Podcasts about Alona

Would you want to work with a robot? A new technological revolution is underway—but what that revolution looks like, and where it takes us, is still being determined.This week, Ellen and Alona are joined by Sarah O'Connor, award-winning reporter and associate editor at the Financial Times, whose new book We Are Not Machines charts how AI is shaping the workplace.Sarah shares her experience working alongside robots in an Amazon warehouse in the midlands, visiting a Swedish mine, and learning from the controllers of driverless lorries. She examines the impacts of technology on workers and asks: what makes a bad relationship between a human and a machine—and what makes a good one?She argues that machines will never be able to replace the rich talents of a human—and explains how we can actively shape the future of AI and its impact on us.Sarah's book We Are Not Machines is published by Allen Lane. To read more on this topic, click here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From nurseries to nursing homes, private equity increasingly affects all of us.This week, Ellen and Alona are joined by journalist Hettie O'Brien, who investigates the rise of private equity in her book The Asset Class: How Private Equity Turned Capitalism Against Itself.Hettie traces the rise of private equity partnerships and their profound impact on our economy. She tells the story of how the buyout of railway arches resulted in rising rents and small local businesses being forced out in London.She also discusses how it influences key services like healthcare and housing, often resulting in increased costs—as well as the shocking effects on outcomes, such as mortality rates in care homes.Why are these firms shielded from accountability? And, as societal inequality widens, what reforms need to be made? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Although the world seems full of war and conflict, love—of all kinds—is everywhere. This week, Ellen and Alona are joined by Sally Hayden, award-winning journalist and author of This is Also a Love Story: Searching for Good in a Divided World.As a reporter, Sally has witnessed first-hand the consequences of human brutality, as well as moments of hope. She shares stories from across the globe, from Ukraine to Japan to Syria.Having lived in Lebanon since 2024, she also discusses life under Israeli bombardment and the tragically mundane items she finds buried amongst the rubble.In the modern age, is empathy under attack? And why does her book include a bank robbery as an example of love? Listen to find out.To read Sally's Beirut diary, click here or head to prospectmagazine.co.uk. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's been a nightmare week for Keir Starmer. After devastating results for Labour in the 7th May elections, pressure has this week mounted on the prime minister to resign. He has said that he will stay, and that he wants to lead Labour into the next general election—but how long can he hang on, and what would it mean for Labour's fortunes if he did?Ellen and Alona are joined by veteran pollster and regular Prospect contributor Peter Kellner to discuss Starmer's predicament, what a leadership challenge would look like, and whether any of the contenders could rally the support needed to oust the prime minister.Visit prospectmagazine.co.uk to read all of Peter Kellner's latest analysis, including his open letter to the next Labour leader: https://www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/politics/72547/an-open-letter-to-labours-next-prime-minister Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's the week every political nerd has been waiting for. Tomorrow, voters go to the polls in England, Scotland and Wales to elect local councils, Holyrood and the Senedd. Just how bad do things look for Labour—and Keir Starmer? Why are Reform UK and the Greens surprisingly similar? And how come Kemi Badenoch, whose Tories are a mere shadow of their former selves, isn't facing a leadership challenge? Plus: what can local elections really tell us about the next general election?On today's episode, Ellen and Alona are joined by writer and broadcaster Carys Afoko to discuss the days and weeks ahead. A former political adviser to several Labour politicians, she hosts the weekly current affairs podcast “Over the Top, Under the Radar”. To read Carys's recent article. “Are Reform and the Greens battle ready?”, visit the Prospect website. Read everything for free until 11th May. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Three "lucky" listeners have had their movies chosen for this episode. Not because Marc chickened out. Not because Marc couldn't think of three movies on his own. But because we care about the listeners' thoughts and opinions. So sit back, relax and listen to the Cinescare gang calmly discuss these three gems provided to us by Kailey, Tom and Alona.

Alona Tal made a huge impression in Cross Season 1 on Prime Video, but Kayla Craig shakes things up to an especially great extent in Season 2, and it's bound to make her one of the most intriguing characters in the show's just-announced third season. In Season 1, Kayla makes the invaluable assist. She swoops in when she can to help Alex (Aldis Craig) stop Ramsey (Ed Ramsey). In Season 2, however, they're forced to work an entire case side by side. That partnership tests many aspects of their connection, and challenges Kayla to question how far she's willing to go to get what she wants.While on Collider Ladies Night, Tal looked back on a number of key Season 2 scenes that reveal Kayla's drive and true intentions. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After the explosive revelation that Peter Mandelson had “failed” his vetting before being waved through as US ambassador, Alona and Imaan are joined by contributing editor Tom Clark to discuss the root cause of this political disaster. It wasn't the vetting process, argues Tom, but the power struggles at the heart of the Labour party.Why weren't Mandelson's links to Jeffrey Epstein and Russian oligarchs immediate dealbreakers for the prime minister? And why was Number 10 enquiring about an ambassadorship for Matthew Doyle, who was recently driven out of the Lords over links to a sex offender?Tom discusses party purges, secretive dealings and double standards. And, with Labour falling to fourth place in some polls, he also discusses the road to political recovery. How long will Starmer survive?To read Tom's article ‘The Mandelson saga is really about Labour factionalism', click here: https://www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/politics/73081/the-mandelson-saga-is-really-about-labour-factionalism Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Joining Carys this week is the senior editor at Prospect magazine Alona Ferber.Together Carys and Alona discuss the Strait of Hormuz, the crisis in Britain's maternity care, a bizarre statement from Melania Trump, and the sale of right-wing British broadsheet The Telegraph.Support us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠PATREON⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - get bonus episodes, a weekly newsletter and become a part of our members-only WhatsApp community.Email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠info@overunderpod.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sign up to the newsletter at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.overunderpod.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow us on all socials @over_under_pod_Show notes:https://thebacklash.substack.com/https://www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/author/5447/alona-ferberhttps://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/07/us/politics/trump-iran-war.html

The term “far right” is frequently invoked in British political discourse. But who really fits the bill?This week, journalist and author Daniel Trilling joins Ellen and Alona to discuss how previously fringe positions have gained traction and entered mainstream politics.Daniel defines the far right and explores its increasingly influential place in British politics, drawing from his upcoming book If We Tolerate This. He shares how Reform UK and figures including Tommy Robinson have capitalised on public dissatisfaction and economic grievances—and how the political establishment on both the right and the left enabled and empowered them.He pinpoints the surprising moment that set us on a path where immigration became a divisive topic. And he explains why, even if far-right parties work within the bounds of democracy, their rise threatens democratic systems.Plus, Daniel suggests how ordinary citizens can respond—and argues that the defeat of Hungary's Viktor Orbán shows that resistance is possible.Daniel's book ‘If We Tolerate This' is published by Pan Macmillan. To watch Michael Ignatieff's analysis of the Hungarian elections and the fall of Orbán, click here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Gorton and Denton byelection was a sensation for the Greens—and it hurt Labour's pride. With the May elections approaching, the UK's governing party looks set for a beating. But what about Reform?Peter Kellner, former director of polling company YouGov, joins Ellen and Alona on the podcast to discuss how Labour and its competition are faring. After coming second in Gorton and Denton, Reform may have actually peaked, Peter argues.Plus, Kellner has met every Labour leader since Harold Wilson, and shares both his favourite anecdotes and the lessons he thinks the party's next leader needs to know.For more political coverage from Prospect visit our website. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Donald Trump said the Iran war was “very complete”—but is it? Renad Mansour, a senior research fellow in the Middle East and North Africa Programme at the Chatham House thinktank, joins Ellen and Alona to make sense of the latest from Iran.As US-Israeli strikes continue, Mansour explains that Washington might not have control over the conflict's end and Iran is prepared for the long haul. He also explains how the Iranian regime has survived multiple “decapitation” attempts, and what the choice of new Supreme Leader indicates about the future.To read more coverage of the conflict, visit prospectmagazine.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nobel laureate Oleksandra Matviichuk and Deputy Minister Alona Shkrum join Lisa Burke to discuss the Advocacy Coalition and the cost of silence for Europe My Guests: - Her Excellency Ambassador Barbara Karpetová, Ambassador of the Czech Republic to the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg - Inna Yaramenko, the Representative of the Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, and Vice President at LUkraine - Oleksandra Matviichuk, Chairwoman of the Center for Civil Liberties, which was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2022. - Alona Shkrum, First Deputy Minister for Development of Communities and Territories of Ukraine. - Kristina Mikulova, Head of Regional Hub for Eastern Europe for the European Investment Bank In this powerful episode, the conversation shifts from the abstract concept of 'aid' to the urgent reality of strategic investment in European security. As Ukraine enters its fourth year of full-scale invasion, a new initiative has been developed by Ambassador Karpetová with the help of Inna Yaramenko. 'The Advocacy Coalition - Defending Our Future Now' has launched in Luxembourg to remind the continent that defending Ukraine is synonymous with defending the future of democracy itself. This year-long set of events will pass the baton between the founding embassies: Belgium, the Czech Republic, France, Germany, Ireland, the Netherlands, Poland, Romania, and the United Kingdom, to stand united in the conviction that defending Ukraine means defending Europe's future. Beyond Charity: A Strategic Investment Supporting Ukraine in 2026 is now viewed as a strategic investment in the infrastructure of European security. Alona Shkrum, Ukraine's First Deputy Minister for Reconstruction, explained that waiting for hostilities to cease before rebuilding is not an option. "If we do not reconstruct water, utilities, energy supply, schools, and hospitals, then people will leave," she noted, emphasising that keeping the economy functioning allows Ukraine to fund its own defence and protect the eastern borders of the European Union. The scale of destruction is staggering: the road damage alone is equivalent to the distance from Luxembourg to Iran, and the amount of housing destroyed, over 3 million units, exceeds the total housing stock of Denmark. Humanising the Numbers Whilst the statistics are overwhelming, Nobel Peace Prize laureate Oleksandra Matviichuk focuses on "humanising the numbers". She shared the harrowing story of 10-year-old Ilya from Mariupol, whose mother died in his arms in a frozen apartment after they were caught in Russian shelling. Matviichuk also recounted the experience of Professor Irak Kyvslovski, a philosopher who spent 700 days in captivity and gave lectures on philosophy to rats in his solitary cell just to hear a human voice. "Dignity is action," Matviichuk told the audience, asserting that the "accountability gap" in international law must be closed by establishing a Special Tribunal for the crime of aggression. A Year of Intensive Advocacy The Advocacy Coalition, a partnership between LUkraine, the European Commission, and nine resident embassies in Luxembourg (but they're open for more partners), will host monthly events throughout 2026. These events will tackle critical themes such as countering disinformation, reconstruction, and the role of the Ukrainian diaspora. The first event will take place at the European Parliament in Luxembourg on March 23, featuring a keynote address by Matviichuk, focussing on the abducted children. Unity as the Strongest Weapon The message from my guests underlines that unity is the strongest weapon against authoritarianism. As Ambassador Barbara Karpetová noted, even a small nation like Luxembourg can provide "shared inspiration" by standing together, mirroring the visionary leadership of historical figures like Pierre Werner, former Prime Minister of Luxembourg, whose home she now resides in. The Power of Ordinary People Matviichuk emphasises that "ordinary people can do extraordinary things". Inna cites the 700 Luxembourgish families who offered to host refugees within just three days after the invasion began. Digital Engagement: The Coalition is launching an Advocacy Platform, a digital ecosystem featuring authentic testimonies from diplomats, volunteers, and citizens to humanise the impact of solidarity.

This week, Alona is joined by contributing editor Tom Clark and political columnist Ben Ansell to discuss what's at stake in the upcoming Manchester byelection. With the polls showing a three-way-race between the Greens, Labour and Reform, the area has become a microcosm for wider political trends, with the position of the establishment parties more uncertain than ever.Tom shares the mood in the constituency and what voters are saying on the ground. Ben, Alona and Tom also discuss the possible outcomes, and why many voters have lost faith in the traditional parties.They also analyse the tactical decision to not have Zack Polanski run in the seat, and why losing here could speed up Starmer's departure. What happens if the Labour stronghold tips?To read Tom's piece ‘In Gorton and Denton, Labour the Greens blame each other', click here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Fotograf Alona Vibe kender sin krop godt. Hun bruger naturlig prævention i form af appen Natural Cycles og har helt styr på sin frugtbare periode. Hun bliver derfor hurtigt gravid, da hun og hendes kæreste beslutter sig for, at de gerne vil være forældre. På trods af en stor sorg i familien og angsten for at miste føler Alona sig stærk i sin graviditet. Hør Alona fortælle om sin ukomplicerede fødsel af datteren Nova og om tiden efter, hvor et stramt tungebånd gør starten på amningen smertefuld og forvirrende. 

Ahead of the fourth anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Ellen and Alona are joined by researcher Maksimas Milta. Maksimas is the Ukraine Country Director at The Reckoning Project, which trains journalists to document war crimes and human rights violations.He talks about the mood in Ukraine as the civilian casualty rate surges—as well as the difficult process of seeking justice: from collecting testimonies from Russian prisoners of war, to working with the media.And as the third round of Ukraine-Russia peace talks take place in Geneva, brokered by the United States, what are Ukrainians hoping for? What does Europe need to do? And will anything change?To read more “What makes a traitor?”, Jen Stout's piece on The Reckoning Project in Ukraine, click here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, Ellen and Alona are joined again by Prospect editor and former Labour speechwriter Philip Collins to unpack the government's ongoing crisis.With Peter Mandelson currently under investigation by the Metropolitan Police, Starmer's premiership came close to collapse. He appears to have clung on for now—but how long can he survive as prime minister? And why, in his moment of peril, did no other contenders for PM come to the fore?Philip discusses what surprised him about Wes Streeting's WhatsApp messages to Mandelson, and whether the departure of Morgan McSweeney from 10 Downing Street will have any impact on the government's direction. He also analyses the implications of Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar's call for Starmer to resign. Will it harm his chances in the upcoming Holyrood elections?Plus, beyond Mandelson, they explore whether political culture is now too close to money—and if politicians, in general, are too vulnerable to the wealthy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

More of the Epstein files have been released—but why now, and what do they really tell us? This week, Ellen and Alona are joined by investigative journalist Peter Geoghegan, editor of the Democracy for Sale newsletter, to unpack what the documents reveal about power, money and impunity.Peter discusses the ways powerful figures protect themselves, and the latest political fallout in Britain—from renewed scrutiny of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor to Peter Mandelson's relationship with Jeffrey Epstein.He discusses what shocked him despite his experience investigating corruption, how this story goes to the heart of the British constitution, and why the truth seems stranger than fiction.Peter also explains what this flood of documents means for journalism and truth, as unvetted claims spread rapidly online. And the three discuss the stakes for democracy—and what needs to change. Could this moment finally lead to justice for survivors of abuse? And what else is happening that we don't know about?This episode contains discussions of exploitation and abuse. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nang makilala ni Alona ang lalaking gusto na siyang pakasalan, akala niya ay sasaya na talaga ang buhay. Pero single mom si Alona, may anak siya sa una niyang kasintahan at hindi pala iyon tanggap ni Winston lalo na ng kanyang future mother-in-law. Pakinggan ang kwento ni Alona sa Barangay Love Stories.

A crackdown by the Iranian government has quietened protests that swept across the country in recent weeks, but tensions remain high. This week, Ellen and Alona are joined by Aniseh Bassiri Tabrizi, a Middle East analyst at Control Risks, who dials in from Abu Dhabi to explain how these protests differ from previous rounds of unrest in the country—from the scale of grievances to new geopolitical conditions. Aniseh also discusses Trump's threat of military intervention from the United States.Plus, if the regime falls, what would Iran's future look like? Ellen and Alona explore four possible outcomes and talk about the apparent trend of impunity on an international scale.To read more from our website, head to prospectmagazine.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, Ellen and Alona are joined by Isabel Hilton—former Latin America editor, expert in Arctic security and Prospect contributing editor—to discuss how American foreign policy has evolved under the Trump administration, particularly after the US abduction of Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro.How different was this from the US's history of coups and previous military interventions in South America, from Guatemala to Panama? Isabel discusses the region's history and future, as well as the geopolitical ramifications of US threats to annex Greenland.Why is Greenland so important to the administration? And, with the UK in a vulnerable economic and strategic position, how should it respond to the actions of its closest ally?To read Isabel's writing for Prospect, click here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

You've been listening to the Prospect Podcast, Media Confidential's sister podcast. To subscribe on Spotify, click HERE. For Apple podcasts, click HERE. In the final podcast of the year, Ellen and Alona look back at their favourite episodes from 2025. During a dark year, Prospect has been collecting glimmers of hope. They asked some of the most interesting thinkers today—from politics, to environment to tech—for their perspectives on hope and optimism. What keeps them fighting for a more just world?Philosopher Slavoj Zizek and broadcaster Mehdi Hasan talk about the merits of pessimism. Human rights lawyer Philippe Sands discusses justice in the age of international impunity, while authoritarianism expert Ruth Ben-Ghiat considers the situation in the US.Poet and writer Robert Macfarlane reflects on preserving nature in a time of destruction. Cory Doctorow and Laura Bates weigh in on transformations in technology and artificial intelligence. Yassmin Abdel-Magied discusses the humanitarianism crisis in Sudan, while Nicola Kelly explores the untold immigration story.Plus, veteran journalist and outgoing Prospect editor Alan Rusbridger joins the podcast to reflect on his journey, his mistakes, and how he feels about the future—including the contentious thing that unexpectedly makes him feel hopeful.You can revisit all our episodes from the past year here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the final podcast of the year, Ellen and Alona look back at their favourite episodes from 2025. During a dark year, Prospect has been collecting glimmers of hope. They asked some of the most interesting thinkers today—from politics, to environment to tech—for their perspectives on hope and optimism. What keeps them fighting for a more just world?Philosopher Slavoj Zizek and broadcaster Mehdi Hasan talk about the merits of pessimism. Human rights lawyer Philippe Sands discusses justice in the age of international impunity, while authoritarianism expert Ruth Ben-Ghiat considers the situation in the US.Poet and writer Robert Macfarlane reflects on preserving nature in a time of destruction. Cory Doctorow and Laura Bates weigh in on transformations in technology and artificial intelligence. Yassmin Abdel-Magied discusses the humanitarianism crisis in Sudan, while Nicola Kelly explores the untold immigration story.Plus, veteran journalist and outgoing Prospect editor Alan Rusbridger joins the podcast to reflect on his journey, his mistakes, and how he feels about the future—including the contentious thing that unexpectedly makes him feel hopeful.You can revisit all our episodes from the past year here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Seven MPs were suspended for rebelling on the two-child benefit limit last year. Now that the government has announced it will lift the policy, what will change? And why was this such a major focus for anti-poverty campaigners?Ellen and Alona are joined by two experts on the subject: journalist and campaigner Terri White and Ruth Patrick, professor in social and public policy at the University of Glasgow. They bust the myths and misconceptions around the policy, and analyse the negative response from the British media on its lifting. How much will it really cost the country?Terri and Ruth explore the policy's real-life effects on families across the UK and how public discourse has been polluted with misogyny and Islamophobia. They also discuss the ways that communities can come together to implement local solutions—and examine the limit's most controversial clause.Plus, Ellen and Alona weigh up a Christmassy banger or dud.To read Ruth's writing on the two-child limit, click here.And to read Terri's piece from the archive ‘Where is your outrage over the two child limit?', click here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why does every platform seem to get worse over time? This week, Ellen and Alona are joined by journalist, tech activist and sci-fi writer Cory Doctorow, who coined the term “enshittification” to describe the decay of digital services into exploitative, user-hostile platforms.As constraints that once kept platforms in check have broken down, Cory shares how tech giants polluted the digital landscape, why AI-generated “slop” has sped it up, and why we should all care. What's in it for tech CEOs? What is this is doing to us as humans? And what would real de-enshittification look like?Cory discusses how to grab people's attention, and how to fight back against tech giants.Plus, Ellen and Alona talk digital detoxes: “banger” or “dud”?Cory's book ‘Enshittification: Why Everything Suddenly Got Worse and What To Do About It' is published by Verso Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Palantir has acquired key UK government contracts, promising to make government more effective. But Peter Thiel's controversial company has also worked with the US government and ICE on deportations and with Israel's military during its war on Gaza. This week, investigative journalist Mark Wilding joins Ellen to explain how the tech giant has become embedded in the British state—and what it might mean for us in future.In the latest issue of Prospect, Mark traces how Palantir seized a moment of opportunity in the Covid-19 pandemic to get its “foot in the door” and multimillion-pound government contracts, culminating in its takeover of the Federated Data Platform—the new data backbone of the NHS. But what happens when a private tech corporation becomes essential national infrastructure?Mark also explains why even Palantir didn't want to be associated with Labour's plans for digital ID. Plus, Ellen and Alona discuss “Christmas creep”: banger or dud?To read Mark's investigation ‘How Palantir infiltrated the state', click here: https://www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/politics/democracy/government/71511/how-palantir-infiltrated-the-state Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In a world of unpredictable strongman leaders, do nuclear weapons keep us safe or make us more vulnerable? This week, Ellen and Alona are joined by Serhii Plokhy, historian and author of The Nuclear Age, to discuss the threat of nuclear conflict.From Putin's war in Ukraine to China's expanding arsenal and new nuclear “threshold” states, Serhii discusses whether governments still hold to the idea of mutually assured destruction. He explains the role of fear in the origins of the nuclear bomb—and the importance of anti-nuclear civic action.Plus, Ellen and Alona discuss “scream clubs”: banger or dud?‘The Nuclear Age: An Epic Race for Arms, Power, and Survival' is available now. To read Prospect's review, click here.You can listen to Serhii's previous appearance on the Prospect Podcast here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Elona Ymeri is the service delivery manager at Assist Digital. She is based in Tirana, Albania. Elona spoke to Mark Hillary about the role of smaller BPO destinations. What can they offer that is harder to find from the big locations? Is the continued influence of AI and other automation technology reducing the need to consider working in locations where large numbers of agents can be found? Elona talked about Albania within this context, but also explored beyond Albania alone to consider other locations in Europe that might have an interesting and innovative new approach to BPO. https://www.linkedin.com/in/elonaymeri/ https://assistdigital.com/ ---- Summary: Mark Hillary and Peter Ryan introduce an interview with Elona Ymeri, the service delivery leader at Assist Digital in Tirana, Albania. Alona highlights Albania's mature BPO sector, employing nearly 30,000 people, and its strategic position as a nearshore option for European companies. She emphasizes Albania's cultural alignment, linguistic skills, and the country's investment in AI and digital transformation. Alona also discusses the shift towards intelligent operations, combining human talent with technology, and the importance of compliance and strategic partnerships in the future of BPO.

Zombies, werewolves and...ChatGPT?In this week's spooky special, Ellen and Alona are joined by historian and “monster consultant” Surekha Davies, who argues that humans have always created monsters to understand the world—and ourselves.In her new book Humans: A Monstrous History, she explores a history of monsters, as well as the weird and horrifying monsters we've created in modern day life, including through Silicon Valley's visions for artificial intelligence. Is technology pushing flesh-and-blood humans to the margins?The three also discuss “monsterification” in political rhetoric as a way to frame the Other, including discourse about asylum seekers.Plus, Ellen and Alona talk celebrity authors: banger or dud?Surekha's book ‘Humans: A Monstrous History' is available now. Halloween Werewolf Intro by miksmusic. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Does Washington need a shake up?As the Democratic party faces its lowest favourability ratings on record, one man wants to completely change its brand. This week, Prospect's Ben Clark speaks to Saikat Chakrabarti, progressive political adviser and former chief of staff to Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who is now running for Congress himself.Saikat discusses running against Democratic powerbroker Nancy Pelosi, reveals his frustration with conventional Washington politicking, and shares what he thinks the Democrats are doing wrong. He also talks about how his Silicon Valley career radicalised him, “opportunist” tech billionaires, and meeting Peter Thiel.Plus, Ellen and Alona discuss Celebrity Traitors: “banger” or “dud”?To read Ben's piece “Saikat Chakrabarti is coming for the Democratic establishment”, click here: https://www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/views/people/71150/saikat-chakrabarti-is-coming-for-the-democratic-establishment Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, political columnist Ben Ansell joins Prospect's Alona and Imaan to discuss the rise of ethnonationalism in British politics, and the popularisation of the term “white British”. Ben explains the origin and implications of a term that has gone politically “viral”.He also discusses how a national conversation about asylum policy has “metastasised” into criticism of legal migrants—and now a suspicion that white British citizens are losing out to non-white Brits. Was this an inevitable consequence of an existing trend in the Conservative party, or not? How should the Labour government respond? And where does this end?Plus, Imaan and Alona talk sibling rivalries and whether AI book summaries are a “banger” or a “dud”.To read Ben's column “Who's ‘white British'? Who cares?”, click here: https://www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/politics/71217/whos-white-british-who-cares Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Send Jackie A Message!In this episode of the Studio CEO podcast, host Jackie Murphy sits down with Alona Orofino, founder of Orofino Wellness, a thriving Pilates and nutrition studio in Fredericksburg, Virginia. Discover how Alana went from managing a restaurant to building a sold-out Pilates studio across two locations while integrating nutritional coaching and intuitive eating principles.Discover how Alona built a loyal community in a town of 30,000 and scaled to two studio locations with a strong leadership team. After generating $13,000 in her first three days of launching a campaign within 30 days of coaching, Alona focused on sustainable growth through systems and team building. This episode is packed with actionable insights on hiring full-time staff, building leaders who can run your business without you, paying your team well while maintaining profit margins, and successfully integrating nutrition services into your studio offerings.What You'll Learn:How to know when it's the right time to open a studio (even in a smaller market)Why recruiting instructors should be treated like recruiting clientsHow to hire full-time staff and pay them well without sacrificing profitStrategies for building a team that can run your business without youThe power of starting with free classes to build value and communityWhy integrating nutrition with movement is the future of wellness studiosHow to create a sales culture where team members feel empowered, not pushyAbout Alona:Alona Orofino is the founder of Orofino Wellness, a Pilates and nutrition studio operating out of two locations in Fredericksburg, Virginia. As both a certified Pilates instructor and registered nutritionist with a master's degree in nutrition, Alona specializes in intuitive eating counseling and helping women build healthy relationships with food, movement, and their bodies. A mother of three, she has successfully scaled her business while maintaining work-life balance through private coaching with Jackie Murphy and by having her leadership team participate in the Grow Mastermind. This dual approach has enabled her to build a strong, mission-driven team that can operate the business without her daily involvement.Connect with Alona & The Orofino Wellness Team:Orofino Wellness: orofinowellness.comInstagram: @orofino_wellnessUpcoming 8-Week Intuitive Eating Group (virtual and live options)Work with Jackie Murphy Say Hi on Instagram @studioceoofficial Level up your Marketing Skills in the Free Marketing Training:https://www.jackiegmurphy.com/3-marketing-mistakes Learn more about the Grow Mastermind: https://www.jackiegmurphy.com/mastermind

This week, Alona is joined by Omer Bartov, the Israeli-American historian and professor of Holocaust and Genocide Studies at Brown University. Two years after the Hamas-led attack in southern Israel, Israel's retaliation has killed one in 33 Gazans. Omer argues that the war on Gaza is genocidal—and that many Israelis are in denial about what their government is doing. On the podcast, Omer explains how this denial operates and its historical parallels. He argues that denialism has roots in his country's origin story, as the onslaught becomes a “second Nakba”. And he reflects on his personal journey, as an Israeli who grew up in the early days of the state. To read Omer's essay “A State of Denial”, the cover of Prospect's latest issue, out today, head to prospectmagazine.co.uk. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Labour government is struggling and the party is divided. Meanwhile, Reform is on the rise, and the Tories are collapsing. What kind of change does Labour need, if it is to get back on track? This week, Ellen and Alona dial in from the party conference in Liverpool, where they're joined by Walthamstow MP Stella Creasy, and deputy leadership candidate Lucy Powell.Powell explains why she's running, and the importance of wrestling back the political narrative from Reform, while Creasy criticises the party's current lack of internal dialogue and emphasises the need for cultural change.How can the party reconnect with voters? And, despite all the deputy leadership candidates being women, why has Labour never had a female leader?To read more of our coverage of the Labour party conference, click here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode SummaryDiscover how one artist is tackling light pollution through whimsical street art. Berlin visual artist Alona Rodeh joins the show to discuss her viral "Nightcaps" project - 3D-printed "hats" that transform unshielded street lamps into community art while reducing light pollution.Key Topics CoveredThe Nightcaps Project: 15 sculptural lamp covers installed throughout Berlin's Brunnenvierteljat neighborhoodCommunity engagement: Workshops with local families and children incorporating cultural designsEnvironmental impact: Practical solutions for reducing artificial light at night (ALAN)Placemaking through art: How creative interventions build neighborhood identityNight walks: Guided darkness experiences as feminist environmental practiceFuture expansion: Plans for Israeli kibbutzim and sports stadium applicationsNotable Quotes"Instead of throwing away these lanterns and putting in new ones... thinking of adapting and of raising awareness""It does what is called in public art placemaking - it brings things out of their anonymity"Guest InfoAlona Rodeh specializes in light-based installations at the intersection of visual, virtual, and physical space. Her work includes nocturnal walks, immersive environments, and community-driven environmental art.Send Feedback Text to the Show!Support the showA hearty thank you to all of our paid supporters out there. You make this show possible. For only the cost of one coffee each month you can help us to continue to grow. That's $3 a month. If you like what we're doing, if you think this adds value in any way, why not say thank you by becoming a supporter! Why Support Light Pollution News? Receive quarterly invite to join as live audience member for recordings with special Q&A session post recording with guests. Receive all of the news for that month via a special Supporter monthly mailer. Satisfaction that your support helps further critical discourse on this topic. About Light Pollution News: The path to sustainable starry night solutions begin with being a more informed you. Light Pollution, once thought to be solely detrimental to astronomers, has proven to be an impactful issue across many disciplines of society including ecology, crime, technology, health, and much more! But not all is lost! There are simple solutions that provide for big impacts. Each month, Bill McGeeney, is joined by upwards of three guests to help you grow your awareness and understanding of both the challenges and the road to recovering our disappearing nighttime ecosystem.

Are we all being manipulated? This week, Ellen and Alona are joined by Cass Sunstein–one of the scholars behind “nudge” theory–who explains how companies exploit our cognitive biases for their own profit.Cass is the founder and director of the Program on Behavioral Economics and Public Policy at Harvard, and author of Manipulation: What It Is, Why It's Bad, What to Do about It. He explores the place of manipulation in a capitalist system, and whether technology is making manipulation a bigger problem than ever before. But can we protect ourselves from it?Plus, Ellen and Alona discuss the return of Bake Off: “banger” or “dud”? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As Labour tanks in the polls, left and right-wing populists are on the rise. This week, Ellen and Alona and are joined by Prospect's political columnist Ben Ansell, whose cover essay in this month's magazine explored the government's big challenge. From Zohran Mamdani to Zack Polanski, left populists are attracting votes and attention. Should Keir Starmer follow their lead? On the podcast, Ben explains what makes a politician “populist”, the policies that might work for Labour, and why populist communication styles are more effective than Labour's current messaging. He also unpacks whether Starmer could pull off a left-populist turn—or who in the party might be a better fit. Plus, Ellen and Alona discuss saunas: banger or dud?You can read Ben's essay ‘Labour's populist dilemma' here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this captivating episode, Berlin-based visual artist and urban practitioner Alona Rodeh takes us deep into the heart of the nocturnal city. Known for her immersive installations and advocacy for darkness preservation, Rodeh shares her journey from theater scenography to public art, blending light, sound, and urban research. 

You've been listening to the Prospect Podcast, Media Confidential's sister podcast. To subscribe on Spotify, click HERE. For Apple podcasts, click HERE. Has Trump's America become an autocracy?While Media Confidential is on a short break, we're bringing you the best of our sister podcast, the Prospect Podcast. Back in April, Ellen and Alona were joined by scholar of authoritarianism, Ruth Ben-Ghiat. Ruth analyses the Trump administration's rapid shift towards authoritarianism. She talks about Trump's personality cult, how strongmen portray machismo and the potential for a female strongman figure.She also discusses how autocrats use corruption, violence and propaganda to stay in power, and how ICE roundups echo the past, resembling a “secret police force”. Ruth answers: can the Democrats can learn anything from Trump? What's the best way to challenge an illiberal president? And how does this end?Plus, Ellen and Alona discuss their bookshelves for this week's “banger or dud”. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

To subscribe to the Prospect Podcast on Spotify, click HERE. For Apple podcasts, click HERE. Will AI achieve superintelligence—and, if so, when? While Media Confidential is on a short break, we're bringing you the best of our sister podcast, the Prospect Podcast. In June, Prospect's tech columnist Ethan Zuckerman joined Ellen and Alona to talk about billionaire tech bros, social media, and how to resist the ‘enshittification' of the internet. He answers: is AI transforming our world for the worse? But he also explains how to seek out better, more wholesome corners of the internet, and why his students give him hope. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

She walked away from two decades of luxury bag design to build carbon-negative, vegan bags that actually make a difference. Meet Alona Komsky, co-founder of AKKONIQ, the minimalist bag brand that's reshaping sustainable fashion with innovation, function, and style.In this episode of the Conscious Design Podcast, host Ian Peterman explores how Alona turned her frustration with fast fashion and greenwashing into a mission: designing eco-friendly bags made from 3D-woven recycled materials, biodegradable fibers, and honest minimalist design.If you're interested in ethical fashion, sustainable materials, slow fashion, or how to build a conscious product brand—this episode is for you.⏩ Jump to your favorite parts: 00:52 - Meet Alona Komsky: Co-Founder of Akkoniq01:03 - The Journey to Sustainable Design02:06 - Challenges in the Industry05:00 - Creating Sustainable Bags14:30 - Innovative Materials and Techniques17:10 - Customer Feedback and Education26:38 - The Future of Sustainable Design27:50 - Conclusion and Contact InformationAbout Alona Komsky & AKKONIQAKKONIQ is a new name in sustainable fashion, but co-founder Alona Komsky brings over 20 years of award-winning design experience across tech, travel, and fashion. Her products have won Red Dot, IDSA, and remain global bestsellers.AKKONIQ blends minimalist aesthetics, functional innovation, and planet-first materials. Born from Alona's mission to align design with values, the brand delivers truly sustainable bags—without compromise or greenwashing.

The government is considering introducing digital ID cards as a way to curb illegal immigration and improve the administration of public services. But is it a good idea? In this week's Prospect Podcast, former Labour Home Secretary David Blunkett debates Rebecca Vincent, from the civil liberties group Big Brother Watch. Blunkett oversaw the introduction of identity cards under New Labour—before they were scrapped by the Tory-Lib Dem coalition—and thinks they could have a place. Rebecca Vincent is concerned about the risks of intolerable state surveillance —particularly if the cards were mandatory. Listen in—and to let us know who you think is right, email webdesk@prospect-magazine.co.uk. For this week's “banger or dud”—the last before a short summer break—Ellen and Alona discuss the 99 Flake. To read an edited version of this conversation, visit Prospect's website. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Privatisation was meant to revitalise a public good. Instead, it left us with leaky pipes, sewage spills and rivers not fit to swim in.Ellen and Alona are joined by journalist and writer Oliver Bullough, whose books include Moneyland: Why Thieves And Crooks Now Rule The World And How To Take It Back.He explains how water companies, sold off under Thatcher with promises of efficiency and investment, instead loaded themselves with debt, rewarded shareholders, and presided over a national sewage crisis.Oliver, who has investigated financial corruption and power, explains why he is also interested in covering English and Welsh rivers. Plus, as the government plans to abolish Ofwat, why did the water regulator fail? Will anything change for the better?And for this week's “banger or dud”, Ellen and Alona discuss the Lionesses.To read Oliver's piece ‘How our water went to shit', head to prospectmagazine.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, Alona and Imaan are joined by Stewart Home, novelist, filmmaker and art historian, whose new book Fascist Yoga traces the unsettling links between yoga, wellness culture and the far right.Stewart's research uncovers yoga's strange story: from its reinvention in the early 20th century by a Californian escapologist, to its appropriation by occultists, grifters and even Nazis. Today, as the wellness industry booms online, conspiracy theorists and alt-right influencers have seized on yoga myths to push anti-science and anti-democratic ideas.Stewart explains how yoga became a recruiting ground for reactionary politics, why abuse has been so widespread in yoga schools, and what the rise of figures like RFK Jr says about the state of health, power and paranoia in the west. He also discusses figures like Savitri Devi—who believed that Hitler was an avatar of a Hindu god—and the overlap between western mythmaking and Hindu nationalism in Modi's India.Plus, Imaan and Alona discuss Reddit: “banger” or “dud”?Stewart's book Fascist Yoga: Grifters, Occultists, White Supremacists, and the New Order In Wellness' is available nowAnd to read ‘How Hindutva influences the wellness to alt-right pipeline' from our website, head to https://www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/world/69048/the-wellness-to-alt-right-pipeline Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

-> This episode is an extract from an interview. You will find the entire interview on this same account.In this episode, we speak with Alona Pardo, Director of the Arts Council Collection in the UK and formerly curator at the Barbican Art Gallery in London, where she worked for 15 years. With a curatorial focus on photography and film, Alona shares insights from her exceptional career, reflecting on the exhibitions she has led — from Masculinities: Liberation through Photography to RE/SISTERS: A Lens on Gender and Ecology, and The Infinite Woman. We explore her approach to building meaningful, socially engaged exhibitions, her collaborations with international institutions and artists, and her evolving role as a curator working across both public collections and contemporary art contexts. Alona also offers invaluable advice to photographers and curators navigating the changing landscape of visual culture.Link to my questionnaire to help you reflect on your artistic career: https://bit.ly/carriereartistiqueMy website: https://marinelefort.fr/To subscribe to the podcast newsletter: https://bit.ly/lesvoixdelaphotonewsletterPodcast website: https://lesvoixdelaphoto.fr/You can also follow the podcast on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn @lesvoixdelaphotoLes Voix de la Photo is a podcast produced and hosted by Marine Lefort. Hébergé par Acast. Visitez acast.com/privacy pour plus d'informations.

In this episode, we speak with Alona Pardo, Director of the Arts Council Collection in the UK and formerly curator at the Barbican Art Gallery in London, where she worked for 15 years. With a curatorial focus on photography and film, Alona shares insights from her exceptional career, reflecting on the exhibitions she has led — from Masculinities: Liberation through Photography to RE/SISTERS: A Lens on Gender and Ecology, and The Infinite Woman. We explore her approach to building meaningful, socially engaged exhibitions, her collaborations with international institutions and artists, and her evolving role as a curator working across both public collections and contemporary art contexts. Alona also offers invaluable advice to photographers and curators navigating the changing landscape of visual culture.00:02:45 – Alona Pardo introduces her background and curatorial journey 00:07:20 – From art school to the Barbican: early career steps 00:10:45 – Curating Masculinities: origins, scope and impact 00:16:30 – Working on Claudia Andujar: The Yanomami Struggle and activist photography 00:21:00 – How RE/SISTERS took shape and why gender and ecology matter 00:25:30 – Building exhibitions around research and archives 00:30:10 – Managing large-scale shows and collaborating with artists 00:35:40 – On curation as interpretation and storytelling 00:40:20 – Advice to photographers looking to collaborate with institutions 00:47:00 – Curating internationally: audiences, networks, responsibilities 00:53:10 – The shifting role of curators in public institutions 01:00:00 – Balancing personal vision with institutional missions 01:05:25 – Her transition to leading the Arts Council Collection and future perspectivesLink to my questionnaire to help you reflect on your artistic career: https://bit.ly/carriereartistiqueMy website: https://marinelefort.fr/To subscribe to the podcast newsletter: https://bit.ly/lesvoixdelaphotonewsletterPodcast website: https://lesvoixdelaphoto.fr/You can also follow the podcast on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn @lesvoixdelaphotoLes Voix de la Photo is a podcast produced and hosted by Marine Lefort. Hébergé par Acast. Visitez acast.com/privacy pour plus d'informations.

Why Filling Your Glycogen Stores Matters More Than You Think “Have you ever found yourself doing everything right—eating clean, working out, staying disciplined—yet still feeling strangely off? Maybe you wake up in the middle of the night, your heart racing. Or you crash mid-afternoon despite your green smoothie. Or you carry a kind of low-grade tension that coffee can't fix and meditation can't melt. This article is for those moments when your body feels depleted, your cravings don't make sense, and your nervous system feels stuck in survival mode.” Learn why low glycogen stores—not lack of willpower—might be the missing piece, and how refueling your body can restore a sense of calm, clarity, and safety from the inside out. Written by Drs Alona and Matt at ConnectionDocs.com #vegan #plantbased #plantbasedbriefing #wfpb #lifestylemedicine #resistantstarches #starchyvegetables #starches #carbs ========================== Original post: https://connectiondocs.substack.com/p/why-filling-your-glycogen-stores  ========================= Connection Docs is a multi-faceted practice devoted to holistic healing, vibrant health, and cultivating meaningful connections.  “Our mission is to redefine how we approach health—empowering individuals, families, and communities to thrive. We believe that true wellness comes from aligning the mind, body, and spirit, and we are here to guide you in discovering your own path to vitality. Our practice offers a wide range of services designed to support your wellness journey. Whether you're seeking private coaching for personal growth, executive coaching to elevate your professional life, or online wellness courses to deepen your understanding of holistic health, we have something for everyone. Explore our e-books and calming devices for children, crafted to nurture resilience and ease and tune into our parenting podcast webe Parents.  Explore our New York Times bestselling books or invite us to inspire your community through public speaking engagements. And don't miss our free weekly newsletter on Substack, filled with insights and practical tools on cultivating meaningful connections. Whatever your needs, Connection Docs is here to support and inspire you every step of the way.” Learn more at https://www.connectiondocs.com/  ============================== FOLLOW PLANT BASED BRIEFING ON: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@plantbasedbriefing     Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2GONW0q2EDJMzqhuwuxdCF?si=2a20c247461d4ad7 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/plant-based-briefing/id1562925866 Your podcast app of choice: https://pod.link/1562925866 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PlantBasedBriefing   LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/plant-based-briefing/   Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/plantbasedbriefing/   

ICYMI: On Midday Mobile Sean Sullivan talked to Alona Thompson and Phillip Millican from Disabled Outdoorsmen Alabama about how they empower individuals through the healing powers of the outdoors..  Disabled Outdoorsmen creates an inclusive outdoorsmen program for people of any and all disabilities. Their main focus is to deliver an unforgettable experience that was previously not possible. Listen to their conversation here: (251) 895-3022  alabamadousa@gmail.com https://www.alabamadousa.com/