Beyond Borders Scotland Podcast

What Next for Britain and America with Steve Richards and Tim Phillips | Ep 35

In this episode of the podcast, join seasoned political commentators Steve Richards and Tim Phillips as they dive into the ramifications of the recent general election in Britain and the upcoming US Presidential elections. With their expert analysis, they explore how these political events will shape both nations' futures on the global stage.
Steve Richards, known for his sharp insights into British politics, and Tim Phillips, an expert in international relations and US politics, come together to offer a comparative analysis of the challenges and opportunities ahead for both countries. From election results to the political landscape changes, this conversation is packed with thought-provoking insights into the evolving political dynamics of the UK and US.
Guests:
Steve Richards: Acclaimed British political journalist and broadcaster, author of "The Prime Ministers: Reflections on Leadership."
Tim Phillips: Political commentator and international affairs expert, co-host of Beyond Borders Scotland’s podcast on global politics.
To learn more about Tim Phillips and the work of Beyond Conflict go https://beyondconflictint.org/. Beyond Conflict combines 30 years of experience in conflict resolution with insights from brain and behavioural science to advance new strategies to prevent violence and promote peace and reconciliation.
Find out more:
Beyond Borders Scotland: https://www.beyondbordersscotland.com/
Beyond Borders International Festival: https://www.bbintfest.com/
Produced by FoSho STUDIOS

Martin Griffiths CBE lecture at the Signet Library - Scottish Global Dialogues | Ep 34

On 22 August 2024, Martin Griffiths CBE, the former UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator (2021-24) delivered the Second Keynote Address of Scottish Global Dialogues at the Signet Library in the heart of enlightenment Edinburgh during the height of the 2024 Edinburgh festivals on the Conflict Crisis.
 
Scottish Global Dialogues is a joint annual initiative between Beyond Borders Scotland and the WS Society designed to shine a light on a global policy issue of concern to the public. Last year, Secretary John Kerry, gave the inaugural address on the climate crisis. This year Martin Griffiths reflects on the conflict crisis and widespread failure to adhere to international humanitarian law and what to do about both.
 
After some initial welcome remarks from Mark Muller Stuart KC, founder of Beyond Borders Scotland, Martin is introduced by the First Minister of Scotland, John Swinney MSP, who gives his own take on the crisis and Martin’s role in it. Martin then delivers a tour-de-force account of the current state of the world and what has to be done to ameliorate the current unacceptable level of suffering of civilian populations caught up in conflict. 
 
In the Address, Martin sets out the case for enhanced humanitarian diplomacy in international affairs, greater accountability and an end to impunity, and explores the role that advocacy and education can play in encouraging  compliance with universal normative standards. 
 
Martin also makes the case for the greater use of political mediation as a means of securing humanitarian relief in an increasingly facturing and dangerous world, including through new mediators and a renewed dialogue with the global south, including  over how to equitably apply the international rules-based order of the United Nations.
 
Scottish Global Dialogues and the annual Address are designed to promote non-partisan debate on international relations and global affairs in the interests of advancing citizenship and global exchange.
 
Find out more:
Beyond Borders Scotland: https://www.beyondbordersscotland.com/
Beyond Borders International Festival: https://www.bbintfest.com/
Produced by FoSho STUDIOS

Divided Societies with Allan Little, Elif Shafak and Sarah Helm | Ep 33

This episode of the Beyond Borders Podcast delves into the complexities of divided societies in places like Turkey and Gaza. Join Allan Little as he talks to Elif Shafak about her compelling book How to Stay Sane in the Age of Division with journalist Sarah Helm. 
Recorded live from the idyllic grounds of Traquair House during the Beyond Borders International Festival 2021, in this discussion its panel draws forth on the societal divisions which continues among countries suffering from civil unrest. 
Guests:
Allan Little: Award-winning Scottish journalist and presenter. Joining the BBC in 1983, he thereafter became an on-air correspondent in 1985. He is the current veteran Special Correspondent for the BBC. 
Elif Shafak: Award-winning British Turkish novelist. She is a Fellow and Vice President of the Royal Society of Literature and holds numerous awards for her work including the PEN Nabokov prize. 
Sarah Helm: Helm is a journalist and author. Previously working for The Sunday Times and The Independent, she now writes for several publications. 
 
Find out more:
Beyond Borders Scotland: https://www.beyondbordersscotland.com/
Beyond Borders International Festival: https://www.bbintfest.com/
Produced by FoSho STUDIOS

Is there such a thing as American exceptionalism? | Ep 32

This episode of the Beyond Borders Podcast is a compelling reflection on US politics and the role it plays in the world. Gain insight into thoughts on American politics through the minds of this varied panel of guests, all offering their own unique knowledge on the subject. Listen to Jim Naughtie as he speaks to Tim Phillips, Aminatta Forna and Oscar Guardiola- Rivera, and joined by Razia Iqbal later in the talk, for a detailed discussion on if there is such a thing as American exceptionalism.
 
Recorded live from the idyllic grounds of Traquair House during the Beyond Borders International Festival 2021, this discussion remains of relevance through the range in expertise on reflecting on American politics and furthermore,  in light of the ongoing US elections. 
 
Guests: 
 
Tim Phillips: Founder and CEO of Beyond Conflict, a non- profit organisation that works with leaders to address conflict and promote social change in the United States and abroad. 
 
Aminatta Forna: Director of the Lannan Center at Georgetown University, and award winning author of the novels Happiness, The Hired Man, The Memory of Love and Ancestor Stones, a memoir The Devil that Danced on the Water, also an essay collection, The Window Seat. Her website for more can be viewed below. 
https://www.aminattaforna.com/
 
Razia Iqbal: Professor at Princeton University and journalist, most recently employed by BBC News as a special correspondent, reporting for outlets across the BBC. From 2011 to 2023, Iqbal also presented Newshour on the BBC World Service.
 
Oscar Guardiola-Rivera: Author and Professor at Birkbeck College, University of London. Oscar Guardiola-Rivera teaches international law and international affairs. He has served as an aide to the Colombian Congress and as a consultant to the United Nations in South America.
 
Jim Naughtie: Journalist, author and British radio and news presenter for the BBC. From 1994 to 2015, he was one of the main presenters of Radio 4's Today programme.
 
Find out more:
Beyond Borders Scotland: https://www.beyondbordersscotland.com/
Beyond Borders International Festival: https://www.bbintfest.com/
Produced by FoSho STUDIOS

Blair to Brexit Britain and Beyond with Alastair Campbell and Jonathan Powell | Ep 31

This episode of the Beyond Borders Podcast offers a rare and compelling look into British politics through the eyes of two of its key players from the Blair administration, Alastair Campbell and Jonathan Powell. Recorded live from the idyllic grounds of Traquair House during the Beyond Borders International Festival 2022, this discussion is not just a retrospective on their time in government but an insightful dialogue on the impact of Brexit, the challenges of mental health in politics, and the future of British governance.
 
Guests:
Alastair Campbell: Former Downing Street Director of Communications and Strategy and co-host of the podcast ‘The Rest is Politics’.
Jonathan Powell: Former Downing Street Chief of Staff and Chief British Government Negotiator on Northern Ireland.
 
Find out more:
Beyond Borders Scotland: https://www.beyondbordersscotland.com/
Beyond Borders International Festival: https://www.bbintfest.com/
The Rest Is Politics: https://therestispolitics.supportingcast.fm/Produced by FoSho STUDIOS

Pretty Young Rebel with Flora Fraser and Jim Naughtie | Ep 30

Join Jim Naughtie as he talks to Flora Fraser about the remarkable exploits of Flora MacDonald in both the Jacobite and American rebellions, as they discuss her new book Pretty Young Rebel: The Life of Flora MacDonald.
 
Find out more:
Beyond Borders Scotland: https://www.beyondbordersscotland.com/
Beyond Borders International Festival: https://www.bbintfest.com/
Pretty Young Rebel: The Life of Flora MacDonald:
https://www.florafraser.com/books/pretty-young-rebel-the-life-of-flora-macdonald/
 
Produced by FoSho STUDIOS

The Long Knives with Irvine Welsh and Oscar Guardiola-Rivera | Ep 29

In this exciting episode, we are joined by the legendary author Irvine Welsh, best known for his groundbreaking novel "Trainspotting." Irvine sits down with host Oscar Guardiola-Rivera to discuss his latest novel, "The Long Knives." The conversation delves into Irvine's creative process, his inspirations, and the themes explored in his new book.
Find out more:Beyond Borders Scotland: https://www.beyondbordersscotland.com/Beyond Borders International Festival: https://www.bbintfest.com/The Long Knives: https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/450924/the-long-knives-by-welsh-irvine/
Produced by FoSho STUDIOS

Do I make myself clear? Sir Harry Evans and Jim Naughtie | Ep 28

Join the godfather of investigative journalism, Sir Harry Evans, as he talks to veteran BBC broadcaster Jim Naughtie about his life, career and some of his most ground-breaking investigative work at the Sunday Times where he uncovered the truth about the thalidomide scandal, the breadth of Kim Philby’s treachery, and took on the Government and Official Secrets Act to publish the Crossman Diaries and change press freedoms in Britain forever. Harry also spills the beans about his momentous tussle with Rupert Murdoch as considers the threat posed by Donald Trump and his concept of a post truth world. 
The interview happened at the 2017 Beyond Borders International Festival and is played in celebration of the Sir Harry Evans Investigative Journalism Truth Tellers Summit which is due to take place in London on 15thMay. The summit is the brainchild of Harry’s partner, Tina Brown, whose marvellous interview with Nicola Sturgeon we played in last week’s podcast. It brings together investigative journalists and truth tellers from around the world to shine much needed light on some of the most pressing issues affecting our troubled world and is being live streamed and can be watched via the link below in the show notes.
Find out more:
Beyond Borders Scotland: https://www.beyondbordersscotland.com/
Beyond Borders International Festival: https://www.bbintfest.com/
 
Sir Harry Evans Investigative Journalist Summit 2024
https://sirharrysummit.org/