Hello! Welcome to the first episode of Reasons to be Cheerful. In this edition, we'll explore Universal Basic Income (UBI) with Scott Santens. Find out about Ed's exercise humiliation, a near-visit to the Oval Office, and why Geoff's toilet is causing such a stir. AND We're joined by comedian Gráinne Maguire, who brings her ideas to make the world a better place. Think cows in hats, shame by search history and explaining the "joke".
Hello! Ready for episode two of Reasons to be Cheerful? In this edition, we'll explore the dominance of the high-tech giants like Uber, Google, Amazon and Facebook, whether we should curb their power and how with our guest Nick Srnicek. We also discuss Nick the Flying Brick, Quiz Master Ed, and terrible dancing. AND Comedian Bec Hill brings us her ideas to make the world that little bit better. Beds, school discipline for those naughty MPs, harassment, and being muted by Elon Musk.
Hello! Here comes episode three! Why aren't women getting paid as much as the men doing the same job... and how do we solve it? We're joined by Victoria Budson and Jess Phillips MP to try and get out head around it We also discuss Theresa's cough, Hell Corner Farm, bedwetting, and the temptation to stop a lift full of tories AND Comedian Sara Pascoe makes the world a better place with balloon cars, religious education, and man tax.
Hello! In episode 4 we take on the challenge of keeping home rental affordable. Easy task right? Our guests Emmanuelle Cosse, former French housing minister, and Greg Beales from Shelter bring their expertise to the table and we called Grace and asked her about what it's like to have lived in a rent controlled home for over 30 years. We also discuss "CRUMBS!", retro labelers, and pencil rubbers in the ears. AND Comedian Suzi Ruffell brings joy to the world by pretending to be an assistant stage director, she tells us why kids should be banned from Disneyland and wants everyone to have to "come out" to their parents.
Hello! Episode 5 is full of pollution, it's in the air and it's shortening lives. What can we do about it? Our wonderful guests this week have ideas. Hear from London Mayor, Sadiq Khan, Andrea Lee from ClientEarth & Jens Frolich Holte, Norway's Former Adviser to the Minister of Environment and Climate Geoff and Ed adventurously take on a GIANT revel, take a stroll and take a selfie. AND Comedian Amy Annette wants the world to listen, and us all to be allowed to take up a bit more space.
[Episode 5.5] We were pretty comfortable on Sadiq's office sofa, overlooking Tower Bridge and The Thames, so we made the most of Sadiq's time and asked him a few more questions In this bonus, hear Sadiq talking about his all-time hero, wood burning stoves, Brexit and the tragic consequences of a no deal, the relationship between London and the rest of the country, housing, Uber, the strength of diversity, and London being a beacon of the world.
Hello! Episode 6 is on drugs. Legally? Illegally? Is the war on drugs ever going to end? Niamh Eastwood, Executive Director at Release and Sam Kamin, Professor of Marijuana Law at the University of Denver join us to talk about the merits and pitfalls of decriminalisation. Ed and Geoff talk Cheesecake, Halloween fun and Your Sinclair magazine AND Comedian Ayesha Hazarika thinks the world would be better if we double our dishwashers, provide karaoke-for-all and have less choice.
Hello! 16-year-olds are allowed to have sex and are made to pay tax... so... should they have a say when it comes to who runs the country? We're joined by Professor Alan Lee Williams, who fought the original battle to bring the voting age down to 18 in the 1960s, Ruth Davidson MSP, who, as leader of the Scottish Conservative Party is pushing votes at 16 agenda, and Anna Barker, Chair of the British Youth Council, puts it the perspective of her youthful peers. Award Nominated Ed and terrible risotto chef Geoff take their shoes off and reminisce about what they were doing at 16. AND Tiff Stevenson wants men to be taught what a compliment is, a ban on the phrase "as a father of daughters", and thinks cat videos can change the world.
Hello! In Episode 8 we learn about the tax which has been advocated since the 1800s, was supported by Winston Churchill and is widely regarded by economists as the perfect tax despite being elusive to policy makers. Our guests Joe Sarling & Catherine Cashmore guide us through the pros, cons and challenges of introducing a Land Value Tax Geoff and Ed talk about firing people, getting lost with Boris, and reflect on the team outing. AND David Axelrod with frank answers about the successes and failures of American politics. The stories from behind the scenes of Obama's running for office and reflections on Trump.
Hello! With increasing newspaper scare stories about transgender rights, we thought it might be an idea to give some airtime to the perspective and voice of trans people so those of us who aren't experts on the issue can understand a bit more. We talk to a parent of a trans child, Joe, award-winning writer Paris Lees, and Dr Helen Webberley, a doctor who works with trans young people who explain why advances in trans rights are Reasons To Be Cheerful. Ed and Geoff open the listener art gallery and break up to travel the world. AND Miranda Kane joins us to recommend we haunt political buildings, get Benedict Cumberbatch to her house and shut everyone up after a million words.
Hello! With Geoff in Chicago, the birthplace of modern community organising, we thought it’d be a great opportunity to discuss the transformative power of community organising and why it’s a Reason To Be Cheerful. We are joined by veteran community organiser Jerry Kellman, who gave a 24 year old Barack Obama his first job as an organiser in Chicago in 1985. We also speak to Dan Firth from We Can Win about the transformative power of community organising in the U.K. Geoff talks grilled cheese and Thanksgiving with the inlaws and Ed discusses parental leave and feminist foreign policy in Sweden. AND We’re also joined by US comedian Emily Galati who pitches her ideas.
Hello! Time to debunk some myths about the millionaires and their tax habits. Spoilers... It's highly likely we can make them chip in a bit more without them upping and leaving. Cristobal Young has the stats to prove it, Karen Stewart is happy to pay more and Prem Sikka is our expert in the UK. Ed & Geoff are reunited and sharing their holiday anecdotes, but NOT the presents that have been misplaced AND Angela Barnes joins us, pleading for - horn variety, flirting lessons, child-friendly carriages and a tour of the cold war bunkers.
Hello! "Culture" noun: Relating to the arts and to intellectual achievements. But what does it really mean for the towns across the nation? Renowned artist Grayson Perry, Sharon Darley from Goodwin Trust in Hull & Dr Dave O'Brien share their thoughts. Ed & Geoff are taking selfies, swapping awards and treading the boards. AND Helen Monks wants us to talk to each other, more empathy and free tea. AND Kevin the Cat!
Hello! It's the most wonderful time of the year... when everyone works double to earn enough to splurge on Christmas presents. But it is all worth it when the only person benefiting from your overtime is the company you work for? Torsten Bell and Heather Boushey join us to talk straight about where Britain is going wrong when it comes to overtime. Geoff cries and Ed wins against Murdoch AND We're joined by Jessica Fostekew who's hacking human biology to create a forgetting serum, shaking up democracy and enjoying the sight of dancing babies.
Merry Christmas! We've invited some people over to play the now legendary board game Class Stuggle. Who will win? Fantastic comedian Bridget Christie, Joel Cornah, of The Miliverse twitter account fame, take on Ed and Geoff. BUT Before that, we get Rachel Reeves MP and Comedian Sarah Millican on to hear how they're making the world less lonely.