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Artwork for YIMBY Pod – formerly The Abundance Agenda

YIMBY Pod – formerly The Abundance Agenda

James O'Malley and Martin Robbins
HS2
Nuclear Energy
Artificial Intelligence
Climate Change
Housing Crisis
London
Housing Supply
Bedfordshire
Affordable Housing
Renewable Energy
Deprivation Of Planning Applications
Productivity
Housing Development
UK Government
Planning Permission Delays
Tony Blair Institute
Gpt-5
R&D
Brexit
Manchester

A podcast about growth and progress. www.abundancepod.com

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes73Foundeda year ago
Number of ListenersCategories
NewsPolitics

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Artwork for YIMBY Pod – formerly The Abundance Agenda

Latest Episodes

James and Martin review Andy Burnham’s first policy and personnel moves – and ask whether Britain is really ready for a Northern Prime Minister. Then we speak to Michael Dnes about his big plan to solve one of Britain’s biggest transport bottlenecks…... more

Should the British government create an open source AI lab? We speak to Guy Ward-Jackson and Elizabeth Seger from the Tony Blair Institute. Is Britain’s regulatory system out of control? Re:state’s Joe Hill tells us what to do about it.

The TBI pape... more

James pitches Martin on an idea he has had to solve the problem of congestion caused by robotaxis. And we speak to Sky News Technology Correspondent Rowland Manthorpe, who has been reporting on the data centre water usage controversy – and has been f... more

James and Martin talk about a new campaign to ban delivery robots – and why it may prefigure a future political realignment. And then we speak to Labour MP Dr Jeevun Sandher about his recent posts on good growth in every postcode, and how Britain’s g... more

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Recent Guests

Elizabeth Seger
From the Tony Blair Institute, co-author of a paper on open-source AI lab
Tony Blair Institute
Episode: How Britain can get ahead in AI
Guy Ward-Jackson
From the Tony Blair Institute, co-author
Tony Blair Institute
Episode: How Britain can get ahead in AI
Joe Hill
From Restate, author of a paper on regulation reform
Restate
Episode: How Britain can get ahead in AI
Rowland Manthorpe
Technology correspondent for Sky News
Sky News
Episode: The truth about UK data centre water usage
Jeevun Sandher
Labour MP for Loughborough
Labour Party
Episode: The new war on delivery robots
Michael Hill
Policy Researcher at Britain Remade
Britain Remade
Episode: The Manchesterism theory of growth
Paul Maltby
Director of Public Services at Faculty AI
Faculty AI
Episode: Computer says... Maybe
Mark Pack
Lib Dem peer, former Lib Dem president, Lord Pack; writer and commentator
Liberal Democrats
Episode: The problem with Secondary Legislation
Dan Mead
Economics advisor for Labour Together
Labour Together
Episode: The BBC's anti-Universal theme park bias

Hosts

James O'Malley
Host of YIMBY Pod (and related iterations); frequent moderator and policy debater focused on planning, infrastructure, and data governance.
Martin Robbins
Co-host with a focus on critical analysis of policy, planning reform, and infrastructure delivery; contributes data-driven and contrarian perspectives.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 140 ratings
  • Worth a listen.

    It’s difficult to find a podcast that puts the positive case for progress and, yes, YIMBY causes.

    A lighthearted canter through issues that matter and worth the 40 mins or so of your time.

    No hairshirt attitudes and genuinely interesting.

    Well done lads.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    The Fat Fryer
    United Kingdom2 months ago
  • Fascinating and brilliantly put together

    I really appreciate how well edited and produced this podcast is. I often find “two (usually) men chatting” podcasts a bit annoying because they’re rambling and full of ums and ahs. And they talk over each other. But this more scripted, better edited approach means you actually come away having learned something without having your time wasted. I know it must take a lot of time, so I appreciate it. Martin and James are happy to challenge prevailing wisdoms and offer nuance or outright contrarian... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Stretchytoes
    United Kingdom4 months ago
  • I like the podcast but

    I’m afraid I can’t stomach any more of Martin’s constant slagging-off of anywhere he doesn’t live. I’m out

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    JimmyTheWheels
    United Kingdom8 months ago
  • Outstanding if infuriating

    A great pod that describes in painful detail the pathetic vested interested that want to keep the UK poor. From Natural England to the NIMBY Tory set - it’s really a tragedy. Listen and weep. Well done fellas - keep it up.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Gageueheuege hi geeheyeh
    United States9 months ago
  • Vital information presented with self deprecating humour

    The central theme is that humans - in particular those who live in Britain - need to have abundant clean energy with affordable housing and excellent public transport in order to make the best of their lives.

    Oh, and save the planet as a bonus.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    JKarStrae
    United Kingdom10 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Shows strong host dynamics, though some listeners dislike occasional banter.
Balances policy critique with practical, on-site reporting and guest expertise.
Well-edited and concise with nuanced takes that challenge conventional wisdom.
Offers clear, data-backed discussions on planning and energy.

Chart Rankings

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

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

The truth about UK data centre water usage
Q: What are the main trade-offs or risks related to water use by data centers?
The main concern is peak demand during hot, dry periods when water scarcity is most acute, potentially stressing water suppliers and coordination among regulators, operators, and water companies.
The truth about UK data centre water usage
Q: How much water are data centers using in the UK, and how does that compare to other industries?
UK data centers use about 1.8 million cubic meters of water per year, roughly 0.2% of the non-household water supply, which is small compared to beverage manufacturing or other sectors, but not negligible.
The truth about UK data centre water usage
Q: Why might a data center need to use water in the first place?
Data centers generate a lot of heat, so water is used for cooling to prevent overheating, which is the primary driver of water use in the sector.
The BBC's anti-Universal theme park bias
Q: What seems to be going wrong with Thames Water, and why is there talk of nationalization?
The guest outlines heavy debt, poor pollution records, rising bills, and political pressure to secure reliable water service; nationalization is discussed as a possible, though controversial, path to stabilize service and curb pollution, with emphasis on ensuring affordability for customers.
An expert debunks James's bad opinion
Q: What about the idea of replacing the top layer of civil service with more political appointments?
There is disagreement; the guest argues for stronger political direction and alignment, while stressing that the system must preserve integrity and professionalism, and that wholesale removal of senior layers could erode institutional memory and capacity.

Audience Metrics

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

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

Frequently Asked Questions About This Podcast

What is This Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Two hosts drive debates on growth, public policy, and infrastructure in the UK, blending sharp analysis with contrarian takes and practical examples. Episodes frequently explore planning reform, energy policy, transport, and data governance, often featuring expert guests from think tanks, government-adjacent bodies, and industry. The vibe combines rigorous policy critique with accessible storytelling and on-the-ground reporting from sites like town centres, transport projects, and public data initiatives. Notable strengths include a willingness to challenge prevailing wisdom, a policy-forward lens that appeals to professionals and strategists, and a knack for connecting technical topics to everyday public outcomes. Potential listeners inclu... more

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These podcasts share a similar audience with this podcast:

1. Political Fix
2. The Politics Show
3. The Briefing Room
4. Page 94: The Private Eye Podcast
5. Inside Briefing with the Institute for Government

How many episodes of this podcast are there?

this podcast launched a year ago and published 73 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 this podcast?

Recent guests on this podcast include:

1. Elizabeth Seger
2. Guy Ward-Jackson
3. Joe Hill
4. Rowland Manthorpe
5. Jeevun Sandher
6. Michael Hill
7. Paul Maltby
8. Mark Pack

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