Historian and broadcaster David Olusoga joins Ellen and Alona to discuss political attacks on American history, the challenges facing academia in the UK—and how future generations will view England’s colonial history. Our newsfeeds are dominated by towering figures like Trump and Elon Musk—but does the “great man” theory still hold? Is history really made by millions of ordinary people? How will historians look back at this moment? And with UK universities under pressure, he discusses why the humanities are still vital. Plus, Ellen and Alona discuss whether the clocks going forward is a “banger” or a “dud”. ‘A Journey through Time’ with David Olusoga and Sarah Churchwell can be streamed&nbsp;<a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/journey-through-time/id1802085505" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">here</a>.

David Olusoga: History is under attack from Trump

Asbestos might seem like a problem of the past, but it is still killing thousands every year. In the March issue of&nbsp;Prospect, Charlotte wrote about how her father’s death from mesothelioma—a cancer caused by asbestos—led her into years of research, uncovering a shocking history of corporate negligence and government inaction. This week, Charlotte joins the Prospect podcast to share her findings. How long have we known asbestos is deadly? How have companies actively covered up the dangers? And why is asbestos still present in our homes, workplaces and schools, today? Charlotte discusses the latest push for justice—and whether those responsible will ever be held to account. Plus, Ellen and Alona weigh up school phone bans: “banger” or “dud”? To read Charlotte’s piece ‘Asbestos: a corporate coverup, a public health catastrophe’, head to prospectmagazine.co.uk.

Killer dust: asbestos and corporate coverups

This week, the Prospect podcast meets&nbsp;Kyoto, the new West End play dramatising the high-stakes negotiations behind the 1997 Kyoto Protocol. Written by Joe Murphy and Joe Robertson, the play brings to life the power struggles, disruptors, and unexpected alliances that shaped the first major international climate treaty. Prospect’s Isabel Hilton sits down with the playwrights and former UK negotiator Peter Unwin to discuss the real-life drama behind the diplomacy, whether multilateralism still works, and what Kyoto’s legacy means for today’s climate crisis. Plus, Ellen and Alona mull over whether musicals are a “banger” or a “dud”.<a href="https://www.rsc.org.uk/kyoto/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Kyoto</a>&nbsp;is playing at London’s Soho Place Theatre until 3rd May 2025.To read Isabel’s writing on geopolitics and climate, head to prospectmagazine.co.uk.

Big oil and the real story of Kyoto

This month’s episode features journalist Kiran Sidhu on the power of communal dance, and actor and writer Sheila Hancock on the need for more women in global politics. Gen Z-er Alice Garnett imagines a world without TikTok, and journalist and host Sarah Collins grapples with the news that her therapist is retiring. Plus, Anglican priest Alice Goodman delves into doubt in the Church.

Prospect Lives: My best sex work clients are married men

Has the United States switched sides, acting in Russia’s interests and abandoning its European allies? Or is the transatlantic alliance still intact—albeit under strain? Prospect’s contributing editor Isabel Hilton joins this week’s podcast to untangle increasingly urgent questions of European defence and security. From Trump cutting intelligence-sharing with Ukraine, to&nbsp;Russian espionage in the UK, Isabel explores the vulnerabilities Europe faces and what might come next. Can European nations defend themselves without US support? Is a “coalition of the willing” or a European army a realistic solution? And what opportunities does America's erratic politics create for China? Plus, Ellen and Alona weigh in on International Women’s Day: “banger” or “dud”?

Donald Trump and the new world order

How do we measure racism? In such politically charged terrain, the need for objective data is clear.By some surveys, half of Brits don’t believe that racism exists. Keon West, social psychologist and visiting professor at LSE, joins the podcast to discuss this phenomenon.Keon explains what data can tell us, and delves into the surprising ways that the UK compares to the US. He unpacks the ingenious studies that reveal how racism really works, and why he thinks the Sewell report commissioned by Boris Johnson was “deeply flawed”.He also talks about conducting experiments in a time of “alternative facts”, why we need to trust the science, instead of just relying on scientists, and how those on the left and right can improve discussions about racism.Plus, after Zelensky’s “dressing down” at the White House, Ellen and Alona talk dress codes: banger or dud?Keon’s book ‘The Science of Racism’ is published by Pan Macmillan and is available&nbsp;<a href="https://www.panmacmillan.com/authors/keon-west/the-science-of-racism/9781035030651" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">here</a>.

Keon West: Racism, science and alternative facts

In this episode of&nbsp;Prospect Lives, journalist Kiran Sidhu mourns her lost cat, while actor and writer Sheila Hancock grapples with ageism at 91. Gen Z-er Alice Garnett attains “regular status” at a London chicken shop, while host and journalist Sarah Collins discusses the end of her honeymoon phase with Athens. Plus, Tilly Lawless explores the two sides of Paris with two different clients.

Prospect Lives: Stop telling me to ‘take it easy’ at 91! 

What is the biggest threat to the international human rights system today? And, in such an unstable world, what hope is there for the future of human rights? This week, Ellen and Alona are joined by Kenneth Roth, who served as the executive director of Human Rights Watch, the NGO, for almost 30 years. During his tenure, Human Rights Watch uncovered abuses across 100 countries and pressured offending governments to stop them. Ken’s new book,&nbsp;Righting Wrongs, tells this story. On the podcast, he discusses the importance of “shame” in holding governments to account, and explores the attacks on Human Rights Watch over the years, particularly regarding its analysis of Israel’s policies and its findings of apartheid in the occupied territories—criticisms which felt even more personal because of his Jewish heritage.Ken also analyses where progressives are failing, the challenge of identity politics, and whether international law truly has any teeth. To read more on this topic from our website, click&nbsp;<a href="https://www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/ideas/law/international-law" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">here.</a>Ken’s book ‘Righting Wrongs: Three Decades on the Front Lines Battling Abusive Governments’ is available&nbsp;<a href="https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/463197/righting-wrongs-by-roth-kenneth/9780241711224" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">here.</a>

China: The greatest threat to human rights

Australia is often referred to as “the lucky country”, a place where good fortune has delivered greater wealth, longer lives and better healthcare. But, as Andrew Low argues in&nbsp;We Should Be So Lucky, Australia’s achievements are not merely a matter of luck—they stem from a distinctive blend of political, social and economic institutions and values. Andrew sat down with Sir Clive Cowdery, Publisher of&nbsp;Prospect&nbsp;and Chairman of Resolution Life, to discuss the new book, which is published by&nbsp;Prospect Editions. Drawing on his vast experience in global business and finance and his deep connection to Australia, Andrew offers a compelling analysis of how “The Australian Way” works and why it matters. The book is both a celebration of what Australia has achieved and a guide for other democracies seeking solutions to their own challenges. <a href="https://www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/prospect-editions" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Prospect Editions</a>&nbsp;is the new book-publishing arm of Prospect magazine. You can find its inaugural title We Should Be So Lucky,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.hatchards.co.uk/book/we-should-be-so-lucky/andrew-low/9781068318603" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">here</a>.

The Prospect Interview

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