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.

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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.

This week on The Memo, Kaylem Shepherd sits down with former Labour councillor Daisy Blakemore-Creedon for a powerful and personal conversation on Young Voices in Politics: Speaking Out and Standing Alone.

At just 18, Daisy made headlines when she won a seat on Peterborough City Council while still preparing for her A-levels. But just a year later, she has resigned from the Labour group, citing a toxic environment of bullying, marginalisation, and unaddressed antisemitism within her local party. In this candid interview, Daisy shares her journey from hopeful young campaigner to independent councillor, revealing the pressures, betrayals, and difficult choices that shaped her path.

Together, Kaylem and Daisy explore the reality of youth in politics: what it takes to stand up for your values, the emotional toll of internal party conflicts, and how identity, race, and religion intersect in today’s political spaces. They also delve into the serious allegations she’s raised — including the delayed handling of a formal complaint and what she describes as deeply hurtful accusations of racism.

Is British politics truly open to new, diverse voices — or are young changemakers being silenced from within? This episode unpacks the risks of speaking out, the cost of political courage, and what Daisy’s experience says about the state of local democracy and accountability today.

Whether you’re politically active or just questioning who politics really works for, this is a must-listen conversation that puts truth, transparency, and integrity at the centre.

Join the conversation by sharing your thoughts and questions.

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This week on The Memo, Kaylem Shepherd welcomes journalist and broadcaster Benjamin Butterworth for an in-depth conversation on A Nation Divided: The Polarisation of UK Politics.Is Britain more politically and culturally divided than ever before? Together, they explore how growing polarisation is reshaping the UK’s political landscape from escalating culture wars and shifting party loyalties to the social and emotional impact on everyday life. They unpack what’s driving these divisions and whether they represent a fundamental crisis or simply a new phase in British democracy.The discussion also delves into the heated debates around free speech and the representation of the LGBT+ community in politics. How do we balance protecting rights with open dialogue? Are political and cultural conversations becoming more inclusive or more polarised? Benjamin and Kaylem take a nuanced look at these questions, highlighting the challenges and complexities behind the headlines.This episode offers a thoughtful, no-spin exploration of some of the most urgent issues shaping young people’s political realities today. Whether you’re politically engaged or just curious about what’s really going on, this conversation gives you the insights to understand and navigate a nation divided.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: https://open.spotify.com/show/6gJIk5r5p6IUdx0Q8FUn8p?si=974f8fd480534d60» Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-memo-with-kaylem-shepherd/id1816567705#UKPolitics #Polarisation #TheMemoPodcast #BenjaminButterworth #FreeSpeech #LGBT #CultureWars #Labour #Tories #KeirStarmer #RishiSunak #Tiktok #KaylemShepherd #DonaldTrump #KemiBadenoch

This week on The Memo, Kaylem Shepherd sits down with housing campaigner and journalist Harry Scoffin, Founder of Free Leaseholders for an open and thoughtful conversation about the UK’s leasehold system.Is leasehold a dated legal structure that puts homeowners at a disadvantage, or is it a necessary part of the modern property market? Together, they trace the history, unpack the complexities, and examine the real-world effects leasehold arrangements have on families and communities across the country.From legal challenges to everyday frustrations, this episode sheds light on a system many find confusing and contentious. Whether you’re a homeowner, renter, or simply interested in how housing policy shapes society, this discussion offers valuable insights and perspectives.What’s your experience with leasehold? A necessary system or a trap? 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: https://open.spotify.com/show/6gJIk5r5p6IUdx0Q8FUn8p?si=974f8fd480534d60» Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-memo-with-kaylem-shepherd/id1816567705Have questions or story ideas? Get in touch: [email protected]#Housing #Leasehold #UKPolitics #HousingMarket #TheMemo #KaylemShepherd