In this week’s episode, what we thought was going to be a gentle look at the BBC as a public service, turned out to be a little overheated… let’s blame it on the weather. Plus look out for this week’s special guest, (a very much AI generated), Boris Johnson.

In Front Page Face Off, there were two articles that grabbed our attention, one to do with China and their green credentials, and another looking at the explosion of weight loss drugs and the effect on the NHS.

Finally, we open the door of the Rant Room, and welcome Robert Jenrick….. or do we?

LINKS TO ARTICLES

China - https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jun/26/china-breaks-more-records-with-massive-build-up-of-wind-and-solar-power?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other

NHS Weight Loss Drug Rollout https://www.theguardian.com/society/2025/jun/23/nhs-begins-mass-rollout-of-weight-loss-jabs-to-patients-in-england?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other

NHS Weight Loss Drug Problems https://www.theguardian.com/society/2025/jun/26/weight-loss-diabetes-jab-users-report-pancreas-problems?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other

Robert Jenrick video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9HZ6Mb8uOtk

If you would like to comment on this week’s topic and share your views, go to Spotify, YouTube, iTunes, Instagram - all @theconvincemepodcast.

If you'd like to get in touch, email us at studio@convinceme.co.uk

See you next week!

Nige & Maya

TimeStamps:

START 00:00

Intro: 00:56

Nige Debate Start: 02:30

Maya: Debate Start: 08:57

FPFO: 32:24

Rant Room: 43:05

Leave Comments Outro: 48:08

In this episode, we tackle a heated question: Should the UK prioritise relations with the EU over the US? We break down the future of UK foreign policy, the lasting impact of Brexit, and what’s at stake in choosing between deeper ties with Europe or the United States.In this week’s Front Page Face-Off, we explore Nigel Farage’s new economic proposal: foreign residents would pay £250,000 upon arriving in the UK and, in return, be exempt from the new Non-Dom tax rules. The funds raised would be redistributed to the UK’s poorest citizens as an annual top-up.Sound great or like it's too good to be true? We will also look at an article about Glastonbury and Kneecap's controversial appearance. In the rant room, Maya talks Jeff Bezos and his extortionate wedding in Venice that has p*ssed off all the locals. Links to articles mentioned or discussed: https://www.theguardian.com/music/2025/jun/21/kneecaps-glastonbury-performance-not-appropriate-says-keir-starmerhttps://www.theguardian.com/politics/2025/jun/22/reform-unveils-plan-to-top-up-poorest-workers-from-250000-fee-on-rich-uk-newcomers?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Otherhttps://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cd0vjr07570ohttps://moderndiplomacy.eu/2025/01/04/the-uks-strategic-shift-entering-external-association-with-the-united-states/https://www.techuk.org/resource/techuk-and-iti-u-s-uk-trade-deal-can-set-global-tech-agenda.htmlhttps://www.ey.com/en_uk/newsroom/2025/05/uk-fdi-projects-second-in-europe#:~:text=Fall%20in%20US%20projects%20drives,to%2018%25%20of%20European%20projectshttps://www.geostrategy.org.uk/research/who-are-britains-most-important-allies-and-partners/If you would like to comment on this week’s topic and share your views, go to Spotify, YouTube, iTunes, Instagram - all @theconvincemepodcastIf you'd like to get in touch, email us at studio@convinceme.co.ukSee you next week!Nige & MayaTimestamps: START 00:00Intro: 00:18Maya Debate Start: 01:14Nige Debate Start: 18:35FPFO: 32:38Rant Room: 42:37Leave Comments Outro: 44:49

This week, we leave UK politics in the rear view, and delve into a bit of pop culture. Anyone noticed how the price of concert tickets has been increasing to an almost unaffordable level (see Oasis, Taylor Swift etc)? Is this just the free market at work, or are we being ripped off?

In Front Page Face Off, we revisit a topic that is highly emotive, tragic and equally enraging.

And finally, Nige opens up the Rant Room door on last week’s Question Time. Thank God for Fiona is all we can say.

LINKS TO ARTICLES

Grooming Gangs

Daily Telegraph https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2025/06/16/asylum-seekers-behind-new-grooming-gang-cases/

Guardian - https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/06/16/read-grooming-gang-report-in-full/

If you would like to comment on this week’s topic and share your views, go to Spotify, YouTube, iTunes, Instagram - all @theconvincemepodcast.

If you'd like to get in touch, email us at studio@convinceme.co.uk

See you next week!

Nige & Maya

TimeStamps:

START 00:00

Intro: 00:47

Nige Debate Start: 02:13

Maya: Debate Start: 15:08

FPFO: 24:28

Rant Room: 37:05

Leave Comments Outro: 44:42

In this provocative episode, we ask a controversial question: Does the UK need more nuclear weapons? With rising global tensions, shifting alliances, and emerging nuclear powers, is Britain's current deterrent enough—or dangerously outdated?

In front page face off, we look at the decriminalisation of cannabis - whether it will improve police-civilian relationships or turn London into a crime-ridden ghetto...We also look at Mark Zuckerburg's Metaverse and whether it is a safe and welcoming place for women.

We open up the Rant Room and Maya discusses a journalist who has some controversial views on who should be allowed to have children...

LINKS TO ARTICLES

Cannabis

https://www.theguardian.com/society/2025/jun/06/its-high-time-britain-had-another-conversation-about-cannabis?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/05/28/sadiq-khan-decriminalise-cannabis-drug-laws/

Metaverse

https://www.theguardian.com/society/2025/jun/10/the-misogyny-of-the-metaverse-is-mark-zuckerbergs-dream-world-a-no-go-area-for-women?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other

If you would like to comment on this week’s topic and share your views, go to Spotify, YouTube, iTunes, Instagram - all @theconvincemepodcast

If you'd like to get in touch, email us at studio@convinceme.co.uk

See you next week!

Nige & Maya

Timestamps

START 00:00

Intro: 00:19

Maya Debate Start: 01:05

Nige Debate Start: 12:46

FPFO: 27:26

Rant Room: 41:48

Leave Comments Outro: 46:07

This week, Maya has a few camera issues (!), we introduce a new theme tune, and we talk U-Turns - does it show a government listening to the public, or is it just a lack of strategic direction?

In Front Page Face Off, we discuss Nick, apparently not his real name, who has succumb to the manosphere so much that he does unspeakable things to a lamp post. And in TikTok Takedown, Maya discusses the situation of male students struggling to find compatible mates based on their political positioning. And finally the Rant Room is open again, where Nigel takes exception to the Daily Telegraph (again).

LINKS TO ARTICLES

The Manoshpere

https://www.theguardian.com/society/2025/may/25/nick-wanted-to-drop-bodyfat-and-build-his-own-micro-harem-of-women-how-my-friend-fell-for-the-red-pill-hucksters-of-the-manosphere?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other

Tax Dodgers

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/bills/council-tax/number-council-tax-dodgers-soars-highest-level-since-2009/

If you would like to comment on this week’s topic and share your views, go to Spotify, YouTube, iTunes, Instagram - all @theconvincemepodcast.

If you'd like to get in touch, email us at studio@convinceme.co.uk

See you next week!

Nige & Maya

TimeStamps:

START 00:00

Intro: 00:43

Nige Debate Start: 01:32

Maya: Debate Start: 11:21

FPFO: 27:05

TikTok Takedown: 37:18

Rant Room: 42:12

Leave Comments Outro: 44:39

This week came as a bit of surprise as what seemed like an innocent debate about abolishing income tax, turned into a feisty family feud….. well, almost. In Front Page Face Off, we look at the real reasons why the Tory government gave up on their plans to make healthier foods cheaper for everyone, and also in another article, we ask whether political reporting and discussion is created with a definitive male gaze.

Plus the Rant Room is open for business again this week, Nige gets his racquets in a twist of the newest and most ‘vulgar’ sport.

And a special thanks goes out to the builders who were drilling outside Maya's place for the whole time we were recording....

LINKS TO ARTICLES

Health Foods

https://www.theguardian.com/society/ng-interactive/2025/may/17/uk-government-drops-healthy-eating-push-after-lobbying-by-ultra-processed-food-firms?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other

Young Women In Politics

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/may/21/young-men-women-far-right-online-politics-centre-left?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other

Rant Room Article

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/05/18/resist-the-unbritish-allure-of-padel/

If you would like to comment on this week’s topic and share your views, go to Spotify, YouTube, iTunes, Instagram - all @theconvincemepodcast.

If you'd like to get in touch, email us at studio@convinceme.co.uk

See you next week!

Nige & Maya

TimeStamps:

START 00:00

Intro: 00:00:39

Maya Debate Start: 00:01:28

Nige: Debate Start: 00:16:56

FPFO: 00:29:02

Rant Room: 00:42:09

Leave Comments Outro: 00:47:38

In this week’s caffeine-induced episode, we would first like to apologise for the incessant drilling going on in Maya’s ‘recording studio’, hope it’s not too distracting. Today, we discuss Labour’s new immigration White Paper, is it a step in the right direction, or are they kneeling at the feet of Farage?

In Front Page Faceoff, we bring up the cultural phenomenon that is celebrity court cases, in relation to Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni.

Plus the Rant Room is open for business, where Nige gets mildly annoyed at an article in the Telegraph about parents at work, and in TikTok Takedown, Maya discusses our ’sister’ (lol) podcast The Rest Is Politics with Rory Stewart changing his tune.

LINKS TO ARTICLES

Immigration White Paper

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/restoring-control-over-the-immigration-system-white-paper

Blake Lively/ Justin Baldoni

https://www.theguardian.com/film/2025/may/06/misogyny-slop-it-ends-with-us-america-rightwing-blake-lively-justin-baldoni?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other

Work From Home Parents

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/open-secret-parents-work-after-3pm/

If you would like to comment on this week’s topic and share your views, go to Spotify, YouTube, iTunes, Instagram - all @theconvincemepodcast.

If you'd like to get in touch, email us at studio@convinceme.co.uk

See you next week!

Nige & Maya

TimeStamps:

START 00:00

Intro: 00:00:37

Nige Debate Start: 00:01:35

Maya: Debate Start: 00:09:07

FPFO: 00:32:03

Rant Room: 00:39:42

Leave Comments Outro: 00:47:20

In this week's episode, we dive into a question that often gets overlooked: Do local elections in the UK actually make a difference? In light of the recent local elections, does Nigel Farage and Reform's success suggest a shift in public opinion or just a lucky coincidence? With turnout typically low and national politics dominating the headlines, it’s easy to assume local votes don’t carry much weight. But is that really the case?

As always, Maya and Nige take opposing sides — Maya arguing that local councils shape the everyday lives of citizens in powerful ways, the other challenging whether they have any real decision-making power or are just symbolic?

In Front Page Face Off, we discuss the Green Party and Zack Polanski wanting to try out 'Eco-Populism'. We also look at Yvette Cooper and her decision to publish the nationalities of criminals. Finally, we look at living in London and why anyone bothers since the cost of living is so high...?

Links to articles we discussed:

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025/apr/22/home-office-foreign-criminals-nationalities-uk?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/property/house-prices/london-become-capital-frugal-living/

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2025/may/05/green-deputy-zack-polanski-launches-leadership-bid-with-uk-eco-populism-vision?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other

Timestamps:

Intro: 00:00:00-00:00:58

Maya's section: 00:00:59-00:08:46

Nige's section: 00:08:46-00:23:35

FPFO Article 1: 00:23:38-00:29:36

FPFO Article 2: 00:29:37-00:35:42

FPFO Article 3: 00:35:43-00:39:45

End: 00:39:46-00:40:07

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To get in touch, email us at ⁠studio@convinceme.co.uk⁠

See you next week,

Nige and Maya

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