Former BBC North America Editor, Jon Sopel spent eight years in Washington, D.C. covering the Obama administration, to Trump, and far too many mass shootings. He now hosts The News Agents podcast and I must admit, I was a little nervous to speak to Jon, as he’s such an experienced broadcaster and commentator, but the conversation was fantastic - he was warm, insightful and a great guide through some complex topics.

We discussed the gun crisis in the states where there are, on average, 700x more deaths by guns than here in the UK. Jon shared the surprising truth of what it’s like to travel inside Air Force One with the president, and what it feels like to be reporting on the front line in a war zone. We chat about the changing cultural landscape in the UK, and the need for open-mindedness between sides. And of course, we briefly talk about the upcoming American election and what it was really like in Washington on 6th January with the attack on the US Capitol.

This conversation highlights the threat of misinformation and importance of seeking truth in our news

If you enjoyed this episode, please click follow - we have so many great guests like this one, you won't want to miss out!

You can also follow us on Instagram and Tiktok @greatcompanypodcast or email us at greatcompany@jampotproductions.co.uk

And if you want to read Jon's latest book, Strangeland: How Britain Stopped Making Sense: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Strangeland-Britain-Stopped-Making-Sense/dp/1529938406

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THE CREDITS

Exec Producer: Jemima Rathbone

Assistant Producer: Gurlina Heer

Video: Jake Ji

Social Media: Laura Coughlan

Great Company is an original podcast from JamPot

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The news can be pretty overwhelming at times and the politics of it all can be confusing too but there are people who make it understandable and possible to engage with; Munya Chawawa’s satire is smart, it’s funny and it gets people talking. He, himself is smart and funny and I was keen to get him talking - he’s a guest I’ve been eager to speak to for a while so was delighted when he came into the studio to chat!

At the start of his career, Munya was told he needed 30K followers be taken seriously, so he made it his mission to do that, putting out video after video, and accrued millions of followers along the way. He never set out to become a social media sensation but its influence on his career is notable, leaving him with a sense of imposter syndrome in spaces he absolutely belongs. Growing up in Zimbabwe, Munya’s drive to do well is something that came into conflict on arriving in the UK where he was branded a ‘boffin’ for wanting to achieve. Munya also opens up about the men who shaped him and his determination to break the emotional stoicism passed down from his father.

This conversation is a good example of how humour can help us tackle difficult topics and open our minds.

If you enjoyed this episode, please click follow - we have so many great guests like this one, you won't want to miss out!

You can also follow us on Instagram and Tiktok @greatcompanypodcast or email us at greatcompany@jampotproductions.co.uk

And if you like Munya and want more of him, you can find him on @munyachawawa on IG and TT, and his show, 'How To Survive A Dictator' is here: www.channel4.com/programmes/how-to-survive-a-dictator

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THE CREDITS

Exec Producer: Jemima Rathbone

Assistant Producer: Gurlina Heer

Video: Jake Ji

Social Media: Laura Coughlan

Great Company is an original podcast from JamPot

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From increased risks of chronic diseases to sleepless nights and even leaving workplace, menopause can have a profound impact on women's lives —but what exactly is it? I’ll admit, I was embarrassed by how little I knew, despite knowing the word. That’s why I’m delighted to have leading expert and Chief Scientist at ZOE, Professor Sarah Berry, joining me for this special expert episode.

Professor Berry breaks down the truth about HRT, debunking common myths and shedding light on the surprising symptoms women experience during menopause. She also shares her groundbreaking research on how diet can help manage these symptoms, and even answers a personal question from my mum about her own menopause journey and how it affected her.

This is an essential conversation for everyone—men and women alike—packed with insights that will help break the silence around menopause and provide better support for women navigating this stage of life.

If you enjoyed this episode, please click follow - we have so many great guests like this one, you won't want to miss out!

You can also follow us on Instagram and Tiktok @greatcompanypodcast

And if you want to know more about Zoe's Menoscale Calculator, you can find it here: zoe.com/menoscale

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THE CREDITS

Exec Producer: Jemima Rathbone

Assistant Producer: Gurlina Heer

Video: Jake Ji

Social Media: Laura Coughlan

Great Company is an original podcast from JamPot

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.