The James Kennedy Podcast

Brian Slagel is the CEO of Metal Blade Records, the label he founded in 1982 with early releases by Metallica and Slayer. Today the roster includes Behemoth, Killswitch Engage, Cannibal Corpse, GWAR, Whitechapel & literally pages more. Brian is an important and influential figure in the metal world and on this episode he talks with me about metal, the music industry, streaming, advice for band...

Nadia Whittome is the Labour MP for Nottingham East. She is the youngest member of parliament, having been elected at the age of 23. Here, she talks with me about the Labour Party, activism, climate change, the cost of living crisis, Jeremy Corbyn and hope. You can follow Nadia on Twitter at :  https://twitter.com/NadiaWhittomeMP Support the podcast at : https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/jamesk...

Sean Smith is the co-host of the Sappenin' Podcast and singer in the Blackout & Raiders. On this episode, Sean chats about Fred Durst, the Blackout reunion show at Download 2023, his new band 'Raiders', ADHD, Pretty Vicious and is brutally honest about the music industry, the realities of being in a band & his friendship with Ian Watkins from Lost Prophets. It's a fascinating conversation....

Nathan Paul Southern is a security analyst, consultant & investigative journalist who focuses on global security, organised crime, trafficking networks, terrorism and the relationship between organised crime & state government. In this mind-blowing chat we discuss cyber slavery, drug cartels, people trafficking, Tiger farms, money laundering and the government's role in it all. Nathan's ex...

Anna Bird is the CEO of European Movement UK - a cross-party pressure group that campaigns to reverse the damage done by Brexit. On this episode we discuss the Leave campaign, the damage done by Brexit, did Russia have an influence, Nigel Farage and what we can do to start undoing the damage. European Movement can be found at :  www.europeanmovement.co.uk Support the podcast at : https://www....

Nick Wall is a member of the campaign group 'REPUBLIC' and chairs the group 'Labour For a Republic'. On this episode, Nick lays the case for abolishing the Monarchy and having an elected Head of State. We discuss costs, power, tourism, secrecy, democracy and a better model for the future. I also ramble about online trolls and having an incurable cold. 'Republic' can be found at : https://www.repub...

Peter Phillips has been a Professor of Political Sociology at Sonoma State University since 1994, he is a former Director of Project Censored and a former President of the Media Freedom Foundation. He is also a multi-award winning, highly acclaimed author and it is his 2017 book 'Giants - The Global Power Elite' which we discuss on this episode. Praised by Noam Chomsky and Abby Martin, the book na...

On this episode, Frank Turner stops by to chat about work life balance, his relentless work ethic, punk, the music industry, Tik Tok and being kind. We also discuss his latest album, the awesome 'FTHC' which reached Number One on the UK album charts, his upcoming tour plans and what's next. 'FTHC' is available everywhere now and Frank's latest tour dates can be found at : https://frank-turner.comS...

Kevin Brennan is the Labour MP for Cardiff West and a member of the Digital, Culture, Media and Sports Select Committee. He is a staunch supporter of the campaign for fairer remuneration for musicians in the streaming age and fights many causes for the creative industries from within parliament. On this episode we chat about the campaign for fairer pay for musicians, an MP's relationship with thei...

Rosie Wilby is a comedian, singer songwriter & author, whose career has also spanned TV, Radio & music journalism. She is the host of the award winning Podcast, The Breakup Monologues and is the author of two books, her latest also entitled 'The Breakup Monologues'. On this episode we discuss the book, Rosie's adventures in writing it, how she became the Queen of Breakups, comedy and why h...

Tim Brennan is a multi-camera vision director for artists such as Lady Gaga, Peter Gabriel, Madonna & The Who and is also the man behind the CARRY ON TOURING Campaign which is urging the government to implement visa free travel around the EU for UK touring artists & their crew. Tim's petition gathered over 280 thousand signatures and has been debated in Parliament. On this episode, Tim exp...

Maggi Savin-Baden is a Professor of Education at Worcester University as well as the author of a staggering 21 books and over 60 peer reviewed journals. On this fascinating episode we chat about digital immortality, hybrid humans, robotics, artificial reality, digital afterlife, the education system and the future. Maggi can be found at : https://maggisavinbaden.wordpress.com Support the podcast a...

On this episode we're discussing the issue of 'assisted dying' with Nathan Stilwell from the campaign group, 'My Death My Decision'. Nathan explains what assisted dying is, argues the case for why it should be legal in the UK & what the obstacles are to that happening. 'My Death My Decision' can be found at : https://www.mydeath-mydecision.org.uk Support the podcast at : https://www.paypal.com...

Steve Rolles is the senior policy analyst at Transform - a charity that campaigns for a radical change to Drug Policy. He has been campaigning on this issue since 1998 and regularly features on mainstream TV & print media to argue the case for the legalisation of drugs. On this episode we discuss why the current system doesn't work, why legalisation is the solution and what that would look lik...

Zehrah Hasan is an immigration, asylum & public law barrister, previously at Garden Court Chambers, now working as the Advocacy Director at the Joint Council for The Welfare of Immigrants. On this broad ranging episode, Zehrah explains asylum law, the true reality for refugees in the UK, our colonial legacy, why things are getting worse & what we can do about it. The JCWI can be found at : https:/...

Trystan Huw Clarke (aka Daddy Huw) is one of the founders of 'Metalidads' - a support community who use rock and metal as a vessel to get dads talking and break the taboo of men's mental health. We discuss the importance of men being able to talk about their problems, masculinity, fatherhood, mental health, the great work being done by Metalidads and of course, heavy metal. We also get a taste of...

Dr Yara Hawari is the senior policy analyst at Al-Shabaka - The Palestinian Policy Network, as well as being a tireless campaigner for the Palestinian cause, an author and a political commentator. In this episode, Yara explains the history of the Palestinian struggle, the daily realities, the role of the west, solutions, obstacles & what we can do to help. We also discuss the recent assassinat...

Mark Davyd is the CEO of the Music Venue Trust, a UK charity which acts to protect, secure and improve UK Grassroots Music Venues. In our chat, Mark explains why live venues are struggling, what we can do about it, why these venues are important and our new band, 'Cattle Smasher'. Mark also tells of his time promoting gigs at the Tunbridge Wells Forum where he hosted early shows by Oasis, Adele an...

Tom Gray is a member of the multi-platinum selling band 'Gomez' as well as being a board director of the PRS and The Ivors Academy. He is also the active and outspoken founder of the Broken Record Campaign, where he pushes for fairer remuneration for musicians and a change in the laws around streaming and digital music. Here Tom lays down the case for regulation change, explains how the current mu...

Jimmy Watkins is a former professional athlete turned rock musician who formed the popular running club 'Running Punks'. On this episode, Jimmy talks openly his sobriety, mental health, the benefits of running, rock music and hating pubs with carpets. Jimmy is equal parts hilarious, honest, genuine and insightful. Running Punks can be found at :  www.runningpunks.com Please subscribe to the p...

This week, I chat with Jonathan Rhys Williams from UBI Lab Wales about Universal Basic Income - what is it, how does it work and how can we get it. Universal Basic Income is a fascinating idea whose time has surely come and Jonathan provides a brilliant and broad overview of the subject which I think you will find interesting and hopefully inspiring. UBI Lab can be found at :  https://www.ubi...

This week, James chats with Owen Winter from the 'Make Votes Matter' campaign for Proportional Representation. Owen explains why the UK's 'First Past The Post' voting system is flawed, how proportional representation works and why it would have far reaching benefits for our democracy. 'Make Votes Matter' can be found at :    https://www.makevotesmatter.org.uk Please subscribe to the chan...

Metallica, Foo Fighters, Biffy Clryo, Frank Turner, Green Day, The Wildhearts and Muse are just some of the many bands interviewed by legendary music journalist, Ian Winwood. He joins me today to chat about his brilliant career writing for Kerrang Magazine,  Rolling Stone, NME & The Telegraph, as well as his latest book, 'Bodies - Life and Death in Music' - a much needed exposé of the tru...

Praised by Noam Chomsky and John Pilger, Mark Curtis is an investigative journalist focusing on British foreign policy and the UK's real role in the world. He is the author of the books 'Web of Deceit', 'Unpeople' and 'Secret Affairs' and is part of the independent media outlet, 'Declassified UK'. Here, Mark chats with James about the UK's involvement in conflicts around the world both past and pr...

Dan Gardner is a New York Times best selling author, speaker & consultant working mostly in the fields of psychology & human behaviour. On this episode, we discuss cognitive biases, decision making, uncertainty, dart-throwing chimps, how to think better and Dan gives a tour of his game-changing books, 'Risk', 'Future Babble' and 'Super Forecasting'. Dan can be found at :  https://www....