Strong Message Here

Alle afleveringen

95 afleveringen, van nieuw naar oud

1. Strong Recommend: Elden Ring

   28 augustus 2025 · 11 min

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   If you're interested in fantasy, and fancy taking on a responsibility equivalent to a part-time job, Helen recommends Elden Ring. A wildly popular Japanese video game which allows you to live in a world created by George RR Martin. With place and character names reminiscent of Lord of the Rings, we ask why that is the accepted register of fantasy. Could it be the detail and care which Tolkien gave to his languages, and the sounds of words denoting a sense of place, building a rich landscape? And with companies coming out of Silicon Valley with names like 'Palantir' and 'Mithril', why are the Tech-Right so obsessed with his creations? Lees meer

   Helen also grills Armando on his video-gaming history (whatever the audio equivalent of a 'blink' is, do that, and you'll miss it).

   Join Helen and Armando over the summer for more cultural recommendations, available weekly on BBC Sounds.

   Production Coordinator: Sarah Nicholls
   Executive Producer: Pete Strauss
   Sound Editing: Chris Maclean
   Recorded at The Sound Company

   Strong Message Here: Strong Recommend is produced by Gwyn Rhys Davies and is a BBC Studios production for Radio 4.

2. Strong Recommend: The Contestant

   21 augustus 2025 · 10 min

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   In 1998, a Japanese man was filmed in solitary confinement for our entertainment. Naked as the day he was born, which led to his suggestive nickname, the Japanese people were gripped by Tomoaki Hamatsu's journey. Today, can we see how reality TV has infected our storytelling and our language? Whether it's someone in Big Brother proudly declaring they'll 'say it to your face' or an Apprentice-host-turned-President telling you 'you're fired' - are these reality shows replacing the art of storytelling? Lees meer

   And Armando asks 'what is structured reality?', 'What is America's Next Top Model, and, more generally, 'What?!'.

   Join Helen and Armando over the summer for more cultural recommendations, available weekly on BBC Sounds.

   Production Coordinator: Sarah Nicholls
   Executive Producer: Pete Strauss
   Sound Editing: Chris Maclean
   Recorded at The Sound Company

   Strong Message Here: Strong Recommend is produced by Gwyn Rhys Davies and is a BBC Studios production for Radio 4.

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

   14 augustus 2025 · 9 min

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   What is xenising? And why do authority figures do it? Can we trace Farage back to the shamans of the past? Helen recommends Dr Manvir Singh's book Shamanism: The Timeless Religion, which helps inform a discussion around ritual and our desire for formality, and even otherness, from authority figures. Lees meer

   Helen and Armando also debate whether ayahuasca retreats are ego trips, or enlightening experiences, and why they could never follow Thatcher's night time regimen.

   Join Helen and Armando over the summer for more cultural recommendations, available weekly on BBC Sounds.

   Production Coordinator: Sarah Nicholls
   Executive Producer: Pete Strauss
   Sound Editing: Chris Maclean
   Recorded at The Sound Company

   Strong Message Here: Strong Recommend is produced by Gwyn Rhys Davies and is a BBC Studios production for Radio 4.

4. Strong Recommend: The Bookshop by Penelope Fitzgerald

   7 augustus 2025 · 6 min

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   Fancy trying a new author, but don't know where to start? Armando recommends a short novel by Penelope Fitzgerald, and Helen shares a tip on how to try on a new author for size before committing. Lees meer

   Join Helen and Armando over the summer for more cultural recommendations, available weekly on BBC Sounds.

   Production Coordinator: Sarah Nicholls
   Executive Producer: Pete Strauss
   Sound Editing: Chris Maclean
   Recorded at The Sound Company

   Strong Message Here: Strong Recommend is produced by Gwyn Rhys Davies and is a BBC Studios production for Radio 4.

5. Strong Recommend: Evita at London Palladium

   31 juli 2025 · 7 min

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   Helen has been to the theatre recently, so you don't have to! Jamie Lloyd's production of Evita has a moment in it which can be enjoyed by anyone who happens to be near the venue at about 9pm most nights across the summer. You can enjoy the showstopper yourself, whilst also adding to the experience of those in the venue who are missing out. Lees meer

   Join Helen and Armando over the summer for more cultural recommendations, available weekly on BBC Sounds.

   Production Coordinator: Sarah Nicholls
   Executive Producer: Pete Strauss
   Sound Editing: Chris Maclean
   Recorded at The Sound Company

   Strong Message Here: Strong Recommend is produced by Gwyn Rhys Davies and is a BBC Studios production for Radio 4.

6. Strong Recommend: Shakespeare's Richard II

   24 juli 2025 · 9 min

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   This week, it's Armando's term to recommend something, and he makes the case for a little known up-and-coming writer, William Shakespeare. Richard II doesn't get its due among the other historical plays. Armando wonders why? It's full of drama and it's written in verse, what's not to love? Helen also discusses it in the context of the time, and what made it such a brave piece of writing. Lees meer

   We also discuss which Shakespearean historical figure modern politicians might be.

   Join Helen and Armando over the summer for more cultural recommendations, available weekly on BBC Sounds.

   Production Coordinator: Sarah Nicholls
   Executive Producer: Pete Strauss
   Sound Editing: Chris Maclean
   Recorded at The Sound Company

   Strong Message Here: Strong Recommend is produced by Gwyn Rhys Davies and is a BBC Studios production for Radio 4.

7. Strong Recommend: Every Living Thing by Jason Roberts

   17 juli 2025 · 8 min

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   This week, Helen picks a book she's enjoyed recently. Jason Roberts' book from this year, Every Living Thing, details Carl Linnaeus and Du Buffon's attempts at taxonomy. Lees meer

   The naming conventions of various parts of our world have informed so much of our lives. From what we call different animals and plants, to how relatively arbitrary classification of human races may have helped justify the slave trade.

   Join Helen and Armando over the summer for more cultural recommendations, available weekly on BBC Sounds.

   Production Coordinator: Sarah Nicholls
   Executive Producer: Pete Strauss
   Sound Editing: Chris Maclean
   Recorded at The Sound Company

   Strong Message Here: Strong Recommend is produced by Gwyn Rhys Davies and is a BBC Studios production for Radio 4.

8. Strong Recommend: The Ballad of Wallis Island

   14 juli 2025 · 9 min

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   To start off this mini-series, Armando picks a film he's enjoyed recently. Tim Key and Tom Basden's hit film The Ballad of Wallis Island started life as a short film, and has won plaudits for its offbeat, funny and warm story. How do films get made, when is the British film industry at his best, and what makes a film like this so special? Lees meer

   Join Helen and Armando over the summer for more cultural recommendations, available weekly on BBC Sounds.

   Production Coordinator: Sarah Nicholls
   Executive Producer: Pete Strauss
   Sound Editing: Chris Maclean
   Recorded at The Sound Company

   Strong Message Here: Strong Recommend is produced by Gwyn Rhys Davies and is a BBC Studios production for Radio 4.

9. We Haven't Always Told Our Story as Well as We Should

   3 juli 2025 · 32 min

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   This week, Helen and Armando look back at a year of the Labour government. What language has come out of if, and why is it struggling to define itself? Lees meer

   Looking at phrases from the year, like "The tepid bath of managed decline" and "National Health Recovery Mission Champions", does their language connect, and are their opponents any better?

   Strong Message Here will be back on Radio 4 in September, but subscribe to BBC Sounds to hear Helen and Armando over the summer in Strong Message Here: Strong Recommend; a series of short episodes with their language-based cultural recommendations.

   Have you stumbled upon any perplexing political phrases you need Helen and Armando to decode? Email them to us at strongmessagehere@bbc.co.uk

   Sound Editing by Chris Maclean
   Production Coordinator - Sarah Nicholls
   Executive Producer - Pete Strauss

   Produced by Gwyn Rhys Davies. A BBC Studios Audio production for Radio 4.
   An EcoAudio Certified Production.

10. The New Brexit

    26 juni 2025 · 31 min

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    This week, Helen Lewis is back! In the longer edition, you can hear what Helen has been up to in her absence, before Helen and Armando set their sights on the language around Net Zero. Lees meer

    They ask, Why has it taken long for them to cover it on the show? Is it being framed in a relatable enough way? And, does it suffer from being part of an 'omnicause'?

    Listen to Strong Message Here every Thursday at 9.45am on Radio 4 and then head straight to BBC Sounds for an extended episode.

    Have you stumbled upon any perplexing political phrases you need Helen and Armando to decode? Email them to us at strongmessagehere@bbc.co.uk

    Sound Editing by Chris Maclean
    Production Coordinator - Sarah Nicholls and Becky Carewe-Jeffries
    Executive Producer - Pete Strauss

    Produced by Gwyn Rhys Davies. A BBC Studios Audio production for Radio 4.
    An EcoAudio Certified Production.

11. Delivering for Ordinary People (with Marina Hyde)

    19 juni 2025 · 38 min

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    Comedy writer Armando Iannucci decodes the utterly baffling world of political language. Lees meer

    This week, Helen Lewis is still away, so Journalist Marina Hyde steps in to join Armando. They discuss what an ordinary person might be, and examine if politicians use them as cover? Why is it always that things 'ordinary people' are saying 'on the doorstep' just so happen to be the exact things they wanted to do anyway?

    We also look at delivery in politics. Do we believe politicians when they say they'll deliver? And do we reward them fairly when they do?

    Listen to Strong Message Here every Thursday at 9.45am on Radio 4 and then head straight to BBC Sounds for an extended episode.

    Have you stumbled upon any perplexing political phrases you need Helen and Armando to decode? Email them to us at strongmessagehere@bbc.co.uk

    Sound Editing by Chris Maclean
    Production Coordinator - Sarah Nicholls
    Executive Producer - Pete Strauss

    Produced by Gwyn Rhys Davies. A BBC Studios Audio production for Radio 4.
    An EcoAudio Certified Production.

12. I Regret Some of My Posts (with Sara Pascoe)

    12 juni 2025 · 33 min

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    This week, Helen Lewis is still away, so comedian Sara Pascoe steps in to join Armando. They reminisce over their first meeting on the set of a classic episode of The Thick of It - which was also in a radio studio - and then go on to discuss politicians on both sides of the Atlantic having thunderous breakups, and then making up in record time. Musk regrets his posts about Trump, and Zia Yusuf returns to Reform, despite some in the party 'popping champagne' at his departure. Lees meer

    And we examine more politicians' linguistic tricks to find out what a racism row in Scotland and the U-turn on winter fuel payments have in common.

    Listen to Strong Message Here every Thursday at 9.45am on Radio 4 and then head straight to BBC Sounds for an extended episode.

    Have you stumbled upon any perplexing political phrases you need Helen and Armando to decode? Email them to us at strongmessagehere@bbc.co.uk

    Sound Editing by Charlie Brandon-King
    Production Coordinator - Sarah Nicholls
    Executive Producer - Pete Strauss

    Produced by Sasha Bobak & Gwyn Rhys Davies. A BBC Studios Audio production for Radio 4.
    An EcoAudio Certified Production.

13. Weird Turkish Barber Shops (with Stewart Lee)

    5 juni 2025 · 37 min

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    Comedy writer Armando Iannucci decodes the utterly baffling world of political language. Lees meer

    This week, Helen Lewis is away, so comedian and writer Stewart Lee joins Armando to look at Robert Jenrick's flashy video in which he takes aim at 'weird Turkish barber shops', among other things. They discuss how the way politicians, entertainers and journalists are changing and overlapping, and Armando recalls the time he read politician's jokes in a comedy club (spoiler alert, it was a disaster).

    Listen to Strong Message Here every Thursday at 9.45am on Radio 4 and then head straight to BBC Sounds for an extended episode.

    Have you stumbled upon any perplexing political phrases you need Helen and Armando to decode? Email them to us at strongmessagehere@bbc.co.uk

    Sound Editing by Chris Maclean
    Production Coordinator - Sarah Nicholls
    Executive Producer - Pete Strauss

    Produced by Gwyn Rhys Davies. A BBC Studios Audio production for Radio 4.
    An EcoAudio Certified Production.

14. An Announcement President (with Jon Stewart)

    29 mei 2025 · 44 min

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    This week, we have a very special guest, Jon Stewart! Jon joins Armando and Helen to discuss whether Trump is the political equivalent of Miles Davis, the quaintness of UK politics compared to the US, Jon does a flawless Margaret Thatcher impression and they answer the age old question... are escalators the most emasculating form of travel? Lees meer

    Listen to Strong Message Here every Thursday at 9.45am on Radio 4 and then head straight to BBC Sounds for an extended episode.

    Have you stumbled upon any perplexing political phrases you need Helen and Armando to decode? Email them to us at strongmessagehere@bbc.co.uk

    Sound Editing by Charlie Brandon-King
    Production Coordinator - Sarah Nicholls
    Executive Producer - Pete Strauss

    Produced by Gwyn Rhys Davies. A BBC Studios Audio production for Radio 4.
    An EcoAudio Certified Production.

15. The Island of Strangers and the Manacled Gimp of Brussels

    22 mei 2025 · 35 min

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    Comedy writer Armando Iannucci and journalist Helen Lewis decode the utterly baffling world of political language. Lees meer

    This week, we're looking at inflammatory language. From Immigration to EU deals, we've heard talk of of 'betrayal' 'surrender' 'invasion' and of course 'an island of strangers'. When is this hyperbole appropriate and when is it egregious? And, can we ever forgive Boris Johnson for the mental image of the Prime Minister as the 'orange ball-chewing manacled gimp of Brussels'?

    Listen to Strong Message Here every Thursday at 9.45am on Radio 4 and then head straight to BBC Sounds for an extended episode.

    Have you stumbled upon any perplexing political phrases you need Helen and Armando to decode? Email them to us at strongmessagehere@bbc.co.uk

    Sound Editing by Charlie Brandon-King
    Production Coordinator - Sarah Nicholls
    Executive Producer - Pete Strauss

    Produced by Gwyn Rhys Davies. A BBC Studios Audio production for Radio 4.
    An EcoAudio Certified Production.

16. Yes or No?

    15 mei 2025 · 31 min

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    Comedy writer Armando Iannucci and journalist Helen Lewis decode the utterly baffling world of political language. Lees meer

    This week, Helen and Armando take a step back and look at whether we're seeing the death of nuance in political debate. Is everything boiled down to 'yes or no' questions? What are the shibboleths of modern politics, and does the language you use, or decline to use, put you firmly on one side of a debate?

    Listen to Strong Message Here every Thursday at 9.45am on Radio 4 and then head straight to BBC Sounds for an extended episode.

    Have you stumbled upon any perplexing political phrases you need Helen and Armando to decode? Email them to us at strongmessagehere@bbc.co.uk

    Sound Editing by Kate Mac
    Production Coordinator - Katie Baum
    Executive Producer - Pete Strauss

    Produced by Gwyn Rhys Davies. A BBC Studios Audio production for Radio 4.
    An EcoAudio Certified Production.

17. I Want My Country Back (with Phil Wang)

    8 mei 2025 · 34 min

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    Comedy writer Armando Iannucci and journalist Helen Lewis decode the utterly baffling world of political language. Lees meer

    This week, following Reform's announcement they will remove all flags from all council buildings under their jurisdiction - other than the Union Flag and the St George's Cross - Helen and Armando are joined by Phil Wang to discuss Britishness, Englishness, Scottishness, Irishness, Welshness and Malaysianess.

    Listen to Strong Message Here every Thursday at 9.45am on Radio 4 and then head straight to BBC Sounds for an extended episode.

    Have you stumbled upon any perplexing political phrases you need Helen and Armando to decode? Email them to us at strongmessagehere@bbc.co.uk

    Sound Editing by Chris Maclean
    Production Coordinator - Katie Baum & Sarah Nicholls
    Executive Producer - Pete Strauss

    Produced by Gwyn Rhys Davies. A BBC Studios Audio production for Radio 4.
    An EcoAudio Certified Production.

18. The Official Language of the United States

    1 mei 2025 · 32 min

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    Comedy writer Armando Iannucci and journalist Helen Lewis decode the utterly baffling world of political language. Lees meer

    This week, a look over the pond at Trump's first 100 days. How have his administration used language to further their agenda? From the Gulf of America, to Making Showers Great Again, Helen and Armando examine how the US government is finding linguistic tricks to set the terms of debate.

    Listen to Strong Message Here every Thursday at 9.45am on Radio 4 and then head straight to BBC Sounds for an extended episode.

    Have you stumbled upon any perplexing political phrases you need Helen and Armando to decode? Email them to us at strongmessagehere@bbc.co.uk

    Sound Editing by Chris Maclean
    Production Coordinator - Katie Baum & Sarah Nicholls
    Executive Producer - Pete Strauss

    Produced by Gwyn Rhys Davies. A BBC Studios Audio production for Radio 4.
    An EcoAudio Certified Production.

19. How Much is a Pint of Milk? (with Rob Burley)

    24 april 2025 · 33 min

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    Comedy writer Armando Iannucci and journalist Helen Lewis decode the utterly baffling world of political language. Lees meer

    Helen Lewis and Armando Iannucci are joined by the BBC's former Live Political Editor to discuss the art of the political interview. What's a valid question? What's a cheap gotcha?

    They also discuss Paxman's beard, the best political interviews and how to get the most out of a politician who is bending over backwards to say absolutely nothing.

    Listen to Strong Message Here every Thursday at 9.45am on Radio 4 and then head straight to BBC Sounds for an extended episode.

    Have you stumbled upon any perplexing political phrases you need Helen and Armando to decode? Email them to us at strongmessagehere@bbc.co.uk

    Sound Editing by Chris Maclean
    Production Coordinator - Katie Baum
    Executive Producer - Richard Morris

    Produced by Gwyn Rhys Davies. A BBC Studios Audio production for Radio 4.
    An EcoAudio Certified Production.

20. Liberation Day (with Soumaya Keynes)

    17 april 2025 · 37 min

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    Comedy writer Armando Iannucci and journalist Helen Lewis decode the utterly baffling world of political language. Lees meer

    This week, Helen and Armando are joined by economist and journalist for the Financial Times, Soumaya Keynes. They take a look back on Liberation Day - what exactly was America being liberated from? What was the response in China to the tariffs? and Soumaya wades into the murky waters of Truth Social.

    Listen to Strong Message Here every Thursday at 9.45am on Radio 4 and then head straight to BBC Sounds for an extended episode.

    Have you stumbled upon any perplexing political phrases you need Helen and Armando to decode? Email them to us at strongmessagehere@bbc.co.uk

    Sound Editing by Charlie Brandon-King
    Production Coordinator - Katie Baum
    Executive Producer - Richard Morris

    Produced by Pete Strauss. A BBC Studios Audio production for Radio 4.
    An EcoAudio Certified Production.

21. Three Word Slogans (with Cleo Watson)

    10 april 2025 · 33 min

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    Comedy writer Armando Iannucci and journalist Helen Lewis decode the utterly baffling world of political language. Lees meer

    This week, Helen and Armando are joined by author, broadcaster and former adviser to Theresa May and Boris Johnson, Cleo Watson. Taking a look back at the three word slogans that defined politics in recent years, especially those that relate to Cleo's time in number 10.

    Why are they so catchy?

    Hands Face Space...
    Take Back Control...
    Strong Message Here....

    Listen to Strong Message Here every Thursday at 9.45am on Radio 4 and then head straight to BBC Sounds for an extended episode.

    Have you stumbled upon any perplexing political phrases you need Helen and Armando to decode? Email them to us at strongmessagehere@bbc.co.uk

    Sound Editing by Charlie Brandon-King
    Production Coordinator - Katie Baum
    Executive Producer - Pete Strauss

    Produced by Gwyn Rhys Davies. A BBC Studios Audio production for Radio 4.
    An EcoAudio Certified Production.

22. Fist Emoji, Flag Emoji, Fire Emoji (with Ava Santina Evans)

    3 april 2025 · 34 min

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    Comedy writer Armando Iannucci and journalist Helen Lewis decode the utterly baffling world of political language. Lees meer

    Following the remarkable security breach dubbed 'Signalgate', Helen and Armando are joined by political editor of Politics Joe, Ava Santina Evans, to discuss how casualness has crept into political communication. Is it a threat? Is it just cringe? And why oh why do we still use the suffix 'gate' for a scandal, given its origins are over 50 years old?

    Listen to Strong Message Here every Thursday at 9.45am on Radio 4 and then head straight to BBC Sounds for an extended episode.

    Have you stumbled upon any perplexing political phrases you need Helen and Armando to decode? Email them to us at strongmessagehere@bbc.co.uk

    Sound Editing by Charlie Brandon-King
    Production Coordinator - Katie Baum
    Executive Producer - Pete Strauss

    Produced by Gwyn Rhys Davies. A BBC Studios Audio production for Radio 4.
    An EcoAudio Certified Production.

23. Seizing the Narrative (with Stephen Bush)

    27 maart 2025 · 32 min

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    Comedy writer Armando Iannucci and journalist Helen Lewis decode the utterly baffling world of political language. Lees meer

    Are Labour telling a good enough story? Who is the best storyteller in politics? How do you establish a narrative to take control of events, rather than let events define you? To answer these questions, Helen and Armando are joined by Associate Editor and Columnist for The Financial Times, Stephen Bush.

    Listen to Strong Message Here every Thursday at 9.45am on Radio 4 and then head straight to BBC Sounds for an extended episode.

    Have you stumbled upon any perplexing political phrases you need Helen and Armando to decode? Email them to us at strongmessagehere@bbc.co.uk

    Sound Editing by Charlie Brandon-King
    Production Coordinator - Katie Baum and Caroline Barlow
    Executive Producer - Pete Strauss

    Produced by Gwyn Rhys Davies. A BBC Studios Audio production for Radio 4.
    An EcoAudio Certified Production.

24. Britain Isn't Working

    20 maart 2025 · 26 min

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    Comedy writer Armando Iannucci and journalist Helen Lewis decode the utterly baffling world of political language. Lees meer

    This week, the Government announced their plans for welfare reform, so we take a look at the language around welfare, around benefit claimants, and how it's changed over the years. Gone are the 'strivers vs shirkers' of the 2010s or even Peter Lilley's infamous 'little list' of the early 90s. This government talks of 'supporting people into work' and 'right to try', but with the savings they are making, do their actions match their rhetoric?

    This episode has been edited to remove an inaccurate statement about the relative size of tax fraud compared to benefit fraud.

    Listen to Strong Message Here every Thursday at 9.45am on Radio 4 and then head straight to BBC Sounds for an extended episode.

    Have you stumbled upon any perplexing political phrases you need Helen and Armando to decode? Email them to us at strongmessagehere@bbc.co.uk

    Sound Editing by Charlie Brandon-King
    Production Coordinator - Katie Baum and Caroline Barlow
    Executive Producer - Pete Strauss

    Produced by Gwyn Rhys Davies. A BBC Studios Audio production for Radio 4.
    An EcoAudio Certified Production.

25. Be Quiet, Small Man

    13 maart 2025 · 31 min

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    Comedy writer Armando Iannucci and journalist Helen Lewis decode the utterly baffling world of political language. Lees meer

    This week, Musk has been threatening a former astronaut (no, not the one he threatened the other week - another one), Trump has been talking tariffs, and Rupert Lowe took on his party's 'Messiah', Nigel Farage. What does all this tough talk mean in politics? Does projecting strength always work?

    Listen to Strong Message Here every Thursday at 9.45am on Radio 4 and then head straight to BBC Sounds for an extended episode.

    Have you stumbled upon any perplexing political phrases you need Helen and Armando to decode? Email them to us at strongmessagehere@bbc.co.uk

    Sound Editing by Charlie Brandon-King
    Production Coordinator - Katie Baum
    Executive Producer - Pete Strauss

    Produced by Gwyn Rhys Davies. A BBC Studios Audio production for Radio 4.
    An EcoAudio Certified Production.

26. In the Public Interest?

    6 maart 2025 · 29 min

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    Comedy writer Armando Iannucci and journalist Helen Lewis decode the utterly baffling world of political language. Lees meer

    Hot mics, leaks, tell-all books. We find out a lot about how politicians talk in private. How does it differ from their public pronouncements? And are politicians less careful about how they come across in public these days? Helen and Armando survey the lay of the linguistic land.

    Listen to Strong Message Here every Thursday at 9.45am on Radio 4 and then head straight to BBC Sounds for an extended episode.

    Have you stumbled upon any perplexing political phrases you need Helen and Armando to decode? Email them to us at strongmessagehere@bbc.co.uk

    Sound Editing by Charlie Brandon-King
    Production Coordinator - Katie Baum
    Executive Producer - Pete Strauss

    Produced by Gwyn Rhys Davies. A BBC Studios Audio production for Radio 4.
    An EcoAudio Certified Production.

27. Everybody's Miserable

    27 februari 2025 · 30 min

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    Comedy writer Armando Iannucci and journalist Helen Lewis decode the utterly baffling world of political language. Lees meer

    Farage says everybody is miserable, Trump says everything is a 'disaster', and Liz Truss chimed in saying Britain is a 'failed state', so Helen and Armando are trying to find out why those who claim to be patriots are keen to talk the country down. And why Starmer and Reeves' downbeat language has had real-life consequences.

    Listen to Strong Message Here every Thursday at 9.45am on Radio 4 and then head straight to BBC Sounds for an extended episode.

    Have you stumbled upon any perplexing political phrases you need Helen and Armando to decode? Email them to us at strongmessagehere@bbc.co.uk

    Sound Editing by Charlie Brandon-King
    Production Coordinator - Katie Baum
    Executive Producer - Pete Strauss

    Produced by Gwyn Rhys Davies. A BBC Studios Audio production for Radio 4.
    An EcoAudio Certified Production.

28. The Threat from Within

    20 februari 2025 · 37 min

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    Comedy writer Armando Iannucci and journalist Helen Lewis decode the utterly baffling world of political language. Lees meer

    This week, JD Vance sent European leaders into a tailspin with an inflammatory speech at the Munich Security Conference, and Kemi Badenoch made an attention-grabbing speech at the Alliance for Responsible Citizenship. Looking at them side-by-side, what does it tell us about the language of the right on both sides of the Atlantic?

    Listen to Strong Message Here every Thursday at 9.45am on Radio 4 and then head straight to BBC Sounds for an extended episode.

    Have you stumbled upon any perplexing political phrases you need Helen and Armando to decode? Email them to us at strongmessagehere@bbc.co.uk

    Sound Editing by Charlie Brandon-King
    Production Coordinator - Katie Baum
    Executive Producer - Pete Strauss

    Produced by Gwyn Rhys Davies. A BBC Studios Audio production for Radio 4.
    An EcoAudio Certified Production.

29. Build, Baby, Build!

    13 februari 2025 · 39 min

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    Comedy writer Armando Iannucci and journalist Helen Lewis decode the utterly baffling world of political language. Lees meer

    This week, Starmer has suggested that Britain adopt a 'Build, Baby, Build' strategy. Sound familiar? We thought so too, so Helen and Armando are looking at why politicians copy their opponents. Is it a sign of strength or weakness, and do the public think it sounds convincing?

    Listen to Strong Message Here every Thursday at 9.45am on Radio 4 and then head straight to BBC Sounds for an extended episode.

    Have you stumbled upon any perplexing political phrases you need Helen and Armando to decode? Email them to us at strongmessagehere@bbc.co.uk

    Sound Editing by Charlie Brandon-King
    Production Coordinator - Katie Baum and Caroline Barlow
    Executive Producer - Pete Strauss

    Produced by Gwyn Rhys Davies. A BBC Studios Audio production for Radio 4.
    An EcoAudio Certified Production.

30. Flying a Kite and Rolling the Pitch (with Rob Hutton)

    6 februari 2025 · 36 min

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    Comedy writer Armando Iannucci and journalist Helen Lewis decode the utterly baffling world of political language. Lees meer

    Why do we know what's going to be in a political speech before it happens? What is 'kiteflying' and 'pitch rolling'? To find out, Helen and Armando are joined by sketch writer for The Critic, Rob Hutton, who has been at more political announcements than he's had hot dinners. What's the best speech he's heard? What's the worst? And who are all those people who turn up to watch the Prime Minister give a speech at a carpet factory in Darlington?

    Listen to Strong Message Here every Thursday at 9.45am on Radio 4 and then head straight to BBC Sounds for an extended episode.

    Have you stumbled upon any perplexing political phrases you need Helen and Armando to decode? Email them to us at strongmessagehere@bbc.co.uk

    Sound Editing by Charlie Brandon-King
    Production Coordinator - Katie Baum and Caroline Barlow
    Executive Producer - Pete Strauss

    Produced by Gwyn Rhys Davies. A BBC Studios Audio production for Radio 4.
    An EcoAudio Certified Production.

31. Trump Derangement Syndrome

    30 januari 2025 · 37 min

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    Comedy writer Armando Iannucci and journalist Helen Lewis decode the utterly baffling world of political language. Lees meer

    This week, Trump has truly settled back into the White House, but is it different this time around? Helen and Armando take a look at how this unique politician uses language to get his way. We also look at Trump Derangement Syndrome - a favourite phrase of the new President to describe his detractors - and how other politicians have changed their tune about Trump since his last term.

    Listen to Strong Message Here every Thursday at 9.45am on Radio 4 and then head straight to BBC Sounds for an extended episode.

    Have you stumbled upon any perplexing political phrases you need Helen and Armando to decode? Email them to us at strongmessagehere@bbc.co.uk

    Sound Editing by Charlie Brandon-King
    Production Coordinator - Katie Baum
    Executive Producer - Pete Strauss

    Produced by Gwyn Rhys Davies. A BBC Studios Audio production for Radio 4.
    An EcoAudio Certified Production.

32. Free Speech Is Back!

    23 januari 2025 · 30 min

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    Comedy writer Armando Iannucci and journalist Helen Lewis decode the utterly baffling world of political language. Lees meer

    This week, Helen and Armando take a deep dive into Mark Zuckerberg's statement which explains the new rules around fact checking and free speech on his Meta platforms. Is free speech really back? Or should we be worried that fact-checkers are a thing of the past?

    Listen to Strong Message Here every Thursday at 9.45am on Radio 4 and then head straight to BBC Sounds for an extended episode.

    Have you got a 'community note' for Helen and Armando? Email them to us at strongmessagehere@bbc.co.uk

    Sound Editing by Charlie Brandon-King
    Production Coordinator - Katie Baum
    Executive Producer - Pete Strauss

    Produced by Gwyn Rhys Davies. A BBC Studios Audio production for Radio 4.
    An EcoAudio Certified Production.

33. A Lawyer, Not a Leader

    16 januari 2025 · 32 min

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    Comedy writer Armando Iannucci and journalist Helen Lewis decode the utterly baffling world of political language. Lees meer

    This week, after a well-earned week off, Helen and Armando are back to break down how political attacks work. After Kemi Badenoch landed a blow on Keir Starmer calling him 'a lawyer, not a leader', we look at what makes a political attack potent, and crucially, what makes them flop.

    Listen to Strong Message Here every Thursday at 9.45am on Radio 4 and then head straight to BBC Sounds for an extended episode.

    Have you stumbled upon any perplexing political phrases you need Helen and Armando to decode? Email them to us at strongmessagehere@bbc.co.uk

    Sound Editing by Charlie Brandon-King
    Production Coordinator - Katie Baum
    Executive Producer - Pete Strauss

    Produced by Gwyn Rhys Davies. A BBC Studios Audio production for Radio 4.
    An EcoAudio Certified Production.

34. Listeners' Strong Messages

    2 januari 2025 · 24 min

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    Comedy writer Armando Iannucci and journalist Helen Lewis decode the utterly baffling world of political language. Lees meer

    This week, Helen and Armando are delving into the email inbox to find out which political phrases have been driving our listeners to distraction.

    Strong Message here will be back on the 16th January at 9.45am on Radio 4 and then head straight to BBC Sounds for an extended episode.

    Have you stumbled upon any perplexing political phrases you need Helen and Armando to decode? Email them to us at strongmessagehere@bbc.co.uk

    Sound Editing by Charlie Brandon-King
    Production Coordinator - Katie Baum
    Executive Producer - Pete Strauss

    Produced by Gwyn Rhys Davies. A BBC Studios Audio production for Radio 4.
    An EcoAudio Certified Production.

35. Words of the Year

    20 december 2024 · 30 min

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    In a year where Labour secured a 'loveless landslide' in the UK and Trump sealed his return to the White House, Helen and Armando will be 'laser-focused' on their 'mission' to skewer the use and abuse of political language. From 'freebies' to 'fascism', 'weird' to 'working people', all of the strong messages that helped Make 2024 Great Again will be put under the microscope. Lees meer

    A witty, illuminating exploration of the verbal tricks of the trade from two people both mesmerised and baffled by our political discourse. Helen and Armando will identify the worst political doublespeak, discover where it comes from, examine why it spreads - and look at what effect it has on the rest of us.

    Have you stumbled upon any perplexing political phrases you need Helen and Armando to decode? Email them to us at strongmessagehere@bbc.co.uk

    Sound Editing by Charlie Brandon-King
    Production Coordinator - Katie Baum
    Executive Producer - Pete Strauss

    Produced by Gwyn Rhys Davies. A BBC Studios Audio production for Radio 4.
    An EcoAudio Certified Production.

36. The Tepid Bath of Managed Decline

    19 december 2024 · 29 min

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    Comedy writer Armando Iannucci and journalist Helen Lewis decode the utterly baffling world of political language. Lees meer

    This week, Helen and Armando are having a splash around in the tepid bath of managed decline. When does a phrase become accidentally too evocative? What is the remedy to a tepid bath? And is the desire for 'start up culture' within the government the right thing?

    Listen to Strong Message Here every Thursday at 9.45am on Radio 4 and then head straight to BBC Sounds for an extended episode.

    Have you stumbled upon any perplexing political phrases you need Helen and Armando to decode? Email them to us at strongmessagehere@bbc.co.uk

    Sound Editing by Charlie Brandon-King
    Production Coordinator - Katie Baum
    Executive Producer - Pete Strauss

    Produced by Gwyn Rhys Davies. A BBC Studios Audio production for Radio 4.
    An EcoAudio Certified Production.

37. Reset, NOT Relaunch

    12 december 2024 · 33 min

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    Comedy writer Armando Iannucci and journalist Helen Lewis decode the utterly baffling world of political language. Lees meer

    This week, following Keir Starmer's 'Plan for Change', Helen and Armando look at what a reset actually means. From Jaguar's rebrand to Miliband's Ed Stone, do resets work?

    Listen to Strong Message Here every Thursday at 9.45am on Radio 4 and then head straight to BBC Sounds for an extended episode.

    Have you stumbled upon any perplexing political phrases you need Helen and Armando to decode? Email them to us at strongmessagehere@bbc.co.uk

    Sound Editing by Charlie Brandon-King
    Production Coordinator - Katie Baum
    Executive Producer - Pete Strauss

    Produced by Gwyn Rhys Davies. A BBC Studios Audio production for Radio 4.
    An EcoAudio Certified Production.

38. Becoming a Distraction

    5 december 2024 · 33 min

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    Comedy writer Armando Iannucci and journalist Helen Lewis decode the utterly baffling world of political language. Lees meer

    Following Louise Haigh's resignation and Matt Gaetz's withdrawal from his Attorney General nomination, both said they were 'becoming a distraction', so Helen and Armando dig into the language of the political resignation. Looking at interesting resignations through history, Helen also codifies the archetypes of political resignations, and Armando tells us about seeing a high-profile sacking in real time.

    Listen to Strong Message Here every Thursday at 9.45am on Radio 4 and then head straight to BBC Sounds for an extended episode.

    We have a listener mailbag special coming up, so if you have any correspondence for Helen and Armando, email them to us at strongmessagehere@bbc.co.uk

    Sound Editing by Charlie Brandon-King
    Production Coordinator - Katie Baum
    Executive Producer - Pete Strauss

    Produced by Gwyn Rhys Davies. A BBC Studios Audio production for Radio 4.
    An EcoAudio Certified Production.

39. I Make No Apology For...

    28 november 2024 · 29 min

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    Comedy writer Armando Iannucci and journalist Helen Lewis decode the utterly baffling world of political language. Lees meer

    This week, we get into the world of political apologies. Why does Starmer keep insisting he makes no apologies for things that no one is actually asking him to apologise for? Is saying something is 'regrettable' really an apology? And why has Mark Zuckerberg decided to stop apologising for Facebook?

    Listen to Strong Message Here every Thursday at 9.45am on Radio 4 and then head straight to BBC Sounds for an extended episode.

    Have you stumbled upon any perplexing political phrases you need Helen and Armando to decode? Email them to us at strongmessagehere@bbc.co.uk

    Sound Editing by Charlie Brandon-King
    Production Coordinator - Katie Baum
    Executive Producer - Pete Strauss

    Produced by Gwyn Rhys Davies. A BBC Studios Audio production for Radio 4.
    An EcoAudio Certified Production.

40. The Deep State

    21 november 2024 · 30 min

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    Comedy writer Armando Iannucci and journalist Helen Lewis decode the utterly baffling world of political language. Lees meer

    This week, Helen and Armando spend some time trying to understand the 'deep state', and why it's caught on as a political attack.

    What's the difference between The Movement and The Blob? And who is draining the swamp of what? And is it just a convenient thing to blame for your inability to get things done?

    Also, you'll find out what music they play in Stalin's bunker as you turn the key to initiate nuclear war.

    Listen to Strong Message Here every Thursday at 9.45am on Radio 4 and then head straight to BBC Sounds for an extended episode.

    Have you stumbled upon any perplexing political phrases you need Helen and Armando to decode? Email them to us at strongmessagehere@bbc.co.uk

    Sound Editing by Charlie Brandon-King
    Production Coordinator - Katie Baum
    Executive Producer - Pete Strauss

    Produced by Gwyn Rhys Davies. A BBC Studios Audio production for Radio 4.
    An EcoAudio certified production.

41. In Listening Mode

    14 november 2024 · 29 min

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    Comedy writer Armando Iannucci and journalist Helen Lewis decode the utterly baffling world of political language. Lees meer

    This week, as the Democrats lick their wounds, and Kemi Badenoch looks to rebuild her party, we are talking about politicians in 'listening mode'.

    Who are they listening to? Why weren't they listening sooner? Is it a tick-box exercise, or do they make meaningful changes based off their listening?

    They also look at Wes Streeting's big public consultation on the NHS, and Elon's plans to 'crowdsource' policy from the US population.

    Listen to Strong Message Here every Thursday at 9.45am on Radio 4 and then head straight to BBC Sounds for an extended episode.

    Have you stumbled upon any perplexing political phrases you need Helen and Armando to decode? Email them to us at strongmessagehere@bbc.co.uk

    Sound Editing by Charlie Brandon-King
    Production Coordinator - Katie Baum
    Executive Producer - Pete Strauss

    Produced by Gwyn Rhys Davies. A BBC Studios Audio production for Radio 4.
    An EcoAudio certified production.

42. MAGA - Trump trumps Harris

    7 november 2024 · 30 min

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    Comedy writer Armando Iannucci and journalist Helen Lewis decode the utterly baffling world of political language. Lees meer

    This week, Trump has made his way back to the White House, but will he Make America Great Again? What does that phrase really mean? And how did it become the enduring political message of our times?

    Helen and Armando examine how political reporters struggle to get answers, and what the effect of this election campaign will have on political language for years to come.

    A longer version, where Helen theorises on wrestling's impact on the world of politics, and Armando confesses the role he played in securing Trump's victory, is available on BBC Sounds

    Have you stumbled upon any perplexing political phrases you need Helen and Armando to decode? Email them to us at strongmessagehere@bbc.co.uk

    Sound Editing by Charlie Brandon-King
    Production Coordinator - Katie Baum
    Executive Producer - Pete Strauss

    Produced by Gwyn Rhys Davies.
    A BBC Studios Audio production for Radio 4.
    An EcoAudio certified production.

43. Tough Decisions

    31 oktober 2024 · 29 min

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    Comedy writer Armando Iannucci and journalist Helen Lewis decode the utterly baffling world of political language. Lees meer

    This week, as Rachel Reeves delivers the first Labour budget in 15 years, we’re talking about ‘tough decisions'.

    What’s a tough decision? Why is language around budgets so slippery? And why doesn’t anyone drink at the dispatch box anymore?

    A longer version, where Armando recalls making The Thick of It during austerity, and discuss whether Ed Miliband was really ’toss enough’ is available on BBC Sounds.

    This episode has been edited to remove an inaccurate statement about the relative size of tax fraud compared to benefit fraud.

    Sound Editing by Charlie Brandon-King
    Production Coordinator - Katie Baum
    Executive Producer - Pete Strauss

    Produced by Gwyn Rhys Davies.
    A BBC Studios Audio production for Radio 4.
    An EcoAudio certified production.

44. Kemi-Kaze and political nicknames

    24 oktober 2024 · 24 min

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    In this new series for Radio 4, comedy writer Armando Iannucci and journalist Helen Lewis decode the utterly baffling world of political language. Lees meer

    This week, Helen’s eye was caught by the Conservative leadership race, where Robert Jenrick has coined a new nickname for rival Kemi Badenoch.

    They dig into other examples of political nicknames and name-calling - the good, the bad and the ugly. And more to the point, is this sort of playground behaviour what we expect from our elected officials?

    A longer version, discussing more American presidents, and why Donald Trump keeps talking about Arnold Palmer, is available on BBC Sounds.

    Sound Editing by Charlie Brandon-King
    Production Coordinator - Katie Baum
    Executive Producer - Pete Strauss

    Produced by Gwyn Rhys Davies. A BBC Studios Audio production for Radio 4.

45. Introducing Strong Message Here

    17 oktober 2024 · 2 min

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    Helen Lewis and Armando Iannucci investigate which political buzzwords are strong and stable and which are a crock of covfefe. Lees meer

    New episodes are available weekly on Thursdays on BBC Sounds from 24 October, 2024.