The Bunker – News without the nonsense

Bad-Man and Robbins – Weekly Wrap-Up with Jonn Elledge

Fri, 24 Apr 2026 03:00:00 -0000

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Starmer has had another tumultuous week amid the Peter Mandelson and Olly Robbins drama. Is there a route back and who’s really benefiting from the fallout?

Plus: The Onion buys Alex Jones’s InfoWars, Donald Trump’s administration shows fresh signs of strain as the Iran ceasefire is extended, and how worried should we be about Anthropic’s new model Mythos? Jacob Jarvis is joined by Jonn Elledge to unpack the biggest stories from the past week.

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Written and presented by Jacob Jarvis with Jonn Elledge. Producer: Kathleen Johnston. Production Assistant: Jake Preston. Audio production: Simon Williams. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Artwork by James Parrett. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Written and presented by: Jacob Jarvis with Jonn Elledge. Producer: Kathleen Johnston. Production Assistant: Jake Preston. Audio production: Simon Williams. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Artwork by James Parrett. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Magyar Mystery – Is Hungary’s new PM really a dream for liberals?

Thu, 23 Apr 2026 03:00:00 -0000

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Péter Magyar’s stunning victory over Hungary’s arch-populist Viktor Orbán put progressives around the world into raptures. Was this the beginning of the end for the European far-right? But behind the energy and charisma, Magyar is a complex figure – driven, ruthless, a traditional conservative and graduate of Orbán’s Fidesz movement, and maybe not exactly the centre-left’s dream date. Euronews EU Correspondent Sandor Zsiros takes Andrew Harrison on a tour of the formative years and astonishing scandals that put Péter Magyar on course to Make Hungary Sane Again.

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Written and presented by Andrew Harrison. Audio production: Robin Leeburn and Chris Jones. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Artwork by James Parrett. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Navigating the Misinformation Minefield – with Bellingcat’s Eliot Higgins

Wed, 22 Apr 2026 03:00:00 -0000

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The news is no longer what people in power want to hide – it’s what algorithms say will keep you clicking. And it’s become a breeding ground for misinformation. As powerful, politically-connected people tighten their grip on what we read and hear, how do you know what to trust? Eliot Higgins of the investigative journalist group Bellingcat tells Rafael Behr how the news environment is evolving, and why open-source intelligence – freely-available information that’s hiding in plain sight – can break us out of the world of managed news.

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Written and presented by Rafael Behr. Audio production: Robin Leeburn. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Music by Kenny Dickinson. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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How to Fight the Populists – Liam Byrne MP on ending the Age of Rage

Tue, 21 Apr 2026 03:00:00 -0000

The far-right “Unite The Kingdom” march in London in September 2025 was an unprecedented display of populist, xenophobic anger. It shocked the country – but it didn’t surprise Liam Byrne, the Labour MP and former minister who dissects the Age of Rage in his book, Why Populists Are Winning – And How To Beat Them. He talks to Zoe Grünewald about how mainstream politics took away ordinary people’s certainties and left them prey to unscrupulous, well-funded demagogues – and what we need to do to turn back the populist tide.

NB This episode was recorded before the defeat of Viktor Orbán in Hungary.

• Buy Why Populists Are Winning through our affiliate bookshop and you’ll help fund the podcast by earning us a small commission for every sale. Bookshop.org’s fees help support independent bookshops too.

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Written and presented by Zoë Grünewald. Producer: Liam Tait. Audio production: Tom Taylor. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Artwork by James Parrett. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Starmer and Mandelson 2: Judgement Day – Start Your Week with Gavin Esler

Mon, 20 Apr 2026 09:20:00 -0000

The Mandelson scandal is back and all eyes are on Starmer as he looks to once again justify the baffling and increasingly disastrous appointment. Gavin Esler joins Jacob Jarvis to discuss what could happen and what it all means, plus the latest from Trump’s war in Iran, political change in Hungary and more.

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Written and presented by Jacob Jarvis with Gavin Esler. Audio production: Simon Williams. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Music by Kenny Dickinson. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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The Dope vs. The Pope – Weekly Wrap-Up with Alex von Tunzelmann

Fri, 17 Apr 2026 03:00:00 -0000

Labour and Reform battle over women’s votes – but what are either of the parties actually talking about? Plus: Tucker Carlson launches a publishing house with Russell Brand on board, Donald Trump starts a feud with the Pope, and US–Iran conflict rumbles on. Jacob Jarvis is joined by Alex von Tunzelmann to unpack the biggest stories from the past week.

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Written and presented by: Jacob Jarvis with Alex von Tunzelmann. Producer: Kathleen Johnston. Production Assistant: Jake Preston. Audio production: Tom Taylor. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Artwork by James Parrett. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Populism Will Eat Itself? – How Orbán’s defeat changes the game

Thu, 16 Apr 2026 03:00:00 -0000

The stunning defeat of Viktor Orbán and his “illiberal democracy” project in Hungary appears to be a humiliating blow to Trump, Vance, Putin, Farage, and populists across the world. (Who will host their get-togethers now?) But is it really the beginning of the end for far-right authoritarianism, or something more complex? Jason Pack – host of the Disorder podcast and Associate Fellow at the Royal United Services Institute – talks to Andrew Harrison about why Orbán fell, where the “neopopulist” go next, and what fans of democracy should learn from Peter Magyar’s victory.

• Support us on Patreon to join the Oh God, What Now vs Origin Story Podclash on Thursday 30 April.

“Newsomania” – Can Governor Gavin undo the Age of Trump?

Wed, 15 Apr 2026 03:00:00 -0000

Who is Gavin Newsom and what does he want? Does the California Governor have the right stuff to put the Democrats back in power and wrest America back from its ruinous MAGA direction? Or is he a bit too slick and slippery to fulfil the hopes of beleaguered progressives?

The Independent’s Washington Correspondent Eric Garcia talks to Dorian Lynskey about “Newsomania”, the Governor’s merciless social media game and chequered history, and the contradictions of a man who grew up poor yet who numbered the Gettys among his family friends. “He’s one of the most politically acrobatic figures I’ve ever seen… and it makes people ask, does this guy have any real beliefs?”

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Written and presented by Dorian Lynskey. Producer: Andrew Harrison. Audio production: Simon Williams. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Artwork by James Parrett. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Sick Boy – How RFK’s crank health agenda is making America ill again

Tue, 14 Apr 2026 03:00:00 -0000

When Trump appointed the crankish Robert F Kennedy Jr to head America’s Department of Health and Human Services, he brought paranoid, anti-science “do your own research” thinking to the centre of US health policy. Kennedy has since promoted extreme anti-vaxxers, cut cancer and vaccine research, and spread dangerous lies about autism and vaccination. Now measles is surging in the US and trust in public health institutions is collapsing. Will RFK’s “Make America Healthy Again” agenda usher in a new age of mass disease?

Dr Gigi Gronvall, Senior Scholar at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security, talks to Emma Kennedy about the dangers of Kennedy’s misinformation agenda – and how America can rebuild its public health capabilities.

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Written and presented by Emma Kennedy. Producer: Liam Tait. Audio production: Tom Taylor. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Artwork by James Parrett. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Hungary Like The Wolf – Start Your Week with Ros Taylor

Mon, 13 Apr 2026 08:39:00 -0000

Setting out the news stories of the week ahead… Today, good news for once as far-right poster boy Viktor Orbán takes a crushing defeat in Hungary. Plus, Starmer takes UK closer to EU using the tools the Brexiters forged, and they do NOT like it. Trump is bored of Iran and looking for something else to wreck. And the Southport murders and COVID vaccine inquiries both report. Ros Taylor and Andrew Harrison get you up to speed on the next seven days.

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Written and presented by Andrew Harrison. Audio production: Simon Williams. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Artwork by James Parrett. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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You're ceasefired! Trump's Iran meltdown – Weekly Wrap-Up with Zoë Grünewald

Fri, 10 Apr 2026 03:00:00 -0000

Donald Trump’s ceasefire deal in Iran has left everyone confused. Does anyone know what’s actually happening? Plus: Kanye West being banned from the UK, Viktor Orbán faces election defeat and a £4 million donation to Reform from a crypto billionaire. Jacob Jarvis is joined by Zoë Grunewald to round up the biggest stories from the past week.

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Written and presented by: Jacob Jarvis with Zoë Grunewald. Producer: Kathleen Johnston. Production Assistant: Jake Preston. Audio production: Simon Williams. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Artwork by James Parrett. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Radioactive Ghosts – The lessons of Chernobyl 40 years on

Thu, 09 Apr 2026 03:00:00 -0000

A culture of fear, blame, obedience and corner-cutting sets in chain a devastating course of events. Millions are displaced, many die and the effects last for decades. Sounds familiar? On 26 April 1986, reactor no.‍4 of the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant near Pripyat in modern Ukraine exploded, spreading radioactive contaminants across the Soviet Union and Europe. The disaster would eventually cost $700bn and hasten the fall of the USSR. Adam Higginbotham is the author of the definitive work on the accident, Midnight in Chernobyl. He tells Andrew Harrison how the culture that led to Chernobyl wasn’t confined to Soviet Russia – and how Putin’s war on Ukraine risks stirring up Chernobyl’s radioactive poisons all over again

• Buy Midnight in Chernobyl and/or Challenger: A True Story of Heroism and Disaster on the Edge of Space through our affiliate bookshop and you’ll help fund the podcast by earning us a small commission for every sale. Bookshop.org’s fees help support independent bookshops too.

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Written and presented by Group Editor Andrew Harrison. Audio production: Tom Taylor & Dom Delargy. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Artwork by James Parrett. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Profits of Rage – Why the Manosphere is a pyramid scheme

Wed, 08 Apr 2026 03:00:00 -0000

The toxic stew of grievance, misogyny and self-pity known as the Manosphere isn’t just warping young men’s minds and legitimising contempt for women. It’s become big business for influencers like Andrew Tate, HSTikkyTokky and others. If disaffected young men pay enough into their “Universities” they can ascend to ever-higher levels with names like “the War Room”. There they learn that women and woke are to blame for all their problems, and they can learn how to master both… if they keep paying enough.

Debbie Ging, Professor of Digital Media and Gender at Dublin City University, talks to Zoë Grünewald about the economics of the Manosphere and how the quest for fast cars and compliant women can become a ruinously expensive pursuit.

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Written by Zoë Grünewald and Sophie Clark and presented by Zoe Grünewald. Producer: Liam Tait. Audio production: Tom Taylor. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Artwork by James Parrett. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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You can't handle the Truth Social – Start Your Week with Alex von Tunzelmann

Tue, 07 Apr 2026 09:37:00 -0000

Trump is making increasingly intense threats against Iran and coming off as more and more unhinged. Alex von Tunzelmann joins Jacob Jarvis to discuss how out of the ordinary all of this is, why it’s not being stopped and how it could unfold.

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Written and presented by Jacob Jarvis with Alex von Tunzelmann. Audio production: Robin Leeburn. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Music by Kenny Dickinson. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Trump's Iran solution: War crimes! – Weekly Wrap-Up with Zoë Grünewald

Fri, 03 Apr 2026 03:00:00 -0000

Donald Trump declares the war will be over soon and rambles violently in the process. Again. But should we take this seriously or is this just another wild claim? Plus: ‘bimbofication’, yes we’re not sure either, Keir Starmer calls for closer EU ties and Artemis 2 launches. Jacob Jarvis is joined by Zoë Grunewald to discuss another busy week.

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Written and presented by: Jacob Jarvis with Zoë Grunewald. Producer: Liam Tait and Kathleen Johnston. Production Assistant: Jake Preston. Audio production: Tom Taylor. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Artwork by James Parrett. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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The Man who Built God – Meet the Oppenheimer of artificial superintelligence

Thu, 02 Apr 2026 03:00:00 -0000

The creation of Artificial General Intelligence could be the greatest gamble mankind has ever undertaken. And one of its unlikely prime movers is a working class north Londoner and chess prodigy, the son of immigrant parents, who founded the groundbreaking company DeepMind to create machine superintelligence – a goal which if achieved could transform or destroy our world. Unlike the Altmans and the Musks, Demis Hassabis has the decency to fear what he is creating.

The story of this 21st Century Oppenheimer is told in The Infinity Machine: Demis Hassabis, DeepMind and the Quest for Superintelligence. Author Sebastian Mallaby talks to Emma Kennedy about Hassabis’s journey and where it could take us.

• Buy The Infinity Machine: Demis Hassabis, DeepMind and the Quest for Superintelligence through our affiliate bookshop and you’ll help fund the podcast by earning us a small commission for every sale. Bookshop.org’s fees help support independent bookshops too.

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Written and presented by Emma Kennedy. Produced by Sophie Clark. Audio production: Robin Leeburn. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Artwork by James Parrett. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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It’s P.C. gone mad – 50 years of Apple Computer

Wed, 01 Apr 2026 03:00:00 -0000

The Golden Apple… From the boxy, upstart Apple II computer to the world-changing iPod and iPhone and beyond, Apple Inc. has shaped both the digital world and our own reality since it was founded on 1 April, 1976. Steve Jobs and creators like Jony Ive brought sleek consumer design to the masses, saved the music business, and created the app industry – but Apple has also grown into a corporate behemoth which kowtows to Trump. On Apple’s 50th birthday, tech journalist Craig Grannell talks to Alex von Tunzelmann about how it became the world’s most valuable brand… the disasters that happened along the way… and whether Apple can survive the age of A.I.

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Written and presented by Alex von Tunzelmann. Produced by Sophie Clark. Audio production by Robin Leeburn. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Artwork by James Parrett. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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CrashGPT – Will A.I. trigger a 2008-style financial crisis?

Tue, 31 Mar 2026 03:00:00 -0000

Artificial Intelligence is being touted as civilisational game-changer – and a miracle cure for Britain’s ailing economy. So far it’s all promise and no real achievement. But investors are still piling vast sums of money into a very few companies. Could that concentrated investment lay the world open to another financial crisis? Joshua Roberts, Capital Markets Correspondent for The Economist, talks to Seth Thévoz about the “apocalyptic bubble-bursting scenario.”

“We have never seen companies this highly since the DotCom boom,” he says. “And that was followed by a huge crash.”

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Written and presented by Seth Thévoz. Audio production by Robin Leeburn with thanks to Jason Hosken at The Economist. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Artwork by James Parrett. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Some Boots on Some Ground? – Start Your Week with Gavin Esler

Mon, 30 Mar 2026 08:50:00 -0000

Setting up the big stories of the next seven days… As Trump runs out of options will he take the biggest step of all: a ground invasion of at least part of Iran? And can he do it while convincing that it’s not really “boots on the ground”? Plus: The financial consequences of the Iran War land in the UK right at the start of the local, Scottish and Welsh election campaigns. Apple Computer’s 50th birthday. The decision on Trump’s nightmare ballroom. And could YOU be the next Tottenham Hotspur manager? Gavin Esler and Andrew Harrison wade through the week that’s coming.

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Written and presented by Andrew Harrison. Audio production by Simon Williams. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Artwork by James Parrett. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Starmer finds Farage's Crypto-nite – Weekly Wrap-Up with Seth Thévoz

Fri, 27 Mar 2026 04:00:00 -0000

The government is placing new limits on crypto and overseas donations — but is this about national security or is Starmer just worried about Farage’s fundraising power? Plus: Boris Johnson dubs himself the “Napoleon of Notting Hill”, and Trump’s 15-point peace plan falls flat. Jacob Jarvis is joined by Seth Thévoz to round up the biggest stories from the past week.

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Written and presented by: Jacob Jarvis with Seth Thévoz. Producer: Liam Tait and Kathleen Johnston. Production Assistant: Jake Preston. Audio production: Tom Taylor. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Artwork by James Parrett. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Hot Take Time Machine – March’s weirdest columns with Miranda Sawyer and Jonn Elledge

Thu, 26 Mar 2026 04:00:00 -0000

Every day we’re swamped with weird takes on everything from the Iran war to the malevolence of pigeons. Now Paper Cuts survivors Miranda Sawyer and Jonn Elledge join Jacob Jarvis to discuss the weirdest (and occasionally best) columns of the month… so you don’t have to.

This time: Terrible Iran takes, energy bill nightmares and a loving look at Adrian Chiles’ latest offerings.

• Spotted a column we should talk about next time? Send it to info@bunkercast.co.uk

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Written and presented by Jacob Jarvis. Producer: Liam Tait. Audio production: Robin Leeburn. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Artwork by James Parrett. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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A picture of the future – A new movie captures what George Orwell knew about 2026

Wed, 25 Mar 2026 04:00:00 -0000

George Orwell’s vision of a world of constant surveillance, where authoritarians rule by destroying the very concept of objective truth, is coming true in ways the author never predicted – and many ways he did. A new documentary film, Orwell: 2+2=5 by the acclaimed Haitian director Raoul Peck, connects the dots between 1984, Animal Farm, Big Data and mass manipulation in the digital age.

Our own Orwell correspondent Dorian Lynskey – author of The Ministry of Truth: A Biography of George Orwell’s 1984 – talks to Andrew Harrison about what George Orwell really understood about the human mind, and why the world needs to stop misusing “Orwellian”.

• Orwell: 2+2=5 opens in selected cinemas on Fri 27 March.

• Buy The Ministry of Truth: A Biography of George Orwell’s 1984 through our affiliate bookshop and you’ll help fund the podcast by earning us a small commission for every sale. Bookshop.org’s fees help support independent bookshops too.

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MAGA’s new plan to take Canada without firing a shot

Tue, 24 Mar 2026 04:00:00 -0000

Canada slapped down Trump’s bizarre fantasy of taking over the country when it elected Mark Carney as PM, and Canadians are still boycotting travel to the USA. But MAGA has not given up on its ambition of annexing the North. And they’re targeting the province of Alberta, known as “The Texas of the North” – a place that’s innately right-wing, suspicious of government, resentful of the rest of the country, and full of oil.

Canadian journalist John Last talks to Ros Taylor from Ottawa about the subversive campaign to MAGA-fy this chunk of Canada, and whether a mix of “useful idiots”, far-right cranks and redpilled Trump fanboys could turn Alberta into Canada’s equivalent of the Donbas. His verdict? “The core of this movement is treasonous.”

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Written and presented by Ros Taylor. Produced by Sophie Clark. Audio production: Robin Leeburn. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Artwork by James Parrett. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Has Iran won the Iran War? – Start Your Week with Gavin Esler

Mon, 23 Mar 2026 09:55:00 -0000

Setting out the stories of the next seven days… Trump’s directionless assault on Iran reaches a decisive moment. Does the President declare arbitrary victory or press on? And with its regime renewed, its grip on the world economy tightening, and the US now abandoning oil sanctions, is Iran actually winning? Plus: the new BBC Director General, a possible antisemitic hate crime in Golders Green, and everybody get ready for the annual “they’re banning Easter” squabblefest. Gavin Esler and Andrew Harrison set out the week ahead.

• The Together Against The Far Right demonstration is on Sat 28 March.

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Written and presented by Group Editor Andrew Harrison. Audio production: Simon Williams. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Artwork by James Parrett. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Here comes the Rayner again – Weekly Wrap-Up with Alex von Tunzelmann

Fri, 20 Mar 2026 04:00:00 -0000

Angela Rayner sparked speculation this week after warning Labour is “running out of time”. Is this the first sign of a leadership bid, or media overexcitement? Plus: a meningitis outbreak in Kent raises fresh public health concerns, and as the conflict in Iran enters its fourth week, is Donald Trump losing control of the narrative? Jacob Jarvis is joined by Alex von Tunzelmann to unpack a packed week.

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Written and presented by: Jacob Jarvis with Alex von Tunzelmann. Producer: Liam Tait and Kathleen Johnston. Production Assistant: Jake Preston. Audio production: Tom Taylor. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Artwork by James Parrett. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Back the Future? – What is Europe for in the 21st Century?

Thu, 19 Mar 2026 04:00:00 -0000

With war in Ukraine, the US almost our enemy, Brexit Britain now semi-detached and Putin waiting in the wings, the continent that rebuilt itself from the ruins of two world wars now finds its founding settlement under unprecedented pressure. Does Europe need to go back to find its future? Historian Roderick Beaton, author of Europe: A New History, joins Alex von Tunzelmann to trace how Europe was forged, how it has weathered cycles of integration and disintegration, and what its future might look like in this new era of uncertainty.

• Pre-order Europe: A New History through our affiliate bookshop and you’ll help fund the podcast by earning us a small commission for every sale. Bookshop.org’s fees help support independent bookshops too.

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Written and presented by Alex von Tunzelmann. Producer: Andrew Harrison. Production Assistant: Jake Preston. Audio production: Simon Williams. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Artwork by James Parrett. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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The rise of “Muskism” – Will we live in Elon Musk’s nightmare future?

Wed, 18 Mar 2026 04:00:00 -0000

Elon Musk wants much more than just a radicalised far-right population, a hotline to political power and a civil war in Britain. As Quinn Slobodian and Ben Tarnoff, authors of Muskism: A Guide For The Perplexed explain, he’s building no less than a dark new way for society to function. Under ‘Muskism’, technology envelopes every aspect of life, states and corporations are indistinguishable, and humans who disagree are just bugs in the code. But will Muskism survive its creator?

Andrew Harrison talks to the authors about the state subsidies that built Musk’s empire, the real reasons he went over the edge, and why Musk keeps drawing all the wrong conclusions from the science fiction he claims to love.

• Buy Muskism: A Guide For The Perplexed through our affiliate bookshop and you’ll help fund the podcast by earning us a small commission for every sale. Bookshop.org’s fees help support independent bookshops too.

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Written and presented by Andrew Harrison. Audio production: Robin Leeburn. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Artwork by James Parrett. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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The secret history of nuclear weapons

Tue, 17 Mar 2026 04:00:00 -0000

With Trump’s war to (he claims) end Iran’s nuclear programme pushing the world to the brink, the question of who has the Bomb and why feels more urgent than ever. But the untold story of how nuclear weaponry proliferated and shaped our world is even stranger than most of us know. Historian David Holloway, author of Nuclear Weapons: An International History, explores how the Bomb reshaped global politics with Dorian Lynskey. From the US-Soviet arms race to the rise of “Mutual Assured Destruction”, we came closer to destruction that we knew. How did we avoid it – and will we always be as lucky?

• Buy David’s book Nuclear Weapons: An International History through our affiliate bookshop and you’ll be helping the podcast by earning us a small commission for every sale. Bookshop.org’s fees help support independent bookshops too.

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Written and presented by Dorian Lynskey. Producer: Andrew Harrison. Audio production: Robin Leeburn. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Artwork by James Parrett. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Dire Straits – Start Your Week with Ros Taylor and Andrew Harrison

Mon, 16 Mar 2026 10:05:00 -0000

Setting up the stories of the next seven days… As Iran blockades the Straits of Hormuz and 20% of the world’s oil supply, can Trump cajole/bully other nations into clearing up the mess he caused? Including Britain? Plus: Ed Davey goes full Oppenheimer and calls for Britain to build its own nukes. Rachel Reeves tries to kickstart the economy (again). And the last word on the bitter “Should we replace Winston Churchill with an otter?” controversy that has torn the country apart. Ros Taylor and Andrew Harrison set out your week ahead.

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The Mandelson Files: What do they tell us about Starmer? – Weekly Wrap-Up with Zoë Grūnewald

Fri, 13 Mar 2026 04:00:00 -0000

Lord Mandelson is back in the spotlight after newly released documents revealed Keir Starmer was warned about his links to Jeffrey Epstein before appointing him ambassador. Plus: we unpack Donald Trump’s U-turn on Iran, Zoë Grünewald explains why Kemi Badenoch is her loser of the week, and finally Jacob Jarvis asks what removal of hereditary peers in the House of Lords will change about UK politics.

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Written and presented by: Jacob Jarvis with Zoë Grünewald. Producer: Liam Tait and Kathleen Johnston. Production Assistant: Jake Preston. Audio production: Tom Taylor. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Artwork by James Parrett. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Law & Order: Artificial Intelligence Unit – How do we police A.I.?

Thu, 12 Mar 2026 04:00:00 -0000

As artificial intelligence systems become more powerful, what crimes should we prepare for it to commit? Can the law keep up with code? And when A.I. is misused, who’s actually responsible?

Today on The Bunker, Kate Devlin is joined by Dr Federica Fedorczyk, Research Fellow at University of Oxford and an A.I. ethics specialist, to unpack how artificial intelligence is already challenging the criminal justice system and what happens when the law struggles to keep pace.

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Written and presented by Kate Devlin. Producer: Liam Tait. Production Assistant: Jake Preston. Audio production: Robin Leeburn. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Artwork by James Parrett. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Is Trump vs Iran just a re-run of Bush’s war on Iraq?

Wed, 11 Mar 2026 04:00:00 -0000

A shock-and-awe attack on a Middle East country based on a faulty premise. No clear rationale, no exit strategy and a premature declaration of victory. Thousands of deaths with no clear end in sight. By attacking Iran, is Trump just re-running America’s disastrous 2003 invasion of Iraq? Or is this time even more poorly-planned and even worse? Dr Renad Mansour of Chatham House’s Middle East and North Africa Programme talks to Andrew Harrison about the similarities between America’s great military follies.

• Read Renad Mansour on Iran and more at Chatham House .

Support The Bunker at www.patreon.com/bunkercast

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Inheritance Tax – Is everything we know about “Britain’s most hated tax” wrong?

Tue, 10 Mar 2026 04:00:00 -0000

Read any paper to the right of The Guardian and you’ll see furious condemnation of “tax raids” on “grieving families”, and a Labour plot to destroy the Middle Class and farmers via the “hated” inheritance tax “trap”. Yet IHT makes up only 0.7% of Government revenue and fewer than 5% of people leave enough to be subject to it. Why is Britain neurotic about a tax that so few pay? And with huge inheritances and the Bank of Mum and Dad creating a two-tier society of those with family wealth and those without, should we want to increase IHT not cut it?

Senior fund manager Dan Kemp looked after $350bn in assets at the finance giant Morningstar, and now runs a new company, Portfolio Thinking. He tells Andrew Harrison why even he thinks simply cutting inheritance tax is a bad idea.

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Written and presented by Andrew Harrison. Producer: Liam Tait. Audio production: Simon Williams. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Artwork by James Parrett. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Don't mention the war! – Start Your Week with Rafael Behr and Jacob Jarvis

Mon, 09 Mar 2026 09:44:00 -0000

Trump’s war in Iran continues and Britain’s right wing gang are desperate for Starmer to get more involved despite the obvious reasons not to. Why are they cheerleading what could be another disastrous and drawn out conflict in the Middle East? Rafael Behr joins Jacob Jarvis to discuss what’s going on and how the UK may or may not get further involved.

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Written and presented by Jacob Jarvis with Rafael Behr. Audio production: Simon Williams. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Music by Kenny Dickinson. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Stuck In The Middle East With You – Weekly Wrap-Up with Jonn Elledge

Fri, 06 Mar 2026 04:00:00 -0000

Rounding up the stories of the last seven days… Trump shatters international law, triggers a conflagration across the Middle East and insults Keir Starmer into the bargain. Also: Shabana Mahmood doubles down on immigration harshness after the Gorton & Denton disaster. The Fall of the House of Brewdog. And who’s been visiting Salford Lads’ Club? Jonn Elledge revisits the week just gone with Andrew Harrison.

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Written and presented by Andrew Harrison. Audio production by Tom Taylor. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Artwork by James Parrett. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Elon Musk's A.I. gamble – Could it destroy him?

Thu, 05 Mar 2026 04:00:00 -0000

Elon Musk is betting big on artificial intelligence. But is this a visionary leap forward, or a high-stakes gamble? His latest move is to merge SpaceX with his A.I. lab xAI, consolidating his companies’ finances and laying the groundwork for something even more ambitious: satellite data centres designed to push A.I. development into space.Zoë Grünewald is joined by The Economist’s US technology editor Henry Tricks to unpack Musk’s moves, what it means for the world’s richest man, and whether this enormous bet on A.I. could end up putting his empire on the line.

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Written and presented by Zoë Grünewald. Producer: Liam Tait and Sophie Clark. Audio production: Robin Leeburn. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Artwork by James Parrett. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Reform’s “British ICE” — Why it would never work

Wed, 04 Mar 2026 04:00:00 -0000

Last week Zia Yusuf, floated a headline-grabbing idea: a British version of America’s deeply unpopular ICE. Today on The Bunker, Zoë Grünewald speaks to Sunder Katwala, director of British Future and author of How to be a Patriot, to unpack what a “British ICE” would actually mean in practice and how the politics of deportation are fast becoming a race to the bottom.

• Buy Sunder’s book How to Be a Patriot: Why Love of Country Can End Our Very British Culture War through our affiliate bookshop and you’ll be helping the podcast by earning us a small commission for every sale. Bookshop.org’s fees help support independent bookshops too.

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Written and presented by Zoë Grünewald. Producer: Liam Tait and Sophie Clark. Audio production: Tom Taylor. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Artwork by James Parrett. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Will Trump turn America’s 250th birthday into a MAGA-fest?

Tue, 03 Mar 2026 04:00:00 -0000

Is Trump using America’s 250th anniversary to rebrand the USA in his own gaudy, aggressive, white nationalist image? There’ll be a “Patriot Games” high school athletics tournament, quickly dubbed America’s Hunger Games. Commemorative quarter coins have been scrubbed of any “woke” content. There’ll be mixed martial arts on the White House lawn. And Trump’s organisers of the celebrations are charging for access to the President. What would George Washington think?

South Carolina political commentator, historical preservationist and navy veteran Mike Bedenbaugh is the author of a new book, Reviving Our Republic. He tells Andrew Harrison why the “Semiquincentennial” is a last-ditch chance for America to rediscover its purpose.

• This edition was recorded before America’s attack on Iran.

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Written and presented by Andrew Harrison. Producer: Liam Tait. Audio production by Robin Leeburn. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Artwork by James Parrett. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Trump, Iran and a world on the brink – Start Your Week with Rafael Behr

Mon, 02 Mar 2026 10:01:00 -0000

Trump’s attacks on Iran have thrown the Middle East into chaos and left the world on the brink of what feels like an existential crisis. What is he doing and why now? And how will this situation develop and worsen in the coming days? Rafael Behr joins Jacob Jarvis to discuss this and the latest British politics updates in Start Your Week.

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The absolute State of the Union – Weekly Wrap-Up with Rafael Behr and Jacob Jarvis

Thu, 26 Feb 2026 17:00:00 -0000

Donald Trump delivered a record-length State of the Union address this week, in a marathon rant that has become the new normal. Plus, we explore the looming special educational needs reforms in the UK and check in on Kim Jong Un. And also, the weird story of an army of robot vacuum cleaners… Jacob Jarvis is joined by The Guardian’s Rafael Behr to comb over another wild week.

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Written and presented by Jacob Jarvis with Rafael Behr. Producer: Liam Tait and Kathleen Johnston. Production Assistant: Jake Preston. Audio production: Tom Taylor. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Artwork by James Parrett. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Hot Take Time Machine – February’s weirdest opinion columns with Miranda Sawyer and Jonn Elledge

Thu, 26 Feb 2026 04:00:00 -0000

We read the columns and the pundits so you don’t have to… On this month’s round-up of the weirdest, worst and occasionally best opinion columns: Brutal takes on Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor from Camilla Long (Sunday Times) and Sophie Money-Coutts (Telegraph) while Brendan O’Neill (who else?). Plus: The Telegraph defends child labour, the Mail rages against fare-dodgers, and why the I’s Kate Lister is the best sex columnist on the planet. Paper Cuts alumni Jonn Elledge and Miranda Sawyer join Andrew Harrison to dismantle February’s punditry.

• Got a column we should be talking about next month? Send it to info@bunkercast.co.uk

THE COLUMNS:

• Camilla Long on Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor in the Sunday Times.

• Brendan O’Neill on “The hunting of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor”

• Sophia Money-Coutts – “I know how high society works – and why the Epstein scandal could easily happen again”

• Angus Colwell in defence of child labour in the Telegraph

• Gaby Hinsliff in the Guardian – “Do you remember your first crappy job? Today’s young people would wish for half your luck”

• Kate Lister in the i – Pushing for an open marriage? Check your market worth first

• Dominic Lawson in the Mail – Why on earth would a wealthy banker dodge £5,900 in train fares?

Keep The Bunker proudly independent by backling us at www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Written and presented by Andrew Harrison. Producer: Liam Tait with Sophie Clark. Audio production: Robin Leeburn. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Artwork by James Parrett. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Obama says aliens are real. What more does he know?

Wed, 25 Feb 2026 04:00:00 -0000

Barack Obama set the internet alight when he declared on a podcast that aliens are “real”. However, the former US president later insisted that, while in office, he saw no evidence of this and that he was just answering a speed round question.

Once the preserve of late-night radio and fringe forums, UFOs are now discussed in Congress, scrutinised by the Pentagon and casually referenced by presidential hopefuls. Alex von Tunzelmann separates fact from fantasy with Andy McGrillen, author of Atlas of Unidentified Flying Objects and host of That UFO Podcast to find out what’s the difference between serious scientific inquiry and full-blown conspiracy culture?

• Buy Andy’s book Atlas of Unidentified Flying Objects and Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena through our affiliate bookshop and you’ll be helping the podcast by earning us a small commission for every sale. Bookshop.org’s fees help support independent bookshops too.

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Written and presented by Alex von Tunzelmann. Producer: Liam Tait. Audio production: Robin Leeburn. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Artwork by James Parrett. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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China's military crisis – Is Beijing's army on the brink of collapse?

Tue, 24 Feb 2026 04:00:00 -0000

The sudden ousting of two of China’s top military leaders has sparked intense speculation about what it says about Xi Jinping’s grip on power. From Mao to today, the Chinese Communist Party has repeatedly removed senior figures accused of corruption, incompetence, or simply becoming inconvenient. What’s going on this time? Today on The Bunker, Gavin Esler is joined by Daria Impiombato, Senior Analyst at the Mercator Institute for China Studies, joins us to unpack it all.

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Written and presented by Gavin Esler. Producer: Liam Tait. Audio production: Robin Leeburn. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Artwork by James Parrett. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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I shot the tariffs – Start Your Week with Gavin Esler and Jacob Jarvis

Mon, 23 Feb 2026 10:11:00 -0000

Trump is causing chaos again with a tariff tantrum while Starmer’s Labour faces a major test at the upcoming Gorton and Denton byelection. Gavin Esler joins Jacob Jarvis to discuss the news to look out for in the week ahead.

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Written and presented by Jacob Jarvis with Gavin Esler. Audio production: Robin Leeburn. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Music by Kenny Dickinson. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Epstein scandal sparks Andrew arrest: What next? – Weekly Wrap-up with Alex von Tunzelmann

Thu, 19 Feb 2026 15:25:00 -0000

The week’s major stories in one place… In a shock development connected to the Epstein Files, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor is arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office. As King Charles distances himself from his disgraced brother, what impact will this have on the future of the royal family?

Plus more of the biggest stories of the week, including Reform’s “shadow cabinet”, the latest bizarre viral video to come out of RFK Jr.’s Make America Healthy Again initiative, and a hotel scam that will have you quietly applauding – with Jacob Jarvis and Alex von Tunzelmann.

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Written and presented by Jacob Jarvis with Alex von Tunzelmann. Producer: Liam Tait and Kathleen Johnston. Production Assistant: Jake Preston. Audio production: Simon Williams . Music by Kenny Dickinson. Artwork by James Parrett. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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No jobs, what now? – Are we ready for a world without work?

Thu, 19 Feb 2026 04:00:00 -0000

Artificial intelligence is chewing through the economy, wiping out manual work and supposedly safe professional jobs alike. Are politicians’ promises that A.I. will create new, better jobs to replace the ones it destroys hollow? How will we handle a world with drastically fewer jobs? Will it be an Oscar Wilde paradise or a Matrix nightmare? And did the Luddites have a point after all? Economic analyst and author of A World Without Work Daniel Susskind meets Andrew Harrison at the New Claims window.

• Buy A World Without Work through our affiliate bookshop and you’ll help fund the podcast by earning us a small commission for every sale. Bookshop.org’s fees help support independent bookshops too.

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Written and presented by Andrew Harrison. Producer: Liam Tait. Audio production by Simon Willia,s. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Artwork by James Parrett. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Two's a crowd – How the Whigs vs. Tories shaped modern Britain

Wed, 18 Feb 2026 04:00:00 -0000

How did Britain, a country bursting with factions, movements and rebellions, end up dominated by two major parties? Today in The Bunker, Seth Thévoz is joined by historian George Owers, author of The Rage of Party, to trace the fierce rivalry between Whigs and Tories that shaped our modern political norms and to explore why its legacy still shapes every election Britain fights.

Buy George’s book The Rage of Party: How Whig Versus Tory Made Modern Britain through our affiliate bookshop and you’ll be helping the podcast by earning us a small commission for every sale. Bookshop.org’s fees help support independent bookshops too.

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Written and presented by Seth Thévoz. Producer: Liam Tait. Audio production: Robin Leeburn. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Artwork by James Parrett. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Is the Russian military really as powerful as we’re told?

Tue, 17 Feb 2026 04:00:00 -0000

The Russian army invading Ukraine today is very different to the one which started the conflict. How are things going for Putin’s military – and how can Ukraine and Europe push back against them? Shashank Joshi, defence editor at The Economist, joins Gavin Esler to discuss.

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Written and presented by Gavin Esler. Audio editor: Simon Williams. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Design by James Parrett. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Harsh Realities in Munich – Start Your Week with Ros Taylor and Andrew Harrison

Mon, 16 Feb 2026 10:16:00 -0000

Setting up the stories of the week ahead… At the Munich Security Conference, Yvette Cooper calls out Russia for the murder of Alexei Navalny but what is Britain going to do about it? And what’s behind Marco Rubio’s apparently conciliatory tone? Plus Britain rushes forward a social media ban for teenagers, John Healey is this week’s next Keir Starmer… and are you ready for the Chinese Year of the Fire Horse? Ros Taylor and Andrew Harrison guide you through the next seven days.

• Hear more on Britain’s preparations to deter war with Russia on the next edition of Oh God, What Now?

• Pic: Keir Starmer, Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper and Defence Secretary John Healey during the 62nd Munich Security Conference on February 14, 2026 in Munich, Germany. (Getty)

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Written and presented by Andrew Harrison. Producer: Liam Tait. Audio production by Simon Williams. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Artwork by James Parrett. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Starmer safe, but for how long? – Weekly Wrap-up with Jonn Elledge and Andrew Harrison

Fri, 13 Feb 2026 04:00:00 -0000

Keir Starmer survives the worst week of his premiership – just. The Epstein whirlpool drags Sarah Ferguson downwards (astonishing BBC feature here). New investigations into Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor. Plus: the US Government trolls LGBTQ+ Americans by removing Pride flags from outside the Stonewall Inn. The winners and losers of the week. And no pork scratchings at the Peppa Pig stage show. Jonn Elledge and Andrew Harrison round up the stories of the week that’s just gone.

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Written and presented by Andrew Harrison. Producer: Liam Tait. Audio production: Tom Taylor. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Artwork by James Parrett. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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The Full Brontë – Why everyone gets Wuthering Heights wrong

Thu, 12 Feb 2026 04:00:00 -0000

The new Wuthering Heights film is already sparking debate. From saucy costume choices to renewed arguments over what Heathcliff should look like, raising a bigger question: Why are we still arguing about a novel published nearly 200 years ago? Today in The Bunker, Alex von Tunzelmann is joined by historian, playwright and author Samantha Ellis, How to be a Heroine, to ask: have we all been getting Wuthering Heights wrong this whole time?

Buy Samanth’s book How To Be A Heroine Or, what I’ve learned from reading too much through our affiliate bookshop and you’ll be helping the podcast by earning us a small commission for every sale. Bookshop.org’s fees help support independent bookshops too.

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Written and presented by Alex von Tunzelmann. Producer: Liam Tait. Audio production: Simon Williams. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Artwork by James Parrett. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.
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Reality Bites – Do we still live in a Fast Food Nation?

Wed, 11 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0000

Back in 2001 Eric Schlosser’s masterwork of investigative journalism Fast Food Nation exposed the dirty secrets of America’s “convenience restaurant” business: the catastrophic treatment of livestock, the terrible wages, the injuries, poor pay and outbreaks of food poisoning… and worse. The book started a conversation about food health around the world. Now, 25 years later, a weird mix of wellness woo and RFK Jr’s anti-science Make America Healthy Again movement dominates the debate – and fast food is now worth $400bn in the US alone. Eric Schlosser joins Andrew Harrison to discuss what his book changed – and what needs to change before it’s too late.

• Buy the 25th anniversary Penguin Classic edition of Fast Food Nation through our affiliate bookshop and you’ll help fund the podcast by earning us a small commission for every sale. Bookshop.org’s fees help support independent bookshops too.

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At war with everyone – Who’s actually running US foreign policy?

Tue, 10 Feb 2026 04:00:00 -0000

Trump has stripped US foreign policy down from a mix of carrot and stick into an ideological cudgel to beat friends and foes alike – and a lurid horrorshow for domestic consumption in Red America. But who’s actually running the show? Is America’s realignment with the world purely dependent on Trump’s whims or is there something coherent going on in there? Is it all just 1980s real estate thuggery writ large? And where is it all heading? The Economist’s Geopolitics Editor David Rennie explains the new American brutalism to Seth Thévoz.

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Presented by Seth Thévoz. Audio production by Robin Leeburn. Art direction: James Parrett. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Special thanks to Chris Wimpress and Hannah Marinho. The Bunker is a Podmasters production.

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Morganised Chaos – Start Your Week with Gavin Esler

Mon, 09 Feb 2026 10:20:00 -0000

Setting up the stories of the next seven days… Labour’s widely unpopular senior advisor Morgan McSweeney falls on his sword but will it be enough to stop Starmer from being consumed by the Mandelson/Epstein fallout? Plus the unfolding Tulsi Gabbard scandal, make or break for the assisted dying bill, Cuba in trouble… and minnows vs giants in the FA Cup, except the minnows are owned by former Man Utd players. Gavin Esler talks Andrew Harrison through the stories of the week ahead.

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Mandelson gone, Starmer or McSweeney next? – Weekly Wrap-up with Zoë Grünewald and Jacob Jarvis

Fri, 06 Feb 2026 04:00:00 -0000

Wrapping up the stories of the week… With Peter Mandelson quitting the Lords after more damning info emerged from the Epstein files, will this lead to Starmer’s demise? Zoë Grünewald and Jacob Jarvis discuss this and more as they round up the biggest stories from the past week.

• Head to nakedwines.co.uk/thebunker to get 6 top-rated wines from our sponsor Naked Wines for £39.99, delivery included.

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Written and presented by Jacob Jarvis with Zoë Grünewald. Producer: Liam Tait. Audio editor: Simon Williams. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Design by James Parrett. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Masters of Metal – What are Rare Earth Metals and why does Trump want them so badly?

Thu, 05 Feb 2026 04:00:00 -0000

Donald Trump didn’t threaten to take over Greenland only for reasons of military conquest. The arctic territory contains significant deposits of rare earth metals including dysprosium, terbium and yttrium. They’re vital to tech – and currently, China controls a staggering 95% of them. But what are they and why are they so valuable? Commodities journalist Ronan Murphy, Editor of Argus Non-Ferrous Markets, tells Gavin Esler about the real economics behind Trump’s bluster; why invading Greenland is a really bad business idea; and the surprising reason you can’t mine ALL of Greenland’s rare earths. (Clue: It’s uranium).

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Written and presented by Gavin Esler. Audio production: Robin Warren. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Artwork by James Parrett. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Cash is king – How dirty money took over the world

Wed, 04 Feb 2026 04:00:00 -0000

How has money laundering become such a major business and why do we struggle to stop it? Oliver Bullough, bestselling author of Moneyland and Butler to the World, joins Seth Thévoz to discuss his new book Everybody Loves Our Dollars - How Money Laundering Won.

Buy Everybody Loves Our Dollars through our affiliate bookshop and you’ll help fund The Bunker by earning us a small commission for every sale. Bookshop.org’s fees help support independent bookshops too.

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Written and presented by Seth Thévoz. Audio production: Tom Taylor. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Music by Kenny Dickinson. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Hot Take Time Machine – The month's weirdest columns with Miranda Sawyer and Jonn Elledge

Tue, 03 Feb 2026 04:00:00 -0000

“Well that’s just, like, your opinion, man…” We’re swamped with hot takes, cold takes, tepid takes and more opinions than anyone can handle. Now Paper Cuts survivors Miranda Sawyer and Jonn Elledge join Andrew Harrison to choose the weirdest (and occasionally best) columns of the month… so you don’t have to.

This time: Telegraph reverse-ferrets on Trump, Sarah Vine goes H.A.M. on the Beckhams, everyone tries to wring something out of The Traitors… and much more!

• Spotted a column we should talk about next time? Send it to info@bunkercast.co.uk

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Written and presented by Andrew Harrison. Producer: Liam Tait. Audio production: Robin Leeburn. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Artwork by James Parrett. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Epstein and Andrew: When will this end? — Start Your Week with Rafael Behr and Jacob Jarvis

Mon, 02 Feb 2026 10:54:00 -0000

Yet more damning information linking Andrew to Epstein has emerged and former diplomat Peter Mandelson has also quit Labour due to new information. Will this scandal ever reach a conclusion? Rafael Behr joins Jacob Jarvis to discuss the fallout and the week ahead in news.

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Written and presented by Jacob Jarvis with Rafael Behr. Audio production: Robin Leeburn. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Music by Kenny Dickinson. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Will Trump's ICE terror spark a civil war? – Weekly Wrap-Up with Alex von Tunzelmann and Jacob Jarvis

Fri, 30 Jan 2026 04:00:00 -0000

Trump continues to reign terror upon Americans with his ICE crackdowns. Protests are heating up after two killings at the hands of ICE officers – how far will this division spread and what consequences will it have? Alex von Tunzelmann joins Jacob Jarvis to discuss.

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Written and presented by Jacob Jarvis with Alex von Tunzelmann. Producer: Liam Tait. Audio production: Tom Taylor. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Artwork by James Parrett. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Trump vs. Europe – The battle over Greenland explained

Thu, 29 Jan 2026 04:00:00 -0000

Donald Trump continues to eye Greenland, as he continues to float the idea of annexing the Danish territory. Europe has rallied behind Denmark and Greenland, which insists nothing is up for negotiation. So what’s really going on?

Today on The Bunker, Alex von Tunzelmann speaks to Dr Christine Nissen of the European Council on Foreign Relations about Europe’s pushback against Trump’s pressure tactics, what this standoff reveals about shifting global power and what it means for the people who actually live in Greenland.

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Written and presented by Alex von Tunzermann. Producer: Liam Tait. Audio production: Robin Leeburn. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Artwork by James Parrett. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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“Wine Moms” and “AWFULs” – MAGA’s new slurs on women with Molly Jong-Fast

Wed, 28 Jan 2026 04:00:00 -0000

The public executions of Renée Nicole Good and Alex Pretti by ICE in Minneapolis have horrified America. Now the Trump Administration is slandering Good and any woman who protests as a trivial, out-of-control “Wine Mom” or an “AWFUL”: Affluent White Female Urban Liberals. What are these new iterations of the hated “Karen” meme telling us about the misogyny that powers MAGA – and Trump’s vulnerability? Podcaster and New York Times writer Molly Jong-Fast takes Andrew Harrison on a tour of the politics that cannot bear women who speak up.

• “Who are the AWFULs? Trump hates them, so they’re doing something right” by Molly Jong-Fast.

• Listen to Molly’s podcast Fast Politics.

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Donroe vs. Monroe – How Trump’s outlook compares to America’s past

Tue, 27 Jan 2026 04:00:00 -0000

Trump’s foreign policy has been described as “the Donroe Doctrine”, harking back to the Monroe Doctrine. How does the current president’s expansionist mindset compare with this historical outlook? History Seth Thévoz and borders expert Jonn Elledge discuss what the Monroe Doctrine was, how it was formed and how it measures up to the present day.

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Written and presented by Seth Thévoz with Jonn Elledge. Producer: Liam Tait. Audio editor: Robin Warren. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Design by James Parrett. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Crash and Burnham – Start Your Week with Gavin Esler and Ros Taylor

Mon, 26 Jan 2026 10:14:00 -0000

Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham has been blocked from standing as an MP sparking a fresh row within Keir Starmer’s Labour Party. What will the fall out look like? Does the PM come out stronger or weaker? Gavin Esler and Ros Taylor discuss this and the other issues to look out for in politics this week.

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Written and presented by Ros Taylor with Gavin Esler. Audio production: Robin Leeburn. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Music by Kenny Dickinson. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Debacle in Davos – Weekly Wrap-Up with Rafael Behr and Andrew Harrison

Fri, 23 Jan 2026 04:00:00 -0000

Catching you up on the big stories of the week… Trump blusters, threatens and rambles his way through the World Economic Forum week in Davos, insulting America’s allies. Where does this shitshow leave the semblance of Western security? Plus: the Chinese mega-embassy, super-intelligent cows, whatever the hell is going on with the Beckhams… and would you fly RyanAir if Elon Musk owned it? The Guardian’s Rafael Behr reads the entrails of another brain-dissolving week with Andrew Harrison.

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Presented by Andrew Harrison. Produced by Liam Tait with Kathleen Johnston. Audio production: Robin Leeburn. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Artwork by James Parrett. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Do junk food advertising bans work?

Thu, 22 Jan 2026 04:00:00 -0000

The government says it’s getting serious about childhood obesity, with a ban on junk food ads before 9pm and online. Today on The Bunker, Zoë Grünewald is joined by Dr Beverley O’Hara lecturer in Public Health Nutrition at Leeds Beckett University to find out whether this is real reform or a rerun of previous failed plans.

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Written and presented by Zoë Grünewald. Producer: Liam Tait. Audio production: Robin Leeburn. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Artwork by James Parrett. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Thug of War – What makes Pete Hegseth tick?

Wed, 21 Jan 2026 04:00:00 -0000

Pete Hegseth is one of the most powerful people in Trump’s orbit as the self-proclaimed secretary of ‘war’. He has a huge budget and the weight of the entire American military at his disposal. What will he do with it and why has he caused such chaos so far? Guardian US politics reporter Joseph Gedeon joins us to discuss.

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Written and presented by Jacob Jarvis. Audio production: Simon Williams. Producer: Liam Tait. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Music by Kenny Dickinson. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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How the West lost Russia

Tue, 20 Jan 2026 04:00:00 -0000

After the Cold War ended, the West thought of Russia as a potential ally, a protégé nation ripe for liberal democracy. How wrong we were. Western ignorance, short-termism, and a catastrophic failure to understand how humiliation grips the Russian psyche – plus the suspicious and resentful mindset of eventual supreme leader Vladimir Putin – have led Russia to a dark place of vengeance, neofascism and the horrors of Ukraine.

How did we get here? And can we get out? Former BBC and Reuters Moscow Correspondent James Rodgers, author of The Return Of Russia, walks Andrew Harrison through a quarter century of emnity that could end in all-out war.

• Pre-order The Return Of Russia through our affiliate bookshop and you’ll help fund The Bunker by earning us a small commission for every sale. Bookshop.org’s fees help support independent bookshops too.

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Written and presented by Andrew Harrison. Producer: Liam Tait. Audio production by Tom Taylor. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Artwork by James Parrett. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Trump’s blackmail: A fool’s ransoms – Start Your Week with Rafael Behr and Jacob Jarvis

Mon, 19 Jan 2026 10:39:00 -0000

Trump is trying to bully and blackmail the world with cashgrabs and tariff threats. How will his actions play out and how will leaders respond? Rafael Behr joins Jacob Jarvis to discuss the key issues and questions for the days ahead.

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Jenrick vs. Badenoch and Starmer vs. Himself – Weekly Wrap-Up with Seth Thévoz and Jacob Jarvis

Fri, 16 Jan 2026 04:00:00 -0000

What a week! We kick off with the news of Robert Jenrick being booted from the Tories. Is this good for Badenoch? Is it good for him? Is it good for anything?! Plus, we look at our winners and losers and an under the radar story you might have missed, with Seth Thévoz and Jacob Jarvis.

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Written and presented by Jacob Jarvis with Seth Thévoz. Audio production: Simon Williams. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Music by Kenny Dickinson. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Civil War in Britain – Why the Right is hyping it

Thu, 15 Jan 2026 04:00:00 -0000

Open warfare between British citizens is “inevitable” according to Elon Musk. Farage says “I don’t think anybody in London even understands how close we are to civil disobedience on a vast scale.” New Reform convert Nadim Zahawi says we’re entering “a dark and dangerous chapter”. Where is all this talk coming from? Why are the Right so keen on these apocalyptic ideas? And beyond all the hysteria, what really triggers civil wars? Political commentator and author Phil Tinline tells Andrew Harrison about the reality behind the fever dreams of civil war… and when we really were close to fighting one another.

• Buy Phil Tinline’s Ghosts Of Iron Mountain through our affiliate bookshop and you’ll help fund the podcast by earning us a small commission for every sale. Bookshop.org’s fees help support independent bookshops too.

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Is Britain becoming more racist?

Wed, 14 Jan 2026 04:00:00 -0000

If racism is supposed to be in retreat in Britain, why does it feel so much harder to ignore? We like to see ourselves as a tolerant, post-multicultural country, yet that story jars with a reality in which racial hostility feels more visible: spread across social media and validated by politicians. But is this really a rise in racism, or the effect of heightened scrutiny driven by the internet?

Today on The Bunker, Zoë Grünewald is joined by Rahul Sambaraju, Lecturer in Psychology at City St George's, University of London, and Simon Goodman, Associate Professor at De Montfort University to ask: is racism becoming more acceptable in the UK?

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Written and presented by Zoe Grunewald. Producer: Liam Tait. Audio production: Robin Leeburn. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Artwork by James Parrett. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Make America Invade Again – What does Trump have in store for 2026?

Tue, 13 Jan 2026 04:00:00 -0000

One year into Donald Trump’s second term, 2026 is already looking worse than 2025. In just its opening days, the White House has intervened militarily in Venezuela, seized a Russian-flagged oil tanker in the North Atlantic, and revived threats to take Greenland by force. All of this unfolds alongside a faltering economy, violent ICE raids, slipping poll numbers, and the unresolved Epstein files.

Alex von Tunzelmann is joined by Dr Casey Burgat, Legislative Affairs Program Director at George Washington University and author of We Hold These "Truths", to look at where this presidency goes next, and what a year defined by invasion and escalation could mean for American democracy.

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Buy Casey’s book We Hold These "Truths" How to Spot the Myths that are Holding America Back through our affiliate bookshop and you’ll be helping the podcast by earning us a small commission for every sale. Bookshop.org’s fees help support independent bookshops too.

Written and presented by Alex von Tunzelmann Producer: Liam Tait. Audio production: Simon Williams. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Artwork by James Parrett. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Twilight of the Ayatollahs? – Start Your Week with Ros Taylor

Mon, 12 Jan 2026 10:52:00 -0000

Hundreds are killed by the Iranian government as the country erupts into its most serious rebellion since the Woman Life Freedom protests of 2022. Will Iran finally overthrow its theocratic oppressors? And will Trump intervene now he’s decided that not only Venezuela and Greenland but Cuba too are subject to his whim? Plus: financing Britain’s defence against Russia, is the pubs “bailout” really a bailout, and will Labour ban X? Ros Taylor and Andrew Harrison set out the stories of the week ahead.

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Trump vs. Venezuela and Greenland: America gonna America! – Weekly Wrap-Up with Alex von Tunzelmann

Fri, 09 Jan 2026 04:00:00 -0000

Wrapping up the stories of the week, Jacob Jarvis is joined by Alex von Tunzelmann to dig into the fallout from Trump’s frenetic first week of 2026. From military intervention in Venezuela to the looming threat to seize control of Greenland, the President kicks off America’s 250th year with a bang. Plus, should Remainers be getting excited about Keir Starmer’s plan to reset the UK’s relationship with the EU? And finally, Alex’s under-the-radar story takes us to Texas, where a proposal to ban the teaching of Plato has become the latest front in the culture war.

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Written and presented by Jacob Jarvis with Alex von Tunzelmann. Producer: Liam Tait. Audio production: Simon Williams. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Artwork by James Parrett. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Putin’s position — Why Russia isn't shifting on Ukraine

Thu, 08 Jan 2026 04:00:00 -0000

The human cost of Russia’s war on Ukraine is staggering, yet the war continues and Vladimir Putin’s position has barely shifted. Despite mounting attrition and international pressure, Moscow shows no sign of backing down. Today on The Bunker, Chris Jones is joined by Ian Garner, historian and author of Z Generation: Into the heart of Russia's fascist youth, to examine the scale of the losses and ask what “peace” would actually look like now.

• Buy Ian’ book Z Generation: Into the heart of Russia's fascist youth through our affiliate bookshop and you’ll be helping the podcast by earning us a small commission for every sale. Bookshop.org’s fees help support independent bookshops too.

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Written and presented by Chris Jones. Producer: Liam Tait. Audio production: Simon Williams. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Artwork by James Parrett. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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What will Elon Musk ruin next?

Wed, 07 Jan 2026 04:00:00 -0000

Elon Musk destroyed Twitter, tarnished the reputation of Tesla, and his financial backing of far fight politics has tipped the scales towards authoritarianism across the globe. Now he has his sights set on his next target: higher education.

This week on The Bunker, Alex von Tunzelmann is joined by Beth Singler, assistant professor in digital religions at the University of Zurich, to examine Musk’s push to use AI as a replacement for traditional universities. What gets lost when education is stripped of human judgement?

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2026: Can Starmer handle a year from hell? – with Steve Richards

Tue, 06 Jan 2026 04:00:00 -0000

Turning around Labour’s unpopularity would be a tall enough order for the Prime Minister. But the stakes are higher than ever with a far-right government waiting in the wings, Trump and Putin shredding the international rules-based order, and the economy refusing to recover. Can Starmer turn it around in 2026? Steve Richards, political commentator and presenter of the Rock’n’Roll Politics podcast , explains the Prime Minister’s make-or-break year to Andrew Harrison.

• Listen to Rock’n’Roll Politics for more from Steve Richards.

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The Year of the Wars – Start Your Week with Rafael Behr and Jacob Jarvis

Mon, 05 Jan 2026 10:22:00 -0000

Well, the year has started with chaos and conflict. With Trump meddling with Venezuela and beyond, how will these events play out? Rafael Behr joins Jacob Jarvis to discuss the weeks and months ahead as 2026 shapes up to be another big year.

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ENDS

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Best of 2025 – The Future is Slop – Why the Far-Right loves tacky A.I. imagery

Wed, 31 Dec 2025 04:00:00 -0000

It’s the last of our Best of 2025 and the final Bunker of the year! And how better to see off/kick out the year than with the thing that’s blighted the last twelve months, crappy artificial intelligence imagery? The far-right stuffs your feeds with blond white children at play, London as an open sewer patrolled by threatening migrants, and Trump as Superman – but why? Is A.I. slop the official art style of the new authoritarianism?

New York Times columnist Jamelle Bouie talks to Andrew Harrison about why the radical right loves shiny, sentimental images; how they connect to Hitler’s fascist kitsch; and what it means when reality doesn’t live up to your fantasies.

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Written and presented by Andrew Harrison. Audio production by Chris Jones and Robin Warren. Produced by Liam Tait. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Art by Jim Parrett. Managing Editor Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Best of 2025 – Flag Wars – Inside this Summer's political minefield

Tue, 30 Dec 2025 04:00:00 -0000

We’re bringing you some of the best Bunkers of the year to tide you over the holidays. Today: Where’s your flag???!? The Cross of St George sprouted across the lamp-posts and roundabouts of Britain this summer. Fans, boosters and grifters claimed it was simple patriotism. Imagine our surprise when it turned out that many behind “Operation Raise The Colours” had far-right associations – who’d have thought it?? Alex von Tunzelmann sat down with Jonn Elledge to find out what flags really mean today.

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Written and presented by Alex von Tunzelmann. Producer: Liam Tait. Audio editors: Robin Leeburn. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Art by James Parrett. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Best of 2025 – Zombie apocalypse! – How would the world react?

Mon, 29 Dec 2025 04:00:00 -0000

In case you missed them, over Christmas we’re bringing you some of the best Bunkers of the year. “Organise before they rise,” is Max Brooks’ advice in his zombie survival guide. But are world leaders prepared enough? Jacob Jarvis speaks to Daniel Drezner, author of Theories of International Politics and Zombies and professor of international politics at Tufts University, to find out how the world might react and how governments would interact during such a catastrophe.

Buy Theories of International Politics and Zombies through our affiliate bookshop and you’ll help fund The Bunker by earning us a small commission for every sale. Bookshop.org’s fees help support independent bookshops too.

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Written and presented by Jacob Jarvis. Audio editor: Robin Leeburn. Art direction: Jim Parrett. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Best of 2025 – Mob Rule – How the Mafia influences the White House

Sun, 28 Dec 2025 04:00:00 -0000

In case you missed them, over Christmas we’re bringing you some of the best Bunkers of the year. Today: How mobbed up is the American political establishment? From FDR to Trump, every modern president has had brushes with organised crime. So how have secret pacts, betrayals, and under-the-table deals influenced the commander-in-chief? Eric Dezenhall, author of Wiseguys and the White House, explores the not-so-hidden ties between the leader of the free world and the mob with Seth “The Consigliere” Thévoz.

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Written and presented by Seth “The Consigliere” Thévoz. Produced by Liam “Big Guy” Tait. Audio editor: Ice-Pick Simon Williams. Art direction: Crazy Jimmy Parrett. Managing editor: Jacob “Mr Clean” Jarvis. Music by Mr Fingers Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew “Uncle Junior” Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production. You should drop by some time. Play some cards.

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Best of 2025 – Episode 1,500 with special guest Neil Kinnock!

Sat, 27 Dec 2025 04:00:00 -0000

In case you missed them, over Christmas we’re bringing you some of the best editions of the year. Our first selection: It’s February and Labour legend and former leader Neil Kinnock joins us for the FIFTEEN HUNDREDTH edition of The Bunker.

On the agenda: the story Labour should be telling… what his battles against Thatcherism can teach Starmer about fighting the rising right wing… the dangers of a radicalised Conservative Party… and how to hit Reform UK where it hurts. With Andrew Harrison and Alex von Tunzelmann.

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Written and presented by Andrew Harrison. Audio production by Tom Taylor. Art by James Parrett. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Managing Editor Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Trump’s AI dirty bombing, frog resistance and roundabout painters – The 20 Weirdest Moments of 2025 – Part 2

Tue, 23 Dec 2025 04:00:00 -0000

The summer of Flagmania? Donald Trump’s “FIFA Peace Prize” AKA the “At Least You Tried” Award? Albania’s AI Cabinet minister? Ed Miliband, Nuclear ASMR star? The events of 2025 have defied comprehension… but which were the strangest? Regulars Gavin Esler, Alex von Tunzelmann and Jason Hazeley reconvene to complete our run-down of the most jaw-dropping events of a year from hell.

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Written and presented by Gavin Esler with Alex von Tunzelmann and Jason Hazeley. Producer: Liam Tait. Audio production: Tom Taylor. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Artwork by James Parrett. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Liz Truss unleashed, Your Party and demolishing the White House – The 20 Weirdest Moments of 2025 – Part 1

Mon, 22 Dec 2025 04:00:00 -0000

From Trump remodelling the White House along the fake gold New Jersey steakhouse aesthetic to the shambolic launch of Your Party (splitting the party before there’s a party to split?) 2025 has set new standards in bafflement. But which are the supreme moments of weirdness? Regulars Gavin Esler, Alex von Tunzelmann and Jason Hazeley set out the most bizarre, unnerving and occasionally enchanting moments from a year we can scarcely believe.

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The Bondi massacre and the future of terror – Weekly wrap-up with Alex von Tunzelmann and Jonn Elledge

Fri, 19 Dec 2025 04:00:00 -0000

Wrapping up the stories of the week… Alex von Tunzelmann is joined by Jonn Elledge to examine the global response to the antisemitic Bondi Beach shooting and ask whether it signals a wider rise in the threat of terror attacks. Plus, how will resident doctor strikes affect the NHS as the flu wave intensifies? Jonn tries to work out if the unexpected drop in inflation is good or bad news for Rachel Reeves and crowns his winner and loser of the week.

🎄LAST DAY! Get 20% off a year’s support for The Bunker until midnight on Fri 19 Dec – whether you’re a new backer, renewing or upgrading.

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Eastern Medicine – China’s plan to control the future of drugs

Thu, 18 Dec 2025 04:00:00 -0000

Not long ago, China’s pandemic response was met with deep scepticism in the West. But fast-forward just a few years, and the picture looks very different. China’s bio-pharma industry is now booming, racing from low-cost manufacturing hub to serious contender in the global battle to create the next blockbuster drugs. China is rolling out vast new pharma facilities capable of producing next-generation medicines at a scale the West is struggling to match.

Today on The Bunker, Gavin Esler speaks to the FT’s China Technology Correspondent, Eleanor Olcott, to find out what this means for global drug development, competition, and who controls the future of medicine.

🎄Get 20% off a year’s support for The Bunker until Christmas – whether you’re a new backer, renewing or upgrading.

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Written and presented by Gavin Esler. Producer: Liam Tait. Audio production: Robin Warren. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Artwork by James Parrett. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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From outrage to influence – Inside Tommy Robinson’s far right playbook

Wed, 17 Dec 2025 04:00:00 -0000

For more than a decade, Tommy Robinson has been written off again and again. Yet he keeps re-emerging, reshaped for the moment. From street agitator to convicted criminal to most recently, self-styled Christian crusader. Robinson has followed a familiar far-right playbook: collapse, reinvention, repeat.

On The Bunker, Alex von Tunzelmann is joined by journalist Daniel Trilling to examine the staying power of Tommy Robinson and the strategy that keeps bringing him back. We look at the warning signs we missed and what Robinson’s latest reinvention reveals about the durability, adaptability and danger of Britain’s far-right ecosystem.

🎄Get 20% off a year’s support for The Bunker until Christmas – whether you’re a new backer, renewing or upgrading.

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Written and presented by Alex von Tunzelmann. Producer: Liam Tait. Audio production: Tom Taylor. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Artwork by James Parrett. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Crisis Management – How we got 25 years of British political chaos

Tue, 16 Dec 2025 04:00:00 -0000

From 9/11 and the wars that followed to the expenses scandal, the Financial Crash, austerity, Brexit and a carousel of leadership crises, Westminster has spent the last 25 years governing through upheaval. Since 2000, crisis has shifted from disruption to default setting, with governments reacting rather than governing and institutions stretched well beyond their limits. Prof. Andrew Hindmoor, author of Haywire, talks to Zoë Grünewald about how British politics got stuck in crisis mode and what we can do about it.

🎄Get 20% off a year’s support for The Bunker until Christmas – whether you’re a new backer, renewing or upgrading.

• Buy Andrew’s book Haywire: A Political History of Britain since 2000 through our affiliate bookshop and you’ll be helping the podcast by earning us a small commission for every sale. Bookshop.org’s fees help support independent bookshops too.

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Written and presented by Zoë Grünewald. Producer: Liam Tait. Audio production: Robin Warren. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Artwork by James Parrett. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Horror on Bondi Beach – Start Your Week with Alex von Tunzelmann

Mon, 15 Dec 2025 10:41:00 -0000

The stories that will shape the week ahead: How will the atrocity at Bondi Beach reverberate in a world where antisemitic violence is rising? Plus: the shocking murder of Hollywood director Rob Reiner and his wife. Junior doctors decide whether to strike as Britain hits peak winter flu. Will Phase Two of the Gaza peace talks stay on the rails? And happy 250th birthday to Jane Austen. Alex von Tunzelmann and Andrew Harrison set out the week ahead.

🎄Get 20% off a year’s support for The Bunker until Christmas – whether you’re a new backer, renewing or upgrading.

Written and presented by Andrew Harrison with Alex von Tunzelmann Producer: Liam Tait. Audio production: Tom Taylor. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Artwork by James Parrett. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Starmer vs human rights, Trump vs The World – Weekly wrap-up with Alex von Tunzelmann and Natasha Devon

Fri, 12 Dec 2025 04:00:00 -0000

Wrapping up the stories of the week… Alex von Tunzelmann is joined by LBC host Natasha Devon to break down Keir Starmer’s latest approach to tackling the migration crisis. Across the pond, we take a look at Trump’s ongoing campaign against the EU and ask”why now”? Plus, Natasha shares her view on the proposed ban on social media for under-18s, we read your comments from the week, and finally we take a look at the stories that have gone under the radar.

🎄Get 20% off a year’s support for The Bunker until Christmas – whether you’re a new backer, renewing or upgrading.

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Written and presented by Alex von Tunzelmann. Producer: Liam Tait. Audio production: Robin Leeburn Music by Kenny Dickinson. Artwork by James Parrett. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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The original Trump? How Charles Fox invented personality politics

Thu, 11 Dec 2025 04:00:00 -0000

Personality politics isn’t just a modern problem – it started centuries earlier with an aristocrat called Charles James Fox. You can trace the roots of modern political celebrity back to this 18th-century provocateur, whose charm, scandals and theatrics helped redefine what leadership looked like. Fox built a movement around himself rather than his policies, offering an early blueprint for the dangerous style of politics reshaping democracies today. Alex von Tunzelmann speaks with Dr Callum Smith of Aberystwyth University about Fox’s rise and how history helps us understand the dominance of modern figures like Trump and Farage.

🎄Get 20% off a year’s support for The Bunker until Christmas – whether you’re a new backer, renewing or upgrading.

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“The most serious crisis Farage has faced” – Michael Crick on the racism allegations

Wed, 10 Dec 2025 04:00:00 -0000

Nigel Farage continues to react furiously to growing allegations that he engaged in racist and antisemitic bullying when he was a pupil at Dulwich College in the late ’70s and early ’80s. But are his angry response and his attempts at diversion doing the real damage? And can you really judge an adult on what they may have done at school? Long-time Reform-watcher Michael Crick joins us to explore a crisis unlike anything Farage has faced before. His verdict? “Farage is as rattled as a baby’s pram.”

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The relationship recession – Why are so many people going it alone?

Tue, 09 Dec 2025 04:00:00 -0000

Far fewer people are getting into relationships than they were in the past, with a major rise in the amount of single people across the world. Why are we seeing this so-called “relationship recession”? And how can it impact us all? Jonathan Rosenthal, international editor at The Economist, wrote about this for a magazine cover story recently and joins Zoë Grünewald to discuss.

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Written and presented by Zoë Grünewald. Audio production: Tom Taylor. Producer: Liam Tait. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Music by Kenny Dickinson. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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The Plot to Trumpify the World – Start Your Week with Ros Taylor

Mon, 08 Dec 2025 10:01:00 -0000

Setting out the stories of the next seven days. An astonishing new US National Security Strategy says Trump plans to support far-right parties across Europe and makes the racist “great replacement” conspiracy theory into official US policy. Having ruined America, does the President want to Trumpify the planet? Plus, the colossal scale of COVID waste and fraud, Reform’s record-breaking donor gift, Tommy Robinson’s Christmas carols… and Keir Starmer’s got a Substack. Ros Taylor and Andrew Harrison look the events that will shape the week.

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Putin plays Trump again! — Weekly wrap-up with Rafael Behr and Jacob Jarvis

Fri, 05 Dec 2025 04:00:00 -0000

Wrapping up the stories of the week… Jacob Jarvis is joined by Rafael Behr to break down the stalled US–Russia peace talks, Putin’s strong-arming, and what Trump’s shaky negotiating team tells us about the state of American power. Back in Westminster, they dig into the fallout from the OBR’s budget leak and what it all means for Labour’s economic credibility. Plus: Trump’s latest embarrassing moment caught on camera, Raf’s heroes and villains, and the story that slipped under the radar this week.

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Written and presented by Jacob Jarvis with Rafael Behr. Producer: Liam Tait. Audio editor: Simon Williams. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Design by James Parrett. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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What is The OBR anyway? – Understanding Britain’s under fire fiscal watchdog

Thu, 04 Dec 2025 04:00:00 -0000

The Office for Budget Responsibility is supposed to be the calm, quiet body that keeps watch over Britain’s public finances. But after it accidentally released its Budget analysis before Chancellor Rachel Reeves delivered her statement, its chair Richard Hughes resigned and the watchdog suddenly became the lead story. Today on The Bunker, Seth Thévoz is joined by economist and former Treasury adviser Giles Wilkes to ask: what exactly is the OBR, and why does this low-profile institution hold so much power over the UK economy?

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Written and presented by Seth Thévoz. Producer: Liam Tait. Audio producer: Robin Leeburn. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Design by James Parrett. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Anti-Christ Superstar — What’s the deal with Peter Thiel?

Wed, 03 Dec 2025 04:00:00 -0000

He’s a nightmare made flesh for progressives and liberals: an anti-woke, hyper-libertarian tech billionaire who bankrolled JD Vance, supports Curtis Yarvin’s anti-democracy “Dark Enlightenment” movement, and seems to base his worldview on the worst parts of Lord Of The Rings. But lately Peter Thiel has been getting even weirder, warning of the rise of an actual Anti-Christ who wants to “end science”. What is going on? Thiel-watcher James Ball of The New World magazine joins Andrew Harrison to explain the odd philosophy of this superpowered misfit.

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Written and presented by Andrew Harrison. Producer: Liam Tait. Audio production: Robin Warren. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Artwork by James Parrett. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Middle Rage – Inside the radicalisation of Britain’s 40-somethings

Tue, 02 Dec 2025 04:00:00 -0000

We usually think radicalisation is something that happens to young people. Teenagers doomscrolling in dark bedrooms, or twenty-somethings disappearing into algorithmic rabbit holes. But look around, and the picture feels very different. The loudest voices in the culture wars, the Facebook fire-starters, the men who seem permanently furious in comment sections and group chats. They’re in their 40s, 50s, even older, and they’re getting swept up in a digital storm they were never taught to navigate. Today on The Bunker, Zoë Grünewald is joined by Dr Sara Wilford, Associate Professor at De Montfort University, to explore why people in mid-life are becoming increasingly vulnerable to online radicalisation and what this shift means for the rest of us.

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Written and presented by Zoë Grünewald. Producer: Liam Tait. Audio editor: Robin Leeburn. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Design by James Parrett. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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War, Tax, Rage-Bait and the Christmas Number One – Start Your Week with Gavin Esler and Ros Taylor

Mon, 01 Dec 2025 10:20:00 -0000

It’s December, so come open this week’s Advent Calendar of misery with Ros Taylor and Gavin Esler. Is the Mail/Telegraph frenzy over Rachel Reeves allegedly misleading the Commons over Britain’s finances just a mountain out of a molehill? How is the Budget fallout settling? Does David Lammy really want to bring trial by jury to an end for all but the most serious cases? Oh, and having failed to stop one war in Ukraine, will Trump manage to start one in Venezuela before Christmas? God bless us, every one!

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Written and presented by Ros Taylor with Gavin Esler. Producer: Liam Tait. Audio production: Robin Leeburn. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Artwork by James Parrett. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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The Budget, Trump's Russia love-in and more! – Weekly Wrap-Up with Seth Thévoz and Jacob Jarvis

Fri, 28 Nov 2025 04:00:00 -0000

Wrapping up the stories of the week… Jacob Jarvis and Seth Thévoz dig into the media’s reaction to Rachel Reeves’s budget and what it really tells us about the state of Labour. We break down the latest twist in the Trump/Russia saga after the collapse of the so-called “peace plan”, and look at The Guardian’s continuing coverage of Nigel Farage’s racism accusations from his school days. Plus, Seth names his winners and losers of the week, we take a closer look at the power players behind AI and online moderation and so much more.

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Written and presented by Jacob Jarvis with Seth Thévoz. Producer: Liam Tait. Audio editor: Robin Leeburn. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Design by James Parrett. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Loser takes it all? – How Trump's plan for Ukraine fell apart, with Luke Harding of The Guardian

Thu, 27 Nov 2025 04:00:00 -0000

The US-Russia “peace plan” isn’t happening. Days after the 28-point proposal leaked, it collapsed spectacularly amid accusations that it amounted to a surrender to Putin. Is there anything left in the “amended” version? And who really wrote the proposals? Luke Harding, foreign correspondent for The Guardian and author of Invasion explains why the plan was simply a Russian foreign policy offensive with Trump as its salesman, whether the whole episode has made Zelenskyy stronger, and if peace is will ever get closer.
• Buy Luke’s book Invasion: Russia’s Bloody War and Ukraine’s Fight for Survival through our affiliate bookshop and you’ll be helping the podcast by earning us a small commission for every sale. Bookshop.org’s fees help support independent bookshops too.

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Written and presented by Andrew Harrison. Producer: Liam Tait. Audio editor: Tom Taylor. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Design by James Parrett. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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The Epstein files: What's going to be inside them? – with investigative journalist Vicky Ward

Wed, 26 Nov 2025 04:00:00 -0000

Anticipation is building around the imminent release of the “Epstein files.” With Donald Trump finally signing off, the Justice Department is expected to publish long-sealed documents on the disgraced financier, and the public is bracing for answers. But what should we actually expect? Today in The Bunker, Seth Thévoz talks to journalist and author Vicky Ward, who has reported on Epstein for over two decades, to see whether the files finally confirm any of the rumours or just pour more fuel on the conspiracy bonfire.

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Written and presented by Seth Thévoz. Producer: Liam Tait. Audio editors: Tom Taylor. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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The Cosmic Absurd – How The Hitch-Hiker’s Guide To The Galaxy nearly explains our world

Tue, 25 Nov 2025 04:00:00 -0000

A pocket-sized device that contains all knowledge in the universe? Which makes your life better, and not a hellscape of political rancour and surveillance capitalism? Come off it! Never happen. But that’s exactly what Douglas Adams imagined as the titular device in The Hitch-Hiker’s Guide To The Galaxy, the cosmic road novel that changed the minds of a generation.

As a new immersive theatre version of “HHGTTG” opens in London, its creator Arvin Ethan David tells Andrew Harrison why Douglas Adams was the digital Wodehouse who would have held back enshittification… whether Elon Musk is Zaphod Beeblebrox … and why you still need to know where your towel is.

• Get tickets for The Hitch-Hiker’s Guide To The Galaxy at the Riverside Studios, Hammersmith, London until 15 Feb 2026 at hitchhikerslive.com.

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No Money Mo' Problems – Start Your Week with Rafael Behr and Jacob Jarvis

Mon, 24 Nov 2025 09:35:00 -0000

It’s a big week for Starmer and Reeves as the Budget looms. How’s it going to go down? Plus, talks over a plan to end the war between Russia and Ukraine continues, Trump gets a new best friend and Cop30 ends on a disappointing note. Rafael Behr and Jacob Jarvis discuss the news to look out for this week.

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Trump panics over Epstein files – Weekly Wrap-Up with Jonn Elledge and Andrew Harrison

Fri, 21 Nov 2025 04:00:00 -0000

As the Epstein walls close in on Trump, the President pulls a desperate U-turn and says he wants the release of files he tried to suppress. How will they be redacted, and to save whom? Plus Labour’s latest attempts to look tough on migration, the Cloudflare outage, Russia bombs railway lines in Poland and shines lasers at the RAF… and why Trump’s “Quiet, piggy” outburst is hurting him more than his usual slob misogyny would. Jonn Elledge and Andrew Harrison wrap up the stories that mattered this week.

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Is China our only hope?

Thu, 20 Nov 2025 04:00:00 -0000

For years China has been cast as a climate villain, responsible for roughly a third of global greenhouse gas emissions. But China’s emissions have begun to level off and the country has quietly become a powerhouse in clean-energy. Today on The Bunker, Gavin Esler is joined by Barbara Finamore, Senior Visiting Fellow at the Oxford Institute for Energy Studies and author of Will China Save the Planet to find out if China’s clean-energy model is the future everyone else will have to follow — or a path too politically uncomfortable for the rest of the world.

Buy Barbara’s book Will China Save the Planet through our affiliate bookshop and you’ll be helping the podcast by earning us a small commission for every sale. Bookshop.org’s fees help support independent bookshops too.

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Written and presented by Gavin Esler. Producer: Liam Tait. Audio editor: Robin Leeburn. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Line of Duty – How comics journalist Joe Sacco brings untold stories to life

Wed, 19 Nov 2025 04:00:00 -0000

Writer-artist Joe Sacco created a new kind of journalism when he combined on-the-ground reportage with painstaking hand-drawn illustration. His award-winning books including Palestine and Safe Area Gorazde brought under-reported stories to new audiences. In his absorbing new book The Once And Future Riot he travels to Uttar Pradesh, India, to explore the causes and consequences of the bitter religious and political violence that consumed the area in the 2010s. He talks to Andrew Harrison about life as a conflict cartoonist, creativity vs A.I., and how “comics journalism” can do things the TV news never can.

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Brave new world – Is 2026 our last chance?

Tue, 18 Nov 2025 04:00:00 -0000

Next year is shaping up to be a year of uncomfortable truths. Rich countries are spending way beyond their means, the A.I. bubble could be about to burst, and global conflicts are drifting further into dangerous territory. But it may also be a turning point for the planet as we confront these challenges head-on.

Today on The Bunker, Seth Thévoz is joined by Tom Standage, deputy editor of The Economist, to take a look at The Economist’s The World Ahead 2026 issue and find out what these trends mean for politics, the global economy and the human race.

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Written and presented by Seth Thévoz. Producer: Liam Tait. Audio editor: Robin Leeburn. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Gov will tear us apart – Start Your Week with Rafael Behr and Jacob Jarvis

Mon, 17 Nov 2025 10:22:00 -0000

Starmer’s position remains in question after a week of chaos and the announcement of controversial new asylum plans. Can the narrative shift? Rafael Behr joins Jacob Jarvis to discuss this and more as they outline the news to look out for this week.

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Written and presented by Jacob Jarvis. Producer: Liam Tait. Audio editor: Robin Leeburn. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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NEW Weekly Wrap-Up – Starmer vs. Streeting and Trump vs. Epstein – with Rafael Behr

Fri, 14 Nov 2025 04:00:00 -0000

Welcome back to the Weekly Wrap-Up, where we break down the biggest news, the weirdest stories, and the important bits that slipped under the radar. Today on The Bunker, Jacob Jarvis and Rafael Behr dig into Starmer’s briefing war with Wes Streeting, unpack the latest revelations from the Epstein files, and ask the big question: could the BBC survive a billion dollar lawsuit from Donald Trump?

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Written and presented by Jacob Jarvis. Producer: Liam Tait. Audio editors: Robin Leeburn. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Can we solve the incel crisis?

Thu, 13 Nov 2025 04:00:00 -0000

What if the incel problem is a symptom of something bigger in our society? We regularly pin misogyny on villains like Andrew Tate, the loud, memorable faces of a much darker problem. But what do we do if the real issue runs deeper than a few influencers? Today on The Bunker, Zoë Grünewald sits down with Katherine Denkinson, author of INCEL The Weaponization of Misogyny, to ask, how do we solve the incel problem?

Buy Katherine’s book Incel: The Weaponization of Misogyny through our affiliate bookshop and you’ll be helping the podcast by earning us a small commission for every sale. Bookshop.org’s fees help support independent bookshops too.

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Written and presented by Zoë Grünewald. Producer: Liam Tait. Audio editor: Robin Leeburn. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Trump vs. Xi Jinping – Who's more powerful?

Wed, 12 Nov 2025 04:00:00 -0000

Trump and Xi Jinping’s fractious relationship is one of the most important connections in the world. As each side fights for dominance, who appears to be on top at the moment – and why? And what is shaping how they behave? Seth Thévoz is joined by Elizabeth Economy, author of The World According to China and By All Means Necessary: How China's Resource Quest is Changing the World, a former Senior Advisor for China at the US Department of Commerce and a senior fellow at Stanford University's Hoover Institution.

Buy By All Means Necessary: How China's Resource Quest is Changing the World through our affiliate bookshop and you’ll be helping American Friction by earning us a small commission for every sale. Bookshop.org’s fees help support independent bookshops too.

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Written and presented by Seth Thévoz. Audio production: Robin Leeburn. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Music by Kenny Dickinson. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Will A.I. really kill us all?

Tue, 11 Nov 2025 04:00:00 -0000

Amid the multi-trillion dollar stampede to build and control A.I., one question is being drowned out: Will artificial intelligence kill the entire human race, and all life on the planet? Nate Soares is president of the Machine Intelligence Research Institute and co-author of a chilling exploration of the race to create artificial super-intelligence, If Anyone Builds It, Everyone Dies. He tells Andrew Harrison why the concept of an omnicidal super-A.I.is not just an outside possibility from sci-fi but almost a certainty – why the A.I. boosters’ safeguards won’t work – and what we must do if we are to survive as a species.

Buy If Anyone Builds It, Everyone Dies⁠ through our affiliate bookshop and you’ll be helping The Bunker by earning us a small commission for every sale. Bookshop.org’s fees help support independent bookshops too.

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Written and presented by Andrew Harrison. Producer: Liam Tait. Audio production by Robin Warren. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Coup at the BBC – Start Your Week with Ros Taylor

Mon, 10 Nov 2025 09:50:00 -0000

The BBC’s Director General and head of news are forced to resign in a confected row about Donald Trump’s incendiary Jan 6 speech. Overdue accountability for mediocre leaders, or a successful drive-by from lifelong enemies of the BBC – and dangerous interference in British democracy from Trump? Plus, Rachel Reeves’ budget plans crystallise, COP30 shows the dire state of climate action, the junior doctors’ strike… and Somerset Dracula rises from his grave. Ros Taylor sets out the week ahead with Andrew Harrison.

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Written and presented by Andrew Harrison. Producer: Liam Tait. Audio production: Simon Williams. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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NEW Weekly Wrap-Up – From New York to Westminster with Alex von Tunzelmann

Fri, 07 Nov 2025 04:00:00 -0000

NEW: If you like Start Your Week’s look ahead, how about a round-up of the biggest, strangest, most important stories of the week, every Friday? On today’s debut edition: What Zohran Mamdani’s win in New York really means. “Vibe coding”. The heroism of train attack defender Samir Zitouni. Rachel Reeves’ pre-budget nerves. And what the hell has Donald Trump done to the White House this week?

• Read Spencer Ackerman’s excoriating obituary of Dick Cheney.

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Written and presented by Andrew Harrison and Alex von Tunzelmann. Producer: Liam Tait. Audio production by Robin Leeburn. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production. www.podmasters.co.uk

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Iron Curtain Call – How The Spy Who Came In From The Cold still tells the ugly truth about espionage

Thu, 06 Nov 2025 04:00:00 -0000

John le Carré was still a working secret agent when he wrote The Spy Who Came In From The Cold, the book that shocked the Britain of 1963 with its portrait of espionage not as heroic but as sordid, morally compromised and utterly without glamour. In comparison James Bond’s escapist world of girls and gadgets seemed naive and shallow. As a new stage adaptation of The Spy opens, its playwright David Eldridge talks to Andrew Harrison about adapting le Carré’s deep, dark vision for 2025 – why he expanded the role of George Smiley – and what The Spy has to say about the West’s new Cold War with Putin.

• The Spy Who Came In From The Cold runs @sohoplace Theatre in London's West End from 17 Nov-21 Feb, ahead of a major UK tour in 2026. Tickets are available from https://spyonstage.com/

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Written and presented by Andrew Harrison Producer: Liam Tait. Audio production by Robin Warren. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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One year of Trump 2.0 – Does scandal mean anything anymore?

Wed, 05 Nov 2025 04:00:00 -0000

It's been a year since Trump’s election victory, how has US politics changed? What’s the trajectory? And is there any hope for the future? Emma Kennedy is joined by Casey Burgat, author of We Hold These "Truths": How to Spot the Myths that are Holding America Back and director of the Legislative Affairs program at the Graduate School of Political Management at George Washington University, to discuss.

Buy We Hold These Truths: How to Spot the Myths That Are Holding America Back through our affiliate bookshop and you’ll help fund The Bunker by earning us a small commission for every sale. Bookshop.org’s fees help support independent bookshops too.

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Written and presented by Emma Kennedy. Producer: Liam Tait. Audio editors: Robin Warren. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Could it happen here? The threat of a British version of MAGA

Tue, 04 Nov 2025 04:00:00 -0000

The MAGA cult’s idol worship is the fuel for Trump’s war on American democracy. As British politics lurches to the right, could something similar ever happen here? Could violent racist nationalism and conspiracy thinking build a know-nothing cult of personality that would threaten our society?

Prof Roger Griffin is one of the world’s top experts on the dynamics of fascism and emeritus professor in Modern History at Oxford Brookes University. He explains the crucial differences between American populism and the British far-right… why a movement doesn’t have to be strictly fascist to threaten a liberal democracy… and what ordinary citizens can do to hold back the authoritarian mob.

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Written and presented by Andrew Harrison. Producer: Liam Tait. Audio production: Robin Warren. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Knife attack fallout, Andrew scandal and Trump’s wars — Start Your Week with Gavin Esler

Mon, 03 Nov 2025 09:53:00 -0000

The horrific train stabbing attack at the weekend has shaken the nation. But are the media and politicians talking about it responsibly? Plus, the Andrew scandal rolls on and Trump continues to to commit violent acts across the world at will. Gavin Esler and Jacob Jarvis discuss all this and more.

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Written and presented by Jacob Jarvis with Gavin Esler. Audio production: Tom Taylor. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Music by Kenny Dickinson. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Five ways Trump's reign might end

Fri, 31 Oct 2025 04:00:00 -0000

From troops on the streets to desecrating the White House to literal sh*tposting videos, Trump’s fascistic reign is relentless and exhausting. One day it will end – but how? Will he run out of steam, lose an election the Constitution says he’s not allowed to run in anyway, succumb to age and infirmity, or what? And what lasting damage will America’s worst president leave? We discuss five ways the Trump Nightmare could end with Reed Galen, founder of anti-Trump Republicans The Lincoln Project, President of the pro-democracy campaign JoinTheUnion.us and host of The Home Front Podcast .

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How extremists hijacked a decade and reshaped the future

Thu, 30 Oct 2025 04:00:00 -0000

In the 1970s, a new kind of revolutionary emerged: terrorists who used spectacle as a weapon. Plane hijackings, hostage crises and televised terror became the tools of radicals. Figures like Leila Khaled and Carlos the Jackal turned political violence into global theatre. Their stories still captivate filmmakers today, inspiring films like One Battle After Another. Today in The Bunker, Seth Thévoz speaks to Guardian international security correspondent Jason Burke, author of The Revolutionists, which was shortlisted for the Baillie Gifford Prize 2025, about how these figures reshaped global politics, and what their legacy reveals about ideology, glamour and violence.

Buy Jason’s book The Revolutionists The Story of the Extremists Who Hijacked the 1970s through our affiliate bookshop and you’ll be helping the podcast by earning us a small commission for every sale. Bookshop.org’s fees help support independent bookshops too.

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Art of the deal? How Trump's business myth tricked the world

Wed, 29 Oct 2025 04:00:00 -0000

Donald Trump built his brand on the myth of the self-made billionaire. The man who turned a ‘small loan’ from his father into a global empire. But behind the gold-plated image lies a trail of bankruptcies, bailouts, and creative accounting that kept his empire afloat. Today on The Bunker, Jacob Jarvis is joined by Russ Buettner, journalist and author of Lucky Loser, to take a magnifying glass to Trump’s finances and ask how a serially failing businessman convinced millions he was the ultimate winner?

Buy Russ’s book Lucky Loser: How Donald Trump Squandered His Father's Fortune and Created the Illusion of Success through our affiliate bookshop and you’ll be helping the podcast by earning us a small commission for every sale. Bookshop.org’s fees help support independent bookshops too.

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Written and presented by Jacob Jarvis. Producer: Liam Tait. Audio editors: Tom Taylor. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Putin's plans – How Russia is using Ukraine to prepare for future wars

Tue, 28 Oct 2025 04:00:00 -0000

The start of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine was a disaster. But three years on, Moscow is learning fast. Behind the frontlines, the Kremlin is reshaping its military, its industry, and its people for a long war – and for others in the future. Today on The Bunker, Alex von Tunzelmann is joined by Dara Massicot, senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace to find out what lessons has Russia learned from its early failures? And how the West could face a more dangerous, more adaptable enemy next time.

Read Dara's article How Russia Recovered online or in the November/December 2025 edition of Foreign Affairs magazine

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Written and presented by Alex von Tunzelmann. Producer: Liam Tait. Audio editors: Robin Leeburn. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Hostel Environment – Start Your Week with Ros Taylor

Mon, 27 Oct 2025 10:04:00 -0000

Migration madness intensifies as the fugitive sex offender is recaptured, and Labour fights fire over the ruinous cost of asylum hotels – which was created by the previous Conservative government. Will Starmer carry the can for the Tories’ complacency? Plus, Trump tours Asia. What could possibly go wrong? Oh and there’s a US war on Venezuela and a good old fashioned stock market crash a-comin’. Ros Taylor talks Andrew Harrison through the week ahead.

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Written and presented by Andrew Harrison. Producer: Liam Tait. Audio production by Simon Williams Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Trump vs. the people – The history of Americans hating the president

Fri, 24 Oct 2025 03:00:00 -0000

When Donald Trump questions elections or attacks the press, it can feel like America’s democracy is facing something new. But from John Adams jailing journalists, to Nixon’s enemies list, presidents have tested those limits before and citizens fought back. Today in The Bunker, Alex von Tunzelmann is joined by political theorist Corey Brettschneider, who joins us to explore how past crises reveal the real source of democratic strength: the people themselves.

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Written and presented by Alex von Tunzelmann. Producer: Liam Tait. Audio editor: Robin Leeburn. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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The A.I. bubble – What happens when it bursts?

Thu, 23 Oct 2025 03:00:00 -0000

Is the A.I. bubble about to burst? This week, the Bank of America reported more than half of global fund managers now think A.I. stocks are overinflated. So what happens if the hype finally bursts? Today on The Bunker, Seth Thévoz is joined by Ryan Cummings, chief of staff at the Stanford Institute for Economic Policymaking, to ask whether the future of A.I. could trigger the next big economic crash.

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Immortal billionaires – Will the super rich live forever?

Wed, 22 Oct 2025 03:00:00 -0000

Are tech bros about to disrupt death? From gene-hacked organisms to uploading consciousness to the cloud, Silicon Valley is obsessed with the idea of chasing immortality. Today on The Bunker, Zing Tsjeng sits down with Aleks Krotoski, author of The Immortalists: The Death of Death and the Race for Eternal Life, to unravel the strange, ego driven world of techno-immortality.

Buy Aleks’ book The Immortalists The Death of Death and the Race for Eternal Life through our affiliate bookshop and you’ll be helping the podcast by earning us a small commission for every sale. Bookshop.org’s fees help support independent bookshops too.

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Written and presented by Zing Tsjeng. Producer: Liam Tait. Audio editor: Robin Leeburn. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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How America's Christian right is targeting Britain

Tue, 21 Oct 2025 03:00:00 -0000

America’s Christian right has reshaped politics in the United States; from overturning Roe v. Wade to fuelling culture-war battles over gender and sexuality. Now their influence is arriving in the UK, courtesy of Nigel Farage’s ties to the evangelical group Alliance Defending Freedom and the growing presence of ‘judeo christian values’ in the messaging of Reform and the far right. Today on The Bunker, Zoë Grünewald sits down with New York Times investigative journalist Jane Bradley to find out what could happen if this evangelical vision of “family values” takes hold here too.

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Written and presented by Zoë Grünewald. Producer: Liam Tait. Audio editors: Tom Taylor. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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No Kings vs. a Royal mess – Start Your Week with Alex von Tunzelmann

Mon, 20 Oct 2025 09:05:00 -0000

As Americans make it clear how much they don’t want a monarchy with No Kings protests, Brits might be feeling the same as the Andrew scandal rumbles on. Alex von Tunzelmann joins Jacob Jarvis to discuss the latest news from across the world and how it might play out this week.

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Written and presented by Jacob Jarvis with Alex von Tunzelmann. Audio production: Tom Taylor. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Music by Kenny Dickinson. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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The history of Britain's far right crisis

Fri, 17 Oct 2025 03:00:00 -0000

This summer, Britain’s streets have boiled with right-wing anger. From flag debates to ‘patriotic’ rallies, the far right is trying to turn frustration into a movement. But it’s not the first time the far right has tried to muscle its way into British politics. Today on The Bunker, Gavin Esler is joined by Dr. Aaron Edwards, Honorary Research Fellow at the University of Leicester, to explore how Britain’s far right past is shaping its turbulent present, and why this time things could end very differently.

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How revolutionary women shaped modern Russia

Thu, 16 Oct 2025 03:00:00 -0000

Russia once claimed to lead the world in women’s equality. But today, it’s a nation where traditional gender roles and conservative values define public life. What happened to that revolutionary promise and what does it say about how power really works in modern Russia? Today on The Bunker, Alex von Tunzelmann is joined by Julia Ioffe, author of Motherland: A Feminist History of Modern Russia, from Revolution to Autocracy, about what the lives of Russian women can tell us about the country’s past and its future under Putin.

Head to nakedwines.co.uk/thebunker to get 6 top-rated wines from our sponsor Naked Wines for £39.99, delivery included.

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Buy Julia’s book Motherland: A Feminist History of Modern Russia, from Revolution to Autocracy through our affiliate bookshop and you’ll be helping the podcast by earning us a small commission for every sale. Bookshop.org’s fees help support independent bookshops too.

Written and presented by Alex von Tunzelmann. Producer: Liam Tait. Audio editors: Robin Leeburn. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Starmer's successor? – Who is Shabana Mahmood?

Wed, 15 Oct 2025 03:00:00 -0000

Following the Labour conference, Shabana Mahmood has emerged as one of the party’s breakout stars. Some even think the Home Secretary’s confident performance has put her in the conversation as a potential future leader. Today in The Bunker, Zoë Grünewald is joined by Rajeev Syal, home affairs editor at The Guardian, to unpack Mahmood’s rapid rise and what her ascent tells us about the future of Starmer’s government.

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Written and presented by Zoë Grünewald. Producer: Liam Tait. Audio editor: Robin Leeburn. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Is China pouncing as America withdraws?

Tue, 14 Oct 2025 03:00:00 -0000

China is stepping up to fill the space America is leaving behind. As Washington turns inward and Donald Trump rails against “globalist institutions” like the UN, Beijing is moving fast to shape a new world order: one built around its own power and priorities. Xi Jinping is rallying allies like Putin and Modi to his side. It’s a far cry from the optimism of the 1990s, but as a global power vacuum emerges, China looks ready to step up to the plate. Today on The Bunker, Gavin Esler is joined by Jeffrey Prescott, former U.S. Ambassador to the UN agencies in Rome and visiting scholar at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, to find out what a century of Chinese influence could look like across the globe.

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Gaza, China spies and Portland’s Plague Of Frogs – Start Your Week with Ros Taylor and Gavin Esler

Mon, 13 Oct 2025 08:36:00 -0000

Gaza ceasefire talks are scheduled to take place in Sharm al-Sheikh but how long will the peace last? The Chinese spying scandal rumbles on. Can the plucky American military withstand the might of a bunch of Portlanders in inflatable frog costumes? Oh, and are you prepped for the 2025 stock market crash, due Friday-ish? Ros Taylor and Gavin Esler walk you through the events of the week to come.

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Written and presented by Ros Taylor and Gavin Esler. Audio production by Simon Williams. Produced by Liam Tait. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Art by Jim Parrett. Managing Editor Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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The men who hate women – How sexism powers the far right

Fri, 10 Oct 2025 03:00:00 -0000

Online hatred doesn’t stay online and women often bear the brunt. From harassment campaigns to real-world violence, from Andrew Tate and the “groypers” to terror attacks like the Gretchen Whitmer kidnap attempt, misogyny is behind some of the most dangerous forces in our politics. Cynthia Miller-Idriss, author of Man Up: The New Misogyny and the Rise of Violent Extremism, talks to Emma Kennedy about how toxic masculinity, digital radicalisation, and white supremacist ideas became so entangled and what we can do to combat them.

• Buy Cynthia’s book Man Up: The New Misogyny and the Rise of Violent Extremism and through our affiliate bookshop and you’ll be helping the podcast by earning us a small commission for every sale. Bookshop.org’s fees help support independent bookshops too.

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Written and presented by Emma Kennedy. Producer: Liam Tait. Audio editors: Tom Taylor. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Viceroy City – Why governing Gaza could be beyond Tony Blair

Thu, 09 Oct 2025 03:00:00 -0000

Thought viceroys and colonial administrators were a thing of the past? Tony Blair is being lined up to run the “Board of Peace” for a reconstruction authority for post-conflict Gaza and observers are agog. Historian and Bunker regular Alex von Tunzelmann takes us on a tour of the inglorious history of viceregal rule. Where did the role come from? Was it ever a particularly efficient way to run a country you probably shouldn’t have been in anyway? And what cautionary tales should Blair learn from cases as diverse as the Raj, post-Saddam Iraq and Paddy Ashdown’s control of Bosnia?

• Buy Indian Summer: The Secret History of the End of an Empire by Alex von Tunzelmann through our affiliate bookshop and you’ll help fund The Bunker by earning us a small commission for every sale. Bookshop.org’s fees help support independent bookshops too.

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Written and presented by Andrew Harrison. Audio production by Robin Leeburn. Produced by Liam Tait. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Art by Jim Parrett. Managing Editor Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Could Russia run out of soldiers?

Wed, 08 Oct 2025 03:00:00 -0000

Vladimir Putin has ordered 135,000 new conscripts into the Russian military this autumn, just months after another 160,000 were called up. Officially, these recruits aren’t supposed to serve in Ukraine but as the war drags into its third year, it’s getting harder for Russia to fill the ranks. Today in The Bunker, Gavin Esler is joined by Natasha Lindstaedt, Professor of Government at the University of Essex, to find out how long can Russia sustain a war that’s quietly draining its people, its economy, and its future?

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Trump, Antifa and 'left-wing terror – Fake news or a real problem?

Tue, 07 Oct 2025 03:00:00 -0000

Donald Trump keeps talking about cracking down on “left wing terror networks” in the US. This appears like a blatant move to crackdown on his enemies – so what is the real state of domestic terrorism and the overall terror threat in America? Jason Blazakis, director of the Middlebury Institute of International Studies’ Center on Terrorism, Extremism, and Counterterrorism, joins Jacob Jarvis to discuss.

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Written and presented by Jacob Jarvis. Audio production: Tom Taylor. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Music by Kenny Dickinson. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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ICE, ICE Badenoch — Start Your Week with Gavin Esler

Mon, 06 Oct 2025 09:12:00 -0000

It’s Tory conference and Kemi Badenoch is talking about leaving the ECHR and having ICE style crackdowns here in Britain. Will any of this cut through? Plus, we look at other domestic issues and check in on conflicts across the globe with Gavin Esler and Jacob Jarvis.

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Space-suit vs Jackboot – Can science fiction save us from fascism?

Fri, 03 Oct 2025 03:00:00 -0000

From Margaret Atwood to Alan Moore, from 1984 to Andor, science fiction has gamed out totalitarian futures better than most political analysts. But does it have the answers to stopping the rise of fascism? Writer, critic and host of a fascinating online science fiction community Damien Walter discusses the lessons of future oligarchs, space tyrants and cosmic populism with Andrew Harrison. Which sci-fi dictator does Donald Trump most resemble? Are V For Vendetta and Judge Dredd warnings or instruction manuals? And if Andor is Marxist-Leninist, is the Star Wars story of restoring a genetic elite of magic knights actually fascist?

• Watch Damien’s brilliant explorations of science fiction on YouTube and hear his Science Fiction podcast.

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Are Russia’s disinformation warriors weaker than you think?

Thu, 02 Oct 2025 03:00:00 -0000

In the 2010s Putin’s Russia was quick to realise the potential of disinformation to undermine its enemies in the West. A complex ecosystem including now-banned propaganda TV station RT and troll factories like the Internet Research Agency used social media to sow distrust, spread fake news, distort elections and encourage a cynical culture of politicised snark. But according to Dr Precious Chatterje-Doody, co-author of Russia, Disinformation and the Liberal Order: RT as Populist Pariah, Russia’s information polluters aren’t as effective as we might think. “The broader problem is the sickness of our media environment,” she tells Alex von Tunzelmann – and the remedy is in our own hands.

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Written and presented by Alex von Tunzelmann. Audio production by Robin Leeburn. Produced by Liam Tait. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Art by Jim Parrett. Managing Editor Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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House of Cards – Will Starmer’s I.D. card gamble work?

Wed, 01 Oct 2025 03:00:00 -0000

Keir Starmer says his compulsory digital I.D. card will fight illegal migration and make everyday life simpler. But 2.4 million furious people have signed a petition against it, and everyone from civil liberties campaigners to Nigel Farage, Zarah Sultana and Northern Ireland’s political parties say it’s a threat to privacy and a hacking disaster waiting to happen. Can a digital I.D. system ever be secure? Will it work? Are objections pointless when we voluntarily give our data to tech giants every day? And do we have to call it the “BritCard”? Criminologist Dr Tim Holmes of Bangor University talks Andrew Harrison through a massive culture change for Britain – and a massive gamble for Labour.

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Could Andy Burnham really become Labour leader?

Tue, 30 Sep 2025 03:00:00 -0000

Andy Burnham has made it clear he’d be up for replacing Keir Starmer, if people want him to that is. And, well it feels like many people do. So, could it happen? How? When? And would it solve anything? Steve Richards of Rock & Roll Politics joins Jacob Jarvis to discuss.

Listen to Steve’s podcast here: https://linktr.ee/rocknrollpolitics

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Written and presented by Jacob Jarvis. Audio production: Tom Taylor. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Music by Kenny Dickinson. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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God gave rotten polls to you — Start Your Week with Alex von Tunzelmann and Jacob Jarvis

Mon, 29 Sep 2025 09:02:00 -0000

It’s the Labour Party conference and things aren’t looking great for Starmer. What’s going to keep going wrong and what positives are there to look out for? Plus, the latest from conflicts across the world and a new conspiracy theory low for Trump. Alex von Tunzelmann talks Jacob Jarvis the news to look out for in the week ahead.

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Written and presented by Jacob Jarvis with Alex von Tunzelmann. Audio production: Simon Williams. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Music by Kenny Dickinson. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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The Cruel Ruler – Is Stephen Miller the most powerful man in America?

Fri, 26 Sep 2025 03:00:00 -0000

Stephen Miller’s fascistic eulogy at the Charlie Kirk memorial rally shocked the world with its apocalyptic imagery. This cold, rage-driven and deliberately vicious right-wing operative is more than Trump’s deputy chief of staff. He’s the driving force behind the Administration’s most extreme moves, from mass disappearances to troops on the street to the clampdown on the wrong sort of free speech. Nikki McCann Ramírez of the American Friction podcast and Rolling Stone joins Andrew Harrison to explore the origins of the man they’re calling “America’s real President” and his nightmare vision for the country’s future.

• Follow American Friction for the best analysis of US politics, twice a week.

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Written and presented by Andrew Harrison. Audio production by Tom Taylor. Produced by Liam Tait. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Art by Jim Parrett. Managing Editor Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Farage’s poll numbers: Too good to ignore?

Thu, 25 Sep 2025 03:00:00 -0000

If you look at the most recent polling data: Nigel Farage is on the rise, Keir Starmer is stumbling and the Conservatives are fading into irrelevance. Should we be worried? Today on The Bunker, Gavin Esler is joined by Ben Walker, senior data journalist at The New Statesman and founder of Britain Elects, to crunch the numbers and ask what’s next for British politics?

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From Trump to Reform – Inside the right wing’s war on free speech

Wed, 24 Sep 2025 03:00:00 -0000

Political leaders are rewriting the rules of public debate and the media is in the firing line. This week, Jimmy Kimmel was briefly suspended after making seemingly innocuous remarks following Charlie Kirk’s death, only to be swiftly reinstated. Meanwhile, Donald Trump isn’t just undermining the press: he’s destabilising the very institutions and principles of journalism in the process. Today on The Bunker, Alex von Tunzelmann speaks to Dr Ayala Panievsky, author of The New Censorship, about how the war on the media became one of the defining battles of our age.

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Conspiracy theories, GB News and Britain's far right – with Dr. Matthew Sweet

Tue, 23 Sep 2025 03:00:00 -0000

In recent weeks we’ve seen right wing protestors and their figureheads take to the streets – often touting conspiracy theories with no basis in fact. Increasingly these narratives are tipping into the mainstream, with GB News presenters key culprits in spreading this peculiar and damaging way of thinking. How did we get here? And is there any turning back? Writer and broadcaster Dr Matthew Sweet joins Alison Phillips to discuss.

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Written and presented by Alison Phillips. Produced by Liam Tait. Audio editor: Robin Leeburn. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Starmer, Trump and Palestine: What next? — Start Your Week with Alex von Tunzelmann

Mon, 22 Sep 2025 09:05:00 -0000

Starmer announced the UK’s recognition of Palestine as a state at the weekend – what will this mean for foreign relations and the ongoing crisis in Gaza? Plus, Labour conference is coming up and Trump is on a vengeance warpath in America. Alex von Tunzelmann and Jacob Jarvis discuss the news to look out for in the week ahead.

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Scare BnB – Why Fawlty Towers is still THE perfect British comedy

Fri, 19 Sep 2025 03:00:00 -0000

On 19 September 1975, the nightmare story of a maniac who should never have been running a hotel, his tyrannical wife, their hapless Spanish waiter and a stream of eccentric guests made its debut on BBC2. Fifty years later Fawlty Towers still captures middle Britain at its most hilariously uptight – and Basil Fawlty has never been bettered as an Englishman on the verge of nervous breakdown. Comedy writer Jason Hazeley joins Andrew Harrison to explore the majesty of “Fatty Towels”… ponder whether John Cleese has actually turned into Basil… and ask why the show’s legend lasted so long. Would you like to listen first, or would you like to have a drink before the war?

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Written and presented by Andrew Harrison. Audio production by Tom Taylor. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Art by Jim Parrett. Managing Editor Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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System Failure – Is AI going to drive us all insane?

Thu, 18 Sep 2025 03:00:00 -0000

AI promised helpful assistants. Instead, some users find “friends,” therapists, even lovers. But when bots reflect our thoughts back at us, paranoia, mania and worse can follow. Today on The Bunker, Alex von Tunzelmann speaks to Dr. Kate Devlin, Professor of Artificial Intelligence and Society at King's College London and Chair-Director of the Digital Futures Institute, to look at the risks that come when chatbots blur the line between fact and fiction.

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Written and presented by Alex von Tunzelmann. Producer: Liam Tait. Audio editors: Tom Taylor. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Will China lead a 'New World Order'?

Wed, 17 Sep 2025 03:00:00 -0000

China is challenging decades of US global dominance. With Xi Jinping forging alliances, launching international initiatives, and pushing for superpower status, is Beijing prepared to lead the world? Today on The Bunker, Gavin Esler speaks to Professor Steve Tsang, director of SOAS’s China Institute, on China’s ambitions, America’s unpredictability, and what it means for the future of the global order.

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What will Charlie Kirk's death mean for America?

Tue, 16 Sep 2025 03:00:00 -0000

Charlie Kirk’s assassination has sent shockwaves through American politics. In this episode, we unpack Kirk’s legacy, his influence on the Republican grassroots, the culture wars he helped inflame and more. Seth Thévoz is joined by Charlotte McDonald-Gibson, author of Far Out:The Lives of Former Extremists and What They Teach Us to find out what Kirk's death means for America.

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Far right clashes, Trump visit and Starmer crisis – Start Your Week with Gavin Esler and Ros Taylor

Mon, 15 Sep 2025 08:57:00 -0000

Far right agitants caused chaos over the weekend – what do they mean for Britain and can Starmer rise to meet the moment? Plus, Trump is visiting – how will that go down? Gavin Esler and Ros Taylor discuss all this and more as they outline the news to look out for this week.

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Written and presented by Ros Taylor with Gavin Esler. Audio production: Tom Taylor. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Music by Kenny Dickinson. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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From edgelords to dictators… Why does everyone still love ‘The Art Of War’?

Fri, 12 Sep 2025 03:00:00 -0000

This ancient Chinese military treatise by the mysterious Sun Tzu is one of the most influential books ever written. Internet shock-merchants and tech oligarchs swear by it, Dominic Cummings is a fan and it has inspired military leaders for 2,500 years. Why has ‘The Art Of War’ lasted – and is there more to it than a manual for the manosphere and a crib-sheet for vendors of management studies snake oil?

Jamie Q Roberts is a Lecturer in Politics and International Relations at the University of Sydney (and he also runs Wollemi Art Farm in the Australian Bush). He talks to Andrew Harrison about ‘The Art Of War’s relevance today, its surprising spiritual dimension, and whether Trump is an unwitting apostle of Sun Tzu.

• Read Jamie’s further exploration of ‘The Art Of War’ on The Conversation.

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Written and presented by Andrew Harrison. Audio production by Simon Williams. Produced by Liam Tait. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Art by Jim Parrett. Managing Editor Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Russia, Poland and drones – What happens next? – This is Not a Drill crossover

Thu, 11 Sep 2025 03:00:00 -0000

This is a special crossover edition with our partner podcast, This is Not a Drill.

NATO jets have scrambled to shoot down Russian drones after what Polish military command has called an ‘unprecedented violation’ of its airspace.

As Europe reacts to Russian aggression crossing into NATO airspace and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk invokes Article 4 of the NATO treaty, Gavin Esler is joined for the latest from Warsaw by Ian Garner, assistant professor at the Center for Totalitarian Studies at the Pilecki Institute.

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Written and presented by Gavin Esler. Produced by Robin Leeburn. Original theme music by Paul Hartnoll – https://www.orbitalofficial.com. Executive Producer Martin Bojtos. Managing Editor Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor Andrew Harrison. This Is Not A Drill and The Bunker are Podmasters productions.

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Flag Wars – Inside this summer's political minefield with Jonn Elledge

Wed, 10 Sep 2025 03:00:00 -0000

Over summer, Saint George’s Cross flags have sprouted across Britain across lampposts, bridges, even painted onto roundabouts. Is this a wave of patriotism or simply a culture-war stunt to mark out who belongs and who doesn’t? Today in The Bunker, Alex von Tunzelmann is joined by Jonn Elledge to find out what flags really mean today.

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Cranks, corporations and crap karaoke – Inside Reform UK’s bizarre conference

Tue, 09 Sep 2025 03:00:00 -0000

Reform UK’s conference was as weird and worrying as you might have expected. If you haven’t seen the “highlights” then we’ll spare you watching. Matthew Holehouse, The Economist’s British politics correspondent, was there and joins Gavin Esler to discuss what went on.

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Written and presented by Gavin Esler. Audio production: Tom Taylor. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Music by Kenny Dickinson. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Take me to your deputy leader — Start Your Week with Gavin Esler and Jacob Jarvis

Mon, 08 Sep 2025 09:10:00 -0000

Angela Rayner’s departure has left Labour in turmoil as the party looks to recalibrate. Will Starmer’s changes work? Plus, Reform UK held its conference at the weekend – is there any way of stealing the spotlight back from them? Gavin Esler and Jacob Jarvis discuss all this and more in Start Your Week.

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Are the fact-checkers losing? – Inside the fake news crisis with Chris Morris of Full Fact

Fri, 05 Sep 2025 03:00:00 -0000

As the fake news pandemic worsens, Twitter/X and Facebook are phasing out their human fact-checkers in favour of crowdsourcing the job – that is, getting the users to do it. And it turns out that the “Community Notes” system Musk loves so much doesn’t work at all as you’d expect. Are fact-checkers fighting a losing battle? Chris Morris, Chief Executive of the independent investigative charity Full Fact, talks to Andrew Harrison about the crisis of truth in news, how A.I. is making it worse, and what happens if we leave it all to the alleged wisdom of crowds.

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Just asking questions – How conspiracy theories took hold in Britain

Thu, 04 Sep 2025 03:00:00 -0000

Conspiracy theories used to be confined to fringe internet discussions and the guy you’d avoid in the pub. Now, thanks to figures like Donald Trump, they’ve gone mainstream. But where’s the line between healthy scepticism and believing the Royal Family are lizard people? Today in The Bunker, Alex von Tunzelmann is joined by Daniel Jolley, social psychologist and Associate Professor at the University of Nottingham, to find out how the UK embraced conspiracy theories and what we can do to sort fact from fiction.

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The Future is Slop – Why the Far-Right loves tacky A.I. imagery

Wed, 03 Sep 2025 03:00:00 -0000

Blond white children playing in slightly-too-colourful fields? London as an open sewer patrolled by threatening migrants? Trump as Superman? Alligators in MAGA hats? The far-right thrives on generative artificial intelligence images and they’re all so naff. Is A.I. slop the official art style of the new authoritarianism? New York Times columnist Jamelle Bouie talks to Andrew Harrison about why the radical right loves shiny, sentimental images; how they connect to Hitler’s fascist kitsch; and what it means when reality doesn’t live up to your fantasies.

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Ukraine war report: The latest from Kyiv with Oz Katerji

Tue, 02 Sep 2025 03:00:00 -0000

It’s been more than 1,280 days since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The death toll is unthinkable, peace talks are stuck and Trump’s latest “summit” in Alaska hasn’t shifted the dial.

Today in The Bunker, Chris Jones is joined by journalist and This Is Not a Drill co-host Oz Katerji to ask: where does the war stand now, and how is Ukraine enduring under the relentless assault from Russia?

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Written and presented by Chris Jones. Producer: Liam Tait. Audio editors: Simon Williams. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Trump’s Not Dead! – Start Your Week with Alex von Tunzelmann

Mon, 01 Sep 2025 09:13:00 -0000

‘Weekend At Donald’s’? After a feverish few days of speculation about the President’s health, we get back to reality. Alex von Tunzelmann guides you through the week ahead, from the beginning of Starmer’s make-or-break autumn with all its thorny taxation issues to the endless flags-and-hotels protests – will they burn out with the summer? Plus the assassination of a Ukrainian politician, earthquake in Afghanistan and Trump’s latest power-grab.

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Inside Hitler’s inner circle – How his underlings served the Nazi tyrant

Fri, 29 Aug 2025 03:00:00 -0000

At the core of the most infamous regime in history is a paradox: a leader who somehow exercised total control while being personally lazy and issuing only vague instructions to his ministers. In Hitler’s People: The Faces of the Third Reich the renowned historian Richard J Evans investigates Hitler’s central clique from Göring, Goebbels and Himmler to low-level followers and fellow travellers. He talks to Alex von Tunzelmann about the power dynamic at the centre of Third Reich and what it can tell us about how authoritarians rule today.

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Written and presented by Alex von Tunzelmann. Produced by Liam Tait. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Art by Jim Parrett. Managing Editor Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Bob Villain – What does Robert Jenrick want?

Thu, 28 Aug 2025 03:00:00 -0000

He’s climbing up a lamp-post near you to hang flags. He’s smearing every immigrant in terms that would have got you kicked out of the Tories even five years ago. And he thinks he can lead the Conservatives. What turned Robert Jenrick from a non-threatening Cameroonist Tory into a trouble-stirring Cosplay Farage? Does he really believe in anything? Would he do a deal with Reform? Or would he merge with it? Rob Hutton, parliamentary sketchwriter for The Critic magazine, joins Andrew Harrison to discuss the hidden shallows of the man they still call “Robert Generic”.

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Empire of Lies – How Putin rules Russians with conspiracy propaganda

Wed, 27 Aug 2025 03:00:00 -0000

Inside today’s Russia, conspiracy theories like this aren’t just fringe curiosities, they’re mainstream. From TV talk shows to Putin himself, wild stories about stolen lands, shadowy Western plots, and circling enemies aren’t dismissed; they’re used to fuel Russia’s war in Ukraine and position the country as a morally just state.

Today in The Bunker, Alex von Tunzelmann is joined by Dr Ilya Yablokov, Lecturer in Digital Journalism and Disinformation at the University of Sheffield, to explain how the Russian state uses mass media to normalise conspiracy theories to the public.

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Flags, Boats and Hotels… Again – Start Your Week with Ros Taylor

Tue, 26 Aug 2025 09:17:00 -0000

The dog days of summer continue to be dominated by flags, boats and hotels. Will the migrant protests and freelance flag-raising burn out or will the Mail’s dream of chaos in Britain come true? Plus as Trump’s Ukraine “solution” stumbles on he floats the idea of more military occupations of American cities; the French government teeters; and the Great Mounjaro Shortage of 2025. Ros Taylor sets out the week ahead with Andrew Harrison.

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From Bad to Norse – How the Vikings would have dealt with a tyrant like Trump

Fri, 22 Aug 2025 03:00:00 -0000

Some say Donald Trump’s ancestry ties him to Norse kings and even Rurik, founder of Russia’s first dynasty. In recent weeks, Russian state media have pushed the idea that Trump’s “Viking blood” explains his ruthless streak. But would the real Vikings have raised a flagon in his honour, or run him out of the fjord? Today on The Bunker, Chris Jones is joined by medieval historian Dr. Keith Ruiter, who specialises in the Viking age, to find out how the vikings would have dealt with a leader like Trump.

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Written and presented by Chris Jones. Producer: Liam Tait. Audio editors: Robin Leeburn. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Chads, Cucks and the Black Pill – Decoding the far right

Thu, 21 Aug 2025 03:00:00 -0000

The modern far right often play the underdogs, shaking fists at mysterious elites said to control our thoughts and culture. But much of their lexicon has already slipped into the mainstream. Phrases born on message boards now appear in newspapers, on TV, even in everyday chat. On today’s Bunker, Dorian Lynskey talks to journalist Matt McManus, assistant professor at Spelman College and host of the Academic Edgelords podcast about the words and the warped worldview that the far right has smuggled into our politics.

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Written and presented by Dorian Lynskey. Producer: Liam Tait. Audio editor: Robin Leeburn. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Trump and Ukraine talks: What comes next? – This Is Not a Drill crossover edition

Wed, 20 Aug 2025 03:00:00 -0000

In a special crossover edition from our partner podcast, This is Not a Drill, Oz Katerji is joined by Keir Giles, author and Russia expert at Chatham House, to discuss the fallout from Trump’s meetings with Putin, Zelenskyy and a host of European leaders. After a frantic week of international diplomacy, what is the prospect of an end to Russia’s war on Ukraine?

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Written and presented by Oz Katerji. Produced by Robin Leeburn. Original theme music by Paul Hartnoll – https://www.orbitalofficial.com. Executive Producer Martin Bojtos. Managing Editor Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor Andrew Harrison. This Is Not A Drill and the Bunker are Podmasters productions.

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Arguing with a Reform voter? – Paul Mason has the ideas you need

Tue, 19 Aug 2025 03:00:00 -0000

“Britain’s heading for civil war.” “Immigration’s out of control.” “We’re stuck with two-tier woke policing.” How do you argue back when relatives, friends or colleagues start parroting Reform’s inflammatory half-truths? And when they’re encouraged by a compliant media and radicalised pundits? Campaigning journalist Paul Mason wrote How To Stop Fascism. He tells Andrew Harrison how to tell a persuadable Farage fan from an irredeemable racist, how to debate with them, and why progressives no longer have the luxury of sticking to their factions.

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Written and presented by Andrew Harrison. Audio production by Simon Williams. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Art by Jim Parrett. Managing Editor Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Trump meeting: United states and America – Start Your Week with Alex von Tunzelmann and Jacob Jarvis

Mon, 18 Aug 2025 09:36:00 -0000

After Trump’s meeting with Putin, world leaders are scrambling to the White House for damage control. Zelenskyy will be joined by an A-list cast of European figureheads – what will they be pushing for? Alex von Tunzelmann and Jacob Jarvis discuss all this and more as they tee up the week ahead.

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How South Park is saving free speech in America

Fri, 15 Aug 2025 03:00:00 -0000

The new season of South Park is causing a stir with its sharp attacks on the Trump administration. Long seen as a bastion of free speech, the cartoon has built its reputation on skewering everyone, but is its trademark cynicism shifting towards a more targeted political stance? Today on The Bunker, Jacob Jarvis speaks with media critic Ciara Moloney to unpack the politics behind the long-running cartoon and examine its new role as a protector of free speech in a fraught media landscape.

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Written and presented by Jacob Jarvis. Producer: Liam Tait. Audio editors: Simon Williams. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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What is Putin hoping to win in Alaska?

Thu, 14 Aug 2025 03:00:00 -0000

The world’s eyes will be on Vladimir Putin as he meets with Donald Trump in Alaska. With Ukraine’s future on the table, could this be the Russian leader’s moment to get exactly what he wants? Today in The Bunker, Chris Jones is joined by Dr Ian Garner, author of Z Generation: Into the Heart of Russia’s Fascist Youth, to unpack what’s really at stake in this meeting of political powers.

Buy Z Generation: Into the Heart of Russia’s Fascist Youth through our affiliate bookshop and you’ll help fund The Bunker by earning us a small commission for every sale. Bookshop.org’s fees help support independent bookshops too.

NOT FOR PATREON:

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Written and presented by Chris Jones. Producer: Liam Tait. Audio editors: Tom Taylor. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Old Man Shouts at Cloud – Could Trump turn off Europe’s internet?

Wed, 13 Aug 2025 03:00:00 -0000

Daily life depends US-based cloud computing. What happens if Trump decides to use it as a weapon against his enemies, as he does with tariffs? Just three American firms – Google, Amazon, and Microsoft – control around two-thirds of Europe’s cloud infrastructure including the UK’s Home Office, HMRC, Department for Work and Pensions, and MoD. Could Trump order his cowed techbro allies to simply cut us off? And is anyone preparing for moment when America could hold us to digital ransom? Kieron  O’Hara – computer scientist, philosopher and co-author with Wendy Hall of Four Internets – talks to Andrew Harrison.

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Written and presented by Andrew Harrison. Audio production by Robin Leeburn. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Art by Jim Parrett. Managing Editor Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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King of Cruelty – How Trump wins by humiliating his enemies

Tue, 12 Aug 2025 03:30:00 -0000

Politics has always been brutal but in the Trump era, it’s turned downright ugly. From Ted Cruz to Elon Musk, Donald Trump doesn’t just defeat opponents; he aims to degrade them. Public insults, jeers, the whip of a hostile crowd and, most of all, humiliation. Why does this gut-level tactic work so well for the leader of the free world? Today in The Bunker, Jacob Jarvis sits down with Toby Buckle, host of the Political Philosophy Podcast, joins us to unpack the politics of humiliation.

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The summit of all fears – Start Your Week with Rafael Behr and Jacob Jarvis

Mon, 11 Aug 2025 09:07:00 -0000

Trump and Putin are due to meet in Alaska in a bilateral meeting despite a global push to ensure Zelenskyy is brought to the table. Will anything come of this, or is this just going to be a meeting of two super-egos? Rafael Behr joins Jacob Jarvis to discuss this and other news to look out for this week in Start Your Week.

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Written and presented by Jacob Jarvis with Rafael Behr. Audio production: Tom Taylor. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Music by Kenny Dickinson. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Were the Luddites right? – Why A.I. is making it seem that way

Fri, 08 Aug 2025 03:00:00 -0000

Rage against the machines? For 200 years “Luddite” was a term of abuse for deluded people who tried to hold back progress. But with A.I. threatening everything from mass unemployment to business tyranny to actual human extinction, maybe it’s time to accept that the 19th century worker’s rebellion under fictional leader Ned Ludd had a pretty good point. Brian Merchant, author of Blood in the Machine: The Origins of the Rebellion Against Big Tech talks to Alex von Tunzelmann about the amorality of technology, the libelling of the Luddites, and what we can learn from them in the age of ChatGPT and OpenAI.

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Written and presented by Alex von Tunzelmann. Audio production by Robin Leeburn. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Managing Editor Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Will Farage's crime fear campaign decide the next election?

Thu, 07 Aug 2025 03:00:00 -0000

Nigel Farage claims Britain is on the edge of ‘societal collapse’ with crime so bad that people are scared to leave their own house. But is there any truth behind his claims or is it just another alarmist soundbite? Today in The Bunker, Jacob Jarvis talks to Zoë Grünewald, Westminster editor at The Lead, about whether Farage’s rhetoric matches reality and if it will swing votes in the next election.

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Written and presented by Jacob Jarvis. Producer: Liam Tait. Audio editors: Tom Taylor. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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From Caesar to JFK – How assassinations have shaped the world

Wed, 06 Aug 2025 03:00:00 -0000

From the assassination that sparked the First World War to the covert drone strikes of today, targeted killing has been used to shape history and shift the balance of power for generations. Today in The Bunker, Seth Thévoz is joined by Simon Ball, professor of international history and politics at the University of Leeds and author of Death to Order: A Modern History of Assassination, to explore the long, shadowy history of assassination as a political tool.

Buy Death to Order: A Modern History of Assassination through our affiliate bookshop and you’ll help fund The Bunker by earning us a small commission for every sale. Bookshop.org’s fees help support independent bookshops too.

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Grindset influencers and CEO cosplay – Is business bullshit harming the real economy?

Tue, 05 Aug 2025 03:00:00 -0000

Were you up at 4am, crushing laps on the Assault Bike, triple-dosing beef tallow coffee, journaling your goals, and grinding through a high-performance podcast? No? Then what’s wrong with you? Welcome to the grindset—the cult-like mindset glorifying relentless work, self-optimisation, and so-called success. Fuelled by figures like Stephen Bartlett, Gary Vee, and James Watt, it dominates LinkedIn, podcasts, and bro-business culture. But beneath the hype lies burnout, spiritual emptiness, and a whole lot of cosplay capitalism. Business professor Fiona McQuarrie joins The Bunker to ask: Where did this macho myth come from—and does it really get anyone anywhere?

• Listen to Bright Future In Sales by Fiona and Andrew’s favourites, Fountains Of Wayne.

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Written and presented by Andrew Harrison. Audio production by Robin Leeburn. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Managing Editor Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Play your I.D. cards right — Start Your Week with Gavin Esler and Ros Taylor

Mon, 04 Aug 2025 09:08:00 -0000

A plan for new identity cards is reportedly in the offing, what is the government thinking and why? Plus, we look at the latest from online safety laws to Trump’s chaos in the United States, with Ros Taylor and Gavin Esler.

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Talk ’90s To Me teaser – How Oasis blew up with Miranda Sawyer and Ted Kessler

Sun, 03 Aug 2025 03:00:00 -0000

Talk ’90s To Me is the new podcast from the makers of The Bunker which dives into all the key characters and topics that made the 1990s great. The first episode covers Oasis and how they brought chaos, electricity and working-class swagger to a music scene dominated by po-faced grunge and indie bands in the early 1990s. How did the Gallaghers go from humble beginnings in Manchester to taking over the world? Find out in our first episode – here’s a teaser and go subscribe here: linktr.ee/talk90stome

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Written and presented by Miranda Sawyer. Produced by Liam Tait. Video and audio production by Simon Williams. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group editor: Andrew Harrison. Music by Soniq Branding from Artlist. Talk ’90s To Me and The Bunker are Podmasters productions.

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Revenge – Inside the addiction that drives everything from Trump to The Lion King

Fri, 01 Aug 2025 03:00:00 -0000

From Trump to Putin to Israel/Gaza, a primal need for revenge saturates politics. But is vengeance an addiction like any other? Author and former lawyer James Kimmel Jr should know. Grievance and pain once drove him to such rage that he almost committed murder. He tells Andrew Harrison how his book The Science of Revenge explains why we take pleasure in others’ pain, why Trump is obsessed with getting his own back at the world… and why John Wick and The Lion King are basically the same movie.

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Written and presented by Andrew Harrison. Audio production by Simon Williams. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Managing Editor Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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QAnon vs. The GOP – Can Trump's party survive?

Thu, 31 Jul 2025 03:00:00 -0000

Donald Trump promised to expose Jeffrey Epstein’s secrets but now he’s backing away, and the conspiracy crowd that once adored him is asking some serious questions. Can Trump survive the fallout from the QAnon movement he helped ignite? And even if he does, what will it mean for the future of his party, beyond his time as president Today in The Bunker, Chris Jones is joined by Mike Rothschild, journalist and author of The Storm Is Upon Us: How QAnon Became a Movement, Cult, and Conspiracy Theory of Everything, to ask whether the Republican Party can survive its toxic entanglement with conspiracy theorists.

Buy The Storm Is Upon Us: How QAnon Became a Movement, Cult, and Conspiracy Theory of Everything through our affiliate bookshop and you’ll help fund The Bunker by earning us a small commission for every sale. Bookshop.org’s fees help support independent bookshops too.

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Time to tax the mega-rich? – How a wealth tax might work

Wed, 30 Jul 2025 03:00:00 -0000

As Britain’s finances worsen, pressure is building for Labour to bring in a wealth tax on the super-rich – not least because Rachel Reeves has ruled out pretty much every other tax. How would it work? How much would it raise? Who would pay? And would those poor billionaires really flee Britain if it happened? Stephen Kinsella of Patriotic Millionaires UK explains why we really do need to tax the rich (and why he doesn’t mind if it’s him).

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Written and presented by Andrew Harrison. Audio production by Tom Taylor. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Managing Editor Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Trump vs. Murdoch – Let the worst man win!

Tue, 29 Jul 2025 03:00:00 -0000

Donald Trump is suing the Wall Street Journal and its owner, Rupert Murdoch, for $10 billion over a story linking him to Jeffrey Epstein. So what’s really behind Trump’s latest high profile spat with a former friend? Today in The Bunker, Gavin Esler is joined by William Cohan, journalist at The New York Times, to find out what this billionaire fallout tells us about power, media, and revenge in Trump’s second term.

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Written and presented by Gavin Esler. Producer: Liam Tait. Audio editors: Robin Leeburn. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Party with no name — Start Your Week with Ros Taylor and Jacob Jarvis

Mon, 28 Jul 2025 09:00:00 -0000

Will Corbyn’s new outfit sustain momentum? And how will it change British politics if so? Plus, is Britain really at “breaking point”? Ros Taylor and Jacob Jarvis discuss the latest domestic news and look further afield to the situation in Gaza and the increased calls for a ceasefire. All that and more in Start Your Week.

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Written and presented by Jacob Jarvis with Ros Taylor. Audio production: Simon Williams. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Music by Kenny Dickinson. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Are we living through a new nuclear arms race?

Fri, 25 Jul 2025 03:00:00 -0000

As tensions rise across the globe, hypersonic missiles, strategic algorithms, and next-gen warheads are reigniting fears we hoped were left behind in the Cold War. Today in The Bunker, Seth Thévoz is joined by Shashank Joshi, defence editor at The Economist, to explore the key players driving a new era of nuclear weaponry.

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Is Trump basically a king now?

Thu, 24 Jul 2025 03:00:00 -0000

He ignores court rulings. He scatters “executive orders” like confetti. He orders the machinery of the state to persecute his enemies, he uses troops against private citizens, and the Supreme Court says he’s above the law. Is there any meaningful sense in which Donald Trump is NOT a now a monarch who can rule by fiat? UCL Politics professor Andrew Rudalevige and Andrew Harrison discuss the daunting prospect of Donald Trump, Tyrant King of America.

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Rise of the machines – Can we trust A.I. in the military?

Wed, 23 Jul 2025 03:00:00 -0000

OpenAI’s founders claimed they wanted to build ethical artificial intelligence for the benefit of humanity. So why is it now taking a $200 million contract from the US military? Today in The Bunker, Alex von Tunzelmann is joined by Mariarosaria Taddeo, Professor of Digital Ethics and Defence Technologies at Oxford University, to find out what A.I. means for the future of warfare.

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Written and presented by Alex von Tunzelmann. Producer: Liam Tait. Audio editors: Dom Delargy. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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From Hitler to now – How autocrats and dictators have evolved

Tue, 22 Jul 2025 03:00:00 -0000

When we discuss dictators and autocrats, we often think of those of the past. But, with the world increasingly turning away from democracy, how do they behave differently now compared to the 20th century? Jacob Jarvis is joined by Daniel Treisman, professor of political science at the University of California and co-author of Spin Dictators: The Changing Face of Tyranny in the 21st Century, to discuss.

Buy Spin Dictators: The Changing Face of Tyranny in the 21st Century through our affiliate bookshop and you’ll help fund The Bunker by earning us a small commission for every sale. Bookshop.org’s fees help support independent bookshops too.

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Environmental hazards — Start Your Week with Gavin Esler and Ros Taylor

Mon, 21 Jul 2025 08:59:00 -0000

Labour fallout continues as the Government also tries to get a grip on the water sector. Gavin Esler and Ros Taylor discuss the latest turmoil Starmer and co face this week. Plus, Badenoch is apparently doing a reshuffle (who cares?), Farage is having a press conference and Trump faces more chaos over his Epstein list crisis in the US.

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When new tribes go to war – Who are Britain’s new political groupings?

Fri, 18 Jul 2025 03:00:00 -0000

Are you a progressive activist or a dissenting disruptor? These are two ends of a new group of political tribes identified by More in Common, in a report called Shattered Britain: Making sense of what Britons want in a country that feels broken. Luke Tryl, one of its authors and the UK director of More in Common, joins Alex von Tunzelmann to discuss how these groups have formed, how they move around, and what they mean for the shape and future of Britain’s politics.

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Labour and A.I. – Does Starmer know what he’s on about?

Thu, 17 Jul 2025 03:00:00 -0000

AI is everywhere — writing emails, diagnosing illness, even offering therapy. And politicians are now obsessed with it, too. But is Starmer right to be so invested in it? Can it really fix everything, or are we asking too much? Today, Chris Jones sits down with Professor Kate Devlin, Chair-Director of the Digital Futures Institute, to break down what AI is actually good at, where it’s overhyped, and why your AI therapist may not be the best person to talk to about your feelings.

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Written and presented by Chris Jones. Producer: Liam Tait. Audio editor: Robin Leeburn. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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China crisis – Is Xi Jinping going to step down?

Wed, 16 Jul 2025 03:00:00 -0000

Xi Jinping can, technically, be China’s leader for the rest of his life. But, speculation has mounted that he might be stepping down from power. Is this justified? And if not, how does Xi keep such a tough grip on power? Jacob Jarvis discusses with Kerry Brown, professor of Chinese Studies and director of the Lau China Institute at King’s College and the author of several books about China and Xi Jinping, including Xi: A Study in Power.

Buy Xi: A study in power through our affiliate bookshop and you’ll help fund The Bunker by earning us a small commission for every sale. Bookshop.org’s fees help support independent bookshops too.

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From Trump to Europe – Who can Ukraine really rely on?

Tue, 15 Jul 2025 03:00:00 -0000

As Ukraine fights to hold the line against Russian advances, Western support is starting to look shaky. With Putin’s war machine grinding on and Europe watching nervously, we ask: is the US still committed to Ukraine’s survival? Today, Chris Jones is joined by Keir Giles, Senior Consulting Fellow at Chatham House and author of Russia’s War on Everybody, to unpack what’s happening on the battlefield, what Trump’s statements mean for Ukraine and who Ukraine can rely on.

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There may be trouble ahead — Start Your Week with Alex von Tunzelmann and Jacob Jarvis

Mon, 14 Jul 2025 09:20:00 -0000

Starmer’s friendly hang out with Macron feels a long time ago now and the reality of trying to make his deal “work” now looms. Alex von Tunzelmann joins Jacob Jarvis to discuss how implementing it might play out, plus they discuss union clashes, a Trump state visit and more crazy conspiracy news from the United States.

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Watch the Spies – Can the CIA survive Trump?

Fri, 11 Jul 2025 03:00:00 -0000

In the past the Central Intelligence Agency got its hands dirty to support the American vision of freedom and democracy. But what is the spy agency’s purpose for when the President himself despises those very values? Pulitzer Prize winning author Tim Weiner talks Andrew Harrison through The Mission: The CIA In The 21st Century , his absorbing new history of the Agency through the years of 9/11, secret prisons, torture to a surprise vindication over Putin’s election interference and the Ukraine War. Is there a future of intelligence in the age of dumb ideology?

• Buy The Mission: The CIA In The 21st Century through our affiliate bookshop and you’ll help fund The Bunker by earning us a small commission for every sale. Bookshop.org’s fees help support independent bookshops too.

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Why is America obsessed with going to war?

Thu, 10 Jul 2025 03:00:00 -0000

The US has a world-class diplomatic corps, yet increasingly its foreign policy is based around war. And while most nations still favour negotiation, Washington seems hooked on force. Today in The Bunker, Chris Jones is joined by Professor David Reynolds, author of Mirrors of Greatness, to find out if the US policy of intervention is working or making things worse?

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No Kids On The Block – What collapsing birthrates really mean

Wed, 09 Jul 2025 03:00:00 -0000

What would the world look like if children became scarcer? Birthrates are falling across the world but the main voices trying to turn them around seem to be weird traditionalist “pronatalists”. Is there a way to encourage having more kids while preserving women’s freedom – and without encouraging right-wing conspiracy ideas about “replacement”? Or should we just tax people who don’t have kids? Demographer and author of No One Left: Why the World Needs More Children Paul Morland tells Alex von Tunzelmann how culture not government shapes the way we breed, and why collapsing birthrates are not solely a white European/Western issue any more.

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Written and presented by Alex von Tunzelmann. Audio production by Dominic Delargy. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Managing Editor Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Is Big Tech starting to lose?

Tue, 08 Jul 2025 03:00:00 -0000

Is Big Tech really as unstoppable as it looks? In recent months US courts and EU regulators have handed out major reverses to tech giants including Apple, Google, Amazon and Meta. Meanwhile Google search is becoming unusable, choked by ads and its own algorithm, and the growth of A.I. means Big Tech could become the victim of Bigger Tech. But at least the tech broligarchs have Trump on their side, right? Murad Ahmed, technology news editor of the Financial Times, talks Andrew Harrison through a looming tipping point for the digital giants.

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Can Labour get a second chance? – Start Your Week with Gavin Esler and Ros Taylor

Mon, 07 Jul 2025 08:56:00 -0000

Labour starts Year Two hoping that everyone will forget Year One. Can Starmer restart his premiership, again? Plus lessons of the 7/7 bombings twenty years on, the new Jeremy Corbyn and/or Zarah Sultana party, Reform puts teenagers in charge of council services… and the Wimbledon finals. Ros Taylor and Gavin Esler discuss the stories that will shape your week.

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Written and presented by Ros Taylor with Gavin Esler. Audio production: Tom Taylor. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Music by Kenny Dickinson. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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How would world leaders react to a zombie apocalypse?

Fri, 04 Jul 2025 03:00:00 -0000

“Organise before they rise,” is Max Brooks’ advice in his zombie survival guide. But, are world leaders prepared enough? As 28 Years Later hits cinemas, Jacob Jarvis speaks to Daniel Drezner, author of Theories of International Politics and Zombies and professor of international politics at Tufts University, to find out how the world might react and how governments would interact during such a catastrophe.

Buy Theories of International Politics and Zombies through our affiliate bookshop and you’ll help fund The Bunker by earning us a small commission for every sale. Bookshop.org’s fees help support independent bookshops too.

Written and presented by Jacob Jarvis. Audio editor: Robin Leeburn. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Trial and terror: What actually happens when a group is 'proscribed'?

Thu, 03 Jul 2025 03:00:00 -0000

After years of direct action and controversial tactics by Palestine Action, the Home Secretary is moving to proscribe the campaign group under anti-terror laws. But is that a crackdown on extremism or political theatre?

Today in The Bunker, Gavin Esler is joined by Professor Lee Jarvis, expert in international politics and terrorism at Loughborough University, to unpack what it really means to be proscribed - and what’s it means for protest in Britain.

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Written and presented by Gavin Esler. Produced by Liam Tait. Audio editor: Robin Leeburn. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Meta goes MAGA – Inside Zuckerberg's right-wing transformation

Wed, 02 Jul 2025 03:00:00 -0000

Mark Zuckerberg’s pivot to the right has sent shockwaves through Silicon Valley. From calls for more “masculine energy” in the workplace to his rebrand as an amateur MMA aficionado. Zuck’s Trump-loving transformation has raised eyebrows across the tech world. But what does it mean for the future of Meta and the world of social media? Today in The Bunker, Alex von Tunzelmann sits down with Bloomberg’s social media correspondent Kurt Wagner to unpack the rebellion brewing inside Meta and why Zuckerberg’s new persona has staff looking to unfriend their CEO.

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Could Putin face a revolt in Russia?

Tue, 01 Jul 2025 03:00:00 -0000

Is Vladimir Putin still the unshakable strongman, or is his grip on power beginning to falter? Today in The Bunker, Chris Jones is joined by Mark Galeotti, an internationally recognised expert on the inner workings of Putin’s Russia and author of the book Putin's Wars: From Chechnya to Ukraine amongst many others, to explore the Kremlin’s next moves, the cracks in Putin’s armour, and what the West keeps getting wrong about the invasion of Ukraine.

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Written and presented by Chris Jones. Producer: Liam Tait. Audio editors: Tom Taylor. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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The turn of the Keir — Start Your Week with Ros Taylor and Jacob Jarvis

Mon, 30 Jun 2025 09:12:00 -0000

Keir Starmer seems downbeat as he marks a year in office with international crises and backbench backlash overshadowing the anniversary. Ros Taylor talks Jacob Jarvis through the benefits bill fallout. Plus, they look to latest news from the Middle East and the ever present Donald Trump.

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Written and presented by Jacob Jarvis with Ros Taylor. Audio production: Tom Taylor. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Music by Kenny Dickinson. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Can Superman save us now? – The Man of Steel vs the Age of Trump

Fri, 27 Jun 2025 03:00:00 -0000

On July 11, Superman flies back into cinemas in his third reboot – but this time, he’s different. Director James Gunn promises a beacon of hope, kindness, and decency, a sharp contrast to the grim hero we last saw. How will a reborn idealistic Man of Steel land in the most cynical American moment of the modern era? How has Superman changed in his 87 years in comics, movies and radio? And can he save the American Way from a real-life supervillain in the White House? Ian Gordon, author of Superman: The Persistence of an American Icon , joins fellow comics addict Andrew Harrison in The Bunker’s Fortress of Solitude.

IAN GORDON’S SUPERMAN STARTER LIST

• Action Comics #1 (June 1938)

• “Must There Be a Superman?” Superman #247 (January 1972) – In Superman: The Greatest Stories Ever Told

• Superman (1978) the film

• “Whatever Happened to the Man of Tomorrow?” (Superman #423 and Action Comics #583, September 1986)

• Kingdom Come (1996)

• All Star Superman #1-12 (2005)

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Written and presented by Group Editor Andrew Harrison. Audio production by Tom Taylor. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Managing Editor Jacob Jarvis. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Are planes really crashing more often?

Thu, 26 Jun 2025 03:00:00 -0000

Mass fatalities in the Air India crash and the collision of a passenger flight and a US Army helicopter over the Potomac have triggered fears that serious aviation accidents are becoming more frequent. But are they really? John Walton, editor of independent aviation journalism site TheUpFront, talks to Andrew Harrison about why panics like this start, how safe air travel really is, and how this high-emissions industry is facing up to a low-emissions future.

• Read John Walton on air travel for general readers as well as insiders at TheUpFront.

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Written and presented by Group Editor Andrew Harrison. Audio production by Tom Taylor. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Managing Editor Jacob Jarvis. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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The Epstein Files – How much do we actually know?

Wed, 25 Jun 2025 03:00:00 -0000

Jeffrey Epstein is dead, but the questions around his life, his crimes, and his powerful friends remain. In 2024, new court documents were unsealed, revealing more about Epstein’s abuse yet much of the content remains redacted, leading to conspiracy theories, speculation – and social media battles between Elon Musk and President Trump. Today in The Bunker, Gavin Esler is joined by investigative reporter Adam Klasfeld, editor-in-chief of All Rise News, to unpack what we know and what remains obscured about the Epstein files.

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Written and presented by Gavin Esler Producer: Liam Tait. Audio editors: Tom Taylor. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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America vs. Iran – What does Trump actually want?

Tue, 24 Jun 2025 03:00:00 -0000

Donald Trump once promised to keep America out of endless wars. But less than 200 days into his second term, the US military has carried out airstrikes on Iran. Following Israel’s Operation Rising Lion, the president gave orders to target Iranian nuclear facilities. His cabinet denies any ambition for regime change – but Trump’s own words suggest otherwise. So what’s really going on? Today in The Bunker, Alex von Tunzelmann is joined by Dr Sanam Vakil, Director of the MENA Programme at Chatham House, to unpack the latest escalation in the Middle East and what the president’s endgame might be.

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Written and presented by Alex von Tunzelmann Producer: Liam Tait. Audio editors: Robin Leeburn. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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War, what is it good for? — Start Your Week with Ros Taylor and Jacob Jarvis

Mon, 23 Jun 2025 08:50:00 -0000

America’s strikes on Iran have left the world wondering what Trump’s next move will be. What do we know so far – and what could happen next? Plus, what comes now after the assisted dying bill vote? And with Reform surging in polls, Farage has another weird plan – will it work? And because the answer’s no, why not? Ros Taylor and Jacob Jarvis discuss all that and more in Start Your Week.

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Channel Nigel – Is BBC News really changing to chase Reform voters?

Fri, 20 Jun 2025 03:00:00 -0000

Is the BBC shifting right to please Reform voters? Leaked minutes from a top-level BBC editorial meeting reveal plans to reshape story selection and tone – not just in news, but even in drama – to improve the Corporation’s image among Reform UK supporters. But instead of chasing Farage’s fans, should the BBC hold Reform to account more rigorously? Don of media commentators Raymond Snoddy explains the danger of letting populism set the news agenda to Andrew Harrison.

• Raymond Snoddy writes on media at TheMediaLeader.com. He’s a contributor to the new book Pandering to Populism?

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Written and presented by Group Editor Andrew Harrison. Audio production by Tom Taylor. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Managing Editor Jacob Jarvis. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Trailer

Thu, 19 Jun 2025 19:02:00 -0000

The Bunker - news without the nonsense. Published every week day, we promise to deliver the insight that smart, modern listeners crave, beyond the headlines. Boost your knowledge, cut away the spin and get news without the nonsense on The Bunker.

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Lord of the Spies – What does the head of MI6 actually do?

Thu, 19 Jun 2025 03:00:00 -0000

For the first time in MI6’s history, a female chief is taking the helm. Blaise Metreweli, a veteran of both old-school espionage and cutting-edge tech warfare, steps into the role as digital battlegrounds, rogue states, and AI-fuelled threats reshape global intelligence. Today on The Bunker, Alex von Tunzelmann is joined by Dan Lomas, Assistant Professor of International Relations at the University of Nottingham, to explore the role of Britain's top spymaster and what challenges she will face on the job.

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Written and presented by Alex von Tunzelmann. Produced by Liam Tait. Audio editors: Robin Leeburn. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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How to make Labour radical again – Glastonbury special with John Harris

Wed, 18 Jun 2025 03:00:00 -0000

Glastonbury has been the hot zone for radical ideas since its hippy infancy. But the first Labour government in 15 years is not exactly the hitting the mark for the festival’s audience of utopians and out-of-the-box thinkers. Can Labour get back to its radical roots? The Guardian’s John Harris, who comperes the Left Field at Glastonbury, and campaigner Gracie Mae Bradley who’s guesting at the Left Field this year, come together for a pre-festival summit.

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Written and presented by Group Editor Andrew Harrison. Audio production by Robin Leeburn. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Managing Editor Jacob Jarvis. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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The Race to Rearm – Could Britain fight a hot war within two years?

Tue, 17 Jun 2025 03:00:00 -0000

Britain needs be ready to fight a war in Europe or the Atlantic in as little as two years – and we look badly underprepared. That’s the message of Labour’s sobering new Strategic Defence Review. So where are we weak, how fast could we rearm and what will it cost? And do the British people have the disposition to fight the sort of war we thought was in the past? Peter Ricketts, UK National Security Adviser from 2010 to 2012 and Britain’s former representative to NATO, explains the challenge of renewing Britain’s defences against a ticking clock.

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Written and presented by Group Editor Andrew Harrison. Audio production by Tom Taylor and Sara Farolfi. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Managing Editor Jacob Jarvis. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Welcome to the bleak parade — Start Your Week with Gavin Esler and Jacob Jarvis

Mon, 16 Jun 2025 08:56:00 -0000

Trump’s birthday parade bored the few people who bothered watching – and offended those who actually care about the military, unlike the president himself. As protests rage across the US – can Trump keep ignoring them? Plus, the situation in the Middle East becomes increasingly terrifying – how might tensions between Iran and Israel escalate? Gavin Esler joins Jacob Jarvis to discuss this and more as we look to the week ahead.

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Is everything you know about the Romans wrong?

Fri, 13 Jun 2025 03:00:00 -0000

Rome conjures up strong images and ideas for many of us – but what if everything we think we know about the era is totally wrong? Alex von Tunzelmann speaks with Edward J. Watts, author of The Eternal Decline and Fall of Rome: The History of a Dangerous Idea and the upcoming The Romans: A 2,000-Year History, to discuss the falsehoods that need clearing up.

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Written and presented by Alex von Tunzelmann. Audio editors: Robin Leeburn. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Burning up – The Dark Side of the Summer of ’76

Thu, 12 Jun 2025 03:00:00 -0000

Legendarily hot, dry and hedonistic, the Summer of ’76 burnt itself into our cultural memory as a kind of Ultimate Summer. But the record temperatures, the soul and disco classics and the sense of youth breaking free took place against a backdrop of economic collapse, political failure and barely suppressed rage. These were the Dark 70s of the Southall Riots, the Ripper and the Black Panther, police queerbashing and simmering hatreds. John L. Williams, author of Heatwave: The Summer of 1976 – Britain At Boiling Point, talks to Andrew Harrison about four months of tension that birthed punk rock, Thatcherism and a more cynical Britain.

• Buy Heatwave: The Summer of 1976 through our affiliate bookshop and you’ll help fund The Bunker by earning us a small commission for every sale. Bookshop.org’s fees help support independent bookshops too.

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Written and presented by Group Editor Andrew Harrison. Audio production by Sara Farolfi. Produced by Liam Tait. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Managing Editor Jacob Jarvis. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Los Angeles protests: What it’s like on the ground – American Friction crossover

Wed, 11 Jun 2025 16:00:00 -0000

A special crossover edition from our partner podcast American Friction… The news has focused heavily on sensational images from LA, but what is the real feeling among protestors – and how did this all escalate? Ben Camacho is a journalist covering the situation – who was shot by two rubber bullets himself doing so. He joins Jacob Jarvis to give an on the ground perspective of what’s happening.

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See more of Ben’s reporting on LA at The Southlander: https://thesouthlander.com/

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Written and presented by Jacob Jarvis Audio and video editor: Simon Williams. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis Executive producer: Martin Bojtos. Artwork by James Parrett. Music: Orange Factory Music. The Bunker and AMERICAN FRICTION are a Podmasters Production. www.podmasters.co.uk

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MAGA vs. the cartels: Is Trump's war on Mexico's gangs backfiring?

Wed, 11 Jun 2025 03:00:00 -0000

As Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum ramps up high-tech crackdowns on the nation’s cartels, Trump’s chaotic second term is throwing a spanner in the works. Alex von Tunzelmann speaks to David Shirk, Professor of Political Science and International Relations at the University of San Diego, to find out whether the MAGA movement is helping Mexico’s fight against organised crime or making things worse.

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Streak of Madness – Is Tulsi Gabbard a threat to US security and more?

Tue, 10 Jun 2025 03:00:00 -0000

From antiwar, Biden-backing Democrat to apologist for Assad and Putin and finally strident Trump loyalist, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard’s political journey has been astonishing. Her taste for strongmen and conspiracy thought makes her perfect tool for Trump’s revenge on the intelligence community. The Guardian’s global affairs correspondent Andrew Roth explains why Gabbard’s appointment amounted to a middle finger to the security establishment, how she’s embedding paranoid social media politics into the heart of government, and what motivates the woman Russian TV called “our girlfriend”.

• Listen to American Friction on the explosive Musk vs Trump argument now.

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Written and presented by Group Editor Andrew Harrison. Audio production by Tom Taylor. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Managing Editor Jacob Jarvis. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Until DOGE do us part — Start Your Week with Alex von Tunzelmann and Jacob Jarvis

Mon, 09 Jun 2025 09:17:00 -0000

Elon Musk and Trump’s epic fallout continues – who will win this war of words? And how will the squabbling pair try to hurt each other next? Plus, there’s chaos on the streets of LA – how far will Trump take this? And back at home, there’s the spending review – who will be the winners and losers? Alex von Tunzelmann joins Jacob Jarvis to discuss all that and more on Start Your Week.

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Trump vs. Musk goes nuclear – American Friction crossover special! 🇺🇸

Sat, 07 Jun 2025 03:00:00 -0000

Listen in to our sibling podcast American Friction as they pick apart the Trump-Musk breakup. Musk and Trump’s messy falling-out hit new heights this week. We recorded a whole episode, then it went nuts — so Nikki McCann Ramiréz of Rolling Stone magazine and Jarv jumped on for a late night call and unpacked the madness. Listen in then we have a big old chat for the main show, with Chris too! Yay!

Listen to the full episode of American Friction on all platforms.

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Written and presented by Chris Jones and Jacob Jarvis. Audio and video edit by Chris Jones. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis Executive producer: Martin Bojtos. Artwork by James Parrett. Music: Orange Factory Music. AMERICAN FRICTION is a Podmasters Production. www.podmasters.co.uk

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The spies who love Xi – How is China snooping on Britain?

Fri, 06 Jun 2025 03:00:00 -0000

A Chinese ‘super embassy’ could be built in the heart of London – and intelligence experts say it would open the door to cyber interference at the heart of Britain’s financial system. Today on The Bunker, Gavin Esler sits down with security expert Nigel Inkster, former director of operations and intelligence MI6 and senior advisor at the International Institute for Strategic Studies, to ask if Britain is turning a blind eye to the growing threat from Beijing? With fears of espionage, tech theft and power plays rising fast, how worried should we really be about China?

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Written and presented by Gavin Esler. Produced by Liam Tait. Audio editors: Robin Leeburn. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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How Ukraine stunned Russia and changed the war – with Gavin Esler and Oz Katerji of This is Not a Drill

Thu, 05 Jun 2025 03:00:00 -0000

A special crossover edition from our partner podcast, This is Not a Drill.

Ukraine’s daring drone attack Operation Spiderweb has stunned Russia with its stealth, precision planning and the damage it unleashed on warplanes based deep within Russian territory.

The Bunker regular Gavin Esler is joined from Kyiv by This Is Not A Drill co-host Oz Katerji, to discuss the impact of an operation planned meticulously over the past 18 months – and what it means both for the war and the nature of asymmetric conflict.

• This episode of This Is Not A Drill is supported by Incogni, the service that keeps your private information safe, protects you from identity theft and keeps your data from being sold. There’s a special offer for This Is Not A Drill listeners – go to Incogni.com/notadrill to get an exclusive 60% off your annual plan.

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Written and presented by Gavin Esler. Produced by Robin Leeburn. Original theme music by Paul Hartnoll – https://www.orbitalofficial.com. Executive Producer Martin Bojtos. Managing Editor Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor Andrew Harrison. This Is Not A Drill is a Podmasters production.

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What MAGA riots and the French Revolution have in common

Wed, 04 Jun 2025 03:00:00 -0000

From memes demanding we “eat the rich” to real-world insurrections, the language of revolution is everywhere. But what does it really mean to call for one today? Zing Tsjeng is joined by Dan Edelstein, professor of political science and history at Stanford University and author of The Revolution to Come, to explore our relationship with revolutionary thought, from Ancient Greece, to the French revolution, through to the January 6th riots – and ask whether we need a revolution today.

Buy The Revolution to Come: A History of an Idea from Thucydides to Lenin through our affiliate bookshop and you’ll help fund The Bunker by earning us a small commission for every sale. https://bookshop.org/’s fees help support independent bookshops too.

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Leading Question – Who would replace Starmer?

Tue, 03 Jun 2025 03:00:00 -0000

Wes Streeting? Angela Rayner? Andy Burnham? Or someone you’ve never heard of? Starmer won’t be stepping down any time soon – but what happens when he does? Who’s most likely to win the leadership? Do they have the right combination of personality and vision to get Labour out of its rut? And will it be yet another bloke? Ava Santina of PoliticsJoe joins Andrew Harrison around the crystal ball to see who’s most likely to lead Labour when Keir disappears.

• Listen to Why? with Emma Kennedy: How could we talk to space aliens? now.

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Written and presented by Group Editor Andrew Harrison. Audio production by Tom Taylor. Produced by Liam Tait. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Managing Editor Jacob Jarvis. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Defence of the realm — Start Your Week with Rafael Behr and Jacob Jarvis

Mon, 02 Jun 2025 09:11:00 -0000

The defence review is the big talking point of the moment – what’s new and how will Starmer frame it? Plus, Rafael Behr and Jacob Jarvis discuss other pressures on Labour, the state of conflicts across the globe and Trump’s latest conspiracy theory thinking.

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MAGA wasn't built in a day – Which Roman emperor is Trump most like?

Fri, 30 May 2025 03:00:00 -0000

Donald Trump isn’t an emperor, yet – but who knows how he might change the US in the next few years. As he gets more dictatorial by the day, what lessons could we learn from Rome – and which Roman emperor is he most like? Peter Edwell is associate professor in ancient history at Macquarie University and joins Jacob Jarvis to discuss.

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Written and presented by Jacob Jarvis. Audio production: Tom Taylor. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Music by Kenny Dickinson. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Is politics too tough for Elon Musk?

Thu, 29 May 2025 03:00:00 -0000

Elon Musk seems to be limping off the political stage with a whimper. So was he ever the power behind the throne or just a useful idiot with a fat wallet and a massive platform for Trump to exploit? Today in The Bunker, Alex Von Tunzelmann is joined by Andrew Boujean, editor of The Washingtonian, to find out just how the richest man on earth m became the latest high profile figure to be chewed up and spat out by the Maga machine.

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Does money really decide wars? Strange tales from the Vikings to the Luftwaffe to Ukraine

Wed, 28 May 2025 03:00:00 -0000

Why did getting pillaged by Vikings ultimately help the economies of the Middle Ages? How did a flood of silver from conquered South America end up making Spain poorer? Was Genghis Khan the father of globalisation? And why was it a terrible idea to garland Luftwaffe fighter aces with medals and fame? In an absorbing new book Blood and Treasure: The Economics of Conflict from the Vikings to Ukraine, economist and historian Duncan Weldon explains how war shapes economies and economies shape wars… and why the consequences are usually what nobody expects.

• Pre-order Blood and Treasure through our affiliate bookshop and you’ll help fund The Bunker by earning us a small commission for every sale. Bookshop.org’s fees help support independent bookshops too.

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Written and presented by Group Editor Andrew Harrison. Audio production by Tom Taylor and Dom Delargy. Produced by Liam Tait. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Managing Editor Jacob Jarvis. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Downing Street fighter – Start Your Week with Ros Taylor and Jacob Jarvis

Tue, 27 May 2025 09:13:00 -0000

There are reports of chaos in Downing Street – but just how bad are things really? Ros Taylor talks Jacob Jarvis through the latest from Number 10 and how Farage is upping the pressure on Starmer. Plus, we look at world news to look out for in the coming days.

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How Britain got lucky with its choice of enemies – with Horrible Histories creator Terry Deary

Mon, 26 May 2025 03:00:00 -0000

Forget the storybook version of British history. Churchill without Hitler would be a forgotten windbag with a record of failure. Elizabeth I and Francis Drake didn’t defeat the Spanish – bad luck and bad weather sank the Armada. And Boudicca would be remembered as a sadistic tyrant if not for the Romans. Creator of the multi-million-selling kids’ series Horrible Histories Terry Deary brings his irreverent, fact-packed style to adult readers with A History of Britain in Ten Enemies. He tells Andrew Harrison why history isn’t what it used to be.

• Buy A History of Britain in Ten Enemies through our affiliate bookshop and you’ll help fund The Bunker by earning us a small commission for every sale. Bookshop.org’s fees help support independent bookshops too.

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From UFC to MAGA – How fight sports shaped Trump’s macho politics

Fri, 23 May 2025 03:00:00 -0000

Donald Trump is obsessed with sport – and increasingly, sports stars are obsessed with him. From his ties to wrestling through to his connection to the UFC, fight sports in particular have shaped the way he approaches politics. To discuss this journey, Jacob Jarvis is joined by Tom Kludt, a contributing editor at Vanity Fair, who recently wrote a piece headlined A Guide to Donald Trump’s Jockocracy: 100 Days of Sports and Politics.

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Written and presented by Jacob Jarvis. Producer: Liam Tait. Audio editors: Sara Farolfi. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Is social media dying?

Thu, 22 May 2025 03:00:00 -0000

Whatever happened to the promise of social media? What started as a buzzing digital town square now feels like a ghost town overrun with fake news, A.I. slop and disinformation. LBC tech correspondent Will Guyatt joins Natasha Devon to ask: Is social media dying – and what could possibly take its place?

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Written and presented by Natasha Devon. Produced by Liam Tait. Audio editors: Robin Leeburn. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Why are we so obsessed with the end of the world?

Wed, 21 May 2025 03:01:00 -0000

From ancient Mayan prophecies to the QAnon faithful awaiting the next biblical storm, humanity has never been able to resist a good apocalypse. Today in The Bunker, Gavin Esler is joined by Tom Phillips, author of A Brief History of the End of the F**king World, to talk about asteroid anxiety, finding community in chaos, and why dreaming about doomsday might just be the ultimate form of escapism.

• We are sponsored by Indeed. Go to https://indeed.com/bunker for £100 sponsored credit.

Buy A Brief History of the End of the F**king World through our affiliate bookshop and you’ll help fund The Bunker by earning us a small commission for every sale. https://bookshop.org/’s fees help support independent bookshops too.

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Written and presented by Gavin Esler Producer: Liam Tait. Audio editors: Tom Taylor. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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No limits? – Can China and Russia's friendship last?

Tue, 20 May 2025 03:00:00 -0000

Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin, two of the world’s most powerful autocrats, are cosying up to each other in a bromance that could have seismic consequences. Today in The Bunker, Dr. Elizabeth Wishnick, expert on Sino-Russian relations and senior research scientist in the China and Indo-Pacific Security Affairs Division at CNA, joins Chris Jones to look at the motivations behind the pair’s partnership, the cracks beneath the surface, and what their relationship could mean for the rest of the world.

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Written and presented by Chris Jones. Audio editors: Tom Taylor. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Here’s looking at EU, Keir – Start Your Week with Alex von Tunzelmann

Mon, 19 May 2025 09:27:00 -0000

Keir Starmer is hoping for positive news from an EU summit this week. What can we expect to see and what could block any sort of “deal”? Plus, we look at the latest from elections in Europe and news from the US, as Trump makes more horrible plans for the world.

We are sponsored by Indeed. Go to https://indeed.com/bunker for £100 sponsored credit.

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Burn Hollywood Burn – Will Trump save or kill the movie business?

Fri, 16 May 2025 03:00:00 -0000

Trump’s plan for Hollywood isn’t really a plan, yet. He claims to want to boost the film industry – but will he revive it or wreck it even more? As he talks about tariffs on movies coming into the US, we try to pick apart what he actually means. Daniel Bessner, historian, journalist and co-host of the American Prestige podcast, joins Alex von Tunzelmann to discuss.

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Written and presented by Alex von Tunzelmann. Audio production: Tom Taylor. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Music by Kenny Dickinson. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Where is Reform UK getting its money from?

Thu, 15 May 2025 03:00:00 -0000

Nigel Farage’s Reform UK seems to be going from strength to strength – and running in politics isn’t cheap. So where are they getting their money from? Seth Thévoz speaks to Peter Geoghegan, author of the Democracy for Sale substack, to discuss where the cash is coming from and how it’s being raised.

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Written and presented by Seth Thévoz. Audio production: Dom Delargy. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Music by Kenny Dickinson. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Why Keir Starmer is wrong about immigration

Wed, 14 May 2025 03:00:00 -0000

Keir Starmer’s migration speech has sparked a backlash – from across the political spectrum and for various reasons. Do we have a “problem” with migration – and what does the PM actually think he’s solving? Gavin Esler speaks with migration policy expert and campaigner Zoe Gardner to unpack what’s really going on, what circumstances are impacting the numbers, how we can be more honest about the situation – and what you really need to know about it.

We are sponsored by Indeed. Go to Indeed.com/bunker for £100 sponsored credit.

Listen to the latest podcast from Podmasters, Crime Scene, the truth behind true crime with Alison Phillips and Bernard Hogan-Howe: https://linktr.ee/crimescenepodcast

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Written and presented by Gavin Esler. Audio production: Robin Leeburn. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Music by Kenny Dickinson. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Inside the US trade deal – “Britain got extorted… but in the least worst way,” with Dmitry Grozoubinski

Tue, 13 May 2025 03:00:00 -0000

Keir Starmer presented the US/UK trade deal as a jobs-saving triumph. Badenoch claims we were “shafted”. What’s the real picture? Will car, beef and ethanol (?) exports to the US make a difference to our economy? Why are the people who demanded Brexit so furious that we’ve signed exactly the sort of deal Brexit was supposed to facilitate? And while we’re here, what’s the truth about the Indian trade deal and the National Insurance exemptions that so enrage the the Take Back Controllers? Import/export expert Dmitry Grozoubinski, author of Why Politicians Lie About Trade, walks Andrew Harrison through the intricacies of the deal and explains what’s coming next.

• Buy Why Politicians Lie About Trade through our affiliate bookshop and you’ll help fund The Bunker by earning us a small commission for every sale. Bookshop.org’s fees help support independent bookshops too.

• Support us on Patreon for early episodes and more.

• We are sponsored by Indeed. Go to indeed.com/bunker to get your £100 sponsored credit.

Written and presented by Group Editor Andrew Harrison. Audio production by Robin Leeburn. Produced by Liam Tait. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Managing Editor Jacob Jarvis. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Unwelcome to the UK? — Start Your Week with Gavin Esler and Ros Taylor

Mon, 12 May 2025 10:00:00 -0000

Labour is announcing a raft of new immigration rules to “toughen up” in what is being branded a “crackdown”. What are they announcing and what will it mean? Ros Taylor and Gavin Esler discuss the latest proposals. Plus, they look at the latest from Ukraine peace talks and ask what Trump is getting up to this week.

We are sponsored by Indeed. Go to Indeed.com/bunker for £100 sponsored credit.

Listen to the latest podcast from Podmasters, Crime Scene, the truth behind true crime with Alison Phillips and Bernard Hogan-Howe: https://linktr.ee/crimescenepodcast

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Our new show CRIME SCENE – Armed Response – What happens when police shoot a suspect?

Sat, 10 May 2025 04:00:00 -0000

Try the latest edition of our new podcast where ex-Met Commissioner Bernard Hogan-Howe and former Mirror editor Alison Phillips bring you the truth about true crime.

On this episode: When police shoot dead a suspect the consequences are huge. But how is the decision to shoot to kill made? Is firearms policy fit for purpose? And is it right that the officer cleared of murdering Londoner Chris Kaba in a police roadblock now faces gross misconduct charges? Bernard and Alison share unprecedented insider knowledge on real cases including Kaba, Mark Duggan and Jean Charles de Menezes.

• Get Crime Scene every Thursday.

Presented by Bernard Hogan-Howe and Alison Phillips. Audio production by Tom Taylor. Music by Simon Williams. Produced by Managing Editor Jacob Jarvis and Group Editor Andrew Harrison. Executive Producer: Martin Bojtos. Thanks to Helen Purvis at Knight Ayton Management. CRIME SCENE is a Podmasters Production

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Mutiny in the UK – How the SDP explains Reform UK – with Steve Richards

Fri, 09 May 2025 03:00:00 -0000

The SDP blasted through politics in the early 80s, hoovering up blockbuster by-election wins and a quarter of the national vote. They were a gift to the Thatcher Government – splitting the opposition vote and ensuring Tory power. So how come today’s insurgents, Reform UK, aren’t seen as a boon to Starmer but a mortal threat to Labour *and* the Conservatives? Steve Richards of the Rock & Roll Politics podcast takes Andrew Harrison back to the heady days of the Gang Of Four to see what the SDP can tell us about the power and the possible fate of Farage’s bandwagon.

Listen to the Rock & Roll Politics podcast with Steve Richards.

• Support us on Patreon for early episodes and more.

• We are sponsored by Indeed. Go to indeed.com/bunker to get your £100 sponsored credit.

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Capturing the reality of war in Ukraine – Kyiv-based artist Mark Neville with Dorian Lynskey

Thu, 08 May 2025 03:00:00 -0000

Mark Neville is on the ground in Ukraine, not just taking pictures but also delivering aid and exposing the realities of the conflict through his work. He joins Dorian Lynskey in The Bunker to discuss his new project Diary of a Volunteer, the ethics of conflict photography, the toll of PTSD, and the role photographers play in shaping how wars are remembered.

Links to Mark’s work:

https://www.instagram.com/marknevillestudio

https://www.postcodeukraine.com/

• We are sponsored by Indeed. Go to https://indeed.com/bunker for £100 sponsored credit.

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Written and presented by Dorian Lynskey. Producer: Liam Tait. Audio editors: Sara Farolfi. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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The real Conclave – Inside the contest to be the next Pope

Wed, 07 May 2025 03:00:00 -0000

The death of Pope Francis has raised questions over the future of the Catholic Church – and what type of successor we might see. Could they follow the progressive path he set, or are they likely to be more conservative? To discuss what might happen next, Ros Taylor is joined by David Gibson, director of the Center on Religion and Culture at Fordham University.

• We are sponsored by Indeed. Go to https://indeed.com/bunker for £100 sponsored credit.

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Written and presented by Ros Taylor. Audio editor: Robin Leeburn. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Acrimony in the UK — Start Your Week with Ros Taylor and Jacob Jarvis

Tue, 06 May 2025 09:03:00 -0000

The fallout of the local elections have left Labour and the Tories in a tizz, with neither party entirely sure how to react to Farage’s gloating. So what way will Starmer end up leaning? Ros Taylor talks Jacob Jarvis through the latest domestic politics, plus we look at elections around the world, and lessons which can be learned.

We are sponsored by Indeed. Go to Indeed.com/bunker for £100 sponsored credit.

Listen to the latest podcast from Podmasters, Crime Scene, the truth behind true crime with Alison Phillips and Bernard Hogan-Howe: https://linktr.ee/crimescenepodcast

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A taster of CRIME SCENE, our new podcast – Episode 1: Guns of London

Fri, 02 May 2025 11:30:00 -0000

Bunker listeners, try a bite-sized sample of our brand new podcast CRIME SCENE. Every week ex-Met Police Commissioner Bernard Hogan-Howe and former Mirror editor Alison Phillips lift the lid on how criminal investigations really work. In our debut episode: The horrific shooting of an innocent nine-year-old girl in Dalston in 2024 laid bare bitter rivalries between London’s armed gangs. Are police they fighting a losing battle against guns in the Capital?

Want to know more? Search CRIME SCENE for the full episode and subscribe for new episodes every Thursday.

Presented by Bernard Hogan-Howe and Alison Phillips. Audio production by Tom Taylor. Music by Simon Williams. Produced by Managing Editor Jacob Jarvis and Group Editor Andrew Harrison. Executive Producer: Martin Bojtos. Thanks to Helen Purvis at Knight Ayton Management. CRIME SCENE is a Podmasters Production

www.podmasters.co.uk

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Tat’s Life – The secrets behind “Cursed Objects” in gift shops

Fri, 02 May 2025 03:00:00 -0000

What explains the world better? The unattainable relics and archaeological finds that fill museums – or the simple snowglobes, plushies and other knick-knacks in their gift shops? Ahead of a new exhibition Cursed Objects in Museum Shops, curator and Podmasters veteran Kasia Tomasiewicz unearths the true meanings of the souvenirs and objets de tat we often ignore but shouldn’t. Includes discussion of the rubber Charles Duckens, a cuddly Black Death Plague Flea and the Hello Kitty Pearl Harbor collection.

• Visit the exhibition Cursed Objects in Museum Shops from 2 May-26 June.

Written and presented by Group Editor Andrew Harrison. Audio production by Tom Taylor. Produced by Liam Tait. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Managing Editor Jacob Jarvis. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

www.podmasters.co.uk

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Blame Canada! How Carney triumphed over Trumpism – and what it means

Thu, 01 May 2025 03:00:00 -0000

O Canada! Liberal PM Mark Carney sweeps to victory (well, minority government) in the Canadian General Election. Did Trump’s unhinged plans for annexation and his tariff moodswings make him the worst ally Canadian Tories could wish for? And what happens now that Canadians are broadly agreed that yes, Canada should continue to exist as a country? John Michael McGrath of our friends in Ontario, the onpoli podcast gives Andrew Harrison the rink-side view of history.

• Support us on Patreon for early episodes and more.

• We are sponsored by Indeed. Go to Indeed.com/bunker to get your £100 sponsored credit.

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How Trump's first 100 days will come back to bite him

Wed, 30 Apr 2025 03:00:00 -0000

Donald Trump’s first 100 days have been some of the most consequential ever. But, is that a good thing for him? Or could it come back to bite him? Doug Sosnik, former advisor to President Bill Clinton as well as several Governors and Senators, joins Jacob Jarvis to discuss what to look out for in the coming months in terms of what could hurt Trump.

• We are sponsored by Indeed. Go to https://indeed.com/bunker for £100 sponsored credit.

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Written and presented by Jacob Jarvis. Audio editors: Robin Leeburn. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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A New Financial Crisis – Could 2025 get as bad as 2008?

Tue, 29 Apr 2025 03:00:00 -0000

Wall Street is erratic, global trade is unravelling and world leaders are more divided than ever. The similarities to 2008 are growing more apparent – but the crisis this time looks very different. Archie Hall, Britain economics reporter for The Economist, joins Alex von Tunzelmann to explore the global fallout, the risks to Britain’s fragile recovery, and whether there is still time to avert another financial crisis of the magnitude of 2008.

• We are sponsored by Indeed. Go to https://indeed.com/bunker for £100 sponsored credit.

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Reform over function? – Start Your Week with Gavin Esler and Jacob Jarvis

Mon, 28 Apr 2025 09:13:00 -0000

Who will be the big winner at the local elections – and will Farage make it sound like it was Reform UK no matter what happens? Plus, Trump marks 100 days in office – how does this stand up to previous presidents? Gavin Esler joins Jacob Jarvis to talk through the news to look out for for the week ahead.

Subscribe to Crime Scene, the truth about true crime with Bernard Hogan-Howe and Alison Phillips, out on Thursday

We are sponsored by Indeed. Go to Indeed.com/bunker for £100 sponsored credit.

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Written and presented by Jacob Jarvis with Gavin Esler.. Audio production: Tom Taylor. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Music by Kenny Dickinson. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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The weird world of Doctor Who explained at last – Live bonus with author John Higgs

Sun, 27 Apr 2025 03:00:00 -0000

Political allegories and woke wars, Patrick Troughton’s louche sex life, the madness of Tom Baker, Doctor Who’s strange grip on Britain’s psychic landscape… Fascinating new book Exterminate! Regenerate! The Story of Doctor Who is a bigger-on-the-inside popular history of Who for the general reader. Author John Higgs talks to confirmed Who addict Andrew Harrison live onstage at the Rock’n’Roll Book Club https://rocknrollbookclub.co.uk/ in London’s cosmic Walthamstow.

• Buy Exterminate! Regenerate! The Story of Doctor Who through our affiliate bookshop and you’ll help fund The Bunker by earning us a small commission for every sale. Bookshop.org’s fees help support independent bookshops too.

Picture courtesy Joel Morris.

• Support us on Patreon for early episodes and more

• We are sponsored by Indeed. Go to Indeed.com/bunker to get your £100 sponsored credit.

Written and presented by Group Editor Andrew Harrison. Live audio: Jim Dobson. Audio edit by Sara Farolfi. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Managing Editor Jacob Jarvis.

THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Trash talking – The real history of free speech

Fri, 25 Apr 2025 08:00:00 -0000

What do we really mean by free speech? How has the definition changed over time? And why is it always so contentious? As the issue remains the cause of political arguments across the world, Seth Thévoz speaks to Fara Dabhoiwala, historian and the author of What is free speech? The history of a dangerous idea to ask who decides what we can and can’t say?

• We are sponsored by Indeed. Go to https://indeed.com/bunker for £100 sponsored credit.

Buy What is free speech? The history of a dangerous idea through our affiliate bookshop and you’ll help fund The Bunker by earning us a small commission for every sale. https://bookshop.org/’s fees help support independent bookshops too.

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Trump and Project 2025 – What's coming next from the new 'deep state'?

Thu, 24 Apr 2025 03:00:00 -0000

Donald Trump spent his last campaign distancing himself from Project 2025. But since returning to office, he’s followed its blueprint with surprising precision. It's already reshaped American life and the workings of government – but could the most dramatic changes still be ahead? Today on The Bunker, Jacob Jarvis sits down with David A. Graham, author of The Project, to explore Project 2025 and how its authors’ growing influence could shape the future of the Trump administration.

• We are sponsored by Indeed. Go to https://Indeed.com/bunker for £100 sponsored credit.

Buy The Project: How Project 2025 is Reshaping America and the World through our affiliate bookshop and you’ll help fund The Bunker by earning us a small commission for every sale. https://bookshop.org/’s fees help support independent bookshops too.

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Is Morgan McSweeney Labour’s enforcer or Starmer’s controller? – with Steve Richards

Wed, 23 Apr 2025 03:00:00 -0000

Labour’s election guru, a modern-day Macchiavelli, the power behind the PM, a “permanent insurgent”… Starmer’s Chief Of Staff Morgan McSweeney is perhaps the most powerful unelected person in politics. Who is he? What does he want? Is he behind the party’s lurch right – and can he win Labour a second term? Steve Richards of the unmissable Rock and Roll Politics podcast tells Andrew Harrison what makes McSweeney tick.

• Support us on Patreon for early episodes and more.

• We are sponsored by Indeed. Go to indeed.com/bunker to get your £100 sponsored credit.

Written and presented by Group Editor Andrew Harrison. Audio production by Charlie Duffield. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Managing Editor Jacob Jarvis. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Tricks of the trade — Start Your Week with Ros Taylor and Jacob Jarvis

Tue, 22 Apr 2025 09:11:00 -0000

Rachel Reeves heads to Washington this week – what should we be looking out for? Plus, we unpack what happens now after the death of Pope Francis and look to the latest news from America. Ros Taylor joins Jacob Jarvis to discuss the week ahead in news.

We are sponsored by Indeed. Go to Indeed.com/bunker for £100 sponsored credit.

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Inside the online 'cleanfluencer' cult pushing housewife propaganda

Fri, 18 Apr 2025 03:00:00 -0000

From ‘cleanfluencers’ to home gurus, the ideal of a spotless home has never been so aspirational. But why are women still being told that inner peace is only a bottle of disinfectant away? Today on The Bunker, Coco Khan is joined by Emma Casey, author of The Return of the Housewife, to find out why we are still selling the idea that cleaning is the new path to feminist empowerment.

• We are sponsored by Indeed. Go to https://Indeed.com/bunker for £100 sponsored credit.

Buy The Return of the Housewife: Why Women are Still Cleaning Up through our affiliate bookshop and you’ll help fund The Bunker by earning us a small commission for every sale. https://bookshop.org/’s fees help support independent bookshops too.

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Written and presented by Coco Khan. Producer: Liam Tait. Audio editor: Charlie Duffield. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Notorious KGB – What Moscow's spies teach us about Russia

Thu, 17 Apr 2025 03:00:00 -0000

What if your neighbour was a Russian spy? In 2010, the FBI arrested ten deep-cover agents living quiet suburban lives across North America, their true identities hidden even from their own children. Today on The Bunker, Alex von Tunzelmann is joined by Shaun Walker, author of The Illegals, to take a closer look at one of the most shocking espionage operations in modern history and what it reveals about Putin’s spy games.

• We are sponsored by Indeed. Go to https://Indeed.com/bunker for £100 sponsored credit.

Buy The Illegals: Russia's Most Audacious Spies and the Plot to Infiltrate the West through our affiliate bookshop and you’ll help fund The Bunker by earning us a small commission for every sale. https://bookshop.org/’s fees help support independent bookshops too.

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Written and presented by Alex von Tunzelmann. Producer: Liam Tait. Audio editor: Tom Taylor. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Trump vs. China – Who will win the trade war? – with Cindy Yu

Wed, 16 Apr 2025 03:00:00 -0000

Trump’s trade war has intensified the rivalry between America and China – while Beijing’s retaliation has exacerbated worldwide market meltdowns. Has the US president actually had a plan, and what does China make of his actions? Journalist and China commentator Cindy Yu joins Gavin Esler to discuss the trade war and which side might be more confident of ending up on top.

• We are sponsored by Indeed. Go to https://indeed.com/bunker for £100 sponsored credit.

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Under my thumb – How the LIKE button hacked our brains

Tue, 15 Apr 2025 03:00:00 -0000

At first the social media ‘Like’ button was just an easy way to get users to interact. Now people click a Like button some seven billion times a day, creating a colossal dataset that companies can use to sell to us, mislead us and predict what we want. And liking itself gets user addicted to a dopamine loop of gratification.

Where did the Like button come from and what is it doing to us? Silicon Valley veteran Bob Goodson, co-author of Like: The Button That Changed The World, tells Andrew Harrison about the cloudy history and the destiny of the ubiquitous thumbs-up.

• Buy Like: The Button That Changed The World through our affiliate bookshop and you’ll help fund The Bunker by earning us a small commission for every sale. Bookshop.org’s fees help support independent bookshops too.

• Support us on Patreon for early episodes and more.

• We are sponsored by Indeed. Go to Indeed.com/bunker to get your £100 sponsored credit.

Written and presented by Andrew Harrison. Audio production by Charlie Duffiled & Tom Taylor. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Managing Editor Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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I’m steel standing! — Start Your Week with Rafael Behr and Jacob Jarvis

Mon, 14 Apr 2025 09:12:00 -0000

The Trump tariff mayhem rolls on and back at home steel is grabbing the headlines. What’s going on now and how will these stories develop? Rafael Behr joins Jacob Jarvis to discuss all this and more in Start Your Week.

We are sponsored by Indeed. Go to Indeed.com/bunker for £100 sponsored credit.

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Should you be prepping for the end of the world?

Fri, 11 Apr 2025 04:00:00 -0000

What would you do if the world as we know it came to some sort of catastrophic end? Well, you’d be forgiven for not being prepared for it – but doomsday preppers across the globe think they are. To discuss the phenomenon of people bracing for armageddon, and the theories around why they do this, Jacob Jarvis is joined by the co-authors of Be Prepared: Doomsday Prepping in the United States, Robert E. Kirsch and Emily Ray.

Buy Be Prepared: Doomsday Prepping in the United States through our affiliate bookshop and you’ll help fund the Bunker by earning us a small commission for every sale. Bookshop.org’s fees help support independent bookshops too.

• We are sponsored by Indeed. Go to https://indeed.com/bunker for £100 sponsored credit.

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Written and presented by Jacob Jarvis.. Audio editor: Simon Williams and Sara Farolfi. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Can radical honesty fix the climate “polycrisis”? – with Mike Berners-Lee

Thu, 10 Apr 2025 03:00:00 -0000

The climate crisis is spiraling, Trump’s back in the White House, and the headlines keep getting worse. It’s easy to feel powerless. But what if the first step toward saving the planet is something you learned in primary school? In this episode of The Bunker, Zing Tsjeng sits down with Mike Berners-Lee, author of A Climate of Truth, who argues that radical honesty about what’s happening, who’s responsible, and what must change might just be our most powerful tool against the looming polycrisis.

We are sponsored by Indeed. Go to https://Indeed.com/bunker for £100 sponsored credit.

Buy A Climate of Truth: Why We Need It and How To Get It through our affiliate bookshop and you’ll help fund The Bunker by earning us a small commission for every sale. https://bookshop.org/’s fees help support independent bookshops too.

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Written and presented by Andrew Harrison. Producer: Liam Tait. Audio editor: Tom Taylor. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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How dangerous is Trump's national security purge?

Wed, 09 Apr 2025 03:00:00 -0000

Why is Donald Trump dismantling America’s national security apparatus? And how dangerous will this be for the US and the world? The commander-in-chief recently dismissed six National Security Council staffers, reportedly at the request of right-wing influencer and conspiracy theorist Laura Loomer.

Today in The Bunker, national security journalist Ben Makuch joins Jacob Jarvis to ask: Who is Laura Loomer, and why does she have the ear of the president? Plus, they unpack the global consequences of Trump’s ongoing efforts to hollow out the United States’ security infrastructure.

• We are sponsored by Indeed. Go to https://indeed.com/bunker for £100 sponsored credit.

https://www.patreon.com/c/bunkercast

Written and presented by Jacob Jarvis. Produced by Liam Tait. Audio editors: Simon Williams. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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French Toast – Is this the end of Marine Le Pen?

Tue, 08 Apr 2025 03:00:00 -0000

French far-right figurehead Marine Le Pen has been convicted of embezzlement and handed a five-year ban from running for office – a verdict she has promised to overturn. Could this be the end of the Le Pen political dynasty?

Today in The Bunker, Gavin Esler is joined by Emile Chabal, professor of contemporary history at Edinburgh University, to explore the tale of money, ambition, and political survival. Could this be Le Pen’s coup de grâce or lead to a political renaissance?

• We are sponsored by Indeed. Go to https://indeed.com/bunker for £100 sponsored credit.

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Written and presented by Gavin Esler. Produced by Liam Tait. Audio editors: Tom Taylor. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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The end of the globe as we know it? — Start Your Week with Gavin Esler and Ros Taylor

Mon, 07 Apr 2025 08:52:00 -0000

Trump’s tariffs have created turmoil and Starmer has declared “the world as we know it has gone”. So, if it truly is the end of “globalisation” – what does that mean for us now? Gavin Esler joins Ros Taylor to discuss the news to look out for in the week ahead.

We are sponsored by Indeed. Go to https://indeed.com/bunker for £100 sponsored credit.

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Written and presented by Ros Taylor with Gavin Esler. Audio production: Simon Williams. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Music by Kenny Dickinson. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Trump’s tariff tantrum – “Monumentally bruising to the global economy”

Fri, 04 Apr 2025 03:00:00 -0000

Liberation Day? More like Liquidation Day. Trump’s malicious and ignorant tariff package has horrified the worlds of business and economics. What does it all mean? Did Britain really get off “lightly” as the Trump fanboys claim? Dmitry Grozoubinski – director of ExplainTrade and author of Why Politicians Lie About Trade – talks Andrew Harrison through the wrongheaded tactics, fantasy maths and tatty showmanship of what The Economist calls “the most profound, harmful and unnecessary economic error in the modern era.”

• Buy Why Politicians Lie About Trade through our affiliate bookshop and you’ll help fund The Bunker by earning us a small commission for every sale. Bookshop.org’s fees help support independent bookshops too.

• Support us on Patreon for early episodes and more.

• We are sponsored by Indeed. Go to Indeed.com/bunker to get your £100 sponsored credit.

Written and presented by Andrew Harrison. Audio production by Tom Taylor. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Managing Editor Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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How did London become the world’s dirty money capital?

Thu, 03 Apr 2025 03:00:00 -0000

Nearly 40 per cent of the world’s dirty money flows through London, but what role have British institutions played in helping wealthy elites launder cash? Today on The Bunker, Tom Mayne, journalist and co-author of Indulging Kleptocracy: British Service Providers, Postcommunist Elites, and the Enabling of Corruption, joins Seth Thévoz to discuss how deregulation, weak enforcement, and the UK’s libel laws have enabled corruption to thrive in the capital.

Buy Indulging Kleptocracy: British Service Providers, Postcommunist Elites, and the Enabling of Corruption through our affiliate bookshop and you’ll help fund The Bunker by earning us a small commission for every sale. https://bookshop.org/’s fees help support independent bookshops too.

We are sponsored by Indeed. Go to https://Indeed.com/bunker for £100 sponsored credit.

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Written and presented by Seth Thévoz. Producer: Liam Tait. Audio editors: Charlie Duffield and Robin Leeburn. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Did Boomers really destroy the future?

Wed, 02 Apr 2025 03:00:00 -0000

The generation born after the War? They hoarded all the wealth and now they’re hoarding the political power. Millennials? Lazy, self-absorbed, could afford a house if they cancelled Netflix. Generation X? Nobody cares. These are the clichés – but are they really true?

Bobby Duffy, KCL Professor of Public Policy and author of The Generation Divide: Why We Can’t Agree and Why We Should, tells Alex von Tunzelmann why both the avocado/Netflix Millennial AND the selfish Boomer caricatures are wrong… what really shapes the identities of generations… why we must fix the huge problem that we’re separating the generations more than ever… and the truth about the impending “Great Wealth Transfer”.

• Buy The Generation Divide through our affiliate bookshop and you’ll help fund The Bunker by earning us a small commission for every sale. Bookshop.org’s fees help support independent bookshops too.

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Written and presented by Alex von Tunzelmann. Audio production by Simon Williams and Charlie Duffiield. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Managing Editor Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Northern uproar – How Canada is standing up to Trump

Tue, 01 Apr 2025 03:00:00 -0000

Thought that Trump’s bizarre threat to annex Canada as the “cherished 51st state” was just another spur-of-the-moment brainfart? In Canada they’re taking it deadly seriously – and America’s global bully act is reshaping Canadian politics. John Michael McGrath of Ontario politics podcast On Poli joins us to explain how Trump has made Canadians more patriotic, the challenge facing new premier Mark Carney, whether an actual shooting war could erupt… and the true meaning of “Elbows up”.

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Tariffs, don’t like it — Start Your Week with Alex von Tunzelmann and Jacob Jarvis

Mon, 31 Mar 2025 09:16:00 -0000

Trump’s trade war continues with Starmer desperately seeking to keep Britain out of it as much as possible. What’s going to happen next? Alex von Tunzelmann joins Jacob Jarvis to discuss this and more as they look at the week ahead in news.

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YIMBY vs. NIMBY – Can Labour’s new building plans work?

Fri, 28 Mar 2025 04:00:00 -0000

Labour promises to take the brakes off building with its new Planning and Infrastructure Bill. Will the downgrading of rights to object on environmental, local and procedural grounds anger voters more than new homes will mollify them? Has the government created the right incentives to get its mythical 1.5m new homes built? And have the YIMBYs really defeated the NIMBYs? A special roundtable with Hugh Ellis, Director of Policy at the Town and Country Planning Association; Housing & Residential Property Journalist of the Year Hannah Fearn; and NIMBY-Hunter General Jonn Elledge.

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'Hipster eugenics' – Why the US far-right is obsessed with babies

Thu, 27 Mar 2025 04:00:00 -0000

America’s far-right is obsessed with people having babies. Why are they focused on this and where did ‘pronatalism’ come from? Carter Sherman is a reproductive health and justice reporter at Guardian US and joins Jacob Jarvis to discuss why people like Musk and JD Vance have jumped on this bandwagon and what it means for politics and people across the United States.

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Is British TV dying?

Wed, 26 Mar 2025 04:00:00 -0000

Is British TV in crisis? On the surface, it looks like a golden age – hits like Bridgerton, Baby Reindeer, and Adolescence are winning international acclaim. But behind the scenes, it’s a different story. Traditional broadcasters are losing ground to streamers, and homegrown hits like Mr Bates vs. The Post Office could struggle to get commissioned as budgets tighten.

To break it all down Scott Bryan, TV critic and writer of the Worth Watching Substack, joins Alex von Tunzelmann in The Bunker to look at the current state of British TV and find out what can be done to revive the industry.

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Written and presented by Alex von Tunzelmann. Producer: Liam Tait. Audio editor: Robin Leeburn. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Has crypto captured the Trump Administration?

Tue, 25 Mar 2025 04:00:00 -0000

Since winning re-election Donald Trump hasn’t just embraced the shady world of cryptocurrencies, he’s cheerleading and even shilling for crypto – and profiting from it himself. Why is Trump going all-in on impenetrable digital currencies? What do the Crypto-Bros think they’ll get from hooking up with MAGA? And could a crypto-addicted US financial system collapse the real economy like subprime mortgages did? Tech journalist and self-styled “crypto sceptic” Molly White of the essential industry newsletter Citation Needed explains all to Andrew Harrison.

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Written and presented by Andrew Harrison. Audio production by Robin Leeburn. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Managing Editor Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Spring into action — Start Your Week with Gavin Esler and Jacob Jarvis

Mon, 24 Mar 2025 09:40:00 -0000

The Spring Statement is due this week – is there anything to look forward to or will it be just cuts, cuts, cuts? Gavin Esler talks Jacob Jarvis through what Reeves has planned, and what it means for Starmer’s government. Plus, they discuss the latest from the US and look at conflicts across the world.

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The Staff of Nightmares – How Severance nails our life/work imbalance

Fri, 21 Mar 2025 04:00:00 -0000

Warning! Mild spoilers. As acclaimed sci-fi workplace satire Severance reaches its season 2 climax, we assemble three assiduous followers of Lumon Industries to refine the data on this hypnotic show’s appeal. Are the mind-wiped “innies” more real, moral beings than their “outies”? What does the severance procedure mean? And where is the series heading? Join Marie le Conte, Jonn Elledge and Andrew Harrison for a Waffle Party in podcast form. Let not weakness live in your veins…

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Trumpcession – How the MAGA economy could break the world

Thu, 20 Mar 2025 04:00:00 -0000

Trump's economic policies have experts scratching their heads – and while the US isn't yet in recession, many believe one is imminent. The true impact of Trump's disruptive tactics remains uncertain, yet the consequences could be felt worldwide. Today on The Bunker, Gavin Esler is joined by Jonathan Portes, Professor of Economics and Public Policy at King’s College London, to unpack the fallout from MAGA economics and what it could mean for the rest of the world.

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Where have the great political leaders gone?

Wed, 19 Mar 2025 04:00:00 -0000

Is the age of the visionary political leader over? Why have unserious political entertainers and bland technocrats replaced inspirational, storytelling presidents and prime ministers? Is it all down to the internet, again? Seasoned political journalist Steve Richards of the Rock’n’Roll Politics podcast joins Andrew Harrison to ask: where have all the great leaders gone… or were they always just an illusion?

• Buy Steve Richards’ books The Prime Ministers and The Prime Ministers We Never Had through our affiliate bookshop. You’ll help fund The Bunker by earning us a small commission for every sale. Bookshop.org’s fees help support independent bookshops too.

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Written and presented by Andrew Harrison. Audio production by Sara Farolfi.. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Managing Editor Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Can Tesla survive Elon Musk?

Tue, 18 Mar 2025 04:00:00 -0000

The backlash against Elon Musk is growing – and Tesla is paying the price. Sales have plunged, showrooms have become hotbeds for protest, and owners are finding their cars defaced with swastikas. Yet the CEO continues to entangle himself in populist politics worldwide and seems more focused on working for the US government than running his own companies.

Today on The Bunker, Adam Shaw is joined by journalist Edward Luce, US national editor and columnist for the Financial Times, to explore whether the revolutionary electric vehicle company can withstand the weight of its CEO’s reputation.

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Written and presented by Adam Shaw. Produced by Liam Tait. Audio editors: Tom Taylor. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Don’t know where to u-turn — Start Your Week with Ros Taylor and Jacob Jarvis

Mon, 17 Mar 2025 09:53:00 -0000

The government’s benefit plans have caused turmoil within the Labour party and backlash more broadly – what might they change? Plus, what can we expect from a Trump-Putin call this week, and why is Cummings back in the news? Ros Taylor joins Jacob Jarvis to discuss the news to look out for in the week ahead.

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Work isn’t working – so how do we fix it?

Fri, 14 Mar 2025 04:00:00 -0000

When earning a little extra money leaves you worse off, women end up spending all their additional earnings on childcare, and the benefits system actively encourages low wages, it’s no wonder many people make a rational decision not to work. But our nine million “economically inactive” people are a drag on growth as well as an affront to human potential. As Keir Starmer goes to battle with his own party over cutting benefits in a bid to get people back into work, TUC general secretary Paul Nowak joins us to ask: can we make working work for everyone?

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How MAGA conspiracy theorists are taking over the White House

Thu, 13 Mar 2025 04:00:00 -0000

Almost no major event in America goes by without conspiracy theorists making up bizarre narratives to explain what’s “really” going on. Why has this mindset taken hold – and why has Trump embraced it?

In January, catastrophic wildfires devastated Los Angeles, destroying communities and claiming 29 lives. Before the fires were even extinguished, conspiracy theories thrived online – and further amplified by President Trump's misinformation about the disaster response.

Chris Jones is joined by journalist Mike Rothschild, author of Jewish Space Lasers: The Rothschilds and 200 Years of Conspiracy Theories and himself a victim of the fires, who warns of America’s shift toward conspiracy theories under Trump's administration and explores effective ways to combat them.

• We are sponsored by Indeed. Go to https://indeed.com/bunker for £100 sponsored credit.

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Written and presented by Chris Jones. Produced by Liam Tait. Audio editors: Tom Taylor. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Why everything you know about Gen Z is wrong

Wed, 12 Mar 2025 04:00:00 -0000

Gen Z's reported pivot to the right has come as a shock for many – but should we have seen it coming? Trend forecaster Sean Monahan joins Zing Tsjeng in The Bunker to unpack what's behind this generational shift. What sparked Gen Z's political awakening – and what impact will their political evolution have on our future?

• We are sponsored by Indeed. Go to https://indeed.com/bunker for £100 sponsored credit.

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Written and presented by Zing Tsjeng. Produced by Liam Tait. Audio editors: Tom Taylor. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Why are democracies dying?

Tue, 11 Mar 2025 04:00:00 -0000

Democracy is in decline across the globe – with authoritarians alarmingly on the rise. Constance Hunter, chief economist at the Economist Intelligence Unit, joins Ros Taylor to discuss the Economist’s latest Democracy Index – and to ask which nations have fallen away from democracy and why.

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Written and presented by Ros Tayor. Audio editor: Robin Leeburn. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Fight on the right — Start Your Week with Rafael Behr and Jacob Jarvis

Mon, 10 Mar 2025 10:30:00 -0000

There’s turmoil on the right of British politics – what’s going on and is it all Donald Trump’s fault? Rafael Behr joins Jacob Jarvis to unpack the Reform in-fighting and Starmer’s polling boost. Plus, they discuss civil service reforms, the latest US economic turmoil and what’s going on in Canadian politics.

We are sponsored by Indeed. Go to Indeed.com/bunker for £100 sponsored credit.

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Why Elon Musk’s plan for life on Mars is a terrible idea

Fri, 07 Mar 2025 04:00:00 -0000

Elon Musk is one of many space nerds and sci-fi dreamers fascinated by living on Mars. But, is this just a terrible idea? And how bad would earth need to get for it to make any sense? Kelly Weinersmith, co-author of A City on Mars: Can We Settle Space, Should We Settle Space, and Have We Really Thought This Through? joins Jacob Jarvis to discuss the cons of going to the red planet.

Buy A City on Mars: Can We Settle Space, Should We Settle Space, and Have We Really Thought This Through? through our affiliate bookshop and you’ll help fund The Bunker by earning us a small commission for every sale. Bookshop.org’s fees help support independent bookshops too.

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President Supervillain – Can comics bad guys explain Trump, Musk and Putin? – with Ian Dunt

Thu, 06 Mar 2025 04:00:00 -0000

What do you do when the planet’s most evil man is in the White House? Ask Superman! “Bad guy wins power” is a comics mainstay, and now it’s happening for real everywhere. Lifelong comics readers Ian Dunt of Origin Story (DC) and Andrew Harrison (Marvel) team up to see what classic stories can tell us about the tyrant-vs-hero dynamic. Featuring President Lex Luthor from Superman, Mayor Kingpin from Daredevil, Chief Judge Cal from Judge Dredd, and the USA’s Ambassador to Iran… The Joker?

• Support us on Patreon for early episodes and more.

• We are sponsored by Indeed. Go to indeed.com/bunker to get your £100 sponsored credit.

Written and presented by Andrew Harrison. Audio production by Tom Taylor and Charlie Duffield. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Managing Editor Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Hiroshima: The untold story – with Gavin Esler and Richard Overy

Wed, 05 Mar 2025 04:00:00 -0000

Eighty years ago, the world witnessed an unprecedented act of devastation: the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. As the Second World War reached its conclusion, American bombers dropped two nuclear weapons in a final effort to force Japan’s surrender and bring the conflict to an end.

Today in The Bunker, Gavin Esler is joined by Richard Overy, author of Rain of Ruin: Tokyo, Hiroshima and the Surrender of Japan, to discuss the final days of World War II, the ethics of destroying entire cities, and how it reshaped the nature of warfare.

Buy Rain of Ruin: Tokyo, Hiroshima and the Surrender of Japan through our affiliate bookshop and you’ll help fund The Bunker by earning us a small commission for every sale. Bookshop.org’s fees help support independent bookshops too.

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Mob Rule – How the Mafia influences the White House

Tue, 04 Mar 2025 04:00:00 -0000

From FDR to Trump, every modern president has had brushes with organised crime. So how have secret pacts, betrayals, and under-the-table deals influenced the commander-in-chief? Today on The Bunker, Seth Thévoz is joined by Eric Dezenhall, author of Wiseguys and the White House, to explore the not-so-hidden ties between the leader of the free world and the mob.

• We are sponsored by Indeed. Go to Indeed.com/bunker for £100 sponsored credit.

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Written and presented by Seth Thévoz. Produced by Liam Tait. Audio editors: Simon Williams. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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A troubling new era for Europe — Start Your Week with Gavin Esler and Ros Taylor

Mon, 03 Mar 2025 10:11:00 -0000

Trump’s attitude towards Ukraine leaves Europe in an uncertain position – how will it handle this new era? Gavin Esler joins Ros Taylor to discuss the turbulent situation after that horrendous Oval Office meeting and a major meeting of European leaders over the weekend.

Want more insight on the Zelenskyy and Trump meeting aftermath? Listen to our sibling podcast American Friction: https://linktr.ee/americanfriction

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From RuPaul to Bowie: Our favourite gay media – Panel special for LGBT history month

Sat, 01 Mar 2025 04:00:00 -0000

February is LGBTQ+ History Month, and The Bunker is celebrating with a special two-part panel on the queer media that shaped us. From groundbreaking films and cult classics to the books and pop icons that defined generations, we’re exploring the stories that not only influenced queer identity but also shaped how the LGBTQ+ community is seen by the world.

Natasha Devon is joined by author and activist Paul Burston and comedian Sharon Wanjohi to dive into the media that defined queer experiences, challenged norms, and sometimes

• Buy Paul Burston’s We Can Be Heroes: A Survivor’s Story here.

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Presented by Natasha Devon. Written and produced by Liam Tait. Audio editors: Simon Williams. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Our queer heroes and villains! – Panel special for LGBT history month

Fri, 28 Feb 2025 04:00:00 -0000

February is LGBT History Month, and The Bunker is celebrating with a special two-part panel on queer history. In this episode, we’re diving into the heroes and villains of the community: from the icons you know to the overlooked figures who deserve their moment in the spotlight.

Natasha Devon is joined by author and activist Paul Burston and comedian Sharon Wanjohi to explore the legacies of trailblazers, troublemakers, plus the ones we'd happily shove back into the closet and never speak of again.

• Buy Paul Burston’s We Can Be Heroes: A Survivor’s Story here.

• We are sponsored by Indeed. Go to Indeed.com/bunker for £100 sponsored credit.

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Presented by Natasha Devon. Written and produced by Liam Tait. Audio editors: Simon Williams. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Why are MPs so obsessed with WhatsApp?

Thu, 27 Feb 2025 04:00:00 -0000

A new WhatsApp scandal seems to emerge from Westminster nearly every day at the moment. So, how did the messaging app take such a hold on MPs, how does it keep them locked in – and could they ever quit it? Marie Le Conte joins Jacob Jarvis to discuss.

• We are sponsored by Indeed. Go to Indeed.com/bunker for £100 sponsored credit.

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Written and presented by Jacob Jarvis.. Audio editor: Tom Taylor. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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James Bond vs Bezos – Will Amazon ruin 007?

Wed, 26 Feb 2025 04:00:00 -0000

‘No Prime To Die’? Amazon takes over creative control of James Bond from the Broccoli family who turned the suave spy into a movie icon. What happens now? Will Amazon simply rinse the I.P. with ever-cheesier spin-offs like Disney did with Star Wars? Is 007 still relevant in a world where real-life Bond villains run tech companies and countries? Can you still make a hero out of a heavy-drinking, womanising figure from Britain’s imperial past? Film journalist Helen O’Hara, editor-at-large of Empire magazine and host of the Empire Film podcast joins Andrew Harrison to look at Bond’s future.

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The right-wing Glastonbury – Inside Jordan Peterson's festival of wingnuts

Tue, 25 Feb 2025 04:00:00 -0000

Jordan Peterson’s right-wing conference hosted a weird mix of climate change skeptics and conspiracy theorists – but also the leader of the opposition. How did a fringe movement with roots in conspiracy theory secure a prime spot at London’s ExCeL Centre and draw in such an array of speakers? Stella Tsantekidou, author of The Human Carbohydrate, joins Seth Thévoz to unpack her experience at The Alliance for Responsible Citizenship conference to find out what its rise in popularity could mean for the future of British politics.

We are sponsored by Indeed. Go to Indeed.com/bunker for £100 sponsored credit.

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Written and presented by Seth Thévoz. Producer: Liam Tait. Audio editor: Tom Taylor. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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The Starmer-spangled banner – Start Your Week with Rafael Behr and Jacob Jarvis

Mon, 24 Feb 2025 10:01:00 -0000

Keir Starmer heads to America to meet Trump this week – how will he navigate this meeting? And what would mean success from discussions over the future of Ukraine? Rafael Behr joins Jacob Jarvis to talk through the week ahead in news.

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Episode 1,500 – Neil Kinnock on Starmer’s battles, Labour vs Reform, and hope for the future

Fri, 21 Feb 2025 04:00:00 -0000

Is it really five years and 1,500 editions since we launched The Bunker? It is! For this special episode, Labour legend and former leader Neil Kinnock joins us to talk about the story Labour should be telling… what his battles against Thatcherism can teach Starmer about fighting the rising right wing… the dangers of a radicalised Conservative Party… and how to hit Reform UK where it hurts. With Andrew Harrison and Alex von Tunzelmann.

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Germany's far-right problem: Are the AfD Nazis?

Thu, 20 Feb 2025 04:00:00 -0000

Germany’s far-right have been thrown into the international spotlight after US Vice President JD Vance met with Alice Weidel. But what does the AfD actually stand for? Alex von Tunzelmann is joined by Annette Dittert, senior correspondent for ARD German TV, to look at Germany’s far-right problem and to find out if the AfD is really a successor to the Nazi Party.

• We are sponsored by Indeed. Go to Indeed.com/bunker for £100 sponsored credit.

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Written and presented by Alex von Tunzelmann. Producer: Liam Tait. Audio editors: Simon Williams. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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How the US aid freeze harms the entire world

Wed, 19 Feb 2025 04:00:00 -0000

US aid accounts for more than 40 percent of aid spending across the globe – or at least it did until Trump cut it off. Today in The Bunker, Jacob Jarvis speaks with Michael Sheldrick, co-founder of Global Citizen, to discuss the impact of these cuts and what other nations can do to fill the gap.

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Is Putin taking Donald Trump for a ride?

Tue, 18 Feb 2025 04:00:00 -0000

Donald Trump acts as though he’s a master Putin-whisperer – but is he simply just being played by the Russian leader? Ian Garner, a historian focused on Russian propaganda and culture, and the author of Z Generation: Into the Heart of Russia's Fascist Youth, joins Chris Jones to discuss the relationship between these two world leaders, their latest discussions and what we can read from their latest moves.

We are sponsored by Indeed. Go to Indeed.com/bunker for £100 sponsored credit.

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Written and presented by Chris Jones. Audio production: Robin Leeburn. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Music by Kenny Dickinson. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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The traitor dictator — Start Your Week with Gavin Esler and Jacob Jarvis

Mon, 17 Feb 2025 10:18:00 -0000

Donald Trump appears to be selling out Ukraine in talks with Putin, meanwhile his authoritarian power grab in the US continues. What can we expect from negotiations in the coming days? And how will Europe react? Gavin Esler and Jacob Jarvis discuss the latest news and how it will impact the rest of the world in Start Your Week.

We are sponsored by Indeed. Go to Indeed.com/bunker for £100 sponsored credit.

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Written and presented by Jacob Jarvis with Gavin Esler. Audio production: Tom Taylor. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Music by Kenny Dickinson. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Susie Wiles: What makes Trump's most powerful adviser tick?

Fri, 14 Feb 2025 04:00:00 -0000

For the first time, a woman will serve as White House Chief of Staff – but who is Susie Wiles? As Trump’s closest confidante, is Susie Wiles the most powerful woman in the world?

Today in The Bunker, Jacob Jarvis speaks with Michael Kruse, senior staff writer at POLITICO, to explore Wiles’ history, her influence over Trump, and whether she can keep Elon Musk under control.

• We are sponsored by Indeed. Go to Indeed.com/bunker for £100 sponsored credit.

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Written and presented by Jacob Jarvis. Producer: Liam Tait. Audio editors: Simon Williams. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Should politicians read more science fiction? – with SF author Adrian Tchaikovsky

Thu, 13 Feb 2025 04:00:00 -0000

In a world where politicians and oligarchs make wild plans, we often hear the cry “They’re reading too much science fiction.” But instead, should our leaders read MORE about alternate futures and the unforeseen consequences of technology? Clarke Award-winning author Adrian Tchaikovsky – of Children of Time and Dogs of War fame – tells Andrew Harrison why science fiction’s job is more complex than just predicting the future… how it can explain egotists like Musk… and the science fiction he thinks Starmer should read.

• Adrian Tchaikovsky’s new book Shroud is available for pre-order.

Adrian’s choices for Keir Starmer:

• After Atlas by Emma Newman

• The Windup Girl by Paolo Bacigalupi

• Ministry For The Future by Kim Stanley Robinson

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Project 2025: How closely is Trump sticking to this right-wing manifesto?

Wed, 12 Feb 2025 04:00:00 -0000

Trump denied links to Project 2025, the right-wing manifesto for a conservative president, throughout his campaign. But despite this, many of his actions in office so far have looked familiar to those who read the document. To discuss how closely he’s following it, Gavin Esler speaks to Andy Kroll from ProPublica, who’s been diving into the connections and their implications.

• We are sponsored by Indeed. Go to Indeed.com/bunker for £100 sponsored credit.

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Written and presented by Gavin Esler. Producer: Liam Tait. Audio editors: Simon Williams. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Starmer slumps, Reform rallies: Should we take the polls seriously yet?

Tue, 11 Feb 2025 04:00:00 -0000

A shock new poll has put Reform ahead of Labour for the first time – could this be just a short-term protest, or could this be the start of a shake-up of Britain’s status quo? Today in The Bunker, Alex von Tunzelmann is joined by Ben Walker, senior data journalist at The New Statesman and founder of Britain Elects to discuss the numbers and ask if it’s time to start worrying about them.

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Steel crazy after all these years – Start Your Week with Ros Taylor and Jacob Jarvis

Mon, 10 Feb 2025 10:20:00 -0000

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Eat yourself richer: Could better food fix our economy?

Fri, 07 Feb 2025 04:00:00 -0000

From school canteens to prison kitchens, the quality of the meals served in public institutions is often alarmingly poor. But rather than accepting this, could fixing the issue boost Britain in ways we might not realise?

In today’s episode, Coco Khan speaks with Kevin Morgan, Professor of Governance and Development at Cardiff University and author of Serving the Public, to explore how better institutional food can boost public health, support local businesses, and perhaps even lead to the economic growth politicians desire.

Buy Serving the Public: The Good Food Revolution in Schools, Hospitals and Prisons. through our affiliate bookshop and you’ll help fund The Bunker by earning us a small commission for every sale. Bookshop.org’s fees help support independent bookshops too.

• We are sponsored by Indeed. Go to Indeed.com/bunker for £100 sponsored credit.

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Written and presented by Coco Khan. Producer: Liam Tait. Audio editors: Tom Taylor. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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From Gates to Musk: Can good billionaires exist?

Thu, 06 Feb 2025 04:00:00 -0000

Billionaires are often praised as disruptive innovators, philanthropists, or brilliant problem solvers – but they’re also a clear sign of growing inequality. So, are they ever truly a force for good?

Today in The Bunker, Zing Tsjeng is joined by Carl Rhodes, Dean of the UTS Business School at the University of Technology Sydney and author of Stinking Rich, to answer the question: is there such a thing as a good billionaire?

Buy Stinking Rich: The Four Myths of the Good Billionaire through our affiliate bookshop and you’ll help fund The Bunker by earning us a small commission for every sale. Bookshop.org’s fees help support independent bookshops too.

• We are sponsored by Indeed. Go to Indeed.com/bunker for £100 sponsored credit.

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Written and presented by Zing Tsjeng. Producer: Liam Tait. Audio editors: Simon Williams. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Has US media surrendered to Trump already?

Wed, 05 Feb 2025 04:00:00 -0000

Trump’s first term might have been a political nightmare, but at least it was a golden age for truth-telling journalism. But this time, news outlets from the Washington Post to CNN have bent the knee to MAGA with indecent, craven haste – while papers like the New York Times have retreated, terrified, into euphemism. What do the news oligarchs think they’ll get from Trump? And will there be anything left of a free media when he is done with them? “Our incumbent media are failing us terribly,” US media analyst Jeff Jarvis tells Gavin Esler, “and we are in the middle of a coup… It’s business interests über alles.”

• “Liberal America is enraged by the liberal press and is turning away from it.”

• Support us on Patreon for early episodes and more .

• We are sponsored by Indeed. Go to Indeed.com/bunker for £100 sponsored credit.

Written and presented by Gavin Esler. Audio production by Tom Taylor. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Managing Editor Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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DeepSeek – How China’s A.I. surprise stunned Silicon Valley

Tue, 04 Feb 2025 04:00:00 -0000

China’s gamechanging A.I. “DeepSeek” came out of nowhere to grab headlines and in turn rock financial markets. The release of the free app triggered a sharp reaction, wiping out a trillion dollars in value from major U.S. based A.I. firms. – and raising questions over America’s dominance in the realm of artificial intelligence. Is this a sign of an industry in flux, or the beginning of a major shift? Alex von Tunzelmann is joined by tech journalist Karen Hao to examine the implications of DeepSeek’s rise.

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Trade war of the worlds — Start Your Week with Gavin Esler and Ros Taylor

Mon, 03 Feb 2025 10:12:00 -0000

Trump’s trade war has begun as he seeks to bully the world with tariffs. What’s going on and what effects will we see in the coming days? And how will his whims wreak havoc on global relations? And looking closer to home, Brexit’s back on the menu. Starmer is off to meet EU leaders, what should we look out for? Gavin Esler and Ros Taylor discuss this and more as they lay out the week ahead.

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Have we hit peak politics podcast? – Panel edition

Fri, 31 Jan 2025 04:00:00 -0000

The Bunker panel is back! This week, we dive into the wild world of podcasting. Anyone with a mic and a Wi-Fi connection can broadcast their thoughts to the masses – but should they?

This month, the panel debates the pros and cons of the ever-expanding political podcast landscape. Are bro-casts speeding us toward cultural collapse? What are our biggest podcasting icks? And should there be legal restrictions on men aged 30-45 from purchasing microphones?

Join host Jacob Jarvis with an all-star lineup of guests: Podmasters head honcho Andrew Harrison; audio reviewer at The Observer, Miranda Sawyer, and founder of London Centric and former media editor at The Guardian, Jim Waterson.

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How not to be totally wrong about American politics

Thu, 30 Jan 2025 04:00:00 -0000

Donald Trump is often labeled a threat to democracy – but could political myths perpetuated by ordinary Americans be just as much of an issue? Millions of voters confidently cling to political myths as if they were hard truths, unaware that they’re propping up the fake news they claim to hate. In this episode of The Bunker, Chris Jones speaks with Dr. Casey Burgat, host of Mastering the Room and author of We Hold These Truths: How to Spot the Myths That Are Holding America Back, to examine the heart of misinformation, its far-reaching effects on democracy, and the fundamental misconceptions shaping America.

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Should I feel bad for listening to cancelled artists?

Wed, 29 Jan 2025 04:00:00 -0000

The number of artists being “cancelled” seems to be growing every day. But is it ok to continue to enjoy the art they made even if they’re awful people? Today on The Bunker, Rafael Behr sits down with philosophy professor Mary Beth Willard, author of Why It's OK to Enjoy the Work of Immoral Artists, to explore whether we can truly separate the art from the artist, uncover the real power of cancelling an artist, and ask: how do these choices shape the future of art and accountability?

• Buy Why It’s OK To Enjoy Immoral Artists through our affiliate bookshop and you’ll help fund The Bunker by earning us a small commission for every sale. Bookshop.org’s fees help support independent bookshops too.

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Written and presented by Rafael Behr. Producer: Liam Tait. Audio editors: Tom Taylor and Simon Williams. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Trump's tariffs explained: How to understand his looming trade wars

Tue, 28 Jan 2025 04:00:00 -0000

Trump is constantly talking about tariffs and has started to use the threat of them as part of his geopolitical bullying campaign. What impact would these measures have across the world? Why is he so set on them? Ros Taylor asks Dmitry Grozoubinski, author of Why Politicians Lie About Trade... and What You Need to Know About It, to discuss everything you need to know about tariffs and Trump’s trade wars.

Buy Why Politicians Lie About Trade... and What You Need to Know About It through our affiliate bookshop and you’ll help fund The Bunker by earning us a small commission for every sale. Bookshop.org’s fees help support independent bookshops too.

• We are sponsored by Indeed. Go to Indeed.com/bunker for £100 sponsored credit.

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Written and presented by Ros Taylor. Audio production: Tom Taylor. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Music by Kenny Dickinson. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Don call us, we’ll call you — Start Your Week with Alex von Tunzelmann and Jacob Jarvis

Mon, 27 Jan 2025 10:35:00 -0000

Trump and Starmer had a chinwag over the phone at the weekend – what did we learn and how can the PM navigate this relationship? And what will unfold in the aftermath of Trump’s manic first week? Plus, we look at clashes at home as the government targets Farage, as well as the latest world news, with updates from Gaza and Ukraine. Author and historian Alex von Tunzelmann joins Jacob Jarvis to talk through the week ahead and recent news you might have missed.

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Written and presented by Jacob Jarvis with Alex von Tunzelmann. Audio production by Tom Taylor. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Music by Kenny Dickinson. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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How dark psychology created Hitler’s Germany – and why it could happen again

Fri, 24 Jan 2025 04:00:00 -0000

Why did otherwise civilised Germans welcome Hitler’s message of hatred and racial supremacy so fervently? Laurence Rees wrote and produced the acclaimed BBC series The Nazis: A Warning From History as well as documentaries on Auschwitz, Stalin, the Russian Front and the Holocaust. He talks to Andrew Harrison about his new book The Nazi Mind, where he examines the psychological mechanisms that drew Germany into the horrors of the Second World War – and how those same deep compulsions are revitalising the far-right today.

• Buy The Nazi Mind through our affiliate bookshop and you’ll help fund The Bunker by earning us a small commission for every sale. Bookshop.org’s fees help support independent bookshops too.

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Presented by Group Editor Andrew Harrison. Audio production by Tom Taylor. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Managing Editor Jacob Jarvis. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Are Iran and Russia losing their grip on the Middle East?

Thu, 23 Jan 2025 04:00:00 -0000

The past 12 months have seen stunning reverses for both Russia and for Iran’s ‘Axis of Resistance’ in the Middle East. Rebels humiliated Putin in Syria and Israel devastated Iranian proxies such has Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon – albeit it at appalling human cost. Is the region finally turning a corner? Does the ceasefire really mean Israel has “won”? Could the Iranian regime fall? RUSI fellow Jason Pack of the Disorder podcast explains connects the threads of a crucial period for the region.

• Support us on Patreon for early episodes and more.

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Written and presented by Group Editor Andrew Harrison. Audio production by Tom Taylor. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Managing Editor Jacob Jarvis. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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'How I took on Alex Jones' – Fighting the world's biggest conspiracy theorist

Wed, 22 Jan 2025 04:00:00 -0000

On December 14, 2012, Robbie Parker's world was shattered. His daughter, Emilie, was among the victims of the tragic Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting. As if the grief of losing a child wasn’t enough, Robbie and other parents were forced to confront an unthinkable challenge: a wave of harassment and lies spawned by conspiracy theorists.

In this episode, Robbie Parker, author of A Father's Fight, joins Gavin Esler to discuss his legal battle with conspiracy theorist talking head Alex Jones and the struggle to protect his daughter’s memory amidst a sea of disinformation.

Buy A Father's Fight: Taking on Alex Jones and Reclaiming the Truth About Sandy Hook through our affiliate bookshop and you’ll help fund The Bunker by earning us a small commission for every sale. Bookshop.org’s fees help support independent bookshops too.

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Written and presented by Gavin Esler. Producer: Liam Tait. Audio editors: Tom Taylor. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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From 'femcels' to 'tradwives' – How the far right radicalises women online

Tue, 21 Jan 2025 04:00:00 -0000

The online radicalisation of men and ‘incels’ by the far right is well documented – but what about the women they target? What role do forums for mums and Instagram food vlogs play in luring women into movements that seek to undermine their freedoms?

Today in The Bunker, Lois Shearing, author of Pink-Pilled: Women and the Far Right, joins Zoë Grünewald to explore how these groups operate and what can be done to stop them.

Buy Pink-Pilled: Women and the Far Right through our affiliate bookshop and you’ll help fund The Bunker by earning us a small commission for every sale. Bookshop.org’s fees help support independent bookshops too.

https://uk.bookshop.org/a/13277/9781526170699

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Written and presented by Zoë Grünewald. Producer: Liam Tait. Audio editor: Robin Leeburn Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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The Return of Trump — Start Your Week with Gavin Esler and Jacob Jarvis

Mon, 20 Jan 2025 10:20:00 -0000

Donald Trump will officially become the president of the United States today – what will he say as he lays out his plans for America? And how will he shake things up on the global stage? Gavin Esler talks Jacob Jarvis through what we should we should expect from the beginning of Trump’s second presidency.

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Starmer is banking on AI. But has he thought of the jobs it might steal?

Sat, 18 Jan 2025 04:00:00 -0000

Keir Starmer wants Britain to “mainline artificial intelligence into its veins” and says A.I. will transform the our lives for the better. But as job automation races ahead, is anyone listening to the voices of working people? Has Labour been captured by the A.I. lobby? Mary Towers leads the TUC’s work on A.I. She tells Andrew Harrison what we need to do to make this Fourth Industrial Revolution work for everyone – not just Big Tech and corporate cost-cutters.

• Support us on Patreon for early episodes and more

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Written and presented by Group Editor Andrew Harrison. Audio production by Tom Taylor. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Managing Editor Jacob Jarvis. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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The Israel/Hamas Ceasefire – Can it hold? – from This Is Not A Drill with Gavin Esler

Fri, 17 Jan 2025 04:00:00 -0000

A special crosspost from our geopolitics podcast This Is Not A Drill.

After 15 months of horror, a ceasefire and hostage release deal triggers rejoicing in Israel and Palestine. But the deal is ambiguous and built around only a gradual release of Palestinian prisoners and Israeli hostages, with no agreement to end the war yet. While Trump rushes to claim credit, some fear the deal is so loose it might collapse. Could this conflict reignite?

Gavin Esler talks to Middle East expert Dr H.A. Hellyer of RUSI, the Royal United Services Institute for Defence and Security, about Israel and Gaza’s fragile moment of hope.

• No longer on Twitter? Follow Gavin Esler and This Is Not A Drill on BlueSky.

• Support This Is Not A Drill to continue by backing us on Patreon. You’ll get early, ad-free editions, merchandise and more.

Written and presented by Gavin Esler. Audio production by Robin Leeburn. Original theme music by Paul Hartnoll – https://www.orbitalofficial.com. Executive Producer Martin Bojtos. Group Editor Andrew Harrison. This Is Not A Drill is a Podmasters production

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Facebook vs. The Facts: Has Mark Zuckerberg declared war on the truth?

Thu, 16 Jan 2025 04:00:00 -0000

Mark Zuckerberg has announced he’s ditching fact checking on Facebook and across Meta platforms. This is starting in the US, but how far will it go? And how much worse will it make the content on his social media channels? Chris Jones speaks to tech journalist and LBC correspondent Will Guyatt to find out why the Facebook boss is making these changes, beyond just cosying up to Trump, and what their impact will be.

• We are sponsored by Indeed. Go to Indeed.com/bunker for £100 sponsored credit.

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Written and presented by Chris Jones. Audio production: Tom Taylor. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Music by Kenny Dickinson. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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How will Trump try to end the war in Ukraine? – Gavin Esler asks Mark Galeotti

Wed, 15 Jan 2025 04:00:00 -0000

What will Trump’s entry to the White House mean for the war between Russia and Ukraine? The incoming US insists he can get a ceasefire and end the conflict – but how feasible is this? Gavin Esler, of our sibling podcast This is Not a Drill, speaks to Russia expert Mark Galeotti, host of the In Moscow’s Shadows podcast.

• We are sponsored by Indeed. Go to Indeed.com/bunker for £100 sponsored credit.

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Written and presented by Gavin Esler. Audio production: Robin Leeburn. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Music by Kenny Dickinson. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Reform UK think 2025 is their year. How can we stop them?

Tue, 14 Jan 2025 04:00:00 -0000

Reform UK are on a roll. The Tories are dancing to their tune, some polls are putting them on par with Labour and the wilder hard-right papers are hyping Farage as a potential PM. But how real is Reform’s “surge”? Are their voters really up for far-right populism, or are they more likely angry, disaffected, sometimes even left-leaning people who’ve lost faith in politics? Campaigning veteran Paul Mason of The New European and The Guardian’s Rafael Behr ask the big question of 2025: how do we stop Reform dragging Britain to the far-right?

• “Reform know how to play populist politics. They are a very well-funded autocratic party and they know what they’re doing.” – Paul Mason

• “Every time you say ‘open borders’ you convert a Reform voter to a fascist.” – Paul Mason

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Written and presented by Rafael Behr. Audio production by Tom Taylor. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Managing Editor Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Bonds away! – Start Your Week with Ros Taylor and Jacob Jarvis

Mon, 13 Jan 2025 10:12:00 -0000

Rachel Reeves faces questions over Britain’s economic state this week – the right-wing press is howling, but just how bad is the situation really? And, Musk continues to meddle – we look at his moves here at home and further afield. Plus, it’s the final week where Trump isn’t president! We discuss who’ll be wanting to cosy up to him in the coming days. Ros Taylor talks Jacob Jarvis through all that and more.

We are sponsored by Indeed. Go to Indeed.com/bunker for £100 sponsored credit.

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Why Putin might not be so worried about Russia's economy

Fri, 10 Jan 2025 04:00:00 -0000

As Russia’s invasion of Ukraine continues, questions have been raised as to how long Putin can financially sustain the assault. How much longer can Russia’s economy sustain the staggering costs of war?

Today in The Bunker, Dr. Richard Connolly, author of The Russian Economy: A Very Short Introduction, joins Chris Jones to find out if Putin’s war machine is running out of cash?

• We are sponsored by Indeed. Go to Indeed.com/bunker for £100 sponsored credit.

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Written and presented by Chris Jones. Producer: Liam Tait. Audio editors: Tom Taylor. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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What will Trump do first? – 2025 US politics preview

Thu, 09 Jan 2025 04:00:00 -0000

With Donald Trump returning to the White House, the political battles of his first term and a few fresh ones are returning to the fore in US politics. But what will he prioritise once in office?

In this episode of The Bunker, Jacob Jarvis is joined by his American Friction co-host, Nikki McCann Ramirez of Rolling Stone, to look at the key figures and forces shaping US politics in 2025. With the growing influence of Elon Musk, a political mandate and experience in the office, what does this next phase of Trumpism mean for American politics?

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What should be Starmer's new year's resolutions? – with Steve Richards

Wed, 08 Jan 2025 04:00:00 -0000

The new year brings fresh challenges for Starmer’s government and continued pressure to deliver on Labour’s campaign promises. After years of political turbulence, can Labour deliver meaningful change? Join Alex von Tunzelmann and Steve Richards, host of Rock & Roll Politics, as they take stock of the government’s priorities for the new year and ask what resolutions Starmer should make for 2025.

• We are sponsored by Indeed. Go to Indeed.com/bunker for £100 sponsored credit.

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Written and presented by Alex von Tunzelmann. Producer: Liam Tait. Audio editors: Simon Williams. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Will Musk finally drive MPs off Twitter?

Tue, 07 Jan 2025 04:00:00 -0000

Will Musk’s latest meltdown see politicians and institutions finally abandon Twitter? And if so, where will they go? Or will the right-wing stay, as the left and centrists shift to BlueSky? Zoë Crowther, reporter at PoliticsHome, joins Ros Taylor to discuss how MPs will engage with social media in 2025.

We are sponsored by Indeed. Go to Indeed.com/bunker for £100 sponsored credit.

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Written and presented by Ros Taylor. Audio production: Simon Williams. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Music by Kenny Dickinson. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Elon Degenerates — Start Your Week with Gavin Esler and Jacob Jarvis

Mon, 06 Jan 2025 10:32:00 -0000

Elon Musk’s latest rant-a-thon has dominated the headlines – what should we make of it and what impact will it have? Plus, there’s NHS reforms to be announced in news Keir Starmer wants people to focus on – and Gavin Esler gives Jacob Jarvis the latest updates from further afield, addressing conflicts and flashpoints across the globe.

We are sponsored by Indeed. Go to Indeed.com/bunker for £100 sponsored credit.

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The ten most influential people of the 21st Century… so far – Part Two: The Final Five

Fri, 03 Jan 2025 04:00:00 -0000

Is the Great Man* theory of history back? As our world seems increasingly shaped by individual oligarchs, populists and single-issue celebrities, we complete our list of the most influential people of the century so far. Who will make the cut? Our Bunker regulars – BBC veteran Gavin Esler, historian and author Alex Von Tunzelmann and Guardian columnist Rafael Behr – name the Final Five of our Century Shapers.

Part One already available.

• Support us on Patreon for early episodes and more.

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Presented by Gavin Esler. Audio production by Simon Williams and Robin Leeburn. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Managing Editor Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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The ten most influential people of the 21st Century… so far – Part One

Thu, 02 Jan 2025 04:00:00 -0000

Incredibly, we’re already nearly a quarter of the way through the 21st Century. Who are the big figures who’ve shaped and transformed, or more often, terrorised and devastated, our political and physical worlds? And how did 20th century dreams of a stable consensus tomorrow fall apart? A panel of Bunker regulars – BBC veteran Gavin Esler, historian and author Alex Von Tunzelmann and Guardian columnist Rafael Behr – assemble to choose the first five of our Century Shapers.

Part Two out tomorrow or available now on Patreon.

• We are sponsored by Indeed. Go to Indeed.com/bunker for £100 sponsored credit.

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Jimmy Carter – When a good man went to Washington

Tue, 31 Dec 2024 04:00:00 -0000

Jimmy Carter, who has died aged 100, suffered derision in his one-term presidency, becoming a scapegoat for recession, the Iran hostage crisis and America’s diminution in the world. But his reputation as a humanitarian only grew after he left office. What is the true meaning of Jimmy Carter’s life? Andrew Harrison talks to writer and filmmaker Jonathan Alter – author of His Very Best: Jimmy Carter, A Life – about the 39th President and his legacy.

• Support us on Patreon for early episodes and more.

• We are sponsored by Indeed. Go to Indeed.com/bunker for £100 sponsored credit.

Presented by Group Editor Andrew Harrison. Audio production by Robin Leeburn. Researched by Eliza Davis Beard. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Managing Editor Jacob Jarvis. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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US Politics in 2024 – Weird bits, worst bits and what we learned – American Friction bonus edition

Mon, 30 Dec 2024 04:00:00 -0000

Fighting the holiday podcast drought, we bring you another taster of a Podmasters show you might have missed – our US politics weekly American Friction. And this time it’s their review of 2024. No Jarv on this edition, but Chris and Nikki unpack the key moments and lessons from a year when Trump’s election as President may well have changed American democracy forever.

Get the sharpest take on American politics every Friday when you follow American Friction on your favourite app.

Written and presented by Chris Jones and Nikki McCann Ramírez. Audio editor: Simon Williams. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Executive producer: Martin Bojtos. Artwork by James Parrett. Music: Orange Factory Music. AMERICAN FRICTION is a Podmasters Production. www.podmasters.co.uk

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Paper Cuts Review of 2024 Part One – Bonus Edition

Sun, 29 Dec 2024 04:00:00 -0000

Continuing our intra-festive selection of Podmasters shows you might have missed… have you tried Paper Cuts, the podcast that reads the papers so you don’t have to? Cos you really should.

As a taster, join Miranda Sawyer plus host of Queerphoria Jack Guinness and comedy writer and actual Grinch Jason Hazeley for Part One of the Paper Cuts Review of 2024. Remember when everyone had a meltdown over Princess Kate? Jack reminisces about the whole saga that engulfed the nation. Miranda tries to recall all the weird stunts the Tories pulled before the election. Plus – Here’s a reminder that Baby Reindeer isn’t a Christmas classic for the whole family, as Jason examines the reaction to Netflix’s mega-hit.

• Paper Cuts is out every Monday and Friday. Hear the rest of their review of 2024 and follow on your favourite podcast app.

Illustrations by Modern Toss https://moderntoss.com

Written and presented by Miranda Sawyer. Audio production: Jade Bailey. Production. Liam Tait. Design: James Parrett. Music: Simon Williams. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Exec Producer: Martin Bojtos. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. PAPER CUTS is a Podmasters Production

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Why are we drawn to evil? – Bonus edition from Why? with Emma Kennedy

Sat, 28 Dec 2024 04:00:00 -0000

Climbing the walls in the holiday podcast drought? We’re tiding you over with some episodes you might have missed from the giant Podmasters universe. Today, a fascinating edition of our science and psychology podcast, Why? with Emma Kennedy.

On this episode… The allure of evil. Lots of us are obsessed with true crime documentaries and podcasts and can’t get enough gruesome details of horrific murder, torture and kidnapping. It’s all pretty horrible – so why are we drawn to it? Does ‘evil’ really exist? And if so, what does it look like?

Writer, journalist and broadcaster Emma Kennedy talks to forensic psychiatrist Dr Sohom Das and the UK’s top expert on serial killers, criminologist Professor David Wilson to uncover why we are so obsessed with evil.

• Blow your mind with the current season of Why? on your favourite podcast app.

• Buy Dr Das’ book In Two Minds: Shocking true stories of murder, justice and recovery from a forensic psychiatrist and Professor Wilson’s My Life with Murderers: Behind Bars with the World’s Most Violent Men through our affiliate bookshop and you’ll help fund our pods by earning us a small commission for every sale. Bookshop.org’s fees help support independent bookshops too.

WHY? is presented by Emma Kennedy. Produced by Eliza Davis Beard. Audio production and theme music by Jade Bailey. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group editor: Andrew Harrison. Artwork by James Parrett. Additional music is from Artlist.io. WHY? is a Podmasters Production.

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Kleptocracy Now – How the global corruption machine is seizing power – This Is Not A Drill BONUS

Fri, 27 Dec 2024 04:00:00 -0000

Desperate for a fresh pod over the holidays? We’re tiding you over the Christmas-New Year gap with some shows you might have missed from the wider Podmasters universe. Today, enjoy this edition of our geopolitics weekly This Is Not A Drill.

On this edition… Corruption, bribery and cronyism aren’t just criminal matters. International alliances of corrupt states and their enablers are undermining democracies and international law, creating a world without rules where everything and anyone can be bought. From Putin’s gangster state to COVID corruption and favouritism in the UK, the West’s response has been feeble.

How big is Kleptocracy's threat to global stability? Regular TINAD presenter Emma Beals explores an existential danger with anti-corruption writer Sarah Chayes – author of Everybody Knows: Corruption in America – and Guardian investigations correspondent and author of Cuckooland: Where the Rich Own the Truth Tom Burgis.

NB This edition recorded before Trump’s victory in the US election.

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• When you buy books through our affiliate bookshop you’re helping fund our podcasts by earning us a small commission for every sale. Bookshop.org’s fees help support independent bookshops too.

Written and presented by Emma Beals. Audio production by Robin Leeburn. Original theme music by Paul Hartnoll – https://www.orbitalofficial.com. Executive Producer Martin Bojtos. Group Editor Andrew Harrison. This Is Not A Drill is a Podmasters production

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Soaked Sunak, Brat summer, the Hot Hitman and more – The 20 weirdest moments of 2024 – Part Two

Mon, 23 Dec 2024 04:00:00 -0000

Completing our countdown of the events of 2024 that we can barely believe happened. From Rishi Sunak dooming his own election campaign by launching it in a downpour to Robert F Kennedy Jr’s shenanigans with a dead bear (blame the brainworms) to America deciding that its new folk hero is an actual murderer, we examine the moments that made 2024 incomprehensible. Miranda Sawyer and Jonn Elledge of Paper Cuts join Andrew Harrison to complete an ignominious countdown. (Part One available now)

• Support us on Patreon for early episodes and more.

• We are sponsored by Indeed. Go to Indeed.com/bunker for £100 sponsored credit.

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Presented by Group Editor Andrew Harrison. Audio production by Tom Taylor. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Managing Editor Jacob Jarvis. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Trump shooting, Oasis frenzy, Huak Tuah and more – The 20 weirdest moments of 2024 – Part One

Fri, 20 Dec 2024 04:00:00 -0000

It’s that time of year when we look back over the last twelve months and ask… did that really happen? From Oasis giving the nation a brutal lesson in demand economics to the near-assassination of Donald Trump to the baffling rise of “Huak Tuah Girl”, 2024 has been a year of signs, wonders and bewilderment. In the first of a two-part Bunker special Miranda Sawyer and Jonn Elledge of Paper Cuts join Andrew Harrison to choose the first ten of the twenty most bizarre moments of the year – and work out what they mean.

Part Two is out on Monday 23 December, or sign up to Patreon to hear it right now – and support independent podcasting too.

• We are sponsored by Indeed. Go to Indeed.com/bunker for £100 sponsored credit.

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Presented by Group Editor Andrew Harrison. Audio production by Tom Taylor. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Managing Editor Jacob Jarvis. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Eat, drink, and be merry: The history of Christmas Dinner

Thu, 19 Dec 2024 04:00:00 -0000

• Get 20% off annual Patreon support for The Bunker in our Black Friday sale. The perfect gift to ask for!

From enormous Tudor banquets to Fortnum & Mason’s luxury hampers, Christmas food has always been about showing off. But how did we leap from turducken and spiced pies to our roast potatoes and a turkey that barely fits in the oven?

Join Alex von Tunzelmann and Thomas Ntinas, host of The Delicious Legacy podcast, as they unravel how centuries of festive indulgence, and a brief detour through Cromwell’s joyless Puritanism, shaped the Christmas dinner we know today.

• We are sponsored by Indeed. Go to Indeed.com/bunker for £100 sponsored credit.

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Nakatomi one more time – Why DIE HARD is the most political Christmas movie

Wed, 18 Dec 2024 04:00:00 -0000

• Our Cyber Monday sale is just about still on! Get 20% off annual Patreon support for The Bunker.

Yes, Die Hard IS a Christmas movie… but what about its politics? Is the Bruce Willis blockbuster a howl of anger from Reagan’s rustbelt, an attack on ’80s yuppie finance bros, an America First broadside against Japanese corporate raiders, or a diatribe against capitalism that Bernie Sanders would be proud of? And who’s the real villain? Conservative economist John Phelan joins wet liberal centrist Andrew Harrison to debate the politics that play out in Nakatomi Tower. Welcome to the podcast, pal!

Read John’s excellent analysis Die Hard here.

• Support us on Patreon for early episodes and more.

• We are sponsored by Indeed. Go to Indeed.com/bunker for £100 sponsored credit.

Presented by Group Editor Andrew Harrison. Audio production by Jade Bailey. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Managing Editor Jacob Jarvis. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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US healthcare – So hated, it could drive you to murder?

Tue, 17 Dec 2024 04:00:00 -0000

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Last week, a high-profile murder in broad daylight shocked the world, but it’s the reaction that has everyone talking. Why is the victim, United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson, met with scorn while the accused, Luigi Mangione, is hailed as a cult hero across the internet? Join Alex von Tunzelmann and Jessica Glenza, health reporter for The Guardian US, as they delve into the complexities of US healthcare, uncovering the confusion and fury behind the headlines and memes.

• We are sponsored by Indeed. Go to Indeed.com/bunker for £100 sponsored credit.

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Spy in the House of Windsor – Start Your Week with Ros Taylor and Gavin Esler

Mon, 16 Dec 2024 10:54:00 -0000

• Get 20% off annual Patreon support for The Bunker in our Black Friday sale. The perfect gift to ask for!

The Chinese spy scandal lifts the lid on Prince Andrew’s murky world. What do the Chinese think the Prince can give him? Has the affair sealed Andrew’s fate as a Royal? And will we find out the identity of the mysterious “H6”? Plus: Why is Starmer cosying up to Italy’s far-right leader Giorgia Meloni? The US healthcare debate grows bitterer still after the arrest of Luigi Mangione. And are YOU ready for the Christmas Guinness Drought? Ros Taylor and Gavin Esler set out the major stories of the week ahead.

• This episode is sponsored by Proton Pass, to find out more visit https://proton.me/pass/thebunker

• We are sponsored by Indeed. Go to Indeed.com/bunker for £100 sponsored credit.

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Written and presented by Ros Taylor. Audio production by Tom Taylor. Music: Kenny Dickinson. Art: Jim Parrett. Managing Editor Jacob Jarvis. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Who’s the daddy now? How Centrist Dad took over

Fri, 13 Dec 2024 04:00:00 -0000

• Our Black Friday sale is still on! Get 20% off annual Patreon support for The Bunker.

Beige against the machine – Mocked by left and right in the 2010s, Centrist Dad had the last laugh. Now he bestrides our politics like gilet-clad colossus – he’s even Prime Minister. But what makes him tick? How is he adjusting to power? What is Centrist Mum like? Authors of The Centrist Dad Handbook, friend of the pod Jason Hazeley and pal Nico Tatarowicz, talk to Andrew Harrison about the man at the centre of it all.

• Support us on Patreon for early episodes and more - www.patreon.com/bunkercast

• We are sponsored by Indeed. Go to Indeed.com/bunker for £100 sponsored credit.

Presented by Group Editor Andrew Harrison. Audio production by Simon Williams and Robin Leeburn. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Managing Editor Jacob Jarvis. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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UFO hearings: Alien news from America you probably missed!

Thu, 12 Dec 2024 04:00:00 -0000

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It’s been a busy time in the USA – so you’d be forgiven for having missed the latest UFO hearings. To help you catch up, Jacob Jarvis spoke to Tom Phillips, co-author of Conspiracy: A History of B*llocks Theories, and How Not to Fall For Them, to discuss what was said and if any of it actually hinted at Alien life…

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Written and presented by Jacob Jarvis. Audio production: Simon Williams. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Music by Kenny Dickinson. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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“It’s Syria’s future now” – This Is Not A Drill crossover edition

Wed, 11 Dec 2024 04:30:00 -0000

• A special crossover with The Bunker’s geopolitics partner podcast This Is Not A Drill.

Assad’s stunning fall ends a tyrannical 53-year rule in Syria, leaving monstrous crimes against human rights exposed, rocking both Iran and Russia on their heels, and handing the country’s future back to its people. Where next for Syria? Will the rebel fighters coalesce into a working government and avoid the factionalism which would jeopardise the Syrian people’s hopes? And what does it mean for an international community which had turned its back on the Syrian war?

This Is Not A Drill regular Emma Beals explores an awe-inspiring week in the Middle East with Syria expert and open-source investigator Suhail al-Ghazi.

• No longer on Twitter? Follow TINAD and Emma Beals on BlueSky.

• Support This Is Not Drill on Patreon to continue by backing us on Patreon. You’ll get early, ad-free editions, merchandise and more.

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French politics is in chaos. What will happen next?

Tue, 10 Dec 2024 04:00:00 -0000

• Get 20% off annual Patreon support for The Bunker in our Black Friday sale. The perfect gift to ask for!

French politics is in turmoil at the moment with President Macron facing pressure over who he names as the nation’s next Prime Minister. Can the different factions in France be brought together? And can Macron fend off his enemies – or might someone else be better suited? Sophie Pedder, Paris bureau chief of The Economist, joins Ros Taylor to discuss the chaos and what might come of it.

We are sponsored by Indeed. Go to Indeed.com/bunker for £100 sponsored credit.

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Written and presented by Ros Taylor. Audio production: Tom Taylor. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Music by Kenny Dickinson. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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The Road to Damascus – Start Your Week with Ros Taylor and Jacob Jarvis

Mon, 09 Dec 2024 10:35:00 -0000

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The fall of the Assad regime in Syria is dominating headlines – what does it mean for the future of the country and the region more broadly? Ros Taylor discusses with Jacob Jarvis. Plus, they discuss domestic news including the fallout of Starmer’s reset and a war on NIMBYs. And – France, what’s going on and can Macron weather the political storm?

We are sponsored by Indeed. Go to Indeed.com/bunker for £100 sponsored credit.

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Has the Bank of Mum and Dad broken Britain?

Fri, 06 Dec 2024 04:00:00 -0000

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If you’re under 45 the only way you’ll buy a home is with help from the Bank of Mum and Dad. What is the increasing power of family wealth doing to Britain? Far from intergenerational inequality, is inTRAgenerational inequality creating a Britain of haves and never-will-haves? Are we entering a Jane Austen world where money marries money? And is it all the Boomers’ fault?

Eliza Filby, author of Inheritocracy: It’s Time to Talk About the Bank of Mum and Dad, joins regulars Hannah Fearn and Andrew Harrison to talk about Britain’s new Parent Trap.

• Buy Inheritocracy through our affiliate bookshop and you’ll help fund OGWN by earning us a small commission for every sale. Bookshop.org’s fees help support independent bookshops too.

• We are sponsored by Indeed. Go to Indeed.com/bunker for £100 sponsored credit.

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Written and presented by Andrew Harrison with Hannah Fearn. Audio production: Tom Taylor. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Music by Kenny Dickinson. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Can anything stop Musk bankrolling Farage into power?

Thu, 05 Dec 2024 04:00:00 -0000

• Get 20% off annual Patreon support for The Bunker in our Black Friday sale. The perfect gift to ask for!

How much impact would Musk giving $100 million to Farage and Reform UK have on British politics? And how would such a move be legal – and could it be blocked in any way? Ros Taylor is joined by Peter Geoghegan, author of the Democracy for Sale substack, to discuss how this sort of funding is regulated – and how analogue rules struggle to keep up in a digital world.

• “It’s both the money and the might of Musk behind Farage, we’ve never seen a tech oligarch involved in British politics like this.”

• “We have very few rules on what you’d call third party campaigning. You can really run and do whatever you want.”

• “There are no caps when it comes to donations to a political party – you can give them your house, you can give them everything if you like.”

Read Peter’s recent piece on his Democracy for Sale Substack.

We are sponsored by Indeed. Go to Indeed.com/bunker for £100 sponsored credit.

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Written and presented by Ros Taylor. Audio production: Tom Taylor. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Music by Kenny Dickinson. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Could Kamala Harris run for President again? – with The Guardian’s David Smith

Wed, 04 Dec 2024 04:00:00 -0000

• Get 20% off annual Patreon support for The Bunker in our Black Friday sale. The perfect gift to ask for!

Kamala Harris faced an uphill battle in her bid for the White House ending in a shock defeat which has left her party reeling. But, she’s suggested she wants to stay in the fight, and early polling hints that she could muster support to run in 2028. Would that be wise for her or the Democratic Party? Today on The Bunker, Jacob Jarvis is joined by David Smith, Washington DC bureau chief for The Guardian, to dissect the fallout from this historic loss and what Harris might do moving forward. Together, they explore what the campaign's failure reveals about the Democratic Party’s strategy – and whether Harris could run again in 2028.

• We are sponsored by Indeed. Go to Indeed.com/bunker for £100 sponsored credit.

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Labour’s messaging is a mess. Here’s how to fix it.

Tue, 03 Dec 2024 04:00:00 -0000

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From inheritance tax to winter fuel to the early mini-scandal over ministerial freebies, it seems Labour just can’t take control of the news agenda. Is it down to a lack of killer journalistic instinct, Starmer’s own personality, or something deeper? Patrick Diamond was policy and strategy adviser to New Labour, and he’s now Professor of Public Policy at Queen Mary University London. He tells Andrew Harrison how Blair and Campbell took the media by the scruff of the neck… and what Labour can to do “roll the pitch” so the next four years aren’t as defensive as the last four months.

(This episode recorded before the forced resignation of Transport Minister Louise Haigh)

• We are sponsored by Indeed. Go to Indeed.com/bunker for £100 sponsored credit.

Support us on Patreon.

Presented by Group Editor Andrew Harrison. Produced by Liam Tait. Audio production by Jade Bailey Music by Kenny Dickinson. Managing Editor Jacob Jarvis. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Don’t call it a comeback! – Start Your Week with Gavin Esler and Jacob Jarvis

Mon, 02 Dec 2024 10:37:00 -0000

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Keir Starmer definitely isn’t doing a relaunch or a reset no matter what the papers say. But, he is doing something that looks a bit like one, so Gavin Esler and Jacob Jarvis unpack what the Labour leader is up to. And, Trump’s making everyone go see him at Mar a Lago, what can we make of his initial interactions on the world stage? Plus, the latest from Russia and conflict in the Middle East.

• This episode is sponsored by Proton Pass, to find out more visit https://proton.me/pass/thebunker

• We are sponsored by Indeed. Go to Indeed.com/bunker for £100 sponsored credit.

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Shop horror: Are Britain’s high streets dying?

Fri, 29 Nov 2024 04:00:00 -0000

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Britain's high streets are shadows of their former selves. Over the last decade, 40,000 shops have closed. But in the past high streets were more than places to shop – they were the heart of communities, hubs for activism, and even spots for a bit of drama to unfold. Today on The Bunker, Alex von Tunzelmann sits down with Annie Gray, author of The Bookshop, The Draper, The Candlestick Maker: A History of the High Street, to delve into the rich past of these spaces – and why we shouldn’t rush to mourn them just yet.

• We are sponsored by Indeed. Go to Indeed.com/bunker for £100 sponsored credit.

Support us on Patreon.

Buy The Bookshop, The Draper, The Candlestick Maker: A History of the High Street through our affiliate bookshop and you’ll help fund The Bunker by earning us a small commission for every sale. Bookshop.org’s fees help support independent bookshops too.

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Inside the assisted dying debate with ITV’s Paul Brand – plus, Could Jeremy Clarkson rally a new opposition? — Panel edition

Thu, 28 Nov 2024 04:00:00 -0000

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Back by popular demand: The Bunker panel edition where we talk about multiple topics with regulars and guests. This time: The Telegraph thinks Jeremy Clarkson could lead a new populist party. Stranger things have happened… haven’t they? The intense debate on assisted dying reaches its climax. And the big future news stories we should watch out for. ITV News’s UK Editor Paul Brand and Paper Cuts/Pod Save The UK regular Coco Khan talk all it over with Andrew Harrison. The Bunker Panel will return at the end of every month.

• This episode is sponsored by Proton Pass, to find out more

visit https://proton.me/pass/thebunker

• We are sponsored by Indeed. Go to Indeed.com/bunker for £100 sponsored credit.

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Presented by Group Editor Andrew Harrison. Produced by Liam Tait. Audio production by Tom Taylor. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Managing Editor Jacob Jarvis. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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How the 'manosphere' helped Trump win over young men

Wed, 27 Nov 2024 04:00:00 -0000

• Get 20% off annual Patreon support for The Bunker in our Black Friday sale. The perfect gift to ask for!

Young men turned out in huge numbers for Trump, thanks in part to his ability to tap into the “manosphere”. So what is this online phenomenon? And how has it shaped political views the world over? And what will it mean going forward? Zing Tsjeng speaks to the authors of Clown World: Four Years Inside Andrew Tate's Manosphere, Jamie Tahsin and Matt Shea to discuss that and more.

We are sponsored by Indeed. Go to Indeed.com/bunker for £100 sponsored credit.

Support us on Patreon.

Written and presented by Zing Tsjeng. Audio production: Robin Leeburn. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Music by Kenny Dickinson. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Red Pills and Chills – Is The Matrix the most dangerous movie of modern times?

Tue, 26 Nov 2024 04:00:00 -0000

• Get 20% off annual Patreon support for The Bunker in our Black Friday sale. The perfect gift to ask for!

It’s known for leather trenchcoats, shades and cool fight sequences in “bullet time”. But The Matrix’s concept of “taking the Red Pill” – rejecting consensus reality and all who believe in it – has spread to become a malignant force in politics, providing a rationale for conspiracy theorists, misogynists, antisemites and fascists. How did a sci-fi blockbuster do so much damage?

Derek Robertson, who writes on the politics/pop culture intersection for Politico, talks to Andrew Harrison about the Redpilling of American politics, how creators the Wachowskis feel about their vision being commandeered, The Matrix as a transgender allegory … and how deep the right-wing rabbit hole goes.

• We are sponsored by Indeed. Go to Indeed.com/bunker for £100 sponsored credit.

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Presented by Group Editor Andrew Harrison. Produced by Liam Tait. Audio production by Tom Taylor. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Managing Editor Jacob Jarvis. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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The assisted dying vote explained — Start Your Week with Ros Taylor and Hannah Fearn

Mon, 25 Nov 2024 10:32:00 -0000

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MPs will debate assisted dying ahead of a significant vote on the matter this week – who is arguing for and against? What questions are there over the bill? Ros Taylor is joined by Hannah Fearn to discuss the split in the Cabinet over this legislation and more broadly. Plus, the latest from an apparent benefits “crackdown”, news from COP29 and more to look out for in the coming days.

We are sponsored by Indeed. Go to Indeed.com/bunker for £100 sponsored credit.

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Written and presented by Ros Taylor with Hannah Fearn. Audio production: Tom Taylor. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Music by Kenny Dickinson. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Can Congress hold Trump to account at all? – A deep dive from American Friction

Sat, 23 Nov 2024 04:00:00 -0000

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Donald Trump has secured a “trifecta” as he heads to the White House, while the House and Senate are due to be controlled by Republicans. So, can the checks and balances of the US system work at all? Can he circumvent everything – or will anyone push back? Dr. Casey Burgat, director of the Legislative Affairs program at George Washington University’s Graduate School of Political Management, joined Jacob Jarvis and Chris Jones on our sibling podcast American Friction to give them an idiot’s guide to Congress.

Want to learn more about US politics? Head here for more from American Friction.

Find out more about Casey’s upcoming book here.

We are sponsored by Indeed. Go to Indeed.com/bunker for £100 sponsored credit.

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Written and presented by Jacob Jarvis and Chris Jones. Audio production: Simon Williams. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Music by Kenny Dickinson. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Israel-Hamas: How might Trump end the war?

Fri, 22 Nov 2024 04:00:00 -0000

Donald Trump seems like a hardline ally of Benjamin Netanyahu and the Israeli right. But could his unpredictable nature and need to make big news end the nightmare in Gaza on terms that don’t suit Netanyahu’s hard-right coalition? The Economist’s Israel correspondent Anshel Pfeffer talks to Andrew Harrison about the true nature of the war, its wider effects, and the ending that Trump might impose upon the region.

• This edition recorded before the ICC issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu, Israeli defence minister Yoav Gallant and Hamas leader Mohammed Deif.

• Get 20% off a year’s Patreon support for The Bunker with our Black Friday sale.

• We are sponsored by Indeed. Go to Indeed.com/bunker for £100 sponsored credit.

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Presented by Group Editor Andrew Harrison. Produced by Liam Tait. Audio production by Robin Leeburn. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Managing Editor Jacob Jarvis. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Why Elon Musk’s ‘DOGE’ plan is doomed to fail

Thu, 21 Nov 2024 04:00:00 -0000

• Get 20% off a year’s Patreon support for The Bunker in our Black Friday sale. The perfect gift to ask for!

Elon Musk is the new head of DOGE – the Department of Government Efficiency – alongside Vivek Ramaswamy, because two people doing one job is very efficient. But despite its fancy name, which bolsters its status immensely, is this idea actually anything new? And will this pitch to run the US government like a business work this time out? Zing Tsjeng speaks to Andrew Rudalevige, professor of government at Bowdoin College, about the Tesla boss’s big ideas and whether they will work whatsoever.

• “There are a couple of different aims. One is to give Musk something to do and keep him out of trouble – without having to give him a real job in government.”

• “I think he wants a bigger state in the things he can control and a smaller state on things that don’t affect him. Everyone thinks government spending that isn’t on them is wasteful.”

• “You have things that are done in government because private companies will not do them.”

We are sponsored by Indeed. Go to Indeed.com/bunker for £100 sponsored credit.

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Written and presented by Zing Tsjeng. Audio production: Tom Taylor. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Music by Kenny Dickinson. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Emission control: Does carbon capture really work?

Wed, 20 Nov 2024 04:00:00 -0000

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Carbon capture is a highly controversial technology – but that hasn’t stopped governments ploughing huge sums of money into it. How does it work – and how effective is it? Does it do little more than let major polluters carry on as normal, by saying this will offset their emissions? And, even if it isn’t a cure, can we hit Net Zero targets without it? Ros Taylor is joined by Steve Smith, executive director of Oxford Net Zero, to discuss.

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Written and presented by Ros Taylor. Producer: Liam Tait. Audio editors: Tom Taylor. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Can London become the AI capital of the world?

Tue, 19 Nov 2024 04:00:00 -0000

Keir Starmer has vowed to make London the AI capital of the world. But is that truly possible? Silicon Valley continues to dominate the rapidly growing industry and with Trump promising to repeal Biden's AI regulations, the UK could struggle to keep up. In today’s episode of The Bunker, Dr. Kate Devlin speaks with Sana Khareghani, former Chair of the UK’s Office for AI, to explore whether London will rise as the next global AI hub – or if it is destined to fall behind in the race.

• We are sponsored by Indeed. Go to Indeed.com/bunker for £100 sponsored credit.

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Written and presented by Kate Devlin. Producer: Liam Tait. Audio editors: Tom Taylor. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Shout out to my X – Start Your Week with Gavin Esler and Jacob Jarvis

Mon, 18 Nov 2024 10:32:00 -0000

As people flee X, or Twitter for the rest of us, what is Musk up to – and how’s his bromance (sorry) with Trump going? Then in world news – what will be happening at the G20, and how is the incoming US president already warping discussions? Gavin Esler joins Jacob Jarvis to talk through the stories to watch out for this week.

We’re on BlueSky! – follow us here.

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MAGA Bing! How The Sopranos explains Donald Trump

Fri, 15 Nov 2024 07:42:00 -0000

Donald Trump feels like a TV character – and if you’re a Sopranos fan, you might have noticed a similarity with Tony Soprano. Both are imposing egomaniacs, desperate to control their families, get more power and indulge themselves along the way. Jacob Jarvis is joined by former Obama speechwriter and fellow Sopranos superfan David Litt to discuss the comparisons and what the HBO show can teach us about the world of MAGA.

Read David’s piece: The Sopranos Is the Perfect Show to Help Us Understand the Trump Era.

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This episode is sponsored by Proton Pass, to find out more visit http://proton.me/pass/thebunker

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Written and presented by Jacob Jarvis. Produced by Liam Tait. Audio production by Simon Williams. Managing Editor Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor Andrew Harrison. Art by James Parrett. Music by Kenny Dickinson. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Freeports: saviours of trade or political smoke and mirrors? – with Dmitry Grozoubinski

Thu, 14 Nov 2024 04:00:00 -0000

Freeports! They were going to be a huge Brexit benefit (they weren’t). Boris Johnson said we couldn’t have them while we were in the EU (he was lying). Labour was going to announce more in the latest Budget and then… didn’t (“cock up in the comms,” it says here). But what are they? Do tax-free zones really benefit deprived areas? Or are they havens for money-laundering and tax avoidance?

Trade expert Dmitry Grozoubinski explains the long history and cloudy future of special economic zones to Andrew Harrison.

• Order Dmitry’s Why Politicians Lie About Trade. You’ll help fund The Bunker by earning us a small commission for every sale. Bookshop.org’s fees also help support independent bookshops.

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Why don't men eat fruit? – The strange politics of food

Wed, 13 Nov 2024 04:00:00 -0000

How did the food we eat get so political? Are men really refusing to eat strawberries because they’re too ‘girly’? From avocados to artisan coffee – our taste in food can reveal more than we might realise. Today on The Bunker, Emma Kennedy sits down with Pen Vogler, author of Stuffed: A Political History of What We Eat and Why It Matters, to explore how class, innovation, and tradition have linked politics to the food we eat.

Don’t miss the latest season of Why? with Emma Kennedy. Out now, wherever you get your podcasts.

Buy Stuffed: A Political History of What We Eat and Why It Matters [link -

https://uk.bookshop.org/a/13277/9780691230337] through our affiliate bookshop and you’ll help fund The Bunker by earning us a small commission for every sale. Bookshop.org’s fees help support independent bookshops too.

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Written and presented by Emma Kennedy. Producer: Liam Tait and Chris Jones. Audio editors: Tom Taylor. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Will the Chris Kaba verdict change armed policing? – Ex-Commissioner Bernard Hogan-Howe on a crisis in the Met

Tue, 12 Nov 2024 04:00:00 -0000

When a jury cleared a firearms officer of murdering Black Londoner Chris Kaba, it triggered protests and intense scrutiny of the Met. Should charges ever have been brought? Was the killing a product of racist policing? Did Kaba’s gangland connections – concealed during the trial – change the picture of the case? And will officers stop volunteering for firearms duty if they could face prosecution? Bernard Hogan-Howe, former Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, talks to Andrew Harrison about a moment of maximum controversy for policing in London and the whole UK.

We are sponsored by Indeed. Go to Indeed.com/bunker for £100 sponsored credit.

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Presented by Group Editor Andrew Harrison. Produced by Liam Tait. Audio production by Tom Taylor. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Managing Editor Jacob Jarvis. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Revengers Assemble – Start Your Week with Ros Taylor and Andrew Harrison

Mon, 11 Nov 2024 10:37:00 -0000

Donald Trump starts building his cabinet, only sycophants need apply and score-settling is on the agenda. Will Britain need to choose between the EU and Trump’s Orange Empire in the trade wars that are coming? Plus, antisemitic football violence in Amsterdam, the slow-motion collapse of Germany’s government, and Manchester United’s new manager is the latest victim of the end of Freedom of Movement. A shellshocked Ros Taylor sets out the week ahead with Andrew Harrison.

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Written and presented by Andrew Harrison. Audio production by Tom Taylor. Music: Kenny Dickinson. Managing Editor Jacob Jarvis. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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What’s it like to move into the White House?

Sun, 10 Nov 2024 04:00:00 -0000

Recorded before we knew the election result would come so quickly – we wondered: what is it actually like to move into the White House?

Moving is always a nightmare. In January, a new president – we now know will be Trump – will head into the White House – what will the big move be like? Alex von Tunzelmann speaks to Matthew Costello, chief education officer at the White House Historical Association and director of the David M. Rubenstein National Center for White House History, about the history of the White House, what the new first family might find – and what moving day will look like.

We are sponsored by Indeed. Go to Indeed.com/bunker for £100 sponsored credit.

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Written and presented by Alex von Tunzelmann. Audio production by Jade Bailey. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Art by James Parrett. Music by Kenny Dickinson. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Boom or bust? What Trump means for the world economy

Fri, 08 Nov 2024 08:04:00 -0000

As Donald Trump prepares for his return to the White House, the world is gearing up for another term full of big promises and unconventional moves. Trump’s plans could shake things up at home and abroad – so what will they mean for the economy in America and beyond?

Today in The Bunker, Coco Khan is joined by Dr. Kara Reynolds, professor of economics at American University in Washington, D.C., to discuss his fiscal plans.

• We are sponsored by Indeed. Go to Indeed.com/bunker for £100 sponsored credit.

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Written and presented by Coco Khan. Producer: Liam Tait. Audio editors: Robin Leeburn. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Graphics by James Parrett. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Executive Producer: Martin Bojitos. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Trump won. So, what went wrong for Harris?

Wed, 06 Nov 2024 16:25:00 -0000

Out early for everyone! Americans face the reality of four more years under Donald Trump. But how did we get here? What went right for Trump and what went so wrong for Kamala Harris? Gavin Esler is joined by political experts Michael Cullinane, U.S. History Professor at Dickinson State University, and Clodagh Harrington, American politics lecturer at the University of Cork, to unpack why Harris lost and explore what these results mean for the future of democracy.

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Election ’24: The US media failed. Here’s why

Wed, 06 Nov 2024 04:00:00 -0000

Falling circulations, trivial stories, shrinking budgets, squandered trust? It’s worse than that, says US media analyst and academic Jeff Jarvis. A combination of self-seeking billionaire owners and complacent, outdated reporting meant that papers and TV failed to alert Americans to Trump’s real threat: the advent of actual fascism in the USA.

He tells Andrew Harrison how the US press “sanewashes” Trump’s demented edicts, how the Republicans hack the news to their advantage, and what needs to happen to save real journalism.

• Order Jeff Jarvis’s The Gutenberg Parenthesis and pre-order The Web We Weave. You’ll help fund The Bunker by earning us a small commission for every sale. Bookshop.org’s fees help support independent bookshops too.

• Follow American Friction for the best analysis of the US Presidential Election up to and beyond the vote.

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Presented by Group Editor Andrew Harrison. Produced by Liam Tait. Audio production by Simon Williams. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Managing Editor Jacob Jarvis. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Charm offensive: How does charisma shape global politics?

Tue, 05 Nov 2024 04:00:00 -0000

From Obama’s effortless cool aura to Zelenskyy’s stoic defiance, charm and charisma have shown themselves to be game-changers in politics. Often dismissed as superficial, these qualities can shift public opinion, steer policy, and even swing elections. Today on The Bunker, Zing Tsjeng speaks with Julia Sonnevend, author of Charm: How Magnetic Personalities Shape Global Politics, to explore the power of charm global politics.

Buy Charm: How Magnetic Personalities Shape Global Politics through our affiliate bookshop and you’ll help fund The Bunker by earning us a small commission for every sale. Bookshop.org’s fees help support independent bookshops too.

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Written and presented by Zing Tsjeng. Producer: Liam Tait. Audio producer: Jade Bailey. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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America on a knife edge – Start Your Week with American Friction’s Nikki McCann Ramírez

Mon, 04 Nov 2024 10:39:00 -0000

There’s only one story this week: the US Presidential Election, with Harris and Trump neck-and-neck and democracy itself at stake. Special guest Nikki McCann Ramírez of our partner pod American Friction sets out what will decide the final confrontation in the key swing states – how Trump is already preparing the ground for another big lie about a stolen election – and why the fight for America’s future is a battle of the sexes.

• Follow American Friction for the best analysis of the US Presidential Election up to and beyond the vote.

• We are sponsored by Indeed. Go to Indeed.com/bunker for £100 sponsored credit.

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Presented by Group Editor Andrew Harrison. Produced by Liam Tait. Audio production by Tom Taylor. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Managing Editor Jacob Jarvis. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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The Big Budget Breakdown: What it really means – with Ros Taylor and the IFG's Giles Wilkes

Fri, 01 Nov 2024 04:00:00 -0000

Rachel Reeves’ first budget has caused quite the stir. But what aspects were really surprising – and important? What was risky? And what issues didn’t it address? Ros Taylor discusses all this and more with Giles Wilkes, senior fellow at the Institute for Government.

• “It was very much an old Labour budget.”

• “It was the first honest attempt at saying, ‘If you want this, it’s got to be paid for,’ since Gordon Brown.”

• “They missed any opportunity to make the tax system less bonkers.”

We are sponsored by Indeed. Go to Indeed.com/bunker for £100 sponsored credit.

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Written and presented by Ros Taylor. Audio production by Simon Williams. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Art by James Parrett. Music by Kenny Dickinson. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Halloween special – Why are we still obsessed with the paranormal?

Thu, 31 Oct 2024 04:00:00 -0000

As science answers more and more questions, you’d imagine our obsession with the paranormal would diminish. Yet we’re still obsessed with the apparently “unexplained”. Andrew Harrison speaks to Chris French, author of The Science of Weird Shit: Why Our Minds Conjure the Paranormal, to discuss why we want to believe – or trick ourselves into believing – in the supernatural, even if it terrifies us.

Buy The Science of Weird Shit: Why Our Minds Conjure the Paranormal through our affiliate bookshop and you’ll help fund The Bunker by earning us a small commission for every sale. Bookshop.org’s fees help support independent bookshops too.

We are sponsored by Indeed. Go to Indeed.com/bunker for £100 sponsored credit.

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Written and presented by Andrew Harrison. Produced by Liam Tait. Audio production by Simon Williams. Managing Editor Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor Andrew Harrison. Art by James Parrett. Music by Kenny Dickinson. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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What will the US election result mean for Ukraine?

Wed, 30 Oct 2024 04:00:00 -0000

With a new president due to be elected in America, what impact would each candidate have on the war in Ukraine? Rafael Behr speaks to Simon Shuster, reporter for Time and author of The Showman: Inside the Invasion That Shook the World and Made a Leader of Volodymyr Zelensky, about what the outcome in the US might mean – and to discuss the state of the conflict more broadly, as well as how Ukraine’s leader is continuing to handle the war.

We are sponsored by Indeed. Go to Indeed.com/bunker for £100 sponsored credit.

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Written and presented by Rafael Behr. Audio production: Jade Bailey. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Music by Kenny Dickinson. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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What we learnt from Putin’s latest global power play

Tue, 29 Oct 2024 04:00:00 -0000

Last week’s BRICS Summit was Vladimir Putin latest ploy to strengthen an anti-western alliance. But despite the united front, behind the scenes, cracks are forming in Russia's alliances. Today on The Bunker, Chris Jones is joined by Dr. Ian Garner to explore what this mega-summit means for Russia, Ukraine and the rest of the world.

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The Moments of Truth – Start Your Week with Ros Taylor and Andrew Harrison

Mon, 28 Oct 2024 10:21:00 -0000

It’s a week of big decisions: Labour’s first budget, the Tories choose their leader, and the last desperate week of campaigning in the Presidential Election. Can Rachel Reeves reset the new government’s course? What will shift the dial in Harris vs Trump? And how about that Runcorn MP allegedly thumping someone in the street? Ros Taylor sets out the week ahead with Andrew Harrison.

We are sponsored by Indeed. Go to Indeed.com/bunker for £100 sponsored credit.

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Written and presented by Andrew Harrison. Audio production by Tom Taylor. Music: Kenny Dickinson. Managing Editor Jacob Jarvis. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Will Musk's robot fantasy be a dream or a Terminator nightmare?

Sun, 27 Oct 2024 04:00:00 -0000

The future is here—or is it? Last week, Tesla’s “We, Robot” event introduced us to Optimus, Elon Musk’s AI-powered humanoid helpers. These futuristic machines grabbed the spotlight but also raised urgent questions about the true cost of our fascination with automation. Today on The Bunker, Chris Jones is joined by Dr. Julie Carpenter, author of the upcoming book The Naked Android, to discuss whether humans and robots can coexist.

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Harris vs. Trump – Why are the polls so tight?

Fri, 25 Oct 2024 03:00:00 -0000

The race between Trump and Harris is so tight that nobody wants to call it. But from afar, it can be hard to understand how the polls are possibly so tight. What’s made them so close, can anything change them, and are any of them helpful in understanding the election race? Jacob Jarvis asks Andrew Rudalevige, professor of government at Bowdoin College, why it’s all so close.

We are sponsored by Indeed. Go to Indeed.com/bunker for £100 sponsored credit.

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Written and presented by Jacob Jarvis. Audio production: Simon Williams. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Music by Kenny Dickinson. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Taster – ‘Why do people join cults?’ – from the new series of Why? with Emma Kennedy

Thu, 24 Oct 2024 11:00:00 -0000

A bonus excerpt from the new series of our science and psychology podcast, Why?

In Episode One: Most of us think we’re too smart, stable and strong-willed to join a cult – but clearly somebody’s joining them. So why do people willingly give up their free will and independence to join secretive communities with charismatic leaders – and how do they get out? Emma Kennedy talks to world-leading cult deprogrammer Rick Alan Ross and NXIVM cult survivor Sarah Edmondson to discover the strange allure of the cult mindset.

Go here to hear the complete episode.

Why? with Emma Kennedy is the podcast for curious minds, from the makers of The Bunker. Every Thursday, Emma delves into the science and psychology of why we are the way we are. She talks leading experts and some of science’s brightest minds to answer the big questions you never knew how to ask.

Follow on your favourite podcast app so you never miss an episode.

WHY? is presented by Emma Kennedy. Produced by Eliza Davis Beard. Audio production and theme music by Jade Bailey. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Artwork by James Parrett. Additional music is from Artlist.io. WHY? is a Podmasters Production.

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Election Eyewitness – Inside the Tory downfall and Labour landslide with Anushka Asthana of ITV News

Thu, 24 Oct 2024 09:12:00 -0000

General Election 2024: Was Starmer lucky, ruthless or both? Was there any way back for the Tories after that disastrous rain-sodden launch? And was the vote a real watershed moment – or just an interval before we return to the business of national decline? ITV News’s Deputy Political Editor Anushka Asthana talks to Andrew Harrison about Taken As Red: How Labour Won Big and the Tories Crashed the Party, her frankly unputdownable account of people and power inside the hot zone of the major parties’ campaigns.

Buy Taken As Red through our affiliate bookshop and you’ll help fund The Bunker by earning us a small commission for every sale. Bookshop.org’s fees help support independent bookshops too.

• We are sponsored by Indeed. Go to Indeed.com/bunker for £100 sponsored credit.

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Presented by Group Editor Andrew Harrison. Produced by Chris Jones. Audio production by Robin Leeburn. Art by James Parrett. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Managing Editor Jacob Jarvis. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Trump’s criminal conspiracy case: Investigating the Georgia charges

Wed, 23 Oct 2024 03:00:00 -0000

Georgia is a key battleground in the US election – and was central to Trump’s push against the 2020 result. Trump has been charged over allegations of leading a criminal racketeering enterprise, in a conspiracy to overturn the 2020 outcome. With the case pending, Gavin Esler speaks with Marian Mohamed, director of Trump: The Criminal Conspiracy Case, which airs at 9pm on Wednesday, October 23 – and will be available online after – to discuss Trump’s audacious actions in the state and what emerged while digging into this story.

We are sponsored by Indeed. Go to Indeed.com/bunker for £100 sponsored credit.

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Want more US politics from Podmasters? Listen to American Friction here.

Written and presented by Gavin Esler. Audio production: Simon Williams. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Music by Kenny Dickinson. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Undercover with the Far-Right – How C4 film-makers infiltrated the extremist underground

Tue, 22 Oct 2024 03:00:00 -0000

What is it like to wear a hidden camera among neo-fascist extremists? Or at a rally for far-right groups from across Europe, some with a reputation for extreme violence? In a chilling new C4 documentary Undercover: Exposing the Far Right, reporters from Hope Not Hate pose as far-right recruits to discover how they talk privately, how they network, and how they’re laundering discredited “race science” for a gullible new audience.

Reporter Harry Shukman and director Havana Marking talk to Andrew Harrison about a documentary so powerful it was pulled from the London Film Festival at the last minute due to safety concerns.

Watch Undercover: Exposing the Far Right now on the Channel 4 app now or visit undercover.film to discover more.

We are sponsored by Indeed. Go to Indeed.com/bunker for £100 sponsored credit.

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Presented by Group Editor Andrew Harrison. Produced by Chris Jones. Audio production by Jade Bailey. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Managing Editor Jacob Jarvis. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Revenue, I’m miserable now – Start Your Week with Gavin Esler and Jacob Jarvis

Mon, 21 Oct 2024 09:30:00 -0000

It’s the last full week before the Budget and of course the press is losing its cool over a raft of leaks. What will be in it, who’s annoyed in Government – is any of it worth paying attention to? Plus, Charles and Starmer attend the Commonwealth summit, the latest from the US election, and the state of conflicts across the world. Gavin Esler talks Jacob Jarvis through the week ahead.

We are sponsored by Indeed. Go to Indeed.com/bunker for £100 sponsored credit.

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Mordor Mystery – Why does the far-right love The Lord Of The Rings?

Fri, 18 Oct 2024 03:00:00 -0000

JD Vance says The Lord Of The Rings shaped his politics. Italy’s Georgia Meloni used to dress as a hobbit and go to right-wing Tolkien meet-ups. Far-right oligarch Peter Thiel named his company after a magic stone from Middle Earth. Why are right-wingers so fascinated by Tolkien? And is their fake, fascist-adjacent vision of a mystic rural paradise dangerous? New York Times columnist and self-declared Tolkien nerd David French explains all to Andrew Harrison.

Read David French’s column The Lord Of The Rings Is Not The Far Right’s Playground.

We are sponsored by Indeed. Go to Indeed.com/bunker for £100 sponsored credit.

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Presented by Group Editor Andrew Harrison. Produced by Eliza Davis Beard. Audio production by Tom Taylor. Art by James Parrett. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Managing Editor Jacob Jarvis. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Work from groan – Why bosses should stop obsessing over returning to the office

Thu, 17 Oct 2024 03:00:00 -0000

As pressure to return to the office continues to grow, could we be witnessing the end of flexible working? Despite promises from the government to explore working from home and four-day weeks, bosses seem adamant to return to the status quo. In today’s episode of The Bunker, Hannah Fearn sits down with Professor Cary Cooper to unpack why workplaces are urging employees back into the office.

We are sponsored by Indeed. Go to Indeed.com/bunker for £100 sponsored credit.

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Written and presented by Hannah Fearn. Producer: Liam Tait. Audio editors: Tom Taylor. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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The coming storms? — How hurricane conspiracy theories went mainstream

Wed, 16 Oct 2024 03:00:00 -0000

Whenever there’s a crisis in America, conspiracy theories follow. The response to Hurricane Helene has highlighted the growing mainstream acceptance of these bizarre tales. From Marjorie Taylor Greene’s wild claims about weather controlling technology to militias disguised as disaster relief. In this episode, we unravel the web of misinformation and dive into the growing trend of mainstream conspiracy theories. Today in the Bunker, Gavin Esler sits down with Mike Rothschild, author of Jewish Space Lasers, to explore the growing belief in these extreme views.

Buy Jewish Space Lasers: The Rothschilds and 200 Years of Conspiracy Theories through our affiliate bookshop and you’ll help fund The Bunker by earning us a small commission for every sale. Bookshop.org’s fees help support independent bookshops too.

• We are sponsored by Indeed. Go to Indeed.com/bunker for £100 sponsored credit.

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Is Badenoch-Jenrick the greatest gift Labour could ask for? – with Steve Richards

Tue, 15 Oct 2024 03:00:00 -0000

The Conservative leadership race has taken an unexpected turn, with Kemi Badenoch and Robert Jenrick emerging as the final two candidates. On The Bunker, Rock & Roll Politics host Steve Richards sits down with Andrew Harrison to discuss how we ended up here. What are the key differences between the two, and should either be a cause for concern for Keir Starmer?

• We are sponsored by Indeed. Go to Indeed.com/bunker for £100 sponsored credit.

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Written and presented by Andrew Harrison. Producer: Liam Tait. Audio editor: Robin Leeburn. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Taking care of business – Start Your Week with Ros Taylor and Jacob Jarvis

Mon, 14 Oct 2024 09:26:00 -0000

After Starmer’s 100 days milestone, focus is turning to a major investment summit this week. Will he manage to keep business on side by vowing to cut red tape, without causing too much unrest in his party ranks? Plus, we look at escalation in the Middle East and the race to the White House as it draws ever closer. Ros Taylor joins Jacob Jarvis to talk through the stories to look out for in the week ahead.

We are sponsored by Indeed. Go to Indeed.com/bunker for £100 sponsored credit.

Listen to Jam Tomorrow here.

Musk’s Twitter two years on: How Elon handed X to the far-right

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Elon Musk’s Twitter two years on: How X was handed to the far-right

Fri, 11 Oct 2024 08:02:00 -0000

Two years after Elon Musk's $44 billion Twitter takeover, the platform has become a hotbed for alt-right content. Having lost a fifth of its user base and a mass exodus of advertisers, what happened to Musk’s dream of turning the platform into an ‘everything app’? Today, Jacob Jarvis sits down with tech reporter Ryan Broderick, author of the Garbage Day newsletter, to try and understand Musk’s impact on the social media landscape.

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Written and presented by Jacob Jarvis. Producer: Liam Tait. Audio editor: Tom Taylor. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Electric cars – Why do right-wingers hate them?

Thu, 10 Oct 2024 03:00:00 -0000

All new cars sold in Britain will be electric by 2030 if we stick to Government plans. But instead of cheering for decarbonisation, our right-wing press pumps out a steady series of angry hit pieces against electric vehicles. What’s really going on? Is demand for electric cars really plummeting? Is the technology really falling short? And what have the right wing got against electric cars anyway? Automotive journalist and electric car specialist John Voelcker talks us through a culture war on the highway.

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Presented by Group Editor Andrew Harrison. Audio production by Tom Taylor. Art by James Parrett. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Managing Editor Jacob Jarvis. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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From American Psycho to Donald Trump: How yuppies shaped US politics

Wed, 09 Oct 2024 03:00:00 -0000

Yuppies, successful and affluent young urban professionals, were a notable demographic in 1980s America. Newsweek declared 1984 the year of the yuppie, and these types of characters were immortalised in fiction through American Psycho. But, what were the real world Patrick Batemans actually like – and how did they shape the politics of the America we see today? And how do they tie in with Trump. Jacob Jarvis discussed this with Tom McGrath, author of Triumph of the Yuppies: America, the eighties, and the creation of an unequal nation.

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Written and presented by Jacob Jarvis. Audio production by Tom Taylor. Managing Editor Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor Andrew Harrison. Art by James Parrett. Music by Kenny Dickinson. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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China’s broken economy is a global problem. Can Xi Jinping fix it?

Tue, 08 Oct 2024 09:49:00 -0000

China’s economy has been described as “unsustainable” after a model of massive growth in recent decades begins to fail. How does it currently work, how might it change – and is Xi Jinping capable of leading – or even simply acknowledging – the shift it requires? With critical economists being jailed or literally disappearing in China, Ian Williams, the author of Vampire State: The Rise and Fall of the Chinese Economy, joins Gavin Esler to discuss the shifting economic landscape in China, its impacts and what might fix it.

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Written and presented by Gavin Esler. Audio production by Tom Taylor. Managing Editor Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor Andrew Harrison. Art by James Parrett. Music by Kenny Dickinson. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Gray matter – Start Your Week with Gavin Esler and Ros Taylor

Mon, 07 Oct 2024 09:24:00 -0000

The news to look out for this week: Why did Sue Gray have to go and what will her departure mean for Starmer and his government? And the Tory leadership contest rolls on… should we care? Plus, is there any end in sight to conflict in the Middle East, one year on from October 7th? Ros Taylor and Gavin Esler discuss the stories to pay attention to in the week ahead.

• “Running a political campaign is not the same as running a government.”

• “The Tory leadership contest is performative politics at its worst… the membership do not represent the 68 million of us.”

• “The situation in Gaza is one of the greatest human catastrophes of our time.”

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The dirty history of political freebies – with Seth Thévoz

Fri, 04 Oct 2024 03:00:00 -0000

Starmer and his Cabinet caught hell for accepting donations of clothes, accommodation, tickets to see Taylor Swift and Arsenal, and more. But as historian Seth Thévoz explains, this is peanuts compared to the largesse afforded to past political generations. Listen up for jaw-dropping tales of free holidays, yachts and stately homes… how Churchill barely owned the clothes he stood up in and fought the Second World War while catastrophically overdrawn at the bank… and where Boris Johnson fits into the Great Nose-in-Trough League of British politics.

• Get tickets for Levitation, the annual festival of electronic music and ideas presented by friends of the pod Castles In Space, at Bedford Esquires on Sat 5 Oct. And here’s a taster playlist of who’s on.

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Presented by Group Editor Andrew Harrison. Audio production by Tom Taylor. Art by James Parrett. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Managing Editor Jacob Jarvis. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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How Putin’s war ended the Russian business boom

Thu, 03 Oct 2024 03:00:00 -0000

After the fall of the Soviet Union, a new Russia emerged – one that was open for business. Over the next 30 years, huge international companies took advantage of this new global Russia and found immense success. But Putin’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine changed everything. Charles Hecker has been a journalist and geopolitical risk consultant involved with Russia for around 40 years. In his new book – Zero Sum: The Arc of International Business in Russia, he highlights the choice international businesses had to make, stay in Russia and face huge reputational backlash or leave and risk financial loss. He Joins Chris Jones in The Bunker.

Buy Zero Sum: The Arc of International Business in Russia through our affiliate bookshop and you’ll help fund The Bunker by earning us a small commission for every sale. Bookshop.org’s fees help support independent bookshops too.

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Written and presented by Chris Jones. Producer: Eliza Davis Beard. Audio production: Tom Taylor. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Music by Kenny Dickinson. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Why is America hooked on the death penalty?

Wed, 02 Oct 2024 03:00:00 -0000

The death penalty is a fixture of the American penal system – with 27 states still implementing it. Since it was reinstated in 1976, there have been 1,600 prisoners and counting executed as a punishment. Robin Maher, executive director of the Death Penalty Information Center, joins Gavin Esler to discuss the use of capital punishment in the United States. What is the history of this penalty – and what is its future?

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The PR dark arts explained: 'I got dictators and oligarchs the news stories they wanted'

Tue, 01 Oct 2024 03:00:00 -0000

Who ensures that dictators and oligarchs get good press? Who feeds the media fake stories that serve the ends of the powerful? Phil Elwood was a PR operator who worked for authoritarian regimes, manipulating the media to support his controversial clients. In his book All The Worst Humans he opens the lid on the dark arts of PR and news management, from “kneecapping” the US bid for the 2022 World Cup to getting positive press for Libya during the release of the Lockerbie bomber. “I carry a lot of regret for my career,” he tells Jacob Jarvis. But why did he stop?

Buy All The Worst Humans: How I Made News for Dictators, Tycoons and Politicians from our affiliate bookshop and you’ll help fund The Bunker by earning us a small commission for every sale. Bookshop.org’s fees help support independent bookshops too.

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• The Pension Confident Podcast from PensionBee aims to improve listeners’ understanding of personal finance – whether that’s helping you to navigate the cost of living crisis, exploring the impact of your relationship status on your finances or discussing how to teach kids about money. Listen to the latest episode here https://link.chtbl.com/FSF2Yu6y

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Presented by Managing Editor Jacob Jarvis. Audio production by Tom Taylor. Art by James Parrett. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Managing Editor Jacob Jarvis. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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From Here to Maternity – Start Your Week with Ros Taylor and Jacob Jarvis

Mon, 30 Sep 2024 09:23:00 -0000

Tory conference is upon us and the leadership candidates are trying to outdo each other with audacious comments and weird merchandise. What should we look out for as they gather in Birmingham? Plus, Labour donation outrage continues – will the media keep going with this story? And is Starmer able to get a grip of it? Plus, we look ahead to the VP debate in the USA and discuss the escalation in the Middle East. Ros Taylor joins Jacob Jarvis to discuss the week ahead.

Listen to Jam Tomorrow here.

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Written and presented by Jacob Jarvis with Ros Taylor. Audio production by Tom Taylor. Managing Editor Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor Andrew Harrison. Art by James Parrett. Music by Kenny Dickinson. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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American Friction teaser: The NYT's chief White House correspondent on Biden, Trump and Harris

Sat, 28 Sep 2024 03:00:00 -0000

What’s the feeling been like in the White House since Biden dropped out of the race? And how is Harris juggling both distancing herself from Biden and running on his record? In a teaser for our sibling podcast American Friction, The Bunker’s very own Jacob Jarvis and Rolling Stone’s Nikki McCann Ramirez, speak to the New York Times’ chief White House correspondent Peter Baker to discuss the feeling around the race, where it’s headed and much more.

Want to know more about the race for the White House? On American Friction, you’ll find out everything you need to know, in plain English. Listen here.

• Get tickets for Levitation, the annual festival of electronic music and ideas presented by friends of the pod Castles In Space, at Bedford Esquires on Sat 5 Oct. And here’s a taster playlist of who’s on: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4EBQbDcgPFEf9Bx5AJvvrX?si=a572a2d92dd24231

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Written and presented by Jacob Jarvis and Nikki McCann Ramírez. Audio editor: Simon Williams. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Executive producer: Martin Bojtos. Artwork by James Parrett. AMERICAN FRICTION and the Bunker are Podmasters productions. www.podmasters.co.uk

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What would a post-Trump Republican Party look like?

Fri, 27 Sep 2024 03:00:00 -0000

If Donald Trump wins in November, the Republican Party will remain his plaything. But what if he loses? Can the party regain its bearings and return to a pre-Trump era of relative sanity – or is it too far gone, and its supporters too radicalised? To find out, Dorian Lynskey talks to McKay Coppins, staff writer at The Atlantic and author of two books about the GOP.

Click here to read McKay Coppins’ Atlantic article.

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Written and presented by Dorian Lynskey. Produced by Eliza Davis Beard. Audio production by Tom Taylor. Managing Editor Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor Andrew Harrison. Art by James Parrett. Music by Kenny Dickinson. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Make Trains Great Again: Can Labour bring our railways back from the brink?

Thu, 26 Sep 2024 03:00:00 -0000

The problems with our rail network are clear to anybody who’s been on a train lately. It’s a colossal challenge for Labour – so how will they handle the issues? And could our rail systems ever rival those of Japan, Switzerland and Germany? To find out, Ros Taylor talks to rail engineer and writer Gareth Dennis, whose upcoming book How the Railways Will Fix the Future: Rediscovering the Essential Brilliance of the Iron Road offers a deep dive into the British rail system.

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Written and presented by Ros Taylor. Produced by Eliza Davis Beard. Audio production by Simon Williams and Tom Taylor. Managing Editor Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor Andrew Harrison. Art by James Parrett. Music by Kenny Dickinson. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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How did grifters like Trump take over the GOP?

Wed, 25 Sep 2024 03:00:00 -0000

Donald Trump and his allies are clearly motivated by money just as much as politics. How did these chancers go from exploiting a movement, to basically taking complete control of it? Joe Conason, author of The Longest Con: How Grifters, Swindlers, and Frauds Hijacked American Conservatism, joins Jacob Jarvis to discuss.

Buy The Longest Con: How Grifters, Swindlers, and Frauds Hijacked American Conservatism through our affiliate bookshop and you’ll help fund The Bunker by earning us a small commission for every sale. Bookshop.org’s fees help support independent bookshops too.

We are sponsored by Indeed. Go to Indeed.com/bunker for £100 sponsored credit.

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Written and presented by Jacob Jarvis. Audio production by Tom Taylor. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Art by James Parrett. Music by Kenny Dickinson. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Can we solve the small boat crisis? – immigration barrister Colin Yeo and Ros Taylor discuss

Tue, 24 Sep 2024 03:00:00 -0000

The small boat crisis isn’t going away. Keir Starmer says he wants to solve the problem by stopping the gangs who organise the crossings – but will that work, and what do we do with the thousands of migrants who’ve already made it here? To find out, Ros Taylor talks to immigration barrister and author of the Free Movement blog, Colin Yeo.

We are sponsored by Indeed. Go to Indeed.com/bunker for £100 sponsored credit.

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Written and presented by Ros Taylor. Produced by Eliza Davis Beard. Audio production by Tom Taylor. Managing Editor Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor Andrew Harrison. Art by James Parrett. Music by Kenny Dickinson. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Labour Conference Special! – Start Your Week with Steve Richards

Mon, 23 Sep 2024 09:47:00 -0000

It’s Keir Starmer’s first Labour Party Conference as Prime Minister – what’s the vibe like and what should we be looking out for? Steve Richards, host of Rock & Roll Politics, knows party conferences better than anyone in the business and joins us on site in Liverpool for a very special Start Your Week, looking ahead at what to expect from the Labour gathering.

We are sponsored by Indeed. Go to Indeed.com/bunker for £100 sponsored credit.

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Written and presented by Jacob Jarvis. Producer: Chris Jones. Audio editor: Tom Taylor. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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NHS crisis report: The key points you need to know

Fri, 20 Sep 2024 03:00:00 -0000

The Lord Darzi review on the state of the NHS painted a dire picture of our healthcare system. And while that comes as little surprise, what new information does the report offer – and can it be used for positive change? Alastair McLellan has spent the last two decades writing about the NHS and shares his reflections on the Darzi Report with Ros Taylor.

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“Tough old bird with an iPhone” – Carol Vorderman on Twitter wars and fixing Britain

Thu, 19 Sep 2024 03:00:00 -0000

Carol Vorderman has made a remarkable journey from Countdown maths guru to one of the most popular and forthright political commentators in the country… and a lot of people in the Torysphere really hate her for it. She tells Andrew Harrison what it’s like to be in the right wing’s sights – how British media and politics keep outsiders in their place – and about her new book Now What? How To Fix Broken Britain where she sets out a few ways to make British politics healthier… or at least less horrible.

Buy Now What? How to fix broken Britain through our affiliate bookshop and you’ll help fund The Bunker by earning us a small commission for every sale. Bookshop.org’s fees help support independent bookshops too.

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Written and presented by Podmasters Group Editor Andrew Harrison. Produced by Eliza Davis Beard. Audio production by Tom Taylor. Managing Editor Jacob Jarvis. Art by James Parrett. Music by Kenny Dickinson. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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The truth about Britain’s relationship with Germany – Ros Taylor speaks with expert Wolfgang Munchau

Wed, 18 Sep 2024 03:00:00 -0000

The relationship between the UK and Germany survived Brexit better than many expected – but are we as close to Germany as we could be? Berlin was the first capital Keir Starmer visited as Prime Minister, and there was even a photo of the Reichstag in the Labour manifesto. But what’s the truth about the UK-German relationship, and why do so many of us know so little about Germany? To find out, Ros Taylor speaks to New Statesman columnist and Eurointelligence director Wolfgang Munchau.

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What would a Gaza ceasefire actually look like? – Gavin Esler asks Daniel Levy

Tue, 17 Sep 2024 03:00:00 -0000

A ceasefire in the Hamas-Israel conflict still feels painfully far off. If one were to be secured – what would it even look like? As we approach the one-year anniversary of Hamas’ October 7 attack on Israel, Gavin Esler talks to former advisor to Israeli governments Daniel Levy, who provides insights based on years of experience in peace negotiations in the region.

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Written and presented by Gavin Esler. Produced by Eliza Davis Beard. Audio production by Tom Taylor. Managing Editor Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor Andrew Harrison. Art by James Parrett. Music by Kenny Dickinson. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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What Trump assassination bid means – Start Your Week with Zöe Grünewald and Andrew Harrison

Mon, 16 Sep 2024 09:53:00 -0000

Yesterday’s unprecedented second assassination attempt on Donald Trump will take over the election agenda this week but will it change the course of the campaign? Back in the UK, Labour’s upcoming party conference next week means it’s their last chance to roll the pitch. What are we expecting? And how will Starmer’s meeting with Italian far-right PM Giorgia Meloni go down with the Labour left? Plus the Tory leadership Final Four and UK missiles to Ukraine. The week ahead with Andrew Harrison and Zoe Grunewald.

We are sponsored by Indeed. Go to Indeed.com/bunker for £100 sponsored credit.

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Presented by Andrew Harrison. Produced by Eliza Davis Beard. Audio production by Tom Taylor. Art by James Parrett. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Managing Editor Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Grenfell Inquiry: The crucial details and lessons – with Pete Apps and Hannah Fearn

Fri, 13 Sep 2024 03:00:00 -0000

The final report into the Grenfell Tower fire was released last week. It unequivocally states that the tragedy was the result of systemic failures across central and local government, in the construction and design industries and among local social housing managers – and that the 72 deaths were avoidable. What are the key points, lessons, and the details you need to know? Hannah Fearn is joined by housing journalist Peter Apps, author of Show Me the Bodies: How we let Grenfell happen to discuss.

Buy Show Me the Bodies: How we let Grenfell happen through our affiliate bookshop and you’ll help fund The Bunker by earning us a small commission for every sale. Bookshop.org’s fees help support independent bookshops too.

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Written and presented by Hannah Fearne. Produced by Eliza Davis Beard. Audio production by Simon Williams. Managing Editor Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor Andrew Harrison. Art by James Parrett. Music by Kenny Dickinson. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Does the US care about the ‘special relationship’? – The FT’s Gideon Rachman and Gavin Esler discuss

Thu, 12 Sep 2024 03:00:00 -0000

While America may be Britain’s most important ally, we are just one of many special relationships the US maintains worldwide. How has the nature of our relationship changed over the decades? And how might it differ under a Harris or Trump presidency? In the fourth episode of our Foreign Affairs mini-series, Gavin Esler discusses the past and future of UK-US relations with Financial Times chief foreign affairs columnist Gideon Rachman.

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How Harris embarrassed Trump in the TV debate – American Friction teaser

Wed, 11 Sep 2024 15:00:00 -0000

After Harris and Trump’s election debate clash, do you want to know what actually mattered from their showdown? In a teaser for our sibling podcast American Friction, The Bunker’s very own Jacob Jarvis and Chris Jones are joined by Rolling Stone’s Nikki McCann Ramirez, to discuss the highs, lows and the facts and lies from the event.

Want to know more about the race for the White House? On American Friction, you’ll find out everything you need to know, in plain English. Listen here.

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Written and presented by Chris Jones, Jacob Jarvis and Nikki McCann Ramírez. Audio editor: Simon Williams. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Executive producer: Martin Bojtos. Artwork by James Parrett. Music: Orange Factory Music. AMERICAN FRICTION is a Podmasters Production. www.podmasters.co.uk

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Understanding Xi Jinping: How China’s supreme leader rose to power

Wed, 11 Sep 2024 03:00:00 -0000

We hear a lot about the personalities of infamous figures like Donald Trump, Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong Un – but relatively little about one of the most powerful people in the world: Xi Jinping. Who is Xi, how did he get to where he is today, and what does he want? To find out, Ros Taylor talks to Michael Sheridan, whose new book The Red Emperor: Xi Jinping and His New China charts the leader’s incredible rise to power.

Buy The Red Emperor: Xi Jinping and His New China through our affiliate bookshop and you’ll help fund The Bunker by earning us a small commission for every sale. Bookshop.org’s fees help support independent bookshops too.

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US Presidential debates: The weird history from Kennedy-Nixon to Trump-Harris

Tue, 10 Sep 2024 03:00:00 -0000

US presidential debates are part spectacle, part showdown, and sometimes total sh*tshow. What is it about American politics that lends itself to these televised debates, and how have they evolved over time? Ahead of the Harris-Trump debate, Seth Alexander Thévoz spoke to Alan Schroeder, emeritus professor in the School of Journalism at Northeastern University and author of Presidential Debates: Risky Business on the Campaign Trail, about the weird history of US presidential debates.

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Written and presented by Seth Alexander Thévoz. Produced by Eliza Davis Beard. Audio production by Tom Taylor. Managing Editor Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor Andrew Harrison. Art by James Parrett. Music by Kenny Dickinson. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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In sickness and in health – Start Your Week with Ros Taylor and Hannah Fearn

Mon, 09 Sep 2024 09:04:00 -0000

In a busy week ahead of conference recess, look out for a major report on the state of the NHS and a contentious vote on winter fuel payments. Plus, there’ll be action on no-fault evictions, new developments in the COVID inquiry and the start of early prison releases. How is Labour navigating these challenges? Plus, Keir Starmer meets with Joe Biden – and in more U.S. politics news, Kamala Harris and Donald Trump hold their first debate this week. Find out what news to look out for in the week ahead with Ros Taylor and Hannah Fearn.

We are sponsored by Indeed. Go to Indeed.com/bunker for £100 sponsored credit.

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Presented by Ros Taylor. Produced by Eliza Davis Beard. Audio production by Tom Taylor. Art by James Parrett. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Managing Editor Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Understanding the strange death of Hollywood

Fri, 06 Sep 2024 03:00:00 -0000

Something is going terribly wrong with Hollywood. The movie industry is shrinking, its revenue is down and its employees are being forced out. Fewer major studios are making fewer movies. But why? What is leading this mass creative exodus, and can the engine of America’s movie industry be saved? Pop culture historian Daniel Bessner answers this in his exhaustive Harper's Bazaar piece entitled ‘The Life and Death of Hollywood’, which he discusses with Andrew Harrison in The Bunker.

The Life and Death of Hollywood, Harper’s Bazaar, by Daniel Bessner: https://harpers.org/archive/2024/05/the-life-and-death-of-hollywood-daniel-bessner/

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A.I. is burning the planet – What you need to know

Thu, 05 Sep 2024 03:00:00 -0000

Scare stories about Artificial Intelligence are everywhere – but its colossal environmental impact is startlingly underreported. How exactly does the use of A.I. contribute to the climate crisis, is there anything being done to counteract it, and why is this issue largely unknown? To find out, Kate Devlin talks to

Jesse Dodge, senior research scientist at the Allen Institute for AI.

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Written and presented by Kate Devlin. Produced by Eliza Davis Beard. Audio production by Tom Taylor. Managing Editor Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor Andrew Harrison. Art by James Parrett. Music by Kenny Dickinson. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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'Trump's destruction of the GOP haunts me' – former Republican adviser speaks

Wed, 04 Sep 2024 03:00:00 -0000

The US Republican Party used to be known as the party of law and order. Now it’s headed by a convicted felon, Donald Trump. Peter Wehner, has served in three Republican administrations and was speechwriter for George W. Bush during his presidency. He now writes for The Atlantic and The New York Times and says what has happened to his party “haunts” him. He joins Chris Jones in The Bunker to explain why.

Peter Wehner’s essay for The New York Times: https://www.nytimes.com/2024/07/29/opinion/trump-vance-republican-party.html

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Written and presented by Chris Jones. Producer: Eliza Davis Beard. Audio production: Jade Bailey. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison Music by Kenny Dickinson. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Is Starmer bringing the Big State back in Britain?

Tue, 03 Sep 2024 03:00:00 -0000

Keir Starmer has promised change – but what form will it take? And could it mean the return to the concept of the so-called ‘Big State’? Will Labour’s proposed plans for increased public ownership and workers’ rights be the transformation Britain so desperately needs – or could an interventionist approach do more harm than good? To find out, Gavin Esler talks to New Statesman senior politics editor George Eaton.

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Commons People — Start Your Week with Gavin Esler and Ros Taylor

Mon, 02 Sep 2024 09:06:00 -0000

Summer is coming to a close, kids are returning to school, Parliament is back and there’s no shortage of problems facing Keir Starmer. What will the Commons be focused on? And how quickly can Starmer clean up the Tories’ mess? In Germany, the far-right AfD triumphed in state elections on Sunday. How worried should we be? And in the Middle-East, why are we no closer to seeing a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas? The week ahead with Ros Taylor and Gavin Esler.

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Is A.I. coming for your job?

Sun, 01 Sep 2024 03:00:00 -0000

We used to think that machines would only take over manual work. Now A.I. looks capable of anything. Will work become a luxury for a select few? Are there some jobs that can never be automated? Alex Andreou talks to Allison Pugh – author of The Last Human Job – about tech’s growing power and why our humanity depends on the connections that work fosters.

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Written and presented by Alex Andreou. Produced by Eliza Davis Beard. Audio production by Tom Taylor. Managing Editor Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor Andrew Harrison. Art by James Parrett. Music by Kenny Dickinson. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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How the QAnon conspiracy theory wrecked families and ruined lives

Fri, 30 Aug 2024 03:00:00 -0000

With its paranoid fantasies of Donald Trump at war with a secret, Satanic US government, the QAnon conspiracy wrought terrible damage on American politics. But spreading the word of Q exacts damage on believers too. Journalist Jesselyn Cook explored the broken lives and shattered relationships of Q believers for her new book The Quiet Damage: QAnon and the Destruction of the American Family. She tells Andrew Harrison what makes someone fall into the mirror world of QAnon – and whether they can be rescued.

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How the Tories fell: Inside Sunak’s disastrous gamble

Thu, 29 Aug 2024 03:00:00 -0000

How did the Conservatives turn 14 years of unprecedented political power into near-extinction at the ballot box? Where did it all go so wrong? How will their era go down in history? And what made Rishi Sunak take his catastrophic electoral gamble in 2024? Steve Richards of the Rock & Roll Politics podcast talks to Ben Riley-Smith, whose new book Blue Murder: The Rise and Fall of the Conservative Government 2010-2024 charts the dramatic rise and fall of the Tories.

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Written and presented by Steve Richards. Produced by Eliza Davis Beard. Audio production by Tom Taylor. Managing Editor Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor Andrew Harrison. Art by James Parrett. Music by Kenny Dickinson. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Putin and Starmer: Will the Russia-UK relationship ever be repaired?

Wed, 28 Aug 2024 03:00:00 -0000

The UK and Russia have long had a strained relationship – and ties have only been worsened since Putin’s invasion of Ukraine. Is there any future possibility for a return to a 1990s state of civility between the two nations – or has Putin’s reign marked a permanent end to such a connection? In the third episode of our ‘Foreign Affairs’ mini-series on Britain’s foreign relationships, Rafael Behr speaks to RUSI Senior Associate Fellow Andrew Monaghan to better understand tensions between the UK and Russia.

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Written and presented by Rafael Behr. Produced by Eliza Davis Beard. Audio production by Tom Taylor. Managing Editor Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor Andrew Harrison. Art by James Parrett. Music by Kenny Dickinson. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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The 10 Year Plan — Start Your Week with Gavin Esler

Tue, 27 Aug 2024 08:55:00 -0000

Keir Starmer is due to snap us back to reality after the Bank Holiday with a stark speech on the decade needed to clean up the Tories’ mess. What’s he going to say – and why now? In US news, Trump has basically dumped JD Vance for RFK Jr. – but will this improve his chances against Harris and Walz? Plus, clashes between Hezbollah and Israel signal an escalation in the Middle East. How concerned should we be? And, looking to Ukraine, how is the Ukrainian incursion on Russia progressing? Jacob Jarvis and Gavin Esler discuss the key stories to watch for the week ahead.

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Presented by Podmasters managing editor Jacob Jarvis. Produced by Eliza Davis Beard. Audio production by Tom Taylor. Art by James Parrett. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Managing Editor Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Bunker USA: What will Kamala Harris's foreign policy look like?

Fri, 23 Aug 2024 03:00:00 -0000

Kamala Harris is closer than ever to being the president of the United States. Focus has been on America this week at the DNC, but what would a Harris presidency mean for the rest of the world? What foreign policy issues does she care about -- and how would she handle wars springing up around the globe? To find out, Ros Taylor is joined by Chatham House director Bronwen Maddox in The Bunker.

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Crude Awakening: Why oil still shapes everything

Thu, 22 Aug 2024 03:00:00 -0000

Oil, and the industry around it, has a huge influence on our world. From our social existence and food systems to urban spaces, military power and financial architecture. But how did oil and capitalism become so intertwined? And in what ways does oil control our entire social structure, beyond providing a source of energy or transport fuel? Alex Andreou is joined by University of Exeter professor and author of Crude Capitalism: Oil, Corporate Power, and the Making of the World Market Adam Hanieh to discuss how our oil-dependency defines our lives.

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How Russian TV is covering the war, with BBC monitoring expert Francis Scarr

Wed, 21 Aug 2024 03:00:00 -0000

Russian state media is notoriously corrupt and rife with propaganda. So how are Russian citizens being fed information about the Russia-Ukraine war? Does any truth exist within Russian television – or is it all one big narrative crafted by Putin? To find out, Chris Jones talks to BBC Monitoring journalist Francis Scarr.

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Written and presented by Chris Jones. Produced by Eliza Davis Beard. Audio production by Tom Taylor. Managing Editor Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor Andrew Harrison. Art by James Parrett. Music by Kenny Dickinson. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Bunker USA: Why does the DNC matter?

Tue, 20 Aug 2024 03:00:00 -0000

There’s nothing like American political conventions here in the UK. When Kamala Harris accepts her party’s nomination at this week’s Democratic National Convention, it’ll be more of a spectacle and a celebration than a mere political moment. Why do these gaudy, over-the-top events matter? And in this strange and tense Presidential Election, following the Trump assassination attempt and Biden’s withdrawal, will the DNC offer up its own set of surprises? Gavin Esler talks to political historian Seth Thévoz about the theatrical coronation known as the DNC.

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Run DNC – Start Your Week with Hannah Fearn

Mon, 19 Aug 2024 09:41:00 -0000

Kamala Harris will accept the Presidential nomination at this week’s Democratic National Convention in Chicago – but will Gaza protests draw more attention than this celebrity- and former-president packed ‘political Glastonbury’? Ukraine’s counter-invasion of Russia presses on – is the end of the war drawing closer? At home, the new government tackles hate: from plans for misogyny to be treated as extremism to the continued sentencing of rioters. Plus, more rail strikes announced, and do we need to be worried about MPox? The week ahead with Andrew Harrison and Hannah Fearn.

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Presented by Podmasters Group Editor Andrew Harrison. Produced by Eliza Davis Beard. Audio production by Tom Taylor. Art by James Parrett. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Managing Editor Jacob Jarvis. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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What the Project 2025 video leak told us – American Friction teaser

Sat, 17 Aug 2024 03:00:00 -0000

A trove of Project 2025 videos have been leaked, giving unique insight into what Trump appointees might want to do if he wins the election. In this teaser for American Friction, Jacob Jarvis discusses leaked Project 2025 training videos, with ProPublica reporter Andy Kroll, one of the journalists who obtained and analysed them. Go here for the full episode.

Want to know more about the race for the White House? On American Friction, The Bunker’s very own Jacob Jarvis and Chris Jones are joined by Rolling Stone’s Nikki McCann Ramirez, to discuss the latest developments in American politics. Listen here.

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Written and presented by Jacob Jarvis. Audio production by Jade Bailey. Managing Editor Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor Andrew Harrison. Art by James Parrett. Music by Kenny Dickinson. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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NATO is 75. Will it be around in ten years?

Fri, 16 Aug 2024 03:00:00 -0000

This year marks NATO’s 75th anniversary – having survived the Cold War, 9/11 and most recently, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Is NATO’s role is changing, can it hold on to its members – and will it be recognisable in ten years? Will it even exist? Peter Apps, author of Deterring Armageddon: a biography of NATO, joins Ros Taylor in The Bunker to discuss its uncertain future.

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From Brat Summer to the White House: Can memes win elections?

Thu, 15 Aug 2024 03:00:00 -0000

Online politics is drowning in memes – repurposed movie stills, videos and viral catchphrases are everywhere. From the UK General Election to the American Presidential race, memes are increasingly central to political campaigns. But can they actually sway votes? Senior Research Fellow at Complutense University Madrid Paolo Gerbaudo joins Jacob Jarvis in The Bunker to discuss the intrinsic political power of memes.

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Written and presented by Podmasters Managing Editor Jacob Jarvis. Produced by Eliza Davis Beard. Audio production by Tom Taylor. Group Editor Andrew Harrison. Art by James Parrett. Music by Kenny Dickinson. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Why can't we get along with China?

Wed, 14 Aug 2024 03:00:00 -0000

The second in our ‘Foreign Affairs’ mini-series on Britain’s battered foreign relationships. Today: China is growing in industrial and military power while post-Brexit Britain is increasingly adrift. Will StarmQer have to accommodate to whatever Beijing wants – or can Britain assert itself against the new superpower? Gavin Esler speaks to KCL Professor and former Beijing embassy official Kerry Brown – whose new book looks at China-UK relations all the way back to 1600 – to explain the current climate between the two powers.

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How can we beat the Far-Right? Paul Mason explains

Tue, 13 Aug 2024 03:00:00 -0000

Far-right riots and racist violence have traumatised Britain – but how powerful are the extremists? Where are they drawing their power from? And how can ordinary people stop them? Paul Mason is a journalist is the author of How To Stop Fascism. He tells Andrew Harrison what makes modern far-right politics different and dangerous – the compromises we’ll need to defeat it – and why we need “militant democracy” to protect our freedoms.

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Bang to riots – Start Your Week with Gavin Esler and Jacob Jarvis

Mon, 12 Aug 2024 09:14:00 -0000

The fallout from rioting continues to dominate the news – how will the Government handle this? Gavin Esler joins Jacob Jarvis to discuss challenges for Starmer now and into the future. Plus, they discuss clashes with Elon Musk, relations with China, Trump’s most recent grim behaviour and the latest from the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. There’s all that and more in your primer for the week ahead.

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Presented by Jacob Jarvis. Produced by Eliza Davis Beard. Audio production by Tom Taylor. Art by James Parrett. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Managing Editor Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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What the First World War can teach us about 2024

Sun, 11 Aug 2024 03:00:00 -0000

In 1914, war engulfed Europe in a conflict that killed millions and change the course of the twentieth century. Now, 110 years later, the geopolitical climate feels uncomfortably familiar to the period preceding the First World War. Are we moving ever closer to another global conflict – and might it be avoided by taking lessons from the origins of the Great War? To find out, Luke Turner talks to David Stevenson, professor of international history at the London School of Economics.

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Written and presented by Luke Turner. Produced by Eliza Davis Beard. Audio production by Jade Bailey. Group Editor Andrew Harrison. Managing Editor Jacob Jarvis. Art by James Parrett. Music by Kenny Dickinson. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Working class Keir-o? Why Labour is putting class back in politics

Fri, 09 Aug 2024 03:00:00 -0000

For decades class has been a dirty word in British politics. Now Keir Starmer heads the most working class, least privately-educated cabinet in modern history, and is putting class concerns like workers’ rights reform at the centre of its politics. Will Labour’s programme work? How true has the party been to its working class origins? And does it win when it is? Political historian Anthony Broxton of Tides of History takes Andrew Harrison into Labour’s tangled history with the class issue.

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Bunker USA: Has Joe Biden been a good president?

Thu, 08 Aug 2024 03:00:00 -0000

Joe Biden won’t have a second term as president after he heeded calls to leave the 2024 race. So as it comes towards an end, how will his time in office be remembered? Leslie Vinjamuri director of the US and the Americas programme at Chatham House, talks to Dorian Lynskey about Biden’s legacy.

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Written and presented by Dorian Lynskey. Produced by Eliza Davis Beard. Audio production by Tom Taylor and Simon Williams. Managing Editor Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor Andrew Harrison. Art by James Parrett. Music by Kenny Dickinson. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Why do people riot? The psychology of civil disturbance

Wed, 07 Aug 2024 03:00:00 -0000

The country is facing its worst wave of far-right violence in the modern age –but is it just mindless thuggery or are deeper forces at work? Can the psychology of rioting help us defeat this wave of violence?Professor of social psychology Clifford Stott unpacks the dynamics of the riots, how they’ve spread, and what they really mean to Andrew Harrison.

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Written and presented by Podmasters Group Editor Andrew Harrison. Produced by Eliza Davis Beard. Audio production by Jade Bailey. Managing Editor Jacob Jarvis. Art by James Parrett. Music by Kenny Dickinson. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Foreign Affairs 🇫🇷 Starmer’s French Correction, with Lord Peter Ricketts

Tue, 06 Aug 2024 03:00:00 -0000

An occasional series on how Britain is fixing its battered foreign relationships. Today: After the combative Tory years, Keir Starmer is trying to reset the Anglo-French connection. What do we want from France and what does Paris want from us? Britain’s former Ambassador to France Lord Peter Ricketts talks to Ros Taylor about whether Starmer and Macron are natural allies, the damage caused by Brexit, and what France’s “deep unease” with itself means for Britain.

• “I would not have relished being Ambassador to France and having my friends ask ‘Poor Britain, what are you doing?’”

• “By about 2020-21, things were at rock bottom… When Liz Truss was asked ‘France, friend of foe?’ and she replied that the jury was still out.”

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Written and presented by Ros Taylor. Produced by Eliza Davis Beard. Audio production by Tom Taylor. Managing Editor Jacob Jarvis. Art by James Parrett. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Starmer reads the Riot Act – Start Your Week with Alex Andreou and Andrew Harrison

Mon, 05 Aug 2024 09:10:00 -0000

After the worst civil disorder in a decade, will severe instant sentencing deter rioters like it did in 2011? Is the violence evidence of the far right’s weakness, not its strength? And is this really a test of the Starmer Government’s strength? Plus Kamala Harris’s choices of running mate, the chances of an Israel/Hezbollah war, and more Alex Andreou sets out the week ahead with Andrew Harrison.

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Written and presented by Andrew Harrison. Audio production by Tom Taylor. Assistant producer: Eliza Davis Beard. Music: Kenny Dickinson. Managing Editor Jacob Jarvis. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Why Britain needs to be ready for war by 2027 – with The Economist's Shashank Joshi

Fri, 02 Aug 2024 03:00:00 -0000

Britain’s new army chief recently said Britain must be ready for war in three years. Where are the biggest threats coming from, what are our current weaknesses, and how can we best prepare? To find out, Gavin Esler speaks to the Economist’s defence editor Shashank Joshi.

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Bunker USA – JD Vance: The truth about Trump's running mate

Thu, 01 Aug 2024 03:00:00 -0000

Donald Trump recently announced Ohio Senator JD Vance as his running mate. Who exactly is Vance – and why is he the subject of so much controversy? POLITICO national political correspondent and author of Trump in Exile Meridith McGraw tells Dorian Lynskey of her own recent experience on the campaign trail with the Senator.

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Bans, boycotts and billions: The politics of the Olympics

Wed, 31 Jul 2024 03:00:00 -0000

The Olympics are in full-swing – but news of medals and victory are often overshadowed by controversies linked to contestants and politics. We’ve seen this already this year – but has the Olympics always been so political? Emma Kennedy sits down with David Goldblatt, author of The Games: A Global History of the Olympics.

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Written and presented by Emma Kennedy. Produced by Eliza Davis Beard. Audio production by Tom Taylor. Managing Editor Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor Andrew Harrison. Art by James Parrett. Music by Kenny Dickinson. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Behind bars: How Labour can solve the prison crisis

Tue, 30 Jul 2024 03:00:00 -0000

From overcrowding to underfunding, British prisons are in crisis. So how can Labour remedy 14 years of the Tories’ neglect of criminal justice system? Former director of public prosecutions Lord Ken Macdonald sits down with Ros Taylor to discuss how we might solve the prison conundrum.

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Broke Britain – Start Your Week with Ros Taylor and Jacob Jarvis

Mon, 29 Jul 2024 09:06:00 -0000

Rachel Reeves is set to unveil a £20bn black hole in public finances – what will Labour do about this? In more bleak news, GPs are set to strike over unfair working conditions – what would this mean for patients? And, a public sector pay deal is expected, what will it look like? Plus, who are the top contenders in the Tory leadership race? In world news, we discuss the latest in the U.S. Presidential race, and concerning escalations between Israel and Hezbollah. Jacob Jarvis and Ros Taylor discuss what you need to know for the week ahead.

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Presented by Jacob Jarvis with Ros Taylor. Produced by Eliza Davis Beard. Audio production by Tom Taylor. Art by James Parrett. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Managing Editor Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Bunker USA: Kamala Harris is in. Who will be her running mate?

Fri, 26 Jul 2024 03:00:00 -0000

With Kamala Harris set to replace Joe Biden in the 2024 race, focus has turned to who will be her running mate. Jacob Jarvis gets the rundown on the top contenders from Katie Gaddini, visiting scholar at Stanford University, an associate professor of sociology at the Social Research Institute, University College London.

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Written and presented by Jacob Jarvis. Produced by Eliza Davis Beard. Audio production by Tom Taylor. Managing Editor Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor Andrew Harrison. Art by James Parrett. Music by Kenny Dickinson. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Boiling point! How heat will shape the future

Thu, 25 Jul 2024 03:00:00 -0000

As our climate continues to heat up, wildfires, flooding and drought are becoming the new normal. But beyond weather events, how is extreme heat affecting our politics, economy, and society at large – and have we already reached a boiling point? Alex Andreou asks Jeff Goodell, Senior Fellow at the Atlantic Council and author of The Heat Will Kill You First.

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Sudan in flames: Why the world's forgotten war should worry you

Wed, 24 Jul 2024 03:00:00 -0000

As vicious conflicts rage across the world, the civil war in Sudan has received limited attention. To explain the far-reaching impacts of the conflict, the humanitarian crisis unfolding, and why we should start paying attention, Gavin Esler speaks to Alan Boswell, Crisis Group’s director for the horn of Africa, in today’s Bunker.

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How Starmer can clean up the Tories' mess – Polly Toynbee tells Ros Taylor

Tue, 23 Jul 2024 15:05:00 -0000

Keir Starmer has one hell of a challenge fixing everything the Tories broke in their 14 years in charge. Where to begin? Guardian journalist Polly Toynbee sits down with Ros Taylor in The Bunker to discuss Starmer’s uphill battle ahead.

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I Know It’s Joe-ver — Start Your Week with Alex Andreou and Jacob Jarvis

Mon, 22 Jul 2024 09:37:00 -0000

It’s the morning after Joe Biden’s shock withdrawal from the U.S. Presidential race. Why now – and who will replace him? Closer to home, we’ve got Keir Starmer’s first PMQs to look forward to. What should we expect? And what does the strike on Yemen mean for the Middle East – and how will international governments respond?

Want to hear more about the situation in the US? Listen to American Friction, from the makers of the Bunker. Here’s a link to their bonus episode discussing Biden’s withdrawal: https://listen.podmasters.uk/AF2407bidenquits?at=1001l39LM

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Presented by Jacob Jarvis with Alex Andreou. Produced by Eliza Davis Beard. Audio production by Tom Taylor. Art by James Parrett. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Managing Editor Jacob Jarvis. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Amazon at 30: Can the Bezos empire grow forever?

Fri, 19 Jul 2024 03:00:00 -0000

Amazon turns 30 this month – and it’s unrecognisable from the online bookstore it once was. But can it continue to grow forever – or might recent legal cases mark the end of Bezos’ global market domination? Kate Devlin speaks to The Wall Street Journal’s Dana Mattioli, author of The Everything War, to find out.

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The history of political assassinations – from Pharaohs to US Presidents

Thu, 18 Jul 2024 03:00:00 -0000

Political leaders have been targeted by assassins for thousands of years – Donald Trump being the latest example, after the attempt on his life in Pennsylvania. Historically, what impact have these actions had on societies the world over? What similarities are there between these acts and the people who carry them out? Jacob Jarvis is joined by Arie Perliger, professor in security studies at University of Massachusetts Lowell and author of American Zealots: Inside Right-Wing Domestic Terrorism, to discuss the history of political killings – and how we can prevent them.

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Written and presented by Jacob Jarvis. Producer: Liam Tait. Audio editor: Jade Bailey. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Turnout for what – How can we get more people to vote?

Wed, 17 Jul 2024 03:00:00 -0000

Labour’s landslide has brought in a new wave of political optimism to the UK. But a near record poll attendance has been a cause for concern in the weeks following the election. Hannah Fearn is joined by Professor of behavioural science at Kingston University Gaëlle Vallée Tourangeau to find out why people just aren’t turning out to vote and what can be done to engage with the electorate.

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Written and presented by Hannah Fearn. Producer: Liam Tait. Audio editor: Jade Bailey. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Keir and far: Labour's key foreign policy issues

Tue, 16 Jul 2024 03:00:00 -0000

Keir Starmer has plenty to get on with at home – but amid global turmoil, Labour’s foreign policy is increasingly important too. In response to multiple wars, regional conflicts, an increasingly far-right Europe and a turbulent U.S. Presidential race, how might Starmer interact with the rest of the world? Zoë Grünewald asks Dr Victoria Honeyman, associate professor of British politics at the University of Leeds. Please note, this episode was recorded on the 8th of July before the NATO summit.

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Written and presented by Zoe Grunewald. Produced by Eliza Davis Beard. Audio production by Tom Taylor. Managing Editor Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor Andrew Harrison. Art by James Parrett. Music by Kenny Dickinson. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Has the Trump shooting changed everything? — Start Your Week with Hannah Fearn

Mon, 15 Jul 2024 09:22:00 -0000

After the Trump shooting we ask what it means for America and the election. Could the failed assassination win the race for the former president? Meanwhile, the new Labour Government is in full swing. From the new Growth Agenda to the launch of Great British Energy what can we expect from Starmer this week? Recorded in the aftermath of England’s defeat, best not to say too much about that, Andrew Harrison and Hannah Fearn look out for the news stories which will shape the week ahead.

Want to hear more about the situation in the US? Listen to American Friction, from the makers of The Bunker. Here’s a link to their bonus episode discussing the shooting: https://listen.podmasters.uk/AF240716TrumpShooting?at=1001l39LM

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Presented by Andrew Harrison. Produced by Eliza Davis Beard. Audio production by Tom Taylor. Art by James Parrett. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Managing Editor Jacob Jarvis. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Will Biden quit? – Democrat insider Sidney Blumenthal talks to Gavin Esler

Fri, 12 Jul 2024 03:00:00 -0000

Joe Biden is the US’ oldest ever President – and it’s showing. From his catastrophic performance during the recent debate against Donald Trump, to celebrity calls for him to step down, the question on everyone’s lips is: Will he quit? Gavin Esler asks Democratic insider Sidney Blumenthal in today’s Bunker.

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Written and presented by Gavin Esler. Produced by Eliza Davis Beard. Audio production by Simon Williams. Managing Editor Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor Andrew Harrison. Art by James Parrett. Music by Kenny Dickinson. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Are Our International Laws Working?

Thu, 11 Jul 2024 03:00:00 -0000

In an increasingly unstable international climate, we need our internal laws more than ever – but they don’t seem to be working. Which states are ignoring them, what are the consequences, and who will enforce them? Alex Andreou asks Professor Kevin Heller, the ICC Prosecutor’s special advisor on war crimes, in today’s Bunker.

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Why four countries will shape the US Presidential Election – and Britain is one of them

Wed, 10 Jul 2024 03:00:00 -0000

We think of the US as a universe unto itself, uninterested in the outside world. But according to geopolitics analyst and host of the Disorder podcast Jason Pack, few things influence American elections as much as three diaspora countries – Ireland, Italy and Israel – and “peer nation” the UK. Their role as political test labs for new ideas means that Keir Starmer’s victory could be good news for Democrats. But how do these “mystical relationships” work?

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Presented by Andrew Harrison. Audio production by Tom Taylor. Art by James Parrett. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Managing Editor Jacob Jarvis. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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What’s next for the Tories? – Tim Bale tells Ros Taylor

Tue, 09 Jul 2024 03:00:00 -0000

The Conservatives are out of power for the first time in 14 years. So what does the future of the party look like, and should we expect a serious Tory-transformation if they have hopes of regaining control in the future? Ros Taylor asks Queen Mary University professor of politics and The Conservative Party After Brexit author Tim Bale, in The Bunker.

• We are sponsored by Indeed. Go to Indeed.com/bunker for £100 sponsored credit.

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Presented by Ros Taylor. Produced by Eliza Davis Beard. Audio production by Robin Leeburn and Tom Taylor. Art by James Parrett. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Managing Editor Jacob Jarvis. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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France’s close shave — Start Your Week with Ros Taylor and Gavin Esler

Mon, 08 Jul 2024 08:57:00 -0000

France’s shock election result: what does it mean and what comes next? Plus, week one of the new Labour government: Starmer heads the NATO summit and tours the Nations, Streeting aims to solve the junior doctor’s strike, and Lammy aims to reset relations with the EU. And all eyes are on Joe Biden amid calls for him to step down as presidential nominee. The week ahead with Ros Taylor and Gavin Esler.

• We are sponsored by Indeed. Go to Indeed.com/bunker for £100 sponsored credit.

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Presented by Ros Taylor. Produced by Eliza Davis Beard. Audio production by Tom Taylor. Art by James Parrett. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Managing Editor Jacob Jarvis. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Bunker USA: Debunking America’s toxic migration debate

Fri, 05 Jul 2024 03:00:00 -0000

Immigration is a divisive issue in America, much as it is here in the UK. How did the debate become so toxic – and is there a way to fix it and remove the heat from the arguments? Jonathan Blitzer, author of Everyone Who Is Gone Is Here: The United States, Central America, and the Making of a Crisis joins Jacob Jarvis to discuss the situation, how politicians have failed – and how the public could change the way it thinks about the issue.

Buy Everyone Who Is Gone Is Here: The United States, Central America, and the Making of a Crisis through our affiliate bookshop and you’ll help fund The Bunker by earning us a small commission for every sale. Bookshop.org’s fees help support independent bookshops too.

• We are sponsored by Indeed. Go to Indeed.com/bunker for £100 sponsored credit.

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Written and presented by Jacob Jarvis. Produced by Liam Tait. Audio production by Tom Taylor. Managing Editor Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor Andrew Harrison. Art by James Parrett. Music by Kenny Dickinson. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Election '24: Weirdest moments from votes of the past

Thu, 04 Jul 2024 03:00:00 -0000

General elections are pretty unusual events – and they can bring out the weirdest in both politicians and voters. But what are the strangest moments from votes of the past? Ros Taylor asks King’s College London Professor of Politics and Contemporary History Andrew Blick in today’s Bunker.

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Election ’24: How will the press handle Keir Starmer?

Wed, 03 Jul 2024 03:00:00 -0000

Newspapers aren’t as powerful as they were, but they still behave as if they are – and they remain overwhelmingly biased towards a Tory Party that could well be dying. How will they handle a new Labour government? Are the days of press power over? And where does the new power lie? Gavin Esler asks Goldsmiths Senior Journalism Lecturer Terry Kirby in The Bunker.

Buy The Newsmongers: A History of Tabloid Journalism through our affiliate bookshop and you’ll help fund The Bunker by earning us a small commission for every sale. Bookshop.org’s fees help support independent bookshops too.

We are streaming LIVE on election night! Come and join your favourite panellists from Oh God, What Now?, The Bunker and Paper Cuts on YouTube from 10pm on Thursday 4th July as we react to the results live – you won't want to miss it. Visit https://www.youtube.com/@ohgodwhatnow and subscribe now.

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Election '24: Why isn't anybody honest about tax?

Tue, 02 Jul 2024 03:00:00 -0000

Tax consistently ranks as one of the most important issues to voters. So why can’t anybody in politics talk about it honestly? Alex Andreou asks Paul Johnson, director of the Institute for Fiscal Studies, in today’s Bunker.

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Written and presented by Alex Andreou. Produced by Eliza Davis Beard. Audio production by Simon Williams. Managing Editor Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor Andrew Harrison. Art by James Parrett. Music by Kenny Dickinson. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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It ain’t over till it’s over — Start Your Week with Ros Taylor and Alex Andreou

Mon, 01 Jul 2024 12:13:00 -0000

In just three days, Brits will head to the polling stations to vote in the General Election. What do the polls show, and is there any chance of a Harry Kane-esque last minute Sunak win – or is it all over already? In other election news, France went to the polls yesterday, intensifying concerns about the country’s move to the far-right. Further afield, Biden has made a rallying comeback after a disastrous debate against Trump last week. But might he still step down? Plus, England miraculously salvage their spot in the Euros quarter finals, Glastonbury winds down, and Balmoral opens its doors to the public for the first time. The week ahead with Alex Andreou and Ros Taylor.

We are streaming LIVE on election night! Come and join your favourite panellists from Oh God, What Now?, The Bunker and Paper Cuts on YouTube from 10pm on Thursday 4th July as we react to the results live - you won't want to miss it. Visit https://www.youtube.com/@ohgodwhatnow and subscribe now.

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Presented by Alex Andreou. Produced by Eliza Davis Beard. Audio production by Tom Taylor. Art by James Parrett. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Managing Editor Jacob Jarvis. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Project Keir: Has Starmer changed Labour forever?

Fri, 28 Jun 2024 03:00:00 -0000

If Starmer wins, just how will his Labour government be different from those of the past? And is the party’s new identity inextricable from Starmer himself? Andrew Harrison asks Labour Party historian Anthony Broxton, who runs the ‘Tides of History’ project.

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Ads Nauseam: Which political parties are targeting you online?

Thu, 27 Jun 2024 03:00:00 -0000

Sunak’s cringe moments have received laser focus throughout the campaign. But what about messaging he’s putting out online? Who are parties targeting, where, and with what information? Jacob Jarvis asks Who Targets Me founder Sam Jeffers about the good, the bad and the ugly in online political ads throughout this campaign cycle.

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The housing crisis: Can Labour fix the Tories' mess? – with Kwajo Tweneboa

Wed, 26 Jun 2024 03:00:00 -0000

From the rising cost of mortgages to a lack of social housing, the housing crisis is one of the most pressing issues in this election. Hannah Fearn is joined by one of the UK’s most high-profile housing campaigners, Kwajo Tweneboa, whose book Our Country in Crisis: Britain's Housing Emergency and How We Rebuild is due out in July, to look at the sorry state of housing in the UK.

We are sponsored by Indeed. Go to Indeed.com/bunker for £100 sponsored credit.

Written and presented by Hannah Fearn. Producer: Liam Tait. Audio editor: Tom Taylor. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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From King Cnut to the Ed Stone: A history of political stunts

Tue, 25 Jun 2024 03:00:00 -0000

There have been plenty of memorable election stunts lately – with Ed Davey stealing the show so far in this campaign. But how far back does the history of these sorts of actions go? And do they work? Andrew Harrison is joined by Seth Thévoz to look at the history of political stunts and their impact on the polls.

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Bet peeves – Start Your Week with Alex Andreou and Jacob Jarvis

Mon, 24 Jun 2024 09:31:00 -0000

The betting scandal just keeps getting worse for Sunak – will it dominate the week, or will another gaffe knock it off the front pages? Alex Andreou joins Jacob Jarvis to discuss the week ahead in the election campaign, plus the latest from the French election, conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza, and the looming Biden vs. Trump debate.

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Written and presented by Jacob Jarvis with Alex Andreou. Audio editor: Robin Leeburn. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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The Face of God – How the Challenger space shuttle disaster changed America

Sun, 23 Jun 2024 03:00:00 -0000

On 28 Jan 1986 the space shuttle Challenger exploded shortly after take-off, watched by a worldwide TV audience of millions. Seven crew members died and images of the tragedy etched themselves on the American mind. Now a new book Challenger: A True Story of Heroism and Disaster on the Edge of Space reveals the corner-cutting and corporate culture that made Challenger an accident waiting to happen. Author Adam Higginbotham talks to Andrew Harrison.

Buy Challenger through our affiliate bookshop and you’ll help fund The Bunker by earning us a small commission for every sale. Bookshop.org’s fees help support independent bookshops too.

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Presented by Andrew Harrison. Audio production by Tom Taylor. Art by James Parrett. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Managing Editor Jacob Jarvis. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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"I'm a surgeon in Gaza" – Prof Nick Maynard's eyewitness account

Fri, 21 Jun 2024 03:00:00 -0000

Professor Nick Maynard says the scenes he has witnessed in Gaza are the worst he’s seen in his 36 years as a surgeon. He joins Alex Andreou in The Bunker to recount his most recent trip to the West Bank.

• “We’re not politicians, we’re not lawmakers, we’re humanitarians – we’re just describing the appalling things that we have seen.”

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America vs. China: The new Cold War is coming

Thu, 20 Jun 2024 03:00:00 -0000

Relations between Western nations and China are worsening. The US fears China’s growing global influence, but how far will it go to halt Xi Jinping’s ambitions? Sir Robin Niblett is a distinguished fellow at the international affairs think tank Chatham House and author of The New Cold War: How the Contest Between the US and China Will Shape Our Century. He joins Gavin Esler in The Bunker.

Buy The New Cold War: How the Contest Between the US and China Will Shape Our Century through our affiliate bookshop and you’ll help fund The Bunker by earning us a small commission for every sale. Bookshop.org’s fees help support independent bookshops too.

We are sponsored by Indeed. Go to Indeed.com/bunker for £100 sponsored credit.

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Written and presented by Gavin Esler. Producer: Chris Jones. Audio production: Robin Leeburn. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Music by Kenny Dickinson. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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How China uses jails to fight the West – with former prisoner Peter Humphrey

Wed, 19 Jun 2024 03:00:00 -0000

China’s often controversial imprisonments of foreigners has horrified the Western world. But is Beijing doing this as part of its war with the West? Alex Andreou asks Harvard University research affiliate Peter Humphrey, who spent two years in the Chinese prison system, and now campaigns for the release of others.

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Written and presented by Alex Andreou. Produced by Eliza Davis Beard. Audio production by Jade Bailey. Managing Editor Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor Andrew Harrison. Art by James Parrett. Music by Kenny Dickinson. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Election '24: Should Sunak stop obsessing over the grey vote?

Tue, 18 Jun 2024 03:00:00 -0000

Britain’s older generations have historically played a key role in elections. But how pivotal is the ‘grey vote’ ahead of July 4, and who is likely to win it? Gavin Esler talks to the New Statesman’s senior data journalist and Britain Elects co-founder Ben Walker about who this demographic actually describes and what they want.

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Written and presented by Gavin Esler. Produced by Eliza Davis Beard. Audio production by Tom Taylor. Managing Editor Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor AndrewHarrison. Art by James Parrett. Music by Kenny Dickinson. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Total Wipeout? – Start Your Week with Ros Taylor and Jacob Jarvis

Mon, 17 Jun 2024 08:56:00 -0000

As the Tories bang on about tax, despite it not shifting the polls at all, is the prospect of total obliteration for the Conservative Party growing? And what policy areas and set pieces should we look out for this week? Ros Taylor joins Jacob Jarvis to discuss the campaign trail latest, and look at news from France, Ukraine and the USA.

We are sponsored by Indeed. Go to Indeed.com/bunker for £100 sponsored credit.

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Written and presented by Jacob Jarvis with Ros Taylor. Audio editor: Robin Leeburn. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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How the Kremlin's spy networks shaped Russia’s history

Sun, 16 Jun 2024 03:00:00 -0000

The Kremlin’s spy networks are well documented – but what’s less known is how they shaped Russian history. In centering the rise and fall of Communism in Russia’s history, are we missing a crucial historical axis – the intelligence services which have long kept an eye on citizens across Russia and further afield. Yuri Felshtinsky, author of From Red Terror To Terrorist State: Russia’s Intelligence Services and Their Fight For World Domination from Felix Dzerzhinsky to Vladimir Putin, joins Alex Andreou in The Bunker to discuss whether the West fails to tell the full story of modern Russia.

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Written and presented by Alex Andreou. Producer: Liam Tait. Assistant Producer: Adam Wright. Audio editor: Jade Bailey. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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The Big Risks for Labour Part 2 – NHS collapses, Prisons boil over, Universities go bust

Fri, 14 Jun 2024 08:50:00 -0000

What’s in the list of potential crises that could derail Labour’s first year, drawn up by Keir Starmer’s chief of staff Sue Gray and nicknamed “Sue’s shit list”? Today Ros Taylor tells Andrew Harrison what happens to Labour if the prisons crisis boils over, the NHS hits a funding shortfall, or universities start going bust.

If you missed Part 1 yesterday, listen now to hear Jonn Elledge explain the consequences of the possible £15bn bankruptcy of Thames Water, the looming collapse of one or more local authorities, and public pay running out of control.

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Presented by Andrew Harrison. Audio production by Jade Bailey. Art by James Parrett. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Managing Editor Jacob Jarvis. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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The Big Risks for Labour Part 1 – Thames Water goes bust, councils collapse, public pay crisis

Thu, 13 Jun 2024 03:00:00 -0000

A new Labour government could be thrown into chaos by any one of six potential crises, each identified in a dossier of dire warnings prepared by Keir Starmer’s chief of staff Sue Gray. What’s in this critical document, which was quickly nicknamed “Sue’s shit list”? Today journalist Jonn Elledge takes Andrew Harrison through three of them: the possible £15bn bankruptcy of Thames Water, the looming collapse of one or more local authorities, and public pay running out of control.

In Part 2 tomorrow, Ros Taylor explains what happens to Labour if the prisons crisis boils over, the NHS hits a funding shortfall, or universities start going bust.

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Presented by Andrew Harrison. Audio production by Jade Bailey. Art by James Parrett. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Managing Editor Jacob Jarvis. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Inside Macron’s election gamble

Wed, 12 Jun 2024 03:00:00 -0000

Is Macron’s snap election an act of desperation or a brilliant bluff? With young upstarts nipping at his heels, unprecedented alliances forming and his legacy hanging by a thread, Ros Taylor is joined by The Economist’s Paris bureau chief Sophie Pedder to get an insight into Macron’s election gamble.

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Election '24: Who's going to win big in Scotland?

Tue, 11 Jun 2024 03:00:00 -0000

With the SNP in turmoil and the Conservatives deeply unpopular, Scotland’s seats are potentially key to a Labour victory. Is Starmer’s party set to sweep up across the country? Gavin Esler talks to Glasgow Caledonian University Professor of Social Change Gerry Hassan, about Scotland’s role in the upcoming election.

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Written and presented by Gavin Esler. Produced by Eliza Davis Beard. Audio production by Robin Leeburn. Managing Editor Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor Andrew Harrison. Art by James Parrett. Music by Kenny Dickinson. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Prepare to Meet Your Macron – Start Your Week with Alex Andreou and Andrew Harrison

Mon, 10 Jun 2024 09:07:00 -0000

Emmanuel Macron's surprise snap election has shocked politicos. Why did he call it? Alex Andreou and Andrew Harrison discuss the landscape in France and the wider changes in Europe. Plus, where’s Sunak? We discuss the press dodging PM’s latest from the campaign trail. And manifestos are due this week – what should we expect?

We are sponsored by Indeed. Go to Indeed.com/bunker for £100 sponsored credit.

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Written and presented by Andrew Harrison with Alex Andreou. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Fox, Trump and QAnon — Why America can blame ’em on the ’90s

Fri, 07 Jun 2024 03:00:00 -0000

The ’90s was a hugely consequential decade for the United States – for good and for bad. On the down side, we saw the rise of angry white men and the world’s worst TV channel. If only they’d stayed in the past. Jacob Jarvis speaks to Terry H. Anderson, author of Why the Nineties Matter, to discuss what made this ten year period so significant.

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Written and presented by Jacob Jarvis. Produced by Chris Jones. Audio production by Jade Bailey. Managing Editor Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor Andrew Harrison. Art by James Parrett. Music by Kenny Dickinson. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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European elections: How the far-right is surging ahead of the vote

Thu, 06 Jun 2024 03:00:00 -0000

The European Elections are fast approaching – and the rise of the far-right is sparking concern. With some 373 million Europeans eligible to vote, this is a pivotal moment for democracy as a whole. Rafael Behr talks to political scientist Simon Hix, the Stein Rokkan chair in comparative politics at the European University Institute in Florence, about what this means for Europe – and the rest of the world.

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Written and presented by Rafael Behr. Produced by Eliza Davis Beard. Audio production by Robin Leeburn. Managing Editor Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor Andrew Harrison. Art by James Parrett. Music by Kenny Dickinson. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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What can Biden learn from Trump's showmanship?

Wed, 05 Jun 2024 10:38:00 -0000

Trump’s dominance of his political space is unprecedented, with the GOP in thrall to him despite all of his faults. There’s not much advice Biden should take from him, not morally or ethically at least, but could he benefit from copying his style somewhat? Chris Jones speaks to Berkeley professor of political science, Steven M. Fish, about his new book Comeback: RoutingTrumpism, Reclaiming the Nation, and Restoring Democracy’s Edge.

You can buy a copy of Professor Fish’s book by following the link: https://www.rivertownsbooks.com/book-page/comeback

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Written and presented by Chris Jones. Audio editor: Jade Bailey. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Election '24: How will Sunak and Starmer spend their campaign cash?

Tue, 04 Jun 2024 03:00:00 -0000

Election campaigns are expensive to run, from travelling across the UK, to leaflets to adverts. So how are Sunak and Starmer going to spend their money? University of Sussex Senior Politics Lecturer Sam Power sits down with Ros Taylor to discuss how Sunak and Starmer are spending their campaign cash – and whether they’ll focus on traditional actions or pump it all into TikToks.

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Written and presented by Ros Taylor. Produced by Eliza Davis Beard. Audio production by Jade Bailey. Managing Editor Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor Andrew Harrison. Art by James Parrett. Music by Kenny Dickinson. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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The first Sunak-Starmer Face-off – Start Your Week with Ros Taylor

Mon, 03 Jun 2024 09:26:00 -0000

As Labour try to brand themselves as the party of defence and the Tories go ever-more anti-woke, it’s the first head debate between Starmer and Sunak on ITV tomorrow – what can we expect? Plus, South Africa’s ANC has lost power after 30 years and now enters coalition talks. Big gains for far right parties are expected in the European Elections across 27 countries this week. And the US expects Israel to accept Joe Biden’s three-part ceasefire proposal, a huge development in the Israel-Palestine conflict. The week ahead with Ros Taylor and Andrew Harrison.

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Presented by Andrew Harrison. Produced by Eliza Davis Beard. Audio production by Jade Bailey. Art by James Parrett. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Managing Editor Jacob Jarvis. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Should we treat AI as if it’s human?

Fri, 31 May 2024 03:00:00 -0000

As AI becomes more intelligent, should we cease treating chatbots like robots and more like humans? Should they be held accountable to similar standards and laws? Amid the exponential growth of humanoid machines and interfaces, Chris Jones speaks to Professor Sir Nigel Shadbolt, co-author of As If Human: Ethics and Artificial Intelligence and professorial research fellow in computer science at the University of Oxford.

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Written and presented by Chris Jones. Audio editor: Jade Bailey. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Election ’24: Does Sunak’s economy gamble make any sense?

Thu, 30 May 2024 03:00:00 -0000

Sunak banked on an improving economy when he went for an early general election. But does it matter if people aren’t feeling the changes? Do the Government’s claims that the UK is the fastest growing country in Europe stand up? And are the Tories now marked as the party of high inflation? Former Theresa May advisor Giles Wilkes talks to Andrew Harrison about the Tories’ high-stakes bet.

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Presented by Andrew Harrison. Audio production by Jade Bailey. Art by James Parrett. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Managing Editor Jacob Jarvis. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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What is England? – Setting seven national myths straight

Wed, 29 May 2024 03:00:00 -0000

What is England? Well, that depends on the myths and stories you listen to. Are these tales more fiction than fact? In their new book England: Seven Myths That Changed A Country – and How to Set Them Straight authors Tom Baldwin and Marc Stears seek the reality of England’s national story. They join Ros Taylor in The Bunker.

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Written and presented by Ros Taylor. Assistant Producer: Adam Wright. Audio editor: Robin Leeburn. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Armed Farces – Start Your Week with Alex Andreou and Jacob Jarvis

Tue, 28 May 2024 10:09:00 -0000

Sunak’s election campaign is going as you’d expect – he’s managed to annoy everyone and make himself look like an idiot at the same time. After the national service announcement, can we expect anything but red meat for Express readers in the coming days? And, on the other hand – what real stuff will Starmer be discussing? Plus we look at the latest in Europe ahead of the EU elections.

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Written and presented by Jacob Jarvis with Alex Andreou. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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“The most shambolic campaign launch in history” – Steve Richards on Election ’24

Fri, 24 May 2024 03:00:00 -0000

Rishi Sunak’s hapless, rain-sodden election announcement left the country agog. Is this how he means to go on? Why did he choose now? Can he really handle six weeks of punishing campaigning? Hasn’t anyone in No.1 got an umbrella? Seasoned political journalist Steve Richards of the Rock N Roll Politics podcast forecasts stormy electoral weather with Andrew Harrison.

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Written and presented by Podmasters Group Editor Andrew Harrison. Producer: Eliza Davis Beard. Audio producer: Jade Bailey. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Music by Kenny Dickinson and artwork by James Parrett. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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India votes – Why the biggest election in history matters to you

Thu, 23 May 2024 03:00:00 -0000

The upcoming Indian election will be the biggest in history, with one fifth of the world’s population voting. How consequential will it be – for the nation and the rest of the world too? Gavin Esler speaks to Rohan Venkat, consulting editor at the University of Pennsylvania’s Centre for the Advanced Study of India and editorial consultant at India’s Centre for Policy Research.

• “India is an unusual democratic experiment. What happens in this election is important for democracy all across the South.” – Rohan Venkat

• “This is one fifth of the population that we’re talking about. Whatever happens for India matters for all of humanity.” – Rohan Venkat

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Written and presented by Gavin Esler. Producer: Eliza Davis Beard. Audio editor: Robin Williams. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Music by Kenny Dickinson and artwork by James Parrett. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Extreme Economics – What monetarism meant for Britain, with ex-Thatcher’s advisor Tim Lankester

Wed, 22 May 2024 03:00:00 -0000

Say “monetarism” to anyone who was around in the early 80s and watch the chill run down their spine. Margaret Thatcher tried to conquer inflation by using a fringe economic credo of slashing the money supply. The result was a collapsed economy and unemployment on a colossal scale. What was monetarism? Did it work, even in its own terms? And where are its echoes today?

Tim Lankester – then the PM’s private secretary for economic affairs, now author of Inside Thatcher’s Monetarism Experiment – takes Andrew Harrison back to an age of scorched earth economics.

• “She set out to get inflation down, but it didn’t work out well at all. There was a massive deflation of the economy and unemployment almost doubled.” – Sir Tim Lankester

• “Manufacturing suffered enormously. Output went down by almost 20%. These were pretty bad years for the economy.” – Sir Tim Lankester

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Written and presented by Andrew Harrison. Audio production by Simon Williams. Produced by Eliza Davis-Beard. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Art by Jim Perrett. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. The Bunker is a Podmasters production

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Why is everyone suddenly an expert? (Even when they’re not)

Tue, 21 May 2024 03:00:00 -0000

Conspiracy theorists and disinformation around issues such as the Coid-19 pandemic have created an army of non-expert experts around the world. With the advancement of AI and social media dominating people’s lives, properly researched information from trusted sources is needed now more than ever. But has society already gone too far? Tom Nichols is a writer for The Atlantic and the author of “The Death of Expertise: The Campaign against Established Knowledge and Why it Matters”, and joins Ros Taylor in The Bunker.

Buy The Death of Expertise: The Campaign against Established Knowledge and Why it Matters through our affiliate bookshop and you’ll help fund The Bunker by earning us a small commission for every sale. Bookshop.org’s fees help support independent bookshops too.

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Written and presented by Ros Taylor. Producer: Chris Jones. Audio production: Robin Leeburn. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Music by Kenny Dickinson. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Iranian helicopter crash, infected blood scandal – Start Your Week with Alex Andreou

Mon, 20 May 2024 09:09:00 -0000

Will the death of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi in a helicopter crash destabilise Iran, worsen its conflict with Israel, reignite the ‘Woman, Life, Freedom’ protests – or all three? Plus the infected blood scandal turns out even worse than anyone thought. Cabinet Secretary Simon Case faces the COVID inquiry. And are the Tories deliberately driving British universities into crisis? The week ahead with Alex Andreou and Andrew Harrison.

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Presented by Andrew Harrison. Audio production by Jade Bailey. Art by James Parrett. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Managing Editor Jacob Jarvis. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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The quality of Mersey – Why The Boys From The Blackstuff still matters

Sun, 19 May 2024 03:00:00 -0000

The most searing drama of the 1980s, Alan Bleasdale’s Boys From The Blackstuff turned Thatcher’s unemployment crisis into unmissable TV. Unemployed builder “Yosser” Hughes’s desperate plea “gizza job” became a catchphrase. Now the story comes to London in an acclaimed stage adaptation by James ‘Dear England’ Graham. Barry Sloane, cast as Yosser, talks to Andrew Harrison about why the Blackstuff still matters, the legacy of original Yosser actor Bernard Hill… and the power of dark humour.

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Presented by Andrew Harrison. Audio production by Simon Williams. Art by James Parrett. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Managing Editor Jacob Jarvis. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production www.podmasters.co.uk

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The Kremlin court – how Putin’s inner circle keeps him in power

Fri, 17 May 2024 03:00:00 -0000

Vladimir Putin has surrounded himself with loyalists who have kept him in power for 20 years. Earlier this week, Russian defence minister and close ally of Putin, Sergei Shoigu, was removed from his post. But the author of The New Politics of Russia, Andrew Monaghan, says Shoigu’s removal was less of a sacking, as Western media suggests, and more of a promotion. He joins Chris Jones to discuss how Putin’s inner circle operates.

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Written and presented by Chris Jones. Producer: Eliza Davis Beard and Chris Jones. Audio production: Jade Bailey. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Music by Kenny Dickinson. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Why Britain's spy problem is getting worse – with ex-MI6 boss Nigel Inkster

Thu, 16 May 2024 03:00:00 -0000

Britain has a spy problem, with a significant surge in threats from China, Russia and Iran in recent months. What kind of covert operations are they running? Gavin Esler sits down with former MI6 director of operations and intelligence and director of transnational threats and political risk at the International Institute for Strategic Studies, Nigel Inkster, to find out just how concerned we should be.

• “We’re seeing a significant upsurge in espionage and other forms of covert activity directed at western countries.” – Nigel Inkster

• “At the end of the day, there is always going to be a role for the human source, for secret agents, because you need to know what is going on in the minds of key decision makers… you can’t interrogate a tape recorder or a satellite.” – Nigel Inkster

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Written and presented by Gavin Esler. Producer: Eliza Davis Beard. Audio editor: Jade Bailey. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Music by Kenny Dickinson and artwork by James Parrett. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Will bird flu be the next big pandemic? – Alex Andreou asks Prof. Devi Sridhar

Wed, 15 May 2024 03:00:00 -0000

You might have seen a flurry of alarming headlines and articles about bird flu in recent weeks. Some reports are comparing it to COVID-19, and positioning it as the next potential worldwide pandemic. How concerned should we be? Alex Andreou asks Devi Sridhar, Professor and Personal Chair in Global Public Health at the University of Edinburgh.

• “Previously, you’d have to be in very close proximity with an infected bird. That is changing. For the first time, we have now confirmed cow to human transmission – that is a signal that something is different here.” – Devi Sridhar

• “It’s like a lottery. There are millions of viruses circulating among animals.” – Devi Sridhar

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Written and presented by Alex Andreou. Producer: Eliza Davis Beard. Audio editor: Robin Leeburn. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Music by Kenny Dickinson and artwork by James Parrett. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Britain abroad – Why do we have such a bad reputation?

Tue, 14 May 2024 03:00:00 -0000

Brits have a bad reputation abroad – but what about Britain as a whole? To discuss how other countries look at Britain, Rafael Behr speaks to FT journalist Michael Peel, author of What Everyone Knows About Britain (*Except the British).

• “Looking at Britain from overseas made Brexit easier to see coming.” – Michael Peel

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Written and presented by Rafael Behr. Producer: Eliza Davis Beard. Audio editor: Simon Williams. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Music by Kenny Dickinson and artwork by James Parrett. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production. Instagram | Twitter

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Rishi Sunak, Prophet of Doom – Start Your Week with Ros Taylor and Andrew Harrison

Mon, 13 May 2024 08:35:00 -0000

In your round-up of the week ahead… Rishi Sunak warns that the UK is about to face its most dangerous years ever. The Israeli assault on the Gazan city of Rafah is imminent. And, what does Russia’s new incursion into Ukraine north of Kharkiv mean? Plus, the Trump trial continues with testimonies scheduled from his former personal lawyer, Michael Cohen. And why were EU flags banned from the Eurovision finale?

• “Rishi Sunak says the challenges of the next few years are so enormous and so scary that only Conservative innovation and Sunak’s own bold ideas can help us face it.” – Ros Taylor

• “Sunak is undoubtedly trying to distract attention from the state that the country is in. If you look at what’s going on in Russia, the NHS will look less depressing.” – Ros Taylor

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Written and presented by Andrew Harrison with Ros Taylor. Producer: Eliza Davis Beard. Audio production: Jade Bailey. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Music by Kenny Dickinson. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Does America basically rule Britain?

Fri, 10 May 2024 03:00:00 -0000

Britain and America’s link is often called the “special relationship”. But is it that special anymore – or is it actually pretty one-sided? Angus Hanton is a businessman and entrepreneur and the author of Vassal State: How America Runs Britain. He argues that the relationship has changed for the worse – and that Britain has become the 51st state of the United States at great cost to its economy. He joins Gavin Esler in The Bunker to discuss.

Buy Vassal State: How America Runs Britain through our affiliate bookshop and you’ll help fund The Bunker by earning us a small commission for every sale. Bookshop.org’s fees help support independent bookshops too.

• “We’re being taken over at scale and the government doesn’t care.” – Angus Hanton

• “I think this has contributed to our impoverishment and higher tax rates.” – Angus Hanton

If you want more US politics – listen to our new podcast American Friction, out every Friday in the run up to November’s election. Available here, or wherever you get your podcasts.

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Written and presented by Gavin Esler. Producer: Chris Jones. Audio production: Jade Bailey. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Music by Kenny Dickinson. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Does politics need a bit more swearing?

Thu, 09 May 2024 03:00:00 -0000

Swearing is a part of life. But is there a place for it in politics? Would Parliament function better if politicians were allowed to use a bit more profanity? Alex Andreou discusses this with Philip Seargeant, senior lecturer in applied linguistics at The Open University and author of The Art of Political Storytelling.

• “Swearing always has a purpose.” – Philip Seargeant

• “The idea that language can be particularly harmful has come more from the younger generation.” – Philip Seargeant

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Written and presented by Alex Andreou. Producer: Eliza Davis Beard. Audio editor: Simon Williams. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Music by Kenny Dickinson and artwork by James Parrett. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Iron Lad – How Thatcherite is Starmer really?

Wed, 08 May 2024 03:00:00 -0000

Starmer’s referencing of Thatcher has enraged the left – but is it anything beyond symbolic politicking? And is he really Thatcherite at all? Andrew Harrison speaks to Robert Saunders, a reader in modern British history at Queen Mary University of London, about the legacy of Thatcher and how it ties in with modern Labour policy.

• “It’s worth remembering that Margaret Thatcher herself borrowed ideas from the left.” – Robert Saunders

• “I think Thatcher would be quite alarmed by what she would see in a Reeves-Starmer manifesto.” – Robert Saunders

• “Truss and Sunak were giving two different memories of Margaret Thatcher in the last Tory leadership contest… it was like two branches of the same religion.” – Robert Saunders

• “Margaret Thatcher has become a myth. And the nature of myths means every generation can give different tales about them.” – Robert Saunders

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Written and presented by Andrew Harrison. Audio editor: Jade Bailey. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Music by Kenny Dickinson and artwork by James Parrett. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Foregone delusion – Start Your Week with Alex Andreou and Jacob Jarvis

Tue, 07 May 2024 08:50:00 -0000

Rishi Sunak is trying to spin his local election trouncing as best as he can – what bluster should we ignore this week? Plus, the latest from Gaza as Israel strikes Rafah. And, the Trump trial rolls on – while Xi visits Europe for the first time in five years. Alex Andreou talks Jacob Jarvis through the week ahead.

• “There’s a sort of electoral ruthlessness to the Labour Party at the moment.” – Alex Andreou

• “Sunak should call an election, he won’t, but he should.” – Alex Andreou

• “If Sunak should do something then that usually suggests he won’t do it.” – Jacob Jarvis

• “This is a critical moment for Netenyahu.” – Alex Andreou

• “There is a weird mix of entitlement and scattergun strategy going on from Trump in his court case.” – Jacob Jarvis

Want to hear more about the American election? Then listen to our new podcast, hosted by Jacob Jarvis, ‘American Friction’ – out every Friday in the run up to November’s vote.

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Written and Presented by Jacob Jarvis with Alex Andreou. Audio production: Jade Bailey. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Music by Kenny Dickinson. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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The fandom menace – How politics is shaped by obsessives

Mon, 06 May 2024 03:00:00 -0000

Is “fandom” one of the drives behind our dysfunctional politics? That’s the thesis of Dr Phoenix Andrews new book I Heart Politics – who writes about how people power is behind a series of quake moments in recent political history. He joins Andrew Harrison to discuss whether the phenomenon and power of fandom is overlooked in contemporary politics, and how the fandoms of politicians like Trump, Farage and Thatcher affect the cultural zeitgeist.

• “The world feels mad, but finding people with a common passion is uplifting.” – Dr Phoenix Andrews

• “Political fandom is basically Eurovision with consequences.” – Dr Phoenix Andrews

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Buy Phoenix Andrew’s book I Heart Politics: How People Power Took Over the World through our affiliate bookshop and you’ll help fund The Bunker by earning us a small commission for every sale. Bookshop.org’s fees help support independent bookshops too.

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Written and Presented by Andrew Harrison. Producer: Adam Wright and Liam Tait. Audio Production: Robin Leeburn. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Music: Kenny Dickinson. Artwork: James Parrett. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Extra: A taster of American Friction

Fri, 03 May 2024 15:56:00 -0000

The brand new podcast from the makers of The Bunker. Bewildered by the US Presidential Election? Don’t worry, American Friction has got you. Every Friday Chris Jones, Jacob Jarvis and Nikki McCann Ramírez of Rolling Stone join expert special guests to count down to America’s most rancorous election in generations.

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“I watched Fox News for a week… here’s what I found out.”

Fri, 03 May 2024 03:00:00 -0000

Fox News is regularly criticised for being sensationalist, full of conspiracies and obsessed with Trump. But, what’s it like if you really watch it for hours on end? Jacob Jarvis did just that and he talked to Dan Cassino, a political scientist at Fairleigh Dickinson University and author of: Fox News and American Politics: How One Channel Shapes American Politics and Society, about what he saw. What is the channel, which has been America’s most watched cable news station for twenty years, really all about?

• “What’s happened over the years to Fox News is it’s turned into something akin to a celebrity gossip magazine.” – Dan Cassino

• “If you come to the US Fox News is on wherever you are and that’s how it’s meant to be consumed… with about 30% of your brain.” – Dan Cassino

• “We’re still living in the world that Fox News Created.” – Dan Cassino

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Written and presented by Jacob Jarvis. Producer: Chris Jones. Audio production: Robin Leeburn. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Artwork by Jim Parrett. Music by Kenny Dickinson. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Why Donald Trump is truly a cult leader

Thu, 02 May 2024 03:00:00 -0000

Trump’s followers are often described as cult-like. But how much does the former president actually act like a cult leader? Does he employ the same coercive control tactics utilised by infamous infamous figureheads of the past – like Jim Jones and Sun Myung Moon? The Cult of Trump author and leading mind control expert Steven Hassan tells Rafael Behr how perceiving Trump as a cult leader might let us better understand the current political climate.

• “People don’t care that Trump has ninety-one criminal charges against him, that he has over 40,000 documented lies. They refuse to believe he lost the election. Their minds have been hacked.” – Steven Hassan

• “There are a lot of different cults in the cult of trump.” – Steven Hassan

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Written and presented by Rafael Behr. Producer: Eliza Davis Beard. Audio editor: Robin Leeburn. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Music by Kenny Dickinson and artwork by James Parrett. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Having a laugh? Why satire won't die – with impressionist Jan Ravens

Wed, 01 May 2024 03:00:00 -0000

Satire has been pronounced dead more times than disco. As the political world has lurched into chaos, satirists have struggled to match the absurdity of the figures they mock. But what happens if politics gets boring? Andrew Harrison is joined by Jan Ravens to find out how satire can survive beyond the next general election.

• “Liz Truss’s tragic flaw is that she hasn't grown up. She is still a little girl expecting approval.” – Jan Ravens

• “Satire can't bring down the government, but it can attach an idea to people that they can never shake off.” – Andrew Harrison

• “I'm very happy to do without my Liz Truss impression if it means we can do without her in any position of power whatsoever.” – Jan Ravens

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Written and presented by Andrew Harrison. Producer: Liam Tait. Audio editor: Jade Bailey. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Artwork by Jim Parrett. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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How borders shaped world history – with Jonn Elledge

Tue, 30 Apr 2024 03:00:00 -0000

We live in a world of borders – and often take them for granted. But they’ve shaped the world in myriad ways over the centuries. Our politicians go to extreme lengths to secure them and in some cases build giant walls to protect them. So what can we learn from examining their history?

Andrew Harrison is joined by Jonn Elledge, author of A History of the World in 47 Borders: The Stories Behind the Lines on Our Maps, as we talk about the weird and wonderful history of the lines on our maps.

• “Open borders aren’t inherently progressive, Genghis Khan was in favour of them!” – Jonn Elledge

• “When you look back through history, You have empires, you have cities but there aren’t many borders.” – Jonn Elledge

• “Borders in Europe only really started settling down in the 17th and 18th centuries.” – Jonn Elledge

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Buy Jonn Elledge’s book A History of the World in 47 Borders: The Stories Behind the Lines on Our Maps through our affiliate bookshop and you’ll help fund The Bunker by earning us a small commission for every sale. Bookshop.org’s fees help support independent bookshops too.

Written and presented by Andrew Harrison. Producer: Liam Tait. Audio editor: Jade Bailey. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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A local election, for local people – Start Your Week with Ros Taylor and Jacob Jarvis

Mon, 29 Apr 2024 08:31:00 -0000

It’s the local elections this week – just how bad does it look for Rishi Sunak? As general election rumours swirl, he’s going to be crossing everything in the coming days… And there was the no confidence vote in Scotland lined up – but it’s been reported Humza Yousaf will quit before it happens. Plus, Trump’s trial continues – will he contain his rage as it rolls on? Then finally we turn to Gaza and look at the latest in terms of ceasefire talks. All that and more in Start Your Week, with Ros Taylor and Jacob Jarvis.

• “Sunak wants to give the impression that the Rwanda deportations will happen and that no legal issues will get in the way” – Ros Taylor

• “Calling an election for July might actually be advantageous for Sunak.” – Ros Taylor

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Written and Presented by Jacob Jarvis with Ros Taylor. Audio production: Jade Bailey. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Music by Kenny Dickinson. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production. ENDS

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From SBF to Elizabeth Holmes – Why do frauds thrive in Silicon Valley?

Fri, 26 Apr 2024 03:00:00 -0000

Silicon Valley presents itself as a haven for tech start-ups wanting to change the world for the better. But, beneath the facade, it has a serious fraud problem. Why do tricksters thrive among the geniuses? Sam Bankman-Fried, founder of the FTX crypto exchange is the latest high-profile example – but he’s far from being the first tech start-up founder to wind up in jail. Erin Griffith is a reporter for the New York Times specialising in tech and finance – and joins Chris Jones in The Bunker to discuss this dark phenomenon.

• “When there’s a lot of free money going around, that’s going to attract a lot of people to exploit that.” – Erin Griffith

• “The venture capital investors who are backing these companies are sophisticated… but there’s also an element of FOMO because there are only so many startups that might be the next Facebook.” – Erin Griffith

• “I’m not sure anything is changing apart from some of these charges for fraud that are now being prosecuted in criminal court.” – Erin Griffith

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Written, presented and produced by Chris Jones. Audio production: Jade Bailey. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Music by Kenny Dickinson. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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How did the Tories become the chaos party?

Thu, 25 Apr 2024 03:00:00 -0000

The Conservative Party was once a unified force, able to steadily maintain power. But today’s Tories are in constant turmoil. How did they become the party of chaos? Since Brexit there’s been a revolving door of leaders, the rise of tribalism within the party and a series of humiliating byelection losses. Alex Andreou is joined by professor of politics at Queen Mary University Tim Bale to try and understand this shift in conservative politics.

• “Everything that top Tories say needs to be considered as part of their future leadership contest.” – Tim Bale

• “Without Brexit, we wouldn't have seen the turmoil that we've seen over the last decade.” – Tim Bale

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Written and presented by Alex Andreou. Producer: Liam Tait. Audio editor: Jade Bailey. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Here's how America's next civil war could happen

Wed, 24 Apr 2024 03:00:00 -0000

The prospect of a new Civil War in the United States is increasingly discussed as political turmoil rips through America. How could such a conflict actually break out? Rob Hutton is joined by The Next Civil War: Dispatches from the American Future author Stephen Marche to discuss the terrifying new film Civil War – and how the reality could be even worse.

• “Civil wars when they come are the very worst things that can happen to a country. In England, the civil war demonstrated a level of brutality that is now unthinkable to us.” – Stephen Marche

• “It’s so dangerous right now, not because the people are inherently violent, but because for those people to get power, they need hatred to get them there.” – Stephen Marche

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Written and presented by Rob Hutton. Producer: Eliza Davis Beard. Audio editor: Jade Bailey. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Music by Kenny Dickinson and artwork by James Parrett. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Red, white and boo – Can Labour reclaim the flag?

Tue, 23 Apr 2024 03:00:00 -0000

The Union Jack represents many things for many people, linked to historical pride – but also shame. And, unfortunately, it’s become somewhat synonymous with the political Right. So what is Labour’s relationship with the flag? Andrew Harrison asks The People's Flag and the Union Jack: An Alternative History of Britain and the Labour Party co-author Gerry Hassan if Labour can reclaim Britishness.

• “I don’t think anyone in the UK can be completely objective about the Union Jack. Flags are things we have emotional connections with. The Union Jack’s meaning has evolved over centuries.” – Gerry Hassan

• “Lots of people say we have to either identify and feel pride in it, or loathe it – but it’s important we allow for a polarity of meanings.” – Gerry Hassan

• “In our current age of culture wars, symbols really matter. And symbols like national flags are highly contested.” – Gerry Hassan

• “Flags are part of who we are as human beings.” – Gerry Hassan

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Written and presented by Podmasters Group Editor Andrew Harrison. Producer: Eliza Davis Beard. Audio editor: Jade Bailey. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Music by Kenny Dickinson and artwork by James Parrett. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Menzies Behaving Badly – Start Your Week with Ros Taylor and Alex Andreou

Mon, 22 Apr 2024 08:41:00 -0000

Sunak has lost another MP after Mark Menzies announced he’s leaving the Tories and won’t stand at the next election. What issues does this raise for the PM? Meanwhile, the Tory leader is set to head to Poland to discuss the Ukraine war with Donald Tusk. What will they talk about? Plus, will Israel go ahead with further strikes on Rafah? And can Donald Trump manage to stay awake during his hush money trial this week? Alex Andreou joins Ros Taylor to discuss the week ahead.

• “They were happy to comment on an ongoing investigation last week, life comes at you fast.” – Alex Andreou

• “The lack of any kind of compromise is part of the reason why the Lords have dug their heels in. The government has made absolutely no moves to meet them even 2% of the way, they’ve just flatly turned everything down.” – Alex Andreou

• “The legislative process shouldn’t be one of trying to ram things through a House that dislikes them.” – Alex Andreou

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Written and presented by Ros Taylor with Alex Andreou. Producer: Eliza Davis Beard. Audio production: Jade Bailey. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Music by Kenny Dickinson. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Inside Biden's plan to stop Trump stealing the election

Fri, 19 Apr 2024 03:00:00 -0000

We know what happened the last time Donald Trump lost – and Joe Biden wants to make sure he’s prepared for more shenanigans this time out. If Trump doesn’t win “he is willing to cheat and steal it,'' writes today’s guest Adam Rawnsley, reporter for Rolling Stone magazine. He joins Jacob Jarvis in The Bunker to discuss how President Biden is preparing for an electoral tussle with the GOP.

• “The one message we keep seeing from the polls is that no one is excited for this race.” – Adam Rawnsley

• “We have a uniquely dim system … the electoral college.” – Adam Rawnsley

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Written and presented by Jacob Jarvis. Producer: Chris Jones. Audio production: Simon Williams. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Music by Kenny Dickinson. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Putin Vision – How does Russia see the rest of the world?

Thu, 18 Apr 2024 03:00:00 -0000

Vladimir Putin has a tight grip on information in Russia. How does he shape how his nation sees the rest of the world? And how does he actually perceive other countries? Chris Jones asks Dr. Ivan Grigoriev, lecturer in Russian politics at the King’s Russia Institute.

• “Propaganda in Russia is like a steamroller that keeps rolling over and over the population.” - Dr. Ivan Grigoriev

• “Russia’s election went just how we thought it would: It was an 87% landslide election for Vladimir Putin. And the primary goal of this election was to show that if Putin wants 87%, he will get 87%.” - Dr. Ivan Grigoriev

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Written and presented by Chris Jones. Producer: Eliza Davis Beard. Audio production: Jade Bailey. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Music by Kenny Dickinson. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Capital gains: How Paris is getting it right

Wed, 17 Apr 2024 03:00:00 -0000

Paris is like Marmite – you either love it or you hate it. But it’s changing. Physically, through massive expansions in social housing and transport and a €40bn shot of investment, but also politically and psychologically. People are even smiling in the streets these days. Ros Taylor talks to Simon Kuper, Financial Times columnist and author of Impossible City: Paris in the Twenty-First Century, about how the French capital is transforming in the lead up to this year’s Olympics.

• “One thing that globalisation does is it removes these weird localities – and in Paris, that locality was rudeness.” – Simon Kuper

• “Paris is trying to become London with the bad bits left out.” - Simon Kuper

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Written and presented by Ros Taylor. Producer: Eliza Davis Beard. Audio editor: Simon Williams. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Music by Kenny Dickinson and artwork by James Parrett. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production. Instagram | Twitter

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Public enemies: Britain’s greatest political rivalries

Tue, 16 Apr 2024 03:00:00 -0000

Political drama can be tedious but we can all enjoy watching a bitter rivalry unfold. What have been the greatest personal beefs in British politics? Before Starmer and Sunak there was Thatcher and Heath, Blair and Brown, Cameron and Johnson. Seth Thévoz talks Andrew Harrison through some of the ultimate Westminster head-to-heads.

• “When the personal overrides the principle, that’s when it becomes a problem. It’s a weak spot if you’re trying to bring down a person and not forward a cause.”

• “There are tales of Brown yelling at Blair, ‘You ruined my life!’”

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Written and presented by Andrew Harrison. Audio production: Jade Bailey. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Music by Kenny Dickinson. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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The world at war? – Start Your Week with Alex Andreou and Hannah Fearn

Mon, 15 Apr 2024 09:06:00 -0000

All eyes remain on the Middle East after Iran’s drone attacks on Israel. How will Netanyahu respond? And how are Britain and the US going to react? In the UK, Parliament returns – what is on the agenda? Plus, we look at other flashpoints across the globe – and round-up the rest of the domestic news. Alex Andreou and Hannah Fearn talk through the week ahead.

• “Perhaps it is a poor choice of timing for Iran, but it feels like a febrile time for the entire region.” – Hannah Fearn

• “It feels like both sides are looking for a forever war.” – Alex Andreou

• “The attack crystallised the partnership between Israel, the US and the UK.” – Hannah Fearn

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Written and presented by Alex Andreou. Audio production: Jade Bailey. Producer: Liam Tait. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Music by Kenny Dickinson. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Can Jesus help Donald Trump win in 2024?

Fri, 12 Apr 2024 03:00:00 -0000

Donald Trump needs evangelical Christian voters to back him to stand a chance in November. But can his religious rhetoric and doubling down on his supposed love of all things Jesus really help him win? Philip Bump is a national columnist for The Washington Post and says that “Trump’s appeal to Christians is more limited than he suggests”. He joins Jacob Jarvis in The Bunker to discuss whether Trump’s Christian pandering will help him.

• “There’s definitely a subset that believes that the hand of God came down and anointed Donald Trump.” – Philip Bump

• “I don’t know if there’s anyone Trump could pick as his running mate to lose his support from evangelical Christians.” – Philip Bump

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Can we really grow the economy forever? – with Daniel Susskind

Thu, 11 Apr 2024 03:00:00 -0000

Every party promises a growing economy as a solution for everything – but can economic expansion carry on forever? On a planet with finite resources, can growth really be infinite? Ros Taylor talks to Daniel Susskind, economic professor and author of Growth: A History and a Reckoning, about the mystery of economic growth, what “degrowthers” want, and how to balance the pros and cons of an ever-expanding economy.

• “Economic growth feels like it’s a permanent fixture, and yet for most of history there was no growth at all. Modern economic growth only really began about 200-250 years ago.” – Daniel Susskind

• “One of the great mysteries in economics is that we actually know surprisingly little about the process of economic growth.” – Daniel Susskind

• “One thing degrowthers get wrong is this idea that we cannot have infinite growth on a finite planet. I think we CAN have effectively infinite growth.” – Daniel Susskind

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Written and presented by Ros Taylor. Producer: Eliza Davis Beard. Audio editor: Robin Leeburn. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Music by Kenny Dickinson and artwork by James Parrett. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Hitler – Why are we still obsessed with him?

Wed, 10 Apr 2024 03:00:00 -0000

Adolf Hitler still comes up in conversations startlingly regularly – particularly online. Why? Sir Richard J. Evans, regius professor emeritus of history at the University of Cambridge and the author of The Hitler Conspiracies: The Third Reich and the Paranoid Imagination, as well as countless other titles, tells Jacob Jarvis why we’re still so obsessed with one of the most evil people to ever live.

• “Our perspectives change - you can now look at Hitler through the eyes and experience of Donald Trump, whose relationship to the truth and hostility to democracy make us look at Hitler afresh.” - Richard J. Evans

• “Seeing the worst that humanity can do, we can use that as a signpost to the more trivial decisions between good and bad.” - Richard J. Evans

Buy The Hitler Conspiracies: The Third Reich and the Paranoid Imagination [https://uk.bookshop.org/a/13277/9780141991498] through our affiliate bookshop and you’ll help fund The Bunker by earning us a small commission for every sale. Bookshop.org’s fees help support independent bookshops too.

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Written and presented by Podmasters managing editor Jacob Jarvis. Producer: Eliza Davis Beard. Audio editor: Robin Leeburn. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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“I watched GB News so you don’t have to” – Gavin Esler on his TV nightmare

Tue, 09 Apr 2024 03:00:00 -0000

Could you watch GB News for a whole month? Gavin Esler did, in the name of research. What he experienced was a nightmare mix of confected anger, wild conspiracy and resentment designed to make its viewers feel like victims. GB News might be a joke but its growing social media presence is spreading and detoxifying the hard right views of some very powerful people. Gavin tells Andrew Harrison why we need to start taking Britain’s most absurd TV channel much more seriously.

• “I am a recovering GB News watcher. I have to say, it was an ordeal - it was awful.” - Gavin Esler

• “Some of the appeal is that ‘we give voice to people who aren’t heard’… But it is an attempt to normalise things that are fundamentally linked to the far right.” - Gavin Esler

• “GB News plays into our social divisions, it plays into culture wars, it plays into people who wish to create problems and not solve them. - Gavin Esler

Read Gavin’s highly entertaining story GB Spews – What I learned watching Britain’s most ghastly television news channel in Prospect magazine.

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Written and presented by Podmasters Group Editor Andrew Harrison. Producer: Eliza Davis Beard. Audio editor: Simon Williams. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Music by Kenny Dickinson and artwork by James Parrett. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production. Instagram | Twitter

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Ukraine in crisis, Gaza ceasefire bid, William Wragg honeytrap – Start Your Week with Ros Taylor

Mon, 08 Apr 2024 08:39:00 -0000

As the Israel/Gaza war reaches stalemate, are hopes of a ceasefire just wishful thinking? Are “peace talks” in Ukraine just a euphemism for giving Putin what he wants? Plus Thames Water circles the plughole, the William Wragg WhatsApp fallout, and a total eclipse of everyone’s sanity. Ros Taylor sets out the week ahead with Andrew Harrison.

• “I think we’re seeing a slow creep towards giving up some Ukrainian territory to Russia”

• “The more Putin can pick-off Ukrainian support, particularly in Eastern Europe, the less likely Ukraine will be able to fight”

• “The William Wragg honeytrap scandal could just be someone being mischievous, but it could well be something much more serious”

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Written and presented by Andrew Harrison. Audio production by Jade Bailey. Assistant producer: Eliza Davis Beard. Music: Kenny Dickinson. Managing Editor Jacob Jarvis. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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How scared should the West be of TikTok?

Fri, 05 Apr 2024 03:00:00 -0000

Even if you aren’t on Tiktok, you’ll know one of its billion plus monthly users. But how many of them know how their data is being collected, by whom, and why? The US is now proposing to ban the Chinese-owned social media platform over its links to the Chinese Communist Party. Chris Jones asks leading tech journalist Will Guyatt whether this is all just a form of political warfare against China – or if we really should worry about TikTok.

• “The idea that TikTok is in whole owned by the Chinese Communist Party isn’t true. It’s a complex system of ownership spread across the world, including the U.S. and the Cayman Islands.”

• “There are rabid inconsistencies. Joe Biden is saying he’ll support the act to ban TikTok, and using it as a part of his campaign.”

• “Is this about fears over information gathering or is this purely geopolitical? Or a bigger feeling that we shouldn’t do anything to benefit China?”

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Written and presented by Chris Jones. Producer: Eliza Davis Beard. Audio editor: Jade Bailey. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Music by Kenny Dickinson and artwork by James Parrett. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production. Instagram | Twitter

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Myths of the Miners' Strike

Thu, 04 Apr 2024 03:00:00 -0000

Britain’s Miners’ Strike conjures up strong emotions to this day – despite 40 years having passed since the confrontation. But what are the common misconceptions of this period of history? And how are its effects still being felt today? Andrew Harrison asks Robert Gildea, emeritus professor of modern history at the University of Oxford, about the enduring legacy of the Miners’ Strike.

• “The slogan was ‘close a pit, kill a community’ – and there was indeed devastation across mining communities in the decade after the strikes.” – Robert Gildea

• "There was a kind of ‘alternative welfare state’ that was set up largely by the miners’ wives who sustained striking miners and their families. Women came into their own.” – Robert Gildea

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Written and presented by Andrew Harrison. Producer: Eliza Davis Beard. Audio editor: Jade Bailey. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Music by Kenny Dickinson and artwork by James Parrett. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Britain's corrupt police – The inside story

Wed, 03 Apr 2024 03:00:00 -0000

Britain’s police forces seem constantly embroiled in scandal. Where does this stem from and where is most of the corruption? Former police officer and undercover drugs operative Neil Woods, author of Good Cop, Bad War, talks to Alex Andreou about the extent of police corruption in Britain and the pressing need for drug reform to reduce the problem.

• “If the public understood the extent of corruption caused by drug policy, we would have a referendum... Drug laws in this country are not ethically sound.” – Neil Woods

• “Because criminals control the over £10 billion a year drug market, which is completely unregulated, the vastness of that wealth is what gives organised crime its power to corrupt.” – Neil Woods

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For whom the bell polls – Start Your Week with Alex Andreou

Tue, 02 Apr 2024 08:33:00 -0000

The Tories face electoral obliteration, according to the polls – can Sunak do anything about it? We reflect on the latest damning survey and the current fallouts swirling around the PM. Plus we discuss conflict in the Middle East, and the latest strikes on Gaza and Syria. And finally we look at the latest from the war in Ukraine, then the election results in Turkey. Alex Andreou joins Jacob Jarvis to discuss the week ahead.

• “This is a really high-stakes local election – if the Tories do as poorly as some of the polls predict, it might be time-up for Rishi Sunak” – Alex Andreou

• “Most Tory voters are now either sanguine about a Labour government, or actively want one.” – Alex Andreou

• “Putin’s words often have the opposite effect to what they intended.” – Alex Andreou

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Written and Presented by Jacob Jarvis. Audio production: Jade Bailey. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Music by Kenny Dickinson. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Are we living through an infertility epidemic?

Fri, 29 Mar 2024 04:00:00 -0000

Collapsing birthrates have inspired dramas from The Handmaid’s Tale to Children of Men, but it isn’t just science fiction any more. We might not realise it, but we’re living through an epidemic of infertility – and it’s getting worse. How did we get here? What does it mean when humans have fewer babies? And how do we turn it around?

Jude Rogers finds out from world-leading environmental and reproductive epidemiologist Dr Shanna Swan, author of the cheerily-entitled Count Down: How Our Modern World Is Threatening Sperm Counts, Altering Male and Female Reproductive Development and Imperilling the Future of the Human Race.

• “This is too fast to be merely evolution... This is a worldwide challenge, if not a catastrophe.” – Dr Shanna Swan

• “Chemicals that affect hormones are influencing the decline in birth rates. We’re the guinea pigs… People need to exert pressure on governments to bring in legislation to stop that.” – Dr Shanna Swan

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Written and presented by Jude Rogers. Producer: Eliza Davis Beard. Audio editor: Jade Bailey. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Music by Kenny Dickinson and artwork by James Parrett. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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‘Beyond terrifying’ – What a nuclear war would really be like

Thu, 28 Mar 2024 04:00:00 -0000

Putin’s threats have made nuclear conflict plausible for the first time since the Cold War – but few really understand the enormity of what it would mean. New book Nuclear War: A Scenario describes such a war step-by-step, from a surprise first strike from North Korea to the destruction of Washington D.C, miles-wide firestorms, the immolation of hundreds of millions of people, and the final extinction of civilisation – all within two hours and 40 minutes.

Pulitzer-nominated author Annie Jacobsen conducted dozens of new interview with military and civilian experts. She talks Andrew Harrison through her timeline of a realistic Apocalypse.

• “What unfolds is a series of missteps with extraordinary consequences.” – Annie Jacobson

• “This is without doubt the most terrifying book I’ve ever read.” – Andrew Harrison

• “We have a launch on warning policy. If we believe a ballistic missile is going to hit the U.S., the President will launch a nuclear weapon immediately. But they are woefully unprepared and uneducated about it.” – Annie Jacobson

Buy Nuclear War: A Scenario through our affiliate bookshop and you’ll help fund The Bunker by earning us a small commission for every sale. Bookshop.org’s fees help support independent bookshops too.

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Written and presented by Andrew Harrison. Producer: Eliza Davis Beard. Audio editor: Simon Williams. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Music by Kenny Dickinson and artwork by James Parrett. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Is the Moon the world's next flashpoint? – with A.C. Grayling and Alex Andreou

Wed, 27 Mar 2024 04:00:00 -0000

The Moon is packed with precious resources – silicon for microchips, manganese for batteries, and titanium for missiles. As private companies, Japan, China, Russia, India and others rush to claim our lunar neighbour, will they look after humanity’s interests or their own? And what happens when these big, belligerent actors collide? A.C. Grayling, writer, broadcaster and philosophy professor, has just published Who Owns the Moon? In Defence of Humanity’s Common Interests in Space. He talks to Alex Andreou about exploration, exploitation and trouble on the next frontier.

Buy Who Owns the Moon? through our affiliate bookshop and you’ll help fund The Bunker by earning us a small commission for every sale. Bookshop.org’s fees help support independent bookshops too.

• “Nobody owns the Moon, which means everybody does. And if we all own it, we should all have a say in it. But in reality, very few people are having a say in it.” – A.C. Grayling

• “The U.N. treaty, in declaring the Moon a no-man’s land, has provided us with nothing that would restrain any activity there. The treaty is not fit for purpose. We need a better one.” – A.C. Grayling

• “Right now is the last time in history that you’d want to try and get everyone to sign an international treaty for the moon.” – A.C. Grayling

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How the mega-rich pay to change the truth – with Cuckooland author Tom Burgis

Tue, 26 Mar 2024 04:00:00 -0000

We think our media is mostly truthful, honest and fearless, but investigative journalism is increasingly stymied by legal threats and the infamous SLAPP (“Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation”) from the powerful. In Cuckooland: Where The Rich Own The Truth, Guardian investigations correspondent Tom Burgis follows a trail of money and influence from Uzbekistan, Nepal and Putin’s Russia to the heart of the Conservative Party – and an extraordinary encounter with Tory donor Mohamed Amersi. If money, power and limitless legal resources mean the rich can redefine the truth, as Burgis claims, what can we do about it?

Buy Cuckooland through our affiliate bookshop and you’ll help fund The Bunker by earning us a small commission for every sale. Bookshop.org’s fees help support independent bookshops too.

• “People think journalists can report things honestly, but what you don’t see is that … a lot of journalists self-censor, choose not to write about people who are litigious.” - Tom Burgis

• “This is the reality of journalism these days. We’re always carrying a lawyer around in our heads. - Tom Burgis

• “The story of our time, from Putin to Trump and all points in between, is how these kleptocrats seize and maintain power through corruption.” - Tom Burgis

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Written and presented by Andrew Harrison. Producer: Eliza Davis Beard and Chris Jones. Audio editor: Simon Williams. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Hack Job – Start Your Week with Alex Andreou

Mon, 25 Mar 2024 09:41:00 -0000

Britain is blaming Beijing for a major cyber attack on voter data – how will this impact relations with China? And how awkward could things get for David Cameron? Plus, Rishi Sunak isn’t doing well as Prime Minister – but are the Tories giving up on plans to replace him? And we discuss the fallout from the recent Moscow terror attack, as well as the latest calls for a ceasefire in Gaza. Alex Andreou joins Jacob Jarvis to talk through the news to look out for this week.

• “I can’t imagine how [David Cameron] must be feeling, it was only in 2015 he was trumpeting a golden era with China.” – Alex Andreou

• “Whatever way you cut it – the Conservatives will lose hundreds of seats” – Alex Andreou

• “There’s been a parade of people saying ’leave Kate alone!’, and those people have made living from not leaving her alone” – Alex Andreou

• “You can’t punish civilians for the sins of their leader” – Alex Andreou

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Written and Presented by Jacob Jarvis. Audio production: Jade Bailey. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Music by Kenny Dickinson. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production. ENDS

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Who'd want to be Trump's running mate?

Fri, 22 Mar 2024 04:00:00 -0000

With Trump set to be the GOP’s presidential candidate, who will he pick to be his running mate? There’s a whole host of Republicans lining up to take on the role – despite Trump’s backlog of legal battles and the questionable ways he treats those around him. But who has a chance – and who’s been completely ruled out already? Jacob Jarvis is joined in the Bunker by Politico’s senior political columnist and politics bureau chief Jonathan Martin, before taking a deep dive on some of the candidates with Bunker USA producer Chris Jones.

• “There are plenty of thirsty Republicans, as the kids would say, who are eager to take the risk.” – Jonathan Martin

• “I think the criteria is someone he can totally control… and in short someone who is not Mike Pence.” – Jonathan Martin

• “Ambition is a powerful drug and that’s obvious when it comes to US politics.” – Jonathan Martin

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Written and presented by Jacob Jarvis. Producer: Chris Jones. Audio production: Jade Bailey. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Music by Kenny Dickinson. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Is Britain prepared to fight a war?

Thu, 21 Mar 2024 04:00:00 -0000

Is Britain moving into a “pre-war world”, as Defence Secretary Grant Shapps warned in January? Could we fight a land war or other conflict with Russia if we had to? Are we prepared militarily, economically and psychologically? And what would we have to do to make ourselves secure? RUSI European Security Research Fellow Edward R. Arnold tells Ros Taylor some uncomfortable home truths about NATO, our European allies, and our ability to defend ourselves.

• “Our forces are quite underprepared. Two years ago it was assessed the British army has enough artillery to fight for a week – the German army for only two days.” – Edward R. Arnold

• “War between NATO and Russia would look very different from the war with Russia and Ukraine. Offensive operations are far more complicated than defensive operations.” – Edward R. Arnold

• “The risk of Britain going to war with Russia as a part of NATO is certainly there, either deliberately or accidentally with Russia by the end of the decade.” - Edward R. Arnold

Written and presented by Ros Taylor. Producer: Eliza Davis Beard. Audio editor: Robin Leeburn. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.  

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From Stalin to Kate – The weird history of faked photos

Wed, 20 Mar 2024 04:00:00 -0000

Kate Middleton conspiracy theories have run rampant since that doctored photo emerged. But, altered photos of public figures are nothing new. Today in The Bunker, Seth Thévoz speaks to Joshua Habgood-Coote, research fellow at Leeds University, about the power of manipulated images throughout history.

• “Image manipulation techniques go back to the earliest days of photography.” – Joshua Habgood-Coote

• “Photos are supposed to capture reality – but that has never been the case.” – Joshua Habgood-Coote

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The Conspiracy Trap – How even MPs fall into it

Tue, 19 Mar 2024 11:14:00 -0000

More and more high-profile figures are falling for conspiracy theories. And here in the UK, British MPs are seemingly becoming increasingly susceptible to engaging with them. Why now? Andrew Harrison asks Tom Phillips, co-author with friend of the pod Jonn Elledge of Conspiracy: A History of Boll*cks Theories, and How Not to Fall for Them.

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Written and presented by Andrew Harrison. Producer: Eliza Davis Beard. Audio editor: Jade Bailey. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Penny for your thoughts? – Start Your Week with Ros Taylor and Gavin Esler

Mon, 18 Mar 2024 09:33:00 -0000

This week, could a backbench rebellion see Penny Mordaunt replace Rishi Sunak before the general election? As online conspiracies run rampant, how has the Royal Family fumbled the Kate Middleton situation? In international news, we look at Putin’s ‘landslide victory’ and what his win means for war with Ukraine. Finally we have the latest on the Israel/Hamas conflict as Netenyahu comes under fire from high profile US democrats.

Gavin Esler talks Ros Taylor through the biggest news stories to look out for this week.

• "Changing leaders again isn’t going to change much in the eyes of the British public." – Gavin Esler

• “It’s almost like the Conservative Party is braindead, but the rigour mortis hasn’t kicked in yet.” – Gavin Esler

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Written and presented by Ros Taylor with Gavin Esler. Producer: Liam Tait. Audio editor: Jade Bailey. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Ranked: The best and worst US Presidents of all time

Fri, 15 Mar 2024 04:00:00 -0000

The history of US presidents is mixed, let’s say. Some achieved incredible things, whilst others have 91 pending criminal charges against them across multiple states. The 2024 Presidential Greatness Project Expert Survey pits them all against each other to find out the best and worst of all time. Professor Justin Vaughn is an associate professor of political science at Coastal Carolina University and co-authored the survey. He joins Gavin Esler in The Bunker to discuss the results.

Find the results of the 2024 Presidential Greatness Project Expert Survey here

• “The ability to face a crisis is important to whether a president can be considered great.” – Prof. Justin Vaughn

• “Biden comes in very well, but I expect there to be lots of fluctuation over the coming years.” – Prof. Justin Vaughn

• “Our greatest president Abraham Lincoln averaged a score of 93.9… Donald Trump scores 10.9.” – Prof. Justin Vaughn

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Written and presented by Gavin Esler. Producer: Chris Jones. Audio production: Simon Williams. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Music by Kenny Dickinson. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Why is the internet getting so sh*t? – with Ryan Broderick

Thu, 14 Mar 2024 04:00:00 -0000

The internet is getting worse. Google isn’t as helpful as it used to be, all of the best content is behind a paywall and the less said about X the better. But why is the internet getting so sh*t – and why do we simply accept it? Today in The Bunker, Jacob Jarvis speaks to tech reporter and writer of the Garbage Day substack Ryan Broderick about the sorry state of the internet in 2024.

• “The only way to get ourselves out of this enshittification trap is to rethink what we expect from the internet.” – Ryan Broderick

• “There's an urge to create something new online, but so far Crypto, the Metaverse and AI aren’t clicking with the masses.” – Ryan Broderick

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What’s Labour’s answer to the leasehold nightmare? – with Barry Gardiner MP

Wed, 13 Mar 2024 04:00:00 -0000

Problems with leaseholds have ruined lives across the UK. Labour has vowed to end the system, but how? And are its plans realistic? Labour MP Barry Gardiner has been campaigning against leasehold for decades and recently fronted a documentary exploring its major issues. He joins Hannah Fearn in The Bunker to discuss what his party plans to do about it?

Barry Gardiner’s documentary

• “We have instances where people are paying £33k in ground rent a year… on top of their mortgage, it’s absolutely wicked!” – Barry Gardiner

• “I know people who have committed suicide… you see the way the stress gets to people.” – Barry Gardiner

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Written and presented by Hannah Fearn. Producer: Chris Jones. Audio production: Simon Williams. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Music by Kenny Dickinson. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Diving headfirst into 'Conspiracyland' with the BBC's Marianna Spring

Tue, 12 Mar 2024 04:00:00 -0000

The world of online conspiracy theorists is daunting and bewildering. The BBC’s Marianna Spring knows that better than most. In today’s Bunker, Ros Taylor sits down with the disinformation and social media correspondent to discuss her new book Among the Trolls: My Journey Through Conspiracyland.

• “The internet normalises aggression and abuse and that is reflected in the real world too.” – Marianna Spring

• “In the absence of religion or local communities, people turn to the internet for that sense of meaning and purpose.” – Marianna Spring

Buy Marianna Spring’s book Among the Trolls: My Journey Through Conspiracyland through our affiliate bookshop and you’ll help fund The Bunker by earning us a small commission for every sale. Bookshop.org’s fees help support independent bookshops too.

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Written and presented by Ros Taylor. Producer: Liam Tait. Audio editor: Jade Bailey. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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No Money for Old Men — Start Your Week with Alex Andreou and Jacob Jarvis

Mon, 11 Mar 2024 09:51:00 -0000

Hunt’s budget hasn’t shifted the dial for the Tories like they wanted – what will they try next? Plus, we’ve got curious tales of Boris Johnson’s trip to Venezuela and of a doctored Royal family photo… Plus, the latest from Biden vs. Trump and an update on the situation in Gaza. Alex Andreou talks Jacob Jarvis through the news to look out for this week.

• “We know the Tories are headed for defeat, and because Sunak is too afraid to call an election, we are forced to watch them mess up again and again.” – Alex Andreou

• “The moment Biden said ‘we’re in campaign mode’, Trump was on the back-foot.” – Alex Andreou “

• It’s not clear if Trump is asking for money to fund his campaign, or his legal bills.” – Alex Andreou

• “The negotiations about a ceasefire seem to be stalling.” – Alex Andreou

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Written and presented by Jacob Jarvis with Alex Andreou. Audio editor: Jade Bailey. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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The politics of Dune – Fremen of the Land

Sat, 09 Mar 2024 04:00:00 -0000

Warning: major spoilers from the beginning. In a special weekend bonus, we look at the political resonances of Denis Villeneuve’s $200m-grossing space-and-sand opera Dune. What does Frank Herbert’s saga of desert rebellion, imperialism and mystic feminist conspiracy tell us about our world? Can jihadis be heroes? Why do fascists love Dune? Is Muad’Dib a hero or a monster? And is it science fiction’s job to explain our reality to us?

Novelist and Professor of Nineteenth Century Literature Adam Roberts joins fellow Dune-head Andrew Harrison to spice up your life. This edition should only be played AFTER you’ve seen Dune Part Two.

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Presented by Andrew Harrison. Original music and audio production by Simon Williams. Art by James Parrett. Managing Editor Jacob Jarvis. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Does Joe Biden need to rethink his stance on Israel?

Fri, 08 Mar 2024 04:00:00 -0000

The relationship between the United States and Israel is hugely significant – but it’s under serious strain. Is President Joe Biden going to be pushed to rethink some long-held positions regarding this connection? Stephen Walt, professor of international relations at Harvard University and author of The Hell of Good Intentions: America's Foreign Policy Elite and the Decline of U.S. Primacy, tells Gavin Esler how Biden might end up revising his stance.

• “The U.S. is absolutely vital to Israel. They have provided billions of dollars in aid, as well as diplomatic protection.” – Professor Stephen Walt

• “What makes it a ‘special relationship’ is that the U.S. provides all of this support pretty much unconditionally, no matter what Israel does... but this is a strategic liability for the U.S. now.” – Professor Stephen Walt

• “What Israel is currently doing in Gaza is completely inconsistent with American values... this war makes Biden look either clueless or heartless.” – Professor Stephen Walt

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Written and Presented by Gavin Esler. Produced by: Eliza Davis Beard. Audio production: Simon Williams. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Music by Kenny Dickinson. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Is this Britain’s worst-ever chaos era? – with Steve Richards

Thu, 07 Mar 2024 04:00:00 -0000

British politics is a shambles, from the economy to the cost of living to the NHS and public standards. But is this age of disorder worse than the endgames of past governments? Steve Richards, former BBC political correspondent and host of the Rock & Roll Politics podcast, tells Andrew Harrison how this dying government ranks among key moments of fin de siècle political acrimony from recent decades. From epic scandals to strikes, corruption and shameful resignations, are we really living through the worst days ever?

• “The divisions within the Tory party are much more visible… Sunak has completely failed to contain them.” – Steve Richards

• “We think of politics as showbiz for ugly people but politics is also football for people who can’t play sport.” – Andrew Harrison

We’re now on TikTok as well as Instagram and Twitter. Follow us to keep up with news about our latest episodes and more: www.tiktok.com/@bunkerpod

Get Rock & Roll Politics with Steve Richards every Tuesday.

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Written and presented by Andrew Harrison. Audio editor: Jade Bailey. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Will the public ever trust MPs again? – Ros Taylor asks the IFG's Tim Durrant

Wed, 06 Mar 2024 04:00:00 -0000

Scandal after scandal has eroded public trust in Westminster politics in recent years. Fresh research from the Institute For Government suggests that 65 percent of the public doesn’t think the current government behaves to high ethical standards. What does that mean for the next Government? And can MPs ever win back public trust? Or is it lost forever? Tim Durrant is programme director for the IFG and joins Ros Taylor to discuss this research and these issues.

IFG’s research: https://www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/rebuilding-trust-public-life

• “It’s not straightforward – but I think the need for change is widely recognised.” – Tim Durrant

• “If you have a PM who’s very clear that they expect their colleagues to behave in a certain way, and if they don’t there will be sanctions, that will shift the dial a bit.” – Tim Durrant

• “Starmer has set himself a high bar and Labour recognises that.” – Tim Durrant

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Written and presented by Ros Taylor. Producer: Chris Jones. Audio production: Simon Williams. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Music by Kenny Dickinson. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Is our broken NHS really being privatised? – Alex Andreou asks the HSJ's Alastair McLellan

Tue, 05 Mar 2024 04:00:00 -0000

With the NHS in constant crisis, we constantly hear it’s at risk of being privatised. How close to the truth is that? To find out, Alex Andreou speaks to Health Service Journal editor Alastair McLellan. They discuss the state of the health service, what reforms are happening, and what change is needed.

• “Everywhere you look, the NHS is really struggling. It’s not that care now is worse than it was in 1970 - it’s that care now compared to what it could be is the greatest gap we’ve seen since the formation of the NHS.” – Alastair McLellan

• "It’s hard to find a Tory voter working for the NHS.” – Alastair McLellan

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Written and presented by Alex Andreou. Producer: Eliza Davis Beard. Audio editor: Jade Bailey. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Music by Kenny Dickinson and artwork by James Parrett. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Budget Smugglers — Start Your Week with Alex Andreou and Ros Taylor

Mon, 04 Mar 2024 10:16:00 -0000

Jeremy Hunt has promised “sensible tax cuts” in his Budget – but will they be enough to satisfy backbenchers? Across the pond – will Super Tuesday solidify Trump as the Republican Presidential nominee? And what will Biden say in his State of the Union address? And finally, we have the latest on the Israel/Hamas conflict, as Israel lists its conditions for a ceasefire.

• “Jeremy Hunt needs to give his backbenchers just enough to keep them quiet.” – Ros Taylor

• "There is an argument for rebalancing the Tax burden in favour of younger people." – Ros Taylor

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Written and presented by Alex Andreou with Ros Taylor. Producer: Liam Tait. Audio editor: Robin Leeburn. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Lettuce from America – Liz Truss tries to conquer the United States

Fri, 01 Mar 2024 04:00:00 -0000

Liz Truss is looking to spread her particular brand of chaos to the United States after trashing her reputation in the UK. She popped up at the latest CPAC, to give a speech to a crowd of baffled right-wingers who simply didn’t know who she was. What is CPAC, who is Truss hanging out with and what is she trying to achieve? Ben Jacobs is an American political journalist and joins Jacob Jarvis in The Bunker to answer those questions.

• “CPAC is a Trump show...this is full Trump fandom” – Ben Jacobs

• “The folks who knew who Truss was were sceptical.” – Ben Jacobs.

• “For hundreds of years people have been coming to the US to start afresh – she’s just following in their footsteps.” – Ben Jacobs

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Written and presented by Jacob Jarvis. Producer: Chris Jones. Audio production: Robin Leeburn. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Music by Kenny Dickinson. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Who is the real Keir Starmer? – Ros Taylor asks Tom Baldwin

Thu, 29 Feb 2024 04:00:00 -0000

Most people know who Keir Starmer is – but don’t know much about his character. Who is the Labour leader really? Tom Baldwin is a journalist, political adviser and author of the newly published Keir Starmer: The Biography. He’s spent time figuring out who the man who’s likely to become the next Prime Minister really is – and joins Ros Taylor in The Bunker to discuss what he’s learned.

Buy Keir Starmer: The Biography through our affiliate bookshop and you’ll help fund The Bunker by earning us a small commission for every sale. Bookshop.org’s fees help support independent bookshops too.

• “He’s complicated like Britain is… and I think the media have largely got him wrong.” – Tom Baldwin

• “A lot of politicians like to pretend they like football to make them look normal… Starmer uses football as an anchor to pull him back to normalcy.” – Tom Baldwin

• “In politics everyone wants to place you on an ideological spectrum and he doesn’t like that.” – Tom Baldwin

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Written and presented by Ros Taylor. Producer: Chris Jones. Audio production: Jade Bailey. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Music by Kenny Dickinson. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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‘I was Putin’s speech writer. I don’t recognise him anymore’

Wed, 28 Feb 2024 04:00:00 -0000

Abbas Gallyamov wrote scripts for Vladimir Putin for 3 years from 2008. He describes Vladimir Putin in that time as ‘logical’ and ‘in control of his emotions’. Now, after Russia’s full scale invasion of Ukraine he says Putin is ‘erratic’ and unrecognisable. His opposition to Putin has reportedly landed him on the Kremlin’s wanted list. He joins Chris Jones from exile away from his motherland, to discuss how Putin has changed, his popularity and the upcoming March election.

•”Back then he was totally different, he was absolutely logical and in full control of his emotions.” – Abbas Gallyamov.

•”These polls are about the number of brave people that dare, in the current situation, to say they don’t trust Putin.” – Abbas Gallyamov.

•”Who on Earth in Russia would answer ‘do you or do you not trust Putin?’ - it’s like opening the gates to hell.” – Abbas Gallyamov.

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Written, presented and produced by Chris Jones. Audio production: Robin Leeburn. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Music by Kenny Dickinson. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Has Alexei Navalny's death doomed Russia's future? – Chris Jones asks Dr. Jan Dollbaum

Tue, 27 Feb 2024 04:00:00 -0000

The death of Alexei Navalny sent shockwaves across the world. Has Russia’s hope of a brighter future, beyond the reign of Putin, died alongside him? And will we ever know the full truth around his demise – or why it has happened now? To answer these questions and more, Dr. Jan Dollbaum, head of research group ‘Mobilisation and Representation in post-Soviet Eastern Europe’ at LMU Munich and co-author of Navalny: Putin’s Nemesis, Russia’s Future? speaks to Chris Jones in The Bunker.

Buy Navalny: Putin's Nemesis, Russia's Future? through our affiliate bookshop and you’ll help fund The Bunker by earning us a small commission for every sale. Bookshop.org’s fees help support independent bookshops too.

• “The emotions that the Kremlin wants to create are hopelessness and despair. When people are angry with something, that anger can make them overcome their fear. But hopelessness keeps people individualised, and stops collective action.” – Dr. Jan Dollbaum

• “Naming any sanctions against Russia as ’Navalny Sanctions’ sends the message that Navalny is an agent of the West, and Russian propaganda would rejoice in using that opportunity to make that clear to its population.” – Dr. Jan Dollbaum

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Written and Presented by Chris Jones. Produced by: Eliza Davis Beard. Audio production: Simon Williams. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Music by Kenny Dickinson. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Whip-off merchants – Start Your Week with Alex Andreou and Jacob Jarvis

Mon, 26 Feb 2024 09:57:00 -0000

Lee Anderson has lost the whip – will any other horrid MPs follow this week? And there’s the by-election in Rochdale coming up, which will likely mean more bad news for Sunak. Plus, we discuss the latest from the US presidential race, conflict in the Middle East and concerns over Putin’s actions. Alex Andreou joins Jacob Jarvis to tee up the stories to look out for in the coming days,

• “A dog whistle is only meant to be heard by people really tuned in, this is turning into a foghorn.” – Alex Andreou

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Written and presented by Jacob Jarvis. Audio editor: Robin Leeburn. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Russia-Ukraine two years in: The defining war of the 21st Century

Fri, 23 Feb 2024 04:00:00 -0000

Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine began two years ago. Hundreds of thousands have died and more will follow. What is the state of the conflict right now? How has Russia altered global stability, and is Western support for Ukraine wavering? Gavin Esler is joined by Michael Kimmage formerly of the US State Department, now a professor of history at the Catholic University of America and author of Collisions - The Origins of the War in Ukraine and the New Global Instability.

Buy Collisions - The Origins of the War in Ukraine and the New Global Instability through our affiliate bookshop and you’ll help fund The Bunker by earning us a small commission for every sale. Bookshop.org’s fees help support independent bookshops too.

• “Putin overestimated the capability of the Russian military.” – Michael Kimmage.

• “I think NATO, while interesting and important, is a bit of a red herring.” – Michael Kimmage

• “There's really no structure or set of powers that can iron this out.” – Michael Kimmage.

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When will America be ready for a gay president? – Alex Andreou asks Michael Bronski

Thu, 22 Feb 2024 04:00:00 -0000

America’s presidents have generally been straight, white, old men. Barack Obama bucked that trend, but the United States is yet to have a woman or a queer person in the White House. In today’s Bunker, Alex Andreou asks Harvard professor, award-winning activist and author of the influential A Queer History of the United States Michael Bronski if the US is, or when it might be, ready for an LGBTQ+ president.

• “While Pete Buttigieg may break glass ceilings, there may also be backlash against that, in the same way that there was a decade long backlash from the Republicans against Obama getting elected with the ultimate punishment being Trump.” - Michael Bronski

• “We’re at a point in American popular culture where Ru Paul’s Drag Race is one of the most popular tv shows, and we have multiple movies about trans and non-binary people. So Americans can accept this as a part of popular culture, and simultaneously there’s a political backlash." - Michael Bronski

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Written and Presented by Alex Andreou. Produced by: Eliza Davis Beard. Audio production: Jade Bailey. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Music by Kenny Dickinson. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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The post-logic election year – Does anybody vote rationally?

Wed, 21 Feb 2024 04:00:00 -0000

It’s a massive election year, with billions voting worldwide. But will those casting votes do so logically? Has voter psychology changed in recent years? And what can be learned from it? To find out, Jacob Jarvis talks to Dr Sandra Obradovic, associate researcher at the Electoral Psychology Observatory to find out.

• “Some see voting as something that upholds democracy and connects you with society at large. It is not an individual activity, it’s one that makes you a citizen.” – Dr Sandra Obradovic

• “We’re moving away from this ‘rational actor’ assumption and acknowledging that reasoning and emotions interlink in the context of politics.” – Dr Sandra Obradovic

• “We’re much more distrusting of politicians and political institutions, even within our own camps.” – Dr Sandra Obradovic

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Written and presented by Podmasters managing editor Jacob Jarvis. Producer: Eliza Davis Beard. Audio production: Robin Leeburn. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Music by Kenny Dickinson. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Has China’s power peaked? – Alex Andreou asks Michael Beckley

Tue, 20 Feb 2024 04:00:00 -0000

After decades of unprecedented economic growth China’s rise seems to be slowing down. Has the nation’s power reached its peak? What would this mean for the country, and for the rest of the world? Alex Andreou asks Michael Beckley, associate professor of political science at Tufts University and author of Unrivaled: Why America Will Remain the World’s Sole Superpower, in The Bunker.

• “The U.S. has the power to shape the international system in ways that China can’t match.” – Michael Beckley

• “The failure of China’s zero COVID policy is emblematic of a bigger issue” – Michael Beckley

• “China is at risk of a deflation debt cycle. It’s a fundamentally broken economic model.” – Michael Beckley

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Written and presented by Alex Andreou. Producer: Eliza Davis Beard. Audio production: Simon Williams. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Music by Kenny Dickinson. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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What next for Russia? — Start Your Week with Ros Taylor and Gavin Esler

Mon, 19 Feb 2024 09:22:00 -0000

The killing of Putin’s high profile rival, Alexei Navalny, has sparked outrage. Will this convince the UK and US to step up their support for Ukraine? Rishi Sunak faces the fallout of his most recent by-election losses – how is he clinging on? Across the pond – Liz Truss will be making an appearance at CPAC, as if Americans didn’t have enough to deal with already. Finally we have the latest on the Israel/Hamas conflict as Netenyahu prepares a ground offensive in Rafah.

• "We have politicians in this country like Nigel Farage who say that they admire Vladimir Putin. Why?" – Gavin Esler

• “What kind of person would pay money to listen to Liz Truss?” – Gavin Esler

• "Appointing David Cameron as Foreign Secretary has been one of the best things that Rishi Sunak has done."– Gavin Esler

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What Joe Biden needs to do to win in 2024 – Gavin Esler asks Molly Jong-Fast

Fri, 16 Feb 2024 04:00:00 -0000

Biden’s economic and immigration policies are under relentless fire from Trump and Republicans, and his approval ratings are dire – but when you look at the facts, is he really doing so badly? And what does he need to do to convince the American public to re-elect him? Gavin Esler finds out from Molly Jong-Fast, special correspondent for Vanity Fair and host of the Fast Politics podcast.

Listen to Fast Politics podcast: https://fastpoliticspod.com/

• “As much as there’s so much talk about Biden's age, Biden got the last nomination BECAUSE he was old.” – Molly Jong-Fast

• “American political life is so demented and deranged.” – Molly Jong-Fast

• “Why are we talking about immigration? Because the economy has gotten much better … the Republicans have shifted the narrative.” – Molly Jong-Fast

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Written and presented by Gavin Esler. Producer: Chris Jones. Audio production: . Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Music by Kenny Dickinson. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Why self-help isn’t helping – with Alex Andreou and Vincent Deary

Thu, 15 Feb 2024 04:00:00 -0000

The global ‘self-help’ market is worth over £30 billion. And yet, it seems no amount of books, apps or podcasts can fix us: we’re all still as burnt out and broken as ever. In today’s edition, Alex Andreou sits down with psychologist and fatigue specialist, Prof Vincent Deary, to talk about his latest book How We Break: Navigating the Wear and Tear of Living and find out why ‘self help’ isn’t really helping at all.

• “No two people break in the same way.” – Vincent Deary

• “People are being broken not by themselves but by the world and environments around them.” – Vincent Deary

Buy Vincent Deary’s book How We Break: Navigating the Wear and Tear of Living through our affiliate bookshop and you’ll help fund The Bunker by earning us a small commission for every sale. Bookshop.org’s fees help support independent bookshops too.

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Written and presented by Alex Andreou. Producer: Liam Tait. Production Assistant: Adam Wright. Audio editor: Jade Bailey. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Why are so many MPs obsessed with sex? With Kate Lister

Wed, 14 Feb 2024 04:00:00 -0000

It's often said that politics is showbiz for ugly people. So why has parliament produced so many sex scandals? Today in this special Valentine’s Day edition of The Bunker, Andrew Harrison sits down with sex historian and host of Betwixt the Sheets, Kate Lister to rifle through Westminster’s dirty laundry and find out why so many politicians are entangled in sex scandals.

• “When you’re a politician, opportunities for sex come around more often.” – Kate Lister

• “It's such a strange life. You have to be exemplary in everything you do. Is it any wonder that every once in a while they do something stupid?” – Kate Lister

• “I think we are becoming more tolerant of affairs. Is it any of our business?” – Kate Lister

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Bonus: What Tucker Carlson's Putin interview really means – Ian Garner explains

Tue, 13 Feb 2024 17:17:00 -0000

Former Fox News anchor Tucker Carlson’s two-hour sit down with Vladimir Putin has grabbed headlines worldwide. But can we really learn anything from it? Jacob Jarvis talks to Ian Garner, a historian of Russian culture and the author of Z Generation: Into the Heart of Russia’s Fascist Youth, to discuss how to interpret the interview – and what the Russian leader really should have been asked.

• “Putin’s character was on display – he does tend to be very patronising. He’ll openly mock people for asking what he deems to be stupid questions.” – Ian Garner

• “When Putin is talking about the past he’s not talking about a literal interpretation of events in the way we would expect. It is all about myth.” – Ian Garner

Buy Z Generation: Into the Heart of Russia’s Fascist Youth [LINK: https://uk.bookshop.org/a/13277/9781787389281] through our affiliate bookshop and you’ll help fund The Bunker by earning us a small commission for every sale. Bookshop.org’s fees help support independent bookshops too.

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Written and presented by Podmasters managing editor Jacob Jarvis. Produced by: Eliza Davis Beard. Audio production: Robin Leeburn. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Music by Kenny Dickinson. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Is Benjamin Netanyahu losing control?

Tue, 13 Feb 2024 04:00:00 -0000

Benjamin Netanyahu’s power is faltering. From losing international support, to the charges of fraud and bribery that he’s facing – pressure is mounting on the Israeli leader. So how much power does he have left and could this rift with President Biden be the final nail in the coffin? Chris Jones is joined by Politico’s senior foreign affairs correspondent Nahal Toosi, who recently wrote: The US Is Dealing With an Israeli Leader Who’s Losing Control.

Nahal Toosi’s Politico column: https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2024/01/08/netanyahu-israeli-leader-losing-control-00134146

• “Just being prime minister is not enough to protect him from having to stand trial.” – Nahal Toosi

• “Netanyahu is using the ICJ ruling to support his position, creating an ‘us versus them’ narrative.” – Nahal Toosi

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Written and presented by Chris Jones. Producer: Eliza Davis and Chris Jones. Beard. Audio production: Robin Leeburn. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Music by Kenny Dickinson. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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By and by-elections — Start Your Week with Alex Andreou and Jacob Jarvis

Mon, 12 Feb 2024 09:48:00 -0000

This week: By-elections will prove yet another test for Sunak – but things aren’t smooth sailing for Labour either. Plus, updates as Israel strikes Rafah – what will this mean for the conflict? And, Trump latest as he delivers controversial comments on Russia. Alex Andreou joins Jacob Jarvis to tee up the week ahead.

• “The level of defeat in these by-elections matters” – Alex Andreou

• “Michael Gove defending you feels like one of the four horsemen of the Tory apocalypse” – Alex Andreou

•“There is a balance to be struck between being cautious and being unambitious” – Alex Andreou

• “There must be an international intervention now – it is enough.” – Alex Andreou

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Why are Americans dying so young? – Gavin Esler asks Dr Steven Woolf

Fri, 09 Feb 2024 04:00:00 -0000

The US life expectancy is at its lowest point in more than two decades – and behind that of some so-called ‘developing nations’? Why is this the case – and is anything being done about it? To answer these questions, Gavin Esler speaks to Dr Steven Woolf, lead author of the Journal of the American Medical Association’s report on health outcomes in the United States.

• “It would be easy to blame this on a single cause such as the obesity epidemic, the opioid epidemic, guns: these are all big problems for the United States, but neither one by itself fully explains the systemic pattern of poorly performing against other high income countries.” – Dr Steven Woolf

• “Studies have shown that even the so-called ‘advantaged’ populations of the U.S. die earlier than rich people in the UK. Across multiple categories of advantage – such as having health insurance, being a non-smoker, being white – all of these populations have been doing worse than in other countries.” – Dr Steven Woolf

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Written and Presented by Gavin Esler. Produced by: Eliza Davis Beard. Audio production: Jade Bailey. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Music by Kenny Dickinson. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Why we should be grateful for chaos – Brian Klaas explains

Thu, 08 Feb 2024 04:00:00 -0000

We like to imagine society is structured by rationality and reason. But, really, isn’t everything a matter of chance? Ros Taylor talks to Brian Klaas, associate professor of global politics at UCL, about his new book Fluke: Chance, chaos and why everything we do matters, in The Bunker and to discuss how randomness shapes our lives.

Buy Fluke by Brian Klaas through our affiliate bookshop and you’ll help fund The Bunker by earning us a small commission for every sale. Bookshop.org’s fees help support independent bookshops too.

• “Unforeseen events have shaped everything economically and politically in our lives. The illusion of control causes us to be hubristic in how we navigate uncertainty, and that’s a very big problem social science needs to grapple with.” – Brian Klaas

• “Very often people on the political left are worried about the idea of determinism because they say ‘this lets injustice off the hook’. The flip side of that is you believe that everyone dictates their own future – which is what the political right often says." – Brian Klaas

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Written and Presented by Ros Taylor. Produced by: Eliza Davis Beard. Audio production: Robin Leeburn. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Music by Kenny Dickinson. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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The knife crime 'epidemic': What's really going on?

Wed, 07 Feb 2024 04:00:00 -0000

Britain’s knife crime crisis is regularly called a “pandemic” in the media. But just how serious is the problem? Who suffers from it most? And does any political party have the right idea of how to combat it? To answer these questions, Andrew Harrison speaks to Dr James Alexander of London Metropolitan University’s criminology department.

• “Knife crime is reported as a black issue, which is a problem with the media. It is more widespread than that, it is about poverty, it is about these people not receiving the support they need, regardless of their ethnicity.” – Dr James Alexander

• "People are growing up in areas where knife crime is just a fact of life. They are desensitised to the idea of carrying a knife.” – Dr James Alexander

• “The criminals they are often targeting are 14, 15, 16 year olds – they are children who need support to get back into education, and support for mental health issues." – Dr James Alexander

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Written and Presented by Andrew Harrison. Produced by: Eliza Davis Beard. Audio production: Simon Williams. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Music by Kenny Dickinson. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Why Putin's rigged Russian election still matters

Tue, 06 Feb 2024 04:00:00 -0000

Russia’s presidential election doesn’t take place until March – yet we already know the result. Vladimir Putin will beat the other 3 ‘candidates’ with ease to retake his place as president. But does that mean the vote doesn’t matter at all? Or could we still learn something from the result? Chris Jones talks to András Tóth-Czifra, fellow in the Eurasia program at the Foreign Policy Research Institute and author of Controlling the Narrative: A Roadmap to Russia’s 2024 Presidential Election, in The Bunker.

• “These elections are not taking place in a democracy – so it would be foolish to analyse them as if they were.” – András Tóth-Czifra

• 'For the Kremlin this is a vital test of the officialdom – the political machinery that the federal government relies on to control the country.’ András Tóth-Czifra

András’ research: https://www.fpri.org/article/2023/12/controlling-the-narrative-a-roadmap-to-russias-2024-presidential-election/

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Written and Presented by Chris Jones. Produced by: Eliza Davis Beard and Chris Jones. Audio production: Jade Bailey. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Music by Kenny Dickinson. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Holy Scrap — Start Your Week with Ros Taylor and Alex Andreou

Mon, 05 Feb 2024 09:22:00 -0000

This week: Rwanda rows continue as James Cleverly drags the Church of England into the migration dispute. Plus – Could Liz Truss make a return to frontline politics with the launch of her Popular Conservatism project? And in the Middle East, the RAF and the US air force continue their offensive against Houthi Rebel targets. Is the military campaign making a difference?

• "Dragging the Church of England into the culture war seems risky.” – Ros Taylor

• “The Home Secretary’s feud with the church is really all about the Rwanda Bill.” – Alex Andreou

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Written and presented by Alex Andreou with Ros Taylor. Producer: Liam Tait. Audio editor: Jade Bailey. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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The increasingly weird world of Tucker Carlson

Fri, 02 Feb 2024 04:00:00 -0000

Tucker Carlson’s getting weirder. Hard to believe it, we know. From promoting shamed conspiracy theorist Alex Jones’ return to interviewing indictment riddled Donald Trump last year, he’s not shying away from controversy. What is Carlson’s end game and how much power does he have, not just through media ventures but in US politics too? Nikki McCann Ramirez is a politics reporter for Rolling Stone magazine and has watched more Carlson content than most could bear. She joins Jacob Jarvis in The Bunker.

• “He’s always been a bit of a weirdo.” – Nikki McCann Ramirez

•” “That interview with Alex Jones was awful to watch.” – Nikki McCann Ramirez

• “It’s entirely Tucker centric at this point...his audience takes his word as gospel.” – Nikki McCann Ramirez

Support us on Patreon: www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Written and Presented by Managing Editor Jacob Jarvis. Produced by: Chris Jones. Audio production: Alex Rees. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Music by Kenny Dickinson. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Can pranks change the world? – with chaos agent Oobah Butler

Thu, 01 Feb 2024 04:00:00 -0000

British politics can be laughable. But can poking fun at it actually spark change? Marie Le Conte speaks to professional prankster Oobah Butler, whose viral videos have amassed tens of millions of views online and caused real-world action in their aftermath.

• “There’s something really lame about a prank. It’s quite a disarming thing to use. If it’s not punching upwards, it can’t be funny fundamentally. It’s fun to mess with institutions that ‘deserve it’ in a way that is beneath them – you’re dragging them down with you.” – Oobah Butler

• "I don’t think I can call myself an activist. I’m down here in the mud.” – Oobah Butler

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Written and Presented by Marie Le Conte. Produced by: Eliza Davis Beard. Audio production: Jade Bailey. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Music by Kenny Dickinson. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Britain’s hero, India’s war criminal: Churchill’s maddening legacy – with Ahir Shah

Wed, 31 Jan 2024 04:00:00 -0000

Sir Winston Churchill’s legacy is often discussed – but is usually more complex than conversations suggest. Some call him one of the greatest Britons of all time – in India, however, he is regarded as one of the key villains of imperial rule. Ahir Shah is joined by historian Walter Reid, fellow of the Royal Historical Society and author of Fighting Retreat: Churchill and India, to discuss how Churchill is remembered.

• “Churchill was racist because he constantly belittled India. ” – Walter Reid

• “He believed India’s role in the Empire had to be protected at all costs.” – Walter Reid

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Written and presented by Ahir Shah. Producer: Eliza Davis Beard and Liam Tait. Audio production: Jade Bailey. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Music by Kenny Dickinson. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Why can’t politicians quit while they’re ahead like Klopp did?

Tue, 30 Jan 2024 04:00:00 -0000

Jürgen Klopp impressed the football world with his honest reasons for quitting as Liverpool manager. But how come so few politicians know how to quit when they’re ahead? Andrew Harrison talks to Oh God What Now regular Seth Thévoz about the history of political exits – and the times when leaders from Harold Wilson to Thatcher, Major and Blair just couldn’t let go.

•“Even politicians who’ve said ‘I am definitely standing down’ find all sorts of creative reasons to hang on to power just a little bit longer.” - Seth Thévoz

•“It’s actually quite sad speaking to retired politicians, especially if they’ve been turfed out of the office. One minute being at the center of power, making decisions, and the next minute nobody wants to interview them, nobody wants to quote them or ask their opinion on anything." - Seth Thévoz

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Friends without benefits — Start Your Week with Alex Andreou and Jacob Jarvis

Mon, 29 Jan 2024 09:50:00 -0000

It’s a bad Brexit news week as new regulations are put in place. Plus, Sunak’s woes continue – but Hunt’s going to try and help him out. And we discuss the latest from conflicts and elections across the globe, including Trump being made to look like a loser.

• “The government is once again farming out its problems caused by Brexit to companies.” – Alex Andreou

• “The last thing Sunak needs is to be seen as being helped by Labour because his own back benches are too fractious” – Alex Andreou

• “If Trump has to start selling stuff that could make him look like a loser, which is fatal to his image.” – Alex Andreou

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100% Faithful? What The Traitors can teach us about politics

Fri, 26 Jan 2024 04:00:00 -0000

Hit reality TV show The Traitors reveals how great some people are at lying – and how bad others are at detecting it. What lessons can we take from Claudia Winkleman’s backstabbing parlour game about the world of politics? Today in The Bunker, Ahir Shah speaks with The Guardian’s Zoe Williams to find out which of our politicians would flourish or flounder under the pressure.

Stay tuned until after the credits for Ahir’s slightly spoilery final thoughts leading into the final two episodes.

• “The very act of honesty has become a badge of shame in modern politics.” – Zoe Williams

• “I paused the episode and said to my wife: ‘I think I finally understand how Boris Johnson happened’.” – Ahir Shah

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Written and Presented by Ahir Shah. Producer: Liam Tait and Chris Jones. Audio production: Jade Bayley. Production Assistant: Adam Wright. Art by James Parrett. Music by Kenny Dickinson.Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Beyond Biden and Trump: What really matters to US voters? – with NPR's Susan Davis

Thu, 25 Jan 2024 04:00:00 -0000

The US election is being fought on many fronts, but what does the American public really care about most? Is it the economy, is it immigration, or is it simply the name of the person who sits in the Oval Office? Susan Davis is a political correspondent for NPR and host of the NPR Political Podcast. She joins Alex Andreou in The Bunker to discuss how the likely candidates will campaign on the most important issues.

• “There’s a sense of nostalgia for Trump… people think ‘my life was better under Trump’.” – Susan Davis

• “Anger is the greatest character in American politics.” – Susan Davis

• “Immigration has been an unsolvable problem in US politics basically since the Reagan era.” – Susan Davis

Listen to NPR’s Political Podcast: https://www.npr.org/podcasts/510310/npr-politics-podcast

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Written and Presented by Alex Andreou. Produced by: Chris Jones. Audio production: Robin Leeburn. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Music by Kenny Dickinson. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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What really matters most to British voters? – New Statesman data journalist Ben Walker explains

Wed, 24 Jan 2024 04:00:00 -0000

What do people care most about at the moment – and how will this affect their votes in the upcoming general election? From immigration to the NHS, the economy to defence, there’s plenty for voters to think about. Ros Taylor speaks to Ben Walker, senior data journalist at the New Statesman and co-founder of Britain Elects.

•“The priority amongst all Britons is not immigration, not the NHS, but still for solutions on the cost of living.” – Ben Walker

•“The reality of politics is that feelings matter more than facts - if you’re feeling like your income is being squeezed, if you feel like your community is turning to dust, you’ll vote with that in mind.” – Ben Walker

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Written and Presented by Ros Taylor. Produced by: Chris Jones and Eliza Davis Beard. Audio production: Jade Bailey. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Music by Kenny Dickinson. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Mr. Bates vs. The Post Office rocked the Government. How do dramas like this make it to TV?

Tue, 23 Jan 2024 04:00:00 -0000

Few TV dramas have had such an instant seismic effect as ITV’s miniseries on the Horizon scandal, Mr Bates vs The Post Office. How do searing stories of miscarriages of justice make it to screen in a ruthless television environment? And what makes them so effective at concentrating public outrage and forcing change? Simon Heath, CEO and Creative Director of World Productions, was Executive Producer of Line of Duty and the acclaimed Hillsborough drama Anne. He tells Andrew Harrison what makes true-life drama work – and how it does the job that World In Action used to do.

• “To be able to launch a drama while a public inquiry is still ongoing is just fantastic because you’re able to point the audience immediately toward a live political issue, and the two things feed on each other.” - Simon Heath

• “Some stories do lend themselves more readily to dramatisation, and there was something about the Post Office Scandal that you could essentially distil it down to the little people versus this out of control, faceless bureaucracy that was crushing them.” - Simon Heath

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Written and Presented by Andrew Harrison. Produced by: Eliza Davis Beard. Audio production: Jade Bailey. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Music by Kenny Dickinson. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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DeSantis Destroyed – Start Your Week with Gavin Esler

Mon, 22 Jan 2024 09:42:00 -0000

“Ron DeSanctimonious” is out of the Presidential running meaning a two-way race between Trump and Nikki Haley in this week’s New Hampshire Primary. Houthi attacks on shipping in the Red Sea start to filter through to the economy. The Lords get ready to savage the Rwanda Plan. And NASA opens up a can of asteroid dust – what could possibly go wrong? Gavin Esler sets out the week ahead for Andrew Harrison.

Presented by Andrew Harrison. Audio production by Jade Bailey. Art by James Parrett. Lead producer Jacob Jarvis. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Bunker USA: From true believers to chaos addicts – The 5 types of Trump voters

Fri, 19 Jan 2024 04:00:00 -0000

Donald Trump once said he could shoot someone on 5th Avenue and his supporters wouldn’t care. Not only does polling suggest that could be true – but since he was criminally indicted (not for shooting anyone) his loyalists have stuck by him. Thomas Gift is the founding director of UCL’s centre on US politics and he joins Jacob Jarvis in The Bunker to discuss what he believes are the five types of Trump voters.

• “Trump supporters have been likened to a cult … and I don’t think that’s far off.” – Thomas Gift

•“Whenever I think about the need for drama Republicans I think about the chaos caucus… they want to blow up the system.” – Thomas Gift

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Written and presented by Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Producer: Chris Jones. Audio production: Simon Williams. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Music by Kenny Dickinson. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Why everyone is wrong about migration – Hein de Haas joins Ros Taylor

Thu, 18 Jan 2024 04:00:00 -0000

Migration is one of the most divisive issues in the UK – socially, politically, and economically. But a lot of the information we consume is propaganda, and many of the assumptions made are wrong. Hein de Haas, author of How Migration Really Works, offers Ros Taylor insights which could lead to effective migration policy.

• “The overall contribution of recent migration has been positive rather than negative.” – Hein de Haas

• “There is actually no difference between Left and Right wing governments in terms of the immigration policies they implement.” – Hein de Haas

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Written and Presented by Ros Taylor. Produced by: Eliza Davis Beard. Audio production: Simon Williams. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Music by Kenny Dickinson. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Inside Russia’s plot to put Trump back in the White House – with Gavin Esler and Joseph Webster

Wed, 17 Jan 2024 04:00:00 -0000

The 2024 US Presidential election will likely see Biden and Trump back on the ballot. And, if previous elections are anything to go by, Russia will play a key role in manipulating things in Trump’s favour. Joseph Webster, senior fellow at the Atlantic Council and editor of the China-Russia report, joins Gavin Esler in The Bunker, to discuss what Russia seeks to gain out of a Trump presidency, and how they might just get it.

• “Gasoline prices are a major determinant in U.S. elections. Anything that Russia can do to lower or increase prices will have a big impact.” – Joseph Webster

• “Disinformation campaign efforts by the Russian state and by figures associated with the Russian state will almost certainly persist into 2024.” – Joseph Webster

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Written and Presented by Gavin Esler. Produced by: Eliza Davis Beard. Audio production: Alex Rees. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Music by Kenny Dickinson. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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The Kids are Alt-right – What’s radicalising a new generation of extremists?

Tue, 16 Jan 2024 10:22:00 -0000

Young people, particularly young men, are increasingly becoming radicalised toward the far-right. Often chronically online and extremely vulnerable to manipulation, just how big of a risk do they pose? And what can be done about it? Alex Andreou joins Cynthia Miller-Idriss, founding director of the Polarisation and Extremism Research and Innovation Lab (PERIL) at the American University in Washington, DC, in The Bunker.

• “The far-right is really a spectrum for supremacist ideologies; which include white, christian, western, or misogynist supremacies, but also anti-government and anti-democratic supremacies.” – Cynthia Miller-Idriss

• “The real shift we are seeing now compared to previous generations is that, where you used to have to be taken by the arm and invited by an individual to join a group, now all of that propaganda comes right to you online.” – Cynthia Miller-Idriss

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Presented by Alex Andreou. Producer: Eliza Davis Beard. Audio production: Alex Rees. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Music by Kenny Dickinson. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Rebel strikes — Start Your Week with Alex Andreou and Ros Taylor

Mon, 15 Jan 2024 09:49:00 -0000

PM Rishi Sunak faces the commons today to explain military action against Houthi Rebels. Plus – the Rwanda bill is back. Will the Conservatives be satisfied with the latest draft? Across the pond – The Republican Party caucuses in Iowa. Is a Trump victory inevitable? And finally President Biden has congratulated Lai Ching-te following his victory in the Taiwan election, how will Beijing respond?

• "You simply cannot notify your enemies that you’re about to take military action." – Alex Andreou

• “We are vastly underestimating the threat of Russia.” – Alex Andreou

• “Democratic nations are always at a disadvantage when it comes to war.” – Alex Andreou

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Iran, the Houthis and war in the Red Sea explained – Special edition with This Is Not A Drill

Fri, 12 Jan 2024 04:00:00 -0000

A special crossover episode with This Is Not A Drill, our geopolitics podcast. Why are UK and US navies defending Western shipping against missile attacks and hijacks from rebels in the poorest country in the Middle East? The battle between the Yemeni government and the Houthi militia threatens to spill over into a wider regional conflict – and Iran is fanning the flames. What happens next?

Gavin Esler talks to Helen Lackner, author of Yemen In Crisis, to find out who the Houthi are, what they want, what their rebellion means for the West… and whether the war could spread.

Follow This Is Not A Drill on your favourite podcast provider for weekly interviews and reports on the world’s flashpoints.

Written and presented by Gavin Esler. Art by James Parrett. Bunker music by Kenny Dickinson. TINAD music by Paul Hartnoll – https://www.orbitalofficial.com. Group Editor Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER and THIS IS NOT A DRILL are Podmasters Productions

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Are politicians trying to brainwash you? – Alex Andreou and Daniel Pick on the new era of thought control

Thu, 11 Jan 2024 04:00:00 -0000

Brainwashing has been utilised as a political tool for centuries. How exactly is it weaponised today? Daniel Pick, author of Brainwashed: A New History of Thought Control, discusses the history and contemporary manifestations of thought control with Alex Andreou, in The Bunker.

• “Brainwashing seeks both to decimate and damage the mind – and to infiltrate ideas and to organise ideologies in a systematic way.” – Daniel Pick

• “Behavioural units exist within governments, including Downing Street, to advise on the best way to nudge people in a benign way. Such units were utilised, for example, during the Covid pandemic.” – Daniel Pick

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Presented by Alex Andreou. Producer: Eliza Davis Beard. Audio production: Simon Williams. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Music by Kenny Dickinson. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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The digital hacks Sunak and Starmer will use to fight the election – with Ros Taylor and Kate Dommett

Wed, 10 Jan 2024 04:00:00 -0000

Internet culture has changed a lot since the last general election – so the way politicians use it will have to evolve too. Facebook may no longer be the king of social media, but have Sunak and Starmer mastered Tiktok, Instagram or YouTube? Today in The Bunker, Ros Taylor speaks with professor of digital politics at Sheffield University, Kate Dommett, about the tricks politicians will be using to win your votes.

• "Political parties are trying to reach out to younger voters and they aren’t using Facebook anymore.” – Kate Dommett

• “A code of conduct on digital campaigning among major parties isn’t going to stop campaign groups using underhand tactics online." – Kate Dommett

• “No politician in the UK has successfully mastered TikTok yet." – Kate Dommett

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Written and Presented by Ros Taylor. Producer: Liam Tait. Art by James Parrett. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production by Simon Williams. Group Editor Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Farage and Reform UK: Should the Tories really be worried? – Michael Crick explains

Tue, 09 Jan 2024 04:00:00 -0000

Once known as the Brexit Party, Reform UK wants to mortally wound the Tories in the General Election. Do its recent poll spikes show real support for Richard Tice’s vociferously anti-migration, anti-woke party? Should the Tories really worry – and should Labour? And could those fanciful stories about Nigel Farage joining the Tories and taking over as leader really come true? Legendary journalist and broadcaster Michael Crick explains it all to Andrew Harrison.

Buy One Party After Another: The Disruptive Life of Nigel Farage through our affiliate bookshop and you’ll help fund The Bunker by earning us a small commission for every sale. Bookshop.org’s fees help support independent bookshops too.

• “I think there’s a 20% chance Farage will be Conservative leader someday.” – Michael Crick

• “If he wanted to get rid of Richard Tice, he could. He’s a ruthless figure is Farage.” – Michael Crick

• “You can’t just say that all of the votes Reform get would have gone to the Conservatives.” – Michael Crick

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Written and presented by Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Producer: Chris Jones. Audio production: Alex Rees. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Music by Kenny Dickinson. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Fuel to the binfire — Start Your Week with Alex Andreou and Ros Taylor

Mon, 08 Jan 2024 13:44:00 -0000

Rishi Sunak faces more backbench backlash as Parliament returns. Plus – will an emergency summit give closure to the 700 victims of the Post Office scandal? Finally in a year of vital elections, how will the Taiwan election shape global politics?

• “Sunak should not be pandering to the party faithful. That’s not governing.” – Ros Taylor

• “We’re looking at three byelections in just eight days. It doesn’t look good for the Conservatives.” – Alex Andreou

• “Why has it taken an ITV drama to get the Post Office scandal noticed?” – Ros Taylor

Support us on Patreon: www.patreon.com/bunkercast

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Trump vs. Biden: Is America set for its most chaotic year yet? – with Gavin Esler and Sarah Isgur

Fri, 05 Jan 2024 04:00:00 -0000

There’s pretty much only one certainty in US politics in 2024: chaos. Trump faces a reckoning with the law, but is still very much in the running for the presidency. Meanwhile scrutiny against Biden ramps up. How will these controversies play out? Joining Gavin Esler in The Bunker to discuss all of this is senior editor at The Dispatch and host of the Advisory Opinions podcast, Sarah Isgur.

• “Asteroids hit every day, but yes, it’s going to be Biden vs Trump.” – Sarah Isgur

• “I have no idea whether Trump can pardon himself and neither does anyone else.” – Sarah Isgur

• “We have not had a truly viable 3rd party candidate arguably ever.” – Sarah Isgur

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Presented by Gavin Esler. Producer: Chris Jones. Audio production: Robin Leeburn Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Music by Kenny Dickinson. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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The Economy: Five things you need to know in 2024 – with Giles Wilkes and Andrew Harrison

Thu, 04 Jan 2024 04:00:00 -0000

Britain’s damaged economy will dominate this election year but it’s a sprawling topic. We’ve broken it down into five key issues to keep an eye on in 2024 – from the endless battle over tax cuts to the still-dire cost of living crisis, from the mortgage timebomb to the unforeseen consequences of AI. Former advisor to Vince Cable and now senior fellow at the Institute for Government Giles Wilkes lays out the issues for Andrew Harrison.

• “Tax cuts don’t win elections.” — Giles Wilkes

• “Debt is not evil in itself. Debt is the ability to borrow from the future and if we hadn’t invented it, we’d be much poorer.” – Giles Wilkes

• “The past couple of years have probably been as bad for the cost of living as we've had since the period of rationing.” – Giles Wilkes

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Presented by Andrew Harrison. Producer: Eliza Davis Beard. Audio production: Simon Williams. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Music by Kenny Dickinson. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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How AI will change the world forever in 2024 – for better or worse. With Dr. Kate Devlin and Kyle Taylor

Wed, 03 Jan 2024 04:00:00 -0000

AI took the world by storm in 2023 – and has the potential to fundamentally change it in 2024. But will it be for better or worse? That all depends on who utilises it. Dr. Kate Devlin is joined in The Bunker by Kyle Taylor, author of the The Little Black Book of Artificial Intelligence: How Big Tech is Making Humanity Redundant to discuss.

• “Everything in the AI space is being designed in a for-profit lens.” – Kyle Taylor

• “Now it’s the white collar jobs that can be replaced easily.” – Dr. Kate Devlin

• “Half the world is going to the polls – and now because of AI you have no idea what is real online anymore.” – Kyle Taylor

Buy The Little Black Book of Artificial Intelligence: How Big Tech is Making Humanity Redundant through our affiliate bookshop and you’ll help fund The Bunker by earning us a small commission for every sale. Bookshop.org’s fees help support independent bookshops too.

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Written and presented by Dr. Kate Devlin. Producer: Chris Jones. Audio production: Robin Leeburn. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Music by Kenny Dickinson. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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2024 Vision — Start Your Year with Alex Andreou and Jacob Jarvis

Tue, 02 Jan 2024 11:20:00 -0000

New year, same old Sunak. Alex Andreou joins Jacob Jarvis to discuss the latest misjudgements from the PM and the immediate political news to look out for, before diving into a forecast for 2024. From elections across the globe, to conflicts worldwide and AI – we discuss the key themes you need to look out for over the next 12 months.

• “Sunak has no time to do or promise anything meaningful.”

• “The economy is stagnant and I see nothing in Sunak’s plans that will stimulate it.”

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Chaos theories: Why are we never prepared for disasters? – Ros Taylor asks Jeff Schlegelmilch

Thu, 28 Dec 2023 04:00:00 -0000

From pandemics to natural disasters, terror attacks to global warming, it seems the world is becoming more disastrous by the minute – and government responses consistently fall short. Why aren’t we ever prepared?

Ros Taylor speaks to Jeff Schlegelmilch, director of Columbia University’s National Center for Disaster Preparedness Director and co-author of Catastrophic Incentives: Why Our Approaches to Disasters Keep Falling Short.

• “The disasters we think about are the photogenic ones… but the ones I worry about are the slower creeping disasters, like drought and extreme heat.” — Jeff Schlegelmilch

•“Intelligence predicted 9/11, it was just missed” – Jeff Schlegelmilch

• “In developing environments, charities are essentially providing government services and subsidising failed states.” – Jeff Schlegelmilch

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Written and presented by Ros Taylor. Producer: Eliza Davis Beard. Audio production: Robin Leeburn. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Music by Kenny Dickinson. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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From Charlie Chaplin to Fleabag: How outrage shaped political comedy – with Seth Thévoz and David Stubbs

Wed, 27 Dec 2023 04:00:00 -0000

We’ve come a long way as society but has progress hindered our ability to have a laugh? Seth Thévoz is joined by David Stubbs, the author of Different Times to discuss the evolution of British comedy from silent movies to the raunchy sitcoms of today.

"Monty Python looks a bit dodgy these days.” – David Stubbs
"The real revolution in comedy was the Young Ones. It was punk.” – David Stubbs
"Tommy Cooper is the king of woke Comedy. He’s hilarious and without sin.” – David Stubbs
“Thatcher was crucified weekly in comedy shows but ultimately she had the last laugh came the elections.” – David Stubbs

Buy Different Times: A History of British Comedy through our affiliate bookshop and you’ll help fund The Bunker by earning us a small commission for every sale. Bookshop.org’s fees help support independent bookshops too.

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Written and presented by Seth Thévoz. Producer: Liam Tait. Audio editor: Alex Reed. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Bunker Gold: Ding Dong Merrily on High– How to win Christmas arguments

Sun, 24 Dec 2023 04:30:00 -0000

On today’s Bunker Gold, a Christmas throwback from 2022…

What do veganism, Donald Trump and Brussels sprouts have in common? They’re all points of contention at Christmas time. But how do you deal with the terrible opinions of family and friends? Marie Le Conte is joined by Christmas elves Tom Peck and Seth Thévoz to discuss navigating conversations with Brexit-y uncles and Corbynista cousins.

• “Everyone talks to me about politics, and it's so boring.” –Tom Peck

• “My dad is France’s last remaining Emmanuel Macron fan.” – Marie Le Conte

• “Communists to the left of me, Nazis to the right, here I am – the only liberal – stuck in the middle with you.” – Seth Thévoz

Presented by Marie Le Conte with Tom Peck and Seth Thévoz. Producers: Jet Gerbertson and Alex Rees. Assistant Producer: Kasia Tomasiewicz. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production: Robin Leburn. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Led by little donkeys: Why Christmas is more political than you thought

Fri, 22 Dec 2023 04:00:00 -0000

Our political debate stops at Christmas — but this hasn’t always been the case. It was only in the Victorian era that Christmas was reinvented as a time for family and domesticity, with no room for politics. Should politics return to Christmas? Has it been there all along? University of St Andrews Senior Lecturer in Theology Rev Dr Stephen Holmes speaks to Alex Andreou about the politics of Christmas.

• “Christmas is heavily focused around the narrative of the birth of Jesus, a narrative which is inescapably political.” - Rev Dr Stephen Holmes

• “We think of Christmas as a time when you want to gather the family, shut the door, put your slippers on and relax together. You really don't want to be faced with the realities of injustice and pain in the world." - Rev Dr Stephen Holmes

• “It's very, very hard to separate the idea of charity and altruism, from some sort of political judgement about how the world is and how it should be.” - Rev Dr Stephen Holmes

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Written and Presented by Alex Andreou. Produced by: Eliza Davis Beard. Audio production: Simon Williams. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Music by Kenny Dickinson. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Revealed! The 20 weirdest moments of 2023

Thu, 21 Dec 2023 04:00:00 -0000

On our latest panel edition: It’s been a weird year in the world of politics. From accusations of bunny murder, to saucy broadway interruptions and hemp bar shenanigans. Do you remember the crazy political stories that defined the last 12 months?

Jacob Jarvis and an all-star lineup of Podmasters regulars, Marie Le Conte, Jonn Elledge and Andrew Harrison go through the 20 weirdest stories from the year in the last edition of The Bunker Panel for 2023.

“The one thing you cannot be cruel to in this country is animals, especially guide dogs.” – Marie Le Conte
“Most people want politics to just f*ck off.” – Jonn Elledge

Support us on Patreon:

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Written and presented by Jacob Jarvis with Andrew Harrison, Marie Le Conte and Jonn Elledge. Produced by Liam Tait. Audio Production: Jade Bailey. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Music by Kenny Dickinson. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Will the Israel-Hamas war revive terrorism in the UK?

Wed, 20 Dec 2023 04:00:00 -0000

Terrorist activity is surging across Europe since the beginning of the Israel-Hamas war on October 7, and UK police are warning MPs that London is currently facing the “biggest convergence of threats we have seen for a very long time”. Could we be facing a new phase in intensified political terror? Peter Neumann, Professor of Security Studies at King's College London and author of The New World Disorder: How the West is Destroying Itself, explains the current state of play to Alex Andreou.

• “Terror threats are multiplying to such an extent that the counterterrorism resources in this country might not be able to cope.” – Professor Peter Neumann

• “We are seeing a meeting of generations – people who have been reactivated by October 7, and people for whom October 7 is their first radicalisation event – their 9/11.” - Professor Peter Neumann

• “These people do not feel that they are the aggressors. They feel that they are defending their people by committing acts of terrorism.” - Professor Peter Neumann

Buy Peter’s new book, The New World Disorder: How the West is Destroying Itself, through our affiliate bookshop and you’ll help fund The Bunker by earning us a small commission for every sale. Bookshop.org’s fees help support independent bookshops too.

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Covid Inquiry latest — 5 key moments from Sunak, Johnson and Gove with Prof. Christina Pagel and Alex Andreou

Tue, 19 Dec 2023 04:00:00 -0000

The Covid Inquiry continues to throw out news lines with Rishi Sunak, Boris Johnson, Michael Gove appearing since our last round-up. If you’ve found it too hard to keep track, we’re here to catch you up. Alex Andreou is joined once again by Prof. Christina Pagel to explain some key moments.

• “The attitude of ‘I know better’ is quite damaging to Sunak.” – Christina Pagel

• “It’s not just that we’ve been led by donkeys. We’ve been led by donkeys who don’t give a shit.” – Christina Pagel

Support us on Patreon:

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Presented by Alex Andreou. Producer: Chris Jones. Audio production: Jade Bailey. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Music by Kenny Dickinson. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Mone Alone — Start Your Week with Alex Andreou and Jacob Jarvis

Mon, 18 Dec 2023 09:46:00 -0000

Michelle Mone has admitted to lying to the media over her links to a PPE firm. What fallout will happen next? Plus – Rishi Sunak continues to pander to backbenchers over immigration, what does the PM have to gain by embracing the right? Plus, calls mount for a prolonged pause in the Israel/Hamas conflict, will Netenyahu be strong-armed into another ceasefire? And finally we have the latest on reports of financial difficulties for Ukraine.

“Michelle Mone didn’t just lie to the media, she tried to bury the story with the full force of her legal team.” – Alex Andreou
“Far right and centre right politics are bleeding together in a significant way across Europe.” – Alex Andreou
"Sunak gets tougher on something new every other week but it never shifts the public opinion on him." – Alex Andreou

Support us on Patreon:

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Written and presented by Jacob Jarvis with Alex Andreou. Producer: Liam Tait. Audio editor: Jade Bailey. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Bunker USA: How rural rage fuels Trump’s power

Fri, 15 Dec 2023 04:00:00 -0000

Donald Trump’s hold over rural voters is priceless to the Republican party. But how did this real life caricature of a wealthy businessman win them over? And has the divide between rural and urban voters ever been so big in America? Nicholas Jacobs is the co-author of The Rural Voter: The Politics of Place and the Disuniting of America and joins Dorian Lynskey in The Bunker.

“No republican candidate has done as well in rural America than Trump.”

“The most distinctive feature of the rural voter is that they are distinct.”

“Most rural people feel like the impressions of them are not realistic.”

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Written and Presented by Dorian Lynskey. Produced by: Chris Jones and Eliza Davis Beard. Audio production: Alex Rees. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Music by Kenny Dickinson. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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DisInfo-Wars: Why defeating online lies is a battle we have to win

Thu, 14 Dec 2023 04:00:00 -0000

The internet has become a theatre of war, with lies and disinformation being radically weaponised. The UN has responded with a framework on how to fight such threats – But does it hold any real potential to win the battle for truth? Carl Miller co-founded the Centre for the Analysis of Social Media at Demos and joins Marie Le Conte in The Bunker.

“There’s no single stakeholder that can possibly make decisions unilaterally about what the internet should be like.” – Carl Miller.
“one of the most helpful things is to start talking about standards about how we make the actual mechanics of the platform less gameable.” – Carl Miller.

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Written and Presented by Marie Le Conte. Produced by: Eliza Davis Beard and Liam Tait. Audio production: Alex Rees. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Music by Kenny Dickinson. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Will Russia run out of money before Putin can win in Ukraine?

Wed, 13 Dec 2023 04:00:00 -0000

We know the human cost of Russia’s war in Ukraine – with estimated fatalities reaching half a million. But what is the financial cost? Can Russia afford to continue this conflict – and for how long? Oxford Analytica senior Russia analyst and Eastern Advisory Group director Dr Richard Connelly speaks to Chris Jones in The Bunker.

• “Before the war, the Russian economy had been through a decade of stagnation… it was not in great shape.” – Dr Richard Connelly

• “A lot of Western sanctions have been designed to restrict the inflow of oil and gas revenues… But the Russian government has been resilient.” – Dr Richard Connelly

• “If you look at the Budget, it’s a record amount of expenditure. They’ve never spent this much… What they’re saying politically, is that they are going up a gear with the war.” – Dr Richard Connelly

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Written and presented by Chris Jones. Producer: Eliza Davis Beard. Audio production: Jade Bailey. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group editor: Andrew Harrison. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Artwork by James Parrett. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Meeting the men behind Britain’s violent extremist groups – Dr. Elizabeth Pearson tells Marie Le Conte about her experiences

Tue, 12 Dec 2023 04:00:00 -0000

Most extreme movements seem to have one thing in common: angry men. Do misogyny and radicalisation go hand-in-hand? Extreme Britain: Gender, Masculinity and Radicalisation author Dr Elizabeth Pearson discusses the mobilisation of masculinity with Marie Le Conte, drawing upon personal experiences with British extremist group leaders such as Anjem Choudary and Tommy Robinson.

• “Men realise particular aspects of masculinity that get themselves esteem within their extremist groups.” - Dr Elizabeth Pearson

• “The far right has traditionally not had women in publicly visible roles… the cultural norms of the radical right are not conducive to women’s participation.” – Dr Elizabeth Pearson

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Written and presented by Marie Le Conte. Producer: Eliza Davis Beard. Audio production: Jade Bailey. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group editor: Andrew Harrison. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Artwork by James Parrett. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Sunak’s nightmare gets worse – Start Your Week with Ros Taylor and Alex Andreou

Mon, 11 Dec 2023 10:03:00 -0000

It’s Rishi Sunak’s nightmare week as he faces the COVID Inquiry and his own restive MPs over Rwanda. How will the testy PM deal with a real grilling? And it will only take 28 Tory rebels to sink the Rwanda legislation. How will he handle that? Plus, Farage paints coming last in I’m A Celebrity as a win, the cruelty of the family income rules on migration, and flawed leasehold legislation. Ros Taylor and Alex Andreou set out the week ahead.

• “Eat Out To Help Out is the most glaring example of the Government not following the science when claiming it did… They didn’t even ASK the science.”

• “Sunak is good at prep but he gets tetchy and petulant when he’s questioned.”

• “Labour doesn’t want to fight an election in migration. The Tory press want to move the debate there, and Labour is not taking the bait.”

https://www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Written and presented by Ros Taylor. Audio production by Robin Leeburn. Assistant producer: Eliza Davis Beard. Music: Kenny Dickinson. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Bunker USA: How Trump became a messiah for America’s “least understood” Christians — with Tim Alberta.

Fri, 08 Dec 2023 04:00:00 -0000

Donald Trump commands extreme support from evangelicals in America – despite seemingly lacking Christian values. How has this support developed and endured? Dr Seth Thévoz is joined by Tim Alberta, journalist and author of the book The Kingdom, the Power, and the Glory: American Evangelicals in an Age of Extremism, to discuss.

“There is a caricature of the evangelical, flag waving Trump republican which isn’t always accurate.” – Tim Alberta
“Evangelicals view Trump as the ultimate brawler. He can fight for them in ways that are not beholden to Christian virtues and heritage. It is a great irony.” – Tim Alberta

https://www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Written and Presented by Seth Thévoz. Assistant Producer: Adam Wright. Audio Production: Simon Williams. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Music: Kenny Dickinson. Artwork: James Parrett. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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How junk food giants are trying to take over the world – Alex Andreou asks Eduardo J. Gómez

Thu, 07 Dec 2023 04:00:00 -0000

Despite governments pushing to make people healthier, the junk food industry continues to thrive. How do the corporations in charge continue to thrive – and hold power the world over? Alex Andreou is joined in The Bunker by Eduardo J. Gómez, author of Junk Food Politics: How Beverage and Fast Food Industries Are Reshaping Emerging Economies, to find out.

• “Junk food is an image of wealth which is very appealing to the upper-middle income class; having access to something that is popular in the global West is seen as a social status symbol.” - Eduardo J. Gómez

• “These multinational corporations fear declining markets and sales in a lot of Western industrialised nations where more people are knowledgeable about how unhealthy these food products are.” – Eduardo J. Gómez

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Written and presented by Alex Andreou. Producer: Eliza Davis Beard. Audio production: Simon Williams. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group editor: Andrew Harrison. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Artwork by James Parrett. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Elon Musk could really bankrupt Twitter. Here's how – with Ryan Broderick.

Wed, 06 Dec 2023 04:00:00 -0000

Elon Musk’s calamitous time at Twitter, or X as he wants to call it, has wrecked the platform. But could he go as far as tanking the company entirely? Today in The Bunker, Chris Jones speaks with Ryan Broderick, tech journalist and writer of the Garbage Day substack, to find out if we could see the end of the site – and what impact its demise would have upon the Tesla chief’s other business ventures.

• "On X, you can see family friendly adverts beside some of the most hateful content you can imagine.” – Ryan Broderick

• “Purely right wing social media platforms just don’t work." – Ryan Broderick

• “Elon Musk has never found a rake he didn’t want to step on." – Ryan Broderick

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Written and Presented by Chris Jones. Producer: Liam Tait. Art by James Parrett. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production by Robin Leeburn. Group Editor Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Different Class: A proles' guide to the elite private schools that churn out our leaders – with Andrew Harrison and Robert Verkaik

Tue, 05 Dec 2023 04:00:00 -0000

Private schools have been responsible for educating a broad spread of political leaders. What’s going on in this weird world of elite education? To make sense of public schools and their staggering influence within the UK government and beyond, Andrew Harrison talks to Robert Verkaik, author of Posh Boys: How English Public Schools Ruin Britain, in The Bunker.

• “It’s bizarre when you think that one school can be as influential in the running of the government as Eton has.” – Robert Verkaik

• “These schools' sole purpose is to advance the life chances of children who are already incredibly privileged… which ultimately undermines our democracy.” – Robert Verkaik

Buy Posh Boys: How English Public Schools Ruin Britain through our affiliate bookshop and you’ll help fund The Bunker by earning us a small commission for every sale. Bookshop.org’s fees help support independent bookshops too.

www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Written and presented by Andrew Harrison. Producer: Eliza Davis Beard. Audio production: Alex Rees. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group editor: Andrew Harrison. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Artwork by James Parrett. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Boris Johnson’s question time — Start Your Week with Alex Andreou and Ros Taylor

Mon, 04 Dec 2023 09:46:00 -0000

All eyes will be on Boris Johnson as he faces the Covid Inquiry this week. What bombshells? Plus – Keir Starmer has made headlines over the weekend for his praise of Margaret Thatcher? What’s the Labour leader up to? We have the latest on the Government’s failing Rwanda plan – can Rishi Sunak ever escape the doomed policy? Finally we have the latest on the Israel Hamas conflict, are Israel’s allies losing patience with Netanyahu?

“Nothing Johnson says this week will change the public perception of Boris Johnson.” – Ros Taylor
“Going to war with a neighbouring country may not be the smartest thing to do during a pandemic.” – Alex Andreou
"Johnson does have a history of dismissing female-led inquiries.” – Ros Taylor

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How Brexiteers and Trump weaponised shame to corrupt our politics – Alex Andreou speaks to David Keen

Sun, 03 Dec 2023 04:00:00 -0000

We’ve all felt shame. But it’s more than an emotion – it’s also a political weapon. All manners of politicians, including recent figures like Trump and various Brexiteers, have utilised the feeling to pursue their ends. David Keen, the author of Shame: The Politics and Power of an Emotion, speaks to Alex Andreou to discuss the strength of shame and how it’s been used throughout history.

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Written and presented by Alex Andreou. Producer: Liam Tait. Audio production: Simon Williams. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group editor: Andrew Harrison. Music by Kenny Dickinson. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Bunker USA: The 5 key Donald Trump dramas you need to focus on

Sat, 02 Dec 2023 04:00:00 -0000

Donald Trump is never out of trouble. And it’s hard to keep up with his latest wrongdoing. Jacob Jarvis is joined by Andrew Rudalevige, Thomas Brackett Reed Professor of Government at Bowdoin College and a visiting professor at LSE, to go over the five key areas of drama you need to understand in the run up to 2024.

• “If Trump were convicted of all 90 of his current felonies, he'd’ be looking at something like 700 years in prison.”

• “Any private citizen not named Donald J. Trump would inevitably get convicted for espionage and obstruction of justice in the classified documents case”

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Written and presented by Jacob Jarvis. Producer: Eliza Davis Beard. Audio production: Simon Williams. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Music by Kenny Dickinson. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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‘Gun fights and mass graves’ – Inside South Africa’s deadly illegal gold mines

Fri, 01 Dec 2023 04:00:00 -0000

Gun battles, mass graves, and explosions – that’s not a description of a battlefield, but of an illegal gold mine in South Africa. Gold mining propped up the nation’s economy for over a century, and still today countries like the UK trade millions for its gold. But a huge price crash in the late 90s put tens of thousands of miners out of a job. Since then, a literal criminal underworld has risen, operated by illegal miners named the Zama-Zamas, who risk their lives everyday in abandoned mine shafts that could collapse any minute.

Kimon de Greef is a journalist who has investigated all this for The New Yorker. He joins Dipo Faloyin in the Bunker to explain what drives the Zama-Zamas and where their gold goes.

• “Up until the end of apartheid, Gold was the bedrock of South Africa’s economy.” – Kimon de Greef.

• “It’s like something out of the most dystopian science fiction, down there, but it’s real.” – Kimon de Greef.

• “Gold really explains a lot of South Africa’s social history.” – Kimon de Greef.

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Presented by Dipo Faloyin. Written and Produced by: Chris Jones. Audio production: Alex Rees. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Music by Kenny Dickinson. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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The AI world is in chaos. Is Sam Altman its hero or villain? – Dr. Kate Devlin explains

Thu, 30 Nov 2023 04:00:00 -0000

We’ve all heard of ChatGPT. But what is the recent drama surrounding the lesser-known parent company OpenAI and its fired-then-reinstated CEO Sam Altman? Chris Jones gets the 411 on the controversy with The Bunker’s resident AI expert Dr Kate Devlin.

•“We should be talking about the repercussions of our technology, and about how a small handful of people in a small part of America have huge amounts of global control.” – Dr Kate Devlin

• “My fear is that they are going to be more focused on developing the technology rather than the ethicality of AI and its consequences for humanity.” – Dr Kate Devlin

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Written and presented by Chris Jones. Producer: Eliza Davis Beard and Liam Tait. Audio production: Simon Williams. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Artwork by James Parrett. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Desperate Tradwives: How far-right women weaponise social media – with Marie Le Conte and Eviane Leidig

Wed, 29 Nov 2023 04:00:00 -0000

The far-right is often associated with angry white men — but their female counterparts might be even more dangerous.

Dr Eviane Leidig, a postdoctoral fellow at Tilburg University and author of The Women of the Far Right: Social Media Influencers and Online Radicalization. She joins Marie Le Conte in The Bunker, to discuss how these women weaponise social media to disseminate extremist ideologies.

Dr Eviane Leidig’s book: The Women of the Far Right: Social Media Influencers and Online Radicalization

“These women are normalising and legitimising extreme ideas to mainstream audiences; they are not on fringe platforms, they are very much out in the open.” – Eviane Leidig
“There is a moment in which all these women describe feeling deeply unhappy and depressed with their lives — they attribute this to feminism, and prescribe traditionalism as the antidote.” – Eviane Leidig

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Written and presented by Marie Le Conte. Producer: Eliza Davis Beard. Audio production: Jade Bailey. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Music by Kenny Dickinson. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Mini-budget explained: Was there anything good in Hunt’s autumn statement?

Tue, 28 Nov 2023 04:00:00 -0000

What should we actually pay attention to in Jeremy Hunt’s Autumn Statement, away from the points he wants to spin? To make sense of the mini-budget, Alex Andreou is joined in The Bunker by Jo Michell, professor of economics at the University of the West of England, to take a closer look at the chancellor’s proposals.

• "We shouldn’t treat taxes as a burden, but a responsibility.” – Jo Michell

• “Longer term forecasts are completely unpredictable." – Jo Michell

• “The government is against investment itself, just green investment." – Jo Michell

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Return of the cracks — Start Your Week with Ros Taylor and Hannah Fearn

Mon, 27 Nov 2023 09:39:00 -0000

The small period of post reshuffle harmony is over and Sunak’s party is back to doing what it does best: infighting. Could new Home Sec James Cleverly enrage backbenchers by moving away from the Rwanda plan? And Matt Hancock is back in the spotlight as he faces the Covid Inquiry. What can we expect from his testimony?

Plus, the latest on the Israeli/Hamas ceasefire. Could it be extended? And finally, King Charles is heading to Dubai for COP28. Will the environmentalist monarch speak his mind or toe his government’s line?

Ros Taylor is joined in The Bunker by Hannah Fearn to get you prepped for the week ahead.

“Migration is 3 times higher than before Brexit, and that’s nothing to do with small boats.” – Hannah Fearn
Reform UK is holding the door wide open for a Farage comeback." – Ros Taylor
"There’s no evidence that migration is a do or die issue for Conservative voters.” – Hannah Fearn

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Written and presented by Ros Taylor and Hannah Fearn. Producer: Liam Tait. Audio editor: Jade Bailey. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Power Elite: How Marvel movies explain 21st Century politics — with Andrew Harrison and Gavin Edwards

Sun, 26 Nov 2023 06:00:00 -0000

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The Marvel Cinematic Universe may be teetering in 2023 — but for two decades it’s been the dominant force in Hollywood. Andrew Harrison is joined by Gavin Edwards, co-author of MCU: The Reign of Marvel Studios, to discuss how its characters and storylines help to explain the chaos and drama of 21st Century politics. From Thanos’ economic failings to Captain America’s patriotism – enjoy a politics and comic book super-geek-out crossover.

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Written and presented by Andrew Harrison. Audio production: Alex Rees. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Music by Kenny Dickinson. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Bunker USA: How JFK's assassination sparked a new era of super-conspiracies

Sat, 25 Nov 2023 04:00:00 -0000

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President John F. Kennedy’s assassination remains a favourite topic for conspiracy theorists. How did the momentous event spark a new era in conspiratorial thinking? And what makes it persist 60 years on. Jacob Jarvis is joined by Tom Phillips, co-author of Conspiracy: A history of bollocks theories and how not to fall for them to discuss.

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Written and presented by Jacob Jarvis. Producer: Eliza Davis Beard. Audio production: Jade Bailey. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Artwork by James Parrett. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Xi’s not all that: Is China’s Belt and Road Project faltering? – Alex Andreou asks George Magnus

Fri, 24 Nov 2023 04:00:00 -0000

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It’s been ten years since China launched its colossal Belt and Road initiative, intended to usher in a new era of trade and economic growth. Has it achieved what it set out to? Or is progress starting to ebb? Alex Andreou is joined by George Magnus, an associate at the China Centre at Oxford University and author of Red Flags: Why Xi's China Is In Jeopardy, in The Bunker.

• “People thought that the Belt and Road was a very planned and thought out centralised project from Beijing - it’s really nothing of the sort.” - George Magnus

• “China sees the Belt and Road as fertile ground to get countries to align with its own governance priorities.” - George Magnus

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Written and presented by Alex Andreou. Producer: Eliza Davis Beard and Liam Tait. Audio production: Robin Leeburn. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Music by Kenny Dickinson. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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The politics of Doctor Who explained: From Nazi Daleks to lefty Time Lords and beyond

Thu, 23 Nov 2023 04:00:00 -0000

Doctor Who: bold individualist, woke mouthpiece for wet BBC liberalism, interfering Galactic colonialist, sidekick to the Military Industrial Complex… or all and none of the above? For the show’s 60th birthday we discuss the politics of Who. Were the Daleks always Nazis? What’s the most politically dodgy story? Why do the Doctor’s politics keeping changing? And what can we expect from Ncuti Gatwa, the first black actor* to play the Doctor in an ongoing role?

Our panel of dyed-in-the-scarf Time Lord experts: author and Who spin-off writer Jenny Colgan, the New Statesman and Paper Cuts regular Jonn Elledge, and Seth Thévoz of Oh God What Now?

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Written and presented by Andrew Harrison. Assistant producers Eliza Davis Beard, Chris Jones and Liam Tait. Art by James Parrett. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production by Jade Bailey. Group Editor Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

* Yes we know about Jo Martin. She was great, wasn’t she?

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Here we go again: Do political comebacks ever work out? – with Steve Richards

Wed, 22 Nov 2023 04:00:00 -0000

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David Cameron’s recent comeback baffled everyone – but just how strange is it? And how does it compare to the other PM’s actions after leaving Number 10? Rock and Roll Politics host Steve Richards and Seth Thevoz discuss the history of political comebacks – and whether these moves ever work out.

“To come back to the heart of politics so suddenly and unexpectedly, since retiring under the most humiliating of circumstances, is one of the many extraordinary elements to this saga.” – Steve Richards
“Prime Ministers are restless and angry with their successors.” – Steve Richards

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Written and presented by Seth Thévoz. Producer: Eliza Davis Beard and Chris Jones. Audio production: Jade Bailey. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Music by Kenny Dickinson. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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The Covid Inquiry so far: 7 key moments with Prof. Christina Pagel and Alex Andreou

Tue, 21 Nov 2023 04:00:00 -0000

The Covid-19 inquiry is nowhere near halfway through, but already we’ve learned a lot. But there’s been so much to learn about how our government worked (or didn’t) during the pandemic that it’s been a little hard to comprehend. So before we hear the likes of Patrick Valance give evidence Alex Andreou sat down in the Bunker with Prof. Christina Pagel, Professor of Operational Research at UCL, to explain 7 key moments that we’ve seen so far and why they’re so important to notice.

“How can we change the way that we do politics so we have serious people in charge?…I feel like we’ve not had that in years?” – Prof. Christina Pagel.
“We’re really good at collecting stuff – we’re really bad at acting on it.” – Prof. Christina Pagel.
“I find it incredible there were no safety precautions in number 10, and I find it incredible how little attention it’s had.” – Alex Andreou.
“If you talk to people on that frontline they were absolutely overwhelmed… and they’re still recovering.” – Prof. Christina Pagel.

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Presented by Alex Andreou. Produced by: Chris Jones. Audio production: Jade Bailey. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Music by Kenny Dickinson. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Careful With That Tax, Jeremy – Start Your Week with Alex Andreou

Mon, 20 Nov 2023 10:12:04 -0000

It’s Autumn Statement week and the Tory press are baying for tax cuts. Will they get their wish? Plus a possible hostage deal in Gaza, Argentina’s new president looks like a Vegas Wolverine and talks like Trump, Musk finds a new way to screw up TwitteX… and Doctor Who is back! Alex Andreou sets out the week ahead with Andrew Harrison.

Tell us what you think of The Bunker in our Listener Survey – five respondents will get the Bunker mug or t-shirt of their choice.

“Inflation is down which just means prices are going up less fast… when people come to do their Christmas food shop, they will notice.”
“Twitter is going about as well as a SpaceX launch”
“Our print media is out of control. They are partisan to the point of being fact-free and it cannot continue.”

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Written and presented by Group Editor Andrew Harrison. Audio production by Jade Bailey. Assistant producer: Eliza Davis Beard. Music: Kenny Dickinson. Managing Editor Jacob Jarvis. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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BUNKER GOLD: Street Life – Why Britain’s homeless need their stories told

Sun, 19 Nov 2023 16:00:00 -0000

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On this week's Bunker Gold, let us take you back to September 2020…

There’s an unseen epidemic of people dying while homeless, and journalist Maeve McClenaghan tells their stories in No Fixed Abode: Life and Death Among the UK's Forgotten Homeless. She tells Dorian Lynskey what she learned, how there was more to the 2010s explosion in rough sleeping than just austerity… and a radical solution to homelessness: give people places to live.

• “From attending the funerals of homeless people I discovered how loved these people were”

• “Dehumanisation drives the violence which homeless people experience”

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Presented by Dorian Lynskey. Produced by Andrew Harrison. Assistant producer Jacob Archbold. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production by Alex Rees. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Young Fellas: How Gen Z gangsters are changing the mafia – with Rafael Behr and Anna Sergi

Sun, 19 Nov 2023 04:00:00 -0000

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When we think of the mafia, we think of Tony Soprano and Don Corleone – men with gelled hair, tailored suits, cigars and machine guns. But today’s mobsters are increasingly young and social-media savvy. University of Essex criminology professor and author of Chasing the Mafia. 'Ndrangheta, Memories and Journeys Anna Sergi joins Rafael Behr in The Bunker to discuss the changing landscape of the Italian mafia.

• “They are constantly jeopardising secrecy. They are showing the criminal network." – Anna Sergi

• “Violence seems cool for the younger generations of the mafia. Showing the cult of violence on TikTok or Instagram gets attention. ” – Anna Sergi

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Written and presented by Rafael Behr. Producer: Eliza Davis Beard. Audio production: Jade Bailey. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Music by Kenny Dickinson. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Bunker USA: Living on a prayer – How false prophets are launching cults across America

Sat, 18 Nov 2023 04:00:00 -0000

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As religious fanatics surge to megachurches across the United States, how do those in charge garner such cult-like devotion? Inspiring total obedience from their followers, some have even made supporters abandon families to support their religious pursuits. How do these groups form, and what about the U.S culture makes them thrive?

Adam Morris, author of American Messiahs: False Prophets Of A Damned Nation, joins Dr Seth Thévoz in the Bunker.

American Messiahs Book Link

• “Messiah’s offer members salvation from the here and now, they see the established religions as offering no comfort.” – Adam Morris

• “These types of figures are uniquely amenable to the U.S, due to the societal structure, migrant population etc.” – Adam Morris

• “Obedience to the leader is important, but also an obedience to the movement is necessary in these quasi-communist communes.” – Adam Morris

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Written and presented by Seth Thévoz. Produced by: Adam Wright. Audio Editor: Simon Williams. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Judge dread: How Rishi Sunak will fight for his Rwanda vision – with Ros Taylor and Joelle Grogan

Fri, 17 Nov 2023 04:00:00 -0000

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The Supreme Court has shot down the government’s plan to send asylum seekers to Rwanda. But Rishi Sunak is determined to see his policy through, even if it means defying the European Court of Human Rights. So what next for the controversial plan? Ros Taylor is joined in The Bunker by legal academic and head of the research at UK in a Changing Europe, Joelle Grogan to look at the fallout of the court decision.

• “The supreme court found that Rwanda was unsafe for the policy, not that it was unlawful.” – Joelle Grogan

• "The law cannot claim something is safe when it is not factually safe.” – Joelle Grogan

• “A majority of Rwanda alternatives are also facing their own migration crisis.” – Joelle Grogan

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Written and presented by Ros Taylor. Producer: Liam Tait. Audio editor: Simon Williams. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Elon Mess: Is Politics wrecking Musk’s life? – Marie Le Conte asks Max Chafkin

Thu, 16 Nov 2023 04:00:00 -0000

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Things are bad for Elon Musk. From the slow motion car crash at Twitter to his mission to eradicate the woke mind virus. Where did it all go wrong for the Tesla CEO and how has his politics warped his view of the world? Marie Le Conte is joined in The Bunker by tech journalist for Bloomberg and co-host of Elon Inc. Max Chafkin to discuss the divisive politics of the world’s richest man.

“Elon Musk is a weird mix of Taylor Swift and Warren Buffet” – Max Chafkin
“The Twitter acquisition has been disastrous, not just from a financial standpoint but a personal disaster too.” – Max Chafkin
“If you had to come up with his formula for success, over-promising is a huge part of it.” – Max Chafkin

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Written and presented by Marie Le Conte. Producer: Liam Tait and Eliza Davis Beard. Audio editor: Robin Leeburn. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Crisis management: How financial meltdowns shaped the modern-day Labour Party

Wed, 15 Nov 2023 04:00:00 -0000

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Disasters shape the course of politics – and financial crises have heavily impacted Labour’s policies over time. A century ago, the Labour party had almost no economic experts within its ranks. Since then it has battled crises like the great depression of the 30s and more recently the economic crash of 2007. How has this changed the party? Dr. Christopher Kirkland is a lecturer in politics at York St. John University and the author of Labour’s Economic Ideology Since 1900 Developed Through Crises. He joins Alex Andreou in The Bunker.

• “Back to 1929-31…the Labour party only had one recognisable expert in terms of finance.” – Dr. Christopher Kirkland

• “What Attlee did and the Labour Party did is they offered something optimistic.” – Dr. Christopher Kirkland

• “Blair wanted to present something different - hence the term ‘New Labour’.” – Dr. Christopher Kirkland

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Written and presented by Alex Andreou. Producer: Chris Jones. Audio production: Alex Rees. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Music by Kenny Dickinson. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Brothers grim: Inside the Barclays’ weird world

Tue, 14 Nov 2023 04:00:00 -0000

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The Barclay brothers were one of the most influential pairings in political life in recent decades. Born into a normal family, the duo became powerful, broadsheet newspaper owning billionaires. Despite that, very little is actually known about them. Professor Jane Martinson is the Marjorie Deane Professor of Financial Journalism at City University of London and author of You May Never See Us Again: The Barclay Dynasty: A Story of Survival, Secrecy and Succession. She joins Andrew Harrison in The Bunker.

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• “Although they owned loads of newspapers, no one really knew anything about them.” – Jane Martinson

• “They should have been one of Britain's greatest success stories… but it has not ended that way.” – Jane Martinson

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Written and presented by Group Editor Andrew Harrison. Producer: Chris Jones. Audio production: Alex Rees. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Music by Kenny Dickinson. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Braver-gone at last! Start Your Week — Emergency edition

Mon, 13 Nov 2023 10:24:00 -0000

It’s finally happened – Suella Braverman has been fired. In a speedy extra recording, Ros Taylor gives Jacob Jarvis her thoughts on the latest news. Then in our usual programming Ros and Alex Andreou discuss the other stories to look out for this week. There is the latest on the Israel-Hamas conflict – the US has told Israel to stop targeting hospitals but will Netanyahu heed the warning? And Joe Biden will be meeting with Xi Jingping for the first time in over a year. Can the two leaders restore the fractured relationship between the superpowers?

“Nobody on Sunak’s side wanted Braverman to resign on her own terms.” – Ros Taylor
"There's a huge difference between a few bad apples in a huge protest and a group that shows up purely to cause trouble.” – Alex Andreou

Tell us what you think of The Bunker in our Listener Survey – five respondents will get the Bunker mug or t-shirt of their choice.

Why? - the brand new podcast taking you to the edge of knowledge. Available on all good podcast players or visit whypodcast.co.uk

Support us on Patreon: www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Written and presented by Alex Andreou with Jacob Jarvis and Ros Taylor. Producer: Liam Tait. Audio editor: Jade Bailey. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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BUNKER GOLD - How filthy is Britain's air?

Sun, 12 Nov 2023 16:00:00 -0000

This week's Bunker Gold arrives out of the smog, from 2022...

Dirty air filing homes across the UK is leading to an increase in asthma and lower life expectancy. But just how filthy is it? And are we doing anything meaningful about it? Ros Taylor talks to David Green, senior research fellow in the aerosol science team at Imperial College London.

“Scientists have found particles from polluted air in unborn babies.”

“Some of the highest levels of pollution are experienced in cars.”

“Government anti-pollution measures benefit the public purse in the long term because we spend less on things like childhood development.”

“Outside of London, industrial hubs contribute a huge level of air pollution – Port Talbot’s factories make it the most polluted place in the UK.”

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Written and presented by Ros Taylor. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Producers: Jacob Archbold, Jelena Sofronijevic and Alex Rees. Assistant Producer: Kasia Tomasiewicz. Audio production by Jade Bailey. Music: Kenny Dickinson. Group editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Bunker Panel: Love on the political spectrum – Could you date them if you hate them?

Sun, 12 Nov 2023 04:00:00 -0000

On our latest panel edition: The COVID inquiry exposed an undeniably toxic culture of pseudo machismo underpinning Downing Street – how did it come to this? Plus, we discuss the politicisation of online dating, and whether our political leanings are the new measure of “hot or not”.

Joining Podmasters’ own Batman and Robin Andrew Harrison and Jacob Jarvis are Oh God, What Now? regular Marie Le Conte and Why? presenter Dr. Anna Machin for a double date in The Bunker.

“If you can get to the top of the food chain by being revolting, great! Just be sure you trust the people around you.” – Dr. Anna Machin
“I've ended up dating a card carrying Tory. Not just a voter.” – Marie Le Conte

Why? – the brand new podcast taking you to the edge of knowledge. Available on all good podcast players – visit whypodcast.co.uk to find it

Tell us what you think of The Bunker in our Listener Survey https://www.patreon.com/posts/help-us-make-our-92573016 – five respondents will get the Bunker mug or t-shirt of their choice.

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Presented by Jacob Jarvis with Andrew Harrison, Marie Le Conte and Anna Machin. Producers: Eliza Davis Beard and Liam Tait. Audio production: Simon Williams. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters production.

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Bunker USA: Red, white and screwed – Was American politics doomed from the start?

Sat, 11 Nov 2023 04:00:00 -0000

American politics is in chaos – but in many respects the US was born that way. Throughout the late 1700s the federalist party constantly fought with the anti-federalists over their opposing desires for the future. But is partisan politics really a problem? Or is it a necessity for a democratic system to function? Seth Thevoz is joined by bestselling historian and Pulitzer Prize finalist H.W. Brands – whose new book: Founding Partisans: Hamilton, Madison, Jefferson, Adams and the Brawling Birth of American Politics explores exactly that.

“Partisanship seems to be inevitable in a democratic system of competitive politics.” – H.W. Brands
“There are lots of people on the conservative right who think the current government is out of control.” – H.W. Brands
“If partisanship ever disappears, that's going to be a system of something much worse.” – H.W. Brands.

Tell us what you think of The Bunker in our Listener Survey: https://www.patreon.com/posts/help-us-make-our-92573016 – five respondents will get the Bunker mug or t-shirt of their choice.

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Written and presented by Seth Thevoz. Producer: Chris Jones. Audio production: Jade Bailey. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Music by Kenny Dickinson. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Putin's Puppets: Who are the mercenaries replacing Russia's Wagner Group?

Fri, 10 Nov 2023 04:00:00 -0000

Russia’s use of private military companies (PMCs) is no secret, despite Vladimir Putin’s best efforts. Wagner is the most infamous but after Yevgeny Prighozin’s downfall, another has taken its place – Redut PMC. Where does its loyalties lie? How powerful is it? And who’s in charge? Dr Marina Miron is a post-doctoral researcher at the War Studies Department at King's College London. She joins Laura Makin-Isherwood in The Bunker.

“Now that Wagner is out of the picture, it seems like Redut is taking its place.” – Dr. Marina Miron
“I don’t think there is a lot of resistance to PMCs in Russia, especially in the public sphere.” – Dr. Marina Miron
“Redut started recruiting from prisons, only when Wagner finished.” – Dr. Marina Miron

Listen to our brand new science podcast WHY? – taking you on adventures to the edge of knowledge – at whypodcast.co.uk

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Written and presented by Laura Makin-Isherwood. Producers: Chris Jones and Eliza David Beard. Audio production: Jade Bailey. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Music by Kenny Dickinson. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Kicking and streaming: Can Spotify survive?

Thu, 09 Nov 2023 04:00:00 -0000

Spotify dominates the music industry – but artists struggle to profit from the platform. What if that power balance shifts? Although the streaming platform is on track to reach one billion users by 2027. Can the streamer perfect the mix of corporate profits, customer satisfaction and pay musicians more than a fraction of a penny per play?

Andrew Harrison is joined in The Bunker by music business and tech journalist Dr. Eamonn Forde to discuss Spotify's uncertain future.

“Spotify was created to compete with illegal music services like Napster.” – Dr. Eamonn Forde
“Apple was slow to streaming, Steve Jobs always felt that it was a ridiculous idea to ‘rent’ music” – Dr. Eamonn Forde
“The CD market had a phenomenal growth curve that was completely unsustainable.” – Dr. Eamonn Forde

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Social dynamics: The BBC's Ros Atkins on the evolution of news and the battle for clarity

Wed, 08 Nov 2023 05:00:00 -0000

The BBC’s Ros Atkins regularly goes viral for his news explainers. In our latest episode, he joins Ros Taylor to discuss the art of communication in a changing media environment. Whether you’re talking about a complex political issue, or an email to your boss, it’s vital to be able to communicate effectively and clearly. Where do we begin, are there systems to use in constructing our explanations and what makes an explanation effective? Atkins reveals all in his new book The Art of Explanation.

"Two things I ask when building a video: what's essential and what’s interesting?” – Ros Atkins
"You just can’t do quality analysis without proper understanding of the whole story.” – Ros Atkins

Art of Explanation by Ros Atkins:

https://geni.us/TAOEBOOK

Written and presented by Ros Taylor. Audio production: Alex Rees. Production: Liam Tait and Adam Wright. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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How to solve Israel/Gaza – with Middle East analyst Jason Pack

Tue, 07 Nov 2023 04:00:00 -0000

The Israel-Hamas War is the latest horrific episode in what seems like an intractable political-religious conflict. But could there be a political way out of these generational hatreds? Middle East Analyst and member of the NATO Defence College Foundation Jason Pack believes there IS a solution – and it could come from the most unexpected source. He explains a possible post-war future for Gaza to Andrew Harrison.

Why?, the brand new podcast taking you to the edge of knowledge. Available on all good podcast players. Visit whypodcast.co.uk to find it

Listen to Jason Pack on the Disorder podcast: https://linktr.ee/disorderpod

Read more on this topic in The Road to Middle East Peace Runs Through Doha – Jason Pack on foreignpolicy.com

• “Netanyahu has committed himself to eradicating Hamas, but Hamas is an ideology, more than a group.” – Jason Pack

• “Hamas created Netanyahu as much as he was created by Hamas.” – Jason Pack

• “The key to long term peace is a coalition of Arab States… The Qataris are the lynchpin.” – Jason Pack

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Presented by Group Editor Andrew Harrison. Assistant producers Eliza Davis Beard, Chris Jones and Liam Tait. Art by James Parrett. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production by Robin Leeburn. Group Editor Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Laws and disorder — Start your week with Alex Andreou and Jacob Jarvis

Mon, 06 Nov 2023 09:50:00 -0000

With the final King’s Speech before the election due, is there any point to Sunak’s plans anymore? What can we expect from the government’s agenda – and can any of its goals even be achieved? Plus the latest on the Israel-Hamas conflict – will growing calls for a ceasefire or pause be heeded? Finally, Trump is expected to testify in one of his many court cases, what should we expect?

Jacob Jarvis is joined in The Bunker by Alex Andreou to get you prepped for the week ahead.

‘“The Conservatives are a party that has given up on governing.” – Alex Andreou
“We know we’ve run out of spaces in prisons, so harsher sentences are pointless.” – Alex Andreou
“The environmentalist King Charles reading out a regressive fossil fuel policy will be fascinating to watch.” – Alex Andreou

Support us on Patreon:

www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Why? - the brand new podcast taking you to the edge of knowledge. Available on all good podcast players - visit whypodcast.co.uk to find it

Written and presented by Jacob Jarvis and Alex Andreou. Producer: Liam Tait. Audio editor: Jade Bailey. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Bunker Gold: The cult of Guy Fawkes

Sun, 05 Nov 2023 16:00:00 -0000

On this Bonfire night special Bunker Gold, let us take you back to November 2020…

Was Guy Fawkes really “the last honest man to enter Parliament”, as we keep hearing on Twitter? Or a fore-runner of today’s religiously radicalised terrorists? Why is a villain of the Gunpowder Plot acclaimed as a hero by some in 2020? Nick Holland, author of The Real Guy Fawkes, tells Jude Rogers why Guy Fawkes persists as a symbol… and what we misunderstand about a man who almost murdered thousands in a 17th century atrocity.

“Guy Fawkes is a complicated figure – so both political sides can claim him.”
“It’s estimated he’d gathered enough gunpowder to destroy Parliament 25 times over.”

Presented by Jude Rogers. Produced by Andrew Harrison. Assistant producer Jacob Archbold. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production by Alex Rees. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Suit you, Sir!: Should we care how politicians dress? – Marie Le Conte asks Derek Guy

Sun, 05 Nov 2023 04:00:00 -0000

From Obama’s tan suit to the Emperor’s new clothes – we’ve always been fascinated by politicians’ wardrobes. But should we care at all what they wear? Marie Le Conte is joined by fashion writer and political commentator, Derek Guy aka "The Menswear Guy" on Twitter to find out.

"I don’t like the respectability politics of clothing. Your character isn’t determined by how you dress.” – Derek Guy
"I would agree. I’m a bit of a snob.” – Derek Guy
“You don’t know if somebody earnestly loves something or if they’re being paid by a brand." – Derek Guy

Support us on Patreon:

www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Written and presented by Marie Le Conte. Producer: Liam Tait. Audio editor: Jade Bailey. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Bunker USA: Make America hate again - How extremists turned patriotism into violence

Sat, 04 Nov 2023 04:00:00 -0000

The notion of American patriotism has become increasingly controversial — and linked to violence. With no clear-cut definition of patriotism, the notion has been co-opted by far-right extremist groups such as the Proud Boys and Oathkeepers. Sam Jackson is the author of Oath Keepers: Patriotism and the Edge of Violence in a Right-Wing Anti Government Group, he joins Chris Jones in The Bunker to discuss how the concept has been warped.

Book link: http://cup.columbia.edu/book/oath-keepers/9780231193450

“Patriotism is used as a political weapon”.
“There’s no clear and thick analytical definition of patriotism - it’s more a form of strategic communication or persuasion”.
“I don’t see any reason that we should be confident that another January 6th insurrection couldn’t happen again”.

Support us on Patreon:

www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Written and presented by Chris Jones. Producer: Eliza Davis Beard. Audio producer: Jade Bailey. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Music by Kenny Dickinson. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Stuck in the Middle East with You: What does Iran want?

Fri, 03 Nov 2023 04:00:00 -0000

Questions over Iran’s involvement in the Israel-Hamas conflict have run rampant since the terrorist attacks of October. How would the nation benefit from chaos in the Middle East and what would it take for Iran to join the war? Today in The Bunker, Alex Andreou sits down with Dr Sanam Vakil, director of the Middle East and North Africa Programme at Chatham House, to ask: what does Iran want?

“Iran is not a natural partner with Hamas, they have significant religious differences.” – Dr Sanam Vakil
“There is a concern that escalation can come not because of choice but because of mistakes." – Dr Sanam Vakil
“Iran is exploiting deep divisions between the global north and south over this war.” – Dr Sanam Vakil

www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Written and presented by Alex Andreou. Producers: Liam Tait and Eliza Davis Beard. Audio editor: Simon Williams. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Digital watch: How tech giants exploit archaic laws to dominate the world

Thu, 02 Nov 2023 04:00:00 -0000

Are tech giants out of control? Our media landscape is dominated by tech titans with unlimited resources and little to no oversight. Does anyone have a plan to deal with this lack of regulation? Ros Taylor sits down with, senior research fellow at the Harvard Kennedy School and author of Techlash, Tom Wheeler to discuss his vision of digital governance.

“Certain men of wealth can do as they please." – Tom Wheeler
“We need a new federal agency that is created to deal with the realities of modern tech.” – Tom Wheeler
“The internet is the largest ungoverned space in the world.” – Tom Wheeler

https://www.brookings.edu/books/techlash/

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Locked Out: Is there any way to solve our prison crisis? – Ros Taylor talks to Danny Shaw

Wed, 01 Nov 2023 04:00:00 -0000

Prisons across England and Wales are at breaking point. If the system does not change, experts say the number of people living in squalor in overcrowded facilities will only increase. What are the government’s plans to change the system? And can it be fixed? Danny Shaw is a crime, justice and policing commentator and ex-BBC Home Affairs Correspondent. He joins Ros Taylor in The Bunker.

“What’s really bad is that the entire criminal justice system feels broken.” – Danny Shaw

“I think both Labour and the Conservatives have had an arms race to be tough on criminal justice.” – Danny Shaw

“There isn’t just a shortage of capacity, there just aren’t enough prison officers.” – Danny Shaw

www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Written and presented by Ros Taylor. Producer: Chris Jones. Audio production:Alex Rees. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Music by Kenny Dickinson. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Pardon my French: Could Marine Le Pen become the next president of France?

Tue, 31 Oct 2023 04:00:00 -0000

The far-right could seize power in the next French presidential election. Marine Le Pen has been flying the flag for the anti-immigration Nation Rally Party ever since her father Jean-Marie Le Pen stepped down in 2011. Despite multiple failed attempts at election, her popularity has been increasing in the polls - and it looks like 2027 could be her year. So what’s behind her success and what would France under Le Pen’s presidency look like? Paul Smith is an Associate Professor in French History and Politics at Nottingham University, he joins Chris Jones in The Bunker.

“Le Pen wants to be a disruptive Trump-like figure for the EU.” – Paul Smith
“Le Pen doesn’t care about a Frexit. Brexit has taught everyone in Europe that they shouldn’t leave the EU.” – Paul Smith

www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Written and presented by Chris Jones. Producer: Liam Tait. Audio production: Alex Rees. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Music by Kenny Dickinson. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Information Blackout — Start Your Week with Gavin Esler and Ros Taylor

Mon, 30 Oct 2023 09:24:00 -0000

After a weekend of communication blackouts, circumstances grow more dire for Palestinians. With little hope of a ceasefire, how will the Israel Hamas conflict develop this week? Meanwhile, the UK is hosting a summit on the danger of A.I. but is it too little too late? Plus the latest on the US presidential race — and Dominic Cummings faces a grilling from the Covid Inquiry.

Ros Taylor is joined in The Bunker by Gavin Esler to get you prepped for the week ahead.

“This war has already been going on for years.” – Gavin Esler
“We can’t spot shallow fakes, nevermind deep fakes.” – Gavin Esler

Support us on Patreon:

www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Written and presented by Ros Taylor and Gavin Esler. Producer: Liam Tait. Audio editor: Jade Bailey. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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BUNKER GOLD – Lisa Nandy on the change Britain needs

Sun, 29 Oct 2023 16:00:00 -0000

On this week's Bunker Gold, a classic interview from 2022...

Lisa Nandy talks to Dorian Lynskey about the people and places left behind in modern Britain – and how to empower them. The shadow secretary of state for communities and local government discusses the communities that give her hope, the missteps of recent Governments and what shifts she’d like to see – as outlined in her new book All In: How We Build a Country That Works.

“Everywhere you go there is this feeling that everything is falling apart.”

“People know that this country could be better… they’re very angry that for a long time they’ve been saying things haven’t been working.”

“People need hope. There’s got to be hope on the horizon.”

“Change is inevitable. People won’t put up with the system anymore.”

https://www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Presented by Dorian Lynskey. Producers: Jet Gerbertson and Alex Rees . Assistant producer Kasia Tomasiewicz. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production by Robin Leeburn. Lead producer: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. The Bunker is a Podmasters production.

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Back in Black: The Politics of Goth with John Robb

Sun, 29 Oct 2023 04:00:00 -0000

Despite all odds, Goths have continued to thrive and evolve from Siouxsie and the Banshees to Wednesday Adams. But what political and social conditions created the Goth movement? And how has the extravagant subculture survived all this time? Frontman of The Membranes and author of The Art of Darkness, John Robb, joins Alex Andreou in our extra spooky early Halloween edition of The Bunker.

“You can't create a culture darker than the way the people in power run it already.” – John Robb
“Goths read books. The punk period in the late 70s nobody read books!” – John Robb
“Goth was influenced by a lot of black music: disco, dub, funk is all there in goth rock.” – John Robb

BOOK LINK

https://manchesteruniversitypress.co.uk/9781526173201/

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BUNKER USA: Is a United States-China confrontation inevitable?

Sat, 28 Oct 2023 03:00:00 -0000

Chinese President Xi Jinping says the future destiny of mankind relies on how well the US and China get along. But with growing tensions rising around Taiwan and military exercises becoming more frequent in the Indo-Pacific, is war just on the horizon? Oriana Skylar Mastro is a Center Fellow of the Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies, Stanford University And the author of “Upstart: How China Became a Great Power.” She joins Chris Jones in The Bunker.

https://global.oup.com/academic/product/upstart-9780197695067?cc=us&lang=en&

“Beijing is unhappy with the status quo and America wants things to stay exactly the same now, forever.” – Oriana Skylar Mastro.
“Beijing likes to do dangerous things, to rock the boat.” – Oriana Skylar Mastro
“I think the military power the US needs to avoid war is so awesome that we might not be able to achieve it.” – Oriana Skylar Mastro.

Support us on Patreon:

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Written, presented and produced by Chris Jones. Audio production: Jade Bailey. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Music by Kenny Dickinson. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Attack the Bloc: Can the EU survive in a fearsome future?

Fri, 27 Oct 2023 03:00:00 -0000

Since its conception in 1993, the European Union has faced multiple political attacks and crises. But it has prevailed through it all… so far. With a convergence to right-wing populism happening around the world, can its fight to uphold democracy continue? Dermot Hodson is the author of Circle of Stars: A History of the EU and the People Who Made It and a Professor of Political Economy and Digital Technologies at Loughborough University London. He joins Alex Andreou in The Bunker to discuss how the EU endures, and of course, Brexit.

“As soon as the Maastricht Treaty was signed, it was clear something was different.” – Dermot Hodson.
“With every crisis we’re told it’s about to collapse.” – Dermot Hodson.
“If we look at Donald Tusk’s elections it’s a minor miracle… because by many standards that was not a free and fair election.” – Dermot Hodson

Support us on Patreon:

www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Written and presented by Alex Andreou. Producer: Chris Jones. Audio production: Alex Rees and Jade Bailey. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Music by Kenny Dickinson. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Modern Lawfare: How Oligarchs use courts to silence their enemies

Thu, 26 Oct 2023 03:00:00 -0000

Russian Oligarchs routinely use a process in English courts to silence their critics. It’s called Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation or SLAPPs for short. David Hooper is a veteran lawyer and author of Buying Silence How oligarchs, corporations and plutocrats use the law to gag their critics. He’s no stranger to this expensive process and says it makes it too easy for billionaires to launder their reputation. He joins Ros Taylor in The Bunker.

https://www.bitebackpublishing.com/books/buying-silence

“The courts seem to take the view that it’s not their fault they’re oligarchs.” – David Hooper.
“The whole court process is pretty scandalous, it needs resetting.” – David Hooper.
“Once the roubles were put on the table, people were perfectly happy to act for Prigozhin.” – David Hooper.

Support us on Patreon:

www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Written and presented by Ros Taylor. Producer: Chris Jones. Audio production: Robin Leeburn. Assistant Producer: Adam Wright. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Music by Kenny Dickinson. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Jeff Off: Are Bezos and Amazon unstoppable? – Ros Taylor finds out

Wed, 25 Oct 2023 03:00:00 -0000

Amazon is so dominant that the US government wants to break it up. Jeff Bezos’s empire has been described as an e-commerce monopoly – that harms consumers, sellers and the retail landscape. Senior lecturer at Lancaster University, Dr. Renaud Foucart, joins Ros Taylor in The Bunker to find out how a US court decision could impact online shopping around the world.

“You cannot open a small business and compete with Amazon. You would need billions to even consider it.” – Dr. Renaud Foucart
“There is an agreement across the US political spectrum that they need to deal with big tech monopolies.” – Dr. Renaud Foucart
“Arguably, Amazon is the thing that saved the unique traditional bookshop.” – Dr. Renaud Foucart

www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Written and presented by Ros Taylor. Producer: Liam Tait. Audio editor: Robin Leeburn. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Semi-detached? Will Labour’s housing policy stand up? – with Hannah Fearn and Harry Scoffin

Tue, 24 Oct 2023 03:00:00 -0000

The UK’s housing crisis will be a pivotal issue at the next election. Labour Party politicians have laid out their plans to solve it – but can they be trusted to deliver? And what makes their policies different to the current government? Harry Scoffin is a prominent campaigner on housing and the co-founder of Commonhold Now. He joins Hannah Fearn in the Bunker.

“Housebuilders are not necessarily going to get us to the promised land and if they do – it’ll come at a price.” – Harry Scoffin
“If Labour gets into power and they want to do something with the greenbelt they need to act on it straight away.” – Harry Scoffin

www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Written and presented by Hannah Fearn. Producer: Chris Jones. Audio production: Simon Williams. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Music by Kenny Dickinson. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Wake-up calls — Start Your Week with Alex Andreou and Jacob Jarvis

Mon, 23 Oct 2023 10:24:00 -0000

Rishi Sunak has had prank calls and wake-up calls in recent days. How will he try to turn things around in the coming days? And just how badly are the Tories reacting to the by-election results? It’s a year into the PM’s tenure, could it be much worse? Plus, we look at the latest from Israel and Gaza, and concerns of wider conflict in the Middle East.

Support us on Patreon:

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Written and presented by Jacob Jarvis with Alex Andreou. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production: Jade Bailey. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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BUNKER GOLD - British Fail: How To Fix Our Broken Rail System

Sun, 22 Oct 2023 15:00:00 -0000

In this week’s Bunker Gold, let us take you back to August 2022…

With workers on strike and services cancelled, why are Britain’s railways such a mess? And how can they be fixed? Tom Haines-Doran, research fellow at Leeds University and author of Derailed: How to Fix Britain’s Broken Railways, joins Ros Taylor to discuss the problems with the UK’s train system, and what needs to happen for our railways to get back on track.

• “Once a new Prime Minister is in place we could see a lot more strike action take place.”

• “The Government has deliberately shifted the cost of running the railways onto passengers.”

• “It’s extraordinary the Government would put up prices 13% after a year of turmoil on the railways.”

• “Railway workers really do have some power.”

https://www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Written and presented by Ros Taylor. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Producers: Jacob Archbold and Jelena Sofronijevic. Assistant producer: Kasia Tomasiewicz. Audio production by Robin Leeburn. Music: Kenny Dickinson. Group editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production. Additional sound effects from www.zapsplat.com and AlienXXX via Freesound.org

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Shock horror: How fear has shaped the course of history – Alex Andreou speaks to Robert Peckham

Sun, 22 Oct 2023 03:00:00 -0000

From the Romans to 9/11, fear has been used to influence our political landscape. But, what makes fear so potent and how does it continue to shape the world? Alex Andreou speaks to Robert Peckham, author of Fear: An Alternative History of the World, to find out if we can ever move beyond horror politics.

“Fear has been weaponized throughout history since records began.” – Robert Peckham
“Fear can be used motivationally and can quickly turn into stigmatising politics.” – Robert Peckham
“Liberalism became fearful. Instead of espousing a positive future, it turned defensive.” – Robert Peckham

BOOK LINK

https://profilebooks.com/work/fear/

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Bunker USA: Biden doubles down for Israel - Julie Norman on what that means

Sat, 21 Oct 2023 03:00:00 -0000

President Joe Biden’s visit to Israel was a clear indication of US support for Netanyahu's war with Hamas – but he also signalled a need for caution in the region. With the possibility of a second Trump presidency on the horizon, is the US’s hands-on approach to the Middle East sustainable? Associate professor of politics and international relations at UCL, Dr. Julie Norman, joins Chris Jones in The Bunker to look at Biden’s visit and the future of conflict in the middle east.

“The Israel Palestine is the epicentre for regional conflicts in the Middle East.” – Dr. Julie Norman
“As a statesman, Trump is seen as unpredictable and that’s difficult in times of crisis.” – Dr. Julie Norman
“This conflict has reaffirmed the need for stable global leadership.” – Dr. Julie Norman

www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Written and presented by Chris Jones. Producer: Liam Tait. Audio editor: Simon Williams. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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From Russia with lies – How Moscow rewrote the rules of propaganda

Fri, 20 Oct 2023 03:00:00 -0000

Russian propaganda has evolved since the invasion of Ukraine. Dr. Ian Garner, historian and author of Z Generation: Into the heart of Russia's fascist youth, joins Andrew Harrison in The Bunker to discuss Putin’s propaganda, how it has changed and why it works so well.

“They are the pioneers of multiplatform large scale disinformation.” – Ian Garner
“That metaphor of ‘firehose of falsehoods’ doesn’t quite explain the scale of what Russia is doing.” – Ian Garner

Support us on Patreon:

www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Written and presented by Andrew Harrison. Producers: Alex Rees and Liam Tait. Production Assistant: Adam Wright. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Cashing in: How dark money distorts our democracy – with Peter Geoghegan

Thu, 19 Oct 2023 03:00:00 -0000

Money talks – and that’s particularly true in politics. Will we ever know where the cash that influences our politicians comes from? Seth Thévoz speaks to Peter Geoghegan, writer of the popular substack Democracy for Sale, about the shadowy organisations and flows of cash that influence our political institutions in The Bunker.

“The Tufton Street crowd is very influenced by what’s happening in the states.” – Peter Geoghegan
“Labour promises to crack down on dark money have been watered down time and again.” – Peter Geoghegan

Check out Peter's Substack here:

https://democracyforsale.substack.com

Support us on Patreon:

www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Written and presented by Seth Thévoz. Producer: Liam Tait. Audio editor: Jade Bailey. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Self reservations: The problem with identity politics – Ros Taylor talks to Yascha Mounk

Wed, 18 Oct 2023 03:00:00 -0000

How important is your identity to your political beliefs? Yascha Mounk, the author of The Identity Trap argues that over the past decades, a healthy appreciation for the culture has transformed into an obsession. He joins Ros Taylor in the Bunker to explain why he thinks we need to move beyond individuality for the collective good.

“I don’t think woke is a useful term.” - Yascha Mounk
“There's a set of new ideas that are largely untested, but have taken on tremendous power very quickly,” - Yascha Mounk
“There have been some very prominent stories of people paying high and unfair prices for speaking their mind.” - Yascha Mounk

BOOK LINK

https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/456408/the-identity-trap-by-mounk-yascha/9780241638293

Support us on Patreon:

www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Written and presented by Ros Taylor. Producer: Liam Tait. Assistant Producer: Adam Wright Audio editor: Simon Williams. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Help yourselves: What can we learn from Cameron’s ‘big society’ failure?

Tue, 17 Oct 2023 03:00:00 -0000

David Cameron pushed his “big society” plan during his time as prime minister – but it didn’t work very well. Was it always doomed to fail? Seth Thevoz speaks to Peter John, head of the School of Politics and Economics at King’s College London, about the history and legacy of this policy position – as well as the lessons we can learn from it.

“The big society didn’t seem to stack up with wider policy changes.”
“The critics were out really from the start.”
“It proved to be embarrassing, and became a target of satire. It was easily targeted and ridiculed.”

www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Written and presented by Seth Thévoz. Audio editor: Alex Rees. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Gaza invasion looms — Start Your Week with Gavin Esler and Ros Taylor

Mon, 16 Oct 2023 08:27:00 -0000

An Israeli ground invasion of Gaza appears imminent – what will this look like? Half a million Palestinians have already evacuated southern Gaza but their routes of escape remain unclear. How has the British government responded to the escalating conflict? Plus, what do the results of Poland’s election mean for the war in Ukraine? And finally, the Conservatives face a fight over Narine Dorries’s old seat in this week’s byelection. Can they hold on to it?

Ros Taylor is joined in The Bunker by Gavin Esler to get you prepped for the week ahead.

“There’s hardly a cigarette paper between David Lammy and James Cleverley’s response to Israel.” – Ros Taylor
“The attacks on the BBC are nothing more than the politics of distraction.” – Gavin Esler
“Britain has cut its military back to levels not seen since 1715. We’re basically the mouse that roared.“ – Gavin Esler

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BUNKER GOLD: No kidding – Why we can’t afford to have children

Sun, 15 Oct 2023 15:00:00 -0000

In this week’s Bunker Gold, let us take you back to December 2022…

Is the cost of having children making parenthood feel impossible? With childcare through the roof, insecure housing and the cost of living crisis starting to bite, it’s an anxious time for parents. Joeli Brearley, founder of Pregnant Then Screwed, joins Ros Taylor to highlight how the poor provision for parents harms us all.

“Ironically I was sacked from a children's charity for wanting a baby.”
“Every ten minutes a woman is pushed out of their job.”
“We have created a system where dads aren’t allowed to be more active in the family.”
“Children aren’t a lifestyle choice, we are literally reproducing the labour market.”

Support us on Patreon:

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Presented by Ros Taylor. Producers: Jet Gerbertson and Alex Rees. Assistant Producer: Kasia Tomasiewicz. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production: Robin Leeburn. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Toe the Wine: The political history of Booze

Sun, 15 Oct 2023 03:00:00 -0000

How has drinking shaped the history of the UK? From temperance to licensing Britain’s relationship with hooch has defined our public debates. Senior lecturer in public health from the University of Stirling, Dr. James Nicholls joins Seth Thévoz in The Bunker to discuss our complex history with the hard stuff.

“Social climbing happens in places where people drink.” – Dr. James Nicholls
"Throughout our history women's drinking has always been condemned." – Dr. James Nicholls
“The mortal panic over Gin in the 18th century was entirely justified.” – Dr. James Nicholls

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Written and presented by Seth Thévoz. Producers: Alex Rees and Liam Tait. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Bunker USA: What Matt Gaetz and the chaos caucus want

Sat, 14 Oct 2023 03:00:00 -0000

On the very far-right of the GOP is a small but very disruptive group called the House Freedom Caucus. What does it stand for and how much power does it actually wield?Matt Gaetz, Marjorie Taylor Greene and Jim Jordan are all high profile members – what do they want? Thomas Gift is founding director of the Centre on US Politics at University College London. He joins Andrew Harrison in The Bunker.

“They don’t have a real coherent set of ideas.”
“Many of these individuals just like being on camera.”
“There are elements of the far-right that have gone far beyond Trumpism.”

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Written and presented by Group Editor Andrew Harrison. Producer: Chris Jones. Audio production: Simon Williams. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Music by Kenny Dickinson.. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Bunker Global: Unpacking Germany’s shocking right-wing surge – with FT’s Guy Chazan

Fri, 13 Oct 2023 03:00:00 -0000

Germany’s far-right is on the rise. Alternative for Germany outperformed all expectations in this week's state elections, increasing their share of the vote across the country. To understand the AfD’s spike in popularity, Ros Taylor speaks to FT's chief Germany correspondent Guy Chazan.

“AfD was considered a regional party. This election changed that perception.” – Guy Chazan
“It might already be too late to create a party that is a real rival to the AfD” – Guy Chazan
“They oppose almost everything that the current government is doing.” – Guy Chazan

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Cash and grab: Are central banks to blame for all our financial mess? – Alex Andreou finds out

Thu, 12 Oct 2023 03:00:00 -0000

Have central banks ever recovered from the global financial crisis? Alex Andreou sits down with Uuriintuya Batsaikhan, economist for Positive Money Europe, to find out if banks really are to blame for all of our financial woes.

“Financial forecasting has become a wish for central banks rather than a goal.” – Uuriintuya Batsaikhan
“High interest rates are a threat to green transition.” – Uuriintuya Batsaikhan
“An independant bank that sets monetary policy for 20 countries is an unprecedented experiment.” – Uuriintuya Batsaikhan

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Written and presented by Alex Andreou. Producer: Liam Tait. Audio editor: Simon Williams. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Bunker Bonus: Stella Creasy MP on the Labour Conference and Starmer's speech – live in Liverpool

Wed, 11 Oct 2023 15:00:45 -0000

Straight after Keir Starmer’s keynote speech, Stella Creasy MP joined Jacob Jarvis to give her take on the Labour conference and what the leader of the opposition had to say. She gave her thoughts on policies, outlined her discussions at conference – with a key focus on Europe – and explained how she thinks voters can be persuaded to back Labour.

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Written and presented by Jacob Jarvis. Produced by Chris Jones. Audio production: Robin Leeburn. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Music by Kenny Dickinson. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Hot Spots: Matt Chorley and Rafael Behr on the places that shaped our politics

Wed, 11 Oct 2023 03:00:00 -0000

Politics happens all around us, not just in London. Britain’s political map is far more varied than the city of Westminster. Rafael Behr joins Matt Chorley, author of Planes, Trains and Toilet Doors, on a whistle stop tour of the car parks, village halls and seaside towns that shaped our political landscape.

"Nothing in politics is new. Everything has been done before and probably better.” – Matt Chorley
“I like to take the piss out of politicians. It's a good way of hooking people into what's going on.”– Matt Chorley

https://mattchorley.com/50-places-1

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Written and presented by Rafael Behr. Producer: Liam Tait. Audio editor: Simon Williams. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Bunker Bonus: Barry Gardiner MP lays out Labour priorities at conference – from Liverpool!

Tue, 10 Oct 2023 10:08:00 -0000

Barry Gardiner MP sits down with Jacob Jarvis to talk through Labour’s priorities, the shift in vibe at this year’s conference and the Tory shambles… Recorded in the Heathrow Lounge at Liverpool’s ACC on Monday morning, we put our fingers on the pulse of what is happening at the annual party gathering.

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Written and presented by Jacob Jarvis. Produced by Chris Jones. Audio production: Robin Leeburn. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Artwork by James Parrett. Music by Kenny Dickinson. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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The UN faces destruction. Can we save it? – with Ros Taylor and Richard Gowan

Tue, 10 Oct 2023 03:00:00 -0000

The United Nations was founded to help maintain international peace and security. The Security Council in particular is supposed to uphold those pledges. But its power and influence is dwindling. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, a looming war over Taiwan and unrest in Africa is some proof of that. So what can it do to regain the power it has lost, and is there still a place in the world for the UN? Richard Gowan is the UN Director of Crisis Group in New York. He sits down in The Bunker with Ros Taylor.

“I don’t think it's fair to say the UN as a whole has failed Ukrainians, but the Security Council certainly has.” – Richard Gowan
“Taiwan is the potential crisis that could blow up the Security Council that no one ever talks of.” – Richard Gowan
“The general assembly is a great big circus.” – Richard Gowan

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Terror in Israel – Start Your Week with Alex Andreou and Jacob Jarvis

Mon, 09 Oct 2023 08:49:00 -0000

Following a weekend of brutal attacks on Israel, the prospect of a ground invasion of Gaza looms. We take a look at Hamas’s actions, how Netanyahu will respond, and the international reaction to the violence. Plus, we preview the Labour Conference as Starmer and his team present their views for the future of the country. How will Starmer’s speech stand up to Sunak’s?

Jacob Jarvis is joined in The Bunker by Alex Andreou to get you prepped for the week ahead.

“It will be tricky for Netenyahu to balance the calls for revenge with international pressure to be measured.” – Alex Andreou
“It’s impossible to predict how this situation will play out.” – Jacob Jarvis
“Starmers speech will not be a barrage of promises, it will be about his values.” – Alex Andreou
“Bring back boring politics.” – Jacob Jarvis

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Bunker Gold: First contact – We’ll meet aliens soon, then what?

Sun, 08 Oct 2023 15:00:00 -0000

In this week’s Bunker Gold we revisit an out of this world episode from May 2022…

As scientists seek extraterrestrial life, what would we do if we actually found it? How would we manage first contact, and could we even communicate with aliens? Franck Marchis, a senior planetary astronomer from the SETI Institute, unpacks the prospect with Andrew Harrison – and the idea aliens might already know we’re here, but we’re too boring for them to care.

“The most important question is intelligent life.”
“This discovery will not be a big surprise for a lot of humans on this planet.”
“If we find a civilisation slightly more advanced to us, maybe 100 years, they may be much more intelligent in terms of technology.”
“We may not see them because perhaps their technology is invisible to us.”

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Written and presented by Andrew Harrison. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Producers: Jacob Archbold and Jelena Sofronijevic. Assistant Producer: Elina Ganatra. Audio production by Jade Bailey. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Deep Stately Homes: How country houses shape political decisions – with Professor Kate Retford

Sun, 08 Oct 2023 03:00:00 -0000

From PM’s holidaying at Chequers to the salacious escapades of Downton Abbey, country houses hold a special place in the public imagination. While these very big houses in the country are often considered to be relics of the past, their influence looms over modern politics.

Dr. Kasia Tomasiewicz speaks to Professor Kate Retford, head of school of historic studies at Birbeck University, to find out how these country homes guide our political climate.

“The relationship between the country house and politics goes back for centuries.”
“I'm not sure how many people would really like to live in one of these places.”
"We can use these properties to tell some of the stories from history that they may not know."

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Written and presented by Kasia Tomasiewicz . Producer: Liam Tait. Audio editor: Jade Bailey. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Bunker USA: How country music soundtracks America's politics – with Dorian Lynskey and Jonathan Bernstein

Sat, 07 Oct 2023 03:00:00 -0000

Country music and political statements often go hand in hand. And many artists find success by charging their songs with political messages – Jason Aldean’s controversial single ‘Try That in a Small Town’ being a recent example. Jonathan Bernstein is a senior research editor at Rolling Stone and joins Dorian Lynskey in The Bunker to discuss the complicated relationship between country music and politics.

“It’s never a good sign when an artist is accused of releasing a pro-lynching song.” – Jon Bernstein
“I think Oliver Anthony was thrown into a whirlwind of craziness.” – Jon Bernstein
“The history of it is very complex … but certainly country music is tied to Southern Whiteness in this country.” – Jon Bernstein

Written and presented by Dorian Lynskey. Producer: Chris Jones. Audio production: Robin Leeburn. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Music by Kenny Dickinson. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Bunker Global: The spies that want to overthrow Kim Jong Un – Seth Thévoz speaks to Bradley Hope

Fri, 06 Oct 2023 03:00:00 -0000

In this week’s Bunker Global, Seth Thévoz is joined by Bradley Hope, the author of The Rebel and The Kingdom, to discuss the totalitarian state of North Korea and the unlikely rebels leading the charge against Kim Jong Un.

“North Korea can publicly strike and kill people in the most bone chilling way.”
“We should be grateful that people take risks to show us the truth. Some just go too far.”
"Pyongyang feels like an alien world compared to London or New York."

BOOK LINK: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/690147/the-rebel-and-the-kingdom-by-bradley-hope/

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Are the Republicans about to abandon Ukraine? – Dr. Julie Norman explains.

Thu, 05 Oct 2023 03:00:00 -0000

Funding for Ukraine has become a point of contention among the GOP. The Freedom Caucus, led by Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz, has pushed against money to help the nation’s war effort – and this was excluded in a recent budget bill, in order to facilitate a deal. How did the Republican caucus get here, and how far are they willing to go?

Andrew Harrison is joined by associate professor of politics and international relations at UCL, Dr. Julie Norman, to explain the complicated situation unfolding in the US.

“This won’t make or break things for Ukraine in the coming weeks” – Julie Norman
“It’s hard to read into what Trump would do with foreign aid if he gets back into power." – Julie Norman
“There are many Republicans who are not only supporting Ukraine, but think Biden should be doing more” – Julie Norman

Support us on Patreon:

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This week's sponsor is the Disorder Podcast - listen here: https://linktr.ee/disorderpod

Written and presented by Andrew Harrison. Producers: Liam Tait and Jade Bailey. Production assistant: Adam Wright. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Brit and miss: Steve Richards on why stubborn leaders botched the UK's foreign policy

Wed, 04 Oct 2023 03:00:00 -0000

The UK is no stranger to getting political decisions wrong – especially in foreign policy. Broadcaster and author Steve Richards, of Rock & Roll Politics, writes in his new book Turning Points that the decisions made by post-war leaders are often bewildering but also intensely complicated. He joins Gavin Esler in The Bunker for a very honest discussion on why that is.

“It seems to me with Britain – it reaches turning points and fails to turn.” – Steve Richards
“Eden went mad almost over Suez… the attacks he got were far more intense than Blair over Iraq.” – Steve Richards
“The UK is in as much of a mess now as it was post-Suez… it’s deeply depressing.” – Steve Richards

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Written and presented by Gavin Esler. Producer: Chris Jones. Audio production: Robin Leeburn. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison Music by Kenny Dickinson. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Bad blood: Inside the medical scandal haunting Britain – with Caroline Wheeler and Ros Taylor

Tue, 03 Oct 2023 03:00:00 -0000

The infected blood scandal of the 1970s and 80s saw almost 5,000 people in the UK contract HIV or hepatitis C due to contaminated NHS blood products. Over 2,800 have died and tens of thousands of lives have been affected, yet no organisation or individual has ever been held to account. Ros Taylor is joined by Caroline Wheeler, the political editor of the Sunday Times and author of the new book Death in the Blood: The inside story of the NHS infected blood scandal.

Death in the Blood: https://www.hachette.com.au/caroline-wheeler/death-in-the-blood-the-most-shocking-scandal-in-nhs-history-from-the-journalist-who-has-followed-the-story-for-over-two-decades

“This all happened at a time when HIV was poorly understood, there was no effective treatment. It was extremely taboo.” – Ros Taylor
“At the very moment this family needed all the support and all the care they deserved, they only received ridicule and mockery.” – Caroline Wheeler
“It wasn’t until the late 80s until the general public were educated about how AIDS was spread.” – Caroline Wheeler
“People are still dying, at the rate of one every four days. Two of the ten characters in this book died as it was being written.” – Caroline Wheeler

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Written and presented by Ros Taylor. Producer: Liam Tait. Assistant Producer: Adam Wright. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production: Jade Bailey. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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The Fast and the Spurious — Start Your Week with Alex Andreou and Jacob Jarvis

Mon, 02 Oct 2023 08:54:00 -0000

Rishi Sunak is having a grim time up north as the Tories gather in Manchester for their annual conference. As the PM attempts to put crowd pleasing policies forward (and not mention HS2), the race to replace him has already started.

In world news, we look at the U.S. after it narrowly avoided a government shutdown, the latest on Ukraine — and finally, a slow burning financial crisis in China.

Jacob Jarvis is joined in The Bunker by Alex Andreou to get you prepped for the week ahead.

“Sunak was chancellor for two years before he was PM, he only looked at HS2 now?” – Alex Andreou
“Labour basically have to look a bit less shi*t than the Tories to win conference season.” – Jacob Jarvis

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Bunker Gold: Talking Trash with Count Binface

Sun, 01 Oct 2023 16:00:00 -0000

This week on the Bunker Gold: Let us take you back to the crazy days of 2022, when Liz Truss was Prime Minister and Boris Johnson was still an MP…

How would an alien fix Britain? We hear from Count Binface, who resisted the urge to vapourise Alex Andreou despite some tough questions. The Count discusses standing against Tories like Theresa May (as Lord Buckethead) and Boris Johnson, why he’d junk First Past the Post for PR, plus his book, WHAT ON EARTH?.

“I was passing Earth and it seemed to be the most deranged planet of the lot.” – Count Binface
“The Brits play the game, and occasionally write down things.” – Count Binface
“You don't have to be a human being to stand for election.” – Count Binface
“As a Recyclon, I hope to reuse the best policies from across the galaxy.” – Count Binface

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Written and presented by Alex Andreou. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Producers: Jacob Archbold, Jelena Sofronijevic and Alex Rees. Assistant producer: Kasia Tomasiewicz. Audio production by Jade Bailey. Music: Kenny Dickinson. Group editor: Andrew Harrison. Artwork: James Parrett. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

Book link:

https://geni.us/whatonearth

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Bunker Panel: Are centrists real? Should politicians still fear the papers? And more...

Sun, 01 Oct 2023 03:00:00 -0000

On our latest panel edition: What does centrism in politics even mean? And why is the government still so worried about newspapers? Then finally, why do politicians have such weird taste in music?

We’ve assembled a supergroup of Podmasters all stars, Rock & Roll Politics hall of famer Steve Richards, the chanteuse of Paper Cuts, Miranda Sawyer and Podmasters virtuoso Jacob Jarvis join frontman Andrew Harrison in the latest edition of The Bunker Panel.

“Centrism is deeply subjective, that’s the danger of it.“ – Steve Richards
“The most common response when they ask for people’s political ideology is: I don’t know.” – Jacob Jarvis
“When politicians try to control the media they get it wrong. They need journalists to get the message out for them.” – Miranda Sawyer

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Written and presented by Andrew Harrison. Produced by Alex Rees and Liam Tait. Production Assistant: Adam Wright. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Music by Kenny Dickinson. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Bunker USA: Mission Impeachable – Inside the GOP’s latest attack on Biden

Sat, 30 Sep 2023 03:00:00 -0000

House Speaker Kevin McCarthy is leading calls to impeach President Joe Biden. Irrespective of whether that’s realistic or not (spoiler alert: it isn’t) what does it really mean to impeach a president? Professor of history and classical studies at McGill University, Jason Opal, takes us back to the origins of impeachment to understand how it’s become a common tactic of American political warfare. He joins Seth Thévoz in The Bunker.

“Since the 80s impeachment has gone from nearly unthinkable to a fairly conventional form of political warfare.” – Prof. Jason Opal
“When it became obvious Nixon was abusing his power in office, a lot of Republican support dissolved overnight.” – Prof. Jason Opal
“If you look at impeachments overall, I don’t think you would see a real pattern.” – Prof. Jason Opal

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Written and presented by Seth Thévoz. Producer: Chris Jones. Audio production: Simon Williams. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Music by Kenny Dickinson. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Bunker Global: The secret schools giving hope to Afghanistan’s women

Fri, 29 Sep 2023 03:00:00 -0000

In Afghanistan, women and girls have been banned from schools and universities – but underground networks have sprung up to maintain their education. This week on Bunker Global, Chris Jones is joined by Pashtana Durrani, educator and founder of LEARN Afghan and winner of a 2023 Global Citizen Award, to discuss the schools that defy Taliban rule and educate girls across the country.

"Our future was stolen. Our present is stolen. We are the victims of a political agenda.”
"Despite everything, I’m a hopeless optimist when it comes to Afghanistan.“

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This week's sponsor is the Disorder Podcast - listen here: https://linktr.ee/disorderpod

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Factory Reset – How AI is driving the new industrial revolution

Thu, 28 Sep 2023 03:00:00 -0000

AI is disrupting systems across the world – and is beginning to completely change global manufacturing. What are the pros and cons of this new era of technological advancement? Industrialisation led to a period of growth never before seen but could the next industrial revolution do more harm than good?

Dr. Kate Devlin is joined by Dr. Jostein Hauge, author of The Future of the Factory: How Megatrends are Changing Industrialization to discuss global trends and the future of industry.

"Corporations don't plan to get to the top of the podium, they strategise as to how they can stay on top of the podium.”
"There is an obvious link between ecological breakdown and our economic growth.”
"Development, productivity and growth have become synonymous with industrialisation.”

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BOOK LINK

https://www.josteinhauge.com/book

Written and presented by Kate Devlin. Producer: Liam Tait. Audio editor: Simon Williams. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Return to centre: David Gauke wages war on Tory populism

Wed, 27 Sep 2023 03:00:00 -0000

For a few years now the Tory party has been drifting further and further right and it’s not gone well… at all. David Gauke is the former Justice Secretary under Theresa May and has edited a book titled The Case for the Centre Right which highlights the desperate need to reverse the direction of his party back to the centre. But is there a real case for the centre right anymore? Marie Le Conte sits down with him in The Bunker to listen to his argument.

The case for the centre right: https://www.wiley.com/en-us/The+Case+for+the+Centre+Right-p-9781509560837

“Arguably this is a case that should’ve been made much earlier.” – David Gauke
“Now I think is the time to say let’s not go further down the line of pursuing populism.” – David Gauke.
“I think when you look at it Boris Johnson should not have been facilitated by the Conservative Party… they knew what they were getting.” – David Gauke

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Written and presented by Marie Le Conte. Producer: Chris Jones. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production: Robin Leeburn. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Between the lines: How cocaine use soared despite the war on drugs

Tue, 26 Sep 2023 03:00:00 -0000

The war on drugs has been going on for decades, yet the use of cocaine has continued to rise – especially in the UK. Why is that? Who are the international paramilitary groups playing a role in keeping supplies going? And is the problem being tackled by our government correctly? Genevieve Kotarska is a research fellow in the Organised Crime and Policing Team at the Royal United Services Institute. She joins Ros Taylor in The Bunker.

“I don’t think legalisation is the magic solution it’s sometimes suggested to be.” – Genevieve Kotarska
“The problem is that politics likes simple answers, and in the case of cocaine there just isn’t one.” – Genevieve Kotarska
“I don’t think someone wanting a good time on a Saturday night is going to listen to Rishi Sunak? I doubt it.” – Genevieve Kotarska

Support us on Patreon:

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Written and presented by Ros Taylor. Producer: Chris Jones. Assistant Producer: Adam Wright. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production: Jade Bailey. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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HS2 little, too late — Start Your Week with Ros Taylor and Hannah Fearn

Mon, 25 Sep 2023 08:21:00 -0000

Rishi Sunak is set to ditch HS2 plans – how will he handle enraging a huge chunk of the country and a load of fellow Tories? This comes amid a raft of Government uncertainty over policies – with pensions and inheritance tax debates rolling on. Plus, there is more Met police controversy with a number of officers turning in their firearms. Ros Taylor and Hannah Fearn discuss the news you need to look out for in the week ahead.

“It’s obvious to me when you’ve made such a commitment, you don’t back away when things get tough.” – Hannah Fearn
“There’s definitely anger within the Conservative Party as well.” – Hannah Fearn
“On the world stage this makes us look really stupid.” – Hannah Fearn

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Written and presented by Ros Taylor and Hannah Fearn. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production: Jade Bailey. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Animal Farm 2.0: The George Orwell sequel you didn’t know you needed

Sun, 24 Sep 2023 03:00:00 -0000

Animal Farm is one of the 20th century’s most iconic books. So why make a sequel? Dorian Lynskey is joined by Adam Biles, literary director at Shakespeare and Company and author of the new book Beast of England, to explore how Manor Farm provides the perfect imaginary landscape for assessing our fraught and fractured politics.

“Watching UK politics from afar gave the impression of a frog slowly being boiled.”
“My feeling became: a plague on all of your houses.”
“When you romanticise a group of people you flatten their experiences.”

www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Book link: https://www.galleybeggar.co.uk/paperback-shop/beasts-of-england

Written and presented by Dorian Lynskey. Producer: Kasia Tomasiewicz. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production: Robin Leeburn and Jade Bailey. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Bunker USA: Swing both ways - The states that will decide the 2024 election

Sat, 23 Sep 2023 03:00:00 -0000

Bellwether and swing states are often the battlegrounds upon which the US presidential race is won. Historically, Ohio has been one of the most important - but that is changing. So which states matter the most for the upcoming 2024 election? And how will Trump or Biden (or anyone else) win them over? Kyle Kondik is the Author of ‘The Bellwether: Why Ohio Picks the president”. He joins Alex Andreou in The Bunker.

“We’re seeing a shift in the key states in the electoral college, partially due to Trump.” - Kyle Kondik.
“Both Trump and Biden have over 50% unfavorability, these voters tend to skew to the right but were not a fan of what happened on January 6th. These voters are likely to decide the next election” - Kyle Kondik.
“Both Biden and Trump’s ability to tell a story defines the ground they are battling over” - Alex Andreou.

www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Book Link:

https://www.ohioswallow.com/book/The+Bellwether

Written and presented by Alex Andreou. Producer: Chris Jones. Assistant Producer: Adam Wright Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production: Robin Leeburn . Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Bunker Global: Did India plot a murder in Canada? Europe's next flashpoint and Africa's dying democracy

Fri, 22 Sep 2023 03:00:00 -0000

Canada’s PM Justin Trudeau has claimed agents of the government of India orchestrated an assassination on Canadian soil. The killing of Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar has led to a terse back and forth between the two nations. Plus, we take a look at the latest chapter in the Azerbaijan and Armenia conflict. And, why are so many former French colonies revolting across Africa?

Chris Jones is joined by Dipo Faloyin, senior editor at Vice and author of ‘Africa is not a country’ and Laurence Broers, associate fellow at Chatham House’s Russia and Eurasia Programme, to get you up to speed on the biggest stories from around the world.

"Canada wouldn’t make an allegation like this if they didn’t have solid proof.” — Dipo Faloyin
"The Ukraine conflict has provided Azerbaijan with perfect cover for these military operations.” — Laurence Broers
"Macron and the French government ignored the warning signs of civil unrest in their former colonies.” — Dipo Faloyin

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This week's sponsor is the Disorder Podcast - listen here: https://linktr.ee/disorderpod

Written and presented by Chris Jones with Dipo Faloyin. Producer: Liam Tait. Audio editor: Simon Williams. Production assistant: Adam Wright. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Creep Fakes: Can I stop AI doing anything it wants with my face?

Thu, 21 Sep 2023 03:00:00 -0000

By now most of us have had hands-on experience with an AI interface. Beyond the sleek exterior of ChatGTP there is a world of AI that threatens the privacy of each and every one of us. Kate Devlin is joined in The Bunker by tech journalist and co-founder of 404 Media, Samantha Cole, to find out if AI can produce anything, what is protecting our likeness from being exploited in disturbing, and even explicit, ways?

"People can use AI to make any fantasy image a reality."
“If you're a normal person, it's really hard to protect your likeness from AI image generation.”
“ A lot of them are deep fakes but a lot of it's really bizarre and strange.”

Support us on Patreon:

www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Written and presented by Kate Devlin. Producer: Liam Tait. Audio editor: Jade Bailey. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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China crisis: Is Xi Jinping’s mega-army useless?

Wed, 20 Sep 2023 03:00:00 -0000

With two million active soldiers, China has the largest military in the world. But does it know what it’s doing? Even with some of the most advanced military tech in the world their ability to use it is unclear. Laura Makin-Isherwood speaks to Timothy Heath, senior international defence researcher at the RAND Corporation, to find out if Xi’s army is something we should be worried about – or if they have all the gear and no idea.

"Xi’s army has no experience operating large combat forces on another continent."
“As the Chinese developed their economic ties, they are also sharing their preferred political values.”
“The Chinese military conscripts a quarter of their force because they cannot attract enough volunteers.”

www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Written and presented by Laura Makin-Isherwood. Producer: Liam Tait. Audio editor: Jade Bailey. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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World disservice: Who wins if the BBC loses its global power?

Tue, 19 Sep 2023 03:00:00 -0000

The BBC World Service is under attack. The global broadcaster reaches an audience of over 500 million listeners across the globe. But budget cuts and the exit of some territories have left the BBC service a shell of its former self.

Alex Andreou is joined in The Bunker by Simon Potter, professor of modern history at Bristol University and author of This is the BBC: Entertaining the Nation, Speaking for Britain, 1922-2022, to find out who benefits from the downfall of the BBC World Service?

“I think it’s inescapable to argue that the BBC has always faced hostility throughout its existence” – Simon Potter
“Despite the budget cuts the BBC still has the largest audience the across the world it’s ever had” – Simon Potter
“An independent global BBC is a much more powerful tool than a directly state controlled broadcaster.” – Simon Potter

Support us on Patreon:

www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Written and presented by Alex Andreou. Assistant producer: Adam Wright. Audio producer: Jade Bailey. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Brand on the run — Start Your Week with Gavin Esler and Andrew Harrison

Mon, 18 Sep 2023 08:39:00 -0000

Accusations of sexual assault and rape against Russell Brand will dominate the news this week. Will this open a new front in #MeToo and lead to lasting change? Plus, after Starmer makes claims about how to manage illegal migration – what are the latest proposals?

We also have an update on ongoing Conservative psychodramas including Liz Truss’s failed premiership, Tom Tugenhadt’s plea to appeal to the young, and the parliamentary debut from new Energy & Net Zero Minister Claire Coutinho. Andrew Harrison is joined by Gavin Esler to give you the stories to look out for in the week ahead.

“The list of names of Brand’s supporters sounds like the dinner party from hell.” – Gavin Esler
“It’s obvious that the world is on the move, and migration will be the story of our lifetime.” – Gavin Esler
“With Truss now selling her speeches, should we listen to the lettuce?” – Andrew Harrison

Support us on Patreon:

www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Written and presented by Gavin Esler and Andrew Harrison. Producer: Kasia Tomasiewicz. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production: Jade Bailey. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Cruel world: How did we become so mean?

Sun, 17 Sep 2023 03:00:00 -0000

Brits seem to be more mean-spirited than ever. This is clear on social media, but also in attitudes towards poorer sections of society. How did we become so mean, and what can we do about it? Hannah Fearn is joined by professor of human geography Danny Dorling, author of new book Shattered Nation: Inequality and the Geography of A Failing State, to find out how social issues change attitudes towards those who need the most help in society – and how we can fight to be kinder.

“The UK is one of the most unequal countries in Europe.”
“People spend money on private schools because they are scared.”
“Those who are really comfortable don’t think people should be helped out.”

Book Link:

https://www.versobooks.com/en-gb/products/3118-shattered-nation

www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Written and presented by Hannah Fearn. Producer: Kasia Tomasiewicz with Liam Tait. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production: Simon Williams. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Bunker USA: From 9/11 hero to Trump lapdog – How Rudy Giuliani trashed himself and America

Sat, 16 Sep 2023 03:00:00 -0000

Rudy Giuliani was once credited for lowering crime in New York and a swift response to 9/11. So how has he fallen so sharply from grace? Jacob Jarvis is joined by Andrew Kirtzman, author of Giuliani: The Rise and Tragic Fall of America's Mayor to find out how since becoming an integral part of the Donald Trump leadership, Rudy Giuliani is a figure beset with scandals.

“Rudy Giuliani was a different person in the past, an authoritarian but largely effective and smart.”
“The Rudy Giuliani of today is sloppy, forgetful and lost in a fog.”
“Rudy Giuliani attended 200 funerals – and then cynically cashed in on his fame.”
“Trump brought Rudy Giuliani back to life.”
“Whatever good Rudy Giuliani did as Mayor has been eviscerated by the 2020 election.”

Not for Patreon

www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Book link:

https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Giuliani/Andrew-Kirtzman/9781982153298

Written and presented by Jacob Jarvis. Producer: Kasia Tomasiewicz. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production: Jade Bailey. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Bunker Global: Kim and Putin's horror double act, North African disasters and Britain's latest trade blow

Fri, 15 Sep 2023 03:00:00 -0000

This week on Bunker Global: After Vladimir Putin meets with Kim Jong Un – should we be worried? Plus, a series of catastrophes hit North Africa, including the earthquake in Morocco and devastating flooding in Libya. And finally, Britain is frozen out of an EU-world trade agreement.

Laura Makin-Isherwood, formerly London bureau chief of Feature Story News, and Abdulkader Assad, senior political editor for The Libya Observer, join Chris Jones this week. Listen in for your need-to-know on news and politics from across the world.

“Kim Jong Un is pushing a ballistic agenda.” – Laura Makin-Isherwood
“The two governments in Libya have made international aid slower, there are no open communication channels.” – Abdulkader Assad
“The G20 agreed on a religious paragraph, condemning acts of hatred against religion, which is a global first.” – Laura Makin-Isherwood

www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Written and presented by Chris Jones with Laura Makin-Isherwood. Producer: Kasia Tomasiewicz. Production assistant: Adam Wright. Audio editor: Simon Williams. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Machine minds: How outsourcing thought to tech could be humanity's downfall

Thu, 14 Sep 2023 03:00:00 -0000

We’ve built machines to help us make decisions in all sectors of our lives – especially in government. But we don’t understand exactly what they’re capable of and how they may evolve. David Runciman is author of The Handover: How We Gave Control of Our Lives to Corporations, States and AIs. He joins Ros Taylor in The Bunker to discuss “the machinery of states” and whether AI could learn to outgrow humanity.

“We’re still unsure whether these machines are going to be good for us, or kill us all.” – David Runciman
“What happens if we lose control of these things?” – David Runciman
“We’ve turned these machines into vast, bureaucratic engines … taking in almost every aspect of our lives.” – David Runciman
“AI has been completely transformative, for better and for worse.” – David Runciman

www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Written and presented by Ros Taylor. Producer: Chris Jones. Audio production: Simon Williams. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Music by Kenny Dickinson. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Naomi Klein on conspiracy theorists, her doppelgänger, and the malign power of influencers

Wed, 13 Sep 2023 03:00:00 -0000

Being mistaken for Naomi Wolf was once a joke for acclaimed author Naomi Klein. But following the global pandemic, her doppelgänger embraced conspiracy theories and was welcomed into alt-right spheres. In an effort to understand the woman she was often mistaken for — Naomi Klein journeyed down the rabbit hole into a world of misinformation, emotional manipulation and a mirror world not quite like our own.

Jude Rogers speaks to Naomi Klein, the author of No Logo, The Shock Doctrine and her latest book Doppelganger: A Trip into the Mirror World in The Bunker.

“Social media is like reading the graffiti about you on the bathroom wall. And I've read a lot of that graffiti confusing me with Naomi Wolf.”
“The corporate world has produced a playing field so rigged against consumers that mistrust and paranoia have flourished.”
"My friends ask: why am I listening to Steve Bannon? And I say because he's listening to us."

BOOK LINK

https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/453962/doppelganger-by-klein-naomi/9780241621301

www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Written and presented by Jude Rogers. Producer: Liam Tait and Kasia Tomasiewicz. Audio editor: Robin Leeburn. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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The kids aren’t alright: How pandemic policies are still failing young people

Tue, 12 Sep 2023 09:20:00 -0000

Covid-19 caused chaos for a lot of us. For children and young people it completely disrupted their personal growth, in education and social settings too. Dr. Lauren Andres is a professor of planning and urban transformation at UCL. She’s studying the impact that pandemic policies put in place by governments around the world have had on young people.

She joins Ros Taylor in The Bunker to discuss whether we’re dealing with a lost generation.

PANEX-Youth is a two-year project, led by Prof. Andres: https://panexyouth.com/home-2/resources/

“The word we keep coming back to is trauma.” – Dr. Lauren Andres.
“We need to recognise that they suffered, they were ignored, they were not the priority.” – Dr. Lauren Andres.
“A lot of the play and socialisation and play moved online, and this raises a lot of issues.” – Dr. Lauren Andres.
“We need to remember that pubs were opened before playgrounds… we need to think about what our priorities were here.” – Dr. Lauren Andres.

www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Written and presented by Ros Taylor. Producer: Chris Jones. Audio production: Jade Bailey. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Music by Kenny Dickinson. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Jailhouse rot — Start Your Week with Alex Andreou and Jacob Jarvis

Mon, 11 Sep 2023 08:58:03 -0000

Britain’s prisons are under the spotlight following Daniel Khalife’s escape from HMP Wandsworth. Alex Chalk did the damage control rounds over the weekend – but does the justice secretary have more problems than this high profile debacle?

Meanwhile, a parliamentary researcher was arrested under suspicion of sharing official secrets with China. What does this mean for the UK’s relationship with Beijing? Plus we look back at the key developments from the G20 conference, the latest on Ukraine — and we examine the international aid efforts following the devastating earthquake in Morocco.

Jacob Jarvis is joined in The Bunker by Alex Andreou to get you prepped for the week ahead.

“Wandsworth prison is built to hold 900 inmates and it currently hosts 1600. What did they think was going to happen?” – Alex Andreou
“The government is managing the country like I tidy my bedroom, putting things vaguely out of sight and not actually dealing with them.” – Jacob Jarvis
“The government is just warehousing people, whether they’re asylum seekers, students or prisoners.” – Alex Andreou

www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Written and presented by Jacob Jarvis and Alex Andreou. Producer: Liam Tait. Audio editor: Simon Williams. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Tour de farce: How Brexit is crippling the music industry

Sun, 10 Sep 2023 03:00:00 -0000

Following Brexit, performers are consistently losing out on opportunities to perform. How has it gotten so bad – and can the situation be resolved? Alex Andreou is joined in The Bunker by Deborah Annetts, the CEO of the Independent Society of Musicians to find out how the government could save the music industry and why they have no desire to do so.

“Various select committees have begged the government to sort this mess out.”
“We won't see the results immediately but in five years time, are we going to have a thriving music industry? I very much doubt it.”
"I’ve heard off the record: Why should we help you? Musicians don’t vote Tory."

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www.patreon.com/bunkercast

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Bunker Bonus: How Victor Orbán is manipulating Tucker Carlson’s Hungary obsession

Sat, 09 Sep 2023 11:00:00 -0000

One of Tucker Carlson’s recent interviews is with Hungarian Prime Minister Victor Orbán. In the interview Orbán called for Trump to return to the U.S. presidency, among numerous other inflammatory statements. Why is Tucker so obsessed with Hungarian politics – and how does Orbán use the media to bolster his narrative? Chris Jones is joined by journalist for 24.HU, Zsolt Kerner.

“It’s ironic to see Orbán, who often says other nations shouldn’t comment on domestic politics, calling for a change in U.S. President” – Zsolt Kerner
“It’s a usual play in hungarian politics, to play with preconceptions about the U.S.” – Zsolt Kerner

www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Written, presented and produced by Chris Jones, with special thanks to Balint Bardi. Assistant Producer: Adam Wright. Audio editor: Simon Williams. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Bunker USA: Age concern – Does it matter how old Biden and Trump are? with Molly Jong-Fast

Sat, 09 Sep 2023 03:00:00 -0000

Joe Biden is 80 and his main Republican rival Donald Trump is 77. Opponents of each are ready to use their ages against them – but will this debate matter come 2024? Writer for Vanity Fair and host of the Fast Politics podcast, Molly Jong-Fast says the age argument is a classic GOP tactic, but questions how well it will work. She joins Gavin Esler in the Bunker.

“One of the things we’re not talking about enough is the power of incumbency.” – Molly Jong-Fast.
“I don’t think Biden would’ve run again if he didn’t know he was the person most likely to win.” – Molly Jong-Fast.
“This could be the last ever American election – can you see Trump ever leaving?” –Molly Jong-Fast.

www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Written and presented by Gavin Esler. Producer: Chris Jones. Audio production: Robin Leeburn. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Music by Kenny Dickinson. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Bunker Global: G20 cheat sheet, Orbán endorses Trump and is Dubai the next Las Vegas?

Fri, 08 Sep 2023 03:00:00 -0000

This week on Bunker Global: The G20 is assembling in India this weekend, what can we expect from this year’s summit? Plus, we take a look at Victor Orbán’s interview with Tucker Carlson and the UAE is looking to loosen ‘gaming’ laws in their country. Could Dubai become the Las Vegas of the middle east?

Chris Jones is joined by associate professor of politics and international relations at UCL, Julie Norman, and Hungary-based journalist Zsolt Kerner, to get you up to speed on the biggest stories from around the world.

"A large proportion of the UAE's population are not citizens. The teachings of the Quran aren’t a priority to them.” —Julie Norman
"Most Hungarians believe that the US can do whatever it wants for its own gain.” — Zsolt Kerner
"India is uniquely placed to bring other countries in the G20 together.” — Chris Jones

www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Written and presented by Chris Jones with Julie Norman and Zsolt Kerner. Producer: Liam Tait. Audio editor: Simon Williams. Production Assistant: Adam Wright. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Special thanks to Balint Bardi. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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The price isn’t right: Everything you need to know about inflation

Thu, 07 Sep 2023 03:00:00 -0000

Inflation is one of the hot political topics at the moment. Jeremy Hunt says that keeping inflation at five per cent is putting money in the pocket of the average Brit... So we figured it was time to provide a cheat-sheet on inflation knowledge, just in case the Chancellor of the Exchequer needs a judgement-free refresher.

Alex Andreou sits down with Giles Wilkes, senior fellow at the Institute for Government, to explain everything you need to know about inflation.

“High inflation is the clearest sign that you've got something really wrong.”
“The BoE thinks they need to raise interest rates in order to cut purchasing power.”
“Inflation is all of the prices going up at once rather than some for their own idiosyncratic reasons.”

www.patreon.com/bunkercast

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Up for the challenge? – The unique test of leading in opposition

Wed, 06 Sep 2023 03:00:00 -0000

Being the leader of the opposition is a thankless task, often described as the worst job in politics. Those that don’t go on to be PM are often completely forgotten, rarely to be spoken of again. So what makes a good leader of the opposition? And how has the role changed through history? Dr. Nigel Fletcher is the Author of The Not Quite Prime Ministers: Leaders of the Opposition 1783–2020. He joins Marie Le Conte in The Bunker.

https://www.bitebackpublishing.com/books/the-not-quite-prime-ministers

“It’s the best apprenticeship you can have outside of being deputy Prime Minister.” – Nigel Fletcher
“There are a few that you can look at and say that was a really bad period of opposition.” – Nigel Fletcher

www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Written and presented by Marie Le Conte. Producer: Chris Jones. Audio production: Simon Williams. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Music by Kenny Dickinson. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Drain and gain: Inside the sewage scandal poisoning our waterways

Tue, 05 Sep 2023 03:00:00 -0000

We have some of the worst river health standards in Europe – in large part due to raw sewage being pumped into our vital waterways. Is it too easy for water companies to get away with this? And does the Government have a plan to fix the issue? Jamie Woodward is a professor of physical geography at the University of Manchester. He joins Laura Makin-Isherwood in the Bunker to discuss.

“The water companies have ruthlessly exploited an under regulated system.” – Prof. Jamie Woodward
“The dumping of sewage has become routine, and there’s been a public outrage against water companies who have made huge profits.” – Prof. Jamie Woodward
Dumping sewage is incredibly profitable and there’s no sufficient deterrent to get them to clear up their act.” – Prof. Jamie Woodward

www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Written and presented by Laura Makin-Isherwood. Producer: Chris Jones. Audio production: Robin Leeburn. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Music by Kenny Dickinson. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Concrete Bungle — Start Your Week with Alex Andreou and Ros Taylor

Mon, 04 Sep 2023 08:45:00 -0000

School’s out indefinitely across the country as many deal with a concrete crisis. But how much did the government know about this looming fiasco? Meanwhile, parliament is back in session — inflation, small boats and green energy are on the agenda for the Conservatives. Meanwhile, Starmer looks towards the general election with a shadow cabinet reshuffle. Plus a preview of the G20 conference, the latest on Ukraine — and it’s been one year since the Queen died. How does this new era of Britain stack up to the last?

Ros Taylor is joined in The Bunker by Alex Andreou to get you prepped for the week ahead.

“The metaphor of crumbling schools is a little too on the nose.” – Alex Andreou
“Cameron once said Labour failed to fix the roof when the sun was shining. How ironic.” – Ros Taylor
“Braverman has failed on every single metric, to an almost farcical level.” – Alex Andreou

Support us on on Patreon:

www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Written and presented by Ros Taylor and Alex Andreou. Producer: Liam Tait. Audio editor: Jade Bailey. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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The devil is in the retail: Why shopping is political

Sun, 03 Sep 2023 03:00:00 -0000

You are what you buy, but how does shopping shape our politics? Can brands be agents of social change? Bobby Friction is joined by Marcus Collins, author of For the Culture: The Power Behind the World's Most Successful Brands, from Apple to Beyoncé, to explore how companies tailor their brands to different personal politics.

“How we make our identity is unbelievably powerful.”
“Nike is far more than just a sneaker company, it is an agent of social change.”
“It all goes wrong when brands don’t fully commit to particular politics.”

www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Book link:

https://www.panmacmillan.com/authors/marcus-collins/for-the-culture/9781035020010

Presented by Bobby Friction. Producer: Kasia Tomasiewicz. Assistant producer: Adam Wright. Audio editor: Robin Leeburn. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Bunker USA: The fatal crisis America is ignoring

Sat, 02 Sep 2023 03:00:00 -0000

Over half a million people in America are homeless – and this figure keeps increasing. How can this crisis – which is resulting in deaths across the nation – be solved? President Joe Biden wants to eradicate homelessness by 2025. Can he? Ann Marie Staudenmaier is senior legal counsel for the Washington Legal Clinic for The Homeless. She sits down in The Bunker with Chris Jones to discuss why the US is failing.

“This is a problem across the country because of government policies evicting people and not being able to afford to get back into housing.” – Ann Marie Staudenmaier
“I’ve seen so many government proclamations over the years, and the only way to solve this problem is to put your money where your mouth is.” – Ann Marie Staudenmaier

www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Written and presented by Chris Jones. Audio production: Simon Williams. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Music by Kenny Dickinson. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Bunker Global: Ukraine’s hidden death toll, UK’s China dilemma and is BRICS the new world order?

Fri, 01 Sep 2023 03:00:00 -0000

This week on Bunker Global: We’re a year and a half into the Ukraine war, and the estimated death toll remains unclear. James Cleverly is in China to “reestablish lines of communication” despite raising humanitarian concerns. Plus, we found out what happened at the BRICS summit and finally we looked at the latest horror story from Australia.

Chris Jones is joined by broadcast journalist Laura Makin-Isherwood to get you up to speed on the biggest stories from around the world.

"The Russian government has classified all information on soldier casualties in Ukraine” Laura Makin-Isherwood
"Even getting invited to China will be a bit of a coup for James Cleverly.” - Laura Makin-Isherwood
"BRICs could signal a shift in global power away from the west.” - Laura Makin-Isherwood
"Outrageous! A worm in the brain?” - Chris Jones

Written and presented by Laura Makin-Isherwood with Chris Jones. Producer: Liam Tait. Audio editor: Simon Williams. Production Assistant: Adam Wright. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Dose Negligence - Why the UK's drug research is failing

Thu, 31 Aug 2023 03:00:00 -0000

There’s a revolution in the way doctors are treating mental health, but the UK could be at risk of falling behind.

Dr. Kate Devlin speaks to Dr. Matt Wall, a cognitive neuroscientist at Imperial College London and Invicro, to discuss microdosing, legal red tape and what happens when you give an octopus MDMA.

"Drug policy isn’t on the agenda for any of the main UK parties. They just don’t care.”
"After the trip wears off, the antidepressant effect can last for days or even months.”
“Current legislation makes it incredibly difficult to research psychedelics.”

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Back to the 80s: How pop culture shaped our world

Wed, 30 Aug 2023 03:00:00 -0000

Rubik's cubes, leg warmers and Walkmen. How does the pop culture of a decade define it? Looking beyond clichés and caricatures, how was culture an agent of social change in the 1980s?

Dr. Kasia Tomasiewicz speaks to Dr. Lucy Robinson, author of Now That's What I Call a History of the 1980s, to discuss photograph of Diana’s legs, Roland Rat and political power of popstars.

“Nostalgia assumes you had something positive to look back on.”
“Historians in the 80s start thinking, what is the role of how we talk about war in perpetuating these kinds of ideas of masculinity?”
"Rather than just taking popular culture seriously, I wanted to learn from it."

BOOK LINK

https://manchesteruniversitypress.co.uk/9781526167255

Support us on Patreon:

www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Written and presented by Kasia Tomasiewicz. Producer: Liam Tait. Audio editor: Jade Bailey. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Mad, Nad and Dangerous to Know— Start Your Week with Hannah Fearn and Andrew Harrison

Tue, 29 Aug 2023 08:39:00 -0000

Nadine Dorries has resigned. Who did she slate in her resignation letter? Plus Sadiq Khan has introduced the Ultra Low Emissions Zone for the Greater London area, how has that gone down?

We also have an update on the Home Office’s treatment of refugees, the latest on the new Covid strain and an update on Donald Trump running for office. Andrew Harrison is joined by Hannah Fearn to give you the stories to look out for in the week ahead.

“We saw Nadine pretending to care about lots of issues she’s never mentioned before.” – Hannah Fearn
“Labour are leaving it a bit late.” – Hannah Fearn

Support us on Patreon:

www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Written and presented by Hannah Fearn and Andrew Harrison. Producer: Kasia Tomasiewicz. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production: Jade Bailey. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Money talks: what the ruble tells us about about Russia

Mon, 28 Aug 2023 03:00:00 -0000

Money tells us a lot about a country – so what can the ruble tell us about Russia? Exploring a nation with a long history of autocracy, Ekaterina Pravilova, author of new book The Ruble: A Political History, joins Seth Thévoz in The Bunker.

“When political scientists try to explain why Russia is so weird they often overlook the ruble.”
“Many historians have a feeling of deja vu about Russia right now.”

www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Book Link:

https://global.oup.com/academic/product/the-ruble-9780197663714?cc=us&lang=en&

Written and presented by Seth Thévoz. Producer: Kasia Tomasiewicz. Audio editor: Simon Williams. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Bunker Panel: Rogues Gallery – Politician Sleaze and Museum Thieves

Sun, 27 Aug 2023 03:00:00 -0000

Are any of our institutions sacred? The latest drama from the British Museum has us questioning the role museums play in our society. This week on the Bunker Panel we ask the question: are we more shocked by corruption in our museums than in political office? And what is it about scandals that really grabs our attention?

We’ve assembled some of the Bunker’s most scandalous contributors to get to the bottom of this. Senior editor of global news at Vice, Dipo Faloyin, and historian Seth Thévoz, join Andrew Harrison and Dr. Kasia Tomasiewicz in the latest edition of The Bunker Panel.

“No one ever went into politics to get rich, but you could get corrupted.” – Seth Thévos
“The difference between a scandal and criminality is that scandals require the public to do something about it.” – Dipo Faloyin
“History is so much more than a collection of busts, canoes, death masks and weaponry.” – Andrew Harrison
“As soon as artefacts are bought into private collections, they just disappear. Rich and important material culture of world civilization is just gone.” – Dr. Kasia Tomasiewicz

Book Links

“Africa is not a country” by Dipo Faloyin:

https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/444389/africa-is-not-a-country-by-faloyin-dipo/9781529114829

“Behind Closed Doors” By Seth Thévoz:

https://www.hachette.co.uk/titles/seth-alexander-th%C3%A9voz/behind-closed-doors/9781472146458/

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Prigozhin’s final flight: What's next for the Wagner Group?

Sat, 26 Aug 2023 11:01:00 -0000

Wagner Group leader, Yevgeny Prigozhin, appears to have been killed in a fatal plane crash. Just two months ago, Prigozhin was seen as a contender to Putin’s empire. What next for his forces, his legacy and the future of Russia?

Chris Jones is joined in the Bunker by Dr Ian Garner, analyst of Russian culture and war propaganda to cut through the smoke and mirrors to try and work out just what has happened.

“We only know one thing for sure — a plane went down.“
"Prigozhin was trying to overturn the country, however in death he can become a war hero.”
“We’ve just come to expect these wild events when discussing Russia.”

www.patreon.com/bunkercast

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Bunker USA: Trump and Tucker vs the rest - what we learned from the GOP debate.

Sat, 26 Aug 2023 03:00:00 -0000

The race to become the leading GOP candidate has officially kicked off….or has it? Inmate P01135809, better known as Donald Trump, is already way ahead in the polls and he wasn’t even there. Instead, he opted for a half-arsed interview with Tucker Carlson hosted on Twitter. So does anything that was said during the debate matter? What were the main takeaways? And why does finishing second matter so much? Alex Andreou joins Sarah Isgur, senior editor for The Dispatch and host of the Advisory Opinions podcast, in The Bunker.

“Because there was no gamechanger in this debate, it really felt like a debate where the prize was second place.” – Sarah Isgur.
“If you’re a guy like Ramaswamy, who has zero name ID, people talking about you IS success.” – Sarah Isgur.
“If an asteroid hits Trump tomorrow, then we’re in a totally different ball game and we almost have to start from scratch.” – Sarah Isgur.
“Even though Trump wasn’t there, he absolutely defined the debate.” – Alex Andreou.

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Written and presented by Alex Andreou. Producer: Chris Jones. Audio production: Robin Leeburn. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Music by Kenny Dickinson. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Bunker Global: Sweden’s Free Speech Reckoning, Trudeau vs Meta and Britain’s £18 Trillion Reparations Bill

Fri, 25 Aug 2023 03:00:00 -0000

This week on Bunker Global: Qur’an burnings have pushed Sweden’s terror threat to ‘high’, and we bring you the latest of Prigozhin’s plane crash. Plus, Justin Trudeau is taking on Meta and Britain owes £18 trillion in reparations for their role in the slave trade.

Laura Makin-Isherwood is joined in The Bunker by Dipo Faloyin, senior editor of Global news at Vice and author of Africa is not a Country to get you up to speed on the biggest stories from around the world.

“Everyone is surprised that it took two months for Putin to ‘get’ his man.” – Dipo Faloyin
“This could be an attempt by far-right groups to portray Sweden as an anti-Islamic country to delay their NATO membership.” – Dipo Faloyin
“As a society we don’t understand the scale of the harm done by slavery.” – Dipo Faloyin

www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Written and presented by Laura Makin-Isherwood with Dipo Faloyin. Producer: Liam Tait. Audio editor: Simon Williams. Production Assistant: Adam Wright. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Tightening the belt: How is China financing its global ambitions?

Thu, 24 Aug 2023 03:00:00 -0000

China has big global plans – from large infrastructure projects to new economic zones across the globe. How are they funding these projects? Dipo Faloyin is joined by Zongyuan Zoe Liu, author of Sovereign Funds: How the Communist Party of China Finances Its Global Ambitions to follow the money behind China’s infrastructure plans and to find out what the West gets wrong.

“China’s economic success has been presented as an alternative to the Washington consensus.”
“I would caution against the idea that African countries do not have the agency to make their own choices.”
“Xi is very focused on self-sufficiency, which isn’t always the concern of the population.”

Support us on Patreon:

www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Book link:

https://www.hup.harvard.edu/catalog.php?isbn=9780674271913

Written and presented by Dipo Faloyin. Producer: Kasia Tomasiewicz. Audio editor: Jade Bailey. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Numbers Game: Do the polls give Sunak’s Tories any hope?

Wed, 23 Aug 2023 03:00:00 -0000

If you look at the data, this government has been dreadful. But take a closer look and there’s still a chance they might turn the polls on its head. Thankfully, that chance is tiny, but it’s still a chance nonetheless. Ben Walker is a journalist for the New Statesman and has analysed the numbers to work out the reality of a Tory turnaround. He joins Marie Le Conte in The Bunker.

“There’s been elections worse than this and parties have recovered.” – Ben Walker.
“The data doesn’t take into account the sentiment of the nation.” – Ben Walker.
“If you look at history it’s probably 1 in 4… lower than Biden vs Trump.” – Ben Walker.
“Is now the time for Labour to start pulling out its policies? Because it still has credibility issues.” – Ben Walker.
“The best thing I think the Conservatives can do is lose the election now, so they can recover quicker.” – Ben Walker.

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Written and presented by Marie Le Conte. Producer: Chris Jones. Audio production: Simon Williams. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison Music by Kenny Dickinson. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Isolation nation: Why sanctions on Russia are working… and what we must do next.

Tue, 22 Aug 2023 03:00:00 -0000

Over 1.5k Russian people and entities have been sanctioned by the UK over its illegal invasion of Ukraine. A year on, are they actually working? And could there be more to come? Mark Harrison is Emeritus Professor of Economics at the University of Warwick. He joins Alex Andreou in The Bunker.

“Historically the difficulty of sanctions has been that the prediction of the impact of them are always overestimated.” – Mark Harrison.
“Sanctions can do very little on their own, except push Russia towards more adventurism.” – Mark Harrison.
“Russia will find workarounds, but we have to work to make that as costly as possible.” – Mark Harrison.

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Written and presented by Alex Andreou. Producer: Chris Jones. Audio production: Simon Williams. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Music by Kenny Dickinson. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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The Lionesses and the unicorn — Start Your Week with Yasmeen Serhan and Ros Taylor

Mon, 21 Aug 2023 08:38:00 -0000

The Lionesses didn’t manage to win the women’s world cup. Were our heads of state right not to attend? Lucy Letby has been charged with murder, how will she be sentenced? Plus, with Hurricane Hilary in the Los Angeles and wild fires in Canada, who are the tourists photographing this extreme weather?

We also have an update on Donald Trump’s candidacy, the latest from the violent election in Ecuador, and the news stories you may have missed. Ros Taylor is joined by Yasmeen Serhan to give you the stories to look out for in the week ahead.

“If it was a men’s tournament, wouldn’t important members of state attend?”– Yasmeen Serhan
“Letby is only one of three women to get an entire life sentencing.” – Yasmeen Serhan
“Trump has never played by the rules, so he doesn’t think he needs to go on Fox.” –Yasmeen Serhan

Support us on Patreon:

www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Written and presented by Ros Taylor and Yasmeen Serhan. Producer: Kasia Tomasiewicz. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production: Jade Bailey. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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No rest for the Wicca: How ‘folk horror’ explains our politics

Sun, 20 Aug 2023 03:00:00 -0000

Creaky pub signs, animal skulls, and empty church yards. The British countryside can be a scary place, but what does the popularity of ‘folk horror’ tell us about our politics? Writer Jude Rogers is joined by John Doran, co-founder of music website The Quietus and presenter of BBC Radio 4 New Weird Britain series, to explore the effects of films like The Wicker Man on our national psyche and what the continued appetite for eerie renderings of the countryside says about us.

“Folk horror creates an uneasy clash between the modern and the ancient.”
“The unstable times we are living through are quite magical in their own horror.”
“Folk horror symbology is easily co-opted by the far right.”
“It’s often very conservative in suggesting that female sexuality shouldn’t be trusted.”

Support us on Patreon:

www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Written and presented by Jude Rogers. Producer: Kasia Tomasiewicz. Audio editor: Jade Bailey. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Bunker USA: How white supremacists use hate to manipulate the media

Sat, 19 Aug 2023 03:00:00 -0000

In August 2017, deadly violence broke out between white supremacists and counter protestors in Charlottesville, Virginia. The White supremacists claimed they were there to protest the removal of a confederate monument. But was there more to it? Was this actually a carefully orchestrated media event created by the alt right to gain more attention from the press? Aniko Bodroghkozy is professor of media studies at the university of Virginia and author of Making #Charlottesville. She was also there and joins Chris Jones in The Bunker.

“The alt right was using many of the same tactics that the civil rights movement perfected in the 60s.” – Aniko Bodroghkozy.
“I saw a contingent of neo-Nazis march right past my Synagogue… that’s a memory I will never get out of my head.” – Aniko Bodroghkozy.
“The alt right really came to Charlottesville, not to protest the taking down of a statue, but to create a violent confrontation.” – Aniko Bodroghkozy.

Support us on Patreon:

www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Written and presented by Chris Jones. Audio production: Jade Bailey. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Music by Kenny Dickinson. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Bunker Global: Hawaii devastated by wildfire, political murders in Ecuador, and latest on Trump’s indictment.

Fri, 18 Aug 2023 03:00:00 -0000

This week on Bunker Global: A roundup of the latest on Trump’s impeachment, as the catastrophic wildfires swept across Maui. Plus, we look into the death of two Ecuadorian politicians, and finally – who is the leather jacket wearing maverick storming Argentina’s presidential elections?

Laura Makin-Isherwood, formerly London bureau chief of Feature Story News, and Dillon Ancheta, a Maui-based journalist for Hawaii News Now, join Chris Jones this week. Listen in for your need-to-know on news and politics from across the world.

“Despite the sadness and loss, there are glimmers of hope as people come together in Maui.” – Dillon Ancheta
“It feels like we’re going to discuss Trump being indicted forever!” – Chris Jones
"Ecuador is caught in the crossfire between economics and the environment." – Laura Makin-Isherwood

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Shanghai rises: Could China’s housing crash cause a global financial crisis?

Thu, 17 Aug 2023 03:00:00 -0000

China’s home ownership bubble is less bursting and more deflating. As property company Evergrande announces $81bn of debt, why is this crisis slipping under the radar? Giving you the latest on this emerging economic disaster, Alex Andreou is joined by Cindy Yu, host of acclaimed podcast Chinese Whispers and assistant editor at the Spectator to explore how the economic crisis in China will impact the world.

“Home ownership from China came about incredibly quickly.”
“Property developers buy land from local governments, which has a knock-on effect on debt.”
“It sounds bizarre in a country undergoing inflation, but China’s deflation crisis is very worrying.”

www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Written and presented by Alex Andreou. Producers: Liam Tait and Kasia Tomasiewicz. Audio editor: Robin Leeburn. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Ozempic: The truth about the 'miracle' drug taking TikTok by storm

Wed, 16 Aug 2023 03:00:00 -0000

Ozempic is all over social media. You’ve probably seen dramatic before and after pictures of influencers showing off their weight loss. Even Elon Musk claims to be using it. But is it all it’s cracked up to be? Bobby Friction is joined by Dr. Robert Kushner, one of the scientists who led research into the safety of the so-called ‘miracle’ drug. to find out if this drug is the answer to the obesity crisis or just another money spinner for Big Pharma.

“Obesity shouldn’t be demonised, it is a disease to be treated.”
“Once you stop using Ozempic, all the feelings of hunger and cravings for food come back.”
“People don’t push back against lifelong diabetes medication, so why does that change for a disease like obesity?”

Support us on Patreon:

www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Written and presented by Bobby Friction. Producer: Liam Tait. Audio editor: Jade Bailey. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Peer pressure: The House of Lords is broken. Will we ever fix it?

Tue, 15 Aug 2023 03:00:00 -0000

There have been yet more controversial appointments to the House of Lords. Is it fit for purpose? How can we fix it? Ros Taylor is joined by Darren Hughes, chief executive of Electoral Reform Society, to explore how the House of Lords has gone wrong and what we can do about it.

“There haven’t been a willing set of retirements from the House of Lords.”
“Who regulates the regulators?”
“Don’t forget we still have the Liz Truss list to come!”

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Written and presented by Ros Taylor. Producer: Kasia Tomasiewicz. Audio editor: Simon Williams. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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The Barge that Flopped — Start Your Week with Alex Andreou and Ros Taylor

Mon, 14 Aug 2023 08:44:00 -0000

The Bibby Stockholm plan has been beset by legionella. Who could have seen this coming? The Tories want us to leave the European Convention on Human Rights, why are they obsessed with chaos? Plus, this week is ‘health week’. Given that doctors are on strike, what could possibly go wrong?

We also have an update on wildfires in Maui, the latest from Niger’s military coup, and the stories you may have missed. Ros Taylor is joined by Alex Andreou to give you the news to look out for in the week ahead.

“The Government couldn’t organise a fire in a match factory.” – Alex Andreou
“Sunak has all of his plans pinned on the weather.” – Alex Andreou
“Labour’s plan is an unsexy but important one: to make the state work again.”

Support us on Patreon:

www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Written and presented by Ros Taylor and Alex Andreou. Producer: Kasia Tomasiewicz. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production: Jade Bailey. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Up in smoke: How Big Tobacco is keeping us hooked

Sun, 13 Aug 2023 03:00:00 -0000

The rise of vapes and ever-increasing cigarette regulations are a big threat to Big Tobacco. What new methods have they dreamed up to keep us smoking? Dr. Kasia Tomasiewicz is joined by tobacco industry expert Robert Branston, associate professor in business economics at the University of Bath, to explore how Big Tobacco is still raking in huge profits.

“Tobacco is a product like no other legal product in terms of its lethality.”
“The profits are as addictive for these tobacco companies as tobacco is for the consumers.”
“It's very easy to think tobacco is yesterday's problem, but in large parts of the world tobacco use is going up.”

Support us on Patreon:

www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Presented by Kasia Tomasiewicz. Assistant producer: Adam Wright. Audio editor: Jade Bailey. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Bunker USA: Trump trashed the Supreme Court. Can it be fixed?

Sat, 12 Aug 2023 03:00:00 -0000

The US Supreme Court has a huge power grip over America. And, thanks to Trump, it’s now more politicised than ever. So how has that impacted real life? Brian Klaas is associate professor in global politics at UCL and argues the court is “...a politicised institution masquerading as an impartial one”. He joins Andrew Harrison in The Bunker to discuss if it can be fixed.

Brian’s piece: https://www.forkingpaths.co/p/how-to-fix-the-us-supreme-court

“There was a deference given to the courts… as if they were gods on American soil.” – Brian Klaas
“Politicising something takes 10 minutes, depoliticising something takes 10 years or more.” – Brian Klaas
“They’re all actors… it’s all for show.” – Brian Klaas
“There is a problem that is now unsolvable, which is I don’t think the court will be seen as apolitical ever again.” – Brian Klaas

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Written and presented by Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Producer: Chris Jones. Audio production: Alex Rees. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Music by Kenny Dickinson. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Bunker Global: Zelenskyy assassination plot, Niger coup latest and Thai election deadlock

Fri, 11 Aug 2023 03:00:00 -0000

This week on Bunker Global: The coup in Niger rolls on, as US envoys hold talks with the junta. And, a plot to kill Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenksyy was foiled earlier this week. What happened? Plus the confusion about the Thai elections rage on. Could a coalition be formed? Andrew Harrison talks to Vice News senior Editor Dipo Faloyin and Vox journalist Ellen Ionas to answer all those questions.

“People are hoping that a democratic solution will come about, but in the meantime, the Coup leaders are sitting back and staying strong.” – Dipo Faloyin
“There’s very little evidence that Wagner has struck a deal with the coup leaders.” – Dipo Faloyin
“The challenge that he now faces are more efforts by Russian forces trying to infiltrate Ukrainian society.” – Dipo Faloyin

Support us on Patreon:

www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Written and presented by Group Editor Andrew Harrison. Producer: Chris Jones. Audio production: Jade Bailey. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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How QAnon is still destroying the internet

Thu, 10 Aug 2023 03:00:00 -0000

QAnon began as a niche conspiracy theory. How did it become a movement for self-radicalisation? How have its dangerous ideas infiltrated society? Rafael Behr is joined by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist James Ball, author of The Other Pandemic How QAnon Contaminated the World, to explore how the dark corners of the internet have serious implications for mainstream politics.

“Lots of QAnon conspiracies emerged from online trolling.”
“4Chan created things the rest of the internet couldn’t say.”
“QAnon asked people to self radicalise which caused a snowball effect.”

www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Link for James Ball’s book: https://www.bloomsbury.com/uk/the-other-pandemic-9781526642554/

Link for Rafael Behr’s book: https://www.waterstones.com/book/politics-a-survivors-guide/rafael-behr/9781838955045

Written and presented by Rafael Behr. Producer: Kasia Tomasiewicz. Audio editor: Simon Williams. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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The Real McMafia: How drug lords cash in on global conflicts

Wed, 09 Aug 2023 03:00:00 -0000

Criminal gangs have gone global. How do they use international networks to increase their power and influence? Far from being underground, criminals now run state-backed organisations and even private armies.

Seth Thévoz is joined in The Bunker by investigative reporter for the FT Miles Johnson, author of Chasing Shadows: A true story of drugs, war and the secret world of international crime, to find out if established law enforcement can ever outpace the next generation of crime.

“Sanctions lead to strange alliances between parties who aren't ideologically aligned.”
“In criminal networks you'll see a lot of incompetence and egotism.”
"In Syria, you have people who are actually in power, in a sovereign state who are engaging in organised criminal activity."

Support us on Patreon:

www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Book Link

https://www.hachette.co.uk/titles/miles-johnson/chasing-shadows/9780349128641/

Written and presented by Seth Thévoz. Producer: Kasia Tomasiewicz and Liam Tait. Audio editor: Robin Leeburn. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Chris Bryant MP on stopping the rot at the heart of British politics

Tue, 08 Aug 2023 03:00:00 -0000

Politics has never been so rife with bad behaviour. Labour’s Chris Bryant MP wants to change that. He sets out a plan for a better type of politics in his new book Code of Conduct Why We Need to Fix Parliament – and How to Do It. As Chair of the Committees on Standards and Privileges, he’s had a unique insight into why MPs think they can get away with misbehaviour and what is at stake if we don’t fix parliament quickly. He joins Gavin Esler to discuss making democracy better and calling out rotten MPs.

“We have a system in the UK where, to quote ABBA, the winner takes it all”
“We don’t realise quite how fragile democracy is.”
“One bad apple doesn’t mean it is an exception to the rule, it means it spoils the barrel.”

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Book link: https://www.bloomsbury.com/uk/code-of-conduct-9781526663573/

Written and presented by Gavin Esler. Producers: Kasia Tomasiewicz and Alex Rees. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Looming barge — Start Your Week with Arthur Snell and Jacob Jarvis

Mon, 07 Aug 2023 08:52:00 -0000

The Government’s plans to house migrants on the Bibby Stockholm barge continues to cause controversy. Why are they going ahead with it? Does Labour have any better ideas? Plus, we have an update on Ukraine, the latest from Donald Trump’s legal scandals, and details on Niger’s military coup. Jacob Jarvis is joined by Doomsday Watch host Arthur Snell to give you the big stories for the week ahead.

“The barges are a nakedly political agenda.” – Arthur Snell
“It always feels like Donald Trump is playing political chicken.” – Jacob Jarvis

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Presented by Jacob Jarvis with Arthur Snell. Producer: Kasia Tomasiewicz. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production: Simon Williams. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Making a killing: How true crime monetised murder

Sun, 06 Aug 2023 03:00:00 -0000

True crime has never been more popular. Is it uniquely harmful to society, or have we always been fascinated with the macabre? And why does there suddenly seem to be a boom in internet sleuths? Exploring the increasingly blurred lines between those seeking justice and those making internet content, Jude Rogers talks to Tanya Horeck, Professor of Film and Feminist Media Studies and author of Justice on Demand: True Crime in the Digital Streaming Era about how true crime in the digital age has transformed society.

“True crime can be a way to process a lot of the traumatic things in society.”
“True crime feeds into the idea that we are all internet sleuths.”
“ True crime has created a cultural space for a political discussion about violence against women.”

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Written and presented by Jude Rogers. Producer: Kasia Tomasiewicz. Assistant producer: Adam Wright. Audio editor: Jade Bailey. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Bunker USA: Space Oddities – Are aliens being hidden from us?

Sat, 05 Aug 2023 11:01:00 -0000

Are aliens real? That question was brought up again in a high-level Congressional hearing this week. Three former members of the US military brought forward their evidence to prove that extraterrestrial life IS real. But were there stories credible? Or is it all easily explainable coincidences? Dr Kate Devlin, sits down in The Bunker with Mick West, science writer, investigator and MetaBunk founder to discuss.

“A lot of people believe that UFOs are aliens - and a lot of those people are in the US government.” – Mick West
“The problem is we don’t have actual evidence to show what Grusch said was true.” – Mick West.
“I think they need to think about raising the veil of secrecy, because it allows stories like this to fester.” – Mick West.

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Written and presented by Dr Kate Devlin. Producer: Chris Jones. Audio production:Simon Williams. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Music by Kenny Dickinson. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Bunker USA: He’s Don it again – Is this game over for Trump?

Sat, 05 Aug 2023 03:00:00 -0000

Donald Trump has been indicted again. There are 4 charges this time around, including Conspiracy to Defraud the United States. The former President is facing decades in jail and still, he’s the leading GOP candidate in the next election. Sarah Isgur is a senior editor for The Dispatch and host of the Advisory Opinions podcast. She joins Gavin Esler in The Bunker from Washington DC to unpack the latest charges and exactly what they mean for US politics.

“They’re going to have to prove Donald Trump’s mental state in this, and the jokes fly right there.” – Sarah Isgur.
“When it comes to jail time, don’t worry, Trump is facing decades… way past his life expectancy.” – Sarah Isgur.
“This is a mess. There will be good and bad legal reasons to delay some of these trials.” – Sarah Isgur.
“It’s going to be really, really hard and detrimental for US politics for the years to come.” – Sarah Isgur.

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Written and presented by Gavin Esler. Producer: Chris Jones. Audio production: Alex Rees. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Music by Kenny Dickinson. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Bunker Global: El Salvador’s next level war on gangs, Xi’s nuclear power grab and Russia steals Ukraine’s children

Fri, 04 Aug 2023 03:00:00 -0000

This week on Bunker Global: El Salvador’s war on gangs continues as President Bukele introduces mass trials for accused gang members. Plus, we take a closer look at China where President Xi has removed key military figures in charge of nuclear missiles, in an apparent power grab. And, what does Russia’s alleged kidnapping of Ukrainian children mean for Putin’s long term strategy?

Laura Makin-Isherwood, former London bureau chief of Feature Story News, and Doug Specht, reader in cultural geography and communication at the University of Westminster, join Jacob Jarvis to get you up to speed on what you need to know about news and politics from across the world.

“Putin’s obsession with Ukraine is going to be a lifelong mission and potentially an eternal war from Russia.” Jacob Jarvis
“Bukele calls himself the ‘world's coolest dictator.” Doug Specht
“Xi Jinping seems to be shaken by the Wagner coup. He’s trying to solidify his power.” Laura Makin-Isherwood

www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Written and presented by Jacob Jarvis with Laura Makin-Isherwood. Producer: Liam Tait. Assistant Producer: Adam Wright. Audio editor: Simon Williams. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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X marks the rot: Inside Elon Musk’s Twitter branding meltdown

Thu, 03 Aug 2023 03:00:00 -0000

Twitter as we know it is dead. The bird has been sent out to pasture and replaced with a stark ‘X’ symbol. Will Elon Musk’s rebrand go down in history as the most successful rebrand since ‘Snickers’ – or will it be the next ‘New Coke’?

Leslie Hallam, director of the psychology of advertising masters programme at Lancaster University, joins Alex Andreou in the Bunker to discuss the world of marketing, rebranding and Musk’s fascination with the letter X.

"Brands exist so people can become attached to the products they represent."
“Musk has run the Twitter brand in the ground, so it makes sense to rebrand it now.”
"People mourn the loss of these brands, they’re important cultural artefacts.”

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Written and presented by Alex Andreou. Producers: Liam Tait & Alex Rees. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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First degree burns: Why Sunak’s wrong on universities

Wed, 02 Aug 2023 03:00:00 -0000

Rishi Sunak’s decision to limit the number of students able to study what he calls “low-value degrees” has sparked backlash. Why is he doing this – and does it make sense? And is this even about education at all? Dr. Zoe Hope Bulaitis, assistant professor of liberal arts and natural sciences at University of Birmingham and author of Value and The Humanities, joins Gavin Esler in The Bunker to discuss where the PM is getting it wrong on university courses.

“The fact that students are willing to go into these careers shows that there’s more to life than a high pay cheque." – Dr Zoe Bulaitis
“To say that a degree is ‘low value’ is to concede to the terms that a degree is valued to specific terms.” – Dr Zoe Bulaitis
“This is more sensation than substance.” – Dr Zoe Bulaitis

Support us on Patreon:

www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Written and presented by Gavin Esler. Producer: Chris Jones. Audio production: Jade Bailey. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Moving on up: How our view on migration is changing

Tue, 01 Aug 2023 03:00:00 -0000

Attitudes to migration were a key cause of Brexit – but is it still such a major factor in how people vote? With research showing that the UK now has a more favourable attitude to migration, what are the arguments for it? Alex Andreou is joined by Rob Ford, professor of political science at the University of Manchester, and co-author of Brexitland, to explore the real public opinions on migration beyond the headlines.

“People can’t do the maths on immigration so they always say they want less.”
“A nationalistic narrative – that migration befits the country - is one way to change public opinion.”
“The Labour voting opinion on migration has changed, there are more pressing things to worry about.”

www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Book link:

https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/brexitland/667A60CB4C315A755792074E79B20FBA

Written and presented by Alex Andreou. Producer: Kasia Tomasiewicz. Audio editor: Simon Williams. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Scare traffic controllers — Start Your Week with Gavin Esler

Mon, 31 Jul 2023 08:42:00 -0000

Setting up the stories of the week ahead. Today: Rishi Sunak says he’s “on the side of motorists”. How did a sliver of a vote in the Uxbridge by-election cause a massacre of green policies? Talking of pollution, Nigel Farage’s war on banks continues. Will his hard-done-by routine rehabilitate his political career? Plus the military coup in Niger, the Ukraine war comes to Moscow, and the latest from Israel’s democracy protests. Andrew Harrison is joined by Gavin Esler to give you the low-down on the week ahead in politics.

“Why don’t Labour just stick to the plan, lads?” – Gavin Esler
“There was resistance to the building of sewers, but the Great Stink of 1858 put an end to that.” – Gavin Esler
“People have a bizarre, visceral attachment to their cars.” – Andrew Harrison

Support us on Patreon:

www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Presented by Andrew Harrison and Gavin Esler. Producer: Kasia Tomasiewicz. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production: Jade Bailey. Artwork: James Parrett. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Bunker Panel: Meat your Maker

Sun, 30 Jul 2023 03:00:00 -0000

Can Artificial Intelligence replace our loved ones after death? Will Gregg Wallace’s cannibalism mockumentary change how we see the future of food? Dr. Kate Devlin, author of Turned On: Science, Sex and Robots and historian Dr. Kasia Tomasiewicz join Jacob Jarvis and Andrew Harrison to chew the fat and try to answer some of the after life’s biggest questions. Yes, back by popular demand, it’s the Bunker Panel!

“People are unpredictable and infuriating, I can’t imagine AI being able to replicate that.” – Andrew Harrison
“I’m really glad you didn’t invite me here to discuss connecting with your dead loved ones via lab grown meat.” – Dr. Kate Devlin
"Food has always been linked to economics, Roman soldiers were actually paid in salt." – Dr. Kasia Tomasiewicz

www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Link's

Kate's Book: https://www.bloomsbury.com/uk/turned-on-9781472950871/

A funeral for fish and chips: why are Britain’s chippies disappearing? by Tom Lamont

https://www.theguardian.com/food/2023/jul/20/a-funeral-for-fish-and-chips-east-neuk-fife-anstruther-scotland

‘It was as if my father were actually texting me’: grief in the age of AI by Aimee Pearcy

https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2023/jul/18/ai-chatbots-grief-chatgpt

Written and presented by Jacob Jarvis with Andrew Harrison. Producer: Liam Tait. Audio editor: Robin Leeburn. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Bunker USA: Bloody Murdoch – Is the real-life Logan Roy unstoppable?

Sat, 29 Jul 2023 03:00:00 -0000

Phone hacking, false claims of election hacking and a potential high profile libel case with a maligned BBC newsreader. Those are just a few of the scandals facing Rupert Murdoch’s media empire in the last few years. Despite this, the 92-year-old media mogul’s vice-like grip on the media landscape has remained as powerful as ever.

Gavin Esler is joined in The Bunker by journalist William D Cohan, to find out how Murdoch has maintained his position of influence and power.

“There's a lot of power entrusted with Murdoch, and there's no accountability for his behaviour”
“If I were him, I would be deeply disturbed by what my television network had created.”
"Publishers have no appetite, or budget, for tough investigative reporting."

www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Written and presented by Gavin Esler. Producer: Chris Jones & Liam Tait. Audio editor: Robin Leeburn. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Bunker Global: Spain's right-wing reckoning, Wagner on the move and Musk stiffs staff

Fri, 28 Jul 2023 03:00:00 -0000

This week on Bunker Global: The Spanish election fallout as a hung parliament leaves Spain in political limbo. Are Wagner mercenaries really preparing to invade Poland? Also, Elon Musk is ghosting Twitter employees in Africa, why does Big Tech show such little respect to the global South?

Dipo Faloyin, senior editor of global news at Vice and author of ‘Africa is not a Country’, and Guy Hedgecoe, freelance journalist based in Madrid, join Andrew Harrison to get you up to speed on what you need to know about news and politics from across the world.

“It would be incredibly stupid for 5,000 mercenaries to invade a Nato country.” - Dipo Faloyin
“It was a shock that Vox performed so poorly considering their huge success in local elections in May.” - Guy Hedgecoe
“People have fallen out of hotel windows for a lot less than what Preghozin has done.” - Dipo Faloyin

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Written and presented by Andrew Harrison with Dipo Faloyin. Producer: Liam Tait. Assistant Producer: Adam Wright. Audio editor: Simon Williams. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Leaving California: The death of Silicon Valley

Thu, 27 Jul 2023 03:00:00 -0000

Are we witnessing the death of Silicon Valley as big tech shifts from physical products to services? And has the time of California being the promised land for budding tech bros gone? Dr. Kate Devlin is joined in The Bunker by Joel Kotkin, fellow in urban studies at Chapman University, to find out.

“One of the dirty little secrets of Silicon Valley is that it was largely created by federal spending.”
“I have never met a group who are less conscious of their social impact than Silicon Valley people.“
"Today Silicon Valley is a series of oligarchic companies with 80-90 per cent market shares and no desire to improve."

www.patreon.com/bunkercast

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Odd jobs: How MPs’ side hustles twist our Democracy

Wed, 26 Jul 2023 03:00:00 -0000

MPs have collectively earned millions of pounds from side hustles in the last few years. From the ‘cash for access’ scandal to the resignation of Owen Paterson, the public is fascinated by extra work carried out by politicians. But how much does this impact their day jobs?

Marie Le Conte sits down with Dr. Simon Weschle, assistant professor in the political science department at Syracuse University, to find out if second jobs truly are the scourge of British politics.

“Having a second job means MPs are more likely to attend the commons.”
“An MP working as a dentist doesn’t change their voting behaviour.“
"If an MP has a city job they spend more time in London but they’re less often in their constituency."

www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Written and presented by Marie Le Conte. Producer: Liam Tait and Kasia Tomasiewicz. Audio editor: Alex Rees. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Hammer homes: Would a house price crash be a good thing?

Tue, 25 Jul 2023 03:00:00 -0000

Buying a house in the UK is almost impossible for many people. But house prices could fall by 10 per cent over the next 2 years. Is that a good thing? Peter Apps is the deputy editor of Inside Housing magazine, he joins Hannah Fearn in The Bunker.

“There’s so much demand in the UK and there’s such a shortage of houses.” – Peter Apps.
“It’s very difficult to predict where we’re going to be for the next couple of years.” – Peter Apps.
“If people start losing money on Help to Buy deals, the government immediately starts to take notice. Private renters are basically on their own.” – Peter Apps
“Private landlords aren’t asking themselves difficult questions about what people can actually afford.” – Peter Apps.

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Written and presented by Hannah Fearn. Producer: Chris Jones. Audio production: Alex Rees. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Music by Kenny Dickinson THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Fume and Gloom — Start Your Week with Alex Andreou and Jacob Jarvis

Mon, 24 Jul 2023 09:02:00 -0000

Rishi Sunak and Keir Starmer are both on manoeuvres after the by-elections – but what are their tangible plans? As the Labour leader asks Sadiq Khan to “reflect” on ULEZ, the Tory PM is doubling down on just being horrid. Plus, we have the latest on the climate crisis in Greece, an update on elections in Spain, and news from Ukraine. Alex Andreou joins Jacob Jarvis to map out the week ahead.

“Rishi Sunak will fail on all of his five promises.” – Alex Andreou
“Labour have relied on Sadiq Khan’s popularity instead of making a case for ULEZ.” – Alex Andreou
“We haven’t had a proper silly season in ages, and I suspect Boris Johnson will cause mischief.” – Alex Andreou

www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Written and presented by Jacob Jarvis with Alex Andreou. Producer: Kasia Tomasiewicz. Audio editor: Simon Williams. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Chamber Potty: Can buildings ruin political debate?

Sun, 23 Jul 2023 03:00:00 -0000

From the Hague to Westminster, buildings shape the politics that happens within them. Does the design of the Chamber in Westminster encourage bad behaviour? How does Britain compare with the rest of Europe? Exploring the benefits of horseshoes, circles and semicircles are historian Seth Thévoz and Sophia Psarra, professor at the Bartlett School of Architecture, UCL. Her forthcoming edited collection Parliament Buildings The architecture of politics in Europe comes out in October.

“Buildings are institutions which help our thinking.”
“If you are going to build buildings, do it properly or deal with the consequences.”
“When people become MPs in England they don’t know how to use the building.”

www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Book Link: https://www.uclpress.co.uk/products/223070

Written and presented by Seth Thévoz. Producer: Kasia Tomasiewicz. Assistant producer: Adam Wright. Audio editor: Simon Williams. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Bunker Bonus: Lights, camera, industrial action – Inside the Hollywood strike

Sat, 22 Jul 2023 11:01:00 -0000

For the first time in 63 years, Hollywood has a double strike on its hands. Actors have joined writers on the picket lines – in an effort to take on the tech giants who have disrupted TV and cinemas in recent years.

Alex Andreou sits down with screenwriter Karey Kirkpatrick to discuss streaming platforms, the threat of AI on creativity and Chicken Run 2.

“Every industry is scrambling with regulations around AI. This isn’t just a Hollywood problem.”
“If you want to be a professional writer at the highest levels, you must be in these guilds.“
"Tech companies don’t understand how Hollywood works."

www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Written and presented by Alex Andreou. Producer: Liam Tait. Assistant Producer: Adam Wright. Audio editor: Simon Williams. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Bunker USA: Here comes the Republican Party's next civil war

Sat, 22 Jul 2023 03:00:00 -0000

The first debate in the race to be the GOP’s presidential nominee for 2024 is a month away. What should we watch out for – and how will the party split? Former President Trump is dominating the opinion polls, but a crowded field of other candidates has emerged – including Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and former Vice-President Mike Pence. Jacob Jarvis is joined by Politico’s senior campaigns and elections editor Steven Shepard, to discuss the latest clashes.

“It doesn’t seem that Republican primary voters are willing to turn on Trump, even after everything.” – Steven Shepard
“Donald Trump’s decision on whether or not to take part in these debates is crucial to how this race goes” – Steven Shepard

Support us on Patreon:

www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Written and presented by Jacob Jarvis. Assistant producer: Adam Wright. Audio editor: Jade Bailey. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Bunker Global: The World's on Fire, China's Watching You and Meloni on the Rise

Fri, 21 Jul 2023 03:00:00 -0000

This week on Bunker Global: As horror heat consumes the earth – is climate chaos the new normal? Plus, we pick apart the extent of China’s spy operations. And, as Giorgia Meloni’s tenure as Italian PM looks increasingly concerning, we pick apart her actions so far.

Laura Makin-Isherwood, former London bureau chief of Feature Story News, and Kai Strittmatter, former China correspondent for German newspaper Suddeutsche Zeitung, join Jacob Jarvis to get you up to speed on what you need to know about news and politics from across the world.

“It looks like we’re only going to see significant movement on carbon neutral tech once it becomes profitable.” - Jacob Jarvis
“Imagine an episode of Black Mirror, that’s what it’s like living in the dystopian China of today.” - Kai Strittmatter
“Italy was anti EU in the past, but now it feels like Meloni is moving more towards Brussels and changing it from within.” - Laura Makin-Isherwood

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Click-hate: How the online rage machine took over society

Thu, 20 Jul 2023 03:00:00 -0000

Social media fuels many emotions, especially anger. And if you’ve followed UK politics for any length of time, you’ll be used to that feeling. Author of Outrage Machine, Tobias Rose-Stockwell, says tech companies know this and have tailored their algorithms to maximise the amount we consume. But how does this translate to real life? Does it alter the way we vote? And does it damage democracy? He joins Hannah Fearn in The Bunker.

Book:

https://www.littlebrown.co.uk/titles/tobias-rose-stockwell/outrage-machine/9780349427386/

“We have a tremendous propensity to look to others when we’re trying to figure out what to feel.” – Tobias Rose-Stockwell.
“Social media does a really good job of serving us things that make us angry.” – Tobias Rose-Stockwell.
“Social media is not working with different materials… it’s just gotten better at extracting our attention.” – Tobias Rose-Stockwell.

www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Written and presented by Hannah Fearn Producer: Chris Jones. Audio production: Robin Leeburn Music by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Libel Bashers: The laws that rein in the tabloids

Wed, 19 Jul 2023 03:00:00 -0000

Libel laws have been around for centuries in England – yet the public and the papers keep falling foul of them. The witch hunt for the then-unnamed BBC presenter in early July is the latest example. The anonymity of that presenter, now revealed to be Huw Edwards, meant people began publicly accusing other BBC presenters of being involved. At least one Twitter user has now been sued over this. So what are our libel laws? And why do they catch so many people out? Journalist and media consultant David Banks joins Seth Thévoz in The Bunker.

“Whether the Sun’s in trouble remains to be seen, but those who dived in after the Sun now find themselves in hot water.” – David Banks
“Your right to a reputation is a very ancient concept in England and Wales.” – David Banks
“Way back when if you slandered someone you could have your tongue cut out.” – David Banks

Support us on Patreon:

www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Written and presented by Seth Thévoz. Producers: Kasia Tomasiewicz & Chris Jones. Audio production: Jade Bailey. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Does Labour have the plan to dodge climate disaster?

Tue, 18 Jul 2023 03:00:00 -0000

Labour says it will harness the sun, wind, and waves to deliver clean energy by 2030. It’s a very ambitious plan, to say the least, but one Sir Keir Starmer says can only do good. Is it achievable? Will it save the world? And is it even any different from what the other political parties are offering? Luke Murphy is the associate director for energy, climate, housing and infrastructure at Institute for Public Policy Research – he joins Chris Jones in the Bunker.

“Younger people want to see us leaving a better planet for their children and grandchildren, and we’re not on course for that.“ – Luke Murphy.
“The public has a huge appetite for change, ahead of what is currently possible.” – Luke Murphy
“The public recognises that green energy is a route to help them with the cost of living.” – Luke Murphy

www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Written and presented by Chris Jones. Producers: Chris Jones & Liam Tait. Audio production: Robin Leeburn. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Music by Kenny Dickinson THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Electoral dysfunction — Start Your Week with Alex Andreou and Hannah Fearn

Mon, 17 Jul 2023 08:40:00 -0000

Rishi Sunak’s Tories face three by-elections this week — what will these results mean for the struggling PM? Meanwhile, Keir Starmer’s latest u-turn has frustrated even his most loyal supporters. What pressure does he face? Plus global weather is out of control — and actors join the fight against AI. Hannah Fearn joins Alex Andreou to map out the week ahead.

“These three by-elections are a snapshot of the nation’s mood." – Hannah Fearn
“If the Tories keep just one seat, they’ll be able to say Labour are weak to not take all three." – Alex Andreou
“I struggle to see how looking incompetent on immigration is a vote winner for the conservatives.” – Hannah Fearn

Support us on Patreon:

www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Written and presented by Alex Andreou with Hannah Fearn. Producer: Liam Tait. Audio editor: Jade Bailey. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Work from holiday: How digital nomads are exporting the rent crisis

Sun, 16 Jul 2023 03:00:00 -0000

Are work-from-home jet-setters pioneering of a new way of life or are they just the next generation of gentrifiers? After the pandemic the rise of “digital nomads” sparked envy across social media – but are they causing more problems than they solve?

Kasia Tomasiewicz is joined in the Bunker by UCL anthropologist Dave Cook to find out if working from the beach is all it's cracked up to be.

“They travel around the world to escape the 9-5 and end up in a coworking space. . . which is just the millennial rebranding of the office.”
“In Lisbon there is graffiti on walls saying ‘digital nomads are a f*cking disgrace, go home’. There is a lot of tension.“
"The ability to be a digital nomad depends on the global passport and visa system which is very racist."

For more on Digital Nomads, check out What is a digital nomad? by Dave Cook

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Written and presented by Kasia Tomasiewicz . Producer: Liam Tait. Audio editor: Alex Rees. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Bunker USA: Can America solve its mass shooting crisis?

Sat, 15 Jul 2023 03:00:00 -0000

Young people living in America are more likely to be shot and killed than to die in a car accident. Does that shock you? What about this - there have been over 600 mass shootings recorded in the US every year for 3 years, not far from 2 a day. Why is it getting worse? And Are there any solutions at all? Dr. Patrick M. Carter is Co-Director at the Institute for Firearm Injury Prevention at Michigan State University. He joins Alex Andreou in The Bunker.

“It’s hard to say exactly what the reason for the increase in mass shootings is, but they are increasing.” – Dr Patrick Carter
“There isn’t a single solution, it isn't just about banning guns.” – Dr. Patrick M. Carter.
“We are decades behind on research for this public health problem.” – Dr. Patrick M. Carter.

www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Written and presented by Alex Andreou. Producer: Chris Jones. Audio production: Simon Williams. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Bunker Global: NATO’s Ukraine dilemma, Nigeria’s army out of control – and robots promise not to conquer us

Fri, 14 Jul 2023 03:00:00 -0000

This week on Bunker Global: We ask what it will take for Ukraine to achieve NATO membership following their summit in Lithuania, take a closer look at the civilians caught in the crossfire between Boko Haram and the Nigerian Army, and finally Artificial Intelligence promised not to destroy humanity in an AI press conference in Geneva, do we trust it?

Dipo Faloyin, senior editor for global news at Vice, and Mark Webber, professor of international politics at the University of Birmingham, join Andrew Harrison to get you up to speed on what you need to know about news and politics from across the world.

“Zelenskyy is probably happier this afternoon than he was 24 hours ago.” – Mark Webber
“The government claims if you live in a certain area you must have sympathies towards Boko Haram.” – Dipo Faloyin
“A.I. havens will be the Tax havens of the future.” – Andrew Harrison

Link to Dipo’s Article: ‘They Just Shoot and Burn’: Civilians Targeted in Nigeria’s War on Boko Haram

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Thread Alert: Should we be worried about Mark Zuckerberg 2.0?

Thu, 13 Jul 2023 03:00:00 -0000

Mark Zuckerberg has transformed from unsuspecting nerd to an MMA fighter taking on arch tech bro Elon Musk. What has changed? Bobby Friction speaks to Wessie du Toit, a freelance writer behind the newsletter The Pathos of Things, about Zuckerberg 2.0 and if we should be concerned about his macho man transformation.

“After the 2016 election, Zuckerberg became a pantomime villain so he needed a makeover.”
“You don’t see CEOs of energy companies threatening to fight each other in cage matches.”
“His increasingly desperate efforts to build his metaverse just look sad.”

Support us on Patreon:

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Salt of the Earth: The substances that shaped the course of humanity

Wed, 12 Jul 2023 03:00:00 -0000

The basis of human life is built upon various elements. Have we forgotten how important they are? Sky News’ economics editor, Ed Conway, explores whether we’ve lost touch with them in his new book Material World – and why they could fuel our downfall or build a better future. He joins Alex Andreou in The Bunker to discuss.

“We have forgotten some of the physical underpinnings of our time.” – Ed Conway
“The internet is not an ethereal thing, it is a physical product.” – Ed Conway
“My objective was to try and remind ourselves of the stuff around us and explain how they began in the ground.” – Ed Conway
“There was a time where it seemed like the electrical age couldn’t begin because there wasn’t enough copper.” – Ed Conway

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Written and presented by Alex Andreou. Producer: Chris Jones. Audio production: Simon Williams Music by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Tapping out: How privatisation wrecked our waterworks

Tue, 11 Jul 2023 03:00:00 -0000

Thames Water recently announced £14 billion of debt. How does an essential utility haemorrhage so much money? More than three decades after they were privatised, could renationalisation be the solution? Laura Makin-Isherwood is joined by Rob Branston, associate professor in business economics, to discuss how the privatisation of water companies in England has failed and the solutions to clean up our water woes.

“Privatisation is a political ideology, but we need to remember that in the 80s we didn’t have good water services.”
“There is a collective debt of £60 billion across our water companies.”
“The debts have gone up because of interest on the existing debt.”

www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Written and presented by Laura Makin-Isherwood. Producer: Kasia Tomasiewicz. Assistant producer: Adam Wright. Audio editor: Robin Leeburn. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Change the channel — Start Your Week with Arthur Snell and Jacob Jarvis

Mon, 10 Jul 2023 08:31:00 -0000

The BBC is in turmoil again, over allegations a presenter paid a teenager for sexual photos. How will the broadcaster navigate this scandal? Plus, Sunak is getting a visit from Biden, what will they discuss? Plus we discuss the latest from Ukraine and the continuing Johnson-adjacent political fallout. Arthur Snell joins Jacob Jarvis to map out the week ahead.

“The BBC is subject to an intense level of political hostility, so this is inevitably politicised.” – Arthur Snell
“Britain just doesn’t have the power it once had, so America is inevitably building ties elsewhere.” – Arthur Snell
“America is now blocking Ukraine’s membership to NATO.” – Arthur Snell

Support us on Patreon:

www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Written and presented by Arthur Snell and Jacob Jarvis. Producer: Kasia Tomasiewicz. Audio editor: Jade Bailey. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Yes, MPs are weird… but is that a good thing?

Sun, 09 Jul 2023 03:00:00 -0000

Politicians are… weird. While it baffles us relentlessly – could it be a good thing? Sunak forgetting how to use a card machine, Rees-Mogg lounging in the commons and Truss, Truss-ing. The list goes on and on and on. So why are politicians the way they are? Dr. James Weinberg is a political academic at the University of Sheffield and author of Who Enters Politics And Why. He joins Marie Le Conte in The Bunker.

“We’ve got this popular human fascination with politicians.” – James Weinberg.
“I think it’s highly unlikely that the political environment changes politician’s personalities.” – James Weinberg
“If we can change our political environment, I think our politicians have the drivers to do a good job.” – James Weinberg

www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Written and presented by Marie Le Conte. Producer: Chris Jones. Audio production: Robin Leeburn. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Music by Kenny Dickinson THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Bunker USA: Is RFK Jr.’s conspiracy cult a gift to Donald Trump?

Sat, 08 Jul 2023 03:00:00 -0000

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is the leading Democratic challenger to Biden for 2024. But is he actually a threat to the current President – or just a gift to Trump? And how much of a danger does he pose to US politics and society? Molly Jong-Fast is a columnist for Vanity Fair and the host of Fast Politics Pod. She shares her thoughts on the conspiracy peddling political hopeful with Gavin Esler in The Bunker.

Listen to Molly’s podcast here: https://fastpoliticspod.com

“RFK Jr is part of this tapestry of anti-science rhetoric in the US.” – Molly Jong-Fast.
“The right-wing establishment has worked hard to undermine people’s beliefs in science.” – Molly Jong-Fast.
“He’ll never get elected, but maybe he’ll get Trump elected.” – Molly Jong-Fast.
“The reason he’s anywhere is because he’s a nepo-baby.” – Molly Jong-Fast.

www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Written and presented by Gavin Esler Producer: Chris Jones. Audio production: Simon Williams. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Music by Kenny Dickinson THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Bunker Global: Devastation in Jenin, France riot fallout and Hong Kong bounties

Fri, 07 Jul 2023 03:00:00 -0000

On the first edition of Bunker Global: A closer look at Israel’s assault on Jenin, the fallout of the violent protests across France and the bounties placed on Hong Kong dissidents. Laura Makin-Isherwood, formerly London bureau chief of Feature Story News, and Anshel Pfeffer, a Jerusalem-based writer for Haaretz and the Economist, join Jacob Jarvis this week. Listen in to get you up to speed on what you need to know about news and politics from across the world.

“The Jenin Brigade aren’t going away, yes a number of them have been killed – but this isn’t over.” – Anshel Pfeffer
“These bounties are a message to these activists that the Chinese Government is watching them.” – Laura Makin-Isherwood
"French youth are questioning how the state interacts with the public, and who indeed they can trust." – Laura Makin-Isherwood

www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Written and presented by Jacob Jarvis with Laura Makin-Isherwood and Anshel Pfeffer. Producer: Liam Tait. Assistant Producer: Adam Wright. Audio editor: Simon Williams. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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False Economy – Why is Britain so unproductive?

Thu, 06 Jul 2023 03:00:00 -0000

Productivity in Britain is down – is an army of middlemen partly to blame? Ros Taylor sits down with Giles Wilkes, senior fellow at the Institute for Government, to find out why we need to cut back on what he labels ‘crud’ to revitalise our economy.

“Crud is artificial capitalism.”
“The Conservatives did a lot of damage in the 80s and are now returning to the scene of the crime and asking who did this?”

www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Written and presented by Ros Taylor. Producer: Liam Tait. Audio editor: Alex Rees. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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The NHS is 75 years old – will it make 80?

Wed, 05 Jul 2023 03:00:00 -0000

The NHS was formed 75 years ago. As it celebrates its diamond anniversary, the service seems to be under more pressure than ever. Andrew Harrison is joined by Roy Lilley to celebrate the 75th birthday of the NHS and to ask, will it make it to 80?

“The NHS is knackered isn’t it? Nobody can blame staff for wanting to leave.”
“If we leave the NHS to get on with the job, it will roll up its sleeves and deliver.”
“Virgin tried to come in and run the NHS like an airport, where are they now?”

www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Written and presented by Andrew Harrison. Producer: Liam Tait. Assistant Producer: Adam Wright. Audio editor: Robin Leeburn. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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From Wieners to Warlord: Inside Wagner’s terror machine

Tue, 04 Jul 2023 03:00:00 -0000

The Wagner Group made headlines with its 24-hour revolt against Vladimir Putin. Their leader, Yevgeny Prighozhin, is a shady character. Once a seller of hotdogs, he’s now made a career as a warlord, commanding thousands of troops in Ukraine and Africa. The mystery of Wagner is now clearing, says Ben Dalton, program manager for New America's Future Frontlines program. He joins Laura Makin-Isherwood in The Bunker to discuss how the group operates and how it harnesses the power of social media to recruit and fundraise.

“The Wagner group has been very core to Russia's war effort in Ukraine.” – Ben Dalton.
“Prigozhin has been remarkably savvy on social media, predominantly on telegram, in a way that reminds me of Donald Trump.” – Ben Dalton
“As far back as 2017 Putin has been rewarding Wagner commanders for their role in Syria.” – Ben Dalton

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Written and presented by Laura Makin-Isherwood. Producer: Chris Jones. Audio production: Simon Williams. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Music by Kenny Dickinson THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Stop the Boasts – Start Your Week with Alex Andreou and Arthur Snell

Mon, 03 Jul 2023 08:46:00 -0000

Sunak has a brand new immigration policy which looks just like the old one. Does anyone support it? With train strikes looming and an NHS staffing crisis, looks like we’re in for another summer of discontent. In international news, following a weekend of riots across France, we ask if President Macron has lost control. Plus updates on attacks on the Westbank and the latest on Ukraine. Arthur Snell joins Alex Andreou to map out the week ahead.

“Sunak’s immigration policy is headline grabbing but won’t reduce numbers.” – Arthur Snell
“The Tories immigration plan is a very simple solution to a very complex problem." – Alex Andreou
“Macron's problem is he is from the elite, so he lacks a deep understanding of social problems." – Arthur Snell

www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Written and presented by Alex Andreou and Arthur Snell. Producers: Kasia Tomasiewicz and Liam Tait. Audio editor: Simon Williams. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Acid Test: How psychedelics shaped the modern world

Sun, 02 Jul 2023 03:00:00 -0000

Psychedelic drugs are regularly in the news as a fresh generation of scientists researches them. Who knows how they might be used in future – but, historically, how have they shaped the world already? The negatives of substance use are obvious – but what other impacts are there? From ceremonial plant medicines to the war on drugs; their cultural significance cannot be understated.

Dr Kasia Tomasiewicz is joined in The Bunker by Mike Jay to discuss his new book Psychonauts: Drugs and the Making of the Modern Mind.

“If you want to know how drugs change your own perception, there’s only one way of doing it.”
“Pharmacies would sell products called ‘Mrs Winslow's Soothing Syrup’ which would be full of morphine and opium.”
“Magic Mushrooms were ancient and sacred, people used them for spiritual experiences for millennia.”

www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Book Link

https://yalebooks.co.uk/page/detail/psychonauts/?k=9780300257946

Written and presented by Kasia Tomasiewicz. Producer: Liam Tait. Audio editor: Jade Bailey. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Bunker USA: How Washington, DC became the Hollywood of politics

Sat, 01 Jul 2023 03:00:00 -0000

Washington, DC is home to the American political elite. Hordes of staff looking to make their names. Lobbyists and think tanks, all chasing a shot at success.

The Trump years only intensified the culture - but has that changed the city for good or for worse?

Ben Terris is a journalist for the Washington Post and the author of The Big Break: The Gamblers, Party Animals, and True Believers Trying to Win in Washington While America Loses Its Mind. He joins Arthur Snell in The Bunker to discuss why DC is unlike any other American city.

Find Ben Terris’ book here: https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/ben-terris/the-big-break/9781538708057/?lens=twelve

“The Trump years in DC were very disorientating for everyone in DC.” – Ben Terris.
“Even with Trump gone, Trumpism is here to stay.” – Ben Terris.
“There are a lot of people who treat Washington DC like the new frontier, to find fame, influence, and riches.” – Ben Terris.

www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Written and presented by Arthur Snell. Producer: Chris Jones. Audio production: Simon Williams. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Episode 1,000! The Chaos Politics Comedown

Fri, 30 Jun 2023 03:00:00 -0000

The Bunker panel show returns to mark our ONE THOUSANDTH edition. Can voters wean themselves off the dark thrills of our political Age of Chaos? And what’s the long view on Trump’s legal troubles? The Guardian’s Raf Behr and US politics expert Julie Norman join Jacob Jarvis and Andrew Harrison for a special celebration edition.

Exciting changes are coming in The Bunker: a new look plus new strands and music coming soon. There’s never been a better time to back us on Patreon, so sign up now for special extras: https://www.patreon.com/bunkercast/posts

“Brexit was both a revolution and a massive fraud. You only get one of those moments of energy and upheaval every generation.” – Raf Behr
“This destroys all of Trump's plausible defenses.” – Julie Norman
“People like to feel a sense of agency, that what they’re living through is meaningful in some kind of way.” – Raf Behr

Written and presented by Managing Editor Jacob Jarvis. Producers Kasia Tomasiewicz, Chris Jones and Liam Tait. Art by James Parrett. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production by Alex Rees. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Buzz Killed: Who’s winning the viral news war?

Thu, 29 Jun 2023 03:00:00 -0000

The news media is driven by clicks more than ever before. Who is winning the war for online attention? Brands like Vice and Gawker initially won the race – but are old-school papers dominating the online space again now? Ben Smith is the former editor-in-chief for Buzzfeed News, runs the news outlet Semafor, and is author of Traffic: Genius, rivalry, and delusion in the billion-dollar race to go viral. He joins Jacob Jarvis in The Bunker.

“If you were a journalist covering politics in the mid-’00s, the online space was really exciting.” – Ben Smith
“I don’t think you were doing anything called ‘going viral’ until Twitter came along.” – Ben Smith
“The NY Times really absorbed a lot of the lessons and the culture of the internet.” – Ben Smith

www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Written and presented by managing editor Jacob Jarvis. Producer: Chris Jones. Audio production: Simon Williams. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Sick and tired: Is politics destroying the NHS?

Wed, 28 Jun 2023 03:00:00 -0000

The NHS has been squeezed by successive Governments. The Covid-19 pandemic only worsened the crisis, highlighting the need for Parliament to focus on fixing our health service. Dr. Julia Grace Patterson is the author of Critical: Why the NHS is Being Betrayed and How We Can Fight for it – and says that politicians are doing nowhere near enough to fix the issue. She joins Hannah Fearn in The Bunker.

Find a copy of the book here: https://harpercollins.co.uk/pages/critical

“Health care is, unfortunately, a deeply political area and that comes with a lot of problems.” – Dr. Julia Grace Patterson.
“The way that Jeremy Hunt spoke about us in the press, we found that extremely difficult.” – Dr. Julia Grace Patterson.
“It started with junior doctors, but now the government has tried to scapegoat GPs.” – Dr. Julia Grace Patterson.
“Politicians approach the NHS in a very short-term-ish way.” – Dr. Julia Grace Patterson.

www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Written and presented by Hannah Fearn. Producer: Chris Jones. Audio production: Robin Leeburn. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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The Patriot Paradox: Can you love your country but not like it?

Tue, 27 Jun 2023 03:00:00 -0000

Patriotism could be the antidote to the divisions created by Brexit. Can you be a proud patriot even when you don’t agree with your country? Will patriotism ever cast off it’s sinister connotations of nationalism? Ros Taylor is joined in The Bunker by Sunder Katwala, author of How to Be a Patriot: Why love of country can end our very British culture war, to explore what British patriotism means in an increasingly globalised age.

“Dangerous patriotism is the version that says it's them or us.”
“The European Identity sounds like a Whiter concept than British identity.”
“People on the left have less problems with civic patriotism of cities over national identity.”

www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Book Link

https://harpercollins.co.uk/products/how-to-be-a-patriot-why-love-of-country-can-end-our-very-british-culture-war-sunder-katwala?variant=40133746294862

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Rebel Force – Start Your Week with Alex Andreou and Hannah Fearn

Mon, 26 Jun 2023 08:56:00 -0000

The Russian revolution ended as quickly as it started, where does this leave Putin and the war in Ukraine? Rishi Sunak’s failure to deliver his 5 key pledges could prove to be his downfall as byelections loom. Plus we’ve got the results from the Greek election, an update on Britain’s cat pupil hysteria and a review of Boris Johnson’s latest rant for the Daily Mail. Hannah Fearn joins Alex Andreou to map out the week ahead.

“If Putin can’t control the people and media what does he have left?” - Hannah Fearn
“People aren’t expecting that Prigozhin will go to Belarus for a nice retirement.” - Hannah Fearn
“Long mortgage rates up to retirement are worryingly common.” - Hannah Fearn
"Saying 'we're not the other guys' might work to get Labour into power but won't create a mandate." - Alex Andreou

www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Written and presented by Alex Andreou with Hannah Fearn. Producer: Kasia Tomasiewicz and Liam Tait. Audio editor: Simon Williams. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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By the Burke: The man who invented modern-day conservatism

Sun, 25 Jun 2023 03:00:00 -0000

Edmund Burke’s principles have influenced generations of conservative thinkers and politicians. But who was this architect of modern day conservatism? Joining Seth Thévoz in The Bunker to reflect on Burke’s legacy is Richard Bourke, Professor of the History of Political Thought and author of Empire and Revolution: The Political Life of Edmund Burke.

“Burke was a defender of the right to rebel against a despotic government.”
“Modern radical conservative movement looks nothing like Burke’s conservatism.”
“He was a critic of the depredations of Empires, including the British Empire.”

www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Written and presented by Seth Thévoz. Producer: Kasia Tomasiewicz & Liam Tait. Audio editor: Simon Williams. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Bunker USA: How an obsession with guns shaped a nation

Sat, 24 Jun 2023 03:00:00 -0000

There are more guns than people in America. How does this obsession shape US society? Gavin Esler is joined by Jennifer Carlson, author of new book Merchants of the Right: Gun Sellers and the Crisis of American Democracy, to explore the US fascination with guns, the people who are selling them, and how they shape a right -wing ideology.

“There’s a feeling that you can’t rely on collective security so you need a gun.”
“Gun policy is made at the state level, meaning it is very hard to regulate.”
“People compare not having a gun to not having a cell phone – it’s unimaginable.”

www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Book link:

https://press.princeton.edu/books/hardcover/9780691230399/merchants-of-the-right

Written and presented by Gavin Esler. Producer: Kasia Tomasiewicz. Audio editor: Simon Williams. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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How China plans to win the technology war

Fri, 23 Jun 2023 03:00:00 -0000

How alarming is China's tech ambition – and is there any limit to their quest for industrial dominance? From contentious recruitment policies, corporate espionage and not to mention the ten thousand meter hole they’re drilling into the centre of the earth, the nation seems desperate to bolster its position.

Alex Andreou is joined in The Bunker by Dr Rogier Creemers to understand Xi’s quest for scientific world domination.

“China needs technology but doesn’t want to pay for it.”
“If you think you can predict what will happen in China, you’re a liar or a fool.”
“The west received junk which is probably already at the bottom of a landfill as China raked in billions in revenue.”

www.patreon.com/bunkercast

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End of the Line? – Why the Saudi super city is doomed to fail

Thu, 22 Jun 2023 03:00:00 -0000

Two years ago, Saudi Arabia announced it was creating a city of the future: known as The Line. Is it actually going to happen? The proposed 110-mile-long smart city of skyscrapers would be fueled by green energy and controlled by Artificial Intelligence. While the urban experiment is currently under development, many believe that the city is just a sci-fi dream that will never see the light of day.

Joining Ros Taylor in The Bunker today is Matthew Blunderfield, the host of architecture podcast Scaffold, to answer the question: what would the perfect city of the future look like?

“Imagine a tower taller than the Empire State Building, extruded from Birmingham to Leeds and then doubled. That's the Line.”
“There’s an underlying violence in forming this project.”
“We don’t know what will happen to the ecosystem when we erect an enormous tall wall in the middle of a desert.”

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Apocalypse How: An expert's guide on dealing with disaster

Wed, 21 Jun 2023 03:00:00 -0000

From earthquakes to terrorism – we live in a world of constant crisis. But are we prepared for it? Drawing on a wealth of experience as a former public servant and Director of GCHQ, Sir David Omand’s new book How to Survive a Crisis: Lessons in Resilience and Avoiding Disaster addresses responses to some of the greatest crises in recent memory. He joins Doomsday Watch podcast host Arthur Snell In The Bunker.

“We must be future-proof to crisis, but we are more vulnerable than ever.”
“The world of politics is hand-to-hand combat.”
“What would you do when your world is turned upside down?”

www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Book link:

https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/448107/how-to-survive-a-crisis-by-omand-david/9780241561331

Written and presented by Arthur Snell. Producer: Kasia Tomasiewicz. Assistant Producer: Matilda Snell. Audio editor: Robin Leeburn. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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The Only Way is Essex: How the Tories consumed a county

Tue, 20 Jun 2023 03:00:00 -0000

“Essex man” is a notorious caricature of Thatcherite Brits. How did the Conservatives win over the county? And where – if any – were pockets of resistance? Marie Le Conte is joined by Tim Burrows, author of new book The Invention of Essex: The Making of an English County, to explore the class dynamics and unexpected cultural politics of this much maligned county.

“There’s a feeling that people from Essex came up the social ladder too quickly.”
“Home ownership has a lot to do with Conservatism in Essex.”
“Essex could be a blank canvas for different political ideals.”

www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Book link:

https://profilebooks.com/work/the-invention-of-essex/

Written and presented by Marie Le Conte. Producer: Kasia Tomasiewicz. Audio editor: Jade Bailey. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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The Afterlife of the Party — Start Your Week with Gavin Esler and Alex Andreou

Mon, 19 Jun 2023 08:50:00 -0000

How do you solve a problem like Boris Johnson? Sunak needs to escape the shadow of his predecessor but reciting his 5 goals doesn’t seem to be cutting it. Could a potential mortgage bailout be enough to get the general public back onside? Plus we’ve got the reaction to that Party Gate video, the latest on Ukraine's counter offensive, and Labour's resurgence in Scotland. Gavin Esler joins Alex Andreou to map out the week ahead.

“If Sunak doesn’rt get a grip he will be the 4th conservative leader destroyed by Johnson.” – Gavin Esler
“Boris Johnson was never popular, he was just more popular than Corbyn.” – Gavin Esler
“The threat of having an election is enough to keep the backbench in line.” – Gavin Esler

www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Written and presented by Alex Andreou with Gavin Esler. Producers: Liam Tait. Audio editor: Simon Williams. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Hold my Peer! – Alf Dubs on useless Braverman, shabby Tories and electing the Lords

Sun, 18 Jun 2023 03:00:00 -0000

As the Lords come under scrutiny, we’re joined by one of the good ones – Lord Alf Dubs joins Dorian Lynskey in the Bunker to discuss how his own experience as a holocaust survivor impacts his politics, the failure of consecutive home secretaries and how the Lords should be modernised under Starmer’s Labour party.

“Right wing parties across Europe exploit the asylum issue for their own shabby political ends.”
“The Lords appointment system worked well, until you get a PM like Johnson who totally abused it.”
“There's nothing unworthy about being an economic migrant but it doesn't give you the human rights protection of an asylum seeker.”

www.patreon.com/bunkercast

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Bunker USA: The horror drug killing thousands of Americans

Sat, 17 Jun 2023 03:00:00 -0000

Xylazine, also known as Tranq, is causing a horrific wave of drug deaths across America. It’s mixed with the opioid named fentanyl to cause a cheaper, longer-lasting, yet more dangerous high. Perhaps the most shocking effect is its ability to rot the flesh around the injection site. Megan Cohen is the founder of The Grace Project in Philadelphia. She runs an outreach scheme on Kensington Avenue, home to the largest open air drugs market on the East Coast. She joined Alex Andreou in The Bunker to discuss the serious threat Tranq poses.

“These aren’t zombies out there, they’re people impacted by the disease of addiction.” – Megan Cohen
“What we noticed is the doses were stronger and the overdoses were happening more often.” – Megan Cohen
“What we’re seeing is that narcan isn’t reversing overdoses as it was before, because of xylazine.” – Megan Cohen
“When it comes to the wounds we still don’t have answers.” – Megan Cohen

Support us on Patreon:

www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Written and presented by Alex Andreou. Producer: Chris Jones. Audio production: Jade Bailey. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Taster 📰 Our new podcast PAPER CUTS

Fri, 16 Jun 2023 15:00:00 -0000

If you haven’t tried our new press review show PAPER CUTS yet, here’s a taster of today’s episode. This time it’s the Mail and Telegraph’s Johnson-related meltdown, the majesty of Glenda Jackson and much more as comedian Fin Taylor and writer-historian Alex von Tunzelmann join Andrew Harrison under a huge pile of newsprint. Hear the full episode here.

We’re out mid-morning every Monday, Wednesday and Friday to look at the the day’s best headlines, wildest stories and weirdest opinions. Subscribe on your favourite app. It’s the perfect chaser to your daily Bunker…

Illustrations by Modern Toss https://moderntoss.com/

Written and presented by Andrew Harrison. Produced by Sophie Black. Design: James Parrett. Music: Simon Williams. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Exec Producer: Martin Bojtos. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. PAPER CUTS is a Podmasters Production.

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Behind the Screens: Inside the mind of a hacker

Fri, 16 Jun 2023 03:00:00 -0000

Our view of hackers has been warped by movie portrayals of hoodie-wearing computer whizzes. But what are they really like? These keyboard bashers have uncovered some of the world's darkest secrets – and even come close to destroying the internet. But why do they do it? Scott Shapiro searches for answers in his new book Fancy Bear Goes Phishing: The Dark History of the Information Age, in Five Extraordinary Hacks. He joins Dorian Lynskey in The Bunker.

“The hackers that I’ve spoken to, they’re by and large normal, psychologically speaking.” – Scott Shapiro.
“Any time there’s a hack, people say “It’s a nation-state, it’s Russia” it’s a reflex.” – Scott Shapiro.
“People don't like to talk about when they’ve been hacked, because it’s embarrassing.” – Scott Shapiro.
“There are a lot of mistaken stereotypes about hackers, one is the romance of a lone wolf.” – Scott Shapiro.
“Security analysts hate the word hacker.” – Scott Shapiro.

www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Written and presented by Dorian Lynskey. Producer: Kasia Tomasiewicz

Audio production: Simon Williams Music by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Driven to Madness: How cars are ruining our lives

Thu, 15 Jun 2023 03:00:00 -0000

Cars are making us unhappy and unhealthy. From poor air quality, to mind numbing commutes and gridlocked city centres. Can anything be done to change car culture – or are we already on a highway to hell? Ros Taylor sits down with journalist and author of Carmageddon, Daniel Knowles, to discuss the rise of automobiles and asks if it’s too late to course correct.

“The problem to the average driver isn’t you, it’s everything else. ”
“I think the car industry likes the idea of reducing civilian deaths without slowing down cars.”

https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/730724/carmageddon-by-daniel-knowles/

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EU and I: Have we forgotten what it means to be European?

Wed, 14 Jun 2023 03:00:00 -0000

The question ‘What does it mean to be European?’ is challenging for many Brits, post-Brexit. Author Ben Judah says politics is pushing an ever-changing Europe apart. Ben attempts to remind people what Europe is away from politics in his new book, This is Europe. He joins Hannah Fearn in the Bunker.

“Europe’s a lot of things. It can be an idea or a whole theatre for political action but I wanted to focus on the people” – Ben Judah
“It was very important to me to show that Europe is much wider than it looks in Britain.” – Ben Judah
“Europe is blurring with Asia and Africa and a new Europe is emerging through immigration.” – Ben Judah

www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Written and presented by Hannah Fearn Producer: Chris Jones Audio Production: Simon Williams. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Music by Kenny Dickinson THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Definitely Maybe: Is Theresa May getting off lightly?

Tue, 13 Jun 2023 03:00:00 -0000

Theresa May is often ranked alongside the worst Prime Ministers ever. But, does she still get off lightly? And have we forgotten just how bad she was because of the chaos that’s come since? Tim Bale, professor of politics at Queen Mary University London, joins Seth Thevoz in The Bunker to refresh our memories.

“I don’t think she was ever destined to be a great Prime Minister.” – Tim Bale
“Circumstance did combine to make it very difficult for her.” – Tim Bale
“Clearly those she took with her from the Home Office weren’t the right people to be in charge in Downing Street.” – Tim Bale

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Written and presented by Seth Thevoz. Producer: Chris Jones. Audio production: Jade Bailey. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Artwork: James Parrett. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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I don’t know it’s over – Start Your Week with Alex Andreou and Jacob Jarvis

Mon, 12 Jun 2023 08:42:00 -0000

The Johnson rebellion promised a bang but delivered a whimper over the weekend. What now? Can Starmer capitalise on the Conservative Party chaos? Across the pond, Donald Trump is set for a day in a Miami courtroom – what should we expect? Plus we’ve got more on Nicola Sturgeon’s arrest and the latest from Ukraine’s counter offensive. Alex Andreou joins Jacob Jarvis to map out the week ahead.

“Organising a coup takes a lot of work which I don’t think Johnson was willing to do.” – Alex Andreou
“Johnson inspires enthusiasm which he mistakes for loyalty.” – Alex Andreou
“If any other public official had done what Trump did, they’d be in the deepest darkest dungeon already.”– Alex Andreou

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Galaxy Quest: Who are the start-ups banking on space?

Sun, 11 Jun 2023 03:00:00 -0000

The sky is no longer the limit for entrepreneurs as they set their sights on space. SpaceX has made science fiction ideas a reality but who could be next in line to be the biggest name in space? Dr. Casey Handmer, the founder of Terraform Industries, takes Dr. Kate Devlin on a voyage through the world of space based start-ups looking to make their millions in space.

“SpaceX is one or two competitive startups away from losing market share.”
“Politics is negotiable but physics is not.”
“Super geeks who know how to make rockets are critical for national security”

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Bunker USA: Biden dodges economic collapse. What now?

Sat, 10 Jun 2023 03:00:00 -0000

Biden proudly told the world his debt ceiling deal averted “economic collapse”. He’s not wrong – but is he in the clear yet? Professor Larry J White has taught Economics at New York University for over 40 years. He joins Jacob Jarvis in the Bunker to discuss what the deal entails, how it will impact the nation and what concerns Biden still has economically.

“This was truly uncharted territory that has been avoided.” – Larry J White
“It is, I'll have to use an economic term, NUTS!” – Larry J White
“We avoided a catastrophe – and I truly believe it would have been a catastrophe.” – Larry J White

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Written and presented by Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Producer: Chris Jones. Audio production and Music: Jade Bailey. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Artwork: James Parrett. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Europe's JFK: Inside the mysterious murder of a Swedish PM

Fri, 09 Jun 2023 03:00:00 -0000

The assassination of Swedish Prime Minister Olof Palme remains an unsolved mystery. How did a lone gunman manage to murder him during the height of the Cold War, and why? Ros Taylor welcomes Jan Stocklassa to the Bunker to discuss his documentary, The Man Who Played With Fire, which attempts to answer once and for all: who killed Olof Palme?

“There is a 37 year long cover up at the root of this investigation.”
“He was not a run of the mill Swede, he wasn’t afraid to provoke people around the globe.”
“Sweden has never had a politician who was so hated.”

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Clips Courtesy of Sky

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Stuck in the Midlands with you: Mayor Andy Street on Levelling Up and wrangling with Westminster

Thu, 08 Jun 2023 03:00:00 -0000

Andy Street took a risk in leaving his role as managing director of John Lewis to become West Midlands mayor. He’s one of two Tory combined authority mayors, a role he describes as “trailblazing”. But despite his party loyalty, he hasn’t shied away from criticising Westminster – especially when it comes to Levelling-up. He sat down with Hannah Fearn in The Bunker to discuss his priorities and time in office.

“For me, it wasn’t about representing the party in Westminster. It was first and foremost about being an individual representative for the West Midlands.” – Andy Street
“The truth is that Michael Gove and the Levelling-up Department have spent billions. But are we getting that message across? No.” – Andy Street
“My relationship with Whitehall is positive, but immature. We make our proposals, and Whitehall will decide.” – Andy Street
“Mayoral models are becoming popular because people want someone they can relate to, and with whom the buck stops.” – Andy Street

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Written and presented by Hannah Fearn. Producer & Audio production: Alex Rees. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Music by Kenny Dickinson THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Bitter sweet: How sugar became public enemy number one

Wed, 07 Jun 2023 03:00:00 -0000

Sugar became a modern-day bogeyman during austerity. Why? And how did it come to represent personal responsibility? And who has been most instrumental in the fight against it? Hannah Fearn is joined by Karen Throsby, author of new book Sugar rush: Science, politics and the demonisation of fatness, to explore the disastrous consequences of the fight on sugar.

“Sugar became the perfect scapegoat for austerity.”
“The war on obesity is a failure on its own terms.”
“The language of conflict of foodstuffs always justifies quick, ill-thought-out measures.”

Support us on Patreon:

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Book link:

https://manchesteruniversitypress.co.uk/9781526151544/

Written and presented by Hannah Fearn. Producer: Kasia Tomasiewicz. Audio editor: Jade Bailey. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Curious about George: Why is Soros so controversial?

Tue, 06 Jun 2023 03:00:00 -0000

George Soros is a holocaust survivor, one of the world’s richest people and the creator of the Open Society. He’s also given away $32 billion in his lifetime. So why is it that he incurs so much hate, not just from the American right but his own country, Hungary, too? Daniel Bessner is associate professor of international studies at Washington University and co-host of American Prestige podcast. He joins Gavin Esler in The Bunker to discuss.

“He likes to repeat in his books that he has ‘an incredible ego’...“ – Daniel Bessner
“The ultimate tragedy of Soros’ life is that capitalism has allowed him to become as rich as he has.” – Daniel Bessner
“The world he wants is not possible in the economic world that made him.” – Daniel Bessner
“The association of Soros the anti-communist just doesn’t fly anymore with the right in America.” – Daniel Bessner

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Written and presented by Gavin Esler. Producer: Chris Jones. Audio production: Jade Bailey. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Money doesn’t grow on inquiries — Start Your Week with Ros Taylor and Jacob Jarvis

Mon, 05 Jun 2023 08:17:00 -0000

This week Johnson and Sunak play the blame game over the Covid inquiry. Will a trip to the USA help Rishi escape the shadow of the former PM? Plus, Labour is embroiled in infighting this week as the Jamie Driscoll drama plays out – can Starmer ignore it? Plus we’ve got the latest on the tragic train crash in India, updates from Ukraine and we ask the question, why is China drilling a hole to hell? Ros Taylor joins Jacob Jarvis to map out the week ahead.

“Johnson is enjoying provoking Sunak.’ – Ros Taylor
“Sunak’s popularity has gone down since local election results.” – Ros Taylor
“Hanging out with Biden is good optics for Sunak, it makes him look like the world leader he isn’t.” – Ros Taylor

Support us on Patreon:

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Written and presented by Jacob Jarvis with Ros Taylor. Producers: Kasia Tomasiewicz and Liam Tait. Audio editor: Jade Bailey. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Grave Intentions: Why Brits are obsessed with the death penalty

Sun, 04 Jun 2023 03:00:00 -0000

The death penalty is supported by a large number of Brits. Why are so many people obsessed with it? And how does politics change how we see the role of the law? Seth Thévoz is joined by Lizzie Seal, professor of criminology at the University of Sussex to explore the fascination with this ultimate punishment.

“Popular support for the death penalty goes up following well-publicised social disorder.”
“In the mid 20th century, the death penalty represented public order.”
“Labour governments were more likely to be sympathetic to abolition.”

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Written and presented by Seth Thévoz. Producers: Kasia Tomasiewicz. and Alex Rees. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Bunker USA: Is the US drilling itself to oblivion?

Sat, 03 Jun 2023 03:00:00 -0000

The US isn’t delivering on its pledges to reverse climate change. The Willow Project in Alaska, labelled by some as a “carbon bomb”, is a key example of that. But with global energy supply chains so massively disrupted by the war in Ukraine, are these kinds of projects justified? Michael Gerrard is the founder of the Sabin Center for Climate Change Law at Columbia Law School. He joined Arthur Snell in the Bunker to discuss why pushing through new climate laws is so difficult.

“We ARE NOT on the trajectory that we want to be.” – Michael Gerrard
“The US climate commitments are not really legally binding.” – Michael Gerrard
“The Supreme Court has become somewhat of an impediment.” – Michael Gerrard.
“In the US there have been efforts going back to 2004 to hold oil and gas responsible for climate change.” – Michael Gerrard.

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Written and presented by Arthur Snell Producer: Chris Jones. Audio production: Simon Williams. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Music by Kenny Dickinson THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Rule breakers: Is the ministerial code fit for purpose?

Fri, 02 Jun 2023 03:00:00 -0000

The ministerial code is a set of rules members of Government are expected to abide by. But they don’t all manage it. Is it fit for purpose? And have ministers become more unscrupulous – or do we just have higher expectations than we used to? Tim Durrant of the Institute for Government tells Ros Taylor that the system, tested to its limits during Boris Johnson’s premiership, works better than you might think.

“We need to know that information coming from the government is honest and true.” – Tim Durrant
“Ministers have a huge amount of power in public life and therefore it’s incumbent that they merit that.” – Time Durrant
“I think you could almost argue that the removal of Boris Johnson was proof of the system working”. – Tim Durrant
“I don’t think there’s anything wrong with expecting political leaders to be good people.” – Tim Durrant

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Written and presented by Ros Taylor. Producer: Chris Jones. Audio production: Simon Williams Music by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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A.I. Will Survive: How not to be replaced by Artificial Intelligence

Thu, 01 Jun 2023 03:00:00 -0000

How secure do you feel in your job? From manufacturing plants to corporate boardrooms, the rise of artificial intelligence has sent shockwaves through the working population. Dr. Kasia Tomasiewicz sits down with Dr. Kate Devlin to talk about how our lives will change in an AI-driven economy.

“If essays can be answered with AI, we’re not asking students the right questions.”
“Who are we to say the best relationships are between two humans?”
“The bigger question regarding AI is who gets to profit from it?”

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www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Written and presented by Kasia Tomasiewicz. Producer: Liam Tait. Audio editor: Jade Bailey. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Please Release Me: Can we fix the shameful leasehold scandal?

Wed, 31 May 2023 03:00:00 -0000

Tens of thousands of people are demanding an end to leasehold laws in England and Wales. They say they’re trapped by an avalanche of bills, whilst freeholders rake in the cash. Both Labour and the Tories (after A LOT hesitation) have vowed to reform leasehold laws. But how could they do it? It’s an issue that could turn many at the ballot box in next year’s general election. Harry Scoffin is a campaigner for Commonhold Now and joins Hannah Fearn in The Bunker.

“Labour don’t think the Tories are being genuine on this issue.” – Harry Scoffin
“How is it right that in this 21st century when you buy a flat you still don’t own it.” – Harry Scoffin
“Being ripped off is being ripped off! Exploitation is wrong!” – Harry Scoffin
“The way the Tories are going about this issue, they will be out of power for an entire generation.” – Harry Scoffin

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Written and presented by Hannah Fearne Producer: Chris Jones. Audio production: Simon Williams Music by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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What a load of cap – Start Your Week with Hannah Fearn and Jacob Jarvis

Tue, 30 May 2023 08:16:00 -0000

The Tories are in-fighting over supermarket price caps – can they agree on anything? And Boris Johnson is back sulking over Covid, will he stop acting like a teenager? Plus we’ve got the latest from Ukraine, the Turkish election results, and Biden’s proposed debt ceiling deal. Hannah Fearn joins Jacob Jarvis to give you the stories to look out for in the week ahead.

“Boris Johnson is acting like a walking sulk.” – Jacob Jarvis
“It makes me incredibly angry that the Tories are treating the removal of liberties as a game.” – Hannah Fearn
“Erdogan is proposing a ‘volunteer’ return of Syrian refugees which is very worrying.” – Hannah Fearn

Support us on Patreon:

www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Written and presented by Jacob Jarvis with Hannah Fearn. Producer: Kasia Tomasiewicz. Audio producer: Jade Bailey. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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‘My fight to be seen in a harsh world’

Mon, 29 May 2023 02:00:00 -0000

Emmett De Monterey was born with cerebral palsy, and as he grew up he realised that he was gay. He joins Alex Andreou to discuss his new book Go The Way Your Blood Beats about the challenges of facing two forms of prejudice, one against his disability and the other his sexuality. How do you fight to be seen in a world that refuses to see you?

“As a teenager I would have liked to have read a book about these experiences.”
“I wasted a lot of time internalising the narrative that I needed to be fixed.”
“My mother knew that the world outside the family home would be harsh.”

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Go The Way Your Blood Beats is released on the 6th of July. Book link:

https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/451111/go-the-way-your-blood-beats-by-monterey-emmett-de/9780241570531

Written and presented by Alex Andreou. Producer: Kasia Tomasiewicz. Audio editor: Alex Rees. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Duds Army: Why National Service won’t fix the young’uns

Sun, 28 May 2023 03:00:00 -0000

It’s 60 years this month since National Service was abolished – but the idea remains popular. Could it ever work again, or is it just a pipe dream sustained by right-wing cranks? Jude Rogers is joined by Professor of History Richard Viven, author of National Service: Conscription in Britain 1945-1963, to explore the boredom, terror, and nostalgia of life under compulsory conscription.

“Military service was a bit like the workhouse for the poor, it was the last option.”
“There was always more tedium over terror.”
“National Service is not meant to be a social service.”

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Bunker USA: Is it game over for the Proud Boys?

Sat, 27 May 2023 03:00:00 -0000

The Proud Boys may not be proud no more after four of its members have been found guilty of seditious conspiracy. The neo-fascist group is accused of leading the Jan 6th assault on the capitol and has heavy links to Trump and other influential, right-wing figures. But just how deep does their power lie? And is that power flailing? And talking of the right wing, why is America still so captivated by Fox News, even post-Tucker Carlson? Gavin Esler is joined in the Bunker by Juliet Jeske, Proud boys expert and host of Decoding Fox News podcast.

“Right-wing authoritarianism is very much what they’re drawn to.” – Juliet Jeske
“McInnes was just this angry bigoted racist man who thought starting a group would be a good idea.” – Juliet Jeske
“This is all about masculinity and they think they’re saving the Western world.” – Juliet Jeske
“You’ll see something that’s not true on FOX and within 24 hours GOP politics will push the exact same thing.” – Juliet Jeske

Written and presented by Gavin Esler Producer: Chris Jones. Audio production: Alex Rees Music by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Dire Magistrates: Who are Britain’s self-selecting arbiters of justice?

Fri, 26 May 2023 03:00:00 -0000

Around 12,000 people in England and Wales volunteer as magistrates. That means they can sentence people to up to a year in prison. Yet they have barely any training and no legal qualifications. Penelope Gibbs, the director of Transform Justice, tells Ros Taylor about the problems with relying on a self-selecting, middle-class magistracy who may never have seen inside a jail. They talk about the difficulties in trying to hold remote hearings during the pandemic and how a cash-strapped system struggles to deliver justice.

“The training for magistrates is woeful, and I and others have been saying that for years.” – Penelope Gibbs
“There used to be really feisty magistrates who would speak out but gradually their independence has been ground down.” – Penelope Gibbs
“It’s an incredibly closed and untransparent system.” – Penelope Gibbs
“What happens in magistrates court is pretty hidden most of the time.” – Penelope Gibbs

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Written and presented by Ros Taylor Producer: Chris Jones. Audio production: Jade Bailey. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Music by Kenny Dickinson THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Freedom for Tooting! Sadiq Khan on fighting for London's air, troll wars and Johnson's toxic legacy

Thu, 25 May 2023 03:00:00 -0000

Can Sadiq Khan really clean up London? From the Met to the air, the Mayor of London has a tough road ahead of him. He speaks to Andrew Harrison to discuss his new book: Breathe and plans to tackle the climate crisis, the controversial ULEZ expansion and how a boy from Tooting ends up a fan of Liverpool FC.

“We don’t want money from the ULEZ. We want people walking, cycling or using public transport.”
“As Mayor I chose to tackle climate issues, Boris Johnson chose to bury his head in the sand.”
“Cressida Dick didn't have a credible plan to address issues in the MET. ”

Support us on Patreon:

www.patreon.com/bunkercast

You can purchase Sadiq's book here:

https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/452035/breathe-by-khan-sadiq/9781529152784

Written and presented by Andrew Harrison. Recorded at Spiritland Studios. Audio editor: Jade Bailey. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Love and war: Finding hope in conflict zones

Wed, 24 May 2023 03:00:00 -0000

Sherine Tadros reported from war zones across the world. She joins Alex Andreou to discuss her new book Taking Sides: a memoir about love, war, and changing the world. How has she managed to stay hopeful after so much tragedy? And how can her story of personal strength inspire us to keep going against the odds?

“It is our instinct to survive that makes our story less believable.”
“When you show strength in the face of great difficulty people often don’t believe you.”
“I’m not saying that tragedies don’t hurt but there is always a light at the end of the tunnel.”

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BOOK LINK:

https://scribepublications.co.uk/books-authors/books/taking-sides-9781914484254

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Grin and Behr it: How to survive politics by The Guardian’s Raf Behr

Tue, 23 May 2023 03:00:00 -0000

Following politics is tough, especially if you want to keep your blood pressure at a healthy level. So how can you keep a cool head? Ros Taylor speaks to The Guardian’s Rafael Behr about his new book: Politics: A Survivor’s Guide: How to Stay Engaged without Getting Enraged. Raf opens up about his own journey and shares how we can find hope amidst the chaos.

“Remain rallies were very twee, maybe they should have been more French?”
“Post Brexit politics is like trench warfare where politics is the Western Front and nothing is moving.”
“Lee Anderson, what is he afraid of? That he's not being respected enough?”

Support us on Patreon:

www.patreon.com/bunkercast

BOOK LINK: https://atlantic-books.co.uk/book/politics-a-survivors-guide/

Written and presented by Ros Taylor. Producer: Liam Tait. Audio producer: Jade Bailey. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Suella on Speed – Start Your Week with Alex Andreou and Andrew Harrison

Mon, 22 May 2023 08:33:00 -0000

Suella Braverman has had a busy week with speeding ticket drama. Can the Home Secretary outrun another controversy or is this the end of the track? And with the Northern Irish council election in favour of Sinn Féin, is the future of Éire up for grabs? Plus we’ve got the results from the Greek elections, the latest from Ukraine and rumours of Boris Johnson’s continued downfall. Alex Andreou joins Andrew Harrison to map out the week ahead.

“Suella Braverman is a world champ at getting sacked and coming back 5 minutes later.” – Andrew Harrison
“The Conservative dream of a whole nation playing golf when nobody collects the bins is impossible.” – Alex Andreou
“We might be looking at Sinn Féin in the north and south of Ireland, which is extraordinary.”– Alex Andreou

Support us on Patreon:

www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Written and presented by Andrew Harrison with Alex Andreou. Producers: Kasia Tomasiewicz and Liam Tait. Audio producer: Jade Bailey. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Who run the world? Freemasons? – The truth about your favourite conspiracy

Sun, 21 May 2023 03:00:00 -0000

The Freemasons are often blamed when things go wrong. But are they behind a global conspiracy or are they just a glorified men’s drinking club? Siân Pattenden is joined by historian John Dickie, author of The Craft: How the Freemasons Made the Modern World, to discover the truth behind this secretive fraternal group who have been blamed for everything – from corrupting the police to the global financial crash.

“They have nothing to do with stonemasons but still use their symbols as moral metaphors.”
“The secrets are extraordinarily mundane.”
“It’s not the content of the secrets, it's the rituals and sense of togetherness that matter.”

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Written and presented by Siân Pattenden. Producer: Kasia Tomasiewicz. Audio editor: Simon Williams. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Bunker USA: How American guns fuel Mexico’s cartels

Sat, 20 May 2023 03:00:00 -0000

America has a gun problem, and not just inside its own borders. Thousands of guns cross into Mexico every year, fuelling an epidemic of violence between drug cartels. Ioan Grillo is the author of ‘Blood Gun Money: How America Arms Gangs and Cartels’. He’s spent time with gun manufacturers, speaking to FBI agents and at murder scenes to decipher just how deep the issue lies. He joined Seth Thevoz in the Bunker from Mexico City.

“Suddenly there were no longer just gang members with shaved heads and tattoos; these were paramilitary organisations with AK47s.” — Ioan Grillo
“The level of destruction has increased exponentially.” — Ioan Grillo
“For the Mexican cartels the easiest source of guns is the US, there’s a huge supply there and they’re relatively cheap.” — Ioan Grillo
“The bloodshed they unleash down here with these weapons, it’s unbelievable.” — Ioan Grillo

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Written and presented by Seth Thevoz. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Producer: Chris Jones. Audio production: Alex Rees. Music by Kenny Dickinson. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Up and Athens: The Greek elections explained

Fri, 19 May 2023 03:00:00 -0000

It’s time to celebrate the birthplace of democracy with a Greek election! With more than 30 parties and coalitions vying for votes, the stage is set for political chaos. Isn’t democracy wonderful? Alex Andreou speaks to journalist and correspondent for ERT, Evdoxia Lymperi, to try and understand one of the year’s most unpredictable elections.

“This is a mute election, nobody is willing to speak to the pollsters.”
“Greeks are not Germans. They have no tradition of coalition governments.”

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Written and presented by Alex Andreou. Producer: Liam Tait and Kasia Tomasiewicz. Audio editor: Robin Leeburn. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Taliban 2.0: Inside Afghanistan’s new hardline regime

Thu, 18 May 2023 03:00:00 -0000

The overnight Taliban takeover of Afghanistan in 2021 shocked the world. But who is behind the hardline regime running the country? After 20 years of insurgency against the US-backed government in Kabul, how have they changed since they were last in power? Doomsday Watch host Arthur Snell is joined by Hassan Abbas, author of The Return of the Taliban Afghanistan after the Americans Left, to explore the factions vying for power and which international countries have their eyes on Afghanistan.

“The US were spending billions of dollars on a state-building project.”
“The Taliban are not one ‘thing’ but many different factions.”
“The Pakistani military has influence over the Old Guard in Afghanistan.”

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Written and presented by Arthur Snell. Producer: Kasia Tomasiewicz. Audio editor: Simon Williams. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Lost the Plot: What makes terrorist attacks fail

Wed, 17 May 2023 03:00:00 -0000

How do we stop terrorists before they act? Are our security services operating with expert proficiency or is it just luck? The answer is unfortunately a mix of both, but that’s no reason to despair. Hannah Fearn speaks to The Independent's home affairs editor Lizzie Dearden about her book, Plotters: The UK Terrorists Who Failed, to get an insight into British terror attacks that were stopped in their tracks.

“The pool of people susceptible to terrorism grew during the lockdown.”
“Security services were so focused on stopping people from joining Isis that more attacks happened in the UK.”
“So many terrorists receive a mental health diagnosis at the point of criminal conviction.”

www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Book Link:

https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Homegrown/Jeffrey-Toobin/9781668013571

Written and presented by Hannah Fearn. Producer: Liam Tait. Audio editor: Alex Rees. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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NeverEnding Tory: How come the Conservatives keep getting elected?

Tue, 16 May 2023 03:00:00 -0000

Despite endless scandals and psychodramas, the Tories keep getting into power. So why are the British obsessed with the Conservative Party? And will we ever get rid of them? Seth Thevoz is joined by Samuel Earle, author of Tory Nation: How One Party Conquered Britain, to ask how one party came to dominate our political imagination.

“The election numbers seem more like a rigged casino than a functional democracy.” — Samuel Earle
“The House of Lords seems to go against the grain of a liberal democratic society, yet it’s still here.” — Samuel Earle
“Conservatives don’t like to see themselves as ideological people.” — Samuel Earle.

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Written and presented by Seth Thevoz. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Producer: Chris Jones. Audio production: Jade Bailey. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Artwork by James Parrett. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Blue on Blue Monday – Start Your Week with Alex Andreou and Ros Taylor

Mon, 15 May 2023 08:44:00 -0000

Battle lines were drawn this week as the Conservatives held two conferences – whose side are you on? In the blue corner Suella Braverman and a whole host of unsavoury fringe figures from the National Conservatism Movement. In the other blue corner it’s the Conservative Democratic Organisation aka the ‘bring back Boris brigade’ led by Nadine Dorries. Plus the Turkish election – is Erdogan’s time up? And yes, we’ll be talking about Eurovision. Alex Andreou joins Ros Taylor to explore the week ahead.

“Boris wasn’t there which isn’t unusual as it wasn’t a paid gig.” – Alex Andreou
“We’ve gone ‘high skill high wage’ economy to a ‘let’s all pick some apples’ economy’” – Alex Andreou
“Unhappiness following the local council elections was subsided by the Coronation but now it's back with a vengeance.”– Alex Andreou

Support us on Patreon:

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Written and presented by Ros Taylor with Alex Andreou. Producers: Kasia Tomasiewicz and Liam Tait. Audio producer: Jade Bailey. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Talking Heads: Why do politicians keep lying on TV?

Sun, 14 May 2023 03:00:00 -0000

How do you tell if a politician is lying? Their lips are moving. That’s what the old joke would have us believe anyway. Rob Burley was a senior producer on some of the BBC’s flagship political shows so he knows what makes a good (and disastrous) political interview. Ros Taylor talks to Rob about his new book, Why Is This Lying Bastard Lying to Me?: Searching for the Truth on Political TV, to find out the tricks used by politicians to get away with their little white lies.

“Paxman just had enough, he decided he wasn’t going to play by the rules .”
“Robin Day revolutionised TV interviews in 1958 and it’s gone downhill since then.”
“The morning after the Brexit referendum the BBC told me not to look into the 350m bus claims.”

www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Book Link:

https://harpercollins.co.uk/products/why-is-this-lying-bastard-lying-to-me-searching-for-the-truth-on-political-tv-rob-burley?variant=40188508504142

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Bunker USA: The evolution of America's far right extremists

Sat, 13 May 2023 03:00:00 -0000

Right wing extremists are often considered lone wolves. But platforms like 4chan have made it easier than ever for extremist communities to grow. Alex Andreou speaks to best-selling author Jeffrey Toobin about his latest book, Homegrown: Timothy McVeigh and the Rise of Right-Wing Extremism, which explores the connection between the Oklahoma City bomber and the rise of modern day far right extremism.

“It’s easy for extremists to find each other. That plot to kidnap the governor of Michigan was hatched over Facebook chat.”
“The federal government has not done enough to challenge the idea that all terrorists are Islamic radicals.”
“McVeigh did act alone, but he was part of a larger political force in the US.”

www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Book Link:

https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Homegrown/Jeffrey-Toobin/9781668013571

Written and presented by Alex Andreou. Producer: Liam Tait. Audio editor: Alex Rees. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Faking it: How dodgy news took over the world

Thu, 11 May 2023 23:00:00 -0000

Donald Trump took over the phrase fake news – but dodgy journalism was an issue long before him. Has the media always been misleading? And how do we tell the difference between bad and fake journalism? Jacob Jarvis is joined by Andie Tucher, author of Not Exactly Lying: Fake News and Fake Journalism in American History, to discover the 300-year-old roots of fake news and why some journalists can’t admit it when they mess up.

“Journalists make mistakes all the time – the reporting on Iraq being a key example.”
“Sin of omissions can be as consequential as active misinformation.”
“There are huge limits on journalists, who often don’t like saying that.”
“Fake journalism is much more worrying than fake news.”

Support us on Patreon:

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Book Link:

http://cup.columbia.edu/book/not-exactly-lying/9780231186353

Written and presented by Jacob Jarvis. Producer: Kasia Tomasiewicz. Audio editor: Jade Bailey. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Worse than Brexit? Why Cameron and Osborne are to blame for everything

Thu, 11 May 2023 03:00:00 -0000

David Cameron entered 10 Downing Street 13 years ago. Since he and his right hand man George Osborne got their hands on power it's safe to say things haven’t been going well. Political journalist Steve Richards, of BBC and Rock & Roll Politics fame, joins Andrew Harrison in The Bunker to discuss this gruesome twosome and the pain caused by austerity and Brexit that they are both intrinsically linked to.

“Cameron’s left this horrible horrible mess that was wholly avoidable and we are still living with the consequences.”
“Cameron sold himself very effectively and it's a really interesting case study in how easy it is to mesmerise the media.”
“What has followed has been so chaotic – so it’s easy to forget that the seeds were sown in the Cameron era.”

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Written and presented by Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis . Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production: Robin Leeburn. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Look under the hoods: What really causes antisocial behaviour?

Wed, 10 May 2023 03:00:00 -0000

Antisocial behaviour is constantly put under the spotlight by politicians. But what really causes it? Nick Pettigrew, author of Anti-Social, talks to Ros Taylor about what pushes it, how politicians try to shift responsibility for them onto individuals – and why shaming punishments don’t work.

“Young people are as likely to be victims of antisocial behaviour as they are the causes of it.”
“The safety net is more important than enforcement, someone with an investment in where you live is less likely to offend.”
“Cleaning off graffiti in orange jumpsuits only isolates offenders further — it’s the modern stocks.”
“If you deal with entrenched poverty antisocial behaviour will disappear overnight.”

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Written and presented by Ros Taylor. Producers and audio editors: Robin Leeburn and Simon Williams. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Arrested developments — Start Your Week with Hannah Fearn and Jacob Jarvis

Tue, 09 May 2023 09:07:00 -0000

Police came out in force for the Coronation. Can the Met ride out accusations of heavy handedness? And the Tories are still reeling from their local elections trouncing, how worried should they be? Plus, there's news from the US, Ukraine and the Home Office’s handling of refugees from Sudan. Hannah Fearn joins Jacob Jarvis to map out the news for the week ahead.

“Labour most feared Penny Mordaunt, and the coronation proves she is one to watch.” – Hannah Fearn
“Labour can’t rest on their laurels, council elections show general mood rather than voting intention.” – Hannah Fearn
“The Bring Back Boris thing could have troubled Sunak for longer if not for the coronation shifting focus.” – Hannah Fearn

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Presented by Jacob Jarvis with Hannah Fearn. Produced by Kasia Tomasiewicz with Liam Tait. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production: Robin Leeburn. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Hard reign: The verdict on Charles III so far

Mon, 08 May 2023 03:00:00 -0000

King Charles III has just been crowned. What kind of king has he become? How has he handled the rift with Harry, and the Andrew problem? And has he managed to control his quick temper? Former Guardian royal correspondent Stephen Bates tells Ros Taylor that predictions Charles would ‘meddle’ in politics have been wide of the mark. They talk about whether the royal family will shrink further in the coming years, and if its remaining working members are now content to be dutiful but unexciting.

QUOTES

‘The one thing that kills off the institution is the loss of a sense of public spirit and duty. You can get away an awful lot with an awful lot if you’re conscientious, reliable and smile for the cameras. Catherine and William have discovered that.’

‘The British monarchy has a different place in the constitution than the Scandinavian monarchies do, and that’s perhaps one reason why they’re slower to adapt.’

‘I doubt very much Charles would use a biro. He’s more of a fountain pen man.’

www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Written and presented by Ros Taylor. Producer and audio editor: Simon Williams. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Putin on a Brave Face: Russia braces for humiliating Victory Day

Sun, 07 May 2023 03:00:00 -0000

Many anticipated a subdued Victory Day – and that was before the Kremlin claimed Ukraine attempted to assassinate Vladimir Putin. With this leading to even more cities scaling back their festivities, Arthur Snell asks Professor Stefan Wolff what exactly does Russia have to celebrate in 2023?

“Putin is trying to link Ukraine to a larger narrative that Russia is always being on the right side of history.”
“The drone incident may be a way to downscale the victory day events.”
“This is a narrative you can feed to a population deprived of a balance feed of news”

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Written and presented by Arthur Snell. Produced by Liam Tait. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production: Robin Leeburn. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Bunker USA: MTG Fibs – What’s going on with Marjorie Taylor Greene?

Sat, 06 May 2023 03:00:00 -0000

Marjorie Taylor Greene is one of the most controversial and extreme figures in US politics. Why is she the way she is? She’s a GOP member of Congress for Georgia’s 14th District, a role steeped in responsibility. And someone really should tell MTG that. She often spouts unproven conspiracy theories; has called President Biden the real enemy of the state and most recently backed Tucker Carlson after he was given the boot by FOX. Jay Bookman is a columnist for the Georgia Recorder – and he thinks she’s an idiot. He told Jacob Jarvis why.

“She’s, if arrogance went on a blind date with stupidity, Marjorie Taylor Greene would be the result of that pairing.” - Jay Bookman
“Speaker McCarthy has said that he would be with her no matter what happens and that's a boundary that she’s willing to test.” - Jay Bookman
“There’s a long long string of amazingly irresponsible statements and rhetorics by Marjorie.” Jay Bookman
“She’s looking for attention and she’ll say and do whatever it takes to get that attention.” Jay Bookman
“I don’t think she has an agenda other than her own celebrity, her own power.” - Jay Bookman

www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Written and presented by Jacob Jarvis Producer: Chris Jones. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production: Robin Leeburn. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Alastair Campbell on fighting populism, his mistakes and the Brexit fallout

Fri, 05 May 2023 03:00:00 -0000

Alastair Campbell has a plan to fix the crisis in our politics. Andrew Harrison talks to one of politics’ most controversial figures about where our democracies are going wrong, the poison of populism, the long shadow of Iraq, why Boris Johnson was so dangerous, and his new book But What Can I Do? Why Politics Has Gone So Wrong And How Can You Help Fix It.

“In my lifetime, most politicians have genuinely been trying to wrestle with problems. Populists try to exploit those problems.”
“You can’t be a leader without some moral compass. Johnson was chaotic, he didn’t manage people, he didn’t really care. He is not a serious person.”
“I was aggressive at times and I wanted the media to understand that if they stepped over a line, I was going to call them out.”
“There are some people that will never accept what I say is true.”

www.patreon.com/bunkercast

BOOK LINK: https://linktr.ee/alastaircampbellbook

Written and presented by Andrew Harrison. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production: Simon Williams. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Elon for the ride: How has Musk's Twitter dream fallen apart?

Thu, 04 May 2023 03:00:00 -0000

Everyone predicted it would fall apart immediately, but it didn’t. Six months later, Twitter seems to be chugging along but how long can it last? Kasia Tomasiewicz speaks with head of digital at iNews, Luke Bailey, to discuss Elon’s grand plan for the bird app.

“Musk is asking people to pay to see poor quality tweets and have people yell at them.”
“He’s pulled everything apart to find out just why Twitter made the decision in the first place.”
“The twitter files exposed that there was a left wing bias but they were trying really hard to keep the platform balanced.”

www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Written and presented by Kasia Tomasiewicz. Produced by Liam Tait. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production: Simon Williams. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Trial by television: Is GB News ungovernable?

Wed, 03 May 2023 03:00:00 -0000

GB News positions itself as a noble endeavour to widen the voices in Britain’s national debate. Which is fantastic in theory, but over the last two years the output of the channel has proved ungovernable. Alex Andreou sits down with broadcaster, and future national treasure, Dr. Matthew Sweet to ask the question, how do you control a news channel that’s like no other?

“If you are part of the conspiracist culture - then you understand the coded language they use on GB News”
“If you go on GB news you’re endorsing them. I don’t want to sit with them and make them equals.”
“Why doesn’t GB news have a science editor? Because nobody with the qualifications would do the job!”

www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Written and presented by Alex Andreou. Produced by Liam Tait. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production: Simon Williams. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Councils Culture – Start Your Week with Gavin Esler and Alex Andreou

Tue, 02 May 2023 08:58:00 -0000

Local elections (for local people) are coming up this week. What would mark a good night for Starmer? And what will a bad one mean for Sunak, amid the cost of living crisis and strikes? Plus, as the coronation brings the role of the royals into the spotlight, we get ready to pledge allegiance… And war in Sudan and Ukraine rumbles on – what is the latest from these conflicts? Gavin Esler joins Alex Andreou to explore the news to look out for.

“We have got the talent in this country to do things – but we tend not to have that talent in Government.” – Gavin Esler
“Most of us take local elections for granted.” – Gavin Esler
“Cost of living might have become greedflation: costs falling and companies profiteering.” – Alex Andreou
“It seems like in Britain we are living in the pageantry of the past.” – Gavin Esler

www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Presented by Alex Andreou and Gavin Esler. Produced by Jacob Jarvis and Kasia Tomasiewicz. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production: Robin Leeburn. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Taster 🇺🇦 DOOMSDAY WATCH: The Ukraine War

Tue, 02 May 2023 03:00:00 -0000

The Ukraine War is reshaping the world. Arthur Snell writes the first draft of its history. In this excerpt from Ep.1 of our new series: How Russia’s febrile history, Putin’s paranoid resentment and Western complacency led to an historic crime against a peaceful nation, the largest European land action since the Second World War… and a conflict of unprecedented brutality.

Doomsday Watch: The Ukraine War is out now. Hear it wherever you listen to podcasts.

Get every edition a week early and ad-free when you support the show on Patreon.

Photo by Paul Conroy.

Written and presented by Arthur Snell. Produced by Robin Leeburn. Original theme music by Paul Hartnoll – https://www.orbitalofficial.com. Group Editor Andrew Harrison. Doomsday Watch is a Podmasters production.

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The coast is dear: Our complex love affair with seaside towns

Mon, 01 May 2023 03:00:00 -0000

Oh, we do like to be beside the seaside. Don’t we? Places like Blackpool, Jaywick and Skegness are among the poorest areas of the UK. Yet other resorts are so desirable that property-owners can afford to keep them empty for most of the year and rake in the profit from renting them out in summer. Madeleine Bunting, author of The Seaside: England’s Love Affair, tells Ros Taylor about her odyssey around the English coast, the threat posed by sewage discharges, and the special affection she holds for Brighton — a town where anything can seem possible.

“There are still huge reserves of affection for seaside towns.”
“People flock to seaside towns because they think that is where they can start again.”
“There’s a hedonism to the seaside. It has always been about indulging fantasy.’
“The Essex coastline is fascinating, and often gets overlooked.”

Support us on Patreon:

www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Written and presented by Ros Taylor. Producer: Kasia Tomasiewicz. Producer and audio editor: Jade Bailey. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Pain in the ads: How politics turned social media into a battleground

Sun, 30 Apr 2023 03:00:00 -0000

Labour’s attack ads against Sunak put targeted political advertising back in the spotlight. But the Tories have done more than their fair share of online attack ads too – not least to win over the public to *cough* Brexit. Have they gone too far? And how do we moderate what goes online? Alex Andreou talks to Kyle Taylor, founder of Fair Vote UK and author of The Little Black Book of Data and Democracy.

“When social media emerged we thought it would be this public town square. The reason it’s been so successful is because it’s the exact opposite.” - Kyle Taylor
“The thing about political ads is you do want more people to vote for you, but you only want to tell each box what they want to hear.” - Kyle Taylor
“Taking things for granted in the digital age is a fool's errand.” - Kyle Taylor.

Support us on Patreon:

www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Written and presented by Alex Andreou Producer: Chris Jones. Audio production: Jade Bailey Music by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Bunker USA: What a Tuckin’ week – Carlson’s out, Biden’s in

Fri, 28 Apr 2023 23:00:00 -0000

It’s been a bit of a week over in the US. First, after Fox News paid out almost $1 billion to Dominion, Tucker Carlson left the network. After that Biden announced he’d be running for president again, albeit slowly. And then if that wasn’t enough, Carlson released a pretty profound statement about his departure on Twitter. Hoping to unpack it all is Julie Norman, co-director of UCL’s Centre on US Politics. She joined Jacob Jarvis in the Bunker.

“Tucker Carlson has been controversial for a while but through all of that his viewings were super high, the highest in cable news.”
“One person that would maybe challenge Trump would be Tucker Carlson.”
“Biden knows he’s going to get hit from the right as a big spender.”

Support us on Patreon:

www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Written and presented by Jacob Jarvis Producer: Chris Jones. Music and Audio production: Jade Bailey. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Knowing XI, Knowing EU: Why Europe is naive to trust China

Fri, 28 Apr 2023 03:00:00 -0000

China’s relationship with Europe is…difficult. But some leaders, like Emmanuel Macron, see China as a conduit for peace in Ukraine. But can Europe really trust China to negotiate with Russia? Philippe Le Corre, a senior fellow at the Asia Society Policy Institute’s Center for China Analysis, sat down with Alex Andreou to discuss just that.

“The current situation, which is close to a cold war you might say, will not bring China closer to the West.”
“Whenever you talk to Chinese officials they will tell you that China is growing; you better get used to it.”
“It’s unacceptable for China to say this is not our war, we have nothing to do with this.”

Support us on Patreon:

www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Written and presented by Alex Andreou. Producers: Liam Tait and Chris Jones. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production: Robin Leeburn. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Force the issue: Can the Met Police ever win back our trust?

Thu, 27 Apr 2023 03:00:00 -0000

Public trust in the Met Police is at a nadir – with a raft of scandals and crimes involving serving officers having shook faith in the force. What’s gone wrong and can it ever win back the confidence of those it is meant to serve? Ros Taylor spoke to Kathryn Farrow, a doctoral student at Oxford University, who has studied the way British police forces work, to find out.

“Officers do need to have a certain amount of discretion but the flip side of that is there’s often a lack of accountability.”
“Especially in frontline policing, it’s not rare for officers to be off with stress.”
“I'm not sure to what point they will be able to recover that trust, they will have to show that they’ve changed.”

www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Written and presented by Ros Taylor. Producer: Chris Jones. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production: Simon Williams. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Target practice: Why NHS fixes haven’t worked

Wed, 26 Apr 2023 03:00:00 -0000

The NHS reels from crisis to crisis, with a waiting list of seven million and chronic workforce shortages. Why is it so hard to change a service that clearly isn’t working? David Haslam, a former GP who has chaired NICE and the BMA and is the author of Side Effects, tells Ros Taylor that a focus on hospital treatment means that public health and end-of-life care are shamefully neglected.

“It’s almost as if we’ve designed the health service based on the interests of specialists.’
“If you stay with the same GP over many years you have fewer hospital admissions, reduced out of hours care and a lower rate of early death. If that was a drug, we’d have invested in it massively.”
“I find it completely extraordinary that hospices are generally funded as charities. We’d be up in arms if our maternity units were only funded by charity shops.”

Support us on Patreon:

www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Written and presented by Ros Taylor. Producer and audio editor: Jade Bailey. Producer: Kasia Tomasiewicz. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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How Putin moulded a new generation of fascists

Tue, 25 Apr 2023 03:00:00 -0000

The Kremlin has convinced many of Russia’s young people that its invasion of Ukraine is just. In fact, about 62 percent of Russians between the ages of 18 and 24 have shown approval, according to the Levada Center. But how has Putin curated this young generation of fascists? Dr Ian Garner, author of Z Generation: Into the Heart of Russia's Fascist Youth, speaks to Arthur Snell to dig into exactly that.

“What you’re going to find is that you have a generation of children that believe violence is normal.”
“These are teenagers, like what you may know at home, who are just teeangers who want to fit in.”
“What the state does is punt out certain materials into the social media world and then just lets people run with them.”

www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Written and presented by Arthur Snell. Producer: Chris Jones. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production: Robin Leeburn. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Dom Disposal Unit – Start Your Week with Arthur Snell and Jacob Jarvis

Mon, 24 Apr 2023 08:20:00 -0000

Dominic Raab finally resigned (definitely all his own choice) – what does it mean next for Sunak’s clown car Government? In Labour, Diane Abbott has had the whip removed – will she stand as an independent? Plus we bring international news from Sudan and Ukraine. Jacob Jarvis is joined by Arthur Snell to give you the stories to look out for this week.

“Johnson didn’t believe in any standards, whereas you could argue Sunak has a miniscule level.”
“The Tories are quickly resembling a clown car.”

Support us on Patreon:

www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Presented by Jacob Jarvis with Arthur Snell. Producer: Kasia Tomasiewicz. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production: Jade Bailey. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Love, sexuality and the true lives of men at war

Sun, 23 Apr 2023 03:00:00 -0000

Memories of the Second World War are often oversimplified through the lens of politicians. A common thread missed is that of love and sexuality – particularly the experiences of queer men. Kasia Tomasiewicz is joined by Luke Turner, author of the book Men at War: Loving, Lusting, Fighting, Remembering 1939-1945, to discuss the sexual revolution that happened during that period.

“It’s true the British can’t stop going on about the war. But there is so much left to discover.”
“Outsiders often have an interesting perspective.”
“I’d gotten sick of judging the past by the standards of the present.”
“We still are incredibly repressed about sex in Britain.”

Support us on Patreon:

www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Presented by Kasia Tomasiewicz. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production: Jade Bailey. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Bunker USA: Under the influence – How lobbyists mould America’s politics

Sat, 22 Apr 2023 03:00:00 -0000

Lobbying is a key way in which politicians and pieces of legislation are influenced in the United States. But who exactly are these mysterious figures trying to manipulate people in power? How do they work – and what do they want? Jacob Jarvis joined by Amy McKay, associate professor of political science at the University of Exeter, whose work focuses on the influence of outside interests on public policy.

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Presented and produced by Jacob Jarvis. Music by Jade Bailey. Audio production: Robin Leeburn. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Bunker USA: Fox Off – Did Rupert Murdoch dodge a bullet?

Fri, 21 Apr 2023 15:45:02 -0000

BONUS EPISODE KLAXON: Fox News paid out almost $1 billion dollars to Dominion – but despite that, did Murdoch dodge a bullet? Or is the financial blow, sparked by the networks voting machine misinformation, a catastrophe? Jacob Jarvis was joined by Dan Cassino, political scientist and author of Fox News and American Politics How One Channel Shapes American Politics and Society, to unpack what this payout means for Fox News.

“This really is an admission that they knew what they were doing was false but they thought that they had to or they’d lose their audience.”
“The question is are they going to change their behaviour over this – and I think the answer is absolutely not.”
“It seems very unlikely that anyone will lose their jobs over this, the reason is Fox News isn’t acknowledging this at all.”
“I’d say you could replace someone like Tucker Carlson with Gonzo the Muppet and still get the same audience.”

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Written and presented by Jacob Jarvis Producer: Chris Jones. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production: Simon Williams. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Crude awakening: How MBS wields Saudi Arabia’s oil power

Fri, 21 Apr 2023 03:00:00 -0000

Saudi Arabia is experiencing a once in a lifetime moment of transformation, funded by their control over the world's oil supply. The nation is taking risks on a global scale like never before – and the ‘maverick’ prince Mohammed bin Salman, stands at the forefront of this change of strategy. Arthur Snell sits down with Bradley Hope, co-author of Blood and Oil: Mohammed bin Salman's Ruthless Quest for Global Power to try and understand the ruler of Saudi Arabia.

“He went from completely unknown with no power or authority to the ruler of Saudiu Arabia through some cavalier and cunning activity.”
“Business people of the world who had a moral objection to MBS are now back in the country cap in hand asking for investment.”

Support us on Patreon:

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BOOK LINK

https://www.johnmurraypress.co.uk/titles/bradley-hope-2/blood-and-oil/9781529347890/

Written and presented by Arthur Snell. Produced by Liam Tait. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production: Jade Bailey. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Net Zero intolerance: The Tory faction seeking a “climate referendum”

Thu, 20 Apr 2023 03:00:00 -0000

The Net Zero Scrutiny Group shares ties with the likes of the late Nigel Lawson and his network of “climate deniers”. They like fracking and have tried to link the cost-of-living crisis to the government’s net zero goals. But exactly who are they? What do they stand for? And who funds them? Andrew Harrison is joined by Sam Alvis, head of economy at The Green Alliance, to unpack exactly that.

“They are no longer denying that climate change is a thing, but what they are saying is that actually the cost of it is much more of an issue.”
“Often with these groups, and particularly with the net zero group, it's easier to understand what they don't like; the one thing we know they do like is fracking.”
“It’s murky, we don’t really know where the money comes from to support the Net Zero Scrutiny Group.”

Support us on Patreon:

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Presented by Andrew Harrison. Audio production: Jade Bailey. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Producer: Chris Jones. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production,

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Against the rules: Inside the war on financial regulation

Wed, 19 Apr 2023 03:00:00 -0000

Investment zones have been hailed by some politicians as the solution to our economic woes. But what are the risks of economic gated communities? By existing outside of the usual rules of the state, do they undermine democracy? Alex Andreou is joined by historian Quinn Slobodian, author of Crack-Up Capitalism: Market Radicals and the Dream of a World Without Democracy, to unpack why these zones are increasingly appearing across the globe and why politicians like Kwasi Kwarteng are so keen to back them.

“London has come to see the presence of the super-wealthy as a sign of urban health.”
“Thatcher’s biggest legacy wasn’t creating democratic free markets, but creating sites for wealth hoarding for non-democratic forms of capitalism.”

Book Link:

https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/316685/crack-up-capitalism-by-slobodian-quinn/9780241460245

https://www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Written and presented by Alex Andreou. Audio production by Alex Rees. Producer: Kasia Tomasiewicz. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Music: Kenny Dickinson. Group editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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“We’re building the answer” – Andy Burnham on the North vs Westminster

Tue, 18 Apr 2023 03:00:00 -0000

Andy Burnham has thrived after switching Westminster for Manchester as a mayor. And he has high hopes for the North harnessing its voice more in the future. The Labour mayor of Greater Manchester spoke with Andrew Harrison about boosting regions outside of London, and dealing with names and not numbers in his role.

“You look at things through different eyes. You can deal with names not numbers.”
“Before these mayors in regions, where did people complain? People at least have one person to complain to.”
“Having made all these promises to the north, they were very quickly in default mode.”
“If you go with the rules of Westminster, in the end people don’t know who you are.”
“We’re building the answer for more places to set their own course.”

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Presented by Andrew Harrison. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production: Robin Leeburn. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Striking (into the) distance – Start Your Week with Hannah Fearn and Ros Taylor

Mon, 17 Apr 2023 08:25:00 -0000

Strikes are going to go on and on as the Government continues not to strike deals with unions. Will this situation ever be resolved? And further afield, fatal clashes continue to break out in Sudan – what’s unfolding? Hannah Fearn joins Ros Taylor to lay out the news for the week ahead.

“The way people feel about the strikes is not following the usual pattern at this point.” – Hannah Fearn
“For anyone who hoped the strikes were going away, we are moving to a summer and autumn of discontent.” – Ros Taylor

Support us on Patreon:

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Presented by Ros Taylor with Hannah Fearn. Produced by Jacob Jarvis with Kasia Tomasiewicz. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production: Jade Bailey. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Starship Enterprises: Why space is the next political battleground

Sun, 16 Apr 2023 03:00:00 -0000

Space – the final frontier, and the next political battleground? As nations compete for dominance and resources, Andrew Harrison is joined by Tim Marshall, author of The Future of Geography: How Power and Politics in Space Will Change Our World, to discuss how this might go beyond the confines of earth.

“I was going to say the world is our oyster, but the universe is.”
“If one country controls low earth orbit… they would be the gatekeeper of who could go out into space and beyond.”
“The space industry will be worth a trillion dollars before 2030.”

Pre-order The Future Of Geography here.

www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Written and presented by Andrew Harrison. Producers: Kasia Tomasiewicz and Liam Tait. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production: Alex Rees. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Bunker USA: Land of the Fed – The unbridled power of America’s central bank

Sat, 15 Apr 2023 03:00:00 -0000

The Federal Reserve has a huge sway over the US economy – and therefore the world’s. But as well as financial clout, it also has a massive political impact. How does it run – and how do its actions impact us all? Alex Andreou is joined by Larry Jacobs, co-author of Fed Power: How Finance Wins and professor at the University of Minnesota, to discuss for The Bunker USA.

“It’s serving the interests of finance and working separate from democratic accountability.”
“The key thing to remember is it is its own operation. It stands alone with its autonomy.”
“It is not beholden to Congress. It doesn’t rely on Congress for any appropriation. Its officials have tremendous latitude.”
“The magnitude of its intervention is quite remarkable.”

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Presented by Alex Andreou. Music by Jade Bailey. Audio production: Alex Rees. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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From Del Boy to Dogecoin: How we all got hooked on getting rich quick

Fri, 14 Apr 2023 03:00:00 -0000

When did we all start wanting to invest in stock and shares? And who were the winners and losers of the investment boom? Dr Amy Edwards, senior lecturer in Modern British History at the University of Bristol and author of Are We Rich Yet?: The Rise of Mass Investment Culture in Contemporary Britain, tells Ahir Shah about how our lives changed forever in the 1980s as investment became a way of life rather than something you do.

“Investment culture didn’t begin with Thatcher, but it really took off in the 1980s.”
“Our entire culture changed with privatisation.”
“There was a huge explosion in investment cowboys.”

https://www.patreon.com/bunkercast

https://www.ucpress.edu/book/9780520385467/are-we-rich-yet

Presented and written by Ahir Shah. Audio production by Alex Rees. Producer: Kasia Tomasiewicz. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Music: Kenny Dickinson. Group editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Run KGB: How Soviet spies warped the West

Thu, 13 Apr 2023 03:00:00 -0000

The KGB is one of the most notorious intelligence agencies of all time. Though long defunct, how did this Soviet network warp the world we live in today? Seth Thévoz is joined by Mark Hollingsworth, author of Agents of Influence: How the KGB Subverted Western Democracies.

“The myth of the KGB being brilliant intelligence gatherers is largely exaggerated.”
“There was a game between the KGB and MI5 over what was really happening.”
“It was about planting doubt, sowing seeds of doubt, to weaken the United States.”

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Presented by Seth Thévoz. Audio production: Jade Bailey. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Comfortably Brum: Why do the Tories love Birmingham?

Wed, 12 Apr 2023 03:00:00 -0000

Birmingham plays a key role in the Tory imagination – something that might shock some of its 1.1 million inhabitants. So what is the relationship between the Conservatives and Britain’s Second City? Marie Le Conte is joined by Richard Vinen, professor of history at King’s College London and author of Second City: Birmingham and the Forging of Modern Britain, to unpack the myth and memory behind this Tory spiritual home.

“You don’t have to like it to recognise how important Birmingham is.”
“Birmingham grew the most under Tony Blair – it’s a very New Labour city.”
“The Tories have far less of a relationship with Birmingham than they think.”

Support us on Patreon:

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Written and presented by Marie Le Conte. Producer: Kasia Tomasiewicz. Lead producer: Jacob Jarvis. Bunker music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production by Robin Leeburn. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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See if I Keir — Start Your Week with Alex Andreou and Jacob Jarvis

Tue, 11 Apr 2023 08:36:00 -0000

Keir Starmer is staying on the attack while Sunak faces more strike conundrums with junior doctors staging a mass walkout. Is the Government going to resolve these issues – or just try to distract? Plus, we discuss the latest from Ukraine, protests in Georgia and Xi’s posturing over Taiwan. Jacob Jarvis is joined by Alex Andreou to tee up the week ahead.

“If [the right] can character assassinate you online, why should you have to play nice?” – Alex Andreou
“Junior doctors came out of the pandemic and the government said ‘sorry, applause is all you get’” – Alex Andreou
“I can’t see Steve Barclay being the person qualified to fix this” – Jacob Jarvis
“Leaked documents of any kind tend to be glorified as the definitive position, and they are often not” - Alex Andreou

Support us on Patreon:

www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Presented by Jacob Jarvis with Alex Andreou. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production: Jade Bailey. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Bunker Gold: Slave to the algorithm

Mon, 10 Apr 2023 03:00:00 -0000

This Bank Holiday, enjoy a Bunker from the archives… We all want control over our lives. But as we make more decisions digitally, the impact of algorithms on our choices grows. They help to sort the information presented to us and limit the options we see – shaping the products we buy, films we watch and even the partners we end up with. Andrew Harrison discusses the future of such technology with Kartik Hosanagar, author of A Human's Guide to Machine Intelligence: How Algorithms Are Shaping Our Lives and How We Can Stay in Control.

“Many people believe that algorithms are just providing us information and we comb through that and make our own choices… research shows otherwise.” – Kartik Hosanagar
“They are not just helping us make the decisions that we would have anyway made… they are also influencing the decisions themselves.” – Kartik Hosanagar
“These algorithms could be making choices in more personal and more important aspects of our lives, and also they could be making them autonomously.” – Kartik Hosanagar
“Let’s make sure that for high stakes decisions, they are made by human beings.” – Kartik Hosanagar
“Individually, it’s hard for us to stop this algorithmic tsunami.” – Kartik Hosanagar

Support us on Patreon:

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Presented and produced by Andrew Harrison. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Producers: Jacob Archbold and Jelena Sofronijevic. Audio production by Jade Bailey. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Reading the ruins: What can Britain’s lost villages teach us?

Sun, 09 Apr 2023 03:00:00 -0000

Britain has hundreds of abandoned villages. How did they fall victim to history? And how are the communities that once called these places home remembered? With more than 4000 villages at risk of flooding over the coming decades, these question feels more pertinent than ever. Hannah Fearn is joined by historian Matthew Green, author of Shadowlands: A journey through lost Britain, to dig up the ruins of our gone but not (quite) forgotten lands.

Matthew’s book is out in paperback from Faber and can be bought here: https://www.faber.co.uk/product/9780571338030-shadowlands/

“The black death led to over 3000 disappeared villages.”
“It’s hard not to see an uncanny foreshadowing of our destruction from climate change.”
“When we remember and tell the stories of our lost lands we never lose them.”
“The more you meditate on ruins, the less of a ruin you become yourself.”

https://www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Written and presented by Hannah Fearn. Audio production by Alex Rees. Producer: Kasia Tomasiewicz. Lead producer: Jacob Jarvis. Music: Kenny Dickinson. Group editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Made in Manc-hattan: How music built a city

Sat, 08 Apr 2023 03:00:00 -0000

Manchester’s music scene is famous the world over – but did Joy Division, the Haçienda and Factory Records really lead to a real estate boom that transformed the city? Journalist and adopted Mancunian Andy Spinoza tells Andrew Harrison how Tony Wilson’s empire triggered a boom that transformed the city’s skyline and more – as charted in his book Manchester Unspun: Pop, Property And Power In The Original Modern City.

BOOK ORDER LINK: https://www.hive.co.uk/Product/Andy-Spinoza/Manchester-Unspun--Pop-Property-and-Power-in-the-Original-Modern-City/27859796

“Those leaders in Manchester didn’t dismiss the music as just a bunch of kids larking around. They could see this was the way economies were changing.”
“All cities should give space to the artists to create their authentic homegrown culture and that should be away from officialdom and away from corporate interests.”

www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Written and presented by Andrew Harrison. Producer: Chris Jones. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production: Robin Leeburn. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Meeting the Swedish anti-vaxxers who believe ‘Mother Earth protects’

Fri, 07 Apr 2023 03:00:00 -0000

In Sweden most people have a great deal of trust in the state, but in recent years vaccine scepticism has gained ground. Ethnographer Mia-Marie Hammarlin spent time in the Swedish countryside sharing saunas and kitchen tables with women who refused the COVID vaccine. She explains how a belief in the power of nature and spirituality, bolstered by conspiracy theories found online, has convinced some Swedes to refuse jabs.

“There are high levels of social trust in Sweden.”
“Trust in nature and spirituality became a central belief for vaccine rejection.”
“Vaccine sceptics furiously reject the notion they lack solidarity.”

Support us on Patreon:

www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Written and presented by Ros Taylor. Producer: Jade Bailey. Audio production: Tomas Rojas. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Thatcher, the IRA, and the bomb that changed history

Thu, 06 Apr 2023 03:00:00 -0000

In the autumn of 1984, the Provisional IRA almost wiped out the British Cabinet. Five people were killed in the Grand Hotel bombing. As we approach the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement, The Guardian’s Ireland correspondent Rory Carroll joins Gavin Esler to revisit the event that – had it been successful – would have changed British politics forever, and the way it did change history.

Rory’s book Killing Thatcher: The IRA, the Manhunt and the Long War on the Crown can be bought here: https://harpercollins.co.uk/products/killing-thatcher-the-ira-the-manhunt-and-the-long-war-on-the-crown-rory-carroll

“In Ireland, Thatcher was a figure as hated as Cromwell.”
“No one in the IRA knew what the consequences of killing a British Prime Minister would be.”

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Written and presented by Gavin Esler. Audio production by Alex Rees. Producer: Kasia Tomasiewicz. Lead producer: Jacob Jarvis. Music: Kenny Dickinson. Group editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Number crunching: How the rich dodge tax

Wed, 05 Apr 2023 03:00:00 -0000

Next to births and deaths, taxes are one of life's only certainties. But with a tax system made up of a bewildering mish-mash of rates and loopholes, who are the winners and losers? And how can the system be hacked? Siân Pattenden is joined by the top-secret Rebel Accountant, author of Taxtopia, to explore how the tax system is scamming us all.

“The poorest in society pay the most amount of tax – the whole system is rigged.”

www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Written and presented by Siân Pattenden. Producer Kasia Tomasiewicz. Lead producer Jacob Jarvis. Group editor Andrew Harrison. Bunker music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production by Jade Bailey. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

Book link: https://www.hachette.co.uk/titles/the-rebel-accountant/taxtopia/9781800960886/

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Doomed to fail? The hidden traps foiling Britain’s political system

Tue, 04 Apr 2023 03:00:00 -0000

We know what political failure looks like in Britain. But why does it happen? Why do governments pass bad laws and ignore looming crises? Ben Ansell, author of Why Politics Fails, tells Ros Taylor why a small number of party members can impose leaders on the rest of us, how self-interest scuppers our decision making, and what happens to a mature democracy when politics stops working. Have we turned a corner since the disastrous Truss premiership? Or are we in for more of the same?

“We have moved to an American-style election process.”
“More democracy in political parties has led to the many centrists in society feeling misrepresented.”
“The breakdown of unions and church membership means now it’s just us and political parties, mediated by Twitter.”

BOOK LINK

https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/444113/why-politics-fails-by-ansell-ben/9780241992760

Presented and written by Ros Taylor. Audio production by Alex Rees. Producer: Kasia Tomasiewicz. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Music: Kenny Dickinson. Group editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Bad hair day — Start Your Week with Arthur Snell and Jacob Jarvis

Mon, 03 Apr 2023 08:43:00 -0000

Donald Trump is to be arrested this week – what drama can we expect to unfold? Plus in the UK the Tories are looking at potholes, while Labour gets ‘tough on crime’ – are we completely out of new ideas? And as Suella Braverman continues to dream about Rwanda, why won’t she admit any flaws to her plans? Arthur Snell joins Jacob Jarvis to lay out what’s happening in the week ahead.

• “Trump is using his indictment to raise more funds.”

• “London-based consultants create silly caricatures like ‘Swindon Woman’, it’s embarrassing.”

• “Antisocial behaviour happens because the social realm has collapsed.”

Support us on Patreon:

https://www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Written and presented by Jacob Jarvis with Arthur Snell. Audio production by Jade Bailey. Producer: Kasia Tomasiewicz. Music: Kenny Dickinson. Group editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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How our Cold War fears can prepare us for climate disaster

Sun, 02 Apr 2023 03:00:00 -0000

Cold War fears of nuclear disaster have been replaced for many by the horrific prospect of climate oblivion. How can our past fears prepare us for the possibility of future catastrophe? Jude Rogers meets Dr Matthew Grant, a senior lecturer in History at the University of Essex, to discuss what lessons can be learnt from our ‘Protect and Survive’ days and how the past is shaping our responses to extreme weather.

“The main fear of nuclear apocalypse wasn't that you'd die, but that you’d survive.”

Support us on Patreon:

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Written and presented by Jude Rogers. Audio production by Jade Bailey. Producer: Kasia Tomasiewicz. Lead producer: Jacob Jarvis. Music: Kenny Dickinson. Artwork: James Parrett. Group editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Bunker USA – Donald Trump is going down (in history)

Sat, 01 Apr 2023 03:00:00 -0000

Trump has been indicted and his arrest looms – what the hell is going on? Will this be his downfall or a boost to the former president? Brian Klaas, Washington Post columnist and associate professor at UCL, joins Alex Andreou to discuss what we know now, the fallout and how this all might play out.

“There’s a viewpoint that Trump has stoked that any sort of criminal investigation involving him is automatically a witchhunt.”
“The only question that matters to Republicans is, ‘Do you think this is a crime?’”
“I expect more indictments will arrive – because people had put the breaks on them, due to the perception of political motivation.”
“If this came out a few days before the 2016 election, I think Trump would have lost.”

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Presented by Alex Andreou. Music by Jade Bailey. Audio production: Robin Leeburn. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Great Danes: How does Denmark quash corruption?

Fri, 31 Mar 2023 03:00:00 -0000

Denmark is one of the least corrupt countries in the world. Gert Tinggard Svendsen of Aarhus University explains how Danes routinely hold each other to account for their actions so that political corruption is not tolerated. Wrongdoers find themselves outcast from Danish society, which acts as a powerful incentive to do the right thing. With Ros Taylor.

“If you lie in Denmark, your reputation will be severely damaged. There’s no way back. You really have to do something extraordinary to compensate.”
“There’s a saying, if two Danes meet they shake hands, if three Danes meet they form an association.”
“The reason why many countries are poor is because they’re corrupt.”

Gert Tinggard Svendsen is the author of Trust (Aarhus University).

https://www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Written and presented by Ros Taylor. Audio production by Robin Leeburn. Assistant producer: Kasia Tomasiewicz. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Music: Kenny Dickinson. Group editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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The Knackered Lunch: Henry Dimbleby on fixing the Govt’s food fiasco

Thu, 30 Mar 2023 03:00:00 -0000

Did Henry Dimbleby really quit his role as the Government’s food policy advisor “in disgust”? Why have its attempts to create a healthier nation through our diet proved such a failure? And what should they be doing instead? Ros Taylor talks to the founder of LEON and the author of Ravenous: How To Get Ourselves And Our Planet Into Shape about the salad shortage, changing Britain’s food culture, the dark side of Bake Off… and why we still depend on celebrity intervention to get kids eating decent school dinners.

“Politicians are out of step with the public. They really are sick of their kids being bombarded with ads for junk food.”
“The term ‘Nanny State’ was coined by politicians who actually grew up with nannies…”
“OK, telling people to eat turnips is funny in a downbeat Blackadder sense… but we really should be growing more vegetables in this country.”
“Giving up meat can seem a bit worthy. We’re trying to create a positive ad campaign around eating less meat.”

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That Show Isn’t Funny Anymore: Why GB News is no joke

Wed, 29 Mar 2023 03:00:00 -0000

GB News launched with much fanfare two years ago and was swiftly mocked for the seeming ineptitude of its entire team. But, it’s still going – and getting more popular. And the questionable output is cranking up to be more extreme too… Should we be taking it more seriously? Jacob Jarvis asks William Turvill, associate editor of Press Gazette and media correspondent for New Statesman.

Support us on Patreon:

www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Presented by Jacob Jarvis. Assistant Producer: Kasia Tomasiewicz. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production: Jade Bailey. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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A losing battle: How Brexit fallout tore Parliament apart

Tue, 28 Mar 2023 03:00:00 -0000

Brexit is done — insofar as it ever will be. But the Brexit we got was not the one most Britons wanted. Years of bad-tempered Parliamentary battling only came to an end when Boris Johnson purged his MPs and stopped the Commons from sitting, then called a general election. Ros Taylor is joined by Meg Russell and Lisa James, authors of The Parliamentary Battle over Brexit, to talk about the damage done, the legacy of those years — and whether we should ever have a referendum again.

“These terms of hard Brexit and soft Brexit only really come around after the referendum.” – Lisa James
“So much of the story of Brexit is what’s going on with the Conservative Party over these years.” – Lisa James

www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Presented by Ros Taylor. Assistant Producer: Kasia Tomasiewicz. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production: Jade Bailey. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Everything’s on Fire – Start Your Week with Hannah Fearn

Mon, 27 Mar 2023 08:25:00 -0000

Mass protests in Israel as secular members of society fear a theocratic takeover from the religious right. Will Netanyahu be forced to halt his controversial judicial reforms? Plus, the focus of violent protests in France moves from Macron’s pensions reform to the President himself. Plus, what will be on the new SNP leader’s to-fix list? And Kwasi Kwarteng and Matt Hancock get caught out touting their Westminster influence at £10,000 a day. Hannah Fearn gives Andrew Harrison the stories to look out for this week.

“In unprecedented scenes, Israelis are considering leaving the Jewish state.”
“Macron beware – the strikes in France have been brewing long before the pandemic.”

Support us on Patreon:

www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Presented by Andrew Harrison with Hannah Fearn. Producer: Kasia Tomasiewicz. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production: Jade Bailey. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Private Trauma: How we’ve let our service people down

Sun, 26 Mar 2023 03:00:00 -0000

How do we support soldiers traumatised by war? And is the public too sheltered from the reality of life during and after conflict? As the 20th anniversary of Iraq reignites questions over the experience of war and care for service personnel, Arthur Snell is joined by Louise Jones, an ex-Army Officer who served in Afghanistan and an active Labour Party member, to discuss how war changes a person.

“We have treated the Afghans we served with appallingly.”
“As a country, we have let down those who have protected us.”
“Veterans and active soldiers are massively under-resourced, there is a crisis in mental health.”

www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Written and Presented by Arthur Snell. Producer: Kasia Tomasiewicz. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production: Robin Leeburn. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Bunker USA: Moscow Fools – Why is the Republican Party split on Russia?

Sat, 25 Mar 2023 04:00:00 -0000

The Republican Party was once hawkish in its stance towards Russia – but now some within its ranks seem sympathetic towards Putin and his regime. What’s changed? And why is there a split? Jacob Jarvis is joined by Jackie Calmes, columnist for the Los Angeles Times, to discuss.

www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Presented by Jacob Jarvis. Assistant Producer: Kasia Tomasiewicz. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production: Alex Rees. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Inside Rwanda: The dictatorship Braverman dreams about

Fri, 24 Mar 2023 04:00:00 -0000

Suella Braverman’s plan to send refugees to Rwanda has been described as inhuman. But what is the country actually like? And what does the nation’s Government get out of the deal? Award winning journalist Anjan Sundaram joins Arthur Snell on a deep-dive into a country few of us know, but is rarely out of headlines. Anjan describes life after the genocide, the Western blind-spot to present human rights abuses and the political coercion at the heart of the present regime.

Anjan wrote about the persecution of journalists in Rwanda in his book ‘Bad News: Last Journalists in a Dictatorship’. His forthcoming book Breakup on the war in the Central African Republic will be published in May.

“Rwanda is a surveillance state of the highest degree.”
“Kagame has ruled over Rwanda for 30 years, and he has positioned himself as a global postcolonial leader.”
“Partnering with the UK paints Rwanda as a safe haven instead of the dictatorship it is.”
“During the genocide, the West did very little to intervene and Kagame has used that for his own political agenda.”

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Written and presented by Arthur Snell. Audio production by Robin Leeburn. Producer: Kasia Tomasiewicz. Lead producer: Jacob Jarvis. Music: Kenny Dickinson. Group editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Does the UK face extinction? – Fintan O’Toole on the Union’s future

Thu, 23 Mar 2023 04:00:00 -0000

The UK is “muddling towards extinction”, says the Irish thinker and journalist Fintan O’Toole. Neglected by a Westminster political class that’s preoccupied by Brexit, the things that once held it together are disappearing. He tells Ros Taylor how England is embracing a nationalism it can’t articulate, why the SNP has failed to get what it wants, and why the UK is not the natural union that its supporters believe it to be.

“The UK was not a natural occurrence.”
“Englishness knows what it is not, but not what it is.”
“With Brexit, this is always where it was going to end up — and no one in Britain cared.”
“The English reluctantly accepted Scots, but only through an unequal relationship.”

Fintan O’Toole’s latest book is We Don’t Know Ourselves: A Personal History of Ireland since 1958.

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NATO on my watch: Is the military alliance fit for purpose?

Wed, 22 Mar 2023 04:00:00 -0000

NATO’s power has been thrown into sharp focus amid Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. How does it operate – and what has it got right and wrong of late? Alex Andreou is joined by Mark Webber, a professor of international politics at the University of Birmingham who is co-authoring the book What’s Wrong with NATO and How to Fix It, to discuss the military alliance.

“Whenever NATO acts it is acting as the aggregate of its members, that is its great strength.”
“What NATO has done very well is it has strengthened its own defences.”
“NATO enlargement is not a project that was anti-Russian, but where things failed is that project was not successful in bringing in Russia as a partner.”
“The US is still the dominant power in Europe after the Cold War.”
“There is moral clarity around the current support for Ukraine – but that longer thought is important.”

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Presented by Alex Andreou. Assistant Producer: Kasia Tomasiewicz. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production: … Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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The Iraq War changed everything. What have we learned?

Tue, 21 Mar 2023 04:00:00 -0000

The Iraq War began 20 years ago – what lessons have been, and what must still be, learned from this invasion? Arthur Snell, the host of Doomsday Watch who served as a diplomat in Iraq, joins Alex Andreou to discuss the mistakes that were made, the human and cultural costs of the conflict, and the arguments surrounding a conflict which fundamentally reshaped global politics.

“There was a lot of groupthink and clustering around a set of predetermined conclusions.”
“The human losses, the cultural losses, the rise of Isis, there are so many long term effects of this war – to keep saying it was worth it to get rid of Saddam, you have to ask ‘What level of loss overwrites that argument?’”
“There is a fundamental loss in confidence… people lost confidence that the Government was telling the truth.”
“This intelligence should have never gotten that far… the people best placed to examine this were not shown it.”

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Presented by Alex Andreou. Assistant Producer: Kasia Tomasiewicz. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production: Robin Leeburn. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Let’s get ready to grumble – Start Your Week with Gavin Esler and Alex Andreou

Mon, 20 Mar 2023 09:44:00 -0000

Both Boris Johnson and Donald Trump are in hot water – how will each try to wriggle their way out of trouble? The former PM faces the privileges committee for a grilling, while the ex-President has said he could be arrested this week. It’s also the twenty year anniversary of the second Iraq war, while bank Credit Suisse has been bought by UBS, and the ICC has issued an arrest warrant against Putin. Alex Andreou is joined by Gavin Esler to give you the stories to look out for this week.

“We’re not talking about one lapse of judgement from Boris Johnson, we’re talking about a pattern.”
“I mean this as a compliment, Sunak and Biden are quite boring – and that gives me optimism I don’t usually have.”
“With Trump and Johnson, politics was like a transatlantic reality TV show. Hopefully it is over now.”

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Presented by Alex Andreou with Gavin Esler. Assistant Producer: Kasia Tomasiewicz. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production: Jade Bailey. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Reasonable doubt: How society got its rules wrong

Sun, 19 Mar 2023 17:03:15 -0000

Most people consider themselves reasonable. But are they? And what rules is that notion defined by? Siân Pattenden is joined by Kirsty Sedgman, author of On Being Unreasonable, to discuss what the response to breastfeeding in public, noisy theatre audiences, neighbourhood watch indiscretions and Edward Coulston show about society today – and whether our collective rules might be wrong.

““Being ‘reasonable’ has usually meant being a man.”
“The NextDoor app shows us the dangers of thinking you are reasonable – when really you aren’t.”
“We need to take acting ‘reasonably’ seriously because it involves policing and power.”
“Who are the rules of ‘being unreasonable’ harming?”

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Written and Presented by Siân Pattenden. Producer: Kasia Tomasiewicz. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production: Robin Leeburn. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Bunker USA: America’s economy faces a Liz Truss moment

Sat, 18 Mar 2023 04:00:00 -0000

As Republicans play chicken with the debt ceiling, could America suffer a Liz Truss-esque financial meltdown? Alex Andreou speaks to Neil Malhotra, a professor of political economy at Stanford Graduate School of Business, to discuss this financial showdown being played out by Congress.

“Republicans see it as part of a game – this is an opportunity to extract concessions.”
“It’s like Liz Truss’ financial plans, it’s hard to know what might happen.”
“As you found in the UK – what happens first is that the markets anticipate everything.”
“If you’re willing to let the country go down, you’re in a much stronger negotiating position than if you’re not. Republicans are in a stronger position because they’re viewed as though they’d tank the whole thing.”

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Presented by Alex Andreou. Music and Audio Production by Jade Bailey. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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The Budget that wasn’t – Hunt’s plans explained

Fri, 17 Mar 2023 04:00:00 -0000

Tax breaks for the 1%, business giveaways that won’t make a difference, free child care that turns out to be a fraction of what’s needed, and nothing for public services. Does Jeremy Hunt’s Budget make sense? Is he loading the pain onto the next government because he knows it won’t be Conservative one? And can he put the post-Truss tax-cutting headbangers back in their box? New Economics Foundation chief exec and Bunker regular Miatta Fahnbulleh takes the Budget apart for Andrew Harrison.

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Written and presented by Andrew Harrison. Audio production by Jade Bailey. Assistant producer: Kasia Tomasiewicz. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Music: Kenny Dickinson. Group editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Who’s pushing all these Russians out of windows?

Thu, 16 Mar 2023 04:00:00 -0000

The unexpected “accidental” deaths of prominent Russians have become a dark joke in the West. But the truth about ‘Sudden Russian Death’ syndrome is even darker.

Bill Browder campaigned for the Magnitsky Acts against Russian corruption and wrote Freezing Order: A True Story of Russian Money Laundering, Murder, and Surviving Vladimir Putin’s Wrath. He tells Andrew Harrison about the chaos within wartime Russia; what turned Putin from a reformer into a despot; and why Ukraine must win this war.

You can get Bill's book here:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Freezing-Order-Laundering-Surviving-Vladimir-ebook/dp/B09RKQFJXZ

“As the Russian economy grinds to a halt, anyone with assets is caught in the crossfire.”
“In Russia, when money is scarce it is more important than human life.”
“Oligarchs are not independently rich. They are dependent on Putin’s favour. He can take everything away in a second.”
“Either Ukraine wins or Russia wins. And if Russia wins they won’t stop at Ukraine.”

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Written and presented by Andrew Harrison. Audio production by Tomas Rojas. Assistant producer: Kasia Tomasiewicz. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Music: Kenny Dickinson. Group editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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The external forces warping Syria’s civil war

Wed, 15 Mar 2023 04:00:00 -0000

The war in Syria began twelve years ago today. But who are the key players in this complex conflict? And how have changes of leadership in neighbouring countries and the recent earthquake changed how the war is being fought? Alex Andreou is joined by Christopher Phillips, professor of international politics at the Queen Mary University of London and author of The Battle for Syria: International Rivalry in the New Middle East, to discuss the current status of the conflict.

“Things have settled into a familiar if miserable pattern.”
“Iran and Russia propped up Assad through money and foreign mercenaries.”

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Written and Presented by Alex Andreou. Producer: Kasia Tomasiewicz. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production: Robin Leeburn. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Polycrisis? What polycrisis? – How we’re reacting to a world in turmoil

Tue, 14 Mar 2023 04:00:00 -0000

We are going through a polycrisis – with multiple catastrophes playing out at once. But despite fuel costs, war and climate change – many remain optimistic. Is this a sign of delusion or pragmatism? Hannah Fearn is joined by Ben Page, CEO of market research leaders Ipsos, to unpack the psychological impact of our current crises, and why some look on the brighter side.

“Lots of inequalities have been exposed by the pandemic – you can’t move for crisis.”
“People have a tendency towards optimism bias.”
“If you’re a Western European, your mid-40s seem like the worst years of your life.”

https://www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Written and presented by Hannah Fearn. Audio production by Robin Leeburn. Producer: Kasia Tomasiewicz. Lead producer: Jacob Jarvis. Music: Kenny Dickinson. Group editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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The Revolution could not be televised – Start Your Week with Arthur Snell and Jacob Jarvis

Mon, 13 Mar 2023 09:36:00 -0000

With the illegal migration bill set for its second reading – how will Braverman and Sunak feel now it faces some serious scrutiny? And with the BBC in crisis over the Gary Lineker debacle, will anyone take the fall? Plus it’s budget week – we discuss why Hunt might be happy for this to be a dull announcement… Arthur Snell joins Jacob Jarvis to outline the stories to look out for this week.

“The question now isn’t if Lineker broke the rules, but why the BBC can’t handle the decisions it makes.”
“You can tell that Boris Johnson is seething with jealousy that Sunak gets to talk about submarines with Biden.”

Support us on Patreon:

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Written and presented by Jacob Jarvis with Arthur Snell. Audio production by Jade Bailey. Assistant producer: Kasia Tomasiewicz. Music: Kenny Dickinson. Group editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Can YouTubers save the world? MrBeast thinks so

Sun, 12 Mar 2023 15:39:00 -0000

Good samaritans or narcissistic egotists: what is behind the rise in YouTube philanthropy? Ros Taylor is joined by Rhodri Davies, the founder and director of ‘Why Philanthropy Matters’, to discover why influencers like MrBeast are turning to charitable causes – and how their realm of influence could expand.

“YouTube philanthropy videos generate unimaginable amounts of money.”
“Many YouTube stars have maintained their fandom through charity videos.”
“We are witnessing a transformation in how philanthropists raise money.”
“There is a fine line between cynicism and celebration.”

Support us on Patreon:

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Written and presented by Ros Taylor. Producer Kasia Tomasiewicz. Lead producer Jacob Jarvis. Bunker music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production by Jade Bailey. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Bunker USA: Can the Republican Party come back from the brink?

Sat, 11 Mar 2023 04:00:00 -0000

Donald Trump twisted the GOP beyond recognition during his time as president. What did it stand for before this aberration – and could it ever revert to a sane, sensible and serious party again? Jacob Jarvis discusses with Julie Norman, co-director of UCL’s Centre on US Politics.

“Many in the party recognise the GOP doesn’t have a strong message – so they are trying to limit the role of the state.”
“Trump’s voters are very concerned about election integrity, fears he manipulated expertly.”

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Oliver’s Army: Can Revolutionary England explain our modern mess?

Fri, 10 Mar 2023 04:00:00 -0000

In the 17th Century the English slaughtered one another, beheaded their king, fought bitterly over religion and politics, and acquired a taste for coffee and newspapers. Jonathan Healey, Associate Professor of Social History at the University of Oxford, tells Andrew Harrison how their world turned upside down shapes our own in his new book THE BLAZING WORLD: A New History of Revolutionary England.

Includes Cromwell, cross-dressing, regicide, seditious libel, the New Model Army (not that one), the Levellers (not those), the ‘Blazing World’ itself (perhaps the first science fiction novel) and the Roundhead-Cavalier rivalry explained in terms of Half Man Half Biscuit…

• “During a ‘skimmington’ you could break all the rules and slag off politicians… you could turn the world upside down.”

• “Catholics would hold cross dressing weddings to mock Protestants.”

• “Punk takes its name from the 17th century slang for prostitute.”

• “The tale of Guy Fawkes has lost all its violence.”

Thif podcaft hath been written and uttered by Mafter Andrew Harrifon. Miftress Kafia Tomafiewicz did finely produce it and My Lord Jacob Jarvif was ye Lead Producer. Miftress Jade Bailiy did edit ye sounds within and divers idolatrous musicks were supplied by Mafter Kenny Dickinfon of far Manchester. “Lucifer over Lancashire!” We warrant that YE BUNKER is withal a Podmafterf Production.

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“Westminster is failing us” – Mhairi Black on the SNP’s future

Thu, 09 Mar 2023 04:00:00 -0000

Mhairi Black joins The Bunker to discuss the future of Scottish independence, her party’s ne leader and the quirks of Westminster. Following Sturgeon standing down as SNP leader and Scotland’s first leader, she joins Marie Le Conte to speak about what will come next – and what might happen under her successor, whoever that may be.

“If you’re in a democracy and you can’t get a reply from a minister, then your democracy’s not very good.”
“I still think Sturgeon is head and shoulders above pretty much any politician in the UK. She understands normal people’s lives, even though she hasn’t been living one.”
“I have no doubt Scotland will be independent, it’s not a matter of if but when it happens. The case speaks for itself.”
“Westminster is failing us… internationally, there are plenty of examples of what Scotland could be like.”

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Presented by Marie Le Conte. Assistant Producer: Kasia Tomasiewicz. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production: Alex Rees. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Lights! Camera! Faction! Inside the warring Tory tribes

Wed, 08 Mar 2023 04:00:00 -0000

From the ERG to the CGG, the different factions within the Conservatives build up a picture of the divisions within the party. But what do all of the different groups stand for, and why don’t we seem to see the same splintering within Labour? Professor Tim Bale, author of The Conservative Party After Brexit, joins Marie le Conte to find out.

“Tendencies mean that the party is more easily managed, factions make it much harder to manage, and they make governing much harder as well.”
“There’s a lot of groups that got going under Thatcher, mostly to protect her legacy.
“I think if you're a leader a faction can be a real springboard for you into the leadership but you can also become a prisoner to that faction.”
“There’s a degree to which belonging to a faction can give you some legitimacy when you’re speaking, it can amplify your voice.”

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Written and presented by Marie Le Conte. Producer: Jet Gerbertson. Assistant Producer: Kasia Tomasiewicz. Lead producer:Jacob Jarvis. Bunker music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production by Jade Bailey. Group editor: Andrew Harrison.

THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Major Upset? Will the next election be a 1992 or a 1997?

Tue, 07 Mar 2023 04:00:00 -0000

Labour’s shock General Election loss in 1992 still haunts the party – and nobody wants to tempt fate by mentioning 1997’s landslide victory either. Will the next Election be a ’92, a ’97 or something else entirely? Steve Richards of the Rock & Roll Politics podcast explains what lay behind Neil Kinnock’s defeat and the trauma it inflicted on Labour; how it created the control freakery of the New Labour era; and what it all means for Keir Starmer.

Listen to Rock & Roll Politics with Steve Richards on all platforms: https://kite.link/RNRP

Written and presented by Andrew Harrison. Assistant producer Kasia Tomasiewicz. Lead producer Jacob Jarvis. Bunker music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production by Alex Rees. Group Editor Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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The Grateful Dad – Start Your Week with Hannah Fearn

Mon, 06 Mar 2023 09:40:00 -0000

Sunak tries to dish out some hard right catnip on small boats – but then here’s Johnson offering his rancid father a knighthood. Can’t Rishi catch a break? Also, is the Hancock/Oakeshott WhatsApp epic really persuading Britain that lockdown was a disaster? Or just reminding them of how awful the Cabinet are? Plus Sue Gray, strikes latest, Raab in firing line and more. Hannah Fearn sets out the week ahead with Andrew Harrison.

“Boris nominating his father for a knighthood shows he’s the ultimate reverse nepo baby.”
“From cronyism in Westminster to small boats in the channel, we are a joke on the world stage.”
“You have to be honest in politics or you end up with insane conspiracy theories.”

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Written and presented by Andrew Harrison with Hannah Fearn. Audio production by Jade Bailey. Assistant producer: Kasia Tomasiewicz. Music: Kenny Dickinson. Lead producer: Jacob Jarvis. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Interview: Ex-C4 News head Dorothy Byrne on women in education and the future of news

Sun, 05 Mar 2023 04:00:00 -0000

Lambasted by the Tory press for calling Boris Johnson a “known liar” at the Edinburgh TV festival when she was head of news at Channel 4, Dorothy Byrne is now President of Murray Edwards College, Cambridge. She talks to Ros Taylor about the pressures facing young female students, the future of C4, why we’re not treating violent porn seriously enough, and how ITV and Sky breached key broadcasting standards during the search for Nicola Bulley.

“The ones who tell you ‘people don’t trust TV news any more’ are the ones who don’t WANT you to trust it.”
“The level of anxiety, stress and depression among young women is frightening – and it’s going up and up and up.”
“Young people know that social media news often isn’t true.”
“Sky and ITV’s treatment of the Nicola Bulley case was a breach of trust to the viewers and to her family.”

Written and presented by Ros Taylor. Assistant producer Kasia Tomasiewicz. Lead producer Jacob Jarvis. Bunker music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production by Alex Rees. Group Editor Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Bunker USA: Why is Florida so weird?

Sat, 04 Mar 2023 04:00:00 -0000

Florida could well be America’s future. Governor Ron Desantis presides over an increasingly right-wing and combative “loudocracy” and he thinks he can become President by out-Trumping Trump. So why is the Sunshine State so notoriously bizarre? FLORIDA MAN Craig Pittman, author of The State You’re In: Florida Men, Florida Women, and Other Wildlife, tells Andrew Harrison about Matt Gaetz, socialised mermaids, and why Florida produces more madness than it can consume.

“You put that many people in a confined space and they’re bound to start ramming each other’s cars and chasing each other with machetes.”
“For Floridans, being free doesn’t mean I can do what I want. It means YOU have to do what I want.”
“We have a huge cost of living yet our leadership would rather talk about drag shows and Disneyworld.”
“We have more shark bites than anywhere in the world except Australia – I think because we’re so tasty.”

Get Craig's book here:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/State-Youre-Florida-Women-Wildlife/dp/081306886X

Written and presented by Andrew Harrison. Assistant producer Kasia Tomasiewicz. Lead producer Jacob Jarvis. Music and audio production by Jade Bailey. Group Editor Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Better the Kremlin you know: Germany reckons with its Russia problem

Fri, 03 Mar 2023 04:00:00 -0000

Germany seems to have had a blind spot over Russia – why is that? And how has their relationship changed following the war in Ukraine? Alex Andreou is joined by John Lough, author of Germany’s Russia Problem, to unpack when their relationship changed, what it means for Europe, and why the Berlin Wall still casts a long shadow over German politics.

“Russia changed direction in 2005 but Germany didn’t take note.”
“Despite knowing a lot about Russia, Germany has been very naive.”

https://www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Written and presented by Alex Andreou. Audio production by Robin Leeburn. Producer: Kasia Tomasiewicz.Lead producer: Jacob Jarvis. Music: Kenny Dickinson. Group editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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“I know how much is at stake” – Stella Creasy talks

Thu, 02 Mar 2023 04:00:00 -0000

Stella Creasy, who feels like a Labour grandee these days, talks to Ros Taylor about Brexit, Tory negligence and removing barriers to get more mothers into politics. Creasy discusses the work she’s done from opposition, and talks tentatively about a future where Labour might be in Government…

“Women have always wanted to be involved in politics, but it’s about the environment we create for them.”
“We’ve really struggled as a country because of austerity… imagine how much stronger we could have been.”
“I know how much is at stake. I think the British people want to hear the case for the alternative.”
“Isolating Britain from the world makes us smaller, not taller.”

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Written and presented by Ros Taylor. Producer and audio editor: Alex Rees. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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You’re his-Tory: Why aren’t young people turning Conservative?

Wed, 01 Mar 2023 04:00:00 -0000

There is a generational divide between who votes Conservative and who votes Labour – and it’s a problem for both parties. It used to be thought that as people got older, they naturally became more conservative – but that pattern has broken. Professor Bobby Duffy, director of the Policy Institute at King’s College London joins Marie Le Conte to delve into why.

“Denigrating young people is an absolute constant throughout human history – we always think the current generation of young people are absolutely awful… all the way back to Socrates.”
“There doesn’t seem to be a solution to intergenerational connection without a solution to housing because it’s so at the heart of life chances, wealth generational, feeling of independence.”

Support us on Patreon:

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Written and presented by Marie Le Conte. Producer: Jet Gerbertson. Assistant Producer: Kasia Tomasiewicz. Lead producer: Jacob Jarvis. Bunker music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production by Robin Leeburn. Group editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Come Spy With Me: An insider's look at espionage

Tue, 28 Feb 2023 04:00:00 -0000

Hollywood has shaped how we see spies – but who are these people who secretly walk among us? How hard is it to become one? Siân Pattenden unpacks the world of espionage, and discusses why the next James Bond will be a woman with Ava Glass, author of the new spy novel The Chase, who previously worked alongside spies in the civil service.

“The highest level of security clearance takes a whole year to pass.”
“Spies rarely wear tuxedos and drink martinis.”

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Written and presented by Siân Pattenden. Producer Kasia Tomasiewicz. Lead producer Jacob Jarvis. Bunker music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production by Jade Bailey. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Kind of a big deal – Start Your Week with Ros Taylor and Alex Andreou

Mon, 27 Feb 2023 09:18:06 -0000

Rishi Sunak is meeting Ursula von der Leyen to seal a new deal to get Brexit done again, again. Will the agreement get sealed? And what fallout will any such settlement spark? Plus, we return to the strikes and discuss the SNP leadership latest. Ros Taylor joins Alex Andreou to discuss the week ahead.

“It all depends on whether the DUP think they can get anything more out of it or not.” – Alex Andreou
“There’s nothing Johnson would like more than return as Prime Minister… but my sense is that the energy is moving away from him.” – Ros Taylor
“People just want Brexit to go away.” – Ros Taylor
“The reaction to Kate Forbes shows that in Westminster we don’t know Scotland as well as we think we do.” – Ros Taylor

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Presented by Alex Andreou with Ros Taylor. Assistant Producer: Kasia Tomasiewicz. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production: Alex Rees. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Waiting game: What the rush to private health means for the NHS

Sun, 26 Feb 2023 04:00:00 -0000

As NHS waiting lists get longer, more people are turning to private healthcare. Is this skipping the queue accelerating a decline to a two-tier system, or will the demand for more encourage policymakers to fund the NHS properly to raise the standards? Efua Poku-Amanfo from the Institute for Public Policy Research joins Hannah Fearn in the Bunker to find out.

“Young people 18-25 specifically… were less likely to have confidence in the NHS
“There will be groups in our society who have options, whilst not ideal… the concern is for those who get left behind
“For older people there’d often be a nostalgia to having a family doctor… young people are less likely to have that kind of nostalgia for the NHS.”

www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Written and presented by Hannah Fearn. Producer: Jet Gerbertson. Assistant Producer: Kasia Tomasiewicz. Lead producer: Jacob Jarvis. Bunker music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production by Jade Bailey. Group editor: Andrew Harrison.

THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Bunker USA: American Dreams (Are Made of This)

Sat, 25 Feb 2023 04:00:00 -0000

The USA is built on ‘the American dream’. But what exactly is it? Does it actually exist? Jacob Jarvis is joined by Jim Cullen, author of The American Dream: A short history of an idea that shaped a nation, to ask where the idea came from and why it still has such a strong hold over American life.

“The English pilgrims are central to the creation of the American Dream.”
“At the heart of the American Dream is that pure belief that society can be better.”
“The American Dream is the soft power of possibility.”
“Two streams run through American history, the puritanical idea of a new way and the money-making dream.”

Written and presented by Jacob Jarvis. Producer: Kasia Tomasiewicz. Audio production by Robin Leeburn. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters production.

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Volodymyr Zelensky: The comedian who wanted to be President of Peace

Fri, 24 Feb 2023 04:00:00 -0000

Zelensky’s story of a comedian turned President of Ukraine and now war leader is stranger than fiction. So who is the man we have cheered on as he stands up to the Russian invasion? Siân Pattenden is joined by journalist Steven Derix, co-author of the new biography Zelensky, to take a peek behind the curtain of a life lived in the media spotlight, before being thrown into violent conflict.

“Ukraine is one of the countries least known to the public.”
“He’s a boss everywhere he goes.”
“His parents wanted him to be a diplomat, which is ironic given where he has ended up.”
“He wanted to be the President of Peace.”

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The Spirit of Freedom: A year into Ukraine’s fight for democracy

Thu, 23 Feb 2023 04:00:00 -0000

It’s been one year since the full scale invasion of Ukraine began. From fanning the spirit of freedom, to how internally displaced people are coping, through to what Ukraine needs now from its friends and allies across the West – Olga Tokariuk, freelance journalist and fellow at the Reuters Institute for Journalism, joins Alex Andreou to reflect on the last 12 months.

“I could see the spirit of freedom and the spirit of commitment to democracy and human rights… that gave me confidence that Ukrainians would not just give up on those.”
“For the moment Ukraine doesn’t have enough means to launch further counter offensives.”
“Those people who have decided to stay in Ukraine, we’re supporting the economy, we’re buying things, we’re paying taxes.”
“Seeing President Biden paying respect to Ukrainian soldiers, Ukrainian protestors… had a very profound symbolic importance.”

www.patreon.com/ohgodwhatnow

Written and presented by Alex Andreou. Produced by Jet Gerbertson. Audio production by Alex Rees. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis.

THE BUNKER is a Podmasters production.

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Time to grow up: How to boost the economy without Trussonomics

Wed, 22 Feb 2023 04:00:00 -0000

Britain is all but in recession. We’re far less productive than other European countries, and take the industries that do well for granted. Trussonomics was one idea to boost growth — and we all know how that turned out. But if cutting taxes isn’t the solution to our problems, what is? Greg Thwaites from the Resolution Foundation joins Ros Taylor in the Bunker to find out.

“Most of the growth that we've had in the economy hasn’t come from people being more productive, it’s from people doing more work.”
“What the average UK worker can produce in an hour, it takes the average French or German or US worker ten minutes less to produce.”
“You can liken the UK to a passenger jet that’s flying on one engine: it’s not safe.”

www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Written and presented by Ros Taylor. Producer: Jet Gerbertson. Assistant Producer: Kasia Tomasiewicz. Lead producer:Jacob Jarvis. Bunker music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production by Alex Rees. Group editor: Andrew Harrison.THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Break the bank: Are we doomed to repeat our financial crises?

Tue, 21 Feb 2023 04:00:00 -0000

After the Financial Crisis, many expected a new approach to the economy to be taken. Instead, lessons were forgotten quickly and countries continued to rack up debt whilst subscribing to the old order of things. Martin Wolf, author of The Crisis of Democratic Capitalism joins Alex Andreou to discuss whether we’re destined to repeat the past.

“After communism failed, the western leaders… came to feel that our systems had won, they were overwhelmingly successful.”
“The working class which had been atomised… this story of resentment and anger against elites and immigrants is a very powerful story.”
“What economics is wrong about is the assumption that a reasonably competitive economy can be sustained without consistent and active engagement.”

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Written and presented by Alex Andreou. Producer: Jet Gerbertson. Assistant producer: Kasia Tomasiewicz. Lead producer: Jacob Jarvis. Bunker music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production by Robin Leeburn. Group Editor Andrew Harrison.

THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Sorry to interrupt – Start Your Week with Alex Andreou

Mon, 20 Feb 2023 09:26:00 -0000

Sunak is trying yet again to establish his leadership – but will he ever be rid of Boris Johnson? With a Northern Ireland deal touted, we outline the looming showdowns. Plus, amid right wing protests over immigration – will the Government do anything but stoke them? And internationally, Turkey and Syria are still suffering the effects of the earthquake, while it’s coming up to a year since Russia invaded Ukraine. Alex Andreou joins Jacob Jarvis to outline the week ahead.

“Politics feels very 2018 right now.”
“The majority of Tory MPs now are addicted to chaos, they know nothing else.”
“Entire regions are being pulled down, and cities abandoned en masse.”

Support us on Patreon:

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Written and presented by Jacob Jarvis with Alex Andreou. Audio production by Jade Bailey. Assistant producer: Kasia Tomasiewicz. Music: Kenny Dickinson. Group editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Why sorry seems to be the hardest word in politics

Sun, 19 Feb 2023 04:00:00 -0000

A good apology can make or break a politician. So why are so many public figures so bad at saying sorry? Jacob Jarvis unearths the fine art of apologising with ‘sorry watchers’ Susan McCarthy and Marjorie Ingall, co-authors of Sorry, sorry, sorry: the case for good apologies.

“We rarely teach children why they should apologise, we just tell them they should.” – Marjorie Ingall
“Apologising is hard, and so it’s instinctive to protect ourselves because we don’t want to mess up.” – Susan McCarthy

Support us on Patreon:

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Written and presented by Jacob Jarvis. Producer Kasia Tomasiewicz. Lead producer Jacob Jarvis. Bunker music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production by Jade Bailey. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Bunker USA: Highway to Haley

Sat, 18 Feb 2023 04:00:00 -0000

Nikki Haley has come forward as Trump’s first major challenger for the GOP nomination in 2024. Who is she – and why does she want to challenge him? Jacob Jarvis is joined by Danielle Vinson, professor of politics and international affairs at Furman University, South Carolina, to discuss.

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Written and presented by Jacob Jarvis. Producer Kasia Tomasiewicz. Lead producer Jacob Jarvis. Bunker music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production by Alex Rees. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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The Meloni Enigma: What is Italy’s far-right PM up to?

Fri, 17 Feb 2023 04:00:00 -0000

When Giorgia Meloni was elected PM of Italy, many considered her the spiritual heir to Mussolini. Grappling with the energy crisis, she’s toned down much of her rhetoric - but is she just biding her time? John Hooper, author of The Italians, joins Ros Taylor to look at what we know about this enigmatic leader.

“Does she still hanker after neo-fascism? She denies that absolutely… but it’s still an unresolved question.”
“She's anything but consistent, but she’s managed to convince people that she’s somebody who sticks to her principles.”
“She’s been pushed into a second class in the EU whilst people figure out if she’s really become the conservative that she claims to be.”

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Written and presented by Ros Taylor. Produced by Jet Gerbertson. Audio production by Alex Rees. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters production.

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“My front row seat to the end of the world” – delivery driving during COVID

Thu, 16 Feb 2023 04:00:00 -0000

When Stu Hennigan took up a job as a council food parcel delivery driver during lockdown, he realised he had a “front row seat to the end of the world”. Every day he kept a diary as he witnessed families struggling with isolation, poverty, and the worst impacts of austerity. He joins Hannah Fearn to talk about his book Ghost Signs.

“This is literally like front row seats to the end of the world.”
“There was a little girl one day who started dancing when she saw all of the food. You’d have thought I was Father Christmas when I showed up at her house.”
“To me the book is about austerity as much as it’s about the pandemic. The pandemic is just the framing story.”

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Written and presented by Hannah Fearn. Producer Jet Gerbertson. Assistant producer Kasia Tomasiewicz. Lead producer Jacob Jarvis. Bunker music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production by Jade Bailey. Group Editor Andrew Harrison.

THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Sum find it tough: Why we struggle with maths

Wed, 15 Feb 2023 04:00:00 -0000

Rishi Sunak believes everyone should learn maths until the age of 18, but not everyone agrees. Tim Oates, director of research at Cambridge University Assessment, talks to Ros Taylor about why some of us find maths so hard, why girls still underestimate their ability, and how good teaching makes a difference.

“Some research says that we should see maths as a language, a foreign language. If you come to that learning late it becomes harder.
“In the economy we have a gross shortage of technician level applicants which are vital for the future of our society. I’m afraid a lot of those [jobs] are numerate and require mathematics and science. [Rishi Sunak] is on to something.”
“I think we need to be honest about maths and say it is tough to learn another language, but it’s worth doing - in terms of financial management… how to unlock occupations by showing to employers that you’re capable.”

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Written and presented by Ros Taylor. Producer Jet Gerbertson. Assistant producer Kasia Tomasiewicz. Lead producer Jacob Jarvis. Bunker music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production by Jade Bailey. Group Editor Andrew Harrison.

THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Losing our marbles: Should Britain send back its museum loot?

Tue, 14 Feb 2023 04:00:00 -0000

Activists have demanded the return of contentious museum objects for decades – why are museums now starting to listen? Arthur Snell is joined by Dan Hicks, professor of contemporary archaeology and author of The Brutish Museums: The Benin Bronzes, Colonial Violence and Cultural Restitution, to bring some much needed clarity to a debate beset by culture war clashes.

“Museums are moving with the time, but some on the hard right are weaponising the debate.”
“In the 19th century, museums were put to work towards cultural supremacy – we now recognise this as wrong, so we have to move forward.”
“You wouldn’t tell a biologist the latest developments in their field.”
“There is so much ‘whataboutism’ in this debate – and time's up.”

For 20% off the book add the code BUNKER20 here: https://www.plutobooks.com/9780745341767/the-brutish-museums/

Written and presented by Arthur Snell. Produced by Kasia Tomasiewicz. Audio production by Robin Leeburn. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters production.

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A Very Big House In The Country – Start Your Week with Arthur Snell

Mon, 13 Feb 2023 09:15:00 -0000

Your guide to news in the week ahead. Does Gove’s country house meeting indicate that the Brexit edifice is cracking? Civil service spending on government “credit cards” explodes by 70%. The Turkish earthquake exposes colossal corruption and corner-cutting in the country’s construction industry. Will Erdoğan finally pay a price? And in Ukraine, things take a turn for the worse in Bakhmut. Arthur Snell sets out the week ahead with Jacob Jarvis.

“Apparently one civil spent £2,500 on home brew equipment disguised as ‘I.T.’”
“Whether a sensible Brexit workaround survives first contact with David Frost or the ERG remains to be seen.”
“Are these giant objects Chinese balloons or alien invasion? We just don’t know yet.”

Support us on Patreon:

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Written and presented by lead producer Jacob Jarvis. Audio production by Jade Bailey. Assistant producer: Kasia Tomasiewicz. Producer: Jet Gerbertson. Music: Kenny Dickinson. Group editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Zero Tolerance: How Judge Dredd predicted the future of policing

Sun, 12 Feb 2023 12:00:00 -0000

Extra Edition: What can a bloody, violent, horribly funny comic book cop tell us about policing in the real world? 2000AD comic’s Judge Dredd began in 1977 as a brutal satire on law and order for delinquent kids – and then Dredd’s world of militarised police started to come true. Is Dredd a warning of the future or a manual for how to oppress a society?

Lifelong Dredd fan Andrew Harrison talks to Michael Molcher, author of I Am The Law: How Judge Dredd Predicted Our Future, about Hayek, Voltaire, the Apocalypse War, policing by consent, Crime Blitzes, Stuart Hall, and Judge Death as a model for policing.

(Yes, this episode’s not for everyone. But what’s the point of having a podcast company if you can’t talk about what you love, eh?)

Image by Mike McMahon.

“Dredd’s a Rorschach test. You can tell a lot about someone if they’re saying ‘yes, we need Dredd on our streets’.”
“Dredd arrived at the time of Dirty Harry and The Sweeney, a time of copaganda… He’s an incredible predictive warning of the law and order endgame.”
“The Judges are the culmination of a police state… The administer everything from welfare to warfare.”
“The steamroller of law and order is reaching its destination… The last of those pesky rights are being eroded.”

Written and presented by Andrew Harrison. Producer Jet Gerbertson. Assistant producer Kasia Tomasiewicz. Lead producer Jacob Jarvis. Bunker music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production by Alex Rees. Group Editor Andrew Harrison. “Hic! It’s Jedge Drudd!” THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Sick building syndrome: Why are we letting Parliament crumble?

Sun, 12 Feb 2023 04:00:00 -0000

The Palace of Westminster is crumbling. There are risks of fires, floods and the walls are stacked with asbestos. Will Parliament ever get fixed? And will it take someone being hurt for movement to happen? Marie Le Conte is joined by Dr. Alexandra Meakin, a lecturer at the University of Leeds whose PhD thesis was titled Understanding the Restoration and Renewal of the Palace of Westminster, to discuss the issues.

“Fire is a big risk, a huge one you can’t ignore.”
“Behind the ornate beauty of the building, it’s in a bad state.”
“MPs believe there must be a cheaper or quicker way to do the work, and that’s why they keep asking for reviews.”
“Catastrophe really has only not happened out of luck so far.”

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Presented by Marie Le Conte. Producers: Jet Gerbertson and Alex Rees. Assistant Producer: Kasia Tomasiewicz. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production: Alex Rees. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Bunker USA: Joe Biden wants to ‘finish the job’. Can he?

Sat, 11 Feb 2023 04:00:00 -0000

Joe Biden delivered his State of the Union this week and focused on wanting to “finish the job”. Can he achieve his goals despite a split Congress? Julie Norman, co-director of UCL’s Centre on US Politics, joins Alex Andreou to discuss the US president’s standing, hopes and the limits to his power in the second half of his first term – and whether he’ll run for a second…

“Biden knows the political reality and he knows what’s going to win over independents as he looks to 2024.”
“Joe Biden seemed comfortable with the back and forth and he made Republicans look rather silly, if nothing else.”
“We can see the State of the Union as a mini launching and a set piece for what a Biden campaign would look like.”

Support us on Patreon:

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Presented by Alex Andreou. Music and audio production: Jade Bailey. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Artwork: James Parrett. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Lying to themselves: Secrets of China’s Cultural Revolution

Fri, 10 Feb 2023 04:00:00 -0000

During China’s Cultural Revolution, pupils murdered their teachers, children betrayed their parents and society was torn apart in the name of progress. Decades on, it inspires both horror and nostalgia — but is rarely mentioned in public. Tania Branigan, author of Red Memory, tells Ros Taylor how China’s citizens deal with the Revolution’s violent legacy – and what it can teach us about China today.

“There was a kind of idealism there, the inevitable joy and excitement that young people would feel in an upheaval of that kind”.
“Many people in China regard the Cultural Revolution with a certain nostalgia, a time when people were somehow purer and there was more meaning.”
“I certainly don’t know how I would have behaved if I lived through that era, and I don’t think many of us can.”

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THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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How to beat the strongmen – and save democracy

Thu, 09 Feb 2023 04:00:00 -0000

How do we overcome opportunist strongmen leaders, who grab power while nations are in turmoil? As countries battle stagnant growth, high inflation and inept governments, we’ve seen a rise in autocracies. Charles Dunst, author of Defeating the Dictators: How Democracy Can Prevail in the Age of the Strongman joins Andrew Harrison to ask what the allure of these dictators is and why they are thriving in uncertain times.

“The majority of autocracies don’t work, but in the richest ones there is no yearning for democracy.”
“If you’re a developing country, the road to riches often leads to the Singapore model.”
“Meritocracy has become a dirty word.”

Support us on Patreon:

www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Written and presented by Andrew Harrison. Assistant producer Kasia Tomasiewicz. Lead producer Jacob Jarvis. Bunker music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production by Jade Bailey. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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N.I. on impossible: How do we fix the Northern Ireland protocol?

Wed, 08 Feb 2023 04:00:00 -0000

Is a deal over the Northern Ireland protocol really imminent? Due to Northern Ireland’s land border with the Republic, there were always going to need to be unique arrangements post-Brexit. A resolution of some kind is being touted, but what might this look like? Amanda Ferguson, a Belfast-based freelance journalist and commentator, joins Ros Taylor to discuss.

“I think Boris Johnson knew exactly what he was doing, he just wanted to get Brexit done.”
“It should be pointed out that everybody acknowledges there are issues with the protocol.”
“We could be in a scenario where the EU and the UK have a deal, but then it’s not backed by the DUP – and then we’re back to square one.”
“There has to be something that satisfies everybody, it can’t be just a one way street.”

Support us on Patreon:

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Presented by Ros Taylor. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production: Jade Bailey. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Could you push the nuclear button?

Tue, 07 Feb 2023 04:00:00 -0000

Imagine nuclear missiles are flying towards the UK and you’re in charge of our response. What do you do? It’s unlikely you’ll have to make this tough a decision – but we all face pressure and choices. How do our brains behave under tension? Moran Cerf, a neuroscientist at the Kellogg School of Management, talks to Ros Taylor about the psychological pitfalls in human decision-making.

“Our brains are still the brains of humans who lived in a savanna with about 200 people around them.”
“We just face too many decisions… you have too many options and too many dimensions.”
“Most of life is filled with small choices that don’t really matter… if you accept that you can start making them without regret.”

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Presented by Ros Taylor. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production: Alex Rees. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Shock to the system – Start Your Week with Hannah Fearn and Jacob Jarvis

Mon, 06 Feb 2023 09:26:00 -0000

Liz Truss has broken her silence, a mere 100 days after leaving office – what Tory drama will this spark in the days ahead? And with Johnson in the headlines, why do our former Prime Ministers continue to haunt us? Plus we look at the NHS strikes and the Chinese balloon mystery. Jacob Jarvis is joined by Hannah Fearn to give you the low-down on the week ahead in politics.

“Truss's lack of self-awareness is staggering.”
“We haven’t recovered from Covid because of Brexit and Truss.”
“The political and moral hand has been on the side of the NHS nurses.”

Support us on Patreon:

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Presented by Jacob Jarvis with Hannah Fearn. Assistant Producer: Kasia Tomasiewicz. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production: Jade Bailey. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Mob Deep: Inside the modern day mafia

Sun, 05 Feb 2023 04:00:00 -0000

The mafia conjures up images of the Sopranos rather than hardened criminals for many of us. So what is it really – and how has it changed? With the arrest of mobster Matteo Messina Denaro putting mafia violence back in the spotlight, Felia Allum, author of Camorristi, Politicians, and Businessmen: The Transformation of Organized Crime in Post-war Naples, joins Alex Andreou to discuss the changing face of criminal organisations.

“In Italy, the mafia is like a virus that wracks the body.”
“The mafia was tied to the creation of the Italian state.”
“The mafia want political leverage.”

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Written and presented by Alex Andreou. Assistant producer Kasia Tomasiewicz. Lead producer Jacob Jarvis. Bunker music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production by Robin Leeburn. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Bunker USA: The Enforcers – What does the Chief of Staff actually do?

Sat, 04 Feb 2023 04:00:00 -0000

White House Chief of Staff sounds like a pretty big job, right? But what do they actually do? With Ron Klain departing from the role, Jeff Zients has been chosen as his successor. What does Biden need from him? Jacob Jarvis is joined by David B. Cohen, a professor of political science at the University of Akron who is co-authoring The President's Chief of Staff: Evolution of a White House Institution.

“You can see the footprints of the White House Chief of Staff all the way back to George Washington.”
“At the beginning it was more of a managerial role. They have four roles, the administrator, the guardian, the advisor and the proxy.”
“They’re there to protect the president’s political interests and guard his time.”
“The Chief of Staff if they’d doing their job makes sure all the voices that need to be heard are heard.”

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Presented by Jacob Jarvis. Music by Jade Bailey. Audio production: Alex Rees. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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High speed fail: How the Government broke its HS2 promises

Fri, 03 Feb 2023 04:00:00 -0000

HS2 has been beset with calamity – what promises have the Government broken on this flagship project? Christian Wolmar, journalist and train expert, joins Ros Taylor to discuss what has gone wrong and why it’s so hard to build a high-speed railway in Britain.

“HS2 is costing £100 million a week – imagine the end cost.”
“We never holistically planned the project, and we’ve muddled through to huge costs.”
“Building a high-speed rail from a poor to rich area impoverishes the poor area.”

Support us on Patreon:

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Written and presented by Ros Taylor. Assistant producer: Kasia Tomasiewicz. Lead producer: Jacob Jarvis. Bunker music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production by Jade Bailey. Group editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Germany, tanks and Ukraine: Why Scholz had to change his mind

Thu, 02 Feb 2023 04:00:00 -0000

Germany’s delay sending Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine frustrated European allies – will it do lasting damage to relations on the continent? Was this a missed opportunity for Scholz to have led the way internationally in the fight against Russia? Alex Andreou speaks to Jeremy Cliffe, New Statesman’s writer-at-large based in Berlin, to discuss Germany’s position and what it tells us about the nation.

“Germany’s perspective on the world has required adjusting… it has edged towards making more responsibility.”
“It took too long for Scholz to grapple with the problems, reflection is one thing, putting one’s head in the sand is another.”
“Germany’s political culture moves quite gradually and slowly.”
“Being highly methodological and efficient can also lead to great inefficiency.”

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Presented by Alex Andreou. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production: Robin Leeburn. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Pushing fifty: Should we get over-50s back to work?

Wed, 01 Feb 2023 05:00:00 -0000

Why are so many over-50s leaving the workforce – and can we get them back? With people changing how they live post-pandemic, large numbers have left the labour market. What made them make this shift? And how are the NHS and care crises also playing into this? Ros Taylor is joined by Scott Corfe, director of Public First, to discuss.

“The overwhelming majority of these people who have dropped out of the labour market don’t want to return to work.”
“For people who left in the pandemic it seems like for many this is a retirement story, rather than an ill-health story.”
“Brits seem to have a more negative views of work than Germany and the US.”

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Presented by Ros Taylor. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production: Alex Rees. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Tech me to your leader: Should AI run our lives?

Tue, 31 Jan 2023 04:00:00 -0000

From making works of art to writing essays and driving cars – is there anything AI can’t do? Dr. Stephanie Hare, author of Technology Is Not Neutral: A Short Guide to Technology Ethics, joins Andrew Harrison to ask how worried we should be about new technologies, how we can make them better, and if we should let robots vote.

“Fashions change, and we might get tired of AI in the same way we got tired of flares.”
“After years the government has completely failed to regulate technologies like biometrics data.”
“The EU set the gold standard in privacy and data protection – we need to follow them.”

Support us on Patreon:

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Written and presented by Andrew Harrison. Assistant producer Kasia Tomasiewicz. Lead producer Jacob Jarvis. Music and audio production by Jade Bailey. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Much ado about Nadhim – Start Your Week with Arthur Snell and Ros Taylor

Mon, 30 Jan 2023 08:53:00 -0000

Nadhim Zahawi was unceremoniously but entirely predictably sacked at the weekend – what will be the Tory fallout? We forecast the sleaze as the Government continues to fight fires on all fronts. Plus we look at the widespread strikes and the latest from Ukraine. Ros Taylor is joined by Arthur Snell to outline the days ahead.

“Zahawi projected the image of someone who isn’t in touch with normal people who doesn’t feel much shame about his actions.” – Arthur Snell
“Sunak is surrounded by a pretty ramshackle gang, he’s never going to be able to present being an ethical group of people – because those people are not available.” – Arthur Snell
“The new ethics advisor seems to be very good at his job which is worrying for Tory members.” – Arthur Snell
“When you have a conversation where the witnesses are only Vladimir Putin and Boris Johnson, the chances of an accurate account are quite limited.” – Arthur Snell

Support us on Patreon:

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Presented by Ros Taylor with Arthur Snell. Assistant Producer: Kasia Tomasiewicz. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production: Jade Bailey. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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The sum of all beers: How the way we booze is changing

Sun, 29 Jan 2023 04:00:00 -0000

Millennials and Gen Z are ditching the booze, while older generations are sticking to the same habits. What does this changing approach to drinking by young people mean? Professor John Holmes of the University of Sheffield joins Ros Taylor to find out what our drinking habits tell us about society as a whole.

“Young people are drinking less in most high income countries. They’re either not drinking at all, drinking smaller amounts, and binge drinking less often.”
“Across the Covid period, about a quarter of people drank less, about a quarter drank more.”
“The Government is getting a political bonus from taxing beer less, but getting a revenue bonus from taxing wine more.”

Written and presented by Ros Taylor. Producer: Jet Gerbertson. Assistant producer: Kasia Tomasiewicz. Lead producer: Jacob Jarvis. Bunker music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production by Alex Rees. Group editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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🇺🇸 Bunker USA: Take the money and run a campaign 💵

Sat, 28 Jan 2023 04:00:00 -0000

Billions of dollars are spent on political campaigns in the US, even by the losers. Where is the money going?Jacob Jarvis speaks to Kyle Tharp, managing editor of FWIW News, to ask about the trends in political strategy, where cash is being wasted and how fundraising is the “wild west of American politics”.

“Republican campaigns are very old school and rely a lot on right wing media to carry water for them.”
“It’s insane the amount of money and the amount of groups in our political ecosystem.”
“Grassroots fundraising is the wild west of American politics.”

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Presented by Jacob Jarvis. Producers: Jet Gerbertson and Alex Rees. Assistant Producer: Kasia Tomasiewicz. Music by Jade Bailey. Audio production: Robin Leeburn. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Floody hell: Can Britain cope with rising waters?

Fri, 27 Jan 2023 04:00:00 -0000

As sea levels rise, flooding will become more likely across the globe. But is Britain prepared for the inevitable rising waters? Ros Taylor is joined by Hannah Cloke, professor of hydrology at the University of Reading, to assess when floods might hit and how to prepare for them.

“We are going to see many more floods in the summer.”
“Our great pressure for housing is making flooding inevitable.”

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Written and presented by Ros Taylor. Producer: Jet Gerbertson. Assistant producer: Kasia Tomasiewicz. Lead producer: Jacob Jarvis. Bunker music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production by Alex Rees. Group Editor Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Wait and Xi: What China opening means for the world

Thu, 26 Jan 2023 04:00:00 -0000

The abrupt end of China's Zero Covid policy shocked the world. What do we know about the consequences of this change in tack? Accurate figures from Xi Jinping’s Government are hard to come by and the Chinese people are torn in two directions: with excitement about opening up and fear as Covid rips through the population. Cindy Yu, assistant editor at The Spectator, joins Alex Andreou to find out what the mood is like, and what opening up means for the rest of the world.

“Twenty years ago we were talking about ‘The Chinese Century’. I don’t think China is going to take over the USA at this rate.”
“In terms of Taiwan or Russia, China is going to want to do the stable thing for now.
“All of this will have a positive impact on the world economy because China is so integrated into the world economy.”

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Austerity's coming back. Here's why it never works

Wed, 25 Jan 2023 04:00:00 -0000

Austerity is a staple fixture of our political system. How did it become such a dominant economic policy? And is it really a ‘prudent’ and ‘realistic’ way of organising our economics? Philosopher and historian Clara Mattei, author of The Capital Order: How Economists Invented Austerity and Paved the Way to Fascism joins Ahir Shah to explore how austerity came to become the water we swim in and why we can’t imagine a world without it.

“Austerity has become the water we swim in.”
“We use very specific economic models from the 1900s, in which the worker loses agency while the entrepreneur is championed.”
“The purpose isn’t to ‘trickledown’, it is to incentivise those at the top.”
“In the US the richest 400 families pay the lowest tax.”
“Even Lenin had to accept austerity.”

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Written and presented by Ahir Shah. Producers: Jet Gerbertson, Alex Rees. Assistant producer: Kasia Tomasiewicz. Lead producer: Jacob Jarvis. Bunker music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production by Jade Bailey. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Rental breakdown: How Airbnb is making towns unliveable

Tue, 24 Jan 2023 04:00:00 -0000

Airbnb has enabled people to earn more by letting second houses as holiday lets than to families. What does this mean for locals in tourist areas? With housing provision at an all time low, the Welsh Government is looking at a system of carrots and sticks to incentivise landlords to prioritise locals. Can this problem be fixed? Dr Steffan Evans from the Bevan Foundation talks to Hannah Fearn about the communities facing an Airbnb boom.

“In every single Welsh local authority bar one a property owner could make as much money in 10 weeks as letting out the house to the housing authority for an entire year.”
“Properties that were down as holiday homes decided to flip to Airbnbs to get out of having to pay extra council tax.”
“Don’t think about the maximum amount you can make, maybe yes, get your money back, but think about the community's needs more broadly.”

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Fasten your seatbelts – Start Your Week with Alex Andreou

Mon, 23 Jan 2023 09:46:00 -0000

Fasten your seatbelts, because it’s going to be a rocky week in UK politics as sleaze comes back with a vengeance. How will Sunak handle backlash to his car misdemeanour, Johnson’s loan scandal and Zahawi’s ongoing tax quagmire. Plus, we look at the latest news on strikes. Alex Andreou talks to Jacob Jarvis to outline the week ahead.

“Part of the government is so incestuous, it doesn’t even realise it has a problem.”
“Sunak’s made an idiot of himself by getting a fine and messing up gaining ground.”
“The public perception is that the government always has money for their mates, so the strikes will soon succeed.”

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Presented by Jacob Jarvis with Alex Andreou. Producers: Jet Gerbertson and Alex Rees. Assistant Producer: Kasia Tomasiewicz. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production: Jade Bailey. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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The Emmanuel in the mirror: How Macron is being forced to change

Sun, 22 Jan 2023 04:00:00 -0000

Emmanuel Macron feels firmly like an elder statesman of Europe – but while his global prowess grows, how is he doing at home? With his power held together by coalition, can he be the reformer he wants to be? Sophie Pedder, Paris bureau chief for The Economist, speaks to Ros Taylor to discuss the French president’s changes in tack and the future of his nation’s politics.

“It has been forced on him to govern differently and that's no bad thing.”
“Macron has reassessed and changed his judgement of the risks and seen it is important to back Ukraine all the way.”
“There are a number of ambitious, would-be successors to Macron, but it’s too early to see who might come through.”
“Macron is incredibly engaging, he doesn’t try to duck questions – but he has failed to project that in public.”

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Presented by Ros Taylor. Producers: Jet Gerbertson and Alex Rees. Assistant Producer: Kasia Tomasiewicz. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production: Alex Rees. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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BUNKER USA: Why MAGA 2.0 will thrive without Trump

Sat, 21 Jan 2023 04:00:00 -0000

As Donald Trump bleeds out politically, a new generation of paranoid and conspiracy-minded MAGA Republicans has captured the party. A nightmare hardcore Freedom Caucus holds House Speaker Kevin McCarthy hostage, and nationally, the GOP just gets crazier. Do we have to steel ourselves for MAGA 2.0 – a deTrumpified extreme right in America? UCL politics professor Brian Klaas tells Andrew Harrison what they stand for and why they’ll be so hard to beat.

“This wasn’t about principles. It was a personal vendetta. Kevin McCarthy just isn’t a true believer in the Trump camp.”
“If enough crazies vote against raising the debt ceiling you will have a self-imposed global recession which will make Liz Truss look like a blip”.
“The Democrats need define the Republicans as the crazy party… These are some actual lunatics in charge there.”

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Written and presented by Andrew Harrison. Producer Jet Gerburtson. Assistant producer Kasia Tomasiewicz. Lead producer Jacob Jarvis. Bunker music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production by Robin Leeburn. Group Editor Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Born to be wild? Caroline Lucas on the right to roam

Fri, 20 Jan 2023 04:00:00 -0000

As the right to roam is eroded, Caroline Lucas, MP and former leader of the Green Party, joins Ros Taylor to discuss what we can do about it. In the wake of the high court decision to support landowners over wild campers, are we being excluded from our green and pleasant land?

“Landowners are creating an atmosphere of intimidation.”
“In the South Downs a quarter of the land is owned privately”
“It was found that access to green space could save the NHS £2 billion”
“People want to step away from the footpath and feel the wildness of nature.”

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Millennial tension: Why would anyone save for a pension?

Thu, 19 Jan 2023 04:00:00 -0000

It’s hard to plan for the future when the present seems so grim. But is a nihilistic attitude to pensions creating a ticking time bomb for millennials? And have scandals and corporate embezzlement meant we have all lost faith in the safety net of our twilight years? Disillusioned Bunker host Marie Le Conte is joined by Dr. Hayley James, senior research fellow in the Centre for Personal Financial Wellbeing at Aston University, to ask what (if anything) can restore trust in the pensions system.

“ We often hark back to a ‘golden age’ of pensions that hasn’t always existed.”
“The gender pension gap is huge, bigger than the gender pay gap.”

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Written and presented by Marie Le Conte. Producer Jet Gerbertson. Assistant producer Kasia Tomasiewicz. Lead producer Jacob Jarvis. Bunker music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production by Jade Bailey. Group Editor Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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A taster of JAM TOMORROW with Ros Taylor – our new documentary podcast

Wed, 18 Jan 2023 12:00:00 -0000

A special taster of our new series. Search for Jam Tomorrow in your favourite podcast app or visit https://kite.link/JTS1

How did Britain’s dreams of a new postwar world go unfulfilled? And what does that mean for us today? In the first of a new documentary series from the makers of Oh God, What Now?, Ros Taylor looks at the legacy of the War itself. Ιdeals of the Blitz Spirit and dreams of wartime heroism still shape everything from pop culture and entertainment to the Brexit debate. But the truth of the War is more complex and less comforting. What will it take for us to see the Second World War – and ourselves – clearly?

• “If you’re going to have a foundation myth it might as well be one where you destroy Nazism.” – Al Murray

• “If the response to air raid wasn’t stoicism there was a fear that morale would break down.” – Lucy Noakes

• “The Keep Calm And Carry On poster was designed for a type of war that never arrived.” – Henry Irvine

• “Britain went into the war not alone but at the head of the world’s biggest empire… When Britain went to war, so did vast part of the world.” – Lucy Noakes

Written and presented by Ros Taylor. Produced by Jade Bailey. Voiceovers by Imogen Robertson. Original music by Dubstar. Lead producer: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Jam Tomorrow is a Podmasters production.

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Golden donuts and miniature suns: How close is nuclear fusion?

Wed, 18 Jan 2023 04:00:00 -0000

Clean, safe power from nuclear fusion is the Holy Grail of energy research – but how close is it to reality? A breakthrough in December, when a fusion reaction produced more energy than went into the experiment, suggests it could be. Dr. Sharon Ann Holgate, author of Nuclear Fusion: The Race to Build a Mini-Sun on Earth, joins Andrew Harrison to unpack the science and ask whether this science fiction staple could become fact.

“A Tokamak reactor? Imagine you’ve gone to the bakers, bought yourself a doughnut, and for reasons best known for yourself you’ve decided to have it gold plated.”
“Some of us call the fusion reaction ‘inherently safe’ because it doesn’t have the ability to run away with itself in the way a fission reactor can.”

THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Train wreck: How to turn around Britain’s railways

Tue, 17 Jan 2023 04:00:00 -0000

Anyone who uses Britain’s railways can see things aren’t running smoothly. How do we solve this mess? From cancelled trains and driver shortages, to the rolling series of strikes, a nation that once prided itself on its railway appears to have let services go off the rails, as it were. Christian Wolmar, author of British Rail: A New History, joins Ros Taylor in The Bunker to find out what needs fixing.

“It’s absolutely ideological…it wouldn’t cost anything to take these franchises back”.
“The department of transport is demanding productivity increases along with a pay rise. That is a mistake.”
“It’s a ‘nobody gives a damn' railway. There’s nobody in charge and everybody has given up.”

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One strike and you’re out – Start Your Week with Alex Andreou

Mon, 16 Jan 2023 09:57:00 -0000

As the Government's handling of strikes gets worse, it tries another tack: make strikes and protests impossible in certain industries. Can the Tories pull it off? Plus, Westminster vs Holyrood on gender recognition, the Brexit beast rears its head again, and has Joe Biden’s cache of documents in his garage offered the Republicans an open goal? Alex Andreou sets out the week ahead with Jacob Jarvis.

“The Government’s problem is that they went into the strikes with no exit strategy.”
“The Government picked this fight with the unions to show off their economic competence – and it hasn’t worked out for them at all.”
“Stopping a protest that hasn’t happened yet sounds a bit thought-crimey.”

Written and presented by Alex Andreou and Jacob Jarvis. Audio production by Robin Leeburn. Assistant producer: Kasia Tomasiewicz. Producer: Jet Gerbertson. Lead producer: Jacob Jarvis. Music: Kenny Dickinson. Group editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Happy Finnish: Why Finland is the country to copy

Sun, 15 Jan 2023 04:00:00 -0000

Finland is the happiest country on earth. What can we learn from this Nordic nation? How is its education, health care and housing systems different to ours? Ros Taylor speaks to Danny Dorling, professor of human geography at the University of Oxford and author of Finntopia: What We Can Learn from the World's Happiest Country, to work out what makes it such a well-functioning state.

“Finland has ended up doing remarkably well, if you’re trying to show people what is possible and what is different, let’s look there.”
“Government ministers in Finland resign upon immediately making the smallest of mistakes, they simply go, no questions asked.”
“There aren’t good schools and bad schools, there are just good schools. Teachers have a lot of autonomy.”

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Bunker USA: How QAnon became the conspiracy theory of everything

Sat, 14 Jan 2023 04:00:00 -0000

The QAnon conspiracy theory has run rampant throughout America’s far-right. Why won’t it die? Could it ever disappear? Jacob Jarvis speaks to Mike Rothschild, author of The Storm Is Upon Us: How QAnon Became a Movement, Cult, and Conspiracy Theory of Everything, to discuss the state of the cult-like belief structure, how it has evolved over time and what might replace it should it ever go away.

“Q is very good at taking the events of the day and reinterpreting them through the lens of the conspiracy.”
“It’s really turned into a choose your own adventure version of conspiracy theories.”
“Now that all of this stuff is so mainstream and all of these beliefs have infiltrated every part of politics from the national to the hyper local - it is millions and millions of people who believe in some aspect of QAnon.”

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Presented by Jacob Jarvis. Producers: Jet Gerbertson and Alex Rees. Assistant Producer: Kasia Tomasiewicz. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production: Alex Rees. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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NHS SOS: What Sunak must do right now

Fri, 13 Jan 2023 04:00:00 -0000

The NHS is in a worse position than during the height of the Covid pandemic. What can the Government do to remedy its woes? From bed capacity to oxygen supply, to staff shortages, where does the solution begin? As NHS staff strike en masse, Roy Lilley, writer of the NHS Managers Network newsletter, and former vice-chair of West Surrey and North East Hampshire Health Authority joins Alex Andreou to find out.

“This was eminently settleable when it started. Now of course everyone has dug a great big hole for themselves.”
“At the moment because we can’t get people home they’re on the wards, because we can’t get them off the wards they’re queuing up in A&E, because they’re in A&E ambulances are queuing up outside, and because the ambulances are queuing when you call up you can’t get an ambulance.”

Presented by Alex Andreou. Producers: Jet Gerbertson and Alex Rees. Assistant Producer: Kasia Tomasiewicz. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production: Robin Leeburn. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Netanyahu, the far right and the threat to Israel’s democracy

Thu, 12 Jan 2023 04:00:00 -0000

Benjamin Netanyahu is back in power at the head of the most right-wing government in Israel’s history. By allying himself with religious extremists including the Jewish Power Party, has the great escape artist of Israeli politics put his country’s democracy in the hands of theocrats? What do the new far-right ministers want? And will Netanyahu protect the rights of Arab Israelis, women and LGBTQ+ citizens the way he claims he will? Anshel Pfeffer, writer for Haaretz and Israel correspondent for the Economist, tells Andrew Harrison about the meaning of a dark new phase in Israeli politics.

“The centrist and centre left parties refused to sit in a government with Netanyahu≥ Now he’s fully reliant on the far right and the ultra orthodox parties”.
“The ultra orthodox are at most 20% of the population, but they’re the ones shoring up Netanyahu’s administration”.
“Netayahu says he’s the one who is safeguarding the freedoms of the Israeli public, rather than them being protected by the Government and the law”

Read Anshel Pfeffer in Haaretz: https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2023-01-06/ty-article/.highlight/the-end-of-israeli-democracy-its-real-but-can-still-be-prevented/00000185-8265-d4ba-add5-aaf74d660000

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Written and presented by Andrew Harrison. Producer: Jet Gerbertson. Assistant producer: Kasia Tomasiewicz. Lead producer: Jacob Jarvis. Bunker music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production by Alex Rees. Group editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Citizen Pain: Would you pass to be British?

Wed, 11 Jan 2023 04:00:00 -0000

The Life in the UK Test is the ultimate barrier to becoming a British citizen. But is it working – and how could we change it? Since its launch in 2001 the test has been criticised for failing to achieve its goal of integration, and making it harder for people to become citizens. Thom Brooks, author of Reforming the UK’s Citizenship Test: Building Bridges, Not Barriers, joins Yasmeen Serhan in the Bunker to ask: is it time for a new approach?

“It’s not so much about building bridges, it’s about creating barriers on the arbitrary basis of a memory test.”
“Other countries do not require a knowledge test like this to be a resident of a country.”
“Americans and Australians - mostly native English speakers - have a pass rate of 97%. When it comes to Turkey, Iraq you see pass rates of less than 50%. There’s a big difference in different nationalities.”

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Written and presented by Yasmeen Serhan. Producer: Jet Gerbertson. Assistant producer: Kasia Tomasiewicz. Lead producer: Jacob Jarvis. Bunker music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production by Jade Bailey. Artwork by James Parrett. Group editor: Andrew Harrison.

THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Northern Goal: Is Levelling Up working?

Tue, 10 Jan 2023 04:00:00 -0000

Levelling Up was a key policy after the Conservatives swept the Red Wall in 2019. Three years later and Tory chaos has the policy to bring greater equity between the North and the South floundering by the roadside. Rob Parsons, editor of The Northern Agenda joins Jacob Jarvis to find out if there’s still reason to be optimistic.

“Restoring pride to people’s places is definitely a good thing to do. Whether it will address these massive inequalities in skills and jobs and transport, is a different thing.”
“A lot of people spent a lot of time and money bidding for this money, and they didn’t get it. There were places in the North where their bid was unsuccessful but the neighbouring town did. That did create bitterness, and it did create cynicism towards the criteria.”
“There needs to be more to the conversation not just about giving pots of money, but power to raise their own money.”

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Written and presented by Jacob Jarvis. Producer: Jet Gerbertson. Assistant producer: Kasia Tomasiewicz. Lead producer: Jacob Jarvis. Bunker music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production by Alex Rees. Artwork by James Parrett. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Can we picket? Yes, we can! – Start Your Week with Hannah Fearn

Mon, 09 Jan 2023 09:29:00 -0000

As Sunak squirms under questioning, will anti-union legislation save his bacon? Plus, Brazil’s far-right storms the country’s congress – what can we expect next? And we discuss the latest from the US, plus as the family feud of the century as Prince Harry causes a royal furore. Hannah Fearn, columnist and reporter for The I and Independent, joins Andrew Harrison to discuss the week ahead.

“If Sunak continues a hardline stance on these strikes, he creates an atmosphere where a general strike is a possibility.”
“The length of time everything’s taken has made Sunak’s position more difficult, splintered the party and hurt the country.”
“Angry supporters of Bolsonaro are seeing a playbook in the US they are wanting to try and emulate.”

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Presented by Andrew Harrison with Hannah Fearn. Producers: Jet Gerbertson and Alex Rees. Assistant Producer: Kasia Tomasiewicz. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production: Jade Bailey. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Why the Winter of Discontent wasn’t what you think

Sun, 08 Jan 2023 04:00:00 -0000

Comparisons to the Winter of Discontent are everywhere. But are these accurate, or even helpful? With an autumn and winter of strikes, high levels of inflation and maxed out energy prices it’s an easy reference to make, but is it lazy? Colin Hay, professor of political sciences at Sciences Po in Paris, joins Andrew Harrison to discuss.

“It’s not really the story of a coordinated campaign by union leaders. It was the rank and file rejecting the advice of the union leaders and withdrawing their labour.”
I’ve been asked throughout my career if THIS is a return to the Winter of Discontent. This is the first time I haven’t just blanketly said ‘no.’”
“Labour has had the ghost of the Winter of Discontent dancing over its corpse in the intervening time.”
“It’s quite impressive how much industrial and public sector disruption is currently in place at the moment when you consider how difficult it is to get a legal strike organised.”

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Written and presented by Andrew Harrison. Producer Jet Gerbertson. Assistant producer Kasia Tomasiewicz. Lead producer Jacob Jarvis. Bunker music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production by Robin Leeburn. Group Editor Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Bunker USA: Kevin Knows I’m Miserable Now

Sat, 07 Jan 2023 04:00:00 -0000

The Republican Party is in a state of turmoil with Kevin McCarthy’s Speaker stalemate having sparked scenes not witnessed for a century. What is going on, where can it go next, and what does this mean for the GOP? Jacob Jarvis speaks to Julie Normal, co-director of UCL’s Centre on US Politics to discuss the chaos in the Capitol and what 2023 holds for American politics. Oh, and Donald Trump, unfortunately…

“For some it’s key policy differences, for some it’s personal differences - not liking Kevin McCarthy. For some it’s just a power play.”
“Whichever way it goes it’s definitely not the way you want your party starting out their term in office, especially in the run up to an election.
“The ironic thing with Trump is that a conviction or an indictment… would in some ways galvanise him even more. He loves to portray himself as a victim of the Deep State.”
“Some Democrats were literally bringing popcorn to the House this week. Biden has basically said. ‘This is embarrassing, but it’s not my problem.’”

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Presented by Jacob Jarvis. Producers: Jet Gerbertson and Alex Rees. Assistant Producer: Kasia Tomasiewicz. Music and Audio production: Jade Bailey. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Artwork by James Parrett. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Why this recession will bite differently

Fri, 06 Jan 2023 04:00:00 -0000

With all signs pointing to a recession, how will this one be different to those of the past? From strikes to sky high heating bills, we’ve begun 2023, much as we ended 2022. How long can this last, and is there any hope of our fortunes improving? Resolution Foundation’s research director James Smith joins Ahir Shah to tell us how this situation might play out.

“If we are pessimistic about the future and that feeds back into how [the Government] set their policies, it can become self fulfilling.”
“The big thing here is that we are getting poorer as a country.”
“We need to make sure the recovery from the pandemic and cost of living recession isn’t as bad as the financial crisis.”

Presented by Ahir Shah. Producers: Jet Gerbertson and Alex Rees. Assistant Producer: Kasia Tomasiewicz. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production: Robin Leeburn. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Stay fired up: Natasha Walter on power, protest and her mother's legacy

Thu, 05 Jan 2023 04:00:00 -0000

Unprecedented problems like climate change require innovative responses. Activist Natasha Walter, author of upcoming book Before the Light Fades: A Memoir of Grief and Resistance, joins Ros Taylor to explore what the histories of protest can tell us about current struggles.

“People forget just how radical the 1960s movements were.”
“To look back and remember how people stayed politically active is incredibly encouraging.”
“Civil disobedience is a vital part of society.”

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Presented by Ros Taylor. Producers: Jet Gerbertson and Alex Rees. Assistant Producer: Kasia Tomasiewicz. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production: Jade Bailey. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Artwork by James Parrett. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Strongmen behaving badly – The changing face of populists

Wed, 04 Jan 2023 04:00:00 -0000

There seem to be more authoritarian figures than ever before. But is this true? And if so, what do these leaders have in common? Ruth Ben-Ghiat, author of Strongmen: Mussolini to the Present joins Alex Andreou to explore how authoritarianism has changed over time, and why the greatest strengths of ‘strongmen’ could also be their biggest downfall.

“Leader personality cults often present them as omnipotent.”
“The same instincts of these leaders to win followers domestically can cause their downfall on the international stage.”
“Financial networks are key to controlling people.”

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Written and presented by Alex Andreou. Producers: Jet Gerbertson, Alex Rees. Assistant producer: Kasia Tomasiewicz. Lead producer: Jacob Jarvis. Bunker music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production by Jade Bailey. Artwork by James Parrett. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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2023 and me – Start Your Year with Alex Andreou

Tue, 03 Jan 2023 09:47:00 -0000

With the NHS in crisis and strikes ongoing – will the Government’s New Year’s Resolution be to get a grip? Then further afield, we look to the alarming covid situation in China and a new Congress being sworn in in the United States. Plus, a few dates for your diary – there might even be some bits to look forward to… In our first show of 2023, Alex Andreou talks to Andrew Harrison to outline the year ahead.

“Everyone is incredibly scared, it’s not nice to live in a country and feel like if something happens to you nobody will turn up.” – Alex Andreou
“The government is doing so poorly it thinks a confrontation with the unions will help it.” – Alex Andreou
“The public has realised Brexit was a mistake, that is unshakable now.” – Alex Andreou
“Things could get very messy on day one. There will be a lot of battles in Congress.” – Alex Andreou

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Presented by Andrew Harrison with Alex Andreou. Producers: Jet Gerbertson and Alex Rees. Assistant Producer: Kasia Tomasiewicz. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production: Jade Bailey. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Bunker Gold: Disco Returno – Why Britain needs nightclubs

Sat, 31 Dec 2022 04:00:00 -0000

Ahead of NYE nights out, listen back to our ode to nightclubs… No one looks back and remembers the nights they got plenty of sleep. But beyond a mere boogie, nightclubs play a vital role in shaping our collective and individual identity. Alex Andreou assembles an all-star spinning a-roundtable to chew on how COVID closures have impacted nighttime industries, why the pandemic has deprived us from more than a good party, and how culture goes beyond theatres and museums… Mairi Mackenzie is a cultural historian and consultant curator for the V&A Dundee exhibition Night Fever: Designing Club Culture. Bay Sisouphanh is Head of Event Sales at London’s Village Underground. Mark Wood is one half of the London Readers Wifes who DJ at Vauxhall institution Duckie.

“You find your tribe at nightclubs.” – Mark Wood
“People will always find an outlet for that need for pleasure.” – Mairi Mackenzie
“Forget about children going back to school. When can we send the gays back to nightclubs?” – Mark Wood
“There's a lack of perception around the value of nightclubs to the gaiety and the mental health of the nation.” – Mark Wood

https://www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Presented and produced by Alex Andreou. Assistant producers: Jacob Archbold and Jelena Sofronijevic. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production by Alex Rees. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Bunker Gold: Enter the Matrix – Are we living in a simulation?

Fri, 30 Dec 2022 04:00:00 -0000

Here’s another throwback Bunker Gold to tide you over to next year… How do you know the world is real? How do I know I’m real? As virtual worlds expand, our concepts of reality warp. NYU philosopher David Chalmers – author of Reality+: Virtual Worlds and the Problems of Philosophy – talks to Ros Taylor about the etiquette of virtual living, why video game characters deserve moral rights, and how we can know what we think we know.

“Simulated beings could end up outnumbering non-simulated beings. So the odds that YOU are simulated could be high…”
“If we’re living in a simulation, all this is still real – and our lives are still full of meaning.”

https://www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Presented by Ros Taylor and Arthur Snell. Produced by Andrew Harrison. Assistant producers: Jelena Sofronijevic and Jacob Archbold. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production by Alex Rees. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Bunker Gold: Bond on the run – Does Britain still need 007?

Thu, 29 Dec 2022 04:00:00 -0000

Here’s another hit for the Christmas period… DANGER, SPOILERS! James Bond finally returned to cinemas in a world where questions about sexism, racism and Britishness have seldom been more pointed. Is there a place for a suave, womanising emissary of British power in the modern world? Is it time to reassess the role of Bond in British culture? Regulars and Bond fiends Ros Taylor and Arthur Snell talk to Ian Kinane, editor of the International Journal of James Bond Studies and a senior lecturer in English literature, about their first Bonds and where 007 should go next. Do not listen unless you’ve seen the film!

“Bond offers a parallel universe in which Britain always wins.” - Arthur Snell
“Bond probably has many fatherless children all over the world.” - Ian Kinane
“James Bond is so far from the boring reality of intelligence work, like people staring at databases.” - Arthur Snell
“Shirley Bassey is seen as singing an anthem of Britain's glory days of Empire.” - Ian Kinane
“Bond seems to embody what is properly British, but more often he’s played by actors who aren't British themselves.” - Ian Kinane

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Bunker Gold: The fastest growing religion you’ve never heard of

Wed, 28 Dec 2022 04:00:00 -0000

Another from our back catalogue… How did a Christian movement, founded at the turn of the century, become the fastest growing religion today? Pentecostal Christianity has 600 million followers, with 35,000 new adherents a day. So what’s behind the remarkable rise of this religious movement? Elle Hardy, author of Beyond Belief, tells Arthur Snell about her mission to report its rise across twelve different countries, from South America to Africa and Australia, how Pentecostalism provides community to the rootless and marginalised in a fragmenting world…and its toxic connection to populist authoritarianism.

“There will be more Pentecostals than Catholics in Brazil in the next ten years.” “Anyone can become a prophet in Pentecostalism.”
“You can fit six Vaticans in the biggest Pentecostal church in Nigeria.”
“Pentecostalism is the ideology of the new right in America.”

https://www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Written and presented by Arthur Snell. Producers: Jacob Archbold and Jelena Sofronijevic. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production by Alex Rees. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Bunker Gold: BORIS JOHNSON – Requiem for a slob clown with James O’Brien

Tue, 27 Dec 2022 04:00:00 -0000

In the first of our Christmas cracker throwbacks, listen to James O’Brien’s righteous evisceration of Boris Johnson, recorded in the aftermath of the Greased Piglet’s resignation announcement. The LBC host joined Ros Taylor to pick through the wreckage. What will be Johnson’s legacy? Could things have ever gone differently? The pair bid farewell to the man who wanted to be king – but failed resoundingly as Prime Minister.

“In terms of personal political performance Johnsonism is very similar to Trumpism. It’s opportunism devoid of conscience.”
“It’s an absence of shame that I think defines him.”
"He pursued monuments to his ego – like the Garden Bridge – but these also acted as distractions from his utter failures."
"Even on his way out of the door, he's detonating explosives that will be felt for a generation to come."

https://www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Written and presented by Ros Taylor. Lead producer: Jacob Jarvis. Producers: Jacob Archbold and Jelena Sofronijevic. Assistant producer: Kasia Tomasiewicz. Audio production by Jade Bailey. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Group editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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The Bunker Christmas Appeal – Three charities to support this year

Thu, 22 Dec 2022 04:00:00 -0000

Charles Dickens wrote that Christmas is a time when Want is keenly felt, with that in mind we focus on three organisations helping people in need. Arthur Snell explains why he’s supporting the Ukrainian charity Smart Medical Aid and its CEO Iryna Rybinkina tells us about her work on the frontline. Ros Taylor hears from Honeypot’s Anthony Cummings and two of the young carers it’s helped. And Joe Bookbinder tells us how Christmas can be the loneliest time — and that the Samaritans are there to listen 24/7.

“Honeypot gives you a chance to be free and stop worrying about things. I worry a lot.” - Holly
“I left my children who are three and 10. My husband is a single father these days — I cannot bring them to Ukraine as it is not safe… As a mother I struggle with that thought every day. But there are children in Ukraine who do need help.” - Iryna Rybinkina, CEO of Smart Medical Aid
“Don’t feel ashamed if you are struggling at Christmas.” - Joe Bookbinder, Samaritans

All the advertising revenue from this episode will be donated to the charities featured.

smartmedicalaid.org/

honeypot.org.uk

Samaritans.org

Written and presented by Ros Taylor. Producer and audio editor: Jade Bailey. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Ding Dong Merrily on High – How to win Christmas arguments

Wed, 21 Dec 2022 04:00:00 -0000

What do veganism, Donald Trump and Brussels sprouts have in common? They’re all points of contention at Christmas time. But how do you deal with the terrible opinions of family and friends? Marie Le Conte is joined by Christmas elves Tom Peck and Seth Thévoz to discuss navigating conversations with Brexit-y uncles and Corbynista cousins.

“Everyone talks to me about politics, and it's so boring.” –Tom Peck
My dad is France’s last remaining Emmanuel Macron fan.” – Marie Le Conte
“Communists to the left of me, Nazis to the right, here I am – the only liberal – stuck in the middle with you.” – Seth Thévoz

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Is the UK Government failing Ukrainian refugees?

Tue, 20 Dec 2022 04:00:00 -0000

When Putin launched his invasion of Ukraine, thousands signed up to support Ukrainian refugees and put them up in their own homes. Nearly a year on, is our government still doing enough to support those fleeing the war? Stan Beneš, a trustee of Opora, a charity which helps Ukrainians to settle in the UK, joins Ros Taylor to explore what we can do to help those displaced by the conflict in Ukraine.

https://opora.uk/

“Instead of government support, it became the job of charities to match people.”
“There is no one cohesive process of matching Ukrainian refugees with sponsors.”
“People were finding hosts on Facebook.”

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“A year of self-harm for Britain” – Start Your Week with Gavin Esler

Mon, 19 Dec 2022 09:48:00 -0000

The strikes are biting with more workforces walking out across the economy. Will the Government blink? Meanwhile, the worst Brexit goes the louder the Brexit Party AKA Reform UK rattles its cage. Do we need to steel ourselves for another year of Brexity self-sabotage? Plus, the Qatar aftermath, Sunak orders an audit of Britain’s support for Ukraine, and a mini-crystal ball look at 2023. Gavin Esler takes Alex Andreou through the week ahead.

“We just don’t spend enough on healthcare… You don’t see a winter health crisis in Germany.”
“It’s just like listening to the old Marxists: ‘If only we tried Brexit properly, it’d all be fine.”
“2022 has been a year of self-harm for Britain.”

Support us on Patreon:

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Written and presented by Alex Andreou. Audio production by Jade Bailey. Assistant producer: Kasia Tomasiewicz. Producer: Jet Gebertson. Lead producer: Jacob Jarvis. Music: Kenny Dickinson. Group editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Cash Ruins Everything Around Me: How the City captured the Treasury

Sun, 18 Dec 2022 04:00:00 -0000

Treasury “orthodoxy” is the Tory punchbag – but it only acts the way it does because it’s already been colonised by free marketeers, says Aeron Davis, author of Bankruptcy, Bubbles and Bailouts: The Inside History of the Treasury since 1976. He tells Ahir Shah why Britain now has two Chancellors and no real Prime Minister; why our economic fate is determined by people who’ve never worked in a real business… and how deregulation ended up outsourcing the entire British economy to the City.

“Rishi Sunak is our first investment banker PM. We’ve finally reached that peak.”
“Every review of financial governance was filled with financiers – and what they did was serve the share price.”

Written and presented by Ahir Shah. Producers: Jet Gerbertson and Alex Rees. Assistant Producer: Kasia Tomasiewicz. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production: Alex Rees. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Women in power speak differently. Viv Groskop explains why

Sat, 17 Dec 2022 04:00:00 -0000

In an age of social media soundbites, the art of public speaking is changing – especially for women. Viv Groskop, journalist and author of How To Own The Room, joins Ros Taylor to explore the speaking superpowers of women from Michelle Obama to Greta Thunberg, how to feel more confident when making speeches, why some women make their voices sound lower, and how new technologies are changing the way we speak.

“Margaret Thatcher’s speeches were trapped in a gendered stereotype.”
“We have a cacophony of voices now which is changing what power looks like.”
“The debating culture style is losing out to social media soundbites.”

Written and presented by Ros Taylor. Producers: Jet Gerburtson, Alex Rees. Assistant producer: Kasia Tomasiewicz. Lead producer: Jacob Jarvis. Bunker music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production by Robin Leeburn. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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The Nelson Mandela no-one knew – with Richard Stengel

Fri, 16 Dec 2022 04:00:00 -0000

The interviews behind Nelson Mandela’s epic memoir The Long Walk To Freedom are out now as the podcast Mandela: The Lost Tapes. Here, South Africa’s first Black president explains himself in his own words – always inspiring, often funny too.

Co-writer Richard Stengel, former Time editor and Obama Undersecretary of State, tells Alex Andreou of his affection for Mandela, how they came to collaborate on books and more, the charm of Mandela’s secretly oversized ego, and what it’s like to work with a giant of history.

Hear Mandela: The Lost Tapes exclusively on Audible: https://www.audible.co.uk/pd/Mandela-The-Lost-Tapes-Podcast/B0BKMQ8GX8

“This took me back 30 years. I felt like I was back in the room with Mandela again.”
“Mandela was very good at flattery. And people who are good at it are susceptible to it…”
“He was an incredibly charming, sunny man and the listener can now feel a little of that.”

Written and presented by Alex Andreou. Producer Jet Gerburtson. Assistant producer Kasia Tomasiewicz. Lead producer Jacob Jarvis. Bunker music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production by Robin Leeburn. Group Editor Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Inside Johnson's final weeks – with Sebastian Payne

Thu, 15 Dec 2022 04:00:00 -0000

Boris Johnson’s endgame was a gripping spectacle of hubris, betrayal, power struggles and bare-faced self-interest. But what went down behind the scenes? Sebastian Payne lays out the drama in his new book The Fall of Boris Johnson: The Full Story. The former Financial Times’s Whitehall Editor tells Ros Taylor about the contradictions that drove Johnson’s career, the truth about his relationship with Zelenskyy… and how parties at No.10 helped bring down a man who doesn’t even like parties.

“Johnson is gone but his domestic policies still shape Westminster.”
“In Kyiv they can’t understand why we got rid of Johnson.”
“Johnson never had the right people around him.”

www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Written and presented by Ros Taylor. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Producers: Alex Rees and Jet Gerbertson. Assistant producer: Kasia Tomasiewicz. Audio production by Jade Bailey. Music: Kenny Dickinson. Group editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Shop horror: How Amazon manipulate our minds

Wed, 14 Dec 2022 04:00:00 -0000

Amazon’s cheap products and one-click purchasing has changed how we shop forever. But just how did the shopping behemoth alter shopper’s minds? From Black Friday to Cyber Monday and Christmas the opportunities to spend money on the internet are never ending. Consumer psychologist Dr Gareth Harvey joins Ahir Shah in the Bunker to tell us the ways Amazon influences our decision making.

“You may not buy through Amazon, but their algorithms influence what’s ‘hot or not’. All of those things will influence your purchasing habits even though you’re never using it.”
“When we look at what people buy in a bricks and mortar store, 70% of people buy the leading product. When you’re buying it online, 70% of people go for the own brand. You don’t want to look cheap”
“Social consciousness, awareness of ethical issues are really on the up, but when we look at sustainable products it doesn’t balance out.”

Support us on Patreon:

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Presented by Ahir Shah. Producers: Jet Gerbertson and Alex Rees. Assistant Producer: Kasia Tomasiewicz. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production: Jade Bailey. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Ghosts of the Iron Curtain

Tue, 13 Dec 2022 04:00:00 -0000

The Iron Curtain marked the Cold War divide in Europe. What is its legacy and how does this split remain today? Timothy Philips discusses his book The Curtain and the Wall: A Modern Journey Along Europe's Cold War Border with Ros Taylor. After travelling along the border, he explains what it represented and how it is remembered by those who lived along it.

“It was a border developed to stop people in the east from leaving. It got stronger because regimes in the east were frightened young people would flee if they could to the west.”
“People didn’t expect the societies they lived in to collapse so quickly… people were promised a lot of things that perhaps didn’t come true.”

Support us on Patreon:

www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Presented by Ros Taylor. Producers: Jelena Sofronijevic and Alex Rees. Assistant Producer: Kasia Tomasiewicz. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production: Jade Bailey. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Ice Strike Baby – Start Your Week with Alex Andreou

Mon, 12 Dec 2022 09:40:00 -0000

Rail, nursing and Border Force workers strike during sudden extreme cold weather, but their public support seems solid. Will the Government’s “Union Barons” attacks stick? Plus, James Cleverly ditches human rights priorities in a desperate search for any post-Brexit upside. Russia’s war in Ukraine enters its deep winter phase. And the last legislation to get squeezed through Parliament before Christmas. Alex Andreou takes Andrew Harrison through the week ahead.

“The Tories are fudging the economy because they know Labour will win the next election.” – Alex Andreou
“Thank God It's too cold for drunken England fans to go out and smash up Delice de France.” – Andrew Harrison
“There’s public support for rail strikes because Mick Lynch is a media superstar.” – Alex Andreou
“Doing business with autocratic regimes is a high-risk activity.” – Alex Andreou

Support us on Patreon:

https://www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Written and presented by Andrew Harrison. Assistant producer: Kasia Tomasiewicz. Audio production by Jade Bailey. Music: Kenny Dickinson. Group editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Death Stars and Taxes: The politics of Star Wars

Sun, 11 Dec 2022 04:00:00 -0000

We’ve got a Star Wars fan in No.10 – Sunak collects lightsabers – but is there real political meaning to the tale of empires and rebels? Chris Kempshall, historian and author of The History and Politics of Star Wars: Death Stars and Democracy, talks to Andrew Harrison about Star Wars’ roots as a Vietnam allegory; what the Empire can tell us about fascism; why the Republic is a bad advert for democracy; and why Andor is the best political drama on TV right now.

For 25% off the book, use the code HPSW25 here: https://www.routledge.com/The-History-and-Politics-of-Star-Wars-Death-Stars-and-Democracy/Kempshall/p/book/9781032318875

“Sunak’s story of a multimillionaire who moves sideways isn’t in the Star Wars universe.”
“Sadly for Lucas the audience didn’t get that it’s about the Vietnam War.”
“No one would watch a film about the government leaping to work.”

www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Written and presented by Andrew Harrison. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Producer: Jet Gerbertson. Assistant producer: Kasia Tomasiewicz. Audio production by Alex Rees. Music: Kenny Dickinson. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Bunker USA: “Jack Bauer isn’t real” – The truth about espionage in the digital age

Sat, 10 Dec 2022 04:00:00 -0000

The tech explosion has transformed the spy game. Are intelligence agencies fit to face new threats from terror groups, disinformation gangs, and even teenagers in bedrooms? In a fascinating conversation intelligence expert Amy B. Zegart – author of Spies, Lies, and Algorithms: The History and Future of American Intelligence – tells Andrew Harrison how too much “spytainment” has warped US intelligence policy; the truth about the CIA blunders that led to 9/11 and the Iraq quagmire; and why modern spying isn’t what you think it is.

“The intelligence game isn’t about secrets. It’s about piecing together information.”
“George Washington even used fake French bakeries to deceive the British about American troop numbers.”
“The more spy-themed TV you watch, the more likely you are to support questionable practices.”
“The truth is, there has never been a ticking time bomb situation.”

www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Written and presented by Andrew Harrison. Producers: Jet Gerbertson and Alex Rees. Assistant Producer: Kasia Tomasiewicz. Audio production: Alex Rees. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Meet the Ukrainians fighting against Russia’s food war on Africa

Fri, 09 Dec 2022 04:00:00 -0000

Putin’s war has triggered a food supply crisis in Africa. Arthur Snell travels to Ghana and Nigeria with Ukrainian campaigners who are forging alliances with Africans against Russia’s criminality. In a special crossover edition with Doomsday Watch, Arthur discovers how Africa is suffering for Putin’s war, why some African countries are still siding with the Russian tyrant, and how it feels to defend your country when you’re a refugee.

Donate to help the Ukrainian human rights campaigners Zmina at zmina.ua/en

“In the 21st Century all countries are interconnected… We all depend on one another.” – Oleg Nivievskyi

“Think about the cost of living crisis in Western Europe then multiply it maybe five times… That’s the magnitude of the food supply crisis in Africa.” – Arthur Snell

“Every tonne of grain from Ukraine counts… The more food instability we have, the more we will see riots, criminality and worse.” – Oleg Nivievskyi

“The Netherlands, Belgium, France, the UK all had empires, but you do not pretend to restore your empires. But that is Russia’s political culture. To restore its empire.” – Olexiy Haran

Reported and presented by Arthur Snell. Producer Jet Gerburtson. Assistant producer Kasia Tomasiewicz. Lead producer Jacob Jarvis. Bunker music by Kenny Dickinson, Doomsday Watch music by Paul Hartnoll. Audio production by Robin Leeburn. Group Editor Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Telling the human story of the austerity experiment – with Ros Wynne-Jones

Thu, 08 Dec 2022 04:00:00 -0000

The horrors of austerity make for grim statistics. But what are the stories behind those numbers? The Mirror’s Real Britain columnist Ros Wynne-Jones joins Ros Taylor to discuss the exhaustion, pain and spirit of those feeling the brunt of Tory cuts.

“There are always new levels and layers of cuts.”
“There’s just an assumption now that the system is brutalised and cruel.”
“Disabled people have been at the front of these cuts, but they’ve also been at the vanguard of resistance.”
“The level of exhaustion people are at after 12 years is profound.”
“Every year this Government is in power is wasted life opportunities for a new generation.”

www.patreon.com/bunkercast

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Lords have mercy! How to fix the upper chamber

Wed, 07 Dec 2022 04:00:00 -0000

The House of Lords is constantly embattled – but what value does it have and what really goes on there? Various governments have wanted to reform the chamber – with limited success. Can it be done? Marie Le Conte speaks to Politico’s senior UK correspondent Esther Webber about the good, the bad and the… unusual.

“It was where a deeper scrutiny happened, which you wouldn’t always see in the Commons.”
“A big barrier to reform is it has to go through the Lords.”
“I feel slightly weary of the idea of a second elected chamber. It means peers would be subject to the same kind of electoral tug of war of MPs.”

www.patreon.com/bunkercast

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Wrong numbers: How bad data leads us astray

Tue, 06 Dec 2022 04:00:00 -0000

Statistics dictate policy – but what if our data sets are wrong? How are numbers manipulated for political gain? These are questions that House of Commons Library statistician Georgina Sturge answers in her new book Bad Data: How Governments, Politicians and the Rest of Us Get Misled by Numbers. She tells Alex Andreou about how data is used to make policy, how it is being manipulated, and how to tell good data from bad.

“Numbers can’t speak for themselves.”
“Governments are presenting data as if it is free of ideology.”

www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Written and presented by Alex Andreou. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Producers: Alex Rees and Jet Gerbertson. Assistant producer: Kasia Tomasiewicz. Audio production by Jade Bailey. Music: Kenny Dickinson. Group editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Deal or No Deals – Start Your Week with Ros Taylor and Jacob Jarvis

Mon, 05 Dec 2022 09:29:00 -0000

A Tory MP exodus rolls on as the Government looks to turn public opinion against striking workers as more walkouts loom. Is there any chance of deals ahead of Christmas action? And the Online Safety Bill returns to the Commons, while Labour has its say on the Lords. Plus, we look at the latest from protests in Iran and China, as well as US political rumblings. Ros Taylor joins Jacob Jarvis to discuss the week ahead.

"Morale is very low in the Tory party.”
“Presenting striking workers as grinches ruining Christmas is ridiculous.”

www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Presented by Jacob Jarvis with Ros Taylor. Producers: Jet Gerbertson and Alex Rees. Assistant Producer: Kasia Tomasiewicz. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production: Jade Bailey. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Fresh prince: The new face of the Green Party

Sun, 04 Dec 2022 04:00:00 -0000

Climate change remains a key political issue. But with multiple crises mounting, are the Greens a one policy party? Ros Taylor is joined by Zack Polanski, deputy leader of the Green Party, to talk about what they want and what's missing from mainstream political discourse.

“Only two countries used FPTP – Belarus and the UK.”
“Too often politics operates in silos – and we are interested in systems thinking and change.”
“People are sick of the two party system.”
“We need a positive message on immigration.”
“Keir Starmer won’t talk to us, even though the environment is a crucial issue.”
“It's irresponsible for a leader to say they will get to net zero on technologies that don’t exist yet.”

www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Written and presented by Ros Taylor. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Producers: Alex Rees, Jet Gerbertson. Assistant producer: Kasia Tomasiewicz. Audio production by Jade Bailey. Group editor: Andrew Harrison. Music: Kenny Dickinson. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Bunker USA: Republican revenge – How the GOP will target Biden

Sat, 03 Dec 2022 04:00:00 -0000

Joe Biden is set for a tough couple of years with a Republican majority in the House of Representatives. How will the GOP look to hurt the president? Dr Thomas Gift, director of UCL’s Centre on US Politics, joins Jacob Jarvis in to tell us about how Biden’s enemies will enact their revenge.

• “Anything Joe biden wants to get done between now and the next 2 years is just not going to happen”

• “Republicans can basically block any piece of legislation that Joe Biden puts to the floor”

• “A lot of Republicans think this is time for payback, this is time for revenge.”

Support us on Patreon:

www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Presented by Jacob Jarvis. Producers: Jet Gerbertson and Alex Rees. Assistant Producer: Kasia Tomasiewicz. Music and Audio production: Jade Bailey. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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No kidding: Why we can't afford to have children

Fri, 02 Dec 2022 04:00:00 -0000

Is the cost of having children making parenthood feel impossible? With childcare through the roof, insecure housing and the cost of living crisis starting to bite, it’s an anxious time for parents. Joeli Brearley, founder of Pregnant Then Screwed, joins Ros Taylor to highlight how the poor provision for parents harms us all.

“Ironically I was sacked from a children's charity for wanting a baby.”
“Every ten minutes a woman is pushed out of their job.”
“We have created a system where dads aren’t allowed to be more active in the family.”
“Children aren’t a lifestyle choice, we are literally reproducing the labour market.”

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“When workers win, we all win” – Frances O’Grady on striking for Britain

Thu, 01 Dec 2022 04:00:00 -0000

From postal workers to nurses, we face a winter of strikes. What do they want and why should we all be invested in their cause? Frances O’Grady, general secretary of the British Trades Union Congress, joins Jude Rogers to discuss the problems faced by Britain’s workforce – and whether those taking action can pull together for a better future.

“With real wages falling and living standards stagnating there is a coordinated offensive against working people.”
“There is no light at the end of the tunnel unless we stick together.”
“When striking workers win, we all win.”

Support us on Patreon:

www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Presented by Jude Rogers. Producers: Alex Rees and Jet Gerbertson. Assistant Producer: Kasia Tomasiewicz. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production: Jade Bailey. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Winter is coming. Can the NHS survive it?

Wed, 30 Nov 2022 04:00:00 -0000

It’s hard to remember a time when the NHS wasn’t at ‘breaking point’. But with more than 7 million people in England on the NHS waiting list, real-term wage decreases, over-stretched ambulance services, and impending strike action from nurses – can it make it through the winter? Anita Charlesworth, Director of Research at the Health Foundation, joins Siân Pattenden to weigh up if there is any hope of saving it.

“The NHS staff are wracked with trauma post-Covid.”
“We ran the NHS hot at the edge of capacity before the pandemic.”
“Pay is far from the central factor of low staff morale, they haven’t felt valued for years.”
“A lot of hospitals are now running food banks for their staff.”

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Presented by Siân Pattenden. Producers: Jet Gerbertson and Alex Rees. Assistant Producer: Kasia Tomasiewicz. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production: Robin Leeburn. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Bang to rights: How to fix the British constitution

Tue, 29 Nov 2022 04:00:00 -0000

Our unwritten constitution relies on our politicians acting in good faith. But with recent political crises leaving it creaking at the hinges, do we still benefit from its flexibility? Andrew Blick, co-author of The Bonfire of the Decencies: Repairing and Restoring the British Constitution, talks to Alex Andreou about how to fix the rules that rule us.

“Our flexible constitution can adjust in times of public emergency.”
“The ‘good chap’ phrase is as outdated as the theory.”
“Our constitution isn’t codified, but there are more checks and balances.”
“We have lost faith in politicians behaving themselves.”

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Written and presented by Alex Andreou. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Producers: Alex Rees, Jet Gerbertson. Assistant producer: Kasia Tomasiewicz. Audio production by Jade Bailey Group editor: Andrew Harrison. Music: Kenny Dickinson. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Operation Get Stuffed – Start Your Week with Yasmeen Serhan and Jacob Jarvis

Mon, 28 Nov 2022 09:54:00 -0000

As Sunak embarks on a mission to “get tough” this week – is this another Tory vanity project avoiding the real issues? With pressure over the situation in Manston, more strikes looming and the economy still in turmoil, where should his focus actually be? Plus, mass unrest is shaking China – how will it play out? Yasmeen Serhan joins Jacob Jarvis to discuss the week ahead.

“Sunak isn’t being compared to a lettuce, yet.” – Jacob Jarvis
"A draconian approach has sparked mass protests across China." – Yasmeen Serhan
“There are big strikes on the horizon.” – Yasmeen Serhan

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Presented by Jacob Jarvis with Yasmeen Serhan. Producers: Jet Gerbertson and Alex Rees. Assistant Producer: Kasia Tomasiewicz. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production: Jade Bailey. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Falling short: Can migration fix the UK’s labour crisis?

Sun, 27 Nov 2022 04:00:00 -0000

The UK has a jobs crisis – too many vacancies, and not enough people to fill them. Is migration the fix? The end of free movement of EU workers is partially to blame for the worker shortage – and filling the swathes of roles across the NHS, social care, hospitality and construction is not an easy task. Madeleine Sumption, director of the Migration Observatory, tells Ros Taylor what the Government can do to fix the situation.

“In the past the availability of some of those EU workers to fill jobs had papered over the problems.”
“Low pay is effectively baked into the system by policy.”
“From a purely mercenary perspective, the UK benefits a lot from bringing in people that it didn’t pay to train.”
“The government hasn’t done enough to plan the workforce effectively”

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Presented by Ros Taylor. Producers: Jet Gerbertson and Alex Rees. Assistant Producer: Kasia Tomasiewicz. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production: Jade Bailey. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Bunker USA: What the Fox – Who is Tucker Carlson?

Sat, 26 Nov 2022 04:00:00 -0000

Tucker Carlson is the most-watched cable news host in America. Who is he, why is he so popular and what makes him tick? He’s praised Vladimir Putin and Viktor Orban, perpetuated the “stop the steal” nonsense, and regularly fills the airwaves with rhetoric to enrage the Republican right. Dan Cassino, author of Fox News and American Politics, joins Jacob Jarvis to discover what Carlson’s influence means for the future of the United States.

“If he makes a mention of a candidate – either positively or negatively- that candidate moves up in the polls the next day.”
“Tucker Carlson is a troll. He is a right-wing troll. He is someone who is saying the things that will get people upset because he believes that's the way to get attention and to have influence. The worst thing is, he’s not wrong.”
“If I can make an extreme argument, once you respond to me, I’m in control. I’m the one setting the agenda.”
“I’ve no doubt if that populist wing of the Republican party comes into disarray, that he’ll rebrand himself. “

Written and presented by Jacob Jarvis. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Producers: Alex Rees and Jet Gerbertson. Assistant Producer: Kasia Tomasiewicz. Audio production by Jade Bailey. Music: Kenny Dickinson. Group editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER USA is a Podmasters Production.

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There’s no magic money Xi: Inside China’s economic turmoil

Fri, 25 Nov 2022 04:00:00 -0000

As one of the world’s biggest economies, trouble in China means trouble for us all. China’s stringent Covid policy has seen businesses lock down, having a huge prolonged impact on trade and international relations. From global development to the war in Ukraine, George Magnus, author of Red Flags: Why Xi’s China is in Jeopardy joins Alex Andreou in The Bunker to tell us how the ripples of Chinese intervention spread far wider than we may imagine.

"We’re all worried and thinking a lot about what’s going on in China. It's a huge economy and it has a huge impact on trade and international economic relations."
“You’d need huge political reform as well and that’s just not going to happen, especially not under Xi Jinping”

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Written and presented by Alex Andreou. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Producers: Alex Rees and Jet Gerbertson. Assistant producer: Kasia Tomasiewicz. Audio production by Jade Bailey. Music: Kenny Dickinson. Group editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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“There’s got to be hope on the horizon” – Lisa Nandy on the change Britain needs

Thu, 24 Nov 2022 04:00:00 -0000

“Everywhere you go there is this feeling that everything is falling apart.”
“People know that this country could be better… they’re very angry that for a long time they’ve been saying things haven’t been working.”
“People need hope. There’s got to be hope on the horizon.”
“Change is inevitable. People won’t put up with the system anymore.”

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Musk could kill Twitter. Was it doomed already?

Wed, 23 Nov 2022 04:00:00 -0000

Musk’s Twitter takeover is leading to a mass exodus from the site. But is this just the Elon effect, or was that bound to happen anyway? Jacob Jarvis is joined by Marcus Gilroy-Ware, Lecturer in Creative Digital Media at SOAS and author of Filling the Void: Emotion, Capitalism and Social Media, about what the decline of the Twittersphere means for how we participate in politics – and to discuss whether this was an inevitability, regardless of who ran the platform.

“Musk is known for entrepreneurial pseudo-logic.”
“Musk represents the death of the political.”
“We all skip ads, so it’s not a viable way to fund social media.”

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Written and presented by Jacob Jarvis. Producers: Alex Rees, Jet Gerbertson. Assistant producer: Kasia Tomasiewicz. Audio production by Jade Bailey. Group editor: Andrew Harrison. Music: Kenny Dickinson. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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“You knew people were already dying” – Luke Harding on the moment Russia pounced

Tue, 22 Nov 2022 04:00:00 -0000

Putin’s invasion of Ukraine has changed the world forever, but what was it like to be in Kyiv as the first bombs fell? Luke Harding, foreign correspondent at The Guardian, joins Arthur Snell to reveal all about the grim reality of Putin’s war, and the unheard human stories behind the headlines, covered in his new book Invasion: Russia’s Bloody War and Ukraine’s Fight for Survival.

“A mum and two kids came into my shelter with colouring books, and you just knew people were already dying.”
“Russian occupation means terror and murder.”
“Deep down Putin is a coward, and I would be surprised if he used a nuclear bomb.”
“Crimea is where Ukrainians used to go on holiday, but Russia has turned it into a ghastly military garrison.”

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Written and presented by Arthur Snell. Group editor: Andrew Harrison. Lead producer: Jacob Jarvis. Producers: Jacob Archbold, Jelena Sofronijevic and Alex Rees. Assistant producer: Kasia Tomasiewicz. Audio production by Jade Bailey. Music: Kenny Dickinson. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Let’s take lots of money – Start Your Week with Alex Andreou and Yasmeen Serhan

Mon, 21 Nov 2022 09:55:00 -0000

Hunt’s cuts bonanza faces dissection from angry MPs this week. How will he handle the pushback? Plus, there are rumours of a Swiss-style EU deal – could this possibly happen? Then we cast an eye to the US, with ripples still coming from the midterms and Trump’s presidential announcement. And with the Qatar World Cup underway, what has reaction been to the tournament so far? Yasmeen Serhan joins Alex Andreou to discuss the news to look out for in the days ahead.

“There’s some buyers' remorse with Brexit and the economic impact we’re starting to feel… the elephant in the room is the B word.” – Yasmeen Serhan
“I think people are quite fearful of spending cuts… there’s room for a clash between public perceptions of what the public thinks and the Government thinks.” – Yasmeen Serhan
“It seems to me the budget is slowly unravelling, there’s lots of noise from low tax Tories.” – Alex Andreou

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Presented by Alex Andreou with Yasmeen Serhan. Producers: Jet Gerbertson and Alex Rees. Assistant Producer: Kasia Tomasiewicz. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production: Jade Bailey. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Is there any hope after austerity 2.0?

Sun, 20 Nov 2022 03:00:00 -0000

Hunt’s cuts upon cuts have left the nation worried, depressed and frightened. Is there any hope beyond austerity 2.0? Marc Stears, director of the UCL Policy Lab, author of Out of the Ordinary and former Ed Miliband speechwriter, speaks to Ros Taylor about the state of Britain and its future prospects.

“The reality of the economy is an extraordinary living standards squeeze that people confront in their daily lives.”
“Anger, rage, unpredictability – you see that everywhere at the moment, but particularly in the Conservative backbenches.”
“We’re probably overly gloomy as to where we might be able to get, but not gloomy enough about where we are now.”
“People are fed up with overly grandiose stories which turned out to have nothing in them.”

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Bunker USA: Don’t write off the Trump cult

Sat, 19 Nov 2022 04:00:00 -0000

It’s official, Trump is running for President in 2024. Does anyone really want him to – or is it foolish to underestimate him? Julie Norman, Co-Director of the UCL Centre on US Politics, joins Jacob to tell us why calling Trump the underdog could play straight into his hands.

“As much as Trump gets leverage in promoting himself, bashing Biden also plays well with his base.”
“I think Trump knows that what is appealing about Trump is himself - and it's why some of the Trump backed candidates didn’t do so well. He has a cult of personality around him that is bigger than his children and the people around him.”
“Whether one loves or hates Trump it’s important not to discount him.”

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Written and presented by Jacob Jarvis. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Producers: Alex Rees and Jet Gerbertson. Assistant Producer: Kasia Tomasiewicz. Audio production by Jade Bailey. Music: Jade Bailey. Group editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER USA is a Podmasters Production.

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How filthy is Britain's air?

Fri, 18 Nov 2022 04:00:00 -0000

Dirty air filing homes across the UK is leading to an increase in asthma and lower life expectancy. But just how filthy is it? And are we doing anything meaningful about it? Ros Taylor talks to David Green, senior research fellow in the aerosol science team at Imperial College London.

“Scientists have found particles from polluted air in unborn babies.”
“Some of the highest levels of pollution are experienced in cars.”
“Government anti-pollution measures benefit the public purse in the long term because we spend less on things like childhood development.”
“Outside of London, industrial hubs contribute a huge level of air pollution – Port Talbot’s factories make it the most polluted place in the UK.”

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“The main parties benefit from a broken system” – Gina Miller on rebooting politics

Thu, 17 Nov 2022 04:00:00 -0000

Gina Miller, described as an “establishment wrecking ball,” speaks to Alex Andreou about battling Brexit and her desire to “reboot” the system. After rising to prominence taking on the Government’s authority to trigger Article 50 without a vote in Parliament, her fight has been taken to the stage in the play Bloody Difficult Women. She’s gone on to launch the True & Fair political party, and is aiming to oust Chris Grayling from his Parliamentary seat.

“Because everyone was talking about sovereignty, I thought people would be supportive of my case.”
“If someone is abusing me and not what I’m saying – I’ve probably won.”
“The whole system of government is not fit for purpose. And the main parties will not go as far as I think is needed to reboot it.”

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Changing the Channel – How to fix the Asylum System

Wed, 16 Nov 2022 00:00:00 -0000

Suella Braverman has called the asylum system broken – but she’s probably focused on the wrong parts. What needs fixing? Home Office incompetence has led to a backlog in processing claims – while the Government is focussing on a new deal with France to reduce people crossing the Channel in small boats. Colin Yeo, a barrister specialising in migration issues sits down with Arthur Snell, to tell us just how Brexit broke the asylum system – and how to speed it up once and for all.

“I think it boils down to incompetence when it comes down to it.”
“Instead of refocussing resources they’ve just ignored it and it’s made things worse.”
“If someone is from Syria it doesn’t take long to realise that they’re probably a refugee”
“I don’t trust the Home Office when they start quoting statistics that aren’t in the public domain.”

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Written and presented by Arthur Snell. Lead producer: Jacob Jarvis. Producer: Jet Gerbertson. Assistant producer: Kasia Tomasiewicz Audio production by Alex Rees. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Group editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Jailed for a bike lock? The new protest laws should worry you

Tue, 15 Nov 2022 04:00:00 -0000

As climate activists ramp up provocative protests, the Government is cracking down by bolstering police powers. How far will this go? Ros Taylor is joined by David Mead, professor of UK human rights law, to discuss the incoming public order bill – and how it could impact groups such as Just Stop Oil and Extinction Rebellion.

“There’s certainly been a step up of climate activists over the last couple of months.”
“These groups have a deliberate tactic of being arrested. In their view they need more provocative actions to get publicity. They’ve had a step up.”
“We should be very worried here of a chilling effect.”
“Peaceful protest does include serious disruption.”

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Written and presented by Ros Taylor. Lead producer: Jacob Jarvis. Producers: Alex Rees and Jet Gerbertson. Assistant producer: Kasia Tomasiewicz. Audio production by Jade Bailey. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Group editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Black Hole Sum – Start Your Week with Alex Andreou

Mon, 14 Nov 2022 09:40:00 -0000

Britain braces itself for “eyewatering” cuts to cover the £60bn bill for Trussonomics. And Jeremy Hunt braces himself for the howls of the Tory Right. Plus: Braverman turns bagwoman to sign a migrants deal with France. And good news! The Democrats take the Senate and Trump gets the blame! Alex Andreou gives Jacob Jarvis the run-down on the coming week.

“We’re now trying to fill a much bigger hole caused by the Truss-Kwarteng fiasco.”
“The cuts will have to go much further simply because the markets no longer trust us.”
“To impose cuts on this scale when you know they will kill people is just immoral.”

Support us on Patreon:

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Written and presented by lead producer Jacob Jarvis. Producers: Alex Rees and Jet Gerbertson. Assistant producer: Kasia Tomasiewicz. Audio production by Jade Bailey. Music: Kenny Dickinson. Group editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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The war on the BBC and how to save it

Sun, 13 Nov 2022 04:00:00 -0000

The BBC is constantly under siege – how can it survive the 360 degree onslaught it faces? Does it make a rod for its own back? Or is stuck in a perennial catch-22? Siân Pattenden is joined by Patrick Barwise author of The War Against the BBC, to discuss the embattled broadcaster.

“People pay for far more services that they don’t use than paying for the BBC.”
“What is contested is impartiality.”
“The organised attacks on the BBC come from the Right.”
“It is a miracle it's so productive given how tightly it has been squeezed.”

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Written and presented by Siân Pattenden. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Producer: Alex Rees. Assistant Producer: Kasia Tomasiewicz. Audio production by Robin Leeburn. OH GOD, WHAT NOW? is a Podmasters production.

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Bunker USA: What Biden could learn from AOC – with Anand Giridharadas

Sat, 12 Nov 2022 04:00:00 -0000

What tips could Biden take from left-wing star Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez to help bridge America’s political divide? How do activists and politicians convince opposing groups of the same message? Writer and political commentator Anand Giridharadas talks to Ros Taylor about his new book The Persuaders: Winning Hearts and Minds in a Divided Age.

“The left needs to be better at creating an inclusive movement.”
“It shows a lot about politics that AOC might not stay in it.”
“Elon Musk is a limited man who behaves like an 11 year old boy.”

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Written and presented by Ros Taylor. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Producer: Alex Rees. Assistant producer: Kasia Tomasiewicz. Audio production by Robin Leeburn. Music: Jade Bailey. Group editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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How to be Home Secretary with Alan Johnson

Fri, 11 Nov 2022 04:00:00 -0000

What would Alan Johnson do differently if he was in Suella Braverman’s shoes? The former Home Secretary, who held the post from 2009 to 2010, gives his take on the current crises – and sets the record straight on which party really handles crime better out of Labour and the Tories.

“Suella is taking on the Priti Patel mantle… talking about the problems but doing nothing to resolve them.”
“It’s the Tories who have really failed on crime and borders.”
“When you’re 12 years in you can no longer blame the last Labour government.”
“We need the relations with Macron to be really good, because that’s part of the problem.”

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Presented by Arthur Snell. Producers: Jet Gerbertson. Assistant Producer: Kasia Tomasiewicz. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production: Alex Rees. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Can Jeremy Hunt fix this mess? – with IFS director Paul Johnson

Thu, 10 Nov 2022 04:00:00 -0000

Jeremy Hunt’s key task is fixing the damage of Truss and Kwarteng’s mini-budget – can he get us out of this mess? From freezing the wages of nurses and teachers, to adding VAT to Jaffa Cakes – what options does the Chancellor have? Paul Johnson, director of the Institute for Fiscal Studies joins Ros Taylor to look at what taxes might increase, how the Government can tempt the over 55s back into the workforce – and if there’s any cause for optimism.

“Hunt probably has to look at the serious taxes… though it remains to be seen if this is politically feasible.”
“You can’t raise very large amounts of money from inheritance or capital gains tax.”
“Younger people have seen very poor earnings growth – the last 15 years have been pretty much the worst since the industrial revolution.”

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New Gov – Michael Crick on the MPs of tomorrow

Wed, 09 Nov 2022 04:00:00 -0000

When there is finally a general election, what will the next batch of MPs look like? With parties deep into selection processes, who is going to be thrust upon us – and who’s being blocked? Journalist, author and Channel 4 legend Michael Crick, who runs Tomorrow’s MPs on Twitter, talks to Andrew Harrison about our future parliamentarians.

“The left is doing appallingly within the Labour selections.”
“Starmer can’t be seen to interfere too much – that can be the kiss of death for a candidate.”
“There is a process of weeding people out on the grounds of their politics.”
“When local parties are choosing members of Parliament, they’re also choosing potential future ministers.”

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Written and presented by Andrew Harrison. Lead producer: Jacob Jarvis. Producers: Alex Rees and Jet Gerbertson. Assistant producer: Kasia Tomasiewicz. Audio production by Robin Leeburn. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Group editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Where the Bank of England’s going wrong – with Richard Murphy

Tue, 08 Nov 2022 04:00:00 -0000

Is the Bank of England working in our best interests – and what could it do differently that might serve us better? While the last recession was met with a response of ‘quantitative easing’, the next is due to be met with ‘quantitative tightening’. Richard Murphy, professor of accounting practice at Sheffield University, author of the book Money For Nothing and king of the Twitter macroeconomic mega-thread, talks to Justin Quirk about what the central bank is up to.

“Quantitative tightening is the opposite of quantitative easing – this means the government spends into the economy.”
“Quantitative tightening really shows that the Bank of England doesn’t care.”
“Rishi Sunak doesn’t want there to be a recession, because he won’t win the next election.”
“The public don’t know how to ask or answer big questions – and politicians aren’t helping.”

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Written and presented by Justin Quirk. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Producers: Jacob Archbold. Assistant producer: Kasia Tomasiewicz. Audio production by Alex Rees. Music: Kenny Dickinson. Group editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Exit Through the Grift Shop – Start Your Week with Alex Andreou

Mon, 07 Nov 2022 09:41:00 -0000

The US midterms could see Biden hamstrung by his political enemies – as the prospect of a 2024 Trump run looms. Is America headed for another period of turmoil and deadlock, with the Republicans controlling the Senate and the House? And in the UK, the political sack race is on between Gavin Williamson and Suella Braverman. Will Sunak ditch either of them – or wait until a more convenient time? Plus, the world turns its eyes to COP27. Andrew Harrison is joined by Alex Andreou to tee up the week ahead.

“If the Democrats lose both the House and Senate they could be in for two years of very rough battles.” – Alex Andreou
“The Republicans can make a hellscape and know voters will primarily blame Biden for it.” – Alex Andreou
“If Sunak is inclined to get rid of Braverman or Williamson, he will do it one day after the budget – while they’re getting slated for their measures.” – Alex Andreou
“There is no doubt that for the next two years we will be paying for the Conservatives cock up.” – Alex Andreou

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Presented by Andrew Harrison with Alex Andreou. Producer: Alex Rees. Assistant Producer: Kasia Tomasiewicz. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production: Jade Bailey. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Pay up or meltdown: COP27 explained

Sun, 06 Nov 2022 04:00:00 -0000

World leaders are jetting into Sharm El-Sheik in Egypt this week for COP27. But as wild weather continues and predictions are that we have already passed the point of no return – what will we learn from COP27? Andrew Harrison is joined by Madeleine Cuff, environment reporter at the New Scientist to give you the heads up on what the big issues will be, who might derail discussions and what we can do to solve our environmental woes.

“A lot of work needs to be done to get this problem under control.”
“Under the Paris Agreement the pledges aren’t binding.”

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Written and presented by Andrew Harrison. Producers: Alex Rees. Assistant producer: Kasia Tomasiewicz. Audio production by Alex Rees. Music: Kenny Dickinson. Group editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Bunker USA: How did America’s politicians get so dumb – with Andy Borowitz

Sat, 05 Nov 2022 04:00:00 -0000

Over the past fifty years, America’s politicians have grown increasingly allergic to knowledge. Why is this? Writer, comedian and satirist Andy Borowitz joins Dorian Lynskey to discuss his new book Profiles in Ignorance: How America's Politicians Got Dumb and Dumber, which looks at why ignoramuses make it to the top of US politics, from Dan Quayle to George Bush, Sarah Palin to Donald Trump.

“Politicians have been the greatest comedians of the last 50 years.”
”Dan Quayle was just as ignorant as Reagan, but he lacked any talent to mask it.”
“George Bush opened the door for Sarah Palin, who lead to Donald Trump.”
“Donald Trump speaks in shorter words than any other president.”

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Written and presented by Dorian Lynskey. Group editor: Andrew Harrison. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Producers: Jacob Archbold and Alex Rees. Assistant producer: Kasia Tomasiewicz. Audio production and Music by Jade Bailey. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Should we choose our leaders at random?

Fri, 04 Nov 2022 04:00:00 -0000

We’re not on a great run of political leaders at the moment – is the problem how we pick them? And what if we simply… didn’t? Rather than choosing between a bunch of self-serving, pound-crashing Westminster drones – could democratic lotteries be the answer? Brett Hennig, author of The End of Politicians: Time for a Real Democracy and director of the Sortition Foundation discusses how we pick our representatives, and how we could change it, with Jacob Jarvis.

“Politicians often come from a subset of people who aren't best placed to make laws.”
“People will only participate in politics if they feel represented.”
“The House of Lords is a dinosaur and ripe to be replaced.”

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Written and presented by Jacob Jarvis. Producers: Jacob Archbold and Jelena Sofronijevic. Assistant producer: Kasia Tomasiewicz. Audio production by Jade Bailey. Music: Kenny Dickinson. Group editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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The women who vanished from history – with author Kate Mosse

Thu, 03 Nov 2022 04:00:00 -0000

How do we put women back in the history books? Author, playwright, co-founder of The Women’s Prize for Fiction and member of the executive committee of Women of the World, Kate Mosse joins Siân Pattenden to talk about balancing out Margaret Thatcher and Barbara Castle, and her new book, Warrior Queens and Quiet Revolutionaries - How Women (Also) Built the World.

“Women were often incredibly well-known in their day. It’s what happens to them after that.”
“We talk about Florence Nightingale as a nurse and carer - but never a statistician.”
“This isn't about men versus women. It's about patriarchy, a system, that benefits a tiny number of men.”
“Women's place in history cannot be about likeability.”

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Written and presented by Siân Pattenden. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Producers: Jacob Archbold and Jelena Sofronijevic. Assistant producer: Kasia Tomasiewicz. Audio production by Alex Rees. Music: Kenny Dickinson. Group editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Warrior-Queens-Quiet-Revolutionaries-Women/dp/1529092191

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Could Russia revolt against Putin?

Wed, 02 Nov 2022 04:00:00 -0000

The worse Russia’s invasion of Ukraine goes, the more Putin doubles down. Is he truly unhinged? And could his citizens turn on him? Marc Berenson, senior lecturer at the Russia Institute at King’s College London and the author of Taxes and Trust: From Coercion to Compliance in Poland, Russia and Ukraine, talks to Justin Quirk about Putin’s changing worldview, why the President sees Eastern Europe as a “massive DMZ”, and if the Russian people really support his regime.

“The truth is that Putin is rational – but with completely different preferences to ours in the West.”
“The best outcome for Putin from this war would be him going to jail.”
“The West needs to help Russia. If we don’t, we’ll pay for it in the long run.”

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Written and presented by Justin Quirk. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Producers: Jacob Archbold and Jelena Sofronijevic. Assistant producer: Kasia Tomasiewicz. Audio production by Jade Bailey. Music: Kenny Dickinson. Group editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Atomic smitten? The case for nuclear power

Tue, 01 Nov 2022 04:00:00 -0000

Could nuclear power be the answer to our doomed energy sector? It remains controversial – but why? Ahir Shah talks to Francis Livens, professor of radiochemistry at the University of Manchester and academic director of the Dalton Nuclear Institute about how nuclear works, how the sector has changed, and how hitting net zero carbon by 2050 might be impossible without it.

“Without nuclear energy, hitting net zero will be impossible.”
“Patronising scientists haven’t created a dialogue with the public about nuclear energy.”
“Thinking about old nuclear factories is like comparing cars from today with those from the 1970s.”

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Written and presented by Ahir Shah. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Producers: Jacob Archbold and Jelena Sofronijevic. Assistant producer: Kasia Tomasiewicz. Audio production by Robin Leeburn. Music: Kenny Dickinson. Group editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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But Their Emails! – Start Your Week with Yasmeen Serhan and Ros Taylor

Mon, 31 Oct 2022 14:24:00 -0000

The Home Secretary plays fast and loose with her email security. The former PM’s phone is so compromised that it’s been locked in a secure location. Interest rates are about to go up and the Chancellor is about to tax everything. But hey, at least Bolsonaro lost in Brazil! Yasmeen Serhan fills Ros Taylor in on the events of the coming week.

“Twitter was already a hellscape but it looks like it’s going to become an even worse one.”
“You have to ask, why are ministers using private phones to conduct government business?”
“The silence you hear is Bolsonaro mulling his options.”

Support us on Patreon:

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Written and presented by Ros Taylor and Yasmeen Serhan. Producers: Jacob Archbold and Jelena Sofronijevic. Assistant producer: Kasia Tomasiewicz. Audio production by Jade Bailey. Music: Kenny Dickinson. Lead producer: Jacob Archbold. Group editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Brazil: Can the world risk another Bolsonaro term?

Sun, 30 Oct 2022 04:00:00 -0000

Brazil’s presidential elections go to round two today. Ahead of Latin America’s most consequential vote in decades, what should we be looking out for? Dr. Christopher Sabatini, senior fellow for Latin America at Chatham House, talks to Alex Andreou about how Bolsonaro broke Brazilian politics, Lula’s prospects and the environmental impact on the Amazon.

“The last four years can be seen as a triumph of institutions. Brazilian institutions are strong and they've survived, despite Bolsonaro.”
“Lula's campaign is all about beating Bolsonaro. That's not a long-term winning bet.”
“Bolsonaro's election strategy is Bible, beef and bullets.”
“For Brazilians, the Amazon is their crown jewel.”

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Written and presented by Alex Andreou. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Producers: Jacob Archbold and Jelena Sofronijevic. Assistant producer: Kasia Tomasiewicz. Audio production by Robin Leeburn. Music: Kenny Dickinson. Group editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Bunker USA: You can’t handle the Truth Social – Inside Trump’s alt Twitter

Sat, 29 Oct 2022 03:00:00 -0000

After being banned from Twitter, Donald Trump set up Truth Social, his own social media platform. What can you expect to find on the site? Is it just a mouthpiece for the former President? Kayla Gogarty, associate research director at Media Matters America, joins Jacob Jarvis to discuss Trump’s online echo chamber.

“Truth Social is a way for Trump to get back online and to avoid moderation.”
“It’s an echo chamber of conspiracy theories and harmful rhetoric.”
“As the midterms approach we’re seeing election misinformation ramp up.”

Support us on Patreon:

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Written and presented by Jacob Jarvis. Group editor: Andrew Harrison. Producers: Jacob Archbold, Jelena Sofronijevic and Alex Rees. Assistant producer: Kasia Tomasiewicz. Audio production and Music by Jade Bailey. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Degrees of Debt – How university fees went wrong

Fri, 28 Oct 2022 03:00:00 -0000

When university fees shot up to £9,000 in 2012 they triggered violent protests. Now Britain’s universities are expecting redundancies and even bankruptcy – and they’re hooked on lucrative foreign students. Can we carry on funding education from fees, or is it time for a graduate tax? And do we need to rethink what students get for their money? Ros Taylor talks to Nick Hillman, Director of the Higher Education Policy Institute think tank.

“Lifelong learning was hit hardest by the increase in fees.”
“The fee cap hasn’t gone up in a decade. Universities are losing money on home students.”
“Despite how big the fees seem, university staff are being hit hard.”

Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/bunkercast

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Doomsday Watch – new series out now

Thu, 27 Oct 2022 17:00:00 -0000

Like The Bunker? You’ll love Doomsday Watch – and there’s a brand new series out right now. Hear former diplomat and Bunker regular Arthur Snell explore more faultlines and danger zones that threaten global stability. From the balance of power after the Ukraine invasion to the scattered conflicts that spawn bigger confrontations to American’s democratic death spiral, these are the flashpoints of the future.

Hear Ep.1 right now here, plus Patreon supporters get every episode a week early. Visit doomsdaywatch.co.uk and sign up to get Episodes 1 and 2 immediately, and subsequent editions a full week early.

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Who’s the real Sunak? Matthew Parris tells us

Thu, 27 Oct 2022 03:00:00 -0000

The Conservative psychodrama has given us a new PM, a new cabinet and a whole lot more restive MPs. So what should we expect from the party’s latest iteration? Commentator and former Tory MP Matthew Parris talks to Ros Taylor about the “pleasant” Prime Minister Sunak, “appalling” Suella Braverman and what we can expect from his premiership.

“The Conservative Party has a sense of burnout.”
“Beyond the commentariat, people don’t want a general election.”
“Without Sunak’s patronage, Suella would be more or less finished.”
“The Home Office destroys everybody. Let’s hope it destroys Suella in a few months.”
“I wouldn’t be surprised if Sunak doesn’t surprise us at all, but plods on in a sensible way.”

Support us on Patreon:

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Written and presented by Ros Taylor. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Producers: Jacob Archbold and Jelena Sofronijevic. Assistant producer: Kasia Tomasiewicz. Audio production by Jade Bailey. Music: Kenny Dickinson. Group editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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What’s left to cut?

Wed, 26 Oct 2022 03:00:00 -0000

With Rishi Sunak keeping Jeremy Hunt in post as Chancellor, the prospect of a new era of austerity looms. But what is left to cut? From hospitals, to prisons and schools – public sector services are at breaking point. And with workers across struggling institutions already threatening strikes, how much worse can it get? Nick Davies from The Institute for Government think tank talks to Justin Quirk about where the government will make cuts and how to assess the damage.

“We are looking at a lost generation of public services.”
“Now is a very bad time to be unwell.”

Written and presented by Justin Quirk. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Producers: Jacob Archbold and Jelena Sofronijevic. Assistant producer: Kasia Tomasiewicz. Audio production by Robin Leeburn. Music: Kenny Dickinson. Group editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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“Ukraine will fight and Ukraine will win”

Tue, 25 Oct 2022 03:00:00 -0000

After Ukraine’s stunning battlefield successes, Putin responds with missile attacks on civilians, power and transport infrastructure – adding to his toll of war crimes. How is Ukrainian morale eight months into the war? And what happens next? Andrew Harrison talks to Ukrainian journalist, Reuters Institute fellow and disinformation expert Olga Tokariuk about life in Kyiv, Western democracies’ role in the struggle, and whether a cornered Putin would really use a nuclear weapon.

“Russia is deliberately and clearly attacking civilian targets.”

“Putin is threatening nuclear weapons as blackmail tactics.”

“You don’t have to be ethnically Ukrainian to feel close to Ukraine.”

Written and presented by Andrew Harrison. Producers Jelena Sofronijevic and Jacob Archbold. Assistant producer Kasia Tomasiewicz. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production by Alex Rees. Group Editor Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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How Sunak is now? – Start Your Week with Ros Taylor and Justin Quirk

Mon, 24 Oct 2022 09:27:54 -0000

After Johnson’s exit from the leadership race (he definitely had 102 backers), will it be a coronation for Sunak? Or is it going to roll into a bout between him and Mordaunt? Plus, we look at what actual politics is set to happen in Parliament… We also cast a glance over the Chinese Communist Party congress fallout, and unpack what’s next for Musk’s on and off and on again Twitter buyout. Justin Quirk talks to Ros Taylor to chart the days ahead.

“Johnson’s astonishingly egotistical statement basically blamed Tory MPs for blocking him.” – Ros Taylor
“This is a Government that is not going to be able to push anything remotely ambitious through.” – Ros Taylor
“There is no overarching agenda apart from survival for the Conservative Party now.” – Ros Taylor
“There will be more pain, there will be more austerity. Anyone who thinks there will be a massive turnaround is kidding themselves.” – Ros Taylor

Presented by Justin Quirk with Ros Taylor. Producers: Jacob Archbold, Jelena Sofronijevic and Alex Rees. Assistant Producer: Kasia Tomasiewicz. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production: Robin Leeburn. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Talking Trash with Count Binface

Sun, 23 Oct 2022 03:00:00 -0000

“I was passing Earth and it seemed to be the most deranged planet of the lot.”
“The Brits play the game, and occasionally write down things.”
“You don't have to be a human being to stand for election.”
“As a Recyclon, I hope to reuse the best policies from across the galaxy.”

www.patreon.com/bunkercast

geni.us/whatonearth

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Bunker USA: Worse than Trump? Ron DeSantis wants the presidency

Sat, 22 Oct 2022 03:00:00 -0000

As 2024 approaches, could Florida Governor Ron DeSantis be the heir to Donald Trump? Or his strongest opponent? Politico Florida bureau chief Matt Dixon joins Andrew Harrison to discuss the man who could be the next Republican flag bearer, his controversial time as Florida Governor, where he stands on the big issues, and if he really is worse than Trump.

“DeSantis has captured the imagination of conservatives and Republicans nationwide.”
“It’s the worst kept secret in America that DeSantis wants to be President.”
“DeSantis is Donald Trump without the charisma.”

www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Written and presented by Andrew Harrison. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Producers: Jacob Archbold, Jelena Sofronijevic and Alex Rees. Assistant producer: Kasia Tomasiewicz. Audio production by Jade Bailey. Music: Kenny Dickinson. Group editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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How to start your own country

Fri, 21 Oct 2022 03:00:00 -0000

As separatist movements across the globe try to establish new nations, how do you actually go about creating a new country? What is the project management plan for independence? Political science professor Matt Qvortrup joins Ahir Shah to discuss how a new state is made in the 21st century, covered in his new book I Want to Break Free: A Practical Guide to Making a New Country.

“Independence referendums are won by appealing to people’s heart strings.”
“The Scottish independence referendum is good example of what not to do in an independence referendum.”
“Becoming independent is not a panacea.”

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Written and presented by Ahir Shah. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Producers: Jacob Archbold, Jelena Sofronijevic and Alex Rees. Assistant producer: Kasia Tomasiewicz. Audio production by Jade Bailey. Music: Kenny Dickinson. Group editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Brady Gaga: The weird world of the 1922 committee

Thu, 20 Oct 2022 03:00:00 -0000

The 1922 committee is the secretive, unofficial voice of the Conservative party. Who are these Tory ‘men in gray suits’? Former BBC politics correspondent and political editor of the New Statesman, and host of Rock & Roll Politics Steve Richards talks to Alex Rees about prime ministers being held to ransom, the 1922 mindset, and Graham Brady’s secrets.

“Tory MPs are more rebellious than ever, so the 1922 committee gets ever more relevant.”
“The 1922 committee represents ‘honesty’ for Conservatives – toothless messengers of political truths.”
“Graham Brady loves the role, he sees his duty as being to the Party rather than factions.”

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Written and presented by Alex Rees. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Producers: Jacob Archbold and Jelena Sofronijevic. Assistant producer: Kasia Tomasiewicz. Audio production by Alex Rees. Music: Kenny Dickinson. Group editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Minford and Sons: How one economist mesmerised the Tories

Wed, 19 Oct 2022 03:00:00 -0000

Patrick Minford faded from view in the 2000s – but since Brexit, he’s returned to the fore of Tory economic policy. So who is this Arch-Thatcherite economist and what does he stand for? UCL policy fellow Laurie Macfarlane talks to Andrew Harrison about how he became an icon of the IEA set, and what his cult worship means for Liz Truss’ government, and the cost of living crisis.

“Most economists like markets but Minford is extreme.”
“The mini-budget was an experiment of Minford in practice.”
“There's a risk that we lunge to the other extreme and a return to Osbornite austerity.”
“Minford claims to care about government budgets, but he's fine with tax cuts for the wealthy.”

www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Written and presented by Andrew Harrison. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Producers: Jacob Archbold and Jelena Sofronijevic. Assistant producer: Kasia Tomasiewicz. Audio production by Alex Rees. Music: Kenny Dickinson. Group editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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New era? The political vibe shift is here

Tue, 18 Oct 2022 03:00:00 -0000

It feels like something is changing in the country – but is a real shift occurring? A vibe shift, if you will... Poll fiend and senior data journalist at the New Statesman Ben Walker talks to Ros Taylor about whether the political mood of the UK has fundamentally changed, with Brexit, culture wars, climate change and COVID.

“If the Labour Party used Take Back Control, it would do well as a slogan.”
“Younger Brits are more inclined towards personal, not national, identities. But it's the same thing – belonging.”
“Anxiety over the environment is just as high in the Red Wall as in the inner city, but the way you go around solving it is different.”
“A lot of voters feel strained by the old rules. COVID showed things can change.”

www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Written and presented by Ros Taylor. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Producers: Jacob Archbold and Jelena Sofronijevic. Assistant producer: Kasia Tomasiewicz. Audio production by Alex Rees. Music: Kenny Dickinson. Group editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Taking Out The Truss – Start Your Week with Alex Andreou

Mon, 17 Oct 2022 10:28:57 -0000

It’s the first new look Bunker, and as Jeremy Hunt prepares for a big budget announcement, are we ready for Austerity 2.0? And if Liz Truss is really done for, who could replace her as PM? Plus, Trump on trial, and China’s zero COVID response - Jacob Jarvis and Alex Andreou set out the days ahead.

“Truss now looks like a stress dream made reality.”
“Ben Wallace won’t want to take over the Titanic after it’s hit the iceberg.”
“No-one with half a brain would want the job of PM now.”
“Trump is an experienced litigant. He's experienced in keeping his mouth shut in legal settings.”

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Presented by Jacob Jarvis and Alex Andreou. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Producers: Jacob Archbold and Jelena Sofronijevic. Assistant producer: Kasia Tomasiewicz. Audio production by Robin Leeburn. Music: Kenny Dickinson. Group editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Bunker Bonus – Swearing by It: Why We #?#!ing Love to Curse

Sun, 16 Oct 2022 13:00:00 -0000

Plenty of us enjoy blasting out a few swear words – but what makes it feel so good? Richard Stephens, a senior lecturer in psychology at Keele University and author of Black Sheep: The Hidden Benefits of Being Bad, tells Jacob Jarvis how swearing can stop pain, make us stronger and help us form closer friendships.

“Swearing does appear to make you stronger.”
“People are more disinhibited after swearing.”
“Swearing can be a social bonding tool.”
“You can enjoy a well placed swear word, can’t you? You can think, ‘That was skillful.’”

Support us on Patreon:

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Written and presented by Jacob Jarvis. Producers: Jacob Archbold, Jelena Sofronijevic and Alex Rees. Assistant producer: Kasia Tomasiewicz. Audio production by Jade Bailey. Music: Kenny Dickinson. Group editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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There Xi Goes: China's Leader Locks in His Power

Sun, 16 Oct 2022 03:00:00 -0000

China’s leader Xi Jinping is poised to smash precedent and take on a third term. But how has he consolidated his power? And what role have stringent regional Covid lockdowns played in him tightening his grip? Alex Andreou discusses this with Steve Tsang, director of the SOAS China Institute and regular contributor to the China in Context podcast.

“China’s lockdown policy has increased the ability of the communist party to gain control.”
“Xi likes the narrative that China is the only country to win the fight against Covid.”
“The Chinese government can’t accept that its vaccines are less effective.”
“China has a sort of health nationalism.”

Support us on Patreon:

https://www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Written and presented by Alex Andreou. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Producers: Jacob Archbold, Jelena Sofronijevic and Alex Rees. Assistant Producer: Kasia Tomasiewicz. Audio production by Robin Leeburn Music: Kenny Dickinson. Group editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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What the Hell are Gilts and Bonds Anyway?

Sat, 15 Oct 2022 03:00:00 -0000

If talk of gilt markets, securities, and liabilities leaves you baffled – then fear not, we’ve got you covered. In just twenty minutes, Giles Wilkes, former economics special adviser to Theresa May and Vince Cable and now a senior fellow at the Institute of Government, explains to Alex Andreou what gilts are and why they are at the centre of the current economic storm.

“The gilt market has never reacted this badly to anything in my memory.”
“Interest rates play a billion roles in the economy…too many to point at one and say, it's better that it's higher.”
“Market confidence will be restored. Eventually. But serious damage has been done in the eyes of international markets.”

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What’s Going Macron? The New Special Relationship

Fri, 14 Oct 2022 03:00:00 -0000

Has France replaced the UK in the so-called ‘special relationship’ with the US? Journalist and European Research Fellow Rym Momtaz talks to Ros Taylor from Paris about the similarities between Joe Biden and Emmanuel Macron, that awkward AUKUS moment over submarines, and why Macron might become the “Obama of France”…

“When Trump was President, Macron tried to set up a bromance.”
“It's a misconception that Democrats get along better with their European counterparts.”
“Macron is trying to be seen as driving the EU response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.”

Support us on Patreon:

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Written and presented by Ros Taylor. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Producers: Jacob Archbold, Jelena Sofronijevic and Alex Rees. Assistant producer: Kasia Tomasiewicz. Audio production by Jade Bailey. Music: Kenny Dickinson. Group editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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I Voted for Stupid: Why Acting Dumb Pays Off for Politicians

Thu, 13 Oct 2022 03:00:00 -0000

From Trump, to Johnson, and Truss – are politicians really stupid? Or are they just pretending to be so that we’ll vote for them? Siân Pattenden delves into the state of our political psyche with Dean Burnett, neuroscientist and author of The Idiot Brain, to find out the science behind why we vote for stupid politicians.

“Calling politicians ‘idiots’ defangs them. It makes us feel reassured instead of terrified.”
“Sounding clever doesn’t connect politicians to the electorate.”
“Politics really suffers when it becomes the reserve of the rich and powerful, because it becomes a game.”

Written and presented by Siân Pattenden. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Producers: Jacob Archbold, Jelena Sofronijevic and Alex Rees. Assistant producer: Kasia Tomasiewicz. Audio production by Jade Bailey. Music: Kenny Dickinson. Group editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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What the Frack? Drilling Down Into a Doomed Energy Plan

Wed, 12 Oct 2022 03:00:00 -0000

Why does Liz Truss think fracking holds the answer to our energy crisis when so many experts disagree? Will it blight our ‘green and pleasant land’ – or does it simply not work in Britain? Ros Taylor talks to Jon Gluyas, director of the Durham Energy Institute at the University of Durham, about earthquakes, flammable water and where our energy policy is going wrong.

“We have known fracking doesn’t work in the UK for decades.”
“We are global leaders in wind technology. So, let’s focus on that.”
“We need a well thought through energy policy, something we haven’t had for fifty years.”
“Offshore oil fields provide far more of an opportunity than onshore fracking.”

Written and presented by Ros Taylor. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Producers: Jacob Archbold, Jelena Sofronijevic. Assistant Producer: Kasia Tomasiewicz. Audio production by Alex Rees. Music: Kenny Dickinson. Group editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Over a Barrel: The New Oil Crisis – Weekly Edition

Tue, 11 Oct 2022 03:00:00 -0000

In a shock move, OPEC oil-rich nations cut back their production. Are we in for a 1974-style oil crisis? And has the Middle East just sided with Putin? Plus, the heroic protests in Iran where young women rebel after the killing of Mahsa Amini. At home: what next for Truss as she evolves from u-turns into donuts? And the end of the World Service as we know it.

Special guest Dr. Julie Norman, associate professor in politics and international relations at University College London, joins us in The Bunker for high-level politics talk… and some big news about the podcast.

“With this move OPEC has laid down its cards with Russia – it’s a slap in the face to the US and Europe.” – Julie Norman
“What is so striking about the protests is it is fundamentally a women-led movement.” – Yasmeen Serhan
"If you spend a decade purging a party of moderation, you don't get one kind of crazy, you get loads." – Alex Andreou

Presented by Andrew Harrison with Alex Andreou and Yasmeen Serhan. Producers: Jacob Archbold and Jelena Sofronijevic . Assistant producer: Kasia Tomasiewicz. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production by Robin Leeburn. Lead producer: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. The Bunker is a Podmasters production.

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The Binfire Strikes Back – Start Your Week with Alex Andreou and Justin Quirk

Mon, 10 Oct 2022 09:25:00 -0000

Truss’s tailspin of u-turns is due to continue as she tries to charm her MPs when Parliament returns. What more chaos with Liz can we expect this week? And, with peerages to be confirmed – what nasty surprises will end up in the Lords? Plus, we look at the latest from Ukraine as strikes hit Kyiv. Justin Quirk talks to Alex Andreou to plot out the days ahead.

“If Truss thinks she can ask the country to reward her to fix a problem she’s created, she’s getting really terrible advice.” – Alex Andreou
“They’re trying to make the tax cuts they already made add up…They are reaching a stage where they will have to start u-turning on them.” – Alex Andreou
“Liz Truss wants to avoid any by-elections because there’s no such thing as a safe Tory seat.” – Alex Andreou

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Presented by Justin Quirk with Alex Andreou. Producers: Jacob Archbold, Jelena Sofronijevic and Alex Rees. Assistant Producer: Kasia Tomasiewicz. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production: Robin Leeburn. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Rocket Fuelled: Why space has answers to Earth’s problems

Sun, 09 Oct 2022 03:00:00 -0000

The planet is burning. So does it make sense to pour billions (and tons of carbon) into space exploration? Or could it help solve Earthly problems – including climate change? On the eve of the first moonshot in 50 years, Tereza Pultarova of Space.com joins Andrew Harrison to weigh up the pros and cons of extraterrestrial research, from the space industry’s carbon debt to moon treaties, space junk and the coming turf war on the Moon.

“Space rockets often create mini-punctures in the ozone layer. It’s a big worry.”
“We are flying plants into space and hoping they will mutate and become drought resistant.”
“Incredible amounts of energy goes into avoiding the rubbish that now litters earth’s orbit.”
“China is flexing its space muscles, and the West can’t afford to fall behind.”

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Written and presented by Andrew Harrison. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Producers: Jacob Archbold and Jelena Sofronijevic. Assistant producer: Kasia Tomasiewicz. Audio production by Jade Bailey. Music: Kenny Dickinson. Group editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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The U-Turner Prize: When Politicians Backtrack

Sat, 08 Oct 2022 03:00:00 -0000

Why do we see so many political u-turns? What makes politicians turn 180 – and why are some so against it? After Liz Truss’s budget flip flop laid waste to the Thatcher comparison she dreamed of, Ros Taylor talks to Tim Bale, professor of politics at Queen Mary University, about why we see such drastic changes of course in modern politics.

“U-turns are more likely because voters are now less tribal.”
“Journalists make a great deal of U-turns, mainly because they facilitate them.”
“Boris Johnson could make lots of U-turns because he didn’t believe in anything except himself.”

Support us on Patreon:

https://www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Written and presented by Ros Taylor. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Producers: Jacob Archbold, Jelena Sofronijevic. Assistant Producer: Kasia Tomasiewicz. Audio production by Jade Bailey. Music: Kenny Dickinson. Group editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Sex-cluded: What Makes Men Turn Incel?

Fri, 07 Oct 2022 03:00:00 -0000

They are described as isolated, violent misogynists. So what draws men to the community of “incels” – or involuntary celibates? Do they hate women or are their reasons for rejecting sex more complex? Justin Quirk delves into the dark corners of the internet with William Costello, expert on the psychology of incels at the University of Austin at Texas, to find out how worried we should be about them.

“You have a supply and demand problem – a skewed sex ratio.”
“The sensationalising of incel violence is a worrying trend.”
“The term ‘incel’ first appeared on a lesbian forum in the late 1990s.”

Support us on Patreon:

https://www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Written and presented by Justin Quirk. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Producers: Jacob Archbold, Jelena Sofronijevic and Alex Rees. Assistant producer: Kasia Tomasiewicz. Audio production by Jade Bailey. Music: Kenny Dickinson. Group editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Roofless People – The Radical Rethink that Housing Needs?

Thu, 06 Oct 2022 03:00:00 -0000

A home should be a sanctuary. But for many people, it means sharing a bed, worrying about whether you’ll have a roof over your head, or whether home ownership is even possible. Hashi Mohamed, lawyer and author of A Home of One’s Own, calls Ros Taylor from his home in Wembley, to talk about arriving in Britain as a child refugee, why the planning system is political, and how we can tackle the housing crisis and now.

“The planning system is perceived as a place where ideas go to die. But the reality is more boring.”
“Local politics just plays out through the planning system.”
“Your child won't get on the property ladder, your grandchild certainly won't. So how can you both worry about the housing crisis, and say 'not in my back yard'?”
“People don't understand that new houses in your area actually leads to the value of your property going up.”
“Housing has moved from the place where you lay your head to a pension fund.”

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https://www.amazon.co.uk/Home-Ones-Own-Hashi-Mohamed/dp/1800811268/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=

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Mad, SpAd and Dangerous to Know: The Power of Special Advisors

Wed, 05 Oct 2022 03:00:00 -0000

Who has the new PM surrounded herself with – and how much power do they wield? Alex Rees is joined by columnist, Bunker regular and Westminster gossip maven Marie Le Conte to discuss the cosy coterie of hardcore conservative think tanks shaping her policy, and what it takes for a political obsessive to be by a minister’s ear.

“For junior roles, you need to prove your loyalty from the get-go, and only then are you rewarded.”
“Truss is the continuity candidate of Boris Johnson.”
“Truss is firmly from the small-state side of the party.”
“Think tanks have created a space where, in the long run, they can influence policy.”

Written, presented and edited by Alex Rees with guest Marie Le Conte. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Producers: Jacob Archbold and Jelena Sofronijevic. Assistant producer: Kasia Tomasiewicz. Music: Kenny Dickinson. Group editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Getting Britain Moving (Back In With Mum and Dad) – Weekly Edition

Tue, 04 Oct 2022 03:00:00 -0000

After U-turning on their mini budget, do Kwarteng and Truss have a vision beyond lining their mates pockets? Plus, with mutiny in the ranks, including from general-election-calling Nadine Dorries, what’s the latest from the Tory conference? And, after Truss’s grilling on regional radio last week, we ask where would we be without local journalism? This week’s guest is Richard Hayton, associate professor of politics at the University of Leeds.

“The atmosphere at the Tory conference is weird, but everyone agrees Truss is either out or can’t get any lower.” – Marie Le Conte
“This is the first time I have seen the Bank of England rescue a government from its own policies.” – Andrew Harrison
“Truss tells a joke and painfully holds out for a laugh which is never coming.” – Marie Le Conte
“The good bit of Kwarteng’s speech was that it was very short.” – Justin Quirk

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Tickets to Doomsday Watch Live: https://www.tickettext.co.uk/etmejHAuba

Presented by Andrew Harrison with Justin Quirk, Marie Le Conte and guest Richard Hayton. Producers: Jacob Archbold and Jelena Sofronijevic. Assistant producer: Kasia Tomasiewicz. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production by Alex Rees. Lead producer: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. The Bunker is a Podmasters production.

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Flip-Flop Don’t Stop – Start Your Week with Ros Taylor

Mon, 03 Oct 2022 08:46:00 -0000

Kami-Kwazi pulls the 45p tax cut as the curtain goes up in flames at Tory Conference. Can Truss style this one out or is she already toast? Plus, what Putin’s criminal annexation of parts of Ukraine means; Bolsonaro does better than he expected in Brazil ; and is Britain finally rowing back from kneejerk Europhobia? Ros Taylor plots out the next seven days with Justin Quirk.

“This u-turn is a massive deal – it’s an embarrassment for all concerned.”
“Could Truss even persuade anyone else to be her Chancellor now? Except maybe Mogg…”
“This u-turn raises doubts about Truss’s whole raison d’être.”
“This Government will be on its knees and exhausted by the time it leaves power.”

Support us on Patreon:

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Tickets to Doomsday Watch Live: https://www.tickettext.co.uk/etmejHAuba

Written and presented by Justin Quirk and Ros Taylor. Producers: Jacob Archbold and Jelena Sofronijevic. Assistant producer: Kasia Tomasiewicz. Audio production by Jade Bailey. Music: Kenny Dickinson. Lead producer: Jacob Archbold. Group editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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AI Spy: The New Frontiers in Surveillance

Sun, 02 Oct 2022 03:00:00 -0000

As surveillance becomes ever more sophisticated, should we be worried? From borderless security guards to Deep Fakes, what do we need to know about the changes to this technology? Jelena Sofronijevic is joined by Kirstie Ball, professor of management at the University of St. Andrews and Pete Fussey, professor of sociology at the University of Essex to discuss the possibilities and pitfalls in this developing digital realm.

“Surveillance is about power, so we really have to ask how that power is being wielded.” – Kirstie Ball
“The future of surveillance may look exciting, but it's often taking away rights in the name of convenience. It’s like using a sledgehammer to crack a nut.” – Kirstie
“Surveillance can really erode interpersonal trust.” – Pete Fussey
“It’s important to think about the mundanity of surveillance, because it's the boring stuff that will transform our lives.” – Pete Fussey

Support us on Patreon:

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Tickets to Doomsday Watch Live: https://www.tickettext.co.uk/etmejHAuba

Written and presented by Jelena Sofronijevic. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Producers: Jacob Archbold and Alex Rees. Assistant producer: Kasia Tomasiewicz. Audio production by Jade Bailey. Music: Kenny Dickinson. Group editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Take a Chancellor on Me: Unpacking Kwarteng and Truss's Big Gamble

Sat, 01 Oct 2022 03:00:00 -0000

The financial meltdown Truss and Kwarteng have caused has surprised even their greatest detractors. But seriously, just how bad is this? And is there any way to fix it – even if they wanted to? David Blanchflower, former member of the Bank of England’s monetary policy committee, Dartmouth economics professor and author, joins Alex Andreou to discuss the situation.

“Markets prevent clueless amateurs doing stupid things… but nobody trusts you, nobody believes you, electorally it’s a disaster. Who actually supports this stuff?
“I have never seen such abject incompetence in my entire life.”
“We need sensible people back in the room asking, ‘What can we do to rectify the disaster they’ve created?’”

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Tickets to Doomsday Watch Live: https://www.tickettext.co.uk/etmejHAuba

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Stand and Deliver: Speech Lessons for Truss

Fri, 30 Sep 2022 03:00:00 -0000

Speeches can make or break a politician – so, Liz Truss looks like she’s in trouble. What can she do to improve? Jacob Jarvis is joined by Dr. Henriette van der Blom, the founding director of the Network for Oratory and Politics at the University of Birmingham to discuss the art of political speeches and “deliver, deliver, deliver” some advice to the new PM.

“Truss’s inaugural speech was by far her worst.”
“Truss’s speeches have developed, but they haven’t become better.”
“Truss is appropriating Thatcher's image but the public will only believe her if she is seen as genuine.”

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Tickets to Doomsday Watch Live:

https://www.tickettext.co.uk/etmejHAuba

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It’s Meloni at the Top: Who is Italy’s New Right Wing PM?

Thu, 29 Sep 2022 03:00:00 -0000

As Giorgia Meloni’s victory sparks concern across Europe, we discuss what you need to know about Italy’s new PM. How surprising, and worrying, is it that Italy has moved to the right? Alex Andreou is joined by Chiara Albanese, Bloomberg's Rome-based political correspondent, to explore Meloni’s track record and ask what kind of leader she’ll be.

“She is brushing off her fascist roots to appeal to more people.”
“She is woman, but she isn’t a feminist. This isn’t a victory for women.”
“The right are holding power because they are a coalition, but the Italian left is totally fragmented.”

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Tickets to Doomsday Watch Live: https://www.tickettext.co.uk/etmejHAuba

Written and presented by Alex Andreou. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Producers: Jacob Archbold, Jelena Sofronijevic and Alex Rees. Assistant producer: Kasia Tomasiewicz. Audio production by Robin Leeburn. Music: Kenny Dickinson. Group editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Power Hungary: How Viktor Orbán Destroyed a Democracy

Wed, 28 Sep 2022 03:00:00 -0000

How did Viktor Orbán seize total power within Hungary – and what warnings should other nations take from his actions? Doomsday Watch host Arthur Snell is joined by Zsolt Enyedi, professor of political science at the Central European University, to unpack what lessons democracies should take from the Orbán era.

“The public treated the radicalisation of debate as a political gimmick, and now we are seeing the disastrous effects.”
“Orbán is stronger than he was a year ago, and is only getting stronger.”
“Orbán put in an enormous amount of money to change how people inside and outside of Hungary think.”

Support us on Patreon:

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Tickets to Doomsday Watch Live:

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Written and presented by Arthur Snell. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Producers: Jacob Archbold, Jelena Sofronijevic and Alex Rees. Assistant producer: Kasia Tomasiewicz. Audio production by Robin Leeburn. Music: Kenny Dickinson. Group editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Pound Robbin’ – Weekly Edition

Tue, 27 Sep 2022 04:00:00 -0000

The fiscal event of the year has caused the pound to plummet – what, if anything at all, are Truss and Kwarteng thinking? Plus, could Labour have chosen a better time to have their conference with the Tories in turmoil? We discuss Starmer’s vision for a future government. And, we ask what makes a truly great sportsperson after tennis star Federer’s retirement.

"There's no clever strategy behind it. They've just fucked it up." – Tom Peck
“The economics announcement left the pundit gang confused that WE didn’t know what the government was doing, but they had no idea the whole time.” – Tom Peck
“Every Tory leader thinks they’re a Phoenix, but the Tories have been in power for twelve years. It’s like shitting yourself, getting a haircut and blaming it on someone else.” – Ahir Shah
Starmer's problem is that he's facing young people who see radical solutions as the only solution." – Tom Peck

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Tickets to Doomsday Watch Live: https://www.tickettext.co.uk/etmejHAuba

Presented by Jacob Jarvis with Ahir Shah, Justin Quirk and Tom Peck. Producers: Jacob Archbold and Jelena Sofronijevic . Assistant producer Kasia Tomasiewicz. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production by Alex Rees. Lead producer: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. The Bunker is a Podmasters production.

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Death by a Thousand Tax Cuts – Start Your Week with Alex Andreou and Jacob Jarvis

Mon, 26 Sep 2022 08:49:00 -0000

Mini-budget backlash has given Labour plenty of ammunition to use against the Tories as their party conference gets into swing. Just how bad have Kwarteng and Truss’s plans gone down? And what fallout can we expect? Plus, we look at the latest from Russia, as Putin’s draft faces widespread protests. And, we unpack the Italian election results.

“Despite efforts from right-wing client media, market reaction to this budget has been bad.” – Alex Andreou
“The one thing that stimulates growth is faith in the Government, and the markets don’t have it.” – Alex Andreou
“”The Ukrainian army has gained more equipment from Russia in the last week than from the West in the last six months.” – Alex Andreou
“When a vast majority turn against you in an autocracy, you tend to lose your head.” – Alex Andreou

Support us on Patreon:

www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Tickets to Doomsday Watch Live: https://www.tickettext.co.uk/etmejHAuba

Presented by Jacob Jarvis with Alex Andreou. Producers: Jacob Archbold, Jelena Sofronijevic and Alex Rees. Assistant Producer: Kasia Tomasiewicz. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production: Jade Bailey. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Gen Zzz: Why Sleep is Political

Sun, 25 Sep 2022 03:00:00 -0000

Some 75% of adults don’t get the recommended seven to nine hours a night – and one in seven survive on dangerously low levels of sleep. So are we facing a national, or even international, sleep crisis? Lisa L. Lewis and Oxford professor Russell Foster talk to Jelena Sofronijevic about our body clocks, circadian rhythms, and why sleep is revolutionary.

“Sleep is like shoe size. One size does not fit all.” – Professor Russell Foster
“The tired brain remembers the bad experiences, but not the good ones.” – Professor Russell Foster
“Some leaders think sleep is for wimps.” – Professor Russell Foster
“In China, sleep has been politicised. Some people are sleeping on the streets as a form of protest.” – Professor Russell Foster

Support us on Patreon:

https://www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Written and presented by Jelena Sofronijevic. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Producers: Jacob Archbold, Jelena Sofronijevic and Alex Rees. Assistant producer: Kasia Tomasiewicz. Audio production by Alex Rees. Music: Kenny Dickinson. Group editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Life-Time-Science-Revolutionize-Health/dp/0241529301

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Sleep-Deprived-Teen-Teenagers-Parents-Schools/dp/1642507911

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Culture Bunker: Bowie doc Moonage Daydream, author David Keenan… and news for all listeners

Sat, 24 Sep 2022 03:00:00 -0000

Weekend pop culture! Does Bowie mega-documentary Moonage Daydream do the Dame justice? Cult author David Keenan tells us about his astonishing, cryptic novel of occult hippiedom Industry of Magic And Light. And we’ve got big news for all listeners… plus a lot of new music, TV and movies to tide you over the autumn.

“My father was illiterate, but he could tell the most amazing stories. He had such faith in language and told me ‘You need to read, it’ll change your life’.” – David Keenan
“Making a film about Bowie without mentioning his prodigious intake of cocaine is a bit like mentioning Maradona without mentioning the football.” – Andrew Harrison
“Moonage Daydream doesn’t feel like a sellout or a museum piece. It’s designed to feel as real as it felt at the time, not set in amber.” – Sian Pattenden
“You should walk through art into life on the other side.” – David Keenan

Hear all the music on our rolling playlists.

Spotify: https://bit.ly/CultBunk

Tidal: https://tidal.com/browse/playlist/77075591-255c-47eb-9062-815c4dd469ef

Listen to five years of our past incarnation Bigmouth on Apple Podcasts or Spotify – or wherever you get your podcasts.

Our Autumn Almanack:

Jelena:

Alvvays new album ‘Blue Rev’ coming soon.

Los Bitchos on tour.

Triangle Of Sadness movie.

The Story Of Art Without Men book.

Andrew:

Plaid new album Feorm Falorx coming in November.

Star Wars: Andor is streaming on Disney+ now.

As is the mind-blowing Marvel psychedelic epic Legion.

And the spectacular Aussie comedy drama about crime and single dadhood, Mr Inbetween.

Neil Gaiman completes his Miracleman story for Marvel in October.

Siân:

Gilla Band new album ‘Most Normal’ coming on Oct 7 – and lots of it is here.

Movies: Olivia Wilde’s Don’t Worry Darling.

Michael Flatley’s unmissable Blackbird.

Synthgeek documentary A Film About Studio Electrophonique.

And the underrated Atlanta with Donald Glover is on, yes, Disney+.

Presented and produced by Andrew Harrison, Siân Pattenden and Jelena Sofronijevic. Audio production by Alex Rees. Theme music: ‘Bunker Theme (Juntos Mix)’ by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. The Culture Bunker is a Podmasters production.

Thanks for listening.

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Bunker Gold: Buzz Feed – Why Eating Insects Will Save the World

Fri, 23 Sep 2022 12:14:00 -0000

For this week’s Bunker Gold, listen back to Ros eating insects in September 2021… Chances are you haven’t willingly eaten an insect. But two billion people are already bugging out on this sustainable source of protein. Could insects offer the perfect solution for our post-Brexit and pandemic supply chain problems? Entomologist Brian Fisher and Imperial College London’s Dr. Tilly Collins join Ros Taylor to chew on how we can change perceptions about insects in the West, how health clinics are battling for cricket powder, and why Welsh schools are already using mealworm mince in their insect bolognaise….plus Ros and Tilly snack on crickets live in the studio.

“With big animals, we only eat a bit of them. With insects, you eat the whole thing…” – Tilly Collins
“Insects are the glue that holds the world together… If we could introduce the Bacon Bug, everyone would love it.” – Brian Fisher
“Do you eat prawns? Why not eat a woodlouse?” – Tilly Collins

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Presented by Ros Taylor. Produced by Andrew Harrison. Assistant producers: Jelena Sofronijevic and Jacob Archbold. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production by Alex Rees. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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How Energy Wars Are Reshaping the World

Thu, 22 Sep 2022 03:00:00 -0000

Disputes over energy resources have become a key global issue. How is the way we consume oil and gas reshaping politics across the world? Arthur Snell, host of the Doomsday Watch podcast, is joined by Thijs van de Graaf, associate professor of international politics at the Ghent Institute and author of Global Energy Politics to discuss our changing energy sector.

“Oil consumption has peaked in the United States, Japan and Europe, the only way now is down.”
“We have kicked out oil from the power sector, something we have worked towards since the oil shocks of the 1970s.”
“The growth in oil pre-pandemic was petrochemicals and aviation, but now aviation has changed completely.”
“The war has changed everything, Europe is decoupling from Russia – shocks that will be felt for many years.”

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Rental Health Crisis: The Looming Lettings Disaster

Wed, 21 Sep 2022 03:00:00 -0000

Bidding wars, rent caps and queues just to view homes. What is going on with rented housing? Far from being a fringe aspect of housing used by students, it's now used by a significant proportion of our population. Ahir Shah is joined by Pete Apps, deputy editor at Inside Housing and author of forthcoming book Show Me the Bodies, on the Grenfell Tower disaster, to discuss navigating the lettings market.

“We are seeing a supply-demand perfect storm.”
“With house prices rising, most people really are trapped. They have no option but to rent at extortionate rates.”
“The private rental sector isn’t some fringe part of the economy only used by students, it's the main way that many house themselves.”

Support us on Patreon:

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Written and presented by Ahir Shah. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Producers: Jacob Archbold, Jelena Sofronijevic and Alex Rees. Assistant Producer: Kasia Tomasiewicz. Audio production by Jade Bailey. Music: Kenny Dickinson. Group editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Britannia Unbrained – Weekly Edition

Tue, 20 Sep 2022 03:00:00 -0000

Liz Truss has taken her robotic speaking style too far as she trundles around like a Dalek yelling “deregulate, deregulate!” What red tape are she and Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng actually going to cut? Plus, we discuss the Overton Window of protest. Will tighter crackdowns on demonstrators persist as the mourning period ends? And, finally we discuss outdoor brand Patagonia’s owner giving away the company – what’s that all about?

“The focus on growth seems completely mad. We’ve had growth – but that didn’t lead to people being better off.” – Miatta Fahnbulleh
“The public has high expectations but the government is going to experiment with something that has been tried and failed.” – Miatta Fahnbulleh
“They think leaving money sloshing at the top will have a halo effect on the rest of the economy.” – Alex Andreou
“I wouldn’t go as far as saying this is the wrong time, but I’m not saying it is the right time to protest either.” – Alex Andreou

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Presented by Andrew Harrison with Alex Andreou, Gavin Esler and Miatta Fahnbulleh. Producers: Jacob Archbold and Jelena Sofronijevic . Assistant producer Kasia Tomasiewicz. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production by Alex Rees. Lead producer: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. The Bunker is a Podmasters production.

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Never Gonna Give Queue Up – Start Your Week with Arthur Snell and Justin Quirk

Mon, 19 Sep 2022 08:27:00 -0000

Politics restarts as the Queen’s Funeral ends the mourning period. Liz Truss heads off to the UN Summit and Kwasi Kwarteng prepares his banker-fluffing Fiscal Event as the Government tries to reboot itself. Plus, we look at the latest from Ukraine, and the increasing pressure Putin faces for his miscalculations. Justin Quirk talks to Arthur Snell to lay out the days ahead.

“Truss has really struggled to live up to the historical importance of this moment.”
“I think with Kwarteng’s plans there’ll be plenty to criticise, but plenty more to chew over.”
“The Government just hasn’t been doing governing for the last week.”
“The UN agenda is going to be Ukraine, Ukraine, Ukraine.”
“China really doesn’t need the chaotic, pre-Westphalian world that Putin is trying to bring back.”

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Presented by Arthur Snell and Justin Quirk. Producers: Jacob Archbold, Jelena Sofronijevic and Alex Rees. Assistant Producer: Kasia Tomasiewicz. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production: Jade Bailey. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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RoboDoc: Can You Trust AI with Your Health?

Sun, 18 Sep 2022 03:00:00 -0000

Should we welcome artificial intelligence in healthcare – or is it the stuff of dystopian nightmares? Jelena Sofronijevic is joined by James Zou, assistant professor of biomedical data science at Stanford University and David Leslie, director of ethics and responsible innovation research at the Alan Turing Institute, to discuss the potentials of AI and the future of health.

"We're building AI to augment, not replace, doctors." – James Zou
"We need to work hard to create trust in health data sharing." - David Leslie
“Just as like how we as humans are not neutral, algorithms should also not be neutral” - David Leslie

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Culture Bunker: Beatles’ Revolver, 70s singalong pop, Bodies Bodies Bodies, Narco Saints

Sat, 17 Sep 2022 03:00:00 -0000

Weekend pop culture! We discover The Beatles’ new spruced-up ‘Revolver’ with Giles “Son Of George” Martin. Guest Will Hodgkinson of The Times extols the chirpy-chirpy glories of ’70s bubblegum pop from his new book In Perfect Harmony. And we check out A24 gore-fest Bodies Bodies Bodies and Netflix’s latest Korean import, Narco Saints.

“Revolver is a punk record. The Beatles played hard.” – Giles Martin
“Try writing a song as catchy as ‘Chirpy Chirpy, Cheep Cheep’ – it’s not easy.” – Will Hodgkinson
“When you listen to ‘Revolver’ you can hear the past, present and future of music.” – Siân Pattenden

Hear all the music on our rolling playlists.

Spotify: https://bit.ly/CultBunk

Tidal: https://tidal.com/browse/playlist/77075591-255c-47eb-9062-815c4dd469ef

Presented and produced by Siân Pattenden and Alex Andreou. Audio production by Alex Rees. Theme music: ‘Bunker Theme (Juntos Mix)’ by Kenny Dickinson. Co-produced by Jelena Sofronijevic. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. The Culture Bunker is a Podmasters production.

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Crown Duels: Anthony Seldon on Charles's Daunting Future

Fri, 16 Sep 2022 03:00:00 -0000

With a new monarch and PM, Britain faces stark change. How will these incoming figureheads handle this? What will this mean for the future of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth? Historian Sir Anthony Seldon joins author and former BBC journalist Gavin Esler to discuss the turmoil we face.

“The United Kingdom is actually a relatively new concept.”
“The Monarchy, unlike Prime Ministers, embodies continuity.”
“If the call comes to become a republic, it will be hard for Australia to resist it.”
“The United Kingdom is actually a relatively new concept.” “We’ve lost a huge force which was holding the UK together.”
“We’ve almost forgotten there’s a new prime minister, in the wall-to-wall reporting.”

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Presented by Gavin Esler. Producers: Jacob Archbold, Jelena Sofronijevic and Alex Rees. Assistant Producer: Kasia Tomasiewicz. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production: Alex Rees. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Are Sanctions on Russia Really Working?

Thu, 15 Sep 2022 03:00:00 -0000

Six months into the Ukraine crisis, are western sanctions imposed on Russia really working? Dr Richard Connolly, associate fellow at the Royal United Services Institute, joins Ahir Shah to explain the economic war sparked by Putin’s invasion, the effectiveness of Western sanctions, and why this hidden conflict isn’t going as well as expected.

“Russia is quite happy to sell oil cheaply to friendly countries, not so much the West.”
“The Rouble is strong at the moment, but that doesn’t mean sanctions aren’t working.”
“Russia have been preparing for this, we have not.”
“Russia will get poor, but Europe will be getting a hell of a lot poorer because of the downgrading of energy relations.”
“Regime change is always implicit behind sanctions.”

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Last Orders: The Fate of Pubs with Tom Kerridge

Wed, 14 Sep 2022 11:00:00 -0000

Pubs are a cornerstone of British culture. But with increasing numbers closing, and a long winter ahead, what can we do to save them? Ros Taylor is joined by Michelin star chef and hospitality champion Tom Kerridge to discuss how pubs are under threat and ways they may change in the future.

"Even if pubs look busy, they are working to incredibly tight profit margins."
"As people have become more health conscious, they don't go to pubs during the day – so pubs really need to change."
"The days where pubs open at 12pm, turn on the fruit machines and wait for people to come are gone."

https://www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Written and presented by Ros Taylor. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Producers: Jacob Archbold, Jelena Sofronijevic and Alex Rees. Assistant producer: Kasia Tomasiewicz. Audio production by Robin Leeburn. Music: Kenny Dickinson. Group editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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How the Queen was Forced to Change

Wed, 14 Sep 2022 03:00:00 -0000

Queen Elizabeth II’s reign coincided with huge cultural and social shifts, so how did she respond to these changes? Following the Queen’s death, Ros Taylor is joined by Stephen Bates, former royal correspondent for The Guardian and author of Royalty Inc. Britain's Best-Known Brand to discuss changes seen in the Elizabethen era.

“The Queen had to be persuaded to do things, and then she went along with them.”
“The monarchy is very careful about its resources.”
“There was a huge backlash against the monarchy in the 90s, especially around them not paying tax.”
“The royals want to preserve the succession, so Charles will be a small c conservative king.”

https://www.patreon.com/bunkercast

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Pomp Will Eat Itself – Weekly Edition

Tue, 13 Sep 2022 03:00:00 -0000

Pageantry, pomp and poignancy have flowed in abundance since the Queen's death, while mourning has put democracy on ice. The panel unpacks the nation’s reaction – and tries to decipher what it all really means. Plus, the latest from the Ukraine counter-offensive, as it firmly appears the tide is turning against Russia.

“We rarely knew The Queen’s feelings on anything, a tough act for Charles to follow.” – Arthur Snell
“There has been a lot of self-policing, but as far as I can tell there has been very little McCarthyism around The Queen’s death.” – Marie Le Conte
“Truss’s speech about The Queen was really bad, but I have sympathy for her.” – Marie Le Conte
“Russia has had a terrible war, it’s a war they can’t even admit they’re in.” – Arthur Snell

Presented by Ros Taylor with Arthur Snell, Justin Quirk and Marie Le Conte. Producers: Jacob Archbold and Jelena Sofronijevic . Assistant producer Kasia Tomasiewicz. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production by Alex Rees. Lead producer: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison.

The Bunker is a Podmasters production.

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The Mourning After – Start Your Week with Alex Andreou and Yasmeen Serhan

Mon, 12 Sep 2022 09:03:00 -0000

With the nation in mourning following the death of the Queen, what can we expect to happen in the next few days? A state funeral will be held next week, and hundreds of thousands are due to visit London. Elsewhere, we discuss the situation in Ukraine, and the counter offensive there. Plus, the Met faces scrutiny after the shooting of Chris Kaba by a firearms officer. Alex Andreou and Yasmeen Serhan lay out the week ahead.

“People seemed to be more shocked by how it had hit them, they perhaps weren’t expecting to be as moved as they were.” – Yasmeen Serhan
“It’s exposed quite how emotional the connection is to the monarchy, it’s a bond formed very early from childhood.” – Alex Andreou
“Liz Truss is going to be doing a lot in recent days, but the crises are not going to wait for a period of mourning to pass.” – Yasmeen Serhan
"You don't need to be a monarchist to understand the impact the Queen had." – Yasmeen Serhan

www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Presented by Alex Andreou with Yasmeen Serhan. Producers: Jacob Archbold, Jelena Sofronijevic and Alex Rees. Assistant Producer: Kasia Tomasiewicz. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production: Jade Bailey. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Chancellor Would be a Fine Thing: The Power of No.11

Thu, 08 Sep 2022 03:00:00 -0000

As Kwasi Kwarteng becomes Britain’s latest Chancellor, how much power really lies behind the door of No.11? Howard Davies, chairman of the NatWest Group and author of The Chancellors: Steering the British Economy in Crisis Times, joins Alex Andreou to discuss the influence of previous Chancellors, and the challenges facing Kwarteng as he takes his place at the Treasury.

“The treasury is unique in that it’s the only department not solely focused with spending Government money.”
“A good Chancellor will be prepared to stand up to the Prime Minister.”
“Sunak came into the treasury thinking Brexit was a good idea. That was a problem.”

patreon.com/bunkercast

Written and presented by Alex Andreou. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Producers: Jacob Archbold, Jelena Sofronijevic and Alex Rees. Assistant producer: Kasia Tomasiewicz. Audio production by Alex Rees. Music: Kenny Dickinson. Group editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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How a Novel Poisoned America’s History

Wed, 07 Sep 2022 03:00:00 -0000

American society is in crisis, but can the iconic story Gone with the Wind explain the divisions ripping the US apart today? Professor Sarah Churchwell talks to Arthur Snell about her new book The Wrath to Come, which re-examines the controversial legacy of Margaret Mitchell’s 1936 novel, and what it tells us about American history and culture today.

“Gone with the Wind does reject the idea that war is romantic, that is where it’s more modern.”
“During the insurrection a white supremacist flag was carried in the US Capitol for the first time since the civil war.”
“Anyone outside of the US sees Biden as centre-right. In America he’s painted as a socialist.“
“Democracy in America hasn’t been achieved. It’s something we have to constantly fight for.”

https://www.patreon.com/bunkercast

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Liz-teria Outbreak – Weekly Edition

Tue, 06 Sep 2022 03:00:00 -0000

Stop pinching yourself, this isn’t a bad dream – Liz Truss will be Prime Minister. She’s sworn she’ll deliver – but how? And will she stick to her campaign stances or, unlike her icon Thatcher, will she be for turning? Plus, we look across the pond and assess Biden’s new combative stance. From being set for a midterm wipeout, has the tide turned?

- “Truss has a litany of things she has to deal with in a relatively short period of time.” – Yasmeen Serhan

- “Truss is going to have a very modern work honeymoon – it’ll be one week long.” Yasmeen Serhan

- “People that worked for Theresa May are saying Truss has an awful in-tray.” – Yasmeen Serhan

- “We aren’t in for the most scintillating PMQs over the next two years.” – Justin Quirk

https://www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Presented by Alex Andreou with Ahir Shah, Justin Quirk and Yasmeen Serhan. Producers: Jacob Archbold and Jelena Sofronijevic . Assistant producer Kasia Tomasiewicz. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production by Alex Rees. Lead producer: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. The Bunker is a Podmasters production.

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When Two Become One – Start Your Week with Arthur Snell and Ros Taylor

Mon, 05 Sep 2022 08:33:00 -0000

The Groundhog Day of the Tory leadership race is over and Liz Truss is due to become Prime Minister. Does she truly gasp the size of the task at hand? And is there any hope for competence in her Cabinet? Plus, more strikes and protests are due this week. And we take a look at the latest from the conflict in Ukraine. Arthur Snell lays out the week ahead with Ros Taylor.

“If you could think of the worst time to become Prime Minister, this would be it.” – Arthur Snell
“Even Liz Truss in a terrible economic climate will get a bit of a bounce.” – Arthur Snell
"You’d think she’d want to hit the ground running, instead, she’s just going to hit the ground, as she said.” – Arthur Snell
"Britain has reached that stage on the international arena, where we’re just the guy who’s going through a midlife crisis.” – Arthur Snell
“Liz Truss has said there will be no rationing of energy – that’s fine until we’re having blackouts later in winter.” – Arthur Snell

www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Presented by Ros Taylor with Arthur Snell. Producers: Jacob Archbold, Jelena Sofronijevic and Alex Rees. Assistant Producer: Kasia Tomasiewicz. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production: Jade Bailey. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Requiem for a Slob Clown with James O’Brien

Sun, 04 Sep 2022 03:00:00 -0000

Finally, it’s time to say it… Good riddance, Boris Johnson. With the egomaniac-in-chief due to leave Number 10, Ros Taylor is joined by LBC’s James O’Brien to pick through the wreckage. What will be his legacy? Could things have ever gone differently? Join us for a cathartic farewell to the man who wanted to be king – but failed resoundingly as Prime Minister.

“In terms of personal political performance Johnsonism is very similar to Trumpism. It’s opportunism devoid of conscience.” – James O’Brien
“It’s an absence of shame that I think defines him.” – James O’Brien
"He pursued monuments to his ego – like the Garden Bridge – but these also acted as distractions from his utter failures." – James O'Brien
"Even on his way out of the door, he's detonating explosives that will be felt for a generation to come." – James O'Brien

https://www.patreon.com/bunkercast

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Culture Bunker: Suede guest - plus Lord of the Rings on Amazon, and House of the Dragon

Sat, 03 Sep 2022 03:00:00 -0000

Your pop culture update: We are joined by Brett Anderson and Mat Osman of resurgent rock’n’roll noir institution Suede to discuss their upcoming new album Autofiction, how it feels to return to the delinquent racket of their teenage years, and life as music’s most literate band. Plus we armour up for Amazon’s new adaptation of Lord of the Rings, and the Game of Thrones prequel House of the Dragon, now well into its run on Sky.

“This is our punk record, not a punk record.” - Brett Anderson
“Every few years we have to burn it all down and start again.” - Mat Osman
“I wanted to make the rock record of a 55 year old man. It's not a record about the arrogance of youth, but the vulnerability of being middle aged.” - Brett Anderson
“I'm determined not to become comfortable and irrelevant.” - Brett Anderson
“I experience just as much anxiety as a 50 year old as when I was a teenager. The problems are just different.” - Brett Anderson
“When you're an audience member, you've got a role in the performance.” - Brett Anderson

Hear all the music on our rolling playlists.

Spotify: https://bit.ly/CultBunk

Tidal: https://tidal.com/browse/playlist/77075591-255c-47eb-9062-815c4dd469ef

Presented and produced by Siân Pattenden, Andrew Harrison and Alex Andreou. Audio production by Alex Rees. Theme music: ‘Bunker Theme (Juntos Mix)’ by Kenny Dickinson. Co-produced by Jelena Sofronijevic. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. The Culture Bunker is a Podmasters production.

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Bunker Gold: Is There Life After Power? Tales of the Ex-Leaders

Fri, 02 Sep 2022 12:00:00 -0000

In this week’s Bunker Gold, listen back to an episode from December 2020. BBC Radio producer and author of The Ex-Men: How Our Former Presidents and Prime Ministers are Still Changing the World, Giles Edwards talked to Ros Taylor about what ex-leaders get up to when they leave office. They discussed what happens behind the closed doors of members-only clubs – and how these ex-men (and women) still shape public life without us even knowing.

“You can get more done in fifteen minutes as Prime Minister than fifteen months as a former Prime Minister.”
“Clinton touched something in the Democratic Party soul that Obama didn’t.”

Presented by Ros Taylor. Produced by Andrew Harrison. Assistant producers Jelena Sofronijevic and Jacob Archbold. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production by Alex Rees. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Doom Decade: Why Do the ’70s Still Obsess Us?

Thu, 01 Sep 2022 03:00:00 -0000

The 1970s is frequently referenced as a period of turmoil – and one we must avoid Britain returning to. But is our memory of the decade accurate? And why is it continually referenced by politicians and newspapers? Historian Lawrence Black, co-editor of Reassessing 1970s Britain, joins Jacob Jarvis to discuss why the era is so maligned.

“For better or worse, it was much easier to go on strike in the 1970s.”
“Thatcher won the political battles of the 1970s - but she lost the culture wars.”
“It’s in no political, or popular press interest to change the image of the 1970s.”
“There was a crisis in the political economy, for many the system just wasn’t working – and isn’t today.”

https://www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Written and presented by Jacob Jarvis. Producers: Jacob Archbold and Jelena Sofronijevic. Assistant producer: Kasia Tomasiewicz. Audio production by Jade Bailey. Sting music: Kenny Dickinson. Group editor: Andrew Harrison. Additional sounds and music from Epidemic Sound. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Liz Miserables – Weekly Edition

Wed, 31 Aug 2022 03:00:00 -0000

With Liz Truss set to be crowned Prime Minister – who will be in the backbench Tory cabal keeping her on her toes? What will they pressure her on? Plus, we assess how Boris Johnson and his fellow journalists-turned-politicians have warped the media during his time in office. And ahead of the return to school, we discuss what education changes we’d make. This week’s guest is actress, screenwriter and author Emma Kennedy.

“For somebody who’s said she’s going to stand up to Putin it’s strange Truss is scared of Nick Robinson.” – Emma Kennedy
“The list of Truss’s failures are extensive, I can’t think of anything she has done that has improved my life.” – Gavin Esler
“You can’t balance people who tell the truth with people who lie. The BBC has to take that seriously.” – Gavin Esler

https://www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Written and presented by Justin Quirk with Arthur Snell and Gavin Esler. Producers: Jacob Archbold and Jelena Sofronijevic . Assistant producer Kasia Tomasiewicz. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production by Alex Rees. Lead producer: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. The Bunker is a Podmasters production.

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Heat Nowt to Help Out – Start Your Week with Yasmeen Serhan and Justin Quirk

Tue, 30 Aug 2022 08:52:00 -0000

Energy saving tips roll in ahead of a coming bill tsunami – what cost of living omens await this week? Chancellor Nadhim Zahawi has warned middle earners will struggle with payments, and broke with colleagues by suggesting that people limit their usage. Plus, the latest from Ukraine, amid a counter-offensive in the Kherson region. And, back home, further strikes are due to be held. Justin Quirk and Yasmeen Serhan discuss the week ahead.

"It feels like there hasn’t really been much of a Government the last few weeks.” – Yasmeen Serhan
"You put people in this precarious position where they ask, ‘Am I going to heat my flat or put it towards other groceries?’” – Yasmeen Serhan
“Boris Johnson made a point wanting to stay on, but in that time it hasn’t felt like he’s wanted to lead.” – Yasmeen Serhan
“If you’re going to have a leadership contest this long, you need to have plans in place so government continues.” – Yasmeen Serhan

https://www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Presented by Justin Quirk with Yasmeen Serhan. Producers: Jacob Archbold, Jelena Sofronijevic and Alex Rees. Assistant Producer: Kasia Tomasiewicz. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production: Jade Bailey. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Epic Fail: The Lessons of History's Biggest Blunders

Mon, 29 Aug 2022 03:00:00 -0000

Is failure always bad – or should we look at it as an essential on the path to innovation? Samuel West is the director of the Museum of Failure, which exhibits unsuccessful products and services from across the world. He speaks to Ahir Shah about how accepting when things don’t work out, being brave enough to fail and going through the dustbin of history.

“Most charities are terrified of failing at things - but the paradox is that if they don’t innovate they are probably doing the wrong things.”
“There are thousands of solutions - many of which will fail but we must take risks to answer huge questions.”
“Some CEOs keep projects alive through artificial respiration ,sometimes you need to know when to bail.”

https://www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Written and presented by Andrew Harrison. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Producers: Jacob Archbold and Jelena Sofronijevic. Assistant producer: Kasia Tomasiewicz. Audio production by Jade Bailey. Music: Kenny Dickinson. Group editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Trump vs the FBI

Sun, 28 Aug 2022 03:00:00 -0000

This episode was recorded prior to the Mar-a-Lago search affidavit being released on Friday... The FBI raid on Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort made headlines worldwide. What will the fallout be – legally and politically? Julia Azari, professor of Political Science at Marquette University, joins Justin Quirk to discuss what the raid means for Trump and US politics more widely, and why it has taken so long for the law to catch up with America’s 45th President.

“This has somewhat overshadowed the January 6th hearings.”
“How do we find political peace but also ensure people are equal under the rule of law?”
“Even if Trump is given the Nixon treatment, the debates around Trumpism won’t go away.”
“Even if the Republicans take control of Congress, this won’t go away.”

https://www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Written and presented by Justin Quirk. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Producers: Jacob Archbold and Jelena Sofronijevic. Assistant producer: Kasia Tomasiewicz. Audio production by Jade Bailey Music: Kenny Dickinson. Group editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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War of the Words: Is your phone changing how you think?

Sat, 27 Aug 2022 03:00:00 -0000

Our always-on digital world is changing how we read, which means it’s altering how our minds work. Literary critic Sven Birkerts, author of Changing the Subject: Art and Attention in the Internet Age, tells Andrew Harrison how the act of reading is fundamentally different when the printed word is just part of an ever-changing multiplex – and why the state reading puts you in is more important than the words on the page (or the screen).

“A book used to be an escape, but now the outside world is always insistently present.”
“It’s harder to get inside your own head when there is so much to escape from.”
“Audiobooks are fine but you can’t process a literary sentence at the speed of a voice.”

https://www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Written and presented by Andrew Harrison. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Producers: Jacob Archbold and Jelena Sofronijevic. Assistant producer: Kasia Tomasiewicz. Audio production by Jade Bailey. Music: Kenny Dickinson. Group editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Bunker Gold: Among the Apocalypse Addicts

Fri, 26 Aug 2022 12:00:00 -0000

Listen back to an edition from our archives with The Bunker Gold. This week we’ve chosen an episode from April, 2020.

It’s the end of the world as we know it and… some people are quite into that, it seems. Why are so many people so keen on the end of everything? What do doomsday preppers, alt.right catastrophists and billionaire plutocrat antidemocrats like Peter Thiel have in common? And is the communal response to COVID proving their worst ambitions wrong? We talk to Mark O’Connell – author of book Notes From An Apocalypse: A Personal Journey to the End of the World and Back – about the dark fantasy of the End Times.

https://www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Presented and produced by Andrew Harrison. Assistant producer Jacob Archbold. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production by Alex Rees. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Danger! High Voltage: The Dark Side of Electric Cars

Thu, 25 Aug 2022 03:00:00 -0000

Electric cars have been sold as an answer to green, clean travel. But is the reality that clear-cut? Henry Sanderson, author of Volt Rush: The Winners and Losers in the Race to Go Green, joins Ahir Shah to discuss whether they’re really a climate-friendly solution, resource mining and de-coupling energy reliance from China.

“A lot of green products mask dirty supply chains.” – Henry Sanderson
“China is present at all stages of the supply chains: from mine to processing.” – Henry Sanderson
“With mining resources - nothing comes for free.” – Henry Sanderson
“The DRC is the Saudi Arabia of cobalt – they know they have one chance to get this right.” – Henry Sanderson

https://www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Written and presented by Ahir Shah. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Producers: Jacob Archbold and Jelena Sofronijevic. Assistant producer: Kasia Tomasiewicz. Audio production by Jade Bailey. Music: Kenny Dickinson. Group editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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A Scholz in the Dark: How is Germany’s Chancellor Doing?

Wed, 24 Aug 2022 03:00:00 -0000

After replacing Angela Merkel at the end of last year, how is German Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s tenure going? Alex Andreou discusses the problems he faces with German author and journalist Annette Dittert.

“Scholz has come to power by imitating Merkel, by promising no surprises.”
“Scholz doesn’t seem to be able to make decisions when they need to be done.”
“He is coming from this old school, appeasement policy towards Russia.”
“People are still missing Merkel, Scholz cannot pull the EU together the way she could.”
“In such a time of crisis, there is just not room for populism.”

https://www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Written and presented by Alex Andreou. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Producers: Jacob Archbold and Jelena Sofronijevic. Assistant producer: Kasia Tomasiewicz. Audio production by Alex Rees. Music: Kenny Dickinson. Group editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Blood, Sweat and Sneers – Weekly Edition

Tue, 23 Aug 2022 03:00:00 -0000

All work and no play makes… the basis of Truss’s Thatcherite utopia. We unpack the likely PM-to-be’s “graft” remarks. Plus, six months since the invasion of Ukraine, how is the conflict shaping up? And, with the end of the £10 flight inbound, award-winning transport journalist John Walton joins us to discuss the future of the aviation industry.

“On Brexit, Truss will always be the great political half-and-half scarf.” – Tom Peck
“It doesn’t really matter what Truss believes in, because the main thing she believes in is herself.” – Tom Peck
“The dystopian leadership contest nightmare has been so bad that voters might even remember it in two years!” – Tom Peck

https://www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Written and presented by Justin Quirk with Arthur Snell, Marie Le Conte and Tom Peck. Producers: Jacob Archbold and Jelena Sofronijevic . Assistant producer Kasia Tomasiewicz. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production by Alex Rees. Lead producer: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. The Bunker is a Podmasters production.

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Murder in Moscow – Start Your Week with Gavin Esler

Mon, 22 Aug 2022 08:39:00 -0000

How will Russia react after the car bomb killing of a key Putin ally’s daughter? Is Ukraine set for intensified attacks, despite denying involvement? Plus, sewage spewed across beaches dirties the Government’s record further as the Tory leadership contest dribbles on. Is it too late for them to clean up their act and the country – even slightly? Gavin Esler lays out the week ahead with Andrew Harrison.

"Just because you don't want to sound like Russian state media, doesn't mean there aren't conspiracies involved."
"You could do a decline of man cartoon from David Cameron to Boris Johnson."
"It's Armando Iannucci I feel sorry for. How do you satirise this lot?"
“The Conservatives seem to be keen on finding someone they think is even worse than Boris Johnson.”

www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Presented by Andrew Harrison with Gavin Esler. Producers: Jacob Archbold, Jelena Sofronijevic and Alex Rees. Assistant Producer: Kasia Tomasiewicz. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production: Jade Bailey. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Why We Can’t Help Falling in Love

Sun, 21 Aug 2022 03:00:00 -0000

Apparently, all you need is love – but why? What makes it fundamental to our survival, and why doesn’t heartbreak put us off it? Jacob Jarvis speaks to Dr. Anna Machin, an evolutionary anthropologist and author of Why We Love: The New Science Behind Our Closest Relationships.

“The reason we crave love is that it fulfils a fundamental survival need which is to meet other people.”
“Humans are the most cooperative species on the planet. That’s the basis of love.”
“To love at the cost of somebody else, while damaging for them, doesn’t harm you.”
“In the first weeks of a relationship, your brain can’t notice a bad partner. Love is blind.”
“There has to be an unpredictable nature to keep us on our toes.”

https://www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Written and presented by Jacob Jarvis. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Producers: Jacob Archbold and Jelena Sofronijevic. Assistant producer: Kasia Tomasiewicz. Audio production by Alex Rees. Music: Kenny Dickinson. Group editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Culture Bunker: Oscar-winner Bret McKenzie of Flight of the Conchords, Hot Chip’s new album, plus Bolton’s Black Mirror, Red Rose on TV

Sat, 20 Aug 2022 03:00:00 -0000

Your pop culture update: We are joined by the rhyme-nocerous himself, one half of Flight of the Conchords, Bret McKenzie! New Zealand’s finest joins us to talk about making music with the Muppets and the Simpsons, and his debut solo album 'Songs Without Jokes'. Justin Quirk joins to chew on Hot Chip’s new album, FREAKOUT/RELEASE and Bolton’s answer to Black Mirror, Red Rose, out now on BBC Three.

“I like the juxtaposition between sweet melodies, and saying the world is screwed.” - Bret McKenzie
“Winning the Academy Award was the one night that Hollywood felt glamorous and not depressing.” - Bret McKenzie
“FOTC was a student film production that just ended up on HBO.” - Bret McKenzie
“The Simpsons is almost the fabric of television.” - Bret McKenzie
“There’s always something about Hot Chip that feels a bit like an academic exercise to me.” – Justin Quirk
“Red Rose captured the duality between our lives online and our lives offline.” - Bret McKenzie

Hear all the music on our rolling playlists.

Spotify: https://bit.ly/CultBunk

Tidal: https://tidal.com/browse/playlist/77075591-255c-47eb-9062-815c4dd469ef

Presented and produced by Jelena Sofronijevic and Siân Pattenden. Audio production by Alex Rees. Theme music: ‘Bunker Theme (Juntos Mix)’ by Kenny Dickinson. Co-produced by Jelena Sofronijevic. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. The Culture Bunker is a Podmasters production.

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Bunker Gold: Despatch From Kabul

Fri, 19 Aug 2022 12:00:00 -0000

In this week’s Bunker Gold, listen back to Arthur Snell’s discussion with one of his contacts in Afghanistan in the aftermath of Kabul’s fall in August 2021. Originally released a year ago today, the pair discussed what the situation was like after the Taliban’s astonishingly swift takeover–while the person, who we chose not to identify, was in hiding.

https://www.patreon.com/bunkercast

“Kabul has been left without anything.”
“Everything is closed down. You would think it is the Stone Age in Kabul. You wouldn't have seen this a week ago.”
“This was a win-win for Russia.”
“The Taliban have made fake promises to the international community. Of course they have not changed.”

Presented by Arthur Snell. Produced by Andrew Harrison. Assistant producers: Jacob Archbold and Jelena Sofronijevic. Audio production by Alex Rees. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Greensill: The Scandal that Exposed a PM's Greed

Thu, 18 Aug 2022 03:00:00 -0000

When Greensill Capital collapsed it brought down a multi-billion dollar empire and exposed David Cameron's greed. Alex Andreou talks to financial journalist Duncan Mavin about the failed project, which is covered in his new book The Pyramid of Lies.

Complete our listener survey for a chance to win a Bunker t-shirt: https://bit.ly/3zFSySB

“Lex Greensill was very good at understanding what motivated politicians.”
“Greensill Capital was trying to be disruptive.”
“David Cameron brought huge credibility to Greensill Capital.”

https://www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Written and presented by Alex Andreou. Producer: Jacob Archbold. Assistant producer: Kasia Tomasiewicz. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production by Robin Leeburn. Lead producer: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. The Bunker is a Podmasters production.

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Inside Europe's Next Flashpoint

Wed, 17 Aug 2022 03:00:00 -0000

As tensions between ethnic Serbs and Albanians rise in Kosovo – how will this situation develop? With fears over an escalating conflict in the Balkans, journalist Una Hajdari joins Jelena Sofronijevic to discuss the latest.

"Poisonous nationalist rhetoric is being spread by political leaders in Serbia, Croatia, and Kosovo."
"Putin is Serbia's ally, but he's accidentally advocating for Kosovo."
"Comparing past events to ethnic cleansing now leads to deadly incidents."
“Rhetoric can lead to isolated but deadly incidents.”
“Any time you hear a leader talking about expanding a country’s territory outside of its borders, you know that’s bad news.”

https://www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Written and presented by Jelena Sofronijevic. Producer: Jacob Archbold. Assistant producer: Kasia Tomasiewicz. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production by Jade Bailey. Lead producer: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. The Bunker is a Podmasters production.

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Satanic Reverses: The Rushdie Attack – Weekly Edition

Tue, 16 Aug 2022 03:00:00 -0000

The murder attempt on Salman Rushdie continues to reverberate. What does it mean for tensions with Iran – and for free speech? Plus, the economy’s in the toilet and the Prime Minister’s on a Greek beach. Will anyone get a grip of the cost of living crisis? And if TikTok becomes the dominant social media platform, how do we feel about China owning the arena of political debate? Our special guest is Helena Wadia of the Mediastorm podcast.

Complete our listener survey for a chance to win a Bunker t-shirt: https://bit.ly/3zFSySB

“Iran’s capacity to stir up trouble remains. Even if they’re not responsible for this attack, they set the tone.” – Gavin Esler
“We usually equate emergency with urgency. Somehow that message didn’t get through.” – Helena Wadia
“The energy crisis feels like the straw that broke the camel’s back… A big shift has to come because the alternative is unthinkable.” – Ahir Shah
“Rushdie has a very wicked sense of humour. And some people, especially the very religious, don’t get the joke.” – Gavin Esler
“Didn’t Dominic Raab already prove that you can’t do your job from the beach? When Kabul fell?” – Ahir Shah

https://www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Written and presented by Justin Quirk with Ahir Shah and Gavin Esler. Producers: Jacob Archbold and Jelena Sofronijevic . Assistant producer Kasia Tomasiewicz. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production by Alex Rees. Lead producer: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. The Bunker is a Podmasters production.

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Big Bill Energy – Start Your Week with Alex Andreou and Justin Quirk

Mon, 15 Aug 2022 08:50:00 -0000

Coming up in the next seven days: The attack on Salman Rushdie continues to reverberate. Will Keir Starmer’s plan to freeze the energy cap burst Truss and Sunak’s tax-cuts bubble? And Trump’s worries mount as more details emerge of what the FBI found in Mar-a-Lago. Alex Andreou looks at the next seven days with Justin Quirk.

Complete our listener survey for a chance to win a Bunker t-shirt: https://bit.ly/3zFSySB

“Sunak just needed to sit back and let Truss reveal herself for the idiot she is – but he blew it spectacularly.”
“When it comes to Trump zealots, you’re not dealing with logic but religious fervour.”
“It’s getting harder and harder for the government to call these strikers communist loons.”

https://www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Written and presented by Alex Andreou and Justin Quirk. Producers: Jacob Archbold and Jelena Sofronijevic. Assistant producer: Kasia Tomasiewicz. Audio production by Jade Bailey. Music: Kenny Dickinson. Lead producer: Jacob Archbold. Group editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Split the Difference: India’s Partition Explained with Ahir Shah and Eshaan Akbar

Sun, 14 Aug 2022 03:00:00 -0000

It’s 75 years since British India was split in two, but what does Partition mean today? Signalling the end of British colonial rule in the subcontinent, and leaving thousands dead and millions displaced – why are we not taught about it in schools? Ahir Shah discusses family histories and second generation identity with fellow British-Asian comedian Eshaan Akbar.

Complete our listener survey for a chance to win a Bunker t-shirt: https://bit.ly/3zFSySB

“All you are taught at school is: Henry VIII was a bit of a legend, then World War Two.” – Ahir Shah
“Wounds created in 1947 remained open and festering for decades.” – Ahir Shah
“You have these two senses of us in your head - I can’t believe WE did this to US.” – Ahir Shah

https://www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Presented by Ahir Shah. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Producers: Jacob Archbold, Jelena Sofronijevic and Alex Rees. Assistant Producer: Kasia Tomasiewicz. Music by Jade Bailey. Audio production by Jade Bailey The Bunker is a Podmasters Production.

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Culture Bunker: Sandman, Woodstock ’99, Danger Mouse’s hip hop classic

Sat, 13 Aug 2022 03:00:00 -0000

Your pop culture update: Does Netflix smash The Sandman only make sense if you’re a comics geek? Super-producer Danger Mouse’s return to hip hop leaves our panel “totally blown away.” And why does Trainwreck: Woodstock ’99 leave such a nasty taste in the mouth? Music business writer Eamonn Forde joins Alex and Andrew.

Complete our listener survey for a chance to win a Bunker t-shirt: https://bit.ly/3zFSySB

“Tom Sturridge as Dream has an incredibly striking look, like a terribly deprived version of Bernard from Black Books…” – Eamonn Forde
“Sandman puts a bunch of myths in a bag and shakes them.” – Alex Andreou
“This is a fantastic album… Danger Mouse has done Pop 101 for hip hop and just written bangers.” – Eamonn Forde

Get yer free opera classics: https://www.mariacallasmuseum.org/_cetra/cetra.htm

Hear all the music on our rolling playlists.

Spotify: https://bit.ly/CultBunk

Tidal: https://tidal.com/browse/playlist/77075591-255c-47eb-9062-815c4dd469ef

Presented and produced by Andrew Harrison and Alex Andreou. Audio production by Alex Rees. Theme music: ‘Bunker Theme (Juntos Mix)’ by Kenny Dickinson. Co-produced by Jelena Sofronijevic. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. The Culture Bunker is a Podmasters production.

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Bunker Gold: Donald Trump – The Final Word with Mary Trump

Fri, 12 Aug 2022 12:00:00 -0000

In this week’s Bunker Gold, listen back to Jude Rogers in conversation with Donald Trump’s niece, Mary Trump, from January 2021.

On the last day of Trump’s warped presidency, his niece Mary – psychologist and author of Too Much And Never Enough: How My Family Created The World’s Most Dangerous Man – reflected on the making of a man who impressed his psychopathologies on a nation. How does a person get like this? What is it like when a family member places the entire world in peril? And could a defeated Trump represent an even worse danger to American democracy?

“For the first time in his life he can’t spin a loss into a win. And it’s driving him crazy.”
“At a very deep level, Donald knows he’s never been truly successful and has no skills.”
“When Donald was elected I knew he would do to my country what he and his father had done to my family.”
“What shocks me is that there are people on this planet who are weaker than Donald. I didn’t think that was possible”
“In the election, if he was going down, he would try to take the rest of us with him. And that’s exactly what he did.”
“Failure to live up Fred Trump’s demands got you destroyed. And that’s what happened to my dad.”
“If the cameras disappear, Donald ceases to exist.”

https://www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Complete our listener survey for a chance to win a Bunker t-shirt: https://bit.ly/3zFSySB

Presented by Jude Rogers. Produced by Andrew Harrison. Assistant producers Jacob Archbold and Jelena Sofronijevic. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production by Alex Rees. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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British Fail: How to Fix Our Broken Train System

Thu, 11 Aug 2022 03:00:00 -0000

With workers on strike and services cancelled, why are Britain’s railways such a mess? And how can they be fixed? Tom Haines-Doran, research fellow at Leeds University and author of Derailed: How to Fix Britain’s Broken Railways, joins Ros Taylor to discuss the problems with the UK’s train system, and what needs to happen for our railways to get back on track.

“Once a new Prime Minister is in place we could see a lot more strike action take place.”
“The Government has deliberately shifted the cost of running the railways onto passengers.”
“It’s extraordinary the Government would put up prices 13% after a year of turmoil on the railways.”
“Railway workers really do have some power.”

https://www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Complete our listener survey for a chance to win a Bunker t-shirt: https://bit.ly/3zFSySB

Written and presented by Ros Taylor. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Producers: Jacob Archbold and Jelena Sofronijevic. Assistant producer: Kasia Tomasiewicz. Audio production by Robin Leeburn. Music: Kenny Dickinson. Group editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production. Additional sound effects from www.zapsplat.com and AlienXXX via Freesound.org

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Why China Wants to Crush Taiwan

Wed, 10 Aug 2022 03:00:00 -0000

Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan last week has ignited tensions around the island, but why does China want to crush Taiwan? Cindy Yu, host of the Chinese Whispers podcast, joins Alex Andreou to explain the status of Taiwan, why Pelosi’s visit has angered Beijing, and how the situation could develop in the months ahead.

“If Taiwan declared independence they would incur the wrath of Beijing.”
“The national security law has made a peaceful reunification with Taiwan almost impossible.”
“If the West doesn’t want to get into a decoupling situation with China, it needs to be strong on Russia.”
“Xi has made it part of his legacy to reunite China with Taiwan.”

https://www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Complete our listener survey for a chance to win a Bunker t-shirt: https://bit.ly/3zFSySB

Written and presented by Alex Andreou. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Producers: Jacob Archbold and Jelena Sofronijevic. Assistant producer: Kasia Tomasiewicz. Audio production by Robin Leeburn. Music: Kenny Dickinson. Group editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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It Ain’t Easy Being Green – Weekly Edition

Tue, 09 Aug 2022 03:00:00 -0000

As Sunak and Truss argue over cutting taxes, what about emissions? Madeleine Cuff, i’s environment correspondent joins us to pick apart the pair’s climate credentials. Do they have any? Plus, healthcare commentator Roy Lilley takes us through what you need to know about the state of the NHS staffing crisis. And, as spiders are reanimated in an experiment akin to a David Cronenberg movie, we ask… why?

"The NHS has the biggest carbon footprint of any institution in Europe." - Roy Lilley

"15% of the UK population takes 70% of its flights." - Madeleine Cuff

“We should frame environmentalism as the militant wing of the National Trust” - Justin Quirk

"Truss and Sunak's campaigns are simply fantasy island economics." - Justin Quirk

"It’s really macabre. Some of the language around the utility of the spiders is quite stomach churning. They say they can get about a thousand 'repetitions' out of the carcass." - Madeleine Cuff

Complete our listener survey for a chance to win a Bunker t-shirt: https://bit.ly/3zFSySB

https://www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Written and presented by Andrew Harrison with Arthur Snell and Justin Quirk. Producers: Jacob Archbold and Jelena Sofronijevic . Assistant producer Kasia Tomasiewicz. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production by Alex Rees. Lead producer: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. The Bunker is a Podmasters production

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Save Tunbridge Wells! – Start Your Week with Alex Andreou and Jacob Jarvis

Mon, 08 Aug 2022 09:03:00 -0000

As the cost of living crisis bites, will this week’s Truss U-Turn be “handouts” or an emergency budget? Can the Mail nobble the Privileges Committee before it nobbles Johnson? Tensions rise over Taiwan and the Russians are shelling nuclear plants in Ukraine. Just another week, then… Alex Andreou looks at the next seven days with Jacob Jarvis.

Complete our listener survey for a chance to win a Bunker t-shirt: https://bit.ly/3zFSySB

“The Government has checked out – not just the ministers but civil servants too… Most departments are on skeleton staff.”
“Their whole goal is to pretend that this is a brand new Government – and that’s hard to do if your first months are consumed with the Partygate probe.”

https://www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Written and presented by Jacob Jarvis and Alex Andreou. Producers: Jacob Archbold and Jelena Sofronijevic. Assistant producer: Kasia Tomasiewicz. Audio production by Jade Bailey. Music: Kenny Dickinson. Lead producer: Jacob Archbold. Group editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Holidays of the Future: Where You’ll Visit in 2035

Sun, 07 Aug 2022 03:00:00 -0000

Come 2035, what will a trip away look like? Where will we visit when the planet is undergoing increasingly violent change? Siân Pattenden speaks with Tom Hall, vice president at Lonely Planet, about where our travel plans are headed.

Complete our listener survey for a chance to win a Bunker t-shirt: https://bit.ly/3zFSySB

“Maybe the job of travel writers is different to what it was in the past. We need to have a range of voices.”
“People need different experiences and exposure to as many perspectives as they can.”
“I’m less convinced that the traditional idea of what a holiday is is what people need.”
“The enthusiasm for travel that doesn’t prick your conscience is really strong.”

https://www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Complete our listener survey for a chance to win a Bunker t-shirt: https://bit.ly/3zFSySB

Presented by Siân Pattenden. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Producers: Jacob Archbold, Jelena Sofronijevic and Alex Rees. Assistant Producer: Kasia Tomasiewicz. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production by Robin Leeburn. The Bunker is a Podmasters Production.

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Culture Bunker: Bullet Train, guest Clare Grogan of Altered Images, Predator prequel Prey

Sat, 06 Aug 2022 03:00:00 -0000

Your pop culture update: “Quentin Tarantino meets Agatha Christie” in Brad Pitt action comedy Bullet Train. Icon of the 80s Clare Grogan joins us for the first Altered Images album in 39 years, Mascara Streakz. And movie monster the Predator goes up against Native Americans in hyperkinetic prequel Prey, out now on Disney+. DJ and journalist Anthony Teasdale completes the panel.

Hear all the music on our rolling playlists.

Spotify: https://bit.ly/CultBunk

Tidal: https://tidal.com/browse/playlist/77075591-255c-47eb-9062-815c4dd469ef

Complete our listener survey for a chance to win a Bunker t-shirt: https://bit.ly/3zFSySB

“Turns out that the 80s revival has lasted longer than the 80s themselves…” – Clare Grogan
“Bullet Train’s great fun… but the problem is, it’s got a never-ending ending.” – Anthony Teasdale
“I kept an emergency copy of Hong Kong Garden in my handbag… What do you mean you haven’t heard it? Play it now!” - Clare Grogan

Presented and produced by Andrew Harrison and Siân Pattenden. Audio production by Alex Rees. Theme music: ‘Bunker Theme (Juntos Mix)’ by Kenny Dickinson. Co-produced by Jelena Sofronijevic. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. The Culture Bunker is a Podmasters production.

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Bunker Gold: The Last Supper – Is this the end for restaurants?

Fri, 05 Aug 2022 12:00:00 -0000

Listen back to an archive Bunker from Jan 2022. London’s restaurants are now closing at nearly the double the normal rate as rising VAT, rent, and energy costs add to the weight of COVID, post-Brexit labour issues and supply chain shortages. Corey Mintz, author of The Next Supper, and Eater London’s Adam Coghlan joined Jelena Sofronijevic to chew on why haute cuisine is cooling off, whether takeaway food is really so democratic…and if COVID has called time on the all-you-can-eat buffet.

Complete our listener survey for a chance to win a Bunker t-shirt: https://bit.ly/3zFSySB

“Restaurants were told to diversify and prepare themselves for the rise of takeaways. But they didn't until the pandemic.” - Corey Mintz
“The major delivery companies in the UK are neither economically nor environmentally sustainable.” - Corey Mintz
“Today I discovered, ordered, and ate the food from a new restaurant within 30 minutes. Once you've tasted that, you can't go back.” - Adam Coghlan
“If you hired an architect to build a restaurant today, they'd ask you where you'd like the Instagram wall.” - Corey Mintz
“The £6k given to restaurants which closed over Christmas was mere chicken feed.” - Adam Coghlan

https://www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Presented and produced by Jelena Sofronijevic. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production by Alex Rees. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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State of the Unions: Are they rediscovering their power?

Thu, 04 Aug 2022 03:00:00 -0000

With strike action in Britain set to intensify over the coming months, what is the state of our trade unions? Can they really force the Government’s hand over the cost of living crisis? Jane Holgate, Employment Relations professor at the University of Leeds, joins Alex Andreou to unpack what unions want, who supports them, and the challenges they face.

Complete our listener survey for a chance to win a Bunker t-shirt: https://bit.ly/3zFSySB

“Trade unionism is all about the imbalance of power in the employment relationship.”
“The Government is involved whether it likes it or not.”
“Google searches for trade union membership have increased dramatically.”
“Thatcher came to power with the purpose of curbing union power, voted in by millions from the working class.”
“Given the huge profits companies are making, what workers are asking for isn’t unreasonable.”
“If Labour wants to be the party of the working class then it must reflect their interests.”
“If you annoy workers enough then you’ll see productivity fall.”

https://www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Presented by Alex Andreou. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Producers: Jacob Archbold, Jelena Sofronijevic and Alex Rees. Assistant Producer: Kasia Tomasiewicz. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production by Jade Bailey. The Bunker is a Podmasters Production.

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Inside the Coming Inflation Crisis with Minouche Shafik

Wed, 03 Aug 2022 03:00:00 -0000

Thatcher famously proclaimed that inflation is the parent of unemployment. But as shop prices soar, energy bills rocket, and interest rates rise, we’ve all become more aware of the everyday impacts of inflation. So how unique is the crisis we face now? Director of the LSE and former vice-president of the World Bank Baroness Minouche Shafik joins Ros Taylor to unpack inflation.

Complete our listener survey for a chance to win a Bunker t-shirt: https://bit.ly/3zFSySB

“COVID has caused upward inflation because of how it has affected global supply chains.”
“The Bank of England can only control the demand, not supply, side of the economy.”
“To get inflation under control, you have to have a period of restraint.”
“Inflation is a regressive tax on the population that hurts the poor most.”
“There's more room to grow in encouraging women in work.”
“Rich countries spend 10% of their income on food. Poorer countries spend as much as 75%.”
“The last time we had an economic crisis, we saw mass unrest.”
“The term recession is used very loosely. But regardless, we have a difficult year ahead.”

https://www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Written and presented by Ros Taylor. Producers: Jacob Archbold, Jelena Sofronijevic and Alex Rees. Assistant Producer: Kasia Tomasiewicz. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production: Robin Leeburn. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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The Beautiful Game-Changer

Tue, 02 Aug 2022 03:00:00 -0000

The Lionesses’ victory in the Euros inspires a generation of girls. Can it transform football… and society? Meanwhile Sunak flails to out-loon Truss. With popular culture pulling in one direction and a regressive Tory gerontocracy pulling in another, is there any space for a unifying national story any more? Historian Alex von Tunzelmann – author of Fallen Idols: Twelve Statues That Changed History – is our special guest.

Complete our listener survey for a chance to win a Bunker t-shirt: https://bit.ly/3zFSySB

“The Labour Party loves nothing more than hating the Labour Party… A fight between left and right has to happen every new moon.” – Marie le Conte
“No wonder Truss and Sunak are promising anything and everything. They are dealing with a membership of Home Counties mad bastards with an average age of ‘ghost’.” – Ahir Shah
“If you want to sort the two halves of Britain easily, just ask the question ‘Would you bring back hanging?’” – Alex von Tunzelmann
“Anyone who spends 24 hours in France while not being white will know that no, France is not better at decolonising than Britain…” – Marie le Conte

https://www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Written and presented by Ros Taylor with Marie le Conte and Ahir Shah. Producers: Jacob Archbold and Jelena Sofronijevic . Assistant producer Kasia Tomasiewicz. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production by Alex Rees. Lead producer: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. The Bunker is a Podmasters production.

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The Lionesses’ Roar Power – Start Your Week with Gavin Esler

Mon, 01 Aug 2022 09:05:00 -0000

Reset the Years of Hurt Clock… England’s women bring football home at last. Have the Lionesses changed football forever? Meanwhile Rishi Sunak goes down in the most craven manner possible, Johnson aims to pack the Lords with cronies, and everything’s on fire. But never mind! The football! The football! Gavin Esler puts aside his Scottishness for a moment to revel in the pure joy of an historic victory with Andrew Harrison.

Complete our listener survey for a chance to win a Bunker t-shirt: https://bit.ly/3zFSySB

“As someone who is male, Scottish, and a bit jaded about football, the final restored my faith in the Beautiful Game.”
"Maybe male spectators will learn that booing the other teams’ national anthem isn’t a good look."
“The scandal is that we allowed Boris Johnson to happen… he is taking advantage of a system full of weaknesses.”
“There’s no such thing as Conservative values any more. They’re just what you say to make headlines.”
“The lasting legacy of the Johnson years is that you can say anything because no one believes that you mean it.”

Presented by Andrew Harrison. Producers Jelena Sofronijevic and Jacob Archbold. Assistant producer Kasia Tomasiewicz. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production by Alex Rees. Group Editor Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Ep. 666: The Devil You Don’t Know

Sun, 31 Jul 2022 03:00:00 -0000

On episode 666 of The Bunker, we’re talking all things Satan. Where does our idea of the Devil come from? And why are we so obsessed with him? Jelena Sofronijevic talks to Erin Cülff of the Myth Monsters podcast and Dr. Michael David Barbezat, a research fellow at Australia Catholic University, to explore Satan in pop culture, from the snake in the Garden of Eden, via Dante’s Inferno and heavy metal, to a modern gay icon.

“Villains are always easy to work with in storytelling.” – Michael David Barbezat
“You see the Devil as an anti-hero in a lot of the stories we tell.” – Michael David Barbezat
“I think everyone likes a bad boy.” – Erin Culff
“Some of the business we see with devils and demons is also reinvention.” - Michael David Barbezat
“The Devil has been drafted to serve many functions of social control." - Michael David Barbezat
"Angels are hes, Demons are shes." - Michael David Barbezat

https://www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Written and presented by Jelena Sofronijevic. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Producers: Jacob Archbold and Jelena Sofronijevic. Assistant Producer: Kasia Tomasiewicz. Audio production by Alex Rees. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Culture Bunker: Beyoncé returns. Is Paper Girls the new Stranger Things? And ’80s news-talgia on BBC2

Sat, 30 Jul 2022 03:00:00 -0000

Your pop culture fix: Will Renaissance be a rebirth for Beyoncé? Amazon’s small-town sci-fi mystery Paper Girls, adapted from the cult comic – can it out-strange Stranger Things? And superior newsroom drama in The Newsreader, on BBC2 and iPlayer now. Telegraph TV critic Michael Hogan is our special guest.

Hear all the music on our rolling playlists.

Spotify: https://bit.ly/CultBunk

Tidal: https://tidal.com/browse/playlist/77075591-255c-47eb-9062-815c4dd469ef

“Beyonce records get freighted with sociopolitical weight, yet she's shrugged that off for a fantastic pop record.” - Michael Hogan
“Paper Girls has out-strangered Stranger Things.” - Sian Pattenden
“The Newsreader isn’t empty nostalgia. This is, Who remembers when work was like this, and it was awful?” - Andrew Harrison

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Bunker Gold: Harsh Reality – How TV Shaped Modern Britain

Fri, 29 Jul 2022 12:00:00 -0000

Listen back to an edition from our archives with The Bunker Gold. This week, after Tory leadership hopefuls Rishi Sunak and Liz Truss went head-to-head in fiery TV debates, we’ve chosen an episode from December 2021, Harsh Reality – How TV Shaped Modern Britain.

We treat TV as the most disposable art form – but for decades it has shaped our world more than we know. From Big Brother to Shameless to Little Britain and Benefit Street, television chose the winners and losers of consumer capitalism, made it OK to sneer at the underclass, and then allowed that underclass a token comeback or two. Author Phil Harrison explores television’s innate cruelty, class dynamics and political subtext in The Age Of Static: How TV Explains Modern Britain. Has TV made our politics worse? And should it just give up on live political interviews altogether?

“A show called Britain’s Hardest Worker pitted benefit claimants against one another. You wouldn’t have written that in a dystopian fantasy.”
“Maybe the BBC needs to be in that permanent state of conflict or it’s not doing its job of challenging what we think.”
“When Mentorn took over Question Time they promised ‘adrenaline-fuelled Thursday nights’. Is that the purpose of a serious news show?”
“Nadine Dorries as a kamikaze Culture Secretary scares the hell out of me.”

Written and presented by Justin Quirk. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Producers: Jelena Sofronijevic and Jacob Archbold. Audio production by Robin Leeburn. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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High and Fighty: The Return of Football Hooliganism

Thu, 28 Jul 2022 03:00:00 -0000

English football might be doing well on the pitch, but are we seeing the return of hooliganism off it? Since lockdown eased, there’s been a spate of incidents we thought had been left in the 1980s, so what’s going wrong in football at the moment? Professor Geoff Pearson of the University of Manchester joins Justin Quirk to discuss football’s crowd trouble problem, and what can be done about it.

“These are fans who’ve been in lockdown, hitting it a bit harder now they can go to football again.”
“The disorder seen at the Euros final was a perfect storm.”
“Ultimately, good policing is one of the main pillars behind managing football crowds successfully.”
“For the first time the Government is looking at the whole legislative framework around football. It would be nice to see an overhaul.”

https://www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Presented by Justin Quirk. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Producers: Jacob Archbold, Jelena Sofronijevic and Alex Rees. Assistant Producer: Kasia Tomasiewicz. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production by Alex Rees. The Bunker is a Podmasters Production.

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Covid is Here Forever. What Does That Mean?

Wed, 27 Jul 2022 03:00:00 -0000

With Covid cases on the rise in Britain, how worried should we be about its resurgence? Tom Chivers, science writer for the i, joins Ros Taylor to discuss the latest uptick in coronavirus cases, what we know about the new variants and the role Covid could play in our lives in the years ahead.

“Vaccines are significant when protecting against severe disease, but not reinfection.”
“The virus doesn’t have to change very much to avoid your antibody immunity.”
“We’ll still get the virus periodically, but our body will become better at fighting it off.”
“We’ve only had two winters of covid so far, by 2030 it may well become part of the normal cycle.”

https://www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Presented by Ros Taylor. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Producers: Jacob Archbold, Jelena Sofronijevic and Alex Rees. Assistant Producer: Kasia Tomasiewicz. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production by Alex Rees. The Bunker is a Podmasters Production.

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I Married a Tax Murderer – Weekly Edition

Tue, 26 Jul 2022 03:00:00 -0000

As Truss and Sunak set out their economic plans, we discuss the viability of ‘Trussonomics’ and ‘Hedge Fund socialism’. Plus, what will the next Prime Minister mean for Britain’s standing on the world stage? And ten years after the London 2012 opening ceremony, our panellists look back on the last time the UK felt like a place to be proud of.

“Every time they talk about tax cuts, that’s less money for public services.” - Miatta Fahnbulleh
“Sunak talks a more credible game, whereas Liz is away with the fairies.” - Miatta Fahnbulleh
“Tory politicians don’t care what they do with power, they just want to get their hands on it.” - Tom Peck
“The only hope for the country now is Tory defeat in two years time.” - Tom Peck
“I can imagine the international reaction to Sunak and Truss is ‘who?’.” - Arthur Snell
“The opening ceremony projected Britain at its best. We’ve now fallen so foul of that.” - Miatta Fahnbulleh

https://www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Produced and presented by Andrew Harrison with Arthur Snell, Miatta Fahnbulleh and Tom Peck. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Producers: Jacob Archbold, Jelena Sofronijevic and Alex Rees. Assistant producer: Kasia Tomasiewicz. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production by Robin Leeburn. The Bunker is a Podmasters Production.

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They Think It’s All Dover – Start Your Week with Justin Quirk and Alex Andreou

Mon, 25 Jul 2022 09:08:00 -0000

The Tory leadership contest rumbles on as Sunak and Truss go head-to-head on TV. Who is destined to win out, and who is on the ropes? Plus, transport logjams at Dover and Folkestone look likely to repeat over the summer, a tentative deal to release Ukrainian grain is reached, and Monkeypox vaccines are rolled out across the UK. Justin Quirk and Alex Andreou set out the days ahead.

Support us on Patreon for early ad-free editions, merch and more: www.patreon.com/bunkercast

“Tory members are risk-averse after the Johnson period of chaos, so my sense is they’ll go for Sunak.” – Alex Andreou
“The whole Government has checked out… They all know their jobs won’t last past 5th September and none of them care any more.” – Alex Andreou
“If you're planning on travelling, take a large lunch and a bottle to urinate into.” – Justin Quirk
“Everyone’s assessing the consequences of sanctions for Europe. Nobody’s assessing them for Russia – which are penury.” – Alex Andreou

Presented by Justin Quirk and Alex Andreou. Producers: Jacob Archbold, Jelena Sofronijevic and Alex Rees. Assistant Producer: Kasia Tomasiewicz. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production: Robin Leeburn. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Simps, Drip and the Ick: Gen Z Translator

Sun, 24 Jul 2022 03:00:00 -0000

What are young people talking about these days? And what do the unusual words they say mean? In a bid to understand Gen Z, Jacob Jarvis speaks with Olive Pometsey and Jade Wickes of The Face magazine to decipher the latest slang, and to ask how it comes about and why it’s so popular.

“What sets us apart is that we’re the first generation to grow up with smartphones.” – Jade Wickes
“Nothing is that serious, it’s all just self-deprecating humour.” – Jade Wickes
“At its core slang is just like a shorthand and it takes on a life of its own.” – Jade Wickes
“Everyone's blending together and that’s a very Gen Z thing, you want to be a bit of everything.” – Olive Pometsey
“The Gen Z humour is very ironic and dry and self-referential which is reflected in the slang.” – Olive Pometsey

Written and presented by Jacob Jarvis. Producers: Jacob Archbold and Jelena Sofronijevic. Assistant Producer: Elina Ganatra. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Audio production by Jade Bailey. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Culture Bunker: Who killed the music press? The C86 kids. And heatwave dance music

Sat, 23 Jul 2022 02:00:00 -0000

Paper Cuts: How I Destroyed the British Music Press and Nige Tassell’s surprisingly warmhearted indie odyssey Whatever Happened To The C86 Kids? Plus we bathe in the glow of euphoric 90s comedown music with ‘Fell From The Sun: Downtempo And After Hours 1990-91’.

Hear all the music on our rolling playlists.

Spotify: https://bit.ly/CultBunk

Tidal: https://tidal.com/browse/playlist/1aea7525-7891-4a88-8474-a08c45ea064b

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Bunker Gold: Will we be OK? Facing the Climate Emergency

Fri, 22 Jul 2022 12:30:00 -0000

Listen back to an edition from our archives with The Bunker Gold. This week, after Britain recorded its highest temperatures on record, we’ve chosen Will We Be OK? Facing the Climate Emergency, first released in September 2020…

Could there be cause for optimism on climate change? Do individuals have power over our planet’s future? Paul Behrens, author of The Best Of Times The Worst Of Times, tells Ros Taylor about the best and worst climate scenarios, why women’s rights are the key to a manageable future, meat, flying, renewables… and how to avoid falling into impotent despair about tomorrow.

“We might have been able to save ourselves with minor changes once. Now we need a complete overhaul in the way we live our lives.”
“The carrying capacity of a planet of carnivores is very different from a planet of vegetarians.”
“There’s a clear path from eco-anxiety to hope, through action.”

https://www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Presented by Ros Taylor. Produced by Andrew Harrison. Assistant producer: Jacob Archbold. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production by Alex Rees. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Scot Free? Nicola Sturgeon's Final Gamble

Thu, 21 Jul 2022 03:00:00 -0000

As Nicola Sturgeon’s fight for indyref2 continues, will she get the vote she wants or is she running out of road? What will Boris Johnson’s departure mean for Scotland’s First Minister? Gavin Esler unpacks these issues with journalist Iain Macwhirter, author of Disunited Kingdom: How Westminster Won a Referendum But Lost Scotland.

“Nicola Sturgeon has real problems in the party.”
“Sturgeon is going to turn the next election into a de-facto referendum.”
“Boris Johnson is the one Englishman you are allowed to hate, he’s extremely unpopular in Scotland - but of course he is gone now, and this poses a problem for the SNP.”
“Boris Johnson has been the SNP’s greatest recruiting sergeant.”
“Sturgeon is using this theatre of the courts to create more controversy in the run up to the next general election.”

https://www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Presented by Gavin Esler. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Producers: Jacob Archbold, Jelena Sofronijevic, Alex Rees. Assistant Producer: Kasia Tomasiewicz. Audio production by Jade Bailey. The Bunker is a Podmasters Production.

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Taken for a Ride: The Uber Files Explained

Wed, 20 Jul 2022 03:00:00 -0000

Uber has transformed how we travel around cities – what do newly leaked documents tell us about its meteoric rise? The explosive ‘Uber Files’ give an insight into the tactics the taxi giant used to become a household name. Justin Quirk unpacks what these reveal with lecturer Dr. Jimena Valdez, who is working on the project Über-State: The Political Economy of Platform Capitalism.

“The three most striking things are: the utter disregard for the law, the connections to political power, and the very little value they attach to drivers - that they call them ‘supply’.”
"Suddenly, we feel like we can't live without our Ubers."
"Uber has become this tag for everything that is wrong, but it's tech companies more widely."
"Politicians and consumers thought that Uber was so cool, that it should be treated differently."
“This is part of the servant economy.”

https://www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Presented by Justin Quirk. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Producers: Jacob Archbold, Jelena Sofronijevic, Alex Rees. Assistant Producer: Kasia Tomasiewicz. Audio production by Jade Bailey. The Bunker is a Podmasters Production.

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In-Fight Entertainment – Weekly Edition

Tue, 19 Jul 2022 03:00:00 -0000

In a heat-defying lo-fi edition, we discuss the latest blue-on-blue clashes as the race to replace Johnson comes to a head. Did a least-worst candidate emerge? We talk to guest Jamie Susskind, author of The Digital Republic: On Freedom and Democracy in the 21st Century about how to regulate the internet. And did those cosmic images from the Webb Telescope make us feel tiny and insignificant… or pretty damn important?

“The debates gave me a sinking feeling of despair… It’s just a bunch of angry people talking over each other” – Jamie Susskind
“The country’s entering a time of great crisis and the one thing we’re going to need is a Prime Minister with a grip.” – Jamie Susskind
“We don’t count or matter in the Conservative Party leadership elections.” – Gavin Esler
“It’s not a tenable position to be against net zero. Human-induced climate change is impossible to ignore.” – Yasmeen Serhan

Presented by Ros Taylor with Gavin Esler and Yasmeen Serhan. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Producers: Jacob Archbold, Jelena Sofronijevic and Alex Rees. Assistant producer: Kasia Tomasiewicz. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production by Robin Leeburn. The Bunker is a Podmasters Production.

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Burning Down the House – Start Your Week with Alex Andreou

Mon, 18 Jul 2022 08:20:05 -0000

The heat is on in the Tory leadership contest. Two finalists are expected this week but could we even have a new PM by Friday? Plus, we look at what will happen in Parliament in the last days before recess. And, we brace for what could be the hottest day on record in Britain. Alex Andreou joins Andrew Harrison to chart the days ahead.

"The more I see the more depressing it gets.” – Alex Andreou
“I suspect Johnson will find a way to get out of his last PMQs.” – Alex Andreou
“It says a lot about Johnson’s fall from grace that nobody wants to be associated with him.” – Alex Andreou
“The momentum is now with Sunak, ironically the least ‘fresh start’ candidate available.” – Alex Andreou
“There’s a Tory hustings at 2pm in an unventilated room. Good luck with that.” – Alex Andreou

www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Presented by Andrew Harrison with Alex Andreou. Producers: Jacob Archbold, Jelena Sofronijevic and Alex Rees. Assistant Producer: Kasia Tomasiewicz. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production: Alex Rees. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Are the Tories Mad to Cut Taxes?

Sun, 17 Jul 2022 03:00:00 -0000

As Tory leadership hopefuls pledge tax cuts galore, we ask if this would make any sense. What impact would these moves have? What else could they do instead? Andrew Harrison speaks to Giles Wilkes, a senior fellow from the Institute for Government and former special adviser to Theresa May on industrial and economic policy.

“I suspect they’re hoping the Tory membership don’t have a memory of the 70s and 80s.”
“These people running for the leadership are thinking in a three month timescale.”
“It’s a terrible idea to pump money into the economy right now.”

https://www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Written and presented by Andrew Harrison. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Producers: Jacob Archbold and Jelena Sofronijevic. Assistant Producer: Kasia Tomasiewicz. Audio production by Jade Bailey. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Culture Bunker: Lizzo’s Special, The Good Boss with Javier Bardem, Kurt Vonnegut, new music from Working Men’s Club, plus more

Sat, 16 Jul 2022 03:00:00 -0000

This week we listen to the force of nature that is Lizzo and her brand new album Special. Will it top 2019’s storming Cuz I Love You? Plus OFFICE POLITICA - film critic Linda Marric joins us to watch workplace drama The Good Boss movie with Javier Bardem directed by Fernando León de Aranoa. And BOO! We listen to Working Men’s Club’s second album Fear Fear. Plus we see Unstuck in Time, Curb Your Enthusiam director Robert Weide’s documentary about American literary icon Kurt Vonnegut.

Hear all the music on our rolling playlists.

Spotify: https://bit.ly/CultBunk

Tidal: https://tidal.com/browse/playlist/1aea7525-7891-4a88-8474-a08c45ea064b

Presented and produced by Siân Pattenden and Jelena Sofronijevic. Audio production by Alex Rees. Theme music: ‘Bunker Theme (Juntos Mix)’ by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. The Culture Bunker is a Podmasters production.

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Is the Magic Money Tree Real?

Thu, 14 Jul 2022 03:00:00 -0000

Why have we been told there isn’t a magic money tree? And could such a thing actually exist? Alex Andreou discusses this question and unpacks modern monetary theory with L. Randall Wray, a senior scholar at the Levy Economics Institute of Bard College who has authored several books on the subject.

“For a very long time we've had a view that finance is a scarce resource.”
“What we have is this belief that the Government is just like a household and it could run out of money.”
“There appears to be no limit to the private financial sector’s ability to layer up more debt.”
“Politicians are scared to death of inflation… politically, it is a huge issue.”
“We argue we should focus on resource availability and the public purpose.”
“The economy decides what the deficit will be – it takes two to tango.”

https://www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Written and presented by Alex Andreou. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Producers: Jacob Archbold and Jelena Sofronijevic. Assistant Producer: Elina Ganatra. Audio production by Robin Leeburn. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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The Nazi Billions Hidden in Plain Sight

Wed, 13 Jul 2022 03:00:00 -0000

BMW, Volkswagen, Allianz and Dr. Oetker are all household names – but how did these German businesses get to be so wealthy? The reality of collaboration, collusion, and the active championing of Hitler and the Nazi regime – during World War II, and beyond – by corporations remains “happily ignored”. So how have global powers let them get away with it? Jelena Sofronijevic talks to financial journalist David de Jong, author of author of Nazi Billionaires: The Dark History of Germany’s Wealthiest Dynasties.

“The businessmen that I write about pressured Jewish businessmen to sell assets far under their value or there would be more dire repercussions.”
“The vast majority of Germany’s business community went through this very flawed legal process called de-Nazification. This saw millions of criminals get off scot-free for their crimes.”
“There were farcical legal proceedings that saw Nazi war criminals exonerated.”
“The allied thinking that they needed to have a financially West Germany also led to those businessmen keeping their assets.”
“Most of the characters in my book are sheer opportunists.”
“As we get further away from the atrocities of the Third Reich, this history is receding.”
“As consumers the bare minimum we should expect from these families is that they’re transparent.”

https://www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Written and presented by Jelena Sofronijevic. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis Producers: Jacob Archbold and Jelena Sofronijevic. Audio production by Jade Bailey. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Britain’s Got Tyrants – Weekly Edition

Tue, 12 Jul 2022 03:00:00 -0000

As Tory leadership hopefuls try to outdo each other on culture war clout and tax cuts, we assess the would-be PMs. Plus, with Big Dog turning lame duck, the panel looks at what Johnson might do in Downing Street until he is ejected from the building. And as Conservatives set out their stalls, who’s won the battle of the launch video?

“He wanted to be Churchillian and his tenure is one of the most embarrassingly short tenures.” – Ayesha Hazarika
“Penny Mordaunt’s pitch is that she’s very telegenic, was in the army and voted leave.” – Marie le Conte
“Grant Shapps’ entire pitch is ‘you will keep your jobs if you vote for me’.” – Ahir Shah

https://www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Presented by Andrew Harrison with Ahir Shah, Ayesha Hazarika and Marie Le Conte. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Producers: Jacob Archbold, Jelena Sofronijevic and Alex Rees. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production by Robin Leeburn. The Bunker is a Podmasters Production.

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The Wacky Races Begin – Start Your Week with Ros Taylor and Naomi Smith

Mon, 11 Jul 2022 08:41:18 -0000

As the nation heats up, so too does the Conservative leadership race. There are 11 people in the running so far, what can we expect from them? Plus, the nation’s economic woes continue – we look at what more turmoil is to come. And, could we see record-breaking temperatures this week? Ros Taylor is joined by Naomi Smith to lay out the days ahead.

"If I’m not maniacally laughing at the farce of it, I’m just depressed.” – Naomi Smith
“We’ve got Conservative leadership candidates all promising to cut taxes, so how are they going to fund their levelling up agenda?” – Naomi Smith
"New trade deals are not compensating at all for the trade that we’ve lost with the European Union.” – Naomi Smith
“I think we are running into a long hot summer of very hard times for families.” – Naomi Smith
"There are so many female candidates, and so many ethnic minority candidates, and yet everyone is right wing." – Ros Taylor
"Labour's never had a female leader, whilst the Conservative Party might have had three Prime Ministers." – Naomi Smith
"Whoever you want Penny Mordaunt to be, she can be." – Ros Taylor
"Tax cuts on certain groups have no impact on economic growth whatsoever." – Naomi Smith

www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Presented by Ros Taylor with Naomi Smith. Producers: Jacob Archbold, Jelena Sofronijevic and Alex Rees. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production: Jade Bailey. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Johnson’s Demise: The Most Shameful End Ever?

Sun, 10 Jul 2022 03:00:00 -0000

Johnson’s going and his emphatic collapse in office was no less shameful than expected. But historically, just how abnormal was it? Jacob Jarvis speaks with Rock & Roll Politics host Steve Richards to discuss endgames of the past and where the latest Prime Minister’s ranks in the grand scheme of things – all recorded immediately in the aftermath of Johnson’s Thursday speech.

“Johnson wants to be a Churchillian figure. Instead he will go down as someone who blew a big majority, and he will hate that.”
“When Johnson lost Javid and Sunak, I knew we were going to reach the end quite quickly.”
“When choosing a Prime Minister, you have to look beyond whether they can win an election.”

https://www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Written and presented by Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Producers: Jacob Archbold and Jelena Sofronijevic. Audio production by Jade Bailey. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Culture Bunker: Thor: Love and Thunder, guests Orbital, Superorganism, and parenthood horror The Baby on Sky TV

Sat, 09 Jul 2022 03:00:00 -0000

THOR BLIMEY! We talk about Taika Waititi’s latest Marvel creation Thor: Love and Thunder, starring Chris Hemsworth. Techno titans Paul and Phil Hartnoll of Orbital join us to discuss their retro-future-spective album 30 Something, plus the latest from London indie trillsters Superorganism, World Wide Pop. And we watch Sky’s new parenthood horror series The Baby. Where’s the kid come from, what’s he doing, and why is disaster never far away?

Hear all the music on our rolling playlists.

Spotify: https://bit.ly/CultBunk

Tidal: https://tidal.com/browse/playlist/1aea7525-7891-4a88-8474-a08c45ea064b

“The Baby is right up our street. An evil baby killing people? That's funny.” – Orbital

“Thor is the most metal Marvel movie yet.” – Andrew Harrison

Presented and produced by Alex Andreou and Siân Pattenden. Audio production by Jade Bailey. Theme music: ‘Bunker Theme (Juntos Mix)’ by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. The Culture Bunker is a Podmasters production.

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Trump’s Reckoning? The January 6 Bombshells Explained

Thu, 07 Jul 2022 03:00:00 -0000

Hearings on the Jan 6th attacks have produced some of the most explosive testimony ever heard in Washington – and put Donald Trump in the frame for criminal activity. But what do they actually mean? And what will the fallout be? Dorian Lynskey talks to Julie Norman, co-director of UCL’s Centre on US Politics, about the latest revelations and their potential ramifications.

“We are seeing a person who was not acting in the best interests of the country on that day.”
“I think you’ll start hearing more the question of electability among Republicans.”
“Most people who are watching this with an objective lens are actually quite impressed with what this committee has done.”

https://www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Written and presented by Dorian Lynskey. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Producers: Jacob Archbold and Jelena Sofronijevic. Audio production by Jade Bailey. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Nukes of Hazard: 60 Years of Atomic Accidents

Wed, 06 Jul 2022 03:00:00 -0000

As the world looks to alternative sources of energy, are we ready for the growth of nuclear power? Do we understand the risk that comes with atomic technology? Historian and author Serhii Plokhy joins Arthur Snell to discuss his new book Atoms and Ashes: From Bikini Atoll to Fukushima, which looks at six nuclear disasters that shook the world, and the lessons we can learn from them.

“The history of nuclear disasters is very relevant to us today.”
“Every nuclear accident produces a pause in the industry as people get scared.”
“If we are not prepared to tolerate nuclear accidents then we have to look for alternative energy sources.”

https://www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Presented by Arthur Snell. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Producers: Jacob Archbold, Jelena Sofronijevic and Alex Rees. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production by Robin Leeburn. The Bunker is a Podmasters Production.

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Grope Opera – Weekly Edition

Tue, 05 Jul 2022 02:00:00 -0000

Tory sleaze rumbles on as opera becomes a new frontier in the Culture War and Chris Pincher MP lives down to his name. We unpack the current political turmoil and the latest class row between Raab and Rayner. Plus, the reversal of Roe v. Wade prompts women in the US to delete period tracker apps. What does it tell us about Big Health Data? And as the Fred Perry polo turns 70, we talk about the politics of clothes. Our guest this week is tech journalist and author of Social Warming, Charles Arthur.

“I think it’s quite a safe bet to assume there will be another vote of confidence within a year of the last one.” – Marie Le Conte
“Codes of class are so nuanced in Britain, but if you haven’t grown up here it probably makes no sense.” – Justin Quirk
“I don’t think the Tories have ever been the party of upward mobility.” – Charles Arthur
“Every office in the country has a woman like Angela Rayner in it, but in Westminster she stands out.” – Justin Quirk

https://www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Presented by Andrew Harrison with Marie Le Conte and Justin Quirk. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Producers: Jacob Archbold, Jelena Sofronijevic and Alex Rees. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production by Alex Rees. The Bunker is a Podmasters Production.

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Sleazy Come, Sleazy Go – Start Your Week with Alex Andreou and Yasmeen Serhan

Mon, 04 Jul 2022 08:57:00 -0000

Tory sleaze is in focus yet again – how will Boris Johnson handle the backlash this week? Amid the Chris Pincher scandal, can Number 10’s line on the matter stand? Plus, on July 4, we look across to the United States and the latest political fallout there. And what action is needed to tackle the rise in COVID cases? Alex Andreou is joined by Yasmeen Serhan to lay out the week ahead.

"There are a lot of allegations of sexual misconduct involving Tory MPs." – Alex Andreou
"There is a deep desire on the part of Number 10 to say, ‘This matter has been settled.’” – Yasmeen Serhan
"There are so many allegations facing the Conservative Party that you could start to think it was normal." – Yasmeen Serhan
"The Supreme Court has historically been seen as an ahistoric institution, but no longer." – Yasmeen Serhan
“You should brace yourself for running into COVID again." – Yasmeen Serhan

www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Presented by Alex Andreou with Yasmeen Serhan. Producers: Jacob Archbold, Jelena Sofronijevic and Alex Rees. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production: Jade Bailey. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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What Westminster Gets Wrong

Sun, 03 Jul 2022 03:00:00 -0000

MPs are increasingly held in contempt by the public. How can Parliament improve its standing? Dr Hannah White, deputy director of the Institute for Government and author of Held in Contempt, joins Ros Taylor to discuss what’s wrong with the House of Commons, and how Westminster can repair its reputation in the wake of recent scandals.

“It only dawned on me over the decade I worked there how Parliament wasn’t a normal workplace.”
“There’s a small minority of MPs who don’t treat staff well, and there are no consequences for that.”
“Most people don’t have much idea of the difference between Parliament and Government.”
“The Prime Minister’s main job was to tell the country the rules, if he didn’t understand them he should’ve sorted that out.”
“Society has changed a lot, but the Palace of Westminster hasn’t.”

https://www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Presented by Ros Taylor. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Producers: Jacob Archbold, Jelena Sofronijevic and Alex Rees. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production by Jade Bailey. The Bunker is a Podmasters Production.

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Culture Bunker: The Undeclared War, Rolling Stones docs, William Orbit, V**gra Boys and more

Sat, 02 Jul 2022 03:00:00 -0000

Your pop-culture update: Russia hacks the UK in C4’s The Undeclared War. Does the drama bring the software to life? My Life As A Rolling Stone: new takes on Mick, Keith, Charlie and Ronnie? And where’s Bill? Plus we talk to Lord Chancellor of chillout William Orbit, and V**gra Boys’ “brilliantly stupid” new album stands proud against cave-dwelling conspiracists.

Hear all the music on our rolling playlists.

Spotify: https://bit.ly/CultBunk

Tidal: https://tidal.com/browse/playlist/1aea7525-7891-4a88-8474-a08c45ea064b

“It's terribly difficult to dramatise hacking and counterhacking…” – Sian Pattenden

“Cave World is like being on motorway with all the traffic coming towards you.” – Sian Pattenden

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Long Division: The Crises That Splintered Britain

Thu, 30 Jun 2022 03:00:00 -0000

Is Britain entering a new era of crisis? And what can we learn from the previous ones? Phil Tinline, author of The Death of Consensus: 100 Years of British Political Nightmares, talks to Dorian Lynskey about the previous occasions when Britain’s ruling consensus broke down, and if current turmoil will force us to change course once again.

“When it comes to political futures, we always think of the worst-case scenarios.”
“The nature of consensus is that it is a messy compromise.”
“There are things Labour is now prepared to advocate because it has lost four general elections.”
“In America there is such a consensus on support for Ukraine, perhaps more than most European countries.”

https://www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Presented by Dorian Lynskey. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Producers: Jacob Archbold, Jelena Sofronijevic and Alex Rees. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production by Jade Bailey. The Bunker is a Podmasters Production.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Fact Fashion: What Happens to the Clothes You Return?

Wed, 29 Jun 2022 03:00:00 -0000

The rise of online clothes shopping has also led to the rise of the return. What actually happens to the items we send back? In the last year, 51% of British shoppers sent back items they purchased online - but these goods don’t always end up back on the shelves. Jelena Sofronijevic talks to Dana Thomas, European Sustainability Editor at British Vogue, host of The Green Dream with Dana Thomas, and author of Fashionopolis, and Dr Mark Sumner, Lecturer in Sustainable Fashion at the University of Leeds.

“Fast fashion is like fast food. We consume it quickly, then we're hungry for more.” - Dana Thomas
“Most brands work hard to get clothes refurbished and back on sale.” - Mark Sumner
“Just because it's more expensive, doesn't mean it's more sustainable.” - Mark Sumner
“I'm an advocate of fast fashion - which might seem perverse, as a sustainability lecturer.” - Mark Sumner
“There is a whole generation of fashion brands that are strictly online.” – Dana Thomas
“Luxury brands will try and retain exclusivity by burning stock, by throwing stock away, ensuring nobody can use those returns.” – Mark Sumner

For more, listen to The Bunker Daily: Wild Wild Waste — How the West litters the world with Ruth Michaelson.

https://www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Presented and produced by Jelena Sofronijevic. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production by Jade Bailey. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Fashionopolis-Price-Fashion-Future-Clothes/dp/1789546060

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By By Bojo? – Weekly Edition

Tue, 28 Jun 2022 03:00:00 -0000

Does the fallout from last week’s by-elections show that Boris Johnson is losing touch with reality? Plus, the panel explore what the G7 Summit means for the conflict in Ukraine, how the Supreme Court ruling on abortion will affect American women, and why RMT leader Mick Lynch is the left’s latest pin-up.

“The world's two oldest parliaments are in Iceland and the Isle of Man. Neither have anything to do with the Magna Carta.” - Arthur Snell
“The whole property market is so out of whack that a treehouse to get little Wilf on the ladder might not be a bad thing.” - Ahir Shah
“Johnson has escaped once again, but his problems are far from over.” - Yasmeen Serhan
“Since 2016, America has been embarking on the great backslide.” - Yasmeen Serhan
“It's not theories and ideologies that are clashing here, but fundamental world views.” - Yasmeen Serhan

https://www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Presented by Ros Taylor with Arthur Snell, Ahir Shah and Yasmeen Serhan. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Producers: Jacob Archbold, Jelena Sofronijevic and Alex Rees. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production by Robin Leeburn. The Bunker is a Podmasters Production.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Roe Dies, America Divides – Start Your Week with Naomi Smith and Justin Quirk

Mon, 27 Jun 2022 08:28:00 -0000

As the US Supreme Court strikes down abortion rights, what does the ruling mean for women in America? The fallout from last week’s by-elections and rail strikes continue, where next for the Tories? And G7 leaders meet in Germany this week, with Ukraine, climate change and food security on the agenda. Justin Quirk is joined by Naomi Smith to set up the week ahead.

“Abortion access being limited doesn’t stop abortions, it stops safe abortions.” - Naomi Smith
“The right to abortion now sits with state legislators.” - Naomi Smith
“Johnson will cling on, it now depends on if the cabinet move.” - Naomi Smith
“400 million people rely on Ukrainian food supplies, the world will not see an end to rising prices any time soon.” - Naomi Smith

www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Presented by Justin Quirk with Naomi Smith. Producers: Jacob Archbold, Jelena Sofronijevic and Alex Rees. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production: Jade Bailey. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Culture Bunker: Festivals Special – Live from Glastonbury 2022, Leisure Festival with HighSchool, plus the new Elvis film

Sun, 26 Jun 2022 12:11:00 -0000

This week is a little bit special, as we are joined by Andrew and Siân live from Glastonbury 2022! Keeping it strictly music, we went along to see Baz Luhrmann’s new biopic Elvis, with our special guest Linda Marric. Could we not help falling in love with it or did we get the G.I. blues? And, staying with the festival theme, Jelena and our producer Jade head to Margate Dreamland Leisure Festival, to catch up with its organisers and line-up stars HighSchool. Was the rollercoaster more highs than lows?

“The trailers for Elvis are quite bland and dead. They do the film a great injustice” - Alex Andreou
“I think Austin Butler was born to play Elvis” - Linda Marric
“Elvis is the apex of Baz Lurhmann’s artistic style” - Jelena Sofronijevic
“The film really tries to tell a wider story of US consumerism in music” - Jelena Sofronijevic

Hear all the music on our rolling playlists.

Spotify: https://bit.ly/CultBunk

Tidal: https://tidal.com/browse/playlist/1aea7525-7891-4a88-8474-a08c45ea064b

Presented and produced by Alex Andreou and Jelena Sofronijevic. Audio production by Jade Bailey. Theme music: ‘Bunker Theme (Juntos Mix)’ by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. The Culture Bunker is a Podmasters production.

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“Write the Book Only You Could Write” – Geoff Dyer on His Career and Endings

Sat, 25 Jun 2022 03:00:00 -0000

Geoff Dyer talks to Dorian Lynskey about his career and new book The Last Days of Roger Federer: And Other Endings. In this, he examines the matter of final performances and pieces, through the tales of artists, sportspeople and writers. The pair also discuss how Dyer’s work takes shape, and how he reflects on his own writing.

“The sense of not being ideally qualified to write about a subject has been quite enabling for me.”
“Write the book only you could write is the mantra I repeat.”
“Some genre defying stuff now feels a comfortable genre in itself.”
“I think I’ve managed to turn the lack of a readership into some sort of freedom.”
“If you can turn your weaknesses into some kind of strength, that’s a very happy outcome.”
“The writing life has gone hand in hand with the continuation of my self-education.”
“If you're able to engage the reader's curiosity and interest they’ll keep on reading.“

https://www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Written and presented by Dorian Lynskey. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Producers: Jacob Archbold and Jelena Sofronijevic. Audio production by Jade Bailey. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Last-Days-Roger-Federer-Endings/dp/1838855742

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Reading between the Party Lines – China’s books boom and what it means

Thu, 23 Jun 2022 03:00:00 -0000

Can China control what its authors write as tightly as President Xi might want? Writers have found dazzling ways to sidestep the “literary president”’s clampdown on free expression. China expert and Times book desk veteran Megan Walsh tells Andrew Harrison how the Chinese are reading everything from world-beating subversive science fiction… to lurid pot-boilers with titles like ‘My Dangerous Billionaire Husband'… to anarchic works of online fiction that often run longer than the Bible. What does it tell us about the world’s rising superpower?

“Xi Jinping has put himself forward as literary president.”
“People don't think that fiction from authoritarian regimes is worth reading… but they’re wrong.”
“Chinese readers are very good at reading between the lines.”
“We expect Chinese writers to always be political, but that’s not always why people write.”

https://www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Presented and produced by Andrew Harrison. Assistant producers: Jacob Archbold and Jelena Sofronijevic. Audio production by Jade Bailey. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Heard This One Before? - How Déjà Vu Works

Wed, 22 Jun 2022 03:00:00 -0000

Have you heard this podcast before? Or are you experiencing Déjà vu? Catherine Loveday, neuroscience professor at the University of Westminster, joins Alex Andreou to explain the strange sensation that you've already experienced something, even when you know you never have, and why for some people it can become a serious problem.

“Déjà vu is the conflict you feel when you don’t remember something but feel that you must.”
“The feeling of familiarity helps us find our way in the world. When it goes wrong it can be quite disturbing.”
”Our brains are fantastic prediction machines.”
“Déjà vu is a temporary aberration of our memory system.”

https://www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Written and presented by Alex Andreou. Producers: Jacob Archbold and Jelena Sofronijevic. Assistant producer: Elina Ganatra. Lead producer: Jacob Jarvis. Audio production by Jade Bailey. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Planes, Trains and Awful Deals – Weekly Edition

Tue, 21 Jun 2022 03:00:00 -0000

From ethics to Northern Ireland to the ECHR to a mysterious disappearing story about his wife’s job prospects, Johnson is mired in legal and culture war battles. But why doesn’t anything stick to the PM? Plus, rail strikes: this is the age of the strain. And as Internet Explorer bows out, what are our fondest memories of the early Internet? Law and policy commentator David Allen Green is this week’s guest.

“I don’t think law is a particularly lefty profession, but the work lawyers do is being politicised.” - David Allen Green
“The only reason the Government tried to force this through was performative cruelty.” - David Allen Green
“If you’re younger than 50, there isn’t that reference point that Labour equals strikes.” - Justin Quirk
“I’ve decided to start calling this the Procrastination Madness Government.” - Marie Le Conte
“The Government wants to create division and it wants the strikes to go ahead.” - David Allen Green
“I remember the internet being a tool for checking false claims. That hasn’t quite worked out…” – David Allen Green

https://www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Presented by Alex Andreou with Justin Quirk and Marie Le Conte. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Producers: Jacob Archbold, Jelena Sofronijevic and Alex Rees. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production by Robin Leeburn. The Bunker is a Podmasters Production.

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That ’70s Show – Start Your Week with Gavin Esler

Mon, 20 Jun 2022 09:01:00 -0000

With 1970s-style strikes due this week, what can we expect the fallout to be? The Conservatives are trying to shift blame anywhere it might stick, while they also face tests in two by-elections. Plus, we look at the Ukraine latest and unpack France’s election results. Andrew Harrison is joined by Gavin Esler to chart the week ahead.
"We’ve had 12 years now of Conservative government. Are we any better off?” – Gavin Esler
"We are under government by slogan.” – Gavin Esler
"Boris Johnson might be Nicola Sturgeon's greatest weapon." – Gavin Esler

www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Presented by Andrew Harrison with Gavin Esler. Producers: Jacob Archbold, Jelena Sofronijevic and Alex Rees. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production: Robin Leeburn. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Sound of Silence: The End of Music in Schools?

Sun, 19 Jun 2022 03:00:00 -0000

Music education in the UK is in a perilous place, with the largest cuts in spending per pupil for 40 years, falling teacher recruitment numbers, and huge drops in GCSE and A-Level uptake. With a new National Plan for Music Education imminent, will it be enough to ensure music matters? Jude Rogers talks to Chrissy Kinsella, Chief Executive of the London Music Fund, about transforming under-served communities, if learning tunes are really less important than science and tech for career prospects, and why some people still think music is more a luxury than a necessity.

“Classical music will always be full of elite, old, white people unless we change it.”
“The problem always is and always will be funding.”
“Wouldn't it be amazing if every primary school had a music teacher?”
“We often focus on academic attainment, but we should also be celebrating music for the joy of music.”
“There's such a lack of joined up thinking from central government.”

https://www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Written and presented by Jude Rogers. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis Producers: Jacob Archbold and Jelena Sofronijevic. Audio production by Jade Bailey THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Culture Bunker: Ms Marvel, We Own This City, greatest albums and more

Sat, 18 Jun 2022 03:00:00 -0000

Your pop-culture update: Is the MCU’s first Muslim superhero saga Ms Marvel really a cape-fest or a family comedy in disguise? Will Baltimore crime drama We Own This City match up to its creator’s classic creation The Wire? DJ Colleen ‘Cosmo’ Murphy serves up a Balearic breakfast and on the 40th birthday of ABC’s Lexicon Of Love, guest Clark Collis helps us choose THE greatest albums of all time.

Hear all the music on our rolling playlists.

Spotify: https://bit.ly/CultBunk

Tidal: https://tidal.com/browse/playlist/1aea7525-7891-4a88-8474-a08c45ea064b

“I had to have three vodkas before seeing The Joker. And four afterwards.” – Clark Collis
“Defining Balearic is like trying to define jazz…” – Cosmo
“I can very much empathise with not wanting to go to Comic Con with your parents…” – Clark Collis

https://www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Presented and produced by Andrew Harrison and Siân Pattenden. Audio production by Robin Leeburn. Theme music: ‘Bunker Theme (Juntos Mix)’ by Kenny Dickinson. Co-produced by Jelena Sofronijevic. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. The Culture Bunker is a Podmasters production.

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Istanbully: What Does Erdoğan Want?

Fri, 17 Jun 2022 03:00:00 -0000

You can’t discuss Turkey’s politics without mentioning its strongman president, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. What does he want? Gonul Tol, founding director of the Middle East Institute's Turkey program and author of the upcoming book Erdoğan’s War, talks to Alex Andreou about Erdoğan’s journey from reformer to autocrat, how his 19 years in power have changed Turkey, and what the future holds for the country and his leadership.

“When Erdogan came to power in 2002 he was a different man, or so he said.”
“Erdogan appealed to segments of the country that would traditionally be reluctant to support an Islamist leader.”
“Institutions do not matter in today’s Turkey.”
“Turkey is a problematic partner for the West, but important in the Ukraine crisis.”
“If Turkey held free and fair elections today, Erdogan would lose.“

https://www.patreon.com/bunkercast

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Painting By Numbers: How Do We Put a Price on Art?

Thu, 16 Jun 2022 03:00:00 -0000

Who decides the value of a piece of art? And how do they come to their conclusions? In May, Andy Warhol’s 'Shot Sage Blue Marilyn' sold at Christie’s for a record £158 million, making it the most expensive painting of the 20th century – but it is merely the biggest wave in an international tsunami of art sales. Jelena Sofronijevic speaks to Mary-Alice Stack, Chief Executive at Creative United, and Erling Kagge, polar explorer, former politician, and author of A Poor Collector's Guide to Buying Great Art, to discuss placing a value on creativity.

“The price is reflective of the market, not the value of the artwork.” – Mary-Alice Stack
“Now, we don't talk about art, we talk about the art market,” – Erling Kagge
“Art fairs are the least best place to buy an artwork.” – Mary-Alice Stack
“There was a time when galleries felt like the preserve of the moneyed classes.” – Mary-Alice Stack
“There's a sense that if you need to ask the price, you can't afford it.” - Mary-Alice Stack
“Fantastic art is being made every day.” – Erling Kagge
“The auction houses are competing against themselves.” – Mary-Alice Stack
“What matters to artists is the creation of the work in the first place.” – Mary-Alice Stack

https://www.patreon.com/bunkercast

https://uk.gestalten.com/products/erling-kagge-buying-great-art

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Dom Phillips in conversation with Dorian Lynskey, May 2020

Wed, 15 Jun 2022 03:00:00 -0000

The disappearance of British reporter Dom Phillips and indigenous people’s campaigner Bruno Pereira has shown how serious the threats to journalists in Brazil are. It appears that the worst fears of Dom’s family may be true and he and Bruno will not be found alive.

In tribute to a former colleague of ours and a brave and formidable reporter, here is the podcast that Dom made with Dorian Lynskey in May 2020, at the height of the COVID pandemic. It has not been edited.

To donate to Dom and Bruno’s families please visit https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-dombruno-missing-in-the-amazon-rainforest

Written and presented by Dorian Lynskey. Producers: Jacob Archbold and Jelena Sofronijevic. Lead producer: Jacob Jarvis. Audio production by Alex Rees. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Don't Protocol Us, We'll Protocol You – Weekly Edition

Tue, 14 Jun 2022 03:00:00 -0000

We assess our Groundhog Day Government’s self-imposed Brexit drudgery and unconvincing housing plans. Will the NI protocol wrangling ever end? Are Johnson and his Cabinet of calamity trying to divert from other problems? Plus, we unpack the various aspects of America’s gun violence problems. And, we unpack new cigarette and vape regulations – is the end of smoking nigh?

“If you believe this is going to solve the housing crisis, come walk with me over the Garden Bridge.” – Gavin Esler
“Some of this is just a desperate Boris Johnson trying to come up with clever wheezes.” – Arthur Snell
“This is an English nationalist government." – Gavin Esler
"I could give up avocados and frothy coffees and I still wouldn't be able to afford a house." – Yasmeen Serhan
“When you kill journalists, you kill the truth.” – Andrew Harrison

https://www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Presented by Andrew Harrison with Arthur Snell, Gavin Esler and Yasmeen Serhan. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Producers: Jacob Archbold, Jelena Sofronijevic and Alex Rees. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production by Alex Rees. The Bunker is a Podmasters Production

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Just Plane Wrong – Start Your Week with Alex Andreou and Justin Quirk

Mon, 13 Jun 2022 08:36:00 -0000

The Government is courting controversy again with deportations to Rwanda to take place and more NI protocol drama. As legal wranglings continue, deportation flights are due to depart on Tuesday. What will happen next? Plus, as the cost of living crisis worsens, will there be any tangible moves to deal with it? Justin Quirk is joined by Alex Andreou to chart the week ahead.

"I think the Home Office will manage to get that flight to take off, even if it just has two people on it.” – Alex Andreou
"These are emergency moves to ground the flight, not stop the process." – Alex Andreou
"Johnson is so weak that any lever he pulls will damage his position in the party." – Alex Andreou
“There is a really hard year coming ahead.” – Alex Andreou
“The chaos we are experiencing right now is in part deliberately confected.” – Alex Andreou
"How can you claim that the legal mechanism never works if you've never tested it?" – Alex Andreou
"Some will claim that Ukraine is trying to use the emergency to bypass the traditional accession process." – Alex Andreou

www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Presented by Justin Quirk with Alex Andreou. Producers: Jacob Archbold, Jelena Sofronijevic and Alex Rees. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production: Jade Bailey. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Taking a Mile: The Politics of Measurement

Sun, 12 Jun 2022 03:00:00 -0000

We refer to measurements almost constantly – but are we truly aware of the power they hold? And why do we accept these rigid measurements of time and space? Ahir Shah speaks to James Vincent about his book Beyond Measure: The Hidden History of Measurement, which looks at how we came to define dimensions.

“We still have a flexible approach to measuring time.”
“You get a lot of measurements that are taken from the human body for example.”
“Over time central authorities take the control to define units of measurement.”
“If we couldn’t measure, we couldn’t trade, we couldn’t build cities and we couldn’t do scientific research.”

https://www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Written and presented by Ahir Shah. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Producers: Jacob Archbold and Jelena Sofronijevic. Assistant Producer: Elina Ganatra. Audio production by Jade Bailey. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Culture Bunker: ABBA Voyage, Swan Song, special guest The Waterboys’ Mike Scott, plus Britain’s working men’s clubs, and more

Sat, 11 Jun 2022 03:00:00 -0000

We Super Troop down to East London to witness the ABBA VOYAGE live experience. Have any of us been the same since we saw it? Legendary founder of folk rock titans The Waterboys, Mike Scott joins us to talk about about new album All Souls Hill, plus the importance and history of working men’s clubs with Beer Boffin Pete Brown. And FINAL CUT - we watch Swan Song, an indie pic about a retired hairdresser who must undertake the most important hairdo of his life.

Hear all the music on our rolling playlists.

Spotify: https://bit.ly/CultBunk

Tidal: https://tidal.com/browse/playlist/1aea7525-7891-4a88-8474-a08c45ea064b

Presented and produced by Siân Pattenden and Jelena Sofronijevic. Audio production by Alex Rees. Theme music: ‘Bunker Theme (Juntos Mix)’ by Kenny Dickinson. Co-produced by Jelena Sofronijevic. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. The Culture Bunker is a Podmasters production.

https://harpercollins.co.uk/products/clubland-how-the-working-mens-club-shaped-britain-pete-brown?variant=39584522010702

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Inside the Putin Mafia with Catherine Belton

Thu, 09 Jun 2022 03:00:00 -0000

Putin’s invasion of Ukraine has shone a spotlight onto Russia’s oligarchs. How does the Kremlin exert influence over them? And with sanctions beginning to bite, what does the future hold? Catherine Belton, Russia reporter for the Washington Post, talks to Nick Cohen about the Kremlin’s iron grip on Russia’s elite, and her own run in with oligarchs over her book Putin’s People.

“The state propaganda machine can’t cover up the level of casualties forever.”
“Putin has an inferiority complex. He needs the external trappings of wealth to believe he is Number One.”
“UK newspapers shy away from reporting on these individuals because they know the legal costs are high.”
“These oligarchs are hostages to Putin because he has a monopoly over court decisions.”
“The Yeltsin tycoons have seen 30 years of empire-building undone in one fell swoop.”

https://www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Written and presented by Nick Cohen. Producers: Jacob Archbold and Jelena Sofronijevic. Assistant producer: Elina Ganatra. Lead producer: Jacob Jarvis. Audio production by Alex Rees. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Netflix Fights For Its Life

Wed, 08 Jun 2022 03:00:00 -0000

Netflix’s share price plunged after it announced the loss of 200,000 subscribers in Q1 of 2022. What has gone wrong? And how can the platform get people subscribing again? Alex Hern, Technology Editor for The Guardian, talks to Justin Quirk about why Netflix’s growth turned static, and what the streaming service should be doing to get viewers back onboard.

“This is a company and an industry that expects subscriber numbers to go up.”
“The reason Netflix lost those subscribers is because they pulled out of Russia.”
“Other streaming services are now able to compete in areas where Netflix was once miles ahead.”
“A service with adverts could help Netflix recover some market share.”
“Many households don’t even know they have access to Amazon Prime”
“I don’t see a painless way out of the hole Netflix has put itself into.”

https://www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Written and presented by Justin Quirk. Producers: Jacob Archbold and Jelena Sofronijevic. Assistant producer: Elina Ganatra. Lead producer: Jacob Jarvis. Audio production by Jade Bailey. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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The Beginning of the End – Weekly Edition

Tue, 07 Jun 2022 03:00:00 -0000

Johnson has clung on to power, but with 148 Tory rebels voting against him how long can he continue as leader? What’s next for him and the Conservative Party? In a late-night recording, the panel assess a dramatic result. Plus, Romeo Kokriatski, co-host of the Ukraine Without Hype podcast, shares the latest from Ukraine amid concerns the war is turning in Russia’s favour. And, after the Jubilee festivities, the panel discusses British eccentricity and the future of the Monarchy.

“It comes back to a fundamental personality problem about Boris Johnson.” – Marie Le Conte
“The booing came from what Johnson could have reasonably expected to be a home crowd.” – Justin Quirk
“The enormous elephant in the room is that a large part of your party has essentially tried to eviscerate you.” – Justin Quirk
“From the country’s point of view, Johnson staying on is disastrous.” – Justin Quirk
“If they keep promising this gigantic reshuffle, who is going to move in order to make space?” – Marie Le Conte
“The bigger issue is that there is a total policy vacuum.” – Justin Quirk
“Things will have to change, the Monarchy will have to change.” – Ayesha Hazarika
“There’s a huge space now for Labour to just say very explicitly, ‘What is it that you actually like about this country?’” – Justin Quirk

https://www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Presented by Andrew Harrison with Ayesha Hazarika, Marie Le Conte and Justin Quirk. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Producers: Jacob Archbold, Jelena Sofronijevic and Alex Rees. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production by Alex Rees. The Bunker is a Podmasters Production

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No Confidence Man – Start Your Week with Ros Taylor and Arthur Snell

Mon, 06 Jun 2022 08:36:00 -0000

After being jeered over the Jubilee weekend, will Johnson now be jilted by his party in a no confidence vote? With this due to be held on Monday evening, how will the results play out? Ros Taylor and Arthur Snell give their thoughts as they tee up the week ahead. Plus, they ask what’s next for the monarchy after the weekend’s celebrations, discuss the Ukraine latest and cast an eye over the Atlantic.

“We will know by the end of today whether or not Boris Johnson has survived this round of attempts to get him.” – Arthur Snell
"Surviving a no confidence vote doesn't mean surviving as PM, as Theresa May can tell us." – Arthur Snell
"It wasn't breaking the law in Downing Street, or any other scandals, but being booed at the Jubilee." – Arthur Snell
“Johnson is somebody who will cling on to the absolutely last moment possible.” – Arthur Snell

www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Presented by Ros Taylor with Arthur Snell. Producers: Jacob Archbold, Jelena Sofronijevic and Alex Rees. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production: Jade Bailey. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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“We’re All Curating Our Personal Cultures” – Talking to Pulitzer Prize-winner Margo Jefferson

Sun, 05 Jun 2022 03:00:00 -0000

Pulitzer Prize-winner Margo Jefferson tells Dorian Lynskey about her wide-ranging career as a critic. She discusses shedding light on the lives of everyone from Tina Turner to Michael Jackson, being the first Black woman book critic at Newsweek, and writing on race, class and gender at the New York Times. They also discuss her new book, Constructing a Nervous System, and ask can you ever separate art from the artist?

“We're all curating our personal cultures.”
"I felt I had to be impeccable to brilliant... there's a certain high standard you don't slip beneath."
"I realised I could bring the critics tools of questioning and probing to myself."

https://www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Written and presented by Dorian Lynskey. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis Producers: Jacob Archbold and Jelena Sofronijevic. Audio production by Jade Bailey. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/602237/constructing-a-nervous-system-by-margo-jefferson/

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Meta-mind: How Cyberspace Will Alter Our Brains

Sat, 04 Jun 2022 03:00:00 -0000

As we move into virtual surroundings able to be anywhere, anyone or anything, how will that affect our minds? As the line between online and offline fades further, we look at how our personalities could shift across spaces. Dr. Alison Attrill-Smith, head of psychology online at the University of Wolverhampton, joins Alex Andreou to discuss the potential psychological impact of the metaverse.

“We've had iterations such as second life, and every time something new establishes itself there seems to be a flocking to it.”
“Who goes online will depend on what they're wanting to achieve.”
“Everything in psychology is about goals and what people want to achieve.”
“There's loads of research that shows that people project online the persona that they aspire to.”
“Whether we'll be able to replicate real life interaction in the digital landscape is really debatable.”
“The Proteus effect happens when people project their online persona offline.”
“We’re already moving towards a world where digital access is a right, whether that becomes a human right, I'm not sure.”
“To some extent we are already living in this virtual world and the metaverse is just an extension of that.”
“I like to think that virtually reality has actually increased acceptance of who we really are.”

https://www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Written and presented by Alex Andreou. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Producers: Alex Rees, Jacob Archbold and Jelena Sofronijevic. Assistant Producer: Elina Ganatra. Audio production and original music by Jade Bailey. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Enter the Matrix: Are We Living in a Simulation?

Fri, 03 Jun 2022 03:00:00 -0000

How do you know the world is real? How do I know I’m real? As virtual worlds expand, our concepts of reality warp. NYU philosopher David Chalmers – author of Reality+: Virtual Worlds and the Problems of Philosophy – talks to Ros Taylor about the etiquette of virtual living, why video game characters deserve moral rights, and how we can know what we think we know.

“Simulated beings could end up outnumbering non-simulated beings. So the odds that YOU are simulated could be high…”
“If we’re living in a simulation, all this is still real – and our lives are still full of meaning.”

https://uk.bookshop.org/books/reality-virtual-worlds-and-the-problems-of-philosophy-9780241320716/9780241320716

https://www.patreon.com/bunkercast

Written and presented by Ros Taylor. Producers: Jacob Archbold, Jelena Sofronijevic, and Alex Rees. Assistant producer: Elina Ganatra. Lead producer: Jacob Jarvis. Audio production and original music by Jade Bailey. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Does the Metaverse Need Laws?

Thu, 02 Jun 2022 03:00:00 -0000

Can you enforce laws in cyberspace like you can in the real world? Facebook, now Meta, has struggled to moderate its massive platforms for over a decade, battling with national governments over how it should be regulated. Now, it's preparing to be the biggest player in a new arena - the Metaverse. Lorna Woods, professor of Internet Law, joins Ros Taylor:

“The one thing we can say about the metaverse, is that it won't be what we think it is.”
“Have we thought about how this service can be misused? Rather than sitting in a phase of techno-optimism about the whole thing.”
“The transient nature of the content might be good, as you won't have those long shadows cast over you.”
“If we want to see this freeing capacity of the metaverse then we don't want to be tied to one identity.”
“We're going to have to think more broadly about how we're going to safeguard.”

Written and presented by Ros Taylor. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Producers: Jacob Archbold and Jelena Sofronijevic. Assistant Producer: Elina Ganatra. Audio production by Alex Rees. Original music by Jade Bailey. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Everything Everywhere: Your Day in the Metaverse

Wed, 01 Jun 2022 03:00:00 -0000

What would a normal day look like inside the metaverse? When would we plug in, and would we ever switch off? Charles Arthur, former technology editor of The Guardian and author of Social Warming: The Dangerous and Polarising Effects of Social Media, joins Ahir Shah to talk about the upsides, downsides and the practicalities of striking a virtual to real-world balance.

“The day in the metaverse will be a lot of meetings, a bit like zoom.”
“Travel might be a lot better than slogging through a train and people generously giving you their colds.”
“Well, everything gets used for work and porn in the end.”
“We’ve all been on Twitter, everyone's all mouth and no trousers.”
“Maybe everyone will want to wear their headset all day long and sit in little cubes.”
“Where we start to blend the real world and cyber, is augmented reality, which is where you put on glasses and you have an overlay for the real world.”
“How much extra value will you get from a metaverse meeting over a zoom meeting? If that gets unlocked, then it'll all start happening.”

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Sunak Cost Fallacy – Weekly Edition

Tue, 31 May 2022 03:00:00 -0000

We explore whether Rishi Sunak’s cost of living package is enough to address the long term hardship faced by millions. Or was it yet another political manoeuvre amid Tory turmoil? Plus, we unpack the issues faced by democracies across the globe with our guest Yascha Mounk, political scientist and author of The Great Experiment: Why Diverse Democracies Fall Apart and How They Can Endure.

“If Johnson can make it to the long summer break, where MPs have weeks away, that might allow people to calm down a little.” – Arthur Snell
“I think the really difficult economic stuff is going to be next winter. It goes from something you worry about to something that fundamentally changes the way you live your life.” – Arthur Snell
"The government has a tendency to respond too late." - Yasmeen Serhan
“A lot of discourse would be improved if people were forced to watch one focus group per week.” – Yascha Mounk
“You make better arguments when you know what your opponent means as well.” – Yasmeen Serhan
“I would distinguish between the angry minority and the majority of people.” – Yascha Mounk

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Presented by Ros Taylor with Arthur Snell and Yasmeen Serhan. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Producers: Jacob Archbold, Jelena Sofronijevic and Alex Rees, with research by Elina Ganatra. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production by Alex Rees. The Bunker is a Podmasters Production.

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