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
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.
Oct 2, 2025 • 1h 4min
Lord Maurice Glasman: Could Blue Labour stop Reform?
Lord Maurice Glasman, a prominent Labour peer and founder of the Blue Labour movement, discusses the party's identity crisis and its drift from working-class roots. He critiques Keir Starmer's leadership style while emphasizing the need for an industrial strategy to revitalize job creation. Glasman warns of Nigel Farage's Reform movement gaining traction among disillusioned voters. He draws parallels between Blue Labour and the populist energy behind Trump, arguing for a renewed focus on vocational education and grassroots engagement to reclaim Labour's connection with the community.
38 snips
Sep 29, 2025 • 1h 23min
Paul Kingsnorth: How to fight the Machine
In a captivating conversation, Paul Kingsnorth, a seasoned writer and former editor of The Ecologist, delves into the themes of his new book, Against the Machine. He critiques the dehumanizing grip of modernity and likens AI to the 'Antichrist.' Kingsnorth advocates for a radical rethink of cultural values, suggesting we let the contemporary West collapse to foster human-centric societies. He champions a thoughtful resistance to technology, emphasizes the need to protect childhood from screens, and explores the spiritual dimensions of our digital lives.
16 snips
Sep 17, 2025 • 41min
James Lindsay: Beware Right-wing cancel culture
James Lindsay, an author and commentator known for his critiques of illiberal movements, joins the conversation to tackle the troubling emergence of cancel culture on the political Right. He reflects on the balance between free speech and accountability following violent events. Lindsay also discusses privacy concerns in leaked communications and the potential dangers of doxxing. He emphasizes the need for restraint and rebuilding civic norms to prevent further escalation of violence in today's polarized society.
25 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.
