Best Farmers Guardian Podcasts (2025)

1
Exeter young farmer starts new calf rearing venture on family farm 31:03

3d ago31:03

31:03

For 24 year-old Elle Slade, a sixth generation farmer from Exeter, a career in farming was ‘non-negotiable’. It was, she says, quite obvious from a very young age that farming was her passion. But a turning point for Elle was when her dad told her and her brother that if they wanted to come back to the family farm one day, they must bring ‘somethin…

1
Streams of medicines: how Switzerland cleaned up its act 15:54

4d ago15:54

15:54

Switzerland is leading the world in purifying its water of micropollutants, a concoction of chemicals often found in bodies of water that look crystal clear. They include common medicines like antidepressants and antihistamines, but have unknown and potentially damaging consequences for human and ecosystem health. In the second of a two-part series…

1
Trump triggers global meltdown while Starmer scrambles – Politics Weekly UK 33:17

4d ago33:17

33:17

As fears of a global recession continue in the wake of Donald Trump’s tariffs, Keir Starmer insists the UK should keep a cool head. But with markets in turmoil and a looming economic crisis, does the prime minister need to be bolder? John Harris asks the Guardian columnist Gaby Hinsliff. Plus, he speaks to Daisy Cooper, deputy leader of the Liberal…

1
Streams of medicines: what’s hiding in the UK’s waterways? 15:55

6d ago15:55

15:55

The UK is known for its national parks: areas of outstanding natural beauty with rolling hills and crystal-clear streams and lakes. But research has shown that England’s most protected rivers are full of pharmaceuticals. In episode one of a two-part series, biodiversity reporter Phoebe Weston tells Madeleine Finlay about the problem of chemical pol…

1
Can we build national health on British food? Meet the farmers and NHS caterers backing farmers 40:51

10d ago40:51

40:51

The Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said funds raised from Inheritance Tax would be used to fund things like the NHS, but farmers are a key part of fixing the national health crises. In this podcast, online editor Emily Ashworth speaks to one farm who are hoping to provide a local hospital with their sustainability produced beef, and Frank Fiore, a…

1
Trump explodes the world economy: what should the UK do? – Politics Weekly UK 32:59

11d ago32:59

32:59

After weeks of cosying up to Donald Trump, the UK has still been hit with 10% tariffs on exports to the US, which is bad news for the economy and the public finances. So, how tough could things get for Britain? And how should Keir Starmer’s government respond? John Harris asks the former UK ambassador to the US Kim Darroch and the Guardian columnis…

1
‘Parasites should get more fame’: the nominees for world’s finest invertebrate 18:16

11d ago18:16

18:16

Invertebrates don’t get the attention lavished on cute pets or apex predators, but these unsung heroes are some of the most impressive and resilient creatures on the planet. So when the Guardian opened its poll to find the world’s finest invertebrate, readers got in touch in their droves. A dazzling array of nominations have flown in for insects, a…

1
Keto: what’s the science behind the diet? 17:16

13d ago17:16

17:16

While other diet fads come and go, the ultra low carbohydrate Keto diet seems to endure. But as scientists begin to understand how the diet works, more is also being discovered about its risks. To find out more, Madeleine Finlay speaks to Javier Gonzalez, professor in the department of health at the University of Bath, with a special interest in pe…

1
Will Starmer’s approach to Trump tariffs pay off? – Politics Weekly Westminster 21:37

14d ago21:37

21:37

It’s shaping up to be another tricky week for the government, with Donald Trump’s tariffs threatening to blow up everything the chancellor announced in her spring statement. Pippa Crerar and Kiran Stacey look at what the fallout might be, and whether Keir Starmer’s friendly approach will pay off. Plus, with major bill increases hitting millions of …

1
Wes Streeting’s plan to fix the NHS – Politics Weekly Westminster 36:11

17d ago36:11

36:11

The government has put improving the NHS at the heart of its plans, but will it be able to deliver on its promises? And how long could it take to turn the health service around? Pippa Crerar asked health secretary Wes Streeting at a special Guardian Live event. In a wide-ranging discussion, he also took questions on others issues including assisted…

1
Ask the Expert: Your questions about livestock worrying answered - 'ring the police every single time' 26:00

17d ago26:00

26:00

Wales Wildlife and Rural Crime Co-ordinator Rob Taylor answers questions from Farmers Guardian podcast listeners on dog attacks, your rights and what the industry can do Message us

1
The rise and fall of DNA testing company 23andMe 21:49

18d ago21:49

21:49

The genetic testing firm 23andMe has filed for bankruptcy, another twist in the story of a company that promised a pioneering approach to precision health. Now users are scrambling to delete their personal data, with the future ownership of the firm uncertain. To understand the highs and lows of 23andMe’s journey, Madeleine Finlay hears from the Gu…

1
Spring statement: Should a Labour government be making these cuts? – Politics Weekly UK 35:02

18d ago35:02

35:02

Amid poor economic growth forecasts and global instability, Rachel Reeves is trying to balance the books by cutting spending on benefits. So why is a Labour government choosing this path? John Harris is joined by the Guardian’s political editor, Pippa Crerar, and political correspondent Kiran Stacey to unpick what was in the spring statement, and w…

1
Where do our early childhood memories go? 18:37

20d ago18:37

18:37

It’s a mystery that has long puzzled researchers. Why can’t we remember our early childhood experiences? Freud called the phenomenon infantile amnesia, and for many years scientists have wondered whether it’s a result of failure to create memories or just a failure to retrieve them. Now new research appears to point to an answer. To find out more, …

1
Spring statement: What to expect – Politics Weekly Westminster 25:57

21d ago25:57

25:57

Pippa Crerar and Kiran Stacey walk us through what we can expect to hear when Rachel Reeves makes her spring statement on Wednesday. With the government facing downgraded growth forecasts, rising borrowing costs and the threat of Donald Trump’s tariffs, how can it boost the economy and save public services? And how will major spending cuts go down …

1
Efra Chair Alistair Carmichael: 'If there was a silver bullet [in the Inheritance Tax battle], I would find it and I would fire it’ 23:17

24d ago23:17

23:17

The farmer and Liberal Democrat MP discusses Defra and why, despite current policies, he does not believe Labour ministers Daniel Zeichner and Steve Reed set out to harm farming. Instead, he says the problem lies with the Treasury and that while the campaign to reverse or amend the family farm tax may be long, farmers must keep campaigning. "When i…

1
A day on the frontline of England’s social care crisis – Politics Weekly UK 35:52

25d ago35:52

35:52

An ageing population, a funding squeeze and a recruitment crisis have taken England’s adult social care system to breaking point. This week, John Harris is in Greater Manchester to find out what a day in the life of a care worker looks like, and whether it is too late to save this vital service. Help support our independent journalism at theguardia…

1
What a dark energy discovery means for the fate of the universe 16:08

25d ago16:08

16:08

Dark energy, the mysterious force powering the expansion of the universe, appears to be weakening over time, according to a major cosmological survey that has thrown the laws of modern physics into doubt. Ian Sample tells Madeleine Finlay how this new finding could shed light on the ultimate fate of the cosmos, and Saul Perlmutter, who won a Nobel …

1
A mysterious millionaire and the quest to live under the sea – podcast 16:02

27d ago16:02

16:02

Before billionaires dreamed of setting up communities on Mars, the ocean was seen as the next frontier in human habitation. Reviving this dream is Deep, a project backed by an anonymous millionaire to the tune of more than £100m that aims to establish a ‘permanent human presence’ under the sea from 2027. Guardian Seascape editor Lisa Bachelor visit…

1
Politics Weekly Westminster: cabinet fears over benefit cuts 22:59

28d ago22:59

22:59

Pippa Crerar and Kiran Stacey discuss whether the backlash to the government’s planned benefit cuts will result in a U-turn. And which other departments could face eye-watering cuts?. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspodBy The Guardian

1
Trump, tariffs and tractors: what do US policy moves mean for UK farming? 36:05

28d ago36:05

36:05

President Donald Trump’s announcement of tariffs are impacting trade patterns around the globe. In this special edition of the Farmers Guardian podcast, Alex Black, Toby Whatley and Andy Newbold from the European Society of Agricultural Engineers discuss Mr Trump’s tariffs, their impact on machinery and agricultural commodity markets and how it aff…

1
Bale grazing can offer livestock farmers a host of benefits but requires careful planning 34:33

1M ago34:33

34:33

In this week's podcast Katie Jones talks to two livestock farmers about bale grazing; how it works for them, the challenges, and the advantages. Message usBy Farmers Guardian

1
Use it or lose it: how to sharpen your brain as you age 14:03

1M ago14:03

14:03

Many of us believe that cognitive decline is an inevitable part of ageing, but a new study looking at how our skills change with age challenges that idea. Ian Sample talks to Ludger Wößmann, a professor of economics at the University of Munich and one of the study’s authors, to find out how the team delved into the data to come to their conclusions…

1
Labour loses its way on benefits reform – Politics Weekly UK 33:45

1M ago33:45

33:45

After months of speculation, the government will soon lay out plans to change the benefits system. Keir Starmer argues that the current system is ‘the worst of all worlds’. But with deep cuts to disability payments on the table, could the changes come at the expense of the most vulnerable? And will Labour MPs really be able to support this? John Ha…

1
Mars-a-lago? Did the red planet once have sandy beaches? 13:52

1M ago13:52

13:52

The Mars we know now is arid and dusty, with punishing radiation levels. But, as science correspondent Nicola Davis tells Madeleine Finlay, two new studies add weight to the idea that billions of years ago the red planet was a much wetter place. Nicola explains why researchers now think it was once home to sandy beaches, what a study looking into t…

1
Ed Miliband on net zero in the age of Trump – Politics Weekly Westminster 27:27

1M ago27:27

27:27

Pippa Crerar and Kiran Stacey are joined by Ed Miliband, the energy security and net zero secretary, to discuss Labour’s plans to tackle the climate crisis, the third runway at Heathrow and how secure the path to a greener future looks in the age of Trump. Plus, are cuts to welfare and foreign aid the best way to balance the budget?. Help support o…

1
Why are Northern Irish farmers getting less money for their beef than those in GB? 18:38

1M ago18:38

18:38

As beef prices have risen due to good demand and tight supplies, the differential between prices paid to farmers in Northern Ireland and Great Britain has widened. Ulster Farmers’ Union’s Glen Cuddy and Brendan Kelly discuss the unfairness of the situation, how they are being ignored by the processors when demanding an explanation and urge farmers …

1
Is Trump’s America still an ally to the UK? – Politics Weekly UK 30:53

1M ago30:53

30:53

The news that the US had suspended military aid to Ukraine stunned world leaders and led to a rapid reassessment of how much we can really rely on our American ally. Is this the end of the western alliance? John Harris asks our diplomatic editor, Patrick Wintour. Plus, as the UK pledges to boost defence spending by slashing our foreign aid budget, …

1
Moon missions, Musk v scientists, sperm and longevity 22:46

1M ago22:46

22:46

Madeleine Finlay and Ian Sample discuss three intriguing science stories from the week. From two private moon landings to the controversy over Elon Musk’s continued membership of the Royal Society, and a new study making a link between men’s health and their sperm quality. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/sciencepod…

1
Why it’s boom time for beavers in England 14:38

1M ago14:38

14:38

Beavers were once abundant in the UK, but hunting them for their fur, meat and scent oil drove them to extinction. Now they’re back, with the news that the release of beavers into English waterways is to be allowed for the first time in centuries. To understand why this is seen as a huge win for the environment, Madeleine Finlay hears from the Guar…

1
Will Starmer’s peace plan work after the Trump-Zelenskyy clash? – Politics Weekly Westminster 25:59

1M ago25:59

25:59

Pippa Crerar and Kiran Stacey reflect on the momentous events of the last few days, after the jaw-dropping exchange between Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelenskyy. As Keir Starmer takes on a pivotal role in lowering the temperature between the US and Ukraine, will his plan for a ‘coalition of the willing’ work? And, what does it all mean for the futu…

1
Special episode: Inside the room when Starmer met Trump – Politics Weekly Westminster 31:03

1M ago31:03

31:03

Pippa Crerar and Kiran Stacey have a behind-the-scenes look at Keir Starmer’s trip to meet Donald Trump at the White House, after Pippa travelled with the prime minister to Washington DC. So, how was Starmer’s charm offensive received by the president? And has the trip moved the dial on Ukraine and tariffs? Send your questions and feedback to polit…

1
From Brighton to the countryside: Young Plumpton college student talks about not being put off a farming career 32:24

2M ago32:24

32:24

Coco Jalloh was told to pursue something else at school; that she was too academic for farming. Her passion and determination, however, has seen her find her way into agriculture, with hopes of becoming a farm vet. Message usBy Farmers Guardian

1
Drinks cans and chicken bones: will ‘technofossils’ be humanity’s lasting legacy? 15:47

2M ago15:47

15:47

When the palaeontologists of the future search for clues to understand how we lived, what might they find? Two scientists exploring this question have suggested that ‘technofossils’ will be our lasting imprint on the Earth. To find out exactly what these are and what they could reveal about our lives, Madeleine Finlay hears from the Guardian’s envi…

1
On the road in south Wales: why is Reform UK on the rise? 38:13

2M ago38:13

38:13

This week, Politics Weekly UK is on the road in south-east Wales, hearing from those in traditional Labour heartlands. But with people increasingly frustrated that public services are crumbling and that nothing seems to change, Nigel Farage’s party fancies its chances at next year’s Senedd elections. John Harris asks why Reform UK is on the rise in…

1
How Trump unleashed chaos in science 21:07

2M ago21:07

21:07

In his first month in office the US president has thrown science in the US into chaos, delaying projects and casting the future of research funding and jobs into doubt. To understand everything that has happened in the month since he took office and what its impact could be, Madeleine Finlay hears from science editor Ian Sample and Prof Harold Varm…

1
Can Starmer stop Trump’s Ukraine sell-out? – Politics Weekly Westminster 26:34

2M ago26:34

26:34

Pippa Crerar and Kiran Stacey look ahead to a pivotal week of diplomacy for Keir Starmer as he prepares to visit the White House. With Donald Trump’s hostility towards Kyiv looming large over the three-year anniversary of Russia’s all-out invasion of Ukraine, can the prime minister persuade the US president to change tack? Send your questions and f…

1
Scotland's new Tenant Farming Commissioner - Up-to-date data is 'key' to understanding the current and future situation of Scotland's tenanted sector 27:14

2M ago27:14

27:14

Scotland's new Tenant Farming Commissioner, Rob Black, talks about the importance of capturing data, the need for more face-to-face conversations between landlords and tenants to help resolve disputes, and why he is focused on finding ways to entice landlords to let out their land and provide more opportunity for farm tenancies. ===================…

1
Singing mice, constipated kids and nurture beats nature: science stories of the week 19:01

2M ago19:01

19:01

Science editor Ian Sample joins co-host Madeleine Finlay to discuss some of the most intriguing science stories of the week. From a concerning rise in hospital diagnoses of constipation in children, to research suggesting that the environment is far more important for ageing and longevity than our genes, and how squeaks from genetically engineered …

1
What role could the UK play in ending the Ukraine war? – Politics Weekly 31:24

2M ago31:24

31:24

Donald Trump’s plans to end the war in Ukraine have taken centre stage this week. But, with Ukraine excluded from US-Russia talks, could they really accept what might be on offer? And what role will the UK and Europe play?John Harris hears from diplomatic editor Patrick Wintour and columnist Gaby Hinsliff about what a resolution could look like Sen…

1
Should we ban cats? 16:22

2M ago16:22

16:22

The Scottish first minister, John Swinney, was recently forced to deny plans to ban cats after a report from independent experts said the species was a threat to Scotland’s wildlife. In the UK, it is estimated that cats kill or bring home 57 million mammals and 27 million birds every year. Ian Sample hears from cat-owner Madeleine Finlay and the ec…

1
The pig farmer fighting Parkinson's Disease one punch at a time 29:56

2M ago29:56

29:56

On the pod this week, we are joined by former two-time National Pig Association chair, Richard Longthorp, to discuss a very important topic of Parkinson’s Disease. Richard, a former pig farmer from Howden in East Yorkshire, was diagnosed with the condition back in 2017. What you’ll hear during the course of this pod is how fitness, particularly box…

1
What is ‘mirror life’ and why are scientists sounding the alarm? 17:26

2M ago17:26

17:26

Recently, a group of world-leading scientists called for a halt on research to create ‘mirror life’ microbes amid concerns that the synthetic organisms would present an ‘unprecedented risk’ to life on Earth. Ian Sample tells Madeleine Finlay about why this work initially seemed exciting for scientists and what the risks of it continuing could be. A…

1
Is the assisted dying bill doomed? – Politics Weekly UK 31:50

2M ago31:50

31:50

The spotlight was back on the assisted dying bill this week after it was revealed that the requirement for a high court judge to decide on cases was to be scrapped. Those in favour of assisted dying say the change will make it safer, but does it undermine trust in the bill? Gaby Hinsliff, in for John Harris, talks to our deputy political editor, Je…

1
Don’t look up: is an asteroid heading for Earth? 15:43

2M ago15:43

15:43

In a case of life imitating art, a 100-metre-wide asteroid has triggered global planetary defence procedures for the first time, after telescope observations revealed it had a chance of colliding with Earth in 2032. To find out what happens now and how worried we should be, Ian Sample hears from Richard Binzel, a professor of planetary sciences at …

1
Can Kemi and Keir combat the rise of Reform UK? – Politics Weekly Westminster 26:01

2M ago26:01

26:01

As Reform UK creeps up the polls, Pippa Crerar and Kiran Stacey look at how the Conservatives and Labour are responding to the threat from Nigel Farage’s party. Plus, will the government’s efforts to show voters it is serious about tackling illegal migration cut through? Send your questions and feedback to [email protected]. Help sup…

1
Special episode: Behind the scenes of David Lammy’s Ukraine trip 25:28

2M ago25:28

25:28

Almost three years after Russia invaded Ukraine, what is the situation like on the ground in Kyiv? And is there a path to peace? Pippa Crerar travelled to the war-ravaged country with the foreign secretary to find out. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspodBy The Guardian

1
Ahead of the latest farmer rally against proposed changes to Inheritance Tax, organiser Liz Webster discusses the importance of industry unity, next steps for the Government and the rise of Reform 20:35

2M ago20:35

20:35

This week, Farmers Guardian news reporter Jane Thynne, caught up with founder of Save British Farming and co-organiser of the London tractor rallies Liz Webster to discuss Inheritance Tax, the rise of Reform and where the Government goes from here. Message us

1
Starmer’s diplomatic dance with Trump and the EU – Politics Weekly UK 30:49

2M ago30:49

30:49

Keir Starmer is treading a fine line as he avoids picking sides between the EU and US. But with Donald Trump saying he wants to ‘take over’ Gaza and threatening to impose tariffs on the EU, can the prime minister really keep both on side? John Harris asks Prof Anand Menon, director of UK in a Changing Europe, and Guardian columnist Gaby Hinsliff Se…

1
DeepSeek, weapons and climate? What’s on the table at the Paris AI summit? 16:03

2M ago16:03

16:03

From the shockwaves caused by DeepSeek’s launch, to fears of a new AI arms race, and the continued questions over the technology’s energy use, AI continues to throw up new challenges. As world leaders gather for the Paris AI summit, the Guardian’s global technology editor, Dan Milmo, joins Madeleine Finlay to discuss what will be top of the agenda.…

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Farmers Guardian Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Quick Reference Guide

zproxy.org