The Rest Is Politics: Leading
Goalhanger
The Rest Is Politics: Leading takes you beyond the soundbites and headlines to sit at the table with the individuals shaping our world. Hosts Alastair Campbell and Rory Stewart leverage their decades of experience at the highest levels of government to conduct deep-dive interviews with the people who hold the reins of power. From sitting heads of state like Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Pedro Sánchez to influential cultural icons like Ai Weiwei, the show prioritizes genuine human connection over scripted political messaging.
Each episode is a masterclass in candid storytelling. You will hear leaders reflect on the formative experiences—whether childhood trauma, academic pursuits, or personal moral crises—that prepared them for the immense pressures of public office. The conversations are remarkably broad, moving seamlessly from the intricacies of global security alliances and the rise of the far-right to the philosophical underpinnings of faith, identity, and the modern digital age.
What sets this podcast apart is the intellectual chemistry between the hosts and their guests. Campbell and Stewart avoid the traps of standard interview formats, instead pushing for nuanced perspectives on existential challenges and the difficult realities of leadership. Whether analyzing the psychological makeup of political rivals or debating the future of democracy, the show offers a rare, unflinching look at what it actually takes to lead during turbulent times. It is essential listening for anyone who wants to understand the motives and minds of the figures driving global change.