The Bunker – News without the nonsense

A bonus excerpt from the new series of our science and psychology podcast, Why? In Episode One: Most of us think we’re too smart, stable and strong-willed to join a cult – but clearly somebody’s joining them. So why do people willingly give up their free will and independence to join secretive communities with charismatic leaders – and how do they get out? Emma Kennedy talks to world-leading cult deprogrammer Rick Alan Ross and NXIVM cult survivor Sarah Edmondson to discover the strange allure of the cult mindset.Go here to hear the complete episode.Why? with Emma Kennedy is the podcast for curious minds, from the makers of The Bunker. Every Thursday, Emma delves into the science and psychology of why we are the way we are. She talks leading experts and some of science’s brightest minds to answer the big questions you never knew how to ask. Follow on your favourite podcast app so you never miss an episode.WHY? is presented by Emma Kennedy. Produced by Eliza Davis Beard. Audio production and theme music by Jade Bailey. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Artwork by James Parrett. Additional music is from Artlist.io. WHY? is a Podmasters Production.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

General Election 2024: Was Starmer lucky, ruthless or both? Was there any way back for the Tories after that disastrous rain-sodden launch? And was the vote a real watershed moment – or just an interval before we return to the business of national decline? ITV News’s Deputy Political Editor Anushka Asthana talks to Andrew Harrison about Taken As Red: How Labour Won Big and the Tories Crashed the Party, her frankly unputdownable account of people and power inside the hot zone of the major parties’ campaigns. Buy Taken As Red 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/bunkercastPresented by Group Editor Andrew Harrison. Produced by Chris Jones. Audio production by Robin Leeburn. Art by James Parrett. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Managing Editor Jacob Jarvis. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Productionwww.podmasters.co.uk Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Georgia is a key battleground in the US election – and was central to Trump’s push against the 2020 result. Trump has been charged over allegations of leading a criminal racketeering enterprise, in a conspiracy to overturn the 2020 outcome. With the case pending, Gavin Esler speaks with Marian Mohamed, director of Trump: The Criminal Conspiracy Case, which airs at 9pm on Wednesday, October 23 – and will be available online after – to discuss Trump’s audacious actions in the state and what emerged while digging into this story. We are sponsored by Indeed. Go to Indeed.com/bunker for £100 sponsored credit.  www.patreon.com/bunkercast   Want more US politics from Podmasters? Listen to American Friction here.   Written and presented by Gavin Esler. Audio production: Simon Williams. 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

What is it like to wear a hidden camera among neo-fascist extremists? Or at a rally for far-right groups from across Europe, some with a reputation for extreme violence? In a chilling new C4 documentary Undercover: Exposing the Far Right, reporters from Hope Not Hate pose as far-right recruits to discover how they talk privately, how they network, and how they’re laundering discredited “race science” for a gullible new audience.  Reporter Harry Shukman and director Havana Marking talk to Andrew Harrison about a documentary so powerful it was pulled from the London Film Festival at the last minute due to safety concerns.    Watch Undercover: Exposing the Far Right now on the Channel 4 app now or visit undercover.film to discover more.   We are sponsored by Indeed. Go to Indeed.com/bunker for £100 sponsored credit.   Support us on Patreon Presented by Group Editor Andrew Harrison. Produced by Chris Jones. Audio production by Jade Bailey. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Managing Editor Jacob Jarvis. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production  www.podmasters.co.uk Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It’s the last full week before the Budget and of course the press is losing its cool over a raft of leaks. What will be in it, who’s annoyed in Government – is any of it worth paying attention to? Plus, Charles and Starmer attend the Commonwealth summit, the latest from the US election, and the state of conflicts across the world. Gavin Esler talks Jacob Jarvis through the week ahead. We are sponsored by Indeed. Go to Indeed.com/bunker for £100 sponsored credit.Want more US politics? Listen to American Friction here. www.patreon.com/bunkercast   Written and presented by Jacob Jarvis with Gavin Esler. Audio production: Simon Williams. 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

JD Vance says The Lord Of The Rings shaped his politics. Italy’s Georgia Meloni used to dress as a hobbit and go to right-wing Tolkien meet-ups. Far-right oligarch Peter Thiel named his company after a magic stone from Middle Earth. Why are right-wingers so fascinated by Tolkien? And is their fake, fascist-adjacent vision of a mystic rural paradise dangerous? New York Times columnist and self-declared Tolkien nerd David French explains all to Andrew Harrison.   Read David French’s column The Lord Of The Rings Is Not The Far Right’s Playground.  We are sponsored by Indeed. Go to Indeed.com/bunker for £100 sponsored credit.   Support us on Patreon. Presented by Group Editor Andrew Harrison. Produced by Eliza Davis Beard. Audio production by Tom Taylor. Art by James Parrett. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Managing Editor Jacob Jarvis. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production  www.podmasters.co.uk  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As pressure to return to the office continues to grow, could we be witnessing the end of flexible working? Despite promises from the government to explore working from home and four-day weeks, bosses seem adamant to return to the status quo. In today’s episode of The Bunker, Hannah Fearn sits down with Professor Cary Cooper to unpack why workplaces are urging employees back into the office. We are sponsored by Indeed. Go to Indeed.com/bunker for £100 sponsored credit.  www.patreon.com/bunkercast Written and presented by Hannah Fearn. Producer: Liam Tait. Audio editors: Tom Taylor. 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

In this insightful discussion, Mike Rothschild, author of 'Jewish Space Lasers’ and conspiracy theory expert, examines the alarming rise of conspiracies surrounding hurricanes, especially during crises. He uncovers how wild claims, like weather-controlling technology, resonate through social media and political spheres. Rothschild shines a light on the eerie acceptance of extreme views in Congress and the dangers of misinformation. They explore the psychological allure of these narratives and the challenge of combating these beliefs in our digital age.

Esteemed political journalist Steve Richards, host of Rock and Roll Politics, joins Andrew Harrison to dissect the unexpected Conservative leadership contest featuring Kemi Badenoch and Robert Jenrick. They discuss the implications of their potential leadership on the Labour Party and delve into the chaotic dynamics within the Conservative ranks. The conversation covers the challenges of communicating effective NHS policies, the influence of Thatcher's legacy on today’s politicians, and strategies for Labour to counteract Badenoch's rising star.

The podcast dives deep into the implications of Starmer's first 100 days, balancing business interests and internal party dynamics. It analyzes challenges at the upcoming investment summit amidst economic uncertainty. Tensions in the Middle East, particularly the Israel-Hezbollah conflict, are scrutinized against the backdrop of global stability. The discussion also touches on Kamala Harris's political strategies aimed at younger voters versus Biden's, and delves into Elon Musk's powerful influence on media narratives, creating a rich tapestry of current events.