
Oh God, What Now?
Making sense of our political hell every Tuesday and Friday! Oh God, What Now? is the no-bulls**t politics podcast, making the unbearable bearable with top quality guests and analysis, plus poor quality jokes. Regulars include: Dorian Lynskey, author of The Ministry Of Truth: A Biography of Orwell’s 1984 and host of Origin Story • Writer and commentator Ros Taylor • Rachel Cunliffe of the New Statesman • Writer and host of This Is Not A Drill Gavin Esler • Social affairs journalist Hannah Fearn • Comedian Matt Green • The Lead's Westminster Editor Zoë Grünewald • Group Editor Andrew Harrison • Journalist Marie Le Conte • Podmasters Managing Editor Jacob Jarvis • New Statesman columnist Jonn Elledge • Guardian writer Rafael BehrSign up and get ad-free shows earlier than anyone else: patreon.com/ohgodwhatnow.Oh God, What Now? is a Podmasters production
Latest episodes

Nov 14, 2024 • 1h 7min
Injustice League: Trump and Badenoch recruit their minions
Andy Kroll, an award-winning investigative reporter for ProPublica and author of A Death on W Street, joins the panel to dissect the political machinations of Trump and Kemi Badenoch's cabinets. They delve into Project 2025's controversial policies, Trump's ambiguous initiatives, and the struggles within the Tory shadow cabinet. Kroll highlights the unwavering support from Trump's base despite election controversies, while the group reflects on the broader implications of recent political events and the emotional fallout of electoral defeats.

Nov 12, 2024 • 1h 14min
How to live in Trump’s world
Seth Thévoz, an insightful historian and author, joins journalist Hannah Fearn and comedian Matt Green to discuss the ripple effects of Trump's victory on European politics. They delve into how far-right populism is evolving both across the Atlantic and within the UK, examining the challenges facing leaders like Giorgia Meloni. The trio also critiques social media regulation for teens and explores how lessons from the American left can shape future politics. Humor and sharp analysis weave through their engaging conversation, making complex issues accessible.

Nov 7, 2024 • 59min
Oh God, Not Again – The revolting return of Donald Trump
• Get your tickets to our 10th December live show at the Comedy Store London here!It’s happened, Trump has retaken the White House. How did the orange felon who’s also racist win the election and what might he do now? Andrew Rudalevige is a professor of government at Bowdoin College and joins the panel to confront it all. Plus, in the run-up to Remembrance Day, we dig up the strange evolution of poppy mania. And in the Extra Bit for subscribers, the panel ventures out of their comfort zones to get stuck into a bit of culture that they otherwise wouldn’t touch with a barge pole.• We’re on YouTube!: https://www.youtube.com/@ohgodwhatnow • Back us on Patreon. • Don’t miss Series 2 of our science and psychology podcast, Why? with Emma Kennedy – listen here.Presented by Andrew Harrison with Ros Taylor and Jonn Elledge. 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

Nov 5, 2024 • 1h 12min
Harris-Trump finale: Fear of an orange planet
Get your tickets to our 10th December live show at the Comedy Store here!On the eve of the US election, nobody is quite sure how Donald Trump still has a chance of becoming president. But should the orange man lose, how does the Republican Party recover from his reign? Home Front podcast host and Republican campaign veteran. Reed Galen, has been a vehement anti-Trumper for years and joins the panel to get into it all. And back home, Kemi Badenoch is at the helm of the Tory party - what does that mean for the future of the centre-right? And what can we learn from what Trump has done to the GOP?Listen to Reed's podcast, The Home Front.Want more American politics from Podmasters? Listen to Jarv's show, American Friction. We’re on YouTube!: https://www.youtube.com/@ohgodwhatnow www.patreon.com/ohgodwhatnow• Don’t miss Series 2 of our science and psychology podcast, Why? with Emma Kennedy - listen here.Presented by Jacob Jarvis with Zoe Grunewald and Rafael Behr. 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

Nov 2, 2024 • 35min
Emergency ToryCast – If it’s Badenoch for you, it’s bad enough for me
• Get your tickets to Oh God, What Now? live at the Comedy Store on Tue 10 Dec – now with special guest John Crace of The Guardian.Kemi “start a fight in an empty room” Badenoch wins the Tory leadership, beating Robert Jenrick in a surprisingly low turnout. Will an electorate that’s just turfed out the Conservative Party be in the mood for more of the same only more combative and obnoxious? Will Badenoch’s promise to “tell the truth” just mean more woke-bashing? And would Labour HQ be wise to keep the champagne on ice? The New Statesman’s Rachel Cunliffe and Andrew Harrison interrupt their Saturdays for some Torygazing. Support us on Patreon to get early access to all our live tickets plus mugs, t-shirts and more. Presenter and Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Produced by Simon Williams. Theme music by Cornershop. 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

Nov 1, 2024 • 1h 4min
I like big budgets and I cannot lie
Go here to get tickets for Oh God, What Now? live at the Comedy Store on Tue 10 Dec – now with special guest John Crace of The Guardian. Big tax rises, big ambition. Labour’s first budget since regaining power, from Britain’s first-ever female chancellor, is rocking the nation. Beyond frantic headlines in the Tory press, what’s Rachel Reeves up to? Former chief economist at the Cabinet Office Jonathan Portes joins us to explain. Plus, anger is an energy – is angertainment the real force shaping the world right now? And will Trump win the White House because of it? And in the Extra Bit for supporters: as fares go up by a quid will we witness Mutiny On The Buses? We’re on YouTube!: https://www.youtube.com/@ohgodwhatnow Support us on Patreon.Don’t miss Series 2 of our science and psychology podcast, Why? with Emma Kennedy – listen here. Presented by Andrew Harrison with Hannah Fearn and Seth Thévoz. Producer: Chris Jones. Audio production by: Jade Bailey. 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

Oct 29, 2024 • 1h 5min
If you voted for better government, then fight for it – with guest Polly Toynbee
• Go here to get tickets for Oh God, What Now? live at the Comedy Store on Tue 10 Dec.Labour’s first budget since regaining power is an opportunity to get back on the front foot and silence its critics on the right. What could Rachel Reeves introduce in this budget, how key is a focus on the NHS going to be, and, importantly, WHO THE HELL does the bins at Buckingham Palace?! Plus, the vote for the Assisted Dying Bill is about 5 weeks away. Some MPs feel there hasn’t been enough time to debate it properly. Wes Streeting won’t back it, nor will Justice Sec Shabana Mahmood. Will Parliament fumble one of the most important decisions it could have to make? Guardian Columnist Polly Toynbee joins the panel to get stuck into all of that.We’re on YouTube!: https://www.youtube.com/@ohgodwhatnow www.patreon.com/ohgodwhatnow• Don’t miss Series 2 of our science and psychology podcast, Why? with Emma Kennedy – listen here.Presented by Ros Taylor with Zoë Grünewald and Rachel Cunliffe. 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

Oct 25, 2024 • 1h 7min
Starmer vs. The Media – Can Labour handle the press? – with guest Adam Boulton
• Go here to get tickets for Oh God, What Now? live at the Comedy Store on Tue 10 Dec.Starmer’s still under media pressure over the Swiftgate/freebie scandal, he just can’t shake it off… (I'll get my coat). Should Labour give up on getting a fair crack from Britain’s media – and how much are the problems the party’s own fault? Broadcaster and ex-Sky News political editor Adam Boulton joins us to talk about Labour vs the media and the seismic changes engulfing the news business. Plus in the Extra Bit for backers, Wes Streeting asked the public for ideas to improve the NHS and got suggestions like beer on tap to improve “patient morale”. Is it ever worth asking the public for ideas? We’re on YouTube!: https://www.youtube.com/@ohgodwhatnow www.patreon.com/ohgodwhatnow• Don’t miss Series 2 of our science and psychology podcast, Why? with Emma Kennedy – listen here.Presented by Ros Taylor with Ava Santina and Rafael Behr. 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

Oct 24, 2024 • 12min
Taster – ‘Why do people join cults?’ – from the new series of Why? with Emma Kennedy
A bonus clip from the new series of science and psychology podcast, Why? – from the makers of Oh God, What Now? 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 Oh God, What Now? 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

Oct 22, 2024 • 1h 4min
Squeaky Trump time – with guest Brian Klaas
The US election is hanging in the balance with either candidate looking just as likely to win in November. Brian Klaas, author of Fluke: Chance, Chaos, and Why Everything We Do Matters and professor of global politics at University College London, says it’s “absurd” that the race is as close as it is and joins the panel to explain how catastrophic a Trump 2.0 Presidency could be. And in the second half, we went to see the new biopic ‘The Apprentice’ which Trump called a “politically disgusting hatchet job”. How was it, and has it damaged the former President’s campaign or fired him up?We’re on YouTube!: https://www.youtube.com/@ohgodwhatnow www.patreon.com/ohgodwhatnowPresented by Andrew Harrison, Matt Green and Yasmeen Serhan. 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
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