Critical Edge

In this episode, we sat down with Anand Menon, the director of UK in a changing Europe, and Professor of Political Science and King's College London. We discuss the long-term impact of Brexit on trade and on the UK's soft power; the importance of the recognition of Palestine for Gaza; the development of US-EU relations; and whether the UK has a 'special relationship' with the US. Hosted by two pas...

Sir Ben Okri OBE is a Booker Prize-winning British-Nigerian writer and a powerful voice in post-colonial literature. In this exclusive interview, Okri reflects on how our ways of seeing — as readers, viewers, and thinkers — are shaped by the media we consume.

Parag Khanna is a strategy advisor and bestselling author. He is an expert in geopolitics and global strategy and how we can apply AI to better navigate economic disruptions in our volatile world. Listen in.

Dave Rubin is an American conservative political commentator and host of ‘The Rubin Report’, a political talk show which often debates political correctness, foreign policy, and freedom of speech.

Cenk Uygur is the founder of The Young Turks and one of the most prominent media critics of corporate governance, campaign financing, and political corruption in the United States. He's very passionate. Listen in.

Ryan Nicodemus is a New York Times best-selling author, and Emmy-nominated Netflix star. He is the co-founder of The Minimalists, an organisation dedicated to helping people eliminate clutter and maximise their lives by scaling back on material possessions and consumerist attitudes.

Joseph Nye is an American political scientist known for his work on US foreign policy and power dynamics. He is also a Harvard University professor who coined the term ‘soft power’ in reference to a country’s ability to influence others through gentle persuasion rather than coercion. In this exclusive interview, we sit down with Nye to discuss his thoughts on the future of American democracy, the...

Dr Philip Goff is an academic philosopher and panpsychist. In this episode, we discuss his unique takes on religion and his interpretation of consciousness as the foundation of reality. Can science fully explain the human consciousness? Do the smallest forms of matter possess some kind of experience? Listen now and find out.

Judge David Tatel is a recently retired United States Circuit Judge who broke barriers as a blind judge and a champion for justice. In this exclusive interview, we sit down with Judge Tatel to discuss his memoir, his journey overcoming the challenges of blindness in the legal profession, the erosion of judicial restraint in the Supreme Court, and what the future holds for democracy in the United S...

In this episode, we are joined by Ambassador Husam Zomlot, head of the Palestinian mission to the UK and a steadfast advocate for Palestinian rights and justice. Born in the Shaburah refugee camp, he shares his deeply personal story, reflecting on how his early experiences shaped his journey into diplomacy and his commitment to dismantling the Israeli occupation. As a leading voice in the Middle E...

Sir Vince Cable is the former Leader of the Liberal Democrats, and Cabinet Minister during Sir David Cameron’s premiership, among many other things. In this interview, we discuss the past and present of the Liberal Democrats, the questions concerning UK aid to Israel, the potential of wider war with Russia, whether China should be considered a threat to the West, and more. Sir Vince is not afraid...

Lord Peter Mandelson: New Labour’s architect and now, Oxford’s potential Chancellor. In this interview, he discusses his past in politics, the ethical dilemmas of university funding, and why he’s the right choice to lead Oxford into the future. Mandelson is also no stranger to controversy, though the truth of such claims is up for debate. Oliver and Lukas unpack all this, two days before the Chanc...

Kathrine Switzer: marathon legend, trailblazer, and champion for women in sports. In 1967, as she ran the Boston Marathon as the first female to ever do so, the race organiser jumped onto the track and attempted to pull her off. Sitting with Lukas and Oliver, in a full-length interview, Switzer shares her historic experience, her battles against outdated beliefs, and her vision for empowering wome...

What does it mean to be lost in your 20s and how can psychological analysis help us understand ourselves? Jemma Sbeg is a mental health advocate, podcast host, and voice behind ' The Psychology of Your 20s' . In this insightful interview, she delves into the quarter-life crisis, choice overload, and the power of embracing solitude.

Oliver Burkeman is a journalist, bestselling author, and expert on ‘time management for mortals’. In this candid interview, Burkeman unpacks the truths behind time management, why slowing down may not be the solution, and how to embrace our limitations to find meaning.

Cameron Hamilton is a tech entrepreneur, and ' Love is Blind' star. In this episode, Cameron talks about whether love is truly blind, navigating life in the public eye, and how vulnerability is the key to lasting relationships. He also dives into the intersection of AI and ethics, sharing his thoughts on the future of technology and its impact on society. 🌍

Ankur Warikoo is India’s top content creator, a serial entrepreneur, and the author of ‘ Do Epic Shit’ . In this episode, Ankur shares invaluable lessons on leveraging failure as a stepping stone to success, the power of discipline over motivation, and why habits, not goals, decide your destiny. 🧠💡

Thomas Erikson is a behaviourist and the bestselling author of "Surrounded by Idiots", as well as a number of other installments in his "Surrounded By" series. Thomas breaks down the fascinating world of personality types using his unique color theory—red, yellow, green, and blue—revealing how understanding these traits can enhance communication and prevent those everyday conflicts. Learn practica...

Kayla Barnes-Lentz is an entrepreneur, biohacker, and founder of the Longevity Optimization Pod. In this episode, she shares her expertise on brain health, the brain-gut connection, and innovative health therapies. Learn about her insights on longevity for women, the importance of nutrition, and practical lifestyle habits for optimal health.

Dr Paul Conti MD: world-leading psychiatrist, author of Trauma: The Invisible Epidemic . Dr Conti begins by telling us his personal story with trauma, using this as a springboard into a discussion ranging from epigenetics and collective trauma, to how we can individually combat our trauma, to its links to substance abuse and other societal harms.

What does the creator of ‘How I Met Your Mother’ think about its ending? Carter Bays shares his creative journey from TV to his debut novel, ‘The Mutual Friend’. We explore themes of technology, relationships, and storytelling, uncovering his insights on writing, and his future projects.

James Nestor: bestselling author and journalist. Exploring the transformative power of breathing, we delve into James's investigative journey, from his acclaimed book, "Breath: The New Science of a Lost Art," to his latest research insights.

In memory of Dr Frans de Waal, 1948-2024. Dr. Frans de Waal was a renowned primatologist and ethologist whose work revolutionized our understanding of animal behavior, particularly in relation to empathy, cooperation, and social intelligence. Through decades of research and writing, he showed how the behavior of primates paralleled human social dynamics, challenging conventional views of human exc...

Episode 28: Schuyler Bailar. Schuyler is a trans advocate and queer educator, who came to the spotlight competing as the first D1 NCAA Men’s Trans Athlete for the Harvard Swim Team. In this episode, we discuss trans participation in sports, access and healthcare, legislation around bathrooms, and more. Enjoy!

The LOAF Podcast sits down with Liana Finck, a distinctive voice in modern cartooning, where we explore the nuances of visual storytelling and her contributions to The New Yorker. How does Liana translate complex emotions into simple, compelling drawings? ✏️ Liana's journey offers a unique window into the soul of an artist.