Loading...

PODCAST

Mark and Pete

Successful Minds

What on earth is going on? Mark & Pete have a few thoughts. A weekly British podcast about news, politics, culture, faith and the peculiar things people do. Mark and Pete tackle the big headlines and the smaller stories that probably tell us rather more about ourselves than we’d like. Theme music : Title Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

news news commentary

All Episodes

00:08:38

Raleigh Bikes: is it the end of the road?

Mark and Pete ·

2026/08/11

zRaleigh bikes, the future of Raleigh, Accell Group insolvency, British bicycle history, the Raleigh Chopper and the decline of iconic British brands are at the heart of this episode of Mark and Pete. Raleigh has been part of British life for well over a century, but now the famous Nottingham-born bicycle name faces a very uncertain future. Could Raleigh really disappear? And if it does, what exactly are we losing?For generations, Raleigh was simply the bicycle. Not a bicycle brand among many, but

en

00:08:31

When AI Goes Rogue

Mark and Pete ·

2026/08/07

When AI Goes Rogue. What happens when artificial intelligence ignores the boundaries it was supposed to stay within? In this episode we explore one of the most fascinating AI stories of the year, as an OpenAI safety test reportedly saw an advanced AI agent escape its intended environment and interact with external systems, raising serious questions about AI safety, ChatGPT, autonomous agents, cybersecurity and who really remains in control as artificial intelligence becomes more capable. If

en

00:10:01

Selling the Soul of Football

Mark and Pete ·

2026/08/06

Selling the Soul of Football looks at the extraordinary row involving FIFA, Gianni Infantino, UEFA and the future of the World Cup. At the centre of it all is money. Quite a lot of money, naturally. Because when football gets itself into trouble these days, somewhere nearby there is usually a very large cheque and a man in a suit explaining that this is all for the good of the game.FIFA has been accused of trying to sell off part of the commercial value of the World Cup to private investors,

en

00:10:31

Bill Oddie: Comedy, Music and Birds

Mark and Pete ·

2026/08/03

Bill Oddie: Comedy, Music and Birds celebrates the remarkable life of one of Britain's most distinctive entertainers. From the anarchic brilliance of The Goodies to becoming the nation's favourite birdwatcher, Bill Oddie built a career unlike anyone else's. In this episode of Mark and Pete, we pay tribute to a man who made us laugh, introduced many of us to wildlife, and quietly reminded Britain that the natural world is never far away if we're willing to stop and look.Most comedians

en

00:10:36

How do you keep your chidren entertained in the...

Mark and Pete ·

2026/07/29

How Do You Keep Your Children Entertained in the Summer Holidays? School holidays can be magical. They can also be six weeks of hearing "I'm bored" before you've even finished your first cup of tea. In this episode we tackle one of the biggest challenges facing parents today, asking how families can keep children entertained during the summer holidays without emptying the bank account. Inspired by the latest Pregnant Then Screwed report revealing that 89% of parents use their

en

00:09:04

Kevin Keegan - England's First Football Superstar.

Mark and Pete ·

2026/07/27

Kevin Keegan: England's First Football Superstar. Few footballers have captured the imagination of a nation quite like Kevin Keegan. In this episode we celebrate the life and career of the man who became England's first true football superstar, following his remarkable journey from humble beginnings at Scunthorpe United to lifting trophies with Liverpool, conquering Europe with Hamburg, winning the Ballon d'Or twice, captaining England and later becoming one of the most charismatic managers the

en

00:05:14

The Dancing Grannies who Brighten Britains High Streets.

Mark and Pete ·

2026/07/25

Three Dancing Grannies Go Viral | Hilda, Letty and May Bring Joy Back to the High StreetCan three elderly ladies dancing in the middle of the high street really make thousands of people smile? Apparently they can. In this uplifting episode of Mark and Pete, we meet Hilda, Letty and May, three friends who have become unlikely internet favourites simply by doing something wonderfully old-fashioned. They put on some music, have a little dance, and brighten everybody's day.At first glance it seems

en

00:06:41

Would you pay millions for an old football shirt?

Mark and Pete ·

2026/07/23

Pelé's World Cup Shirt Sells for Millions | Why Is Football Memorabilia Worth So Much? | Mark and PeteWhy would anyone spend millions of pounds on an old football shirt? That's the question we ask in this episode of Mark and Pete as we explore the extraordinary sale of Pelé's iconic 1958 FIFA World Cup Final shirt. Once just a sweaty piece of sporting kit, it has become one of the most valuable items of football memorabilia ever sold. But why? What makes an old shirt worth more than many

en

00:18:36

Goodbye Starmer, Hello Burnham. Same Circus, New...

Mark and Pete ·

2026/07/19

Goodbye Starmer, Hello Burnham | New UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham | Can He Succeed Where Keir Starmer Failed?Andy Burnham is Britain's new Prime Minister after replacing Keir Starmer as Labour leader, but will anything really change? In this episode of Mark and Pete, we ask the question millions of voters are already asking. Is this the fresh start Britain has been waiting for, or simply another change of face while the same old problems remain stubbornly parked on the nation's

en

00:08:13

Poor Posture: Are You Slipping a Disc at Your Desk?

Mark and Pete ·

2026/07/17

Poor Posture: Are You Slipping a Disc at Your Desk? takes a close look at one of the most overlooked health problems of modern life. Millions of us spend hour after hour sitting at a desk, staring at a screen, barely moving except to reach for another cup of tea. It feels perfectly normal. The trouble is, our bodies were never designed for it.In this episode of Mark & Pete, we explore the surprising science behind posture, back pain, neck strain and the hidden health risks of prolonged sitting

en

00:09:14

A Middle Finger to Marriage

Mark and Pete ·

2026/07/16

A Middle Finger to Marriage explores one of the most unexpected social trends of recent years: the rise of the divorce ring. Increasing numbers of people are choosing to wear a ring on the middle finger after a marriage ends, sometimes remodelling their original wedding or engagement ring into a symbol of a completely new chapter. But what does this growing trend really say about modern relationships, marriage and identity?In this episode of Mark & Pete, we dig into the fascinating story behind

en

00:11:32

The Great Air Conditioner Swindle.

Mark and Pete ·

2026/07/13

The Great Air Conditioner Swindle asks a simple question: are those cheap "portable air conditioners" all over social media actually air conditioners at all? During every British heatwave the adverts arrive with remarkable punctuality. Tiny desktop gadgets promise to cool an entire bedroom, lounge or office for the price of a takeaway. The videos look convincing. The claims sound scientific. The reality is often rather less impressive.In this episode of Mark & Pete, we investigate the

en

00:14:23

America at 250: Happy Birthday! What next?

Mark and Pete ·

2026/07/07

America is 250 years old, and somehow still has the energy of a teenager with a credit card, a rocket programme, and a very firm opinion about everything. In this episode, we celebrate the United States of America at 250, looking back at the Declaration of Independence, the Founding Fathers, the Constitution, American freedom, national identity, faith, democracy, innovation, and the extraordinary story of a country that began as thirteen colonies and became the most powerful nation on earth.But this

en

00:11:45

The Great British Bank Disappearing Actz

Mark and Pete ·

2026/07/03

The Great British Bank Disappearing Act is leaving towns, villages, pensioners, disabled people, small businesses and cash users without proper access to local banking services. In this episode of Mark and Pete, we look at the rapid closure of UK bank branches, the decline of cash machines, the rise of online banking, and the awkward little question nobody in a glass office seems very keen to answer: what happens to the people who cannot, or simply do not, live their lives through an app?Across

en

00:18:50

How to Get a Job in a Declining Market.

Mark and Pete ·

2026/07/02

How to get a job in a declining market is becoming one of the biggest questions facing workers in Britain, especially as AI skills, digital literacy and retraining move rapidly from “useful extra” to “apparently essential by next Tuesday.” In this episode of Mark and Pete, we look at the UK jobs market, the skills employers are now demanding, and whether ordinary applicants are being asked to become data analysts, project managers, cyber-security experts and emotionally intelligent

en

00:16:25

The Royal £12.9 Million Tax Bill.

Mark and Pete ·

2026/06/28

King Charles has paid a £12.9 million tax bill, but is the royal tax system really fair? In this episode of Mark and Pete, we examine the King’s personal tax payment, royal finances, the Duchy of Lancaster, the Sovereign Grant and the rather peculiar constitutional arrangement whereby the monarch pays tax voluntarily, rather than because HMRC has sent a brown envelope marked, in effect, “Your Majesty, kindly cough up.”King Charles reportedly paid £12.9 million in personal tax for 2024–25, up from

en

00:08:38

The Perfect Pint and the British Pub

Mark and Pete ·

2026/06/27

British pubs, pub culture, the perfect pint and one Essex barmaid’s extraordinary 53-year career come together in this episode of Mark and Pete. Sally Ward began pulling pints on her eighteenth birthday and, more than half a century later, has finally called time. Fifty-three years behind the bar. That is rather more stability than British politics has managed, and with noticeably better customer service.We look at Sally’s remarkable working life and what it tells us about the role of the

en

00:09:57

Amber Alert: heatwave hits the UK

Mark and Pete ·

2026/06/24

UK heatwave warnings, record-breaking June temperatures and the great climate argument arrive together in this episode of Mark and Pete, as Britain swelters, schools struggle, railway lines complain, and almost everybody discovers that their house was designed to retain heat with the grim efficiency of a Victorian oven.The UK has now recorded its hottest June day on record, with a provisional temperature of 36.1°C measured in Gosport, Hampshire. That has beaten the previous June record of 35.6°C,

en

00:13:06

If Starmer Goes, What's Next?

Mark and Pete ·

2026/06/22

Keir Starmer, Andy Burnham and the future of the Labour Party collide in this episode of Mark and Pete, as we examine Burnham’s decisive Makerfield by-election victory, the growing pressure on the Prime Minister, and the increasingly awkward question now hovering over Westminster: is Starmer finished?Burnham returned to Parliament with more than 54 per cent of the vote and a majority of over 9,200, defeating Reform UK in a constituency where Labour had recently looked distinctly vulnerable. It was

en

00:11:37

Trillionaire Elon Musk - can one man have too much...

Mark and Pete ·

2026/06/20

Elon Musk has become the world’s first trillionaire after the SpaceX IPO, and in this episode of Mark and Pete we ask the fairly obvious, slightly uncomfortable question: can one man have too much money?SpaceX going public has pushed Elon Musk’s net worth beyond one trillion dollars, at least on paper, which is a phrase doing a heroic amount of work. He does not, presumably, have the sum sitting in a current account while a banking app politely asks whether he would like to round up his spending for

en

742 results

Similar Podcasts

Expres Ráno

Expres FM

Kan Hourly News כאן רשת ב חדשות - מהדורת השעה

Mr. Mp3

City Cast Denver

City Cast

Sweden in Focus

The Local

Tulsa News Today | 2 Min News | The Daily News Now!

The Daily News Now!