On the Couch

By On The Couch

Society & Culture National Local

What's On the Couch about?

Welcome to On the Couch, a new political podcast from Reaction and broadcaster and psychotherapist Lucy Beresford. In each episode, Lucy is joined by a special guest to take a deep dive into the relationships making the headlines in politics today and explore the psychology of so much in political life.

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On the Couch episodes:

05.02.2024
On the Couch: Steve Baker
On this episode, Lucy Beresford speaks to Steve Baker MP about his mental health, the current dangers facing MPs in their constituencies and what the government can do to improve the nation's mental health.
12.21.2023
On the Couch: Ali Miraj
Lucy speaks to Ali Miraj, financier and political commentator, about 2023, what went wrong for Rishi Sunak and why he needs to stand up to the right of the party.
12.07.2023
On the Couch: Dawn Neesom
On this episode, Lucy speaks to Dawn Neesom, GB News presenter and former editor of the Daily Star, about the Covid inquiry and the stories we tell ourselves about what happened during the pandemic.
11.23.2023
On the Couch: Jill Rutter
Lucy speaks to Jill Rutter about the psychology of economics, the competing narratives around the Autumn Statement and whether Jeremy Hunt is listening to voters or Tory MPs.
11.09.2023
On the Couch: Lord Darroch
Lucy speaks to Kim, Lord Darroch about how Sunak and Starmer are seen to be handling the Israel-Hamas conflict.
10.26.2023
On the Couch: Rachel Johnson
On this episode, Lucy speaks to broadcaster and journalist Rachel Johnson about sexual harassment in Westminster and how to change the culture.
10.13.2023
On the Couch: Robbie Griffiths
Lucy speaks to Londoners' Diary columnist Robbie Griffiths about the role gossip plays in politics, and especially at Party Conferences.
10.05.2023
On the Couch: Baroness Ros Altmann
This week, Lucy speaks to Baroness Altmann CBE, leading UK pensions expert and former pensions minister, about why it's so hard to get people to focus on pensions, and why nudge theory has been proven to help.
09.28.2023
On the Couch: James Kirkup
Lucy speaks to James Kirkup, partner of Apella Advisors (and conference addict of 20+ years) who interprets the mood music of party conferences, whether Conference Lurghie is psychosomatic, and the strange cognitive dissonance of the attendees.
09.21.2023
On the Couch: Lord Bethell of Romford
Lucy speaks to James, Lord Bethell of Romford, about stopping children accessing porn and how more hours in the UK are spent watching PornHub than the BBC.
09.07.2023
On the Couch: Stuart Andrew
Lucy speaks to Stuart Andrew MP, parliamentary under secretary at the Department of Digital, Culture, Media and Sport and minister for loneliness, on whether the government is well-placed to address the mental health crisis.
07.27.2023
On the Couch: Laura Dodsworth and Patrick Fagan
Lucy speaks to journalist and photographer Laura Dodsworth and behavioural scientist Patrick Fagan, authors of Free Your Mind – the new World of manipulation and how to avoid it about how our politicians are manipulating us and how we can...
07.05.2023
On the Couch: Kulveer Ranger
Lucy speaks to Kulveer Ranger, former advisor to Boris Johnson when he was Mayor of London, about what it takes (and takes out of you) to work inside politics.
06.23.2023
On the Couch: Henry Hill
Lucy speaks to Henry Hill, deputy Editor of ConservativeHome, about how to get better people into politics.
06.15.2023
On the Couch: Robert Hutton
Lucy talks to Author and journalist Robert Hutton about why Boris is playing The Victim card, and whether we all colluded to create the cartoon figure of Boris.
05.31.2023
On the Couch: Neil Mullarkey
Lucy speaks to comedian Neil Mullarkey, about how to make politicians communicate better with voters.
05.18.2023
On the Couch: Ed West
Lucy Beresford speaks to writer Ed West about the future of Conservatism.
05.04.2023
On the Couch: Dr Tessa Dunlop
Lucy speaks to royal historian and author Dr Tessa Dunlop, about the coronation, whether it is happening at the wrong time, and whether it will boost UK influence abroad.
04.27.2023
S4 Ep2: On the couch: Peter Caldwell
Lucy speaks to TalkTV Political Editor Peter Cardwell about the psychology of the latest bullying allegations within Westminster.
04.19.2023
S4 Ep1: On the couch: Tim Marshall
Lucy speaks to Tim Marshall, British journalist and leading authority on world affairs, about the psychology of China, what might solve the Arab-Israeli conflict, and how space will be the new political battleground.
03.23.2023
S3 Ep10: On the couch: Judi James
Lucy speaks to body language expert Judi James, about Boris's body language at the Privileges Committee, and what she would have advised him (and Harriet Harman) to do differently.
03.16.2023
S3 Ep9: On the couch: Maggie Pagano
Lucy chats to Reaction Editor Maggie Pagano about the psychological impact of Jeremy Hunt's Budget -and why it wasn't the story we shuld have been paying attention to.
03.09.2023
S3 Ep8: On the couch: Lord Digby Jones
Lucy talks to businessman and cross bench peer Lord Digby Jones, about what should be in The Budget, windfall taxes, and whether the electorate have become infantilised.
02.23.2023
S3 Ep7: On the couch: Bishop Kenneth Nowakowski
Lucy talks to the Bishop Kenneth Nowakowski about life in Ukraine today, the psychological impact of the war, and what Ukraine needs most of all - and its not weapons.
02.15.2023
S3 Ep6: On the couch: Sam Olsen
Lucy Beresford speaks to Sam Olsen, Co-Founder and CEO of The Evenstar Institute about China balloon drama, and the psychology of President Xi and the Communist Party.
02.09.2023
S3 Ep5: On the couch: Martin Vander Weyer
Lucy Beresford speaks to Business Editor Martin Vander Weyer about why the recent high of the FTSE100 matters, how the voter might react to the recent Rishi-uffle, and why the UK needs more high street banks.
02.01.2023
S3 Ep4: On the couch: Lord Vaizey
Lucy Beresford chats to Lord Vaizey about culture, whether the Parthenon Sculptures should be returned to Greece, and whether there is too much willy-waving between global cultural institutions.
01.25.2023
S3 Ep3: On the couch: Mihir Bose
Lucy talks to writer and broadcaster Mihir Bose about the overlap of sports and politics, the power of sport to create a non-racial world, and whether Nadhim Zahawi would kick a ball better than Ronaldo.
01.18.2023
S3 Ep2: On the couch: Lord Darroch
Lucy Beresford speaks to Lord Darroch, former British Ambassador to the US, about the UK's relationships with the world for 2023, Davos, the importance of diplomatic back-channels, and to which country he would send Rishi Sunak tomorrow to make the...
01.12.2023
S3 Ep1: On the couch: Nigel Nelson
Lucy Beresford speaks to Nigel Nelson, Political Editor of the Sunday Mirror and Sunday People about 'bank manager' leaders, when the next election might be, and what 'New Year, New You' mantras Sunak and Starmer ought to adopt for 2023.
12.08.2022
S2 Ep11: On the couch:Andy Silvester
Lucy speaks to CityAm Editor Andy Silvester about whether World Cups can affect general elections and stock markets.
11.24.2022
S2 Ep10: On the couch: Marie Le Conte
Lucy Beresford speaks to journalist Marie Le Conte about how art and culture - even I'm A Celebrity - help us deal with uncomfortable, or traumatic experiences.
11.17.2022
S2 Ep9: On the couch: Jim Pickard
11.10.2022
S2 Ep8: On the couch: Matt Goodwin
Lucy speaks to Professor and author Matt Goodwin, about the origins of the current migrant crisis, the psych of the British voter on this issue, and provides a scoop on the latest polling which will not make happy listening for...
11.03.2022
S2 Ep7: On the couch: Sarah Elliott
In this week's episode I talk to Sarah Elliott, Spokeswoman for Republicans Overseas UK and Chair of The Hamilton Society about the US midterms, the pysche of the American voter, and what the elections might mean for the UK's relationship...
10.27.2022
S2 Ep6: On the couch: Nickie Aiken MP
In a week of big reset vibes (new PM, new cabinet, new moon, partial solar eclipse, Diwali), Lucy Beresford talks to Conservative MP for Cities of London & Westminster Nickie Aiken, about the arrival of Rishi Sunak, why her Comprehensive...
10.19.2022
S2 Ep5: On the couch: Tory psychodrama with Michael Crick
Lucy Beresford talks to Political Analyst and journalist Michael Crick about the Tory party meltdown, why MPs are procrastinating, the historical precedent for a coup, and Michael's prediction for the timing of the next general election.
10.13.2022
S2 Ep4: On the Couch: How long does Liz Truss have left?
Welcome to On the Couch, the weekly political podcast from Reaction hosted by broadcaster and psychotherapist Lucy Beresford. In each episode, Lucy is joined by Reaction editor, Maggie Pagano, and former parliamentary candidate, Mark Fox - and sometimes a special...
09.29.2022
S2 Ep3: On the Couch with Lucy Beresford and Iain Martin
This week, on the Couch, Lucy Beresford is joined by Reaction's publisher and founder Iain Martin. They discuss the current state of the British economy, the boom and bust cycle, how public panic often stems from being kept in the...
09.14.2022
S2 Ep2: On the Couch with Lucy Beresford and Sir Anthony Seldon
This week, on the Couch, Lucy Beresford is joined by contemporary historian Sir Anthony Seldon. They talk about the death of Queen Elizabeth II, how Britain will respond to King Charles III and why, despite having had decades to imagine...
09.08.2022
S2 Ep1: On the Couch with Lucy Beresford and Maggie Pagano
On the Couch with Lucy Beresford this week is Reaction editor, Maggie Pagano. They talk about how Boris Johnson's short reign as Prime Minister already feels like a dream and whether Liz Truss is made of the right stuff to...
07.20.2022
S1 Ep7: On the Couch with Lucy Beresford and John Rentoul
This week on the couch, Lucy Beresford is joined by John Rentoul, chief political commentator for The Independent. They discuss political downfalls — in particular, Boris Johnson’s — and how the personality traits (such as ambition and risk-taking) that help...
07.06.2022
S1 Ep6: On the Couch with Lucy Beresford and Adam Boulton
This week On the Couch, Lucy Beresford is joined by broadcast journalist Adam Boulton. They discuss Tory sleaze, toxic work cultures in Westminister, why Boris Johnson's leadership has caused so many scandals and ask the all important question: does Westminster...
06.29.2022
S1 Ep5: On the Couch with Lucy Beresford and Susie Boniface
This week On the Couch, Lucy Beresford is joined by journalist, columnist and author Susie Boniface, otherwise known as Fleet Street Fox. They discuss the role (and possible influence) of the Prime Minister's spouse, why some partners are more popular...
06.15.2022
S1 Ep4: On the Couch with Lucy Beresford and Baroness Neville-Jones
This week On the Couch, Lucy Beresford is joined by Baroness Pauline Neville-Jones, politician and former civil servant who served as Chairman of the Joint Intelligence Committee from 1993 to 1994. They discuss diplomacy, intelligence and the history of trying...
06.01.2022
S1 Ep3: On the Couch with Lucy Beresford and Robert Hutton
This week On the Couch, Lucy Beresford is joined by journalist and author Robert Hutton. They discuss political personality clashes, whether Keir Starmer and Boris Johnson could ever get on (and if it matters that they don’t), and ask whether...
05.18.2022
S1 Ep2: On the Couch with Lucy Beresford and Elisabeth Braw
Lucy Beresford is joined by Foreign Policy columnist and American Enterprise Institute (AEI) fellow Elisabeth Braw. They discuss the psychology of security, the current conflict in Ukraine, how NATO expansion plays on Putin's mindset and how much of the waging...
05.04.2022
S1 Ep1: On the Couch with Lucy Beresford and Peter Cardwell
Lucy Beresford is joined by Talk Radio’s political editor Peter Cardwell ahead of Britain’s local elections. They discuss the psychology behind making political choices, how the electorate behaves differently in local and general elections and what motivates politicians behind closed...