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The State of It

The Times
Israel
Iran
Hamas
Russia
India
United States
Gaza
Narendra Modi
Donald Trump
China
Ukraine
David Cameron
United Kingdom
US Presidential Election
Democracy
Military Aid
Congress
Joe Biden
Titanic
Formula One

Real reporting from the coalface of British politics.

Join The Times and The Sunday Times’s political heavyweights Patrick Maguire, Steven Swinford, Gabriel Pogrund and Caroline Wheeler and as they dig deep into the latest tea room tip offs, reveal insider conversations and bring analysis, authority and insight.

No party loyalty. No spin. Not hosted by some old politicians. Taking you into the rea... more

PublishesDailyEpisodes1327Founded4 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
GovernmentPoliticsNews

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Artwork for The State of It

Latest Episodes

Political moment of the year? Civil war of the year? And who or what gets The Actual State of It Award? 2025 offered rich pickings for our inaugural Christmas awards.

Steven Swinford, political editor, The Times

Caroline Wheeler, political editor, ... more

Senior Labour figures say a challenge to Keir Starmer's leadership could come as early as next month. But who will move first? Andy Burnham, Wes Streeting and Angela Rayner are all on manoeuvres.

Steven Swinford, political editor, The Times

Caroli... more

Angela Rayner turned down a chance to appear on I'm a Celebrity because she wasn't done with politics. Will she return to cabinet or make a bid for the leadership herself? Patrick has been told what she really thinks of the idea of a pact with Wes St... more

The budget gave Labour MPs a lift but for how long? They're already getting uneasy, and some members of the cabinet are so cross that they're proactively ringing The Times. Also, Patrick reminisces about his weekend at the Your Party conference...and... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Ian Garner
Professor at the Pilecki Institute in Warsaw, specializing in Russian politics and propaganda.
Pilecki Institute
Episode: Frontline special: Ian Garner, Russian propaganda specialist
Lord Peter Ricketts
Former British ambassador to France, national security advisor
UK Government
Episode: Frontline special: Lord Ricketts, former diplomat
Dr. Natalie Sabanadze
Senior Research Fellow with Chatham House's Russia and Eurasia program.
Chatham House
Episode: Why the Black Sea is key to Putin’s grand strategy
Jules Palayer
Artificial intelligence specialist at the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute
Stockholm International Peace Research Institute
Episode: AI and nuclear weapons could change warfare
Cormac Smith
Former British diplomat to Ukraine and communications specialist
Episode: Frontline special: former diplomat Cormac Smith
David Salvo
Managing Director of the Alliance for Securing Democracy
Alliance for Securing Democracy
Episode: Money casts shadow over Alaska talks
Dr. Chietij Bajpaee
Senior research fellow at Chatham House's Asia-Pacific Programme, an Asia specialist with experience in the energy sector and think tanks.
Chatham House
Episode: India-US relations sour over Trump ultimatum
Alexandra Bell
President of the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists and a nuclear policy specialist.
Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists
Episode: Hiroshima, Nagasaki, and the countdown to armageddon
Maksim Tukker
The Times' correspondent in Kyiv
The Times
Episode: Putin using abducted Ukrainian children as 'poker chips'

Hosts

Steven Swinford
Political editor at The Times, known for his insightful commentary and deep understanding of political dynamics.
Caroline Wheeler
Political editor of The Sunday Times, she brings a wealth of experience and in-depth knowledge of the political landscape.
Patrick Maguire
Chief political commentator at The Times, known for his sharp analysis and detailed reports on political events.
Gabriel Pogrund
Whitehall editor at The Sunday Times, focusing on insider politics and government affairs, providing crucial coverage of political maneuvering.

Reviews

4.2 out of 5 stars from 366 ratings
  • Propoganda pod

    Never written a review before but I felt I had to. Journalists that I used to hold in high esteem have debased themselves on this podcast. The way Nigel Farage is discussed like he’s a martyr, they should be ashamed. Not a balanced view at all, just right wing propaganda. Sadly deleted

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Disillusioned Dee
    United Kingdom19 days ago
  • Mehreen Khan

    How have I missed Mehreen Khan? Hands down the most interesting bit of analysis I’ve heard in months about the economy, instead of the same kind of thing you hear everywhere. More please!

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    Niky_Noodles
    United Kingdoma month ago
  • Subsidised nursery?!

    I couldn’t get past the point that Steve drops his kids off at childcare at his workplace subsidised by taxpayers. These hacks and politicians feed off each other in the most corrupt and depressing way. They both think (wrongly) that they’re specially unique

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Niky_Noodles
    United Kingdom2 months ago
  • Superb Insight and Tone

    I’m such a fanboy for Patrick McGuire - and the political team at The Times. This podcast so far has been superb, lots of great insight and serious analysis but with a playful and open tone that I find extremely appealing.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Chestwig34
    United Kingdom2 months ago
  • No sense spoken

    Wah wah…this will happen. Why didn’t this happen? How come our expectations were confounded? Because you’re wrong (intentionally) about most future events. Why don’t you examine that? Why insist on the most asinine talking points when it won’t even materialise into reality. Childish stuff from the Times.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    ❤️Radio4Comedy
    Netherlands2 months ago

Listeners Say

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

There are mixed feelings regarding the podcast's biased tones, with some criticism aimed at perceived leniency towards certain political figures.
The overall tone is often engaging, appreciated for its blend of serious commentary laced with humor and anecdotes.
Listeners appreciate the insightful and well-informed analysis provided by the hosts, enjoying their candid discussions and insider perspectives.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#18
United Kingdom/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#36
United Kingdom/News
Apple Podcasts
#205
France/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#22
Ireland/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#44
China/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#56
Ireland/News

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Have a go if you think you're hard enough
Q: How do you get your stories?
The most important stories often come from non-public figures in Westminster who have vital insider knowledge.
Frontline special: Lord Ricketts, former diplomat
Q: Where at the moment do you think we are? Kyiv is, you know, how emboldened should they feel?
They feel supported by Europe and confident that Trump will disappoint Putin's expectations.
Frontline special: Lord Ricketts, former diplomat
Q: So do you think Putin is now emboldened by this and therefore it's going to push him further away from wanting to get some form of peace settlement?
Yes, Putin thinks Trump won't follow through on threats and feels confident he can string him along.
Journalist killings leave Israel under pressure
Q: Why isn't the increasing anti-war sentiment from within Israel impacting the prime minister?
Protesters believe Netanyahu has extended the war for political benefit, suggesting he should consider ceasefire agreements to release hostages.
Journalist killings leave Israel under pressure
Q: Will this international condemnation make Israel think differently about their impending plans for Gaza?
Samer Al-Atrush believes that the condemnation won't likely change Israel's plans, as similar past incidents haven't shifted the course of the conflict.

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 The State of It

What is The State of It about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This podcast offers insightful and authoritative discussions on current political events in British politics, characterized by real reporting from those actively involved in the political arena. The hosts, who are experienced journalists and political commentators, share insider perspectives, reveal behind-the-scenes conversations, and analyze the latest developments within political dynamics. Episodes cover a wide range of topics including the Labour Party's strategies, Brexit implications, significant budgets, and political controversies, all while maintaining a non-partisan stance to present an unbiased view of the state of affairs.

Each episode often features lively debates, humorous anecdotes, and critical analysis of key figures and ... more

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How many listeners does The State of It get?

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Which podcasts are similar to The State of It?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The State of It:

1. Politics Unpacked
2. How To Win An Election
3. Political Currency
4. Politics At Sam and Anne's
5. The Story

How many episodes of The State of It are there?

The State of It launched 4 years ago and published 1327 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact The State of It?

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Where can I see ratings and reviews for The State of It?

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What guests have appeared on The State of It?

Recent guests on The State of It include:

1. Ian Garner
2. Lord Peter Ricketts
3. Dr. Natalie Sabanadze
4. Jules Palayer
5. Cormac Smith
6. David Salvo
7. Dr. Chietij Bajpaee
8. Alexandra Bell

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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