Amol and Nick are two of the BBC’s most experienced journalists. In this bonus episode of The Today Podcast they talk through their first day presenting Radio 4’s Today. They remember the emotion of those first mornings as well as their favourite moments on the UK’s most influential radio news programme. Also: find out what happens when a guest oversleeps and why Nick found himself running between Downing Street and a studio when Today was on air. Subscribe to The Today Podcast to get Amol and Nick's take on the biggest stories of the week every Thursday. With insights from behind the scenes of the programme. Get in touch by sending us a message or voice note via WhatsApp to +44 330 123 4346 or email Today@bbc.co.uk The Today Podcast is presented by Amol Rajan and Nick Robinson. The producers are Tom Smithard and Stephanie Mitcalf. The editors are Jonathan Aspinwall and Louisa Lewis. The executive producer is Owenna Griffiths.

I cried after presenting my first Today programme

Amol and Nick on what defines Starmerism.

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In a week in which Keir Starmer outlines his six ‘first steps for change’ (just don’t call it a pledge card), Amol and Nick look into what defines the Labour leader’s mission – and how left wing he really is. Labour insider and author of Starmer’s latest biography, Tom Baldwin, gives Amol and Nick a behind-the-scenes look into what Keir Starmer is really like and how his working class background has shaped his political beliefs. Zarah Sultana, a leading light among Labour’s socialist MPs, gives her take on whether the left of the party are convinced by Starmerism. And Susie Dent leaves Countdown’s dictionary corner to join Amol and Nick in the studio with some words that best define the Labour leader – and shares her moment of the week.  Episodes of The Today Podcast land every Thursday and watch out for bonus episodes. Subscribe on BBC Sounds to get Amol and Nick's take on the biggest stories of the week, with insights from behind the scenes at the UK's most influential radio news programme. If you would like a question answering, get in touch by sending us a message or voice note via WhatsApp to +44 330 123 4346 or email us Today@bbc.co.uk  The Today Podcast is hosted by Amol Rajan and Nick Robinson, both presenters of BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, the UK’s most influential radio news programme. Amol was the BBC’s media editor for six years and is the former editor of the Independent, he’s also the current presenter of University Challenge. Nick has presented the Today programme since 2015, he was the BBC’s political editor for ten years before that and also previously worked as ITV’s political editor.  The senior producer is Tom Smithard, the producers are Hatty Nash and Joe Wilkinson. The editor is Louisa Lewis. The executive producer is Owenna Griffiths. Technical production from Hannah Montgomery and digital production from Elliot Ryder.

What does Keir Starmer really believe in?

Amol asks what the local elections results really tell us about what might happen in a general election and why so many Britons feel skint. Pollster James Kanagasooriam is back in The Today Podcast studio to give his verdict on whether the local election results point to a Labour majority at the general election or a hung parliament.  In a week where Britain could come out of a recession Amol asks whether an improving economic picture may pay political dividends in the general election. Torsten Bell, chief executive of the Resolution Foundation - a think tank focusing on people on lower incomes – explains why so many millennials are still feeling the pinch.  And retail guru Mary Portas joins Amol to give her thoughts on how the high street has been affected by Britain’s struggling economy – and shares her moment of the week. Episodes of The Today Podcast land every Thursday and watch out for bonus episodes. Subscribe on BBC Sounds to get Amol and Nick's take on the biggest stories of the week, with insights from behind the scenes at the UK's most influential radio news programme. If you would like a question answering, get in touch by sending us a message or voice note via WhatsApp to +44 330 123 4346 or email us Today@bbc.co.uk The Today Podcast is hosted by Amol Rajan and Nick Robinson, both presenters of BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, the UK’s most influential radio news programme. Amol was the BBC’s media editor for six years and is the former editor of the Independent, he’s also the current presenter of University Challenge. Nick has presented the Today programme since 2015, he was the BBC’s political editor for ten years before that and also previously worked as ITV’s political editor. The senior producer is Tom Smithard, the producers are Hazel Morgan and Joe Wilkinson. The editor is Louisa Lewis. The executive producer is Owenna Griffiths. Technical production from Mike Regaard and digital production from Elliot Ryder. Note: this podcast has been re-edited.

Hung parliament or thumping majority? And why do we all feel so skint?

Today: Your Election is all about giving Today listeners across the UK the chance to suggest a story for the team to look into in this election year.  Working with our producers, listeners will have the chance to input ideas, bringing new perspectives and voices to the programme. In this special episode of The Today Podcast Amol and Nick share their advice on how to make your team's idea stand out. Groups of between two and six people can apply. If your team is chosen you will work with Today programme producers to turn your idea into a piece of reporting or a discussion that will feature as a segment on the programme. Apply online: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/5MlZ9zzXc12dl8vHLmbdzxl/today-your-election On our website you will also find privacy notices and the terms and conditions. The deadline to apply is the 31st May 2024 at 11:59pm.

Get your election idea on Today

As votes the continue to be counted Amol and Nick give their take on where the election results leave both the Tories and Labour. Pollster James Kanagasooriam, chief research officer with Focal Data who sits on the board of centre-right think tank Onward, is back with some expert analysis. And find out how you can come along to a special recording of The Today Podcast: Live! Regular episodes of The Today Podcast land on Thursdays. Subscribe on BBC Sounds to get Amol and Nick's take on the biggest stories of the week, with insights from behind the scenes at the UK's most influential radio news programme. If you would like a question answering, get in touch by sending us a message or voice note via WhatsApp to +44 330 123 4346 or email us Today@bbc.co.uk The Today Podcast is hosted by Amol Rajan and Nick Robinson, both presenters of BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, the UK’s most influential radio news programme. Amol was the BBC’s media editor for six years and is the former editor of the Independent, he’s also the current presenter of University Challenge. Nick has presented the Today programme since 2015, he was the BBC’s political editor for ten years before that and also previously worked as ITV’s political editor. The senior producer is Tom Smithard, the producers are Hazel Morgan and Joe Wilkinson. The editor is Louisa Lewis. The executive producer is Owenna Griffiths. Technical production from Hannah Montgomery and digital production from Elliot Ryder.

Cutting through the spin – elections bonus ep

This week we’ve taken inspiration from friend of the podcast, Stephen Fry, who challenged Amol and Nick to look at what the future of AI means for us all – and whether it will herald in a utopian or dystopian future. Dame Wendy Hall, member of UK’s AI Council and adviser to the UN, explains why she is worried that it is too late to prevent AI-generated deepfakes impacting elections around the world this year. And Professor Nick Bostrom, futurologist at Oxford University and the man known as Elon Musk’s favourite philosopher, on how AI might affect the future of humanity. Plus actor and comedian Hugh Dennis pops into the studio to give us his take on how AI could affect comedy – and share his moment of the week. Episodes of The Today Podcast land every Thursday and watch out for bonus episodes. Subscribe on BBC Sounds to get Amol and Nick's take on the biggest stories of the week, with insights from behind the scenes at the UK's most influential radio news programme. If you would like a question answering, get in touch by sending us a message or voice note via WhatsApp to +44 330 123 4346 or email us Today@bbc.co.uk The Today Podcast is hosted by Amol Rajan and Nick Robinson, both presenters of BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, the UK’s most influential radio news programme. Amol was the BBC’s media editor for six years and is the former editor of the Independent, he’s also the current presenter of University Challenge. Nick has presented the Today programme since 2015, he was the BBC’s political editor for ten years before that and also previously worked as ITV’s political editor. The senior producer is Tom Smithard, the producers are Hazel Morgan and Joe Wilkinson. The editor is Louisa Lewis. The executive producer is Owenna Griffiths. Technical production from Hannah Montgomery and digital production from Elliot Ryder.

I cried after presenting my first Today programme

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