The Rest Is Politics: Leading
Goalhanger
SummaryThe 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.
Updated Apr 10, 2026
Episodes
184. President of Ukraine: Volodymyr Zelenskyy
Volodymyr Zelenskyy discusses his transition from comedian to wartime leader and his strategy for defeating Russia.
183. From Bradford to Westminster: Faith, Identity, and Power (Naz Shah)
Naz Shah discusses her journey from a childhood of trauma and forced marriage to becoming a Labour MP.
182. Culture Wars, Identity, and What Needs To Change In Congress (Sarah McBride)
Sarah McBride on navigating identity politics, fighting for bipartisan progress, and the weaponization of culture wars.
181. Ai Weiwei: China, Censorship, and Dissidence Through Art
Artist and activist Ai Weiwei reflects on his childhood in exile and his fight against Chinese state censorship.
180. The Only European Leader Defying Trump? (Pedro Sánchez)
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez explains his strategy for challenging the far right and modernizing Europe.
179. President Stubb: Trump’s Unlikely Best Friend
Finnish President Alexander Stubb shares his transition from professional sports to navigating global power shifts.
178. Gavin Newsom: The Next President Of The United States?
Governor Gavin Newsom reveals his journey from a struggling, dyslexic child to a battle-hardened political strategist.
177. Olaf Scholz: Putin, Power, and Far-Right Populism
176. How Close Are We To War With Iran? (Robert Malley)
175. Ex-Director of GCHQ: China, Russia, and the Threats Facing the UK (Jeremy Fleming)
174. Taking On Europe's Last Dictator: The Fight Against Lukashenko and Putin
173. The man Putin can’t silence: Bill Browder and sanctioning Russia
172. Neil Kinnock: Trump, Thatcher, and Why Labour Lost In 1992 (Part 2)
171. Neil Kinnock: A Labour Rebel’s Path To Power (Part 1)
170. President of Moldova, Maia Sandu: Holding the Line Between Democracy and Putin
169. Jimmy Wales: Wikipedia vs. Musk, AI, and the Battle for Truth
168. A Climate Special: Populism, Security, and Leadership
167. Faith, Depression, and Finding Calm in the Chaos (Professor Mark Williams)
166. John Swinney: Identity, Independence, and The Future of Scotland
165. Anna Wintour: Culture, Influence, and the Power of Decisive Leadership
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