Bold Politics with Zack Polanski

Bold Politics

Bold Politics is the show making hope normal again where Zack Polanski speaks - and listens - to thinkers, activists and people whose voices deserve to be heard.

From immigration to the economy, inequality to leadership, Zack explores what the future of progressive politics can look like.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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59 episodes
Updated Tuesday

Episodes59

Newest first

Tuesday · 55 min
How We Build An Economic Transition For All | Thomas Piketty
How do we become more economically sustainable? What can be done to revive UK manufacturing? How do we stop the wealthy from buying power and influence? What is the UK’s economic responsibility towards the Global South? Is this week’s episode, Zack Polanski speaks to economist and author, Thomas Piketty _____ What's your bold idea? Bring it to life with Crowdfunder: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/bold?utm_source=boldpolitics&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=cf_boldpolitics_spotify Bold Politics Live is at Crossed Wires Festival in Sheffield on July 5th. Pre-order the new book, Hope Is Here now. Email: zack@boldpolitics.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
July 28 · 45 min
How Right-Wing Media Polarises Us | Natasha Devon
Is the media responsible for a lack of nuance in today’s public debate? Should government ministers be leaving social media platforms, or regulating them? Why are online controversies and issues often not reflective of local politics and concerns? What has been the effect of decades of fear mongering over immigration? Is this week’s episode, Zack Polanski speaks to broadcaster, writer and campaigner, Natasha Devon. _____ What's your bold idea? Bring it to life with Crowdfunder: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/bold?utm_source=boldpolitics&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=cf_boldpolitics_spotify _____ Bold Politics Live is at Crossed Wires Festival in Sheffield on July 5th. Pre-order the new book, Hope Is Here now. Email: zack@boldpolitics.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
July 21 · 56 min
Can We Restore Decency To Politics? | Iain Dale
Will Andy Burnham represent a genuine change from Keir Starmer? How much has the hunt for the clip changed British media? Do politicians behave differently when they’re off-mic? Is this week’s episode, Zack Polanski speaks to broadcaster and author, Iain Dale. _____ What's your bold idea? Bring it to life with Crowdfunder: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/bold?utm_source=boldpolitics&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=cf_boldpolitics_spotify _____ Pre-order the new book, Hope Is Here now. Email: zack@boldpolitics.co.uk Bold Politics Live is at Crossed Wires Festival in Sheffield on July 5th. Pre-order the new book, Hope Is Here now. Email: zack@boldpolitics.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
July 16 · 34 min
How We’re Making Things Worse For Migrants
How has government policy made crossing the Channel on small boats more dangerous? What’s it like working with children in Calais? How is the treatment of migrants in Calais mirrored in the UK immigration system? And why do migrants avoid photographers and the press? In this week’s special extra episode, Zack Polanski speaks to Lily MacTaggart, from Humans for Rights Network. Sign the petition to call for a public inquiry into the UK’s role in border violence: https://you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/stop-border-violence-public-inquiry-now Find out more about the campaign to stop border violence here: https://stopborderviolence.co.uk/home/ Donate to the campaign to stop border violence: https://chuffed.org/project/190721-stop-border-violence Donate to grassroots organisations supporting people in Calais: https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/calaisappeal To find out more about the organisations mentioned in this episode, visit https://www.humansforrights.org https://www.project-play.org https://www.calaisappeal.org _____ What's your bold idea? Bring it to life with Crowdfunder: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/bold?utm_source=boldpolitics&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=cf_boldpolitics_spotify _____ Pre-order the new book, Hope Is Here now. Email: zack@boldpolitics.co.uk Bold Politics Live is at Crossed Wires Festival in Sheffield on July 5th. Pre-order the new book, Hope Is Here now. Email: zack@boldpolitics.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
July 14 · 42 min
How The Economy Is Rigged Against Women | Daniella Jenkins
Why is women’s work so often neglected within traditional economic theory? How have pensions become affected by gender? Why does the gender pay gap still exist? And what should governments do to deal with these systemic issues? Is this week’s episode, Zack Polanski is joined by Executive Director of Women’s Budget Group, Dr. Daniella Jenkins. _____ What's your bold idea? Bring it to life with Crowdfunder: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/bold?utm_source=boldpolitics&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=cf_boldpolitics_spotify _____ Pre-order the new book, Hope Is Here now. Email: zack@boldpolitics.co.uk Bold Politics Live is at Crossed Wires Festival in Sheffield on July 5th. Pre-order the new book, Hope Is Here now. Email: zack@boldpolitics.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
July 7 · 49 min
Is Society Becoming Less Tolerant? | Bimini
How are politicians failing LGBTQIA+ people in the UK? Have we become less accepting of difference in society since Brexit? How much do things get taken out of context on reality tv, and is politics similar? What are the benefits of a well-funded creative industry? Zack Polanski speaks to drag legend and artist, Bimini at Crossed Wires Festival in Sheffield. _____ What's your bold idea? Bring it to life with Crowdfunder: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/bold?utm_source=boldpolitics&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=cf_boldpolitics_spotify _____ Pre-order the new book, Hope Is Here now. Email: zack@boldpolitics.co.uk Bold Politics Live is at Crossed Wires Festival in Sheffield on July 5th. Pre-order the new book, Hope Is Here now. Email: zack@boldpolitics.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
June 30 · 44 min
Why The War On Drugs Is A Huge Failure | Kojo Koram
What prompted the U.S. to implement the war on drugs? What’s the modern history of the legalisation and regulation of drugs? Why do the media expect simple answers to complex questions around drug policy? In this week’s episode, Zack Polanski speaks to author and professor, Kojo Koram. _____ What's your bold idea? Bring it to life with Crowdfunder: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/bold?utm_source=boldpolitics&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=cf_boldpolitics_spotify _____ Pre-order the new book, Hope Is Here now. Email: zack@boldpolitics.co.uk Bold Politics Live is at Crossed Wires Festival in Sheffield on July 5th. Pre-order the new book, Hope Is Here now. Email: zack@boldpolitics.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
June 23 · 53 min
How The British Empire Changed The World | William Dalrymple
How did Britain use its empire to accumulate enormous wealth? What role did the British play in the dispossession of the Palestinian people? How does a corporation become more powerful than a state? In this week's episode, Zack Polanski is joined by historian William Dalrymple. _____ What's your bold idea? Bring it to life with Crowdfunder: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/bold?utm_source=boldpolitics&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=cf_boldpolitics_spotify _____ Pre-order the new book, Hope Is Here now. Email: zack@boldpolitics.co.uk Bold Politics Live is at Crossed Wires Festival in Sheffield on July 5th. Pre-order the new book, Hope Is Here now. Email: zack@boldpolitics.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
June 17 · 1 hr 3 min
Elon Musk Calls Zack A Scumbag | Nish Kumar
How is Nigel Farage evading scrutiny? Should social media companies be held to the same standard as broadcasters? Why did Keir Starmer almost immediately start sinking in the polls after his election victory in 2024? Zack Polanski talks to comedian and broadcaster, Nish Kumar. _____ What's your bold idea? Bring it to life with Crowdfunder: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/bold?utm_source=boldpolitics&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=cf_boldpolitics_spotify _____ Pre-order the new book, Hope Is Here now. Email: zack@boldpolitics.co.uk Bold Politics Live is at Crossed Wires Festival in Sheffield on July 5th. Pre-order the new book, Hope Is Here now. Email: zack@boldpolitics.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
June 9 · 38 min
Why The System Fails Carers In The UK
What's it like being the main carer for a loved one? Why are kids as young as six years old dealing with the responsibility of looking after a sick parent? How are young carers penalised in the education system for stepping in to do a job that the state should be doing? Zack Polanski speaks to three carers about their unique and real-life experiences providing care for a loved one. _____ What's your bold idea? Bring it to life with Crowdfunder: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/bold?utm_source=boldpolitics&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=cf_boldpolitics_spotify _____ Pre-order the new book, Hope Is Here now. Email: zack@boldpolitics.co.uk Bold Politics Live is at Crossed Wires Festival in Sheffield on July 5th. Pre-order the new book, Hope Is Here now. Email: zack@boldpolitics.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
June 2 · 39 min
How Billionaires Avoid Tax | Gabriel Zucman
How do billionaires manage to pay less tax than the average British citizen? What needs to happen for wealth taxes to be implemented? And has wealth inequality become a bigger issue than it was at the start of the millennium? In this week’s episode, Zack Polanski is joined by economist, Gabriel Zucman _____ What's your bold idea? Bring it to life with Crowdfunder: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/bold?utm_source=boldpolitics&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=cf_boldpolitics_spotify _____ Pre-order the new book, Hope Is Here now. Email: zack@boldpolitics.co.uk Bold Politics Live is at Crossed Wires Festival in Sheffield on July 5th. Pre-order the new book, Hope Is Here now. Email: zack@boldpolitics.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
May 26 · 34 min
What Does A Green Coalition Look Like? | Ernest Urtasun
Why did Spain decide to challenge Trump on the International stage? What’s it like being a green minister in a coalition government? How can European alliances and institutions come together to take on the billionaire class? In this week’s episode, Zack Polanski is joined by Spanish Minister of Culture, Ernest Urtasun. _____ What's your bold idea? Bring it to life at https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/bold?utm_source=boldpolitics&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=cf_boldpolitics_spotify _____ Bold Politics Live is at Crossed Wires Festival in Sheffield on July 5th. Pre-order the new book, Hope Is Here now. Email: zack@boldpolitics.co.uk Bold Politics Live is at Crossed Wires Festival in Sheffield on July 5th. Pre-order the new book, Hope Is Here now. Email: zack@boldpolitics.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
May 19 · 53 min
It’s Time to Decriminalise Sex Work
How does UK law make sex workers less safe? Why has the Nordic model of criminalising demand failed so dramatically? In what ways have new online platforms disrupted the sex industry? In this week's episode, Zack Polanski is joined by sex worker and organiser for Decrim Now, Audrey. Decrim Now is a grassroots campaign for the full decriminalisation of sex work. Bold Politics Live is at Crossed Wires Festival in Sheffield on July 5th. Pre-order the new book, Hope Is Here now. Email: zack@boldpolitics.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
May 12 · 37 min
We Need To Democratise The UK Economy | Danny Sriskandarajah
How can we tackle the wealth inequality emergency in the UK? Why is spending on public investment different to spending on tax-cuts? Should more British people join credit unions? This week, Zack Polanski speaks to the New Economic Foundation's CEO, Danny Sriskandarajah. Bold Politics Live is at Crossed Wires Festival in Sheffield on July 5th. Pre-order the new book, Hope Is Here now. Email: zack@boldpolitics.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
May 5 · 56 min
The British Housing System Is Broken | Kwajo Tweneboa
Why is Britain’s housing sector in such a bad state? Is the fact 10% of MPs are landlords a conflict of interest when it comes to voting and policymaking? And why have successive governments not built enough social housing? In this week’s episode, Zack Polanski speaks to housing campaigner, Kwajo Tweneboa. Bold Politics Live is at Crossed Wires Festival in Sheffield on July 5th. Pre-order the new book, Hope Is Here now. Email: zack@boldpolitics.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
April 21 · 33 min
The Online World is SO Unregulated | Sharon Gaffka
Are we doing enough to protect our children from harmful online content? How can we do more to tackle violence against women and girls? And what’s it like to take a career break from the Civil Service to go on Love Island?! This week, Zack speaks to campaigner and former civil servant, Sharon Gaffka. Bold Politics Live is at Crossed Wires Festival in Sheffield on July 5th. Pre-order the new book, Hope Is Here now. Email: zack@boldpolitics.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
April 14 · 31 min
Why British History Needs A Retelling | Zakia Sewell
How have folk stories, myths and legends been used to construct notions of identity in Britain? Can celebrating local traditions and customs help strengthen our communities? What role do the arts play in exploring the nuances of British identity and history? This week, Zack Polanski speaks to broadcaster, author and DJ, Zakia Sewell. Bold Politics Live is at Crossed Wires Festival in Sheffield on July 5th. Pre-order the new book, Hope Is Here now. Email: zack@boldpolitics.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
April 7 · 34 min
The UK Prison Crisis | Shanice McBean & Janey Starling
Does public perception on crime and punishment need to change? Why are women who have been failed by society just being put in prison? How have we gone so far in the wrong direction when it comes to navigating addiction? Zack Polanski speaks to Shanice McBean, co-author of Abolition Revolution and member of Sisters Uncut as well as Janey Starling from Level Up about prison reform, domestic violence and how we can better protect women and girls in society. Bold Politics Live is at Crossed Wires Festival in Sheffield on July 5th. Pre-order the new book, Hope Is Here now. Email: zack@boldpolitics.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
April 2 · 29 min
Why we stopped trusting politicians | Cody Dahler
Why are people in power so terrified of social media? How can content creators be more powerful than the billionaire backed mainstream media? How do we platform the stories that show people that it doesn’t have to be this way, and that they’re being ripped off? Zack Polanski chats to author, content creator and satirist, Cody Dahler live from Hackney EartH. Bold Politics Live is at Crossed Wires Festival in Sheffield on July 5th. Pre-order the new book, Hope Is Here now. Email: zack@boldpolitics.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
March 31 · 40 min
How Much Is Trump Costing The UK? | Tessa Khan
How are our energy prices actually set? Is the cost of living crisis going to get even worse because of geopolitical turbulence? What does a just transition to renewable energy look like that doesn’t leave us experiencing price spikes every time there’s a global event that affects fossil fuel supply? Zack Polanski speaks to Tessa Khan, international climate change lawyer, campaigner and founder of the climate action organisation, Uplift. Pre-order the Bold Politics with Zack Polanski book, Hope Is Here now. Bold Politics Live is at Crossed Wires Festival in Sheffield on July 5th. Pre-order the new book, Hope Is Here now. Email: zack@boldpolitics.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.