<![CDATA[Friends, let's discuss]]>Meerz and Fabz, two friends with a couple decades worth of friendship have gotten together to discuss the many things going on in the world that play on their mind. Perhaps a few of these things play on your mind too. The podcast discussion cover all things from politics (both domestic and international), business, economics, society and socialising.

Join the community, get involved in the conversation and like friends do, let's discuss, what the fudge is going on in the world.

]]>https://riverside.comRiverside.fm (https://riverside.com)Thu, 28 May 2026 07:49:17 GMTSun, 08 Feb 2026 14:00:44 GMT60Friends, let's discuss...<p>Meerz and Fabz, two friends with a couple decades worth of friendship have gotten together to discuss the many things going on in the world that play on their mind. Perhaps a few of these things play on your mind too. The podcast discussion cover all things from politics (both domestic and international), business, economics, society and socialising.</p><p></p><p>Join the community, get involved in the conversation and like friends do, let's discuss, what the fudge is going on in the world.</p>episodicFriends, let's discuss...fabianlbrown@gmail.comno<![CDATA[UK protests, Mayor Mamdani dealing with $12bn debt and what happened in China? | Episode 11]]>It has been a week of major non-news. A lot of fanfare but not much has really happened. This feels like a prelude to something coming down the line, the set-up before the punchline. We're not sure what's beyond the horizon but we know we'll be better able to deal with it if we can all have a conversation about it, so friends, let's discuss...

key topics

  • UK protests and political climate
  • New York City’s fiscal recovery under Mayor Mamdani
  • China’s strategic investments and technological advancements
  • The influence of political donations and corruption
  • Global economic comparisons and UK performance

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Overview of Current Events

09:19 Reflections on Friends and Community

10:18 Protests in London: A Divided Response

18:33 Political Leadership and Community Engagement

26:46 Authenticity in Politics: A New Generation's Approach

27:41 Empowerment Through Education

30:27 Political Donations and Influence

38:04 The Role of Media in Politics

41:53 UK Economic Performance

53:44 China's Economic Model and Global Influence

57:42 The Rise of Electric Cars and Economic Disparities

59:38 China's Economic Model and Global Perceptions

01:02:30 Political Dynamics and Leadership Challenges

01:08:58 The Role of Corporations in Politics

01:16:17 Future of Energy and Technological Advancements

]]>3e846377-fc35-470a-b0bb-c7ce9e3dd3d1Mon, 18 May 2026 07:54:47 GMT<p>It has been a week of major non-news. A lot of fanfare but not much has really happened. This feels like a prelude to something coming down the line, the set-up before the punchline. We're not sure what's beyond the horizon but we know we'll be better able to deal with it if we can all have a conversation about it, so friends, let's discuss...</p><p> </p><p><b>key topics</b></p><ul><li>UK protests and political climate</li><li>New York City’s fiscal recovery under Mayor Mamdani</li><li>China’s strategic investments and technological advancements</li><li>The influence of political donations and corruption</li><li>Global economic comparisons and UK performance</li></ul><p></p><p>Chapters</p><p>00:00 Introduction and Overview of Current Events</p><p>09:19 Reflections on Friends and Community</p><p>10:18 Protests in London: A Divided Response</p><p>18:33 Political Leadership and Community Engagement</p><p>26:46 Authenticity in Politics: A New Generation's Approach</p><p>27:41 Empowerment Through Education</p><p>30:27 Political Donations and Influence</p><p>38:04 The Role of Media in Politics</p><p>41:53 UK Economic Performance</p><p>53:44 China's Economic Model and Global Influence</p><p>57:42 The Rise of Electric Cars and Economic Disparities</p><p>59:38 China's Economic Model and Global Perceptions</p><p>01:02:30 Political Dynamics and Leadership Challenges</p><p>01:08:58 The Role of Corporations in Politics</p><p>01:16:17 Future of Energy and Technological Advancements</p><p></p>no01:23:35111UK protests, Mayor Mamdani dealing with $12bn debt and what happened in China? | Episode 11full<![CDATA[UK Local Elections, Hantavirus & IRL Friends Join The Podcast | Episode 10]]>This week, to celebrate reaching the huge milestone of ten episodes, we've invited our in real life friends, Stephanie and Curtis to join the show.

Stephanie co-owns an architecture business, which has led to her engaging with local residents in East London and a Reform councillor which, is especially relevant given the recent local elections in the UK.

Curtis works in pharmacology, and while he makes clear that he is not a virologist, he is able to share some of his knowledge on biology to help us gain a better understanding of the Hantavirus.

All this in episode 10 of Friends, Let's Discuss...

00:00 Local Elections and Community Engagement
09:29 Communication Gaps and Voter Expectations
15:09 Media Representation and Political Coverage
34:28 Leadership Challenges and Future Directions
42:10 Communication and Political Strategy
47:14 Public Health Concerns and Mistrust
01:00:02 Hope for the Future of Politics

]]>967f6bb7-27e7-4a9c-9565-57e14d248efaMon, 11 May 2026 12:53:12 GMT<p>This week, to celebrate reaching the huge milestone of ten episodes, we've invited our in real life friends, Stephanie and Curtis to join the show.<br /><br />Stephanie co-owns an architecture business, which has led to her engaging with local residents in East London and a Reform councillor which, is especially relevant given the recent local elections in the UK.<br /><br />Curtis works in pharmacology, and while he makes clear that he is not a virologist, he is able to share some of his knowledge on biology to help us gain a better understanding of the Hantavirus.<br /><br />All this in episode 10 of Friends, Let's Discuss...<br /><br />00:00 Local Elections and Community Engagement<br />09:29 Communication Gaps and Voter Expectations<br />15:09 Media Representation and Political Coverage<br />34:28 Leadership Challenges and Future Directions<br />42:10 Communication and Political Strategy<br />47:14 Public Health Concerns and Mistrust<br />01:00:02 Hope for the Future of Politics</p>no01:12:31110UK Local Elections, Hantavirus & IRL Friends Join The Podcast | Episode 10full<![CDATA[Golders Green attack, UK local elections, energy dependency & the cost of living crisis | Episode 9]]>Friends, let's discuss...
00:00 Introduction and Context of Current Events

05:10 The Golders Green Attack: Overview and Reactions

10:26 Political Responses and Implications

18:43 Media Coverage and Public Perception

27:12 Historical Context and Understanding the Conflict

38:44 The Future: Solutions and Challenges

43:00 Energy Dependency and Global Conflicts

45:00 Exploring the Complexities of Slavery

47:18 The Intersection of Technology and Energy

49:07 The Role of Renewable Energy in Global Peace

51:08 The Historical Context of Piracy

55:10 The Hypocrisy of International Law

57:23 The Impact of Cost of Living on Society

01:00:23 The Economics of Food Production

01:04:05 The Flaws of Capitalism

01:08:52 The Need for Social Housing

01:11:31 The Future of Governance and Leadership

01:13:02 Engaging with Audience Perspectives

]]>a502e3f4-97e5-45bf-a544-d3f5517b7f19Mon, 04 May 2026 17:12:35 GMT<p>Friends, let's discuss...<br />00:00 Introduction and Context of Current Events</p><p>05:10 The Golders Green Attack: Overview and Reactions</p><p>10:26 Political Responses and Implications</p><p>18:43 Media Coverage and Public Perception</p><p>27:12 Historical Context and Understanding the Conflict</p><p>38:44 The Future: Solutions and Challenges</p><p>43:00 Energy Dependency and Global Conflicts</p><p>45:00 Exploring the Complexities of Slavery</p><p>47:18 The Intersection of Technology and Energy</p><p>49:07 The Role of Renewable Energy in Global Peace</p><p>51:08 The Historical Context of Piracy</p><p>55:10 The Hypocrisy of International Law</p><p>57:23 The Impact of Cost of Living on Society</p><p>01:00:23 The Economics of Food Production</p><p>01:04:05 The Flaws of Capitalism</p><p>01:08:52 The Need for Social Housing</p><p>01:11:31 The Future of Governance and Leadership</p><p>01:13:02 Engaging with Audience Perspectives</p>yes01:27:0319Golders Green attack, UK local elections, energy dependency & the cost of living crisis | Episode 9full<![CDATA[Immigration Politics: UK local election, class in Britain, Trump, Capitalism and Ellison | Episode 8]]>00:00 Introduction and Weekend Reflections

07:01 The Political Landscape: Immigration and Elections

19:55 Understanding the Economic Context of Immigration

30:02 Local Elections and Voter Engagement

40:31 The Legacy of Immigration and Historical Amnesia

45:31 Cultural Identity and Self-Perception

50:02 Nuances of British Culture and Experience

56:11 The White House Correspondents' Dinner Incident

01:11:00 Media Consolidation and Its Implications

01:22:14 The State of Modern Capitalism

]]>07cebae9-8032-4447-b6a0-1bba5bca2de1Mon, 27 Apr 2026 17:04:19 GMT<p>00:00 Introduction and Weekend Reflections</p><p>07:01 The Political Landscape: Immigration and Elections</p><p>19:55 Understanding the Economic Context of Immigration</p><p>30:02 Local Elections and Voter Engagement</p><p>40:31 The Legacy of Immigration and Historical Amnesia</p><p>45:31 Cultural Identity and Self-Perception</p><p>50:02 Nuances of British Culture and Experience</p><p>56:11 The White House Correspondents' Dinner Incident</p><p>01:11:00 Media Consolidation and Its Implications</p><p>01:22:14 The State of Modern Capitalism</p>yes01:25:4518Immigration Politics: UK local election, class in Britain, Trump, Capitalism and Ellison | Episode 8full<![CDATA[Navigating the new news age when America is being run by the worst social media manager]]>01:36 America being run via social media

02:40 Are Trump's social posts being published by a foreign social media manager?

6:28 Why we call it "Friends, Let's Discuss..."

14:04 How Meerz and Fabz met

18:50 The Hegseth prayer

22:26 How an authoritative but made up response becomes verified and spreads as misinformation by AI

26:05 US news being owned by seven families
39:16 Talking to parents about their consumption of news via social media

01:02 Starmer's Mandelson mess

01:12 62 million is a horrible number

]]>cf3c7f14-e3f3-49d5-b2f0-80a3fd58ad69Tue, 21 Apr 2026 12:45:01 GMT<p>01:36 America being run via social media</p><p>02:40 Are Trump's social posts being published by a foreign social media manager?</p><p>6:28 Why we call it "Friends, Let's Discuss..."</p><p>14:04 How Meerz and Fabz met</p><p>18:50 The Hegseth prayer</p><p>22:26 How an authoritative but made up response becomes verified and spreads as misinformation by AI </p><p>26:05 US news being owned by seven families<br />39:16 Talking to parents about their consumption of news via social media</p><p>01:02 Starmer's Mandelson mess</p><p>01:12 62 million is a horrible number</p>no01:39:4017Navigating the new news age when America is being run by the worst social media managerfull<![CDATA[Palantir, Artemis II, Claude Mythos and a huge election win in Hungary | episode 6]]>Political developments in Hungary, youth-driven political change, Artemis II and space exploration, the challenges of activism and global politics. As well as, the impact of technology and AI on society, and the importance of community and unity. nology, and the strength found in community solidarity.

Chapters

  • 00:00 Easter Holidays Adventures
  • 06:13 Youth-Driven Political Change
  • 20:38 Challenges of Activism and Global Politics
  • 43:03 Diplomacy and Negotiation in International Relations
  • 53:01 Impact of Technology and AI on Society
  • 01:19:00 Community and Unity in Society
]]>636be639-e76c-4a87-993c-cf0e4fa9cad7Tue, 14 Apr 2026 13:24:50 GMT<p>Political developments in Hungary, youth-driven political change, Artemis II and space exploration, the challenges of activism and global politics. As well as, the impact of technology and AI on society, and the importance of community and unity. nology, and the strength found in community solidarity.</p><p></p><p>Chapters</p><ul><li>00:00 Easter Holidays Adventures</li><li>06:13 Youth-Driven Political Change</li><li>20:38 Challenges of Activism and Global Politics</li><li>43:03 Diplomacy and Negotiation in International Relations</li><li>53:01 Impact of Technology and AI on Society</li><li>01:19:00 Community and Unity in Society</li></ul>no01:22:3116Palantir, Artemis II, Claude Mythos and a huge election win in Hungary | episode 6full<![CDATA[Kew Gardens heals, Iran and the cycle of conflict, unemployment in Europe & exciting green tech]]>Kew Gardens heals Meerz, Iran and the cycle of conflict, unemployment in Europe and some exciting green tech | We go again

Friends, let’s discuss… how a trip to Kew Gardens has healed and recharged Meerz. The Iran conflict and how it creates a cycle of pain that inevitably leads to future conflict. Are taxes the best solution, even when the people can’t give anymore or can we go after the corporations without losing the jobs they offer? Unemployment rates are surprising low in many parts of the world, but especially Spain. And some genuinely impressive green tech that could provide an abundance of clean, cheap, renewable energy. 


All this and more in episode 5 of the people’s podcast - Friends, Let’s Discuss…

]]>6a767a9f-83ef-4abf-a0a1-5cb6709c47bbWed, 11 Mar 2026 12:44:57 GMT<p>Kew Gardens heals Meerz, Iran and the cycle of conflict, unemployment in Europe and some exciting green tech | We go again<br /></p><p>Friends, let’s discuss… how a trip to Kew Gardens has healed and recharged Meerz. The Iran conflict and how it creates a cycle of pain that inevitably leads to future conflict. Are taxes the best solution, even when the people can’t give anymore or can we go after the corporations without losing the jobs they offer? Unemployment rates are surprising low in many parts of the world, but especially Spain. And some genuinely impressive green tech that could provide an abundance of clean, cheap, renewable energy. </p><p><br />All this and more in episode 5 of the people’s podcast - Friends, Let’s Discuss…</p>no01:22:525Kew Gardens heals, Iran and the cycle of conflict, unemployment in Europe & exciting green techfull<![CDATA[Iran, Sinners, Manchester is Green and AI is taking aim: The burden of knowledge]]>The Iran conflict and how the Israeli government led the US in a war. Green Party historic by election win in Manchester winning the Gorton and Denton seat ahead of Reform and Labour and how Anthropic chosen the more virtuous option and how OpenAI had no problem striking a deal for the US to use its product in military operations.

]]>2bde9541-935c-4065-8d1f-6ebd2a788bb2Mon, 02 Mar 2026 17:44:17 GMT<p>The Iran conflict and how the Israeli government led the US in a war. Green Party historic by election win in Manchester winning the Gorton and Denton seat ahead of Reform and Labour and how Anthropic chosen the more virtuous option and how OpenAI had no problem striking a deal for the US to use its product in military operations.</p>no01:13:344Iran, Sinners, Manchester is Green and AI is taking aim: The burden of knowledgefull<![CDATA[Friends, let's discuss: episode 3 - but we can do better]]>Friends, let's discuss: episode 3

But we can do better

In this podcast we discuss how a woman in Minnesota demonstrates that when it' time, it's time and that it doesn't matter if you're fully dressed or in your bathrobe and slippers. We look at how AI and massive capital expenditure of $650 billion will change the world of work beyond recognition. And also how Cadbury's are stuffing an entire Creme Egg into a cookie, for Easter.

]]>d998a56e-1768-4dbd-b51e-581e1b8d2055Sun, 22 Feb 2026 10:54:02 GMT<p>Friends, let's discuss: episode 3</p><p></p><p>But we can do better</p><p></p><p>In this podcast we discuss how a woman in Minnesota demonstrates that when it' time, it's time and that it doesn't matter if you're fully dressed or in your bathrobe and slippers. We look at how AI and massive capital expenditure of $650 billion will change the world of work beyond recognition. And also how Cadbury's are stuffing an entire Creme Egg into a cookie, for Easter.</p>no00:59:4013Friends, let's discuss: episode 3 - but we can do betterfull<![CDATA[Friends, let's discuss: episode 2 part 1]]>In this episode Meerz and Fabz talk about the surprising water absorption qualities of American bread, the weaknesses of the proposed social media ban for under 16s announced by the dreamy Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, why it's rain iguanas and why Keir Starmer made a bad decision for the right reasons when it comes to appointing Mandelson as US ambassador.

]]>a6142cec-71d1-4416-b1c7-93e94e357e66Sun, 08 Feb 2026 14:09:19 GMT<p>In this episode Meerz and Fabz talk about the surprising water absorption qualities of American bread, the weaknesses of the proposed social media ban for under 16s announced by the dreamy Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, why it's rain iguanas and why Keir Starmer made a bad decision for the right reasons when it comes to appointing Mandelson as US ambassador.</p>no00:38:0512Friends, let's discuss: episode 2 part 1full