to support what they do. Of course, not all people feel this way. Many believe it to…

1
The Nick Clegg One 50:24

7M ago50:24

50:24

Nick Robinson speaks to Sir Nick Clegg about life as Mark Zuckerberg's right hand man at Meta and the transition from Westminster to Silicon Valley. He responds to challenges on regulation of social media companies and issues a warning about the political power of Elon Musk. Producer: Daniel KraemerBy BBC Radio 4

1
The Husam Zomlot One 48:47

7M ago48:47

48:47

The Head of the Palestinian Mission to the UK reflects on a childhood in a Gaza refugee camp and how hope is what keeps him going. Update: This episode has been edited to remove a brief exchange suggesting that an interim finding by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) found it plausible that genocide had been committed in Gaza. The ICJ actuall…

1
128- Are You A Guitar Player or Collector (Jason) 1:08:55

7M ago1:08:55

1:08:55

As you just heard in the intro, Jason is now a licensed therapist in Texas. Although this podcast has never been about true scientific therapy and the advice here was never meant to treat anything but an entertainment deficiency. My hope was always that you left here encouraged, happier, and motivated to be a better person and musician… then in whi…

1
The Daisy Cooper One 38:04

7M ago38:04

38:04

The Deputy Leader of the Liberal Democrats reflects on her journey from campaigning as a child against nuclear weapons and scratchy jumpers, to being at the heart of the third-largest party in parliament. Producer: Daniel KraemerBy BBC Radio 4

1
The Mark Rowley One 43:30

7M ago43:30

43:30

The Metropolitan Police Commissioner reflects on the decision to rejoin the UK's largest police force when it was in crisis. Sir Mark Rowley sits down with Nick Robinson to outline the challenges the Met faces under his leadership, as well as how he decided as a teenager that policing was his mission. Producer: Daniel Kraemer…

1
The Darren Jones One 41:13

8M ago41:13

41:13

The Chief Secretary to the Treasury sits down with Nick to chart his rise to the heart of Starmer's government. How did a Bristol boy, whose parents sometimes went without meals to ensure he had food, end up at the Chancellor's side, in charge of the purse-strings of the government? Producer: Daniel Kraemer…

1
The Rupert Soames CBI One 38:18

8M ago38:18

38:18

How did Churchill's grandson end up at the top of British industry? Rupert Soames - Chair of the Confederation of British Industry - sits down with Nick Robinson to talk about this Labour government's first budget, which he claims did not offer enough "bang for the buck" Producer: Daniel KraemerBy BBC Radio 4

1
The Kemi Badenoch for Leader One 48:13

8M ago48:13

48:13

What shaped the views and principles that Kemi Badenoch hopes will help her win the race to become next leader of the Conservative Party? Nick Robinson sits down with the former Business Secretary near the end of her party's leadership contest. Producer: Daniel KraemerBy BBC Radio 4

1
The Matt Goodwin One 43:27

8M ago43:27

43:27

The academic and author Matt Goodwin sat down with Nick Robinson in the aftermath of the riots that spread across the UK in the summer, to discuss whether there are 'legitimate grievences' that lay behind the violence, or just 'hate-fuelled mob violence sparked by misinformation.By BBC Radio 4

1
The Tzipi Hotovely One 44:26

9M ago44:26

44:26

The Israeli Ambassador sits down with Nick Robinson on the week of the one-year anniversary of the Hamas attack.They discuss what lies behind her worldview, the mindset of Israelis and the actions of her government.By BBC Radio 4

1
The John Swinney One 36:42

9M ago36:42

36:42

The First Minister of Scotland sits down with Nick to reflect on his reluctant path to power. Producer: Daniel KraemerBy BBC Radio 4

1
127- Passion to Paycheck (John) 1:11:52

9M ago1:11:52

1:11:52

We all have passions. When I was a kid I loved playing sports and collecting baseball and football cards. As a young adult I was into playing guitar and music. Now as a middle age adult I love being with my wife and kids. Teaching and learning. Being in the music industry. And obviously I love collecting, playing, and fixing guitars. Of course not …

1
The Wes Streeting Health Secretary One 43:34

9M ago43:34

43:34

The Health Secretary sits down with Nick Robinson at the end of the Labour conference in Liverpool. Wes Streeting reflects on how his family role-models led him to become a political fighter, rebukes those who criticise him for being too gloomy about the NHS, and reveals why an Oasis classic was his kareoke song of choice at the previous night's pa…

1
The Mick Whelan One 37:43

9M ago37:43

37:43

Mick Whelan is General Secretary of Aslef, the union representing train drivers. He sits down with Nick on the week that his members voted overwhelmingly to accept a pay offer, bringing to an end two years of strike action. Whelan reflects on growing up in working class West London and being one of a number of 2nd-generation Irish immigrants who ha…

1
The James Cleverly for Leader One 49:32

9M ago49:32

49:32

Why does the former Home Secretary believe he has 'outperformed everyone else on this leadership ticket by a country mile'? How did growing up as a mixed-race boy in London at the height of the National Front shape his politics? And what does the government need to do to improve integration in the UK?…

1
The Karim Khan International Prosecutor One 51:23

10M ago51:23

51:23

The Chief Prosecutor at the International Criminal Court sits down with Nick Robinson. Producers: Daniel Kraemer and Jonathan BrunertBy BBC Radio 4

1
126- Glories of a Stratocaster (Chris) 1:06:50

10M ago1:06:50

1:06:50

Back in 1954, Leo Fender once again created a guitar that would revolutionize popular music. Although many changes have occurred over the last 7 decades… at the heart of it… the Stratocaster is still just as revolutionary today as it was back then. Of course it has been a long journey since then. In 1965 the headstock was enlarged. In 1971 the 3 bo…

1
125- Lifest 2024 (Owen & Eli) 1:15:22

10M ago1:15:22

1:15:22

Every year I talk about how this festival feels like a family reunion and this year was no exception. It’s not just because I get to see my normal Tweed Couch Buddies and not just because I get to perform music with my bandmates. It is because of the bond we share because of our desire to see this Christ centered event be successful. Of course, muc…

1
The Liz Kendall One 41:58

11M ago41:58

41:58

Nick Robinson talks to the new Work and Pensions secretary about being at the centre of the Labour government's first row, taking on the scourge of worklessness and how her 2-year-old son is a cure for stress. Producer: Daniel KraemerBy BBC Radio 4

1
The Robert Jenrick 2024 One 41:48

11M ago41:48

41:48

Robert Jenrick on what went wrong for the Conservative Party and how to turn it aroundBy BBC Radio 4

1
124- Tasty Delay... ay... ay... ay (Barber) 1:04:12

12M ago1:04:12

1:04:12

There is something cool about the delay effect on guitar. Sometimes you need a little to add size. Sometimes you need a lot to add texture. Sometimes you need to go backwards or wobbly to do something completely different. Of course delay isn’t perfect… and it could cover your sloppy playing but really… when done right… It's one of the best ways to…

1
The Pat McFadden in Power One 42:45

12M ago42:45

42:45

Nick Robinson talks to the man at the heart of the new Downing Street government. Producer: Daniel KraemerBy BBC Radio 4

1
123- Issues With Reissues (Lloyd) 1:05:05

12M ago1:05:05

1:05:05

There is a reason why we fall in love with the tones of songs from decades ago. The player, the phrasing, the technique, the gear. All of this ignites and inspires a guitar player. Of course that gear has become harder and harder to obtain as time goes on. Plexi’s to JCM’s. Tweed to Silverface. Burst Les Paul to Korina Explorer. Pre-CBS Tele to Gru…

1
122- Unused Gear... Skeletons In The Closet (Barber) 59:09

1y ago59:09

59:09

Some trade their gear in and trade up. Others sell their unwanted stuff off to finance other endeavors. Some feel the clutter and just want to regain space and sanity. Of course you never know if you might need that gear again. And most of the time, selling it off is actually more of a hassle than it's worth. Then again the ROI is often lower and y…

1
121- Love & Hate of Gibson Guitars (Jason) 58:08

1y ago58:08

58:08

Some love them. Some hate them. Those that feel the love appreciate the history, tone, feel, and inspiration these guitars embody. Those that feel the hate. Disapprove of the hype and blinded devotion to a flawed guitar design that reeks of terrible tuning stability, inferior quality control, headstock breakage, high price, and heavy weight. Of cou…

1
The Caitlin Moran One 25:29

1y ago25:29

25:29

Bestselling author and columnist talks to Nick Robinson about why, after years of writing about women and girls, she decided to turn her attention to problems with boys and young men with her latest book "What About Men?" Producer: Daniel KraemerBy BBC Radio 4

1
The Victoria Atkins One 38:18

1y ago38:18

38:18

After a damning report into maternity services in England, the Health Secretary opens up about her own traumatic childbirth experience in the NHS. Victoria Atkins also speaks to Nick Robinson about a change of tone in dealings with doctors' unions, growing up as child of an MP and what she thought when Natalie Elphicke defected to Labour.…

1
120- All Things Monitors (John) 1:05:48

1y ago1:05:48

1:05:48

I’ve used inear monitors for over 20 years and floor wedges for even longer. Although there is a huge price difference between these two. Depending on the venue or concert you are playing, there is definitely a clear winner. Of course a great mix with great musicians makes all the difference when it comes to the experience of the show. On top of th…

1
119- Essential Amps (Lloyd) 1:08:05

1y ago1:08:05

1:08:05

By now we all know that I love Marshall amplifiers but I also love my Fender and my Vox. Of course boutique amplifiers are incredible too and I’ve really enjoyed my Dr. Z, Clark, and Mesa amps. Then there’s Lloyd with his Saldono, Reason and Naylor… and Jason’s Carr… So many… But what amps do we need? Why would we need more than one? Is every amp c…

1
The Emma Little-Pengelly One 39:59

1+ y ago39:59

39:59

Northern Ireland's Deputy First Minister talks to Nick Robinson.By BBC Radio 4

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