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Independent Thinking

Chatham House
United States
Iran
China
Cybercrime
Ukraine
United Nations
COP28
Russia
Climate Change
Taiwan
International Security Programme
Israel
Loss and Damage Fund
Microsoft
Supreme Leader
India
Indonesia
Climate Diplomacy
UAE
Renewable Energy

Chatham House director Bronwen Maddox hosts conversations with leading policymakers, journalists and Chatham House experts to provide insight into the latest international political issues. Independent Thinking gives listeners the opportunity to engage with the high level conversations hosted by Chatham House.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes132Founded6 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
NewsPoliticsNews Commentary

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Artwork for Independent Thinking

Latest Episodes

An earlier than usual episode of the Independent Thinking podcast, ahead of the Easter break. In a one-on-one conversation, Chatham House Director Bronwen Maddox discusses energy with Sir Dieter Helm, Professor of Economic Policy at the University of... more

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One month on from the start of the US and Israeli war on Iran, governments worldwide are trying to assess the scale of its long-term impact on the global economy and political system.

Much will depend on how long the conflict continues, and how lon... more

YouTube

The US-Israel war on Iran is straining Trump's alliances, at home and abroad.

Three weeks into exactly the kind of war of choice that he spent years decrying, US President Donald Trump is not getting the amount of international support that he seek... more

The US military's AI provider Anthropic is feuding with the Pentagon after the company tried to impose 'red lines' over the use of its artificial intelligence products for lethal autonomous weapons and mass surveillance of Americans. President Trump ... more

YouTube

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Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Dieter Helm
Professor of Economic Policy at Oxford University
Oxford University
Episode: Why are UK energy costs so high? And how to bring them down
David Lubin
Senior Research Fellow in Global Economy and Finance Programme
Chatham House
Episode: Iran war: regional shock or global crisis?
Grégoire Roos
Director of Europe, Russia and Eurasia programs
Chatham House
Episode: Iran war: regional shock or global crisis?
Neil Quilliam
Associate fellow in the Middle East and North Africa Programme
Chatham House
Episode: Is Iran one crisis too many for Trump?
Christopher Sabatini
Senior research fellow for Latin America
Chatham House
Episode: Is Iran one crisis too many for Trump?
Sanam Vakil
Director of our Middle East and North Africa Programme
Chatham House
Episode: Iran: Will Trump declare early victory and risk leaving hardliners in charge?
Laurel Rapp
Director of our US and North America Programme
Chatham House
Episode: Iran: Will Trump declare early victory and risk leaving hardliners in charge?
Richard Barrons
Senior Consulting Fellow with our International Security Programme
Chatham House
Episode: Iran: Will Trump declare early victory and risk leaving hardliners in charge?
Creon Butler
Director, Global Economy and Finance program
Chatham House
Episode: Trump's tariffs: Are they here to stay?

Host

Bronwen Maddox
Bronwen Maddox is a director and host, known for her insightful discussions on expert geopolitical and international issues.

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 187 ratings
  • Different and thoughtful review of budget.

    An interesting review of the budget from both economic and political perspectives.

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    CliveP2
    United Kingdom4 months ago
  • Excellent

    In the latest Sudan episode the Senior Research Fellow said that 90% of the gold under areas controlled by the Sudanese army and government is exported to the UAE whereas a UAE Ministry of Energy directive dated 7 August 2025 banned maritime interactions with Port Sudan, saying this was to protect the “strategic interest of the UAE”. A Reuters article dated October 21, 2025 states that there is a de facto UAE flight ban on Port Sudan and there are no direct commercial flights between the two and... more

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    Pyankhy
    United Kingdom5 months ago
  • Quality

    Level-headed, informative & insightful.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    MickOrd
    United Kingdoma year ago
  • Insightful

    Insightful views on geopolitical issues every week, well worth following

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Jontycrane
    New Zealanda year ago
  • Poor audio mixing

    The overall audio level is sometimes very low, and there are significant differences in volume level and clarity between speakers in the same podcast.

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    Christopher Mexico
    United Statesa year ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

The podcast is commended for its high-quality discussions and insightful questions that provoke thought.
Listeners appreciate the in-depth expertise brought forth by knowledgeable guests and hosts, enhancing their understanding of complex international issues.
Some critics mention audio quality issues sporadically, but overall, feedback reflects satisfaction with the content and delivery.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#99
United Kingdom/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#238
United Kingdom/News
Apple Podcasts
#62
Italy/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#162
France/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#200
Germany/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#6
Philippines/News/Politics

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Iran war: regional shock or global crisis?
Q: David, what's your response to that?
He emphasizes that while the shock could be serious, there are cushions like storage and energy efficiency that soften the impact relative to 1973; he also highlights policy transmission through inflation and monetary policy.
Why are UK energy costs so high? And how to bring them down
Q: Why is UK energy so expensive?
The guest explains that high prices stem from a combination of historical policy choices (privatization and removal of industrial policy), decline of domestic manufacturing, and structural shifts toward a gas-heavy, renewables-partial mix. Intermittent renewables require new grids and storage, and gas dependency with limited storage options raises costs, especially when global gas prices spike. The overall system costs—grids, networks, and the need for backup gas—are borne by domestic consumers, and cross-subsidies to industry have been reduced, increasing domestic bills.
As Ukraine peace talks stall, can Europe step up in its defence? Independent Thinking podcast
Q: Can Ukraine defend itself effectively with European help?
Ukraine is attempting to strengthen its defenses while maintaining support from the US and mobilizing Europe.
As Ukraine peace talks stall, can Europe step up in its defence? Independent Thinking podcast
Q: What is the state of play in the peace talks?
The peace talks seem to be more of a diversion for Russia while leveraging its position without any real concessions.
As the UK lurches from crisis to crisis, is it becoming ungovernable?
Q: Do you think Britain will manage to address these difficult decisions?
Currently, it seems unlikely under the existing government, but a change in leadership might provide an opportunity for more decisive action.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
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Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Independent Thinking

What is Independent Thinking about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Engaging with a spectrum of crucial international issues, discussions center on the influence of geopolitical dynamics amid changing global relationships. The topics include the complexities of U.S.-China relations, the ongoing European responses to conflicts, especially in Ukraine and the implications of policies towards regions like Latin America and the Middle East. The format features in-depth conversations with policymakers and experts, offering diverse perspectives on pressing matters such as economic growth in the UK, military strategies in Europe, and global humanitarian crises. Unique insights into geopolitical challenges are complemented by historical context, fostering a deeper understanding of current events and their potential ... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Independent Thinking?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Independent Thinking:

1. The Rachman Review
2. Global Security Briefing
3. Political Fix
4. The Foreign Affairs Interview
5. Past Present Future

How many episodes of Independent Thinking are there?

Independent Thinking launched 6 years ago and published 132 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Independent Thinking?

Recent guests on Independent Thinking include:

1. Dieter Helm
2. David Lubin
3. Grégoire Roos
4. Neil Quilliam
5. Christopher Sabatini
6. Sanam Vakil
7. Laurel Rapp
8. Richard Barrons

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