Radical with Amol Rajan
BBC Radio 4
Conversations about tomorrow, from Today.Every week Today programme presenter Amol Rajan talks to radicals, pioneers and innovators from all over the world. From populism and climate change, to economics and AI... How can their radical ideas help you win the future?As well as presenting Today on BBC Radio 4, Amol is also the host of University Challenge on BBC One. Before that he was the BBC's media editor and editor of The Independent.Episodes of Radical with Amol Rajan are published on Thursdays on BBC Sounds. You can also watch them on BBC iPlayer: https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episodes/m002f1d0/radical-with-amol-rajanRadical with Amol Rajan is a Today podcast. If you enjoy this (and you've read this far so hopefully you do), then we think you’ll also like another podcast from Today. It’s called Political Thinking with Nick Robinson and you can listen to Nick’s interviews here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/p04z203l
Episodes
Mentioned books
Jan 26, 2026 • 20min
What Does It Take To Be A Foster Carer? (Your Radical Questions with Louise Allen)
Louise Allen, raised in care and now an author and advocate, speaks from lived experience about fostering and kinship care. She discusses navigating a struggling system and the small but transformative rewards of caring for children. She debates a proposal to fund home extensions for foster families and argues for better pay, support, and respect for carers.
Jan 22, 2026 • 56min
Children in Care: How to Fix the Fostering Crisis (Louise Allen)
Louise Allen, a foster carer, author, and charity founder with personal experience in the care system, discusses the urgent fostering crisis in England. With 83,630 children in care, she highlights the need for more honesty about fostering and the retention of care providers. Louise shares her challenging upbringing, the impact of technology on children, and suggests radical solutions like providing cleaners to foster homes. She argues for a national framework to improve support for current foster carers, ensuring better outcomes for vulnerable children.
Jan 19, 2026 • 22min
How Will The Shift To Green Energy Reshape Global Politics? (Your Radical Questions with Professor Helen Thompson)
Professor Helen Thompson, a Political Economy expert from the University of Cambridge, shares her insights on energy and geopolitics. She discusses the implications of the energy transition, highlighting China's emerging dominance in renewable supply chains. Helen analyzes the U.S.'s approach to Venezuelan and Cuban oil, revealing the complexities of energy security. The conversation takes a stark turn as they confront uncomfortable truths about poverty and the physical limitations of energy policy. It's an eye-opening exploration of how energy shapes our world.
Jan 15, 2026 • 1h 1min
Trump v China: How Oil Is Defining Great Power Politics (Professor Helen Thompson)
Professor Helen Thompson, a Political Economy expert at the University of Cambridge, delves into geopolitics and the pivotal role of oil in US-China relations. They discuss the implications of Trump’s Venezuela strategy, the historical context of US expansionism, and Europe’s precarious position in the new global order. Helen argues for the potential rethinking of central bank independence to address rising debt and fiscal challenges. With insights on energy transitions and the Asian-centric future, the conversation is a captivating look at evolving power dynamics.
Jan 12, 2026 • 24min
Are You In A Social Media Echo Chamber? (Your Radical Questions with Louisa Munch)
Critical theorist Louisa Munch, an academic at the University of Warwick and social media influencer, delves into the challenges of conveying leftist ideas online. She discusses the impact of algorithms on reaching diverse audiences and shares her thoughts on accent bias and class dynamics in academia. Louisa advocates for educational reforms, such as fostering critical thinking from an early age, and defends free university education. Throughout, she emphasizes the importance of staying true to radical beliefs against mainstream pressures.
Jan 8, 2026 • 1h 3min
Knowledge and Nostalgia: Why a University Education Should Be Free (Louisa Munch)
Louisa Munch, a critical theorist and Warwick University academic, passionately argues for free higher education. She believes universities should focus on fostering informed societies rather than merely job training. Louisa connects nostalgia to contemporary politics, explaining how it can be weaponized by the far right, while also addressing Gen Z's disenchantment with the future. Throughout their conversation, she advocates for radical ideas like free lifelong education and challenges the current political landscape with compelling insights on class, meritocracy, and public engagement.
Jan 5, 2026 • 22min
Can Donald Trump Be Compared To Julius Caesar? (Your Radical Questions with Tom Holland)
Historian Tom Holland, co-host of The Rest Is History, dives deep into intriguing comparisons between today’s Britain and the 1970s, highlighting geopolitical threats and Northern Ireland’s challenges. He unpacks the frequent comparisons of American presidents to Julius Caesar, revealing the historical anxieties that fuel this perspective, especially regarding Trump. The conversation also touches on the etymology of 'radical' and injects some humor with cricket banter, showcasing Holland's lighter side amidst the serious topics.
12 snips
Jan 1, 2026 • 53min
Radical History: Greek Gods, Roman Emperors and Religion (with Tom Holland from The Rest Is History)
Tom Holland, a renowned historian and co-host of The Rest Is History, delves into the radical ideas that shaped civilization. He discusses how Christianity marked a significant departure from previous beliefs, influencing secular thought globally. Tom explores the legacy of figures like Gregory VII and how the Reformation reshaped religion into a secular concept. He also connects modern politics in India to these historical shifts, pondering whether today's cultural changes reflect a new Reformation, while examining technology's role in accelerating these ideas.
Dec 23, 2025 • 33min
Radical Essay: How Is Technology Changing Our Lives? (A 2025 Review)
Amol Rajan dives into the profound impact of technology on humanity, questioning if AI is a force for good or a threat to our social fabric. Discussions reveal AI's autonomy and its potential to replace critical thinking. The dangers of AI-facilitated misogyny and the urgent need for updated sex education highlight the complexities of growing up in a digital world. As smartphones change cultural consumption, experts warn of job losses and the risks linked to concentrated power in synthetic intelligence. Amol offers a glimmer of hope, urging humanity to choose wisely.
Dec 22, 2025 • 25min
What Do You Think About AI Using Your Writing? (Your Radical Questions with Naomi Alderman)
Bestselling author Naomi Alderman, known for her provocative novels like The Power, dives into the complexities of AI and creativity. She discusses the implications of AI using writers' original work and emphasizes the importance of cautious research. Alderman voices concerns about the monetization of public creative data and argues for reinvesting in the arts. Plus, she reveals insights about her upcoming novel, The Strangers, inspired by her personal experiences. Don't miss her thoughts on the artist's evolving role in the age of technology!
