# Leading (podcast)

Leading is a British podcast launched in January 2023. Hosted by Alastair Campbell and Rory Stewart, it is a sister podcast of their weekly politics podcast The Rest is Politics. The podcast is produced by Goalhanger Podcasts.

## Background

Both Alastair Campbell and Rory Stewart have been active in British politics. Campbell is a journalist and political strategist, who served as the communications chief for Tony Blair. A former member of the Labour Party, Campbell was expelled after he voted for the Liberal Democrats in the 2019 European elections.
Stewart is a former diplomat, author and politician. He served as Conservative international development secretary and prisons minister under Theresa May, and was a member of parliament for around nine years. In 2019, having rebelled against Boris Johnson's approach to Brexit, he was expelled from the parliamentary party. He later resigned his party membership as well.
Campbell and Stewart's podcast The Rest is Politics, launched in March 2022, is aimed at providing a temperate and informed political debate in the United Kingdom. As part of the podcast, the hosts would interview former and active political figures. These interviews were released irregularly, as opposed to the main podcast, which releases two episodes on Wednesday and Thursday of each week.
In January 2023, Goalhanger Podcasts launched Leading as a spin off, allowing Campbell and Stewart to interview on a regular basis as well as to interview non-political figures.

## Episodes

The podcast usually releases a new episode every Monday. Former UK deputy prime minister Michael Heseltine was the podcast's first guest. Some episodes are recorded with only Campbell as the interviewer. In such episodes, Stewart sometimes discusses the interview at the end with Campbell, without the relevant guest being present.
Key :
| * | Interviewed only by Campbell |
| No. | Guest(s) | Running time | Original release date | Link |
| 1 | Michael Heseltine | 48:33 | January 16, 2023 (2023-01-16) | link at Apple Podcasts |
| Former UK deputy prime minister Michael Heseltine discusses premierships of Margaret Thatcher and Rishi Sunak, Brexit, and UK miners' strike of 1984–85. |||||
| 2 | Marina Litvinenko* | 48:27 | January 23, 2023 (2023-01-23) | link at Apple Podcasts |
| Widow of murdered British-naturalised Russian defector and Putin critic Alexander Litvinenko discusses her husband's poisoning and death, Vladimir Putin, and the invasion of Ukraine. |||||
| 3 | Alan Milburn | 55:16 | January 30, 2023 (2023-01-30) | link at Apple Podcasts |
| Former UK health secretary Milburn discusses NHS crisis and nurses' strikes, his tenure in Tony Blair's government, New Labour, and his upbringing. |||||
| 4 | Michel Barnier | 41:25 | February 6, 2023 (2023-02-06) | link at Apple Podcasts |
| EU Brexit chief negotiator Michel Barnier discusses Brexit and his career in French politics. |||||
| 5 | Michael Johnson* | 41:43 | February 13, 2023 (2023-02-13) | link at Apple Podcasts |
| American sprinter and Olympic Games medalist Michael Johnson discusses future of athletics, taking the knee, and doping in sport. |||||
| 6 | David Lammy | 56:35 | February 20, 2023 (2023-02-20) | link at Apple Podcasts |
| UK shadow foreign secretary David Lammy discusses Brexit, international development, and his upbringing. |||||
| 7 | Fiona Hill | 55:40 | February 27, 2023 (2023-02-27) | link at Apple Podcasts |
| British-American foreign affairs specialist Fiona Hill discusses her upbringing in Bishop Auckland, the Ukraine conflict, and her work in the Trump Administration. |||||
| 8 | Bertie Ahern* | 52:18 | March 6, 2023 (2023-03-06) | link at Apple Podcasts |
| Former Irish Taoiseach Bertie Ahern discusses his father's involvement in the anti-Treaty IRA, his own contribution to the Good Friday Agreement, and Northern Ireland peace process. |||||
| 9 | Bernie Sanders | 40:11 | March 13, 2023 (2023-03-13) | link at Apple Podcasts |
| US Senator Bernie Sanders discusses his presidential run and American healthcare reform. |||||
| 10 | Rahima Mahmut* | 51:13 | March 20, 2023 (2023-03-20) | link at Apple Podcasts |
| Uyghur artist and human rights activist Rahima Mahmut discusses the persecution of Uyghurs in China and the Xinjiang conflict. |||||
| 11 | Gary Lineker | 56:23 | March 27, 2023 (2023-03-27) | link at Apple Podcasts |
| English footballer and sports broadcaster Gary Lineker discusses his career and 2023 suspension from Match of the Day. |||||
| 12 | David Baddiel | 51:59 | April 3, 2023 (2023-04-03) | link at Apple Podcasts |
| English comedian, presenter, and author David Baddiel discusses his maternal family's entry into Britain as refugees during the Holocaust, antisemitism in the UK, his polemic Jews Don't Count, and his co-written song Three Lions. |||||
| 13 | Brian Cox* | 38:14 | April 10, 2023 (2023-04-10) | link at Apple Podcasts |
| Scottish actor Brian Cox discusses Succession, SNP, and Scottish independence. |||||
| 14 | David Miliband | 56:20 | April 17, 2023 (2023-04-17) | link at Apple Podcasts |
| Former UK foreign secretary and President of the International Rescue Committee David Miliband discusses New Labour and his work for the IRC providing humanitarian aid. |||||
| 15 | Hillary Clinton | 41:10 | April 24, 2023 (2023-04-24) | link at Apple Podcasts |
| Former US secretary of state, senator, and first lady Hillary Clinton discusses Operation Neptune Spear, her loss in the 2016 US presidential election, and her tenure as secretary of state. |||||
| 16 | Tony Blair | 40:21 | May 1, 2023 (2023-05-01) | link at Apple Podcasts |
| Former UK prime minister Tony Blair discusses the Northern Ireland peace process and Good Friday Agreement. |||||
| 17 | Gerry Adams | 42:07 | May 8, 2023 (2023-05-08) | link at Apple Podcasts |
| Irish republican politician Gerry Adams discusses The Troubles. |||||
| 18 | George Osborne | 01:04:22 | May 15, 2023 (2023-05-15) | link at Apple Podcasts |
| Former UK chancellor George Osborne discusses his chancellorship and austerity programme. |||||
| 19 | Leo Varadkar | 34:05 | May 22, 2023 (2023-05-22) | link at Apple Podcasts |
| Irish Taoiseach Leo Varadkar discusses his upbringing, Irish politics and foreign policy, and artificial intelligence. |||||
| 20 | Jonathan Powell | 51:45 | May 29, 2023 (2023-05-29) | link at Apple Podcasts |
| Former Downing Street chief of staff Jonathan Powell discusses New Labour and Northern Ireland peace process. |||||
| 21 | Mary McAleese* | 47:35 | June 5, 2023 (2023-06-05) | link at Apple Podcasts |
| Former Irish president Mary McAleese discusses her legal career and presidency, Catholic Church in Ireland, and Northern Ireland peace process. |||||
| 22 | Kate Raworth | 56:24 | June 12, 2023 (2023-06-12) | link at Apple Podcasts |
| English economist Kate Raworth discusses doughnut economics and economic sustainability. |||||
| 23 | John Major: Part 1 | 46:08 | June 19, 2023 (2023-06-19) | link at Apple Podcasts |
| Former UK prime minister John Major discusses his early political career and resignation of Margaret Thatcher. |||||
| 24 | John Major: Part 2 | 01:01:17 | June 26, 2023 (2023-06-26) | link at Apple Podcasts |
| Former UK prime minister John Major discusses his premiership, Gulf War, and Black Wednesday. |||||
| 25 | Michael Ignatieff | 59:21 | July 3, 2023 (2023-07-03) | link at Apple Podcasts |
| Former Canadian opposition leader and academic Michael Ignatieff discusses his career and climate change. |||||
| 26 | Francis Fukuyama | 55:23 | July 10, 2023 (2023-07-10) | link at Apple Podcasts |
| American political scientist and international relations writer Francis Fukuyama discusses his The End of History thesis and authoritarianism. |||||
| 27 | Feargal Sharkey* | 44:51 | July 17, 2023 (2023-07-17) | link at Apple Podcasts |
| Northern Irish singer Feargal Sharkey discusses his upbringing in Derry and environmental campaigning. |||||
| 28 | Paul Nurse | 1:04:32 | July 24, 2023 (2023-07-24) | link at Apple Podcasts |
| British geneticist and Nobel laureate for Physiology Paul Nurse discusses future of British science and British government response to the COVID-19 pandemic |||||
| 29 | Yuval Noah Harari: Part 1 | 54:13 | July 31, 2023 (2023-07-31) | link at Apple Podcasts |
| Israeli public intellectual and historian Yuval Noah Harari discusses 2023 Israeli protests. |||||
| 30 | Anthony Joshua | 54:41 | August 7, 2023 (2023-08-07) | link at Apple Podcasts |
| British professional boxer Anthony Joshua discusses his career. |||||
| 31 | Yuval Noah Harari: Part 2 | 58:41 | August 14, 2023 (2023-08-14) | link at Apple Podcasts |
| Israeli public intellectual and historian Yuval Noah Harari discusses artificial intelligence and populism in the 21st century. |||||
| 32 | Miriam González Durántez | 58:15 | August 21, 2023 (2023-08-21) | link at Apple Podcasts |
| Spanish lawyer and vice chair of UBS Europe Miriam González Durántez discusses gender equality, and Cameron-Clegg coalition. |||||
| 33 | Mustafa Suleyman | 01:04:34 | August 28, 2023 (2023-08-28) | link at Apple Podcasts |
| British artificial intelligence researcher Mustafa Suleyman discusses artificial intelligence, and his early life and career. |||||
| 34 | Ed Davey | 01:12:11 | September 4, 2023 (2023-09-04) | link at Apple Podcasts |
| Former British energy secretary and Lib Dem leader Ed Davey discusses the Cameron-Clegg coalition and the 2024 United Kingdom general election. |||||
| 35 | Catherine Ashton | 01:01:58 | September 11, 2023 (2023-09-11) | link at Apple Podcasts |
| Former High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs discusses her career and the European Union. |||||
| 36 | Andy Burnham and Andy Street | 57:17 | September 18, 2023 (2023-09-18) | link at Apple Podcasts |
| Inaugural mayors of Greater Manchester (Burnham) and West Midlands (Street) discuss devolved local government in England and their mayoral careers. |||||
| 37 | Chris Hipkins | 56:45 | September 25, 2023 (2023-09-25) | link at Apple Podcasts |
| New Zealand prime minister Chris Hipkins discusses New Zealand COVID response, upcoming election, and relations with China. |||||
| 38 | Theresa May: Part 1 | 55:34 | October 2, 2023 (2023-10-02) | link at Apple Podcasts |
| Former UK prime minister Theresa May discusses her tenure as Home Secretary, Windrush scandal, and Hillsborough disaster. |||||
| 39 | Theresa May: Part 2 | 55:39 | October 9, 2023 (2023-10-09) | link at Apple Podcasts |
| Former UK prime minister Theresa May discusses her tenure as prime minister, Brexit negotiations, and Donald Trump. |||||
| 40 | Minette Batters | 56:50 | October 16, 2023 (2023-10-16) | link at Apple Podcasts |
| NFU president and British farmer Minette Batters discusses British agriculture, post-Brexit UK FTAs, and Net Zero. |||||
| 41 | Reid Hoffman | 01:12:49 | October 23, 2023 (2023-10-23) | link at Apple Podcasts |
| American venture capitalist and LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman discusses AI, PayPal Mafia, and 2024 US presidential race. |||||
| 42 | Sayeeda Warsi | 55:47 | October 27, 2023 (2023-10-27) | link at Apple Podcasts |
| Former UK cabinet minister and House of Lords member Sayeeda Warsi discusses Islamophobia in the United Kingdom and 2023 Israel-Hamas war. |||||
| 43 | Arnold Schwarzenegger | 53:23 | October 30, 2023 (2023-10-30) | link at Apple Podcasts |
| Former California governor and actor Arnold Schwarzenegger discusses his early life, career, and 2024 US presidential race. |||||
| 44 | Mark Carney | 01:03:53 | November 6, 2023 (2023-11-06) | link at Apple Podcasts |
| Canadian economist and former Bank of England governor Mark Carney discusses austerity, monetary policy, and climate change. |||||
| 45 | Comfort Ero | 59:47 | November 13, 2023 (2023-11-13) | link at Apple Podcasts |
| Crisis Group CEO Comfort Ero discusses United Nations and international peace. |||||
| 46 | Arancha González Laya | 51:51 | November 20, 2023 (2023-11-20) | link at Apple Podcasts |
| Former Spanish foreign minister Arancha González Laya discusses her career, Russian invasion of Ukraine, and AI regulation. |||||
| 47 | Tony Klug | 49:07 | November 24, 2023 (2023-11-24) | link at Apple Podcasts |
| British international affairs consultant Tony Klug discusses Arab-Israeli conflict and 2023 Israel-Hamas war. |||||
| 48 | Simon Sebag Montefiore | 47:17 | November 27, 2023 (2023-11-27) | link at Apple Podcasts |
| British historian Simon Sebag Montefiore discusses Arab-Israeli conflict and his book Jerusalem: The Biography. |||||
| 49 | Christiana Figueres | 57:28 | December 4, 2023 (2023-12-04) | link at Apple Podcasts |
| Costa Rican diplomat and former UNFCCC executive secretary Christiana Figueres discusses climate change and COP 2028. |||||
| 50 | Angela Rayner | 1:09:33 | December 11, 2023 (2023-12-11) | link at Apple Podcasts |
| UK Labour deputy leader Angela Rayner discusses upcoming UK general election and Labour leadership of Jeremy Corbyn. |||||
| 51 | Tim Peake | 1:00:02 | December 18, 2023 (2023-12-18) | link at Apple Podcasts |
| British astronaut Tim Peake discusses his Army Air Corps career, and space exploration and colonisation. |||||
| 52 | Tom Holland | 1:03:32 | December 25, 2023 (2023-12-25) | link at Apple Podcasts |
| British historian Tom Holland discusses influence of Christianity on Western culture. |||||
| 53 | Seb Coe | 1:01:23 | January 1, 2024 (2024-01-01) | link at Apple Podcasts |
| British sports Seb Coe discusses his athletics, politics and sports administration careers, 2020 London Olympics, and doping. |||||
| 54 | Guy Verhofstadt | 55:47 | January 8, 2024 (2024-01-08) | link at Apple Podcasts |
| Former Belgian prime minister and MEP discusses his decade-long premiership and further integration of the European Union. |||||
| 55 | Gillian Keegan | 01:11:43 | January 15, 2024 (2024-01-15) | link at Apple Podcasts |
| UK education secretary Gillian Keegan discusses her early life and career, and education in the UK. |||||
| 56 | Bill Gates | 57:00 | January 22, 2024 (2024-01-22) | link at Apple Podcasts |
| American businessman and philanthropist Bill Gates discusses development of Microsoft and his philanthropic interests. |||||
| 57 | Tucker Eskew | 56:23 | January 29, 2024 (2024-01-29) | link at Apple Podcasts |
| American communications director Tucker Eskew discusses 2016 and 2024 US elections, Republican Revolution, and Trumpism. |||||
| 58 | Humza Yousaf | 01:04:30 | February 5, 2024 (2024-02-05) | link at Apple Podcasts |
| Scotland's first minister Humza Yousaf discusses Scottish independence and Israel–Hamas war. |||||
| 59 | Robert Sapolsky | 01:05:53 | February 12, 2024 (2024-02-12) | link at Apple Podcasts |
| American neuroendocrinologist Robert Sapolsky discusses his work on free will and political polarization in the United States. |||||
| 60 | Anthony Scaramucci | 01:08:31 | February 19, 2024 (2024-02-19) | link at Apple Podcasts |
| American financier and former White House communications director Anthony Scaramucci discusses 2024 US election and campaign finance in the US. |||||
| 61 | James Rubin | 01:08:52 | February 26, 2024 (2024-02-26) | link at Apple Podcasts |
| American diplomat James Rubin discusses foreign policy of Joe Biden and American interventionism. |||||
| 62 | Sajid Javid: Part 1 | 42:21 | March 4, 2024 (2024-03-04) | link at Apple Podcasts |
| Former UK chancellor Sajid Javid discusses his 2019 Tory leadership run and Islamophobia in the Tory party. |||||
| 63 | Sajid Javid: Part 2 | 42:21 | March 8, 2024 (2024-03-08) | link at Apple Podcasts |
| Former UK chancellor Sajid Javid discusses the Johnson premiership and the decision to revoke Shamima Begum's citizenship. |||||
| 64 | Caroline Lucas | 01:07:02 | March 11, 2024 (2024-03-11) | link at Apple Podcasts |
| Former Green Party leader Caroline Lucas discusses her career. |||||
| 65 | Albin Kurti | 01:03:28 | March 18, 2024 (2024-03-18) | link at Apple Podcasts |
| Kosovar prime minister Albin Kurti discusses his career and imprisonment, and Kosovar independence and foreign relations. |||||
| 66 | Antony Gormley | 01:05:49 | March 25, 2024 (2024-03-25) | link at Apple Podcasts |
| British sculptor Antony Gormley discusses his work and art. |||||
| 67 | Eliza Manningham-Buller and John Sawers | 01:11:13 | April 1, 2024 (2024-04-01) | link at Apple Podcasts |
| Former British intelligence officers Eliza Manningham-Buller (MI5 director general) and John Sawers (MI6 chief) discuss espionage and their careers. |||||
| 68 | Edward Kessler | 00:56:29 | April 8, 2024 (2024-04-08) | link at Apple Podcasts |
| British theologian Edward Kessler discusses the Israel-Palestine conflict. |||||
| 69 | Dieter Helm | 01:14:00 | April 15, 2024 (2024-04-15) | link at Apple Podcasts |
| British economist and academic Dieter Helm discusses COP conferences and Net Zero. |||||
| 70 | Sadiq Khan | 01:10:36 | April 22, 2024 (2024-04-22) | link at Apple Podcasts |
| London mayor Sadiq Khan discusses his tenure as London mayor and religion in UK politics. |||||
| 71 | Ehud Olmert | 01:03:59 | April 29, 2024 (2024-04-29) | link at Apple Podcasts |
| Former Israeli prime minister Ehud Olmert discusses 2023 Israeli invasion of Gaza and Benjamin Netanyahu's government |||||
| 72 | Nancy Pelosi | 58:07 | May 6, 2024 (2024-05-06) | link at Apple Podcasts |
| Former US House speaker Nancy Pelosi discusses her career and campaign finance in the United States. |||||
| 73 | Kwasi Kwarteng: Part 1 | 44:09 | May 13, 2024 (2024-05-13) | link at Apple Podcasts |
| Former UK chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng discusses Johnson government, Rwanda asylum scheme, and British Empire. |||||
| 74 | Kwasi Kwarteng: Part 2 | 54:38 | May 20, 2024 (2024-05-20) | link at Apple Podcasts |
| Former UK chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng discusses Truss government and his mini-budget. |||||
| 75 | Kyriakos Mitsotakis | 01:05:14 | May 26, 2024 (2024-05-26) | link at Apple Podcasts |
| Greek prime minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis discusses his premiership, migration, and the Elgin Marbles. |||||
| 76 | Rachel Reeves | 01:11:32 | May 27, 2024 (2024-05-27) | link at Apple Podcasts |
| UK shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves discusses her career and Labour's economic plan. |||||
| 77 | David Blunkett: Part 1 | 47:10 | June 3, 2024 (2024-06-03) | link at Apple Podcasts |
| Former British Education and Home Secretary David Blunkett discusses his early life, blindness, and early political career. |||||
| 78 | David Blunkett: Part 2 | 52:00 | June 10, 2024 (2024-06-10) | link at Apple Podcasts |
| Former British Education and Home Secretary David Blunkett discusses his career in the New Labour government. |||||
| 79 | Nadhim Zahawi | 48:54 | June 14, 2024 (2024-06-14) | link at Apple Podcasts |
| Former UK chancellor Nadhim Zahawi discusses early life, Johnson premiership, and COVID-19 vaccination in the UK. |||||
| 80 | Bridget Phillipson | 57:00 | June 17, 2024 (2024-06-17) | link at Apple Podcasts |
| UK shadow education secretary Bridget Phillipson discusses Labour under Corbyn, and Labour's education policy. |||||
| 81 | Alex Chalk | 58:53 | June 24, 2024 (2024-06-24) | link at Apple Podcasts |
| UK justice secretary and Lord Chancellor Alex Chalk discusses his career, Brexit, and prison crisis in the UK. |||||
| 82 | Wes Streeting | 58:41 | June 28, 2024 (2024-06-28) | link at Apple Podcasts |
| UK shadow health secretary Wes Streeting discusses his career, faith, and National Health Service. |||||
| 83 | Gus O'Donnell | 55:04 | July 1, 2024 (2024-07-01) | link at Apple Podcasts |
| Former UK Cabinet Secretary Gus O'Donnell discusses transition of power in the UK and the Civil Service. |||||
| 84 | Helle Thorning-Schmidt | 1:00:51 | July 8, 2024 (2024-07-08) | link at Apple Podcasts |
| Former Danish prime minister Helle Thorning-Schmidt discusses her premiership. |||||
| 85 | Lisa Nandy | 1:10:08 | July 15, 2024 (2024-07-15) | link at Apple Podcasts |
| UK culture secretary Lisa Nandy discusses her career and cabinet portfolio. |||||
| 86 | Nick Clegg: Part 1 | 1:00:29 | July 22, 2024 (2024-07-22) | link at Apple Podcasts |
| Former UK deputy prime minister Nick Clegg discusses Lib Dems, Cameron-Clegg coalition, and 2015 UK election. |||||
| 87 | Nick Clegg: Part 2 | 1:02:51 | July 29, 2024 (2024-07-29) | link at Apple Podcasts |
| Former UK deputy prime minister Nick Clegg discusses the Cameron-Clegg coalition and his role at Facebook. |||||
| 88 | David Frum | 1:11:11 | August 5, 2024 (2024-08-05) | link at Apple Podcasts |
| American speechwriter David Frum discusses his work for George W. Bush and 2024 US presidential race. |||||
| 89 | David Davis | 1:07:25 | August 12, 2024 (2024-08-12) | link at Apple Podcasts |
| Former UK Brexit secretary David Davis discusses his career and politics. |||||
| 90 | Peter Malinauskas | 1:05:32 | August 19, 2024 (2024-08-19) | link at Apple Podcasts |
| South Australia premier Peter Malinauskas discusses his career and negative impact of social media on children. |||||
| 91 | John Anzalone | 34:00 | August 23, 2024 (2024-08-23) | link at Apple Podcasts |
| American pollster John Anzalone interviewed at 2024 Democratic National Convention. |||||
| 92 | Bob Mulholland | 28:52 | August 24, 2024 (2024-08-24) | link at Apple Podcasts |
| American political operative Bob Mulholland interviewed at 2024 Democratic National Convention. |||||
| 93 | Rosa DeLauro | 20:57 | August 25, 2024 (2024-08-25) | link at Apple Podcasts |
| American congresswoman Rosa DeLauro interviewed at 2024 Democratic National Convention. |||||
| 94 | Josh Elliott | 17:26 | August 26, 2024 (2024-08-26) | link at Apple Podcasts |
| American state representative Josh Elliott interviewed at 2024 Democratic National Convention. |||||
| 95 | David Urban | 23:49 | August 27, 2024 (2024-08-27) | link at Apple Podcasts |
| American lobbyist David Urban interviewed at 2024 Democratic National Convention. |||||
| 96 | Frank Luntz | 59:00 | September 2, 2024 (2024-09-02) | link at Apple Podcasts |
| American pollster Frank Luntz discusses 2020 US presidential election. |||||