Podcast · 126 episodes

Radical

by BBC Radio 4 · English

Conversations about the global forces reshaping our world and the radical ideas that could define the future. Radical is a twice-weekly podcast where pioneering thinkers, bold innovators and influential voices explore the ideas, trends and breakthroughs transforming society. From politics and climate change to economics and artificial intelligence, each episode tackles the biggest challenges facing our world, and the solutions that could help shape what's next. LISTEN: Listen to Radical every Monday and Thursday on BBC Sounds. You can also listen on your smart speaker - just say: "Ask BBC Sounds to play Radical." Available on most smart speakers. GET IN TOUCH: - Send us a message or voice note on WhatsApp: 0330 123 9480. - Email: Radical@bbc.co.uk - Or join the conversation using #BBCRadical.

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Latest episodes

Care Crisis: Could Volunteer Teenagers Fix The System? (Paul Sagar)Adult social care crisis in England; Paul Sagar argues the system suffers from too few care workers and low status/low pay, and proposes a nationally organized “voluntary national service” for…30 Sep 2026 · 56 min

Rights for the Unborn: How Should We Protect Future Generations? (Sophie Howe)The episode argues for protecting future generations through long-term governance, focusing on Wales’ “Future Generations Commissioner” model and the question of whether democracies should prioritize…23 Sep 2026 · 43 min

Disaster Prepping: Should We All Stock Up? (Mike Chappell, prepper)Whether people in the UK should “stock up” like preppers—framed as practical insurance against extreme weather, cyber/disease threats to supply chains, and prolonged blackouts.16 Sep 2026 · 42 min

All episodes

Human Composting: A New Way to Deal with Death? (Kristoffer Hughes)The BBC Radical episode discusses “human composting” (terramation/natural organic reduction) as an alternative to burial or cremation, arguing it could be safer, more ecological, and emotionally…9 Sep 2026 · 51 min · 18 chapters

What Should The Minimum Age For Drugs Be? (Your Radical Questions with Neil Woods)Neil Woods argues for legalising illegal drugs (both possession and supply) under government regulation, with age limits and harm-reduction education to protect young people and reduce organised…6 Sep 2026 · 17 min · 5 chapters

Legalisation: Has The War On Drugs Failed? (Neil Woods, ex-police officer)Neil Woods argues the UK’s “war on drugs” (prohibition) has failed and should be replaced by legal government control of drug supply, with regulation tailored by drug type to reduce organised crime…3 Sep 2026 · 57 min · 27 chapters

Are Politicians Too Focused on Older Generations? (Your Radical Questions with Professor Sarah Harper)Whether politicians over-focus on older voters/generations, and how to redesign pensions, work, and public health for longer lives; also addresses healthy life expectancy, regional/class…31 Aug 2026 · 27 min · 13 chapters

Redefining Retirement: Is Our Ageing Population an Untapped Asset? (Professor Sarah Harper)Radical episode on population ageing, arguing it should be treated as an opportunity rather than a crisis.27 Aug 2026 · 43 min · 14 chapters

Is Britain's Military Still Fit For Purpose? (Your Radical Questions with Brendan Simms)Whether Britain remains “fit for purpose” as a great power amid great-power rivalry (Russia, China, possible US retreat), and what political, economic, and spending trade-offs are needed to sustain…24 Aug 2026 · 23 min · 8 chapters

Influence After Empire: Is Britain Still a Great Power? (Professor Brendan Simms)Radical episode arguing Britain can still be a great power and that great-power politics has returned.20 Aug 2026 · 45 min · 21 chapters

Will British Farming Pay the Price for Rewilding? (Your Radical Questions with Derek Gow)A BBC “Your Radical Questions” bonus episode where host John Byrne Murdoch asks British farmer/conservationist Derek Gow about rewilding and nature restoration—especially deer management, public…17 Aug 2026 · 25 min · 11 chapters

Britain's Lost Species: Should We Resurrect Our Extinct Wildlife? (Derek Gow)Derek Gow, a Devon farmer and conservationist, argues for large-scale rewilding and resurrecting Britain’s extinct wildlife via legal species reintroductions, using native animals to restore…13 Aug 2026 · 43 min · 25 chapters

Should Politicians Have to Pass Competence Tests? (Your Radical Questions with David Runciman)David Runciman answers listener questions about his “lower the voting age to six” proposal, focusing on political competence, universal suffrage vs epistocracy/technocracy, and how to enfranchise…10 Aug 2026 · 24 min · 9 chapters

Votes for Six-Year-Olds: Could Child Suffrage Revive Democracy? (David Runciman)David Runciman argues for lowering the UK voting age to six, claiming it’s a serious way to rebalance democracy toward the young and refresh a stagnant, aging electorate.6 Aug 2026 · 44 min · 21 chapters

Is Christianity Becoming Countercultural Again? (Your Radical Questions with Lamorna Ash)Why young people in Britain are returning to Christianity (often evangelical, high-church Anglican, Catholic, Orthodox, Quaker, Pentecostal), and whether Christianity is becoming countercultural…3 Aug 2026 · 25 min · 12 chapters

Gen Z and God: Is the Church Answering Young People's Prayers? (Lamorna Ash)Young adults’ renewed interest in Christianity in Britain, framed as a countercultural search for meaning, community, and authority amid loneliness, digital distraction, and political uncertainty.30 Jul 2026 · 1 h 5 min · 26 chapters

Could Climate Engineering Do More Bad Than Good for the Environment? (Your Radical Questions with Professor David Keith)Whether climate engineering (geoengineering) could do more harm than good; how to govern it; and how it compares with decarbonization and carbon capture/removal.27 Jul 2026 · 21 min · 9 chapters

Engineering the Climate: Can Injecting Chemicals in the Sky Help Save the Planet? (Professor David Keith)Solar geoengineering (sunlight reflection) as a potential climate “backup” to reduce warming while emissions cuts continue; focuses on stratospheric aerosol injection using sulfur compounds.23 Jul 2026 · 1 h 4 min · 28 chapters

The Best of Radical with Amol RajanA “best of” Radical episode by host Amol Rajan, revisiting three standout conversations: (1) Matt Clifford on Britain’s stagnation and how AI/science/building could restore agency; (2) Dr Eliza…16 Jul 2026 · 1 h 15 min · 27 chapters

Why Do People Pretend to Be Working Class? (Your Radical Questions with Sophie Pender)Why people in the UK claim working-class identity despite having middle-class origins; how social mobility should be defined and measured; what state schools should teach (especially oracy); and how…13 Jul 2026 · 24 min · 10 chapters

We Need to Talk About Class: Is It Time to Abolish Private Schools? (Sophie Pender)Sophie Pender argues Britain should abolish private schools, saying they preserve class segregation and “positional advantage” through concentrated wealth, resources, and elite networks, not just…8 Jul 2026 · 1 h 9 min · 21 chapters

What Is The Secret To Happiness? (Your Radical Questions with Lord Richard Layard)Lord Richard Layard discusses the “secret to happiness” through the links between mental and physical health, public policy, and personal practice—arguing that wellbeing should be measured and…6 Jul 2026 · 19 min · 10 chapters

Happiness Rules: Should Wellbeing Dictate Government Policy? (Lord Richard Layard)Whether government policy should be guided by measuring and maximizing population well-being/happiness rather than focusing primarily on GDP, wealth, or economic growth.2 Jul 2026 · 51 min · 21 chapters

Should Phones Be Banned in Pubs? (Your Radical Questions with Oisín Rogers)Whether phones should be banned in pubs, plus broader “radical questions” about how to save and run pubs.29 Jun 2026 · 21 min · 10 chapters