UnHerd with Freddie Sayers
UnHerd
Freddie Sayers from online magazine UnHerd seeks out top scientists, writers, politicians and thinkers for in-depth interviews to try and help us work out what’s really going on. What started as an inquiry into the pandemic has broadened into a fascinating look at free speech, science, meaning and the ideas shaping our world.Due to popular demand here is a podcast version of our YouTube — available to watch, for free here or by searching ‘LockdownTV’.Enjoy! And don't forget to rate, like and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episodes
Mentioned books
13 snips
Nov 15, 2025 • 39min
Will Trump destroy the BBC?
This discussion features Burt Neuborne, a legal expert from NYU, who dives into the implications of Trump's potential defamation lawsuit against the BBC. Veteran journalist Joshua Rozenberg sheds light on the BBC's internal handling of complaints and its perceived biases. Seth Stern from the Freedom of the Press Foundation warns about the chilling effects such lawsuits could have on press freedom. Together, they explore the intersection of legal challenges, media integrity, and the future of public broadcasting under political pressure.
16 snips
Nov 9, 2025 • 48min
Prof. Dieter Helm: The madness of our climate policy
Prof. Sir Dieter Helm, a leading economic policy expert from the University of Oxford, critiques the current climate strategy as a 'self-delusion.' He argues that decades of COP efforts have failed, revealing how green policies may actually harm the West while benefiting China. Helm highlights the heavy reliance on fossil fuels and points out the unrealistic nature of targets like Net Zero 2050. He calls for a shift in focus towards effective, cost-conscious decarbonization and warns against misleading voters about the true costs of climate policies.
Nov 5, 2025 • 51min
Debate: Is there a migrant crimewave?
Fraser Nelson, a columnist for The Times and former editor of The Spectator, dives into the debate surrounding crime and immigration in the UK. He challenges the narrative of a migrant crimewave by highlighting falling violent crime statistics, even as immigration has increased. Nelson discusses the disconnect between public perception and reality, addressing how low-level crimes shape fear despite overall crime decline. He also touches on the complexities of cultural integration and advocates for evidence-based discussions on immigration policies.
Nov 3, 2025 • 1h 14min
The Zohran Mamdani debate
In a heated debate, Ross Barkan, a columnist, defends Zohran Mamdani's progressive policies on affordability, while Miranda Devine and Caroline Downey raise alarms about his impact on public safety. They argue that Mamdani's calls for defunding the police could destabilize the city. Lindsey Boylan counters by highlighting Mamdani's outreach to diverse neighborhoods and focus on critical services like childcare. The discussion dives into tense trade-offs between affordability and safety, probing whether Mamdani can appeal to broader demographics while avoiding pitfalls.
17 snips
Oct 29, 2025 • 47min
Should Europe seize Russian assets? Is a crypto crisis looming?
Hosts delve into the controversial idea of seizing frozen Russian assets, arguing it’s legally dubious and could backfire on European taxpayers. They also tackle the so-called battle between central banks and crypto enthusiasts, revealing it as an illusion that masks deeper financial instabilities. The conversation exposes the risks posed by stablecoins, drawing parallels to past financial mishaps while highlighting the politicization of cryptocurrency. Ultimately, they question whether crypto truly democratized money or just shifted power to corporate elites.
17 snips
Oct 23, 2025 • 35min
Helen Andrews on the Great Feminisation
Helen Andrews, a conservative writer and author of Boomers, dives into her thought-provoking essay on the rise of 'The Great Feminization.' She explores how female group dynamics fuel cancel culture and the implications of a feminized legal system prioritizing emotional sympathy over evidence. Andrews discusses the shift in professional demographics and argues that these changes are not meritocratic but result from social engineering. With insights on how this impacts institutions and parliamentary debate, she advocates for a return to gender neutrality and meritocracy.
Oct 21, 2025 • 45min
Can science prove that God exists?
Michel-Yves Bolloré and Olivier Bonnassies, authors of 'God, the Science, the Evidence', explore the intersection of science and belief in a creator. They discuss how historical scientific movements shifted away from God and present the Big Bang as a sign of a beginning that suggests a cause. The duo challenges materialist views, highlighting the improbability of fine-tuning without design. They even argue that belief in extraterrestrial life doesn’t contradict Christianity. Their insights raise profound questions about evidence and divine involvement in our universe.
Oct 17, 2025 • 1h 6min
Hitchens & Moore vs. Gove & Ibrahim: The Thatcher Debate
Join a fascinating debate featuring Reem Ibrahim, a pro-Thatcherism writer from the Institute of Economic Affairs, and Michael Gove, a former Conservative cabinet minister defending Thatcher's legacy. They face off against Suzanne Moore, a cultural commentator critiquing the social impacts of her policies, and columnist Peter Hitchens, who argues Thatcherism damaged British industry. The discussion dives into economic revivals, deindustrialisation, and the lasting effects of her policies as they explore her complex legacy one hundred years after her birth.
29 snips
Oct 15, 2025 • 38min
Deep dive: Is this the end of trans?
Eric Kaufmann, a Politics Professor at the University of Buckingham, shares surprising insights about the decline in trans and queer identities among young Americans. He reveals that trans identification nearly halved since 2023, drawing on extensive data from university surveys. Their engaging discussion examines potential causes, including mental health trends post-pandemic and a shift in societal attitudes. Kaufmann also explores whether this decline indicates a reversion to previous norms in gender and sexual identities, prompting a thought-provoking dialogue on cultural shifts.
29 snips
Oct 6, 2025 • 44min
Steven Pinker: Questions that shouldn't be asked
Renowned cognitive psychologist and Harvard professor Steven Pinker dives into his latest book, exploring common knowledge's influence on society. He discusses the tension between cancel culture and academic inquiry and the risks of avoiding taboo topics. Pinker critiques the impact of social media on public discourse and considers the decline of democracy. He also examines populist leaders who gain popularity by challenging societal norms. Despite these concerns, he ends on a cautiously optimistic note, emphasizing the need for active engagement to foster progress.
