The Prospect Podcast

Omer Bartov, an Israeli-American historian and expert in Holocaust and Genocide Studies, discusses the alarming reality of war in Gaza, labeling it genocidal. He highlights the cultural denial among Israelis regarding their government's actions, tracing its roots to historical narratives and personal connections. Bartov draws parallels with denialism in France and Germany, reflecting on his upbringing's erasure of the Palestinian presence. He asserts that this ongoing denial enables further injustices, while also critiquing the justifications surrounding genocide labels.

Stella Creasy, MP for Walthamstow, speaks candidly about Labour's internal culture issues, advocating for more open dialogue to counter groupthink. Lucy Powell, MP for Manchester Central and deputy leadership candidate, discusses her campaign goals and the need for Labour to reclaim the political narrative from Reform, especially on immigration. Both guests emphasize the importance of addressing deep economic inequality and the necessity for cultural change to empower women's leadership within the party.

Cass Sunstein, a prominent legal scholar and founder of Harvard's Program on Behavioral Economics and Public Policy, reveals how corporations exploit our cognitive biases for profit. He defines manipulation, illustrating with examples like hidden fees and deepfakes. Discussing the pervasive influence of technology, Cass warns that personalized algorithms often operate invisibly, making us unaware of the manipulation. He advocates for a legal right against manipulation, stressing the need for regulatory frameworks to safeguard consumers against harmful practices.

The question of what is antisemitic and what is legitimate criticism of the state of Israel has long been a difficult question—but it has become even more fraught since 7th October 2023 and the continuing atrocities in Gaza. On 31st July 2025, Prospect brought two experts together to debate and discuss which kinds of speech and criticism are acceptable. Jo Glanville is the editor of Looking for an Enemy: Eight Essays on Antisemitism, while Dave Rich is head of policy at the Community Security Trust, whose stated mission is to work for the physical protection of British Jews. They both join Prospect’s Alan Rusbridger and Alona Ferber to discuss what people misunderstand about anti-Jewish prejudice, and how it relates to Israel.To read an edited excerpt of this interview, click here.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On the podcast this month, Ukrainian journalist and Second Life writer Vitali Vitaliev explains why he hates book signings, while sex worker Tilly Lawless argues that porn doesn’t make her clients more violent. Meanwhile Anglican Priest Alice Goodman celebrates the power of hope in the face of climate despair.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ben Ansell, a political columnist and professor at Oxford, joins the discussion on the rising tide of populism as Labour faces a polling slump. He delves into what defines a populist politician and how Labour might adapt its messaging to resonate with voters. The conversation covers potential policies Labour could adopt, the challenges of implementing wealth taxation, and who within the party might lead a populist charge. Plus, an amusing diversion about the cultural rise of saunas in the UK adds a lighthearted twist!

Is Britain becoming a police state?This week, Ellen and Imaan are joined by Conor Gearty, a barrister and professor of human rights law at LSE, who explains how his views on the future of protest have changed. As hundreds have been arrested for supporting the recently proscribed group Palestine Action, Conor discusses his reaction to the ban. He criticises the Labour government’s stance on protest, which he says panders to a “middle covert authoritarianism”.Conor also weighs in on what’s at stake if Britain leaves the ECHR, and how to fortify democracy. Are protests from the political left and right treated differently? And how should Labour respond to Reform’s rhetoric on human rights?Plus, Ellen and Imaan discuss the genre of “cosy crime”: banger or dud? To read Conor’s writing for Prospect (including the story of his shattered pelvis), click here: https://www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/author/1473/conor-gearty Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From country walks to telephone box libraries, our Prospect Lives writers are enjoying the summer. Sex Worker Tilly Lawless reflects on the fragmentation of the sex industry in the age of OnlyFans, and Alice Goodman explores memory, homeland, and the meaning of Passover. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The government is considering introducing digital ID cards as a way to curb illegal immigration and improve the administration of public services. But is it a good idea? In this week’s Prospect Podcast, former Labour Home Secretary David Blunkett debates Rebecca Vincent, from the civil liberties group Big Brother Watch.  Blunkett oversaw the introduction of identity cards under New Labour—before they were scrapped by the Tory-Lib Dem coalition—and thinks they could have a place. Rebecca Vincent is concerned about the risks of intolerable state surveillance —particularly if the cards were mandatory. Listen in—and to let us know who you think is right, email webdesk@prospect-magazine.co.uk.  For this week’s “banger or dud”—the last before a short summer break—Ellen and Alona discuss the 99 Flake. To read an edited version of this conversation, visit Prospect’s website.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Privatisation was meant to revitalise a public good. Instead, it left us with leaky pipes, sewage spills and rivers not fit to swim in.Ellen and Alona are joined by journalist and writer Oliver Bullough, whose books include Moneyland: Why Thieves And Crooks Now Rule The World And How To Take It Back.He explains how water companies, sold off under Thatcher with promises of efficiency and investment, instead loaded themselves with debt, rewarded shareholders, and presided over a national sewage crisis.Oliver, who has investigated financial corruption and power, explains why he is also interested in covering English and Welsh rivers. Plus, as the government plans to abolish Ofwat, why did the water regulator fail? Will anything change for the better?And for this week’s “banger or dud”, Ellen and Alona discuss the Lionesses.To read Oliver’s piece ‘How our water went to shit’, head to prospectmagazine.co.uk  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.