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Radical with Amol Rajan

BBC Radio 4
Democracy
Ravish Kumar
India
Cancer
Ukraine
Mental Health
Populism
Gus O'donnell
Economic Instability
Labour Party
NHS
United Kingdom
Prostate Cancer
Immunotherapy
Health Care
Diagnosis
Gaza
Keir Starmer
SNP
Childline

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 m... more

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes197Founded3 years ago
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Society & Culture

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Artwork for Radical

Latest Episodes

In this week’s episode, Amol sits down with Yale political theorist and author of ‘Politics Without Politicians’, Professor Hélène Landemore, to discuss her argument to revive citizen‑led governance. She explains why she believes our current electora... more

Dr Suzanne O’Sullivan, neurologist and author of The Age of Diagnosis, answers your questions about her book, what it means for women who are under-diagnosed and how she deals with criticism of her work.

GET IN TOUCH * WhatsApp: 0330 123 9480 * Ema... more

Dr Suzanne O’Sullivan thinks that we are getting diagnosis wrong.

In this episode the neurologist and author of The Age of Diagnosis explains how advances in screening have led to certain diseases being over-detected and why she thinks giving a con... more

Simukai Chigudu, author of ‘Chasing Freedom: Coming of Age at the End of Empire’ and associate professor of African politics at Oxford University, answers your questions about statues, reparations for slavery and decolonising the curriculum.

GET IN ... more

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Recent Guests

Simukai Chigudu
Associate Professor of African Politics at the University of Oxford; author of Chasing Freedom
University of Oxford
Episode: The Legacy of Empire: How to Reckon with the Past (Simukai Chigudu)
Suzanne O'Sullivan
Neurologist and author of The Age of Overdiagnosis
Episode: Do Polls Influence Public Opinion? (Your Radical Questions with James Kanagasooriam)
Ed Davies
Research Director, Centre for Social Justice (CSJ)
Centre for Social Justice
Episode: The Decline of Marriage: Why We Need to Prioritise Family Life (Ed Davies)
Thomasina Miers
Founder of Wahaca Restaurants and first MasterChef winner.
Wahaca Restaurants
Episode: Health and Hospitality: When Does Food Stop Being Food? (Thomasina Miers)
Joe Seddon
Young entrepreneur and founder of Zero Gravity, dedicated to improving social mobility for students from low opportunity backgrounds.
Zero Gravity
Episode: Social Mobility: How to Break the Link Between Background and Opportunity (Joe Seddon)
Josephine Philips
Young entrepreneur and founder of SOJO, passionate about sustainable fashion and reducing consumption
SOJO
Episode: Consumer Culture: Why We Need to Buy Less (Josephine Philips)
Jonathan Haidt
Professor of Ethical Leadership, recent author on social media and mental health
Episode: How Do We Reduce Political Polarisation Online? (Your Radical Questions with Jonathan Haidt)
Professor Jonathan Haidt
Social psychologist and author known for his work on the psychology of morality and social dynamics.
Episode: Social Media Bans: Are We at a Global Turning Point? (Jonathan Haidt)
Panos A. Panay
President of the Recording Academy
Recording Academy
Episode: Will There Be A Revolt Against AI Music? (Your Radical Questions with Panos A. Panay)

Host

Amol Rajan
Host of Radical conversations focusing on big ideas in politics, society, and culture; presenter with BBC platforms.

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 1.4k ratings
  • Ed Davies

    Really enjoyed the podcast. As a woman I found myself disagreeing with Ed Davies pretty much all the time! I felt he allowed his personal views coloured his thinking. Eg his view that marriage is the most important factor in social cohesion! I thought ask some women their view on that one! There was very little mention of the internet and its effect on young people today, and although he insisted on supporting women and their roles I was not convinced by his supporting arguments! But this is wha... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Benarchie
    United Kingdoma month ago
  • Incredible content and skilful interviewing

    Thought provoking, well researched content which is skilfully choreographed by Amol Raman to get the best of the guest and dig into the salient points. I eagerly await each episode !

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    DNHE1000
    United Kingdoma month ago
  • Oh dear, Amol , what have the BBC done to you!

    The Middle East in flames and you are discussing ultra-processed foods.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Bosley68428
    United Kingdoma month ago
  • Bring back Today

    I inherited this from the Today podcast. Tried a few and just unfollowed. It should be renamed “Smug, with Amol Rajan”

    Rajan is an intelligent, erudite man and he really, really wants you to know it.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Astondriver
    United Kingdoma month ago
  • 5 stars!

    Hands down the most interesting and impressive podcast out there at the moment. The episodes are so wide ranging, yet all topics are imperative to understand and all are in need of radical ideas. Some very knowledgeable and engaging guests too.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    R.T.Y.Z
    United Kingdoma month ago

Listeners Say

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

The host's thoughtful, probing interview style creates deep, insightful conversations.
Guests consistently bring expertise and practical perspectives to complex issues.
Listeners appreciate long-form, nuanced discussion that avoids easy answers.

Chart Rankings

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

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Over-Diagnosis: Are Too Many People Being Given Medical Labels? (Dr Suzanne O’Sullivan)
Q: What is the role of the patient in decisions about testing and diagnosis?
Patients should be equipped with information about both benefits and downsides of testing, allowing them to engage in informed conversations with clinicians; the aim is better care and shared decision-making rather than reflexive pursuit of labels.
Over-Diagnosis: Are Too Many People Being Given Medical Labels? (Dr Suzanne O’Sullivan)
Q: How should we handle screening and diagnosis for high-risk individuals versus low-risk populations?
Targeting high-risk individuals for screening can improve usefulness and reduce harm, while avoiding a one-size-fits-all approach to screening that labels healthy people as diseased; clear distinctions and watchful waiting options can help mitigate overdiagnosis.
Over-Diagnosis: Are Too Many People Being Given Medical Labels? (Dr Suzanne O’Sullivan)
Q: Can you clarify the difference between overdiagnosis and misdiagnosis at the start of the discussion?
Overdiagnosis concerns the harm-benefit balance when diagnosing, not simply whether a diagnosis is correct; it can occur even with accurate diagnosis if it leads to unnecessary harm. The focus is on trade-offs and population-level effects, not just individual correctness.
Should Former Colonial Powers Pay Reparations? (Your Radical Questions with Simukai Chigudu)
Q: As a society, we've got to move on. We could be charging Italy for what the Romans did, the Nordic countries for what the Vikings did, but at the end of the day, history isn't there, but we've got to move on. Is reparations really something to focus on, or is it time to sort of learn the lessons of slavery, but as a society move forward?
There are very concrete, identifiable debts Britain owes from recent history that can be traced, and reparations should be considered in a broad reparative sense—not just monetary, but including artifacts, cultural repatriation, and targeted investments—while avoiding an all-encompassing, incendiary claim that freezes action. The idea is to acknowledge moral injury and pursue practical, context-specific remedies that address present harms and historical legacies.
Do Polls Influence Public Opinion? (Your Radical Questions with James Kanagasooriam)
Q: What is agency, briefly?
Agency is the belief or perception that you have control over your life, which correlates with optimism, trust, and willingness to take action, and can influence political attitudes toward the status quo or change.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About Radical

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

Conversations probe big ideas shaping tomorrow, from politics and economics to culture, technology, and societal norms. Hosts rigorous, curious interviews with policymakers, researchers, entrepreneurs, artists, and thinkers who publish provocative takes and push for practical reform. Listeners can expect long-form, thoughtful dialogue that weighs evidence, challenges received wisdom, and connects policy with everyday life. Its strength lies in tackling complex issues with nuance and a preference for big-picture thinking over partisan rhetoric, often bringing in data, ethics, and real-world implications for audiences spanning professionals, students, and policy-engaged adults.

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Which podcasts are similar to Radical?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Radical:

1. The News Agents
2. The Rest Is Politics
3. Political Thinking with Nick Robinson
4. The Rest Is Politics: Leading
5. Newscast

How many episodes of Radical are there?

Radical launched 3 years ago and published 197 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 Radical?

Recent guests on Radical include:

1. Simukai Chigudu
2. Suzanne O'Sullivan
3. Ed Davies
4. Thomasina Miers
5. Joe Seddon
6. Josephine Philips
7. Jonathan Haidt
8. Professor Jonathan Haidt

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