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Home to the Spectator's best podcasts on everything from politics to religion, literature to food and drink, and more. A new podcast every day from writers worth listening to.

7 HRS AGO

Chinese Whispers: is Russia replacing China as North Korea's closest ally?

There have been reports that over 11,000 North Korean troops are present in Russia and preparing to take part in the Russia-Ukraine conflict. While not acknowledged by either country, if true, this would mark a historic milestone: the first East Asian troops present in Europe since the Mongol Empire. North Korea shares land borders with three countries: China, South Korea, and Russia. Despite this, the North Korea-Russia relationship has received less attention geopolitically. With Russia's increasing international isolation, it's pushed Putin to seek alternative alliances. What does this tell us about the geopolitics of the region? How aware was China of North Korea's decision to help Putin? And could the incoming Trump administration impact relations? Historian John Delury joins Cindy Yu to try and disentangle these complicated diplomatic relations. Produced by Patrick Gibbons and Cindy Yu.

56 min
1 DAY AGO

Americano: will Trump make good on his election promises?

Kate Andrews, standing in for Freddy Gray, is joined by Nick Gillespie, host of The Reason Interview, and Freddy Gray himself. They discuss whether Trump 2.0 could be different in his final time in office. Will he 'drain the swamp'? And will the Democrats learn the lessons from their election loss?

32 min
1 DAY AGO

Holy Smoke: Did Christianity create secular humanism?

Since the election of an overwhelmingly secular Labour government, people who describe themselves as humanists have a spring in their step: for example, there's a prospect that humanist weddings will be legally recognised in England and Wales (they already are in Scotland). But what exactly is a humanist? Definitions vary and there's a heated debate about to what extent the ethical but firmly atheist beliefs of the rather loosely organised modern humanist movement are descended from Christianity. In this episode of Holy Smoke we'll hear from Andrew Copson, CEO of Humanists UK since 2010 & President of Humanists International, and the theologian and Spectator contributor Theo Hobson, author of God created Humanism: the Christian Basis of Secular Values. Damian Thompson spoke to them earlier and, as you'll hear, it was a lively encounter. Produced by Patrick Gibbons.

33 min
2 DAYS AGO

Americano: are we about to see Trump unleashed?

Kamala Harris has delivered her concession speech, signalling the start of the Democrat post-mortem. Donald Trump has secured a total victory, the kind which gives him a mandate to make some pretty radical reforms. Americano guest host Kate Andrews is joined by Jacob Heilbrunn, editor of The National Interest, to discuss what a second Trump term will look like: from domestic to foreign policy. And what about the Democrats? Where do they go from here?

32 min
2 DAYS AGO

Spectator Out Loud: Paul Wood, Sean Thomas, Imogen Yates, Books of the Year II, and Alan Steadman

On this week’s Spectator Out Loud: Paul Wood analyses what a Trump victory could mean for the Middle East (1:16); Sean Thomas gets a glimpse of a childless future while travelling in South Korea (8:39); in search of herself, Imogen Yates takes part in ‘ecstatic dance’ (15:11); a second selection of our books of the year from Peter Parker, Daniel Swift, Andrea Wulf, Claire Lowdon, and Sara Wheeler (20:30); and notes on the speaking clock from the voice himself, Alan Steadman (25:26). Produced and presented by Patrick Gibbons.

30 min
3 DAYS AGO

Women With Balls: The Shivani Raja Edition

Shivani Raja holds two Parliamentary honours: the youngest Tory MP and, in Leicester East, the only Conservative gain at the recent election; she is also the first of the new 2024 intake to appear on Women With Balls. With a background in science and business, not politics, she fought a whirlwind election campaign – not just against the Labour Party, but against her two most recent predecessors. On the podcast, Shivani talks to Katy Balls about how she got into politics, why she is proud of Leicester’s multiculturalism, and about challenging her colleagues’ perceptions of ‘young people’. Shivani introduced James Cleverly at his leadership launch in September – what are her diagnoses of the 2024 election, Labour’s performance so far, and what the Conservatives need to do to win back the support of the British public? Produced by Patrick Gibbons.

31 min
4 DAYS AGO

The Edition: Trump's comeback, Labour's rural divide, and World of Warcraft

This week: King of the Hill You can’t ignore what could be the political comeback of the century: Donald Trump’s remarkable win in this week’s US election. The magazine this week carries analysis about why Trump won, and why the Democrats lost, from Freddy Gray, Niall Ferguson and Yascha Mounk, amongst others. To make sense of how Trump became only the second President in history to win non-consecutive terms, we’re joined by the journalist Jacqueline Sweet and Cliff Young, president of polling at Ipsos (00:58). Next: is Labour blind to rural communities? The changes to inheritance tax for farmers are one of the measures from Labour’s budget that has attracted the most attention. In the magazine this week The Telegraph’s Simon Heffer argues that it needs to be seen as part of a wider attack on rural communities. But is it intentional, or simply a blind spot Labour has to the countryside? Simon joined us alongside Ed Barker from the Agricultural Industries Confederation (16:42). And finally: what makes World of Warcraft so addictive? The Spectator’s literary editor Sam Leith joins the podcast to talk about the gaming phenomenon that is World of Warcraft. In just two decades, it has now made more money than three times the most successful Hollywood film ever. Why is it so successful and what makes it so addictive? And, as the landscape of gaming has changed over the decades, should parents still really be worried about their children spending time online or has gaming opened new areas for kids to socialise? Sam joined us to discuss and reveals the inspiration behind his avatar’s name… (27:37). Hosted by William Moore and Lara Prendergast. Produced by Patrick Gibbons.

37 min
5 DAYS AGO

Americano: why Donald Trump won and the real reason Kamala Harris lost

Donald Trump has won the election and will be 47th President of the United States after winning the key battleground states of Pennsylvania, North Carolina and Georgia. ‘America has given us an unprecedented and powerful mandate,’ the Republican candidate told supporters. ‘This is a magnificent victory for the American people, that will allow us to make America great again,’ he said at the rally in Florida. It has been total victory, with the Republicans also winning Senate and the popular vote. Kate Andrews is joined by Sarah Elliott and Rick MacArthur to unpack a historic election night.

33 min

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4.6

out of 5

30 Ratings

Great Podcast

Feb 4

Fab Red Head

Sophisticated. Thought provoking. Balanced. Objective. Remember a couple of years ago when intellectual discourse still existed? That short time ago when adults could discuss issues, that is what this podcast reminds me of.
Thank you

2023-02-19

Too old to be a back

Excellent podcast with just the right amount of balance. Insights are thought provoking and Freddie’s whit adds a little spice to the subjects discussed. Great work Freddie and team.
Hey Freddie

2022-01-28

Enuf1

If you are interviewing Tucker Carlson, at least challenge his fallacies … you provided a platform with zero critique… Albright is a moron, nba and Hollywood owned by the Chinese … should I go on?

Home to the Spectator's best podcasts on everything from politics to religion, literature to food and drink, and more. A new podcast every day from writers worth listening to.