Episode 1 – When journalists take on the politicians!
In the first episode of series 3, Stephen explores the art of interviewing politicians with his guest, Times Radio’s Darryl Morris.
From MPs who storm out to the journalists who ask, ask and ask again. But are they getting it right? What should be the role of the political journalist?
Episode 2 – The rise in transgressive communication in politics
In this episode Professor Stephen Coleman looks at the rise of illiberalism in politics. He’s joined by Professor Lance Bennett from the University of Washington, Seattle, to explore how transgressive communication is the leading edge of democratic erosion.
Episode 3 – Speaking in public when you’ve never done it before
In this episode we consider how non-politicians, many of whom have important experiences and ideas to impart, make their voices heard in the political arena.
What is it that makes people feel unconfident about speaking in public? How can these fears be overcome? Why is it is important for every voice to count?
To discuss this, Professor Stephen Coleman is joined by Dr Sarah Weston, formerly of the University of Manchester and now at Queen’s University Belfast.
Episode 4 – The personality politician
In this episode, Professor Stephen Coleman explores the role of personality in politics and asks does it help or hinder democracy? He’s joined by the former BBC political journalist and current political strategist, Guto Harri.
Guto was at university with the former Prime Minister Boris Johnson. He worked for him has his director of communication when Boris was the Mayor of London and in Downing Street when he was the Prime Minister, during the partygate scandal.
Episode 5 – Politicians and their language around war
In this episode we consider how politicians tell stories about war and how journalists re-tell those stories. To help, Professor Stephen Coleman is joined by award-winning Sunday Times war correspondent, Louise Callaghan.
Episode 6 – The politician as one of us
In this episode we ask whether voters really want to be represented by politicians who sound ‘just like them’. To help explore this question, Stephen is joined by Professor Peter Allen from the University of Bath, author of the book, The Political Class: Why It Matters Who Our Politicians.
Episode 7 – Laughing at politics in the era of the meme
In this episode Professor Stephen Coleman explores political satire. What’s funny about politics? Should it be funny? How is political humour being democratised in the age of the online meme? Helping to make sense of it all is Dr Ros Southern of the University of Liverpool.
Episode 8 – Have you heard the political rumour?
In this episode Professor Stephen Coleman explores the role of rumours in politics – looking at how they influence public opinion, campaign strategy, and political decision-making.
He’s joined by Conservative MP Simon Hart, who served as Secretary of State for Wales under Boris Johnson (2019–2022), and more recently Chief Whip in Rishi Sunak’s government (2022–2024).
Episode 9 – Rap and Politics
In this episode we explore the ways in which rap music can serve as a political voice of the excluded.
Why have politicians so often attacked rap lyrics? Is rap telling a story that political elites are failing to register?
Stephen’s guest is Lavar Pope, who is Associate Professor at Loyola University, Chicago.
The Sound of Politics 