What Were You Thinking?

In the first episode of Series 3, Laura speaks to Julia Gillard, former Prime Minister of Australia and Chair of the Global Partnership for Education. Julia talks about the people, places and experiences that have impacted her thinking. As Australia's first female Prime Minister they discuss what it was like attending international summits as often the only female leader in the room. Julia also talks about girls education and the importance of the Global Education Summit taking place in July.

Former political advisor Laura Round speaks to politicians, opinion formers and business people to find out about the experiences, people and places that have inspired them.

What motivates them? Why did they decide to do what they do? What are the most memorable and surprising situations they have found themselves in? The answer is often unexpected.

And if you haven’t listened to the first two series yet, you can catch up with episodes with Rory Stewart, Jess Phillips MP, Matt Forde, Nick Timothy, Caroline Lucas, Iain Dale, Anne-Marie Trevelyan MP, Tom Tugendhat MP and many more.

Make sure to subscribe, so you don’t miss out!

In the final episode of Series 2, Laura speaks to Lord Benyon, former MP for Newbury and Environment Minister. Richard spills the beans on a private meeting with the Prime Minister and Dominic Cummings when he and twenty other Conservative rebels got their whips removed when trying to prevent a no-deal Brexit. It wasn't the first time he found himself on "the naughty step". Richard also tells us about his passion for the environment and marine conservation as well his campaign for the Magnitsky Act and his time in the Intelligence and Security Committee. 

You can follow Richard and Laura on Twitter: @RichardHRBenyon and @LauraRound

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In What Were You Thinking former political advisor Laura Round speaks to politicians, opinion formers and business people to find out about the experiences, people and places that have inspired them. What motivates them? Why did they decide to do what they do? What are the most memorable and surprising situations they have found themselves in? The answer is often unexpected.

This podcast is in partnership with the Big Tent Ideas Festival, the non-partisan festival of politics, culture technology and fresh thinking. Give them a follow: @BigTentIdeas And if you are looking for more content, become a friend of the Big Tent for only £6 per month. And use code PODCAST for three months for free!

Laura speaks Caroline Lucas MP, former leader of the Green Party and MP for Brighton Pavilion. Caroline's route into politics was in many was a coincidental one. They talk about her journey into politics and when she started to develop a passion for the environment. What's also fascinating is how she has to operate in the House of Commons as the only MP in her party. It comes with all sorts of challenges. For starters, she does not have a whips office or other support in place that most MPs can count on. 

Caroline was chosen for the Patchwork Foundation’s Judge’s Special Recognition Award.

You can follow Caroline and Laura on Twitter: @CarolineLucas and @LauraRound

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In What Were You Thinking former political advisor Laura Round speaks to politicians, opinion formers and business people to find out about the experiences, people and places that have inspired them. What motivates them? Why did they decide to do what they do? What are the most memorable and surprising situations they have found themselves in? The answer is often unexpected.

This podcast is in partnership with the Big Tent Ideas Festival, the non-partisan festival of politics, culture technology and fresh thinking. Give them a follow: @BigTentIdeas And if you are looking for more content, become a friend of the Big Tent for only £6 per month. And use code PODCAST for three months for free!

Laura speaks to Dr Karin von Hippel, Director General of RUSI. Prior to this Karin worked in the US State Department for six years in Obama’s Administration, including as the Chief of Staff to General Jon Allen, who was the Special Presidential Envoy for the Global Coalition to Counter ISIL. She has experience in over two dozen conflict zones and worked for the UN in Somalia and Kosovo.

They talk about her time in the State Department and working in conflict zones, as well as the current security threats, geopolitics and Trump (yes, he gets a mention).

You can follow Karin  and Laura on Twitter: @kvonhippel and @LauraRound

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In What Were You Thinking former political advisor Laura Round speaks to politicians, opinion formers and business people to find out about the experiences, people and places that have inspired them. What motivates them? Why did they decide to do what they do? What are the most memorable and surprising situations they have found themselves in? The answer is often unexpected.

This podcast is in partnership with the Big Tent Ideas Festival, the non-partisan festival of politics, culture technology and fresh thinking. Give them a follow: @BigTentIdeas And if you are looking for more content, become a friend of the Big Tent for only £6 per month. And use code PODCAST for three months for free!

Laura speaks to Baroness Jenkin who is considered a Fairy godmother by many female Members of Parliament. In 2005 she founded Women2Win with Theresa May and she has campaigned to get more women elected ever since. They also discuss Anne’s hate of all waste, the importance of tackling obesity and what life’s like in the House of Lords.

Do you know a woman who would make a great MP? Ask Her To Stand! And if you are interested in standing yourself and want to know what it involves please go to: https://5050parliament.co.uk/signuptostand/

You can follow Baroness Jenkin and Laura on Twitter: @BaronessJenkin and @LauraRound

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In What Were You Thinking former political advisor Laura Round speaks to politicians, opinion formers and business people to find out about the experiences, people and places that have inspired them. What motivates them? Why did they decide to do what they do? What are the most memorable and surprising situations they have found themselves in? The answer is often unexpected.

This podcast is in partnership with the Big Tent Ideas Festival, the non-partisan festival of politics, culture technology and fresh thinking. Give them a follow: @BigTentIdeas And if you are looking for more content, become a friend of the Big Tent for only £6 per month. And use code PODCAST for three months for free!

Laura talks with Alice Albright, CEO of Global Partnership for Education. Alice talks about the importance of education in lower income countries. They also discuss her time working for the Obama Administration and Obama's leadership. Alice is the daughter of Secretary Madeleine Albright and shares what it was like growing up with such a powerful and trailblazing mother.

This week Laura talks to Baroness Sally Morgan, Trustee of the Big Tent Ideas Foundation. She was Tony Blair's press secretary and worked in Downing Street for 8 years, Minister for Women and Equalities, chair of Ofsted, was on the Olympics Delivery Authority, and is now Master of Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge. They talk about the Iraq vote, Sinn Fein coming to Number 10 for Peace talks, the path to civil partnerships and the power of Tessa Jowell in getting the Olympics to the UK.

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In What Were You Thinking former political advisor Laura Round speaks to politicians, opinion formers and business people to find out about the experiences, people and places that have inspired them. What motivates them? Why did they decide to do what they do? What are the most memorable and surprising situations they have found themselves in? The answer is often unexpected.

This podcast is in partnership with the Big Tent Ideas Festival, the non-partisan festival of politics, culture technology and fresh thinking. Give them a follow: @BigTentIdeas And if you are looking for more content, become a friend of the Big Tent for only £6 per month. And use code PODCAST for three months for free!

This week Laura talks with Preet Gill MP, Shadow of State for International Development. Preet shares how her dad and family influenced her, her experience as Shadow Secretary for International Development, Labour's views on the creation of the FCDO, COP26, and the changes in the Labour Party. Preet has been named MP of the Year in the prominent Patchwork Awards.

You can follow Preet and Laura on Twitter: @PreetKGillMP and @LauraRound

In What Were You Thinking former political advisor Laura Round speaks to politicians, opinion formers and business people to find out about the experiences, people and places that have inspired them. What motivates them? Why did they decide to do what they do? What are the most memorable and surprising situations they have found themselves in? The answer is often unexpected.

This podcast is in partnership with the Big Tent Ideas Festival, the non-partisan festival of politics, culture technology and fresh thinking. Give them a follow: @BigTentIdeas And if you are looking for more content, become a friend of the Big Tent for only £6 per month. And use code PODCAST for three months for free!

This week Laura talks with Sir Craig Oliver, former Director of Communications and Politics to the Prime Minister, David Cameron. Craig shares his experience of being 'thrown into the white water rapids' on joining Number 10, his experience of campaigning on two Referendums and the privilege of flying around the world; seeing and hearing world leaders and occasionally eating some very unusual food, plus a surprising anecdote of David Beckham. Parental Advisory.

You can follow Craig and Laura on Twitter: @LauraRound and @CraigOliver100

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In What Were You Thinking former political advisor Laura Round speaks to politicians, opinion formers and business people to find out about the experiences, people and places that have inspired them. What motivates them? Why did they decide to do what they do? What are the most memorable and surprising situations they have found themselves in? The answer is often unexpected.

This podcast is in partnership with the Big Tent Ideas Festival, the non-partisan festival of politics, culture technology and fresh thinking. Give them a follow: @BigTentIdeas And if you are looking for more content, become a friend of the Big Tent for only £6 per month. And use code PODCAST for three months for free!