Oh God, What Now?

One of the best-liked MPs in Westminster, Chris Bryant has led an incident-packed life as the title of his new autobiography A Life And A Half  proves. In a frank, astonishing, sometimes dark but also very funny interview he explains how he went from a painful childhood to becoming an Anglican priest to winning a very traditional South Wales seat as an out gay man. From early encounters with Boris Johnson to bizarre stories in Brussels, it’s one of the most remarkable interviews we’ve done. “My mum looked after Shirley Bassey’s wigs, which may explain my sexuality,” he tells Seth Thévoz and Marie le Conte.  • Don’t forget you can watch full video on Spotify.  Warning: This episode contains discussion of sexual abuse which some listeners may find difficult. ESCAPE ROUTES  • Chris saw the BBC Symphony Orchestra at the Edinburgh Festival.  • Marie recommends The Door by Magda Szabó. • Seth has been watching old episodes of Doctor Who with Tom Baker, some of which were good... ... and some of which weren’t. When you buy books through our affiliate bookshop, you help fund the podcast by earning us a small commission for every sale. Bookshop.org’s fees help support independent bookshops too. • Get our exclusive NordVPN deal here https://nordvpn.com/ohgodwhatnow. It’s risk-free with Nord’s 30-day money back guarantee!  • Advertisers! Want to reach smart, engaged, influential people with money to spend? (Yes, they do exist). Some 3.5 MILLION people download and watch our podcasts every month – and they love our shows. Why not get YOUR brand in front of our influential listeners with podcast advertising? Contact ads@podmasters.co.uk to find out more • Back us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ohgodwhatnow for ad-free listening, bonus materials and more.  Written and presented by Seth Thévoz and Marie Le Conte. Audio and video production by Chris Jones and Robin Leeburn. Theme music by Cornershop. Art direction: James Parrett. Produced by Chris Jones. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. OH GOD, WHAT NOW? is a Podmasters production. www.podmasters.co.uk Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Robert Jenrick’s hanging out with the far-right at the migrant hotel protests, the Express claims “tens of millions” of Britons want a full-blown revolution, and Alison Pearson is hoping for a military coup. Why are the former law-and-order right so desperate for political violence to erupt? Plus, will Sally Rooney’s reign of terror ever end? As calls mount for her to be banned (somehow) or prosecuted (somehow) for backing Palestine Action, we ask if the proscription of the Gaza protest group could get any more absurd. And in the Extra Bit: Do the right-wing anti-academia mob have a point? Is university just not worth it for some people?  ESCAPE ROUTES  • Marie recommends Out of Sheer Rage by Geoff Dyer.  • Jonn recommends the Hamad Butt retrospective Apprehensions at the Whitechapel Gallery. • Dorian recommends people watching. Just go out for a walk. It’s summer.  When you buy books through our affiliate bookshop you help fund the podcast by earning us a small commission for every sale. Bookshop.org’s fees help support independent bookshops too. • Get our exclusive NordVPN deal here. It’s risk-free with Nord’s 30-day money back guarantee!  • Advertisers! Want to reach smart, engaged, influential people with money to spend? (Yes, they do exist). Some 3.5 MILLION people download and watch our podcasts every month – and they love our shows. Why not get YOUR brand in front of our influential listeners with podcast advertising? Contact ads@podmasters.co.uk to find out more • Back us on Patreon for ad-free listening, bonus materials and more.  Presented by Dorian Lynskey with Marie le Conte and Jonn Elledge. Audio production by Simon Williams and Robin Leeburn. Theme music by Cornershop. Art direction: James Parrett. Produced by Chris Jones. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. OH GOD, WHAT NOW? is a Podmasters production. www.podmasters.co.uk Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It seems like there’s no end to the horrors in Gaza, the torment of the Israeli hostages and Netanyahu’s expansionism. And the more events escalate, the less we understand this nightmare. Today we’re joined by UCL politics professor Julie Norman to take as sober a look as possible at how the Middle East has changed after the October 7 attacks and Israel’s devastating response. Is Netanyahu prolonging the war to say in power? Does it fit the description of a genocide? And what happens next? Plus we have excellent questions on this topic in a special But Your Emails.  This episode was recorded before the anti-war protests in Israel over the weekend. • Don’t forget you can watch full video of our panel editions on Spotify.  If ever we needed ESCAPE ROUTES it’s this week… • Julie recommends Bruce Springsteen’s Born To Run on its 50th anniversary.  • Raf recommends The Genius Myth by Helen Lewis.  • Andrew recommends Alien Earth on Disney+.  When you buy books through our affiliate bookshop you help fund the podcast by earning us a small commission for every sale. Bookshop.org’s fees help support independent bookshops too. • Get our exclusive NordVPN deal here https://nordvpn.com/ohgodwhatnow. It’s risk-free with Nord’s 30-day money back guarantee!  • Advertisers! Want to reach smart, engaged, influential people with money to spend? (Yes, they do exist). Some 3.5 MILLION people download and watch our podcasts every month – and they love our shows. Why not get YOUR brand in front of our influential listeners with podcast advertising? Contact ads@podmasters.co.uk to find out more • Back us on Patreon https://www.patreon.com/ohgodwhatnow for ad-free listening, bonus materials and more.  Presented by Andrew Harrison with Rafael Behr. Audio and video production by Chris Jones. Theme music by Cornershop. Art direction: James Parrett. Produced by Chris Jones. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. OH GOD, WHAT NOW? is a Podmasters production. www.podmasters.co.uk Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ed Davey’s reborn Lib Dems are on a 100-year high with 72 MPs and a shot at becoming the conscience of progressive Britain. So why do Reform get all the coverage? He joins our regulars to talk about fighting Farage, Labour’s travails, the war on cruelty in politics, why all those General Election surfing and bungee stunts worked, and what the Lib Dems can get done in Parliament. “We’ve been the best opposition,” he tells Alison Phillips, Matt Green and Hannah Fearn. Will they believe him…? • Get our exclusive ⁠NordVPN deal here⁠. It’s risk-free with Nord’s 30-day money back guarantee! ESCAPE ROUTES • Ed Davey recommends There Are Rivers in the Sky by Elif Shafak. • Hannah has been watching Black Doves on Netflix.  • Matt recommends Close to Death by Anthony Horowitz.  • Alison recommends Bel Canto by Ann Patchett.  When you buy books through our affiliate bookshop you help fund OGWN by earning us a small commission for every sale. Bookshop.org’s fees help support independent bookshops too.   • Advertisers! Want to reach smart, engaged, influential people with money to spend? (Yes, they do exist). Some 3.5 MILLION people download and watch our podcasts every month – and they love our shows. Why not get YOUR brand in front of our influential listeners with podcast advertising? Contact ads@podmasters.co.uk to find out more • Back us on Patreon for ad-free listening, bonus materials and more.  Presented by Alison Phillips with Hannah Fearn and Matt Green. Audio production by Tom Taylor and Robin Leeburn. Theme music by Cornershop. Art direction: James Parrett. Produced by Chris Jones. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. OH GOD, WHAT NOW? is a Podmasters production. www.podmasters.co.uk   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

 The Constitution expressly forbids anyone from seeking a third term as US President. But since when did that ever stop Trump from doing anything? Ex-congressional staffer turned politics professor at George Washington University Casey Burgat joins Guardian leader writer Rafael Behr and Andrew Harrison to look at the many weird ways Trump could cling to the White House… the hidden rivalries within MAGA… and what happens to a personality cult when (if) the personality vacates the scene.   • Don’t miss Talk ’90s To Me: Nirvana with Miranda Sawyer.  • Buy Casey’s book We Hold These “Truths” through our affiliate bookshop and you’ll help fund OGWN by earning us a small commission for every sale. Bookshop.org’s fees help support independent bookshops too.   • Get our exclusive NordVPN deal ⁠here⁠. It’s risk-free with Nord’s 30-day money back guarantee!   ESCAPE ROUTES  • Raf went to see Erasure at Brighton Pride.  • Casey went to see The Lumineers  live.  • Andrew recommends Fantastic Four: First Steps and the first couple of songs from Saint Etienne’s final album International. • Advertisers! Want to reach smart, engaged, influential people with money to spend? (Yes, they do exist). Some 3.5 MILLION people download and watch our podcasts every month – and they love our shows. Why not get YOUR brand in front of our influential listeners with podcast advertising? Contact ads@podmasters.co.uk to find out more    www.patreon.com/ohgodwhatnow    Presented by Andrew Harrison with Rafael Behr. Audio and video production by Chris Jones. Music by Cornershop. Art direction: James Parrett. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. OH GOD, WHAT NOW? is a Podmasters production.    www.podmasters.co.uk   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Is the hysteria around digital I.D. cards justified? Or should we simply realise this is the future and get on with it? Plus, how deep is the UK university crisis? Professor Glen O’Hara is a voice at the forefront of this issue and joins us to shed some light on the dire situation. And in the Extra Bit for Subscribers, the Channel 4 documentary 1000 Men and Me: The Bonnie Blue Story has created a media storm about sex, morality and censorship. Why have one woman’s actions caused such angst? Escape Routes: • Rachel went to A Midsummer Night’s Dream at Bridge Theatre  • Glen watched The Fantastic Four: First Steps (other cinemas are available) • Jonn went to the Royal Academy’s Summer Exhibition  • Dorian watched Mix Tape on iPlayer www.patreon.com/ohgodwhatnow • Get our exclusive NordVPN deal ⁠here⁠. It’s risk-free with Nord’s 30-day money back guarantee!  https://nordvpn.com/ohgodwhatnow • Advertisers! Want to reach smart, engaged, influential people with money to spend? (Yes, they do exist). Some 3.5 MILLION people download and watch our podcasts every month – and they love our shows. Why not get YOUR brand in front of our influential listeners with podcast advertising? Contact ads@podmasters.co.uk to find out more Presented by Dorian Lynskey, Jonn Elledge and Rachel Cunliffe. Audio Production by Robin Leeburn. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. OH GOD, WHAT NOW? is a Podmasters production. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Join Alex Hern, A.I. writer at The Economist, as he unpacks the complicated landscape of artificial intelligence. Discover the timeline for achieving artificial general intelligence and the jobs at risk of being wiped out. Hern discusses the promises of growth versus the specter of dystopia. Engage in debates about ethical implications, the rivalry between the U.S. and China in AI development, and how AI could reshape our economy and environment. Get insights into why experts are more concerned about AI's impact than the general public!

Far-right agitators are amping up protests against a migrant hotel in Epping and Farage claims Britain is “close to civil disobedience on a vast scale”. We look at why populists are so desperate for chaos on the streets. Plus, as our brand new podcast Talk ’90s To Me launches, host Miranda Sawyer joins the panel to explain how the decade of Cool Britannia, Britpop and New Labour changed everything. And in the Extra Bit: The Internet is horrible but is it just a few people ruining it for everyone?  • Don’t miss the very first episode of Talk ’90s With Me: Oasis! presented by Miranda Sawyer.  ESCAPE ROUTES • Rachel has been bingeing on Only Connect on BBC iPlayer.  • Jarv recommends Memoir of a Snail on the BFI Player.  • Miranda is enjoying Baxter Dury’s new album Allbarone. • Alison is off to see Superman at the pictures (verdict TBC).  • Back us on Patreon for ad-free listening, bonus materials and more.  Advertisers! Want to reach smart, engaged, influential people with money to spend? (Yes, they do exist). Some 3.5 MILLION people download and watch our podcasts every month – and they love our shows. Why not get YOUR brand in front of our influential listeners with podcast advertising? Contact ads@podmasters.co.uk to find out more Presented by Alison Phillips with Rachel Cunliffe and Jacob Jarvis. Audio production by Tom Taylor and Robin Leeurn. Theme music by Cornershop. Produced by Chris Jones. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. OH GOD, WHAT NOW? is a Podmasters production. www.podmasters.co.uk Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

OK, the launch might have been a bit shambolic and the name isn’t settled – but will Corbyn and Sultana’s “Your Party”* have more impact than the average new party, yes we’re looking at you Change UK? Specifically, will it split the left of centre vote and put Farage in No.10? Plus – Vanity Fair is now running adverts featuring AI models. Is there any job the slop machine can’t destroy, even Kate Moss’s? And if women can’t live up to unrealistic human beauty standards, how about going up against literally unreal heights of perfection? [* Name TBC] • Don’t miss the very first episode of Talk ’90s With Me: Oasis! presented by Miranda Sawyer.  ESCAPE ROUTES • Zoe recommends Amy Bradley Is Missing on Netflix.  • Seth recommends Le Canard Enchaîné – practice your French first.  • Ava recommends The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives on Disney+  • Andrew recommends (after a fashion) Trainwreck: Poop Cruise on Netflix.  • Back us on Patreon for ad-free listening, bonus materials and more.  Presented by group editor Andrew Harrison with Zöe Grünewald, Seth Thévoz and Ava Santona. Audio production by Tom Taylor. Theme music by Cornershop. Produced by Chris Jones. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. OH GOD, WHAT NOW? is a Podmasters production. www.podmasters.co.uk Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Has our perception of what it is to be patriotic been skewed by the likes of angry protesters parading outside a refugee hotel in Essex? And can the idea of patriotism ever be reclaimed from furious far-right groups like Britain First? Plus, what’s the latest on the Brexit reset with the EU? Director of UK in a Changing Europe Anand Menon joins the panel to discuss. And in the Extra Bit for subscribers, we’re wondering if we’ll EVER be able to retire. Escape Routes: • Ros recommends Inter Alia at the National Theatre. • Matt has been watching Yellowstone on Netflix.  • Hannah recommends Lush by Rochelle Dowden-Lord.  • Anand recommends Caledonian Road by Andrew O’Hagan.  Buy Lush or Caledonian Road through our affiliate bookshop and you’ll help fund Oh God, What Now? by earning us a small commission for every sale. Bookshop.org’s fees help support independent bookshops too. Follow us on BlueSky Back us on Patreon: www.patreon.com/ohgodwhatnow Presented by Ros Taylor with Hannah Fearn, and Matt Green. Audio Production by Tom Taylor & Robin Leeburn. Music by Cornershop. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. OH GOD, WHAT NOW? is a Podmasters production. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices