Planet Normal

4.7 (2.6K)
SOCIETY & CULTURE

The podcast that speaks your language. News and views from beyond the bubble with Telegraph columnists, Allison Pearson and Liam Halligan, every Thursday. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

9 HR AGO

A helluva week on the rocket

It’s been one helluva week on the rocket for co-pilot Pearson, as she describes the ‘news tsunami’ that has crashed through her life. Your co-pilots talk through the reaction to Allison’s story and discuss the principle of free speech in this country. Also boarding the rocket to discuss his new book, ‘What went Wrong with Capitalism’, is author Dr Ruchir Sharma who lays out his solution to the relationship between state support and free markets. And there is no shortage of post this week as your co-pilots dive into the rocket’s bulging mailbag as readers react to recent events. Read more from Liam: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/liam-halligan/ | Read more from Allison: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/a/ak-ao/allison-pearson/ Read Allison: ‘My week from hell shows that the Britain we love and trust is gone’: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2024/11/19/my-week-in-the-eye-of-the-storm/ | Read Susanne Moore: Read Suzanne Moore:’ I don’t always agree with Allison Pearson but I will defend her right to free speech’: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2024/11/20/defending-free-speech-left-right/ | Need help subscribing or reviewing? Learn more about podcasts here: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/radio/podcasts/podcast-can-find-best-ones-listen/ | Email: planetnormal@telegraph.co.uk | For 30 days’ free access to The Telegraph: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/normal | Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1h 12m
13 NOV

You have the freedom to be silenced

In wake of co-pilot Pearson’s shock visit from the police on Remembrance Sunday, the rocket reflects on the principle of free speech in our country. Allison explains what happens when the journalist becomes the story… Elsewhere Liam gives his take on why the Harris campaign failed to reach many voters in the US election after his trip across the pond last week. Also Joining your co-pilots on the rocket this week to discuss her arrest following a tweet about the Southport killings, is Bernadette Spofforth. And your co-pilots weigh in on the latest news from the COP29 conference. Read more from Liam: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/liam-halligan/ | Read more from Allison: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/a/ak-ao/allison-pearson/ Read Allison: ‘My visit from police on Remembrance Sunday is living proof of our two-tier justice system’: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2024/11/12/my-visit-from-police-is-proof-of-two-tier-justice-system/ | Need help subscribing or reviewing? Learn more about podcasts here: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/radio/podcasts/podcast-can-find-best-ones-listen/ | Email: planetnormal@telegraph.co.uk | For 30 days’ free access to The Telegraph: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/normal | Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1h 17m
7 NOV

US Election 2024

Co-pilot Pearson is off on a special mission this week so Liam is joined in the cockpit by resident part time co-pilot, Tim Stanley. As the news breaks of Donald Trump’s victory in the US Liam and Tim dissect the news tsunami from across the pond. As the rest of the world comes to terms with what just happened, Tim describes why we shouldn’t be that surprised at the result, and Liam gives his economic prognosis. Whilst back on UK soil, the Tory party welcomes a new leader but what do your co-pilots make of Queen Kemi? Also boarding the rocket to discuss the fate of UK farming in wake of Labour’s first Budget is farmer Richard Payne, who delivers a harsh prognosis for the future of the profession. Read more from Liam: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/liam-halligan/ | Read more from Allison: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/a/ak-ao/allison-pearson/ Read more from Tim: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/t/tf-tj/tim-stanley/ | Need help subscribing or reviewing? Learn more about podcasts here: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/radio/podcasts/podcast-can-find-best-ones-listen/ | Email: planetnormal@telegraph.co.uk | For 30 days’ free access to The Telegraph: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/normal | Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

57 min
31 OCT

Labour’s big budget

As Labour unveils their first budget in 14 years, the rocket beams in for a bumper Budget special with not one but two stowaways! But what do the rocket’s incumbents make of Chancellor Rachel Reeves’s first big fiscal challenge. Former Prime Minister Liz Truss explains why she thinks Chancellor Rachel Reeves might have ‘turbo charged taxes’ and could be about to ‘crash the car into the wall’. Chief Economist at Net Wealth and former Chief Economic Advisor to Boris Johnson Dr Gerard Lyons, outlines the good, the bad and the uglier sides of the Budget. Elsewhere on the podcast Allison explains why she has declared her allegiance to one particular candidate in the nearly finalised Tory leadership contest…. Read more from Liam: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/liam-halligan/ | Read more from Allison: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/a/ak-ao/allison-pearson/ Need help subscribing or reviewing? Learn more about podcasts here: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/radio/podcasts/podcast-can-find-best-ones-listen/ | Email: planetnormal@telegraph.co.uk | For 30 days’ free access to The Telegraph: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/normal | Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1h 1m
23 OCT

Planet Normal Live Special at the Battle of Ideas

This episode was recorded live at the Battle of Ideas Festival in London on 20th October 2024 In this very special episode of Planet Normal, the rocket beams in live from the Battle of Ideas Festival featuring not one, but two very special stowaways.. Sociologist and social commentator, Professor Frank Furedi shares his thoughts on how we can tackle what he calls the ‘madness’ of political correctness. Writer and comedian, Andrew Doyle also explains why we need to prioritise the value of free speech in our society. And your co-pilots weigh in on the government’s recently unveiled plans for NHS and prison reform, and it’s safe to say they’re not sold. There’s also a healthy dose of Velma stats and a Scooby accompaniment! Read more from Liam: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/liam-halligan/ | Read more from Allison: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/a/ak-ao/allison-pearson/ Need help subscribing or reviewing? Learn more about podcasts here: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/radio/podcasts/podcast-can-find-best-ones-listen/ | Email: planetnormal@telegraph.co.uk | For 30 days’ free access to The Telegraph: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/normal | Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1h 22m
16 OCT

Rachel and the blackhole

The countdown to Labour's first Budget is on, but what do your co-pilots make of the new Chancellor's plans? Brace yourselves it's another news Tsunami… Liam isn’t convinced Labour’s plan for growth will strengthen up the public finances and believes a more prudent approach to spending is needed. Allison agrees and is concerned if they increase National Insurance on employers it will lead to less investment and fewer jobs. Joining your co-pilots for this week’s voyage is former Downing Street advisor and journalist Andy Coulson. The former News of the World Editor shares his thoughts on the first 100 days of the Labour government and reflects on his time at Belmarsh prison where he first formed the idea for his podcast ‘Crisis, What Crisis?’. And your co-pilots weigh in on Health Secretary Wes Streeting’s endorsement of weight loss drugs… Read more from Liam: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/liam-halligan/ | Read more from Allison: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/a/ak-ao/allison-pearson/ Read Allison: ‘I’m buying a generator. Who would want to invest in blackout Britain?’: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2024/10/16/buying-a-generator-in-blackout-britain-ed-miliband/ | Listen to Andy Coulson: www.podfollow.com/crisis | Need help subscribing or reviewing? Learn more about podcasts here: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/radio/podcasts/podcast-can-find-best-ones-listen/ | Email: planetnormal@telegraph.co.uk | For 30 days’ free access to The Telegraph: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/normal | Planet Normal listeners can get 20% off tickets to the Battle of Ideas Festival by putting the code PLANETNORMAL24 into the Promo code section of the ticket page – accessible through https://www.battleofideas.org.uk/battle-of-ideas-festival-tickets-2024/ | Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

57 min
9 OCT

The two Tory horse race

Fresh from a shock elimination in the Tory leadership race, your co-pilots deliver their verdict on the latest results from the now two horse race. And did co-pilot Pearson really influence the result? One year on from the shocking 7th October attack in Israel, the rocket reflects on Allison’s recent dispatch to Israel and welcomes Brendan O’Neill into the cockpit. Brendan’s new book ‘After the Pogrom: 7 October, Israel and the Crisis of Civilisation’ describes how he believes the West failed in their actions following the events in Israel. Your co-pilots also share an exciting announcement about an upcoming event and Bob the Bard returns… Read more from Liam: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/liam-halligan/ | Read more from Allison: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/a/ak-ao/allison-pearson/ Read Allison: ‘Not one girl could be shown to her parents’: The horrors of Oct 7 – as told by the survivors’: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2024/10/05/oct-7-israel-survivors-stories-state-of-the-nation/ | Read Allison: ‘Hamas murdered my sister and her husband – but we will give their babies a normal life’: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2024/10/06/oct-7-attack-orphan-twins-guy-roi-adoptive-parents/ | Need help subscribing or reviewing? Learn more about podcasts here: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/radio/podcasts/podcast-can-find-best-ones-listen/ | Email: planetnormal@telegraph.co.uk | For 30 days’ free access to The Telegraph: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/normal | Planet Normal listeners can get 20% off tickets to the Battle of Ideas Festival by putting the code PLANETNORMAL24 into the Promo code section of the ticket page – accessible through https://www.battleofideas.org.uk/battle-of-ideas-festival-tickets-2024/ | Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1h 1m
2 OCT

Robert Jenrick on his Tory leadership bid

The rocket beams in live from the Tory Party Conference in Birmingham this week and there’s no shortage of melodrama to dissect as the Party gears up to elect its new leader. Fastening their seat belt alongside your co-pilots this week is leadership contender and previous stowaway, Robert Jenrick MP for Newark, who shares his hopes for the party should he win the contest. Liam gives the rocket the inside scoop from the conference as the race for Leader of the Opposition aka the conservative ‘beauty contest’ reaches its final straight. And Allison shares a stark warning about the potential dangers of lithium batteries on solar farms. Read more from Liam: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/liam-halligan/ | Read more from Allison: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/a/ak-ao/allison-pearson/ Read Allison: ‘‘I’ve seen how Ed Miliband’s net zero dream turns into a nightmare. It will destroy Britain’: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2024/10/01/ed-milibands-net-zero-dream-will-destroy-britain/ | Need help subscribing or reviewing? Learn more about podcasts here: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/radio/podcasts/podcast-can-find-best-ones-listen/ | Email: planetnormal@telegraph.co.uk | For 30 days’ free access to The Telegraph: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/normal | Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1h 8m

See All (227)

4.7

out of 5

2,641 Ratings

We’re with you Alison

5 days ago

PistaMike

Hi Alison and Liam. I’ve written before but just once again thank you for such a fantastic podcast. You keep everyone sane. Alison, I’ve been through something similar and I really feel for you. Stay strong -we’re all here to support you. On a slightly lighter note, I saw you on GB News and you’re looking amazing. Keep it up. Lots of love to you both. Mike
Support for Allison

14 Nov

muirma

Passionate cogent and important- frightening to see the thought police at work. Full support for you - and admiration for your work. By the way - looking great!
Very happy listening to this sanity

1 Nov

Right Honourable Member

This weekly podcast keeps me sane. There’s a genuine friendship between Liam and Alison, which creates a nice chemistry on the show. Their different specialisms and skill sets also complement one another well. Please don’t ever stop creating these podcasts.
Excellent

31 Oct

Elkie 2023

As always an excellent podcast. Alison and Liam are entertaining and interesting. The budget explanation was the best on the airwaves.