Max Jeffery, The Spectator’s assistant foreign editor, discusses Nato's readiness to defend against a possible Russian invasion. Lionel Shriver talks about the moral implications of a mother being convicted of manslaughter for her son's school shooting. Travel writer Sean Thomas shares his experiences staying in haunted hotels in Cambodia, joined by Judith Blincow, owner of a haunted hotel in Rye.
NATO's readiness to defend against a possible Russian invasion is a pressing concern highlighted by military drills on the Estonian border.
The criminal charges against parents for their child's school shooting raise questions about parental accountability and moral precedent.
Deep dives
Preparing NATO for a Possible Russian Invasion
The podcast episode discusses NATO's preparations to defend against a future Russian invasion. The cover story centers around a journalist's visit to Estonia, where he witnessed NATO troops rehearsing tactics in the event of a Russian attack. The journalist highlights the challenges faced by soldiers, including outdated equipment and difficult conditions. The episode includes interviews with a historian and a former NATO official who offer their perspectives on the seriousness of the Russian threat and the importance of NATO's preparedness.
Criminal Responsibility of Parents for School Shootings
The podcast examines a case where parents were charged with criminal responsibility for their son's involvement in a school shooting. The trial raises questions about parental negligence and whether parents can be held accountable for their children's actions. The case sparks a debate on the broader implications and potential precedents set by such charges. The episode features discussions with a writer and a hotel owner, exploring their personal experiences and beliefs around hauntings and supernatural phenomena in hotels.
The Haunted Hotel Phenomenon
The podcast delves into the enduring fascination with haunted hotels, both in literature and real life. The guests analyze the reasons behind the creepiness associated with hotels, including the transient nature of hotel stays and the presence of mysterious histories and atmospheres. They share personal stories and anecdotes about haunted hotels, highlighting the connection between a building's history and the emotions it can evoke in guests. The episode concludes with a discussion on the impact of tragic events on a location's energy and the possibility of spirits lingering in certain places.
The Appeal and Preconceptions of Haunted Hotels
The podcast explores people's fascination with haunted hotels and the preconceptions that often accompany such establishments. The hotel owner shares instances of guests requesting to stay in purportedly haunted rooms and recounts peculiar experiences reported by visitors. The discussion touches on cultural references, like Scooby-Doo and The Shining, that have shaped perceptions of haunted hotels. The episode also delves into the concept of psycho-geography and how a place's history and reputation can influence people's emotions and behaviors within its walls.
Welcome to a slightly new format for the Edition podcast! Each week we will be talking about the magazine – as per usual – but trying to give a little more insight into the process behind putting The Spectator to bed each week.
On the podcast: TheSpectator’s assistant foreign editor Max Jeffery writes our cover story this week, asking if Nato is ready to defend itself against a possible Russian invasion. Max joined Nato troops as they carried out drills on the Estonian border. Max joins us on the podcast along with historian Mark Galeotti, author of Putin's Wars. (00:55)
Then: Lionel Shriver talks to us about the sad case of Jennifer Crumbley, the mum who's just been convicted of manslaughter – for her son carrying out a school shooting. Does this set a dangerous moral precedent? (16:05)
And finally: would you stay in a haunted hotel? The travel writer Sean Thomas speaks to us from one in Cambodia, having written for the magazine about the places with grisly pasts that he has stayed in over the course of his career. We're also joined by Judith Blincow, owner of the Mermaid Inn in Rye, one of the most haunted hotels in the country. (26:10)
Hosted by William Moore and Lara Prendergast.
Produced by Cindy Yu.
If there are any areas of the magazine that you are particularly interested in or any questions you have for Will and Lara, please email: podcast@spectator.co.uk. We will try and answer as many as we can in next week’s episode.
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