From Below the Balcony
Republic’s new podcast, From Below the Balcony, aims to inform, inspire and entertain. From Below the Balcony will not only look at the monarchy, it will also address wider issues of equality, democracy and how we can create a fairer society.
Hosts Graham Smith and Abby Tarttelin will be chatting to some great guests and having interesting conversations about the issues raised by the campaign.
From Below the Balcony is aimed at a wide audience, whether you support Republic or not, whether you like the royals or not. Through inspiring, informative and entertaining content the podcast will show how issues of inequality, injustice and reform are connected.
The podcast includes a range of guests from the worlds of entertainment, media, journalism, politics and campaigning. Through their stories and views, as we chat about the issues that matter to them, we will connect the cause of a republic to the ambition to change the country for good.
Episodes
Jun 2, 2025
Jun 2, 2025
52 min
The monarchy has inserted itself into British culture for years. Whether through our news media, television or books, they always try to ingrain themselves into the national psyche.
In this episode of Beyond the Royal Headlines, Republic is joined by Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time Author Mark Haddon, who tells us about refusing to meet the Queen, the British class system and why he turned down an OBE.
May 19, 2025
May 19, 2025
57 min
How do the royals cling to their political influence and power? And how have they managed to get parliament to rubber-stamp this for years?
Episode 5 of Beyond the Royal Headlines features former Cabinet Minister and ex-MP Norman Baker on the royals and politics, being a privy council member and why the monarchy never seems to pay for anything...
May 5, 2025
May 5, 2025
57 min
The royals are complicit in colonialism and the slave trade, but our media environment shields them from criticism.
Episode 4 of Beyond the Royal Headlines features actor, director and author Kelechi Okafor chatting to Graham and Abby about colonialism and royal hypocrisy.
Apr 21, 2025
Apr 21, 2025
1 hr 2 min
Identity isn't as straightforward as you might think - that's what Jassa Ahluwalia has been delving into through his book Both Not Half.
Actor, author and trade unionist Jassa Ahluwalia talks to Graham Smith and Abby Tarttelin about identity, nationalism and citizenship.
Apr 7, 2025
Apr 7, 2025
55 min
The monarchy has spent decades entrenching itself within the British media and political classes. That's part of the reason why we don't have an elected head of state.
In the second episode of Republic's new podcast From Below the Balcony, Graham Smith and Abby Tarttelin talk to author and journalist Yasmin Alibhai-Brown, about the relationship between the crown, media and our politics and why she returned her MBE.
Mar 20, 2025
Mar 20, 2025
59 min
The monarchy is fake history! What you think you know about kings and queens probably isn't true - or at least not the whole truth.
In the first episode of Republic's new podcast From Below the Balcony, Graham and Abby talk to author and journalist Andrew Scott, aKa Otto English, about the fake history of the royal family.