The Brendan O'Neill Show

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.

Times columnist Melanie Phillips discusses the existential threats facing Israel, anti-Zionism as anti-Semitism, and the indifference to Jew hatred. Topics include challenges in defending Israel, moral inversion, rise of anti-Zionism intertwined with anti-Semitism, and the resilience of Israel amidst isolation.

David Frost – Conservative peer and former chief Brexit negotiator and – returns for this post-election edition of The Brendan O’Neill Show. David and Brendan discuss how the Conservative Party got it so wrong, what Nigel Farage got right, and how the Tories can rebuild from opposition.  This episode is sponsored by Shopify:  https://shopify.co.uk/brendan  Sign up now and get a £1-per-month trial. 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/  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

William Clouston, leader of the Social Democratic Party, discusses the withering of British democracy, reindustrializing the UK, and the importance of addressing mass migration. Topics include the SDP's economic stance, re-energizing Britain through local production, immigration challenges, and the need for strong leadership in shaping national identity.

Wilfred Reilly debunks myths in American education with Brendan O’Neill, challenging narratives about the Vietnam War, racism, White Flight, and Native American history. They explore emotional consensus, expertise in anthropology, manipulation of historical truth, and strategies for crime reduction.

Greg Lukianoff – president of the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE) – returns for the latest episode of The Brendan O’Neill Show. Greg and Brendan discuss the Gaza protests in US universities, the dire consequences of cancel culture and why censorship is not the antidote to the crisis of anti-Semitism. Get your tickets for Brendan O’Neill’s next live Zoom podcast, in conversation with Melanie Phillips, on Wednesday 26 June, 8pm BST. Sign up here: https://www.spiked-online.com/events/  This episode is sponsored by the Munk Debates: http://www.munkdebates.com/  Use the code SPIKED10 to get 10% off your supporter membership. 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/  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Glenn Loury – professor of economics at Brown University and author of Late Admissions: Confessions of a Black Conservative – returns to The Brendan O’Neill Show. Glenn talks about his tumultuous life, the problem with racial identity politics and the struggle for class solidarity. Get your tickets for Brendan O’Neill’s next live Zoom podcast, in conversation with Melanie Phillips, on Wednesday 26 June, 8pm BST. Sign up here: https://www.spiked-online.com/events/  This episode is sponsored by Shopify: shopify.co.uk/brendan  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/  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices