Leading (podcast)

Leading
Presentation
Hosted byAlastair Campbell
Rory Stewart
GenreTalk
Format
LanguageEnglish
Length35-65 minutes
Production
No. of episodes118 Edit this on Wikidata
Publication
Original release16 January 2023 (16 January 2023)
Ratings4.6153846153846/5 Edit this on Wikidata
Related
Websitehttps://therestispolitics.supportingcast.fm/ Edit this on Wikidata

Leading is a British podcast launched in January 2023. Hosted by Alastair Campbell and Rory Stewart, it is a sister podcast of their weekly politics podcast The Rest is Politics.[1] The podcast is produced by Goalhanger Podcasts.[2][3]

Background

Both Alastair Campbell and Rory Stewart have been active in British politics. Campbell is a journalist and political strategist, who served as the communications chief for Tony Blair. A former member of the Labour Party, Campbell was expelled after he voted for the Liberal Democrats in the 2019 European elections.[4]

Stewart is a former diplomat, author and politician. He served as Conservative international development secretary and prisons minister under Theresa May, and was a member of parliament for around nine years. In 2019, having rebelled against Boris Johnson's approach to Brexit, he was expelled from the parliamentary party. He later resigned his party membership as well.[5]

Campbell and Stewart's podcast The Rest is Politics, launched in March 2022, is aimed at providing a temperate and informed political debate in the United Kingdom.[6] As part of the podcast, the hosts would interview former and active political figures. These interviews were released irregularly, as opposed to the main podcast, which releases two episodes on Wednesday and Thursday of each week.

In January 2023, Goalhanger Podcasts launched Leading as a spin off, allowing Campbell and Stewart to interview on a regular basis as well as to interview non-political figures.

Episodes

The podcast usually releases a new episode every Monday. Former UK deputy prime minister Michael Heseltine was the podcast's first guest.[7] Some episodes are recorded with only Campbell as the interviewer. In such episodes, Stewart sometimes discusses the interview at the end with Campbell, without the relevant guest being present.

Key
* Interviewed only by Campbell
No.Guest(s)Running timeOriginal air dateLink
1Michael Heseltine48:33January 16, 2023 (2023-01-16)link at Apple Podcasts
Former UK deputy prime minister Michael Heseltine discusses premierships of Margaret Thatcher and Rishi Sunak, Brexit, and UK miners' strike of 1984–85.
2Marina Litvinenko*48:27January 23, 2023 (2023-01-23)link at Apple Podcasts
Widow of murdered British-naturalised Russian defector and Putin critic Alexander Litvinenko discusses her husband's poisoning and death, Vladimir Putin, and the invasion of Ukraine.
3Alan Milburn55:16January 30, 2023 (2023-01-30)link at Apple Podcasts
Former UK health secretary Milburn discusses NHS crisis and nurses' strikes, his tenure in Tony Blair's government, New Labour, and his upbringing.
4Michel Barnier41:25February 6, 2023 (2023-02-06)link at Apple Podcasts
EU Brexit chief negotiator Michel Barnier discusses Brexit and his career in French politics.
5Michael Johnson*41:43February 13, 2023 (2023-02-13)link at Apple Podcasts
American sprinter and Olympic Games medalist Michael Johnson discusses future of athletics, taking the knee, and doping in sport.
6David Lammy56:35February 20, 2023 (2023-02-20)link at Apple Podcasts
UK shadow foreign secretary David Lammy discusses Brexit, international development, and his upbringing.
7Fiona Hill55:40February 27, 2023 (2023-02-27)link at Apple Podcasts
British-American foreign affairs specialist Fiona Hill discusses her upbringing in Bishop Auckland, the Ukraine conflict, and her work in the Trump Administration.
8Bertie Ahern*52:18March 6, 2023 (2023-03-06)link at Apple Podcasts
Former Irish Taoiseach Bertie Ahern discusses his father's involvement in the anti-Treaty IRA, his own contribution to the Good Friday Agreement, and Northern Ireland peace process.
9Bernie Sanders40:11March 13, 2023 (2023-03-13)link at Apple Podcasts
US Senator Bernie Sanders discusses his presidential run and American healthcare reform.
10Rahima Mahmut*51:13March 20, 2023 (2023-03-20)link at Apple Podcasts
Uyghur artist and human rights activist Rahima Mahmut discusses the persecution of Uyghurs in China and the Xinjiang conflict.
11Gary Lineker56:23March 27, 2023 (2023-03-27)link at Apple Podcasts
English footballer and sports broadcaster Gary Lineker discusses his career and 2023 suspension from Match of the Day.
12David Baddiel51:59April 3, 2023 (2023-04-03)link at Apple Podcasts
English comedian, presenter, and author David Baddiel discusses his maternal family's entry into Britain as refugees during the Holocaust, antisemitism in the UK, his polemic Jews Don't Count, and his co-written song Three Lions.
13Brian Cox*38:14April 10, 2023 (2023-04-10)link at Apple Podcasts
Scottish actor Brian Cox discusses Succession, SNP, and Scottish independence.
14David Miliband56:20April 17, 2023 (2023-04-17)link at Apple Podcasts
Former UK foreign secretary and President of the International Rescue Committee David Miliband discusses New Labour and his work for the IRC providing humanitarian aid.
15Hillary Clinton41:10April 24, 2023 (2023-04-24)link at Apple Podcasts
Former US secretary of state, senator, and first lady Hillary Clinton discusses Operation Neptune Spear, her loss in the 2016 US presidential election, and her tenure as secretary of state.
16Tony Blair40:21May 1, 2023 (2023-05-01)link at Apple Podcasts
Former UK prime minister Tony Blair discusses the Northern Ireland peace process and Good Friday Agreement.
17Gerry Adams42:07May 8, 2023 (2023-05-08)link at Apple Podcasts
Irish republican politician Gerry Adams discusses The Troubles.
18George Osborne01:04:22May 15, 2023 (2023-05-15)link at Apple Podcasts
Former UK chancellor George Osborne discusses his chancellorship and austerity programme.
19Leo Varadkar34:05May 22, 2023 (2023-05-22)link at Apple Podcasts
Irish Taoiseach Leo Varadkar discusses his upbringing, Irish politics and foreign policy, and artificial intelligence.
20Jonathan Powell51:45May 29, 2023 (2023-05-29)link at Apple Podcasts
Former Downing Street chief of staff Jonathan Powell discusses New Labour and Northern Ireland peace process.
21Mary McAleese*47:35June 5, 2023 (2023-06-05)link at Apple Podcasts
Former Irish president Mary McAleese discusses her legal career and presidency, Catholic Church in Ireland, and Northern Ireland peace process.
22Kate Raworth56:24June 12, 2023 (2023-06-12)link at Apple Podcasts
English economist Kate Raworth discusses doughnut economics and economic sustainability.
23John Major: Part 146:08June 19, 2023 (2023-06-19)link at Apple Podcasts
Former UK prime minister John Major discusses his early political career and resignation of Margaret Thatcher.
24John Major: Part 201:01:17June 26, 2023 (2023-06-26)link at Apple Podcasts
Former UK prime minister John Major discusses his premiership, Gulf War, and Black Wednesday.
25Michael Ignatieff59:21July 3, 2023 (2023-07-03)link at Apple Podcasts
Former Canadian opposition leader and academic Michael Ignatieff discusses his career and climate change.
26Francis Fukuyama55:23July 10, 2023 (2023-07-10)link at Apple Podcasts
American political scientist and international relations writer Francis Fukuyama discusses his The End of History thesis and authoritarianism.
27Feargal Sharkey*44:51July 17, 2023 (2023-07-17)link at Apple Podcasts
Northern Irish singer Feargal Sharkey discusses his upbringing in Derry and environmental campaigning.
28Paul Nurse1:04:32July 24, 2023 (2023-07-24)link at Apple Podcasts
British geneticist and Nobel laureate for Physiology Paul Nurse discusses future of British science and British government response to the COVID-19 pandemic
29Yuval Noah Harari: Part 154:13July 31, 2023 (2023-07-31)link at Apple Podcasts
Israeli public intellectual and historian Yuval Noah Harari discusses 2023 Israeli protests.
30Anthony Joshua54:41August 7, 2023 (2023-08-07)link at Apple Podcasts
British professional boxer Anthony Joshua discusses his career.
31Yuval Noah Harari: Part 258:41August 14, 2023 (2023-08-14)link at Apple Podcasts
Israeli public intellectual and historian Yuval Noah Harari discusses artificial intelligence and populism in the 21st century.
32Miriam González Durántez58:15August 21, 2023 (2023-08-21)link at Apple Podcasts
Spanish lawyer and vice chair of UBS Europe Miriam González Durántez discusses gender equality, and Cameron-Clegg coalition.
33Mustafa Suleyman01:04:34August 28, 2023 (2023-08-28)link at Apple Podcasts
British artificial intelligence researcher Mustafa Suleyman discusses artificial intelligence, and his early life and career.
34Ed Davey01:12:11September 4, 2023 (2023-09-04)link at Apple Podcasts
Former British energy secretary and Lib Dem leader Ed Davey discusses the Cameron-Clegg coalition and the 2024 United Kingdom general election.
35Catherine Ashton01:01:58September 11, 2023 (2023-09-11)link at Apple Podcasts
Former High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs discusses her career and the European Union.
36Andy Burnham and Andy Street57:17September 18, 2023 (2023-09-18)link at Apple Podcasts
Inaugural mayors of Greater Manchester (Burnham) and West Midlands (Street) discuss devolved local government in England and their mayoral careers.
37Chris Hipkins56:45September 25, 2023 (2023-09-25)link at Apple Podcasts
New Zealand prime minister Chris Hipkins discusses New Zealand COVID response, upcoming election, and relations with China.
38Theresa May: Part 155:34October 2, 2023 (2023-10-02)link at Apple Podcasts
Former UK prime minister Theresa May discusses her tenure as Home Secretary, Windrush scandal, and Hillsborough disaster.
39Theresa May: Part 255:39October 9, 2023 (2023-10-09)link at Apple Podcasts
Former UK prime minister Theresa May discusses her tenure as prime minister, Brexit negotiations, and Donald Trump.
40Minette Batters56:50October 16, 2023 (2023-10-16)link at Apple Podcasts
NFU president and British farmer Minette Batters discusses British agriculture, post-Brexit UK FTAs, and Net Zero.
41Reid Hoffman01:12:49October 23, 2023 (2023-10-23)link at Apple Podcasts
American venture capitalist and LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman discusses AI, PayPal Mafia, and 2024 US presidential race.
42Sayeeda Warsi55:47October 27, 2023 (2023-10-27)link at Apple Podcasts
Former UK cabinet minister and House of Lords member Sayeeda Warsi discusses Islamophobia in the United Kingdom and 2023 Israel-Hamas war.
43Arnold Schwarzenegger53:23October 30, 2023 (2023-10-30)link at Apple Podcasts
Former California governor and actor Arnold Schwarzenegger discusses his early life, career, and 2024 US presidential race.
44Mark Carney01:03:53November 6, 2023 (2023-11-06)link at Apple Podcasts
Canadian economist and former Bank of England governor Mark Carney discusses austerity, monetary policy, and climate change.
45Comfort Ero59:47November 13, 2023 (2023-11-13)link at Apple Podcasts
Crisis Group CEO Comfort Ero discusses United Nations and international peace.
46Arancha González Laya51:51November 20, 2023 (2023-11-20)link at Apple Podcasts
Former Spanish foreign minister Arancha González Laya discusses her career, Russian invasion of Ukraine, and AI regulation.
47Tony Klug49:07November 24, 2023 (2023-11-24)link at Apple Podcasts
British international affairs consultant Tony Klug discusses Arab-Israeli conflict and 2023 Israel-Hamas war.
48Simon Sebag Montefiore47:17November 27, 2023 (2023-11-27)link at Apple Podcasts
British historian Simon Sebag Montefiore discusses Arab-Israeli conflict and his book Jerusalem: The Biography.
49Christiana Figueres57:28December 4, 2023 (2023-12-04)link at Apple Podcasts
Costa Rican diplomat and former UNFCCC executive secretary Christiana Figueres discusses climate change and COP 2028.
50Angela Rayner1:09:33December 11, 2023 (2023-12-11)link at Apple Podcasts
UK Labour deputy leader Angela Rayner discusses upcoming UK general election and Labour leadership of Jeremy Corbyn.
51Tim Peake1:00:02December 18, 2023 (2023-12-18)link at Apple Podcasts
British astronaut Tim Peake discusses his Army Air Corps career, and space exploration and colonisation.
52Tom Holland1:03:32December 25, 2023 (2023-12-25)link at Apple Podcasts
British historian Tom Holland discusses influence of Christianity on Western culture.
53Seb Coe1:01:23January 1, 2024 (2024-01-01)link at Apple Podcasts
British sports Seb Coe discusses his athletics, politics and sports administration careers, 2020 London Olympics, and doping.
54Guy Verhofstadt55:47January 8, 2024 (2024-01-08)link at Apple Podcasts
Former Belgian prime minister and MEP discusses his decade-long premiership and further integration of the European Union.
55Gillian Keegan01:11:43January 15, 2024 (2024-01-15)link at Apple Podcasts
UK education secretary Gillian Keegan discusses her early life and career, and education in the UK.
56Bill Gates57:00January 22, 2024 (2024-01-22)link at Apple Podcasts
American businessman and philanthropist Bill Gates discusses development of Microsoft and his philanthropic interests.
57Tucker Eskew56:23January 29, 2024 (2024-01-29)link at Apple Podcasts
American communications director Tucker Eskew discusses 2016 and 2024 US elections, Republican Revolution, and Trumpism.
58Humza Yousaf01:04:30February 5, 2024 (2024-02-05)link at Apple Podcasts
Scotland's first minister Humza Yousaf discusses Scottish independence and Israel–Hamas war.
59Robert Sapolsky01:05:53February 12, 2024 (2024-02-12)link at Apple Podcasts
American neuroendocrinologist Robert Sapolsky discusses his work on free will and political polarization in the United States.
60Anthony Scaramucci01:08:31February 19, 2024 (2024-02-19)link at Apple Podcasts
American financier and former White House communications director Anthony Scaramucci discusses 2024 US election and campaign finance in the US.
61James Rubin01:08:52February 26, 2024 (2024-02-26)link at Apple Podcasts
American diplomat James Rubin discusses foreign policy of Joe Biden and American interventionism.
62Sajid Javid: Part 142:21March 4, 2024 (2024-03-04)link at Apple Podcasts
Former UK chancellor Sajid Javid discusses his 2019 Tory leadership run and Islamophobia in the Tory party.
63Sajid Javid: Part 242:21March 8, 2024 (2024-03-08)link at Apple Podcasts
Former UK chancellor Sajid Javid discusses the Johnson premiership and the decision to revoke Shamima Begum's citizenship.
64Caroline Lucas01:07:02March 11, 2024 (2024-03-11)link at Apple Podcasts
Former Green Party leader Caroline Lucas discusses her career.
65Albin Kurti01:03:28March 18, 2024 (2024-03-18)link at Apple Podcasts
Kosovar prime minister Albin Kurti discusses his career and imprisonment, and Kosovar independence and foreign relations.
66Antony Gormley01:05:49March 25, 2024 (2024-03-25)link at Apple Podcasts
British sculptor Antony Gormley discusses his work and art.
67Eliza Manningham-Buller and John Sawers01:11:13April 1, 2024 (2024-04-01)link at Apple Podcasts
Former British intelligence officers Eliza Manningham-Buller (MI5 director general) and John Sawers (MI6 chief) discuss espionage and their careers.
68Edward Kessler00:56:29April 8, 2024 (2024-04-08)link at Apple Podcasts
British theologian Edward Kessler discusses the Israel-Palestine conflict.
69Dieter Helm01:14:00April 15, 2024 (2024-04-15)link at Apple Podcasts
British economist and academic Dieter Helm discusses COP conferences and Net Zero.
70Sadiq Khan01:10:36April 22, 2024 (2024-04-22)link at Apple Podcasts
London mayor Sadiq Khan discusses his tenure as London mayor and religion in UK politics.
71Ehud Olmert01:03:59April 29, 2024 (2024-04-29)link at Apple Podcasts
Former Israeli prime minister Ehud Olmert discusses 2023 Israeli invasion of Gaza and Benjamin Netanyahu's government
72Nancy Pelosi58:07May 6, 2024 (2024-05-06)link at Apple Podcasts
Former US House speaker Nancy Pelosi discusses her career and campaign finance in the United States.
73Kwasi Kwarteng: Part 144:09May 13, 2024 (2024-05-13)link at Apple Podcasts
Former UK chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng discusses Johnson government, Rwanda asylum scheme, and British Empire.
74Kwasi Kwarteng: Part 254:38May 20, 2024 (2024-05-20)link at Apple Podcasts
Former UK chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng discusses Truss government and his mini-budget.
75Kyriakos Mitsotakis01:05:14May 26, 2024 (2024-05-26)link at Apple Podcasts
Greek prime minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis discusses his premiership, migration, and the Elgin Marbles.
76Rachel Reeves01:11:32May 27, 2024 (2024-05-27)link at Apple Podcasts
UK shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves discusses her career and Labour's economic plan.
77David Blunkett: Part 147:10June 3, 2024 (2024-06-03)link at Apple Podcasts
Former British Education and Home Secretary David Blunkett discusses his early life, blindness, and early political career.
78David Blunkett: Part 252:00June 10, 2024 (2024-06-10)link at Apple Podcasts
Former British Education and Home Secretary David Blunkett discusses his career in the New Labour government.
79Nadhim Zahawi48:54June 14, 2024 (2024-06-14)link at Apple Podcasts
Former UK chancellor Nadhim Zahawi discusses early life, Johnson premiership, and COVID-19 vaccination in the UK.
80Bridget Phillipson57:00June 17, 2024 (2024-06-17)link at Apple Podcasts
UK shadow education secretary Bridget Phillipson discusses Labour under Corbyn, and Labour's education policy.
81Alex Chalk58:53June 24, 2024 (2024-06-24)link at Apple Podcasts
UK justice secretary and Lord Chancellor Alex Chalk discusses his career, Brexit, and prison crisis in the UK.
82Wes Streeting58:41June 28, 2024 (2024-06-28)link at Apple Podcasts
UK shadow health secretary Wes Streeting discusses his career, faith, and National Health Service.
83Gus O'Donnell55:04July 1, 2024 (2024-07-01)link at Apple Podcasts
Former UK Cabinet Secretary Gus O'Donnell discusses transition of power in the UK and the Civil Service.
84Helle Thorning-Schmidt1:00:51July 8, 2024 (2024-07-08)link at Apple Podcasts
Former Danish prime minister Helle Thorning-Schmidt discusses her premiership.
85Lisa Nandy1:10:08July 15, 2024 (2024-07-15)link at Apple Podcasts
UK culture secretary Lisa Nandy discusses her career and cabinet portfolio.
86Nick Clegg: Part 11:00:29July 22, 2024 (2024-07-22)link at Apple Podcasts
Former UK deputy prime minister Nick Clegg discusses Lib Dems, Cameron-Clegg coalition, and 2015 UK election.
87Nick Clegg: Part 21:02:51July 29, 2024 (2024-07-29)link at Apple Podcasts
Former UK deputy prime minister Nick Clegg discusses the Cameron-Clegg coalition and his role at Facebook.
88David Frum1:11:11August 5, 2024 (2024-08-05)link at Apple Podcasts
American speechwriter David Frum discusses his work for George W. Bush and 2024 US presidential race.
89David Davis1:07:25August 12, 2024 (2024-08-12)link at Apple Podcasts
Former UK Brexit secretary David Davis discusses his career and politics.
90Peter Malinauskas1:05:32August 19, 2024 (2024-08-19)link at Apple Podcasts
South Australia premier Peter Malinauskas discusses his career and negative impact of social media on children.
91John Anzalone34:00August 23, 2024 (2024-08-23)link at Apple Podcasts
American pollster John Anzalone interviewed at 2024 Democratic National Convention.
92Bob Mulholland28:52August 24, 2024 (2024-08-24)link at Apple Podcasts
American political operative Bob Mulholland interviewed at 2024 Democratic National Convention.
93Rosa DeLauro20:57August 25, 2024 (2024-08-25)link at Apple Podcasts
American congresswoman Rosa DeLauro interviewed at 2024 Democratic National Convention.
94Josh Elliott17:26August 26, 2024 (2024-08-26)link at Apple Podcasts
American state representative Josh Elliott interviewed at 2024 Democratic National Convention.
95David Urban23:49August 27, 2024 (2024-08-27)link at Apple Podcasts
American lobbyist David Urban interviewed at 2024 Democratic National Convention.
96Frank Luntz59:00September 2, 2024 (2024-09-02)link at Apple Podcasts
American pollster Frank Luntz discusses 2020 US presidential election.

References

  1. ^ The Week Staff (25 May 2023). "The best politics podcasts of 2023: what the critics say". www.theweek.co.uk. The Week. Retrieved 3 June 2023.
  2. ^ Turvill, William (8 December 2022). "The News Agents podcast hits 10 million downloads". pressgazette.co.uk. Press Gazette. Archived from the original on 27 December 2022. Retrieved 27 December 2022.
  3. ^ Alastair Campbell and Rory Stewart (13 January 2023). "Trailer". podcasts.apple.com (Podcast). Goalhanger Podcasts. Retrieved 3 June 2023.
  4. ^ "Labour expels Alastair Campbell from party". The Guardian. 28 May 2019. Archived from the original on 8 April 2021. Retrieved 3 June 2023.
  5. ^ Bloom, Dan (4 September 2019). "Tory Rory Stewart sacked by text while he accepted politician of the year award". Daily Mirror. Archived from the original on 8 September 2019. Retrieved 3 June 2023.
  6. ^ Duggins, Alexi; Verdier, Hannah; Richardson, Hollie; Lindlar, Charlie (29 December 2022). "Best podcasts of the week: The rise and fall of the Silicon Valley brand that made antidepressants 'cool'". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 21 January 2023. Retrieved 21 January 2023.
  7. ^ Alastair Campbell and Rory Stewart (16 January 2023). "Michael Heseltine:From Thatcher to Sunak". podcasts.apple.com (Podcast). Goalhanger Podcasts. Retrieved 3 June 2023.