Straight from the Hot Tap

Welcome to episode 29. It's been a while!We discuss turning 40 - what it means and doesn't mean. How it feels to be getting older.Matt loses his mind at the achievements of others.Taunton Matters continues to amuse. https://linktr.ee/str8fromthehottapTwitter: @thehottap

This is part 4 of our series of podcasts about Ukraine.In this episode we are privileged to be joined by Pavlo who is currently in Ukraine.Pavlo worked with Paul Biddle as an interpreter during his mysterious work there a few years ago.Pavlo talks about the current situation, the build up and what it’s like living with the fear and stress of the Russian Army destroying your homeland. Paul gives us a unique insight into the practicalities of military operations and we discuss the way forward for both Ukraine, The West, and the hope for peace.This is a searingly honest and powerful testimony and well, well worth a listen.To donate to the Red Cross appeal, please visit: https://linktr.ee/str8fromthehottap to follow the link, or click here: https://donate.redcross.org.uk/appeal/ukraine-crisis-appeal?c_code=175151&c_source=google&c_name=Ukraine%20Crisis%20Appeal&adg=&c_creative=brand&c_medium=cpc&gclid=CjwKCAjw9LSSBhBsEiwAKtf0n4xZCMhOTPmBX19WJoFU3s5BzUDbfbugm-GAw_KFuIBBM4HlgFVKaxoCsjEQAvD_BwEEvery little helps.To follow Straight from the Hot Tap:Twitter: @thehottapFacebook: StraightfromthehottapInsta: Str8fromthehottapFor previous episodes: www.linktr.ee/str8fromthehottap

Welcome to a sombre Part 2 of our Ukraine focused series of episodes.This is both fascinating and also sobering. As the Ukraine conflict develops, Matt, Paul and I discuss what this means for Europe, what the West can do next, and how dangerous this really is.The conclusions are evident in the podcast – this is serious.Please give us a rating on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, it really helps us grow the podcasts.To get in touch: [email protected]: @Str8fromthehottapFacebook: @straightfromthehottap.Twitter: @thehottap.

In this episode we welcome friend of the show Paul Biddle - a man who knows about Ukraine because he's been there for major events, looked into the whites of the eyes of Russian troops and Ukrainian fighters. We recorded this episode as events were escalating and generally concluded that an invasion was unlikely to actually happen. Well, we were wrong, and part 2 will look at what that means for both the Ukraine and Europe. This episode examines the Russian psyche to some extent; we discuss the cultural differences between east and west, the idea of autocratic leadership and how the west has massively underestimated the threat that Russia poses.Follow us on Twitter: @thehottapInsta: @str8fromthehottapFacebookTo contact us: [email protected]

In episode 25 of Straight from the Hot Tap we discuss the evolution of remembrance day, what it meant and what it means, war in general and we dig up some old history lessons.We also discuss what a visit to Taunton by Nigel Farage might look like.....