Oh God, What Now?

“Nice liberal democracy you got there, shame if something wuz to happen to it…” Trump behaves like a mob boss, complete with extortion and protection scams against universities, businesses and governments. But is he a real Godfather or just cosplaying as one? John Dickie, Professor of Italian Studies at UCL and expert on the Mafia, joins us to dismantle La MAGA Nostra. Plus – the IMF think we should work well into our seventies. Do we need longer working lives, or better ones?• Don’t miss our live Zoom on Thur 1 May – free to Patreon backers. Escape Routes• Seth’s London Clubland: A Companion for the Curious • Ros’s choice – A Life by Simone Veil.• John’s choices – The Red Brigades: The Terrorists who Brought Italy to its Knees by John Foot and Judgment At Tokyo by Gary J Bass. • Andrew’s choice – the Battle-Action mini-series.• Back us on Patreon for ad-free listening, bonus materials and more. Written and presented by Andrew Harrison, Ros Taylor and Seth Thévoz. Audio production by Robin Leeburn. 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

Crossover edition with hit pod The Two Matts. What the hell is ‘Hard Labour’? Is it Blue Labour in disguise, Old Labour on steroids, or Starmerism’s inevitable final form? The New European’s Matt Kelly and Matt D’Ancona join Zöe Grünewald and Dorian Lynskey to look at Labour’s identity crisis. Plus: Fortress Europe vs Trump 2.0, The Beatles vs Andrew Tate in the battle for young men’s minds in the Extra Bit… and we invent “base-punching”. • Dorian’s Introduction to Father John Misty playlist. • Back us on Patreon for ad-free listening, bonus materials and more. Written and presented by Dorian Lynskey and Zöe Grünewald with special guests Matt Kelly and Matt D’Ancona. Audio production by Robin Leeburn. 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

Trump 2.0 is a different animal compared to his first term. His administration has already made massive cuts to the federal government and conducted a war on woke – all with terrifying ferocity. Is Trump ruling America by fear? Special guest and host of the Fast Politics podcast, Molly Jong-Fast, joins the panel. Plus, is there a future in British Steel? As Labour nationalises a key strategic industry we wonder just how worried we should be about China.We’re on YouTube!: https://www.youtube.com/@ohgodwhatnow  www.patreon.com/ohgodwhatnowPresented by Andrew Harrison with Seth Thévoz and Ros Taylor. Producer: Chris Jones 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

Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey knows how to capture attention with eye-catching stunts. The discussion revolves around the party's ambition to challenge the Conservatives and appeal to a diverse voter base. The panel dives into the evolving political sentiments and the impact of Donald Trump's actions on liberal politics. They also touch on the balancing act of media representation and explore entertainment highlights, from a wacky matinee to unexpected movie successes, emphasizing the importance of genuine interactions in comedy.

Donald Trump’s tariff masterplan is working! Well that’s just utter bulls**t, isn’t it? Trump’s decision to reverse global tariffs for 90 days caught everyone by surprise, even us! Dorian, Hannah, Matt and Marie recorded the whole pod before the announcement, but don’t fear, Andrew Harrison and The Guardian’s Rafael Behr were on-hand to add some reaction to the tariff u-turn. And don’t miss the panel on Trump’s obsession with big MAN jobs.• Tariff craziness meant we got a longer-than-usual edition so we’ve split it in two, Dune-style, and brought it to you early. Be here on Friday morning for Part Two in which we ask… Is it time to start taking the Lib Dems seriously?• We’re on YouTube!: https://www.youtube.com/@ohgodwhatnow  www.patreon.com/ohgodwhatnowPresented by Dorian Lynskey with Hannah Fearn, Matt Green, Marie Le Conte, Rafael Behr, and Andrew Harrison. Producer: Chris Jones Audio. Production by: Simon Williams. 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

Donald Trump’s tariffs are tanking stock markets and bankrupting penguins. How is Britain coping with Trump’s assault on free trade… and is there anything we can do to protect ourselves from protectionism? Plus, the most crucial voters are aged between 35 and 59 – and they’re also the most economically worried. Professor Jane Green is the Director of the Nuffield Politics Research Centre and co-author of a new report detailing why this group of people is so politically important. She joins the podcast to uncover what she found.We’re on YouTube!: https://www.youtube.com/@ohgodwhatnow  www.patreon.com/ohgodwhatnowPresented by Andrew Harrison with Zoë Grünewald, and Rachel Cunliffe. Producer: Chris Jones Audio. Production by Tom Taylor. 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

Joe Mulhall, Director of Research at Hope Not Hate, sheds light on the alarming rise of far-right movements in Britain, especially among the youth, as detailed in the 'State of Hate 2025' report. Dmitry Grozoubinski, a trade policy expert, discusses the chaos stemming from recent tariffs imposed by the U.S. and their potential global impact. The conversation also teases the challenges of navigating a post-woke political landscape, raising questions about its true implications and the shifting perceptions toward multiculturalism.

Rachel Reeves’s spring not-a-budget has gone down like a cup of cold sick and many Labour supporters are asking what they’re backing the party for. Is Labour on the verge of losing popular confidence – and could it win it back? Plus, as Trump gets weirder and weirder we look at two movies that explain the trashy allure of American fascism: Paul Verhoeven’s hyperviolent sci-fi satires Robocop and Starship Troopers. Would you like to know more…?• Listen to The Bunker: Northern uproar – How Canada is standing up to Trump.• Tickets are on sale now for Matt’s Legitimate Concerns tour.• Andrew interviews John Higgs, author of Exterminate! Regenerate! – The Story of Doctor Who at the Rock’n’Roll Book Club, Walthamstow on Tue 22 April.Escape Routes:• Hannah’s choice Crib Notes on Substack. • Matt’s choice Paradise on Disney+. • Raf chooses The Remix with Chris Hawkins. • Andrew’s choice The Residence on Netflix.• Back us on Patreon for ad-free listening, bonus materials and more. Written and presented by Andrew Harrison with Rafael Behr, Hannah Fearn and Matt Green. Audio production by Robin Leeburn. 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

Rachel Reeves’ Spring not-a-budget Statement is out and it’s hard to take. What’s in it, what’s not, and are we all going to be rich now (hard no)? Plus, the return of Donald Trump has been hard to ignore – but should we wean ourselves off American politics, in favour of sorting out our own problems closer to home? And in the Extra Bit for Patreon backers: Everyone on the panel speaks a second language. How important are they and is Duolingo the right way to go?We’re on YouTube!: https://www.youtube.com/@ohgodwhatnow  www.patreon.com/ohgodwhatnowPresented by Ros Taylor, with Marie Le Conte, Ahir Shah and Seth Thévoz. Producer: Chris Jones Audio. 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

Kemi Badenoch faces a critical moment in her political career, struggling in the polls and against intraparty challenges. The conversation shifts to the lessons from Ancient Rome, paralleling its fall with modern America's democratic unease. A deep dive into how personal loyalties can threaten institutions raises thought-provoking insights. The panel also touches on the contagious kindness seen during the pandemic and cultural reflections that connect history with today's turmoil. Their book recommendations add a literary twist to this insightful discussion.