The Bunker – News without the nonsense

Money makes the world go round, but how does it actually work? With economies across the globe in flux, understanding cash, currencies and crypto has never been more important. Gavin Jackson, lead writer for the Financial Times, joins Ahir Shah to talk about his new book Money in One Lesson: How it Works and Why, which covers the most important questions about money and how it shapes our societies. “Money is something we all believe in, but we’re not entirely sure why.” “We didn’t start with barter, the first money was actually made out of clay tablets.” “Hyperinflation only happens when a government decides something is more important than stopping hyperinflation.” “Bitcoin is an attempt to opt-out of the banking system we’ve become used to.” “Deflation, when prices fall, is actually a lot worse than inflation as our debts don’t change.” “If you’re interested in people, you should be interested in money. It tells us so much about who we are.” https://www.patreon.com/bunkercastPresented by Ahir Shah. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Producers: Jacob Archbold, Jelena Sofronijevic and Alex Rees. Audio production by Jade Bailey. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

For millions of people, social media isn’t a source of entertainment or information, but a way to reinvent themselves. So what if you could stop being a loser of our economic system by winning the internet’s attention? Channel 4 reporter Symeon Brown talks to Justin Quirk about his book Get Rich or Lie Trying, his gripping expose of fraud, exploitation, misogyny, environmental destruction, and the dodgy financial traders of Instagram. “Anyone promising guaranteed returns is almost certainly a scammer.” “The Wolf of Wall Street is just hip hop in a film.” “Influencer traders rule the platforms, and the platforms are almost unable to respond.” https://www.patreon.com/bunkercastWritten and presented by Justin Quirk. Producers: Jacob Archbold and Jelena Sofronijevic. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production by Jade Bailey. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Productionhttps://atlantic-books.co.uk/book/get-rich-or-lie-trying/  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Russia’s withdrawal from some areas of Ukraine has unveiled new depths to the atrocities committed under Putin. With horrific images showing civilians’ bodies in the streets of Bucha, the panel unpacks what will come of these revelations. Plus, we look at how the cost of living crisis is biting those who might have been insulated so far. This week’s guest is The Independent’s political sketch writer Tom Peck.  “All the cards are not in Putin’s hands. Putin has got immense problems.” – Gavin Esler  “Putin has put himself in a trap of his own making.” – Yasmeen Serhan  “It’s hard to imagine seeing worse images than the ones we saw in recent days.” – Yasmeen Serhan  "The battle for Ukraine is not being won or lost on the front pages of British newspapers." – Tom Peck “Historically, when things get difficult for the middle classes, things get difficult for the Tories.” – Tom Peck  "When you cut Universal Credit, you clobber the powerless and the voiceless." – Tom Peck Find resources to help the Ukrainian people here: https://ukrainewar.carrd.co/ https://www.patreon.com/bunkercastPresented by Andrew Harrison with Gavin Esler and Yasmeen Serhan. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Producers: Jacob Archbold, Jelena Sofronijevic and Alex Rees. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production by Alex Rees. The Bunker is a Podmasters Production Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

With Russia accused of massacring civilians in Ukraine, we look at the world’s reaction, and what will come next. How can nations push harder to punish Putin? Plus, we unpack the Hungarian election results, with Viktor Orbán having won a fourth term. And back home, partygate continues to rumble on. Alex Andreou and Arthur Snell look at the week ahead.  "Billions of Euros are sent to Russia for gas. Banning it would have a huge impact on Russia’s economy in the medium term.” – Arthur Snell  “One hoped that Orban’s closeness to Putin might have changed the outcome of the election.” – Arthur Snell  “If you’re in a town which doesn’t vote for Orban, then you’ll find yourself starved of resources.” – Arthur Snell  “I don’t think the British public have moved on over partygate.” – Arthur Snell Find resources to help the Ukrainian people here: https://ukrainewar.carrd.co/ www.patreon.com/bunkercast Presented by Alex Andreou with Arthur Snell. Producers: Jacob Archbold, Jelena Sofronijevic and Alex Rees. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production: Jade Bailey. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What is life like for Hong Kong activists detained then forced into exile after daring to defy Beijing? Simon Cheng was imprisoned in 2019, and fled to Britain later that year, establishing the expat group Hongkongers in Britain. He talks to Ros Taylor about his brutal experience in detention, his new life and the threat to democracy in his home city. “Increasingly the younger generation in Hong Kong don’t think they are Chinese.” “Provided the regime isn’t changed, I have no chance of going back to Hong Kong.” “I miss my hometown, my friends and my family, but I need to be able speak out freely.” “One day if the regime changes, we could be back in Hong Kong with democracy and freedom.” “I will continue to speak out for those people who can’t speak in Hong Kong.” https://www.patreon.com/bunkercastPresented by Ros Taylor. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Producers: Jacob Archbold, Jelena Sofronijevic and Alex Rees. Audio production by Jade Bailey. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We welcome indie-rockin’ winger Pat Nevin (Chelsea, Everton, the Camden Falcon) to talk music and his new book The Accidental Footballer. Plus Wet Leg’s long-awaited debut album, Marvel’s Egyptological psycho-drama Moon Knight, Oscar-winning deaf family dramady Coda, an erotically-charged Ruth Wilson in True Things AKA 9½ Weeks In Ramsgate… and much, much more.  Hear all the music on our rolling playlists.Spotify: https://bit.ly/CultBunkTidal: https://tidal.com/browse/playlist/1aea7525-7891-4a88-8474-a08c45ea064b“I once managed to fit four Camera Obscura references into one sentence of commentary.” – Pat Nevin“Ruth Wilson’s character feels like a real woman… If not yourself then definitely someone you know.” – Anna Smith“The truly ignorant person is the one that thinks they know everything.” – Pat NevinPresented by Siân Pattenden and Andrew Harrison. Producer Jelena Sofronijevic with Elina Ganatra. Audio production by Jade Bailey. Theme music: ‘Bunker Theme (Juntos Mix)’ by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. The Culture Bunker is a Podmasters production.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jacques Peretti’s mother, Alina, survived World War Two in Poland, Siberia, and finally, Auschwitz. They talk to Siân Pattenden about their book, Little Bird of Auschwitz, coming to terms with how Alina understood the Holocaust as a child, finding the courage to put harrowing memories to paper …and how the investigative journalist learned more about the woman who would never let him call her “Mum”. “My mum took a Zhivago-esque Odyssey across Europe.” - Jacques Peretti “I wasn't brave enough to write this book myself, but my son gave me the opportunity.” - Alina Peretti “People assume that the Holocaust was a Jewish experience. But the degenerate category extended to anyone the Nazis didn't like.” - Jacques Peretti “The debate between Hitler and his officers happened right in front of my mum.” - Alina Peretti https://www.patreon.com/bunkercastWritten and presented by Siân Pattenden. Producers: Jacob Archbold and Jelena Sofronijevic. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production by Alex Rees. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Productionhttps://www.hodder.co.uk/titles/jacques-peretti/little-bird-of-auschwitz/9781473646438/  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Loneliness is something we’ve all felt at some point in our lives, particularly throughout COVID. But it can also have great value for society. Philosopher and social human rights expert Professor Kimberley Brownlee guides Ros Taylor through the important questions about being alone. Is solitary confinement an effective form of punishment? Have isolation policies been effective during the pandemic, or have they exposed care homes as “warehouses” for the elderly? And is loneliness really a moral injustice?  “Our social needs are needs with a capital N. We thirst for connection.” “In China, children have a legal duty to visit and engage with their elderly parents.”  “We risk becoming socially malnourished without even being aware of it.” https://www.patreon.com/bunkercastWritten and presented by Ros Taylor. Producers: Jacob Archbold and Jelena Sofronijevic. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production by Jade Bailey. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

 What a difference a week makes. Rishi Sunak’s stock has plummeted dramatically, how far can it fall? We unpick the Chancellor’s sorry Spring Statement. Plus, while COVID cases are rising, free tests are being ditched in England. What could possibly go wrong? And with three-time grand slam champ Ash Barty retiring from tennis, we weigh up the pros and cons of quitting while you’re ahead. “Sunak had an absolute shocker. Day one the headlines were awful from both sides.” – Miatta Fahnbulleh “I don’t think Sunak expected this backlash, which shows how out of step with the country he is.” – Miatta Fahnbulleh “I think this is worse than the Osborne years.” – Miatta Fahnbulleh “It’s very easy to get popular shoving money into people’s mouths.” – Ahir Shah “We’re seeing the real Rishi Sunak, and people are horrified.” – Ahir Shah “Hospital workers having to pay for their own tests to make sure they’re safe to work is insane.” – Justin Quirk Presented by Andrew Harrison with Ahir Shah, Justin Quirk and Miatta Fahnbulleh.Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Producers: Jacob Archbold, Jelena Sofronijevic and Alex Rees. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production by Alex Rees. The Bunker is a Podmasters Production Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As fallout from Rishi Sunak’s Spring Statement boosts tensions in Government, we look at how this might unravel further. And with Zelenskyy suggesting Ukraine could consider Russia’s neutrality demands, is there hope for an end to the war? Plus, rising COVID cases, Prince William’s reflections on his Caribbean tour and a controversial night at the Oscars. Ros Taylor and Alex Andreou look at the week ahead.  “This seems like a very slow-moving war of attrition, that Russia is losing." – Alex Andreou  "Even allies on the same side of a war have different objectives." – Alex Andreou  "The UK still sees itself as the dominant entity in the Commonwealth." – Alex Andreou  "Will Smith's actions have overshadowed the achievements of other people." – Alex Andreou Find resources to help the Ukrainian people here: https://ukrainewar.carrd.co/ www.patreon.com/bunkercast Presented by Ros Taylor with Alex Andreou. Producers: Jacob Archbold, Jelena Sofronijevic and Alex Rees. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production: Jade Bailey. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices