Open Agenda

About Open Agenda

A conversational and topical podcast covering current and public affairs, politics, our interest in journalism and conversations that matter to people. Hosted by Will Luker (@CallmeWill97) and Nat Schaefer (@natjsch_), Open Agenda discusses topics that are and should be on the news agenda with an aim to invite guests as frequently as possible. There will be some opinion, some analysis but overall our aim is fairness. You can also expect numerous guests from our part of the world - South West England and the West Midlands. We hope you enjoy the episodes we release.

Publisher

Will Luker

Category

news

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

21 Nov 2021

Latest episode

12 May 2022

Latest episodes

9 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   12 May 2022

   9: Talking freelancing with Adam England

   This is not the first episode we have published on student journalism and freelancing. Our big aim for the Open Agenda podcast is to invite journalists to talk journalism but also to give them a platform to share some advice for current students or graduates hoping to make it in the media industry. Our guest for this episode is just the right person to talk about student publications, freelancing and tips on pitching. A warm welcome to Adam England, a freelance journalist who has quite a few bylines across multiple platforms. We talk pitching, freelancing, his interest in music journalism and a certain Twitter thread currently pinned! Thank you Adam for being our guest! You can follow Adam on Twitter @garageflowrr (https://twitter.com/garageflowrr) and do check out his website (https://www.adam-england.co.uk/) You can follow Open Agenda, Will and Nat on Twitter too @OpenAgendaPod (https://twitter.com/openagendapod) @CallmeWill97 (https://twitter.com/CallmeWill97) and @natjsch_ (https://twitter.com/natjsch_) Open Agenda can be found on all your major podcast providers. We recommend Spotify and Apple Podcasts!

2. 

   9 May 2022

   8: Local politics with Ash Cartman

   NOTE: THIS EPISODE WAS RECORDED BEFORE POLLING DAY Welcome back to another episode of the Open Agenda Podcast. With the local elections now over, we have a result where the Conservatives lost heavily despite making a few gains. Labour took control of three London boroughs, won the newly created Cumberland Council but elsewhere they made losses too. It's with the Liberal Democrats and the Greens where they made significant gains including Ed Davey's party ejecting Conservative control of a newly reshaped Somerset County Council. To discuss local issues we're joined by North Somerset Councillor Ash Cartman, who stood for the constituency at the 2019 General Election. Elections are due to take place in North Somerset next year but for now we spoke to Ash about protests against new proposals on Clevedon's seafront, local politics and everything Lib Dem. Our thanks to Ash for joining us on the podcast. You can follow Ash on Twitter @Ashley_Cartman (https://twitter.com/Ashley_Cartman) You can also connect with Will and Nat on Twitter @CallmeWill97 (https://twitter.com/CallmeWill97) and @natjsch_ (https://twitter.com/natjsch_)

3. 

   3 Mar 2022

   7: Uni, Tone Radio and Reviews with Troy Harrison

   For episode ten, we are delighted to welcome Troy Harrison, journalism student at the University of Gloucestershire where we both studied journalism too! University, the course, newsdays and writing, we have much to talk to Troy about including his current role as assistant manager of Tone Radio, the university's student radio station. Our thanks to Troy for being our guest! You can follow Will, Nat and Troy on Twitter: @CallmeWill97 (https://twitter.com/CallmeWill97) @natjsch_ (https://twitter.com/natjsch_) @Troy_harrison1 (https://twitter.com/Troy_harrison1) Do check out Open Apenda on Twitter: @OpenAgendaPod (https://twitter.com/OpenAgendaPod) Also check out Troy's own podcast called Safe Space (https://open.spotify.com/show/7igq8kOjoce59uJuPwPPz1?si=3FYxIRUYTP2CjMYnukhaNQ&utm_source=copy-link&fbclid=IwAR349B5e0Pv9D5sG6-J2ZVvbQM8knCioEEYOwk3mMSnaUWXei9PJlF79R74&nd=1)

4. 

   2 Feb 2022

   6: Lib Dem by-elections, local elections and policy with David Chadwick

   After winning North Shropshire as well as Chesham and Amersham from the Conversatives in by-elections last year, what did it mean for the Liberal Democrats? To discuss, we are joined by David Chadwick, who was Lib Dem candidate for North Dorset at the 2019 election. David has also canvassed for the party in North Shropshire, so what was said on the doorstep, why was the by-election significant and could there be a progressive pact at the next general election? We also have time to talk Liberal Democrat policies, upcoming local elections and does David plan to stand for parliament again? You can follow Will, Nat and David on Twitter: @CallmeWill97 (https://twitter.com/CallmeWill97) @natjsch_ (https://twitter.com/natjsch_) @LibDemDavid (https://twitter.com/LibDemDavid) Don't forget to check out Open Agenda on Twitter @OpenAgendaPod (https://twitter.com/OpenAgendaPod)

5. 

   22 Jan 2022

   5: Capturing nature on camera with Steve Waldron

   For the Open Agenda podcast we care about giving a platform to people who have personal hobbies. We want our guests to talk about the things that matter to them. We'd like to introduce you to Steve Waldron from London, who has a hobby in nature photography. We talk to Steve about capturing nature in the garden especially with the RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch coming up soon on the 28th and 30th January. We also discuss why everyone should have a passion to help beat plastic pollution in our rivers, seas and oceans. On the back of a recent Environmental Audit Committee report (https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm5802/cmselect/cmenvaud/74/summary.html) which states that "raw sewage, microplastics and slurry are coursing through all of England's rivers, putting health and nature at risk", we ask Steve about the problems, the solutions and also the problem of litter within his own community. Plastic in our oceans is another issue we discuss plus the importance of green spaces for London amid rising air pollution levels. Our thanks to Steve for his time as guest on the Open Agenda podcast. You can follow Will, Nat and Steven on Twitter: @WLuker97 (https://twitter.com/WLuker97) @natjsch_ (https://twitter.com/natjsch_)@Stevewal63 (https://twitter.com/Stevewal63) Don't forget to check out Open Agenda on Twitter too: @OpenAgendaPod (https://twitter.com/OpenAgendaPod)

6. 

   13 Jan 2022

   4: Reflections on Universal News

   Happy New Year to you! Welcome to our first episode of 2022. To get us going we're delighted to be joined by Beathriz Souza, who has studied journalism at the same university as us. We talk about her role as president for Universal News, the University of Gloucestershire's student news website, aspirations for the future plus the best bits from the BA Journalism course. We also have plenty of time to discuss more 'work meetings' at Downing Street, Novak Djokovic and Molly Mae's recent comments on the Diary of a CEO podcast with Steven Bartlett. You can find Will, Nat and Bea on social media @WLuker97 (https://twitter.com/WLuker97) @natjsch_ (https://twitter.com/natjsch_) @ItsBeathriz (https://twitter.com/ItsBeathriz) Do check out Universal News (https://www.uoguniversal.com/) too!

7. 

   2 Dec 2021

   3: Wearing masks and Labour reshuffles

   We're building back this podcast better! Sorry for nicking a Conversative Party slogan there! One topic we care about and love to discuss is politics so we're delighted to be joined by Callum Greenhough. If you managed to hear our episodes before the relaunch, then you'll have heard Callum's voice before. Based in Yorkshire, while Will and Nat are down south, Callum has canvassed for Batley and Spen's current MP Kim Leadbeater and we really value his contributions when talking about politics and current affairs. The Labour Party has reshuffled its shadow cabinet. Sir Keir Starmer has chopped and changed his team but what does this tell us with our parliament almost halfway between the 2019 election and a general election to come? New rules on mask wearing is back to remind us that COVID-19 is nowhere near gone. You can follow Will, Nat and Callum on Twitter @WLuker97 (https://twitter.com/WLuker97) @natjsch_ (https://twitter.com/natjsch_) and @crg121 (//@crg121) Don't forget to check out Open Agenda on Twitter @OpenAgendaPod (https://twitter.com/OpenAgendaPod) and on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/openagendapodcast/?hl=en) A reminder that our main podcast providers are on Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/open-agenda/id1596487560) and Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/73abNmIuFGxEItQUSTw7df)

8. 

   25 Nov 2021

   2: Impact magazine with Lauren McGaun

   For episode two of our new relaunch, we're joined by Lauren McGaun, head of news at Impact (https://impactnottingham.com/), the University of Nottingham's student magazine. A recent investigation by the magazine and a subsequent report on BBC Politics East Midlands has highlighted the worrying increase in spiking at nightclubs. We speak to Lauren about Impact's work on this important issue, plus her experiences as the former Editor in Chief of Empoword Journalism (https://www.empowordjournalism.com/), a publication led by women that aims to unite and empower journalists across the globe. There is also time to talk freelancing, why journalism and who inspires Lauren in the industry. Thank you for joining us Lauren and best of luck for the future! You can follow Lauren, Will and Nat on Twitter: @lauren_mcgaun (https://twitter.com/lauren_mcgaun) @WLuker97 (https://twitter.com/WLuker97) @natjsch_ (https://twitter.com/natjsch_) Do check out Impact magazine (https://twitter.com/impactmagazine) and Empoword Journalism (https://twitter.com/empowordjournos) on Twitter NOTE: Apologies to Lauren and our listeners for some of the sound issues in this episode.

9. 

   21 Nov 2021

   1: Friendly Neighbourhood Cycling

   Welcome to our first episode as Open Agenda relaunches, we are back on the agenda! To begin we're delighted to be joined by Bex Mountford, Cheltenham's first bicycle mayor. We talk cycling around the town, what is a cargo bike and how we encourage more people to take up two wheels. Post-COP26 we also touch on collaboration between people and organisations to help deliver the vital action we need to combat climate change. As the publicity co-coordinator for Clean Air Cheltenham (https://www.cleanaircheltenham.org/), Will was also really keen to know how we work together to get people on board. You can take a look at Bex's website called We've Got Wheels (https://www.wevegotwheels.com/), where she gives family cycling advice. Bex is also on Twitter @wevegotwheels (https://twitter.com/wevegotwheels) Don't forget to check out Open Agenda on Twitter @OpenAgendaPod (https://twitter.com/OpenAgendaPod) and on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/openagendapodcast/) Both Will and Nat are on Twitter to @WLuker97 (https://twitter.com/WLuker97) and @natjsch_ (https://twitter.com/natjsch_)