The Standard

Valentine’s Day is notoriously easy to get wrong — from forgettable restaurants to naff gifts. This year, the pressure is even more intense, as Valentine’s Day falls on a Saturday. 

In this episode, host Tamara Kormornick speaks to The Standard’s Going Out editor, David Ellis, and food and drink writer, Josh Barrie, to get their recommendations on where to eat — and not eat — on Valentine’s Day. Plus, Tamara sits down with the Standard’s shopping editor Abha Shah, to hear her take on elevated gifts that actually feel special.

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Londoners are using cocaine more than ever, and men’s usage tips the scales two-to-one. So, why is London the ‘cocaine capital’ of Europe?

In this episode, host Tamara Kormornick speaks to freelance journalist Jordan Page, who recently investigated the capital’s latest Class A drug epidemic. They talk about how London’s pub culture intersects with the city’s cocaine habits, and why men in particular are using the drug more than ever.

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It’s been a trying week for the Prime Minister. Allegations surrounding Lord Peter Mandelson have angered many within the party, and raised fresh questions about Keir Starmer’s authority. Should Labour be panicking?

In this episode, The Standard's political editor Nic Cecil speaks with Baroness Ayesha Hazarika, former advisor to senior Labour politicians, who worked closely with Peter Mandelson over the past couple of decades. She reflects on what it was like to work with him, the current mood inside the Labour Party, and the risks Labour could face if it triggers a leadership contest in the near future.

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For this episode of Brave New World, Evgeny is joined by psychologist, author, and researcher Dr Jim Fadiman, a central figure in the modern understanding of psychedelics, who also goes by the “father of microdosing”.

Drawing on decades of research and thousands of user reports, the conversation traces the history of psychedelics - from early scientific study in the 1950s and 60s, through prohibition, to today’s renewed interest in clinical and psychiatric settings. Jim discusses why most formal research has focused on high doses, how observational reports have shaped microdosing research, where evidence is strongest and still emerging.

Evgeny and Jim look ahead to the future of psychedelics in medicine, the balance between scientific caution and public interest, and what a first step might look like for someone curious but sceptical.

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Over the weekend, suspicious photographs of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor with an unnamed woman surfaced among the latest batch of the Epstein files. While King Charles’ decision to strip Andrew of his titles was met with widespread approval, it also sparked questions over the Royals’ living arrangements - and inevitably, their finances. 

In this episode, host Tamara Kormornick speaks to Chris Blackhurst, strategic communications advisor and former editor of The Independent, who recently wrote a piece for the Standard on the staggering wealth of the crown. The conversation explores how the Royal Family might negotiate this tricky period from a PR perspective, and whether it’s possible for them to rebuild the public’s trust and admiration.

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As Industry returns for its fourth series, the show continues to raise the stakes – and audience heart rates. But are its latest calamities a case of art imitating life?

In this episode, host Tamara Kormornick speaks to Laura Martin, who recently wrote an article for The Standard about power dynamics in Industry, and culture writer for The Standard, Maddy Mussen. Together, they discuss what the show reveals about the relationship between power, privilege and wealth in London, and whether the show offers an accurate portrait of the City.

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Over the weekend, the self-titled documentary Melania hit cinemas worldwide. Its release comes at a volatile moment, with political turmoil at home and Donald Trump once again making waves over foreign policy and America's global influence.

In this episode, host Tamara Kormornick sits down with Standard columnist Melanie McDonagh, fresh from a screening to ask: who is Melania Trump telling the world she is? Was a cinematic release the right strategy for now? And, most importantly, is the documentary worth a watch?

Clips: Amazon MGM

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Over the past few years, the UK government has promised a tougher stance on money laundering. With new challenges that include cryptocurrency and the soaring value of gold, how will Britain ever get clean from its dirty money reputation?

In this episode, The Standard’s chief political correspondent Rachael Burford speaks to Joe Powell, the Labour MP for Kensington and Bayswater, who founded the Kensington Against Dirty Money campaign in 2022 to tackle the issue of illicit finance in London. Together, they explore how sanctions are enforced, and the tax haven loopholes that let dirty money slip through the cracks.

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Unemployment among young Londoners has hit a nine-year high, and the latest figures show the jobless rate in the capital disproportionately affects 16 to 24-year-olds. So, is the future for young Londoners truly bleak?

In this episode, host Tamara Kormornick is joined by the Standard’s business editor Jonathan Prynn to unpack the most recent figures from the Office of National Statistics. Together they explore why so many young people in the capital are facing a growing shortage of opportunities.

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In their election manifesto, Labour promised to tackle unregulated and unaffordable ground rent charges. So, is a £250 pound cap on ground rent real progress for homeowners? 

In this episode, host Tamara Kormornick sits down with the Standard’s deputy editor of homes and property Meghann Murdock to gauge the significance of the government’s latest announcement. Plus, she speaks to Harry Scoffin, the founder of Free Leaseholders, a grassroots activist group fighting for the abolition of the leasehold system, who puts forward a case for universal commonholds.

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