Wright on the Nail

In this week’s ‘News Roundtable’ episode, host Chris Wright is joined by Joe Mayes, Bloomberg Brexit and politics reporter; Paul Lewis, financial journalist and broadcaster; and Steve Howell, former Corbyn advisor & BBC journalist -  and author of his latest book, ‘Collateral Damage.’ 

The conversation begins by discussing fresh tensions around the so-called fishing war between Britain and France over post-Brexit fishing licenses. Guests explain how the dispute has escalated to threats such disruption to trade and energy supplies, and consider whether retaliation could spiral beyond fishing. 

The chat then moves on to debate the Budget delivered by Chancellor Rishi Sunak, asking to what extent it was politically targeted, contemplate a worrying outlook for living standards; discuss levelling up, and what was missing from the spending review.

Together guests also chew over proposed plans to take tougher action against water companies for pumping sewage into rivers, and share whether they are optimistic about the upcoming COP26 conference in Glasgow.

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'I Hit The Nail Right On The Head' by Billy Bremner. 

© Fridens liljor/Micke Finell.

Rock around the clock productions AB.

www.rockaroundtheclock.co 

This episode was produced by Sound Sapien

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In this week’s ‘News Roundtable’ episode, host Chris Wright is joined by Nicole Lampert, journalist and writer; Matthew Stadlen, radio and television presenter, and host of the ‘How to Academy’; Richard Taylor, social and political commentator, and host of ‘Rich Politics;’ and Angela Epstein, writer, broadcaster and media trainer.

The conversation begins by discussing a damning report from MPs which highlights serious delays by the government and scientific advisors during the pandemic. Guests debate decisions on lockdowns and social distancing during the early weeks of the pandemic, and whether the government should be held accountable for these errors.

The discussion moves on to talk about vaccine passports, which have recently become compulsory in Wales for attending nightclubs and sporting events. Together, they consider whether these rules should be adopted in the UK; if they are ethical, and whether this could lead to unfair exclusion. The guests also give their takes on the anti-vax movement, disinformation, and being tolerant around different views on the vaccination process.

The conversation then switches to to the recent news that the the Rolling Stones’ song ‘Brown Sugar’ has been removed from their US tour, due to controversy over lyrics relating to slavery. The panel debate whether the song should still be played in public, and if this is an example of cancel culture going “too far.”

Created & produced by Podcast Partners: www.podcastpartners.com

Sign up to receive updates by email when a new episode drops at: www.wrightonthenail.fm

'I Hit The Nail Right On The Head' by Billy Bremner. 

© Fridens liljor/Micke Finell.

Rock around the clock productions AB.

www.rockaroundtheclock.co 

This episode was produced by Sound Sapien

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This week for our ‘Special Guest’ episode, Chris is joined by drummer and legendary music manager, Ed Bicknell.

Beginning with his time at Hull University, Ed shares how he first got a taste for the music industry after joining the students’ union entertainments committee, where he booked some of the major artists of the day including; The Moody Blues, Pink Floyd, The Kinks, Muddy Waters and The Who. 

The conversation then moves on to how he established himself as a music agent, following his move to London where he was a drummer, whilst working for John Sherry Enterprises, and later at the NEMS agency representing Black Sabbath, Wishbone Ash, Ramones, Deep Purple and Talking Heads, among others.

Together they discuss his longtime management of rock band Dire Straits - whose ‘Brothers In Arms’ album sold more than 30 million copies worldwide, to later managing Mark Knopfler as a solo performer, as well as Gerry Rafferty, Bryan Ferry and Scott Walker.

Created & produced by Podcast Partners: www.podcastpartners.com

Sign up to receive updates by email when a new episode drops at: www.wrightonthenail.fm

'I Hit The Nail Right On The Head' by Billy Bremner. 

© Fridens liljor/Micke Finell.

Rock around the clock productions AB.

www.rockaroundtheclock.co 

This episode was produced by Sound Sapien

Soundsapien.com

In this week’s ‘News Roundtable’ episode, host Chris Wright is joined by transport consultant and manager Tom Reddy; chair of Save British Farming, Liz Webster; independent economist Julian Jessop and political journalist and writer, Lucy Webster.

The conversation begins by discussing the HGV driver shortages and how we can attract more young talent to the industry. They consider increases in pay, unsociable hours, driver conditions, the impact of Brexit, and the negative public perception that currently exists around the industry. 

The discussion moves on to talk about the panic buying of fuel and how the situation has escalated despite government ministers insisting that there is no shortage. Guests debate whether the media, government or public are to blame for the surge, and what impact these shortages are having on the UK economy.

Guests also share their reactions to Keir Starmer’s first in-person Labour Party conference speech, discuss concerns for the agriculture sector and deliberate whether collectivity, these issues are likely to put a dent in the popularity of the British government. 

Created & produced by Podcast Partners: www.podcastpartners.com

Sign up to receive updates by email when a new episode drops at: www.wrightonthenail.fm

'I Hit The Nail Right On The Head' by Billy Bremner. 

© Fridens liljor/Micke Finell.

Rock around the clock productions AB.

www.rockaroundtheclock.co 

This episode was produced by Sound Sapien

Soundsapien.com

In this week’s ‘Deep Dive’ episode, host Chris Wright is joined by Adam Schwarz, writer and political commentator; Paul Lewis, financial journalist and broadcaster; Marina Purkiss, political commentator and marketing campaigner; and Dr Curly Moloney, chief executive and co-founder of the Cambridge Code.

The conversation begins with guests weighing up “Britain's winter of woe”; empty supermarket shelves, panic buying, labor shortages and a rise in energy bills. They consider how these issues have assembled into a “perfect storm”; whether more gas firms are anticipated to “go bust”, and the impact this could have on the economy as it recovers from Covid.

The discussion moves on to talk about the nationwide decline in HGV drivers and recent changes to test rules in a bid to tackle shortages. Guests consider the impact of Brexit on the lack of qualified drivers, and debate whether the government is “compromising the safety of our roads.”

Guests also chew over Co2 shortages, delays to border controls, and the impact that cuts to universal credit could have on the most vulnerable people in society, during the winter months.

Created & produced by Podcast Partners: www.podcastpartners.com

Sign up to receive updates by email when a new episode drops at: www.wrightonthenail.fm

'I Hit The Nail Right On The Head' by Billy Bremner. 

© Fridens liljor/Micke Finell.

Rock around the clock productions AB.

www.rockaroundtheclock.co 

This episode was produced by Sound Sapien

Soundsapien.com

In this week’s episode, host Chris Wright is joined by Vicky Pryce, economist and  business consultant; Richard Barfield, management consultant and business author; and David Townsend, former director of social services in Camden, Haringey & Croydon.

The conversation begins by comparing how the outbreak of Covid has been handled in New Zealand and Australia compared to the UK -  with news of mobile vaccination buses being used to boost vaccination drive and avoid future lockdowns.

The discussion moves on to talk about supply chain issues - empty supermarket shelves, a lack of lorry drivers and restaurant closures; as well as the challenges of distinguishing whether Brexit or the pandemic is the principal culprit.

Guests also consider Boris Johnson’s Cabinet reshuffle and the appointment of Liz Truss as foreign secretary; the upcoming Chequers reunion; and British tennis star Emma Raducanu’s historic win.

Created & produced by Podcast Partners: www.podcastpartners.com

Sign up to receive updates by email when a new episode drops at: www.wrightonthenail.fm

'I Hit The Nail Right On The Head' by Billy Bremner. 

© Fridens liljor/Micke Finell.

Rock around the clock productions AB.

www.rockaroundtheclock.co 

This episode was produced by Sound Sapien

Soundsapien.com

In this week’s episode, host Chris Wright is joined by Andy Vesey, entrepreneur, award-winning energy executive and host of the ‘Investing in Zero’ podcast; Jessica Long, head of climate change and sustainability practice at Ipsos MORI; Chuck McCutcheon, editor of Bloomberg Law’s environment and energy desk; and John Vidal, former editor at Guardian Environment, for a ‘Deep Dive’ conversation on climate change.

The conversation begins by discussing how far science and the world has come in combating climate change, referencing the 1992 Earth Summit when climate change was “barely on the map”. Together, with predictions of heatwaves, high temperatures, flooding and rising sea levels becoming a reality, guests consider why there has been limited action, and the collaboration needed to solve this issue globally. 

The discussion moves on to talk about generational differences around engagement with the climate change movement; how this is reflected in political voting, and how the  pandemic has caused a “trust vacuum” around government, allowing industry to take a greater stance. 

They compare UK-US action, sustainable infrastructure investment, what we can expect from COP26 - and whether they are optimistic about reaching worldwide net-zero goals.

Created & produced by Podcast Partners: www.podcastpartners.com

Sign up to receive updates by email when a new episode drops at: www.wrightonthenail.fm

'I Hit The Nail Right On The Head' by Billy Bremner. 

© Fridens liljor/Micke Finell.

Rock around the clock productions AB.

www.rockaroundtheclock.co 

This episode was produced by Sound Sapien

Soundsapien.com

This week is our ‘Special Guest’ episode, where host Chris Wright brings you intimate one-to-one interviews with key people in media, business, politics, and beyond. In this episode, Chris is joined by legendary music manager and producer, Miles Copeland.

An icon in the music business, Miles is known primarily for managing The Police, Sting, Jools Holland, Squeeze and The Bangles. He also founded I.R.S. Records, where he launched the careers of The Go-Go’s, R.E.M, Fine Young Cannibals and Timbuk 3.

This year, Miles published his memoir ‘Two Steps Forward, One Step Back: My Life in the Music Business,' in which he documents his experience of 50 years in the business.

Beginning with tales of his early childhood, Miles shares his experience of travelling the Middle East as the son of a spy for the C.I.A. Recollecting his unconventional upbringing, he describes a time when the president of Egypt would visit his family home, and “picnics and parties” would be arranged with the infamous Soviet agent, Kim Philby.

The conversation moves on to Miles’ drive to become involved in the music industry, where he took on various roles as a manager, promoter, and record label owner. He details how he ‘learned the ropes’ with British rock band Wishbone Ash, before guiding  the careers of Sting, Andy Summers, and his own brother, Stewart Copeland, of The Police.

Together, Chris and Miles discuss the trials and tribulations of running I.R.S. Records. Miles also details how he bounced back from near bankruptcy and has gone on to found a travelling dance troupe, ‘Bellydance Superstars.’

Created & produced by Podcast Partners: www.podcastpartners.com

Sign up to receive updates by email when a new episode drops at: www.wrightonthenail.fm

'I Hit The Nail Right On The Head' by Billy Bremner. 

© Fridens liljor/Micke Finell.

Rock around the clock productions AB.

www.rockaroundtheclock.co 

This episode was produced by Sound Sapien

Soundsapien.com

In this week's ‘News Roundtable’ episode, Chris is joined by journalist and author Yvonne Ridley, Afghanaid’s chairman and programme development officer, Chris Kinder and Kitty Chevallier; and head of news & politics at Joe.co.uk, Oli Dugmore.

The conversation begins with Kitty describing the current state of “fear and suspension” in Afghanistan since the Taliban seized control of the capital, and reflecting on her experience of leaving Kabul, whilst others remain stranded.

The discussion moves on to talk about the US’ historic involvement in Afghanistan; the role of international troops; humanitarian assistance; and the UK government's commitment to resettle refugees who have been forced to flee their homes, or face threats of persecution.

Together they also debate the Taliban’s recent pledge to respect the rights of women within the framework of Islamic law, and how we can better create conditions where people want to live and stay in Afghanistan.

Created & produced by Podcast Partners: www.podcastpartners.com

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To find out more about Afghanaid and how they are responding to the crisis visit: https://www.afghanaid.org.uk

'I Hit The Nail Right On The Head' by Billy Bremner. 

© Fridens liljor/Micke Finell.

Rock around the clock productions AB.

www.rockaroundtheclock.co 

This episode was produced by Sound Sapien

Soundsapien.com

In this week's ‘Deep Dive’ episode, Chris is joined by Kate Nicholls, chief executive of UKHospitality; Martin Murray, former ‘Silks’ nightclub owner; and James McAllister, reporter at Big Hospitality and Restaurant Magazine 

The conversation begins with guests discussing the key contributing factors towards the high level of staff shortages in the hospitality sector - including travel restrictions, the pandemic, and how Brexit complicates post-pandemic recovery.

The discussion moves on to explore structural issues within the industry, and why some hospitality workers are not returning to their roles, despite the furlough scheme drawing to a close. 

Guests debate whether vaccine passports are a practical solution for nightclubs, and whether the government could or should be doing more to support the industry. And guest Martin Murray, shares his personal experience of deciding to close his nightclub, which his family have owned for nearly 50 years, due to lockdown and Covid restrictions.

Created & produced by Podcast Partners: www.podcastpartners.com

Sign up to receive updates by email when a new episode drops at: www.wrightonthenail.fm

'I Hit The Nail Right On The Head' by Billy Bremner. 

© Fridens liljor/Micke Finell.

Rock around the clock productions AB.

www.rockaroundtheclock.co 

This episode was produced by Sound Sapien

Soundsapien.com