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
7 snips
Sep 15, 2025 • 30min
Dr Martin Kulldorff: What I told RFK Jr about vaccines
In this conversation, Dr. Martin Kulldorff, an epidemiologist and co-author of the Great Barrington Declaration, shares his insights on vaccine policies and the recent upheaval at the CDC. He discusses Sweden's ‘focused protection’ strategy during the pandemic and critiques the effectiveness claims surrounding COVID vaccines. Kulldorff emphasizes the importance of rebuilding public trust in vaccination efforts, diving into the ramifications of misinformation and political narratives that have influenced public perception of vaccines.
40 snips
Sep 12, 2025 • 46min
Thomas Chatterton Williams: The centre cannot hold
Thomas Chatterton Williams, author of 'Summer of Our Discontent', dives into the shifts in American politics following the recent Charlie Kirk incident. He discusses the eerie parallels between now and 2020, examining media narratives and the polarization fueled by racial dynamics and societal tensions. Williams critiques the discontent with centrist politics and warns against the rise of extremist views while analyzing how the pandemic and elite distrust have radicalized opinions. He emphasizes the importance of real-life connections to bridge divides and restore meaningful discourse.
21 snips
Sep 11, 2025 • 32min
Is Charlie Kirk's murder a tipping point?
Emily Jashinsky, host of the Undercurrents channel and White House reporter, joins Sohrab Ahmari, UnHerd's US Editor, to delve into the chilling aftermath of Charlie Kirk's assassination. They discuss the impact of this event on American politics, highlighting fears of escalating violence and the breakdown of civil debate. The guests explore potential government crackdowns and the intertwining of social media with extremist ideologies, emphasizing the urgent need for open dialogue amid a polarized climate.
30 snips
Sep 4, 2025 • 45min
Matt Taibbi: Has Elon Musk ruined politics?
Matt Taibbi, a former Rolling Stone reporter and current publisher of Racket News, discusses Elon Musk's impact on political discourse following his acquisition of Twitter. He reflects on whether Musk has truly delivered a freer public square, or if X has become a platform rife with misinformation. The conversation also touches on the cultural battles around free speech in both the U.S. and the U.K., exemplified by controversies involving public figures and the regulation of harmful content versus protecting free expression.
Aug 30, 2025 • 33min
Lina Khan: How to break the monopoly machine
Lina Khan, the former chair of the Federal Trade Commission under Biden, dives deep into the antitrust landscape and corporate power dynamics. She discusses how corporations manipulate both woke and anti-woke rhetoric to shield their monopolistic practices. Khan critiques the challenges posed by lobbyist capture and mega-mergers, while questioning whether genuine economic populism can take root within the Democratic Party. The conversation also touches on the implications of non-compete clauses and how institutional investors affect housing markets.
79 snips
Aug 27, 2025 • 35min
Is this the Disenlightenment?
James Marriott is a cultural critic for The Times of London, while Jared Henderson is a YouTuber tackling philosophical concepts. They dive into the alarming decline in reading habits, especially among young men, linking it to broader cultural and educational crises. Marriott warns of a perilous 'post-literate society' where critical thinking fades, while Henderson offers solutions to rekindle reading interest. The discussion navigates the conflict between traditional reading and digital distractions, reflecting on literacy's evolution amidst the rising influence of technology.
33 snips
Aug 19, 2025 • 1h 16min
Ukraine: Realist vs Idealist
John Mearsheimer, a University of Chicago professor and leading realist, argues that NATO expansion led to Putin's invasion of Ukraine, urging a pragmatic peace deal for Ukraine. In contrast, Matthew Syed, a Sunday Times columnist, fiercely critiques this view as morally flawed, advocating for strong Western resolve. The discussion dives into the stark divisions in peace negotiations, the implications of territorial concessions, and the challenges of navigating the complex landscape of the Ukraine-Russia conflict, revealing the existential fears driving both sides.
17 snips
Aug 12, 2025 • 42min
Tim Cook: Genius or villain?
Freddie Sayers chats with Patrick McGee, a journalist and author of *Apple in China*, who previously served as the Financial Times’s principal Apple reporter. They dive into Tim Cook's leadership, highlighting his complex strategies that transformed Apple and secured its manufacturing dominance in China. McGee discusses Cook's political maneuvers amid U.S.-China tensions, his efforts to diversify production, and Apple’s growing vulnerabilities. The conversation touches on innovation stagnation and the ethical dilemmas of corporate responsibility in a globalized world.
15 snips
Aug 7, 2025 • 26min
Richard Dawkins: Why men and women are different
Renowned evolutionary biologist Richard Dawkins tackles the biological differences between men and women and the consequences of ignoring them. He argues that understanding these distinctions is crucial amid rising gender ideology. Discussing gametes, Dawkins outlines the evolutionary changes that shape reproductive behaviors. He also delves into the significance of menopause in human evolution and family dynamics. With a keen eye on the intersection of biology and social identity, he warns against sacrificing scientific truth for political correctness.
Aug 5, 2025 • 44min
DEBATE: Is Israel’s war in Gaza moral?
Batya Ungar-Sargon, a sharp political analyst and contributor to UnHerd, joins Sohrab Ahmari to dissect the shifting attitudes of the MAGA movement towards Israel. They explore why support for Israel is waning among the American Right, particularly concerning the conflict in Gaza. The conversation dives into moral and legal obligations under international law, the geopolitical intricacies of Arab-Israeli relations, and the generational divides in public sentiment surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
