What The F*** Is Going On? with Mark Steel

We're on a break from the podcast while Mark starts his new tour 'The Leopard In My House' (details here: https://marksteelinfo.com/) But in the meantime, here's another classic episode from the archives. In this extended interview, Mark talks about his 'cancer journey' – as they would no doubt call it on Britain's Got Talent - to Dr Phil Hammond. As a comedian, author and retired doctor, no one is better placed than Phil to give some informed and highly entertaining expert opinion on Mark's experiences, advances in medical science, and the state of the NHS. The conversation covers everything from King Charles to East Grinstead – and whether arsenic is really used as a cancer treatment. It's a frank, no-holds barred discussion that contains graphic sexual references and other grown up stuff that needs to be talked about more!  Follow @drphilhammond Follow What The F*** Is Going On? With Mark Steel @wtfisgoingonpod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We're on a break from the podcast while Mark starts his new tour 'The Leopard In My House' (details here: https://marksteelinfo.com/) But in the meantime, here's another classic episode from the archives. In this special extended interview, Mark talks to Dr Phil Hammond about the state of the NHS. As a comedian, journalist, whistle-blower and newly retired NHS doctor, no one is better equipped to try to answer the questions that people are asking about healthcare today. The conversation is fascinating, informed – and darkly funny!  Follow @drphilhammond Follow What The F*** Is Going On? With Mark Steel @wtfisgoingonpodGo to proton.me/wtfisgoingon to receive a 38% discount on Proton Mail Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We're on a break from the podcast while Mark starts his new tour 'The Leopard In My House' (details here: https://marksteelinfo.com/) But in the meantime, here's another classic episode from the archives. Mark is joined by former Green Party MP Caroline Lucas for a special extended interview, covering everything from climate change to Jeremy Corbyn; from Progressive Alliances and PR to Labour Party tribalism – and how the f*** she managed to keep her temper when Boris Johnson was lying his head off in Parliament! Follow Caroline Lucas @CarolineLucas Follow What The F*** Is Going On? With Mark Steel @wtfisgoingonpod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this engaging conversation, Tom Walker, the genius behind the satirical character Jonathan Pie, takes the stage. He delves into the complexities of cancel culture, examining how humor clashes with political correctness. The discussion covers the absurdities of modern politics and the delicate balance comedians must strike between free speech and potential offense. Walker also shares insights into his character's evolution and the generational shifts in media consumption, all while keeping a playful tone that reflects his rich comedic background.

Mark has been extremely busy preparing for his tour, which starts next week (details here: https://marksteelinfo.com/) so unfortunately he wasn't able to record a new episode. In the meantime, here's a classic episode in which Mark is joined by Dr Benji Waterhouse – NHS psychiatrist, comedian and best-selling author – for a special extended interview about mental health.  Benji's book 'You Don't Have To Be Mad To Work Here' is a darkly funny account of life as a front-line NHS doctor specialising in psychiatry. In it, he talks about the patients he has encountered, from the 45 year-old man with psychosis who believed he was a werewolf, to the woman who arrived at his hospital in a wedding dress insisting she was getting married to Harry Styles.  His conversation with Mark covers our changing attitudes to mental health – and asks how patients can get the care they need when psychiatry is so desperately lacking in staff and hospital beds. It's a must-hear interview!Go to proton.me/wtfisgoingon to receive a 38% discount on Proton Mail Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week Mark is busy doing some very important business in France but we have a very special classic episode from the early days of the podcast in which Mark is joined by Louis Theroux and Elliot Steel as he tries er…forgive me… forgive me… forgive me…tries to make sense of Boris Johnson incompetence, Black Friday and the link between Dr Who and youth crime.Follow Louis Theroux on Twitter @louistherouxFollow What The F*** Is Going On? With Mark Steel on Twitter @wtfisgoingonpodGet bonus content on PatreonGo to proton.me/wtfisgoingon to receive a 38% discount on Proton Mail Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mark is joined by comedian Rosie Holt as he tries to make sense of Elon Musk’s interesting inauguration speech, a new Donald Trump era –  and Labour’s uninspiring government.Plus we hear from Alicia Allegretto of Squirrel News on the inauguration - and George Galloway on The Traitors. This episode was sponsored by Proton Mail If you would like to take back control of your inbox and stop your data being harvested through your emails sign up to Proton mail using this link to receive a whopping 38% discount: proton.me/wtfisgoingonGet ad-free extended episodes, early access and exclusive content on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/wtfisgoingonpodFollow What The F*** Is Going On? with Mark Steel on Twitter @wtfisgoingonpodFollow Elliot Steel @elliotsteelcomFollow Rosie @rosieisaholtGo to proton.me/wtfisgoingon to receive a 38% discount on Proton Mail Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What The F*** Is Going On? With Mark Steel - Ep 155Mark is joined by comedian and writer Nick Revell, along with Elliot Steel, as he tries to make sense of the politicisation of the California wildfires, stealing from Woolworths –  and Elliot shares a story about his recent trip to Newcastle.Plus Mike Concrete interviews a lady who runs a paranormal website and  we hear from Britain’s most patriotic man, Nigel Boulevard on putting America before Britain. Get ad-free extended episodes, early access and exclusive content on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/wtfisgoingonpodFollow What The F*** Is Going On? with Mark Steel on Twitter @wtfisgoingonpodFollow Elliot Steel @elliotsteelcomFollow Nick @thenickrevell Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mark is joined by comedian Seann Walsh, along with Elliot Steel, as he tries to make sense of Elon Musk’s comments on grooming gangs , middle class comedians –  and Elliot shares his opinion on a select few of Mark’s fans.Plus we hear a woman on a phone in who’s not happy with New Year celebration and Mark overhears a woman in a cafe complaining about the weather.Check out Seann’s new special “Back From The Bed” here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A_y74khsPvYAND do check out Elliot’s new special “Carrying The Boats” here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YTtvceb5A80&t=178sGet ad-free extended episodes, early access and exclusive content on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/wtfisgoingonpodFollow What The F*** Is Going On? with Mark Steel on Twitter @wtfisgoingonpodFollow Elliot Steel @elliotsteelcomFollow Seann @seannwalsh Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mark is joined by writer and journalist Margaret Renn in this special extended episode. Together, they discuss Margaret’s new book “Paul Foot: A Life in Politics” and the life of Paul Foot, one of Britain's most outstanding journalists and socialist campaigners.If you enjoyed this interview then please buy a copy of Margaret’s new book, it’s well worth a read so head down to your local book shop and buy a copy, but if you really must use amazon then you can buy it here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Paul-Foot-Politics-Margaret-Renn/dp/1804291900Get ad-free extended episodes, early access and exclusive content on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/wtfisgoingonpodFollow What The F*** Is Going On? Bluesky/X @wtfisgoingonpod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices