States of Play with Sam Olsen

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In this episode of States of Play, Sam Olsen speaks with Elizabeth Bullock, a British civilian who spent three years working on the ground in Ukraine following Russia’s full-scale invasion.

Bullock recounts her journey from evacuating women and children to operating in frontline zones across the Donbas and southern Ukraine, delivering medical aid, restoring water supplies, and later supporting reconstruction in liberated areas.

Drawing on firsthand experience, she challenges Western misconceptions about the war, details Russia’s deliberate targeting of civilians and infrastructure, and explains why the conflict cannot be contained within Ukraine. The conversation explores hybrid warfare, national resilience, and why Russia poses a direct strategic threat to Europe.

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In this episode of the States of Play podcast, Sam Olsen talks to the economist Stewart Paterson to unpack The Great Split—the accelerating bifurcation of the global economy into competing US-led and China-led spheres.

They explore how the collapse of the era of globalisation is reshaping trade, investment, finance, and corporate strategy; how China’s Belt and Road and dual-circulation policies have built an alternative system; and how future sanctions, counter-sanctions, and rising jurisdictional risk could force companies and countries to choose sides. They also examine Europe’s acute vulnerabilities, the City of London’s exposure, and whether any path remains to avoid a full geopolitical and economic rupture.

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In this episode of States of Play, Sam Olsen speaks with Justin Crump, CEO of Sibylline, about their new report Polycrisis 2027. They explore how converging shocks - from China’s 2027 Taiwan deadline and Russia’s rearmament to AI disruption and Western instability - could create a single systemic crisis. The conversation asks: can the West act fast enough to prevent a global crunch?

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In this episode of States of Play Sam Olsen interviews analyst Alexander Lord on Europe’s mounting political and social fractures, from Germany’s extremist violence to France’s paralysis. We look at how Russian grey-zone pressure, cybercrime and influence ops are exploiting them. We also assess EU/UK cohesion if Moscow tests Estonia, the role of China in this, and where resilience and leadership may still emerge today.

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Former UK Business Secretary and economist Sir Vince Cable joins States of Play to unpack whether China and India are truly eclipsing the West. We cover GDP power shifts, China’s property bust vs tech leapfrogging, India’s services-led surge, MAGA-era economics, BRICS, and how the West can adapt - if at all.

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In this conversation, Sam talks to the demographer Paul Morland, discussing the critical role of demography in understanding global power dynamics, economic trends, and cultural shifts. Paul emphasises that while demography is not the sole determinant of historical events, it is essential for grasping the complexities of the present and future. They explores the interplay between population growth, economic development, and cultural attitudes towards family and reproduction, highlighting the challenges faced by countries with declining birth rates and the implications of migration in the context of aging populations.

Here is a link to Paul's website and an overview of his books: https://www.paulmorland.co.uk

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Russia is grinding forward in Ukraine, drones now dominate the battlefield, and Western support is faltering. In this episode of States of Play, Sam Olsen speaks with Alexander Lord of Sibylline to unpack where the war stands, how Moscow is leveraging foreign backing from Iran, North Korea and China, and why peace remains elusive despite Trump’s shifting promises.

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In this new episode of States of Play, a repeat of What China Wants, Sam Olsen is joined by Michelin-starred chef and cultural observer Andrew Wong, head chef of London’s acclaimed restaurant A. Wong. Together, they explore how Chinese food is far more than flavour—it is a reflection of history, community, and identity.

Andrew shares his journey from growing up in London and Hong Kong to travelling across China, learning from local chefs and traditions that continue to inspire his cooking today. The discussion touches on how Chinese cuisine in the UK and Europe has evolved into its own style, why authenticity is always fluid, and how the act of sharing food is at the heart of Chinese dining culture.

From his reimagined Shanghai dumplings to his thoughts on what his last meal on earth would be, Andrew reveals the depth, creativity, and philosophy behind Chinese cuisine.

This conversation is about more than food—it’s about culture, memory, and the ties that connect East and West around the dinner table.

Andrew's restaurant: https://www.awong.co.uk

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In this episode of States of Play (originally recorded for What China Wants), Sam Olsen and Stewart Paterson speak with Stanford economist Scott Rozelle about the stark divide between urban and rural China. Rozelle, author of Invisible China, explains how most working-age adults in rural areas never finished high school, leaving a huge share of the population undereducated and excluded from urban welfare systems—an obstacle with profound consequences for China’s future.

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In this conversation, Sam Dunning from UK-China Transparency discusses their new report on the influence of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) on academic freedom in the UK. He shares insights from a survey conducted among China studies academics, revealing concerns about CCP interference and the financial dependencies of UK universities on Chinese funding.

The discussion also touches on issues of deception in academic collaborations, military research, and the need for greater transparency and due diligence in research partnerships. Ultimately, the conversation emphasises the importance of fostering open dialogue and understanding in UK-China academic relations.

Here is the report: https://ukctransparency.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Cold-Crisis-Academic-freedom-and-interference-in-China-studies-in-the-UK.pdf