Podcast · Society & Culture

The Mishal Husain Show

by Bloomberg · English · Society & Culture

Make sense of the world with one essential conversation, every week. Mishal Husain, one of Britain's best interviewers, brings her signature blend of curiosity and tenacity to weekly conversations with world leaders, business titans, and cultural icons, revealing who they really are and how they see

New episodes: Weekly
Typical length: 40 min
Latest: 9 Oct 2026
Language: English

Latest episode

9 Oct 2026 · 38 min

Melania, Soft Power & the Iran War with Writer Azadeh Moaveni

As US journalist Azadeh Moaveni was writing her latest book, ‘The East Wing’, a history of America's first ladies and their staff, President Donald Trump’s demolition of that very part of the White House was underway. Moaveni presents her book as a “parallel women’s history,” tracing how the wives of US presidents, who traditionally had offices in the now-vanished annex, helped shape alliances at home and abroad. Moaveni, a journalism professor at New York University, is a longtime reporter on Iran and the Middle East. She explains in her conversation with…

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Earlier episodes 29 most recent

2 Oct 2026 · 42 min
Even a 0.1% AI Risk Matters: Google’s James Manyika
Amid the furious debate over the pace and potential risks of AI development, top tech executives have publicly united around a call for their industry to be regulated. As Google's senior vice president of technology and society, James Manyika says his role is to help ensure artificial intelligence turns out well for the company and the rest of us. But with US President Donald Trump rejecting new guardrails and public skepticism about the motivations of AI giants calling for them, proponents of the technology face an increasingly tough room. In this conversation with Mishal Husain, Manyika…
25 Sep 2026 · 28 min
Caught in the Iran War: Qatar’s PM on the Middle East “Earthquake”
“Our region has experienced what I can only describe as an earthquake.” That was how Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Qatar’s prime minister, began remarks at a special UN General Assembly edition of the Qatar Economic Forum. Seven months of the US-Israel war with Iran have ravaged Qatar’s gas exports, which rely on passage through the Strait of Hormuz. While the country has long prided itself on conflict mediation, this time its own economy and stability are at stake. In front of an audience in New York, Sheikh Mohammed discussed with Mishal Husain recent…
18 Sep 2026 · 40 min
Trump's 'Unreality Bubble’ Meets the Midterms: Maggie Haberman
Few journalists have watched Donald Trump as closely or for as long as Maggie Haberman. The New York Times reporter first encountered him as a tabloid fixture in the 1990s and has since chronicled his ascent to the White House, the period between his presidencies and the transformation of the office itself. Her book, Regime Change: Inside the Imperial Presidency of Donald Trump , written with Jonathan Swan, examines the Republican’s second term through the first weeks of the US-Israel war with Iran. In this conversation with Mishal Husain, Haberman looks ahead to the US midterm…
11 Sep 2026 · 39 min
Forget the Manosphere: Jon Ronson on Why Men Feel Lost
Author Jon Ronson has spent years focusing on the unusual people and societal undercurrents of our changing world. He has written a series of bestselling books featuring extremists, conspiracy theorists and psychopaths. The Men Who Stare at Goats was made into a film starring George Clooney, and his popular culture war podcast, Things Fell Apart, is returning next year for its third season. In this conversation with Mishal Husain, Ronson discusses his latest book, The Castle , which features men struggling to find purpose amid economic, social and political upheaval. He also shares his own…
4 Sep 2026 · 44 min
US Versus China, Cheap AI & Human Love: AI Pioneer Kai-Fu Lee
Chinese artificial intelligence companies are rapidly closing the gap with their American rivals despite years of US restrictions on advanced chips. But the race between the world’s two AI superpowers is part of a much bigger transformation, says China AI pioneer and investor Kai-Fu Lee: one that’s upending companies, jobs and even how people think about work. Few have watched this historic moment unfold from as many vantage points as Lee, who has worked at Apple and led Microsoft and Google teams in China. In this interview with Mishal Husain, he talks about what the future…
28 Aug 2026 · 40 min
Colm Tóibín on 1970s Barcelona, Trump's America and Escaping into Art
The writer Colm Tóibín knows something about leaving home. As a young man living in Spain, he discovered a freedom he hadn’t known growing up in Ireland. Later, he would settle in America. Tóibín’s latest books revisit these journeys. The Bridge is set in the remote regions of Spain that first captivated him, while The News From Dublin includes a short story about an undocumented Irish immigrant preparing to leave the US as Donald Trump is re-elected. In this conversation with Mishal Husain, Tóibín talks about the places that have shaped…
21 Aug 2026 · 40 min
Hamid Karzai on the Taliban, Pakistan and His Daughters’ Future
It's been 25 years since the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks and the US-led invasion of Afghanistan that brought Hamid Karzai, then a little-known tribal leader, to power. Two decades later, Karzai witnessed the chaotic withdrawal of American forces as the Taliban swept back into Kabul in 2021. While many people left Afghanistan, he chose to stay. Today, Karzai lives under virtual house arrest and rarely gives interviews. He says his eldest daughter, like all girls over the age of 12, is no longer able to go to school. In this conversation with Mishal Husain, he explains why he won’t send his…
14 Aug 2026 · 26 min
Why will.i.am Says Human Creativity Will Survive AI
The Grammy award winning musician, tech CEO and college professor will.i.am says he believes in the power of artificial intelligence to assist human creativity. He tells Mishal Husain why his attitude toward technology is different from that of many other creatives. The founding member of Black Eyed Peas also discusses why there should be different ways for platforms to recognize music created solely by humans, and a system that protects identity and likeness. Ultimately, will.i.am says human performance will always survive. They also talk about the song “Where Is The Love?”and…
7 Aug 2026 · 36 min
Adjoa Andoh on Shonda Rhimes, ‘Bridgerton’ and Becoming Lady Danbury
“Bridgerton” has been a global television phenomenon for more than six years, thanks in part to British actor Adjoa Andoh. She has described her role playing Lady Danbury in the Shondaland creation as “life changing.” The character is best known for stealing scenes with her sharp wit and no-nonsense wisdom. In this conversation with Mishal Husain, Andoh takes us behind the scenes of the hit show and shares how she has shaped Lady Danbury over the years, from her backstory to jewelry and even her hats. Contact The Mishal Husain Show [email protected] Subscribe…
31 Jul 2026 · 35 min
History’s Not Just About Great Men: Peter Frankopan on Iran and Ukraine
Uncertainty about the US-Israel war with Iran and its endgame continues to cast a long shadow over global trade, while Ukraine’s increasingly sophisticated counterattacks are imposing mounting costs on Russia. What are the combined implications of these two wars? In this conversation with Mishal Husain, Oxford University historian Peter Frankopan argues we are entering an era of consolidation and new alliances, especially between middle powers, and that predictions of US decline are wrong. Read Mishal’s notes on this conversation www.bloomberg.com/mishal Contact The Mishal Husain…
24 Jul 2026 · 34 min
Karen Hao on the Reckless Race for Global AI Power
Over the last few years, artificial intelligence tools have revolutionized the way many people work and learn. But industry critic Karen Hao, author of Empire of AI , argues the choices AI companies make about scale, power and profit deserve far more scrutiny. In this conversation with Mishal Husain, Hao explains her “empire” analogy and why she hopes the industry adopts higher standards as more initial public offerings draw near. Related episodes you may enjoy: Mustafa Suleyman Isn’t Like Everyone Else in Silicon Valley AI Wants Your Life: Tech Boss Meredith Whittaker Says…
17 Jul 2026 · 53 min
"He's Weak": Tucker Carlson on How Trump Failed America
Tucker Carlson was one of Donald Trump’s most prominent allies when he campaigned for re-election and through his first year back in the White House. The US-Israel war with Iran, however, marked a decisive split between the two men. Carlson, a right-wing media personality, now argues that Trump has abandoned his “America First” agenda and allowed Israel to drive US foreign policy. In this conversation, Carlson tells Mishal Husain about how he advised against starting the war with Iran. He also talks about his faith in Vice President JD Vance and his belief that feminism has…
10 Jul 2026 · 48 min
Taming Labour and Facing Down Farage: Steve Richards on Burnham's Plan
Andy Burnham appears set to walk into 10 Downing Street and take power as the UK’s latest prime minister. Behind the mid-term departure of Keir Starmer has been, at least in part, the rise of Reform UK leader Nigel Farage. Farage himself has dominated the headlines this week, amid an investigation and his decision to re-contest his parliamentary seat. In this conversation with Mishal Husain, longtime UK political commentator Steve Richards examines Burnham’s record and looks at what he stands for. They also discuss how the new Labour leader might deal with his own party and the…
3 Jul 2026 · 41 min
America in Free Fall? Historian Jill Lepore on the US at 250
For America’s 250th anniversary, the Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Jill Lepore joins Mishal Husain to take her through her book on the US Constitution. We The People explores how the Constitution came about and, crucially, how there was an expectation that it would likely change over time. This is not, however, an episode entirely set in the past, because Jill Lepore is acutely alive to the pressures of the moment and of the contested sense of what America is or should be. Contact The Mishal Husain Show [email protected] Subscribe today on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. See…
26 Jun 2026 · 39 min
Can Republicans Win California Again? Steve Hilton Thinks So
In November, California will choose a new governor to replace Gavin Newsom, pitting Democratic candidate Xavier Becerra, a former US Secretary of Health and Human Services, US Congressman and state attorney general, against an unlikely Republican rival: Steve Hilton. Hilton was born in the UK and became a US citizen only five years ago. He had a career in center-right British politics, working as an adviser for former Conservative Prime Minister David Cameron. In 2012, Hilton moved to California, where he worked as a tech entrepreneur and as a host on right-leaning Fox News. Hilton, who…
23 Jun 2026 · 35 min
Bonus: Alastair Campbell & Jacob Rees-Mogg Debate Brexit 10 Years On (Live)
It’s 10 years since the United Kingdom voted to leave the European Union. It was an enormous decision, one that has contributed to the churn of British prime ministers since, a phenomenon that has continued this week with the resignation of Keir Starmer. What effect has Brexit had on UK politics and the British economy over the last decade? This bonus episode of The Mishal Husain Show is an opportunity to reflect and look ahead. Earlier this month, Alastair Campbell, Co-Host of The Rest Is Politics podcast, and Jacob Rees-Mogg, a presenter on GB News, joined Mishal Husain in front of…
19 Jun 2026 · 45 min
AI Wants Your Life: Tech Boss Meredith Whittaker Says No
Meredith Whittaker has spent years arguing that privacy is a prerequisite for a free society. As the president of the nonprofit foundation behind the encrypted messaging app Signal, she now finds herself defending that principle in the face of mounting pressure from governments and tech companies alike. In this conversation with Mishal Husain, Whittaker says she believes business models that rely on data collection, the rise of artificial intelligence assistants and even well-meaning efforts to protect children online risk undermining private communication. She also explains why Signal would…
12 Jun 2026 · 39 min
Gary Lineker on the World Cup, Trump and the Fans Left Behind
For decades, Gary Lineker anchored live sporting events for the BBC. Now he’s a podcaster and media boss. In this conversation with Mishal Husain, he talks about his new Netflix show and hopes for an England World Cup win. Lineker co-founded Goalhanger Productions, the UK’s fastest growing private company. Throughout the World Cup, his podcast “The Rest Is Football” will be streamed on Netflix. He talks about the politics around the tournament and FIFA boss Gianni Infantino’s relationship with US President Donald Trump. They also discuss Lineker’s…
5 Jun 2026 · 38 min
Ebola Is Back: Virus Pioneer Peter Piot Explains the Threat
Peter Piot first encountered the Ebola virus in a laboratory in Antwerp in 1976. At the time, the pathogen was largely unknown. Now, almost 50 years later, a new outbreak is spreading through parts of Central Africa, triggering travel restrictions and quarantines across the globe. In this conversation with Mishal Husain, Piot, one of the world's leading authorities on the disease, discusses why Ebola, while deadly, is not easily spread. The Belgian scientist also explains the challenge of controlling outbreaks in conflict zones and lessons the world still hasn’t learned from Covid-19.…
29 May 2026 · 42 min
Cuba on the Brink: Ada Ferrer on Life Under US Pressure
Ada Ferrer won the Pulitzer Prize in 2022 for her acclaimed book, Cuba: An American History , which examined the island’s relationship with the US. Her latest work, Keeper of My Kin , tells her family story: a mother who fled the island nation carrying an infant daughter, while leaving a brother behind. Now, as Donald Trump increases pressure on Cubans and their leaders, cutting off oil while obtaining an indictment of Raul Castro for the 1996 shootdown of a small plane, Ferrer tells Mishal Husain about the human cost of Cuba’s long crisis. 03:26 - Writing “Keeper of my…
22 May 2026 · 41 min
Can Britain’s Politics Cope: David Dimbleby Thinks Not
David Dimbleby was for decades the face of election programs on the BBC. He anchored coverage of 10 UK general elections, as well as the 1975 and 2016 referendums on European membership, the funeral of Princess Diana and a host of other royal and state occasions. He’s seen prime ministers come and go, from Margaret Thatcher to Tony Blair and many more since. With Prime Minister Keir Starmer facing a potential leadership challenge, Dimbleby is uniquely placed to understand the characters and conflicts shaping Britain’s volatile politics today. In this conversation with Mishal…
15 May 2026 · 35 min
China vs the US: Kishore Mahbubani on a Zero-Sum Rivalry
Beyond this week’s talks between Chinese President Xi Jinping and US President Donald Trump, there’s an epic tale that has been unfolding for decades. It’s a battle to be the world’s number one power and a much bigger story than the latest meeting of these two men. Kishore Mahbubani is a former Singaporean diplomat who served as president of the United Nations Security Council. For two decades, he has argued that the West fundamentally misunderstands the rise of China and its challenge to American supremacy. Mahbubani. who eventually turned to academia, now…
8 May 2026 · 48 min
Anthony Scaramucci: Trump and the Humiliation That Made Him Famous
For a brief moment in 2017, Anthony Scaramucci became a unit of time. His 11-day stint as White House communications director was so short-lived that it entered the political lexicon. Almost a decade on, he has proven more durable than the joke. The Trump loyalist-turned-critic, Wall Street financier and podcast host remains a well-known figure in American political culture. Scaramucci is still holding forth on the US president he once backed, as well as bets that have shaped his own career, including on crypto and Sam Bankman-Fried. In this conversation with Mishal Husain, Scaramucci talks…
1 May 2026 · 34 min
Why India Has Lost Its Way: Writer Amitav Ghosh on the New World Order, Politics and Past Lives
For more than 30 years, the Indian-born writer Amitav Ghosh has built a global following with novels that draw on deep historical research. But his latest offering, Ghost-Eye, is more esoteric. The plot moves back and forth between India and the US, using past lives to explore the ties between the personal and the political. The plot centers on a psychiatrist treating a 3-year-old who shocks her family by insisting she remembers a past life in a fishing community. In this conversation with Mishal Husain, Ghosh explains why he’s finding it harder to write nowadays, how the memories of…
24 Apr 2026 · 44 min
How to Get a Deal With Iran: Former US Negotiator Wendy Sherman on Power, Pressure and Reality
We’re now eight weeks on from the start of the US-Israel war with Iran, a conflict that’s been watched with increasing alarm by Wendy Sherman, architect of the 2015 nuclear deal between the US and Iran and a former deputy secretary of state. Having spent years across the table from Iranian officials, she sees a far more volatile landscape today. In this conversation with Mishal Husain, she shares how her concerns go beyond the Middle East and explains how China and Russia are beneficiaries of the war. Read this interview with Mishal’s notes on Bloomberg Weekend:…
17 Apr 2026 · 39 min
Hamlet, James Bond and SNL UK: Riz Ahmed on Reinventing Cultural Icons
A new and radical take on Shakespeare’s Hamlet is out in US cinemas. The force behind it is actor, writer, producer and musician Riz Ahmed. He says the 400-year-old story has never felt more current. Ahmed, Oscar-nominated for Sound of Metal and star of the Oscar-winning live-action short The Long Goodbye , has a new series on Prime Video called Bait . It’s a black comedy about an actor on the cusp of a life-changing role as James Bond. In this conversation with Mishal Husain, Ahmed talks about creativity and politics, discusses his upcoming movie with Tom Cruise and how becoming…
9 Apr 2026 · 32 min
America’s Limits, Iran’s Leverage, Pakistan’s Moment: Maleeha Lodhi on a Shifting Order
After almost six weeks of war, how did Pakistan manage to get the US and Iran to talk? Amid a still-fragile situation in the Middle East, that question sits at the heart of this conversation with Maleeha Lodhi. She has served as Pakistan’s ambassador to Washington, as well as to the UK and United Nations. For her, the Islamabad talks mark a moment of wider significance, as the middle powers demonstrate their capacity to influence geopolitics. Read this interview with Mishal’s notes on Bloomberg Weekend: www.bloomberg.com/latest/weekend-interview 02:55 - Pakistan as a peacebroker…
2 Apr 2026 · 45 min
Lionel Shriver on Immigration, Identity and Why She Refuses to Stay Quiet
Lionel Shriver has often tackled complex or contentious issues in her fiction. From school shootings in We Need to Talk About Kevin to economic collapse in The Mandibles. Her new novel, A Better Life , is the story of a family home taken over by outsiders. In this conversation with Mishal Husain, Shriver discusses the sociological concerns behind the story, which she says is a metaphor for the increase in undocumented US immigration during the Biden administration. Shriver is a regular columnist for The Spectator , a conservative UK magazine. The link between the writing styles in that…
27 Mar 2026 · 41 min
Why Israel Could Be Forced to Stop: Shira Efron on War, Fatigue and Netanyahu's Strategy
With attention fixed on the potential developments between the US and Iran, could the Israeli government be forced to end the war earlier than it might like? The last few weeks have seen daily air strikes by Israel on Iran, and retaliatory attacks that have killed and injured Israelis. The wider picture is of two and a half years of constant conflict, particularly in Gaza. In this conversation, Mishal Husain speaks to Shira Efron, who has been a Middle East analyst for the last 20 years and is now Distinguished Chair for Israel Policy at RAND. They discuss Israeli public opinion on Iran, the…

About The Mishal Husain Show

The Mishal Husain Show is a English society & culture podcast from Bloomberg. Melo plays each episode straight from the publisher's own feed — no ads added, no account needed — and remembers where you stopped, in this browser only.

Publisher: Bloomberg
Language: English
Category: Society & Culture
New episodes: Weekly
Typical length: 40 min
Latest episode: 9 Oct 2026
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Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1845840408

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