The Middle

Andy and Roger

In a world where only the extreme get their voice heard... How do we know where the middle is? Join us on our search for the middle. https://www.instagram.com/the_middle_podcast/

  1. #184 - White Australia

    3 DAYS AGO

    #184 - White Australia

    🎧 NEW PODCAST EPISODE Episode 184 – White Australia In this episode, Andy and Roger stumble across a 1962 street interview about the White Australia Policy—and things get uncomfortable, quickly. What starts as a curiosity turns into a raw comparison between past and present attitudes, as they listen to everyday Australians grapple (often clumsily) with race, immigration, and national identity. Andy takes a more sympathetic view of the interviewees, framing their perspectives in the context of post–World War II anxiety and a desire for stability, while Roger questions whether their views were actually that extreme for the time—or simply reflective of a broader “middle” sentiment. Along the way, they unpack how much Australia has changed culturally, socially, and demographically since the policy’s dismantling in the 1970s. The conversation then shifts to modern parallels: immigration today, multiculturalism, and the tension between economic necessity and cultural cohesion. From selective schools to shifting national identity, Andy and Roger explore whether the same underlying questions still exist—just dressed up in more acceptable language. It’s a delicate topic, handled in their usual style: part thoughtful, part blunt, and occasionally veering into food analogies that may or may not help the argument. Hashtags: #WhiteAustraliaPolicy #ImmigrationDebate #AustralianHistory #Multiculturalism #CulturalIdentity #ModernAustralia #SocialChange #AndyAndRoger #PodcastDiscussion #PoliticalDebate #Migration #NationalIdentity #HistoryAndPolitics #CulturalShifts #PublicOpinion #AustraliaToday Engage with us on social media: Website: http://themiddle.site/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_middle_podcast/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@themiddlepodcastandyroger Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/The-Middle-Podcast/100089236832534/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheMiddlePC Email: the.middle.podcast.au@gmail.com Sign up to our subscriber email list: Visit our website: http://themiddle.site/ Or click: https://forms.gle/4qATmU2yiHgjZrej8

    38 min
  2. #183 - Michael Jackson

    25 APR

    #183 - Michael Jackson

    🎧 NEW PODCAST EPISODE Episode 183 – Michael Jackson In this episode, Andy and Roger wander into the minefield that is Michael Jackson—prompted by a new biopic that disappoints critics and sugarcoats the real MJ. What starts as a chat about movie reviews quickly turns into a broader discussion about legacy, fame, and whether it’s even possible to tell the truth about someone that famous. They unpack the film’s biggest criticism—that it sanitises Jackson’s life—and ask whether that was inevitable given the family’s involvement. From there, the conversation turns to the strange duality of Michael Jackson himself: a once-in-a-generation entertainer with an undeniable cultural impact, and a deeply complicated figure surrounded by controversy, allegations, and behaviour that doesn’t sit comfortably in hindsight. Andy and Roger debate whether it’s possible to separate the art from the artist, touching on Jackson’s upbringing, the pressures of fame from childhood, and the idea of arrested development. They explore the role of enablers, the cult-like loyalty of fanbases, and how figures like Donald Trump draw similar dynamics in public perception—albeit in very different arenas. The episode also branches out into a wider conversation about musical biopics: why they rarely land, why they tend to gloss over the uncomfortable bits, and whether some stories are simply too messy to retell. Along the way, they revisit films like Bohemian Rhapsody and Rocketman, and debate which artists—if any—actually deserve the biopic treatment. It’s part nostalgia, part cultural critique, and part uncomfortable reality check on what happens when fame, talent, and human frailty collide. Hashtags: #MichaelJackson #Biopic #MusicHistory #PopCulture #CelebrityLegacy #ArtVsArtist #AndyAndRoger #PodcastDiscussion #FilmCriticism #FameAndPower #CulturalDebate #MusicIndustry #TrueStory #EntertainmentNews #MediaAnalysis Engage with us on social media: Website: http://themiddle.site/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_middle_podcast/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@themiddlepodcastandyroger Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/The-Middle-Podcast/100089236832534/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheMiddlePC Email: the.middle.podcast.au@gmail.com Sign up to our subscriber email list: Visit our website: http://themiddle.site/ Or click: https://forms.gle/4qATmU2yiHgjZrej8

    37 min
  3. #182 - Getting changed

    18 APR

    #182 - Getting changed

    🎧 NEW PODCAST EPISODE Episode 182 – Getting changed In this episode, Andy and Roger kick things off with a truly unfortunate airport toilet incident—featuring an automatic door, questionable timing, and a poor woman caught in a situation no one wants to imagine, let alone witness. It’s chaotic, it’s awkward, and it sets the tone for a surprisingly reflective conversation. From there, the discussion drifts (as it often does) into the strange quirks of modern life—starting with the baffling evolution of public toilet technology and why something as simple as a lock didn’t need reinventing. This spirals into memories of school change rooms, questionable hygiene standards, and the kind of shared trauma that may or may not have “built character.” Andy and Roger then explore the subtle (and not-so-subtle) moments that signal ageing—when cultural references stop landing, when younger colleagues haven’t even heard of The Matrix, and when Seinfeld jokes fall flat. They compare generational shifts in fashion, particularly the rise of activewear as everyday clothing, and question whether some trends are destined to age poorly. The conversation broadens into a nostalgic deep dive on how the internet, shopping, and entertainment have changed. From the wild west days of early websites and chat platforms to today’s algorithm-driven, sanitised experience, they reflect on what’s been lost—spontaneity, discovery, and a sense of ownership. Music stores, physical media, and even boredom itself all come under scrutiny as relics of a different time. By the end, Andy and Roger land on a slightly uncomfortable question: are we actually growing as we age, or just getting older? And if modern life removes discomfort, challenge, and even boredom—what does that mean for the next generation? Hashtags: #GettingOld #MillennialLife #Nostalgia #InternetCulture #TheMatrix #Seinfeld #ActivewearTrend #ModernLife #DigitalAge #GrowingUp #GenerationalShift #AndyAndRoger #PodcastDiscussion #CulturalChange #SchoolDays #TechEvolution #RetailExperience #MusicCulture #Boredom #SocialCommentary Engage with us on social media: Website: http://themiddle.site/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_middle_podcast/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@themiddlepodcastandyroger Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/The-Middle-Podcast/100089236832534/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheMiddlePC Email: the.middle.podcast.au@gmail.com Sign up to our subscriber email list: Visit our website: http://themiddle.site/ Or click: https://forms.gle/4qATmU2yiHgjZrej8

    1hr 5min
  4. #181 - Ceasefail

    11 APR

    #181 - Ceasefail

    🎧 NEW PODCAST EPISODE Episode 181 – Ceasefail In this episode, Andy and Roger kick things off with a bewildering (and unintentionally comedic) deep dive into ever-expanding acronyms, sparked by a viral clip featuring a truly heroic attempt at inclusivity. From there, they spiral into a broader conversation about activism, cultural momentum, and whether some movements have simply run out of road. The discussion shifts to a chaotic week of posting from Donald Trump, with Andy and Roger trying—often unsuccessfully—to separate satire from reality. They unpack the blurred line between authenticity and instability, debate whether Trump’s behaviour reflects strategy or strain, and question what it means for leadership when the tone is… unfiltered, to put it mildly. Things then turn more serious as they analyse the recent US-Iran conflict and ceasefire. Andy frames the outcome as a textbook example of a suboptimal exit—recovering lost ground rather than achieving meaningful gains—while Roger pushes back, arguing there are still strategic wins depending on how negotiations unfold. They work through key issues including the Strait of Hormuz, nuclear capability, regime stability, and military degradation, ultimately landing on a shared (if uneasy) view: the outcome may be less “catastrophe” and more “missed opportunity.” They wrap up by debating whether Trump’s conduct is genuinely deteriorating or simply an extension of what’s always been there—raising bigger questions about leadership, public trust, and whether the real story is less about one man and more about the system that put him there. Hashtags: #Trump #USPolitics #MiddleEast #IranConflict #Geopolitics #Ceasefire #StraitOfHormuz #PoliticalCommentary #CultureWars #WokeCulture #Activism #AndyAndRoger #PodcastDiscussion #GlobalPolitics #Leadership #ModernPolitics #MediaAnalysis #TrueSocial #WorldEvents Engage with us on social media: Website: http://themiddle.site/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_middle_podcast/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@themiddlepodcastandyroger Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/The-Middle-Podcast/100089236832534/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheMiddlePC Email: the.middle.podcast.au@gmail.com Sign up to our subscriber email list: Visit our website: http://themiddle.site/ Or click: https://forms.gle/4qATmU2yiHgjZrej8

    59 min
  5. #180 - Oil and water

    4 APR

    #180 - Oil and water

    🎧 NEW PODCAST EPISODE Episode 180 – Oil and water In this episode, Andy and Roger attempt to make sense of the unfolding conflict involving the US and Iran—before promptly disagreeing about almost every aspect of it. Starting with petrol prices (because of course), the conversation quickly escalates into a broader debate about whether the war has been a strategic success or a complete miscalculation. Andy argues that whatever tactical wins may exist are overshadowed by economic fallout, instability, and a lack of clear objectives—particularly from Donald Trump. Roger, meanwhile, lays out the case for military success, pointing to degraded capabilities and minimal casualties, before conceding that the broader strategic picture is far murkier. The discussion expands into questions of regime change, global alliances, media framing, and whether public perception is being shaped more by ideology than facts. Along the way, Andy questions whether Trump fundamentally misunderstood the complexity of the situation, while Roger suggests that critics may be overlooking deeper geopolitical dynamics—including Iran’s role in regional proxy conflicts. They also tackle whether this war should be viewed as part of the same narrative as Israel-Palestine, or as an entirely separate conflict—revealing a key divide in how each of them interprets global events. It’s part foreign policy analysis, part pub argument, and part existential crisis about the price of fuel. Hashtags: #USPolitics #IranConflict #Geopolitics #MiddleEast #Trump #GlobalEconomy #OilPrices #WarDebate #AndyAndRoger #PoliticalCommentary #ForeignPolicy #MediaBias #StrategicFailure #MilitaryStrategy #PodcastDiscussion Engage with us on social media: Website: http://themiddle.site/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_middle_podcast/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@themiddlepodcastandyroger Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/The-Middle-Podcast/100089236832534/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheMiddlePC Email: the.middle.podcast.au@gmail.com Sign up to our subscriber email list: Visit our website: http://themiddle.site/ Or click: https://forms.gle/4qATmU2yiHgjZrej8

    1hr 12min
  6. #179 - Manosphere

    28 MAR

    #179 - Manosphere

    🎧 NEW PODCAST EPISODE Episode 179 – Manosphere In this episode, Andy and Roger return to a familiar theme: what happens when the internet decides to raise young men. Kicking off with an update on Australia’s unexpected “porn drought,” the pair reflect on how regulation, workarounds like VPNs, and human behaviour collide in predictably unpredictable ways. From there, the conversation shifts to the Louis Theroux documentary on the manosphere, unpacking the characters, contradictions, and cultural forces at play. Andy and Roger debate whether figures like Justin Waller represent genuine success stories or carefully packaged versions of it, and whether audiences are buying aspiration—or just entertainment. They explore the idea of “low status” versus “cultural elite,” the role of luck in success, and whether the so-called alpha male blueprint is guidance or snake oil. The discussion also touches on relationships, including the eyebrow-raising concept of one-sided monogamy, and whether modern values really support it—or just tolerate it. Zooming out, the episode questions whether the manosphere is a coherent movement or just a loose collection of personalities, ranging from motivational voices to outright trolls. Andy and Roger also consider whether platforms and algorithms are amplifying the worst parts of this ecosystem, and who ultimately bears responsibility—the creators, the platforms, or the audience. It’s a conversation about influence, identity, and the blurry line between entertainment and ideology—plus a reminder that sometimes the internet says more about us than the people we’re watching. Hashtags: #Manosphere #LouisTheroux #AndrewTate #JordanPeterson #JoeRogan #OnlineInfluence #MasculinityDebate #CulturalTrends #DigitalCulture #SocialMediaAlgorithms #ModernMen #PodcastDiscussion #AndyAndRoger #InternetCulture #MediaCritique #AlphaMale #RelationshipDynamics #VPN #ContentCreators #MoralPanic Engage with us on social media: Website: http://themiddle.site/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_middle_podcast/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@themiddlepodcastandyroger Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/The-Middle-Podcast/100089236832534/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheMiddlePC Email: the.middle.podcast.au@gmail.com Sign up to our subscriber email list: Visit our website: http://themiddle.site/ Or click: https://forms.gle/4qATmU2yiHgjZrej8

    46 min
  7. #178 - No porn for you

    21 MAR

    #178 - No porn for you

    🎧 NEW PODCAST EPISODE Episode 178 – No porn for you In this episode, Andy and Roger tackle a topic no one really wants to publicly defend—but plenty of people privately care about. What starts with a stressed-out “acquaintance” unable to access his usual online habits quickly turns into a broader conversation about Australia’s new age verification requirements for adult websites, and what that means for privacy, freedom, and the internet as we know it. The discussion moves beyond the obvious jokes into deeper territory: government overreach, the quiet creep of regulation online, and whether this is less about pornography and more about setting precedents for how the internet is controlled. They explore the tension between protecting children and preserving individual freedoms, questioning whether this is a necessary safeguard or a step too far into nanny state territory. Andy and Roger also debate the actual impact of pornography—challenging popular narratives around addiction and harm, while acknowledging its role in culture, relationships, and human behaviour. They dig into the contradictions of a society that increasingly normalises content creation (think OnlyFans) while simultaneously restricting access to it. Along the way, they cover VPN spikes, generational attitudes, parenting responsibility, and the uncomfortable reality that this might be a much bigger political issue than anyone is willing to admit out loud. Hashtags: #PornBan #InternetFreedom #PrivacyDebate #AustraliaPolitics #OnlineRegulation #VPNUsage #DigitalRights #FreeSpeech #AndyAndRoger #NannyState #TechPolicy #Censorship #InternetCulture #ModernSociety #CulturalDebate #PolicyDiscussion #AgeVerification #OnlinePrivacy Engage with us on social media: Website: http://themiddle.site/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_middle_podcast/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@themiddlepodcastandyroger Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/The-Middle-Podcast/100089236832534/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheMiddlePC Email: the.middle.podcast.au@gmail.com Sign up to our subscriber email list: Visit our website: http://themiddle.site/ Or click: https://forms.gle/4qATmU2yiHgjZrej8

    36 min
  8. #177 - Work wives

    14 MAR

    #177 - Work wives

    🎧 NEW PODCAST EPISODE Episode 177 – Work wives It starts with a simple question about rental inspections… and quickly spirals into a broader exploration of power, boundaries, and the strange social dynamics of modern workplaces. Andy and Roger kick things off with war stories from the rental market, including the peculiar theatre of periodic inspections and the sometimes overzealous property managers who treat a bit of dust like a structural defect. The conversation drifts into landlord psychology, whether men or women make better tenants, and the eternal truth that some people simply tolerate mess better than others. From there, the discussion pivots to a listener question about the concept of the “work wife.” Is it just harmless office shorthand for a close colleague, or does it represent a slow creep into emotional territory that can complicate real relationships? Andy takes the more relaxed view that it’s usually just workplace camaraderie, while Roger suspects many of these arrangements are quietly edging toward trouble. Along the way, they unpack the unofficial roles people assume in offices—from the “work mum” who organises everything and empties the dishwasher, to the infamous kitchen note-writer who polices everyone else’s behaviour. They also explore how workplace friendships evolve as careers progress, why boundaries become more complicated with seniority, and whether the safest policy might simply be avoiding the label altogether. As always, Andy and Roger approach the topic from different angles, but arrive at the same conclusion: human dynamics at work are rarely as simple as they appear. Hashtags: #WorkWife #OfficeCulture #WorkplaceDynamics #RentalInspections #LandlordLife #WorkplaceFriendships #OfficePolitics #AndyAndRoger #ModernWorkplace #OfficeGossip #WorkplaceBoundaries #WorkplaceCulture #PodcastDiscussion #ModernRelationships #OfficeLife Engage with us on social media: Website: http://themiddle.site/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_middle_podcast/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@themiddlepodcastandyroger Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/The-Middle-Podcast/100089236832534/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheMiddlePC Email: the.middle.podcast.au@gmail.com Sign up to our subscriber email list: Visit our website: http://themiddle.site/ Or click: https://forms.gle/4qATmU2yiHgjZrej8

    34 min
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Trailer

4.5
out of 5
6 Ratings

About

In a world where only the extreme get their voice heard... How do we know where the middle is? Join us on our search for the middle. https://www.instagram.com/the_middle_podcast/

Information

  • Creator
    Andy and Roger
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    191
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Andy and Roger
  • Show Website
    The Middle