Best of the Spectator

Gina Miller, an entrepreneur and recipient of the Vanity Fair Challenger Award, shares her journey from fleeing dictatorship, challenging authority, and launching anti-Brexit campaigns. She discusses her upbringing in a country experiencing civil war, gender discrimination in the workplace, her involvement with the European Union, and the abuse she faced after challenging the government. She reflects on the challenges of being a campaigner, the impact of Brexit, and her belief in the UK rejoining the EU in the future.

Kate Andrews argues that the Tories can no longer claim to be the party of freedom due to their plans to ban disposable vapes and smoking. Anna Somers Cocks shares her negative experience dealing with the UAE as an art journalist. Angus Colwell investigates whether Gen Z would defend Britain and Dr Mike Martin discusses the potential need for conscription.

Author Sathnam Sanghera discusses his book Empireworld about the impact of British imperialism. He challenges the 'good or bad' narrative of empire, explores its legacies of exploitation and racial inequality, and highlights the importance of understanding other countries. He also discusses the evolving language of race and identity and explores the idea of using the Commonwealth for truth and reconciliation regarding the empire's legacy.

Freddy Gray discusses the significance of Taylor Swift's endorsement in the election, her impact on voter registration and engagement, the role of immigration in voter concerns, analyzing the Democratic strategy and Nikki Haley's campaign, and the potential impact of foreign policy on the election.

Edward Stourton, broadcaster and author of eight books including 'Sunday: A History of Religious Affairs through 50 Years of Conversations and Controversies,' reminisces about his childhood in Switzerland and the joy of eating chocolate-stuffed baguettes while skiing. They also discuss childhood meal times, different cuisines, religion and food, favorite local eateries, dealing with prostate cancer, cooking and shopping in Southwest France.

Pala Molisa, an academic and life coach, discusses how the porn industry targets children. They emphasize the need to address the implications of a sexually liberated culture on women's safety and the deliberate grooming of children by porn companies. They also explore the challenges faced by feminists in uniting and engaging young men in the struggle for women's liberation.

Jonathan Askonas, assistant professor of politics, discusses Jon Stewart's return to TV, his influence on the political media landscape, the decline of linear television, and the humor and political purpose of The Daily Show. They also explore whether Stewart will still be funny in his comeback and the future of humor in the changing news media landscape.

Richard Dawkins explains how to convert an atheist to Christianity, German army's poor state, return of the Trump show, Chinese intelligence officer's account, and the ethics of tracking children.

The podcast covers the revelations of an 'SNP secret state' in Scotland, the dire state of Germany's army, and the decline in customer service. Discussion includes the mass deletion of WhatsApp messages by the Scottish government, challenges in Germany's army transformation, and changing attitudes towards customers.

Psychoanalyst Adam Phillips discusses his new book 'On Giving Up', exploring topics such as the relation between literature and psychoanalysis, the ambiguity of 'giving up', addiction as a flight from pleasure, the influence of psychoanalysis on writing, narrow attention vs. wide attention, and the concept of the fascist state of mind.