The Bunker

Join Marie le Conte and Jonn Elledge as they delve into the mind-bending world of the Apple TV series Severance. Marie is a savvy cultural commentator, while Jonn is an astute observer of work culture. They explore whether the mind-wiped 'innies' are more authentic than their 'outies' and discuss the show’s surreal take on workplace identity. The conversation reveals how 'Severance' mirrors our own struggles with work-life balance and critiques the absurdities of modern corporate culture. Get ready for a thought-provoking, satirical Waffle Party!

Trump's economic policies have experts scratching their heads – and while the US isn't yet in recession, many believe one is imminent. The true impact of Trump's disruptive tactics remains uncertain, yet the consequences could be felt worldwide. Today on The Bunker, Gavin Esler is joined by Jonathan Portes, Professor of Economics and Public Policy at King’s College London, to unpack the fallout from MAGA economics and what it could mean for the rest of the world.• We are sponsored by Indeed. Go to https://indeed.com/bunker for £100 sponsored credit.  https://www.patreon.com/c/bunkercast Written and presented by Gavin Esler. Produced by Liam Tait. Audio editors: Tom Taylor. 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

Is the age of the visionary political leader over? Why have unserious political entertainers and bland technocrats replaced inspirational, storytelling presidents and prime ministers? Is it all down to the internet, again? Seasoned political journalist Steve Richards of the Rock’n’Roll Politics podcast joins Andrew Harrison to ask: where have all the great leaders gone… or were they always just an illusion? • Buy Steve Richards’ books The Prime Ministers and The Prime Ministers We Never Had through our affiliate bookshop. You’ll help fund The Bunker by earning us a small commission for every sale. Bookshop.org’s fees help support independent bookshops too.• 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 Sara Farolfi.. 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

In this engaging discussion, Edward Luce, the US national editor and columnist for the Financial Times, dives deep into the challenges Tesla faces under Elon Musk's controversial leadership. He explores how Musk's political entanglements and shifting focus threaten Tesla's market position. With sales plunging and protests erupting, Luce questions the sustainability of Tesla amidst growing consumer distrust. The conversation also highlights Musk's influence over U.S. politics and its ramifications for both Tesla and SpaceX, raising critical issues about the future of innovation in this volatile landscape.

The government’s benefit plans have caused turmoil within the Labour party and backlash more broadly – what might they change? Plus, what can we expect from a Trump-Putin call this week, and why is Cummings back in the news? Ros Taylor joins Jacob Jarvis to discuss the news to look out for in the week ahead.  We are sponsored by Indeed. Go to https://indeed.com/bunker for £100 sponsored credit.   www.patreon.com/bunkercast     Written and presented by Jacob Jarvis with Ros Taylor. Audio production: Tom Taylor. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Music by Kenny Dickinson. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

When earning a little extra money leaves you worse off, women end up spending all their additional earnings on childcare, and the benefits system actively encourages low wages, it’s no wonder many people make a rational decision not to work. But our nine million “economically inactive” people are a drag on growth as well as an affront to human potential. As Keir Starmer goes to battle with his own party over cutting benefits in a bid to get people back into work, TUC general secretary Paul Nowak joins us to ask: can we make working work for everyone? • We are sponsored by Indeed. Go to Indeed.com/bunker to get your £100 sponsored credit.  • Support us on Patreon for early episodes and more Written and presented by Andrew Harrison. Audio production by Robin Leeburn. 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

Almost no major event in America goes by without conspiracy theorists making up bizarre narratives to explain what’s “really” going on. Why has this mindset taken hold – and why has Trump embraced it?In January, catastrophic wildfires devastated Los Angeles, destroying communities and claiming 29 lives. Before the fires were even extinguished, conspiracy theories thrived online – and further amplified by President Trump's misinformation about the disaster response.Chris Jones is joined by journalist Mike Rothschild, author of Jewish Space Lasers: The Rothschilds and 200 Years of Conspiracy Theories and himself a victim of the fires, who warns of America’s shift toward conspiracy theories under Trump's administration and explores effective ways to combat them.• We are sponsored by Indeed. Go to https://indeed.com/bunker for £100 sponsored credit.  https://www.patreon.com/c/bunkercast Written and presented by Chris Jones. Produced by Liam Tait. Audio editors: Tom Taylor. 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

Sean Monahan, a trend forecaster and co-founder of CAHO, dives deep into the surprising political shift of Gen Z. He discusses how historical events like the COVID-19 pandemic and the 2008 recession shaped Gen Z's views, leading to a pragmatic approach to politics. Monahan articulates the generational shift from progressive ideals to more conservative values and how economic challenges are driving their decisions. Through real insights, he aims to debunk common myths about Gen Z, shedding light on what truly defines this complex generation.

Democracy is in decline across the globe – with authoritarians alarmingly on the rise. Constance Hunter, chief economist at the Economist Intelligence Unit, joins Ros Taylor to discuss the Economist’s latest Democracy Index – and to ask which nations have fallen away from democracy and why. • We are sponsored by Indeed. Go to https://indeed.com/bunker for £100 sponsored credit.  https://www.patreon.com/bunkercast Written and presented by Ros Tayor. Audio editor: 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

There’s turmoil on the right of British politics – what’s going on and is it all Donald Trump’s fault? Rafael Behr joins Jacob Jarvis to unpack the Reform in-fighting and Starmer’s polling boost. Plus, they discuss civil service reforms, the latest US economic turmoil and what’s going on in Canadian politics.  We are sponsored by Indeed. Go to Indeed.com/bunker for £100 sponsored credit.   https://www.patreon.com/c/bunkercast   Written and presented by Jacob Jarvis with Rafael Behr. Audio production: Tom Taylor. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Music by Kenny Dickinson. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices