The Tea with Myriam Francois

https://www.theteanetwork.co

Can protests really bring about political change?
From Palestine solidarity marches to Gen Z uprisings, from France and Spain to India and Brazil, millions are taking to the streets to demand change. But can protest turn into political power?

Over the past decade, mass movements have challenged governments and shifted public opinion. Yet turning that collective energy into lasting political change has proved far more complicated. What happens when people take to the streets, but power remains firmly elsewhere?

This week on The Tea, award-winning journalist Vincent Bevins joins us. He has spent a decade reporting on protest movements worldwide, and in his latest book If We Burn, he explores what it really takes to turn popular mobilisation into lasting political change.
Also in the show:
🔥 From Tahrir Square to today's mobilisations— What happens when your enemies hijack your revolution?
🔥 Libya and the US doctrine of “regime collapse”— When the overthrow of a government becomes an end in itself.
🔥 Gen Z uprisings — Generational protests, or mass movements in which one generation is playing a prominent role?
🔥 From the Black Panthers to the current democratic crisis — Who is really advocating for violence?
🔥 From Ukraine to Bahrain — What happens when popular movements become hijacked by foreign interests?
🔥 The crisis of the media — Who gets to shape the narrative?
Our guest argues that the challenge is building collective power that can withstand repression, resist outside interference, impose real costs on those in power, and turn popular demands into lasting political transformation.

#TheTeaWithMyriamFrancois #VincentBevins #GenZProtests #FranceProtests #YouthActivism #PeoplePower #PoliticalChange #GlobalProtests #Palestine

AUDIO CREDITS
Presenter–Producer: Dr. Myriam François
Guest: Norman Finkelstein
Senior Producer: Sara Farolfi
Producers: Nadege Bizimungu & Sanjna Selva
Assistant Producer: Robyn Moffat
Researchers: Aliza Kayan-Ahmed & Saba Ahmadzadeh Noughani
Video Editor: Max Bubnov
An MPWR Productions show.

00:00:00 Why Are Mass Protests Failing to Deliver Change?
00:03:02 How the Right Hijacked Brazil's Protests
00:07:06 How Governments Learned to Defeat Protest Movements
00:14:27 Are Today's Protests Repeating the Mistakes of the Past?
00:16:45 Why Mobilising Millions Isn't Enough to Win
00:21:36 The Problem With Gen Z Protest Movements
00:28:32 From Protest to Power: What Actually Works?
00:33:25 Are Protests Becoming Mass Surveillance Operations?
00:34:53 What Actually Forces Governments to Change?
00:39:08 Can Nonviolent Protest Defeat Repressive States?
00:56:33 Why the Right Keeps Stealing the Left's Victories
01:20:57 The Most Important Lesson for Today's Protesters

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.theteanetwork.co

Are we on the verge of an AI apocalypse, or is Silicon Valley using doomsday fears to distract us from the damage AI is already doing?
Tech insiders and Big Tech CEOs warn that superintelligence could wipe out humanity. Meanwhile, AI is already fuelling warfare and environmental destruction, with zero accountability. If the very people warning us about AI’s dangers also stand to profit from it, is existential doom a genuine warning or the ultimate marketing strategy?

This week on The Tea, we’re joined by pioneering AI researcher Dr Timnit Gebru, former co-lead of Google’s Ethical AI team. Timnit warned about the dangers of large language models years before the current AI boom. In this interview, she exposes the motives and the ideology behind Silicon Valley’s apocalyptic vision.

Also in the show:
⚡ AI existential risk: genuine threat or brilliant marketing?
⚡ The TESCREAL bundle: the ideology behind the AI cult
⚡ Hugging Face and rogue models: is Big Tech creating malware?
⚡ AGI and the myth of “magical intelligence in the sky”
⚡ AI regulation: why Big Tech’s lobbying power matters
⚡ The AI Resist List: building a people-centred AI
From the mythology of superintelligence to the movement for a different kind of AI, we explore who gets to shape this technology—and what it would take to put it back in people’s hands.
​
#TheTeawithMyriamFrancois #AI #ArtificialIntelligence #TimnitGebru #AIEthics #BigTech #ChatGPT #BigTech #CurrentAffairs #TechAndSociety #DigitalActivism #CorporatePower
AUDIO CREDITS
Presenter–Producer: Dr. Myriam François
Guest: Timnit Gebru
Senior Producer: Sara Farolfi
Producers: Poppy Jacobs & Sanjna Selva
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.

https://www.theteanetwork.co

Are we headed for another Cold War?

Four years into Russia's invasion of Ukraine, almost half a million people have been killed, rebuilding Ukraine could cost $588 billion, and there's still no clear endgame.

And as the battle of narratives intensifies, the drumbeat for war is getting louder across Europe. Question that narrative and you risk being labelled a Russian propagandist. But is war really inevitable? And what happens when we start treating it that way?
This week on The Tea, we’re joined by veteran journalist and author Luke Harding, author of Betrayal: Trump, Putin and The New Age of Conquest, to examine the growing confrontation between Moscow and the West.
Also in the show:

⚡ The war in Ukraine and the battle of narratives
⚡ The human cost: can Russia really be defeated militarily?
⚡ Trump & Putin: co-imperialists—or something more?
⚡ Is Trump a Russian asset?
⚡ Putin and the far right: a growing alliance?
⚡ If war can’t be won, what comes next?
As the UK edges closer to the frontline of this confrontation, we examine the risks, who benefits, and who pays the price.

#ColdWar #Ukraine #Putin #TheTeaWithMyriamFrancois #LukeHarding #Russia #NATO #Geopolitics #UkraineWar #Politics #UKPolitics #Trump #Peace

AUDIO CREDITS
Presenter–Producer: Dr. Myriam François
Guest: Luke Harding
Senior Producer: Sara Farolfi
Producers: Sanjna Selve and Constance Creswell
Assistant Producer: Poppy Jacobs
Research: Aliza Kayan-Ahmed and Saba Ahmadzadeh Noughani
Video Editor: Max Bubnov
An MPWR Productions show.

00:00 Introduction – Are We Heading for Another Cold War?
02:30 Luke Harding on Russia and Being Expelled From Moscow
07:35 Can a Journalist Be Neutral on Russia?
10:23 Why Does the Ukraine War Matter to Britain?
17:22 Is Russia Already at War With the UK?
20:27 Should Britain Keep Arming Ukraine?
24:32 How Drone Warfare Has Changed War Forever
28:39 Did NATO Provoke Russia’s Invasion?
32:47 Putin, Ukraine and the Case Against the NATO Argument
35:58 Can the Ukraine War Actually Be Won?
39:39 Why Putin Won’t Back Down
40:04 Why Does Trump Treat Putin Differently?
45:11 Russia’s Role in Trump’s 2016 Election
47:16 Why Is Trump So Deferential to Putin?
48:15 Does Putin Have Leverage Over Trump?
53:01 Did Russia Interfere in Brexit?
55:20 Russian Influence in British Politics
57:23 Should Russian State Media Be Banned?
01:01:51 Can There Ever Be Peace With Putin?
01:03:17 Does Arming Ukraine Prolong the War?

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.theteanetwork.co

What if the institutions created to stop genocide are helping to enable it? Gaza lies in rubble. Tens of thousands of Palestinians have been killed, including thousands of children. Israel has seized more territory, while the prospect of an end to the occupation remains as distant as ever. And yet, after years of investigations and international rulings, the machinery of global justice is paralysed. So where is international law when it's actually needed?

This week on The Tea, we’re joined by scholar and author Dr Norman Finkelstein, whose latest book, Gaza’s Grave Diggers: An Inquiry into Corruption in High Places, paints a damning picture of an international system that has done far more than simply fail Gaza — it has helped enable its destruction.

Also in the show: 🔥 The UN resolution that handed Trump the keys to Gaza 🔥 Ed Miliband’s speech — a genuine attempt to hold Israel accountable, or political theatre? 🔥 UN and the others — the collapse of international accountability 🔥 Israel’s elections — could they bring real change, or is it all just cosmetic? 🔥 Can people change the balance of power? With international institutions seemingly paralysed, Finkelstein argues that Ed Miliband’s speech could be a chance to finally hold Israel accountable. But will this lead to real accountability—or another broken promise?

00:00 Introduction – Can International Law Still Stop Israel? 02:28 Norman Finkelstein on Speaking to the Political Right 07:47 What Has Changed in Gaza? 08:17 The UN Resolution That Changed Gaza’s Legal Status 11:20 Why Finkelstein Sees a New Opportunity 14:24 The ICJ Ruling Israel Must Answer 15:35 “Enforce the Law” 19:49 Can International Law Actually Force Israel to Withdraw? 23:35 Is the Two-State Solution Still the Answer? 26:03 How Popular Pressure Could Change British Policy 28:13 Has the International Legal Order Already Collapsed? 35:11 Has Finkelstein Changed His Mind on International Law? 36:16 The ICJ, Genocide and Finkelstein’s “Gravediggers” 38:41 Why He Calls the UN a “Rotting Corpse” 40:14 Could Israel’s Elections Change Anything? 42:15 Can Public Pressure Finally Shift the Balance? 45:12 Finkelstein’s Final Message: “Enforce the Law”

#TheTeaWithMyriamFrancois #NormanFinkelstein #Gaza #Palestine #Israel #ICC #ICJ #USPolitics #UKPolitics #Trump2026 #genocide #WarCrimes #FreePalestine Norman Finkelstein's new book is Gaza's Gravediggers: https://orbooks.com/catalog/gazas-gravediggers/ Myriam's T-shirt: https://www.suzytamimi.com

AUDIO CREDITS Presenter–Producer: Dr. Myriam François Guest: Norman Finkelstein Senior Producer: Sara Farolfi Producer: Nadege Bizimungu & Sanjna Selva Assistant Producer: Poppy Jacobs 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.

https://www.theteanetwork.co

What if tech companies had more power over your life than your own government?

Big Tech isn't just business anymore. Silicon Valley now runs its own foreign policy. Over 60 countries have opened diplomatic missions there to negotiate with tech companies as if they were nation-states. AI CEOs sit at the same tables as world leaders. And the revolving doors between government and Big Tech are spinning faster than ever.

This week on The Tea, former diplomat Dr Jennifer Cassidy, Lecturer in Diplomacy and Technology at the University of Oxford, joins us to break down how Big Tech quietly became more powerful than the states meant to govern it — and why almost no one is stopping it.
Also in the show:

⚡ Trump's AI deepfakes: a tool of mass confusion
⚡ Big Tech: a techno-fascist takeover?
⚡ Digital sovereigns: how Big Tech became more powerful than governments
⚡ State embassies in Silicon Valley: the new corporate diplomacy
⚡ Government officials to Big Tech: revolving doors and the old boys' club
⚡ Why regulation keeps falling short
As our guest argues, tech companies wield power that fundamentally compromises our national security and sovereignty. States should force these companies to be transparent. Right now, they're not.

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#TheTeaWithMyriamFrancois #AI #BigTech #TechPolitics #Trump2026 #SiliconValley #TechPower #Surveillance #Diplomacy #Democracy #Technofeudalism #news #currentaffairs

AUDIO CREDITS
Presenter–Producer: Dr. Myriam François
Guest: Jennifer Cassidy
Senior Producer: Sara Farolfi
Producer: Nadege Bizimungu & Iman Saleh
Assistant Producer: Poppy Jacobs
Researcher: Constance Creswell
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.