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
6 snips
Dec 26, 2025 • 45min
Prof. James Hankins: The return of Western civilisation
Prof. James Hankins, a Harvard historian and Renaissance scholar, dives into the troubled legacy of Western civilization and classical education. He highlights the profound contributions of Greek thought and Roman law, emphasizing reason's role in shaping democracy. Hankins critiques the modern neglect of these traditions, lamenting the cultural amnesia in elite institutions. Yet, he offers a glimmer of hope, likening today's revival of classical education to the early Renaissance, suggesting that a cultural renaissance is within reach.
Dec 22, 2025 • 47min
Greg Lukianoff: America's new free speech crisis
In a riveting discussion, Greg Lukianoff, president of FIRE and constitutional lawyer, reveals alarming trends in academic freedom and censorship. He highlights how 2025 is the worst year for campus censorship, driven by both left and right political pressures. Lukianoff recounts the chilling aftermath of Charlie Kirk's assassination and discusses the repressive actions against students for controversial speech, including visa threats for noncitizens. He argues for the necessity of defending all speech, critiquing those who selectively advocate for free expression.
Dec 16, 2025 • 37min
Ex-prisoner: The Islamist gangs inside our prisons
Steve Gallant, a former prisoner and national hero, shares his remarkable journey from a murder conviction to aiding in the 2019 London Bridge attack. He candidly discusses the realities of prison life, the rise of Islamist gangs, and their influence over inmates. Gallant offers a critical look at the failures in rehabilitation and the deception within the system. He argues for the necessity of isolating hardliners and addresses the complexities of genuine reform, sharing insights on what truly fosters change among long-term prisoners.
9 snips
Dec 2, 2025 • 32min
The truth about net immigration
Madeleine Sumption, Director at the Migration Observatory, dissects the recent sharp decline in UK net migration. She challenges the narrative of a British exodus, clarifying that many emigrants are former immigrants returning home. Analyzing ONS data, Madeleine explains the surge and fall in migration numbers and the impact of recent policy changes. She also delves into the demographics of who is leaving and highlights potential flaws in migration measurement, calling for better data tracking to understand these shifts.
11 snips
Nov 22, 2025 • 36min
Prof. Sunetra Gupta: The lost lessons of lockdown
Prof. Sunetra Gupta, a leading theoretical epidemiologist from Oxford and co-author of the Great Barrington Declaration, critiques the UK COVID inquiry, calling its conclusions an "insult" to public intelligence. She questions the validity of modelling that suggests lockdowns saved lives, highlights the ignored evidence from Sweden, and argues for a focus on alternative explanations like herd immunity. Gupta emphasizes the ethical costs of lockdowns and champions a focused protection approach for the vulnerable, urging scientists to consider broader societal impacts in their advice.
10 snips
Nov 21, 2025 • 42min
Freddie Sayers: The Covid inquiry is a disgrace
The UK’s £200 million COVID inquiry has stirred controversy with its conclusion that the only mistake was not locking down sooner. Critics argue it overlooks severe collateral damage to children and society. Anomalies like Sweden’s non-lockdown success are ignored, raising questions about the inquiry’s credibility. The potential for future authoritarianism looms as citizens face long-term repercussions from lockdowns. With concerns about modeling claims and the framing of findings, the discussion reveals deeper societal fears and unresolved pandemic traumas.
13 snips
Nov 19, 2025 • 40min
Matthew Crawford: The truth about 'Smart Cities'
Matthew B. Crawford, a writer and philosopher known for his works on urban life and technology, dives into the risks of 'smart cities.' He questions the trade-offs of data-driven urban design and the loss of spontaneity, highlighting how corporate control undermines democratic rights. They explore the impact of remote-controlled vehicles on ownership and the pitfalls of prioritizing safety over human experience. Crawford emphasizes the need for bottom-up urban wisdom, contrasting it with elite-driven planning, while reflecting on life in Winnipeg as a serene alternative.
26 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.
29 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.
