Strong Message Here podcast

Strong Message Here

Armando Iannucci hosts the programme that gives you a cast-iron guarantee to be laser-focused on decoding the baffling world of political language. Each week he'll be joined by a guest to crack open the political phrasebook and attempt to demystify the doublespeak. Why does everything now have to be 'turbo-charged'? What's the difference between a 'pledge' and a 'mission'? Why has my local MP been 'weaponised' and should I be worried? You'll be treated to a crash course in the dark arts of political language from people on the inside who are both baffled and beguiled by it. They'll walk you through the various verbal fiascos of the modern political lexicon so that by the end you'll be oven-ready for an appearance on Newsnight. Armando's erstwhile partner in de-baffling political lexicon, Helen Lewis, is away working in the United States in the autumn and so her seat will be kept warm by a rotating cast of co-hosts. Listen to Strong Message Here on Thursdays on Radio 4 at 9.45am, and an extended version is available on BBC Sounds. Produced by Gwyn Rhys Davies. A BBC Studios Production for BBC Radio 4.

Armando Iannucci hosts the programme that gives you a cast-iron guarantee to be laser-focused on decoding the baffling world of political language. Each week he'll be joined by a guest to crack open the political phrasebook and attempt to demystify the doublespeak. Why does everything now have to be 'turbo-charged'? What's the difference between a 'pledge' and a 'mission'? Why has my local MP been 'weaponised' and should I be worried? You'll be treated to a crash course in the dark arts of political language from people on the inside who are both baffled and beguiled by it. They'll walk you through the various verbal fiascos of the modern political lexicon so that by the end you'll be oven-ready for an appearance on Newsnight. Armando's erstwhile partner in de-baffling political lexicon, Helen Lewis, is away working in the United States in the autumn and so her seat will be kept warm by a rotating cast of co-hosts. Listen to Strong Message Here on Thursdays on Radio 4 at 9.45am, and an extended version is available on BBC Sounds. Produced by Gwyn Rhys Davies. A BBC Studios Production for BBC Radio 4.

 

#60

Civilisational Erasure (with Stewart Lee)

Is 'Civilisational Erasure' upon us? This week, Armando is joined again by Stewart Lee to ... more

11 Dec 2025

28 MINS

28:42

11 Dec 2025


#59

AI Hallucinations (with Stewart Lee and Sarah Wynn-Williams)

This week, Armando is joined again by Stewart Lee to discuss the language around AI. They ... more

04 Dec 2025

36 MINS

36:16

04 Dec 2025


#58

Spooking the Markets (with Natalie Haynes and Stewart Lee)

It's budget week, Armando is joined by two members of the Strong Message Here commune, Nat... more

27 Nov 2025

32 MINS

32:35

27 Nov 2025


#57

Moral Failure and Deadly Negligence (with Sara Pascoe and Matt Winning)

António Guterres has said that missing the 1.5 degree climate target is "a moral failure a... more

20 Nov 2025

37 MINS

37:45

20 Nov 2025


#56

The Buck Stops Here (with Ria Lina and Sophy Ridge)

This week, Armando is joined again by comedian Ria Lina, and Sky New's new breakfast host,... more

13 Nov 2025

34 MINS

34:24

13 Nov 2025


#55

Be Vigilant (with Phil Wang)

This week, Armando is joined by Phil Wang to look at the use and abuse of political langua... more

06 Nov 2025

29 MINS

29:56

06 Nov 2025


#54

Deep Disillusionment in This Country (with Stewart Lee)

This week, Armando is joined again by Stewart Lee to look at how political actors use lang... more

30 Oct 2025

28 MINS

28:46

30 Oct 2025


#53

In Hindsight (with Ria Lina and Tim Shipman)

This week, Armando is joined again by comedian Ria Lina, and Political Editor of The Spect... more

23 Oct 2025

34 MINS

34:13

23 Oct 2025


#52

The End of the Age of Terror and Death (with Stewart Lee)

One one hand, the world is going to hell, on the other, the age of terror and death has en... more

16 Oct 2025

29 MINS

29:27

16 Oct 2025


#51

Repetition, Repetition, Repetition (with Natalie Haynes)

Did you know Keir Starmer's dad was a toolmaker? Of course you did, because he repeated it... more

09 Oct 2025

30 MINS

30:22

09 Oct 2025


#50

The Battle for the Soul of the Country (with Adam Fleming)

Armando is at the Labour Party conference (well, in a portakabin in a car park nearby - th... more

02 Oct 2025

33 MINS

33:36

02 Oct 2025


#49

Hurty Words (with Stewart Lee)

Stewart Lee returns to the show, to join Armando in discussing 'hurty words'. With Jimmy ... more

25 Sep 2025

29 MINS

29:03

25 Sep 2025


#48

Phase 2 (with Ria Lina)

In the first episode of the new series, Armando Iannucci and guest co-host, Ria Lina look ... more

18 Sep 2025

29 MINS

29:15

18 Sep 2025


#47

Strong Recommend: Going Postal by Terry Pratchett

In the last of our summer mini-series, Helen brings a book by Terry Pratchett. To Helen's ... more

11 Sep 2025

06 MINS

06:54

11 Sep 2025


#46

Strong Recommend: Tehran (Apple TV+)

Armando has been watch Tehran on Apple TV. This multi-language show about spy agencies in ... more

04 Sep 2025

06 MINS

06:43

04 Sep 2025


#45

Strong Recommend: Elden Ring

If you're interested in fantasy, and fancy taking on a responsibility equivalent to a part... more

28 Aug 2025

10 MINS

10:36

28 Aug 2025


#44

Strong Recommend: The Contestant

In 1998, a Japanese man was filmed in solitary confinement for our entertainment. Naked as... more

21 Aug 2025

10 MINS

10:02

21 Aug 2025


#43

Strong Recommend: Shamanism, The Timeless Religion by Dr Manvir Singh

What is xenising? And why do authority figures do it? Can we trace Farage back to the sham... more

14 Aug 2025

08 MINS

08:57

14 Aug 2025


#42

Strong Recommend: The Bookshop by Penelope Fitzgerald

Fancy trying a new author, but don't know where to start? Armando recommends a short novel... more

07 Aug 2025

05 MINS

05:39

07 Aug 2025


#41

Strong Recommend: Evita at London Palladium

Helen has been to the theatre recently, so you don't have to! Jamie Lloyd's production of ... more

31 Jul 2025

06 MINS

06:42

31 Jul 2025