The Bunker – News without the nonsense

Elon Musk is one of many space nerds and sci-fi dreamers fascinated by living on Mars. But, is this just a terrible idea? And how bad would earth need to get for it to make any sense? Kelly Weinersmith, co-author of A City on Mars: Can We Settle Space, Should We Settle Space, and Have We Really Thought This Through? joins Jacob Jarvis to discuss the cons of going to the red planet. Buy A City on Mars: Can We Settle Space, Should We Settle Space, and Have We Really Thought This Through? through our affiliate bookshop and you’ll help fund The Bunker by earning us a small commission for every sale. Bookshop.org’s fees help support independent bookshops too.• We are sponsored by Indeed. Go to https://indeed.com/bunker for £100 sponsored credit.  https://www.patreon.com/bunkercast Written and presented by Jacob Jarvis. Producer: Liam Tait. Audio editor: Robin Leeburn. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.Instagram | Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What do you do when the planet’s most evil man is in the White House? Ask Superman! “Bad guy wins power” is a comics mainstay, and now it’s happening for real everywhere. Lifelong comics readers Ian Dunt of Origin Story (DC) and Andrew Harrison (Marvel) team up to see what classic stories can tell us about the tyrant-vs-hero dynamic. Featuring President Lex Luthor from Superman, Mayor Kingpin from Daredevil, Chief Judge Cal from Judge Dredd, and the USA’s Ambassador to Iran… The Joker?• Support us on Patreon for early episodes and more.• We are sponsored by Indeed. Go to indeed.com/bunker to get your £100 sponsored credit.  Written and presented by Andrew Harrison. Audio production by Tom Taylor and Charlie Duffield. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Managing Editor Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Productionwww.podmasters.co.uk Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Eighty years ago, the world witnessed an unprecedented act of devastation: the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. As the Second World War reached its conclusion, American bombers dropped two nuclear weapons in a final effort to force Japan’s surrender and bring the conflict to an end.Today in The Bunker, Gavin Esler is joined by Richard Overy, author of Rain of Ruin: Tokyo, Hiroshima and the Surrender of Japan, to discuss the final days of World War II, the ethics of destroying entire cities, and how it reshaped the nature of warfare.Buy Rain of Ruin: Tokyo, Hiroshima and the Surrender of Japan through our affiliate bookshop and you’ll help fund The Bunker by earning us a small commission for every sale. Bookshop.org’s fees help support independent bookshops too.• We are sponsored by Indeed. Go to Indeed.com/bunker for £100 sponsored credit.  www.patreon.com/bunkercast Written and presented by Gavin Esler. Produced by Liam Tait. Audio editors: Robin Leeburn. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

From FDR to Trump, every modern president has had brushes with organised crime. So how have secret pacts, betrayals, and under-the-table deals influenced the commander-in-chief? Today on The Bunker, Seth Thévoz is joined by Eric Dezenhall, author of Wiseguys and the White House, to explore the not-so-hidden ties between the leader of the free world and the mob.• We are sponsored by Indeed. Go to Indeed.com/bunker for £100 sponsored credit.  www.patreon.com/bunkercast Written and presented by Seth Thévoz. Produced by Liam Tait. Audio editors: Simon Williams. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The podcast dives into Europe's evolving political landscape, reflecting on the implications of Trump's stance on Ukraine. It highlights the recent summit's focus on defense spending, revealing the challenges of military collaboration among European nations. The discussion takes a turn towards American politics, examining international tensions and responses from both parties. Additionally, it touches upon the ongoing COVID inquiry and offers a lighter take on cultural topics, including American podcasts and the Oscars.

In this lively discussion, author and activist Paul Burston shares insights from his decades of chronicling queer life. The panel delves into the media that has shaped LGBTQ+ identity, including groundbreaking films and books, while reflecting on how these narratives foster resilience. They critique corporate Pride and analyze the impact of algorithm-driven content. Personal stories highlight the powerful role of literature and music in self-acceptance, emphasizing the need for unity and activism amid ongoing challenges for the community.

In this engaging discussion, Paul Burston, a prominent author and activist, joins comedian Sharon Wanjohi to celebrate LGBTQ+ History Month. They shine a light on both celebrated icons and overlooked figures in queer history, addressing the complexities of identity and representation. The conversation dives into the importance of diverse narratives, the role of queer villains in media, and the societal challenges that come with activism. With humor and insight, they navigate the ongoing struggles and triumphs of the LGBTQ+ community.

Marie Le Conte, a regular contributor to Oh God What Now and author of 'Escape,' joins Jacob Jarvis to unpack the growing obsession of MPs with WhatsApp. They explore how the messaging app has revolutionized political communication, fostering connections while also breeding chaos and gossip. The conversation touches on the paranoia experienced by MPs, the issues of confidentiality, and communication challenges due to generational divides in tech skills. They discuss the implications of this shift for public service and the sustainability of parliamentary duties.

Helen O’Hara, film journalist and Empire magazine's editor-at-large, discusses the future of James Bond now under Amazon's control. She questions whether Amazon will revive or dilute the franchise with cheesy spins, similar to Disney's handling of Star Wars. The conversation dives into the delicate balance of modernizing Bond's long-standing themes of masculinity and imperialism while ensuring the character remains relevant in today's world. O’Hara also reflects on how the evolution of villains mirrors contemporary global issues.

Stella Tsantekidou, a journalist and author, shares her experiences at Jordan Peterson's far-right festival, a bizarre mix of climate skeptics and conspiracy theorists. She dives into the conference's strange appeal, examining its impact on British politics. The conversation highlights the clash of ideologies, the merging of ethno-nationalism and religion, and how financial backing from figures like Peter Thiel shapes these movements. Tsantekidou's insights reveal unsettling trends in contemporary conservatism and the narratives constructed around Western civilization.