Best of the Spectator

Sir David Hempleman-Adams, an English explorer, shares his experiences with expedition food, hydrogen ballooning, and his love for simple egg and chips. He discusses childhood food memories, high altitude dining, and upcoming ballooning challenges. The podcast also covers unique global cuisines, hosting formal dinner parties in hot air balloons, and the importance of comfort food after adventures.

Guest Mishka Rushdie Momen discusses her album 'Reformation' featuring secular keyboard music amidst the English Reformation. She explores the challenges faced by Catholic and Protestant composers, the cultural significance of Walsingham's destruction, and reflections on belief and societal pressures.

On this week’s Spectator Out Loud: Katy Balls reflects on the UK general election campaign and wonders how bad things could get for the Tories (1:02); Gavin Mortimer argues that France’s own election is between the ‘somewheres’ and the ‘anywheres’ (7:00); Sean Thomas searches for authentic travel in Colombia (13:16); after reviewing the books Great Britain? by Torsten Bell and Left Behind by Paul Collier, Robert Colvile ponders whether Britain’s problems will ever get solved (20:43); and, Melissa Kite questions if America’s ye olde Ireland really exists (25:44).  Presented by Patrick Gibbons.  

Freddy Gray speaks to pollster Patrick Ruffini about the first 2024 presidential debate between Joe Biden and Donald Trump. Just how bad was it and can Biden survive his performance? They discuss the reaction to the debate, including a surprising theory going around Republican circles. Produced by Patrick Gibbons.

Fraser Nelson, editor of Spectator, analyzes how Nigel Farage's political moves have unexpectedly benefited left-leaning parties like Labour. Former UKIP MEP Patrick O’Flynn discusses the implications of tactical voting and the evolving landscape of British politics. Meanwhile, Svitlana Morenets shares poignant reports from Ukraine, highlighting daily life amidst conflict, resilience in Kyiv, and the contrasting realities faced by those in war-torn areas. The conversation also touches on the pressing issue of cancel culture through the lens of the new comedy series 'Douglas Is Cancelled.'

My guest for this week's Book Club is the journalist and author Åsne Seierstad. She tells me about her new book The Afghans: Three Lives Through War, Love and Revolt; how and why she constructed a novelistic narrative about real-life people and events, and what her encounters with human rights activist Jamila, Taliban commander Bashir and thwarted student Ariana can tell us about the past, present and future of that troubled country.Produced by Patrick Gibbons.

EU imposes tariffs on Chinese electric cars due to subsidies; Chinese retaliation feared. Chinese EV imports to EU surged, could make up 15% of market. Tensions rising with US also imposing tariffs. Discussion on ramifications and potential reversal of protectionism.

On this week’s Spectator Out Loud: Matt Ridley argues that whoever you vote for, the blob wins (1:02); William Cook reads his Euros notebook from Germany (12:35); Owen Matthews reports on President Zelensky’s peace summit (16:21); and, reviewing Michael Peel’s new book ‘What everyone knows about Britain’, Agnes Poirier ponders if only Britain knew how it was viewed abroad (22:28).  Presented by Patrick Gibbons. 

In this episode of Americano, Freddy Gray is joined by Fareed Zakaria, host of CNN's Fareed Zakaria GPS and columnist for The Washington Post. They discuss liberalism, the state of America, and identity politics. They also cover Fareed's new book, Age of Revolutions, which asks one central question: what are the causes of the seismic social disruptions we are going through, and the political backlashes that have ensued? 

This week: LawfareOur cover piece examines how Keir Starmer’s legal experience will influence his politics. Ross Clark argues that Starmer will govern through the courts, and continue what he describes as the slow movement of power away from elected politicians. As poll after poll predicts an unprecedented Labour majority, what recourse would there be to stop him? Ross joined the podcast to discuss alongside solicitor and commentator Joshua Rozenberg (02:15).Next: we’ve become accustomed to the police wearing cameras, but what’s behind the rise in bodycams in other industries? In her article this week, Panda La Terriere highlights the surprising businesses that have begun using them, but what are the implications for daily life and how concerned should we be? Panda joined us to discuss with Silkie Carlo, director of civil liberties NGO Big Brother Watch (19:39).And finally: why do we love to be baffled? Mark Mason argues it is more to do with the thrill of deception than a desire to problem-solve. Mark joined us to try and demystify the world of magic with Gustav Kuhn, associate professor of psychology at the University of Plymouth and author of Experiencing the impossible: the science of magic (28:32).Hosted by William Moore and Lara Prendergast.Produced by Oscar Edmondson and Patrick Gibbons.Join The Spectator for a special Live edition of Coffee House Shots on Thursday 11th July at 7pm in Westminster. Fraser Nelson, Katy Balls and Kate Andrews will be making sense of the election results, a new government, and discussing what comes next. Tickets are £35, or £25 for subscribers. Book online at spectator.co.uk/shotslive