Podcast appearances and mentions of sonia sodha

Sonia Sodha delves in to the latest developments at Westminster.Sir Keir Starmer celebrated not one, but two, new trade deals this week: with the United States and India. But has Britain got good deals? The Labour chair of the Business and Trade Select Committee, Liam Byrne, and former Conservative trade minister and UK trade envoy to the US, Sir Conor Burns, discuss the merits of the agreements.Following the local election results, in which Reform UK made strong gains at the expense of the main parties, restive Labour MPs have been making their feelings known to the Prime Minister about the government's performance. One of those MPs, Jo White, chair of the Red Wall Group, joined Joe Dromey, General Secretary of the Fabians, to discuss whether Labour needs a change of direction.A spate of recent cyber attacks on retailers including M&S and Co-op have caused alarm in business circles and in government. Cabinet Office minister Pat McFadden this week said the attacks were a "wake-up call" for business. To discuss that Sonia speaks to Ciaran Martin, former chief executive of the National Cyber Security Centre and now a professor at Oxford University.And, to reflect on the 80th anniversary of VE Day, Sonia is joined by Lord Michael Heseltine, former Deputy Prime Minister, who witnessed the celebrations in 1945, and Alex Baker, the first Labour MP to represent Aldershot - the home of the British Army.

The BBC's Deputy Political Editor, Vicki Young, presents a special programme looking back at the year so far in British politics.To discuss the major political developments of recent months she is joined by the Political Editor of The Daily Telegraph, Ben Riley-Smith, the Chief Political Commentator of The Times, Patrick Maguire, and The Observer columnist and chief leader writer, Sonia Sodha.

Sonia Sodha of The Observer assesses the latest developments at Westminster.This week the Prime Minister kickstarted a mission to remake the state which he describes as "overstretched" and "flabby". He started by announcing he would abolish the arms-length body, NHS England. But there was ongoing disquiet in the Labour party about possible cuts to welfare spending which could be coming down the track. Sonia discusses all of this with former Conservative minister, Lord Willetts, who now chairs the Resolution Foundation, and Claire Ainsley, former director of policy for Keir Starmer.After a week of intense diplomatic manoeuvring, could a ceasefire in Ukraine be on the horizon? Sonia brings together Bronwen Maddox, director of the foreign policy think tank Chatham House, and Johnny Mercer, former Conservative MP and Minister for Veterans, who has just returned from a trip to Ukraine.Splits within Reform UK deepened this week following the party's suspension of one of its five MPs, Rupert Lowe, after allegations of bullying and threatening violence. Professor Jane Green of Oxford University analyses whether the ongoing row will halt Reform's surge in support.And, MPs who like to use TikTok are regularly flouting parliamentary rules on filming videos for social media. So do the rules need to change? Former Deputy Speaker, Nigel Evans, and Daily Mail political sketchwriter, Quentin Letts, discuss whether it's really a good idea.

Sonia Sodha of The Observer assesses the latest developments at Westminster.How should the British government respond to Donald Trump? That question was again asked this week after the American President suggested the US could take over Gaza, removing Palestinian residents in order to redevelop the strip. Earlier in the week the President also threatened tariffs against allies such as Mexico, Canada and the EU. To discuss how the UK should navigate this tricky diplomatic terrain, Sonia speaks to Lord Darroch, former UK ambassador to the US, and Sir David Lidington, a former Conservative Cabinet minister and now chairman of the defence think tank RUSI.Education Secretary, Bridget Phillipson, gave a major speech on Monday setting out her vision for England's schools. It follows criticism of her Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill which is currently going through Parliament. To debate the reforms Sonia is joined by Mary Bousted, a former general secretary of the National Education Union and now a Labour peer, and Neil O'Brien, a Conservative MP and former minister.Is the UK becoming less cohesive? Sara Khan, the government's former independent adviser on social cohesion and resilience, explains why she thinks there is a risk to democracy from declining social cohesion.And, as a new book charting Keir Starmer's rise to power sends the Westminster gossip machine into overdrive, Sonia speaks to one of the co-authors, Gabriel Pogrund of The Sunday Times, and Labour peer, Ayesha Hazarika.

This episode talks about grooming, rape and trafficking, which some listeners might find upsetting. The government has resisted calls for another inquiry into grooming gangs. But with questions still unanswered, are survivors getting the justice they deserve? And why has the issue become so politicised? The Guardian's John Harris is joined by columnist Gaby Hinsliff and Observer columnist Sonia Sodha to discuss. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod

Sonia Sodha of The Observer assesses the latest developments at Westminster. Following the debate and vote on the Assisted Dying Bill in the House of Commons, Sonia speaks to two MPs with opposing views. Labour MP Anna Dixon voted against the Bill. She has a background in health and social care policy, and specifically in ageing. Former Conservative Cabinet Minister Kit Malthouse is a long-standing proponent of legalising assisted dying.To explain what happens next with the Assisted Dying Bill Sonia is joined by Dr Hannah White, the Director of the independent think tank The Institute for Government.To discuss the continued fallout from last month's Budget, Sonia is joined by Labour MP Liam Byrne, who chairs the Business and Trade Select Committee and Karan Bilimoria, a businessman and crossbench peer who is also a recent President of the Confederation of British Industry. And ahead of the broadcast of the television series which follows the home life of former Conservative Cabinet Minister Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg and his family, Sonia brings together Times and Spectator magazine columnist Matthew Parris, and Observer columnist Gaby Hinsliff, to discuss the pros and cons of politicians appearing on reality TV.

Rick Astley on his new autobiography, Never, which reflects on hitting the big time twice courtesy of his debut hit single, Never Gonna Give You Up.The West Wing is 25 - television critic Scott Bryan and columnist Sonia Sodha discuss why the glossy American political drama series continues to inspire politicians worldwide.Artist Barbara Walker on drawing the Black British experience in her new exhibition, Being Here, at the Whitworth.Presenter: Nick Ahad Producer: Ekene Akalawu

Guests include Huw Irranca-Davies MS; Delyth Jewell MS; former Conservative special advisor Anthony Pickles; Observer columnist and former senior Labour advisor Sonia Sodha; Professor of American Politics Scott Lucas; Dr Carlos Solar who's a Senior Research Fellow in Latin American Security at the think tank RUSI; David Chadwick MP and Katie Dalton, director of Cymorth Cymru.

The gender debate has become increasingly difficult for the Labour Party as the election campaign has rumbled on. JK Rowling has now agreed to meet with Labour to discuss gender transition policy, after writing in The Times that she'd struggle to vote for the party after feeling dismissed by them. After the election, will gender become an increasingly difficult issue for Keir Starmer? Megan McElroy speaks to Katy Balls and Sonia Sodha, chief leader writer and columnist at the Observer 

Sonia Sodha of The Observer assesses the latest developments at Westminster. Following the Prime Minister's speech on global insecurity she speaks to former Conservative Defence Secretary, Sir Liam Fox MP, and former Labour International Development Secretary, Douglas Alexander. Theo Bertram, director of the Social Market Foundation and a former Labour adviser, discusses whether election 'pledge' cards are a good idea following Sir Keir Starmer's campaign event this week. After a knife-edge vote on excluding from Parliament MPs accused of serious offences, Sonia speaks to Liberal Democrat Chief Whip Wendy Chamberlain MP and Conservative MP Nigel Mills. And, after claims a Liberal Democrat candidate was deselected because of his Christian faith, Sonia brings together the Rt Rev Nick Baines, Bishop of Leeds, and Polly Toynbee, journalist and vice president of Humanists UK, to discuss whether Christianity and modern politics are compatible.

Steve Richards analyses the results of the local elections - and what it means for a general election - with a panel of journalists: George Parker, political editor of the Financial Times; Sonia Sodha, chief leader writer at The Observer and Iain Martin from The Times.

Sonia Sodha of The Observer is joined by a range of guests to analyse the latest developments at Westminster. To discuss the confrontation between Israel and Iran she speaks to former Conservative leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith and former British diplomat Sir William Patey. Following newspaper allegations about Conservative MP Mark Menzies she looks at how parties deal with such issues with Francis Elliott, editor of The House magazine, and Anne Perkins, a former political correspondent for The Guardian. Paul Johnson of The Institute for Fiscal Studies explains some new research looking at the success of SureStart and discusses how future governments can do meaningful social policy in an era of fiscal restraint. And, to reflect on the release of Liz Truss's book and her opposition to Rishi Sunak's smoking ban, Sonia is joined by Mark Littlewood, director of the Truss-supporting 'Popular Conservatism' group, and Anna Soubry, a former Conservative MP and public health minister.

This is Part Two of a three-part episode. Britain is in big trouble. The country has dipped into recession, local councils are going bankrupt and trust in our politics has collapsed. Could Labour leader Keir Starter remake Britain after the next election? According to political economist, writer and author, Will Hutton, and political strategist, journalist and co-host of The Rest Is Politics podcast, Alastair Campbell, a recovery is in our own hands. For this Intelligence Squared live event on how to remake Britain, Keir Starmer himself joins Hutton, Campbell and our host, Sonia Sodha, live on stage at London's Union Chapel to discuss the future of British politics and the themes of renewal found within Hutton's book, This Time No Mistakes: How to Remake Britain, and Campbell's book, But What Can I Do? which both look to inspire a new generation of political leaders. We are sponsored by Indeed. Go to Indeed.com/IS for £100 sponsored credit. This is the first of a three-part discussion. Intelligence Squared Members can listen to all three instalments, including the Members-only Part Three, immediately. If you'd like to become a Member and get access to all of our longer form interviews and Members-only content, just visit intelligencesquared.com/membership to find out more. For £4.99 per month you'll also receive: - Full-length and ad-free Intelligence Squared episodes, wherever you get your podcasts - Bonus Intelligence Squared podcasts, curated feeds and members exclusive series - 15% discount on livestreams and in-person tickets for all Intelligence Squared events - Our member-only newsletter The Monthly Read, sent straight to your inbox ... Or Subscribe on Apple for £4.99: - Full-length and ad-free Intelligence Squared podcasts - Bonus Intelligence Squared podcasts, curated feeds and members exclusive series ... Already a subscriber? Thank you for supporting our mission to foster honest debate and compelling conversations! Visit intelligencesquared.com to explore all your benefits including ad-free podcasts, exclusive bonus content and early access. ... Subscribe to our newsletter here to hear about our latest events, discounts and much more. https://www.intelligencesquared.com/newsletter-signup/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Britain is in big trouble. The country has dipped into recession, local councils are going bankrupt and trust in our politics has collapsed. Could Labour leader Keir Starter remake Britain after the next election? According to political economist, writer and author, Will Hutton, and political strategist, journalist and co-host of The Rest Is Politics podcast, Alastair Campbell, a recovery is in our own hands. For this Intelligence Squared live event on how to remake Britain, Keir Starmer himself joins Hutton, Campbell and our host, Sonia Sodha, live on stage at London's Union Chapel to discuss the future of British politics and the themes of renewal found within Hutton's book, This Time No Mistakes: How to Remake Britain, and Campbell's book, But What Can I Do? which both look to inspire a new generation of political leaders. We are sponsored by Indeed. Go to Indeed.com/IS for £100 sponsored credit. This is the first of a three-part discussion. Intelligence Squared Members can listen to all three instalments, including the Members-only Part Three, immediately. If you'd like to become a Member and get access to all of our longer form interviews and Members-only content, just visit intelligencesquared.com/membership to find out more. For £4.99 per month you'll also receive: - Full-length and ad-free Intelligence Squared episodes, wherever you get your podcasts - Bonus Intelligence Squared podcasts, curated feeds and members exclusive series - 15% discount on livestreams and in-person tickets for all Intelligence Squared events - Our member-only newsletter The Monthly Read, sent straight to your inbox ... Or Subscribe on Apple for £4.99: - Full-length and ad-free Intelligence Squared podcasts - Bonus Intelligence Squared podcasts, curated feeds and members exclusive series ... Already a subscriber? Thank you for supporting our mission to foster honest debate and compelling conversations! Visit intelligencesquared.com to explore all your benefits including ad-free podcasts, exclusive bonus content and early access. ... Subscribe to our newsletter here to hear about our latest events, discounts and much more. https://www.intelligencesquared.com/newsletter-signup/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This is Part Two of a three-part discussion. Why are middle-aged women these days subject to so much rage and hatred – frequently from people who see themselves as kind and ‘on the right side of history'? What explains the popularity of the Karen meme, which references a stereotypically privileged white woman whom everyone feels entitled to loathe? Why does this age-old misogyny feel so very now? As writer Victoria Smith approached middle age she made her peace with her sagging neckline and having to cope with ageing parents. But the disdain and vitriol she experienced as a woman in mid-life came as a shock. In her acclaimed book Hags: The Demonisation of Middle-Aged Women she traces the prejudice that has been directed towards older women down the ages and explores the prevalence of witch hunts in recent years. Smith joined us on stage at The Tabernacle in London in March 2024, where she was joined by fellow writers Hadley Freeman and Sonia Sodha. Together they explored why women who have the temerity to exist beyond the age at which they are conventionally deemed desirable to men are seen as superfluous to society; and they looked for solutions which can benefit all women – whether they are hags or hags-in-waiting. This is the second of a three-part discussion. Intelligence Squared Members can listen to all three instalments, including the Members-only Part Three, immediately. If you'd like to become a Member and get access to all of our longer form interviews and Members-only content, just visit intelligencesquared.com/membership to find out more. For £4.99 per month you'll also receive: - Full-length and ad-free Intelligence Squared episodes, wherever you get your podcasts - Bonus Intelligence Squared podcasts, curated feeds and members exclusive series - 15% discount on livestreams and in-person tickets for all Intelligence Squared events - Our member-only newsletter The Monthly Read, sent straight to your inbox ... Or Subscribe on Apple for £4.99: - Full-length and ad-free Intelligence Squared podcasts - Bonus Intelligence Squared podcasts, curated feeds and members exclusive series ... Already a subscriber? Thank you for supporting our mission to foster honest debate and compelling conversations! Visit intelligencesquared.com to explore all your benefits including ad-free podcasts, exclusive bonus content, early access and much more ... Subscribe to our newsletter here to hear about our latest events, discounts and much more. https://www.intelligencesquared.com/newsletter-signup/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This is Part One of a three-part discussion. Why are middle-aged women these days subject to so much rage and hatred – frequently from people who see themselves as kind and ‘on the right side of history'? What explains the popularity of the Karen meme, which references a stereotypically privileged white woman whom everyone feels entitled to loathe? Why does this age-old misogyny feel so very now? As writer Victoria Smith approached middle age she made her peace with her sagging neckline and having to cope with ageing parents. But the disdain and vitriol she experienced as a woman in mid-life came as a shock. In her acclaimed book Hags: The Demonisation of Middle-Aged Women she traces the prejudice that has been directed towards older women down the ages and explores the prevalence of witch hunts in recent years. Smith joined us on stage at The Tabernacle in London in March 2024, where she was joined by fellow writers Hadley Freeman and Sonia Sodha. Together they explored why women who have the temerity to exist beyond the age at which they are conventionally deemed desirable to men are seen as superfluous to society; and they looked for solutions which can benefit all women – whether they are hags or hags-in-waiting. This is the first of a three-part discussion. Intelligence Squared Members can listen to all three instalments, including the Members-only Part Three, immediately. If you'd like to become a Member and get access to all of our longer form interviews and Members-only content, just visit intelligencesquared.com/membership to find out more. For £4.99 per month you'll also receive: - Full-length and ad-free Intelligence Squared episodes, wherever you get your podcasts - Bonus Intelligence Squared podcasts, curated feeds and members exclusive series - 15% discount on livestreams and in-person tickets for all Intelligence Squared events - Our member-only newsletter The Monthly Read, sent straight to your inbox ... Or Subscribe on Apple for £4.99: - Full-length and ad-free Intelligence Squared podcasts - Bonus Intelligence Squared podcasts, curated feeds and members exclusive series ... Already a subscriber? Thank you for supporting our mission to foster honest debate and compelling conversations! Visit intelligencesquared.com to explore all your benefits including ad-free podcasts, exclusive bonus content, early access and much more ... Subscribe to our newsletter here to hear about our latest events, discounts and much more. https://www.intelligencesquared.com/newsletter-signup/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Alex Forsyth presents political debate from Hope Valley College in the Peak District

CONTAINS SWEARING!Links:The Admiral Duncan nail bomb: https://www.londonremembers.com/subjects/admiral-duncan-pub-bombing"Don't buy the Stonewall line on gender identity? Fine. You can't be sacked for that now" by Sonia Sodha, Observer. https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2022/jul/31/dont-buy-stonewall-line-gender-identity-cant-sack-you-now This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thelesbianprojectpod.com/subscribe

The government's landmark Rwanda bill was voted through on Tuesday night. With the issue threatening to tear the Conservatives apart, the Guardian's John Harris is joined by political correspondent Kiran Stacey and columnist Sonia Sodha to discuss the challenges facing the prime minister. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod

The Observer's Sonia Sodha and guests look back on the political week. Conservative MP Danny Kruger and executive co-chair of the National Care Association Nadra Ahmed discuss migration and social care. Labour MP and former culture secretary Ben Bradshaw and Conservative MP and chair of the British Museum APPG Tim Loughton talk about the row over the Parthenon sculptures. PMQs is dissected by Ayesha Hazarika, former political adviser to Ed Miliband and Harriet Harman, and Sir Craig Oliver, former director of communications at No 10 under David Cameron. And the late Alistair Darling is remembered by Catherine MacLeod and Torsten Bell, who were both his former advisers.

Is it moral to attach identity labels to ourselves and others? We often label people by nationality, gender, sexuality, ethnicity, religion, disability and many more categories. Is this a good and helpful or something that should be avoided? The King has said that he wants the UK to be ‘a community of communities', whereas some commentators have said that this is a call for permanent racial division in our society. Have the use of labels increased or diminished racism and other forms of prejudice society? Labels can identify an individual as a member of a collective. Others want the unique identity of each of us to be respected for its differences from everyone else. If our loyalty should be to a group, should that group be defined by the colour of its skin, its politics or its passports? Panellists: Giles Fraser, Sonia Sodha, Tim Stanley & Ash Sarkar Producer: Peter Everett

This event was part of the IfG's Labour Party Conference 2023 fringe programme. Speakers: Mike Clancy, General Secretary of Prospect Ian Mulheirn, Economist and public policy expert Sonia Sodha, Chief Lead Writer at the Observer Alex Thomas, Programme Director at the Institute for Government This event was chaired by Dr Hannah White, Director of the Institute for Government. This event was kindly supported by Prospect.

Sonia Sodha, Chief leader writer at the Observer newspaper, on reaction to the news Boris Johnson has been referred to police over further potential rule breaches during the Covid pandemic.

Some of the big figures on the political right, including two cabinet ministers, have been speaking this week at the National Conservatism conference in London. How much sway does this vocal group have over government? The Guardian's John Harris is joined by the former Tory minister David Gauke and the Observer's Sonia Sodha to discuss. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod

Three journalists pitch their top story of the week to guest editor Sonia Sodha, who is chief leader writer and columnist at the Observer. She is joined by Tortoise's climate editor Jeevan Vasagar, head of live events Mark St Andrew and Jane Bruton, former deputy editor of The Daily Telegraph. Mark argues that Nicola Sturgeon's surprise resignation is the obvious lead, but Jane disagrees. She says we should care most about the attack on press freedoms in India, but Jeevan thinks it's Ford's huge round of job cuts which matter most this week.Tortoise is a newsroom devoted to slow journalism.For early access and ad-free listening subscribe to Tortoise+ on Apple Podcasts or join Tortoise for £60 a year.As a member you'll also get our newsletters and tickets to live events. Just go to tortoisemedia.com/slowdown.If you'd like to further support slow journalism and help us build a different kind of newsroom, do consider donating to Tortoise at tortoisemedia.com/support-us. Your contributions allow us to investigate, campaign and explore, and to build a newsroom that is responsible and sustainable. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On the podcast this week:  In his cover piece for the magazine Iain Macwhirter writes in the aftermath of the government's decision to block the Scottish Gender Recognition Reform Bill from gaining Royal Assent. He joins the podcast with Observer columnist Sonia Sodha to discuss the Union's new battle line (01:03).  Also this week: why are our prisons still in lockdown?  Charlie Taylor, HM's Chief Inspector of Prisons writes about some of his recent observations visiting institutions around the country. He says that control measures are failing both inmates and the taxpayer. He is joined by journalist David James Smith to examine this post-Covid inertia in UK prisons (16:48).  And finally: In The Spectator this week opera singer and comedian Melinda Hughes says that BBC Radio 3 is failing classical music fans by copying the likes of Classic FM and Scala Radio. She is joined by Sir Nicholas Kenyon, former controller of Radio 3 and the Telegraph's opera critic, to debate whether the station is dumbing down (27:01).  Hosted by William Moore.  Produced by Oscar Edmondson.

On the podcast this week:  In his cover piece for the magazine Iain Macwhirter writes in the aftermath of the government's decision to block the Scottish Gender Recognition Reform Bill from gaining Royal Assent. He joins the podcast with Observer columnist Sonia Sodha to discuss the Union's new battle line (01:03).  Also this week: why are our prisons still in lockdown?  Charlie Taylor, HM's Chief Inspector of Prisons writes about some of his recent observations visiting institutions around the country. He says that control measures are failing both inmates and the taxpayer. He is joined by journalist David James Smith to examine this post-Covid inertia in UK prisons (16:48).  And finally: In The Spectator this week opera singer and comedian Melinda Hughes says that BBC Radio 3 is failing classical music fans by copying the likes of Classic FM and Scala Radio. She is joined by Sir Nicholas Kenyon, former controller of Radio 3 and the Telegraph's opera critic, to debate whether the station is dumbing down (27:01).  Hosted by William Moore.  Produced by Oscar Edmondson. 

Rishi Sunak will be the UK's next prime minister, the country's third in as many months. The Guardian's Gaby Hinsliff is joined by the former Downing Street chief of staff to Theresa May, Gavin Barwell, and the Observer's Sonia Sodha to discuss his win and the road ahead. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod

Liz Truss has resigned as UK prime minister after a disastrous premiership marked by U-turns and a self-inflicted economic crisis. Sonia Sodha analyses what's next for the Tories: will a new leader solve their problems? When could the next election be and could Labor win it?

Liz Truss has resigned after a disastrous premiership marked by U-turns and a self-inflicted economic crisis. Sonia Sodha reports on a day of turmoil in Westminster. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Sign up for Intelligence Squared Premium here: https://iq2premium.supercast.com/ for ad-free listening, bonus content, early access and much more. See below for details. Following the abrupt exit of the UK's second prime minister within three months, Intelligence Squared's Conor Boyle is joined by Sherelle Jacobs, columnist for The Daily Telegraph, and columnist and chief leader writer for the Observer, Sonia Sodha, to analyse where the UK is headed next. Liz Truss is the country's shortest-serving prime minister ever and her resignation follows uproar over disastrous economic policy decisions allegedly shaped by think tanks rather than a mandate from the UK electorate. Arriving at a time of international instability over the war in Ukraine, a cost of living crisis unfolding at home and following on from the scandal of her predecessor Boris Johnson's handling of the pandemic, our panel discusses Truss's departure, the options it leaves the UK and the future of a beleaguered Conservative Party. We are incredibly grateful for your support. To become an Intelligence Squared Premium subscriber, follow the link: https://iq2premium.supercast.com/  Here's a reminder of the benefits you'll receive as a subscriber: Ad-free listening, because we know some of you would prefer to listen without interruption  One early episode per week Two bonus episodes per month A 25% discount on IQ2+, our exciting streaming service, where you can watch and take part in events live at home and enjoy watching past events on demand and without ads  A 15% discount and priority access to live, in-person events in London, so you won't miss out on tickets Our premium monthly newsletter  Intelligence Squared Merch Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Does becoming a surrogate mother exploit or empower a woman? UK surrogacy law is under review, and there's a renewed debate around how it should be regulated. The war in Ukraine highlighted this, as the spotlight shone on the surrogate mothers, the babies they'd given birth to, and the overseas parents struggling to collect the newborns. In the UK the numbers of children born through surrogacy are still relatively small but they're expected to rise, not just because of medical infertility but also as more gay male couples and single men look to have their own biological children. For some surrogacy is extremely contentious, for others it's life changing. Sonia Sodha asks whether surrogacy is the ultimate commercialisation of a woman's body or whether it's the greatest gift a woman can give. Producer Caroline Bayley Editor Clare Fordham Sound Engineer: Rod Farquhar Production Coordinators: Maria Ogundele and Helena Warwick-Cross

Observer writer Sonia Sodha and political columnist at The Times, Rachel Sylvester join Alan Rusbridger on the podcast to discuss an eventful week at the Conservative party conference in Birmingham. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's been a week of wall-to-wall coverage of the death of Queen Elizabeth II. Meanwhile anti-monarchy protesters have been arrested, food banks closed and hospital appointments cancelled in her honour. The Guardian's John Harris is joined by the Observer's Sonia Sodha and Guardian columnist Rafael Behr to look at what this all tells us about the UK's media, the monarchy and democracy.. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod

Another week of blue-on-blue infighting, as Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak take chunks out of each other in a series of television debates. To assess the fallout, Rafael Behr sits in for John Harris and is joined by the Observer's Sonia Sodha and Will Tanner from the centre-right thinktank Onward. And after Wednesday's rail strikes, we look at how the public feel when it comes to nationalisation. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod

A lifetime spent reading, writing and reflecting teaches you a lot. Nilanjana Roy joins Amit Varma in episode 284 of The Seen and the Unseen to talk about books, feminism, family, memory and the state of the world.  Also check out:1. Nilanjana Roy on Twitter, Instagram, Amazon, Financial Times, Business Standard and her own website. 2. The Girl Who Ate Books: Adventures in Reading -- Nilanjana Roy. 3. The Wildings -- Nilanjana Roy. 4. The Hundred Names of Darkness -- Nilanjana Roy. 5. Episodes of The Seen and the Unseen that discuss reading and writing with Sara Rai, Amitava Kumar, VK Karthika, Sugata Srinivasaraju, Mrinal Pande, Sonia Faleiro, Vivek Tejuja, Samanth Subramanian, Annie Zaidi and Prem Panicker. 6.  Episodes of The Seen and the Unseen on the creator ecosystem with Roshan Abbas, Varun Duggirala, Neelesh Misra, Snehal Pradhan, Chuck Gopal, Nishant Jain, Deepak Shenoy and Abhijit Bhaduri. 7. A Meditation on Form -- Amit Varma. 8. Why Are My Episodes so Long? -- Amit Varma. 9. The Prem Panicker Files -- Episode 217 of The Seen and the Unseen. 10. Jonathan Haidt on Amazon. 11. Where Have All the Leaders Gone? -- Amit Varma. 12. The Ranga-Billa Case. 13. Sarojini Naidu on Amazon. 14. The Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi. 15. The Mahatma and the Poet — The letters between Gandhi and Tagore, compiled by Sabyasachi Bhattacharya. 16. Amitava Kumar Finds the Breath of Life -- Episode 265 of The Seen and the Unseen. 17. Margaret Mascarenhas on Amazon. 18. The Web We Have to Save -- Hossein Derakhshan. 19. The Country Without a Post Office -- Agha Shahid Ali. 20. Wanting — Luke Burgis. 21. René Girard on Amazon and Wikipedia. 22. The Silence of Scheherazade -- Defne Suman. 23. Silver -- Walter de la Mare. 24. Lessons from an Ankhon Dekhi Prime Minister — Amit Varma. 25. George Saunders and Barack Obama on Amazon. 26. A life in 5,000 books -- Nilanjana Roy. 27. Surender Mohan Pathak, Ibne Safi and Gabriel Garcia Marquez on Amazon.  28. The Power Broker — Robert Caro. 29. The Death and Life of Great American Cities — Jane Jacobs. 30. JRR Tolkien, Ursula Le Guin and Terry Pratchett on Amazon. 31. Forget reading Thomas Piketty. Try a bit of Terry Pratchett -- Robert Shrimsley. 32. Fifty Shades of Grey -- EL James. 33. Ankur Warikoo, Aanchal Malhotra, Manu Pillai and Ira Mukhoty on Amazon. 34. Mahashweta Devi and Naiyer Masud on Amazon. 35. The former homes of Hurree Babu and Putu the Cat. 36. The Life and Times of Abhinandan Sekhri -- Episode 254 of The Seen and the Unseen. 37. Om Namah Volume -- Amit Varma. 38. Salman's Sea of Stories -- Salman Rushdie's Substack newsletter. 39. What Is It Like to Be a Bat? — Thomas Nagel. 40. The Hidden Life of Trees -- Peter Wohlleben. 41. An Immense World -- Ed Yong. 42. The Twitter thread by Sergej Sumlenny that Nilanjana mentioned. 43. The Inheritance of Loss -- Kiran Desai. 44. The Grapes of Wrath -- John Steinbeck. 45. Pather Panchali --  Bibhutibhushan Bandopadhyay. 46. Gora -- Rabindranath Tagore. 47. William Shakespeare, Kalidasa, Geoffrey Chaucer and Krishna Sobti on Amazon. 48. The Cult of Authenticity -- Vikram Chandra. 49. Meenakshi Mukherjee: The Death of a Critic -- Nilanjana Roy. 50. Field Notes from a Waterborne Land: Bengal Beyond the Bhadralok -- Parimal Bhattacharya. 51. Patriots, Poets and Prisoners: Selections from Ramananda Chatterjee's The Modern Review, 1907-1947 -- Edited by Anikendra Sen, Devangshu Datta and Nilanjana Rao. 52. The City Inside -- Samit Basu. 53. Understanding India Through Its Languages -- Episode 232 of The Seen and the Unseen (w Peggy Mohan). 54. Wanderers, Kings, Merchants: The Story of India through Its Languages — Peggy Mohan. 55. The Life and Times of Mrinal Pande -- Episode 263 of The Seen and the Unseen. 56. Manjula Padmanathan on Amazon. 57. The Life and Letters of Raja Rammohun Roy. 58. If No One Ever Marries Me -- Lawrence Alma-Tadema. 59. If No One Ever Marries Me -- Natalie Merchant. 60. Kavitha Rao and Our Lady Doctors -- Episode 235 of The Seen and the Unseen. 61. Lady Doctors: The Untold Stories of India's First Women in Medicine — Kavitha Rao. 62. The Memoirs of Dr Haimabati Sen — Haimabati Sen (translated by Tapan Raychoudhuri). 63. Women at Work — Episode 132 of The Seen and the Unseen (w Namita Bhandare). 64. The Loneliness of the Indian Woman -- Episode 259 of The Seen and the Unseen (w Shrayana Bhattacharya). 65. Films, Feminism, Paromita — Episode 155 of The Seen and the Unseen (w Paromita Vohra). 66. The Kavita Krishnan Files — Episode 228 of The Seen and the Unseen. 67. Manjima Bhattacharjya: The Making of a Feminist -- Episode 280 of The Seen and the Unseen. 68. I, Lalla: The Poems of Lal Dĕd -- Translated by Ranjit Hoskote. 69. Lal Ded's poem on wrestling with a tiger. 70. Anarchy is a likelier future for the west than tyranny -- Janan Ganesh. 71. The Better Angels of Our Nature -- Steven Pinker. 72. The Ferment of Our Founders -- Episode 272 of The Seen and the Unseen (w Shruti Kapila). 73. Rukmini Sees India's Multitudes — Episode 261 of The Seen and the Unseen (w Rukmini S). 74. A Life in Indian Politics -- Episode 149 of The Seen and the Unseen (w Jayaprakash Narayan). 75. The Gita Press and Hindu Nationalism — Episode 139 of The Seen and the Unseen (w Akshaya Mukul). 76. Gita Press and the Making of Hindu India — Akshaya Mukul. 77. Manohar Malgonkar, Mulk Raj Anand and Kamala Das on Amazon. 78. Kanthapura -- Raja Rao. 79. India's Greatest Civil Servant -- Episode 167 of The Seen and the Unseen (w Narayani Basu, on VP Menon). 80. Private Truths, Public Lies — Timur Kuran. 81. Alice Munro on Amazon. 82. The Bear Came Over the Mountain -- Amit Varma's favourite Alice Munro story. 83. The Median Voter Theorem. 84. The Ice Cream Vendors. 85. Mohammad Zubair's Twitter thread on the Dharam Sansad. 86. The Will to Change -- Bell Hooks. 87. Paul Holdengraber, Maria Popova, Rana Safvi and Rabih Alameddine on Twitter. 88. The hounding of author Kate Clanchy has been a witch-hunt without mercy -- Sonia Sodha. 89. Democrats have stopped listening to America's voters -- Edward Luce. 90. From Cairo to Delhi With Max Rodenbeck -- Episode 281 of The Seen and the Unseen. 91. The Indianness of Indian Food — Episode 95 of The Seen and the Unseen (w Vikram Doctor). 92. GN Devy. 93. The Art of Translation -- Episode 168 of The Seen and the Unseen (w Arunava Sinha). 94. Alipura -- Gyan Chaturvedi (translated by Salil Yusufji). 95. Tomb of Sand -- Geetanjali Shree (translated by Daisy Rockwell). 96. Writer, Rebel, Soldier, Lover: The Many Lives of Agyeya -- Akshaya Mukul. 97. Ashapurna Devi, Agyeya, Saadat Hasan Manto, Ismat Chugtai, Qurratulain Hyder, Amrita Pritam and Girish Karnad on Amazon. 98. The Adventures of Dennis -- Viktor Dragunsky. 99. Toni Morrison on Amazon. 100. Haroun and the Sea of Stories -- Salman Rushdie. 101. The Penguin Book Of Indian Poets -- Edited by Jeet Thayil. 102. These My Words: The Penguin Book of Indian Poetry -- Edited by Eunice de Souza and Melanie Silgardo. 103. The Autobiography of a Goddess -- Andal (translated by Priya Sarrukai Chabria and Ravi Shankar). 104. Ghachar Ghochar — Vivek Shanbhag (translated by Srinath Perur). 105. Amit Varma talks about Ghachar Ghochar in episode 13 of The Book Club on Storytel. 106. River of Fire -- Qurratulain Hyder. 107. The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas -- Ursula K Le Guin. 108. The Left Hand of Darkness -- Ursula K Le Guin. 109. Mother of 1084 -- Mahashweta Devi. 110. Jejuri -- Arun Kolatkar. 111. The Collected Essays of AK Ramanujan -- Edited by Vinay Dharwadker. 112. The Collected Poems of AK Ramanujan. 113. Folktales From India -- Edited by AK Ramanujan. 114. The Interior Landscape: Classical Tamil Love Poems -- Edited and translated by AK Ramanujan. 115. The Essential Kabir -- Translated by Arvind Krishna Mehrotra. This episode is sponsored by CTQ Compounds. Check out The Daily Reader and FutureStack. Use the code UNSEEN for Rs 2500 off. Check out Amit's online course, The Art of Clear Writing. And subscribe to The India Uncut Newsletter. It's free! The illustration for this episode is by Nishant Jain aka Sneaky Artist. Check out his work on Twitter, Instagram and Substack.

The government's latest refugee policy collided with reality this week as the first deportation flight to Rwanda was halted at the last minute after a ruling by the European court of human rights. Meanwhile, the UK continued to pick a fight with the EU over the Northern Ireland protocol. Guardian journalist John Harris is joined by the columnist Rafael Behr and the Observer's chief leader writer, Sonia Sodha. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod

The Sue Gray report has finally been published. Boris Johnson made a statement to parliament and took questions at a press conference. He said he was ‘humbled' by what was in the report, but is that enough? John Harris is joined by Guardian columnist Rafael Behr and the Observer's Sonia Sodha to discuss what the report said and Johnson's future. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod

Anne McElvoy analyses the results of the elections for local councils in England, Scotland and Wales and the Northern Ireland Assembly with a panel of commentators: Daily Telegraph associate editor, Christopher Hope; the FT's Whitehall editor, Sebastian Payne; and Sonia Sodha - comment editor and columnist for the Observer.

In this special episode, former director of YouGov and leading political analyst Peter Kellner discusses the results of the local elections with Sonia Sodha. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

It's been a tough week for Boris Johnson and Keir Starmer as the public vote in local elections on Thursday. With the cloud of beergate hanging over Starmer, and sex scandals and the cost of living crisis affecting Johnson, John Harris is joined by Guardian columnist Rafael Behr and the Observer's Sonia Sodha to talk about how this all creates deep distrust between the public and politicians. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod

Is a world without violence possible? Violence blights the lives of countless individuals each year. The Crime Survey of England and Wales suggests there were 1.2 million incidents of violent crime in the year ending March 2020. Sonia Sodha focuses on one category of violence – gender-based violence – and assesses the global progress in tackling this issue. Statistics show that most perpetrators – and victims – of violent crime are men. As a result, many violence prevention initiatives have traditionally focused on reducing men's propensity for violence. But how effective is this gender-based approach? And does it provide any clues for the best way to reduce violence in society as a whole? Presenter: Sonia Sodha Producer: Dan Hardoon Production Coordinators: Maria Ogundele and Jacqui Johnson Sound: James Beard Editor: Hugh Levinson

Is Boris Johnson a “Heineken” Prime Minister in a country that now has a hangover? Rachel Sylvester joins associate editor Sonia Sodha to tackle the question that's on everyone's mind: is it all over for Boris Johnson? See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Rowena Mason and Sonia Sodha look at the problems facing the NHS and schools, as the government lifts some restrictions. Plus, Peter Walker, Jon Henley and Severin Carrell look at how Westminster's Covid-19 plan differs from the rest of the UK and Europe. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod

The opposition party is performing well in the polls, but still doesn't have an easy pathway to power, says Observer leader writer Sonia Sodha. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Splitting up where children are involved is tricky. Especially when it ends up in the family courts. It's even more tricky when a child decides they don't want a relationship with one of the parents. Over the last two decades a controversial psychological concept has emerged to describe a situation where children - for no apparent reason - decide they don't want to see one parent. It's called parental alienation. Women's rights organisations argue parental alienation is used to gaslight abused women. Fathers' rights organisations claim that some mothers make up allegations of abuse to prevent them from seeing their children. And children are caught in the middle. Sonia Sodha explores the polarizing concept of “parental alienation” and asks how a contested psychological theory has evolved into an increasingly common allegation in the UK family courts. Producer: Gemma Newby

The ability to properly get to grips with numbers has never been more vital, not least in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic. In this episode, Tim Bale is joined by Tom Chivers and Sonia Sodha to discuss the importance of understanding the numbers we're presented with in the news and in our own lives. They discuss what journalists - and the sources they rely on - get right and wrong, and what we can all do to ensure we better understand the data we're exposed to in media each and every day.

Heather Stewart is joined by Sonia Sodha to discuss the government's announcement that most coronavirus restrictions in England will end on 19 July. Plus, after last week's win in Batley and Spen, Labour feels emboldened. How does Keir Starmer use this victory to his advantage?. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod

Adam Boulton and guests reflect on the week that was on the home and international fronts.The fallout from the G7 summit in Cornwall, the ongoing row over the Northern Ireland protocol, the Prime Minister's decision to delay removing all Covid restrictions in England by four weeks and the latest explosive claims by his former adviser Dominic Cummings.They also examine this week's meeting between Vladimir Putin and Joe Biden in Geneva and the potential for a resetting of relations.Joining Adam are the chief leader writer at The Observer, Sonia Sodha, Conservative commentator Tim Montgomerie and Sky's deputy political editor Sam Coates

Jessica Elgot and Martin Kettle discuss the political fallout of the announced delay to the lifting of coronavirus restrictions in England. Plus: Peter Walker is joined by Sonia Sodha and Katy Balls to ask why MPs are so keen to get involved in the perennial culture wars. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod

Joining Iain Dale on Cross Question this evening are Labour MP Barry Gardiner, Observer Chief Leader Writer Sonia Sodha, Conservative MP Damian Hinds and Mail on Sunday Deputy Political Editor Mikhailova.

Heather Stewart and Sonia Sodha discuss the dramatic revelations from Dominic Cummings' marathon evidence session before a Commons select committee. Daniel Trilling and David Blunkett talk about the problems in the Home Office. Plus, Peter Walker and Will Jennings look at the politics of levelling up. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod

Jessica Elgot is joined by Zoe Williams and Sonia Sodha to make sense of the chaos at No 10 Downing Street. Peter Walker, Helena Smith and Jon Henley discuss the pressure European leaders are under to get people travelling again this summer. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod

The Covid-19 pandemic has seen the best of science and the worst of science. New vaccines have been produced in less than twelve months. But at the same time we’ve seen evidence exaggerated and undermined, falsified, and flawed. Scientists arguing in public over areas of policy that have reached into all of our lives in an unprecedented way. There has never been so much “science”. But the pandemic has seen science politicised and polarised in ways some of us could never imagine. In this episode of Analysis, Sonia Sodha explores what the pandemic has revealed about the practice of science, and our relationship with it. Producer: Gemma Newby Editor: Jasper Corbett

Jessica Elgot and Sonia Sodha run over a turbulent week in Westminster. Henry Hill and Laura Round discuss the difficulties for Conservatives in responding to the proposed overseas aid cut. Plus, Severin Carrell speaks to the new leader of the Scottish Labour party leader, Anas Sarwar. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod

Adam Boulton and guests assess Boris Johnson's options ahead of his announcement on lockdown restrictions next week and the longer term prospects for Sir Keir Starmer as Labour leader after his big speech on the economy.Joining Adam this week are the chief leader writer at The Observer, Sonia Sodha; Conservative commentator Tim Montgomerie and Sky's chief political correspondent Jon Craig.

Heather Stewart and Sonia Sodha talk about what's happening in Westminster, Lisa O'Carroll reports from the border in Northern Ireland and Polly Mackenzie and Torsten Bell discuss the £20 uplift in universal credit.. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod

According to Laura Bates a vast network of incels and other men who hate women are able to operate, virtually undetected online. These extremists commit deliberate terrorist acts and violence against women. Vulnerable teenage boys are groomed and radicalised.In this episode Bates, the bestselling author and founder of The Everyday Sexism Project, speaks to Sonia Sodha about going undercover to expose misogynist networks and communities.To find out more about the book click here: https://amzn.to/304TE8f. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/intelligencesquared. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Jessica Elgot and Sonia Sodha discuss the latest from Westminster, and Fiona Harvey updates us on Cop26 summit preparations. Plus, Polly MacKenzie and Naomi Smith review the Liberal Democrats' conference. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod

The A-Levels fiasco could damage more than pupils’ futures and the career of Gavin Williamson. What will it mean for any potentially beneficial future use of algorithms in welfare, criminal justice, tax and social care? Does abolishing Public Health England make any sense except as a headline – and do panic reorganisations ever work? And can our political classes survive September without warm white wine at an in-person party conference? Special guest Sonia Sodha, chief leader writer at The Observer, joins us to explore the least silly Silly Season on record. “The algorithm gave us workable average results, but children are not averages. They are individuals.” – Nick Timmins“The most selective institutions are now oversubscribed while middle and lower-tier universities are threatened with empty places and financial disaster.” – Sonia Sodha“Replacing Public Health England is extraordinary. It’s rebuilding the plane in mid-flight.” – Nick TimminsPresented by Hannah White with Gavin Freeguard and Nick Timmins. Audio production by Robin Leeburn See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In this episode, Shobita and Jack discuss the recent US congressional hearings with the Big Tech CEOs, and the curious role that behavioral scientists have played in the UK's COVID-19 response. They also chat with Jill Fisher, Professor of Social Medicine at University of North Carolina--Chapel Hill and recent author of Adverse Events: Race, Inequality, and the Testing of New Pharmaceuticals, about the "healthy volunteers" who participate in clinical trials--including for COVID-19--and their exploitation.- Jill Fisher (2020). Adverse Events: Race Inequality, and the Testing of New Pharmaceuticals. NYU Press.- Carl Elliott (2020). Review of Adverse Events: Race, Inequality, and the Testing of New Pharmaceuticals. The New York Review of Books.- Carl Elliott (2007). "Guinea-pigging." The New Yorker. December 31.- Laura Stark (2020). Review of Adverse Events: Race, Inequality, and the Testing of New Pharmaceuticals. The New Republic.- BBC Radio 4 Analysis (2020). "Behavioral Science and the Pandemic."- Sonia Sodha (2020). "Bias in ‘the science’ on coronavirus? Britain has been here before." The Guardian. July 23.- Monica Anderson (2020). "Most Americans say social media companies have too much power, influence in politics." Pew Research Center.Transcript available at thereceivedwisdom.org.

Jonathan Freedland and Sonia Sodha break down a chock-a-block week for the government and opposition. Patrick Wintour explains the latest spat in the Commonwealth, and local councillors David Williams and James Lewis discuss council finance pressures post-Covid-19. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod

Sonia Sodha chats to Michael Savage about the latest in Westminster. Peter Walker talks to the Lib Dem leadership candidate Layla Moran, and Rajeev Syal reports on the latest restoration plans for the Palace of Westminster. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod

Following the revelation that Boris Johnson’s chief adviser, Dominic Cummings, took part in the key scientific committee meetings tasked with providing independent advice, Anushka Asthana hears from the Observer’s Sonia Sodha and the former chief scientist Sir David King. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

The Guardian and Observer’s Sonia Sodha, looks at what happens next for the Conservatives and Labour. Plus, Samanth Subramanian on the hidden cost of the home delivery revolution. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Chief Leader writer at The Observer and The Guardian, Sonia Sodha was very active in the campaign to make higher education free. Fifteen years on, she has changed her mind. We talk about why, what her 20 year old self would make of it and the role of the media in polarization.

Heather Stewart is joined by Sonia Sodha, Ellie Mae O'Hagan, Paul Harrison and David Smith to discuss the prime minister's inflammatory language, the Donald Trump impeachment inquiry and the Labour party conference. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod

Sonia Sodha joins Anushka Asthana to discuss Labour’s options now that parliament has resumed and the party has backed Jeremy Corbyn’s Brexit strategy. Also today: Tom McCarthy on the moves to impeach Donald Trump. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Jessica Elgot and her guests react to the prime minister's suspension of parliament for five weeks from mid-September, an act the Commons Speaker, John Bercow, called a ‘constitutional outrage', and Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said was a ‘threat to our democracy'. Jessica is joined by the Guardian journalists Rafael Behr, Owen Jones and Sonia Sodha to analyse Boris Johnson's motives and what steps are available for MPs returning to the Commons next week.. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod

Jessica Elgot is joined by Ellie Mae O'Hagan, Sonia Sodha, Henry Newman and Robin Renwick to discuss ambassadorial strife in Washington, the warring Tory party and Labour's latest Brexit fudge. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod

Is it time to challenge stereotypical ideas about male and female sexual desire? We hear from women who think so. According to Dr Wednesday Martin research in recent years has suggested that much of what we've been told by scientists is untrue, for instance the assertions that men have a stronger libido than women and that men struggle with monogamy more than women do. She joins award-winning comedian and playwright Fran Bushe to discussIt's a week since Theresa May announced her resignation as Conservative Party Leader – we look at the reaction to her stepping down and discuss the news highlights of the week with director of Civil Exchange, Caroline Slocock, Co-founder and editor of Black Ballad, Tobi Oredein and journalist Sonia Sodha.When we talk about men and women's levels of sexual desire, do we too often default to using narrow, stereotypical categories? According to Dr Wednesday Martin research in recent years has suggested that much of what we've been told by scientists up till now is untrue, for instance the assertions that men have a stronger libido than women and that men struggle with monogamy more than women do. She joins award-winning comedian and playwright Fran Bushe to discuss.Booksmart is a new film about best friends and academic overachievers Amy and Molly who on the eve of their graduation from school discover they may have spent too much time studying and not enough time partying. It has been described as one of the most perfect coming-of-age films. We speak to the journalist and writer Karen Krizanovich and film student Sophie Foxley.Presenter: Jenni Murray Producer: Helen Fitzhenry

Jessica Elgot is joined by Sarah Elliott, Martha Gill, Sonia Sodha and Will Tanner to discuss the week's key political events. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod

Rowena Mason is joined by Anushka Asthana, Lewis Baston, Flora Coleman and Sonia Sodha to discuss the fallout of the local elections and their potential impact on the upcoming European elections. Plus, Carl Benjamin's comments about Jess Phillips, and last week's Brexit optimism gives way to further uncertainty. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod

Sonia Sodha is joined by Owen Jones, Polly Toynbee and Will Tanner to discuss what Brexit horrors await. Plus: why people under 50 aren't voting for the Tories. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod

Sonia Sodha is joined by Jonathan Freedland, Ellie Mae O'Hagan and Katy Balls to discuss next week's looming Brexitgeddon. Plus: with another People's Vote march happening this weekend, we talk second referendums. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod

The leader column has long been a feature of newspapers. But the editor of The Herald, the Scottish broadsheet, has now ended daily leaders, believing that readers can make up their own mind on an issue. Could this set a precedent for other newspapers to follow? Also in the show, two editors discuss making a magazine for their very particular audiences. Amol is joined by Anna Bassi, editor in chief of The Week Junior, Hattie Brett, editor of Grazia, Katherine Rushton, the Daily Mail's media and technology editor, and Sonia Sodha of The Observer. Presenter: Amol Rajan Producer: Richard Hooper

Is there a better way to heal political divides - through panels of ordinary citizens? Sonia Sodha asks if the idea of citizens' assemblies, which have been used around the world to come up with solutions to polarising issues. Proponents argue that they avoid the risks of knee-jerk legislation, winner-takes-all outcomes or the pull of populism. Many in the Republic of Ireland believe that deliberative democracy was crucial in reforming the law on abortion without causing major political upheavals. Could this method still come up with a better way forward for Brexit? Producer: Maire Devine

Jessica Elgot is joined by Sonia Sodha, Peter Walker and Ryan Shorthouse to discuss the latest Brexit progress, or lack of it. Plus: we weigh up the contenders in the US Democratic presidential race, and wonder what to do about Tory obstructionist Christopher Chope. To support The Guardian's independent journalism, visit theguardian.com/give/podcast

Pippa Crerar is joined by Tom Baldwin, Sonia Sodha and Jill Rutter to discuss the government's Brexit contingency plans. Plus MPs and our panel pick their summer reading lists. Please support our work and help us keep the world informed. To fund us, go to https://www.theguardian.com/give/podcast

Pippa Crerar is joined by Jennifer Rankin, Rafael Behr, Sonia Sodha and Randeep Ramesh to discuss the EU summit, cabinet disunity, civlity in politics and the tension between gut feelings and evidence in policymaking. Please support our work and help us keep the world informed. To fund us, go to https://www.theguardian.com/give/podcast

Heather Stewart is joined by Torsten Bell, Iman Amrani and Sonia Sodha to discuss proposals for addressing the growing wealth gap between Britain's young and older generations. Also this week: Anand Menon rounds up another frantic week of Brexit news. Please support our work and help us keep the world informed. To fund us, go to https://www.theguardian.com/give/podcast

Pippa Crerar is joined by Amelia Gentleman, Sonia Sodha, Colin Yeo and Sarah Teather to discuss the government's chaotic response to reports of Caribbean people who came to the UK as children in the 1950s and 60s being denied their rights. Plus Libby Brooks reports from Holyrood on how the Scottish parliament is dealing with sexual harassment. Please support our work and help us keep the world informed. To fund us, go to https://www.theguardian.com/give/podcast

Almost half of the UK's school leavers are now going to university. But the university sector is under more scrutiny than ever before. Sonia Sodha argues that it's time to take a profound look at what universities are really for. Should we be spending vast amounts of public money educating young people at this level if the main purpose is to get ahead of the next person? Are vast numbers of students being failed by a one-size-fits-all system that prizes academic achievement above all else? Why has Apple - and several other companies in Silicon Valley - decided that training young people's imagination and sense of civic culture is of paramount importance? What are the long-term risks to society if universities increasingly become little more than training grounds for the workplace? Producer: Adele Armstrong.

Anushka Asthana is joined by Sonia Sodha, Matt Zarb-Cousin and Laura Round to discuss whether British politics has moved beyond a simple left-right division. Plus Stephanie Kirchgaessner reports from Rome on the aftermath of the Italian election. Please support our work and help us keep the world informed. To fund us, go to https://www.theguardian.com/give/podcast

Heather Stewart and Anushka Asthana discuss the cabinet shake-up, plus Sonia Sodha, Torsten Bell and Neal Lawson on the concept of a universal basic income. Please support our work and help us keep the world informed. To fund us, go to https://www.theguardian.com/give/podcast

Heather Stewart is joined by Larry Elliott, Sonia Sodha and Robert Colvile to discuss the second budget of the year. Plus we hear from Robert Chote – the man responsible for the drastic downward revision to Britain's economic growth forecasts – and the Resolution Foundation's Matthew Whittaker. Please support our work and help us keep the world informed. To fund us, go to https://www.theguardian.com/give/podcast

Heather Stewart is joined by Rowena Mason, Sonia Sodha and Meg Russell to discuss Theresa May's ability to operate without a majority. Plus Prof Rob Ford on the Tories' troublesome right flank and Conservative MP Ben Bradley on enticing young people to consider voting Tory. Please support our work and help us keep the world informed. To fund us, go to https://www.theguardian.com/give/podcast

Anushka Asthana is joined by Matthew Taylor, Boni Sones, Robert Booth and Sonia Sodha to discuss the abuse faced by politicians on social media and elsewhere and the government's response to a new review of self-employment and the ‘gig economy'. Please support our work and help us keep the world informed. To fund us, go to https://www.theguardian.com/give/podcast

Union membership is in decline whilst structural changes in the economy - including the rise of the so-called gig economy - are putting downward pressure on wages, and creating fertile conditions for exploitation by unscrupulous employers. So who is going to ensure that workers get a fair deal? Sonia Sodha, chief leader writer for the Observer, investigates. Producer: David Edmonds.

Is public affection for the NHS preventing it from becoming fit for the future? Polling suggests that despite many complaints about the public health service, it is regarded as a much-loved and uniquely British institution. That's why for decades, it has been an article of faith among politicians that closing down hospitals or major medical services is close to electoral suicide. Received wisdom is that members of the public are dogmatically attached to their local hospitals. But could our attachment be more than just dogma? And what happens when politicians and professionals believe they know what needs to change - but the public come to an altogether different answer? Amid a time of rising demand, rising costs, and changing priorities, Sonia Sodha of The Observer explores the subtle relationship between public opinion and healthcare management. Producer: Gemma Newby.

On this week’s Murnaghan podcast – Boris Johnson was said to have been left “absolutely furious” after it was reported last week that he privately disclosed to a handful of EU Ambassadors that he supports freedom of movement, despite the Government’s ‘hard’ stance on Brexit. Dermot puts these claims to the Foreign Secretary, Mr Johnson. UKIP’s newly elected leader, Paul Nuttall, has said he intends to replace the Labour party and make UKIP the patriotic voice of working people. We hear from Angela Eagle, the Labour MP for Wallasey, who stood against Jeremy Corbyn in the party's leadership race. Could the Liberal Democrat success in Richmond be the first of many election upsets for the Conservative party? Dermot speaks to Mr. Clegg about what this by-election means for the party and for the Brexit process. And finally, as always, a team of top political pundits chew over this week’s news – Christian May, Editor at City AM; Sonia Sodha, Columnist at the Observer and comedian Mark Dolan.

With Brexit negotiations looming and MPs on their way back to Westminster for the start of a new Parliament, the summer holidays are well and truly over. And whilst the Prime Minister attends the G20 summit, at home Jeremy Hunt 's dispute with the junior doctors continues... This week's episode features interviews with the Shadow Health Secretary, Diane Abbott MP; the former Media, Culture and Sport Secretary, John Whittingdale and the former Northern Ireland Secretary, Theresa Villiers MP. Finally, we hear from two top political pundits for their take on the week's news - Isabel Hardman, Associate Editor of the Spectator, and Sonia Sodha, former adviser to Ed Millband. All on this week's Murnaghan podcast! #Murnaghan #Skynews #Brexit #EUref

How are councils in two of the UK's most multicultural places managing diversity? Back in the 1970s, the Labour party developed a model of working with ethnic minority and faith community groups to help new immigrants to Britain settle in. Presenter Sonia Sodha, a British Asian journalist, explores how this has worked in Leicester, a city often held up as a beacon of diversity. Has it led to more integration - or less? And does a radical new approach being trialled in Newham - the most diverse place in Britain - offer any lessons? Sonia Sodha is chief leader writer of The Observer and a former Labour party aide.

Freedom of movement will be a key battleground in Britain's crucial EU debate. It gives EU citizens the right to live and work anywhere in the union and is praised by supporters as boosting prosperity. But critics say it has created unsustainable waves of mass migration and must be restricted. So where does this policy actually come from, and what does it mean in practice? Sonia Sodha discovers why it has become such a crucial issue, and what's at stake as Britain decides its European future. Producer: Chris Bowlby Editor: Hugh Levinson (Photo credit: Getty Images)

Is it time to rethink how we care for older people, to enable them to have fulfilling lives? In recent years the media has highlighted terrible cases of paid carers abusing and neglecting vulnerable, older people. Is it now time for a more fundamental re-examination of how society should care for older people? Much is made of the poor status, low wages and lack of training of workers in the care system. Why are older people entrusted to them in a way which we would never allow for children? Should we tackle the view that old age is simply a period of decline that has to be managed rather than an opportunity for a fulfilling final chapter of life? Sonia Sodha examines new thinking from Japan, the US and closer to home about how care might be done differently. And she considers whether we need to change our approach to how we look after the elders in our society. Producer: Ian Muir-Cochrane.

Mark Thompson and Emma Burnell discuss recent events in politics in the all new revived House of Comments podcast. This week they are joined by former Ed Miliband adviser Sonia Sodha to discuss the budget, Leveson and blogs, Workfare and JSA targets and immigration bonds.

Roberto Unger is an American-based thinker who is highly critical of the current ideas from left-of-centre politicians and thinkers about how to restore advanced economies to healthy growth. His devastating attack last summer on what he saw as the shortcomings of President Obama's plans for a second term made him an overnight internet sensation. For Unger, what he and others call "vulgar Keynesianism" - the idea that governments should spend more money to stimulate growth and create jobs - has little left to offer. It is unlikely to have a big enough impact and will disappoint both politicians and voters. Instead, he argues, those who think of themselves as progressive need to think much more boldly and creatively. And this applies not just to ideas about the economy but also to politics and democratic institutions. What he sees as a drab, predictable - and failed - approach needs a complete overhaul. In this edition of "Analysis", Tim Finch talks to Roberto Unger about his critique of left-of-centre thinking. He asks him to justify his criticisms of current ideas and to set out his alternative vision. Tim then discovers from figures on the left here in Britain how they react to Unger's approach and how likely it is that "vulgar Keynesianism" will give way to something new. Among those taking part: Jon Cruddas, MP; Sonia Sodha; Tamara Lothian; Stuart White and David Hall-Matthews. Producer Simon Coates.