The Brendan O'Neill Show

Bridget Phetasy, an American writer, comedian and media personality, returns for a lively tour through today’s culture wars. They discuss the Macklemore and Ed Sheeran controversies, Sydney Sweeney’s provocative ad, the Lindsay Clancy trial, free speech, and why wokeness keeps resurfacing. They also explore shifting attitudes toward Israel, Palestine activism, and an unpredictable American political future.

Gad Saad, an evolutionary behavioral scientist, author, and professor, joins a fiery conversation on “suicidal empathy,” wokeness, and Western decline. They explore how ideology shapes medicine, culture, and public judgment, debate Islamophobia and criticism of Islam, revisit the grooming gang scandal, and examine rising antisemitism. Saad also calls for courage in defending liberal values.

Simon Sebag Montefiore, the British historian and author of The Cauldron, explores the forces that shaped the modern Middle East. He discusses Ottoman collapse, European mandates, Israel’s creation, Jewish and Arab historical claims, and the unmade Palestinian state. The conversation also examines forgotten massacres, ideological distortions of history, and the difficult conditions for peace.

Fred Fleitz, an American national-security analyst and former Trump National Security Council official, discusses the renewed Iran conflict. He examines Washington’s economic and military pressure, threats to shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, and the future of Iran’s nuclear infrastructure. They also explore possible regime collapse, shifting regional alliances, weakened Iranian proxies, and tensions between Trump and Netanyahu.

Peter Hitchens, the Mail on Sunday columnist and author, returns for a stark tour of Britain’s decline. He discusses why elections feel powerless, the failures of modern conservatism, lockdown’s impact on liberty, and immigration’s transformation of the country. They also examine political extremism, ignored warnings about crime and disorder, and the dangers of law without due process.

Roy K. Altman, a U.S. federal judge and author of Israel on Trial, brings legal and historical perspective. He scrutinizes claims about settler colonialism, apartheid, and genocide. He discusses archaeology, law-based frameworks, demographics, and casualty analysis. Short, probing conversations challenge common narratives and explain why these labels are contested.

Kellie-Jay Keen, women's rights activist and founder of Let Women Speak, is back to discuss clashes with police over tweets and the line between malicious communications and free speech. She tackles feminist silence on Islamist misogyny, public prayer and cultural assertion, and openly labels herself an Islamophobe while explaining her stance. Short, confrontational, and provocative conversation.

Fiona McAnena, director of campaigns at Sex Matters and author of TERF Island, is a campaigner for women’s sex-based rights and sporting fairness. She discusses men entering the WNBA draft to expose eligibility gaps. She questions identity-based rules in women’s sport and highlights biological advantages affecting fairness. She also critiques media language, screening failures, and policy shifts around sex-based protections.

Matt Ridley, science writer and author of Viral, discusses Anthony Fauci’s diaries and the controversy over COVID’s origins. He explores private doubts versus public statements, motives behind the cover-up, and the consequences for trust in science. He also tackles climate alarmism, energy policy, and the case for pragmatic adaptation.

Rod Liddle, a veteran Spectator columnist and Times Radio presenter, reflects on culture wars and political shifts. He tackles identity politics, transgender controversies, and the politicization of sport. He discusses Brexit, media bias, and clashes over free speech. Short, sharp conversations covering the most provocative moments from his appearances.