Talk Media

The Big Light

Broadcaster Stuart Cosgrove and guests bring you Talk Media: a forensic analysis of how the media works, and who works the media. Packed full of candid commentary and informed opinion, Talk Media features a weekly guest commentator from the worlds of journalism, entertainment and politics.

Full episodes are published weekly on Wednesday evenings via our Supporters Club. Join our Supporters Club now to listen for 99p per week: thebiglight.com/talkmedia

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317 episodes
Updated Friday

Episodes317

Newest first

Friday · 1 hr 2 min
The 'Empire' Games, Fascists On The Streets... What Year Is It? (with Paddy Duffy)
Paddy Duffy joins Stuart Cosgrove as the pair discuss the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, the ugly scenes at the weekend as masked thugs threw nazi salutes at police, they cover County Mayo's big GAA win, and get in depth on what it takes to get a project made these days. It's a great episode of the show and it gets all around the houses. We really hope you enjoy! Recommendations: The People's Pool (Archive on 4) - BBC Sounds Around The World in 80 Ways - BBC Sounds Independent media analysis is harder than ever. Our supporters allow us to stay forensic and un-influenced. Ad-free listening Supporters-only episodes weekly Monthly special episode Early access to weekly episodes (on day of recording) Supporters chat community on Patreon Discounts for live show tickets Weekly recommendations Join monthly for £3.96 per month - cancel anytime Join today: ⁠⁠⁠thebiglight.com/talkmedia Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
July 24 · 56 min
Anas Sarwar's Upward Momentum & More (with Angela Haggerty)
Talk Media is back! Angela Haggerty joins Stuart Cosgrove to talk about Andy Burnham's first moves as Prime Minister (including elevating Anas Sarwar to the House of Lords), they chat about the challenges facing Glasgow as The Commonwealth Games come to town, and they take a personal look at how parenting has changed in the face of incredible technological and media challenges. Next week's guest will be Paddy Duffy as Stuart hands over the baton of hosting to Britain's Finest Quizzer ahead of his holiday... Independent media analysis is harder than ever. Our supporters allow us to stay forensic and un-influenced. Ad-free listening Supporters-only episodes weekly Monthly special episode Early access to weekly episodes (on day of recording) Supporters chat community on Patreon Discounts for live show tickets Weekly recommendations Join monthly for £3.96 per month - cancel anytime Join today: ⁠⁠⁠thebiglight.com/talkmedia Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
July 17 · 41 min
Burnham, Binface & Beyond! (with Andrew McDonald from POLITICO)
Stuart Cosgrove is back, joined by Andrew McDonald from Politico to step behind the curtain of the Westminster Bubble. This week there's discussion on Andy Burnham's ascension to Prime Minister and the challenges that provides for journalists, and they talk about Nigel Farage's political nemesis, a 6,000 intergalactic warrior named Count Binface. Just another normal week in the media... Independent media analysis is harder than ever. Our supporters allow us to stay forensic and un-influenced. Ad-free listening Supporters-only episodes weekly Monthly special episode Early access to weekly episodes (on day of recording) Supporters chat community on Patreon Discounts for live show tickets Weekly recommendations Join monthly for £3.96 per month - cancel anytime Join today: ⁠⁠thebiglight.com/talkmedia Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
July 10 · 40 min
An Interview with Patrick Harvie MSP
We are delighted that Patrick Harvie, long-serving Scottish Greens MSP and former Co-Leader of the party joined Stuart Cosgrove on this edition of Talk Media. They talked about a range of fascinating subjects and this is the only place that you'll find out what Patrick and Lorna Slater did after they stormed out of Bute House on that fateful day when their relationship with Humza Yousaf and the SNP fell apart. Independent media analysis is harder than ever. Our supporters allow us to stay forensic and un-influenced. Ad-free listening Supporters-only episodes weekly Monthly special episode Early access to weekly episodes (on day of recording) Supporters chat community on Patreon Discounts for live show tickets Weekly recommendations Join monthly for £3.96 per month - cancel anytime Join today: ⁠thebiglight.com/talkmedia Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
July 2 · 42 min
Andy Burnham & The 10 In The North (with Catriona Stewart)
Stuart Cosgrove sits down with Catriona Stewart to analyse three big stories in the media this week; Andy Burnham and the prospect of a No. 10 in The North, Catriona's piece in The Scotsman about the state of the Scottish Care system, and The Tartan Army Homecoming... Independent media analysis is harder than ever. Our supporters allow us to stay forensic and un-influenced. Ad-free listening Supporters-only episodes weekly Monthly special episode Early access to weekly episodes (on day of recording) Supporters chat community on Patreon Discounts for live show tickets Weekly recommendations Join monthly for £3.96 per month - cancel anytime Join today: ⁠thebiglight.com/talkmedia Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
June 25 · 48 min
Starmer OUT, Tartan Army IN (with Paddy Duffy)
Stuart is back with Paddy Duffy as they digest the big stories in the media this week. They're looking at the fallout from Keir Starmer's resignation as Prime Minister and leader of the Labour Party, the reaction to the Tartan Army invasion of Miami (and the damp squib welcome that England fans received in Boston). This episode was recorded on Wednesday morning (24th June 2026) so we don't know if we're through to the next round of the World Cup or not! They also discuss the conviction of former DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson. That topic contains discussion about sexual assault and abuse, and it starts at 30:20. If you want to skip that one, that's the place to press stop. As always, please do leave your feedback and questions in the comments. Have a great night, 'mon Scotland! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
June 18 · 1 hr 1 min
Protests In Glasgow & The Tartan Army in the USA with Angela Haggerty
Stuart Cosgrove is joined by journalist Angela Haggerty to get behind the headlines from this week. Angela was present at the anti-racism protest in Glasgow, and they also take a look at the Tartan Army's invasion of the USA. Independent media analysis is harder than ever. Our supporters allow us to stay forensic and un-influenced. Ad-free listening Supporters-only episodes weekly Monthly special episode Early access to weekly episodes (on day of recording) Supporters chat community on Patreon Discounts for live show tickets Weekly recommendations Join monthly for £3.96 per month - cancel anytime Join today: thebiglight.com/talkmedia Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
June 16 · 47 min
Will Hayward on the Rise of Plaid Cymru & The Fall of Welsh Labour
We are delighted to bring you something a little different this week in the company of multi award-winning journalist Will Hayward. Stuart and Will discuss Welsh politics, identity and how it all worked together to bring Plaid Cymru the leadership of the Senedd. For information on Will's books, have a look ⁠HERE⁠ You can read the Will Hayward newsletter on substack ⁠HERE⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
June 3 · 47 min
Murrell, Sturgeon, Uygur, Piker & More with Laura Webster
Laura Webster, editor of The National, returns to the Talk Media hot seat as she and Stuart Cosgrove get behind the big stories of the week, talking more about the Peter Murrell scandal - specifically about the media's treatment of Nicola Sturgeon, touch on the ban on Cenk Uygur and Hasan Piker entering the country and ask if degrees are even worth the paper they're printed on... All this and more in your FREE AD-SUPPORTED version of Talk Media. Want to get TALK MEDIA fresh from the studio on the day of recording? Join the Supporters Club for £3.96/month at ⁠⁠thebiglight.com/talkmedia⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
May 27 · 1 hr 1 min
Murrell-Mania with Paddy Duffy
Paddy Duffy returns to the Talk Media hot seat as he and Stuart Cosgrove get behind the big stories of the week, talking about the Peter Murrell scandal and the Section 30 vote in the Scottish Parliament... All this and more in your FREE AD-SUPPORTED version of Talk Media. Want to get TALK MEDIA fresh from the studio on the day of recording? Join the Supporters Club for £3.96/month at ⁠thebiglight.com/talkmedia⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
May 22 · 43 min
The Latest from Iran & Ukraine with David Pratt
Foreign Correspondent David Pratt (The National, The Herald) joins Stuart Cosgrove (Off The Ball, BBC Radio Scotland) to discuss the latest from the front lines of conflicts in Iran & Ukraine and how the UK media is portraying the conflicts. They also discuss the ongoing Labour leadership battle. Will it be Andy Burnham, Wes Streeting, or can Keir Starmer hang on? Want to get TALK MEDIA fresh from the studio on the day of recording? Join the Supporters Club for £3.96/month at ⁠thebiglight.com/talkmedia⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
May 13 · 1 hr 2 min
Scottish Election Results Special with Paddy Duffy
Paddy Duffy, the Quiz King of Glasgow, returns to give his verdict on the Holyrood elections. A Reform surge, a Labour collapse and an Independence Supporting majority. Who are the big winners in the new Scottish Parliament? Want to get TALK MEDIA fresh from the studio on the day of recording? Join the Supporters Club for £3.96/month at ⁠thebiglight.com/talkmedia⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
May 6 · 53 min
Malcolm Offord Is Soft with Paddy Duffy
Quiz King Paddy Duffy sits down with Stuart Cosgrove to discuss the upcoming Holyrood election. Who will be First Minister? Will Reform UK take a big ol' pile of seats? Will Scottish Labour collapse after Anas Sarwar tried to chuck Keir Starmer? All this and more in your FREE AD-SUPPORTED version of Talk Media. Want to get TALK MEDIA fresh from the studio on the day of recording? Join the Supporters Club for £3.96/month at thebiglight.com/talkmedia Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
May 1 · 45 min
Opening Up The National with Laura Webster & Stuart Cosgrove
We are delighted to welcome back Laura Webster to the show again this week. Thanks to Laura for taking time away from The National to chat with us. Later today, we will post an unedited video version of the main show recording - give us your feedback and let us know if it is something you'd be interested in having as well as the audio version. Recommendations: Laura 'The High Life' - The Musical 9 Inch Noise 2026 Album on Spotify Stuart Club Cumming - NYC Pitlochry Festival Theatre Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
April 29 · 51 min
Political Scientist, UK's foremost psephologist and the media’s favourite electoral dissector - Professor Sir John Curtice.
A special episode with Prof sir John Curtice. Many thanks to John for giving us his time. To hear these episodes fresh from the studio each week, go to www.patreon.com/talkmedia For the price of a cup of coffee, you get the weekly episode immediately after recording PLUS a Bonusode featuring all our patreon's listener questions - your question can be submitted once you sign up. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
April 27 · 44 min
An Eye On the Middle East with Foreign Correspondent David Pratt
Journalist, photographer and foreign correspondent David Pratt brings us up to date with the current chaos in 'The Middle East’ and ‘Nobody told ME!’ and 'BBC Cuts'. It's great to have David back safe and sound from his recent trip to Iraq and to get the opportunity to hear his expert take on the goings on. SUBSCRIBE TO OUR PATREON CLUB FOR £3.96 PER MONTH. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
March 23 · 42 min
‘Assisted Dying Bill Scotland’, ‘BBC in trouble yet again’ and ‘SNP Campaign Conference’ with Stuart Cosgrove and Shona Craven
It's a pleasure to welcome back Shona Caven to Talk Media this week. If you want to hear the episode on Wednesdays and the listener questions bonusode each week, support us at www.Patreon.com/talkmedia Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
March 7 · 42 min
‘Israel and the US start another War’, ‘More woes for Labour’ and ‘Swinney on the March’
Paddy's in the house once again to chew over this week's topics over multiple cups of tea with Stuart. Listener questions and recommendations from the boys will follow in tomorrow's bonusode! If you want to hear the episode on Wednesdays and the listener questions bonusode each week, support us at www.Patreon.com/talkmedia Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
February 28 · 51 min
‘Windsor and Mandelson arrested’, ‘Tourette's at the BAFTA’s’ and ‘Alba Election Confusion’
Here's our show from Wednesday 25th Feb with Stuart Cosgrove and guest TV producer, Quiz supremo and all round talking encyclopaedia, Paddy Duffy. To receive the show as it happens and to hear our extended listener questions bonus that publishes every Thursday, join us on www.patreon.com/talkmedia This totally independent podcast relies on our patreon supporters. By joining patreon, you can also submit questions every week. Thank you for your continued support and look out for more interviews in the coming weeks with key figures from the media. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
February 19 · 49 min
Labour Together, BBC Clawback and Bella Caledonia
Stuart and Eamonn are back to dissect the happenings in the media! Labour Together have been up to some suspicious stuff, bringing Keir Starmer’s position into more doubt, the BBC are looking to claw back £600 million in lost licence fee payments, and Bella Caledonia believes that Scotland has a “one-dimensional media class that all says the same thing and all agrees about everything” - are they right? The guys also answer a listeners’ question and offer up their recommendations (links below!) Stuart Cosgrove recommends… HH: Helenio Herrera - Football’s Original Master of the Dark Arts by Richard Fitzpatrick - https://www.bloomsbury.com/uk/hh-9781399425087/ Eamonn O’Neill recommends… Small prophets (BBC) - https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episodes/m002q765/small-prophets The Great Santini, starring the late Robert Duvall - https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/great_santini Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices