Revisited: a conversation with Benjamin Zephaniah

FromToday in Focus

Start listening View podcast show

Revisited: a conversation with Benjamin Zephaniah

FromToday in Focus

ratings:

Length:

33 minutes

Released:

Dec 7, 2023

Format:

Podcast episode

Description

The British poet Benjamin Zephaniah died this week after a short illness. Here we revisit a conversation between Zephaniah and George the Poet from 2020. They discussed why, having been born a generation apart, their work was exposing racial injustice. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Released:

Dec 7, 2023

Format:

Podcast episode

Titles in the series (100)

Hosted by Anushka Asthana and Rachel Humphreys, Today in Focus brings you closer to Guardian journalism. Combining personal storytelling with insightful analysis, this podcast takes you behind the headlines for a deeper understanding of the news, every weekday

Skip carousel

Why are British audiences suddenly so out of control?: From fights at the Bodyguard musical to wild drunken antics at comedy clubs and even heckling at the opera, performers and theatre staff say crowds are getting out of hand. What’s going on? by Today in Focus
26 min listen
Are we facing a summer of sporting protests?: High-profile protests at the Grand National and the World Snooker Championships have made headlines. The London Marathon could be next by Today in Focus
30 min listen
From pollution to policing – can Sadiq Khan clean up London?: While training for the marathon, the London mayor developed adult-onset asthma – now he is on a mission to clean up the city’s air. But will his green policies win over voters? by Today in Focus
29 min listen
Cost of the crown part 5: the coronation of Charles III: Charles III will be crowned in Westminster Abbey on Saturday in a ceremony steeped in centuries of history. Jonathan Freedland examines what the event means to the modern-day UK by Today in Focus
35 min listen
Is the UK in the grip of ‘greedflation’?: Prices in the UK are continuing to rise on everything from groceries to energy bills and mortgage costs. Meanwhile, some companies are reporting record profits. Richard Partington reports by Today in Focus
27 min listen
Why are London’s schools disappearing?: London schools in areas such as Lambeth and Camden are having to close their doors as pupils leave. Why are numbers dropping so fast – and why does it matter so much? by Today in Focus
30 min listen
Investigating alleged sexual misconduct at the CBI | podcast: Police have launched an investigation into alleged sexual misconduct at the Confederation of British Industry in the wake of a recent Guardian investigation. Anna Isaac reports by Today in Focus
30 min listen
Prince Harry and the return of the phone hacking scandal: This week, Prince Harry’s case over alleged phone hacking by the publisher of the Sun and News of the World reached the high court. Jim Waterson reports by Today in Focus
31 min listen
The Pentagon leaks: how did US security files end up on Discord? – podcast: Earlier this year, hundreds of top secret Pentagon documents were posted on the social media platform Discord. Manisha Ganguly and Julian Borger report by Today in Focus
29 min listen
The court case pushing Indian democracy to the brink – podcast: Critics have long accused Narendra Modi of eroding the world’s biggest democracy. Now, ahead of next year’s general election, his main political rival could be jailed – for defaming everyone with the name Modi. What’s going on? by Today in Focus
32 min listen
Cost of the crown part 3: the hidden history of the monarchy and slavery: Documents recently unearthed by historians have shown how the British royal family had ties to transatlantic slavery. Maeve McClenaghan reports by Today in Focus
28 min listen
The killing of Shireen Abu Akleh – and another ordinary day in the West Bank: A year ago the journalist was shot. It was not the only news story in Palestine that day. Kaamil Ahmed looks into the stories Abu Akleh never got to report by Today in Focus
34 min listen
Cost of the crown part 1: valuing the royal family: Maeve McClenaghan sets off on the trail to uncover how much public money is spent on the royal family – and what they do in return by Today in Focus
33 min listen
Cost of the crown part 2: Duchies, diamonds and Dalis: Maeve McClenaghan sets off to uncover what is held by the crown and what belongs to the royal family privately by Today in Focus
38 min listen
Funding, forensics – and a fridge freezer? The investigation into the SNP: Just a few months ago the SNP, with Nicola Sturgeon at the helm, looked almost untouchable. Now a fraud investigation into the party has caused that image to dramatically unravel by Today in Focus
32 min listen
Embracing a childfree life by Today in Focus
35 min listen
Why ‘godfather of AI’ Geoffrey Hinton thinks humanity at crossroads: In an interview with the Guardian’s Alex Hern, Hinton says he now fears the advances he helped usher in could pose an existential threat to humankind by Today in Focus
30 min listen
Did distress calls go unanswered in the run-up to a fatal Channel disaster?: In November 2021 a dinghy crossing from France to the UK overturned, and at least 27 people drowned. Questions are being asked over whether distress calls were effectively ignored in run-up to worst Channel disaster in 30 years by Today in Focus
27 min listen
Hosting Ukraine’s Eurovision party: Hannah Moore reports from Liverpool’s M&S Bank Arena where Britain is preparing to host the Eurovision song contest on behalf of last year’s winners Ukraine by Today in Focus
34 min listen
Erdoğan survives, but will Turkish democracy?: Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, the president of Turkey, has moulded the country in his image during his two decades in power. Now he faces a run-off election to stay in power by Today in Focus
32 min listen
Sudan’s warring generals: Fighting Sudan is continuing despite an internationally brokered truce. At the heart of the conflict is a power struggle between two powerful generals in a country permanently in the grip of its military. Nesrine Malik reports by Today in Focus
28 min listen
A bullying politician or snowflake civil servants? The downfall of Dominic Raab: The former deputy prime minister may have resigned but he remains defiant after an inquiry into bullying allegations. What does the scandal tell us about the relationship between ministers and Whitehall? by Today in Focus
28 min listen
Is Suella Braverman speeding towards a government exit?: Having set herself up as a rival to the prime minister, the home secretary is now facing allegations that she broke the ministerial code. Aubrey Allegretti reports by Today in Focus
23 min listen
Cotton Capital: the Guardian and reparations: Cotton Capital editor and Guardian journalist Maya Wolfe-Robinson looks at the subject of reparations. What do reparations mean for the communities and descendants of transatlantic enslavement – and what is the Guardian planning to do in its own programme of measures? by Today in Focus
50 min listen
Why California is dismantling its death row: After decades locked alone in small cages in California’s San Quentin prison, men sentenced to die for their crimes are all being moved off death row. Sam Levin investigates by Today in Focus
31 min listen
Has Ukraine’s spring offensive begun?: Ukraine claims its forces have retaken land around Bakhmut and shot down Russian missiles targeting Kyiv. Luke Harding reports on the state of the war by Today in Focus
26 min listen
Is Manchester City’s dominance of English football fair?: Manchester City have added this season’s Premier League title to their collection of honours and are favourites to win the FA Cup and the Champions League. But are they playing fair? Jonathan Liew reports by Today in Focus
29 min listen
Can Imran Khan really take on the Pakistani army and win?: The former prime minister has blamed the country’s powerful military for his arrest last week, and his supporters have attacked military buildings. With Khan’s home surrounded by police yesterday, has he picked a battle he’s destined to lose? by Today in Focus
34 min listen
Prince Harry versus the Mirror: Prince Harry became one of the most senior royals ever to give evidence in an English court this week. Jim Waterson reports from the high court in London where tabloid phone hacking was back under the microscope by Today in Focus
27 min listen
A spying scandal and lots of coffee: how Guardian Australia launched 10 years ago: In a special edition of Full Story, Guardian Australia’s daily podcast, Bridie Jabour speaks to the key players of its launch in May 2013 by Today in Focus
48 min listen

More Episodes from Today in Focus

Skip carousel

What keeps the world’s top climate scientists up at night?: Hundreds of climate experts expect global temperatures to rise to at least 2.5C (4.5F) above preindustrial levels by 2100. Damian Carrington reports by Today in Focus
31 min listen
The 'foreign agents' law that has set off mass protests in Georgia: The bill requires any civil society organisation that receives more than 20% of its funds from abroad to register as being under foreign influence. Daniel Boffey reports by Today in Focus
20 min listen
The growing tensions over immigration in Ireland: Rory Carroll, the Guardian’s Ireland correspondent, looks at what is fuelling anti-immigrant anger in the Republic of Ireland by Today in Focus
27 min listen
Put it down! Should children be allowed smartphones?: Almost all children have them by the time they are 11 years old – and some get them at four. But are they ruining childhoods? by Today in Focus
29 min listen
Rishi Sunak staggers on – but for how long?: Guardian political correspondent Kiran Stacey tells Helen Pidd what heavy local election losses mean for the PM, and looks at what calculation Keir Starmer made in taking in rightwing Tory Natalie Elphicke by Today in Focus
24 min listen
Escaping Rafah: on the ground in Gaza’s last refuge: We hear from two Palestinians living in tents in the city of Rafah. As the threat of an Israeli invasion hangs over them, they decide whether to stay or leave by Today in Focus
24 min listen
The London Bridge ‘hero’ who could go to prison for 99 years podcast: In 2019, ex-offender Marc Conway helped hold down a knifeman who killed two people in a terror attack. But by doing so he risked being recalled to prison. Simon Hattenstone reports by Today in Focus
29 min listen
Non-doms are threatening to leave. Should they be convinced to stay?: Multi-millionaire Bassim Haidar says ending the non-dom tax status is a mistake. He plans to leave the UK and says other non-doms will do the same. Should the government change their mind? by Today in Focus
21 min listen
How do we protect teenagers from sextortion scams?: Murray Dowey, a 16-year-old from Dunblane, was targeted by a sextortion scammer in the hours before he took his own life. Now his parents are raising awareness of this increasingly prevalent crime. Libby Brooks reports by Today in Focus
29 min listen
Politics Weekly Westminster: local elections special: In the first of our Politics Weekly Westminster episodes, the Guardian’s political editor Pippa Crerar and political correspondent Kiran Stacey go over the big wins and losses from the local and mayoral elections by Today in Focus
30 min listen
Are we on the brink of a ceasefire deal for Gaza? Podcast: With the threat of famine and the invasion of Rafah looming over Gaza, the leaders of Israel and Hamas are discussing a ceasefire deal. Julian Borger reports by Today in Focus
30 min listen
Has Elon Musk driven Tesla off track?: The electric carmaker’s Cybertruck was recalled last month after safety concerns emerged over the accelerator pedal. Kari Paul reports by Today in Focus
24 min listen
Is Labour about to win a local election landslide?: Councillors, mayors and police commissioners across England and Wales are facing voters this week. What’s at stake? Helen Pidd reports by Today in Focus
28 min listen
Scotland’s first minister Humza Yousaf resigns: On Monday, Scotland’s first minister Humza Yousaf announced his resignation. What does this mean for the Scottish National party? Severin Carrell and Libby Brooks report by Today in Focus
27 min listen
Have open marriages gone mainstream?: From therapy sessions to bookshelves, interest in non-monogamous relationships seem to be soaring by Today in Focus
26 min listen
The US college protests and the crackdown on campuses: Police have arrested dozens of students across US universities this week after a crackdown on pro-Palestine protests on campuses. Erum Salam and Margaret Sullivan report from New York by Today in Focus
29 min listen
What Ukraine needs to change the course of the war: Ukraine has been granted a multibillion-dollar lifeline in military aid. But it will need more than that to prevail in the conflict with Russia. Dan Sabbagh in Kyiv and Shaun Walker report by Today in Focus
27 min listen
Could a row over a council house bring down Angela Rayner? – podcast: Keir Starmer’s deputy is facing questions over the sale of her former home. But do voters care? Gaby Hinsliff reports by Today in Focus
28 min listen
Sudan’s forgotten war: While conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine have captured global attention, the civil war in Sudan has been largely ignored. That can’t be allowed to continue, says the Guardian’s Nesrine Malik by Today in Focus
28 min listen
Where does the Cass report leave trans teenagers?: Dr Hilary Cass’s review of NHS gender identity services has been published. Amelia Gentleman reports on what it means for children at the centre of it all by Today in Focus
37 min listen
The chilling policy to cut Greenland’s high birth rate: In the 1960s the birthrate in Greenland was one of the world’s highest. Then it plunged. Women are now speaking out about what happened by Today in Focus
31 min listen
Can Rishi Sunak create a smoke-free generation?: MPs voted this week to ban anyone aged 15 or younger in 2024 from buying cigarettes. If the legislation passes and is enacted, it would be a world first. Ben Quinn reports by Today in Focus
24 min listen
Liz Truss and her plan to ‘save the west’: Liz Truss is back – kind of. The former PM of just 49 days has published a book, Ten Years to Save the West. The Guardian’s political correspondent Eleni Courea and breaking news correspondent Martin Pengelly discuss her seeming lack of regret by Today in Focus
27 min listen
Is the Middle East on the brink? podcast: After Iran launched an attack on Israel, is the region heading for all-out war? Emma Graham-Harrison reports by Today in Focus
25 min listen
How Swiss women won a landmark climate case for Europe: Last week a group of older women successfully challenged the Swiss government’s climate policies at the European court of human rights. Isabella Kaminski reports by Today in Focus
26 min listen
Why are so many carers being prosecuted by the UK government?: George Henderson was convicted of fraud and had to repay £19,000 in carer’s allowance years after ticking the wrong box. Patrick Butler looks at why thousands face similar prosecutions by Today in Focus
28 min listen
Stormy Daniels, Donald Trump, and the start of the hush money trial: Hugo Lowell talks through the law and the politics of a case starting this Monday against Donald Trump – the first ever criminal trial of a former or sitting US president by Today in Focus
27 min listen
Profits over pipes: who should own our water?: Thames Water owes hundreds of millions of pounds in debt, and the UK government is concerned about its potential collapse. Helena Horton reports by Today in Focus
26 min listen
The devil walking on Earth part 2: Annie Kelly reports on the story of Sosa Henkoma, who was exploited by drug gangs as a child and now mentors young people at risk of gang violence by Today in Focus
23 min listen
The devil walking on Earth: part 1: Annie Kelly reports on the story of Sosa Henkoma, who was exploited by drug gangs as a child and now mentors young people at risk of gang violence by Today in Focus
30 min listen

Related podcast episodes

Skip carousel

Dorothy Koomson on how she learnt to be enough: The biggest selling Black author of adult fiction in the UK talks everything from tokenism and representation to gynae hell, grey pubic hair and the genius of the Golden Girls by The Shift with Sam Baker
38 min listen
[GLOBAL SOUTH] How China's Economic Slowdown Impacts Developing Countries by The China in Africa Podcast
53 min listen
China's Small but Important Role in Ghana's Debt Crisis by The China in Africa Podcast
44 min listen
Why wasn’t Lucy Letby stopped sooner?: The nurse is the most prolific child serial killer in modern British history. Could the NHS have prevented her committing so many crimes? by Today in Focus
35 min listen
Is Israel deliberately trying to make Gaza uninhabitable? – Podcast: With 40% of homes destroyed in the strip, legal experts are raising the question of ‘domicide’ – but what it is it, and is it taking place in Gaza? by Today in Focus
29 min listen
Ep. 103 | Black Joy by Reading Women
54 min listen
Why the rest of the world can’t afford to ignore the coup in Niger: The Sahel region, sometimes called Africa’s ‘coup belt’, has just seen another government ousted. Peter Beaumont and Nesrine Malik on what it means for African – and global – security by Today in Focus
29 min listen
Geert Wilders and Europe’s lurch to the far right: How did far-right politician Geert Wilders win so many seats in the Dutch election? Jon Henley and Senay Boztas report by Today in Focus
32 min listen
The lives and lies of George Santos podcast: The US politician was accused of telling extraordinary lies about everything from his previous jobs to his religion. Why did it take so long to boot him out of Congress? Adam Gabbatt explains by Today in Focus
24 min listen
Can We Retire in Two Years? by Jill on Money with Jill Schlesinger
13 min listen
Girls interrupted: Afghanistan: When the Taliban resumed power, there were hopes that women might not be as excluded, repressed and abused as they were previously. Those hopes have faded. As smartphone sales plateau, tech giants are furiously searching for new platforms to conquer. A... by The Intelligence from The Economist
24 min listen
Punished for Being Single? by Jill on Money with Jill Schlesinger
17 min listen
Blame Capitalism: Degrowing pains: Capitalism isn’t natural, was never inevitable, and endless growth is killing Earth. The final episode of “Blame Capitalism” examines the degrowth movement, whose proponents call to end capitalism as we know it. by Today, Explained
26 min listen
Should We Buy or Keep Renting? by Jill on Money with Jill Schlesinger
11 min listen
203. Building a Family Heritage through Homeschool with Amber Johnston Part 1 by Brave Writer
64 min listen
The killing of Shireen Abu Akleh – and another ordinary day in the West Bank: A year ago the journalist was shot. It was not the only news story in Palestine that day. Kaamil Ahmed looks into the stories Abu Akleh never got to report by Today in Focus
34 min listen
Stop Line 3! with Winona LaDuke: Generation GND speaks with Winona LaDuke, founder of Honor the Earth & Indigenous Water Protector & an important leader of the #StopLine3 movement, about the criminality of the Canadian multinational, Enbridge, that owns the pipeline, the story of the Anishinaabe people who call Northern Minnesota home, and the need to end the fossil fuel economy. by Generation Green New Deal
17 min listen
The Souls of Black Folk by Writ Large
32 min listen
Covid-19: how worried should we be about Omicron?: Madeleine Finlay speaks to Ian Sample about new Covid variant: what we know about it and what it could mean for the coming weeks and months by Science Weekly
13 min listen
So I elected an autocrat: Noel King traveled to Hungary to talk to people who voted for Viktor Orbán, people being persecuted by his government, and an American just along for the ride. by Today, Explained
27 min listen
Nine Nasty Words by Slate Debates
41 min listen
Where do Lemonade Stands Come From? by Ridiculous History
41 min listen
Nikola (not Tesla): The bombastic founder of an electric truck startup (no, not Elon) has been convicted for his role in his company’s “intricate fraud.” But even without the crimes, getting EVs to market has proven a lot harder than everyone thought. by Today, Explained
27 min listen
A bullying politician or snowflake civil servants? The downfall of Dominic Raab: The former deputy prime minister may have resigned but he remains defiant after an inquiry into bullying allegations. What does the scandal tell us about the relationship between ministers and Whitehall? by Today in Focus
28 min listen
White flagged: Cuba’s muted protests: White roses, white sheets hung from homes, even white t-shirts: a movement’s symbolic colour was not much in evidence after officials quashed national protests. Part of Saudi Arabia’s plan to wean its economy off oil is to entice lots of tourists; we a... by The Intelligence from The Economist
20 min listen
Escaping Rafah: on the ground in Gaza’s last refuge: We hear from two Palestinians living in tents in the city of Rafah. As the threat of an Israeli invasion hangs over them, they decide whether to stay or leave by Today in Focus
24 min listen
The economics of abortion (with Caitlin Myers) by Pitchfork Economics with Nick Hanauer
37 min listen
A stretch and a run: Brazil’s ex-president returns: Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva left office with a sky-high approval rating, having raised millions from poverty—but was then convicted of corruption. Now he wants his old job back. Forced labour in Uzbekistan’s cotton fields, once widespread, is swiftly van... by The Intelligence from The Economist
22 min listen
Erdoğan survives, but will Turkish democracy?: Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, the president of Turkey, has moulded the country in his image during his two decades in power. Now he faces a run-off election to stay in power by Today in Focus
32 min listen
448 | Benjamin Herold: Are America's Schools and Suburbs Unraveling?: Benjamin Herold, education reporter and author of Disillusioned: Five Families and the Unraveling of America's Suburbs, joins The Realignment. Benjamin and Marshall discuss the rise and fall of suburbia through the lens of five families, why many middle-class suburbs resemble a Ponzi scheme, debates between progressives and the liberal status quo over race, the role of school choice, and the state of the American dream. by The Realignment
60 min listen

Discover this podcast and so much more

Revisited: a conversation with Benjamin Zephaniah

Revisited: a conversation with Benjamin Zephaniah

Description

Titles in the series (100)

More Episodes from Today in Focus

Related podcast episodes