The National Podcast

We discuss the day's biggest stories and interview the people you want to hear from. Hear about the behind-the-scenes that doesn't always make it into print, and get to know our brilliant team of reporters.

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23 episodes
Updated Yesterday

Episodes23

Newest first

Yesterday · 35 min
Why an independent Scotland NEEDS it's own currency
Political Editor Xander Elliards meets Professor Thibault Laurentjoye to discuss Scotland's economic future as an independent nation. Support The National with a subscription from £20 for a whole year at thenational.scot/subscribe
Yesterday · 28 min
Who really controls Scotland's North Sea energy?
Rosie Hampton from Friends of the Earth Scotland joins Jamie Calder to discuss how Andy Burnham's arrival as Prime Minister will shape Scotland's energy future. Support The National with a subscription at thenational.scot/subscribe from just £20 for a whole year in our summer sale
Yesterday · 36 min
Huge boost for push against data centres in Scotland
Laura Webster is joined by Abbi Garton-Crosbie and Jamie Calder to discuss the comments made by Outlander's Sam Heughan that AI data centres are a 'cash grab'. Join The National for a WHOLE YEAR for £20 at thenational.scot/subscribe
Tuesday · 28 min
Is the BBC dumbing down for today's audience?
Steph Brawn is joined by James Walker for the latest edition of Media Watch. They ask if the BBC has changed the format of Newsnight in a bid to manufacture controversy and clips to gains clicks online. Also, has the BBC been too harsh in its portrayal of the Commonwealth games in Glasgow? Support The National with a subscription from £20 for a whole year at thenational.scot/subscribe
Tuesday · 42 min
Why Andy Burnham's local devolution push threatens the SNP
Joyce McMillan and Dave Watson from Building A Local Scotland join Political Reporter James Walker to discuss how more power can be devolved within Scotland to benefit people's lives. Support The National with a subscription from £20 for a whole year at thenational.scot/subscribe
Monday · 33 min
MISOGYNY claims rock Scottish Labour leadership race
Editor Laura Webster and Political Reporter James Walker discuss today's biggest stories, including drama in the Scottish Labour leadership contest and Nicola Sturgeon's warning to the SNP. Support The National with a subscription from £20 for a whole year at thenational.scot/subscribe
Monday · 57 min
Glasgow's public transport is BROKEN - here's how we fix it
Editor Laura Webster sits down with Ellie Harrison of Get Glasgow Moving as our week-long series focused on creating a better public transport system for Scotland kicks off. Support The National with a subscription from just £1 at thenational.scot/subscribe
Friday · 43 min
Are the far right impersonating police officers in Glasgow?
Editor Laura Webster and Multimedia Journalist Jamie Calder discuss reports that the far-right could be impersonating police officers in Glasgow, whether we need a Scottish Secretary in this day and age, BP's North Sea oil sell off and what's happening with AI data centres in Scotland. Subscribe to The National from just £20 for an entire YEAR at thenational.scot/subscribe
July 30 · 36 min
Is Andy Burnham more interested in TIKTOK than politics?
Steph Brawn and Xander Elliards are back with this week's edition of Media Watch. Today they discuss Andy Burnham's social media presence since arriving as prime minister and how it may actually be affecting his performance in the top job. Meanwhile, Good Morning Britain are back in the headlines for their handing of news surrounding Nigel Farage and we ask why isn't the Commonwealth games on BBC? Get a National subscription from just £1 at thenational.scot/subscribe
July 29 · 42 min
MSP calls for BAN on anti-migrant groups terrorising Scotland
Editor Laura Webster and Political Editor Xander Elliards discuss calls to ban anti-migrant groups, Zack Polanski's Newsnight appearance and the latest in the Scottish Labour leadership race. Support The National with a subscription from just £20 for a whole year at thenational.scot/subscribe in our summer sale
July 28 · 1 hr
Lara Bird on her accent, infuriating Unionists and winning independence
New SNP MP Lara Bird sits down with Editor Laura Webster to discuss her first few weeks in the job, why she's angered so many Unionists, Andy Burnham's first week as PM, how we win independence and much more. Join The National today from just £20 in the summer sale at thenational.scot/subscribe
July 27 · 46 min
What REALLY happened during far-right disorder in Glasgow
Laura Webster is joined by Steph Brawn to discuss what really happened during Saturday's far-right disorder in Glasgow. Support The National with a subscription at thenational.scot/subscribe - it's our summer sale! Get a subscription from just £20 for a WHOLE year.
July 24 · 38 min
Andy Burnham says indyref2 is off limits in first Scottish visit
Editor Laura Webster and Political Reporter James Walker discuss Andy Burnham stating that another Scottish independence referendum is off limits, Iran saying UK bases are a legitimate target, and react to the Commonwealth Games opening ceremony. Support The National with a subscription at thenational.scot/subscribe - it's our summer sale! Get a subscription from just £20 for a WHOLE year.
July 22 · 37 min
Anas Sarwar lands job under Burnham despite Scottish Labour failure
Laura Webster and James Walker are here to discuss the news that Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar is to quit to take up a job under new prime minister Andy Burnham in the UK Government. Support The National with a subscription from just £1 at thenational.scot/subscribe
July 22 · 48 min
Glasgow refugee challenges Thomas Kerr's LIES around immigration
Human rights campaigner and former refugee Mohammad Asif joins political reporter Abbi Garton-Crosbie to discuss Reform MSP Thomas Kerr's recent claims about refugees and asylum seekers in Glasgow city centre. Support The National with a subscription at thenational.scot/subscribe
July 21 · 25 min
Media Watch: This proves that the BBC are desperate for your money
Welcome to episode 1 of Steph Brawn's Media Watch podcast. Steph Brawn presents a new podcast "Media Watch" where she goes behind the headlines and unpacks the most eye catching moments of the week on UK TV and it print. This week she is joined by Abbi Garton-Crosbie to discus the BBC's 'desperate' advert during the World Cup half time show and how it proves they need public funding MORE than ever. They go on to discuss Laura Kuenssberg's questioning as to whether new Prime Minister Andy Burnham would be a good contestant on the Traitors. Support The National with a subscription from just £1 at thenational.scot/subscribe Sign up FREE to the Media Watch newsletter at thenational.scot/newsletters
July 21 · 29 min
We react to Andy Burnham's new Cabinet
Laura Webster is joined by Abbi Garton-Crosbie to give their reaction to the cabinet of new Prime Minister Andy Burnham. Support The National with a subscription at thenational.scot/subscribe from just £1
July 20 · 32 min
Scotland is burning and the new UK Prime Minister might make it worse?
Digital editor Laura Pollock and political reporter Steph Brawn discuss the Arthur's Seat and Cairngorms wildfires amid reports Andy Burnham could back new oil and gas drilling in the North Sea. The pair also reflect on Burnham's first morning as Prime Minister and the news that Yes Scotland has mocked claims of a “missing £1.5 million” in its first post on Twitter/X in 12 years. Support The National with a subscription from just £1 at: thenational.scot/subscribe
July 17 · 46 min
Nicola Sturgeon slams David Davis after Commons 'lying' claim
Editor Laura Webster and Political Reporter Abbi Garton-Crosbie discuss today's biggest stories - Nicola Sturgeon's response to David Davis using parliamentary privilege to accuse her of lying about Peter Murrell, our new investigation into how many landlord MSPs there are, and Thomas Kerr's 'fearmongering' about Glasgow city centre. Support The National with a subscription from £1 at thenational.scot/subscribe
July 17 · 50 min
Is SNP bonds plan putting Scottish independence at RISK?
Reporter Abbi Garton-Crosby sat down with William Thomson from Scotland's Resilient Economy. He breaks down the Scottish Government’s new bond plans and years of FDI policy. They explain why foreign capital has become the “feather in the cap” of the SNP administration, how Scotland is sold as a top destination for investors, and why that headline success may mask deeper risks for workers, communities and long-term economic sovereignty. Support The National with a subscription from just £1 at thenational.scot/subscribe