The Tea with Myriam Francois

A company with intelligence ties, Palantir, writes a manifesto for a new republic - while quietly embedding itself inside the state…This isn’t a dystopia.

From the rise of figures like Donald Trump to the normalisation of unelected power brokers like Jared Kushner, the concentration of wealth, media, tech, and state power has never been tighter.

The mask is slipping. Power isn’t pretending anymore.

In this episode of The Tea, we are joined by investigative journalist and author Matt Kennard to lift the veil on how corporate power has moved from influence to control - reshaping governments, rewriting the rules, and hollowing out democracy from within.
And as repression expands - from protest bans to anti-terror laws used against journalists - the question is: where does resistance live now?

Also in the show:
⚡ The illusion of a “free press” — who really sets the limits
⚡ WikiLeaks and the case of Julian Assange
⚡ Media concentration and billionaire ownership
⚡ Journalists arrested under anti-terror legislation
⚡ Palestine Action and the unprecedented crackdown on dissent
⚡ Disinformation - who produces it, and who claims to fight it
⚡ The D-Notice system - when the state asks media to stay silent
⚡ The Telegraph and Israel - politics of alignment
⚡ From Jared Kushner to Steve Witkoff - the business of politics, or legalised corruption?
⚡ Big Tech and the far-right - a growing alliance

Matt argues this is a new form of fascism: a system where corporations are driving the state itself.
And if we want to resist, we need independent knowledge - and to support those willing to confront corporate power.

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🎧 Listen wherever you get your podcasts

#TheTeaWithMyriamFrancois #MattKennard #Palantir #Trump #USPolitics #UKPolitics #indipendentmedia #MiddleEast #news # #currentaffairs

You can find Matt Kennard’s book Irregular Army here https://orbooks.com/catalog/irregular-army/

AUDIO CREDITS
Presenter–Producer: Dr. Myriam François
Guest: Matt Kennard
Senior Producer: Sara Farolfi
Producer: Nadège Bizimungu
Assistant Producer: Poppy Jacobs
Research: Constance Creswell, Martha Missingham
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.

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

When the system breaks, what happens to resistance?

A court rules Palestine Action’s proscription unlawful. Arrests should stop. They don’t. Power shifts, reverses, and reasserts itself. This isn’t dysfunction. It’s how power operates—entrenched, unaccountable, and built to resist challenge.

In this episode of The Tea, we sit down with hip-hop legend and political powerhouse Lowkey, one of the UK’s most uncompromising voices. From West London to the world stage, he has spent two decades dismantling empire through music — and challenging the idea that art can ever be neutral.

From Gaza to Grenfell, from direct action targeting arms factories to the widening crackdown on dissent, we dig into what happens when anger meets silence—or repression.

Also in the show:

⚡ Music as resistance to propaganda
⚡ Raucous Records & Rupert Murdoch’s orbit — the business of “conscious rap”
⚡ “Music is not apolitical” — why artists must reflect their times
⚡ Stormzy and the McDonald's backlash
⚡ Attempts to silence Lowkey — pro-Israel lobbying and censorship
⚡ Universal Music Group & the Israeli lobby—a family affair
⚡ Zionism and the origins of an ethnocratic project
⚡ Iran’s historical pro-Palestinian stance explained
⚡ Israel’s “Unit 8200” — from military tech to private power
⚡ The Grenfell tragedy —a textbook case of corporate impunity
⚡ Tony Blair —a love affair with the Israeli lobbies
⚡ Kanye West and the politics of cancellation

Lowkey argues that real change doesn’t come from within the system — but from applying pressure outside it. And as repression grows, so does resistance. As he puts it, “who doesn’t resist is closer to death.”

👉 Subscribe for fearless, independent conversations: https://www.youtube.com/@UCT4kJCZyg26egbPAuJVj2kA
🎧 Listen wherever you get your podcasts.

#TheTeaWithMyriamFrancois #Lowkey #PalAction #PalestineAction #Gaza #Israel #neoliberalism #UKPolitics #Iran #MiddleEast #Iran #news #Justice4Grenfell

AUDIO CREDITS
Presenter–Producer: Dr. Myriam François
Guest: Lowkey
Senior Producer: Sara Farolfi
Producer: Nadège Bizimungu
Assistant Producer: Poppy Jacobs
Research: Constance Creswell, Martha Missingham
Video Editor: Max Bubnov
An MPWR Productions show.

🎥 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.

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

What if everything you've been told is "normal" is actually making you sick, physically, emotionally, morally?

We live in a culture where corporations deliberately engineer addiction for profit, where systemic oppression is dressed up as idealism. A culture that runs on denying emotional suffering. That keeps us addicted, so we never stop to look at what's really going on. A culture that runs on genocide.
The Epstein files ripped the veil off a corrupt, incestuous ruling class and exposed the fake pretence of democracy, but the problem runs far deeper.
This week on The Tea, renowned physician and bestselling author Gabor Maté breaks it all down the economics, the politics, the systems designed to keep you compliant, consuming, and convinced that your suffering is your own fault.

Also on the show:

⚡ Epstein Files – An amoral, incestuous ruling class
⚡ The Myth of Normal – Capitalism's biggest lies
⚡ Gen Z's mental health crisis - What is really behind the crisis
⚡ Shapiro & Peterson – Why denying genocide and suffering serves the same culture
⚡ Healthy anger & why the mental health conversation is misleading you
⚡ AI therapy – A symptom of a sick society
⚡ The TikTok "boundary setting" trend – What it's really telling us
⚡ Zionism's false premise – Colonialism dressed as idealism
⚡ Antisemitism – Weaponised to silence, not protect
⚡ Francesca Albanese – Exposing the genocidal system hiding in plain sight
"They're not trying to kill you. They just don't care if they do."
That's not a conspiracy. That's the culture.

#TheTeaWithMyriamFrancois #GaborMate #TheMythOfNormal #AI #capitalism #mentalhealth #USPolitics #Israel #Gaza #Genocide #UKPolitics #CurrentAffairs #news

AUDIO CREDITS
Presenter–Producer: Dr. Myriam François
Guest: Gabor Maté
Senior Producer: Sara Farolfi
Producer: Nadège Bizimungu
Assistant Producer: Poppy Jacobs
Research: Maryam Abada, Ariana Hashtrudi, Dahlia Melaine and Martha Missingham
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.

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

Is World War III on the horizon? From skyrocketing energy prices to food shortages and nuclear threats, the chaos in the Middle East is threatening to trigger a global economic meltdown. The US is trapped—fighting Israel's war with no exit strategy in sight. As tensions escalate, are we witnessing a calculated master plan, or are we sleepwalking into disaster?

This week on The Tea, Major General Charlie Herbert, a 34-year veteran of the British Army, breaks with military code to share his analysis of the global unravelling wrought by this war. Does America gain or lose from this war? Is Israel deliberately dragging the world into perpetual conflicts? Is Iran actually winning? And who will pay the highest price…

With the world in a food and energy chokehold, supranational institutions crumbling and European ministers warning of “sacrifices” ahead, one thing’s clear, there is a difficult future ahead.
Also on the show:

⚡ Israel’s strategy - Never ending wars
⚡ US Strategy Crisis – No plan, just chaos.
⚡ Hormuz Straitz – Trade held ransom.
⚡ Oil Wars – Is this another US war about oil?
⚡ Iran’s Growing Power – Strategic gains despite losses.
⚡ Netanyahu’s pipeline plan – Was this the plan all along?
⚡ Israel’s Nuclear Arsenal – Who is the real nuclear threat?
⚡ UK’s Complicity in this war - does this serve Britain?
⚡ British Nationals joining the IDF– Should they be investigated?
⚡ Israeli Lobby’s Influence – Subverting national interests
⚡ Collapse of International Law – to protect Israel?
⚡ Media Failure and Complicity – where is the free press?

Herbert warns: “This is an Israeli war being fought and enabled by the United States. They've got a puppet sitting in the White House and they are able to manipulate that puppet.”

👉 Subscribe for fearless, independent conversations: https://www.youtube.com/@UCT4kJCZyg26egbPAuJVj2kA
🎧 Listen wherever you get your podcasts.

#TheTeaWithMyriamFrancois #CharlieHerbert #USPolitics #Israel #Iran #UKPolitics #Gaza #Trump2026 #CurrentAffairs #lockdowns #foodshortgages

AUDIO CREDITS
Presenter–Producer: Dr. Myriam François
Guest: Charlie Herbert
Senior Producer: Sara Farolfi
Producer: Nadège Bizimungu
Assistant Producer: Poppy Jacobs
Research: Maryam Abada, Ayman Ahmer, Ariana Hashtrudi, Dahlia Melaine and Martha Missingham
Video Editor: Max Bubnov
An MPWR Productions show.

🎥 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.

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

"Truth isn't shared anymore. It’s manufactured."

For a decade, the script has been the same: Iran is "two weeks away" from a nuclear weapon. Is this a fact, or a decade-long disinformation campaign designed to sell an illegal war? From AI-generated war footage to bot networks swinging European elections, the "Disinformation Machine" is the most dangerous weapon system of the 21st century. And it’s in full swing in the US-Israel war on Iran.

This week on The Tea, Marc Owen Jones, Associate Professor at Northwestern University in Qatar and author of Digital Authoritarianism in the Middle East, exposes the empires that turn hate into profit and the disinformation machines operating on Meta, X, TikTok, and beyond.
We discuss:

⚡ Iran and America’s war narratives: AI deepfakes and propaganda fuelling escalation
⚡ How the major tech companies profit from fake news and our outrage
⚡ How Donald Trump and others weaponise “truth”
⚡ Inside the global far-right disinformation networks
⚡ From “Islamism” to “Muslims”: how language gets quietly weaponised
⚡ UAE, Israel, and evangelical alliances — a shared anti-Muslim agenda
⚡ Dubai’s golden cage: influence, image, and narrative control
⚡ Far-right Islamophobic agenda targeting the mayors of London and NY
⚡ The Israeli Ministry of Diaspora Affairs and the 2024 disinformation push
⚡ Can UK and EU laws actually curb disinformation?

As Mark argues, disinformation isn’t just noise – it shapes policy, fuels racism, and prepares the ground for war. The narrative is messy, but the stakes are painfully real.
👉 Subscribe for fearless, independent conversations
🎧 Listen wherever you get your podcasts

#TheTeaWithMyriamFrancois #MarkOwenJones #Disinformation #DigitalAuthoritarianism #BigTech #Iran #Gaza #Dubai #Islamophobia #FarRight #USPolitics #UKPolitics #Trump2026 #CurrentAffairs #AI #AIWars

AUDIO CREDITS
Presenter–Producer: Dr. Myriam François
Guest: Marc Owen Jones
Senior Producer: Sara Farolfi
Producer: Nadège Bizimungu
Assistant Producer: Poppy Jacobs
Research: Maryam Abada, Ayman Ahmer, Ariana Hashtrudi, Dahlia Melaine and Martha Missingham
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.