Geopolitics explained through world events and international politics: the global affairs podcast from King's College London. Hosted by Esau Williams, The World in Question brings expert guests into conversation for world news analysis of some of the biggest - and most neglected - stories shaping global politics today. Formerly WORLD: we got this.
kingsglobalaffairs.substack.com (https://kingsglobalaffairs.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast)
Publisher
King's Global Affairs | King's College London Research
Beneath the vast expanse of the Pacific Ocean lies an unseen world: deep seabeds dotted with metal-rich nodules that some claim are vital for the green transition. As demand grows for minerals used in renewable technologies and batteries, governments and companies are increasingly turning their eyes toward the deep ocean.
In this episode, King’s College London academics Dr Ben Tippet and Dr Rowan Gard unpack the promises, pitfalls and politics of deep-sea mining. Together, they explore whether harvesting minerals from the ocean floor offers a sustainable path forward, or whether it risks repeating historical patterns of extraction and inequality.
As the world races toward net-zero goals, decisions made now will shape ocean health, community futures and global environmental justice for generations. This episode asks the question at the heart of the debate:
Do we need deep-sea mining – or do we need to reimagine our relationship with the planet?
Spheres of Knowledge on Substack
Enjoyed this episode? Get more accessible, thought‑provoking posts every weekday on Spheres of Knowledge.
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit kingsglobalaffairs.substack.com (https://kingsglobalaffairs.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1)
15 Mar 2026
Future-Proofing the UK
In this episode, host Esau Williams explores how the UK can prepare for a future shaped by rising temperatures, heavier rainfall, and rapidly shifting social and environmental pressures.
From heatwaves and flooding to community resilience and communication strategies that genuinely resonate, this conversation examines what “future-proofing” really looks like - not as a distant political ambition, but as an everyday reality already unfolding across the country.
Esau is joined by three experts who bring complementary perspectives: Dr Helen Adams, Dr Giovanna Gini (King’s College London), and Chris Pollard (Climate Outreach). Together, they unpack how climate change affects daily life, why some people face greater risks than others, and what meaningful, fair adaptation looks like in practice.
**Share Your Thoughts**
Take our short, anonymous listener survey. It only takes a minute.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScxEqMCP5a1NEBI1HT0jxKWeZI-gWmzHA4xhuxjc7uDf8_Tuw/viewform?usp=publish-editor (https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScxEqMCP5a1NEBI1HT0jxKWeZI-gWmzHA4xhuxjc7uDf8_Tuw/viewform?usp=publish-editor)
Spheres of Knowledge on Substack
Enjoyed this episode? Get more accessible, thought‑provoking posts every weekday on Spheres of Knowledge.
https://kingsglobalaffairs.substack.com (https://kingsglobalaffairs.substack.com/)
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit kingsglobalaffairs.substack.com (https://kingsglobalaffairs.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1)
6 Feb 2026
The Future of Overseas Aid
In this episode of The World We Got This, host Esau Williams explores how international development is being reshaped as governments cut budgets, multilateral institutions restructure, and aid becomes increasingly tied to national interest.
Recorded in the wake of the International Development Committee’s (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DDFY9r4MayI&t=385s) inquiry into UK aid, the discussion brings together leading scholars to unpack what these shifts mean for the world’s most vulnerable communities.
Joining the conversation are Professor Andy Sumner (King’s College London), Dr Eduardo Ortiz Juárez (UNDP and King’s), and Professor Naomi Hossain (https://substack.com/profile/17053718-naomi-hossain) (SOAS), who offer a global perspective on shrinking aid budgets, the future of multilateralism, accountability, and the moral case for development cooperation. Together, they ask whether aid is ending, transforming, or simply being redefined - and who stands to lose if it is.
Read more about this episode here (https://open.substack.com/pub/kingsglobalaffairs/p/is-this-the-end-of-aid-as-we-know?r=31b79k&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true)
Thanks for reading Spheres of Knowledge! Subscribe for free to receive new posts.
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit kingsglobalaffairs.substack.com (https://kingsglobalaffairs.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1)
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
YouTube views
7,562,864
Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025
Apple Podcasts (US)
4.5 / 5
2 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
3 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 76 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
83
Social presence
0
YouTube
93
Engagement
81
Contact WORLD: we got this
Guest appearances
Books guests
Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.
Host of WORLD: we got this?
Claim your podcast to manage its listing and keep your show details accurate.
Pod Engine is an independent podcast discovery and analytics service and is not affiliated with or endorsed by this podcast. Artwork and show content belong to their owners. Full legal notice.
Explore this show Podcast research with Pod Engine
