What Were You Thinking?

By Laura RoundNews Politics

What Were You Thinking? episodes

November 18, 2020 Anne-Marie Trevelyan on COP26 and Fighting Covid-19
In this episode, Laura talks to Anne-Marie Trevelyan MP, who is the UK International Champion on Adaptation and Resilience for the COP26 Presidency. Anne-Marie discusses her interest in defence matters, her quick turnaround from Minister for the Armed Forces to Secretary of State for International Development, the importance of COP26 and how her father influenced her life in absentia.
You can follow Anne-Marie and Laura on Twitter: @annietrev 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!
1 hr 1 min
November 11, 2020 Anthony Mangnall MP - Parliament: The Next Generation
In this episode, I talk to Anthony Mangnall MP, who was elected as Member of Parliament for Totnes in 2019. Anthony shares his thoughts on the UK and China relationship, working for William Hague, shockingly low vaccination rates in South Devon - and the conspiracy theories he's encountered, his love for constituency work and the importance of a handwritten letter.
You can follow Anthony and Laura on Twitter: @AnthonyMangnal1 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!
55 min
October 21, 2020 Matt Forde on Getting Drunk in Number 10
Laura talks to Matt Forde, Comedian, Podcast Host and Author whose hugely entertaining new book, ‘Politically Homeless’, explores themes such as tribalism, the curse of complacency and why some politicians refuse to speak normally.
In this episode, Matt talks about inequalities in Britain, getting into politics at an early age and working for the Labour Party, and what it's like being the voices of Trump, Boris and Starmer on the new Spitting Image. He also shares anecdotes about Tony Blair’s leaving do. Not to be missed!
You can follow Matt and Laura on Twitter: @mattforde 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!
1 hr 8 min
October 13, 2020 Iain Dale on the Modern Media
In this episode, Laura talks to Iain Dale. Iain is a well known political commentator and author who has recently written about why we've all become so disrespectful and intolerant. In this episode, they talk about how the media landscape has changed, what it's like interviewing Boris Johnson and what makes a good interview. Laura and Iain also discuss how we can all emerge from tribalism and division and become more respectful to each other and those who govern us.

Save the bees! Support the Bee Superhighway by signing this petition: https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/441928

You can follow Iain and Laura on Twitter: @IainDale and @LauraRound

Iain's book is called Why Can't We All Just Get Along: Shout Less. Listen More.

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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!
1 hr 28 min
October 07, 2020 Ruth Smeeth on Corbyn and Cancel Culture
In this episode Laura is joined by Ruth Smeeth, Former Labour MP and CEO of Index on Censorship. Ruth talks championing free speech and the rise or "Cancel Culture", her battles with the Labour leadership under Corbyn to combat anti-Semitism within the party and toxicity in politics today.

You can follow Ruthand Laura on Twitter: @RuthSmeeth 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!
1 hr 3 min
September 30, 2020 Rory Stewart on Entering and Leaving Politics
Former political adviser Laura is joined by Rory Stewart OBE, best selling author, former Cabinet Minister and Senior Fellow at the Jackson Institute, Yale. They discuss the experiences, places and people that have inspired his thinking. Rory talks about his journey into politics, and in turn his high profile departure from politics; his 6,000 mile walk across Iran, Pakistan, Afghanistan, India and Nepal; his experiences as Africa for Minister and Secretary of State for International Development; and the UK failing prison system.

You can follow Rory and Laura on Twitter: @RoryStewartUK and @LauraRound
Edited and Produced by Alex Graham

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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.
44 min
September 23, 2020 Nimco Ali on Feminism and the Myth of the African Superwoman
In this episode Laura is joined by Nimco Ali OBE, Activist and Co-Founder of the Five Foundation. They discuss Nimco's campaign to eradicate Female Genital Mutilation and finding support in unexpected places. They also cover feminism, the myth of the African superwoman, and much more.
You can follow Nimco and Laura on Twitter: @NimkoAli 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.
1 hr 11 min
September 16, 2020 Dom McVey on why Doing Good is Good Business
Laura Round is joined by Entrepreneur Dominic McVey. He isn't your average businessman. Dom was recognised by the Queen as a pioneer in entrepreneurship at the age of 18 and was a millionaire by the age of 15.

He passionately believes that the private sector has a huge role to play in improving society and he talks in this podcast why it’s important for businesses to have a purpose and do good. His mantra is “doing good is good business”.

Dom is 35 years young and has already set up successful businesses, including in Africa and Asia. He talks to me about how to encourage more entrepreneurs to follow suit in investing in developing countries.
You can follow Dom and Laura on Twitter: @DominicMcVey 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.
49 min
September 09, 2020 Lord Jack McConnell on Scotland and the Future of the Union
Laura Round is joined by Rt Hon Lord Jack McConnell, Former First Minister of Scotland. They discuss the future of the Union, how English politicians can engage better with Scotland and the future of the House of Lords. He also shares memories of relaxing at the bar at Gleneagles during the G8 summit with world leaders including Chancellor Shroder, President Chirac, Prime Minister Koizumi and President Putin.
You can follow Jack and Laura on Twitter: @LordMcConnell 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.
59 min
September 01, 2020 Tom Tugendhat on Diplomacy and His Time in Afghanistan and Iraq
Laura Round is joined by Tom Tugendhat MP, Chair of the Foreign Affairs Select Committee. They discuss diplomacy, the power of tech and what impact his time serving in Afghanistan and Iraq foreign policy and working as a journalist in the Middle East have had on him and his politics. He also shares his secret to building strong relationships with politicians around the world.
You can follow Tom and Laura on Twitter: @TomTugendhat 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.
28 min

About What Were You Thinking?

From the publisher's feed

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