The spiked podcast

The podcast delves into the recent arrest of a tech leader and its implications for free speech and digital censorship. It highlights the growing threats to online expression amid governmental regulations and the challenges posed by misinformation. There's a critical look at the intersection of free speech and security, especially concerning Islamist ideologies in Europe. Additionally, it questions the authoritarian nature of proposed outdoor smoking bans and their effect on personal freedoms, advocating for a more lenient approach to public health.

Rob Henderson, a best-selling author known for his insights on societal issues, discusses the concept of 'luxury beliefs'—ideologies that signal status among the elite while harming the less fortunate. He shares his transformative journey from a chaotic childhood to academic success, highlighting the disconnect between wealthy beliefs and the realities faced by lower-income communities. The conversation also delves into contentious topics like police defunding and the evolving symbols of social status, emphasizing the complexities surrounding privilege and accountability.

The podcast delves into the political void surrounding Kamala Harris, highlighting the disconnect between her superficial messaging and voter engagement. It critiques the shallow nature of political communication and discusses the diminishing impact of traditional leaders like Donald Trump. The conversation shifts to the challenges of law enforcement in addressing extremism, emphasizing a need for data-driven solutions. It also addresses the complexities within immigration policies and the interplay between human rights and local anti-racism efforts.

In this intriguing conversation, Benjamin Schwarz, a commentator on free speech trends, joins Tom Slater, a political discourse analyst, and Fraser Myers, a cultural observer, to dissect the reactions to the Trump-Musk livestream. They discuss the liberal outcry over free speech and explore the international crackdown on 'fake news.' The trio highlights the fallacies surrounding misinformation, with a keen look at historical examples, and critiques the hypocrisy in political narratives today. Expect sharp insights into how public perception shapes politics.

Inaya Folarin Iman, a commentator focused on identity politics and multiculturalism, joins Tom Slater and Fraser Myers to delve into the recent riots in Britain. They discuss the rise of white identity politics and its role in societal violence. The conversation critiques political censorship and its effects on free speech while urging a nuanced understanding of multicultural dynamics. Iman reflects on how racial consciousness is evolving in white communities and warns of the dangers of divisive narratives, advocating for unity in addressing community tensions.

Rakib Ehsan, a social commentator, Tom Slater, a political journalist, and Fraser Myers, a societal writer, delve into the tragic stabbing of three young girls in Southport, igniting discussions on rising lawlessness and government trust. They tackle the chaos of the riots that followed, critiquing police handling of misinformation. The conversation shifts to Kamala Harris’s identity politics in the U.S. elections, emphasizing policy over race. They also explore media controversies and fairness in sports, highlighting complex moral dilemmas impacting public discourse.

In this lively discussion, historian and broadcaster David Starkey critiques Keir Starmer’s Labour government, arguing it threatens democracy. He describes Starmer as an anti-democrat wanting to shift power to unelected bodies, which he claims could lead to a one-party state. Starkey also explores how the left manipulates language to control discourse and laments the rising censorship around free speech. He emphasizes the need for grassroots movements and self-education to revive democratic values in modern politics.

Paul Embery, Ella Whelan and Fraser Myers discuss another wild week in American politics, the riots in Leeds and Dublin, and the BBC’s obsession with drag queens. This episode is sponsored by AG1. Sign up today and get a free one-year supply of Vitamin D with your first subscription: https://drinkag1.com/spiked  Become a spiked supporter: 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

Triggernometry’s Francis Foster joins Tom Slater and Fraser Myers to discuss the victim-blaming of Donald Trump, Gareth Southgate’s culture war and Labour’s ban on puberty blockers.  This episode is sponsored by AG1. Sign up today and get a free one-year supply of Vitamin D with your first subscription: https://drinkag1.com/spiked  Take your business to the next level with Shopify. Sign up now and get a £1-per-month trial period: https://shopify.co.uk/spiked  Become a spiked supporter: 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

This is the audio from a video interview we just published on our YouTube channel, with spiked columnist Batya Ungar-Sargon. To make sure you never miss great content like this, subscribe to our channel: https://www.youtube.com/@spiked  The attempted assassination of Donald Trump brought American society to the brink. What now? Here, Batya Ungar-Sargon argues that Trump’s defiant response likely spared the US serious unrest, that the American left has become alarmingly relaxed about political violence, and that Trump’s programme could yet unite the nation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices