The Brendan O'Neill Show

Liam Halligan, a columnist for the Sunday Telegraph and co-host of Planet Normal, discusses the Labour government's early missteps and the challenges ahead. He critiques their approach to the housing crisis and warns against chasing the elusive 'center ground.' The conversation dives into the impact of tribalism on political debate, and the risks posed by net-zero policies. Halligan also highlights the disconnect between mainstream media and the views of disillusioned voters, arguing for a more representative political discourse.

Ayaan Hirsi Ali, a prominent writer and activist dedicated to women's rights and immigration issues, engages in a thought-provoking discussion about the dangers inherent in multiculturalism. She critiques the rise of the woke left and its unsettling alliance with Islamist movements, exploring how this impacts free speech in the West. The conversation also highlights the troubling intersections between antisemitism and contemporary political discourse, emphasizing the urgent need to defend free expression amidst rising censorship.

Sall Grover, founder of the women-only social media app Giggle, discusses her pivotal legal battle against gender ideology in Australia. She shares the emotional weight of her court loss, warning of its potential ramifications for women's rights globally. The conversation delves into the intersection of gender identity and women's spaces, emphasizing the challenges faced by women in navigating these evolving norms. Grover critiques the cultural shifts impacting women's rights, advocating for the safeguarding of female-only spaces and the importance of free speech.

Frank Furedi, an insightful author and cultural critic, returns to discuss his upcoming book, shedding light on the dangerous trend of rewriting history. He delves into the implications of statue-toppling and the 'decolonizing' movement, warning against Year Zero thinking that erases the past. Furedi critiques how young activists both denounce history and seek validation from it, highlighting the pitfalls of presentism. The conversation culminates in the dire consequences of losing touch with historical narratives, warning that such disconnects can undermine identity and cultural heritage.

Freddy Gray – deputy editor of the Spectator and host of the Americano podcast – speaks to Brendan O’Neill from the Democratic National Convention in Chicago. Freddy and Brendan discuss the phoniness of Kamalamania, the Democrats’ civil war over Gaza and if Donald Trump could return to the White House. Order Brendan O’Neill’s A Heretic’s Manifesto now from: 🇬🇧 📕 Amazon UK:  https://www.amazon.co.uk/Heretics-Manifesto-Essays-Unsayable/dp/1913019861  🇺🇸 📕 Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/Heretics-Manifesto-Essays-Unsayable/dp/1913019861 Support spiked:   https://www.spiked-online.com/support/  Sign up to spiked’s newsletters: https://www.spiked-online.com/newsletters/ 

Ian O’Doherty – columnist for the Irish Independent – is the latest guest on The Brendan O’Neill Show. Ian and Brendan discuss what Ireland and Britain’s riots have in common, the aloofness of the Irish elite and how woke replaced Catholicism as the state religion. Order Brendan O’Neill’s A Heretic’s Manifesto now from: 🇬🇧 📕 Amazon UK:  https://www.amazon.co.uk/Heretics-Manifesto-Essays-Unsayable/dp/1913019861  🇺🇸 📕 Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/Heretics-Manifesto-Essays-Unsayable/dp/1913019861

Fiona McAnena, director of campaigns at Sex Matters, dives into the controversial intersection of gender ideology and women's sports. She exposes the dangers female athletes face, particularly in boxing, as inclusivity policies threaten competitive fairness. McAnena discusses the biological differences impacted by male puberty and highlights the governance challenges within organizations like the IOC. The conversation advocates for feminist activism, emphasizing the need to protect women's rights and create awareness about the implications of gender identity in sports.

Toby Young, the general secretary of the Free Speech Union, delves into the repercussions of Labour's decision to cancel the Free Speech Act. He explores the rising hostilities towards press freedom under Keir Starmer and discusses new hate-speech laws on the horizon. The conversation highlights self-censorship among academics and the hypocrisy of 'safe spaces' that paradoxically exclude dissenting voices. Young critiques the fusion of governance with radical ideologies, emphasizing the urgent need to defend free speech amid growing cancel culture.

Daniel McCarthy, Editor-in-chief of Modern Age: A Conservative Review, talks with Brendan O'Neill about the Orwellian cover-up of the president's decline, Kamala Harris' emptiness, and the potential of Donald Trump and JD Vance in pushing populism forward. They also discuss skepticism towards mainstream media narratives, the realignment of political parties, and the implications of a Trump-Vance ticket on the election outcome.

Demographer Paul Morland discusses the world's demographic challenges in his new book on the podcast. They cover topics like declining fertility rates globally, pro-natalist initiatives, historical trends in family sizes, economic impacts of aging populations, and the cultural shifts affecting individuals' decisions on having children.