We’re living through a golden age of surveillance. As monitoring reaches levels once associated with totalitarian regimes, the question becomes unavoidable: how much surveillance can a democracy sustain before it ceases to be one?

This week on The Tea, Oxford Associate Professor Carissa Véliz, a leading voice on the ethics of AI, joins us to cut through the noise. AI isn’t just forecasting the future—it’s shaping behaviour, eroding accountability, and normalising control.

Our guest argues that the rise of authoritarian tendencies alongside digital technology isn’t a coincidence. Digital tech is inherently authoritarian. And while tech executives warn of jobless, dystopian futures, they’re also shaping that reality—then positioning themselves as the solution. Manufacture the fear, sell the cure.

Also in the show:

⚡ Surveillance at an unprecedented scale

⚡ AI prediction as the blueprint for control

⚡ The rise of the “uninsurable” individual

⚡ Big Tech resignations — principled exits or strategic PR?

⚡ AI in medicine — the hidden risk of overdiagnosis

⚡ Palantir, Anthropic, and warfare — where does accountability go?

⚡ AI as the “ultimate bullshitter”

⚡ When chatbots act human — the Air Canada case

⚡ AGI — genuine goal or marketing myth?

⚡ AI companions — a mirror of our delusions

⚡ The Online Safety Act — and why it may not protect children at all

Carissa argues that if we want to resist this trajectory, we need to look up from the screen. The more we obsess over AI, the more we neglect the real world—and the human relationships that anchor it.

👉 Subscribe for fearless, independent conversations

🎧 Listen wherever you get your podcasts

#TheTeaWithMyriamFrancois #CarissaVeliz #Profecy #AI #USPolitics #UKPolitics #Palantir #Anthropic #ChatGpt #news # #currentaffairs

AUDIO CREDITS

Presenter–Producer: Dr. Myriam François

Guest: Carissa Veliz

Senior Producer: Sara Farolfi

Producer: Nadège Bizimungu

Assistant Producer: Poppy Jacobs

Research: Constance Creswell, Martha Missingham

Video Editor: Max Bubnov

An MPWR Productions show.

Disclaimer:

The views and opinions expressed by the guest(s) on The Tea YouTube series and podcast are their own and do not reflect those of MPWR Productions or its licensees. The appearance of this YouTube programme and podcast on social media platforms does not imply endorsement by MPWR Productions. MPWR Productions disclaims any liability for damages arising from the use of the podcast and its recordings to the fullest extent permissible by law.

This video is intended for informational and commentary purposes only and reflects the personal opinions of the guest and creators. The inclusion of public figures or journalists is based on publicly available information and does not imply guilt or wrongdoing.

The views in this video do not establish a professional relationship with viewers and do not constitute legal, professional, or personal advice. Viewer discretion is advised.

Disclaimer:

The views and opinions expressed by the guest(s) on The Tea YouTube series and podcast are their own and do not reflect those of MPWR Productions or its licensees. The appearance of this YouTube programme and podcast on social media platforms does not imply endorsement by MPWR Productions. MPWR Productions disclaims any liability for damages arising from the use of the podcast and its recordings to the fullest extent permissible by law.

This video is intended for informational and commentary purposes only and reflects the personal opinions of the guest and creators. The inclusion of public figures or journalists is based on publicly available information and does not imply guilt or wrongdoing.

The views in this video do not establish a professional relationship with viewers and do not constitute legal, professional, or personal advice. Viewer discretion is advised.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From Donald Trump openly dismissing the very idea of international legal norms to unprecedented sanctions imposed on senior ICC officials, the message is unmistakable: international law applies — until it threatens power.

In this episode of The Tea, ICC Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan joins us for an exclusive interview on what happens when those tasked with enforcing justice become targets themselves.

Recently cleared of misconduct allegations, he now faces renewed scrutiny amid escalating political attacks. So what becomes of global justice when prosecutors, judges, and investigators are subjected to political and financial warfare for simply doing their jobs?

Also in the show:

⚡ The “Filton 24” — an unprecedented legal case

⚡ Escalation after October 7th — a genocide broadcast in real time

⚡ US sanctions and political pressure on ICC officials

⚡ David Cameron’s intervention — how far does interference go?

⚡ Sexual misconduct allegations —why the case remains open despite clearance

⚡ Lindsey Graham’s comments and the ICC bias

⚡ Nicholas Kaufman and Israeli-driven pressures on the Court

⚡ After the arrest warrants — will Netanyahu and Gallant ever face justice?

As Khan puts it, this is a defining moment for international justice: if the law bends to power, the result will be more conflict, instability, and suffering.

👉 Subscribe for fearless, independent conversations

🎧 Listen wherever you get your podcasts

AUDIO CREDITS

Presenter–Producer: Dr. Myriam François

Guest: Karim Khan

Senior Producer: Sara Farolfi

Producer: Nadège Bizimungu

Assistant Producer: Poppy Jacobs

Research: Constance Creswell, Martha Missingham, Iman Saleh

Video Editor: Max Bubnov

An MPWR Productions show.

#TheTeaWithMyriamFrancois #KarimKhan #ICC #ICCArrestWarrants #Israel #Netanyahu #Trump #USPolitics #UKPolitics #news # #currentaffairs #internationaljustice

Disclaimer:

The views and opinions expressed by the guest(s) on The Tea YouTube series and podcast are their own and do not reflect those of MPWR Productions or its licensees. The appearance of this YouTube programme and podcast on social media platforms does not imply endorsement by MPWR Productions. MPWR Productions disclaims any liability for damages arising from the use of the podcast and its recordings to the fullest extent permissible by law.

This video is intended for informational and commentary purposes only and reflects the personal opinions of the guest and creators. The inclusion of public figures or journalists is based on publicly available information and does not imply guilt or wrongdoing.

The views in this video do not establish a professional relationship with viewers and do not constitute legal, professional, or personal advice. Viewer discretion is advised.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the US, Republicans have gained millions of voters in recent years, while Democrats have lost ground. Across Europe, radical right parties are now regularly polling above 20%, winning government roles and reshaping mainstream politics.

So what’s really happening? Is this a failure of the left or something deeper?

In this episode of The Tea, we’re joined by veteran political commentator Ana Kasparian to unpack the growing disillusionment with mainstream politics and who is benefitting from it.

From party infighting to foreign policy failures and economic frustration, Ana argues this isn’t just a political shift it’s a class war. And while elites remain firmly in control, ordinary people are increasingly divided.

Also in the show:

⚡ Immigration, the border, and the Democrats’ political fallout

⚡ Citizens United — the moment corruption was legalised

⚡ Gaza — a breaking point between politicians and the public

⚡ From Bernie Sanders to AOC — where the left lost its base

⚡ Identity politics vs class politics

⚡ Transgender inclusive language: debate or shut down?

⚡ Cross-ideological alliances — taboo or necessary?

⚡ Filton 24 — the story the press can’t touch

⚡ America’s foreign policy and the cost of fighting Israel’s wars

⚡ Media as PR for power — who holds politicians accountable?

⚡ Big Tech, AI, and the politics of convenience

Ana argues that political labels matter less and less and that the real divide isn’t left vs right, but top vs bottom. And the only political battle that matters is the one against the elites.

👉 Subscribe for independent, unfiltered conversations

🎧 Listen wherever you get your podcasts

#TheTeaWithMyriamFrancois #AnaKasparian #USPolitics #Trump #UKPolitics #left #indipendentmedia #news # #currentaffairs #Israel

AUDIO CREDITS

Presenter–Producer: Dr. Myriam François

Guest: Ana Kasparian

Senior Producer: Sara Farolfi

Producer: Nadège Bizimungu

Assistant Producer: Poppy Jacobs

Research: Constance Creswell, Martha Missingham

Video Editor: Max Bubnov

An MPWR Productions show.

Disclaimer:

The views and opinions expressed by the guest(s) on The Tea YouTube series and podcast are their own and do not reflect those of MPWR Productions or its licensees. The appearance of this YouTube programme and podcast on social media platforms does not imply endorsement by MPWR Productions. MPWR Productions disclaims any liability for damages arising from the use of the podcast and its recordings to the fullest extent permissible by law.

This video is intended for informational and commentary purposes only and reflects the personal opinions of the guest and creators. The inclusion of public figures or journalists is based on publicly available information and does not imply guilt or wrongdoing.

The views in this video do not establish a professional relationship with viewers and do not constitute legal, professional, or personal advice. Viewer discretion is advised.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From the rise of figures like Donald Trump to the normalisation of unelected power brokers like Jared Kushner, the concentration of wealth, media, tech, and state power has never been tighter.

The mask is slipping. Power isn’t pretending anymore.

In this episode of The Tea, we are joined by investigative journalist and author Matt Kennard to lift the veil on how corporate power has moved from influence to control - reshaping governments, rewriting the rules, and hollowing out democracy from within.

And as repression expands - from protest bans to anti-terror laws used against journalists - the question is: where does resistance live now?

Also in the show:

⚡ The illusion of a “free press” — who really sets the limits

⚡ WikiLeaks and the case of Julian Assange

⚡ Media concentration and billionaire ownership

⚡ Journalists arrested under anti-terror legislation

⚡ Palestine Action and the unprecedented crackdown on dissent

⚡ Disinformation - who produces it, and who claims to fight it

⚡ The D-Notice system - when the state asks media to stay silent

⚡ The Telegraph and Israel - politics of alignment

⚡ From Jared Kushner to Steve Witkoff - the business of politics, or legalised corruption?

⚡ Big Tech and the far-right - a growing alliance

Matt argues this is a new form of fascism: a system where corporations are driving the state itself.

And if we want to resist, we need independent knowledge - and to support those willing to confront corporate power.

👉 Subscribe for fearless, independent conversations

🎧 Listen wherever you get your podcasts

#TheTeaWithMyriamFrancois #MattKennard #Palantir #Trump #USPolitics #UKPolitics #indipendentmedia #MiddleEast #news # #currentaffairs

You can find Matt Kennard’s book Irregular Army here https://orbooks.com/catalog/irregular-army/

AUDIO CREDITS

Presenter–Producer: Dr. Myriam François

Guest: Matt Kennard

Senior Producer: Sara Farolfi

Producer: Nadège Bizimungu

Assistant Producer: Poppy Jacobs

Research: Constance Creswell, Martha Missingham

Video Editor: Max Bubnov

An MPWR Productions show.

👉 Subscribe for fearless, independent conversations: https://www.youtube.com/@UCT4kJCZyg26egbPAuJVj2kA

🎧 Listen wherever you get your podcasts.

🎥 Click to watch. Subscribe for new episodes.

❤️ Support independent journalism that tells hard truths.

Disclaimer:

The views and opinions expressed by the guest(s) on The Tea YouTube series and podcast are their own and do not reflect those of MPWR Productions or its licensees. The appearance of this YouTube programme and podcast on social media platforms does not imply endorsement by MPWR Productions. MPWR Productions disclaims any liability for damages arising from the use of the podcast and its recordings to the fullest extent permissible by law.

This video is intended for informational and commentary purposes only and reflects the personal opinions of the guest and creators. The inclusion of public figures or journalists is based on publicly available information and does not imply guilt or wrongdoing.

The views in this video do not establish a professional relationship with viewers and do not constitute legal, professional, or personal advice. Viewer discretion is advised.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When the system breaks, what happens to resistance?

A court rules Palestine Action’s proscription unlawful. Arrests should stop. They don’t. Power shifts, reverses, and reasserts itself. This isn’t dysfunction. It’s how power operates—entrenched, unaccountable, and built to resist challenge.

In this episode of The Tea, we sit down with hip-hop legend and political powerhouse Lowkey, one of the UK’s most uncompromising voices. From West London to the world stage, he has spent two decades dismantling empire through music — and challenging the idea that art can ever be neutral.

From Gaza to Grenfell, from direct action targeting arms factories to the widening crackdown on dissent, we dig into what happens when anger meets silence—or repression.

Also in the show:

⚡ Music as resistance to propaganda

⚡ Raucous Records & Rupert Murdoch’s orbit — the business of “conscious rap”

⚡ “Music is not apolitical” — why artists must reflect their times

⚡ Stormzy and the McDonald's backlash

⚡ Attempts to silence Lowkey — pro-Israel lobbying and censorship

⚡ Universal Music Group & the Israeli lobby—a family affair

⚡ Zionism and the origins of an ethnocratic project

⚡ Iran’s historical pro-Palestinian stance explained

⚡ Israel’s “Unit 8200” — from military tech to private power

⚡ The Grenfell tragedy —a textbook case of corporate impunity

⚡ Tony Blair —a love affair with the Israeli lobbies

⚡ Kanye West and the politics of cancellation

Lowkey argues that real change doesn’t come from within the system — but from applying pressure outside it. And as repression grows, so does resistance. As he puts it, “who doesn’t resist is closer to death.”

👉 Subscribe for fearless, independent conversations: https://www.youtube.com/@UCT4kJCZyg26egbPAuJVj2kA

🎧 Listen wherever you get your podcasts.

#TheTeaWithMyriamFrancois #Lowkey #PalAction #PalestineAction #Gaza #Israel #neoliberalism #UKPolitics #Iran #MiddleEast #Iran #news #Justice4Grenfell

AUDIO CREDITS

Presenter–Producer: Dr. Myriam François

Guest: Lowkey

Senior Producer: Sara Farolfi

Producer: Nadège Bizimungu

Assistant Producer: Poppy Jacobs

Research: Constance Creswell, Martha Missingham

Video Editor: Max Bubnov

An MPWR Productions show.

🎥 Click to watch. Subscribe for new episodes. ❤️ Support independent journalism that tells hard truths.

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by the guest(s) on The Tea YouTube series and podcast are their own and do not reflect those of MPWR Productions or its licensees. The appearance of this YouTube programme and podcast on social media platforms does not imply endorsement by MPWR Productions. MPWR Productions disclaims any liability for damages arising from the use of the podcast and its recordings to the fullest extent permissible by law. This video is intended for informational and commentary purposes only and reflects the personal opinions of the guest and creators. The inclusion of public figures or journalists is based on publicly available information and does not imply guilt or wrongdoing. The views in this video do not establish a professional relationship with viewers and do not constitute legal, professional, or personal advice. Viewer discretion is advised.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What if everything you've been told is "normal" is actually making you sick, physically, emotionally, morally?

We live in a culture where corporations deliberately engineer addiction for profit, where systemic oppression is dressed up as idealism. A culture that runs on denying emotional suffering. That keeps us addicted, so we never stop to look at what's really going on. A culture that runs on genocide.

The Epstein files ripped the veil off a corrupt, incestuous ruling class and exposed the fake pretence of democracy, but the problem runs far deeper.

This week on The Tea, renowned physician and bestselling author Gabor Maté breaks it all down the economics, the politics, the systems designed to keep you compliant, consuming, and convinced that your suffering is your own fault.

Also on the show:

⚡ Epstein Files – An amoral, incestuous ruling class

⚡ The Myth of Normal – Capitalism's biggest lies

⚡ Gen Z's mental health crisis - What is really behind the crisis

⚡ Shapiro & Peterson – Why denying genocide and suffering serves the same culture

⚡ Healthy anger & why the mental health conversation is misleading you

⚡ AI therapy – A symptom of a sick society

⚡ The TikTok "boundary setting" trend – What it's really telling us

⚡ Zionism's false premise – Colonialism dressed as idealism

⚡ Antisemitism – Weaponised to silence, not protect

⚡ Francesca Albanese – Exposing the genocidal system hiding in plain sight

"They're not trying to kill you. They just don't care if they do."

That's not a conspiracy. That's the culture.

#TheTeaWithMyriamFrancois #GaborMate #TheMythOfNormal #AI #capitalism #mentalhealth #USPolitics #Israel #Gaza #Genocide #UKPolitics #CurrentAffairs #news

AUDIO CREDITS

Presenter–Producer: Dr. Myriam François

Guest: Gabor Maté

Senior Producer: Sara Farolfi

Producer: Nadège Bizimungu

Assistant Producer: Poppy Jacobs

Research: Maryam Abada, Ariana Hashtrudi, Dahlia Melaine and Martha Missingham

Video Editor: Max Bubnov

An MPWR Productions show.

👉 Subscribe for fearless, independent conversations: https://www.youtube.com/@UCT4kJCZyg26egbPAuJVj2kA

🎧 Listen wherever you get your podcasts.

🎥 Click to watch. Subscribe for new episodes.

❤️ Support independent journalism that tells hard truths.

Disclaimer:

The views and opinions expressed by the guest(s) on The Tea YouTube series and podcast are their own and do not reflect those of MPWR Productions or its licensees. The appearance of this YouTube programme and podcast on social media platforms does not imply endorsement by MPWR Productions. MPWR Productions disclaims any liability for damages arising from the use of the podcast and its recordings to the fullest extent permissible by law.

This video is intended for informational and commentary purposes only and reflects the personal opinions of the guest and creators. The inclusion of public figures or journalists is based on publicly available information and does not imply guilt or wrongdoing.

The views in this video do not establish a professional relationship with viewers and do not constitute legal, professional, or personal advice. Viewer discretion is advised.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Is World War III on the horizon? From skyrocketing energy prices to food shortages and nuclear threats, the chaos in the Middle East is threatening to trigger a global economic meltdown. The US is trapped—fighting Israel's war with no exit strategy in sight. As tensions escalate, are we witnessing a calculated master plan, or are we sleepwalking into disaster?

This week on The Tea, Major General Charlie Herbert, a 34-year veteran of the British Army, breaks with military code to share his analysis of the global unravelling wrought by this war. Does America gain or lose from this war? Is Israel deliberately dragging the world into perpetual conflicts? Is Iran actually winning? And who will pay the highest price…

With the world in a food and energy chokehold, supranational institutions crumbling and European ministers warning of “sacrifices” ahead, one thing’s clear, there is a difficult future ahead.

Also on the show:

⚡ Israel’s strategy - Never ending wars

⚡ US Strategy Crisis – No plan, just chaos.

⚡ Hormuz Straitz – Trade held ransom.

⚡ Oil Wars – Is this another US war about oil?

⚡ Iran’s Growing Power – Strategic gains despite losses.

⚡ Netanyahu’s pipeline plan – Was this the plan all along?

⚡ Israel’s Nuclear Arsenal – Who is the real nuclear threat?

⚡ UK’s Complicity in this war - does this serve Britain?

⚡ British Nationals joining the IDF– Should they be investigated?

⚡ Israeli Lobby’s Influence – Subverting national interests

⚡ Collapse of International Law – to protect Israel?

⚡ Media Failure and Complicity – where is the free press?

Herbert warns: “This is an Israeli war being fought and enabled by the United States. They've got a puppet sitting in the White House and they are able to manipulate that puppet.”

👉 Subscribe for fearless, independent conversations: https://www.youtube.com/@UCT4kJCZyg26egbPAuJVj2kA

🎧 Listen wherever you get your podcasts.

#TheTeaWithMyriamFrancois #CharlieHerbert #USPolitics #Israel #Iran #UKPolitics #Gaza #Trump2026 #CurrentAffairs #lockdowns #foodshortgages

AUDIO CREDITS

Presenter–Producer: Dr. Myriam François

Guest: Charlie Herbert

Senior Producer: Sara Farolfi

Producer: Nadège Bizimungu

Assistant Producer: Poppy Jacobs

Research: Maryam Abada, Ayman Ahmer, Ariana Hashtrudi, Dahlia Melaine and Martha Missingham

Video Editor: Max Bubnov

An MPWR Productions show.

🎥 Click to watch. Subscribe for new episodes.

❤️ Support independent journalism that tells hard truths.

Disclaimer:

The views and opinions expressed by the guest(s) on The Tea YouTube series and podcast are their own and do not reflect those of MPWR Productions or its licensees. The appearance of this YouTube programme and podcast on social media platforms does not imply endorsement by MPWR Productions. MPWR Productions disclaims any liability for damages arising from the use of the podcast and its recordings to the fullest extent permissible by law.

This video is intended for informational and commentary purposes only and reflects the personal opinions of the guest and creators. The inclusion of public figures or journalists is based on publicly available information and does not imply guilt or wrongdoing.

The views in this video do not establish a professional relationship with viewers and do not constitute legal, professional, or personal advice. Viewer discretion is advised.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

"Truth isn't shared anymore. It’s manufactured."

For a decade, the script has been the same: Iran is "two weeks away" from a nuclear weapon. Is this a fact, or a decade-long disinformation campaign designed to sell an illegal war? From AI-generated war footage to bot networks swinging European elections, the "Disinformation Machine" is the most dangerous weapon system of the 21st century. And it’s in full swing in the US-Israel war on Iran. 

This week on The Tea, Marc Owen Jones, Associate Professor at Northwestern University in Qatar and author of Digital Authoritarianism in the Middle East, exposes the empires that turn hate into profit and the disinformation machines operating on Meta, X, TikTok, and beyond.

We discuss:

⚡ Iran and America’s war narratives: AI deepfakes and propaganda fuelling escalation

⚡ How the major tech companies profit from fake news and our outrage

⚡ How Donald Trump and others weaponise “truth”

⚡ Inside the global far-right disinformation networks

⚡ From “Islamism” to “Muslims”: how language gets quietly weaponised

⚡ UAE, Israel, and evangelical alliances — a shared anti-Muslim agenda

⚡ Dubai’s golden cage: influence, image, and narrative control

⚡ Far-right Islamophobic agenda targeting the mayors of London and NY

⚡ The Israeli Ministry of Diaspora Affairs and the 2024 disinformation push

⚡ Can UK and EU laws actually curb disinformation?

As Mark argues, disinformation isn’t just noise – it shapes policy, fuels racism, and prepares the ground for war. The narrative is messy, but the stakes are painfully real.

👉 Subscribe for fearless, independent conversations

🎧 Listen wherever you get your podcasts

#TheTeaWithMyriamFrancois #MarkOwenJones #Disinformation #DigitalAuthoritarianism #BigTech #Iran #Gaza #Dubai #Islamophobia #FarRight #USPolitics #UKPolitics #Trump2026 #CurrentAffairs #AI #AIWars

AUDIO CREDITS

Presenter–Producer: Dr. Myriam François

Guest: Marc Owen Jones

Senior Producer: Sara Farolfi

Producer: Nadège Bizimungu

Assistant Producer: Poppy Jacobs

Research: Maryam Abada, Ayman Ahmer, Ariana Hashtrudi, Dahlia Melaine and Martha Missingham

Video Editor: Max Bubnov

An MPWR Productions show.

Disclaimer:

The views and opinions expressed by the guest(s) on The Tea YouTube series and podcast are their own and do not reflect those of MPWR Productions or its licensees. The appearance of this YouTube programme and podcast on social media platforms does not imply endorsement by MPWR Productions. MPWR Productions disclaims any liability for damages arising from the use of the podcast and its recordings to the fullest extent permissible by law.

This video is intended for informational and commentary purposes only and reflects the personal opinions of the guest and creators. The inclusion of public figures or journalists is based on publicly available information and does not imply guilt or wrongdoing.

The views in this video do not establish a professional relationship with viewers and do not constitute legal, professional, or personal advice. Viewer discretion is advised.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Corruption. Endless wars. Distruction. Propaganda. Empires don’t fall from external enemies — they rot from within. So, are we witnessing that collapse in real time?

From Iran to Gaza to Venezuela, the mask is slipping. The myth of a benevolent empire, spreading democracy and human rights, has crumbled. What’s left is what’s always been there: domination, extraction, control.

It's not about strategy. It's about profit. Wealth funnelled to a tiny elite, while corporations feed on crisis — turning war, environmental collapse, and even human suffering into business models.

In this eye-opening episode of The Tea, we sit down with legendary American journalist, Empire Files host and Peabody Award nominee, Abby Martin, to unpack what the final stage of the American empire really looks like — and where it’s headed next.

We discuss:

⚡ The war with Iran and the manufacturing of consent

⚡ The US–Israel alliance and shifting power in the region

⚡ Trump’s “cartoon dictatorship”

⚡ De-dollarisation and the limits of US global dominance

⚡ Military: the fourth biggest polluter in the world

⚡ The state of journalism: media control and propaganda

⚡ A multipolar world — shift or illusion?

⚡ AI and the future of warfare

⚡ Peter Thiel, the “Antichrist,” and the Vatican talks

As Abby Martin argues, “We have to confront this military empire at its core — the arteries of capital — because that’s the only language it understands.”

#TheTeaWithMyriamFrancois #AbbyMartin #USEmpire #USPolitics #Iran #Israel #news #Trump2026 #currentaffairs #Gaza

👉 Subscribe for fearless, independent conversations: https://www.youtube.com/@UCT4kJCZyg26egbPAuJVj2kA

🎧 Listen wherever you get your podcasts.

AUDIO CREDITS

Presenter–Producer: Dr. Myriam François

Guest: Abby Martin

Senior Producer: Sara Farolfi

Producer: Nadège Bizimungu

Assistant Producer: Poppy Jacobs

Research: Mariam Abada, Dahlia Melaine and Martha Missingham

Video Editor: Max Bubnov

An MPWR Productions show.

🎥 Click to watch. Subscribe for new episodes.

❤️ Support independent journalism that tells hard truths.

Disclaimer:

The views and opinions expressed by the guest(s) on The Tea YouTube series and podcast are their own and do not reflect those of MPWR Productions or its licensees. The appearance of this YouTube programme and podcast on social media platforms does not imply endorsement by MPWR Productions. MPWR Productions disclaims any liability for damages arising from the use of the podcast and its recordings to the fullest extent permissible by law.

This video is intended for informational and commentary purposes only and reflects the personal opinions of the guest and creators. The inclusion of public figures or journalists is based on publicly available information and does not imply guilt or wrongdoing.

The views in this video do not establish a professional relationship with viewers and do not constitute legal, professional, or personal advice. Viewer discretion is advised.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

🔗 https://www.lovewelcomes.org/collections/peace-collection?ref=MYRIAMFRANCOIS

A sitting President named thousands of times in the Epstein files. Powerful figures across the globe involved in a web of crimes so vast and brazen that they may qualify as crimes against humanity, says the UN.

Yet the FBI declares the case closed. The DOJ insists there’s no evidence of a wider trafficking network.

The Epstein files are sending shockwaves worldwide — and what we’re seeing is only 2% of the FBI’s evidence. Thousands of pages remain heavily redacted. If there were no wider network, why are so many names still hidden?

In this explosive episode of The Tea, investigative journalist Lucia Osborne-Crowley returns — one of only four reporters inside the Ghislaine Maxwell trial — to cut through the fog of the newly released documents.

We discuss:

⚡ Alleged obstruction of justice by the Trump administration

⚡ Epstein’s long and secretive ties to Israel

⚡ The DOJ contradiction: “case closed” vs ongoing redactions

⚡ Doctors secretly treating Epstein’s victims outside hospitals

⚡ How the FBI failed the victims

⚡ The unprecedented plea deal that let Epstein avoid serious charges

⚡ Could the war in Iran be a distraction from the Epstein files?

⚡ How civil settlements and NDAs silenced victims

⚡ Ghislaine Maxwell’s mysterious court appearances

⚡ “Pizzagate” and coded language in Epstein files

⚡ The Epstein Files Transparency Act — and potential violations

The Epstein scandal isn’t just about one man — it’s a story about how power protects itself. When victims speak out, and institutions refuse to act, justice fails all of us.

👉 Subscribe for fearless, independent conversations: https://www.youtube.com/@UCT4kJCZyg26egbPAuJVj2kA

🎧 Listen wherever you get your podcasts.

#TheTeaWithMyriamFrancois #LuciaOsborneCrowley #EpsteinFiles #JeffreyEpstein #Trump2026 #USPolitics #Iran #UKPolitics #Israel

AUDIO CREDITS

Presenter–Producer: Dr. Myriam François

Guest: Lucia Osborne-Crowley

Senior Producer: Sara Farolfi

Producer: Nadège Bizimungu

Assistant Producer: Poppy Jacobs

Research: Mariam Abada, Dahlia Melaine and Martha Missingham

Video Editor: Max Bubnov

An MPWR Productions show.

🎥 Click to watch. Subscribe for new episodes.

❤️ Support independent journalism that tells hard truths.

Disclaimer:

The views and opinions expressed by the guest(s) on The Tea YouTube series and podcast are their own and do not reflect those of MPWR Productions or its licensees. The appearance of this YouTube programme and podcast on social media platforms does not imply endorsement by MPWR Productions. MPWR Productions disclaims any liability for damages arising from the use of the podcast and its recordings to the fullest extent permissible by law.

This video is intended for informational and commentary purposes only and reflects the personal opinions of the guest and creators. The inclusion of public figures or journalists is based on publicly available information and does not imply guilt or wrongdoing.

The views in this video do not establish a professional relationship with viewers and do not constitute legal, professional, or personal advice. Viewer discretion is advised.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

🔗 https://www.lovewelcomes.org/?ref=MYRIAMFRANCOIS

Is US Christian nationalism fueling a holy war in the Middle East?

As Israel and America target Iran, US troops are told that Donald Trump has been “anointed by Jesus” to ignite Armageddon — and Netanyahu is quoting scripture to justify bombs.

From the White House to the battlefield, Christian nationalism is turning geopolitics into prophecy.

In this explosive episode of The Tea, Myriam François speaks with Monte Mader, a former Christian nationalist insider who grew up at the heart of the Republican right. Monte exposes how apocalyptic theology is shaping foreign policy — and why claiming divine authority turns politics into holy war.

We discuss:

⚡ Netanyahu’s Bible quotes – fueling US evangelical support

⚡ The “New Taliban” – what the Christian right shares with extremists

⚡ Pete Hegseth’s faith politics – women “belong” in the home

⚡ Pam Bondi’s coded Christian messaging

⚡ GOP divides over Israel and Palestine

⚡ MAGA’s internal war and revival

⚡ Texas voter suppression targeting women

⚡ Faith-based policymaking on schools and abortion

⚡ ICE’s “immigration holy war”

⚡ Heritage Foundation “Nazi playbook” – extremist strategies exposed

Monte warns: Christian nationalism isn’t about Christ — it’s about power.

And even inside conservative circles, resistance is growing as more Americans see the MAGA movement for what it is — a fight for control, power, and empire.

Watch now to uncover how apocalyptic faith is rewriting US politics — and the world order.

#TheTeaWithMyriamFrancois #MonteMader #ChristianNationalism #Armageddon #USPolitics #Iran #MiddleEast #Trump2026 #Israel #Exvangelical #news #deconstruction #currentevents

👉 Subscribe for fearless, independent conversations: https://www.youtube.com/@UCT4kJCZyg26egbPAuJVj2kA

🎧 Listen wherever you get your podcasts.

AUDIO CREDITS

Presenter–Producer: Dr. Myriam François

Guest: Monte Mader

Senior Producer: Sara Farolfi

Producer: Nadège Bizimungu

Assistant Producer: Poppy Jacobs

Research: Mariam Abada, Dahlia Melaine and Martha Missingham

Video Editor: Max Bubnov

An MPWR Productions show.

🎥 Click to watch. Subscribe for new episodes.

❤️ Support independent journalism that tells hard truths.

Disclaimer:

The views and opinions expressed by the guest(s) on The Tea YouTube series and podcast are their own and do not reflect those of MPWR Productions or its licensees. The appearance of this YouTube programme and podcast on social media platforms does not imply endorsement by MPWR Productions. MPWR Productions disclaims any liability for damages arising from the use of the podcast and its recordings to the fullest extent permissible by law.

This video is intended for informational and commentary purposes only and reflects the personal opinions of the guest and creators. The inclusion of public figures or journalists is based on publicly available information and does not imply guilt or wrongdoing.

The views in this video do not establish a professional relationship with viewers and do not constitute legal, professional, or personal advice. Viewer discretion is advised.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We were told the rule of law would keep us safe. So why does it increasingly look like a system where power protects power?

This week on The Tea, we sit down with Tayab Ali — lawyer and director of the International Centre of Justice for Palestinians — about the growing clash between the rule of law and what he calls a “rules-based order.”

From the “unlawful” proscription of Palestine Action to the arrest of peaceful protesters, from UK citizens joining the IDF to the targeting of doctors, lawyers, and UN officials who speak out against the genocide, decisions are increasingly dictated by political interests — and the Israeli lobby, which pulls strings across government and media.

The result? A system that treats people differently depending on who they support.

We discuss:

🔍 The legacy of the Terrorism Act 2000 — security vs civil liberties

⚖️ The influence of the Israeli lobby in the UK and abroad

🌍 UK nationals joining the IDF — why aren’t they investigated?

🇺🇳 Sanctions against UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese

🧑‍⚕️ The regulatory case of surgeon Ghassan Abu-Sittah

📢 Palestine Action and protest arrests under counter-terror laws

🏛️ Calls for a public inquiry into lobbying, influence, and policy decisions

⚖️ Potential end of trial by jury — who benefits from limiting public accountability?

🌍 The case South Africa brought against Israel at the International Court of Justice

As Tayab Ali warns, there’s a separate system for certain people and groups — and Israel is one of them. “We must reclaim the law, defend it at every level, and make sure justice applies equally to everyone” — or risk losing it entirely.

#TayabAli #UKPolitics #PalestineAction #RighttoProtest #genocide #Palestine #Netanyahu #YoavGallant #ICCArrestWarrant

👉 Subscribe for fearless, independent conversations: https://www.youtube.com/@UCT4kJCZyg26egbPAuJVj2kA

🎧 Listen wherever you get your podcasts.

AUDIO CREDITS

Presenter–Producer: Dr. Myriam François

Guest: Tayab Ali

Senior Producer: Sara Farolfi

Producer: Nadège Bizimungu

Assistant Producer: Poppy Jacobs

Research: Martha Missingham, Maryam Abada and Dahlia Melaine

Video Editor: Max Bubnov

An MPWR Productions show.

🎥 Click to watch. Subscribe for new episodes.

❤️ Support independent journalism that tells hard truths.

Disclaimer:

The views and opinions expressed by the guest(s) on The Tea YouTube series and podcast are their own and do not reflect those of MPWR Productions or its licensees. The appearance of this YouTube programme and podcast on social media platforms does not imply endorsement by MPWR Productions. MPWR Productions disclaims any liability for damages arising from the use of the podcast and its recordings to the fullest extent permissible by law.

This video is intended for informational and commentary purposes only and reflects the personal opinions of the guest and creators. The inclusion of public figures or journalists is based on publicly available information and does not imply guilt or wrongdoing.

The views in this video do not establish a professional relationship with viewers and do not constitute legal, professional, or personal advice. Viewer discretion is advised.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Epstein investigation may be officially closed. But the power structure that made it possible is still intact — and still protecting itself.

Politicians, academics, billionaires, royals - and even a sitting president, cited thousands of times - are among those named. Claims of abuse, trafficking, shady deals, even cannibalism — but for the FBI, “there is nothing to see here.” In a scandal that crosses parties, political lines, and even oceans, one question remains: Who was Jeffrey Epstein, and why has no administration fully exposed the networks propping him up?

This week on The Tea, we sit down with historian, scholar, and former Green Party Vice Presidential candidate Butch Ware to ask the question few in power want answered: If there’s no crime, why are the names still redacted? And with millions of documents yet to be released, who is the system really protecting?

We dive into:

🇺🇸 Why the US President is “deeply compromised”

🏛️ Marco Rubio and the return of the American empire

🚨 Why the DOJ isn’t prosecuting anyone

🔗 The US bipartisan system is failing to hold the powerful accountable

📂 “PizzaGate” and ritual abuse: why the FBI is not investigating

🤝 Unlikely friends: the ties between Epstein and Bannon

🕵️ Epstein as a Mossad agent? Zionism’s influence on the US foreign policy

🌟 What we can learn from Jesse Jackson’s legacy

This isn’t just about one predator — it’s about a system of elite impunity that transcends party lines. As Butch Ware argues, the reckoning isn’t just for the “Epstein class.” It’s for the institutions — and the society — that allowed this to happen.

This episode discusses allegations and claims associated with the Jeffrey Epstein files. The individuals referenced in these materials have publicly denied any wrongdoing, and no conclusions of guilt should be drawn based solely on their inclusion in these documents or from this discussion. The information presented is for informational and discussion purposes only. Allegations remain allegations unless and until proven in a court of law.

#EpsteinRevelations #EpsteinFiles #JeffreyEpstein #USPolitics #Republicans #Democrats #Trump2026 #epsteincoverup #UKPolitics

AUDIO CREDITS

Presenter–Producer: Dr. Myriam François

Guest: Butch Ware

Senior Producer: Sara Farolfi

Producer: Nadège Bizimungu

Assistant Producer: Poppy Jacobs

Video Editor: Max Bubnov

An MPWR Productions show.

👉 Subscribe for fearless, independent conversations: https://www.youtube.com/@UCT4kJCZyg26egbPAuJVj2kA

🎧 Listen wherever you get your podcasts.

🎥 Click to watch. Subscribe for new episodes.

❤️ Support independent journalism that tells hard truths.

Disclaimer:

The views and opinions expressed by the guest(s) on The Tea YouTube series and podcast are their own and do not reflect those of MPWR Productions or its licensees. The appearance of this YouTube programme and podcast on social media platforms does not imply endorsement by MPWR Productions. MPWR Productions disclaims any liability for damages arising from the use of the podcast and its recordings to the fullest extent permissible by law.

This video is intended for informational and commentary purposes only and reflects the personal opinions of the guest and creators. The inclusion of public figures or journalists is based on publicly available information and does not imply guilt or wrongdoing.

The views in this video do not establish a professional relationship with viewers and do not constitute legal, professional, or personal advice. Viewer discretion is advised.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The 2026 Epstein revelations have sparked a global legitimacy crisis, shaking political systems worldwide and causing a cascade of resignations, including here in the UK, the Prime Minister’s chief of staff, a shadowy figure named Morgan McSweeney.

So who is Morgan McSweeney, and how did his think tank, Labour Together, engineer a fundamental transformation of the Labour Party's nature, with the media's complicity, gutting the traditional Left?

This week on The Tea, investigative journalist Paul Holden exposes the hidden forces driving today’s political crisis. Beyond the headlines and political circus lies a shadowy network operating beyond public view or accountability. From lavish gratuities to flat-out lies and calculated misdirection, Keir Starmer’s leadership is a far cry from the radical eco-socialist platform he promised. But what we're witnessing isn’t a failure to deliver—it’s a deliberate strategy to cannibalise “the left” and reengineer the political spectrum.

This isn't just Leftist infighting. It’s the elite’s relentless fight to crush progressive change worldwide.

We dive into:

🔍 The right-wing war to destroy Corbynism

💥 How “antisemitism” was weaponised to gain political advantage

⚖️ Corbyn, Sanders, Mamdani: The fight against progressive politics

💸 Keir Starmer’s rise: From freebies to broken pledges

💰 The media’s role in inflaming the campaign against Jeremy Corbyn

🔴 Gaza: How it’s reshaping politics everywhere

💥 The secret behind Mamdani’s rise

As Paul Holden puts it: “We need to organise outside the status quo.” “The fight against figures like Corbyn, Mamdani, and Sanders is fierce because they are popular. And our politics should turn their popularity into real political power.”

👉 Subscribe for fearless, independent conversations

🎧 Listen wherever you get your podcasts

#EpsteinRevelations #KeirStarmer #MorganMcSweeney #Corbyn #UKPolitics #USPolitics #antisemitism #LabourParty #Corruption #Mamdani #Sanders #Israel #Gaza

Check out Paul Holden’s book “The Fraud” here - https://orbooks.com/catalog/the-fraud/

AUDIO CREDITS

Presenter–Producer: Dr. Myriam François

Guest: Paul Holden

Senior Producer: Sara Farolfi

Producer: Nadège Bizimungu

Assistant Producer: Poppy Jacobs

Research: Martha Missingham, Maryam Abada and Dahlia Melaine

Video Editor: Max Bubnov

An MPWR Productions show.

Disclaimer:

The views and opinions expressed by the guest(s) on The Tea YouTube series and podcast are their own and do not reflect those of MPWR Productions or its licensees. The appearance of this YouTube programme and podcast on social media platforms does not imply endorsement by MPWR Productions. MPWR Productions disclaims any liability for damages arising from the use of the podcast and its recordings to the fullest extent permissible by law.

This video is intended for informational and commentary purposes only and reflects the personal opinions of the guest and creators. The inclusion of public figures or journalists is based on publicly available information and does not imply guilt or wrongdoing.

The views in this video do not establish a professional relationship with viewers and do not constitute legal, professional, or personal advice. Viewer discretion is advised.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In a world where housing, healthcare, and stability are out of reach, buying cheap clothes can feel like the only form of relief available. We’re told fast fashion is “affordable and accessible,” but the truth is that the elites rely on this cycle to keep us buying, distracted, and silent, so the system continues unchecked.

In this enlightening episode of The Tea, Aja Barber — writer, stylist, and author of Consumed — exposes how fast fashion became colonialism 2.0, why overconsumption is an engineered obsession, and how our wardrobes are linked to the erosion of workers’ rights worldwide.

We uncover:

⚡ The Race to the Bottom — why fast fashion is exploitative by design

⚡ The recycling myth & how clothing waste ends up in the Global South

⚡ Algorithms that keep us consuming when we feel powerless

⚡ Fashion monopolies, union-busting & lost collective bargaining

⚡ How fast fashion erodes unique cultures and ideas

⚡ Greenwashing as a marketing trick

⚡ Why stop buying is the first radical step

As Aja puts it, there are no shortcuts: “We have to quit the high street, unsubscribe from the emails, unfollow the brands.” Our oppression is directly linked to the person who makes our clothes: “And once you see the system, you can’t unsee it.”

https://www.patreon.com/TheTeawithMyriamFrancois?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink&fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAabkrbubUPKErSGVFGL5bzjQytkb9HanzeLQBUi8U-mU6g5aVSTqE5ej7sQ_aem_SO9ihK10zUz3TdyPOD2ngA

👉 Subscribe for fearless, independent conversations

🎧 Listen wherever you get your podcasts

#TheTeaWithMyriamFrancois #AjaBarber #Consumed #FastFashion #Colonialism #Sustainability #abolishbillionaires #EnvironmentalJustice #fastfashionredflags #sustainablefashion #shein #fashion

AUDIO CREDITS

Presenter–Producer: Dr. Myriam François

Guest: Aja Barber

Senior Producer: Sara Farolfi

Producer: Nadège Bizimungu

Assistant Producer: Poppy Jacobs

Research: Martha Missingham and Katy Deboo

Video Editor: Max Bubnov

An MPWR Productions show.

Disclaimer:

The views and opinions expressed by the guest(s) on The Tea YouTube series and podcast are their own and do not reflect those of MPWR Productions or its licensees. The appearance of this YouTube programme and podcast on social media platforms does not imply endorsement by MPWR Productions. MPWR Productions disclaims any liability for damages arising from the use of the podcast and its recordings to the fullest extent permissible by law.

This video is intended for informational and commentary purposes only and reflects the personal opinions of the guest and creators. The inclusion of public figures or journalists is based on publicly available information and does not imply guilt or wrongdoing.

The views in this video do not establish a professional relationship with viewers and do not constitute legal, professional, or personal advice. Viewer discretion is advised.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We’re told inequality is acceptable — as long as anyone can make it to the top. But what happens when the ladder is broken, and most people never even get on it? How did we end up with an economy that no longer works for ordinary people — yet works perfectly for the wealthy? And when did democracy get hijacked, with left-wing parties serving corporations, instead of the voters who put them in power?

In this episode of The Tea, Dr. Faiza Shaheen, economist and executive director of Tax Justice UK, examines who benefits from an economy in which the wealthiest 1% now hold more wealth than the bottom 90% combined. And why taxing the ultra-rich is now a democratic necessity.

As elites gather in Davos claiming to tackle inequality, Oxfam warns that billionaire wealth is accelerating at record speed. This isn’t a contradiction — it’s the outcome of a system designed to concentrate wealth, protect billionaire power, and turn working people against each other, while wealth is funnelled relentlessly upward.

We discuss:

⚡ Why meritocracy is modern capitalism’s most successful gaslight

⚡ How trickle-down economics funnels wealth upward — every time

⚡ Davos: Why elites refuse to tax themselves

⚡ The myth that “the rich will leave” — and who actually is leaving

⚡ Why we need a “wealth tax”

⚡ Islamophobia and the Labour Party: “They think we are stupid”

⚡ How rising inequality drives more state surveillance

With UK billionaire wealth rising by £35 million a day, executive pay ratios at 386:1, and 22% of the population living in poverty, Faiza argues that change never comes from the top — it comes from collective power refusing to know its place.

👉 Subscribe for fearless, independent conversations

🎧 Listen wherever you get your podcasts

#TheTeaWithMyriamFrancois #FaizaShaheen #Inequality #Meritocracy #TaxTheRich #makethempay #abolishbillionaires #Davos #WealthTax #UKPolitics #USPolitics #CostOfLiving #Capitalism #TaxJusticeUK

AUDIO CREDITS

Presenter–Producer: Dr. Myriam François

Guest: Faiza Shaheen

Senior Producer: Sara Farolfi

Producer: Nadège Bizimungu

Assistant Producer: Poppy Jacobs

Research: Maryam Abada and Martha Missingham

Video Editor: Max Bubnov

An MPWR Productions show.

🎥 Click to watch. Subscribe for new episodes.

❤️ Support independent journalism that tells hard truths.

Disclaimer:

The views and opinions expressed by the guest(s) on The Tea YouTube series and podcast are their own and do not reflect those of MPWR Productions or its licensees. The appearance of this YouTube programme and podcast on social media platforms does not imply endorsement by MPWR Productions. MPWR Productions disclaims any liability for damages arising from the use of the podcast and its recordings to the fullest extent permissible by law.

This video is intended for informational and commentary purposes only and reflects the personal opinions of the guest and creators. The inclusion of public figures or journalists is based on publicly available information and does not imply guilt or wrongdoing.

The views in this video do not establish a professional relationship with viewers and do not constitute legal, professional, or personal advice. Viewer discretion is advised.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The NHS is under threat. Privatisation is creeping in. And some UK politicians want to copy a US-style insurance system that would turn healthcare into a privilege, not a right.

Meanwhile, influencers are selling “biohacks” and wellness products as the solution, pretending health is just a personal choice. And tech billionaires are pouring millions into AI “life extension” research, but for whom? Without addressing systemic issues like poverty, housing, pollution, and social care, no AI can extend our lives.

In this eye-opening episode of The Tea, Dr Amir Khan exposes the truth about what’s really driving health and why the real crisis is political, not personal.

Without solving the systemic issues ,such as political and systemic issues like poverty, housing, pollution, and social care — things a chatbot can’t fix.

We also unpack:

⚡ NHS privatisation is coming — and fast

⚡ Insurance-based healthcare is a two-tier system

⚡ More physician associates won’t fix GP staff shortages

⚡ AI won’t double life expectancy by 2030

⚡ AI therapy is a cheap substitute for real care

⚡ Why doctors standing with Palestine are being silenced

⚡ Your medical records shouldn’t be AI training data

As Dr Khan puts it: “If your priority isn't your community's well-being, if your priorities aren't how well we look after our most vulnerable people, you have your priorities wrong.”

#MyriamFrancois #AmirKhan #NHS #AI #mentalhealth #socialmedia #wellnessindustry #Palantir #UsPolitics #UKPolitics #Davos2026

AUDIO CREDITS

Presenter–Producer: Dr. Myriam François

Guest: Amir Khan

Senior Producer: Sara Farolfi

Producer: Nadège Bizimungu

Assistant Producer: Poppy Jacobs

Research: Dahlia Melaine

Video Editor: Max Bubnov

An MPWR Productions show.

👉 Subscribe for fearless, independent conversations: https://www.youtube.com/@UCT4kJCZyg26egbPAuJVj2kA

🎧 Listen wherever you get your podcasts.

🎥 Click to watch. Subscribe for new episodes.

❤️ Support independent journalism that tells hard truths.

Disclaimer:

The views and opinions expressed by the guest(s) on The Tea YouTube series and podcast are their own and do not reflect those of MPWR Productions or its licensees. The appearance of this YouTube programme and podcast on social media platforms does not imply endorsement by MPWR Productions. MPWR Productions disclaims any liability for damages arising from the use of the podcast and its recordings to the fullest extent permissible by law.

This video is intended for informational and commentary purposes only and reflects the personal opinions of the guest and creators. The inclusion of public figures or journalists is based on publicly available information and does not imply guilt or wrongdoing.

The views in this video do not establish a professional relationship with viewers and do not constitute legal, professional, or personal advice. Viewer discretion is advised.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this urgent episode of The Tea, we welcome author and scholar Narges Bajoghli, an associate professor of Middle East Studies at Johns Hopkins University’s School of Advanced International Studies, to delve into the underlying causes of the current protests. We will also explore the geopolitical dynamics at play and examine who is trying to exploit these developments for their own purposes. 

Our guest argues that both Israel and the United States have little interest in a sovereign and stable Iran. Instead, they favour chaos, fragmentation, and prolonged internal conflict, which align with their goals for regional military dominance. The patterns observed in conflicts from Syria to Libya are all too familiar, and now Iran is firmly in the crosshairs. 

We discuss how overt signals from Mossad and public claims of having "agents on the ground" escalate state violence, making protesters more vulnerable. This dynamic provides the Iranian government with the perfect justification to frame dissent as foreign-instigated sabotage.

We also unpack:

⚡ Sanctions as collective punishment — crushing populations, enriching elites

⚡ Trump, war pretexts & the explotitation of legitimate grievances

⚡ De-dollarisation & the global pushback to U.S. economic warfare

⚡ Why is the far-right calling for the overthrow of the Iranian regime

⚡ Palestine beyond Iran — why resistance outlasts alliances

⚡ Anti-imperialism at a crossroads — what needs to change in the 21st century

⚡ The revival of the Shah — who is pushing this narrative

Narges argues that “Iranians need to be liberated from their regime, but they also need freedom from sanctions”. “And those of us on the outside can help by demanding an end to this economic strangulation.” 

👉 Subscribe for fearless, independent conversations: https://www.youtube.com/@UCT4kJCZyg26egbPAuJVj2kA

🎧 Listen wherever you get your podcasts.

#TheTeaWithMyriamFrancois #NargesBajoghli #Iran #MiddleEastPolitics #Sanctions #RegimeChange #Israel #iranprotests #Mossad #USForeignPolicy #Trump #DeDollarization #Palestine #Imperialism #Geopolitics #RezaPahlavi

AUDIO CREDITS

Presenter–Producer: Dr. Myriam François

Guest: Narges Bajoghli 

Senior Producer: Sara Farolfi

Producer: Nadège Bizimungu

Assistant Producer: Poppy Jacobs

Research: Dahlia Melaine

Video Editor: Max Bubnov

An MPWR Productions show.

🎥 Click to watch. Subscribe for new episodes.

❤️ Support independent journalism that tells hard truths.

https://www.patreon.com/TheTeawithMyriamFrancois?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink&fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAabkrbubUPKErSGVFGL5bzjQytkb9HanzeLQBUi8U-mU6g5aVSTqE5ej7sQ_aem_SO9ihK10zUz3TdyPOD2ngA

Disclaimer:

The views and opinions expressed by the guest(s) on The Tea YouTube series and podcast are their own and do not reflect those of MPWR Productions or its licensees. The appearance of this YouTube programme and podcast on social media platforms does not imply endorsement by MPWR Productions. MPWR Productions disclaims any liability for damages arising from the use of the podcast and its recordings to the fullest extent permissible by law.

This video is intended for informational and commentary purposes only and reflects the personal opinions of the guest and creators. The inclusion of public figures or journalists is based on publicly available information and does not imply guilt or wrongdoing.

The views in this video do not establish a professional relationship with viewers and do not constitute legal, professional, or personal advice. Viewer discretion is advised.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eva Golinger, lawyer and strategic advisor to former Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez, exposes how Trump’s audacious removal of Nicolás Maduro was all about ego - granting him power, headlines, and unfettered access to Venezuela’s resources.

Working at the forefront of Latin American anti-imperialism for decades, Gollinger - nicknamed “the bride of Venezuela” by Chavez himself - highlights how in Trump 2.0, it’s all about the optics.

From the violent seizure of Maduro to the installation of a compliant leader under Delcy Rodríguez, Golinger warns this chapter of U.S. interventionism could embolden strongmen everywhere - and rewrite the rules of international law entirely.

⚡ Trump and Venezuela — short-term obsession or long‑term US policy?

⚡ The myth of Maduro’s “narco-terrorism”

⚡ How Maduro’s kidnapping sets a new global precedent

⚡ Who is Venezuela’s new leader, Delcy Rodríguez?

⚡ Oil, gold, and rare earth minerals — Trump’s real objectives

“He has branded his name on everything…that's how he sees the presidency - as a business.”

#EvaGolinger #Trump #Venezuela #USImperialism #USA #Maduro #DelcyRodriguez #LatinAmerica #USForeignPolicy #MarcoRubio #VenezuelanCrisis #AmericaFirst #MAGA #HugoChavez #Communism #Socialism #Cuba #Greenland #Colombia #MonroeDoctrine

👉 Subscribe for fearless, independent conversations: https://www.youtube.com/@UCT4kJCZyg26egbPAuJVj2kA

🎧 Listen wherever you get your podcasts.

AUDIO CREDITS

Presenter–Producer: Dr. Myriam François

Guest: Eva Golinger

Senior Producer: Sara Farolfi

Producer: Nadège Bizimungu

Assistant Producer: Poppy Jacobs

Research by: Martha Missingham & Dahlia Melaine

Video Editor: Max Bubnov

An MPWR Productions show.

🎥 Click to watch. Subscribe for new episodes.

❤️ Support independent journalism that tells hard truths.

https://www.patreon.com/TheTeawithMyriamFrancois?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink&fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAabkrbubUPKErSGVFGL5bzjQytkb9HanzeLQBUi8U-mU6g5aVSTqE5ej7sQ_aem_SO9ihK10zUz3TdyPOD2ngA

'The Thumbnail image is AI generated'

Disclaimer:

The views and opinions expressed by the guest(s) on The Tea YouTube series and podcast are their own and do not reflect those of MPWR Productions or its licensees. The appearance of this YouTube programme and podcast on social media platforms does not imply endorsement by MPWR Productions. MPWR Productions disclaims any liability for damages arising from the use of the podcast and its recordings to the fullest extent permissible by law.

This video is intended for informational and commentary purposes only and reflects the personal opinions of the guest and creators. The inclusion of public figures or journalists is based on publicly available information and does not imply guilt or wrongdoing.

The views in this video do not establish a professional relationship with viewers and do not constitute legal, professional, or personal advice. Viewer discretion is advised.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When politicians use podcasts as free publicity, and “funny jokes” replace accountability, who’s really laughing, and who’s being played?

This week on The Tea, we are joined by stand-up comedian Aamer Rahman to take a hard look at the world of modern comedy and podcasts — and how they influence culture, politics, and public perception.

We unpack why much of today’s comedy, far from being “fearless,” is built on cynicism, engagement-chasing, and the avoidance of accountability. We examine how these dynamics shape audiences’ understanding of power, prejudice, and culture.

In this episode, we dive deep into:

🎭 Comedy as a tool — How comedians give politicians free publicity

🎭 Cynicism over responsibility — Why clicks often replace meaningful comedy

🎭 The illusion of censorship — Who really faces limits on free speech

🎭 Cultural influence — How subtle biases in comedy shape behaviour

🎭 Resistance through humour — How GenZ uses comedy to challenge oppression

Aamer exposes the intersection of entertainment, politics, and power — and challenges us to think critically about the media we consume.

#TheTeaWithMyriamFrancois #AamerRahman #StandUpComedy #ComedyCulture #Censorship #Islamophobia #LegacyMedia #Resistance #CulturalCriticism #PoliticalSatire #USPolitics #GlobalPolitics

AUDIO CREDITS

Presenter–Producer: Dr. Myriam François

Guest: Aamer Rahman

Senior Producer: Sara Farolfi

Producer: Nadège Bizimungu

Assistant Producer: Poppy Jacobs

Video Editor: Max Bubnov

An MPWR Productions show.

👉 Subscribe for fearless, independent conversations: https://www.youtube.com/@UCT4kJCZyg26egbPAuJVj2kA

🎧 Listen wherever you get your podcasts.

🎥 Click to watch. Subscribe for new episodes.

❤️ Support independent journalism that tells hard truths.

https://www.patreon.com/TheTeawithMyriamFrancois?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink&fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAabkrbubUPKErSGVFGL5bzjQytkb9HanzeLQBUi8U-mU6g5aVSTqE5ej7sQ_aem_SO9ihK10zUz3TdyPOD2ngA

'The Thumbnail image is AI generated'

Disclaimer:

The views and opinions expressed by the guest(s) on The Tea YouTube series and podcast are their own and do not reflect those of MPWR Productions or its licensees. The appearance of this YouTube programme and podcast on social media platforms does not imply endorsement by MPWR Productions. MPWR Productions disclaims any liability for damages arising from the use of the podcast and its recordings to the fullest extent permissible by law.

This video is intended for informational and commentary purposes only and reflects the personal opinions of the guest and creators. The inclusion of public figures or journalists is based on publicly available information and does not imply guilt or wrongdoing.

The views in this video do not establish a professional relationship with viewers and do not constitute legal, professional, or personal advice. Viewer discretion is advised.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.