Cambridge historian Peter Sarris discusses his book on Justinian the Great, detailing his rise to power, architectural wonders, and remaking of Roman law. The podcast explores Justinian's wife's influential role in legislation, his focus on Christianizing the Empire, and the scandalous secret history of his reign.

Israeli historian Benny Morris discusses Hamas' acts of mass murder, the Israeli response, and the future of Gaza. The podcast explores the stagnant relationship between Jews and Palestinians, the devastating impact of terrorist attacks on kibbutzim communities, Israeli army's approach in targeting Hamas members, the sense of fatalism and victimhood in Israeli society, and the use of the term 'apartheid' in relation to Israel's treatment of its Arab citizens.

Political scientist Eric Kaufmann discusses cancel culture, academics' need for honest immigration conversations, and challenges in academia. The conversation also covers his personal background, views on wokeness, and navigating the complexities of immigration.

The podcast explores the extraordinary life of Tom Nash aka DJ Hookie, a quadruple amputee. Topics include handling mistaken identities, accents and audiobook recording, overcoming disabilities and finding independence, blending in and standing out, creating feedback loops in DJing and dancing, adapting to different environments, and exploring post traumatic growth and personal resilience.

Psychotherapist Stella O’Malley and parent Josie A. discuss the importance of listening to parents before affirming a child’s desire for gender-transition therapies. They explore topics such as school policies, children's autonomy in gender identity, extreme activist movements, the influence of anime on trans identification, challenges for fathers of trans-identified children, and the need for support and guidance for parents.

Johns Hopkins University professor Yascha Mounk explores the origins of 'wokeness' and its rejection of liberalism and Marxism. They discuss the influence of Karl Marx, Michel Foucault, Edward Said, and Gayatri Chakravorty Spivak, as well as the impact of social media on self-chosen identities and the difficulty of making counterarguments in that space.

Quillette associate editor Iona Italia interviews journalist John Colapinto, whose book "As Nature Made Him: The Boy Who Was Raised as a Girl" chronicles the life of David Reimer, a Canadian man who was born as Bruce Reimer and subjected to a controversial and ultimately unsuccessful gender-reassignment following a botched circumcision.The book delves into the psychological, ethical, and medical complexities of David's life, from the surgical accident and subsequent interventions to his struggle with his gender identity. It also serves as a critique of Dr. John Money's theories on gender plasticity and the ethics of imposing a gender identity on a child unable to provide informed consent.Colapinto interviews various people involved in the case, including David Reimer himself, his family, and professionals who later questioned Money's work. The book paints a detailed picture of the Reimer family's ordeal, David's internal struggles, and the professional controversies that the case stirred up. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jonathan Kay and Kushal Mehra discuss the radicalized beliefs and rituals of progressive politics, the cultish movement of gender dysphoria, disbeliever movements and guilt in Canadian public life, the obsession with white aggression, exploring religious privilege, and the importance of moral responsibility and freedom of expression.

Podcast host Jonathan Kay shares a Nashville breakfast with journalist Christina Buttons and her Quillette-alumnus boyfriend, Colin Wright, author of the popular Substack, Reality’s Last Stand Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Quillette podcast host Jonathan Kay speaks with municipal politician Bill Dennis about diversity consultant Kike Ojo-Thompson, whose training methods became infamous following the recent suicide of Toronto educator Richard Bilkszto (1963-2023). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices