The Tea with Myriam Francois

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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.

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#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.

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

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.

Iran is at a critical juncture. Thousands of protesters have filled the streets for days, but what's really happening behind the scenes? With crippling economic sanctions and Mossad operatives allegedly active on the ground, this situation is anything but a sudden crisis.

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.”

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#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.

When a U.S. president treats the world like his personal business empire, the consequences can be catastrophic.

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

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🎧 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.

Comedy is supposed to make us think, challenge power, and hold the world up to a mirror. But what happens when comedians become tools for the powerful, softening politicians, chasing clicks, and avoiding tough questions?

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.