The Sound of Politics

Why is it often easier to talk about football than politics? Supporters of rival clubs can argue passionately about tactics, managers and performances while sharing a common understanding of the game. Political debate, by contrast, can often feel inaccessible, overly technical or disconnected from everyday experience.
In this episode, Professor Stephen Coleman asks what politicians might learn from the way football is discussed. Why do football pundits, commentators and supporters find ways to analyse complex events without talking down to their audiences? What makes football conversations feel more open, engaging and accessible than many political discussions?
Joining Stephen is academic, broadcaster and football finance expert Kieran Maguire, who reflects on the language of football, the culture of sporting debate and the lessons politics might take from the way it's debated.
The conversation also explores the relationship between sport and political power. Why are politicians so keen to attach themselves to major sporting events? When does political interest in sport become political intervention? And what can we learnt from Donald Trump's reported involvement with a player suspension during the FIFA Club World Cup?
From football fandom and sports punditry to political communication and public engagement, this episode explores how politics might become easier to understand - and easier to talk about.
Guest: Professor Kieran MaguirePresenter: Professor Stephen ColemanProducer: Carl Hartley
Visit www.thesoundofpolitics.com to discover more episodes and join the conversation.
You can also hear Kieran Maguire on The Price of Football Podcast.

In this episode Professor Stephen Coleman thinks aloud about what we mean when we speak of political moods and vibes. His guest to discuss this is Dr Robert Topinka from Birkbeck University of London.
Guest: Robert Topinka
Presenter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Stephen Coleman⁠⁠⁠⁠
Producer: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Carl Hartley⁠⁠
We'd love to hear from you. Share your thoughts, suggest topics to cover, or ask questions. Leave a comment below or visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠www.thesoundofpolitics.com⁠⁠⁠⁠.

In this episode Professor Stephen Coleman looks at the role of Prime Minister’s Questions which he discusses with his guest, the Labour MP, Alex Sobel. 
Guest: Alex Sobel
Presenter: ⁠⁠⁠Stephen Coleman⁠⁠⁠
Producer: ⁠⁠⁠Carl Hartley⁠
We'd love to hear from you. Share your thoughts, suggest topics to cover, or ask questions. Leave a comment below or visit ⁠⁠⁠www.thesoundofpolitics.com⁠⁠⁠.
And if you like this podcast then please follow to be the first to hear when a new episode is released.

In this episode Stephen Coleman asks whether politicians and the administrators who run local and national government speak the same language. His guest to discuss this is Ed Whiting, the Chief Executive of Leeds City Council. WARNING: One use of bad language.
Guest: Ed Whiting
Presenter: ⁠⁠Stephen Coleman⁠⁠
Producer: ⁠⁠Carl Hartley
We'd love to hear from you. Share your thoughts, suggest topics to cover, or ask questions. Leave a comment below or visit ⁠⁠www.thesoundofpolitics.com⁠⁠.
And if you like this podcast then please follow to be the first to hear when a new episode is released.

In this episode Stephen Coleman reflects upon political rumours. His guest to discuss this is Adam J. Berinsky, professor of political science at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Guest: Adam J. Berinsky
Presenter: ⁠⁠Stephen Coleman⁠⁠
Producer: ⁠⁠Carl Hartley
We'd love to hear from you. Share your thoughts, suggest topics to cover, or ask questions. Leave a comment below or visit ⁠⁠www.thesoundofpolitics.com⁠⁠.
And if you like this podcast then please follow to be the first to hear when a new episode is released.

In this episode Professor Stephen Coleman thinks aloud about the sound of statesmanship and considers two quite different approaches to the role.  (PIC: Created with A.I.)
Presenter: ⁠Stephen Coleman⁠
Producer: ⁠Carl Hartley
We'd love to hear from you. Share your thoughts, suggest topics to cover, or ask questions. Leave a comment below or visit ⁠www.thesoundofpolitics.com⁠.
And if you like this podcast then please follow to be the first to hear when a new episode is released.

In this episode Stephen asks what’s happening to political language in an age of artificial intelligence. His guest to discuss this is Professor Gunn Enli from the University of Oslo.
Guest: Gunn Enli
Presenter: ⁠Stephen Coleman⁠
Producer: ⁠Carl Hartley
We'd love to hear from you. Share your thoughts, suggest topics to cover, or ask questions. Leave a comment below or visit ⁠www.thesoundofpolitics.com⁠.
And if you like this podcast then please follow to be the first to hear when a new episode is released.

How much can voters learn from a politician's body language? From facial expressions and hand gestures to posture and eye contact, non-verbal communication plays a powerful role in shaping public perceptions of political leaders.
In this episode, Professor Stephen Coleman explores how politicians communicate beyond words and asks how body language influences trust, leadership and voter decision-making. Joining him is Erik Bucy, Professor of Strategic Communication at Texas Tech University, whose research examines visual political communication and media influence.
What can body language reveal about political power, authenticity and persuasion?
Guest: Erik Bucy
Presenter: ⁠Stephen Coleman⁠
Producer: ⁠Carl Hartley⁠
We'd love to hear from you. Share your thoughts, suggest topics to cover, or ask questions. Leave a comment below or visit www.thesoundofpolitics.com.
And if you like this podcast then please follow to be the first to hear when a new episode is released.

Can rap music shape political debate? From protest movements to election campaigns, rap has long provided a platform for communities whose voices are often overlooked by political institutions.
Professor Stephen Coleman explores the relationship between rap, politics and political communication, examining how music can challenge power, influence public opinion and amplify marginalised perspectives.
Joining the discussion is Lavar Pope, Associate Professor at Loyola University Chicago.
Guest: ⁠Lavar Pope
Presenter: Stephen Coleman
Producer: Carl Hartley
We'd love to hear from you. Share your thoughts, suggest topics to cover, or ask questions. Leave a comment below or visit www.thesoundofpolitics.com.
And if you like this podcast then please follow to be the first to hear when a new episode is released.

In this episode Professor Stephen Coleman explores the role of rumours in politics - looking at how they influence public opinion, campaign strategy, and political decision-making.
He's joined by Conservative MP Simon Hart, who served as Secretary of State for Wales under Boris Johnson (2019–2022), and more recently Chief Whip in Rishi Sunak’s government (2022–2024).
Presenter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Stephen Coleman⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
Producer: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Carl Hartley
Guest: Simon Hart
We'd love to hear from you. Share your thoughts, suggest topics to cover, or ask questions. Leave a comment below or visit www.thesoundofpolitics.com.
And if you like this podcast then please follow to be the first to hear when a new episode is released.