
The Ballpark is the LSE Phelan US Centre's regular podcast on the politics and policy of the United States. Through features and interviews with academics from the LSE and elsewhere, The Ballpark looks more closely into what's going on behind the headlines.
| Publishes | Daily | Episodes | 5852 | Founded | 10 years ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Listeners | Categories | Social SciencesCoursesScienceEducation | |||

From China’s growing influence in Europe to deepening Russia–China cooperation and the ripple effects of Trump’s America First policies, Eurasia has emerged as a single, highly contested geopolitical space.
Understanding China’s role in the world has never been more important — or more complex. China projects itself variously as a moral global actor, a fiercely defensive power guarding its core interests, and a pragmatic, opportunistic player.
America is undergoing profound change. Demographic transformation, shifting global power dynamics, and a foreign policy establishment in transition are reshaping how the United States sees itself—and how the world responds.
To talk about the current state of US-China relations, in October 2025 the Phelan US Centre spoke to Scott Kennedy, Senior Adviser and Trustee Chair in Chinese Business and Economics at the Center for Strategic and International Studies
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This is a great podcast, sharing insights from political science with the greater public.
On a friend's recommendation gave this series a listen and found it very accessible and interesting. Having studied American foreign policy, Episode 3 had me wanting to put my two pennies worth in which is usually a good sign. Well worth subscribing.
Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.
How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.
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Apple Podcasts | #206 |
Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.
Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.
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The show centers on US politics, foreign policy, and political economy, hosting in-depth conversations with scholars and policy experts. Episodes frequently unpack how demographic shifts, AI governance, media and disinformation, and international relations shape policy and public perception. A notable strength is its ability to translate complex academic research into accessible discussions, with guest scholars from top universities and think tanks providing nuanced analyses of current events and long-term trends. The format is interview-forward, often linking theory to real-world policy implications, making it helpful for listeners who want rigorous, interdisciplinary takes on US and global politics.
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1. LSE IQ podcast
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3. The Rachman Review
4. Ones and Tooze
5. Global Security Briefing
LSE: The Ballpark launched 10 years ago and published 5852 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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Recent guests on LSE: The Ballpark include:
1. Raja Mohan
2. Todd Hall
3. Anne-Marie Slaughter
4. Scott Kennedy
5. Gordon Hanson
6. Professor Michael Cox
7. Charles Kupchan
8. Gili Vidan
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