Radical with Amol Rajan

Happiness Rules: Should Wellbeing Dictate Government Policy? (Lord Richard Layard)

Governments should prioritize human wellbeing over GDP to combat the mental health crisis and boost national happiness.

Should Phones Be Banned in Pubs? (Your Radical Questions with Oisín Rogers)

Renowned publican Oisín Rogers debates pub etiquette, from banning laptops to the charm of a grumpy landlord.

Last Call for the Local: Are Old Pubs the Solution to Modern Crises? (Oisín Rogers)

Rising costs and business pressures are threatening the local pub, an essential hub for community and connection.

Can Britain Change Its Ways on Housing? (Your Radical Questions with Shiv Malik)

Shiv Malik explains his radical vision for a new city in East Anglia to solve Britain's persistent housing crisis.

The Great British Housing Crisis: Is a Brand New Mega-City the Answer? (Shiv Malik)

Could building a massive, tree-filled mega-city in East Anglia solve Britain's housing and generational crisis?

Is Our Idea of Economic Success Completely Broken? (Your Radical Questions with Kate Raworth)

Move beyond GDP to a dashboard economy that prioritizes human well-being and planetary health over endless growth.

The End of Endless Growth: Should We Put the Brakes on Economic Expansion? (Kate Raworth)

Economist Kate Raworth argues we must abandon the pursuit of endless growth to thrive within planetary boundaries.

Could Ben & Jerry's Be Created Today? (Your Radical Questions with Ben Cohen)

Ben Cohen explains why building a mission-driven company is still possible despite modern social and economic pressures.

Business Reimagined: Should Firms Have a Purpose Beyond Profit? (Ben & Jerry’s Ben Cohen)

Ben Cohen reveals how Ben and Jerry’s used ice cream as a vehicle for radical activism and ethical business values.

How Close Are We to a Cure for Cancer? (Your Radical Questions with Professor Sir John Bell)

Professor Sir John Bell explains why we could be just a decade away from curing many forms of cancer.

Healthcare, Reinvented: How Dramatic Medical Breakthroughs Are Quietly Changing Your Life (Professor Sir John Bell)

Medical breakthroughs are silently adding years to our lives, transforming once-fatal diseases into manageable conditions.

Is Regenerative Farming Getting Greenwashed? (Your Radical Questions with Andy Cato)

Andy Cato explains how to move past greenwashing by shifting from rigid farming practices to outcome-based results.

The Future of Food: Can Regenerative Farming Save Our Soil? (Andy Cato)

Andy Cato explains how regenerative farming can restore soil health and build a more resilient global food system.

Is Social Media Making Young Women Hate Men? (Your Radical Questions with Dr Jilly Kay)

Dr. Jilly Kay explores whether social media and capitalist pressures are driving a permanent divide between the sexes.

Rethinking Democracy: Would Citizens Do a Better Job than Politicians? (Hélène Landemore)

In this episode of Radical, Amol Rajan welcomes Yale political theorist Professor Hélène Landemore to explore a provocative alternative to modern governance: the open democracy. Challenging the efficiency and representative capacity of traditional electoral systems, Landemore argues for a shift toward citizen-led governance. Throughout the conversation, she outlines a practical roadmap for integrating citizen assemblies into the political process, emphasizing the benefits of diverse perspectives in decision-making. The discussion delves into the mechanics of these assemblies, addressing how they might function at scale and who would be eligible to participate. Landemore also confronts critical questions regarding public engagement and the practical hurdles of such a system. Listeners can expect a thought-provoking analysis of whether ordinary citizens are better equipped to shape the future of democracy than career politicians, offering a fresh lens on the current state of political representation.

Who Is Responsible For Over-Medicalisation? (Your Radical Questions with Dr Suzanne O’Sullivan)

In this episode of Radical with Amol Rajan, host Amol Rajan sits down with neurologist and acclaimed author Dr. Suzanne O’Sullivan to explore the complex themes of her latest book, The Age of Diagnosis. The conversation centers on the pressing issue of over-medicalisation, examining how modern healthcare systems approach illness and patient care. Dr. O’Sullivan addresses insightful questions from listeners, providing a nuanced perspective on the challenges faced by women who are frequently under-diagnosed by the medical establishment. Beyond the clinical implications, the discussion delves into the personal side of her work, as she reflects on how she navigates professional criticism and public scrutiny. Listeners can expect a thought-provoking dialogue that challenges common assumptions about modern medicine and offers a candid look at the evolving relationship between doctors, their patients, and the labels we assign to health.

Over-Diagnosis: Are Too Many People Being Given Medical Labels? (Dr Suzanne O’Sullivan)

In this episode of Radical, host Amol Rajan sits down with neurologist and author Dr. Suzanne O’Sullivan to challenge the way modern medicine approaches patient care. Dr. O’Sullivan argues that the rapid expansion of medical screening and diagnostics has led to a problematic culture of over-diagnosis. She explores how assigning medical labels to minor or asymptomatic conditions can occasionally cause more psychological and physical harm than the diseases themselves. Throughout the conversation, the pair examines the complexities of clinical practice and the unintended consequences of our obsession with early detection. Amol also confronts Dr. O’Sullivan regarding the professional criticism she has faced since the publication of her recent book, The Age of Diagnosis. Listeners can expect a thought-provoking debate on the limitations of modern healthcare and the importance of questioning the diagnostic process.

Should Former Colonial Powers Pay Reparations? (Your Radical Questions with Simukai Chigudu)

In this episode of Radical, host Amol Rajan sits down with Simukai Chigudu, an associate professor of African politics at Oxford University and author of Chasing Freedom: Coming of Age at the End of Empire. Together, they tackle some of the most pressing and contentious debates surrounding modern history and global politics. The conversation focuses on the complexities of justice and accountability, specifically examining whether former colonial powers should pay reparations for the historical institution of slavery. Additionally, Chigudu addresses listener inquiries regarding the contentious role of statues in public spaces and the ongoing efforts to decolonize academic curricula. Listeners can expect a rigorous, thought-provoking exploration of how the legacy of empire continues to shape contemporary society, offering nuanced perspectives on how nations might begin to reconcile with their complex colonial pasts.

The Legacy of Empire: How to Reckon with the Past (Simukai Chigudu)

In this episode of Radical, Amol Rajan sits down with Simukai Chigudu, an associate professor of African politics at the University of Oxford and author of the memoir Chasing Freedom: Coming of Age at the End of Empire. Born in Zimbabwe just after the collapse of colonial rule, Chigudu offers a deeply personal perspective on the lingering influence of the British Empire. The conversation navigates complex questions surrounding historical memory, including the controversial Rhodes Must Fall campaign and the ongoing debate over decolonising university curricula. Chigudu also reflects on his own experiences with racism in the UK and explores the moral and political arguments for reparations regarding slavery. Listeners can expect a thoughtful, wide-ranging discussion that challenges how society acknowledges its imperial past and seeks to reconcile that history with the present day.

Do Polls Influence Public Opinion? (Your Radical Questions with James Kanagasooriam)

In this episode of Radical with Amol Rajan, host Amol Rajan sits down with prominent pollster James Kanagasooriam to explore the complexities of public opinion and political influence. Kanagasooriam offers a deep dive into the concept of agency, discussing how it might be leveraged to improve social mobility and shape modern political strategies. The conversation also tackles the pressing question of whether the constant reporting of opinion polls actually sways voter behavior or alters public sentiment. Amidst a backdrop of global instability, the two examine whether there is still room for optimism in the current political landscape. Listeners can expect a thought-provoking analysis that demystifies the role of data in democracy and provides fresh insights into the forces driving societal change today. It is an essential discussion for anyone interested in the intersection of statistics, policy, and human nature.