Reasons to be Cheerful with Ed Miliband and Geoff Lloyd

Extra episode here. We’re following up on this week's chat about the economic response to coronavirus by asking what more government needs to do. The Resolution Foundation's Torsten Bell and journalist Ellie Mae O’Hagan highlight the glaring omission of help for the self-employed and others, then discuss ideas for strengthening our social safety net. For information regarding your data privacy, visit

Hello! We're in different places but will keep bringing you episodes during these strange and challenging times. This week we’re exploring the economic response to coronavirus. Former Obama adviser Jason Furman discusses the scale of the current crisis and his plan for universal cash payments in the US. Economist Birthe Larsen explains why Denmark moved so fast on supporting wages. Then Lord Stewart Wood shares lessons from his time in Downing Street at the height of the 2008 financial crisis. AND podcasting legend Andrew Hunter Murray chats about QI, fish facts and writing his first novel. Subscribe to the Cheerful Book Club feed. Search ‘Cheerful Book Club’ or go to 

Hello! It’s our first live show of the year (and decade!), recorded last week at Kings Place’s Nature Unwrapped. We’re discussing food, sustainable farming and how changing the way we use land can help tackle the climate crisis. Featuring top guests Belinda Gordon from Green Alliance and Vicki Hird from Sustain.  Then the wonderful Robin Ince pitches his ideas on stargazing, newspaper front pages, compulsory knitting and cutting down on our opinions. Subscribe to the Cheerful Book Club feed. Search ‘Cheerful Book Club’ or go to 

Hello! Britain is one of the most centralised countries in the world. How can we ensure towns, cities and regions have real power over their areas? We talk to Bristol mayor Marvin Rees about what he could do with more powers. Sarah Longlands explains why IPPR North are calling for radical English devolution. Then Professor Sabine Kuhlmann discusses what we can learn from Germany (a champion of decentralisation). Plus a special visit from friend of the pod and top adviser to Iceland’s PM, Halla Gunnarsdóttir! Subscribe to the Cheerful Book Club feed. Search ‘Cheerful Book Club’ or go to 

Hello! Why do our phones slow down with each new update? Why could it be cheaper for Geoff to replace his broken vacuum than get it fixed? We speak to Janet Gunter from the Restart Project and Duncan McCann from the New Economics Foundation about planned obsolescence, our electronics consumption and why we need a ‘right to repair’. Then Adele Chasson explains how French laws are being used to challenge the worst offenders. AND Larry Sanders (Bernie’s big bro!) talks about the presidential primaries, his brother’s first election and why he thinks a democratic socialist could make it to the White House. Subscribe to the Cheerful Book Club feed. Search ‘Cheerful Book Club’ or go to