The Memo with Kaylem Shepherd

In this episode of The Memo, Kaylem sits down with broadcaster, author and LBC presenter Iain Dale for one of his most personal conversations to date.Best known as one of Britain's most recognisable political voices, Iain has spent decades interviewing prime ministers, challenging the powerful and shaping the national conversation. But this time, the questions are turned on him.Together, Kaylem and Iain explore the experiences that shaped the man behind the microphone from an idyllic childhood in rural Essex and coming to terms with his sexuality, to the highs and lows of life in politics, broadcasting and the public eye. They also discuss the stories behind his new autobiography, Have I Said Too Much?, and the lessons he's learned from a life lived in public.This is a candid conversation about identity, ambition, resilience and legacy and the moments that define us long after the headlines have faded.Join the conversation by sharing your thoughts and questions.Subscribe & follow for more:» Subscribe to The Memo: /@thememopodcast» Follow us on TikTok: tiktok.com/@thememopodcast» Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/kaylemshepherd» Listen on Spotify: Spotify – The Memo» Listen on Apple Podcasts: Apple Podcasts – The Memo

In this episode of The Memo - Part 1, Kaylem sits down with George Abaraonye, the former President-elect of the Oxford Union, for a raw and honest conversation about life behind the headlines.Before the controversy, before the scrutiny, there was a story. In this first chapter, George opens up about his early life, the influences that shaped him, and his journey into the world of debating where ambition, intellect, and identity all collided.From lecture halls to the debating chamber, this is the story of a young man on the rise… until one moment changed everything.After private messages surfaced that sparked national backlash, George reflects on what it’s really like to be thrown into the public eye and the emotional toll of having your character questioned in real time.Unfiltered, reflective, and deeply human, this is the start of a story that goes beyond the headlines.It’s not about the drama. It’s about context. It’s about understanding. And it’s about what comes before the fall.Drop your thoughts and questions, join the conversation.Subscribe & follow for more:» Subscribe to The Memo: /@thememopodcast» Follow us on TikTok: tiktok.com/@thememopodcast» Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/kaylemshepherd» Listen on Spotify: Spotify – The Memo» Listen on Apple Podcasts: Apple Podcasts – The Memo

In this special episode of The Memo, Kaylem is joined by Sam Kiley, World Affairs Editor of The Independent and one of today’s most experienced foreign correspondents.

With more than three decades reporting from war zones around the globe from Iraq and Afghanistan to Israel and Ukraine. Sam brings unparalleled insight into the unfolding conflict between the United States and Iran.

We take a dive into Donald Trump’s escalating war on Iran, unpacking the strategic missteps, regional implications, and global repercussions of America’s decision to launch military action against Tehran. From the killing of Iran’s supreme leader and questions about the future of Iranian leadership, to the broader consequences for Middle East stability and international law.

Whether you’re trying to make sense of the headline-grabbing developments or seeking a grounded analysis of what comes next.

Sam’s frontline experience and expert perspective will help you understand not just what happened - but why it matters.
Join the conversation by sharing your thoughts and questions.Subscribe & follow for more:» Subscribe to The Memo: /@thememopodcast» Follow us on TikTok: tiktok.com/@thememopodcast» Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/kaylemshepherd» Listen on Spotify: Spotify – The Memo» Listen on Apple Podcasts: Apple Podcasts – The Memo

In this episode of The Memo, Kaylem sits down with Julia Willemyns, Co-founder of The Centre for British Progress, to explore how Britain can better attract and retain exceptional talent from around the world.

From visa reforms to the Global Talent and High Potential Individual routes, Julia explains why the UK’s exceptional talent system is underused, how it can be made more visible and accessible, and why drawing top scientists, founders, creatives, and technologists is critical for Britain’s economic future.

Kaylem and Julia dive into the role of immigration in driving innovation, the challenges of current policies, and the reforms that could help Britain compete globally for the best and brightest minds.

Join the conversation by sharing your thoughts and questions.

Subscribe & follow for more:

» Subscribe to The Memo: /@thememopodcast

» Follow us on TikTok: tiktok.com/@thememopodcast

» Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/kaylemshepherd

» Listen on Spotify: Spotify – The Memo

» Listen on Apple Podcasts: Apple Podcasts – The Memo

In this episode of The Memo, Kaylem sits down with Kane Emerson to break down the YIMBY vs NIMBY debate and what it means for the future of housing in the UK.From planning reform to housing supply, Kane explains the rise of the YIMBY movement, why housing has become one of the UK’s most contentious political battles, and how local opposition continues to shape — and limit — development.Kaylem and Kane dive into the realities of the UK housing crisis, the political and social barriers to building more homes, and whether YIMBY offers a real solution to affordability, access, and opportunity for the next generation.Join the conversation by sharing your thoughts and questions.Subscribe & follow for more:» Subscribe to The Memo: /@thememopodcast» Follow us on TikTok: tiktok.com/@thememopodcast» Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/kaylemshepherd» Listen on Spotify: Spotify – The Memo» Listen on Apple Podcasts: Apple Podcasts – The Memo

In this episode of The Memo, Kaylem sits down with George Main Sin, a member of the UK Youth Parliament, to talk about why young people’s voices are more important than ever in modern politics.From shaping policy to challenging the status quo, George shares his experiences in the Youth Parliament, the impact young people can have on government decisions, and how engagement today can shape the leaders of tomorrow.Kaylem and George dive into the challenges of youth representation, the barriers young people face in politics, and why getting involved now is crucial for the future of the UK.Join the conversation by sharing your thoughts and questions.Subscribe & follow for more:» Subscribe to The Memo: /@thememopodcast» Follow us on TikTok: tiktok.com/@thememopodcast» Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/kaylemshepherd» Listen on Spotify: Spotify – The Memo» Listen on Apple Podcasts: Apple Podcasts – The Memo

In this episode of The Memo, Kaylem sits down with Miami Republican Committeewoman Angie Wong, a prominent voice in conservative politics and a strategist who’s seen firsthand how power is shaped behind the scenes.As the Republican Party stands at a critical crossroads, Angie offers her candid take on where the GOP is heading, what Mandanhi’s surprise mayoral win in New York means for a nation already on edge, and whether releasing the Epstein files could shift the global political landscape.From internal party battles to the broader question of America’s political identity, Kaylem and Angie dive into how the GOP can redefine itself, whether unity is still possible, and what the world should expect from the next phase of U.S. politics.Join the conversation by sharing your thoughts and questions.Subscribe & follow for more:» Subscribe to The Memo: /@thememopodcast» Follow us on TikTok: tiktok.com/@thememopodcast» Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/kaylemshepherd» Listen on Spotify: The Memo» Listen on Apple Podcasts: The Memo

In this episode of The Memo, Kaylem sits down with Carl Cashman, the rising star of the Liberal Democrats and the man campaigning to lead Liverpool City Council. Dubbed “Britain’s sexiest politician” by fans online, Cashman talks candidly about life in the public eye, his vision for Liverpool’s future, and what it will take to rebuild trust in local politics.From viral headlines to serious policy, Carl and Kaylem dive into how personality and principle collide in modern politics, the challenges of reviving the Lib Dems’ identity, and why he believes a new generation of leaders can bring real change to British cities.Join the conversation by sharing your thoughts and questions.Subscribe & follow for more:» Subscribe to The Memo: /@thememopodcast» Follow us on TikTok: tiktok.com/@thememopodcast» Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/kaylemshepherd» Listen on Spotify: Spotify – The Memo» Listen on Apple Podcasts: Apple Podcasts – The Memo

Politics and culture are shifting fast. The Memo with Kaylem Shepherd goes beyond the noise to expose the real forces shaping young lives around the world. From housing crises and climate collapse to identity, justice, and power, this podcast unpacks the urgent issues behind today’s headlines.

With sharp interviews, fearless questions, and zero fluff, Kaylem brings fresh voices and unfiltered truth to the table. No spin. No empty takes. Just the raw conversations a generation demanding change needs to hear.

This isn’t punditry. This is The Memo.

This week on The Memo, Kaylem Shepherd sits down with Ukrainian MP Oleksiy Goncharenko for an unfiltered and deeply human conversation on War, Resilience, and the Mental Toll of Survival.We are nearly 1,120 days since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, and millions of Ukrainians are still living under constant threat air raids, missile strikes, blackouts, displacement, and unimaginable loss.

Oleksiy Goncharenko, speaking from inside Ukraine, brings raw insight into the daily psychological battle Ukrainians are fighting: not just against tanks and drones, but against fear, trauma, and emotional exhaustion.

In this powerful interview, Oleksiy opens up about the resilience of ordinary Ukrainians, from frontline soldiers to families sheltering underground. He shares firsthand stories of grief, hope, and resistance, and doesn’t hold back on the mental health crisis unfolding beneath the surface of Ukraine’s war effort.

Together, Kaylem and Oleksiy unpack what it really feels like to live through a war you didn’t choose: the survivor’s guilt, the sleepless nights, the anger, the numbness and the determination to keep going.They also dive into what the world often gets wrong about Ukraine, the emotional cost of being a public voice during a national trauma, and why mental resilience has become as critical as military defense. If you want to understand the human side of this war, beyond headlines and geopolitics — this episode is a raw, emotional, and essential listen.

Join the conversation by sharing your thoughts and questions.