The Prospect Podcast

This week, philosopher Slavoj Žižek joins the discussion, tackling radicalization among young men and the complexities of feminism in the context of #MeToo. He critiques today's political left, arguing it faces a 'zero point' and theorizes on whether a Trump-like figure could revitalize it. Žižek connects the legacy of 1968 to Elon Musk's individualism and highlights the elitism in contemporary social movements, all while emphasizing the evolving challenges in parenting and the need for effective leadership in today's world.

This month on Prospect Lives: Vitali Vitaliev hits 60 and gets slammed with funeral ads, while Sarah Collins finds unexpected wisdom at the nail salon. Alice Garnett wonders how to plan for the future on a burning planet, while Alice Goodman wrestles with whether you can—or should—pray for someone like Putin. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, writer and human rights lawyer Philippe Sands joins Ellen and Alona to discuss the ‘age of impunity'. Are international systems crumbling, or will they stand the test of time?Philippe reflects on the process of writing his most recent book 38 Londres Street, and the relationship between storytelling and the law. He also discusses representing Palestine at the ICJ and his thoughts on the utility of genocide as a legal term. And with the arrests and deportations in the US, Philippe discusses the state of human rights under Trump, and what might be next for the country.Philippe’s book ‘38 Londres Street: On Impunity, Pinochet in England and a Nazi in Patagonia’ is out now.To read more on this topic from our website, head to prospectmagazine.co.uk/ideas/law/international-law Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Historian and broadcaster David Olusoga joins Ellen and Alona to discuss political attacks on American history, the challenges facing academia in the UK—and how future generations will view England’s colonial history.Our newsfeeds are dominated by towering figures like Trump and Elon Musk—but does the “great man” theory still hold? Is history really made by millions of ordinary people? How will historians look back at this moment?And with UK universities under pressure, he discusses why the humanities are still vital.Plus, Ellen and Alona discuss whether the clocks going forward is a “banger” or a “dud”.‘A Journey through Time’ with David Olusoga and Sarah Churchwell can be streamed here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Asbestos might seem like a problem of the past, but it is still killing thousands every year. In the March issue of Prospect, Charlotte wrote about how her father’s death from mesothelioma—a cancer caused by asbestos—led her into years of research, uncovering a shocking history of corporate negligence and government inaction.This week, Charlotte joins the Prospect podcast to share her findings. How long have we known asbestos is deadly? How have companies actively covered up the dangers? And why is asbestos still present in our homes, workplaces and schools, today? Charlotte discusses the latest push for justice—and whether those responsible will ever be held to account.Plus, Ellen and Alona weigh up school phone bans: “banger” or “dud”?To read Charlotte’s piece ‘Asbestos: a corporate coverup, a public health catastrophe’, head to prospectmagazine.co.uk. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, the Prospect podcast meets Kyoto, the new West End play dramatising the high-stakes negotiations behind the 1997 Kyoto Protocol. Written by Joe Murphy and Joe Robertson, the play brings to life the power struggles, disruptors, and unexpected alliances that shaped the first major international climate treaty.Prospect’s Isabel Hilton sits down with the playwrights and former UK negotiator Peter Unwin to discuss the real-life drama behind the diplomacy, whether multilateralism still works, and what Kyoto’s legacy means for today’s climate crisis.Plus, Ellen and Alona mull over whether musicals are a “banger” or a “dud”.Kyoto is playing at London’s Soho Place Theatre until 3rd May 2025.To read Isabel’s writing on geopolitics and climate, head to prospectmagazine.co.uk. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This month’s episode features journalist Kiran Sidhu on the power of communal dance, and actor and writer Sheila Hancock on the need for more women in global politics. Gen Z-er Alice Garnett imagines a world without TikTok, and journalist and host Sarah Collins grapples with the news that her therapist is retiring. Plus, Anglican priest Alice Goodman delves into doubt in the Church. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Has the United States switched sides, acting in Russia’s interests and abandoning its European allies? Or is the transatlantic alliance still intact—albeit under strain?Prospect’s contributing editor Isabel Hilton joins this week’s podcast to untangle increasingly urgent questions of European defence and security. From Trump cutting intelligence-sharing with Ukraine, to Russian espionage in the UK, Isabel explores the vulnerabilities Europe faces and what might come next.Can European nations defend themselves without US support? Is a “coalition of the willing” or a European army a realistic solution? And what opportunities does America's erratic politics create for China?Plus, Ellen and Alona weigh in on International Women’s Day: “banger” or “dud”? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How do we measure racism? In such politically charged terrain, the need for objective data is clear.By some surveys, half of Brits don’t believe that racism exists. Keon West, social psychologist and visiting professor at LSE, joins the podcast to discuss this phenomenon.Keon explains what data can tell us, and delves into the surprising ways that the UK compares to the US. He unpacks the ingenious studies that reveal how racism really works, and why he thinks the Sewell report commissioned by Boris Johnson was “deeply flawed”.He also talks about conducting experiments in a time of “alternative facts”, why we need to trust the science, instead of just relying on scientists, and how those on the left and right can improve discussions about racism.Plus, after Zelensky’s “dressing down” at the White House, Ellen and Alona talk dress codes: banger or dud?Keon’s book ‘The Science of Racism’ is published by Pan Macmillan and is available here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Prospect Lives, journalist Kiran Sidhu mourns her lost cat, while actor and writer Sheila Hancock grapples with ageism at 91. Gen Z-er Alice Garnett attains “regular status” at a London chicken shop, while host and journalist Sarah Collins discusses the end of her honeymoon phase with Athens. Plus, Tilly Lawless explores the two sides of Paris with two different clients. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.